[illeracula]

Current Week: 4-1 (41-21 - GB 1st (+4.0))
Next Week: 2 vs Ocean City Tourists, 4 @ Chesapeak Blue Crabs
Power Ranking: 1
Fan Interest: 62
Owners Mood: Ecstatic

Game 57
Norfolk 12, Richmond 5
Carlos Mateo (7-3) was the benefactor of some run support, going 7.1 innings, allowing 5 runs on 8 hits. Elmer Hawkins pitched the final 1.1 for the save (1). The offense exploded for 17 hits and 12 runs. Tony Soto went 4-4 with 3 RBI and 3 runs, Pablo Freitas went 4-5 with 5 RBI, including a grand-slam (15). Mauro Candelaria added 3-hits, and Brian Cline added a HR (9).

Draft News: Joseph Kearse (1st Round) likes our offer and will be sent down to A to begin his career. Chuck Champman (3rd) isn't very fond of our first offer. We bump him up to $1,500,000. Ed Jones (5th) decided we aren't getting anywhere and heads back to school

Game 58
Norfolk 10, Richmond 3
Tsuneo Sato (9-1) scattered 11 hits over 7.2 innings giving up 3 runs to tak e home the win. Mauro Candelaria had 3 hits for the 2nd game in a row and Brian Cline went 3-4 with 4 RBI, including a grand-slam (10).

Game 59
Norfolk 7, Newark 10
Karl Armstrong (ND) struggled with his control walking 6 batters, but left game with a chance to win. Armstrong went 6 innings, gave up 4 runs on 3 hits.Ron harris went 0.1 innings, allowing 2 hits and 3 runs (0 ER). Bill Lee (2-1) took the loss givingup 3 runs on 4 hits in 0.3 innings of work. Brian Cline, pinch-hit in the 8th, and hit a HR (11) for the 3rd straight game. Karl Armstrong went 1-2 with 2 RBI. Tomas Reyes added 2 hits.

Draft News: Arhippa Skytta says "no thanks" to our $2,200,000 and decides to break-off negotiations and re-enter the draft next season.

Game 60
Norfolk 12, Newark 11
Geoffrey Bayles strugged through 3 innings, giving up 7 hits and 5 runs. Edgar Matsuda gave up 3 runs on 3-hits, the only 3 batters he faced. Dalton Whitaker (3-2) pitched 2.0 innings for the win, and Carlos Rodriquez pitched an ugly 9th for the save (12). Brian Cline did it again, hitting a solo-HR (12) in the 9th, fourth game in a row with a HR. Chris Shopland lead the offense with 3 hits (2 doubles) and 4 RBI. Mauro Candelaria, Brian Cline and Julio Romero each added 2 hits. Ron Alder got a pinch-hit single and stole his 26th base.

(oh what I would do for a low-run game, too many crooked innings lately)

Draft News: Markus Lee and the Cavaliers agree to terms and Lee will join the Tritons down in A-ball to begin his quest to the bigs.

Game 61
Norfolk 5, Newark 1
Don Sweetapple (4-2) put a stop to the crazy scoring games, going all 9, giving up 1 run on 5 hits, while striking out 5. Ron Alder lead the offense with 2 hits, going 2-2 with a stolen base (27). And little used Joe Payne went 1-3 with his first HR of the season, a 3-run blast.

Game 62
Norfolk 7, Newark 6
Carlos Mateo only managed to go 2 innings, getting hit hard, 6 hits and 5 runs, 3 HR's, before the bullpen came in to stop the bleeding. Edgar Matsuda (2-1) took home the win, giving up 3 hits and a run over 2 innings. Carlos Rodriquez pitched a perfect 9th for the save (13). The offense was lead by Tomas Reyes and Jacob Chaney, both players went 2-4 with a HR (4,2) and 2 RBI's. Brian Cline, to top off a great week, hit his 2nd Pinch-hit HR (13) this week, which means he hit a HR in every game, 5 straight!

Players of the Week:
Delaware: Juan Alvarez, Lewes Braves, 9-16 5 HR, 10 RBI
MarVa: Brian Cline, Norfolk Cavaliers, 8-15 5 HRs, 13 RBI

Power Rankings:
1) Norfolk Cavaliers (128.0)
2) Chesapeake Blue Crabs (118.3)
3) Washington Senators (116.4)
4) Milford Clippers (107.7)
5) Newark Millers (101.5)

GM Thoughts/Notes: 2 of our top 5 picks signed, 2 didn't and one we are still talking to. I wasn't happy seeing Skytta walk, and was a little surprised he only gave us one shot to talk to him. 2 mil is a lot of money to walk away from... This week wasn't a very strong pitching week and I have concerns. Sun Ho will be brought up and Matsuda is going to go to AAA for some reps. I think I am going to give Ho the starts and let Bayles rest a little. I may even look to move Bayles over the next couple of weeks. Only problem is we don't have much depth in the starters... We can't seem to shake the Senators as they keep winning... I don't like to see high scoring games, when your team is based on pitching, but it is nice to know we can compete in and win them.