Sugar Bears mount comeback for 11th straight

The Sugar Bears squeaked out a 10-9 victory over Carolina yesterday for their 11th win in a row. Marlon Anderson once again led the way with a 4-4 line and Carlos Guillen hit two solo home runs. The Mudcats actually led the game 9-3 entering the eighth inning, but then all hell broke loose. Chipper Jones led off the inning with a solo homer, then Super Marlon hit a double, followed by a single and a walk. Scott Linebrink was called in to stop the rally, but instead walked in the fifth run for the Sugar Bears. He struck out the next batter, but gave up a two run single to Jim Edmonds. The closer was now needed. Brian Fuentes came in with the score 9-7 with runners on first and second, facing the red-hot Manny Ramirez (this week's Hitter of the Week). Manny took Fuentes deep to left center and gave the Sugar Bears the 10-9 lead and the win.

Hoboken was crushed by New Jersey 14-3 yesterday. Yuniesky Betancourt and Adam Kennedy, those two powerhouse offensive stars, each had four hits, including 4 RBIs from Betancourt. Ichiro Suzuki also had four hits. The only home run came from Hoboken's Chris Duncan. The Cutters did not help themselves out in the game at all. Hoboken committed five errors, including two by Duncan (who must have tried to make it up with the homer), though they only resulted in two unearned runs.

Las Vegas' quest to turnover their entire bullpen is now almost complete. After Vegas cut Taylor Tankersley yesterday, only one member of the opening day bullpen remains: closer Chris Ray. Tankersley ran his ERA up to 9.10 and deserved the exile, but Will Ohman, Juan Cruz, and Ricky Nolasco were wondering what they did to deserve their fates. Meanwhile, the newest addition to the Vegas pen, Ryan Franklin, earned his first save of the season yesterday against Marietta.

Josh Barfield was happy to return to the Straphangers clubhouse yesterday. The second baseman was activated from the DL yesterday after the club insisted that he get some additional rehabilitation time in AAA Brooklyn. "We wanted him to be a 110% for the Honolulu series" said manager Bucky Dent.

Tanking Tankersley

The Sugar Bears swept the Rat Pack with a 16-2 pounding yesterday. The Sugar Bears outscored the Rats 35-8 in the three game series. This time it Taylor Tankersley getting his final season numbers ruined. Tank gave up 9 runs on two hits and 7 walks in only 1/3 or an inning. Mark Teahen, the only out recorded by Tankersley - a strikeout victim no less, should feel like the biggest loser. "I guess I should have taken a pitch or two" said Teahen after the game with tears in his eyes. "Even little girls and grandmas were making fun of me." Tankersley also threw a wild pitch and hit a batter in the inning. It was the Sugar Bears sixth straight win and the Rat Pack's seventh straight loss.

Jason Schmidt was on top of his game yesterday as he mowed down the Hoboken Cutters to the tune of 12 strikeouts in 7 innings. The Sharks won the game 9-2 and are sitting alone in third place overall, 1/2 a game up on Vancouver. Schmidt becomes the first pitcher to reach eight victories this season.

Schmidt wasn't the only pitcher mowing down batters yesterday. South Boston's Aaron Harang also K'ed 12 Vancouver players en route to a 9-1 victory.