Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Galvis, Maloney and Cardenas

In Norfolk, Freddy Galvis (.286 since promotion) had a single and a double, drove in 2 runs and scored another, and Domonic Brown added 2 walks, a stolen base and a run scored in the IronPigs' 11-9 win over the Tides. Mike Schwimer (8-1, 1.80) has not given up many leads this year, but he gave up a 5-4 lead last night, and ended up the winner when the Pigs rallied for 6 in the 9th. Andrew Carpenter (1.58) struck out the side in his inning, giving up 1 hit, and recording his 6th hold.

In Louisville, Matt Maloney (4-1, 3.71) went 6 innings for the Bats, allowing 2 runs on 6 hits and 1 walk, striking out 6 in Louisville's 5-2 win over Columbus. I believe Matt will be recalled when the rosters expand..............In Scranton, the Yankees swept a pair of games from Gwinnett. In the opener, Yohan Flande started for Gwinnett, and threw 6 effective innings. He did allow 3 runs on 4 hits and 2 walks, leaving the game in a 3-3 tie, which Scranton won with a run in the 8th. Greg Golson's slump continues, he was 0 for 6 in the doubleheader and is 3 for his last 30..............In Iowa City, the Cubs beat Sacramento, 14-7. Adrian Cardenas (.300) was 3 for 5, with an RBI and a run scored. Michael Taylor (.297) chipped in with a double, an RBI, and a run scored for Sacramento.

d'ARNAUD, SPIDALE KEEP ROLLIN'

In Manchester, Travis d'Arnaud (.329, 59 RBI) had 3 more hits, including his team leading 16th home run, but New Hampshire lost, 4-2 to Erie. The Fisher Cats remain 4 games ahead of Reading, who lost at home to Bowie, 5-4. Austin Hyatt (10-6) could not get out of the 1st inning and was charged with 4 runs in just .2 innings of work. Good relief work from Derrick Loop (2.1 IP, 1 run, 5 hits, 6 Ks), Chris Kissock (4 IP, 2 hits, 1 walk, 2 Ks) and Jacob Diekman (2 IP, 1 hit, 1 walk, 2 Ks) kept the R-Phils in the game, but they come up short a run in the end. Mike Spidale had another 3-hit game. Mike (.313) had 2 single, a double, a walk, and 2 RBI and is deserving of a promotion.

In Huntsville, the Tennessee Smokies won both ends of a doubleheader from the Stars. In the first game, an 8-0 Smokies' win, Jesus Sanchez came on in long relief and did a good job. Jesus (5.19) went 4 innings, gave up 1 run on 4 hits before yielding to Darren Byrd, who threw a scoreless 7th........In Visalia, Jonathan Singleton (.316 since the trade) had a double in 4 at bats for the JetHawks, who lost to the Rawhide, 2-1.

Floyd wins 10th

In Miami, Michael Bourn (.305) had a double, 2 walks, an RBI and scored a run for the Braves in Atlanta's 4-3 win over the Marlins. This a follow up to Monday's 2 hits, 2 runs, an RBI and stolen base #42..............Monday in LA, Ryan Howard had 2 hits and 2 RBI (89), and Carlos Ruiz added a hit and scored a run in the 5-3 Philadelphia win. Both Antonio Bastardo (1.47, 1 hitter, 2 outs, hold #10) and Mike Stutes (.1 IP, 2 runs, 2 hits, but a hold, #7) saw action...........Tuesday in Phoenix, the Diamondbacks outscored the Astros, 11-9. Sergio Escalona (2.74) struck out the only hitter he faced.

In Baltimore, the White Sox beat the Orioles, 4-3 for Gavin Floyd's 10th win. Gavin pitched 6.2 inning for the Sox, allowing 3 runs on 7 hits and 1 walk, evening his mark at 10-10, with a 4.53 ERA.

It was win #72 for the HomeSide.


MONDAY'S LEFTOVERS

In Norfolk, Scott Mathieson (1-1,2.73) threw 7 strong innings for Lehigh Valley, allowing just 1 run on only 4 hits and 1 walk, striking out 8 in the IronPigs' 6-3 over the Tides. Domonic Brown (.315) had a double, a walk, and an RBI, stole a base and scored a run for Lehigh.......In Las Vegas, Kyle Drabek threw 6 innings for the 51s, and gave up 4 runs on 9 hits and 3 walks, and received no decision in Vegas' 12-4 win. Bobby Korecky got the win with 2 scoreless innings of relief, his first since his recent promotion. The Blue Jays also announced that Kevin Howard has been reassigned to New Hampshire, but Kevin is yet to report to the Fisher Cats........Zack Segovia (5-3) was in the right place at the right time, throwing a 1-2-3 inning and picking up a win when the Sounds rallied for a 6-4 victory over Reno.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Move 'em up!!

It's August 9th, lets reward our first basemen with a promotion each. Jim Murphy, Darin Ruf, and Matt Rizzotti all desrerve it and it would be excellent if it all happened at once.

We begin Monday's highlights with Murphy tying the Lakewood single season record for home runs with 22. Murph was 2 for 3, with 2 walks, scored 2 and drove 2 in and at .272, 22 HR and 70 RBI, has certainly earned the bump. Carlos Perdomo had 3 hits and drove in 2 runs, and the BlueClaws mounted a great comeback (down 7-3 going to the bottom of the 6) for a 10-7 win over West Virginia.

So Murphy should go to Clearwater and replace Ruf, who hit his 15th home run in a 2-1 Clearwater victory over Daytona. Darin is hitting .319 and driven in 70 runs for the Threshers, and should get the promotion to Reading, where he can step in for Rizzotti. Rizzotti, in turn, should get a look in Lehigh Valley, having hit .286 with 20 HR and 67 RBI for Reading. This would also be a good idea if they plan to call Matt up to the big team when the rosters expand in September.


Monday, August 8, 2011

Lincecum, Giants avoid sweep

The San Francisco Giants salvaged the final game of their set with Phillies, taking a 3-1 decision behind Tim Lincecum. "The Freak" bested Roy Oswalt, who pitched OK in his first start coming off the DL. Oswalt gave up 3 runs on 12 hits over 6 innings, but the Phils could not get anything going against the Giants, ending their 9-game winning streak. Carlos Ruiz (.265) had 2 of the Phillies' 8 hits, and Mike Stutes (3.02) threw a scoreless bottom of the 8th.

In New York, Michael Bourn (.304) had a walk and a hit, and drove in a run for the Braves in their 6-5 win over the Mets........In Baltimore, the Blue Jays got to Alfredo Simon (3-5, 4.08) for 6 runs (4 earned) on 10 hits, NO walks in 5.2 innings of work, tagging him with the loss in a 7-2 Toronto win................In Houston, the Brewers beat the Astros, 7-3, with Sergio Escalona (2.78) giving up a run on 2 hits in his inning of work.

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Rodriguez wins 15th

Julio Rodriguez' break out season extended to his 15th win of the year, a 5-4 victory over first half nemesis, Daytona. The Cubs were the hump the Threshers could not get over in the first half, but the confidence is growing in Clearwater, despite the trade of Jonathan Singleton and Jarred Cosart right off their roster. It was not the most artistic of outing for "J-Rod", struggling through 5 innings, and allowing 3 runs on just 2 hits and 2 walks, striking out 7, to go to 15-6, 3.13 on the year. Ebelin Lugo (2 IP, 1hit, 1K, hold #5) and Eric Pettis (1 IP, 1 walk, hold #7) pitched well in relief.

Jeremy Barnes (.274, HR #7, 2 RBI, 2 runs), Sebastian Valle (.306, double, 2 RBI), Troy Hanzawa (double, run) and Alan Schoenberger (double, run) all had 2 hits for Clearwater. The Threshers (22-20) are tied with Dunedin, 1 game behind Tampa with 28 games to go.


HEWITT COMES UP WITH ANOTHER BIG HIT


Anthony Hewitt was having a tough night at the plate Saturday (2 strike outs, and a bullet line drive that turned into a DP), but came up huge with the game on the line in the bottom of the 8th inning with a game-tying, bases clearing double!! Jim Murphy then singled Hewitt home with what proved to be the winning run in a thrilling 5-4 come-from-behind win over the Power. Hewitt (.239) now has 48 RBI, and Murphy (.271) has a team leading 68. Bill Rice (.304) came off the bench and was 3 for 3 with a triple and 2 runs scored to give Lakewood a spark! Mario Hollands made the spot start and did an excellent job for the Claws, preserving the bullpen and going 5 solid innings, keeping Lakewood in the game (1 run, 5 hits, 1 walk, 1 K). After Lendy Castillo got roughed up (1.2 IP, 3 runs 4 hit) and responded with back-to-back hit batters (which got him ejected), Hector Neris restored order, recording the next 4 outs and picking up the win when Lakewood rallied. Ryan Duke (1.74) threw a scoreless 9th for his 6th save.

At 23-19, the BlueClaws are in 3rd place, 1.5 games behind Kannapolis and 1 game in back of Hickory. Austin Wright (1-0) will make his second start for the Claws on Sunday.


NEWCOMER SPARKS R-PHILS, PIGS LOSE

Recently signed Brent Clevlin had 4 hits and 5 RBI to lead Reading to a 9-3 win in Binghamton. Tim Kennelly added 2 hits and 2 RBI and Joe Esposito picked up the win with 5.2 innings of work. "Espo" gave up 3 runs on 3 hits and 3 walks, striking out 7 to improve to 5-3, 5.32 on the year. Reading in 59-54, 4 games out of first, and 1 game ahead of Trenton for the final playoff spot.......In Durham, the Bulls topped Lehigh Valley, 6-2. Freddy Galvis had 2 hits and scored a run for the IronPigs, and (at 6 for 15) is hitting .400 in 4 games with Lehigh.


SAVAGE WINS AGAIN


In Jacksonville, Will Savage threw 7 more strong innings for Chattanooga, as the Lookouts beat the Suns, 7-3. Will (12-3, 3.38) is having a fine season for the Dodger's affiliate, and Saturday it was more of the same. Just 1 run on 5 hits and 2 walks, as the Lookouts improve to 25-16 in the second half, and have a 3-game lead over first half winner Tennessee................In Lancaster, Jonathan Singleton (.286 since trade) was 1 for 4 and scored a run for the JetHawks as Lancaster defeated Inland Empire, 7-5............In Omaha, the Sacramento River Cats gave Josh Outman a 4-0 2nd inning lead, which he could not hold. Outman (7-2, 3.84) lasted just 4 innings, allowing 6 runs on 6 hits and 2 walks, striking out 6 in the Storm Chasers' 7-5 win. Michael Taylor hit his 13th home run of the year for the River Cats................In a wild one in Indianapolis, Jason Jarramillo (.274) had a double, a walk, an RBI and scored a run for the Indians in their 9-8 win over Toledo.

Hamels' gem makes in 9 in a row for Phils

Cole Hamels continues to shine, beating the Giants, 2-1 on Saturday with a complete game 7-hitter. Hamels (13-6, 2.53) was 1 pitch short of a shut out when Pablo Sandoval homered with 2 out in the bottom of the 9th for San Francisco's lone run. Cole allowed NO walks and struck out 5 in his latest masterpiece, which also gave him some revenge on Matt Cain, who defeated Cole and the Phillies 2-1 in Philadelphia 10 days ago.

The Phillies manufactured just 5 hits, 1 of them by Ryan Howard (.253). The Phillies will hand the 9-game winning streak to Roy Oswalt, fresh off the DL. Roy has not made a start sine June 23. Kyle Kendrick will return to the bullpen now, and Scott Mathieson shuttles back to the IronPigs with Ryan Madson coming off the DL.

The win for Hamels is #71 on the HomeSide.

In New York, the Mets hit 4 home runs to top the Braves, 11-7. Michael Bourn (.305) was 3 for 4 and a walk, scored a run and stole his major league leading 41st base for Atlanta........In Houston, Bourn's former team, the Astros lost to Milwaukee, 7-5. Sergio Escalona (2.49) retired the only hitter he faced........In Arlington, the Cleveland Indians finally beat the Rangers, but it took a 4-run 9th inning rally to produce the 7-5 win. The Rangers had won all 5 games this year and 17 of the previous 20 against the Tribe. Lou Marson walked and scored a run for the Indians.

Saturday, August 6, 2011

crazy 8s

The Phillies won their 8th straight game Friday night in San Francisco, beating the Giants 9-2. Vance Worley (2.35) won his 8th game of the year against just 1 loss, by throwing 7 good frames, scattering 7 hits and a walk, and allowing just 2 runs, and striking out 6. Mike Stutes (3.10) tossed another scoreless inning, and Shane Victorino, John Mayberry, and Hunter Pence all homered.

The win was #70 for the HomeSide.

In Houston, Jay Happ (4-14, 6.26) was hit hard again, this time by Milwaukee for 6 runs on 7 hits and 3 walks in just 4 innings. There is something not quite right with Happ. He is throwing a far too low percentage of strikes, and when he is in the zone, he is getting hammered........In New York, Michael Bourn (.301) drove in a run with a sacrifice fly to help the Braves beat the Mets, 4-1..................In Arlington, Jason Donald was 1 for 5 and scored a run for the Indians in their 8-7, 11-inning loss to the Rangers.


In Lakewood, Cameron Rupp had 3 more hits, and is now hitting .280, but the BlueClaws lost to West Virginia, 7-3. Good relief pitching from Tyler Knigge (4.1 IP, 1 run, 3 hits, 1 walk, 3 Ks) and Colby Shreve (3 IP, first earned run in over 20 innings) after Ervis Manzinillo could not get out of the 1st inning.............In Clearwater, Tampa shut out the Threshers, 7-0 on 6 hits. Darin Ruf (.318) and Travis Mattair had 2 hits each for the Threshers...............In Binghamton, Matt Rizzotti hit his 20th home run for Reading, but the Mets took a 6-3 decision from the Phillies. "Riz" is hitting .290 and has driven in 67 runs so far. Steve Singleton had 2 more hits, including a double, and scored a run for the R-Phils. Chris Kissock had a nice outing, going 3.1 relief innings when J.C.Ramirez could not complete the 3rd. Kissock allowed 1 run on 4 hits, NO walks, and kept Reading within striking distance...........In Durham, the IronPigs edged the Bulls, 4-3. Freddy Galvis had 2 hits and drove in a run, and Domonic Brown (.328) added a hit and a walk. Joe Savery (3-0, 3.48) was the winning pitcher, ironically because he gave up a run in his inning and then benefited from Lehigh Valley's 2-run 7th. Mike Zagurski retired all 4 hitters he faced and got credit for his 8th hold.

In Bowie, the combination of Anthony Gose (single, walk, HR #11, 3 runs, SB #51) and Travis d'Arnaud (.331, 2 single, double, 2 RBI) for New Hampshire devastated the BaySox 11-3..........In Omaha, it was the combination of Adrian Cardenas (.298, 3 for 4, double RBI) and Michael Taylor (.296, 2 for 4 run scored) proving to be the difference in Sacramento's 2-1 win over the Storm Chasers.

In Springdale, Edgar Garcia recorded his 2nd save for Northwest Arkansas with 3 solid innings, allowing only 1 hit and 1 walk as the Naturals beat the Arkansas Travelers, 6-2............In Corpus Christi, Jonathan Villar (.236) had 2 hits again for the Hooks in their 4-3 loss to Midland.......In Las Vegas, the 51s took a 10-inning, 6-5 win from Oklahoma City. Kevin Howard (.298) was 1 for 3, and Bobby Korecky (1.93) retired 5 hitters for Vegas, allowing 1 run on 1 hit and 1 walk..........In Scranton, the Yankees routed the Bats, 8-4. Greg Golson (.273) was 1 for 5, and threw out a runner at home!