Marietta and Carolina battled to a 1-0 final in extra innings yesterday. Ervin Santana and Roy Halladay started for their respective teams. Santana, however, left in the 5th inning with an undisclosed injury. Mike Adams picked up the slack for Marietta, pitching 4.1 innings in relief and giving up only 1 hit. Halladay however, lasted 9 innings before the Cats called to their bullpen. Halladay only surrendered 4 hits and struck out 9. So at the end of the 9th inning, neither team scored and both teams had 4 hits each to show for it. Mariano Rivera and Edwar Ramirez both continued the shutout for the next two innings. In the 12th, Marietta replaced Rivera with Hong Chi-Kuo who gave up a leadoff hit to Vernon Wells. After striking out the next two batters, Kuo gave up a game winning double to pinch hitter Cody Ross. In total, the two teams combined for 13 hits and 26 strikeouts...oh yeah and 1 walk.
The Ant Slayers were clinging to a shaky 2-0 lead over Arkansas yesterday. Dallas Braden had held the Falcons scoreless over 6.2 innings, but things went south in the 9th. With Arthur Rhodes pitching, the Falcons started the inning with two hits. Rhodes was replaced after the next batter by Octavio Dotel. Dotel gave up a sac fly then served up a 2-run, game winning homer to Jody Gerut.
The final game of the evening was Las Vegas' 13-2 trashing of the O-Bombers. The Rats collected 20 hits, spoiling the D.C. debut of David Bush. Alex Gordon was 3-5 with a homer and 3 RBIs, as every Rat Pack starter had at least one hit in the game.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Eck Award Standings!
We're past the trade deadline and heading into the home stretch of the 2009 season. Let's take a quick look at the leaders in the Dennis Eckersley Relief Pitcher of the Year Award race. As you know, this prestigious honor is bestowed not based on votes but rather based on a formula devised by the good people at Rolaids: relief wins times two plus saves times two, minus relief losses plus blown saves.
Newark rookie Joey Devine
is the current leader with 59 relief points (2 W, 29 SV, 2 L, 1 BS). He also leads the league in saves and save percentage (.967), and has the lowest ERA (1.82) of any pitcher with at least 50 innings pitched this season. Right behind him is two-time former Eck Award winner Mariano Rivera, with 56 relief points (7 W, 24 SV, 2 L, 4 BS); he's also second in saves and third in save percentage (.857). Rivera's ridiculous 5.8 R/9 (27 H, 6 BB in 54.0 IP) is second-best in the league -- behind D.C.'s Jared Burton, who has pitched just 3 innings! Almost as impressive is Rivera's .114 IR% (35 runners inherited, just 4 scored), which is fourth-best in the league. As Newark and Marietta are battling it out for the best record in the league, the Eck winner could very well be decided by which team wins the Commissioner's Cup, and therefore provides more save opportunities to its closer.
With those two comfortably in front, the other DMBL closers are battling for third place. Arkansas's Joakim Soria has a slight edge with 41 relief points (5 W, 20 SV, 4 L, 5 BS), followed by Carolina's Brian Fuentes (3 W, 23 SV, 4 L, 9 BS), Hillsborough's Mike Gonzalez (2 W, 21 SV, 1 L, 6 BS),
and D.C.'s Jonathan Papelbon (4 W, 19 SV, 5 L, 2 BS) all at 39. Papelbon, last year's winner, has the best numbers of the bunch, with a 2.42 ERA, 8.9 R/9 and the league's second-best SV% (.905), but the O-Bombers aren't providing many wins for him to save this season. Vancouver's Billy Wagner, in 7th place with 33 relief points (4 W, 20 SV, 7 L, 8 BS), hopes the defending World Champions will turn it on down the stretch to get him back into the Eck race.
Taylor Buchholz was Sardine City's closer but was traded last month to Las Vegas, where he's sharing the closing duties with Brian Shouse. Coincidentally, the two Rat Packers are tied for 8th with 29 relief points... New Jersey's Bobby Jenks rounds out the top 10 with 27 relief points and 16 saves.
Newark rookie Joey Devine
is the current leader with 59 relief points (2 W, 29 SV, 2 L, 1 BS). He also leads the league in saves and save percentage (.967), and has the lowest ERA (1.82) of any pitcher with at least 50 innings pitched this season. Right behind him is two-time former Eck Award winner Mariano Rivera, with 56 relief points (7 W, 24 SV, 2 L, 4 BS); he's also second in saves and third in save percentage (.857). Rivera's ridiculous 5.8 R/9 (27 H, 6 BB in 54.0 IP) is second-best in the league -- behind D.C.'s Jared Burton, who has pitched just 3 innings! Almost as impressive is Rivera's .114 IR% (35 runners inherited, just 4 scored), which is fourth-best in the league. As Newark and Marietta are battling it out for the best record in the league, the Eck winner could very well be decided by which team wins the Commissioner's Cup, and therefore provides more save opportunities to its closer.With those two comfortably in front, the other DMBL closers are battling for third place. Arkansas's Joakim Soria has a slight edge with 41 relief points (5 W, 20 SV, 4 L, 5 BS), followed by Carolina's Brian Fuentes (3 W, 23 SV, 4 L, 9 BS), Hillsborough's Mike Gonzalez (2 W, 21 SV, 1 L, 6 BS),
and D.C.'s Jonathan Papelbon (4 W, 19 SV, 5 L, 2 BS) all at 39. Papelbon, last year's winner, has the best numbers of the bunch, with a 2.42 ERA, 8.9 R/9 and the league's second-best SV% (.905), but the O-Bombers aren't providing many wins for him to save this season. Vancouver's Billy Wagner, in 7th place with 33 relief points (4 W, 20 SV, 7 L, 8 BS), hopes the defending World Champions will turn it on down the stretch to get him back into the Eck race.Taylor Buchholz was Sardine City's closer but was traded last month to Las Vegas, where he's sharing the closing duties with Brian Shouse. Coincidentally, the two Rat Packers are tied for 8th with 29 relief points... New Jersey's Bobby Jenks rounds out the top 10 with 27 relief points and 16 saves.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Pena, Cook, take honors
We'll have more on the trades as the dust settles later, but for now we're going to jump right into the Players of the Week...
Last season, Carlos Pena fulfilled a lot of the hype that he never lived up to. After 3 seasons spent as a bit player on three different teams, Las Vegas made Pena their number one pick in 2008. Pena went on to smack 53 home runs and drive in 137 runs with a 1.025 OPS. In 2009, Pena isn't enjoying the same monster year, but he's putting up a very good .274/.423/.557 line with 23 homers and 64 RBIs. This week, Pena takes the JR Cigars Smokin' Batter of the Week prize. Pena batted .474 with a 1.545 OPS, 3 homers, 5 runs and 8 RBIs.
Other top batters: Arkansas' Lance Berkman (.458/.500/1.042, 10 RBI, 4 HR), Newark's J.D. Drew (.393/.452/.857, 3 HR, 10 RBIs), Sardine City's B.J. Upton (.425/.581/.696) and Ryan Braun (.467/.500/.633), Marietta's Adrian Gonzalez (.364/.462/.773, 3 HR), and Hoboken's Marlon Byrd (.407/.467/.741, 8 R).
Aaron Cook has had a bit of a rough season this year with the Cutters. Despite his 9-7 record, he has a 5.47 ERA and 1.73 WHIP. It's about on par with his season from last year when he went 9-12 with a 5.72 ERA and 1.56 WHIP. But this week, cook was an All-Star. In his two starts, Cook went 2-0 with an 0.61 ERA and 0.82 WHIP in 14.2 innings. Good enough to earn the Falling Sand Pitcher of the Week Award.
Other notables: D.C.'s Erik Bedard (0-0, 2.13, 0.95 WHIP, 17 K), Newark's Randy Johnson (2-0, 2.02, 1.35 WHIP, 13 K), Blue Ridge's Ted Lilly (1-0, 2.08, 1.08) and Adam Wainwright (0-1, 2.57, 0.86) and Marietta's Ryan Dempster (0-0, 2.53, 1.41).
Last season, Carlos Pena fulfilled a lot of the hype that he never lived up to. After 3 seasons spent as a bit player on three different teams, Las Vegas made Pena their number one pick in 2008. Pena went on to smack 53 home runs and drive in 137 runs with a 1.025 OPS. In 2009, Pena isn't enjoying the same monster year, but he's putting up a very good .274/.423/.557 line with 23 homers and 64 RBIs. This week, Pena takes the JR Cigars Smokin' Batter of the Week prize. Pena batted .474 with a 1.545 OPS, 3 homers, 5 runs and 8 RBIs.
Other top batters: Arkansas' Lance Berkman (.458/.500/1.042, 10 RBI, 4 HR), Newark's J.D. Drew (.393/.452/.857, 3 HR, 10 RBIs), Sardine City's B.J. Upton (.425/.581/.696) and Ryan Braun (.467/.500/.633), Marietta's Adrian Gonzalez (.364/.462/.773, 3 HR), and Hoboken's Marlon Byrd (.407/.467/.741, 8 R).
Aaron Cook has had a bit of a rough season this year with the Cutters. Despite his 9-7 record, he has a 5.47 ERA and 1.73 WHIP. It's about on par with his season from last year when he went 9-12 with a 5.72 ERA and 1.56 WHIP. But this week, cook was an All-Star. In his two starts, Cook went 2-0 with an 0.61 ERA and 0.82 WHIP in 14.2 innings. Good enough to earn the Falling Sand Pitcher of the Week Award.
Other notables: D.C.'s Erik Bedard (0-0, 2.13, 0.95 WHIP, 17 K), Newark's Randy Johnson (2-0, 2.02, 1.35 WHIP, 13 K), Blue Ridge's Ted Lilly (1-0, 2.08, 1.08) and Adam Wainwright (0-1, 2.57, 0.86) and Marietta's Ryan Dempster (0-0, 2.53, 1.41).
Friday, July 17, 2009
Reunited, and it feels so good
The Hairston brothers are back together...Hillsborough completed a deal with divisional rival Vancouver to bring Jerry Hairston to the Hitmen in exchange for a draft pick. Hairston will immediately take over shortstop duties, formely held by Ryan Theriot. Upon hearing the news that brother Jerry is coming to Hillsborough Scott immediately called "top bunk". Scott has been on the bench this year, only getting into 10 games and seeing 7 at bats, but the club has plans for the young outfielder next season.
There were only two games in the DMBL yesterday. Carolina knocked off Hoboken in the first game 6-4 as newly acquired Alex Rios was 3-4 with a homer and 3 RBIs. Carlos Delgado hit two home runs in the game, unfortunately for him, they were both with the bases empty. Roy Halladay gave up all 4 runs, but they were all unearned. Shortstop Mike Aviles' two errors both led to the 4 runs.
In the other game, Braden Looper blanked the Mighty Men, pitching 7 innings of 7-hit ball, striking out 6. Looper improved to 6-3 but was rewarded by a pink slip in his locker. Looper at first thought it was a practical joke, but it was learned that he was, in fact, being replaced by David Bush. "What the f---" Looper screamed. "How the f-- can you bring a Bush onto the O-Bombers???"
There were only two games in the DMBL yesterday. Carolina knocked off Hoboken in the first game 6-4 as newly acquired Alex Rios was 3-4 with a homer and 3 RBIs. Carlos Delgado hit two home runs in the game, unfortunately for him, they were both with the bases empty. Roy Halladay gave up all 4 runs, but they were all unearned. Shortstop Mike Aviles' two errors both led to the 4 runs.
In the other game, Braden Looper blanked the Mighty Men, pitching 7 innings of 7-hit ball, striking out 6. Looper improved to 6-3 but was rewarded by a pink slip in his locker. Looper at first thought it was a practical joke, but it was learned that he was, in fact, being replaced by David Bush. "What the f---" Looper screamed. "How the f-- can you bring a Bush onto the O-Bombers???"
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Mighty Men streak ends at 10
Two more teams have been mentioned in trade rumors. Hoboken and Sardine City, both likely to be sellers, have put out announcements that several players are available. The Cutters have made it known that second baseman Ian Kinsler could be had, though we suspect that he won't be going anywhere. Meanwhile Sardine City has put up half their team, mostly role players and relievers.
Newark ended Marietta's 10-game winning streak with a 5-3 victory. Chien-Ming Wang improved to 17-3 on the season with a solid 7-inning effort. Chipper Jones hit a 2-run homer in the 7th to give the Sugar Bears the lead. Jones was 4-4 with 3 RBIs in the game. The Sugar Bears gain a bit of a cushion, pushing the Mighty Men out to 1 1/2 games.
Alex Rodriguez and Torii Hunter carried the Amityville Ant Slayers to a 13-3 win over Blue Ridge. A-Rod was 2-4 with 6 RBIs and Hunter was 4-5 with 5 RBIs, as both players hit two home runs each. Chris Volstad was the recipient of the run support, improving to 10-9 and holding the Bombers to 1 run on 4 hits in 7 innings.
Justin Verlander struck out 10 and yielded 5 hits in 8 innings of work as the Hired Hitmen took out the O-Bombers 7-3. Freddy Sanchez and Mike Lowell each hit 2 home runs and drove in 3 RBIs to lead the Hillsborough offense. The Hitmen are now up by 4 games in the Morris Division.
Derrek Lowe held the Buddahs to 3 hits in 8 shutout innings to lead the Rat Pack to a 2-0 final. Ichiro Suzuki was 3-3 as the Rats dealt Jamie Moyer his 5th loss in 5 decisions. The Rats are 5 1/2 games out of first.
Hoboken's Matt Garza had the other shutout of the night, pitching 8.1 innings of 5 hit ball, while striking out 7 Straphangers. Josh Johnson, returning from the disabled list, pitched 6 solid innings, giving up 2 runs on 4 hits and 4 walks, while striking out 8. Johnson fell to 3-14 on the season.
Newark ended Marietta's 10-game winning streak with a 5-3 victory. Chien-Ming Wang improved to 17-3 on the season with a solid 7-inning effort. Chipper Jones hit a 2-run homer in the 7th to give the Sugar Bears the lead. Jones was 4-4 with 3 RBIs in the game. The Sugar Bears gain a bit of a cushion, pushing the Mighty Men out to 1 1/2 games.
Alex Rodriguez and Torii Hunter carried the Amityville Ant Slayers to a 13-3 win over Blue Ridge. A-Rod was 2-4 with 6 RBIs and Hunter was 4-5 with 5 RBIs, as both players hit two home runs each. Chris Volstad was the recipient of the run support, improving to 10-9 and holding the Bombers to 1 run on 4 hits in 7 innings.
Justin Verlander struck out 10 and yielded 5 hits in 8 innings of work as the Hired Hitmen took out the O-Bombers 7-3. Freddy Sanchez and Mike Lowell each hit 2 home runs and drove in 3 RBIs to lead the Hillsborough offense. The Hitmen are now up by 4 games in the Morris Division.
Derrek Lowe held the Buddahs to 3 hits in 8 shutout innings to lead the Rat Pack to a 2-0 final. Ichiro Suzuki was 3-3 as the Rats dealt Jamie Moyer his 5th loss in 5 decisions. The Rats are 5 1/2 games out of first.
Hoboken's Matt Garza had the other shutout of the night, pitching 8.1 innings of 5 hit ball, while striking out 7 Straphangers. Josh Johnson, returning from the disabled list, pitched 6 solid innings, giving up 2 runs on 4 hits and 4 walks, while striking out 8. Johnson fell to 3-14 on the season.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Looking forward: the Trade Deadline
With the trading deadline approaching (Sunday, June 19!), several interesting names have been hinted around the rumor mill. Let's take a look at some of the teams that might make some moves before the clock strikes Sunday.
Arkansas Golden Falcons - seller
The Falcons are only 3 games under .500, but are stuck in 6th place and have a ways to go to make the playoffs. One of the more interesting names floating out of Little Rock is closer Brad Lidge, who is a likely candidate to get shipped out. Infielders Cristian Guzman and Ray Durham have also been offered up as well as veterans Tim Wakefield and Kerry Wood.
Hillsborough Hired Hitmen - seller/buyer
Although the Hitmen hold a comfy 4-game lead in the Morris Division, the Courier News has reported that Mitchell Award frontrunner Aubrey Huff and lefty starter C.C. Sabathia are both available for the right price. Anxious fans, afraid that the rumors may signify that the Hitmen are throwing in the towel, were soothed when GM/Owner Brent Campbell announced that the club is not giving up on this season. "We are in talks to acquire some key parts to the championship puzzle" said Campbell, "but we are not afraid to shake up the team if we have to."
Philadelphia Endzone Animals - seller
One of the most active teams on the trade market this year, it's no surprise to hear the Animals in the thick of almost every trade rumor. The Animals are surely looking toward next year, despite a respectable 59-57 record. Ace pitchers Brandon Webb and Scott Kazmir are two of the bigger names that could be dealt before Sunday, but other, smaller cogs like Chris Young, Michael Cuddyer, and Justin Masterson could be gone as well.
Vancouver Iron Fist - seller/buyer
The defending champions are currently tied for the 5th spot overall, but could move some of their players as well. The Fist has a surplus of pitching and may move Hiroki Kuroda or Paul Maholm, and even longtime Fist Ben Sheets has been whispered about. Another interesting development has some teams asking about DH David Ortiz, the defending Kevin Mitchell Award winner. "These are players we can afford to lose if we can shore up some of our weaker areas" said GM/Owner Yaro Zajac. "We're not bowing out of this race by any stretch."
Other teams to look out for: Las Vegas and D.C. are always busy when it comes to the trade deadline and there's a good chance that Carolina and Amityville will be involved in at least one deal. Newark usually has at least one trade up their sleeve, so look for the Sugar Bears to plug some minor holes.
Arkansas Golden Falcons - seller
The Falcons are only 3 games under .500, but are stuck in 6th place and have a ways to go to make the playoffs. One of the more interesting names floating out of Little Rock is closer Brad Lidge, who is a likely candidate to get shipped out. Infielders Cristian Guzman and Ray Durham have also been offered up as well as veterans Tim Wakefield and Kerry Wood.
Hillsborough Hired Hitmen - seller/buyer
Although the Hitmen hold a comfy 4-game lead in the Morris Division, the Courier News has reported that Mitchell Award frontrunner Aubrey Huff and lefty starter C.C. Sabathia are both available for the right price. Anxious fans, afraid that the rumors may signify that the Hitmen are throwing in the towel, were soothed when GM/Owner Brent Campbell announced that the club is not giving up on this season. "We are in talks to acquire some key parts to the championship puzzle" said Campbell, "but we are not afraid to shake up the team if we have to."
Philadelphia Endzone Animals - seller
One of the most active teams on the trade market this year, it's no surprise to hear the Animals in the thick of almost every trade rumor. The Animals are surely looking toward next year, despite a respectable 59-57 record. Ace pitchers Brandon Webb and Scott Kazmir are two of the bigger names that could be dealt before Sunday, but other, smaller cogs like Chris Young, Michael Cuddyer, and Justin Masterson could be gone as well.
Vancouver Iron Fist - seller/buyer
The defending champions are currently tied for the 5th spot overall, but could move some of their players as well. The Fist has a surplus of pitching and may move Hiroki Kuroda or Paul Maholm, and even longtime Fist Ben Sheets has been whispered about. Another interesting development has some teams asking about DH David Ortiz, the defending Kevin Mitchell Award winner. "These are players we can afford to lose if we can shore up some of our weaker areas" said GM/Owner Yaro Zajac. "We're not bowing out of this race by any stretch."
Other teams to look out for: Las Vegas and D.C. are always busy when it comes to the trade deadline and there's a good chance that Carolina and Amityville will be involved in at least one deal. Newark usually has at least one trade up their sleeve, so look for the Sugar Bears to plug some minor holes.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Ramirez family reunion?
Ramirez won a close game against Ramirez last night, although Ramirez was 0-4 and didn't factor into the result. Well, that's one way to put it. Brian McCann's solo home run in the 9th off reliever Edwar Ramirez gave D.C. the 3-2 win over the Mudcats. Taking the loss was another reliever, Ramon Ramirez. A third Ramirez, Aramis was 0-4, and Manny and Hanley were involved in other games.
John Lackey won his 10th game as Hillsborough eked out a 3-2 win over Blue Ridge in 10 innings. Lackey went nine innings in the game, watching as the Hitmen tied it up in the top of the 9th on a Carlos Lee single. Lackey ended his 9 as the score was tied 2-2, but in the top of the 10th, Shin-Soo Choo doubled in the winning run. Mike Gonzalez struck out 2 of the 3 batters he faced to earn his 20th save. By the way, this is the only game of the day without at least one Ramirez...
Ok, we're going to continue the Ramirez Report. Manny Ramirez only went 1-5, but his team, Newark, won 5-3 against the Straphangers. In defeat, Alex Ramirez was 2-5 with a double. Yeah, we forgot about Alex, but not about Horacio, who just plain sucks and is a free agent anyway. He's already gotten more press than he deserves...
The Final Ramirez, Hanley, was 2-5 with a double and an RBI in leading his Cutters to a 7-4 win over New Jersey. Aaron Cook held the Buddahs to just 4 hits and one earned run in 6 innings to improve to 8-7 on the season.
John Lackey won his 10th game as Hillsborough eked out a 3-2 win over Blue Ridge in 10 innings. Lackey went nine innings in the game, watching as the Hitmen tied it up in the top of the 9th on a Carlos Lee single. Lackey ended his 9 as the score was tied 2-2, but in the top of the 10th, Shin-Soo Choo doubled in the winning run. Mike Gonzalez struck out 2 of the 3 batters he faced to earn his 20th save. By the way, this is the only game of the day without at least one Ramirez...
Ok, we're going to continue the Ramirez Report. Manny Ramirez only went 1-5, but his team, Newark, won 5-3 against the Straphangers. In defeat, Alex Ramirez was 2-5 with a double. Yeah, we forgot about Alex, but not about Horacio, who just plain sucks and is a free agent anyway. He's already gotten more press than he deserves...
The Final Ramirez, Hanley, was 2-5 with a double and an RBI in leading his Cutters to a 7-4 win over New Jersey. Aaron Cook held the Buddahs to just 4 hits and one earned run in 6 innings to improve to 8-7 on the season.
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