Current Week: 5-1 (59-16 (+118))
Next Week: 3 vs Richmond Cardinals, ALL-STAR BREAK, 1 @ Virginia Beach Surf Dawgs
Power Ranking: 1
Fan Interest: 99 (+10)
Owners Mood: Ecstatic
Runs Scored: 458 (1st)
Avg: .304 (1st)
HR: 68 (t-6th)
SB: 107 (1st)
Runs Against: 240 (1st)
Starters ERA: 3.14 (1st)
Pen ERA: 2.61 (1st)
Def Eff: .717 (2nd)
Game 70: Norfolk 10, Ocean City 2
Arturo Ramirez (6-1) continued his hot streak with 5.2 innings of 6 hit ball. Allowing just 2 runs and striking out 8. Elmer Hawkins went the final 3.1 innings allowing just 2 hits. The Cav's offense exploded for 10 hits, including a 5-hit day by John Phillips. Phillips also added 2 runs and 2 RBI's. Mike Ford and Augusto Rodriquez each added 3 hits. Rodriquez led the offense with 3 RBI's.
Game 71: Ellicott City 5, Norfolk 6 (12 Innings)
Ron Reilly (ND) went 7.1 innings, allowing 5 runs on 8 hits. He struck out 7 and gave up 4 long-balls. Dalton Whitaker (4-2) got the win striking out the only 2 batters he faced. Augusto Rodriquez lead the offense with a 4-hit day. Ed Duke added 3 hits, including a 2-run HR (16). Joe Chambers also had 2 hits.
Draft News: We have come to terms with Frank Combs, our 5th round draft pick, on a signing bonus and Combs will be sent down to A-ball to hopefully learn how to hit. He has the speed and glove just a lot of questions about his bat.
Game 72: Ellicott City 2, Norfolk 6
Miguel Contreras (8-0) won again, this time going 7.1 innings, allowing just 1 run on 6 hits. Vaughan Griffith continued to be solid in the pen, going 1.2 innings, allowing just a solo-HR. Joe Chambers lead the way with 2 hits. Six differnt Cav's had an RBI and Six differnt Cav's scored runs.
Game 73: Ellicott City 1, Norfolk 0
Matt Hollis (11-2) took the L, but pitched a wonderful game, going 8 innings, allowing 1 run on 5 hits, walking 2 and striking out 8. The only blemish was a solo-HR in the 4th. Dalton Whitaker pitched a perfect 9th. The Cav's offense was quiet, getting just 7 hits, all singles. Roberto Perez lead tehw ay with 3 hits. Mike Ford added 2.
Signing News: We have come to terms with Roberto Perez that will keep him in Norfolk for the next 7 years (7 yrs/$115,000,000). It might not of been the "best" idea, but he is a 2x MVP and a fan favorite. At 29 years old he should have a few more good years ahead of him.
Budget Implications: The signing is a good signing in regards to keeping an all-star/MVP on our team for the next 7 years. However, in 3 years we will run into some issues financially. This team is set-up for the long-haul with Kent Davis signed through 2025, Matt Hollis: 2025, Miguel Contreras: 2022, Jeff Lewis: 2024 and a lot of young kids who are under team control through 2023-2025. In 2021, a move will HAVE to be made to free up some money for our arbitration players. Jeff Lewis and/or Perez are top candidates to get moved... The signing was great for stats, but short-sighted financially. I think the GM (yes that is me) feel asleep at the wheel there.
Game 74: Ellicott City 3, Norfolk 5
Takayuki Iemochi (4-1) went 8 innings, allowing 7 hits and 2 runs, he added 6 K's. Dalton Whitaker pitched 9th, allowing 3 hits and a run, for the save (20). The offense was lead by Augusto Rodriquez, who went 2-3 with a HR (5) and 3 RBI's. Mauro Candelaria added 2 hits and Mike Ford added 2 runs.
Injury News: Maik Wassink is finally ready to come off the DL. He will be sent down to AAA to get in some rehab swings. A decision will be made if he shoudl join the team or not in a few weeks. Maybe Joe Chambers will go back down to AAA to get more swings until we can figure out what to do with him.
Game 75: Richmond 3, Norfolk 5
Arturo Ramirez (7-1) has been solid since coming off the DL, today he went 7 innings, allowing 3 runs on 8 hits and 3 walks. he struck out 7. Dalton Whitaker went the 9th for the save (21). Sergio Galvez lead the offense with a 2 hit day. Mauro Candelaria lead the way with 3 RBI's and Roberto Perez added 2.
Around the League: - Wilson Acosta is out 2 weeks with a strained hammy. He is the Annapolis Admrials closer and has locked down 15 saves in 29 games, posting a 2-5 record and 3.56 ERA.
- The Ocean City Tourists will be without one of their young middle relievers for the rest of the season. Al Stoner is out with a torn rotator cuff and will be on the shelf for 4-5 months.
Players of the Week:
Delaware: Alberto Trujillo, Milford Clippers, 10-22 4 HR's, 9 RBI's, 7 Runs
MarVa: Jack Dooley, Baltimore Barons, 11-15 1 HR, 1 RBI
Power Rankings:
1) Norfolk Cavaliers (151.6)
2) Milton Brewers (115.4)
3) New Castle Colonials (107.6)
4) Lewes Braves (107.6)
5) Baltimore Barons (107.2)
GM Notes: In what would fall into the category of "odd" news, the Georgetown Sixteens called us up and what us to take Pablo Freitas back! The kicker is they won't our starting 2B, one of our top MR and 2 prospects. We traded him away for a reason and we certainly don't want him back... One thing the Roberto Perez signing did was get the fans in an frenzy! The Fan Interest jumped 10 points to what could be the highest I have ever seen in Norfolk. I wonder how long it will stay at 99... I feel bad for Matt Hollis taking his second loss of the season and it happens becuase that is the day the team decides to take day off with the sticks... Our pitching is heating up, and we have only one "free agent" to be on the staff, that would be Elmer Hawkins. I'd like to keep him around, but at 31 and with a pluthera of young talent ready to make the jump it doesn't make sense. Then again, I have done a lot of things that don't really make sense (see Perez signing)... Just about 1/2 way through the season and everything is looking good for us (knock on wood) the young guys are playing well (Galvez, Janchez and Chambers) the pitching staff is on fire, we just need to stay healthy. This has to be one of the deepest teams in Norfolk that I have lead, and the little nagging injuries haven't been bad. Its the big ones (Will Rose 13 months) that we need to avoid.