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 Going 6-for-7 from the leadoff spot, you'd think Chris Coghlan would have played a big part in Hoboken's 7-5 win over Sardine City in 13 innings Saturday night. After all, the rest of the team only managed 7 hits combined.
Amazingly, despite tying the league record for hits in a game (now shared by a dozen players), the Cutters centerfielder managed to not collect a single RBI or a score one measly run.
Coghlan led off the game with a double before getting stranded at third. He grounded out to second for his only out, after J.J. Hardy led off the third inning with a home run. In the fourth, he singled after another Hardy homer, this time a three-run shot off starter Ubaldo Jimenez, only to have Ian Kinsler end the inning one at-bat later.
 Coghlan greeted reliever Octavio Dotel with a single to lead off the seventh before Kinsler grounded to short, forcing Coghlan at second. Kinsler got as far as second before the Cutters ended the inning.
In the ninth, Coghlan singled off Daniel Bard with one out, and the Cutters, again, quietly went away, leaving him on first.
Coghlan found himself leading off an inning again, this time the 12th, and doubling again. Jose Bautista advanced him to third with a groundout to second, but after David Ortiz was intentionally walked, Miguel Cabrera struck out to end the inning.
 In the 13th, Matt Joyce broke the tie with a two-run home run to give the Cutters the lead. Coghlan then came to bat with two outs, doubling deep to left center. Kinsler followed up with a groundout to second, ending the inning. Totaling up the night, Coghlan had six hits in all -- three doubles and three singles, for nine total bases. But zero RBIs and zero runs scored!
Coghlan was selected with the 14th pick in the 4th round (62nd overall) of this year's draft. He was Hoboken's opening day center-fielder before losing his job to free agent Nate McLouth and getting sent down for part of the season. He's seen some action in left and right field but has made 81 starts in center for the Cutters. After scuffling around .220 most of the season, he's now hitting .263 for the year.
Coghlan had what now looks like a career year during his rookie campaign with Arkansas in 2010, hitting .314 with 30 doubles in 151 games. He was selected 6th overall in that year's draft, sandwiched between two Hillsborough picks: after Carlos Gonzalez and before Gordon Beckham. He tied with Homer Bailey of Philly for 4th in the Pat Listach Rookie of the Year balloting with 3 points (one second-place vote and a third-place vote), ahead of Vancouver's Ron Belisario (1 point). Kendry Morales won the award that year.
Last week we told you about the Moonlight Grahams of DMBL batters. In response, we were bombarded with emails, faxes, and even a few notes wrapped around bricks from fans demanding equal treatment for the shortest careers by pitchers!
That's actually a somewhat easier assignment. We don't have games played data or plate appearances for the early years of the DMBL, so it's tough to compare eras. But it's easy with pitchers -- we have appearances and innings for every year of the DMBL. So we truly know who has had the shortest career.
Three pitchers in DMBL history have careers that lasted less than an inning... but two of them appeared in games this year, so they're off the list!
Until this year, the Moonlight Graham of DMBL pitchers was Derek Holland. Prior to 2012, the left-handed starter pitched in just one DMBL game -- and didn't record a single out. As a member of the Vancouver Iron Fist in 2011, Holland was lifted after walking the only batter he faced in a relief appearance. This year, however, Holland more than made up for lost time as he's appeared in 28 games and pitched 183.1 innings. He's been pretty effective, posting a 3.58 ERA and 1.281 WHIP. However, because of that one walk without recording an out in 2011, his career WHIP soars all the way to... 1.287.
We also have to forget Jake Arrieta. Prior to this season, Arrieta's entire DMBL career consisted of the single batter he faced for the Newark Sugar Bears in 2011. Arrieta got the out and therefore went into the record books with a perfect 0.00 ERA and WHIP. That is, until this year. Arrieta has been thoroughly bombed as a member of Livingston Last Place, going 3-12 with a 5.39 ERA and 1.56 WHIP.
So we have to go the third man on the list, Takashi Kashiwada, to find the pitcher with the shortest DMBL career. A 26-year-old lefthanded reliever with the New York Mets in 1997, Kashiwada was drafted in the 13th Round by the Phoenix Dragons in the 1998 draft. He pitched in just one game for the Dragons, giving up one walk while recording two outs (one by strikeout), but no hits or runs. He was released in June and never threw another pitch in the DMBL. After the 1997 season with the Mets, Kashiwada returned to Japan, pitching until 2004 with the Yomiuri Giants.
The next 10 shortest careers in DMBL history, by innings pitched:
Renyel Pinto, a left-handed reliever, was bombed in his only appearance with the Philadelphia Endzone Animals in 2008 (4 ER, 3 H, 3 BB in 1.3 IP) and was never seen again. Pinto has the highest ERA (27.00) and WHIP (4.50) in DMBL history.
Tied with Pinto is Dan Smith, who also lasted 1.3 innings in his only DMBL appearance. Amazingly, Smith, an 8th Round pick (#109 overall) in the 2003 draft, was on the Hillsborough Destroyers for the entire season -- but only pitched in that one game. He didn't allow a hit or a run, though he did walk two, and struck out a batter. He was not protected and never returned to the DMBL.
Also tied with Pinto and Smith is Ben Rivera, who has the dubious honor of the shortest career -- and also the highest ERA and WHIP -- by a starting pitcher. A member of the 1993 Columbia Crusaders, Rivera was slapped around pretty good in his only start, giving up 3 earned runs on 2 hits and 3 walks in 1.3 innings pitched, giving him a career 20.25 ERA and 3.75 WHIP.
Geraldo Guzman pitched just 1 2/3rds innings in his career... and it took him two games to do it! A member of the 2001 Phoenix Dragons, Guzman was pounded for 3 earned runs on 3 hits and a walk in his two appearances.
The aptly named Scott Dohmann was left with a career 11.60 ERA after giving up 3 earned runs (4 H, 1 BB) in his only 2.3 innings over three appearances in the DMBL. Dohmann did his damage with the 2005 Las Vegas Rat Pack. D'oh!
Another guy with a fitting name, Luther Hackman, also had more appearances (3) than innings (2.7). He was torched for 5 ER (3 H, 2 BB) in his brief taste of glory with the Tijuana Banditos in 2002.
Seth McClung's career lasted just one game as he was pounded for 5 ER on 6 H and 4 BB in 2.7 innings with the Amityville Ant-Slayers in 2009. On the plus side, he did strike out 4 batters.
Steve "Make It" Rain lasted just 3 innings (over three appearances) as a member fo the Philadelphia Endzone Animals in 2001. Rain was lucky to give up just 2 earned runs -- he allowed 4 hits and 4 walks!
Tom Edens also lasted 3 innings spread over three appearances as a member of the 1993 Columbia Crusaders, and like Rain, was fortunate to escape with just 1 earned run after allowing 5 hits and a walk.
And finally, there's Ryan Wagner, another member of the "one and done" club. Wagner lasted just one appearance, but it wasn't so bad -- he gave up just 1 earned run and 1 hit over three innings (but also 4 walks) as a member of the 2005 Hillsborough Hired Hitmen. The hard-throwing right-hander was drafted in the 1st round by the Cincinnati Reds in 2003; he was called up to the show after just 9 games in the minors, at age 20, and struck out 25 batters in 21.2 innings. But the usual issues -- a lack of control and injuries -- ended his big league career at the age of 24.
Whenever I'm stopped by fans on the street, they always ask me one question: Who is the DMBL version of Moonlight Graham, the player who appeared in just one MLB game, but was made famous by the movie Field of Dreams?
Well, the long-awaited answer is here!
The DMBL's version of Moonlight Graham is Jose Castillo -- the only player I could find who played in a DMBL game, but didn't have an official at-bat. Castillo's entire DMBL career consists of one game with the Philadelphia Endzone Animals in 2006. That year, the second baseman was signed May 31 as a free agent, and would remain on the team for almost a month (he'd be released on June 25, making way for Zack Greinke). During his 26 days in the show, Castillo would appear in just one game, and get only one plate appearance. And guess what? Castillo delivered with a sac fly, driving in a run! He was never seen in the DMBL again; the 31-year-old infielder is currently playing for Veracruz in the Mexican League.
But he's not the only player who had a brief DMBL career.
Two players had just one official at-bat: Peter Bergeron and Manny Lee. Bergeron played in one game for the Kentucky Hillbillies in 2001, and in his only plate appearance, he singled and then scored. He thus retired with a 1.000 batting average. Lee's single appearance came in 1993 with the Columbia Crusaders, going 0-for-1 in his only at-bat.
The following players had 10 at-bats or less in the entirety of their DMBL careers:
Jermaine Allensworth played in just 3 games, all in 1998 with the Phoenix Dragons. He got five at-bats and went 0-for-5, including a strikeout.
Alfredo Amezaga is unusual in that he played two DMBL seasons -- and has just two at-bats. He appeared in four DMBL games, one in 2008 and three in 2009, all with Sardine City. He had one at-bat in 2008 and another in 2009, and didn't get a hit either time, although in '09 he did reach via walk and scored. The 34-year-old utilityman won't be back in the DMBL any time soon; he hasn't been eligible in three years, and spent all of this season in Triple-A.
Bruce Aven appeared in three games, all with Phoenix in 2000, and got 10 at-bats. He had just one hit -- but it was a home run. He also had two walks.
Rafael Bournigal played in nine DMBL games, all in 1997 for the Jerusalem Rabbis, mostly as a defensive replacement. He did come up four times and had two hits.
Wes Chamberlain played for the Scranton Sparrows in 1992. Games played data isn't available, but we do know he had just 5 at-bats, going 1 for 5.
Jerald Clark played for the Austin Outlaws in 1994; again, we don't know how many games he played in, but he had only 3 at-bats. He didn't get a hit, but he did have a walk.
He had a 20-year career in MLB, but Brian Downing played just two games in the DMBL, both with the Columbia Crusaders in 1993. He went 2-for-8 at the plate (both hits were doubles), with one RBI.
Chris Duffy had five games with Las Vegas in '07, going 2-for-5 with a stolen base, a run scored and an RBI.
Dan Gladden went 1-for-5 (with an RBI) in his only DMBL season -- 1994 with the Charleston Chiefs. Games played data not available.
Rene Gonzales played in one DMBL game, going 0-for-3 with a strikeout as a member of the '93 Arkansas Golden Falcons.
A member of the 1994 Sacramento Seahawks, David Hulse went 0-for-3 (with a walk) in his only DMBL action. Games played data isn't available.
Matt LaPorta has played in just 10 games despite playing for two teams. LaPorta had four games with Carolina in 2011, and then six with Vancouver that same year. Between the two teams he went 2-for-9 with two walks and a run. LaPorta is eligible for 2012, but no one signed him; he won't be eligible next year.
Mitch Maier played in one game with the Philadelphia Endzone Animals in 2010. He went 1-for-3, and the one was a double. He's still in the bigs, but he wasn't eligible this year and won't be next year.
Catcher Eric "No Relation" Munson went 2-for-6 in his only DMBL action, including a home run. He played in seven games with the Vancouver Iron Fist in 2004.
Laynce Nix played in two games with the Vancouver Iron Fist in 2005. He went 0-for-2. There's no danger in adding to his career total -- he wasn't eligible last year and won't be next year, either. Coincidentally, his brother, Jayson Nix, just missed the cutoff -- he had 12 at-bats, getting a hit, but also 5 Ks, in 2010. He played in three games with Hillsborough and four with Philadelphia.
Charlie O'Brien played in 3 games with Vancouver in 1998 and went 2-for-7 with a double and a walk.
Mark Parent was one of the best hitters in DMBL history... if you don't require a minimum number of at-bats. Parent, playing for the 1996 Toledo Mutthens, went 4-for-5 with a double and two home runs, giving him a career .800 batting average (and 2.200 slugging average), for a 3.000 OPS.
Long-heralded prospect Felix Pie finally got his big break for the Iron Fist in 2010. He played in 12 games, mostly as a defensive replacement or pinch runner; at the plate, he got 9 at-bats and had one hit, plus two walks. Pie is still just 27, but hasn't appeared in the bigs this year.
So Taguchi got into 6 games with the Phoenix Dragons in 2006; he went 3-for-10 with a home run.
Willie Wilson played in just two games in his DMBL career, both with the Cheyenne Warhawks in 1993. The 36-year-old outfielder went 3-for-8 with 4 RBIs.
Another small sample size superstar, Daryle Ward got into 10 games with the Las Vegas Rat Pack in 2005. In 10 at-bats, Ward went 4-for-10 with a triple and a home run, plus a walk, giving him a career line of .400/.455/.900.
Honorable mention: Kirk Gibson didn't make it to the DMBL until he was a 36-year-old designated hitter and a shadow of his former self. He had just 11 at-bats, all in 1994 with the Charleston Chiefs, picking up two hits.
In what's shaping up to be his final DMBL season, Vlad Guerrero is taking a few final swings into the record books. Even though he's on pace for a career-low in home runs, Guerrero launched his 12th of the season last week, matching Sammy Sosa for 6th in league history with 446 career homers. In the Rowdy Roddy Pipers' 5-3 home win last Saturday, Guerrero went 4-for-4, including a two-run shot in the 3rd inning off Hillsborough's Felix Hernandez.
The Rowdy designated hitter needs two more home runs in the season's final 35 games to match Ken Griffey, Jr. for 5th all-time with 448 home runs. Guerrero's pace this season has seen about one home run every 9.5 games, or more specifically, one every 34.25 at bats.
 Getting to No. 4 all-time might prove difficult for Vlad the Impaler: Manny Ramirez sits almost 50 home runs away, with 498 round-trippers. But Guerrero also has a unique chance to set another all-time record, at least temporarily. He enters today's doubleheader just one hit behind Derek Jeter for most hits all-time. Guerrero started this season about 20 hits behind the Marietta shortstop and both have passed Barry Bonds, who started 2012 with the league record (2,575).
Jeter, who has 2,670 hits entering Sunday's action, overtook Barry Bonds early this season as the DMBL's all-time hits leader. Since he plans to come back for another DMBL season in 2013, even if Guerrero does pass the Marietta shortstop this year, it looks like Jeter has all of next year to regain the crown. Guerrero currently has 2,669 hits, could call it quits after this season.
The 37-year-old Dominican native hit a career-high 52 home runs in 2001 (along with a staggering 164 RBIs) with the Kentucky Hillbillies and a career-low 16 homers in 2010 with New Jersey Team Buddah. Guerrero has played for 8 franchises in his 16 seasons, his most dominant stretch with the Toledo Mutthens/Tijuana Banditos/South Boston Gang from 2002 to 2007. He posted 100-RBI seasons in six straight years between 2003 and 2008.
They'll be debating this one in Sardine City for years to come. The first no-hitter in franchise history was a combined effort with starter Ubaldo Jimenez and reliever Jason Motte splitting the duties as they shut down Hillsborough 8-0 on the road Tuesday night at Front Stadium by the River.
It's the 10th no-hitter (4th combined) in league history and the first since Brett Myers of Las Vegas no-hit New Jersey in June 2011. It's the first combined no-hitter since 2004 when Arkansas shut down Westwood behind Curt Schilling, Byung-Hyun Kim, Brad Lidge and Octavio Dotel. Hillsborough is the first team to be no-hit twice in their history, first victimized in 2003 by Phoenix's John Lackey.
Jimenez struck out four in five innings of work, tossing 55 pitches (40 for strikes), but still was lifted by Straphangers skipper Joe Torre after a 46-minute rain delay. Torre turned to Motte, who went on to throw four scoreless innings striking out two but walking three and throwing 38 of his 55 pitches for strikes. He earned his first save of the year as Jimenez got the win, improving to 10-11.
 The only scoring for much of the contest came on rookie Eric Hosmer's leadoff home run in the 2nd inning. Sardine City third basemen Evan Longoria walked to start the 6th inning and that's when the rains came. When play resumed, Hillsborough manager Mike Greenwell didn't come back with ace Justin Verlander. Instead, he opted for Jeff Samardzija, who would get out of the inning unscathed, despite a wild pitch and another walk.
The Straphangers put up a four-spot in the 8th, including a three-run homer by Starlin Castro, and another three runs in the 9th behind run-scoring singles from Matt Wieters and Nick Markakis off Jonny Venters.
Verlander suffered the loss, dropping to 14-6, despite allowing just one run and four hits over five innings. He struck out four and walked one and threw 55 of his 84 pitches for strikes. Verlander nearly threw his own perfect game earlier this year against Hopatcong, settling for a 2-0 one-hitter.
There were were only 29 trades made in 2012, which doesn't seem like a lot -- compare that to last season, when there were 29 trades made before the end of spring training!
However, the last year -- and 2010 and 2009 -- really were anomalies when it came to trades. As you can see, over the last 15 years, the number of trades in 2012 is actually much closer to the historical average (27 trades per year) than the previous three seasons.
But while 2012 wasn't notable for quantity, it was a big year for quality. Of the 29 trades made in 2012, 12 involved an eligible starting pitcher -- almost all of them current or former aces, including three former Ben McDonald Award winners and the reigning Bud Black Award winner!
Let's take a look at the "dynamic dozen" who were dealt this season.
Vancouver got the ball rolling on December 9 when they dealt 2010 Ben McDonald Award winner Zack Greinke to Bridgewater along with a 4th Round pick in 2012 in exchange for Todd Helton, Ryan Zimmerman, and two picks in the 8th Round in 2012. Greinke, after his phenomenal 2010 season (21-3, 2.80 ERA, 1.03 WHIP) was solid last year (17-6, 3.34 ERA, 1.21 WHIP) but the Iron Fist needed offense and, with young guns Johnny Cueto, Mat Latos, Jamie Garcia, and Derek Holland, had starters to spare. Unfortunately for the Mallers, the 28-year-old Greinke took another step backward this season (5-4, 4.84 ERA, 1.43 WHIP), and at the moment looks no better than a middle-of-the-rotation guy for next season (3.57 ERA, 1.25 WHIP).
Philadelphia dealt a pair of aces on January 28. The Endzone Animals won the Morris Division last year but felt they wouldn't be able to compete this season. Perhaps it was a self-fulfilling prophecy as they immediately set about dismantling their team! The Endzone Animals sent C.C. Sabathia to the Rowdy Roddy Pipers (formerly known as the Carolina Mudcats) in exchange for 2nd and 3rd Round picks in 2013. Sabathia has been a workhorse throughout his career, topping 200 innings four times in 10 years, but has never had the kind of lights-out season that his owners have expected (106-91, 4.99 ERA, 1.46 WHIP entering 2012). It's been more of the same this year -- C.C. is on pace to pitch more than 200 innings again, but he's 8-8 with a 5.04 ERA, 1.55 WHIP. Aside from name recognition, the 31-year-old lefthander wouldn't be anybody special on next year's protected list (3.45 ERA, 1.27 WHIP).
That same day, Philly sent another big-name starting pitcher to his other brother, the owner of the Amityville Ant-Slayers. (Who says brothers can't play fair?) Philly dealt the well-traveled Jered Weaver -- who has played for four organizations in five seasons -- to Amityville along with Howie Kendrick and a 9th Round pick next year in exchange for Mike Trout, Ike Davis, a 7th in 2012, and a 1st and 4th in 2013. That's quite a haul for a 29-year-old pitcher who to this point has had just one good season (12-15, 3.15 ERA, 1.04 in 2011). Weaver has been so-so with Amityville this year (9-7, 4.82 ERA, 1.35 WHIP), but looks like an outstanding keeper for next year (11-1, 2.26 ERA, 0.95 WHIP).
On Draft Day (March 3), there were two deals that stretch the limit of the word "ace", but we'll include those deals as well. Bridgewater sent 29-year-old righty Jeff Karstens to St. Louis in exchange for a 7th Round pick (used to take reliever Josh Spence). Karstens has been mediocre for St. Louis -- 8-9, 4.55 ERA, 1.43 WHIP -- although, come to think of it, his numbers are comparable with Greinke, Sabathia and Weaver, so maybe he's an ace after all! It remains to be seen if Karstens will be a keeper for next year -- he has a 4.15 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP in seven MLB starts this season after missing two months with a shoulder injury.
That same day, Hoboken landed Jair Jurrjens and a 9th Round pick in 2013 from Blue Ridge in exchange for slugging third baseman Wilson Betemit. The Cutters already a third baseman in Jose Bautista and a designated hitter in David Ortiz, so dealing Betemit for a pitcher was a no-brainer -- especially Jurrjens, a 25-year-old righthander coming off his best MLB season (13-6, 2.96 ERA, 1.22 WHIP). Jurrjens has been solid this year (12-8, 4.29 ERA, 1.22 WHIP) but doesn't look like a keeper for next year (4.97 ERA, 1.66 WHIP).
The first starter to be moved during the regular season was Bridgewater's Wandy Rodriguez, sent to St. Louis on June 18 in exchange for Jeff Francouer. Rodriguez has had a pretty awful DMBL career (20-29, 5.94 ERA, 1.71 WHIP), and St. Louis is his fifth organization in five seasons. Wandy was bombed in his only two starts with Bridgewater (9 ER, 18 H, 7 BB in 10.0 IP) and, remarkably, has been even worse with St. Louis (11 ER, 18 H, 9 BB in 10.1 IP). The 33-year-old lefty has mediocre numbers for next season (3.51 ERA, 1.24 WHIP). Nothing to see here, move along.
Last year's Bud Black Award winner as the World Series MVP, 28-year-old Tim Lincecum was thought by many to be the face of the Rat Pack organization for years to come. But Las Vegas was in the midst of another rebuilding campaign, and the righthander didn't look like he was going to be a part of it next season (5.93 ERA, 1.52 WHIP). And while Lincecum wasn't having a great season for the Rats (9-5, 3.51 ERA, 1.36 WHIP), he's had three huge seasons in a row, including a truly remarkable 2009 campaign (19-3, 3.15 ERA, 1.25 WHIP). Lincecum was paired with Francisco J. Rodriguez -- a former two-time Eck Award winner -- and dealt to Bridgewater on June 23 in exchange for a 10th Round pick and 23-year-old lefthander Chris Sale (11-2, 2.11 ERA, 0.98 WHIP). Lincecum has been solid for the Mallers so far, with a 3.48 ERA and .600 QS% in five starts, though he has just one win to show for it.
Just six days later, another former award winner was dealt when Philly shipped 2009 Ben McDonald Award winner Roy Halladay plus a 6th Round pick in 2013 to Hoboken for Giancarlo Stanton. Halladay has been steadily moving up the career leaders list for several years now, beginning the 2012 campaign ranked 10th in wins (153), 5th in ERA (4.06), 6th in WHIP (1.32) and 10th in Ks (1,732). Doc was having an outstanding season for the Endzone Animals (9-4, 2.45 ERA, 1.17 WHIP) and the 35-year-old righthander looks like a probable keeper for next year (3.98 ERA, 1.15 WHIP), so in order to land him the Cutters had to give up a big chip -- Stanton, a 22-year-old outfielder who could be one of the league's top sluggers for the next 10 years. The results haven't been pleasant for Hoboken so far, as Halladay has gone 1-2 with a 5.02 ERA and 1.36 ERA in his first four starts.
Not satisfied with Greinke and Lincecum, the Mallers picked up yet another ace in Javier Vazquez, coming off a four-year run with the Sugar Bears in which he went 52-19 with a 3.99 ERA and 1.25 WHIP. But the soon-to-be 35-year-old missed all of last season and appeared to be at the end of his career. Sardine City surprised many when they took him with the 12th overall pick in this year's draft, but he proved the doubters wrong by going 8-5 with a 2.90 ERA and 1.09 WHIP and making the All-Star team. But Vazquez appears to be retired from MLB, and though the Straphangers are in the battle for a wildcard spot, they decided to deal him to Bridgewater for a 3rd Round pick next year, a 4th Round pick the year after that, and 29-year-old Doug Fister, who was 3-9 with a 4.83 ERA and 1.35 WHIP. Interestingly, Fister has gone 2-0 with a 3.48 ERA and 0.97 WHIP in his first three starts for the Straphangers, while Vazquez has gone 0-2 with a 7.53 ERA and 1.60 WHIP in his first three starts for the Mallers.
When you think "ace", you don't think Bartolo Colon. But the beefy right-hander has had some very good seasons in the DMBL. Granted, he hasn't pitched in the league since 2006. But Colon, who was drafted by Blue Ridge in the 5th round of the Supplemental Draft (#288 overall), was having a flat-out amazing season for the Bombers -- 2.95 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 61 K against just 16 BB in 73.1 IP. Alas, Blue Ridge never got going this year, and the 39-year-old's numbers are on the fence when it comes to being a keeper (3.80 ERA, 1.25 WHIP), so on July 12 they shipped him off to Rowdy for a 3rd Round pick. Bartolo was solid in his first start for the Pipers, picking up the win after allowing just one earned run despite giving up 10 walks and 2 walks in 7 innings.
Cliff Lee put up terrific numbers for a lousy Arkansas team last year, going 12-10 despite a 3.15 ERA and 1.08 WHIP. The 34-year-old left-hander was 6-5 with a 4.05 ERA and 1.38 WHIP this season for a Golden Falcon team that again appears headed for a high lottery pick, and is on the bubble as a keeper for next year (3.92 ERA, 1.22 WHIP). So on July 13, he was dealt to Rowdy -- the third starting pitcher they've acquired this season, joining Colon and Sabathia -- in exchange for young hurler Jonathan Niese, prospect Matt Harvey, a 4th Round pick next year and a 5th Round pick in 2014. He was pounded in his first start with the Pipers, giving up 6 ER on 10 hits in just 4.2 innings.
The final deal of the year, made minutes before the July 15 deadline, sent 37-year-old Tim Hudson from Rowdy to Amityville for a 5th Round pick in the 2013 draft. Hudson, a member of the Carolina/Rowdy franchise for his entire 12-year career, came into 2012 with a 128-112 career record, a 4.28 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP, numbers that put the 2004 Ben McDonald Award winner on the bubble for the DMBL Hall of Fame (13th in wins, 13th in ERA, 11th in WHIP). Although he wasn't having a great year by his standards (5.26 ERA, 1.54 WHIP), he was 9-6 for Rowdy this season, and is a borderline keeper (3.80 ERA, 1.23 WHIP).
Offense was the order of the day throughout the league Monday night as two players compiled six RBIs each amidst multi-home games.
 Adam Jones blasted three home runs to lead Rowdy Roddy Pipers over division rival Marietta, 10-7, at Bullhead Memorial Stadium. The Pipers centerfielder, acquired in the offseason from Vancouver for two draft picks, homered in his first three at-bats, all off of the Mighty Men's Chris Carpenter: two-run bombs in the 2nd and 6th innings, with a solo shot in the 4th. He capped off his night with a run-scoring single in the 7th, finishing 4-for-4 with 6 RBIs. He was hardly the only Piper with four hits: Prince Fielder and Michael Young each went 4-for-5 to help C.C. Sabathia even his record at 8-8.
 Over in St. Louis, two Cutters both blasted a pair of home runs to lead Hoboken to a 13-4 victory. David Ortiz hit a solo shot and a two-run bomb while one of Jose Bautista's two home runs -- his league-leading 34th and 35th -- was a grand slam to help him finish with six RBIs.
It wasn't entirely about the batters though. Traded last week along with two draft picks in exchange for Javier Vazquez, Doug Fister made his second outstanding start for Sardine City, going eight innings for the win. Now 2-0, Fister has yielded only three runs over 16 innings for the Straphangers, after a 3-9 start with a 4.53 ERA for Bridgewater.
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