Current Week: 4-3 (27-10 (+6))
Next Week: 1 @ Ellicott City Express, 4 @ Richmond Cardinals, 1 vs Virginia Beach Surf Dawgs
Power Ranking: 1
Fan Interest: 89
Owners Mood: Ecstatic
Runs Scored: 229 (1st)
Avg: .310 (1st)
HR: 34 (8th)
SB: 63 (1st)
Runs Against: 129 (1st)
Starters ERA: 3.36 (1st)
Pen ERA: 3.23 (2nd)
Def Eff: .730 (1st)
Transactions: King Brock has been activated from the DL. He will be placed in the line-up and Joe Chambers will be sent down to AAA. Joe really impressed me during his short time with the Cav's and makes me feel like 3B will be in good hands when Roberto Perez leaves.
Game 31: Ocean City 2, Norfolk 6
Jamie King (1-0) got the start today, giving Ron Reilly an extra break, and he pitched suprisingly well, going 7 innings, allowing just 2 hits. Dalton Whitaker struck out the side in the 9th in a non-save opportunity. Roberto Perez lead the way for the Cavaliers offense going 3-4 with 2 runs and 2 RBI's, including a HR (7). Javier Janchez added 2 hits and King Brock added 3 RBI's, on a bases clearing double.
Transactions: Elmer Hawkins was activated from the DL after an 11-day stint. Luis Gonzalez was the odd-man out getting shipped back down to AAA. Luis only pitched in one game, going 3.1 innings and taking a loss.
Game 32: Ocean City 3, Norfolk 1 (11 Innings)
Miguel Contreras (ND) had some tough luck and took home the no-decision, allowing 1 run on 6 hits over 7 innings, while striking out 5. Dalton Whitaker blew the save (3) in the 9th, allowing the tying run. Vaughan Griffith (1-2) took the loss, getting roughed up in the 11th, unable to record an out, Vaughan gave up a walk, 2 hits (both HR's) and 3 runs. The offense was quite, collecting 6 hits, all singles, with Cody Johnson, an 8th inning sub, and Ed Duke each getting 2.
Team News: Roberto Perez contacted me and said he has really enjoyed his time in Norfolk and he wants to stay. He is looking for a 9 yr deal for $171,000,000. That isn't going to make it in Norfolk, way out of our budget. At 29, I could possilby see 9 year deal, but I'd rather stay away from that long of a committment. My offer is 6 years, $95,000,000. If he does sign, he will move to the DH roll, and King Brock will head to 1B making Mike Ford expendable. Joe Chambers is the 3B of the future no questions... he didn't even let us leave the table, he did however lower his $ amount 9 yrs / $168,660,000. Something we will revisit.
Game 33: Ocean City 4, Norfolk 2 (11 Innings)
Matt Hollis (ND) went 9 strong innings, allowing 6 hits and 2 runs, while striking out 8, but left in a tie. Elmer Hawkins (1-1) took the loss, allowing 2 runs in the 11th, on 1 hit and 2 walks. The offense was dormant once again collecting only 8 hits, 1 for extra-bases. Javier Janchez had 2 hits, including a double and Jeff Lewis added 2 hits, and stole 2 bases.
Game 34: Ocean City 2, Norfolk 12
Arturo Ramirez (4-1) won again, throwing 92 pitches, over 6 innings, allowing 7 hits and 2 runs, while striking out 4. Dan Nelson went the final 3 innings, allowing just 2 hits for the save (1). The offense woke up a little bit today, collecting 17 hits. Lead by King Brock who had 4 hits and 3 RBI's, including 3 doubles. Kent Davis added 3 hits and 3 runs. Jeff Lewis added 2 hits, 2 runs and 3 RBI's and Javier Janchez collected 2 hits.
Game 35: Norfolk 7, Ellicott City 2
Shawn Brock (5-2) continued his strong season, going 6 innings, allowing 6 hits and 2 runs, while striking out 6. Ron Reilly, got a little work out of the pen, going 3 innings, allowing just 1 hit and striking out 3 for the save (1). The offense collected 13 hits, and left 10 runners on base. Roberto Perez lead the way with 4 hits. Bryan O'Neil showed he was happy to be back up with the big club, going 3-3 with 2 runs. Maik Wassink added 2 RBI's on a double before leaving injured.
Injury News: Maik Wassink has been diagnosed with a quad strain and will miss about 5 weeks of games. He has been placed on the DL. For the season Maik was hitting .323-0-10 in limited time... After a long debate inside my head, I decided to bring up Emilo Gonzalez, instead of Joe Chambers. If Chambers isn't going to play every day, I don't think its wise to have up him with the big club.
Milestone: Abraham Thomas becomes the first DelMarVa Baseball League player to reach 300 HR's. Thomas knew it when he hit it. He raised his hands in the air, then ran the bases like a high school player, clapping and grinning. He told reporters in the postgame interview, "I was acting goofy running the bases... but it was my 300th home run."
Game 36: Norfolk 5, Ellicott City 3
Ron Reilly (4-0) went 5.1 innings, allowing 6 hits and 3 runs, while striking out 4. A total of 5 relievers held the Express to 1 hit over the final 3.2, with Dalton Whitaker going the 9th for the save (10). Kent Davis lead the way with 3 hits, inluding a double, the only Cavaliers extra-base hit. Augusto Rodriquez added 2 hits and 2 runs.
Injury News: Ron Reilly complained of shoulder pain, and was removed in the 6th inning. After an evaluation it looks like he will miss his next start, so he has been placed on the 11-day DL with "Shoulder tendinitis". Vaughan Griffith will move into the #5 starter slot and we called up Luis Gonzalez. Reilly is 4-0 on the season, but it might be getting time to send him away. He is a possilbe Free-agent at the end of the season and is looking for about 3-yrs/5 million. With my depth in pitching, maybe its time to see whats out there. Prospects? Something to think about.
Game 37: Norfolk 9, Ellicott City 12
Miguel Contreras (ND) got roughed up in 3.1 innings of work, and was lucky enough to take home the ND. Miguel gave up 6 hits and 1 walk, which lead to 7 Express runs. Luis Gonzalez went 1 innings in relief giving up 5 hits and 5 runs. Dan Nelson stopped the bleeding with 2 innings of shut-out releif. The Express scored 7 in the 4th and 5 in the 5th! The Cavaliers offense was lead by 4 players with 2 hits each: Kent Davis, King Brock, Mauro Candelaria and Ed Duke. Ed Duke and Jeff Lewis each drove in 3. Lewis also scored 3 runs.
Injury News: King Brock was pulled from todays game when he pulled up a lame running the bases. His diagnosis is pending. No changes will be made yet, Cody Johnson, Bryan O'Neil and Emilio Gonzalez will DH in the meantime.
Around the League: - Keith White will miss about 4 weeks with elbow Soreness. The New Castle Colonials starter is one of the games best when healhty, nad recently that hasn't been much. NC needs him to compete this year: 4-2 2.45 8 GS.
- Marcos Netio will miss 2 weeks, as another injury hits the Colonials. Neito over-extended himself on his comeback trail from a sprained ankle: .245-2-4
- Bill Downey of the Milford Clippers will miss 2 months with a torn triceps. The closer of the Clippers will be missed. 2-2 2.78 3 SV's.
- Mr. Post Season, Jack Clow will miss the rest of the year with a torn-flexor tendon in his elbow. It will be about 11 months before we could see Jack pitch again. The Georgetown Sixteens are now in the market for a new closer: 1-2 1 SV, 7.36.
Players of the Week:
Delaware: Ricardo Flores, New Castle Colonials, 13-24 4 HR's, 8 RBI's
MarVa: Ray Key, Ocean City Tourists, 11-21, 4 HR's, 11 RBI's
Power Rankings:
1) Norfolk Cavaliers (132.4)
2) Milton Brewers (131.6)
3) Baltimore Barons (121.8)
4) New Castle Colonials (106.2)
5) Newark Millers (105.2)
GM Notes: Injuries, injuries and more injuries. I can't remember a year that the Cavaliers have been this fragile. Its always been one or two "big" ones, but not a bunch of small annoying ones. If King Brock goes down for a long period then Joe Chambers will be my 3B and Perez will move to DH. I am pretty much sold on the fact that Perez and the Cavaliers won't come to an agreement on an extension. I am also set that I will not be trading him. He is coming along for the ride, and the way he is hitting the ball so far this season, he could be well on his way to third MVP award... We keep on winning, but this was a bumpy week. I hate the close games followed by the blow outs. Makes me feel like my offense is falling asleep... We are losing ground in the HR's category. Not sure what to do, we can win without them, right? I think we can, we have in the past, it is, however nice to have that guy that you fear every at bat, right now I don't think we have that... Miguel Contreras hasn't had any luck this year and he has got hit around a little bit more than I have seen. Is he intimidated by Hollis and his success??... Its getting a little tense around the Cavaliers front office, with all the injuries, the lack of winning extra inning games (0-3), poor management decisions (see Ron Reilly). Hopefully things will settle down. Alistair maybe wearing out his welcome...