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© 2007 MLB Advanced Media, L.P. All rights reserved. |
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New York-Penn League Notebook 08/20/2007 10:01 AM ETBy Evan Mohl / MLB.com
Aberdeen IronBirds (Baltimore Orioles) SO FAR THIS SEASON: The IronBirds are 26-30 and in third place in the McNamara Division. WHO'S HOT: Mick Mattaliano has been outstanding for the IronBirds out of the bullpen in the month of August. The righty has an ERA of 1.59 in seven appearances. WHO'S NOT: Aberdeen's offense has been abysmal. The team is hitting .220 in August with just two players averaging over .300. (UN)LUCKY NO. 7: The IronBirds lost all their games this week and seven straight overall. After clawing their way back to .500, Aberdeen is now four games under the even mark. It seems unlikely that the IronBirds will reach the postseason. A BIG BARRAGE: In their four games this week, Aberdeen gave up 40 runs -- an average of 10 per game. After shutting down NYPL hitters for most of August, the IronBirds have now allowed 69 runs in their last seven games.
Auburn Doubledays (Toronto Blue Jays) WHO'S HOT: Luis Perez tossed a gem against Batavia on Thursday. The southpaw went seven shutout innings and fanned seven batters. Perez scattered five hits while issuing just three walks. WHO'S NOT: In his last 51 at-bats, Bradley Emaus has nine hits for a batting average of .176. In that same span, the third baseman has just three RBIs and one extra-base hit. ONE-RUN MAGIC: In nine games against the Muckdogs this season, Auburn has won eight times; six of them have come by a single run, including Saturday's 2-1 victory. With the win the Doubledays were able to maintain a two-game lead in the division. HE SAID IT: "I'm glad we're winning them by one run. It's hard to say, we just find a way to get those one-run leads. I don't know how you put much into it, other than it's just the competition of two teams that are in such close proximity within the division. The competition seems to be good." --Doubledays manager Dennis Holmberg to the Auburn Citizen on winning one-run games.
Batavia Muckdogs (St. Louis Cardinals) WHO'S HOT: Jonathan Stambaugh has been effective for the Muckdogs in August. In his last four games, the southpaw has a 2.45 ERA. In 14 2/3 innings, Stambaugh has fanned 12 and issued just three walks. WHO'S NOT: Collin Fanning has no hits in 12 August at-bats. He has struck out five times in four games. LOSING WAYS: After beating Vermont on the 11th, the Muckdogs have lost four straight. Since the All-Star Break, Batavia just has scored just five runs, including being shut out by Auburn, 1-0. NOT-SO-CLUTCH: Since Aug. 1, Batavia has been involved in 11 games decided by three runs or less. The Muckdogs are 5-6 in those contests.
Brooklyn Cyclones (New York Mets) WHO'S HOT: Matt Bouchard has picked up his hitting since the All-Star Break. In two games this week, the shortstop went 4-for-6 with a run scored. WHO'S NOT: Will Vogl is hitting .119 in August. In his last 42 at-bats, Vogl has just five hits and 16 strikeouts. PITCHIN' IT: Before Saturday's 12-3 loss to Staten Island, Brooklyn pitching hadn't allowed more than three runs since Aug. 6. The Cyclones pitching staff ranks first in the league with a paltry 2.83 ERA. HE SAID IT: "New York is so different from Oregon, but I love it here so far. I think it's going to be fun and I think I'm ready...I've never had a Nathan's hot dog before. That's the first thing on my to-do list once I have some free time." --Cyclones pitcher and New York Mets first-round pick Eddie Kunz to brooklynpapers.com on coming to Brooklyn.
Hudson Valley Renegades (Tampa Bay Devil Rays) WHO'S HOT: Cody Cipriano had five RBIs in three games this week. The second baseman is hitting .315 in August. HE SAID IT: "That was unbelievable. That was so much more than I expected it would be. Not only to play in Fenway, but to have the crowd that was there was a dream come true. For a second we felt like we were in the Major Leagues, and that's refreshing." --Emeel Salem on playing in Fenway Park on Aug. 11. BUMPS IN THE ROAD: The Renegades have struggled on the road this season with a 9-19 record, the second-worst mark in the league. However, the Renegades do like playing at Dutchess Stadium, where they are 15-12. THE STREAK CONTINUES: Emeel Salem has now reached base safely in 35 consecutive games, the best streak in the NYPL this year. However, his 17-game hitting streak came to an end on Thursday against Brooklyn.
Jamestown Jammers (Florida Marlins) WHO'S HOT: Hector Correa continues to pitch well for the Jammers. This week he struck out 11 batters in 5 2/3 scoreless innings. WHO'S NOT: Dustin Kaats has had a rough month. In his last 11 games, the outfielder has struck out 18 times with a .189 average. ROSTER MOVES: The Jammers made several roster moves over the All-Star break. Kevin Hammons was placed on the seven-day disabled list while Emilio Ontiveros joined the team for a rehab assignment. Jesus Silva was transferred from Class A Advanced Jupiter while Kristhiam Linares was promoted from the Rookie League Marlins. Mark Lewis was promoted to Class A Greensboro and Josh Roberts was recalled from Greensboro to the Jammers. HE SAID IT: "He was a little nervous in his first time up here under the lights, but he battled through some stuff and was able to keep us close." --Jamestown manager Darin Everson to the Post-Journal on pitcher Kristhiam Linares' first game.
Lowell Spinners (Boston Red Sox) WHO'S HOT: Jorge Jimenez keeps on trucking after his walk-off hit at Fenway. This week the infielder had six hits in 12 at-bats. TWO MILLION: The Spinners topped the 2-million fan mark on Saturday against the Lake Monsters. Seven-year-old Bryant Scott of Dracut was the two-millionth fan for the Spinners. He received a prize package commemorating the historic event. WILD THINGS: The night the Spinners topped the 2-million fan mark didn't end in fairy-tale fashion. Lowell led Vermont, 2-1, in the eighth inning, but practically gave the game away with mental mistakes. The Lake Monsters tied the game in the eighth on a wild pitch by Eammon Portice and scored the go-ahead run on a throwing error by first baseman Deshaun Brooks. In the ninth, Vermont scored two more runs on wild pitches by Eric Beattie. PROMOTED: Lowell's roster got a little thinner this week as Aaron Reza was promoted to Class A Greenville. Oscar Tejeda, from the GCL Red Sox, will take Reza's roster spot. Pitcher Tony Bajoczky was sent to Double-A Portland. Lowell had already lost Mike Jones to promotion and Ryan Kalish to injury.
Mahoning Valley Scrappers (Cleveland Indians) WHO'S HOT: Heath Taylor has been impressive out of the bullpen lately. In his last 15 1/3 innings, the southpaw has a 1.17 ERA with 10 strikeouts. WHO'S NOT: Mark Thompson has been below the Mendoza line for most of August. The shortstop is hitting .175 in 57 at-bats. CLOSE CALLS: The Scrappers have played in three straight one-run games since the All-Star break, winning two. The Scrappers remain one of the hottest teams in the league and have lost only four games in August. HE SAID IT: "Our chemistry has just blossomed. Our pitching has just been outstanding over the last three weeks. We've been able to come up with some clutch hits. We've been able to put it together here these last three weeks and we've been on a tear." --Outfielder Todd Martin on the recent success of the Scrappers.
Oneonta Tigers (Detroit Tigers) WHO'S HOT: Ron Bourquin has been absolutely scorching. He's batting .418 this month with six RBIs, nine runs scored and two stolen bases. WHO'S NOT: Reliever Colin Mahoney can't seem to find the strike zone. In his last 4 2/3 innings, the righty has issued seven walks and allowed nine runs for a 17.36 ERA. COOLED OFF BY RAIN: The Tigers were one of the hottest teams in the league heading into the All-Star break, winning seven of eight and gaining some separation from their Stedler Division rivals. However, they lost two of their four games this week to rain. HE SAID IT: "It was a good win. These guys don't get down. They believe in themselves and when things go wrong, they show the ability to turn it around. We're playing pretty well right now." --Oneonta manager Andy Barkett to the Daily Star on his team's victory over Williamsport last Sunday.
State College Spikes (Pittsburgh Pirates) WHO'S HOT: Andrew Walker was excellent this week. In nine at-bats, he had six hits (.667) and four RBIs. Keanon Simon is hitting .417 in August with four stolen bases. WHO'S NOT: Erik Huber hasn't been much help to the Spikes lately. He's hitting .182 in his last 12 games. ABOVE .500: The Spikes climbed above .500 for the first time since July 25 on Saturday with a 4-1 win over Williamsport. State College also did it without ace and All-Star Tony Watson (6-1, 2.52 ERA), who was called up to Class A Hickory. Dionis Rodriguez took Watson's spot and pitched beautifully, allowing five base runners in five scoreless innings. HITTING STREAK: Brian Friday extended his hitting streak to a team-record 18 games on Saturday, the most in the league this season, toping Emeel Salem's 17-game streak. Friday is hitting .304 in his last 20 games.
Staten Island Yankees (New York Yankees) WHO'S HOT: Jason Stephens was dominant this week. He pitched six innings of scoreless ball while striking out five and allowing two hits and two walks. WHO'S NOT: Isaiah Howes just can't get it going this month. The outfielder has struck out 11 times in 33 at-bats. THE OTHER SUBWAY SERIES: As part of a home-and-home series, Staten Island battled Brooklyn in what might be called the Other Subway Series. With Sunday's victory, the Yankees have won the first two games, outscoring the Cyclones, 16-4. LATE PUSH?: The Baby Bombers are following their big-league club's example as they make a late push to the NYPL playoffs. The Yankees have won four straight and are cutting into Brooklyn's division lead.
Tri-City ValleyCats (Houston Astros) WHO'S HOT: Collin DeLome smashed two home runs this week. He's hitting .354 in his last 48 at-bats. WHO'S NOT: Charles Gamble has struck out 10 times in his last 11 games. He's hitting just .220 in August. NEW HOST: It was announced at this year's All-Star Game in Hudson Valley that Tri-City's Joe Bruno Stadium will host the 2008 edition. It will be the fourth game in the league's history that pits the American League against the National League. The specific date and time have not been announced. OFFENSIVE EXPLOSION: In four games since the All-Star Break, Tri-City's bats have been on fire. The ValleyCats have exploded for 24 runs, an average of six per contest. Tri-City sports just a .252 team batting average on the season.
Vermont Lake Monsters (Washington Nationals) WHO'S HOT: Jordan Zimmerman is making a case to be included among the league's elite pitchers. In August, the righty is 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA in three starts. He's struck out 15 batters in 12 innings. WHO'S NOT: Craig Stinson has just four hits in August for a .182 batting average. He has struck out eight times in eight games. HE SAID IT: "I think we could do it. If we're going to do it, it's going to be this year." --Pitcher Glenn Gibson on the Lake Monsters' chances of making the playoffs for the first time since 1996.
Williamsport Crosscutters (Philadelphia Phillies) WHO'S HOT: Dominic Brown has had a scorching August. He's hitting .436 for the month with three doubles and seven RBIs. WHO'S NOT: Timothy Kennelly is batting .161 this month. In his last 31 at-bats, Kennelly has crossed the plate just one time. EJECTED: Crosscutters manager Greg Legg was tossed from the Friday's game against State College for arguing a pivotal play at the plate. Austin McClune was called safe at home with the go-ahead run, incensing Legg. He immediately came out to argue the call, tossing the catcher's mask. GETTING BLEAKER: Williamsport continued its August slump, winning only one of its four games since the All-Star break. The Crosscutters have just four wins in the month of August, falling well out of playoff contention.
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.
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