Friday, April 11, 2008

BlueClaws wrap up homestand with a "Winn"

The BlueClaws completed their first homestand of the season Thursday night with a 7-5 victory over Hagerstown thanks in no small part to utility infielder Dennis Winn. Winn, playing in just his second game of the season, had a single, a stolen base, a run scored and the game winning RBI with a clutch double in the bottom of the 8th inning. Winn is 3 for 6 in his 2 games so far this year. Lakewood also got 2 hit contributions from Matt Rizzotti (single, double, walk, 2 runs scored, RBI, .333), Michael Taylor (2 singles, run scored, outfield assist, .370) and Karl Bolt (2 singles, run scored, 2 RBI). Dominic Brown (.355) chipped in with a double and an RBI sac fly to clinch the win. Julian Sampson had a much better outing than last time, throwing 5 innings, giving up 2 runs on 6 hits. Moises Melendez gave up 3 unearned runs, and Jared Simon got the last 5 outs to get his second win in 2 nights, after blowing the save.

If I seem to be neglecting the pitching staff, I don't mean to. I promise to give them all their props as we go along. It is just harder to get a feel for them this early on, as I don't want to make any judgments based on a few outings in the cold weather.

The BlueClaws take to the road today to take on the Shorebirds in Delmarva. I believe Jacob Diekman will get the ball in the 7:00 start.

Clearwater dropped a 2-0 decision to Fort Myers last night. Carlos Monasterios pitched his heart out, allowing the 2 runs on a 2-run, 2 out home run in the seventh inning by Whitney Robbins of the Miracle. Adrian Cardenas continued his hot start with 2 more hits, and is hitting .455 in the first 8 games. Matt Spencer (.310) also had 2 hits for Clearwater. Dan Brauer and Brian Schlitter finished off the game for the Threshers. Clearwater stays at home this weekend to face Lakeland. Antonio Bastardo is the schedule starter Friday.

The IronPigs lost again, 5-2 to Pawtucket to fall to 0-8. I believe I said they were 0-8 yesterday, but I was ahead of myself. Good news for HomeSiders: Jason Jaramillo smacked his 2nd home run of the young season. The Pigs have their home opener tonight against Richmond.

Reading had an off day on Thursday and have their home opener tonight against Altoona. Kip Bouknight (1-0) will start for the R-Phils, weather permitting.

Last night in Scranton, Matt Maloney was the beneficiary of a 4 run first inning by Louisville and was solid for 4 innings, but ran into trouble in the fifth. A lead off walk (always trouble), a single, a double steal, and another single and Matt was gone. His final line was 4.1 innings, 4 earned runs, 4 hits, 2 walks and 3 strike outs. The Yankees won the contest, 11-5.

After 4 consecutive 2-hit games, Kevin Howard was walked 3 times in his 4 plate appearances last night in Las Vegas in the 51's 6-2 victory over Colorado Springs. Howard is hitting a robust .409 so far this year.

Meanwhile, last night in New York, the Mets took a 12 inning, 4-3 game from the Phillies. Two interesting notes from this game for me. One was Ryan Howard's 2nd home run of the year. It was a 450 foot blast to straight away center field and it was his 11th career home run against the Mets. That is the most against any team for Ryno. (Shea Stadium was also the site of career home run #1 for Howard during his September, 2004 call up.) The second interesting note was Cole Hamels sent into the game to bunt in the 11th inning. Charlie Manuel had used up all his players, and when Rudy Seanez turn at bat came, Manuel turned to Hamels to lay down the sacrifice bunt. Well, Cole did such a good job, the Mets couldn't get him, and he was credited with a base hit! Cole is now 2 for 5 this year, that's .400!!!

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