Vancouver scored 6 runs in the first two innings to knock off Amityville 6-3. Amityville had held their opponents to a combined 10 hits and 1 run in the past three games, but John Lester was not able to keep the streak alive. Clint Barmes started the scoring with an RBI triple, then scored on a single after that, then Chase Utley added to the carnage in the next inning with a 3-run home run. Chad Billingsley, who had not won in 3 weeks, picked up his 10th victory of the season.
Two days ago it was the Mudcats who scored in the 20s, and now it's the Rat Pack, unloading on the hapless Endzone Animals in a 21-1 final. To make matters worse, the Animals were held to only one hit in the game - a first inning double that gave Philly a brief 1-0 lead. John Baker and Dan Uggla each had a home run and 4 RBIs and Matt Holliday was 3-4 with 5 RBIs. Rich Harden was the beneficiary of the run support, pitching 6 innings and striking out 7.
Newark edged Hillsborough 2-1 to even the series between the two division leaders. The Hitmen got off to an early 1-0 lead when Carlos Lee hit an RBI-single in the 4th, but Bobby Abreu tied it up in the 6th with a solo home run. In the 7th, Jason Giambi hit a sac fly to give the Sugar Bears the lead. Joey Devine pitched a perfect 9th for his league-leading 31st save.
Carlos Delgado's 2 home runs and Roy Halladay's 11-strikeout effort led the Mudcats to a 4-2 win over New Jersey. After being embarrassed yesterday, the Buddahs didn't have much left in the tank. Jamie Moyer pitched a decent game (8 IP, 4 ER, 6 K) but got the loss anyway. Halladay now leads the league with a 2.69 ERA and is tied for second in wins with 15.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Amityville horrifies Mighty Men
Amityville stifled Marietta once again, this time a 3-hitter by Armando Galarraga. Galarraga, who had been 3-17 entering the game, blanked the Mighty Men, striking out 6 and walking only one. Yesterday, the Mighty Men were three-hit by Dallas Braden. This, of course, coming on the heels of a 3 game set where they scored 7 runs in each game... Marietta will try to reverse their fortune against Blue Ridge today.
Carolina's 5-run outburst in the 6th inning yesterday led the team to a 5-3 win over D.C. The rally was capped by a 3-run Bengie Molina home run off starter Chris Young. Meanwhile, Hillsborough was shellacked by Blue Ridge 11-6 - and it would have been worse if not for a meaningless 5 runs in the 9th inning. Chris Ianetta was 2-5 with 2 homers and 5 RBIs for Blue Ridge. Vancouver meanwhile knocked off Las Vegas in a 12-inning marathon. Victor Martinez's bases loaded single scored the winning run in the 12th to give the Fist a 5-4 victory and 3-game sweep of the Rats. After the dust settles, that leaves the Hitmen with a shrinking 4 1/2 game lead on Carolina, with Vancouver 6 games off the mark.
Philadelphia's hopes for a playoff run took a hit yesterday after a 6-2 loss to the arch rival Falcons. Arkansas exploded for 6 runs in the 6th in which David Wright hit a 3-run home run. Rookie Jair Jurrjens improved to 11-6 in the victory. The Falcons are now only 1/2 a game behind the Animals as the top challenger to the wildcards.
Carolina's 5-run outburst in the 6th inning yesterday led the team to a 5-3 win over D.C. The rally was capped by a 3-run Bengie Molina home run off starter Chris Young. Meanwhile, Hillsborough was shellacked by Blue Ridge 11-6 - and it would have been worse if not for a meaningless 5 runs in the 9th inning. Chris Ianetta was 2-5 with 2 homers and 5 RBIs for Blue Ridge. Vancouver meanwhile knocked off Las Vegas in a 12-inning marathon. Victor Martinez's bases loaded single scored the winning run in the 12th to give the Fist a 5-4 victory and 3-game sweep of the Rats. After the dust settles, that leaves the Hitmen with a shrinking 4 1/2 game lead on Carolina, with Vancouver 6 games off the mark.
Philadelphia's hopes for a playoff run took a hit yesterday after a 6-2 loss to the arch rival Falcons. Arkansas exploded for 6 runs in the 6th in which David Wright hit a 3-run home run. Rookie Jair Jurrjens improved to 11-6 in the victory. The Falcons are now only 1/2 a game behind the Animals as the top challenger to the wildcards.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Hitmen streak iced
The Hired Hitmen's streak of 7 wins was snapped yesterday in a 6-3 loss to Blue Ridge. Michael Young and Rickie Weeks each had 2 hits and Gavin Floyd pitched 8 strong innings to lead the Bombers to victory. Hillsborough remains 5 1/2 games up on Carolina for the Morris Division lead.
Amityville continues to baffle Marietta. Yesterday Dallas Braden tossed a 3-hit shutout against the Mighty Men in a 2-0 victory. Braden struck out 5 and walked one in his 2nd win of the year. Meanwhile John Danks was the hard luck loser in the game, spinning 7 innings of 2-run ball and falling to 14-6 on the season. The Ant Slayers scored both runs in the 5th inning that was marred by a wild pitch and a hit batsman. Alex Rodriguez hit a sac fly after Danks' wild pitch allowed the runner to move to third and Jason Kubel singled in the second run.
Vancouver edged Las Vegas in a 2-1 pitchers duel. Ben Sheets and A.J. Burnett both pitched 7 innings of 1-run ball, but neither factored into the decision. It was in the 8th inning when a Joe Nathan pitched got by catcher John Baker, allowing David Ortiz to score from third. The play was ruled a passed ball. Dennys Reyes struck out 2 and retired the side in order in the 9th to pick up his 1st save of the season.
Newark waved a tearful good-bye to longtime Sugar Bear John Smoltz, released after many difficulties pitching in AAA. "We would love Smoltzie to come back and pitch for us" said pitching coach Mike Grace, "but we needed to make a decision that would help us win this year." Smoltz had been with the team since the summer of 2000 since Newark acquired the righthander from Carolina in exchange for outfielder Jim Edmonds. Smoltz had been stellar in both starting and relief roles for the Sugar Bears, including a 22-5 campaign in 2005 and a 45-save effort in 2003.
Amityville continues to baffle Marietta. Yesterday Dallas Braden tossed a 3-hit shutout against the Mighty Men in a 2-0 victory. Braden struck out 5 and walked one in his 2nd win of the year. Meanwhile John Danks was the hard luck loser in the game, spinning 7 innings of 2-run ball and falling to 14-6 on the season. The Ant Slayers scored both runs in the 5th inning that was marred by a wild pitch and a hit batsman. Alex Rodriguez hit a sac fly after Danks' wild pitch allowed the runner to move to third and Jason Kubel singled in the second run.
Vancouver edged Las Vegas in a 2-1 pitchers duel. Ben Sheets and A.J. Burnett both pitched 7 innings of 1-run ball, but neither factored into the decision. It was in the 8th inning when a Joe Nathan pitched got by catcher John Baker, allowing David Ortiz to score from third. The play was ruled a passed ball. Dennys Reyes struck out 2 and retired the side in order in the 9th to pick up his 1st save of the season.
Newark waved a tearful good-bye to longtime Sugar Bear John Smoltz, released after many difficulties pitching in AAA. "We would love Smoltzie to come back and pitch for us" said pitching coach Mike Grace, "but we needed to make a decision that would help us win this year." Smoltz had been with the team since the summer of 2000 since Newark acquired the righthander from Carolina in exchange for outfielder Jim Edmonds. Smoltz had been stellar in both starting and relief roles for the Sugar Bears, including a 22-5 campaign in 2005 and a 45-save effort in 2003.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Lee, Halladay take honors
One of the hottest teams in the league right now is the Hillsborough Hired Hitmen. Their pitching has been solid of late, but their offense is really their bread and butter. How many times we've already awarded Mitchell frontrunner Aubrey Huff, but this week it goes to his teammate Carlos Lee, our JR Cigars Smokin' Batter of the Week. Lee smoked the ball this week, hitting .583 (14-24) with 2 homers, 4 doubles, 8 runs, and 7 RBIs. He got on base to a .615 clip and had an OPS of 1.615 (you can figure out his slugging, go ahead). Another of his teammates was also in the running - Nick Markakis (.417/.517/.667, 8 R).
Close on Lee's heels this week was Las Vegas' Carlos Pena who hit .435/480/1.217 with 4 homers and 10 RBIs. Other notables: Arkansas' Lance Berkman (.462/.548/.654, 7 R), Newark's Manny Ramirez (.450/.478/.950, 3 HR, 10 RBI) and Ramon Vazquez (.471/.526/1.059, 7 RBI), Philly's Mark Teixeira (.400/.464/.840), New Jersey's Ian Stewart (.409/.458/.818), and Vancouver's Chase Utley (.462/.516/.731, 8 RBI).
Roy Halladay takes this week's ChannelATE Pitcher of the Week Award. In his two starts, Halladay only won one game, but he gave up only one run in 17 innings for an 0.53 ERA and 0.65 WHIP with 15 strikeouts. And once again, the award winner has a teammate that gave him a run for his money. In this case, Carolina's Carlos Zambrano was 2-0 with a 1.13 ERA, but his higher 1.06 WHIP did him in.
Other contenders: Hillsborough's Justin Verlander (2-0, 1.17, 0.91 WHIP) and Marietta's Ervin Santana (1-0, 1.32, 0.73 WHIP).
Close on Lee's heels this week was Las Vegas' Carlos Pena who hit .435/480/1.217 with 4 homers and 10 RBIs. Other notables: Arkansas' Lance Berkman (.462/.548/.654, 7 R), Newark's Manny Ramirez (.450/.478/.950, 3 HR, 10 RBI) and Ramon Vazquez (.471/.526/1.059, 7 RBI), Philly's Mark Teixeira (.400/.464/.840), New Jersey's Ian Stewart (.409/.458/.818), and Vancouver's Chase Utley (.462/.516/.731, 8 RBI).
Roy Halladay takes this week's ChannelATE Pitcher of the Week Award. In his two starts, Halladay only won one game, but he gave up only one run in 17 innings for an 0.53 ERA and 0.65 WHIP with 15 strikeouts. And once again, the award winner has a teammate that gave him a run for his money. In this case, Carolina's Carlos Zambrano was 2-0 with a 1.13 ERA, but his higher 1.06 WHIP did him in.
Other contenders: Hillsborough's Justin Verlander (2-0, 1.17, 0.91 WHIP) and Marietta's Ervin Santana (1-0, 1.32, 0.73 WHIP).
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Win Some, Lose Some
One game today guaranteed two things: The Newark Sugar Bears will have a winning season, and New Jersey Team Buddah will not.With Newark crushing New Jersey, 11-1, the Sugar Bears now have 82 wins, and Team Buddah now has 82 losses. For Newark, it's their 14th straight winning season, dating all the way back to their 106-56 record in their inaugural season. If the Sugar Bears can also post a winning mark next year, they'll tie for the all-time record with the Arkansas Golden Falcons, who were over .500 for 15 consecutive seasons (1991-2006).
The victory today not only means that Newark has never had a losing season -- it also means New Jersey has never had a winning one. New Jersey, which lost 94 games in '07 and 102 last year, is on pace to drop a franchise-worst 107 games this year. Looking at the bright side, they are firmly in the lead in the race for the most balls in the draft lottery, with a 4 1/2 game lead over the Sardine City Straphangers for the league's worst record.
Matthew's Mighty Men of Marietta kept pace with the Sugar Bears by pulling out an 11th inning win over the Las Vegas Rat Pack. The Rats, playing at home in The House, took a 5-1 lead in the 3rd after back-to-back home runs by Carlos Pena and Dan Uggla, but it wasn't enough as the Mites chipped away with runs in the 4th and the 6th. But the Rats were still one out away from a win in the 9th, until Kevin Youkilis cracked a two-run double to tie it up. In the top of the 11th, Jason Bay knocked in the go-ahead run with a single, and Grant Balfour nailed down the win in the bottom of the frame.
The Arkansas Golden Falcons slipped by the Hoboken Cutters, 5-4, to crawl above .500 at 64-63, while the Sardine City Straphangers easily handled the Amityville Ant Slayers, 9-5.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Carolina finishes off Marietta in 3 game sweep
Carolina swept their series with Marietta yesterday after a 7-5 win yesterday. John Maine improved to 11-4, despite a shaky outing and Alex Rios was 3-4 with a solo home run. The Cats remain 5 games out and in second place in the Morris Division. Meanwhile, Marietta, who had been as close as a 1/2 game out of first recently, fall all the way back to 4 games out, but still in second place in the Hanover.
Meanwhile, Hillsborough won their 4th straight, a 12-6 drubbing of Team Buddah. Jerry Hairston finally had a big day for his new club (2-4, 3 runs, 2 RBI) and Carlos Lee was 3-4 with 3 runs scored. David DeJesus was 2-3 with 2 triples in defeat. The Hitmen appear to have taken a strong hold on the division lead. The other threat in the Morris Division, the Vancouver Iron Fist also won yesterday, an 11-6 decision against Hoboken. Adam Jones had his finest day in his brief DMBL career, going 4-5 with 3 runs and Chase Utley was 3-4 with 4 RBIs. Vancouver is in 3rd place in the Morris, one game behind Carolina.
The Sugar Bears dropped a 4-3 match to Philadelphia as the Endzone Animals scored 2 runs in the bottom of the 8th. Mark Teixeira hit a 2-run bomb off James Shields to win the game for the Animals. Philly is in 4th place now at 63-60, but 4 games out of a playoff spot. Meanwhile, Arkansas and D.C. are gaining fast. Interestingly, Blue Ridge is the only team in the Morris Division that is below the .500 mark.
Meanwhile, Hillsborough won their 4th straight, a 12-6 drubbing of Team Buddah. Jerry Hairston finally had a big day for his new club (2-4, 3 runs, 2 RBI) and Carlos Lee was 3-4 with 3 runs scored. David DeJesus was 2-3 with 2 triples in defeat. The Hitmen appear to have taken a strong hold on the division lead. The other threat in the Morris Division, the Vancouver Iron Fist also won yesterday, an 11-6 decision against Hoboken. Adam Jones had his finest day in his brief DMBL career, going 4-5 with 3 runs and Chase Utley was 3-4 with 4 RBIs. Vancouver is in 3rd place in the Morris, one game behind Carolina.
The Sugar Bears dropped a 4-3 match to Philadelphia as the Endzone Animals scored 2 runs in the bottom of the 8th. Mark Teixeira hit a 2-run bomb off James Shields to win the game for the Animals. Philly is in 4th place now at 63-60, but 4 games out of a playoff spot. Meanwhile, Arkansas and D.C. are gaining fast. Interestingly, Blue Ridge is the only team in the Morris Division that is below the .500 mark.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Ineligible But Unavailable
Looking ahead to the 2010 draft? Having dreams about rebuilding your team around Tommy Hanson, Nelson Cruz or Pablo Sandoval?
Sorry... they're already gone! A number of rookies (and some veterans) managed to survive all the way through the Trading Deadline. It's not easy -- out of 65 ineligible players drafted, about half (32) are still on rosters.
Here are the guys you'll be crossing off your list, should they get protected:
Sorry... they're already gone! A number of rookies (and some veterans) managed to survive all the way through the Trading Deadline. It's not easy -- out of 65 ineligible players drafted, about half (32) are still on rosters.
Here are the guys you'll be crossing off your list, should they get protected:
- SS Elvis Andrus (VAN) .254/.316/.344, 19 SB
- P Andrew Brackman (BR) Struggling in A-Ball (1-10, 6.16 ERA, 1.70 WHIP)
- P Madison Bumgarner (AMI) 7-1, 1.56 ERA... but in Double-A
- P Trevor Cahill (AMI) 6-8, 4.50 ERA, 1.45 WHIP
- P Chris Carpenter (DC) Comeback Player of the Year? 8-3, 2.26 ERA, 0.91 WHIP
- OF Nelson Cruz (AMI) .270/.335/.550, 23 HR and 54 RBI
- P Neftali Feliz (SAR) 3.44 ERA, 1.27 WHIP in Triple-A
- OF Dexter Fowler (HIL) .257/.359/.389, 23 SB
- SS Rafael Furcal (MAR) .255/.327/.354
- P Yovani Gallardo (PHI) Picking up where he left off -- 3.28 ERA, 1.26 WHIP
- 3B Mat Gamel (HIL) .239/.336/.407 in 131 PA
- OF Brett Gardner (MAR) .278/.353/.397, 19 SB
- DH Travis Hafner (BR) .284/.380/.516, but only 179 PA
- P Tommy Hanson (DC) 16th pick is paying off: 5-0, 3.00 ERA, 1.27 WHIP
- P Phil Hughes (SAR) 3.63 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, but needs 3 more starts to be SP
- 1B Nick Johnson (DC) .305/.415/.421, and has stayed healthy for 393 PA!
- 1B Matt LaPorta (CAR) Back in minors after hitting .190/.286/.286
- OF Cameron Maybin (DC) Back in minors after hitting .202/.280/.310
- P Andrew McCutchen (BR) .296/.351/.458, 9 SB, 0 CS
- P Rick Porcello (NJ) New Jersey native is 9-6, 4.40 ERA, 1.49 WHIP
- C Jorge Posada (NWK) .282/.369/.517 in 244 PA
- P David Price (LV) 3-4, 4.86 ERA, 1.64 WHIP in 10 starts
- OF Colby Rasmus (SAR) .265/.315/.450, 11 HR, 34 RBI
- 1B/3B Pablo Sandoval (BR) .322/.371/.551, but only 3 games at catcher so far
- P Max Scherzer (HIL) 5-6, 3.86 ERA, 1.375 WHIP, 103 K in 100.1 IP
- 1B Justin Smoak (SAR) Struggling after promotion to Triple-A (.133/.243/.233)
- P John Smoltz (NWK) End of the road? 1-3, 6.31 ERA, 1.44 WHIP
- OF Travis Snider (NJ) .242/.292/.394 in 108 PA
- P Steven Strasburg (PHI) Still hasn't signed with the Nationals
- C Matt Wieters (SAR) Not in the HOF yet... .244/.301/.374
- P Jordan Zimmermann (CAR) Now on DL... 4.63 ERA, 1.36 WHIP in 16 starts
- P Joel Zumaya (NJ) 4.94 ERA, 1.81 WHIP in 29 appearances... and back on DL
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