Philadelphia executed their second deal of the season today, trading reliever Rafael Perez, second baseman Aaron Hill, and two picks to the Hoboken Cutters for Jason Isringhausen, second baseman Kelly Johnson, and a late draft pick. Isringhausen, who had been with the Cutters since their inception in 2001, will likely move into a setup role on the Endzone Animals, as J.J. Putz has the closer role locked down.
Zack Greinke improved to 9-0 on the season with a 3-2 win over Philadelphia yesterday. Greinke pitched 8 innings of 2-hit ball, surrendering 2 runs and striking out 7. Vancouver's first round pick in this year's draft is now second in the league in ERA (2.93) and is now the sole undefeated pitcher in the league (Tampa Bay's Andy Pettitte lost his first game last week).
D.C. and Hillsborough took turns shutting each other out. In the first game, Kelvim Escobar had an incredible game, shutting out the Hitmen on 7 hits in 7.1 innings and striking out 14. The Hitmen pitchers also pitched well, despite John Lackey being ejected for throwing at Jeff Kent and triggering a benches-clearing brawl. "I probably wouldn't have minded so much" said Kent after the game "if the ball wasn't laced with explosives." Kent will miss the next three weeks recuperating and reliever Mike Timlin, who tried to dive over the combustible device, will miss two weeks. Hillsborough came back and shut out D.C. 7-0 in the second game. Justin Verlander pitched 7.2 innings of 3-hit ball to improve to 9-7. D.C. got some vengeance by taking out third baseman Mark Reynolds. Catcher Brian McCann snuck up behind Reynolds as he was taking practice swings and hit his knees with a lead pipe. Why would the Slappers intentionally target one of the worst producers in the lineup? "I thought it was [Ryan] Howard" said McCann. "They look so alike."
Showing posts with label verlander. Show all posts
Showing posts with label verlander. Show all posts
Monday, June 23, 2008
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Guerrero cycles past Philly
You've probably already noticed that Vlad Guerrero hit for the cycle in Blue Ridge's 8-1 victory over Philly yesterday. Guerrero got the hardest one out of the way immediately, with a triple in the first inning that gave the Bombers a 1-0 lead. Guerrero led off the 4th with a double, scoring when the next batter, Prince Fielder, drove him in. Things looked bad when Guerrero grounded out in the 6th, but bounced back big time in the 8th with a two-run homer. With the hardest ones out of the way, Guerrero hoped for one more chance in the ninth. Thanks to the Bombers offense coming alive, Vlad got his at bat in the ninth and lined the needed single to right field. Guerrero is the first player to hit for the cycle since Philly's Albert Pujols and Vancouver's Eric Chavez achieved the feat in back to back days in 2006.
Roy Oswalt and Justin Verlander dueled it out to a double-complete game 1-0 final. The score was 0-0 right up til the 9th inning when Brad Hawpe led off the bottom half of the inning with a fly ball that just cleared the fence. Verlander gave up only three hits and three walks in his nine, while striking out 6. Verlander, who got an awful start to the season, has been excellent lately, giving up one run or less in four of his last five starts. Oswalt was also very effective, giving up one run on 4 hits and 3 walks while striking out 9.
Arkansas and D.C. slugged it out for 13 innings yesterday, with the Falcons emerging on top of an 8-7 decision. After D.C. established a 7-4 lead, the Falcons had to rally in the 6th and 7th to tie up the game. It would remain tied for another five innings until Brandon Phillips hit a nubbler to the left side of the infield that Jose Reyes was unable to get to in time. David Wright, breaking with the pitch, scored easily from third.
John Smoltz, who was demoted for three days to AAA Dublin, came back in full force by shutting out the Straphangers 4-0. Smoltz held the Hangmen to only five hits and struck out 12. B.J. Upton and Kurt Suzuki had four of the five hits. The Sugar Bears were held to only 6 hits in the game, but Phil Hughes and the Sardine City pen gave up 8 walks.
The first deal during the 2008 regular season was just completed today. The Philadelphia Endzone Animals exchanged farmhand pitchers with division rival Vancouver. Vancouver re-acquired lefty Scott Olsen, who had struggled with the club last season. Philadelphia received Kyle Kendrick in return. Kendrick was drafted to give the Fist some rotation depth, but with the strength of the rotation and Rich Hill available to spot start, Kendrick was expendable. Philly will send Kendrick to AAA Trenton for the time being, but he may be called up if Yovani Gallardo or Jason Bergmann continue to struggle.
Roy Oswalt and Justin Verlander dueled it out to a double-complete game 1-0 final. The score was 0-0 right up til the 9th inning when Brad Hawpe led off the bottom half of the inning with a fly ball that just cleared the fence. Verlander gave up only three hits and three walks in his nine, while striking out 6. Verlander, who got an awful start to the season, has been excellent lately, giving up one run or less in four of his last five starts. Oswalt was also very effective, giving up one run on 4 hits and 3 walks while striking out 9.
Arkansas and D.C. slugged it out for 13 innings yesterday, with the Falcons emerging on top of an 8-7 decision. After D.C. established a 7-4 lead, the Falcons had to rally in the 6th and 7th to tie up the game. It would remain tied for another five innings until Brandon Phillips hit a nubbler to the left side of the infield that Jose Reyes was unable to get to in time. David Wright, breaking with the pitch, scored easily from third.
John Smoltz, who was demoted for three days to AAA Dublin, came back in full force by shutting out the Straphangers 4-0. Smoltz held the Hangmen to only five hits and struck out 12. B.J. Upton and Kurt Suzuki had four of the five hits. The Sugar Bears were held to only 6 hits in the game, but Phil Hughes and the Sardine City pen gave up 8 walks.
The first deal during the 2008 regular season was just completed today. The Philadelphia Endzone Animals exchanged farmhand pitchers with division rival Vancouver. Vancouver re-acquired lefty Scott Olsen, who had struggled with the club last season. Philadelphia received Kyle Kendrick in return. Kendrick was drafted to give the Fist some rotation depth, but with the strength of the rotation and Rich Hill available to spot start, Kendrick was expendable. Philly will send Kendrick to AAA Trenton for the time being, but he may be called up if Yovani Gallardo or Jason Bergmann continue to struggle.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Deja vu for Vegas, Buddah
Don't forget that tomorrow there will be a morning doubleheader and then we're off for about a week, resuming games, hopefully, on June 1. Take advantage of the time off to vote for the All-Star Game!
New Jersey and Las Vegas experienced a weird case of deja vu yesterday as both lost two key players to injuries, just as the two have recently returned from DL trips.
Team Buddah lost outfielder Alfonso Soriano in his third game back from injury. Soriano only had 9 at bats before succumbing to another injury. Hey, at least Team Buddah won the game 9-2 as his replacement at DH, Yuniesky Betancourt, went 2-3 with 2 RBIs.
Meanwhile Las Vegas just activated shortstop Jeff Keppinger on May 18th, but he only lasted three games as well. Keppinger went 3-4 in his final game and was replaced by outfielder Ryan Church at shortstop. "I never played shortstop, man!" said a terrified Church "Whose idea was this???" Church's anguish only lasted two innings, but he was still seen shaking in the clubhouse after the game.
Sardine City's Phil Hughes outdueled Vancouver's Chad Billingsley in a 1-0 match. Hughes struck out 11 in seven innings of work, while only giving up three hits. Billingsley, who struck out 9 in 6 innings, lost his first decision of the year. Billingsley got in trouble in the sixth when he gave up a leadoff single to B.J. Upton. After striking out the next batter, Billingsley loaded the bases on two walks. Billingsley struck out the next batter, but Willy Taveras lined a base hit up the middle that scored the games only run. Billingsley then struck out his third batter of the inning, but the damage was done.
Justin Verlander was impressive in a complete game 6-3 victory over the Mudcats yesterday (7 H, 10 K, 1 ER). Nevertheless, the Hired Hitmen have announced that they will be offering many of their players up for trade, including Robinson Cano, Ryan Howrd, Brad Hawpe, C.C. Sabathia, and Verlander. "Some people say it might be a little early to write off this season" said Hitmen owner Brent Campbell, "but the we want to get a head start on next season. The early bird gets the worm."
New Jersey and Las Vegas experienced a weird case of deja vu yesterday as both lost two key players to injuries, just as the two have recently returned from DL trips.
Team Buddah lost outfielder Alfonso Soriano in his third game back from injury. Soriano only had 9 at bats before succumbing to another injury. Hey, at least Team Buddah won the game 9-2 as his replacement at DH, Yuniesky Betancourt, went 2-3 with 2 RBIs.
Meanwhile Las Vegas just activated shortstop Jeff Keppinger on May 18th, but he only lasted three games as well. Keppinger went 3-4 in his final game and was replaced by outfielder Ryan Church at shortstop. "I never played shortstop, man!" said a terrified Church "Whose idea was this???" Church's anguish only lasted two innings, but he was still seen shaking in the clubhouse after the game.
Sardine City's Phil Hughes outdueled Vancouver's Chad Billingsley in a 1-0 match. Hughes struck out 11 in seven innings of work, while only giving up three hits. Billingsley, who struck out 9 in 6 innings, lost his first decision of the year. Billingsley got in trouble in the sixth when he gave up a leadoff single to B.J. Upton. After striking out the next batter, Billingsley loaded the bases on two walks. Billingsley struck out the next batter, but Willy Taveras lined a base hit up the middle that scored the games only run. Billingsley then struck out his third batter of the inning, but the damage was done.
Justin Verlander was impressive in a complete game 6-3 victory over the Mudcats yesterday (7 H, 10 K, 1 ER). Nevertheless, the Hired Hitmen have announced that they will be offering many of their players up for trade, including Robinson Cano, Ryan Howrd, Brad Hawpe, C.C. Sabathia, and Verlander. "Some people say it might be a little early to write off this season" said Hitmen owner Brent Campbell, "but the we want to get a head start on next season. The early bird gets the worm."
Friday, April 25, 2008
Straphangers break hex
Yesterday was a day for poorly-starting pitchers to redeem themselves.
Sardine City broke their long losing streak yesterday with a 4-2 victory over Blue Ridge. Cole Hamels, who had struggled so far this season, pitched six innings and allowed only one earned run, but did not factor into the decision. B.J. Upton scored the winning run in the eighth after leading off the inning with a double, then advancing on a wild pitch. Team owner Greg Calvosa said they found the cause of their struggles - a Chipper Jones jersey buried in the dirt just outside the dugout in their stadium.
Hillsborough and New Jersey threw out two of their slumping starters against each other, so you'd expect a 2-1 pitcher's duel, right? Tom Gorzelanny pitched a complete game, giving up only one earned run on seven hits and striking out 11. But that wasn't good enough! Justin Verlander pitched a solid 7.2 innings, only giving up one run, and striking out 7. He did not figure into the decision. The Hitmen ended up winning the game in the eighth when Billy Butler hit an RBI-double to take the lead.
Vancouver won their eighth straight game and completed the sweep of Hoboken with an 11-4 win yesterday. Chase Utley was 4-5 and Mike Lowell hit two homers and drove in four to lead the 18-hit onslaught.
Finally, A.J. Burnett pitched a 3-hit shutout of the D.C. Bushslappers to improve to 4-0 on the season. Burnett struck out nine and walked four in the effort. The Pack held their one game lead over the Philadelphia Endzone Animals for the best record in the league.
Sardine City broke their long losing streak yesterday with a 4-2 victory over Blue Ridge. Cole Hamels, who had struggled so far this season, pitched six innings and allowed only one earned run, but did not factor into the decision. B.J. Upton scored the winning run in the eighth after leading off the inning with a double, then advancing on a wild pitch. Team owner Greg Calvosa said they found the cause of their struggles - a Chipper Jones jersey buried in the dirt just outside the dugout in their stadium.
Hillsborough and New Jersey threw out two of their slumping starters against each other, so you'd expect a 2-1 pitcher's duel, right? Tom Gorzelanny pitched a complete game, giving up only one earned run on seven hits and striking out 11. But that wasn't good enough! Justin Verlander pitched a solid 7.2 innings, only giving up one run, and striking out 7. He did not figure into the decision. The Hitmen ended up winning the game in the eighth when Billy Butler hit an RBI-double to take the lead.
Vancouver won their eighth straight game and completed the sweep of Hoboken with an 11-4 win yesterday. Chase Utley was 4-5 and Mike Lowell hit two homers and drove in four to lead the 18-hit onslaught.
Finally, A.J. Burnett pitched a 3-hit shutout of the D.C. Bushslappers to improve to 4-0 on the season. Burnett struck out nine and walked four in the effort. The Pack held their one game lead over the Philadelphia Endzone Animals for the best record in the league.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Sardine City suffers first injury
The Sardine City Straphangers suffered the first real injury of the season when starter Fausto Carmona left after the first inning while hobbling to the dugout. Carmona drew the wrath of Sardine City management. "We were really hoping to get more than 14 pitches out of our #1 starter--ugh" said co-owner Chris Calvosa after the game. Carmona will be replaced by Scott Baker, recently released by Hoboken. To make room the Straphangers will release outfielder Alfredo Amezaga. Amezaga, who had been told as a practical joke that he was one of the final roster cuts before Opening Day, at first thought it was a joke. "No way they are going to cut me after that," he said as his bags were being taken to a taxi cab, "but those heartless bastards did anyway!"
Tampa Bay, after chasing out Carmona, went on to win their first victory of the season. Starter Roy Oswalt went the distance, giving up only one run on six hits. Kenji Johjima went 3-4 for the Plunkers.
Vancouver pounded away on Hillsborough for the second straight day, winning 11-2. Andre Ethier was 4-4 with 2 RBIs and David Ortiz hit his second homer of the season. Hitmen starter Justin Verlander was shelled to the tune of seven runs in 1.1 innings.
Jason Giambi's two home runs propelled the D.C. Bushslappers to a 5-2 win over the Endzone Animals. Giambi hit his first shot in the first inning, a 2-run bomb off Johan Santana. Giambi then hit a solo shot in the fifth.
Tampa Bay, after chasing out Carmona, went on to win their first victory of the season. Starter Roy Oswalt went the distance, giving up only one run on six hits. Kenji Johjima went 3-4 for the Plunkers.
Vancouver pounded away on Hillsborough for the second straight day, winning 11-2. Andre Ethier was 4-4 with 2 RBIs and David Ortiz hit his second homer of the season. Hitmen starter Justin Verlander was shelled to the tune of seven runs in 1.1 innings.
Jason Giambi's two home runs propelled the D.C. Bushslappers to a 5-2 win over the Endzone Animals. Giambi hit his first shot in the first inning, a 2-run bomb off Johan Santana. Giambi then hit a solo shot in the fifth.
Friday, August 10, 2007
Sharks take a bite out of Vancouver's playoff hopes
Hoboken finally lost, 8-0 to South Boston. Dontrelle Willis hurled 7 shutout innings, giving up only four hits and two walks. Vladimir Guerrero hit two homers and drove in four runs to give the Gang enough offense for the victory. The Cutters fell back into a fifth place tie.
Honolulu completed their sweep of Vancouver with a 12-7 smackdown yesterday. Ben Sheets was crushed for seven runs in two innings and Adrian Gonzalez went 3-5 with a homer and three RBIs. The Sharks moved into fourth place, while Vancouver's playoff hopes seem to be disappearing by the day.
Hillsborough defeated Las Vegas 4-1 to remain the top outsider, only 1/2 game back of sixth. D.C. was idle and remains tied with Hoboken for fifth. Justin Verlander pitched a complete game 3-hitter, surrendering only one unearned run to improve to 14-8 on the season.
Arkansas and Carolina remain somewhat alive in the playoff chase, both shutting out their opponents yesterday. Arkansas blanked Marietta for the second straight day, 4-0 behind Curt Schilling. Schilling allowed 10 hits but struck out 10 Mighty Men. Carolina meanwhile had an unlikely shutout from Jason Jennings, who had been getting smacked around this year. You may remember him giving up 20 runs to the Sugar Bears back on April 2nd and 13 runs on July 2nd to D.C. (maybe he shouldn't pitch on the second day of the month?). Jennings held the Sardines to four hits over nine innings.
Marietta, by the way, has now lost three in a row and is not sitting as comfortably at the top wild card seat. Luckily for them there is a lot of shuffling going on in the lower ranks. With Vancouver, Hillsborough, and Newark coming up next on their schedule, the Mighty Men will have to prove that they belong.
Honolulu completed their sweep of Vancouver with a 12-7 smackdown yesterday. Ben Sheets was crushed for seven runs in two innings and Adrian Gonzalez went 3-5 with a homer and three RBIs. The Sharks moved into fourth place, while Vancouver's playoff hopes seem to be disappearing by the day.
Hillsborough defeated Las Vegas 4-1 to remain the top outsider, only 1/2 game back of sixth. D.C. was idle and remains tied with Hoboken for fifth. Justin Verlander pitched a complete game 3-hitter, surrendering only one unearned run to improve to 14-8 on the season.
Arkansas and Carolina remain somewhat alive in the playoff chase, both shutting out their opponents yesterday. Arkansas blanked Marietta for the second straight day, 4-0 behind Curt Schilling. Schilling allowed 10 hits but struck out 10 Mighty Men. Carolina meanwhile had an unlikely shutout from Jason Jennings, who had been getting smacked around this year. You may remember him giving up 20 runs to the Sugar Bears back on April 2nd and 13 runs on July 2nd to D.C. (maybe he shouldn't pitch on the second day of the month?). Jennings held the Sardines to four hits over nine innings.
Marietta, by the way, has now lost three in a row and is not sitting as comfortably at the top wild card seat. Luckily for them there is a lot of shuffling going on in the lower ranks. With Vancouver, Hillsborough, and Newark coming up next on their schedule, the Mighty Men will have to prove that they belong.
Monday, July 9, 2007
D.C., Hillsborough head in opposite directions
The Sugar Bears' streak is over at twelve after a doubleheader sweep at the hands of South Boston. The Gang took the first game thanks to a 2-homer, 5-RBI outburst from Ramon Hernandez and a solid outing from Dontrelle Willis. Randy Johnson did notch his 2000th career strikeout in the match, but he did not provide much help outside of that. The second game was much closer, but the Gang scored two runs in the eighth (seems to be a popular inning for comebacks) to take the lead 4-3. Brandon League won the game in relief and improved to 8-2.
Francisco Liriano shut out Vancouver 6-0 yesterday to improve to 11-1 on the season. Liriano held Vancouver to 6 hits in 6 innings and the Marietta pen finished the game off. The win spoiled the DMBL debut of Chad Billingsley who only gave up one run over seven innings of work, while striking out six. Billingsley took the place of the struggling Ben Sheets. Sheets was sent down to AAA to work on his mechanics. Vancouver got them back, however, in the second game as Moises Alou blasted three home runs (all solo shots) to help squeak by 8-7. Vancouver actually hit six homers in the contest, though they only managed 8 runs. Gerald Laird was the only one to hit a homer with a runner on base.
D.C. has hit a wall lately, losing their eighth straight game after a marathon 17 inning loss to Honolulu yesterday. D.C. has now dropped into a fourth place tie with Honolulu and is only one game ahead of Hoboken and Hillsborough for sixth place. It's a very tight race lately - 1 1/2 games separates third place Marietta from seventh place, so it'll be very interesting to see what happens in the next few weeks.
The anti-Bushslappers have been the Hillsborough Hired Hitmen who have won eight straight and are now tied for the sixth playoff spot with Hoboken. Hillsborough shut down the Cutters yesterday with back-to-back solid performances from Justin Verlander and Felix Hernandez. Verlander held the Cutters to only three hits and one run over seven innings in game one and Felix struck out nine in seven innings, while giving up only five hits and one run.
Remember Brett Myers' struggles earlier this season? Well those struggles are ancient history. Since starting the season at 0-12 with an 8.40 ERA, Myers has gone on a bit of a hot streak. He's 5-1 since that low point and has brought his ERA down to 6.34, including seven quality starts in his last eight outings and a recent Pitcher of the Week award.
Take note that the DMBL trading deadline will be this Sunday. After this point, any players that are signed off the waiver wire are not elligible to be kept after the season is over.
Francisco Liriano shut out Vancouver 6-0 yesterday to improve to 11-1 on the season. Liriano held Vancouver to 6 hits in 6 innings and the Marietta pen finished the game off. The win spoiled the DMBL debut of Chad Billingsley who only gave up one run over seven innings of work, while striking out six. Billingsley took the place of the struggling Ben Sheets. Sheets was sent down to AAA to work on his mechanics. Vancouver got them back, however, in the second game as Moises Alou blasted three home runs (all solo shots) to help squeak by 8-7. Vancouver actually hit six homers in the contest, though they only managed 8 runs. Gerald Laird was the only one to hit a homer with a runner on base.
D.C. has hit a wall lately, losing their eighth straight game after a marathon 17 inning loss to Honolulu yesterday. D.C. has now dropped into a fourth place tie with Honolulu and is only one game ahead of Hoboken and Hillsborough for sixth place. It's a very tight race lately - 1 1/2 games separates third place Marietta from seventh place, so it'll be very interesting to see what happens in the next few weeks.
The anti-Bushslappers have been the Hillsborough Hired Hitmen who have won eight straight and are now tied for the sixth playoff spot with Hoboken. Hillsborough shut down the Cutters yesterday with back-to-back solid performances from Justin Verlander and Felix Hernandez. Verlander held the Cutters to only three hits and one run over seven innings in game one and Felix struck out nine in seven innings, while giving up only five hits and one run.
Remember Brett Myers' struggles earlier this season? Well those struggles are ancient history. Since starting the season at 0-12 with an 8.40 ERA, Myers has gone on a bit of a hot streak. He's 5-1 since that low point and has brought his ERA down to 6.34, including seven quality starts in his last eight outings and a recent Pitcher of the Week award.
Take note that the DMBL trading deadline will be this Sunday. After this point, any players that are signed off the waiver wire are not elligible to be kept after the season is over.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Sugar Bears stymied (finally!)
Well, it finally happened, the Sugar Bears lost their first game and were held in check by Hillsborough rookie Justin Verlander. Verlander only surrendered two earned runs (3 total) in six innings and struck out five. This was Newark's first game against a formidable right-handed foe - yesterday Josh Beckett matchup didn't count).
Philly's Johan Santana had the best pitching line of the season so far. Santana pitched a complete game shutout of Las Vegas, surrendering only four hits, no walks and striking out 14 Rats. Santana improved to 2-0 on the season and lowered his ERA to 1.13. Philly extended their undefeated record to 6-0.
Joining Philly in the ranks of the undefeated, Arkansas also got a good performance from veteran ace Roger Clemens. Clemens pitched eight innings against Sardine City, striking out eight and surrendering only two runs on four hits.
South Boston broke out of the winless column and edged the Sharks 5-4 behind Chris Carpenter's strong outing. The Gang got a big lift from struggling Vladimir Guerrero, who went 2-4 with a homer and four RBIs.
The first part of Marietta's Great Pitching Platoon Experiment was a dud yesterday as starter Mark Hendrickson was pounded by the Bushslappers. "It's only one game" said Hendrickson after he was pulled in the sixth inning. "Stupid Tomko is already talking shit." Brett Tomko is the other member of the home/away platoon.
Philly's Johan Santana had the best pitching line of the season so far. Santana pitched a complete game shutout of Las Vegas, surrendering only four hits, no walks and striking out 14 Rats. Santana improved to 2-0 on the season and lowered his ERA to 1.13. Philly extended their undefeated record to 6-0.
Joining Philly in the ranks of the undefeated, Arkansas also got a good performance from veteran ace Roger Clemens. Clemens pitched eight innings against Sardine City, striking out eight and surrendering only two runs on four hits.
South Boston broke out of the winless column and edged the Sharks 5-4 behind Chris Carpenter's strong outing. The Gang got a big lift from struggling Vladimir Guerrero, who went 2-4 with a homer and four RBIs.
The first part of Marietta's Great Pitching Platoon Experiment was a dud yesterday as starter Mark Hendrickson was pounded by the Bushslappers. "It's only one game" said Hendrickson after he was pulled in the sixth inning. "Stupid Tomko is already talking shit." Brett Tomko is the other member of the home/away platoon.
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