6/11: OFF
6/12: @ Tigers (31-33/14-16 Hm) - Steve Hammond (2-0, 1.47) vs Justin Verlander (7-4, 2.97)
Wierd. Very weird. This was a two run game in the top of the ninth. Then we scored ten runs to make it 14-2. That is crazy. If I gave you all the happenings (player wise) of how we scored, this would take forever, so I think it is fair to point out Juan Rivera who was 3-5 with a single, double, and triple and four RBIs. Geoff Jenkins also was 3-5 with a run and two RBIs. Everyone played very well, but those were the two biggest. Hammond lasted seven innings allowing two runs, seven hits, and one walk. We didn't have any home runs in that inning, or the game.
Outcome: Win, 14-3 - WP: Hammond (3-0)
6/13: @ Tigers - Carlos Villanueva (2-5, 3.73) vs Humberto Sanchez (5-3, 2.31)
Villanueva struggled in his final inning, giving up three runs in the sixth. He gave up 11 hits total, and stranded quite a few guys, but his stuff hasn't been as on as it has in the past. Erick Aybar was 2-4 with the go-ahead three run home run in the eighth inning to put us up 7-4. Vinny Rottino was also 3-5 while Gwynn was 2-4 with two runs, two RBIs, a walk, and two stolen bases.
Outcome: Win, 7-5 - WP: Shields (4-2); Sv: Vazquez (13)
We decided to let Derrick Turnbow go, as John Honaker, my scout, told me that Robert Hinton was really improving in AAA and was ready to come back to the major league bullpen and give it another go. Hinton will just serve middle relief right now, but if he pitches well enough he could find some important innings sooner or later, we shall see.
6/14: @ Tigers - Yovani Gallardo (3-5, 3.67) vs Ramon Garcia (2-7, 5.30)
Gallardo is in a bit of a funk lately and nothing seems to be really going his way. We had three hits total as a team, and through six he had only given up two runs, but we just couldn't figure out a way to hit the guy with a five something ERA. He lasted seven innings, which helped rest our bullpen a little, and had three key double plays go in his favor which stranded quite a few players. We just couldn't figure out Garcia.
Outcome: Loss, 0-3 - LP: Gallardo (3-6)
6/15: @ Twins (38-27/19-16) - Zach Jackson (5-4, 2.90) vs Kevin Slowery (6-3, 2.04)
We again could not hit the ball as Jackson lasted six innings allowing seven hits, one run, and striking out six. We only had seven hits as a team and Ben Hendrickson pitched two innings out of the pen to keep the big guys rested for when they actually are needed of use.
Outcome: Loss, 1-2 - LP: Hendrickson (2-1)
6/16: @ Twins - Ben Sheets (5-6, 3.86) vs Yohan Pino (7-5, 3.87)
Sheets didn't have his best stuff today, as Sheets gave up four runs through six, and we continued to struggle hitting wise. We had 12 hits, but could not get guys in once they got on, and only one of them went for extra bases.
Outcome: Loss, 0-6 - LP: Sheets (5-7)
6/17: @ Twins - Steve Hammond (3-0, 1.62) vs Matt Garza (9-2, 1.95)
Well sheesh, I don't know where that one came from. I had a bad feeling about facing the AL's arguably best pitcher, but I guess it wasn't called for as we were able to bust out 14 hits today. Rickie Weeks was 2-5 with two RBIs and a run scored, and Tony Gwynn had a big day going 2-4 with two runs, a RBI, and a walk. He also had his 37th stolen base. Hammond went five innings allowing four runs (three earned), walking one and striking out four.
Outcome: Win, 9-5 - WP: Hammond (4-0)
Jay's Thoughts: Another 3-3 week, which is fine by me when we are facing the AL's best team for a three game set. It'd be nice to string together a few winning streaks here though, to get closer to .500, which is our goal right now. I still feel like I am missing a pitcher that is just unstoppable, a Mat Garza if you will. I hope that Gallardo might be able to turn into that, but so far he has been average and hasn't shown that yet. Hammond has a chance to be something like that, but he isn't as dominating as what an ace should be. I have been exploring a few trades, but nothing serious. I hope Gallardo can get it together and turn into that because he has all the stuff according to my scouts, and is still very young.
Team Stats
Record: 30-40 (3-3)
GB: 10.5 of Cubs in Central; 9.5 of Mets in Wild Card
Batting Average: .254 - 6th in NL
ERA: 4.45 - 16th in NL
Top Ten Prospects according to Head Scout
1. 1B Clement Merchant: I really like this guy and think that he could help us in the future. Most likely will be on the fast track.
2. 3B Evan Longoria: He also will be in Milwaukee soon (possibly beginning of next season), and has the ability to be a very good hitting third basemen.
3. C Neil Walker: He is probably a defense first, hit second type of catcher, but don't be fooled as he has very good hitting ability, and I am hoping he will be our catcher of the future.
4. LF Kyler Burke: He has a lot of speed and power according to some of my scouts, and will probably be on the slow track up but could be a good outfielder some day for us.
5. 2B Rick Lynn: Was the 10th round pick of this year's draft and has very good contact potential and good defense, and he will also be on the slower track to the bigs.
6. SS Adam Heether: He is a bit closer to the big league level than a lot of the guys, but with Aybar I am not sure whether he will get a chance with us, but could be a good trade bait.
7. MR Robert Hinton: A lot of our scouts are saying that he could be a very good reliever in the big leagues, and I am banking on that assumption being true.
8. SP Joba Chamberlain: All of my scouts tell me he is ready for the big leagues at this current time, but I am waiting off to see how he does at AA and then he might see a few starts at AAA before he finds his way up here.
9. SP Tim Dillard: According to Honaker he is going to be very good someday, but all of the other scouts say its only going to be more of a back end of the rotation type guy if that.
10. SP Yovani Gallardo: Like said earlier, Gallardo has the potential to be that ace that we are lacking right now, as we have just a bunch of middle rotation starters right now.
Hitting
Who's Hot: RF Geoff Jenkins: 6 G, 23 AB, 9 H, 1 2B, 4 RBI, 3 R, 2 BB, 5 K, .391/.440/.435
Who's Not: 3B Placido Polanco: 6 G, 20 AB, 1 H, 2 RBI, 2 R, 2 BB, 4 K, .050/.174/.050
Pitching
Who's Hot: SP Zach Jackson: 1 GS, 6.0 IP, 7 HA, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 1.50 ERA
Who's Not: SP Carlos Villanueva: 1 GS, 5.2 IP, 11 HA, 1 HRA, 4 ER, 6 K, 6.35 ERA, .40 AVG
Around the League
AL Player of the Week: 2B Andy Phillips (NYA): 7-11, .636 AVG, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 4 R, 1x
NL Player of the Week: SS B.J. Upton (STL): 10-22, .455, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 5 R, 1x