Batter's Box Interactive Magazine - Minor League Update: September 6

On the second to last day of the season, we report good pitching by Mike Smith and Josh Banks, not so good pitching from the Charleston bullpen. We read Mikael Jova's escape from Cuba story and how Glenn Williams is unhappy to be still in Syracuse.

Ottawa 3 Syracuse 4 - 10 innings

Round one in the battle of the basement went to the Chiefs. A win today in the season finale will keep the Chiefs out of the basement. Ottawa scored one in the first but the Chiefs fought back. Tim Whittaker singled and scored in the second. Howie Clark tripled home Julius Matos in the fifth to give the Chiefs the lead, and Clark singled home Anthony Sanders with an insurance run in the seventh.

Mike Smith registered his fourth straight quality start, seven innings, one run on five hits and three walks. Mike Nakamura came on for the save in the ninth and, for the second time this week, blew a win for Smith. The game was tied and we went to the bottom of the tenth when Clark led off with a single. Glenn Williams also singled and Jeff Gueil was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Chad Hermansen drew the bases loaded walk to win the game.

Howie Clark went 4-5 and Sanders, Matos, and Hermansen had two hits each for the Chiefs.

Game Story plus Glenn Williams is not happy to be still in Syracuse.

New Hampshire 7 Portland 4

NH are getting set for the playoffs so Brandon League started and only pitched one inning as a warm-up for game two of the playoffs. It was not the best warm-up as he allowed two runs, one unearned, on three hits. Josh Banks came on for the second inning and pitched six innings allowing only two runs. Bank's line was 6 IP, 4 hits, two walks, five K's, two runs.

NH scored three in the top of the first, Tyrell Godwin scored on a Dominic Rich double. Rich and John Ford Griffin scored on a Mikael Jova single. Jova doubled and scored in the third. NH scored three runs on four doubles in the fourth. Danny Solano, Griffin, John Hattig and Justin Singleton went for two.

Singleton had three hits, Griffin, Godwin and Jova had two each. Aaron Hill was rested. Jova has been playing well recently and has moved his stats up. He escaped from Cuba on a raft and the Union Leader has the story.

Mikael Jova Story

Dunedin

Playoffs start Tuesday with Ismael Ramirez on the mound.

Lake County 9 Charleston 5

Charleston scored five runs in the first inning and took a 5-2 lead into the eighth, but a bullpen blow-up conceded three runs in the eighth and four more in the ninth. The five runs in the first inning for Charleston were a group effort but the hit parade was capped by a three run double from Eric Arnold.

Kurt Isenberg started and allowed one run in four innings. He avoided more trouble as he allowed nine baserunners on seven hits and two walks. Brad Esaray allowed the three runs in the eighth, although only one was earned. Derrek Nunley gave up four runs in the ninth.

Charleston made four errors, they also had ten hits. Rodney Medina, Robinson Diaz, Joey Reiman and Eric Arnold had two hits each.

Auburn

Playoffs start today, Auburn at Mahoning Valley, who were the wild card winner. Game one is one the road, games two and three will be back in Auburn. David Purcey is the probable starter for Auburn.

Pulaski

Toast

Our Three-Star Selection

The 3rd Star: Mike Smith, Seven innings, one run on five hits
The 2nd Star: Josh Banks, six innings, two runs on four hits
The 1st Star: Howie Clark, 4-5 and led the offense

Standings

Syracuse were 5-1 on the week and their record now is 66-77. Syracuse are sixteen games behind Buffalo, but one game ahead of Ottawa in the race for last place.
New Hampshire, 5-2 for the week and are 83-57, seven and a half games ahead of Binghamton who they will face in the playoffs
Dunedin, were 2-2 for the week and finished 35-28 in the second half. Dunedin finished the second half in second place and will play first place Tampa in the playoffs
Charleston were 6-1 for the week and are 42-27 for the second half. Charleston are in second place and will face second half winner Hickory Crawdads in the playoffs.
Auburn were 4-4 for the week and finished 50-24 to win their division by nine games. Auburn finished with the best record in the NY Penn League.
Pulaski were 1-0 for the week and finished 40-27, good for second place, a game and a half behind Danville

Combined the Jays minor league teams were 23-10 for the week and their record is 398-298, a .572 winning percentage.

Posted by Gerry on Monday, September 06 2004 @ 09:37 AM EDT.

Minor League Update: September 6 | 49 comments | Create New Account

The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.

_Moffatt - Monday, September 06 2004 @ 10:41 AM EDT (#36690) #

The Roundup will be available a bit after 11. It was way too hard to get out of bed this morning. :)

_Rory - Monday, September 06 2004 @ 12:11 PM EDT (#36691) #

i asked yesterday but i dont think any body answered me did curtis thigpen get hurt?

_Jabonoso - Monday, September 06 2004 @ 01:06 PM EDT (#36692) #

Is Pulaski going into playoffs?

_Smack - Monday, September 06 2004 @ 01:42 PM EDT (#36693) #

Pukaski was eliminated this past week. Too bad, they played really well their last few games.

Mike Green - Monday, September 06 2004 @ 04:28 PM EDT (#36694) #

http://milb.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=minorbaseball&misc=9&page=milb-east/scores/final/boxscore.aspx?GAMEID=10435
John Hattig, Dominic Rich and Paul Chiaffreddo went nuts in a 19-6 Fisher Cat rout this afternoon. COMN for the boxscore.

Anybody up for some BBRadio of Auburn's 1st playoff game tonight at 7:05 p.m.. Purcey's pitching, this is the only game that will be on internet radio, and the Jays are not playing. The stars are aligned. I'll be here around 8:15.

_Dr B - Monday, September 06 2004 @ 04:34 PM EDT (#36695) #

From the article about Williams.

To add Williams, the Blue Jays would have to drop a player who's currently on the roster and expose that player to waivers. It's a gamble Toronto can take, because there are a few players on the Blue Jays' roster who would probably not get claimed if they were placed on waivers.

That's probably true; I wish they'd name some names though. Does Glenn Williams really deserve a September look? He hit 23 HR, but he didn't do so well on the batting average. Check out the batting line
263/322/494 (AVG/OBP/SLG)

That's not nearly as high slugging as you'd expect given the number
of HRs.

33BB and 80K in 433 at bats. That's not encouraging.

Its not even a breakout season for him. Look at his 2002 AAA line.

274/319/478.

That's pretty similar to his 2004 line. He only got 15HR but then he had about 100 less AB. His 2003 was awful, but 2004 is essentially 2002 with more at bats.
(Stats from sports-wired.com, and espn).

_Ryan Day - Monday, September 06 2004 @ 05:33 PM EDT (#36696) #

I think Williams has the potential to be a decent backup infielder. He can play just about anywhere and he's got some pop. At the very least, he'd probably be more valuable than Dave Berg or Howie Clarke.

_jsoh - Monday, September 06 2004 @ 06:18 PM EDT (#36697) #

Well. Hattig/Rich/Chiaffredo might have demonstrated their collective man-strength, but it looks like Arnold got scuffed around some: 4ER in 3IP, 5H/2BB/3K and 2HR.

Ryan: D'you think so? The impression that I got is that Williams' best position is in the batters box - I recall some negative comments about his defence on da box, but the only thing that I can immediately find is an observation by Robert Dudek (scroll down a touch) talking about how Williams struggled defensively at third. If thats the case, then you hardly want him up the middle.

(Baseball America shows he has 14 errors in 124 games between 1B/2B/3B)

Yeah. He's got more power than all infielders (save Delgado) combined, but I'm not quite sure he's the ideal super-sub a-la Berg/Clark. Like Dr. B, those K/BB numbers scare me - I kinda think he'll get exposed as a poor mans' Rob Deer by MLB pitching.

EL playoffs notwithstanding, seeing what Hattig can do in Sept would be interesting. He's smacking the ball pretty good since coming over: .340/.529 since joining the FCats.

_Jonny German - Monday, September 06 2004 @ 06:26 PM EDT (#36698) #

Dr B, does ESPN have minor league stats now?

_Dr B - Monday, September 06 2004 @ 06:49 PM EDT (#36699) #

http://sports.espn.go.com/minorlbb/teamstats?league=INTL&team=SYRACUSE
Jonny, ESPN has stats for the current season of minor league teams. (I pilfered, Williams 2004 results from there.)There is a little link of the Blue Jays page on espn (lower right hand side). Or you can COMN. :-)

_Dr B - Monday, September 06 2004 @ 06:59 PM EDT (#36700) #

At the very least, he'd probably be more valuable than Dave Berg or Howie Clarke.

As jsoh says, it would depend entirely on his defence since you could make a case that Howie Clark is a better hitter.

AAA OPS for Clark in 2004...859, OPS for Williams.. 816. Not a huge difference, but Clark has much more patience at the plate than Williams (36BB in 254AB) and much better OBP (402 to 322). Williams problem is that he is a bit of an out machine. He might be better than the Berg however, and would be cheaper.

_Rob - Monday, September 06 2004 @ 07:18 PM EDT (#36701) #

Live from Burlington, it's BBRadio featuring the Auburn Doubledays on WDWN!

Very sparse crowd - nowhere near 6000. Bottom of the first, David Purcey is pitching, there are two outs. He's thrown six pitches, the manager said 70-75 is his limit.

Purcey's ninth pitch is grounded to Esposito for the final out.

Both teams went 1-2-3 in the first inning. Obviously, no score. We'll be back with inning #2 right after this break on the Batter's Box Radio Network.

Note: Labatt Blue sponsors the radio broadcast. How cool is that?

_Rob - Monday, September 06 2004 @ 07:22 PM EDT (#36702) #

Top 2nd: Game 1 - Auburn D-Days vs Mahoning Valley Scrappers.

Ground ball to second, Neilson (sp?) reaches on an E-4.
The scoreboard is not working, and this is the first time all year they have had four umpires on the field. I love low-A ball.
Lind hits the 1-0 to shortstop, and that's a 6-4-3 DP. Two down, none on.
Hall up. Two quick balls, another groundout to SS. 1-2-3 again, no score after 2.5

Phew. Very fast game compared to MLB, or even AA.

_Rob - Monday, September 06 2004 @ 07:29 PM EDT (#36703) #

Bottom 2nd: Game 1 - Auburn vs Mahoning Valley.

Note: The numbers after each at bat are the number of pitches Purcey has thrown.

Purcey at 9 pitches to start the inning.
- Ball one, then a grounder to Chip Cannon. Cannon can't get it to Purcey in time, who didn't rush to cover first. One on, none out. (11)
- Next batter (I don't know the names, it's Mahoning Valley, give me a break) fouls one back. Another strike and a ball, then a grounder to Esposito. He goes to first for the sure out. (15)
- A ball, then a ground ball. Another 5-3 putout. Two outs, man on third. (17)
- Purcey is quickly ahead 0-2 to Parker. Foul ball. Swiiing and a miss, the first strikeout for Purcey. (21)

No score after two. Hmm...I wonder if J.P. is at this game, or listening along.

_Rob - Monday, September 06 2004 @ 07:35 PM EDT (#36704) #

Top 3rd: Game 1 - Auburn vs. M.V.

- Cannon takes a strike, then a ball outside. Then, the 2-1 is slammed off the wall, a stand-up double.
- First pitch grounded to third, Big City Joey is out at first.
- A ball and a strike to...the ninth hitter. Cannon goes to third on a groundout, the slow batter out by a mile at first. Two outs, man 90 feet away.
- Aaron Mathews (finally, somebody I know), takes a ball low. The next pitch catches the inside corner, 1-1. The next pitch is chopped to third and the throw just beats him. Inning over.

Still no score, 2.5 complete. Sorry, I don't have a witty comment to go with the last line here this half-inning.

Mike Green - Monday, September 06 2004 @ 07:36 PM EDT (#36705) #

Great, Rob. Here is Mahoning Valley's individual stats for the season. That should help with the names. I'll be back in 45 minutes.

Mike Green - Monday, September 06 2004 @ 07:38 PM EDT (#36706) #

Oh, and here are Auburn's stats to help with a few names there.

_Rob - Monday, September 06 2004 @ 07:43 PM EDT (#36707) #

Bottom 3rd: Game 1 - D-Days vs Scrappers.

Purcey at 21 pitches entering the third. (10.5/IP)

- 1-0 pitch to "Pacheco, Fernando" (thanks, Mike!) is hit to 2B Hall's right, who can't get it to first in time. He slipped on the wet grass. Infield hit. (23)
- A ball and a strike to .270 OBA-man Teodoro Encarnacion. Then, another ball. The 2-1 is fouled back. With the count even, Encarnacion grounds it to third. A 5-4-3 DP (Esposito, Hall, Cannon) erases Pacheco and Encarnacion and there are two outs. (28)
- Argenis Reyes (.312/.349/.346) finds himself at a 2-2 count. Swiing and a miss, and the inning is over. (33)

No score after three. Purcey has thrown 33 pitches in three innings. He might go seven tonight.

_Rob - Monday, September 06 2004 @ 07:44 PM EDT (#36708) #

Thanks for the BA stat pages, Mike. Makes it a lot easier.

_Rob - Monday, September 06 2004 @ 07:58 PM EDT (#36709) #

Top 4th at Eastwood Field. Game 1 of a best-of-three.

Hoyman pitching. (Finally figured out who it was for the Scrappers.)

- 1-0 to Klosterman drops in shallow centre. The ball died in the air, the MV CF thought it would carry.
- First pitch wayyy outside to Vinny Esposito. Klosterman on the run, fly ball to deep left, out number one. Guess it was hit-and-run. One on, one out.
- Eric Nielsen takes a ball, then breaks his bat on a foul ball. Then, the 2-1 is low, 3-1. Nielson swung for the fences, but missed the ball. Full count. Ball four from Justin Hoyman, who is already into his longest outing of the season, and I guess, his career. Two on, one out.
- Adam "Ryan" Lind lines the 0-1 to left. Klosterman races around third, and call it a run! 1-0, Auburn. Nielson to second, Lind on first.
A meeting out on the mound, and the WDWN guys say the pitching coach for Mahoning Valley is always changing. Interesting.
- Brian Hall swings at the first, and the second pitch. Misses both, 0-2 very fast. Wow, a ball! 1-2 count on Hall. Then another ball. The 2-2 is popped weakly to the left side. Out #2.
- Rhame Cannon (I can see why they call him Chip) takes two balls. The 2-0 is outside. So is the 3-0. Call it a non-intentional intentional walk, and the bags are loaded for Joey M with two outs.
- DH Joey Metropoulos takes a strike. Hoyman from the windup, and Joey fouls one off his shoulder. The 0-2 is also fouled off. Ball low. Ball inside. The 2-2 is on the inside corner, strike three!

1-0 Auburn, after 3.5. Did you know Lou Merloni played two games at DH for the Scrappers and went 2-8 with a HR? Well, now you do.

Coach - Monday, September 06 2004 @ 07:59 PM EDT (#36710) #

Nice work, Rob.

MV pitcher Justin Hoyman was an All-American, the ace for the University of Florida (11-2, 2.71) and Cleveland's #2 pick this year, so a pitcher's duel with Purcey wasn't hard to predict. Great that the D-Days got the lead; if they can win this one on the road they just need one of the next two at home to make the final.

_Rob - Monday, September 06 2004 @ 08:07 PM EDT (#36711) #

Bottom of 4 here in the Valley of Mahoning.

Purcey pitching, 33 pitches thrown after three.

- Ball, strike, foul to SS Finegan. Swing and a miss, Purcey's third K. (36)
- First pitch to Gimenez is over Mathews' head in centre. A double, and there's a man ready to score with one out. (37)
- Cleanup man, DH Butia, watches a ball go low and a strike go down Broadway. The 1-1 is thrown wild, Gimenez to second. That's a wild pitch...passed ball? I'll get back to you on that one. Butia swings at the fastball, but the pitch was actually a changeup, so he missed. Badly. The 2-2 is fouled back. Nice-looking deuce, strike three. Fourth strikeout for the big lefty. (43)
- First pitch down in the dirt, but a Jose Cruz-like swing makes it a strike. Fastball, inside corner, 0-2 count. Purcey working really slow, but then he strikes out the batter. 5 K's, 46 pitches for Purcey after four.

1-0 Auburn. Was that three strikeouts in the inning? Oh, yes it was. Ladies and gentlemen, David Purcey is on the mound.

_Rob - Monday, September 06 2004 @ 08:12 PM EDT (#36712) #

Top 5th - Game 1 of the NY-Penn League Rolaids Semifinals (yes, that's what they are called).

Hoyman still pitching.

- After a few pitches, Corrente breaks his bat and grounds out 5-3.
- Aaron "Named for Hank and Gary" Mathews takes two straight curveballs for two strikes. Then, a strikeout. Two outs, Hoyman has his second punch-out.
- Klosterman grounds one up the middle, the SS goes to his left and that's the inning. I counted seven pitches.

Still 1-0 after 4.5.

Coach - Monday, September 06 2004 @ 08:19 PM EDT (#36713) #

Aaron "Named for Hank and Gary" Mathews

Actually, Rob, us oldtimers think of the great Eddie Mathews, whose name is spelled the same way and used to hit behind Hammerin' Hank.

John Hattig, Dominic Rich and Paul Chiaffreddo went nuts in a 19-6 Fisher Cat rout this afternoon.

New Hampshire set or tied single-game team records in runs, hits, total bases, extra-base hits and RBI, along with individual single-game records in runs, hits, doubles, triples, extra-base hits and RBI. Sure, it was a meaningless late-season ball game, but it's still a great way to get the Cats' bats ready for the playoffs.

Coach - Monday, September 06 2004 @ 08:25 PM EDT (#36714) #

Bummer. Scrappers have come back to take the lead. Heart of the Auburn order will be coming up, though.

_Rob - Monday, September 06 2004 @ 08:27 PM EDT (#36715) #

Bottom 5th - Game 1, here in Niles, Ohio. (Where?)

Note: Thigpen's shoulder is bothering him. Was someone asking about his injury situation? The new backup catcher was picked up at the Syracuse airport by the radio guy. I love low-A ball.

Purcey still pitching, of course. 46 pitches, by my count. He only worked 12 innings prior to this game.

- Montgomery takes two quick strikes, then two balls. Then, the full count pitch is back, back, off the wall in centre field. Runner on second, nobody out. (52)
- Parker bunts it up, right to Purcey. (53). Easy out.
- Pacheco takes a strike, then swings and misses. A foul, then the 0-2 fastball is slapped through the middle, and Montgomery races around to score. Tied at 1. Five hits for MV, and three of them have been smoked. (57)
- Encarnacion swings at a wild pitch. Huh? Anyway, Pacheco is now on second. Then, the 1-1 pitch is followed by two strikes. Purcey has 6 K's now, still working slow. (61)
- Reyes swings and misses at a changeup, then another changeup. Purcey's 0-2 pitch is right inside, and he hits Reyes. First and second, two outs. (64)
- Brian Finegan watches the first pitch go way outside. Purcey better get things going here...he sort of does, with a strike via foul ball. 1-1 to Finegan. Low pitch, blocked in the dirt. The 2-1 is ripped over Espo at third. Runner scores, 2-1 MV. (68)
- The first pitch is popped up for the final out. (69)

2-1 MV after 5, and I think Purcey just lost the chance to pitch the seventh inning.

And my lifelong problem, talking too much, has led Coach to "scoop" me on the score. ;)

Coach - Monday, September 06 2004 @ 08:30 PM EDT (#36716) #

Sorry for stealing your thunder, Rob; we all appreciate the PBP details.

_Rob - Monday, September 06 2004 @ 08:31 PM EDT (#36717) #

Don't worry, Coach. It's nice to have a colour man along for the ride.

_Rob - Monday, September 06 2004 @ 08:35 PM EDT (#36718) #

Top 6th, and welcome to the Chris Berman Lame Nickname Inning.

New pitcher for MV, Nelson Hiraldo "Rivera."

- Vinny "Phil or Tony" Esposito, behind 0-2. Five fouls so far. Pitch #7 and pitch #8 are also fouled back. Then, he is retired somehow; thank the phone ringing for me missing the end of the at bat.
- Eric Nielsen "Rating" swings and pops it up for the second out.
- Adam "Ryan" Lind singles on the first pitch.
- Brian "Kids in the" Hall makes the third out.

Lind stranded, no score this inning. Still 2-1 for the home team.

Mike Green - Monday, September 06 2004 @ 08:39 PM EDT (#36719) #

I'm here and listening, Rob, if you need help. Just let me know.

_Rob - Monday, September 06 2004 @ 08:40 PM EDT (#36720) #

Bottom 6th - The Berman Nicknames continue.

David Purcey still pitching, 69 pitches after 5.

- Mike "Pink, Magenta, or" Butia rips the second pitch to Cannon. One out. (71)
- Wyatt "Earp" Toregas batting. The 1-1 is grounded to Hall. 4-3 putout. (74)
- Two outs, Tim Montgomery hits it off the wall...a stand-up triple. That one was whacked. (75)

How much longer for Purcey?

- First pitch, fly ball out to Mathews.

One left on base, still 2-1 MV though. Purcey at 76 pitches after six innings. I would guess he is finished for tonight.

_Rob - Monday, September 06 2004 @ 08:40 PM EDT (#36721) #

The Mike is yours, Green. ;)

Hope Auburn can come back.

Mike Green - Monday, September 06 2004 @ 08:50 PM EDT (#36722) #

Thanks, Rob.

Top of 7:

Chip Cannon falls behind 0-2, then runs the count full. He swings and misses for the first out.

Big City Joey Metropolous (the announcers call him "Metro")cues one off the end of his bat between first and second for an infield hit.

Canadian David Corrente takes the first pitch deep, deep to left field and IT'S GONE for a 2 run dinger.

Aaron Matthews strikes out on 3 pitches for the second out.

Ryan Klosterman runs the count to 2-2 and then fouls out.

3-2 Auburn at the stretch.

_Rob - Monday, September 06 2004 @ 08:52 PM EDT (#36723) #

Great, once I leave, Auburn's bats wake up. ;)

Go for the 3-inning save, Mike. I shall go for the 3-course dinner. Good luck, Auburn.

Mike Green - Monday, September 06 2004 @ 09:07 PM EDT (#36724) #

Bottom of 7:

Jayson Rodriguez on to pitch for the Doubledays.

Pacheco attempts to bunt on the first pitch, and fouls it off. Joey McLaughlin Jr. is warming in the bullpen. Pacheco takes 2 pitches for balls. Pacheco fouls off the next pitch, 2-2. Pacheco loops the ball to right field, right-fielder Eric Nielsen takes a step back and then charges in, dives and traps the ball. Pacheco on first with a single.

Encarnacion squares, third baseman Esposito and first baseman Cannon charging hard and the first bunt attempt is fouled off. The second pitch is high. Encarnacion squares again, pulls the bat back, but the pitch is called a strike, 1-2. A foul, then a ball low, 2-2. The next pitch gets past Corrente, and Pacheco advances to second on the passed ball, 3-2. The full count pitch is popped up to Klosterman in short left-centre for the first out.

Argenis Reyes fouls one off. He hits the next pitch sharply on the ground toward the hole, Klosterman dives, but the ball goes through. Pacheco to third on the single. Runners on first and third, one out.

Brian Finegan runs the count to 2-1. He drives the ball in the hole, Klosterman dives, snares it and throws Finegan out in a very close play at first. Pacheco scores, Reyes to second. 3-3, runner on second, 2 outs.

Chris Gimenez takes 2 pitches for balls and then flies out to left-center, 3 outs.

3-3 after 7 innings. I have to go for 5 minutes. If anyone can pick up the game for the next 1/2 inning, it would be great.

Mike Green - Monday, September 06 2004 @ 09:10 PM EDT (#36725) #

I'm back and didn't miss anything.

Mike Green - Monday, September 06 2004 @ 09:17 PM EDT (#36726) #

Top of 8:

Hernandez on to pitch for MV.

Vinny Esposito swings and misses at 2 curveballs, and then at the high, hard one. One out.

Eric Nielsen swings and misses, then pops one up to the right side, it gets caught in the wind and it falls in for a single.

Lind loops one to right for a single, runners on first and second. Lind is now 3-4.

Brian Hall runs the count to 2-1, fouls one off, takes a changeup outside to run the count full. Hall flies out to rightfield on the full count pitch, 2 outs.

Box favourite Chip Cannon up. Did someone mention Kirk Gibson as a comp? First pitch is inside for a ball. Second pitch is fouled straight back on a big swing. Cannon waves at the 1-1 changeup, 1-2. He waves at the 1-2 changeup for the K, 3 outs.

3-3 after 7.5 innings.

Mike Green - Monday, September 06 2004 @ 09:26 PM EDT (#36727) #

Bottom of 8:

Rodriguez still pitching.

Mike Butia takes a ball, then lines out to Esposito at third.

Wyatt Toregas swings and misses on a change, then takes a ball low and outside. He hits a fly down the left-field line, it looks to be out of play, but the wind kicks up and it falls in fair territory and then out of play for a ground-rule double.

Tim Montgomery strikes out on a 1-2 changeup. Two out, runner on second.

Brett Parker up. The pitch glances off Corrente's glove and goes up the third base line far enough for Toregas to advance to third on the passed ball. The count runs to 2-1 and Parker then lines the ball into left-center for a triple, Toregas scores, 4-3 MV.

Manager Dennis Holmberg to the mound and pulls Rodriguez for Dewon Day.

To be continued.

Mike Green - Monday, September 06 2004 @ 09:29 PM EDT (#36728) #

Bottom of 8 (cont'd):

Dewon Day to face Fernando Pacheco, who is 3-3 on the night. There's a runner at third.

The first pitch fastball is outside. The next pitch is hit towards the hole. Klosterman dives, stops and throws out Pacheco, 3 out.

4-3 MV after 8 innings. Last call for the Doubledays. GO.

Mike Green - Monday, September 06 2004 @ 09:34 PM EDT (#36729) #

Top of 9:

One of the stadium lights is out, so there may be a delay. The scheduled hitters are Metropolous, Corrente, and Mathews. The umpires are conferencing, and it looks like they will hold the game up until the lighting situation is fixed.

_Sneeps - Monday, September 06 2004 @ 09:36 PM EDT (#36730) #

And good luck, Doubledays.

_Rob - Monday, September 06 2004 @ 09:58 PM EDT (#36731) #

Come on, Auburn!

Do you believe? I said, do you believe? ;)

_Rob - Monday, September 06 2004 @ 10:02 PM EDT (#36732) #

Darn. Double play against the Doubledays.

Mike Green - Monday, September 06 2004 @ 10:02 PM EDT (#36733) #

Top of 9 contd.:

Mike Hernandez still pitching, despite a 25 minute delay, for the Scrappers.

Joey Metropolous up. First pitch down low. Wind is blowing a gale out to centre. Second pitch is low and outside, 2-0. Third pitch is inside, 3-0. Next pitch is a called strike, 3-1. The next pitch is low and inside and he walks. Curtis Thigpen on to pinch-run for Metropolous!

David Corrente bunts the ball hard right back to the pitcher; Hernandez throws out Thigpen at second. Corrente at first and Powers on to pinch-run for him, one out, runner at first.

Aaron Mathews takes a called strike. He slaps the next pitch to third, and the Scrappers turn a crisp 5-4-3 DP. Game over.

4-3 Mahoning Valley final. Back to Auburn for Game 2, and 3, if necessary. Which it will be!

_R Billie - Monday, September 06 2004 @ 10:02 PM EDT (#36734) #

Not a good finish for the DDays as they get Thigpen the leadoff man on but then he's erased on a poor bunt attempt and then Matthews grounds into a 5-4-3 doubleplay to end the game.

Mike Green - Monday, September 06 2004 @ 10:04 PM EDT (#36735) #

4-3 Mahoning Valley final. Back to Auburn for Game 2, and 3, if necessary. Which it will be!

Another blown save for Green. But, as you can see, I do believe.

_Rob - Monday, September 06 2004 @ 10:04 PM EDT (#36736) #

Hmmm...the Jays don't play until 10 pm tomorrow. Might we see some more BBRadio from the Bauxites?

_David R - Tuesday, September 07 2004 @ 03:52 AM EDT (#36737) #

Excellent work here, guys. Very entertaining.

_Kevin Pataky - Tuesday, September 07 2004 @ 07:28 AM EDT (#36738) #

Although he is next in line to start, Francisco will be bypassed - and Gustavo Chacin will be starting game 1 of the Eastern League's Northern Division playoff this Wednesday in Manchester, NH. Binghamton will be countering wil their new stud, Yusmeiro Petit. I am assuming Rosario will go in game 2, Baker in 3. and then Banks or League in 4 and Arnold in 5. I don't think this one will go more than 4 games however.

Minor League Update: September 6 | 49 comments | Create New Account

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