The Pastime Baseball League

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League - Baseball Bi-Weekly

Vol. 1, Monday April 6, 2009

The PBL season got underway with a series of exciting affairs...six games on Opening Day, four of those one-run affairs and two heading into extra innings.

Louisville Racers 9 - Chicago Hitmen 3
The Louisville Racers hammered the Chicago Hitmen on Opening Day, scoring four runs in the first of Chicago starter George Bradley and never looking back en route to an emphatic 9-3 victory. Backed by 8 strong innings from Roy Oswalt and a 19-hit attack, the Racers saw their top three hitters of Herman Long, David DeJesus and Dan Brouthers go a combined 9-for-15 with 6 runs scored. Chicago starter George Bradley was rocked for 6 hits and 5 runs - 4 earned - over 2 innings. The Hitmen made three errors on the day. Albert Pujols homered and drove in all three of Chicago's runs.

Sacramento Stingers 2 - Philadelphia Ringers 1 (11 innings)
That a game that was pitched as well as this one was ended on a bases loaded walk seems almost unfair. Yet, that's what transpired Opening Day in Sacramento. Philadelphia starter Satchel Paige was strong, scattering seven hits over six innings, striking out 10 and allowing only one run - a third-inning homer from Ginger Beaumont. But Paige was matched, and then some, by Sacramento starter Jim Devlin, who went 9 innings of 1-run ball, surrendering only an RBI single to Bid McPhee in the 5th. But Micah Owings would walk Beaumont on a 3-1 slider with two out in the 11th to score Sam Bankhead, whom he had hit to lead off the inning.

Indianapolis Racers 4 - Charlotte Cougars 3
Indianapolis starter Charlie Buffinton outdueled Charlotte's Tim Keefe, and a spotty bullpen held on to close it out as the Racers opened the season with a 4-3 win. The Cougars struck in the first when Austin Kearns tripled with one out and the next batter, Paul Hines, smacked a grounder to short that the Racers' Hanley Ramirez booted. Kearns scored, but the Racers would dent Keefe for three in the top of the second when they batted around, the big blow being a Harry Steinfeldt triple to drive in two. Nonetheless, the Racers felt they missed a chance, as they left the bases loaded to end the inning when Billy Hamilton popped up to short. The Cougars would score again in the bottom of the second when John McGraw tripled home Bill Dahlen - the game's third triple. But the score would stay deadlocked until the sixth, when Hanley Ramirez would double, steal third and score on a Jake Beckley groundout. Clint Barmes would triple - yes, another one - off Indianapolis closer Joakim Soria to drive in Dahlen with two out in the ninth, but Tommy Tucker would fly out to end it.

Las Vegas Bosses 4 - Alabama Airmen 3 (10 innings)
The Las Vegas Bosses jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead after two in the Opening Day matchup against the Alabama Airmen before watching their lead vanish when the Airmen rallied for two in the ninth off Scott Stewart, before Vegas scratched a run home in the 10th for the 5-4 victory. Grant "Home Run" Johnson and Jimmy Ryan each drove in two for Vegas - Ryan's last a two-out seeing-eye single off Brendan Donnelly in the 10th to score Corey Hart from second. George Van Haltren homered for Alabama, which saw Dan Uggla and Nick Swisher drive in the other runs.

Memphis Strummers 5 - Arizona Sandmen 3
Memphis got a strong start out of Tim Lincecum and took advantage of four Arizona errors in what Sandmen manager Patsy Tebeau called a "hideous" display. The Strummers saw Ichiro Suzuki and Oscar Charleston reach on back-to-back errors in the first. The pair pulled off a double steal then scored on a Deacon White single. Nap Lajoie hit an RBI single to score Pee Wee Butts in the bottom of the first, and Lajoie would score in the third on a Pete Hill single to make it 2-2. But Memphis would rack up four hits in the 4th, including back-to-back doubles from White and Bobby Wallace, to plate three more. Willie Keeler and Jose Reyes would double back-to-back to start off the bottom of the fourth, but the scoring would end there as Lincecum would buckle down and Dick McBride would throw two scoreless innings in relief to end it.

Los Angeles Idols 6 - Orlando Orcas 5
Billy Rhines threw eight strong innings and helped himself with a 2-run double as the Idols built a 6-0 lead and hung on late to win despite the Orcas' late surge. George Scales, Benjamin Boyd, Harry Stovey and Cal McVey each had two hits - one of Boyd's a solo homer - on the offensive side for the Idols. Ryan Howard and Sam Crawford had two hits apiece for Orlando, including Crawford's first homer of the year, and an Otto Krueger error almost doomed the Idols in the ninth, allowing two unearned runs to score off Mark Buehrle. But after Howard's 2-run single, Crawford flied out on the first pitch to end it with two runners on in the top of the 9th.

Trade Winds Blow For First Time
The PBL saw its first trade, on the heels of Opening Day, as the Indanapolis Engines traded reserve outfielder Lip Pike and utility man Alberto Callaspo to the Las Vegas Bosses for catcher Ossie Schreckengost. While Duke Farrell is seen as a slightly better defensive player than the newcomer, Schreckengost is seen as a significant offensive upgrade. Pike is a powerful lefthanded bat and is seen as playing against righties in the Vegas lineup. Callaspo will sit on the reserve squad for now, but offers some roster flexibility in the event of an injury.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League - Baseball Bi-Weekly
Vol. 1, Monday April 6, 2009 (cont.)

Scheduling held up a couple of teams from starting their seasons.

New York Heroes 4 - Wichita Brigade 2
New York catcher Dick Higham backed starter Harry Howell with four hits and three RBI in the belated Friday opener for these two clubs, as the Heroes scored two in the top of the ninth to earn the victory. Howell gave up 2 runs over 7 innings of work, and was matched step for step by Wichita's Jack Powell, who surrendered 2 runs over 7 2/3 innings -throwing 145 pitches in the process. But Josh Fogg and Heroes closer Jonathan Papelbon outpitched Wichita reliever Chad Cordero, who gave up two in the top of the 9th, when he surrendered a 2-out, 2-run double to Higham to give the Heroes a 4-2 lead for Papelbon to ultimately close out.

New Orleans Knights 2 - San Antonio Sheriffs 1
The last two teams to start their seasons, the byproduct of a 2-game series to open things, New Orleans and San Antonio met Saturday in a classic pitcher's duel, as the much heralded #1 draft choice Noodles Hahn threw 8 shutout innings, only to watch closer Hideki Okajima cough it up by surrendering a two-out, two-run walk-off double to Evan Longoria. The young third-baseman's hit gave the complete game victory to Doc McJames, who surrendered 4 hits and one run over the distance.

Wrapping up the Opening Weekend

Louisville takes 3 of 4 from Chicago
Sacramento sweeps 2-game set from Philadelphia
Indianapolis and Charlotte split a 4-game set
New York takes 2 of 3 from Wichita

Las Vegas takes 3 of 4 from Alabama
Memphis takes 3 of 4 from Arizona
Orlando takes 3 of 4 from Los Angeles
New Orleans and San Antonio split a 2-game set

Performance of the Opening Weekend
After homering on Opening Day, Sacramento's Ginger Beaumont goes 5-for-5 with a double, 2 homers, 3 runs and 4 RBI in the Friday night tilt against Philadelphia.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Above was the first edition of the PBL Bi-Weekly. Of course, it really just included the first weekend of games in the PBL, as I wanted an Opening Day edition to itself pretty much. But basically I will be doing league updates via editions of PBL Bi-Weekly as it says - every two weeks of gametime.

The next edition will be under way shortly. Please feel free to offer up suggestions as to what you would like to see included in the writeups, or if you just a question about a specific team or player. I love talking baseball of any kind, so I'll be glad to detail whatever will keep the readers coming back

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League – Baseball Bi-Weekly
Vol. 2, Monday, April 20, 2009

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League – Baseball Bi-Weekly
Vol. 2, Monday, April 20, 2009 (cont.)

Northern League Leaders

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League – Baseball Bi-Weekly
Vol. 2, Monday, April 20, 2009 (cont.)

Southern League Leaders

[kenyan_cheena]

Damn, those Hitmen are a little slow out of the blocks.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Originally Posted by kenyan_cheena

Damn, those Hitmen are a little slow out of the blocks.

Yeah, and 11 of those first 15 were at home. Bullpen's been strong, but the lineup - other than King Kelly and Albert Pujols - have stunk, and Cy Young is the only starter throwing well. They also have ZERO team speed.

Still, I expect them to be in the battle at the end.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League – Baseball Bi-Weekly
Vol. 2, Monday, April 20, 2009 (cont.)

Northern League Profiles


Record: Last 2 Weeks (9-2), Overall 11-4

2-Week Synopsis: Win 3 of 4 at Louisville, Sweep 2 at Alabama, Sweep 2 vs Memphis, Win 2 of 3 at Wichita

Leaders:
Avg - John McGraw .348
HRs - Paul Hines 5
RBIs - Paul Hines 13

Wins - Kid Nichols 3
ERA - Tim Keefe 1.91
Ks - Kid Nichols 30

Top Performance: Tim Keefe threw a 4-hit shutout against Alabama in a 1-0 Cougars victory.

Round Trip (Four miscallaneous points about the team):
1) The Cougars have drawn 46 walks as a team. John McGraw has drawn 13 of them.
2) Charlotte has also hit only 8 home runs thus far, 5 of them coming off the bat of Paul Hines
3) Young Matt Cain has been strong out of the bullpen, appearing in 6 games so far and coming away with 2 wins and 3 saves.
4) J.P. Howell appeared in his first game after being out since March 27 with a sore shoulder, and gave up 3 hits and a run in an inning of work at Wichita on April 19.


Record: Last 2 Weeks (4-7), Overall 5-10

2-Week Synopsis: Lose 3 of 4 vs Indianapolis, Split 2 vs Arizona, Sweep 2 vs Las Vegas, Lose all 3 vs Philadelphia

Leaders:
Avg - King Kelly .352
HRs - Albert Pujols 3
RBIs - Albert Pujols 12

Wins - Cy Young 2
ERA - Cy Young 3.03
Ks - George Bradley 17

Top Performance: Albert Pujols had two hits, a homer and 3 RBI against Philadelphia - capping a 5-game RBI stretch.

Round Trip (Four miscallaneous points about the team):
1) The Hitmen have yet to steal a base through 15 games. In fact, the team is so lacking speed that manager Joe McCarthy has only attempted two steals all season.
2) King Kelly's team-leading average of .352 is higher than the team's slugging percentage, .347.
3) The Hitmen have allowed 10 homers all year. George Bradley has surrendered 5 of them.
4) TheHitmen have scored the fewest runs in the Northern League (48) despite having the most extra-base hits of any team (42).

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League – Baseball Bi-Weekly
Vol. 2, Monday, April 20, 2009 (cont.)

Northern League Profiles


Record: Last 2 Weeks (6-5), Overall 8-7

2-Week Synopsis: Win 3 of 4 at Chicago, Sweep 2 at Las Vegas, Split 2 vs Arizona, Swept in 3 by New York

Leaders:
Avg - Jake Beckley, Billy Hamilton .371
HRs - Abner Dalrymple, Ossie Schreckengost 2
RBIs - Elmer Flick 11

Wins - Charlie Buffinton, Jack Taylor, Pud Galvin 2
ERA - Pud Galvin 1.38
Ks - Charlie Buffinton 23

Top Performance: Pud Galvin threw a 6-hit shutout against Chicago in a 7-0 Engines victory.

Round Trip (Four miscallaneous points about the team):
1) Abner Dalrymple won Northern League Player of the Week honors for the week ending April 12. Dalrymple hit .458 with a homer, 6 RBI and 3 runs scored.
2) Second baseman Akinori Iwamura is hitting only .220, with 9 hits so far, but ad 4 of them in one game, an 8-4 loss against New York on April 18.
3) 1.38, 2.61, 2.92, 3.13 and 4.05. Those are the ERAs of Indianapolis' 5 starters, respectively Pud Galvin, Charlie Buffinton, Jack Taylor, Terry Larkin and Victor Zambrano
4) Closer Joakim Soria has three saves, but has allowed runs in 3 of his first 5 outings.


Record: Last 2 Weeks (4-7), Overall 7-8

2-Week Synopsis: Lose 3 of 4 vs Charlotte, Split 2 at Memphis, Split 2 vs Alabama, Lose 2 of 3 at Sacramento

Leaders:
Avg - Roy Thomas .442
HRs - Dan Brouthers 4
RBIs - Dan Brouthers/Hardy Richardson 15

Wins - Roy Oswalt 3
ERA - Roy Oswalt 2.73
Ks - Roy Oswalt 25

Top Performance: Dan Brouthers went 3-for-3 with two homers, 3 RBI, 3 runs and a walk in a 5-4 win over Sacramento on April 17th.

Injuries: Edinson Volquez was diagnosed with shoulder soreness on April 15 and will be shelved for 3 weeks.

Round Trip (Four miscallaneous points about the team):
1) Shawn Chacon has been activated and will take Edinson Volquez's rotation spot while he's on the DL.
2) If Chacon pitches well, he may stick, as Will White could be on his way out. White is 0-4 with a 6.31 ERA, and has allowed 40 hits in 25 2/3 innings. With his 10 walks, his WHIP is 1.99.
3) A formula for leading the league in runs (75): Be first in batting average (.297), extra-base hits (42) AND first walks (69).
4) Roy Oswalt has thrown 8 or more innings in all four starts, but his only complete game was his only loss, a 5-1 defeat against Charlotte.

[glenn]

I like the format so far. I've spent too much time looking over the rosters, and I'm still torn between the hometown Philly team, and Memphis, who has a really cool logo by the way, although that isn't why I'm rooting for them. Maybe I'll just pull for a Memphis-Philly championship for now.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Originally Posted by glenn

I like the format so far. I've spent too much time looking over the rosters, and I'm still torn between the hometown Philly team, and Memphis, who has a really cool logo by the way, although that isn't why I'm rooting for them. Maybe I'll just pull for a Memphis-Philly championship for now.

Thanks. Liking the way this format is working as well. Basically harkening back to my old days of reading Baseball Weekly on the train home from work. Hope to get all the important info in there in a readable, quick glance fashion.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League – Baseball Bi-Weekly
Vol. 2, Monday, April 20, 2009 (cont.)

Northern League Profiles


Record: Last 2 Weeks (5-4), Overall 7-5

2-Week Synopsis: Swept in 2 by Philadelphia, Sweep 2 vs New Orleans, Swept in 2 by Orlando, Swept 3 at Indianapolis

Leaders:
Avg - Fielder Jones.406
HRs - Jesse Burkett, Roger Connor 2
RBIs - Roger Connor 9

Wins - Jim McCormick 3
ERA - Jim McCormick 0.36
Ks - Harry Howell 18

Top Performance: Jim McCormick threw a complete-game 5-hit shutout in an 8-0 drubbing of New Orleans.

Round Trip (Four miscallaneous points about the team):
1) In the Heroes' first 12 games, their infield has made only one error (by SS Ed McKean).
2) Closer Jonathan Papelbon has been nearly perfect in his first four outings, surrendering no hits and allowing only one walk in picking up three saves.
3) Grady Sizemore has struggled so far, batting .176 with no extra base hits. But manager Pat Moran is optimistic because of Sizemore's 10 walks, giving him a solid .364 OBP.
4) Bill Drake could be in the bullpen or on the reserve squad shortly. He has been shelled in both starts so far, posting an even 10 ERA so far.



Record: Last 2 Weeks (7-2), Overall 7-4

2-Week Synopsis: Sweep 2 vs New York, Sweep 2 vs Orlando, Swept in 2 by New Orleans, Sweep 3 at Chicago

Leaders:
Avg - John Anderson, Pete Gillespie .333
HRs - John O'Rourke 5
RBIs - John O'Rourke 13

Wins - Satchel Paige, Old Hoss Radbourn, Bill Duggleby 2
ERA - Satchel Paige 1.57
Ks - Satchel Paige 39

Top Performance: Satchel Paige struck out 14 over 8 2/3 in an 11-inning 4-3 win over Orlando on April 12. Paige's 14 Ks are a PBL high to date.

Round Trip (Four miscallaneous points about the team):
1) Strange scheduling to open the year meant the Ringers functioned much of the first 2 1/2 weeks with three starters. Having only 11 games to this point, Satchel Paige and Old Hoss Radbourn have each started four times, with Bill Duggleby starting twice. Red Donohue has the team's only other start.
2) John O'Rourke has a pair of two-homer games already. He burned New York twice on April 7 at home, then ventured to do the same in Chicago on April 17. In those two games, O'Rourke went a combined 7-for-8, with 4 homers and 9 RBI. For the rest of the year, he's gone 4-for-30 with a homer and 6 RBI.
3) Seven players have homered in the team's first 11 games.
4) After giving up 4 hits and 4 runs in a third of an inning on April 3, reliever Jeff Francis was given 9 days off before he was used again. It helped...marginally, as Francis gave up 2 runs over an inning of work on April 14.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Wow...the New York Heroes banner came across like crap. But that's who the top team is in the last post

[kenyan_cheena]

Originally Posted by EMSoccerCoach

Wow...the New York Heroes banner came across like crap. But that's who the top team is in the last post

Maybe try it with the letters black.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Originally Posted by kenyan_cheena

Maybe try it with the letters black.

Yeah, just stripped the banner using their team colors, but the silver doesn't transfer so well. Maybe I'll use a dark grey...close enough

[EMSoccerCoach]

It's funny....I thought today of doing my random generator and learning which time period the next draft class will come from, but stopped myself. I want to be surprised, so I decided to wait. I want to focus on the season going on instead of getting myself excited about next year, and I fear a particularly stellar draft class would do that.

[kenyan_cheena]

Originally Posted by EMSoccerCoach

It's funny....I thought today of doing my random generator and learning which time period the next draft class will come from, but stopped myself. I want to be surprised, so I decided to wait. I want to focus on the season going on instead of getting myself excited about next year, and I fear a particularly stellar draft class would do that.

I did something similar recently in my 1958 and beyond dynasty. I haven't finished chronicling June yet but I wanted to see what happened in July, so I recorded the end of June standings and some stats and simmed July. Now the season is a month and a half ahead of where I am in the thread. I guess the fact that I was on holiday overseas all through January had something to do with it.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League – Baseball Bi-Weekly
Vol. 2, Monday, April 20, 2009 (cont.)

Northern League Profiles


Record: Last 2 Weeks (4-7), Overall 6-7

2-Week Synopsis: Lost 3 of 4 at Wichita, Split 2 at Los Angeles, Swept in 3 by San Antonio, Swept 2 vs Louisville

Leaders:
Avg - Ginger Beaumont .377
HRs - Ginger Beaumont 4
RBIs - Ginger Beaumont 11

Wins - Jim Devlin 2
ERA - Guy Hecker 2.57
Ks - Jim Devlin 27

Top Performance: Guy Hecker gave up 1 run on 3 hits over 8 innings, striking out 9 in a 4-2 12 inning win over San Antonio on April 15.

Round Trip (Four miscallaneous points about the team):
1) The PBL has seen two 5-hit games thus far, both of them from Sacramento. Ginger Beaumont did it April 3, and Arlie Latham repeated the feat on April 7.
2) The Stingers currently boast the Northern League's best bullpen, putting forth a 2.83 ERA in the early going. J.J. Putz has been perfect in the setup role, while closer Brad Lidge and middle-men Jesse Duryea and Adam Eaton have also excelled.
3) Besides his 5-hit game, Arlie Latham is 4-for-39 (.103)
4) Cole Hamels has made 3 starts, losing each, and posting a 7.27 ERA.



Record: Last 2 Weeks (7-4), Overall 8-6

2-Week Synopsis: Won 3 of 4 vs Sacramento, Split 2 at San Antonio, Swept 2 vs Los Angeles, Lost 2 of 3 vs Charlotte

Leaders:
Avg - Spotswood Poles .333
HRs - Spotswood Poles 2
RBIs - Spotswood Poles 9

Wins - Jay Hughes, Brandon Medders 2
ERA - Jack Powell 2.28
Ks - Jay Hughes, Rube Waddell 27

Top Performance: Jay Hughes threw a complete game, allowing 1 run on 4 hits, striking out 11 in a 4-1 win over Sacramento on April 12.

Injuries: Cherokee Davis was injured in a car accident at the end of spring training. He is eligible to come off the DL, but is expected to need another 2 weeks for his knee to be ready for action. Shea Hillenbrand is ill with an unspecified virus. He was put on the 15-day DL yesterday.

Round Trip (Four miscallaneous points about the team):
1) Spotswood Poles won Northern League Player of the Week last week, going 9-for-17 (.529) with 2 homers and 8 RBI.
2) Elton Chamberlain's 9.00 ERA skews the number a bit, but Wichita's rotation has been exceptional. Jack Howell (2.28), Jonas Gaines (2.63), Jay Hughes (2.84) and Rube Waddell (3.38) have done a great job.
3) Reports indicate Al Orth will replace Chamberlain in the rotation.
4) The Brigade lead the Northern League in steals with 21. Eight different players have already stolen a base.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League – Baseball Bi-Weekly
Vol. 2, Monday, April 20, 2009 (cont.)

Southern League Profiles


Record: Last 2 Weeks (3-8), Overall 4-11

2-Week Synopsis: Swept in 4 vs Memphis, Swept in 2 vs Charlotte, Split 2 at Louisville, Won 2 of 3 vs San Antonio
Leaders:
Avg - Joe Mauer .400
HRs - Joe Mauer 5
RBIs - George Van Haltren 12

Wins - Vic Willis 2
ERA - Vic Willis 2.23
Ks - Vic Willis 36

Top Performance: Vic Willis threw complete game 6-hitter, allowing 1 unearned run while striking out 11 in a 7-1 win over San Antonioon April 19. >>
>>
Injuries: Bobby Lowe was injured March 27, tearing a ligament in his thumb. He's expected to be out until mid-June.

Round Trip (Four miscallaneous points about the team):
1) The injury to Lowe has forced Dan Uggla into the second base role and he's struggling mightily so far, batting .209 with no homers and 4 RBI.>>
2) Joe Mauer’s power production has been an unexpected surprise. Considered more of a gap hitter, Mauer went homerless in 81 spring at bats but has banged out 5 bombs in the early going. “I’m waiting for my pitch and getting it,” Mauer said, an approach shown by his 10 walks compared with only 6 strikeouts.
3) Despite Mauer’s approach, the Airmen are last in the Southern League with 33 walks, meaning he has nearly a third of the team’s total.
4) Besides young C.C. Sabathia’s scoreless work out of the bullpen, the Airmen have largely been atrocious out of the pen. Brendan Donnelly, George Haddock and Ted Breitenstein have all disappointed early, sabotaging a starting rotation’s 3.11 ERA (2^nd in the Southern League) with a 5.53 ERA out of the pen.



Record: Last 2 Weeks (7-4), Overall 8-7

2-Week Synopsis: Won 3 of 4 at Las Vegas, Split 2 at Chicago, Split 2 at Indianapolis, Won 2 of 3 at Orlando

Leaders:
Avg – Nap Lajoie .364
HRs – Nap Lajoie, Pete Hill 2
RBIs – Nap Lajoie 13

Wins – Ben Sanders 3
ERA – Clark Griffith 1.46
Ks – Ben Sanders 18

Top Performance: Clark Griffith threw a complete game, allowing 1 run on 4 hits and striking out 6 in an 8-1 win at Las Vegas on April 10.

Injuries: The Sandmen have been hit early by the injury bug. Pete Hill is the least of the concerns, as he’s fighting a sore shoulder but for now is hoping to stay in the lineip. Alex Cintron, who was having a torrid spring, hitting .400, went down March 23 with a strained MCL. He is not expected back until at least early June. On April 19, reliever Mike Koplove left the game with what ended up being a mild hamstring strain. The Sandmen placed him on the 15-day DL.

Round Trip (Four miscallaneous points about the team):
1) The loss of Mike Koplove impacts a bullpen that is tops in the Southern League. Koplove has thrown 6 scoreless innings in the early going, leading a bullpen that has posted a 2.19 ERA so far.
2) Bronson Arroyo was called up from the reserve squad to take Koplove’s spot. He made an appearance his first day, giving up 1 run over 5 innings in relief of Cherokee Fisher, who was touched for 5 runs in the second of a 6-3 loss at Orlando.
3) Besides Fisher, the rotation has been strong. Clark Griffith (1.46), Ben Sanders (2.45), Dan Casey (3.24) and Nick Altrock (3.57) have paced the Southern League’s third best staff.
4) Arizona’s performed well on the road, where they have been the last two weeks, a road trip that ends with a four-game set in San Antonio. Then the Sandmen return home for an 11-game homestand. >>
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