The American Baseball League

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New York got 3 in the bottom of the 8th of a 2-2 game to take game 1 5-2. SP Tony Rostro was the POTG going 7 IP 2 H 8 K 0 ER

Brian Lundy hit a 2 out 2 strike 2 R HR in the bottom of the 6th of a 2-2 game and Detroit held on to win game one 4-2. Jon Jones (DET) was POTG going 7 IP 1 H 6 K 0 ER

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• 0-0 game into the 4th. Tighe drills a 1 out double and steals third. 1 pitch later a Providence error makes it 1-0 Rustlers.
• Anderson doubles to put runners at 2nd and 3rd and after a Nolasco K Luis Orozco drills a 2 run single to make it 3-0.
• In the 6th Tighe reaches 2nd on a Desmond throwing error. He steals 3rd and the throw goes into LF and he waltzes home. 4 pitches later Aaron Chisholm slams a 409 ft HR to left to make it 5-0.
• A Tighe error and a Larry Peet 1B put Providence on the board in the bottom of the 6th.
• In what could be enormously important news, Israel Magallon leads off with a grounder to short and Tighe makes the play but Matt Behrens comes up holding his back and has to come out.
• Early word is back tightness and it appears to be DtD for the next week.
• Vince Aspinwall comes in and shuts things down into the 9th.
• Rookie Andy Adrian draws a lead-off walk, PH Tyler Dagger flies to right before Sam Reyes draws a 1 out walk. Joe Tighe shows up once again drilling a 2-1 pitch into the left-center gap for a 2 run triple and then he scores 4 pitches later on a Chisholm ground out.
• Danny Villa comes into and gets them 1-2-3 in the 9th closing out an 8-1 game 1 win.

• Take a peek at Masuda and Lexington....In that game, 1B Myles Green (.298-37-92) suffered a lower-body injury and apparently his season is over.
• Del Bianco comes up huge for San Diego

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• Ping pong...
• Providence opens the game 2B, HR, 2B, 2B and ends the 1st up 4-0.
• In the top of the 2nd Chisholm leads off with a HR, 2 outs and then a Kucher 1B is followed by a Greg Cowan 2 R HR to make it 4-3.
• In the 3rd Nolasco doubles, Chisholm K's for out #2 and Dagger draws a walk. Mike Aasen is hit by a pitch to load them up before Kucher slaps a slow roller up the 1B line and beats it out to tie the game.
• Top of 4 a leadoff 1B by Whittaker is followed by a Luis Orozco 2 R HR making it 6-4 and ending Breger's day.
• Whittaker promptly coughs it up after a 2 out walk to the pitcher, followed by a 1st pitch 435 foot blast by Providence's Manny Lopez tying the game. 2 singles later Brad Cass comes in to get Larry Peet on a fielders choice.
• 6-6 into the 8th when Mike Aasen drills a 1 out double and Kucher follows that with a 1st pitch triple. A Cowan sacrifice fly makes it 8-6.
• Ranan Laskey retires the side in order, on 7 pitches to close out game 2.

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• Laskey almost coughs up a 4-1 lead after a 2R PH homer from Eddie Keaton. Jeff Anderson goes 3-3 with a HR and 2 RBI while rookie Andy Adrian hits a 2nd inning solo shot.
• Trevor Brooks is outstanding going 7.1 IP 6 H 8 K 1 BB.
• Some potentially devastating news out of the training room. Behrens back is more serious than initially thought and his return has been pushed to “uncertain”.

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1. Tyler Dagger's PH 3 Run HR in the 8th blows it open and Austin sweeps Providence out of the playoffs.
2. Jeff Anderson wins the series MVP hitting .455/.571/.1.091 5-11 2HR 4 RBI
3. Joe Tighe was clutch too, going 6-14 with 3 RBI.

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POST SEASON DAY 7
A stunner in Phoenix.

POST SEASON DAY 8
Going to get at least 2 game 7's.

POST SEASON DAY 9
A laugher, an expected outcome and a game 7 extra inning thriller.
Next up, Lexington.

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POST SEASON DAY 10
To sum up the Lexington squad, take a peek at this graphic. This is NOT the CL, this is the entire IBL...



Matt Behrens is going to take the ball but it will be in game 2. With the off days Austin will try and give him as big of a window as possible. Rich Whittaker will take the ball in game 1.

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• Down 2-1 entering the 9th.
• Anderson leadoff 1B
• 0-1 Run & Hit Anderson steals 2B
• Nolasco 1B Anderson beats the throw home, Nolasco takes 2B
• Orozco Intentional Walk
• Kucher Infield Fly
• Adrian on an 0-2 pitch he drives a ball down the RF line for a game-winning 3 R homer!

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In a game we could have won, should have won, we didn't. After taking 2 early leads Matt Behrens came out in the 5th and the offense, thanks to Greg Cowans 8th inning HR, tied it up. With 2 outs in the 8th Lexington sent RHH Antonio Orozco up to pinch-hit, and lefty Chris Miller stayed in the game, despite closer Ranan Laskey being warm.
Orozco slammed a game-winning 2 run home run to make the series 1-1.

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POSTSEASON DAY 13




POSTSEASON DAY 14
Xie-li Au-Yong took a no-hitter into the 8th before a Mike Aasen leadoff 2B broke it up. He came into the game having not allowed a run in 2 postseason starts. He gave up a run in the 8th but still dominated to even the series. I am not sure but I think that is the 5th or 6th post-season HR Catcher Scott Comerford has hit against us.





POSTSEASON DAY 15
Pope 7 earned 4.2 IP

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POSTSEASON DAY 16
Matt Behrens has been cleared to go. This means Rich Whittaker has to come up huge to prevent an early exit.
Lexington gets 2 in the 1st on an error and two hits. The game stays 2-0 into the 9th.
Down 2-0 into the 9th. Two quick outs before Aaron Chisholm drills a solo HR to make it 2-1. Jeff Anderson lines a single for Dave Nolasco.
And then, inexplicably, on a 2-0 pitch. Anderson gets picked off to end the series......
For the 2nd straight year catcher Scott Comerford wins the Series MVP hitting .450 3 HR 7 RBI



POSTSEASON DAY 17
A 2 out 0-2 single by Nelson Carrillo scored Nagahisa Takagi with what would prove to be the series-clinching run.
Steve Collins took home series MVP honors hitting .375/.423/.792 going 9-24 2 HR 4 RBI

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Detroit is making its 1st world series appearance since 1991, 21 years. They've never won.
Lexington is appearing in their 4th straight World series and looking to win it for the 3rd consecutive time. The 4 straight appearances tie the Denver Saints (1991-1994) in which Denver won 4 straight titles.
The Memphis Blue Sox have appeared 4 times in 5 years, winning twice.
The Dallas Texans appeared 5 times in 6 years, winning twice as well.

GAME 1
Into the 9th tied 2-2 when Detroit's Brian Lundy hits a tie-breaking 2 R HR and Steve Collins follows that 2 pitches later with a solo blast. They would need both as the Rebels got a 2 run double from Antonio Orozco but PH Kevin Cunningham and Jason Manning punched out, stranding the tying run.



GAME 2
A 1-1 game into the bottom of the 9th when October legend Scott Comerford takes a Jon Hogg 0-1 offering and hits it 408 feet to straightaway left for a walk-off game-winner.


GAME 3

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GAME 4


GAME 5
Lexington a win away from 3 straight with the likely 2012 CL Koufax winner getting the ball.
Orozco opens the scoring in a big way, drilling a 3 run homer in the top of the 4th. Detroit's Fukuzo Adachi answers with a 2 run shot in the bottom half.
Detroit wastes bases loaded 1 out opportunity in the 6th and 2nd and 3rd 1 out in the 7th before scoring 2 in the 8th to make it 5-4.
Rebels closer Charles Smith was unavailable so lefty Bob Shrader came on. A leadoff walk to Nobuhisa Abe got the blood flowing but Shrader would punch out Omar Torres on 3 pitches, then Nelson Carrillo and finally Brian Lundy to capture the Rebels 3rd straight world series championship
Lexington Rebels 1B Antonio Orozco, who was replacing star 1B Myles Green, took home World Series MVP honors going 7-18 HR 7 RBI

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• ABL NEWS:
• Ohio is sold to real estate mogul Hector Paniagua who immediately fires manager Antonio Nunez. Nunez busted on the scene in 2009, his first year managing, by taking the Philadelphia Patriots to a World Series title and winning manager of the year. 2 years later, after an 85-77 record and contract hassles, he left to sign with Ohio. This was his 1 and only season in Ohio.
• Denver fired Manager Josh Vautour. Vatour took over early in the season and the Saints were 52-72 under his leadership.
• Ft Worth fired manager Jim Loewe after 6 years at the helm. The 45-year-old had his worst season (67-95) this year and leaves Denver with a 456-516 lifetime record.
• After just one year on the job, the Pittsburgh Miners fired GM Victor Navarro. The Miners were an ABL worst 59-103.
• Providence signed 26-year-old RF Mario Luna to a 1 year 5.3 million dollar contract. Many believe that an everyday opportunity will show him to be one of the games better players. He has not gotten a full time shot anywhere since being selected 27th overall in 2004 by the NY Punishers. He was the 2001 HS Player of the year. His career slash line of .289/.357/.488 many believe is just the beginning of his talent.
• Baltimore snagged the prize arm on the free-agent market signing Jon Jones to a 7 year 82 million dollar deal. I was in on the bidding but nowhere near that AAV
• New England snagged 2012 silver slugger and all-star catcher Steve Passler from San Antonio on a 4 year 50.2 million dollar deal. Passler, 26, hit .292-32-95 in a breakout campaign last year.
• Lexington signed star 1B Myles Green to a 6 year 49.2 million dollar extension. The 31-year old hit .298-37-92 and has 306 career HR's.
• Detroit signed veteran reliever Robby Carrera to a 2 year 3 million dollar contract. Carerra is 43-57 with 153 saves in 655 IP.
• Memphis snagged for Patriot Ace CJ Clinton for 54.3 million over 7 years. The 30-year-old righty is 102-53 3.24 with 1914 K's in 1405.1 IP
• Lexington, looking to make it 4 straight apparently, inked record-setting closer, Rich Bowman, to a 3 year 11.52 million dollar free-agent deal. Bowman set the ABL single-season record with 54 saves for Providence last season. He has 271 career saves to go with 771 K's in 543 IP and a 3.48 ERA
• On the same day San Antonio took the 2nd best arm on the market. The Broncos signed 27-year-old Chris Haske to a 3 year 10.4 million dollar deal. Haske is a 4-time all-star and has amassed 209 career saves with a 3.87 ERA and 831 K's in 479.1 IP. Phoenix fans were near a riot when the news came out.
• Providence then made its own news signing 34-year-old SP Alex Serrano to a 4 year 28.8 million dollar deal. Serrano is 139-117 3.96 in his career.
• San Antonio managed to hang on to Ace Ben Sullivan by signing him to a 7 year 55.3 million dollar extension. A lot of questions around this one as last season (14-11 3.80) was both his 1st winning season in his career and the first year he's had an ERA under 4.06.
• Detroit signed 31-year-old SP Myeong-Han Jung to a 3 year 7.08 million dollar deal. Jung was 14-11 4.20 for San Francisco last season.
• San Antonio signed 35-year-old reliever Jason Knudson to a year 4.96 million dollar contract. Knudson was the 2008 Mariano Rivera award winner, a 2-time all-star, and a member of the 2009 World Champion Philadelphia club. He's 48-40 3.17 with 156 career saves. He's allowed just 499 hits in 604 IP and struck out 764 to just 228 walks.
• San Antonio signed yet another reliever by inking 30-year-old RHP Dusty Pink to a 1-year deal.
• The New York Empire signed FA starter Tommy Berger to a 5 year 23.56 million dollar contract. Berger is 97-79 3.63 in his career including 50-32 over the past 3 seasons.
• San Antonio continued their rebuild when they signed 3B Elias Delgado to a 3 year 10.4 million dollar contract. Delgado is a .238 lifetime hitter with 97 HR and 284 RBI. His best season, 2009 with Ohio, he hit .220-32-94.
• Detroit signed former Lexington Rebel reliever Victor Saucedo to a 5 year 32.5 million dollar FA contract and immediately announced he would take over as the Chargers closer in 2013. Saucedo is 36-48 4.85 with 41 career saves. He has bounced back and forth in his career making 60 starts to 208 relief appearances. He was 4-7 36 Saves in 2008 for the Bears and went into their rotation the next season and went 11-11 4.78 in 32 starts. He was a member of the last 3 Lexington teams to win the ABL World Championship
• That same day Buffalo signed SP Tim Soledad to a 2 year deal for a total of 1.88 million. Soledad was 16-9 4.78 for Dallas last season.
• Former Rustler 3B Matt Sandoval signed a 5 year 10.4 million dollar FA contract. Sandoval hit a career-low .213 last year but still managed 32 HR's and 87 RBI's. The 32-year-old is a career .254 hitter with 335 HR's and 973 RBI's. He's a 4-time all-star and 2-time Silver Slugger award winner.
• The Dallas Texans made a major announcement today. They have agreed to terms with 5-time all-star Catcher John Moffitt on a 4 year 34.7 million dollar free-agent contract. The 31-year-old Moffitt is the owner of 2 gold gloves and 2 silver sluggers. He won the 2008 PL Batting crown when he hit .369, led the PL in 2B's in his first year in LA. Last year he hit .331/.363/.463 and his 4 years in LA he went .322/.347/.438 with 165 2B and 182 RBI's.
• Brooklyn signed FA pitcher Matt Creason to a 4 year 25.3 million dollar contract. Creason was 14-13 4.24 for Montreal last season and is 46-39 4.05. The 27-year-old was the 5th overall pick in the 2004 draft and after a 2009 injury, and subsequent surgery he missed the entire 2009 and 2019 ten seasons. The Blackhearts announced he would be their opening day starter.
• The New York Empire signed 35-year-old SP Bob Mitchell to a 3 year 16.2 million dollar deal. Mitchell had his 1st winning season since 2007 last year going 13-8 3.40 for Providence.
• Across town, the New York Punishers announced they had signed former Detroit Chargers closer Karl O'Connor to a 2 year 3.04 million dollar free-agent deal. The 2008 Mariano Rivera Award winner and 2-time world champion is 67-92 3.37 with 468 career saves. He is 2nd all-time in saves in ABL history.
• Detroit announced the signing of 37-year-old P Steve Breitbarth to a 3 year 22 million dollar contract. A 2-time all-star and 2009 world champion Breitbarth has won 2 ERA titles (2.64 2008, 2.45 2010) before moving to the back end of the Philadelphia bullpen last year where he was 4-6 4.56 73 IP 63 H 89 K 18 BB.
• San Antonio signed 38-year old C Zhi-Huan Go to a 2 year 4.48 million dollar deal. Go is a career .284 hitter with 2390 hits, 535 2B 362 HR's and 1248 RBI's. Many believe he's one of the 5 best catchers to ever put the gear on.
• Providence announced the signing of 38-year-old RP Jesus Banuelos to a 2 year 5.3 million dollar deal and immediately announced that Banuelos would open their 2013 season as their closer. Career Banuelos is 76-69 181 SV 2.85 in 780 G with 1198 K's in 944 IP.
• 2 days later Providence announced the signing of former Patriot RP Kyle Kurtz to a 3 year 6.44 million dollar contract. The 30-year-old is 56-36 3.39 with 122 SV and 742 K's in 546 IP
• It's January 5th and the 3 biggest bats on the market remain unsigned. 2B Ricky Gutierrez (asking 15.1 over 8) CF Omar Torres (asking 15.1 over 7) and 1B Nick Archer (asking 10.66 over 9).
• Denver announced the signing of 1B Chris D'Agostino to a 7 year 50.4 million dollar contract. The 28-year-old former Ohio 1B is a career .267/.361/.512 hitter in 832 ABL games. In 2009, his 1st in Ohio, he hit .262-43-103. That was the only season in which he was an everyday player, starting 153 games. Since then he's never started more than 88 games. He had his best year in 2011 hitting .325/.403/.570 with 20 2B 16 HR in 127 games, 58 starts. He will become the Saints everyday 1B.
  
  
• RUSTLER NEWS:
• Josh Reardon executed his 6.8 million dollar option, as expected.
• IF Mike Aasen did not execute his 1.95 million dollar option and became a free agent.
• We did not execute the 340K option on Catcher Benny Keegan
• Owner Branden Wilson has upped our 2013 budget to 88 million dollars.
• In 2011 it was 70 million, 2012 was 85 million. We ended up making 21.2 million in profit last season.
  
  
• IT'S OFFICAL: RELIEVER LYTLE SIGNS WITH AUSTIN
• Austin officials presented their newest bullpen arm in 26-year-old Cody Lytle today. Lytle agreed to a 4 year 5.2 million dollar deal. In his career Lytle is 32-29 3.12 ERA with 140 Saves with 465 K's in 320 IP surrendering 209 H and 113 BB.
  
• BACKROOM CHATTER
• I need RH arms in my pen. This was a STEAL at this price for a 26-year-old who saved 135 games from 2008-10.
  
  
• 26-year-old SP Sam Rhoads was the 18th overall pick in the 2005 draft out of Chipola JC by the Chicago Hitmen. He rose up the prospect rankings before his 1st call-up and was acquired in a deal with Chicago that sent 2B Wally Bull north. As of today, he is 41-42 4.91 in 112 G, and 107 starts.
• He is due to hit Free Agency in 2013 and I think he has a legitimate chance to be a solid 3 or 4 on our staff next year. His agent remarked about liking the organization so much that Austin reached out. Today we agreed to a 4 year 8.2 million dollar contract extension that will begin in 2014.
  
  
• AUSTIN INKS TILEY
• The Rustlers announced the signing of 32-year-old IF Walt Tiley to a 1-year 495K free-agent contract. Tiley is said to be ecstatic at the deal.
  
• BACKROOM CHATTER
• Mike Aasen was 5 times as much from a demand standpoint and Tiley plays more positions, runs better and is almost an equal at the plate. His veteran presence will be huge in the young clubhouse and his versatility will allow for some latitude when we break camp.
  
  
• WINTER MEETINGS
• Detroit signed 34 year old P Jordan Carroll to a 3 year 11.92 million dollar deal. Carroll was 38-35 3.67 the past 3 years in San Francisco
• New England signed San Antonio SP Chad Pattison to a 3 year 3.7 million dollar deal
• Detroit signed P Justin Lohse to a 3 year 4.5 million dollar deal.
• Lexington signed 36-year old P Glenn Power to a 2 year 4.64 million dollar deal
• Mexico sent 30-year-old Yermolay Zhulyabin to the Chicago Hitmen in exchange for P prospect Dave Savarino and C prospect Justin Heidecker. Zhulyabin is 61-55 3.71 1117 K's in 994 IP including 53 wins over the last 4 seasons
• Charlotte inked 32-year-old 3B Freddy Rosales to a 5 year 24.2 million dollar contract. The former Dallas Texan (2012, 2007-2011 he was in SD) hit .246-26-91 last season.
• The LA Storm managed to keep all time HR leader Mike Murphy to a 2 year 11 million dollar deal. Murphy, with 819 career HR's, hit a career “low” 36 last year and drove in 'just' 88.
• Montreal snagged Baltimore starter Jorge Negrete to a 4 year 14.08 million dollar deal. The 26 year old is 61-60 4.03 with 1089 K's in 1039 innings. He went 15-12 3.76 for the Blackbirds last season.
• Detroit managed to sign 2012 Mariano Rivera and Rolaids award winner Hidetsugu Morimoto to a 3 year 7.2 million dollar deal. Ending the righty's 5+ year run in Brooklyn. The 29-year-old was 9-3 39 SV 2.62 last year and has 121 career saves.
• Lexington signed 38-year-old RP DJ Stevens to a 2 year 3.52 million dollar contract.
• The New York Punishers signed 31-year-old SP Allen Houppert to a 4 year 10.4 million dollar contract. Houppert is 27-29 4.64 ERA. He returns to NY where he spent 2007-2010 before being dealt to Philadelphia.
• Montreal signed SP Zach Willis to a 5 year 41 million dollar FA contract. Willis is 70-80 3.79 in his career/ The 33-year-old was 13-11 3.47 for Fort Worth last year.
• Brooklyn signed 30-year-old former LA Storm Closer Russ Martin to a 3 year 2.54 million dollar deal. Martin has 114 career saves and is 23-24 3.95
  
  
  
• RUSTLER NEWS WINTER MEETINGS
• Free-agent SP Chris Lach was one of 5 top-end starters the Rustlers spoke with at the outset of this free-agent market. All 5 were way beyond our price range but we put offers out to them all, to let them know if things weren't going their way we'd be interested at a much more palatable price.
• Chris' initial demands were 8 years at 8+ per yet.
• His agent called today and mentioned that they'd be interested in hearing from us again.
• We submitted a non-negotiable 5 year 29.1 million dollar offer sheet. We will wait and see.
• Lach was the 1st overall pick in 2006 out of Princeton. Rushed early he has never been able to right the ship. He was 10-16 4.29 last year. In 220 IP he allowed 201 H struck out 241 and walked 79. He's got all the tools to be a #1. I need a more reliable option at 4 and 5 and he would be well worth it.
• He will be 29 at the start of the season.
• All of his peripherals are workable. He gives up the long ball a bit too much (1.1 per 9) and I would like to see the BB/9 lower (3.1) but in 936 career innings, he's fanned 1064 hitters for a 10.2 K/9. His career BABIP is high to me, at .321. Our defense could impact that in a positive way.
  
  
• RUSTLERS, STORM SWAP PROSPECTS, PICKS
• The Austin Rustlers have sent 22 year old OF prospect Sean Greenwald and their 3rd and 10th round draft choices to the LA Storm for OF Prospect Marc England and the Storms 2013 3rd round draft choice.
  
  
• BACKROOM CHATTER
• A huge surplus of outfielders on the 40 man that needs paring down. Greenwald has a huge power bat, he's a switch hitter, avg defender with no opening ahead of him. We managed to move up 10 picks in round 3 and get England, a very good CF prospect who is close to ABL ready. We almost had a 3 way done but got snagged on the money.
  
  
• RULE 5 DRAFT
• We picked no one and lost no one. Just 2 players were taken overall.
  
  
• 2013 HALL OF FAME
• 3x MVP and 10x all-star Mark “Chick” Robinson was the only player elected to the ABL Hall of Fame on this year's ballot. Robinson was the 1st overall pick out of the University of Miami in 1992 by the New York Empire.
• He would go on to win 10 POTW, 8 POTM, 2 Gold Gloves, 5 silver sluggers, 10 all-star selections, and 3 world titles in his 13-year career. He was the 2003 WS MVP as he led the Providence Black Sox to a world series title.
• In all-time rankings he is:
• 37th in AVG .310
• 5th in SLG% .580
• 10th in OPS .945
• 20th in G 2085
• 16th in AB 7943
• 5th in R 1468
• 10th in H 2466
• 5th in TB 4610
• 5th in HR 537
• 4th in RBI 1451
• 5th in WAR 86.10
• He was elected with 93.3% of the vote, the highest total in ABL history.
• 4x MVP Justin Walk missed election with 71.8% of the vote.
  
  
• AUSTIN INKS STAR TO 27,800,000 DEAL
• The Rustlers and Chris Lach appeared before the Austin media today as the two sides emerged from marathon contract talks many say started 2 months ago.
• Lach, one of the games better starters, is poised to make 27.8 million over the next 5 seasons. The 1st overall pick in 2006 Lach was 10-16 4.29 last season and is 44-59 4.23 in 173 games, 133 starts. All coming with Denver. He has surpassed 215 IP the past 3 seasons and has a career 10.2 K/9.
  
  
• BACKROOM CHATTER
• The owners ask was for this team to hit more HR's. We were, much to my surprise, dead last in HR's last season. There are still 3 big bats on the market but with our budget, I don't see a deal coming unless we were to unload some salary. I love the offenses makeup, I think most of them are young and getting better so I went after something I knew would make a difference. I don't know whose spot Lach takes, but he will slot into the 3 behind Behrens and Whittaker. The deal is for a very doable 5.56 million through 2017. Lach is 28 and hails from Port Lavaca, Texas. Fan interest jumped 2 points.
• We also forfeited our 3rd round draft pick in the 2013 draft as compensation.

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• We enter the pre-season 14th in both payroll and budget. Smack dab in the middle. Fan interest is at 73. We've raised ticket prices to 17.50 (4%) and are expecting a 16+% increase in season tickets.
  
• Our 40 man roster stands at 39 players. 18 pitchers and 22 position players. The only area I am concerned about is utility infielders. We have 1, and we just signed him, and the minors are barren right now. We do have a couple of young prospects who are potentially huge assets. 20-year-old Onofredo Andriani plays all 7 IF/OF positions and all above average but he needs at-bats. He's likely starting the year in SS Hartford.
  
• Our minor league system is 12th overall with Pacio Bertrand (23rd) our highest-ranked prospect.
  
  
• ABL NEWS
• San Jose inked former Detroit Charger OF Brian Lundy to a 3 year 25.8 million dollar deal. Lundy is a career .308 hitter with 2368 hits (15th all-time) and 457 HR's (11th all-time) as well as 1378 RBI's (8th all-time) and 1257 Runs (13th all-time).

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• 2/24: Ohio signs free agent OF Chad Bibbins to a 2-year 8.8m dollar deal. He is a 4x all-star and a career .264/.339/.525 hitter with 257 HR's and 657 RBI's in 1318 career games.
• 2/28: Montreal's Zach Willis whom the Paragons signed to a 41m dollar 5-year deal this winter fractured his elbow and will miss 4-5 months.
• 3/2: The free-agent market giveth and it taketh away. Superstar 2B and former Rookie of the year and MVP Ricky Gutierrez agreed to a 1 year 11.9 million dollar deal with Charlotte today. The move comes 1 day after the Cyclones starting 2B, rookie Wyatt Garrison, ruptured his MCL and will miss the season.
• 3/3: Bronco's SS Abel Ward fractured his finger and is expected to be out until Mid-April.
• 3/7: San Francisco's Josh Graham was hurt in a collision and will be out at least the next 4 weeks.
• 3/14: Denver's 50 million dollar free agent 1B Chris D'Agostino will miss the next 6 weeks after suffering a sprained ankle.
• 3/15: Devastating news out of Lexington. 2012 Koufax winner Tomohiro Masuda will have radial nerve decompression surgery and miss the next 5 months at least. Masuda was 23-4 2.20 last year, striking out 388 hitters.
• 3/16: Former Rivera award winner turned starter and New York Punisher free agent signing this winter Anthony McLeod was diagnosed with a shoulder injury and will miss the 2013 season. The 34-year-old signed a 2 year 6m dollar deal this winter.
  
  
• AUSTIN SPRING TRAINING
• 3/10: 3B Luis Orozco has been diagnosed with a herniated disc and will be out at least the next 8 weeks.
  
  
• 3/13: AUSTIN-BUFFALO TRADE
• The Bisons and Rattlers confirmed this afternoon that a trade had been agreed upon. In the deal, Buffalo will get 35 year old OF Tyler Dagger and 21-year-old OF prospect Heishu Wada while the Bisons will ship 27 year-old IF Skyler Joshua to Austin. Joshua is a .267 career hitter and a gold glove winner at 2B in 2012. Dagger, a fan favorite, is a career .299 hitter with 276 HR's.
  
  
• BACKROOM CHATTER
• The Orozco injury exposed my weakness of any sort of IF depth. Joshua plays 2B, SS, and 3B and all well above average. He's an elite runner and a huge clubhouse asset. We also managed to save some money as we send 9.2 million in guaranteed money to Buffalo while taking on Joshua's 1.995 million dollar deal. He's eligible for arbitration this winter. Wada was an international discovery who has the potential to be an elite player.
• The Orozco injury is a big hole to fill
  
  
• 3/18: SS Joe Tighe fractured his foot and will miss 3-4 weeks. This IF injury thing is now at a critical point. I need to look at the market and bring in some veteran FA. I have no depth and now 2 of my backup IF's are pushed into the everyday lineup.
• 3/20: I reached out to former Rustler Mike Aasen and he is likely receptive to a 1-year deal. On the very same day, I did this IF Sam Reyes suffered a severe hamstring strain and will miss at least the next 5 weeks. ¾ of our opening day infield will open the season on the DL.
• 3/27: Mike Aasen agreed to a 1-year 445K deal.
  
  
• 3/27: AUSTIN DEALS POPE, GETS HASKE FROM SAN ANTONIO
• GM Curt Schilling has signed off on a trade that sends LHP Trevor Pope to the Broncos in exchange for Closer Chris Haske. Pope comes off an 11-10 4.51 season a year after going 18-5 3.35 for Austin. The 25 year old southpaw is slated to make 3.6 million this year and is arbitration eligible.
• Haske is a 4x all-star and has recorded 209 saves with a 3.87 ERA over 380 games. He has led the PL in appearances 3x and has saved 37 or more games every season since 2008.
• Haske is signed through 2015 and the 27 year old will make 3.04/3.40/3.96 over the remaining 3 seasons.
  
  
• BACKROOM CHATTER
• P prospect Victor Martinez was out of options and is a future starter. Trevor drew immense interest and when the Broncos offered Haske, the thought of a back end of Laskey, Haske and Cory Lytle was too much to pass up. Rookie Sam Rhoads will step in as the #4 starter and Travis Brooks will be the #5. I can find no takers for Brooks 7m dollar contract.
• The bullpen now features 3 big time closers. Lytle will setup with lefty Chris Miller while Haske will be the stopper, called into close and late situations from the 7th on while Laskey once again closes.
• To make room in the pen and on the 40 man RHP Brad Cass was sent to San Jose for SP Jose Hernandez and the Hawks 2013 2nd round draft pick. Cass had done all I could ask as the long man over the past 3 seasons but with the influx of power arms and the fact that Hernandez is the #33 ranked P prospect in the ABL, as well as getting a 2nd rounder this was too good to pass up.
  
  
• SPRING TRAINING ENDS
• We end the spring a division best 18-12 with 3/4ths of our starting IF on the Disabled List most of, if not all of April.
• Orozco is out 7 more weeks, Tighe at least 2 more and Reyes 3-4 weeks as well.
• Rookie Alejandro Fernandez will take over at 2B and newcomer Skyler Joshua will man the SS position while returning veteran FA Mike Aasen will play 3rd. Free agent signing Walt Tiley will be the 5th infielder and backup at all 4 spots.
  
  
• We didn't hit, all spring long. For the most part the roster was set going in but the injuries forced some moves to be made. Unable to get Reardon's contract off loaded and the desire to platoon in CF means we'll be heading west with 6 OF'ers and 5 IF'ers, not ideal.
  
  
• We did however pitch our asses off. An incredible spring across the board. Lefty Jason Lipsky, a bullpen fixture last season, will become a starter and will do that by heading to Warren.
• Vinny Martinez, a future starter, was out of options and too good to DFA, so he goes to the pen for now.
  
  

[gehrig38]

• STARTING ROTATION

1. Matt Behrens (RHP) 24 The ace and rated as the 5th best SP in the game. 37-15 2.77 with 2 All-Star appearances and a silver slugger in his 2 seasons. (5 million in 2013 arbitration eligible. Have reached out several times to talk about an extension but so far he is not interested in more than 1 year)
   
2. Rich Whittaker (RHP) 26 An Ace on most other clubs. A career-best 18-9 3.38 last season with 279 punchouts in 234.2 IP. (6.93 million this year, 2014 free agent. There will be discussions but if it gets unreasonable I will rely on the depth in the organization that's been acquired)
   
3. Chris Lach (RHP) 29 A solid addition to the rotation. In 5 seasons with a bad Denver team, he's 44-59 4.23 in 173 G 133 GS. He's fanned 1064 in 936.2 IP and his career 1.30 WHIP should continue declining (signed through 2017 at 5.56 per year (27.85 total))
   
4. Sam Rhoads (RHP) 26 “The Bull” is 41-42 4.91 lifetime in 112 games 107 starts. Drafted out of HS in 2004 by New England he did not sign, attended Chipola JC, and was taken 18th overall by Chicago in 2005 after winning JUCO pitcher of the year. Acquired at the deadline in 2011 along with C Matt Becker and a pick for SS Wally Bull. Bull has been sensational for Chicago, leading the league in hits last season with 208 and hitting .317/.351/.406 with 31 2B 11 3B 2 HR and 47-56 SB. Rhoads has all the makings to be a solid #3. He was 11-5 3.04 in 18 starts at Warren last season but struggled up here going 0-5 in 6 GS with a 6.57 ERA. He was due for arbitration and we won at 530K but he had the ability to become a FA and we signed him to a 4 year 8.2 million dollar extension. He'll start that deal in 2014. At 1.2, 1.6, 2.6 and a player option for 2.8 he is worth the money and the contract isn't burdensome if we were looking to move him.
   
5. Travis Brooks (RHP) 28 Every GM has his albatross and I hate saying it like that because Travis has done what we've asked. He's 39-44 (27-18 the past 2 seasons) since coming here. He led the Colonial League with 46 HR's given up. He's a 5th starter on a good/great team, at best. I jumped the gun in 2012 after he went 16-7 4.43 in 2011 and signed him to a 4 year 30.8 million dollar deal with year 4 being an 8m dollar player option. He's been great on and off the field but it's a contract that is overpaying by 3-4 million per year.

• BULLPEN
• Vince Aspinwall 28 (LHP) 1-3 2 SV 2.64 in 36 relief appearances last season. A 1.06 WHIP and a guy that could start if needed. (260K arbitration-eligible)
  
• Chris Haske 27 (RHP) 4-4 43 SV 3.78 ERA last year, 4x all-star. Acquired from San Antonio for SP Trevor Pope. Was with Phoenix his entire career before coming here. Led the league in appearances in 2009, 2010, and 2011. In his past 5 years, he has appeared in 68, 68, 68, 69, and 69 games. A phenomenal 15.6 K/9 in his career. In 479,1 IP he's surrendered 355 H K'd 831 to 170 BB. His one Achilles heel might be the 96 HR he's given up. He's a closer on every team in the game. We got him to be our mid to late game stopper. He's signed through 2015 at 10.4 million in total.
  
• Pat Hobart 21 (LHP) Acquired from San Jose in the deal that netted us, Andrew McGlasson. He was the 44th overall pick by the Hawks in 2010 out of Temple College. Big left-handed power arm who is actually a bit stronger vs RHH than LHH.
  
• Vinny Martinez 25 (RHP) Acquired in a 2012 trade with Memphis. A future starter who is out of options. 2-5 in 10 G, 8 GS last year with a 5.40 ERA. Reaches triple digits and has an above avg 5 pitch repertoire. Would love to stretch him out at Warren but will use him for long relief and occasional spot start if needed.
  
• Chris Miller 30 (LHP) 5-0 4 SV 2.44 ERA in 46 appearances. 55 IP 40 H 75 K 6 BB for a 0.83 WHIP (following a 0.94 WHIP in 47 games in 2011). A starter who has excelled as a left-handed arm in every bullpen role. I almost feel guilty for signing him to a 4 year 1.66 million dollar deal. That's total dollars, not annual.
  
• Cody Lytle 26 (RHP) From 2008 to 2011 Cody went 24-27 135 SV 2.68 with 418 K's in 282 IP. He became a free agent after San Antonio moved him out of the closer's role and we signed him to a 4 year 5.2 million dollar deal. Again that's TOTAL money, not annual. Along with Haske, and Laskey, this might be the most dominant 3-headed monster in the game.
  
• Ranan Laskey 28 (RHP) Acquired from Ft Worth in 2010 and then resigned that winter as a free agent Laskey has gone 13-10 110 SV 2.82 over 173 games with 272 K's in 191.1 IP. Career he has accumulated 302 saves (10th all-time) with a 2.84 ERA. Another contract that has to be seen to be believed. We signed him to a 5 year 5.8 million dollar deal. Yes, once again that's TOTAL dollars. He's a 2x all-star and has saved 30 or more games in 6 of his 9 seasons (26, 28, 28 in the other three years).
  
  
• CATCHING
• Ryan Bermudez 31 (RH) 3x Gold Glove winner and the team's most popular player. So popular in fact I've been tasked with signing him to an extension before this year ends. Acquired from Lexington in 2010 (where he had 17 plate appearances and still got his ring). In 2011 he hit .247-23-82 which was more than acceptable for the defense he brings but last year slumped to a career-low .208/.287/.378 12 HR 53 RBI year. Also ended his streak of gold gloves at 3. He's one of the team leaders and hopefully will mentor Greg Cowan as we move forward.
  
• Greg Cowan 24 (RH) A gamble that is paying off. Picked him up off waivers from Chicago in 2010 and tried to stash him on the roster. He got his shot in '11 and didn't do much with it (.219/.284/.383) but still showed the potential bat that made the claim worth taking. Last year he started 51 games and hit .261/.300/.450 with 11 HR 38 RBI's in 237 PA. He's the future backstop at just 24 with the offensive upside that could have him hitting in the middle of the order. Making 462K this year and arbitration-eligible.
  
  
• INFIELDERS
• 1B-Aaron Chisholm 24 (LH) The center of the order, the anchor of the lineup. 2011 rookie of the year and MVP he tailed off last year. Hard not to coming off a .327/.422/.623 47 HR 148 RBI year. He was still lethal, hitting 38 homers and driving in 117 with a .353 OBP. He's signed through 2020 when he agreed to an 8 year 60.7 million dollar deal with the 2020 season being a 9.46m team option (1.3m buyout).
  
• 2B-Alejandro Fernandez 21 (RH) Injuries this spring have forced this move to happen ahead of when it was planned. Struggled in a late-season call-up last year but a future star. ++ defensive skills and a 2 hole bat when all is said and done. He'll be here until we get an IF off the DL and then likely play every day at Warren.
  
• 2B SS 3B-Mike Aasen 31 (RH) Had 2 outstanding seasons here hitting .306/.356/.454 with 27 2B 14 HR and 58 RBI in 152 games, 116 starts. Let him go to look for cheaper utility options but with the injuries and him remaining unsigned late into the spring it worked out for everyone.
  
• 1B 2B 3B SS-Walt Tiley 32 (RH) signed to a 1-year deal to replace Aasen. Plays 3 of 4 IF positions well above avg. In 114 starts last year hit .276/.310/.454 with 23 2B 17 HR and 54 RBI. He and Mike Aasen's versatility is going to be huge in getting through April. They just need to NOT tank offensively.
  
• 2B 3B SS-Skyler Joshua 27 (RH) 2012 gold glove winner at 2B acquired from Buffalo for Tyler Dagger and a P prospect. This was a reaction to the market, and to the DL. He's an above-average defender at all three spots, can fly, and has 39 steals the past 3 years. Outstanding teammate and chemistry guy.
  
  
• OUTFIELDERS
• LF CF-Jeff Anderson 25 (LH) 174 G 133 GS .288/.369/.579 with 35 2B 38 HR and 82 RBI 18-27 SB. 2012 Wild Card series MVP. Part of the young nucleus whose bat will sit in the middle of the lineup for hopefully the next decade.
  
• CF-Andy Adrian 21 (LH) ABL's #30 prospect who tore it up at AAA Warren (.327/.353/.508) and held his own through limited regular-season AB's before exploding onto the scene with a tremendous postseason where he hit .294/.429/.647 with 2 game-winning HR's. He'll end his career with more than 1 gold glove in CF. Might be the best or top 3 right now defensively. Can hit anywhere in the lineup. He will start vs RHP in center with Kucher getting the lefties.
  
• CF-Jason Kucher 26 (RH) Acquired from Phoenix at the 2010 winter meetings he blew up in 2011 hitting .335/.373/.432 with 36 2B 63 RBI and 16 SB. He is a 50 steal guy on the bases. Sits well in the leadoff role, 2 hole and as a #8 hitter.
  
• LF RF-Andrew McGlasson 26 (LH) wins the 2011 rookie of the year award with one of the greatest rookie seasons in history. He hit .383/.396/.577 with 45 2B 13 3B 18 HR and a rookie record 247 hits. His .383 won the batting title. He went everywhere in 2012 after a falling out with the San Jose and we shipped a boatload of talent to the Hawks when he became available. He tore up AAA Warren but there were no roster spots in Austin. The Reardon contract has kept him from getting more opportunities.
  
• LF RF- Dave Nolasco 24 (RH) The biggest player in the game at 6'6” 265. A stud in every sense of the word. Has made the all-star team both seasons of his career. In 305 G he's a .308/.357/.503 hitter with 81 2B 45 HR 201 RBI and 15-16 SB. He was awarded 3.25m and is arbitration eligible again this winter. Multiple attempts to talk extension have gone nowhere.
  
• LF RF-Josh Reardon 31 (LH) Acquired in 2010 from Brooklyn he's done nothing but hit and is a team leader. Outstanding defensive talent at the corners and a line drive machine. He was a .320/.350/.443 hitter in his 6 years in Brooklyn. Has hit .308/.338/.414 since coming here. His contract is for 6.8 this year and he has an option for that same amount after this season which I am sure he will exercise. Has a total of 11 career HR's in 2304 plate appearances. Until last season had hit below .300 just once (.289 in 2008). He's unhappy with his role and that's understandable.

[gehrig38]

• RECORD: 2-1
• STANDINGS: 1st (Tied)
• RUNS SCORED: 12 (t-7th)
• RUNS AGAINST: 10 (4th)
• DEFENSIVE EFF: .700 (5th)
• ZONE RATING: -0.1 (10th)
• ERRORS: 1 (t-4th)
• OWNERS MOOD: Happy
• FAN INTEREST: 78
  
  
• THIS WEEK: (2-1) 2-1 @ Mexico
• 3/29: AUS 6 MEX 2
• POTG: Skyler Joshua 3-5 2 R RBI SB
• Anderson 2-3 HR R RBI Behrens 5 IP 5 H 4 K 3 BB 2 ER 100 pitches 1-2 R Pen 3 IP 2 H 2 K 0 R
• 3/30: AUS 5 MEX 4
• POTG: Jonathan Ray (MEX) 6 IP 5 H 7 K 4 R 0 ER 1-2 2B
• Whittaker ND 5.2 IP 8 H 8 K 4 R 3 ER 1-3 2B Pen 3.1 IP 6 K 0 H Haske W Laskey SV (1)
• 3/31: MEX 4 AUS 1
• POTG: Robby Fredrickson (MEX) 7 IP 9 K 5 H 1 ER ND
• 1-1 into the 8th Lach L 7.2 IP 5 H 5 K 3 ER Haske .1 IP HR 1 ER Adrian 3-4 R 2 SB
• NEXT WEEK: 3 @ Ftr Worth OFF DAY 3 @ Pittsburgh
  
  
• ABL HAPPENINGS:
• 3/29: Opening day and 2 of the game's biggest stars remain unsigned. 1B Nick Archer and OF Omar Torres have yet to get an offer they will accept.
• 3/29: John Del Bianco (DET) struck out 8, walked 1 in an opening day 2-0 win over Ohio
• 3/30: Mark Holmes (PRO) tossed a CG 2-hitter in a 7-0 win over Montreal

[gehrig38]

• RECORD: 6-3
• STANDINGS: 1st (+1)
• RUNS SCORED: 44 (t-4th)
• RUNS AGAINST: 29 (2nd)
• DEFENSIVE EFF: .732 (2nd)
• ZONE RATING: -1.0 (11th)
• ERRORS: 8 (t-11th)
• OWNERS MOOD: Happy
• FAN INTEREST: 79
  
  
• THIS WEEK: (4-2) 2-1 @ Ft Worth 2-1 @ Pittsburgh
• 4/1: AUS 5 FW 3
• POTG: Pete Cox (FW) 3-3 HR R 3 RBI
• Rhoads W 6 IP 5 H 4 K 4 BB 3 ER Pen 3 IP 1 H 4 K 1 BB Joshua 2-3 2B R 3 RBI 2 BB Cowan 2-2 2B R
• 4/2: AUS 5 FW 4
• POTG: Dave Nolasco 2-4 HR (1) 2 R 2 RBI
• Brooks W (1-0) 6 IP 5 H 2 ER 8 K 0 BB Pen 3 IP 1 H 1 ER 6 K Haske H (1) Laskey SV (3)
• 4/3: FW 8 AUS 6
• POTG: Dustin Fahey (FW) 2-3 2 HR 6 RBI 2 3R HR's
• Behrens L (1-1) 5.1 IP 10 H 6 ER Nolasco 3-5 2B HR 2 R RBI Adrian 2-5 2 2B 2 RBI McGlasson 2-4 HR 3 RBI CS
• 4/4: OFF DAY
• 4/5: PIT 2 AUS 1 (13)
• POTG: John Mullen (PIT) 8.2 IP 6 H 7 K 1 ER
• Whittaker 7 IP 2 H 7 K 0 BB 1 ER Pen 5 IP 3 H 6 K 3 BB 1 ER Miller L (0-1)
• 4/6: AUS 8 PIT 1
• POTG: Chris Lach W (1-1) CG 10 K 4 H 0 ER
• Joshua 4-5 2 R Chisholm 3-5 HR 2 R 3 RBI McGlasson 3-5 3B RBI
• 4/7: AUS 7 PIT 1
• POTG: Sam Rhoads W (2-0) CG 2 H 6 K 1 ER 2-4
• Nolasco 3-5 HR (3) RBI Chisholm 2-3 HR (2) 2 RBI Anderson 3-5 2B R RBI
• NEXT WEEK: OFF DAY 3 vs Lexington 3 vs San Antonio
  
  
• ABL HAPPENINGS:
• 4/2: Houston and Chicago both made splashes today. The Hitmen signed star CF Omar Torres to a 1 year 6.3 million dollar deal while the Roughriders signed 1B Nick Archer to a 1 year 5.2 million dollar deal. Both players were seeking upwards of 18m a year when free agency began last winter.
• 4/2: Kevin Flores (NE) threw a CG 3-hitter to beat Buffalo 1-0. He struck out 5 and walked 1.
• 4/3: Seung-Hyeon Kim went 5-6 2B 3B 2 RBI in the Patriots 10-4 win over Buffalo
• 4/3: Jorge Negrete (MON) scattered 10 hits en route to a CG 4-0 win over the New York Empire
• 4/5: Former Rustler Brad Cass (SJ) scattered 10 hits as well in a 5-0 win over San Diego. He's 2-0 1.59
• 4/7: Kenny Fairweather (HOU) allowed just 3 hits, fanning 7 in a 7-0 win over the New York Empire
  
  
• RUSTLER NEWS:
• 4/3: AUSTIN NETS 2 IN PAIR OF DEALS
• The Austin Rustlers have announced two separate trades today. In the 1st deal RP Danny Villa was sent to the NY Empire in exchange for 27-year-old IF Brett Larkin.
• The Rustlers then turned around and sent young 2B Alejandro Fernandez and their 2013 3rd round pick to NY as well, but this time it was the Punishers on the receiving end of the deal. New York sent 21 year old OF prospect Travis Lawrence and their 2013 2nd rounder back to Austin.
  
  
• BACKROOM CHATTER
• The mess in the infield was not being helped by Alejandro's .182 average, even though it was just 6 games in. Larkin is 27 and a solid middle IF who will start at 2B. Something went awry with Danny Villa, showing up out of shape and watching his velocity, once a mid to upper 90s guy, struggle to hit 90. We had DFA'd him at the end of camp and didn't think anyone would be interested, but they were and it was a deal I couldn't complete fast enough.
• Larkin was brought in to play 2nd and that made Fernandez potentially a trade piece. He is going to be a very good player and very soon but when the Punishers offered the 21-year-old Lawrence (who is the IBL's #30 prospect) and their 2nd pick I had to pull the trigger. Lawrence will head to Class A Salt Lake.
• Come to find out the Punishers star 2B Dennis Montanez was diagnosed with a torn hamstring on the day of this trade and before anyone was aware they had acquired Fernandez from us. Montanez is expected to miss at least 7 weeks.
  
  
• 4/4: HA! I seemed to have made an error inputting modifiers for Class A. How do I know? Salt Lake City scored 44 runs in the bottom of the 9th to win 190 to 189 over the Beaumont Mocs..... 3B Pat Bonaiceti went 20-20 20 R 27 RBI with 20 2B's!! The Bengals scored 190 runs on 101 hits and 99 RBI's. I fixed the errors and thankfully it was the only minor league opening today but I will need to keep an eye on who wins POTM
  
  
• PATRIOT LEAGUE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Abdul-Muta'al Rhodes (PHI) 9-27 5 HR 8 RBI
• COLONIAL LEAGUE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Kurt Matlock (HOU) 11-18 4 HR 8 RBI