Batter's Box Interactive Magazine - Lansing Undefeated, Thanks to Hicks

Dunedin had the most hits, but lost. The other three teams had more timely hitting, and better pitching, and won.

Syracuse 9 Rochester 6

An exciting game for the Chiefs yesterday started well when Anton French hit a home run to lead off the game. The Chiefs added three more in the first inning of JD Durbin, the Twins #4 prospect. #2JBrumfield provided play by play from the second inning on to the end of the game. Ryan Glynn started for the Chiefs and gave up a solo home run in the third and then three more in the fourth to allow Rochester to tie the game.

Bryant Nelson doubled, leading off the fifth, and scored on a groundout to reclaim the lead for the Chiefs. With two out, and nobody on, in the sixth French doubled and two walks loaded the bases for John Ford Griffin who promptly unloaded them with a grand slam. Justin Miller worked 3.1 innings in relief, allowing only one run. Jesse Carlson pitched the last two innings allowing the last Rochester run.

Jason Alfaro had three hits, French and Nelson had two each. The win brought the Chiefs record to 2-2 on the young season.

New Britain 2 New Hampshire 4

Cameron Reimers started 15 games at AA last year with a 2.78 ERA, earning a mid-season promotion to AAA. Reimers was not as dominant at AAA and then this spring was the last cut of the Chiefs back to AA. Yesterday Reimers showed his continued mastery of AA hitters pitching 8 shutout innings, allowing five hits and two walks. The eight innings was the longest appearance by a Blue Jay starter this year. Ryan Houston allowed two runs in the ninth before Lee Gronkiewicz came on to earn his first save.

Offensively Kevin Barker hit a solo homerun in the first and Eric Kratz added a two run shot in the second. b>Barker scored the fourth run in the sixth, driven in by Ron Davenport. Barker and Davenport had two hits each. The Fisher Cats evened their record at 2-2 after an 0-2 start.

Dunedin 10 Clearwater 13

Dunedin pounded out thirteen hits, but the pitchers allowed seventeen hits and the fielders made three errors in an ugly game for the Blue Jays. This was a see-saw affair but none of the baby jay pitchers could hold the Phillies at bay. Kurt Isenberg, Justin James, Jeremy Harper, and Tracy Thorpe were all victimized by the Phillies, but the Jays still led 10-9 in the middle of the eighth. In the bottom of the eighth, rule 5 signee Milton Tavarez allowed four runs on five hits and a walk to take the loss.

The offense for the Jays was led by two players, Eric Arnold and Adam Lind. Arnold continued his hot hitting with three more hits, including his first home run, and five RBI's. Arnold is now hitting .611. Lind drove in four runs with a triple and two sac fly's. Clint Johnston, Ryan Roberts and Scott Dragicevich had two hits each, while Jayce Tingler had a hit and three walks. The loss was the first of the season for the Jays.

The Phillies starter was Scott Mathieson, from beautiful BC, the Phillies #6 prospect.

Lansing 6 Fort Wayne 4

Lansing ran their record to 4-0 with another come from behind victory. Chi-Hung Cheng started and conceded three runs in the first two innings, but he did not allow another run through five. Cheng allowed six hits, no walks, and had eight K's in his five innings. Juan Perez allowed an unearned run in two innings to get the win. Danny Hill earned his third save.

Down 3-0, Lansing scored a run on Ryan Klosterman's first home run in the third. David Hicks added his first home run in the fourth to make it a 3-2 game. Trailing 4-2 in the seventh Joey Wolfe and Juan Peralta scored to tie the game. In the top of the eighth Hicks and Nielsen hit back to back home runs to give Lansing the lead.

Your Three Star Selection

Third star - John Ford Griffin, grand slam

Second Star - Cameron Reimers, eight shutout innings

First Star - David Hicks, 2 home runs, including the game winner

Posted by Gerry on Sunday, April 10 2005 @ 11:51 PM EDT.

Lansing Undefeated, Thanks to Hicks | 54 comments | Create New Account

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

uglyone - Monday, April 11 2005 @ 09:23 AM EDT (#110505) #

Hmm. Griffin continues his hot start.

I still have a good feeling about this guy this year.

kpataky - Monday, April 11 2005 @ 10:01 AM EDT (#110509) #

Lots of strike outs and low bating averages in New Hampshire this year. They are lucky to be 2-2. I was at Saturday's game up there, and the ball Barker hit for the game winning double almost went for the last out in the game on the losing side and an 0-3 start. It's a game of inches, but they need to get their bats going. Big Vito is hitless on the season. And him, Cota, Negron, Jova, Cosby, Acuna, Hassey and Umbria have combined for a .129 average (-12-93 w/ 31 Ks).

Mike D - Monday, April 11 2005 @ 11:50 AM EDT (#110519) #

Obviously, it's early in the season, but may I request the weekly records and standings updates going forward?

Pepper Moffatt - Monday, April 11 2005 @ 11:55 AM EDT (#110521) #

Lansing Undefeated, Thanks to Hicks

He wasn't even supposed to be here today!

I second Mike D's request. I'd like that info too: I have trouble keeping track of which teams are doing well and which are not.

Lugnut Fan - Monday, April 11 2005 @ 12:14 PM EDT (#110528) #

I usually spend at least one night during the week and all of the weekends at Old's park watching the Lugnuts. I can let you know how the boys are doing. But Gerry and Mike Green do an excellent job in keeping everyone informed on what is going on.

Mike Green - Monday, April 11 2005 @ 12:23 PM EDT (#110529) #

Actually, Lugnut Fan, it's a whole team. Ryan01, Jonny German, Rob P and, last but not definitely least, Jordan Furlong are the roster members who work on the minor league side of things. Plus, we benefit from the participation of many readers who contribute through BBRadio, like #2JBrumfield yesterday, and through our threads.

We will have the standings up at some point next week. For now, suffice it to say that Syracuse and New Hampshire are at 2-2, while Dunedin is 3-1 and Lansing is 4-0.

Lugnut Fan - Monday, April 11 2005 @ 12:41 PM EDT (#110534) #

Thank you Mike, I stand corrected. And to all the people I forgot on my initial post, Great Job!

Max Parkinson - Monday, April 11 2005 @ 01:17 PM EDT (#110537) #

I was in Lansing on Friday night. Some random comments:

- The scoreboard radar gun was way off. It was anywhere from 3-5 MPH slow, depending on the pitch. I was sitting directly behind Yates, Perez and Cheng (the next 3 starters) who were doing the charts.

- Cheng speaks better Spanish than he does English. He could carry on conversations with Perez, but could only speak broken words to Yates.

- Matt Bush got the OVER-RATED jeer from the crowd every time he came to the plate. Funny stuff.
- Matt Bush also has one of the best arms I've ever seen. I was a little disappointed that both teams didn't take infield - I'd really liked to have seen Bush air it out a couple of times.

-That Fort Wayne team is seriously devoid of hitting prospects. Wideman did not have good stuff - sat at 84-85, 82-83 two-seam, 72-73 change with decent control, but not good command - and they barely got a sniff. 2-0 fastballs that caught way too much plate (those pitches where you're saying, "don't swing, don't swing"), and pop-up or popped foul. The leadoff hitter yanked a hanging change, and then Bush yanked a hanging curve - both down the 3rd base line - then 12 outs with no-one hitting it hard.

- I was impressed that Wideman went 4 scoreless with not his best stuff.

- Snavely looked like an outfielder at 3rd until he made an absolutely great play charging a slow roller.

- Thigpen will hit. Good, short stroke, and seemingly quick hands for the inside pitch. He seems to be a very good athlete; he reminds me somewhat of Biggio - and although he's listed at 5'11", he's not much bigger than Biggio.

- Patton made two pretty good plays on the first two balls hit down the line, cutting the first one to a single, and keeping Kolkhorst (who's damn fast) at 3rd on Bush's double. He then proceeded to drop a routine fly ball - that he played into looking like a tough fly ball - and later throw to nobody at 2nd base on a single.

- The grass was reallllly long, particularly on the infield. I think this early in April, if they cut the grass, the whole field would look brown, so they left it.

- I mean this in the nicest way possible, but there are a lot of "bad bodies" on this team. It looks like the 2004 draft took anti-jeans selling to the extreme. Patton in particular looks like he can hit, and he always hit at A&M, but he's listed at 5'10" 220, and I'd bet a lot of money he's closer to 5'8" 235.

- I took some pictures, so when I can pull them off the digital, I'll email them to one of the Cabal (which I know there is not).

#2JBrumfield - Monday, April 11 2005 @ 02:14 PM EDT (#110552) #

In progress, Top 4th - Syracuse 0 Buffalo 0 - Jeremy Guthrie

* With 2 out, Chad Mottola singles to left, hitting one off the end of the bat

* John-Ford Griffin singles near the right-field corner but Bisons RF Ernie Young cut the ball off to prevent Griffin from going to 2nd - Mottola advances to 3rd

* Jason Alfaro doubles to centre? and advances to 3rd on the throw to the plate - Mottola SCORES, Griffin SCORES - Syracuse 2 Buffalo 0

* Aaron Hill taps out to the pitcher Guthrie - <b>3 out</b>

2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left

After 3 1/2 innings - Syracuse 2 Buffalo 0

Syracuse 2R 5H 0E
Buffalo 0R 2H 0E

Bottom 4th - Syracuse 2 Buffalo 0 - Chris Baker pitching for Syracuse

* Mike Kinkade doubles to centre
* Liefer grounds to 2nd, Kinkade to 3rd, 1 OUT
* Ryan Garko strikes out swinging, 2 OUT
* Ernie Young grounds out to short, 3 OUT

After 4 innings - Syracuse 2 Buffalo 0

Mike Green - Monday, April 11 2005 @ 02:15 PM EDT (#110553) #

Thanks, Max.

Did you get a good look at Cheng? He was throwing mid-high 80s fastballs last year, and if he can put on a few mph as he grows, he should be very effective, as he's got a nasty hook.

Mike Green - Monday, April 11 2005 @ 02:28 PM EDT (#110554) #

In other action today, New Hampshire (Shaun Marcum) faces Norwich at 6:35, while Dunedin (Davis Romero) faces Sarasota at 7:05. I will do some BBRadio of the New Hampshire game from 8:00; if someone would like to do the first part of the game, that would be great.

Here is the radio link for the New Hampshire game. Mike Murphy and Bob Lippman are the New Hampshire announcing team, and they do a fine job.

#2JBrumfield - Monday, April 11 2005 @ 02:31 PM EDT (#110555) #

In progress again...Top 6th -

* Mottola flies out deep to left-centre - 3 OUT

3 up, 3 down

After 5 1/2 innings - Syracuse 2 Buffalo 0

Max Parkinson - Monday, April 11 2005 @ 02:33 PM EDT (#110556) #

I was in the chair behind him for 2 1/2 hours. He was working the video camera. Yates had the gun, and Perez did the chart.

Cheng actually has a pretty similar build to Wideman - I'd ballpark it at 5'11", 180. I'm not as sure with him as some of the other players, as I watched them stretch and warm up in uniform, but the 3 charters didn't dress, they were just in jeans and sweatshirts.

#2JBrumfield - Monday, April 11 2005 @ 02:39 PM EDT (#110557) #

Bottom 6th - Syracuse 2 Buffalo 0 - Michael Nannini relieves Chris Baker

Baker's line - 5IP, 2H, 0R, 0ER, 1BB, 3K

Nannini's stats to date - 0-0 3IP, 1H, 1R

* Brandon Phillips walks on a 3-2 pitch
* John Rodriguez pops up to catcher Andy Dominique in foul territory on the 3rd base side - 1 OUT
* Phillips caught stealing, thrown out by Dominique, not sure who was covering the bag - 2 OUT
* Mike Kinkade singles to left
* Jeff Liefer grounds to 1st, a diving stop by Crozier, who makes the unassisted play - 3 OUT

0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on base

After 6 innings - Syracuse 2 Buffalo 0

#2JBrumfield - Monday, April 11 2005 @ 02:59 PM EDT (#110561) #

Top 7th - Syracuse 2 Buffalo 0 - Guthrie pitching for Buffalo

* John-Ford Griffin walks on 5 pitches
* Jason Alfaro, 1-2 on the day with a 2 run double, draws another 5 pitch walk - Griffin advances to 2nd
* Aaron Hill doubles down the left field line - Griffin SCORES and Alfaro SCORES - beating the throw to the plate - Syracuse 4 Buffalo 0

Pitching change - Denny Stark relieves Jeremy Guthrie

Stark's stats to date (emergency start Fri.) 0-0 3IP, 5H, 2R, 2ER, 5BB, 3K

* Eric Crozier strikes out swinging 1 OUT
* Aaron Hill steals 3rd base uncontested
* Andy Dominique bounces one up the middle past a diving Brandon Phillips at 2nd for a base hit - Hill SCORES - Syracuse 5 Buffalo 0
* Anton French slaps one to left field for a base hit, Dominique advances to 2nd

Guthrie's line 6IP +3 hitters 6H 5R 5ER 2BB 3K

* Bryant Nelson singles to right, Dominique SCORES, French advances to 3rd - Syracuse 6 Buffalo 0

* Gabe Gross chops one to 3rd, Nelson forced out at 2nd - 2 OUT, Gross beats out the throw at 1st, French SCORES - Syracuse 7 Buffalo 0
* Wild pitch advances Gross to 2nd
* Next batter grounds to 2nd - 3 OUT

5 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on base

Stretch Time in Buffalo - Syracuse 7 Buffalo 0

* Andy Dominique

Lugnut Fan - Monday, April 11 2005 @ 03:05 PM EDT (#110565) #

Max,

I was at the game Friday too. I take it you were with the group that was wearing the Blue Jay's jackets. I kind of thought you might have made the trek to Lansing because from the first too games, it appears alot of people didn't get the memo on the affiliation change because I still see alot of Cubbie stuff around (oh well, I'm guilty too as I had on a Cubby jacket Thursday). I sent behind the third base dugout.

Anyways, I would agree with your assement on the gun. I have thought that the gun was slow. Wideman I would agree was probably throwing in the low to mid 80's, however, the gun continually clocked the pitch at 80.

- I am pretty impressed with Snavely's play at third. I think that he looks pretty good and pretty comfortable in the position. In the two games I have seen so far this season, he has made every play and looked fairly comfortable.

- Matt Bush did get the "over rated" chant on Friday. Another thing that you may or may not have noticed was that Snavely introduced himself on the video board as being from The Ohio State University. There was a group from Michigan State behind the Lugnut dugout that started singing the Michigan State fight song.

- They are replacing the grass after this season. It is currently being grown at MSU....It takes a year for them to grown and prepare it.

I hoped you enjoyed your experience in Lansing. Hopefully you guys attend more.

#2JBrumfield - Monday, April 11 2005 @ 03:06 PM EDT (#110566) #

In progres...Bottom 7th - Syracuse 7 Buffalo

* Andy Abad fouls out to 3B Jason Alfaro - 2 OUT
* Jake Gautreau flies out to RF Gabe Gross - 3 OUT

After 7 innings - Syracuse 7 Buffalo 0

Mike Green - Monday, April 11 2005 @ 03:10 PM EDT (#110568) #

#2JB, Thanks for the BBRadio. Aaron Hill stealing third uncontested in that half-inning (after the two-run double) is interesting. I presume that no one covered third and that Hill caught them by surprise. Smart ballplayer.

With one out and a runner on third and down 4-0, Buffalo probably then played the infield in...the bouncing ball then makes it through. Small ball lives!

#2JBrumfield - Monday, April 11 2005 @ 03:22 PM EDT (#110571) #

Top 8th - Syracuse 7 Buffalo 0 - Denny Stark pitching for Buffalo

Syracuse 7R 9H 0E
Buffalo 0R 4H 0E

* John-Ford Griffin reaches 1st on an error by 2B Jake Gautreau
* Jason Alfaro flies out to shallow left field
* Aaron Hill doubles to left field, Griffin SCORES -after SS Brandon Phillips drops the relay throw - Syracuse 8 Buffalo 0
* Eric Crozier singles to right centre - Hill SCORES - Syracuse 9 Buffalo 0
* Andy Dominique pops up to second - 2 OUT
* Anton French reaches on an infield single to 2nd, Gautreau made a nice diving stop to his left but could not get the speedy French - Crozier to 2nd
* Bryant Nelson singles to right, French advances to 2nd, Eric Crozier advances to 3rd

Pitching change - Francisco Cabrera relieves Denny Stark

* Gabe Gross flies out to shallow RF - 3 OUT

2 runs, 4 hits, 1 error, 3 left on base

After 7 1/2 innings - Syracuse 9 Buffalo 0

#2JBrumfield - Monday, April 11 2005 @ 03:29 PM EDT (#110572) #

No problem, Mike, just killing time at work on a Monday:).

Bottom 8th - Syracuse 9 Buffalo 0 - Nannini pitching for Syracuse

* Dusty Wathan flies out to RF Gabe Gross, ball carried to the warning track - 1 OUT
* Brandon Phillips lines out to RF Gabe Gross - 2 OUT
* John Rodriguez grounds out to 1B Eric Crozier, who makes the unassisted put-out 3 OUT

0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on base

After 8 innings - Syracuse 9 Buffalo 0

#2JBrumfield - Monday, April 11 2005 @ 03:37 PM EDT (#110574) #

Top 9th - Syracuse 9 Buffalo 0 - Cabrera pitching for Buffalo.

* Chad Mottola strikes out swinging, Wathan hangs on to the foul tip - 1 OUT
* John-Ford Griffin strikes out swinging - 2 OUT
* Danny Solano, pinch-hitting for Jason Alfaro, lines a single to left - I believe Solano was pinch-hitting, will need to check the box score to be sure, Buffalo announcer didn't realize it was Solano until he was on 1st.

Bauxite favourite Spike Lundberg getting ready in the Syracuse bullpen.

* Aaron Hill strikes out swinging - 3 OUT

0 runs, 1 hit, 1 left on base, 0 errors

After 8 1/2 innings - Syracuse 9 Buffalo 0

Mike Green - Monday, April 11 2005 @ 03:43 PM EDT (#110575) #

Fans in Syracuse should be treated to a fine hitting ballclub for awhile. Once Quiroz returns, they'll have Hill, Griffin, Gross and Quiroz in the middle of the lineup, and some nice pitching. Later in the season, they should have some pitching reinforcements from New Hampshire, so things are indeed looking good.

#2JBrumfield - Monday, April 11 2005 @ 03:43 PM EDT (#110576) #

Bottom 9th - Syracuse 9 Buffalo 0 - Jason Arnold now pitching for Syracuse.

* Mike Kinkade flies out to RF just shy of the warning track, Gross got turned around a bit but makes the catch - 1 OUT
* Jeff Liefer bounces out to 1st, Crozier makes the play himself - 2 OUT
* Ryan Garko retired on a diving catch by CF Anton French - 3 OUT

0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on base

FINAL SCORE - Syracuse 9 Buffalo 0

#2JBrumfield - Monday, April 11 2005 @ 03:51 PM EDT (#110578) #

Post-Game Wrap Up

Syracuse 9R 14H 0E - 8 LOB
Buffalo 0R 4H 0E - 5 LOB

WP - Chris Baker 1-0
LP - Jeremy Guthrie 0-1

Time - 2:34
Attendance - 5,362

The_Beav - Monday, April 11 2005 @ 03:55 PM EDT (#110579) #

I was at the Syracuse game today. Gabe Gross looked very sharp in his first game since being sent down. He appeared to be very confident at the plate, not swinging at bad pitches. Once he gets into a groove, AAA pitchers will be in for a long season.

Alfaro moves quickly for a big man. But he should've been thrown out at third when he advanced on his 2-run double. Buffalo was horrid in the field today, botching a pair of cut-off plays. They looked very disinterested at times.

Buffalo started Jeremy Guthrie was throwing hard in the early innings, but the Chiefs caught up to him after once through the order. Syracuse has the potential to be a very good hitting club. Nice to see Mottola swinging the bat well.

The_Beav - Monday, April 11 2005 @ 04:04 PM EDT (#110582) #

Attendance in Buffalo was nowhere near 5,362. The only beer vendor in the seats estimated the crowd to be no more than 750.

Maldoff - Monday, April 11 2005 @ 04:18 PM EDT (#110584) #

Not to mention Hattig coming back as well. This team might be able to pound the cover off the ball....I just wonder how their starting picthing will hold up.

#2JBrumfield - Monday, April 11 2005 @ 04:31 PM EDT (#110587) #

Attendance in Buffalo was nowhere near 5,362. The only beer vendor in the seats estimated the crowd to be no more than 750.

That's why the Buffalo announcer stressed PAID attendance when doing the post-game wrap-up. Sounds like the 4,000 but really 400 crowds in Syracuse when I was there in April last season.

Stellers Jay - Monday, April 11 2005 @ 06:40 PM EDT (#110609) #

In the 1st of 25 meetings on the season its Marcum vs Brian Mazone (a big 6'4 Lefty).

Macrum gets Lewis leading off on a three pitch strike out (1 out).

Labarbara flies out to CF Acuna (must be cold because Acuna is wearing a ski mask out in CF).

Busher grounds out easily to SS for the third out.

easy 3 up 3 down inning for Marcum.

Stellers Jay - Monday, April 11 2005 @ 06:47 PM EDT (#110611) #

Bottom of 1st in NH.

Ron Acuna playing CF (Negron gets the night off) stikes out on 4 pitches. 1 Down.

Cota grounds out to 2B. 2 outs.

Barker with a foul tip strike out for the third out.

Stellers Jay - Monday, April 11 2005 @ 06:55 PM EDT (#110612) #

Top 2nd.

Ortmeier singles to RF to lead off the inning.

Von Schell (already 3 HR in four games this year) swings threw a full-count pitch with the runner going and Kratz guns down Ortmeier for a strike em out throw em out double play. (2 out)

Valderama grounds to 3B Cosby who promptly boots it for an error.

Benavidez grounds back to the mound and Marcum gets him at first base (3 out).

Norwich sounds like a talented team with 7 players protected on San Francisco's 40 man roster.

Stellers Jay - Monday, April 11 2005 @ 07:00 PM EDT (#110613) #

Bottom 2nd

Jova grounds to third for the 1st out.

Davenport grounds out to 2nd base for the 2nd out.

Cosby flies out to CF for another quick three up three down inning.

Stellers Jay - Monday, April 11 2005 @ 07:08 PM EDT (#110615) #

Top third

Lungsford lines out to the 2nd baseman Cota for the 1st out.

Hutting infield single over Vito's head.

Runner on 1st - Lewis grounds to Cota who fires to second base and gets the lead runner. (2 out)

Runner on 1st - Labarbera grounds to Hassey at short who makes a nice play to get him at first.

Kratz, Vito, and Hassey due up in the bottom half of the inning.

Stellers Jay - Monday, April 11 2005 @ 07:19 PM EDT (#110617) #

Kratz (yesterday's player of the game) loops a single into LF for the first Fisher Cat hit.

Runner on 1st - Vito swings and misses on back to back 82 mile an hour fastballs before blooping his first AA hit into right field. Kratz holds at second.

Runners on 1st and 2nd - Hassey lays a good sac bunt down and advances both runners (1 out).

Runners on 2nd and 3rd - Acuna pops up to the 1B (2 down).

Runners on 2nd and 3rd - count goes full to Cota rips it to CF and Lewis comes up with an amazing diving catch and strands two runners.

still no score going to the 4th.

Stellers Jay - Monday, April 11 2005 @ 07:24 PM EDT (#110618) #

0-0 Top 4th

Buscher grounds to Marcum who makes a nice play. 1 out.

Ortmeier strikes out looking at a curve ball on the inside corner for the 2nd out.

Von Schell grounds out to Cosby for another easy 1-2-3 inning.

still scoreless on a cold 44 degree night going to the bottom of the 4th.

uglyone - Monday, April 11 2005 @ 07:28 PM EDT (#110619) #

On those A.Hill doubles....were those grounders down the line, or smashed to the gaps?

Stellers Jay - Monday, April 11 2005 @ 07:35 PM EDT (#110621) #

Bottom of the 4th

The red hot Kevin Barker grounds one back to Mazone that hits him in the leg and in clear discomfort still manages to throw out Barker for the 1st out.

Mazone stays in the game and Jova singles to LF. Hot shot prospect David Aardsma is warming in the pen.

Runner on 1st - Davenport batting. Jova slips and is picked off 1st for the 2nd out.

Davenport still up and singles up the middle for NH's 4th hit of the night.

Runner on 1st - Cosby flies out to CF. (3 down)

Stellers Jay - Monday, April 11 2005 @ 07:39 PM EDT (#110622) #

Top 5th. No Score. NH's starters have thrown 19 scoreless innings in a row (probably the kiss of death).

Hassey grabs a liner by Valderrama for the 1st out.

Benavidez (homered of Chacin last year) strikes out on three pitches.

Lungsford grounds out for the third out.

Marcum has set down 8 in a row and I officially proclaim that he likes AA.

Mike Green - Monday, April 11 2005 @ 07:45 PM EDT (#110623) #

StellersJay, I'm here if you need relief, but feel free to carry on.

Stellers Jay - Monday, April 11 2005 @ 07:47 PM EDT (#110624) #

Bottom of the 5th still scoreless and a pitching change brings BA's #2 SF prospect (6'5 RH David Aardsma) into the game.

Kratz strikes out on 5 pitches. 1 down.

Vito up there hacking takes big cuts at the first 4 pitches before stiking out looking on a fifth pitch curveball. 2 down.

Hassey grounds out to end the inning. Still scoreless after 5.

Stellers Jay - Monday, April 11 2005 @ 07:48 PM EDT (#110625) #

Thanks Mike. I'll be here for a little while, but am going out for dinner in a bit.

Stellers Jay - Monday, April 11 2005 @ 07:58 PM EDT (#110627) #

Hutting leads off the 6th with a base hit off Marcum.

Runner on 1st - Lewis strikes out for the second time. (1 out).

Runner on 1st - Labarbera doubles in to LF. Hutting holds at 3rd base.

Runners on 2nd and 3rd - infield drawn in and Buscher hits a single up to middle scoring both runners.

The fishercats are carrying 13 pitchers so they have people that need work and have Matos warming in the pen.

Runner on 1st still one out - Ortmeier singles and the runner holds at 2nd.

Runners on 1st and 2nd - Von Schell strikes out looking for the second out. It's Marcum's 6th of the night.

Runners on 1st and 2nd - Valderama grounds out to short for the 3rd out.

Norwich scores 2 in the inning to take a 2-0 lead.

Stellers Jay - Monday, April 11 2005 @ 08:05 PM EDT (#110629) #

Bottom of the sixth NH trailing 2-0.

Acuna strikes out.

Cota grounds out to short on the 1st pitch.

Barker (0-2 on the day) strikes out on a "nasty" curveball.

Marcum's thrown 70 pitches in his first start of the year on a cold night and is likely done.

Mike or anybody else, do you know why Aardsma is in AA, when he pitched in SF and AAA last year? Is he re-habbing an injury? He's making NH look silly with 4K in 2 innings. I think he's playing a level or two below where he should be.

Stellers Jay - Monday, April 11 2005 @ 08:06 PM EDT (#110630) #

If somebody can take over that would be great. I have to go.

Mike Green - Monday, April 11 2005 @ 08:09 PM EDT (#110631) #

I've got it, Stellers.

Josue Matos is on to pitch in the bottom of the sixth.

Mike Green - Monday, April 11 2005 @ 08:11 PM EDT (#110632) #

Top of 7:

Josue Matos strikes out Benavides, Lungford and Hutting in order. 3 up, 3 down.

2-0 Norwich at the stretch.

Stellers Jay - Monday, April 11 2005 @ 08:12 PM EDT (#110633) #

With the depth in Starting Rotation, why on earth is NH carrying 13 pitchers? I imagine they will drop at least one when Tablado is eligible to return in the next week or so.

Mike Green - Monday, April 11 2005 @ 08:17 PM EDT (#110635) #

Bottom of 7:

Aardsma still pitching.

Maikel Jova leads off and lines out to right field.
Ron Davenport lines a ball to center-Lewis catches it at the shoetops.
Rob Cosby strikes out swinging on the 2-2 pitch.

3 up, 3 down.

It's 42 degrees F and so the F-Cats drew 1,879 tonight.

2-0 Norwich after 7 innings.

On the out-of-town, it's 2-1 Sarasota over Dunedin in the 4th inning.

Mike Green - Monday, April 11 2005 @ 08:29 PM EDT (#110637) #

Top of 8:

Lewis grounds a ball past a diving Cota into right field.
LaBarbera lines out to center.
Buscher grounds a ball between first and second.
Runners on first and second, one out.

Steve Andrade warming up.

Ortmeier runs the count to 2-2, grounds into a 4-6 fielder's choice. Two outs, runners on first and third.

Von Schell falls behind 0-2, and strikes out looking on a fastball.

2-0 Norwich going to the bottom of the eighth.

Mike Green - Monday, April 11 2005 @ 08:38 PM EDT (#110638) #

Bottom of eighth:

Cordido in to play third for Norwich.
Aardsma still pitching; activity in the bullpen.

Erik Kratz flies out to left.
Big Vito lines a single into right-center.
Brad Hassey lines a single to left. Runners on first and second, one out. Rally caps on!

Ron Acuna up. Aardsma throwing 86. Acuna grounds into a 4-6 fielder's choice.

Carlo Cota strikes out swinging on a 2-2 fastball, high out of the zone.

2-0 Norwich after 8.

Rob - Monday, April 11 2005 @ 08:43 PM EDT (#110641) #

As far as I can tell, David Aardsma had slight elbow irritation this year in Spring Training, but he's not on the DL. He was optioned to the minors and I can't find evidence of any rehab assignments. Of course, even if he was in AAA and SF last year, it's still only his second full year in the pros -- he was drafted in 2003.

Mike Green - Monday, April 11 2005 @ 08:44 PM EDT (#110642) #

top of 9:

Steve Andrade on to pitch for the Fisher Cats.

Valderrama foul tips the 2-2 pitch into Kratz's glove.
Benavides flies out to Davenport in left.
2 out.
Lungsford strikes out swinging.

2-0 Norwich going to the bottom of the ninth.

Mike Green - Monday, April 11 2005 @ 08:54 PM EDT (#110648) #

Bottom of the ninth:

Jeremy Accardo on to pitch for Norwich for the save.

Kevin Barker leads off and runs the count full and pops out in foul territory to third.

Maikel Jova chases a ball outside on an 0-2 pitch for the strikeout.

Ron Davenport grounds a single into right.

Rob Cosby hits a high fly deep to left. The wind's blowing in and keeps it in the park, but blows it out of Valderrama's reach for a double.

Erik Kratz runs the count to 2-2 and then takes a strike to end the game. Both Kratz and Basso argue the call to no avail.

2-0 Norwich final.

Gerry - Monday, April 11 2005 @ 09:11 PM EDT (#110650) #

I was at the Buffalo game to day too.

I actually thought Gross was a little off, understandably so. He did hit an oppositve field double the first time up but he was just missing his next four at-bats, one off the end of the bat, another jammed, etc. Gross was under great pressure in Toronto so he needs to relax and get back in his groove.

Aaron Hill did have two doubles, the first one was a ground ball just inside third base into the corner, the second was a nice line drive over the third baseman's head. His best hit ball was his first at-bat when he hit a fly ball to deep right centre. Hill also grounded out on a checked swing and struck out against Fernando Cabrera. Hill stole third as well.

Buffalo did not look good, several misplays, they were lucky the crowd was sparse so the grumblings never reached a critical mass.

Griffin looks more aggressive than last year, this is a good thing. His double was nice, he stayed down on a curveball and lined it into the RF corner.

Everyone was happy to see Chris Baker get the win, he had bad luck at the start of last year and never recovered until he got sent down to AA. He had a good fastball that offset his other pitches well. Nannini went three, also mixed his pitches well. Baker's fastball sits around 88, Nannini around 87.

Other notes:

Quiroz and Hattig are rehabbing in Florida.

Anthony Sanders went on the DL with Gross returning.

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