Millennial League Baseball, est. 2001

[Questdog]

Saturday, May 26, 2001

P Frank Cook (35-R) was sent to Daytona (A) and P Tom Betke (25-R) was recalled. Betke made one start for us earlier in the season and it was not good, but it was better than Cook has been doing in May. Betke was 1-7 with a 4.50 ERA for the Tortugas.

Our offense is horrible, but I think we need to go all-in on starting pitchers come January when the Draft arrives. We have zero right now that we can count on to be even mediocre next season....

Jacksonville Jays (15-32 .319 14.5 GB in 8th (last) place in the Southern Division) at
Buffalo Bombers (23-25 .479 6.5 GB in 4th place in the Northern Division)

JAX: Marco Gonzalez (26-R) (1-2 2.91 ERA 34 IP, 33 H, 0 HR, 14 BB, 18 SO) vs.
BUF: Matt Nielson (31-L) (3-4 4.44 ERA 48.2 IP, 48 H, 4 HR, 14 BB, 31 SO)

Gonzalez gave up 3 runs on 10 hits and 2 walks in 8+ innings last time out in his first win. He would seem to be due for an ERA correction...

Nielson has lost 3 of his last 4 starts with 2 shellings and a shutout. He is pitching with a strained oblique, but he is a lefty and that should be enough to carry him through against us.

Lineups: Pos Name (Age-Bats BA-AB-HR-RBI-OPS-SB DEF)
JACKSONVILLE
1: SS Leander Gooding (30-R .250-120-0-10-.617-1 B)
2: LF Cal Doty (24-L .272-173-1-18-.693-8 B+)
3: 3B Brian Porter (33-S .265-166-1-17-.675-0 C+)
4: 1B Ismael Gonzales (33-R .256-39-1-5-.679-0 D+)
5: RF Mike Volkman (33-L .394-71-1-15-.962-0 D+)
6: C Garrett Bender (27-R .314-51-2-8-.867-0 B+)
7: 2B Frank Roadman (26-R .197-137-3-12-.556-8 B)
8: CF Danny Stewart (30-L .193-57-0-6-.492-1 C+)
9: P Marco Gonzalez (26-R .125-8-0-0-.250-0 F)

BUFFALO
1: 2B Dan Faust (31-R .286-168-1-14-.691-10 B)
2: CF Tom Hamm (31-R .407-194-5-24-1.027-22 C+)
3: LF Mickey Lynn (28-L .301-183-16-40-.985-3 B)
4: RF Ivan Moreno (29-L .179-162-8-28-.637-0 C)
5: 1B Frank Cohen (25-R .361-119-4-16-.953-3 C+)
6: 3B David Rodriguez (29-R .232-82-4-10-.745-0 C)
7: SS Dave Lloyd (28-R .288-153-5-15-.803-0 C+)
8: C Phil Ebel (34-R .273-121-2-8-.768-1 B)
9: P Matt Nielson (31-L .056-18-0-0-.161-0 F) Strained oblique

Game Start: 7:05 PM
Ballpark: Sportsman's Park
Weather: 61 F, Overcast, with an 11 MPH wind blowing out to left
Attendance: 9,815

Top of the First:
Leander Gooding lines a hit to right. He steals 2nd. Cal Doty lines out to short and they double Gooding off at 2nd... Brian Porter strikes out...

Bottom of the First:
Dan Faust swings at the first pitch and pops out to left. Tom Hamm swings at the first pitch and pops out to short. Mickey Lynn does not swing at anything and walks on 4 pitches. Ivan Moreno, his tired arm not tired anymore, strikes out looking!

Bottom of the Third:
P Matt Nielsen grounds the first Bomber hit to right and is bunted to 2nd by Dan Faust. With 2 outs, Mickey Lynn hits a home run to right... 2 to 0, Bombers. That is his 17th home run of the season. We have 18 as a team....

Top of the Fourth:
Cal Doty and Brian Porter lead off with back to back hits. Ismael Gonzales grounds into a 5-4-3 double play and Doty goes to 3rd. Mike Volkman swings at the first pitch and lines a double to left and Doty scores! 2 to 1, Bombers.

Bottom of the Fourth:
With 1 out, Phil Ebel hits a home run to left... 3 to 1, Bombers.

Top of the Fifth:
Frank Roadman grounds one to short, but Dave Lloyd throws the ball away for a 2 base error. But the next three make outs...

Bottom of the Fifth:
With 1 out, Mickey Lynn takes a 3-2 pitch for ball 4. Ivan Moreno doubles to left center and Lynn scores... 4 to 1, Bombers. The next two make outs.

Top of the Seventh:
With 1 out, Garrett Bender lines a hit to left center. Frank Roadman grounds into a force at 2nd, 5-4. Danny Stewart lines a hit to center and Roadman beats the throw to 3rd. PH Ed Diskin (37-R) doubles to right center and Roadman scores! 4 to 2, Bombers.

Top of the Ninth:
New Pitcher: Dale Kumpf (30-R), not their closer, who pitched 2 innings yesterday for a Save. Kumpf has a 5.16 ERA in 22.2 IP. His main problem has been the 13 walks he has allowed. But that should not be an issue against our non-walkers.... Mike Volkman pops out to 2nd. Garrett Bender strikes out on 3 pitches... PH Joe Roberts (30-L) flies out to left...

Lost - 4 to 2

We had 10 hits and made no errors
Buffalo had 8 hits and made 1 error

Marco Gonzalez (L 1-3) went 6 innings, allowed 4 runs, 6 hits, 2 home runs, 4 walks and struck out 3. 112 pitches. A 43 Game Score. Not very good, but the only fellow who has had a higher one for us in the last 7 days is himself...
RHP Roger Wallace went 2 scoreless innings, allowed 2 hits, 1 walk and struck out 3.

Matt Nielson (W 4-4) went 8 innings, gave us 2 runs, 10 hits, no walks and struck out 2.
RHP Dale Kumpf (SV 2) pitched a perfect 9th with 1 strikeout. The 14th Save against us this season by the 14th different pitcher!

SS Leander Gooding had 2 hits and stole a base. LF Cal Doty had 2 hits and scored a run. RF Mike Volkman hit a double and had an RBI. PH Ed Diskin hit a double and had an RBI.

[Westheim]

Originally Posted by Questdog

Marco Gonzalez (L 1-3) went 6 innings, allowed 4 runs, 6 hits, 2 home runs, 4 walks and struck out 3. 112 pitches. A 43 Game Score. Not very good, but the only fellow who has had a higher one for us in the last 7 days is himself...

An ace is born!!

[Questdog]

Sunday, May 27, 2001

The first returns of All-Star balloting were released today and P Victor Espinoza (36-R) has the most votes of any starting pitcher in the Southern Division! No other Jays are among the leaders at their spots.

Jacksonville Jays (15-33 .313 14.5 GB in 8th (last) place in the Southern Division) at
Buffalo Bombers (24-25 .490 6.5 GB in 4th place in the Northern Division)

JAX: Mackie Reed (29-R) (1-3 5.72 ERA 50.1 IP, 68 H, 6 HR, 20 BB, 21 SO) vs.
BUF: Jose Lopez (28-R) (2-1 4.13 ERA 32.2 IP, 33 H, 2 HR, 14 BB, 25 SO)

Reed has had 3 straight no decisions. In the 1st two, he pitched well enough to win, but last time out, he allowed 8 runs on 13 hits and a walk in 5.1 IP.

Lopez only allowed 1 run on 4 hits and 2 walk and in 6 IP last time out in a no decision.

Lineups: Pos Name (Age-Bats BA-AB-HR-RBI-OPS-SB DEF)
JACKSONVILLE
1: CF Cal Doty (24-L .277-177-1-18-.700-8 C+)
2: LF Joe Roberts (30-L .344-128-0-12-.782-7 A) Sprained elbow
3: 3B Brian Porter (33-S .265-170-1-17-.671-0 C+)
4: 1B Tony Becerra (31-L .218-142-5-16-.625-1 A+)
5: RF Dennis Brown (27-L .215-121-4-12-.611-0 C)
6: 2B Frank Roadman (26-R .193-140-3-12-.545-8 B)
7: SS Leander Gooding (30-R .258-124-0-10-.629-2 B)
8: C Garrett Bender (27-R .309-55-2-8-.842-0 B+)
9: P Mackie Reed (29-R .214-14-0-2-.464-0 D+)

BUFFALO
1: 2B Dan Faust (31-R .279-172-1-14-.675-10 B)
2: CF Tom Hamm (31-R .399-198-5-24-1.007-22 C+)
3: LF Mickey Lynn (28-L .303-185-17-42-1.007-3 B)
4: RF Ivan Moreno (29-L .183-164-8-29-.655-0 C)
5: 3B Duane Keepers (25-S .245-106-3-19-.730-4 C+)
6: 1B Frank Cohen (25-R .366-123-4-16-.954-3 C+)
7: SS Dave Lloyd (28-R .280-157-5-15-.784-0 C+)
8: C Phil Ebel (34-R .280-125-3-9-.799-1 B)
9: P Jose Lopez (28-R .308-13-0-2-.593-0 B)

Game Start: 2:05 PM
Ballpark: Sportsman's Park
Weather: 62 F, Clear Skies, with an 11 MPH wind blowing out to center
Attendance: 10,643

Top of the First:
Cal Doty pokes a hit to right and Ivan Moreno overruns the ball for an error! Joe Roberts lines a hit to center and Doty beats the throw to the plate! 1 to 0, Jays! Brian Porter strikes out. Tony Becerra strikes out on 3 pitches... Dennis Brown jerks one down the right field line deep and.....caught....

Bottom of the First:
Dan Faust flies out to right. Tom Hamm pops out to left. Mickey Lynn grounds out to 2nd! 1-2-3!

Top of the Second:
Frank Roadman lines a hit to right and steals 2nd. With 1 out, Roadman steals 3rd. Garrett Bender flies out to center and Roadman tags up and scores! 2 to 0, Jays!

Top of the Third:
Joe Roberts leads off with a 4 pitch walk! He has been a walking fool of late! With 1 out, he steals 2nd. Tony Becerra hits a home run to left!! 4 to 0, Jays!

Top of the Ninth:
On the Hill: Cameron Nickel (32-L), after a scoreless 8th. With 1 out, P Mackie Reed hits a home run to left!!!!!! 5 to 0, Jays!

Bottom of the Ninth:
P Mackie Reed is at 104 pitches. Duane Keepers swings at the first pitch and pops out to short. Frank Cohen lines an 0-2 pitch to left for a double. Dave Lloyd pops out to 2nd. Phil Ebel takes a 3-2 pitch for ball 4... 1 pitch from a shutout... PH Lee Brand (25-L), batting .171 with 2 HR and 7 RBI in 36 AB, swings at a 3-2 pitch and lines a hit to center and Cohen scores... 5 to 1, Jays. Call to the Bullpen: Justin Reddick (28-R). Dan Faust grounds out to 2nd and THIS Ball Game Belongs to the Jays!

Won - 5 to 1

We had 11 hits and made no errors
Buffalo had 7 hits and made 1 error

6 straight games without an error, a new team record!

Mackie Reed (W 2-3) went 8.2 innings, allowed 1 run, 7 hits, 4 walks and struck out 3. At bat, he hit a double and a home run.
RHP Justin Reddick (SV 1) faced 1 batter and retired him.

Jose Lopez (L 2-2) went 6 innings, gave us 4 runs, 8 hits, 1 home run, 1 walk and struck out 6.

CF/LF Cal Doty had 3 hits and scored a run. LF/RF Joe Roberts had a hit and a walk, stole a base, scored a run and had an RBI. 1B Tony Becerra had 2 hits with his 6th home run of the season and had 2 RBI. PH Barry Laskowski had a hit.

[Questdog]

May 28, 2001

Monday Morning Report
Player of the Week - Terry Wolf, 1B, Charlotte (29-L .282/.339/.485) Had 11 hits with 3 2B, 4 HR, 3 BB, 2 SO, 5 R and 10 RBI in 6 G

(Slash lines are for the season, not the week)

May 21 - Ron Vanderpool (28-R) of Columbus pitched a 3 hit shutout at home versus Providence. he walked 2 and struck out 4. He is now 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA in 3 starts. He was 0-2 with a 4.82 ERA in 4 starts in A Ball before being called up. The Explorers won, 3 to 0.
May 23 - 1B Jose Fernandez (32-L) of Birmingham hit a double and a home run and had 5 RBI at Charlotte. The Barons won, 7 to 4.
May 24 - Jim Riggs (31-R) of Providence pitched a 3 hit shutout at home versus New Orleans. He walked 5 and struck out 10. 146 pitches. He is now 4-4 with a 2.53 ERA in 11 starts. The Steamrollers won, 2 to 0.
May 24 - Del Warwick (26-L) of Rochester pitched a 3 hit shutout at home versus Birmingham. He walked 2 and struck out 5. He is now 9-1 with a 2.35 ERA in 10 starts. The Roosters won, 6 to 0.
May 25 - 2B Tom Howard (24-R) of Orlando hit a triple and 2 home runs, scored 3 runs and had 6 RBI at Ottawa. The Juice won, 8 to 3.
May 26 - Ken DeWaters (25-R) of Louisville pitched a 4 hit shutout at home versus Syracuse. He walked 3 and struck out 5. It is his League leading 3rd shutout of the season. He is now 6-3 with a 2.80 ERA in 10 starts. The Colonels won, 3 to 0.
May 26 - 3B Larry Napoli (34-R) of Hartford had 2 hits with a Grand Slam and 5 RBI at home versus Charlotte. The Whalers won, 10 to 5. 3B Larry Davis of the Hornets went 5 for 5, scored 2 runs and had an RBI.
May 27 - 1B Terry Wolf (29-L) of Charlotte had 2 hits with a Grand Slam and 5 RBI at Hartford. The Hornets won, 8 to 3.

[Questdog]

Monday, May 28, 2001

Clash of the Titans!

We are in Hartford to play the Whalers a 4 game series. They just lost 3 of 4 here to Charlotte and are the 2nd worst team in the League. We would have to sweep them to make them the worst team. They are 10th in scoring with 3.94 runs per game (Jacksonville is #15 with 3.43). We are each hitting .243, but they are 2nd in the League in walks (181) and we are 2nd to last (125, only 1 ahead of Louisville). The Whalers are last in fewest runs allowed with 5.24 per game (Jacksonville is #15 with 4.94). They have allowed the most HR (56) and we have allowed the 2nd most (45). They are tied for the 2nd fewest errors made (36) and we have made the fewest (35). Their run differential is -65, the 2nd worst in the League, and ours is -74, the worst.

Jacksonville Jays (16-33 .327 14.5 GB in 8th (last) place in the Southern Division) at
Hartford Whalers (19-31 .380 11.5 GB in 8th (last) place in the Northern Division)

JAX: Sherrell Brown (27-R) (0-1 2.81 ERA 1 SV 16 IP, 18 H, 0 HR, 9 BB, 14 SO in A Ball) Rookie vs.
HART: Franklin Garcia (31-R) (5-4 3.38 ERA 69.1 IP, 55 H, 10 HR, 28 BB, 54 SO)

Brown is a sidearmer, who likes to keep the ball down. He is making his Major League debut today. Fasten your seat belts...

Garcia gave up 3 runs (2 earned) on 6 hits and 2 walks and 2 HR in 7.2 IP in a no decision last time out.

Lineups: Pos Name (Age-Bats BA-AB-HR-RBI-OPS-SB DEF)
JACKSONVILLE
1: CF Cal Doty (24-L .286-182-1-18-.713-8 C+)
2: LF Joe Roberts (30-L .341-132-0-13-.779-8 A) Sprained elbow
3: 3B Brian Porter (33-S .259-174-1-17-.656-0 C+)
4: RF Mike Volkman (33-L .387-75-1-16-.951-0 D+)
5: 1B Tony Becerra (31-L .226-146-6-18-.656-1 A+)
6: 2B Frank Roadman (26-R .194-144-3-12-.543-10 B)
7: SS Leander Gooding (30-R .250-128-0-10-.610-2 B)
8: C Bert Swope (29-S .177-96-0-5-.486-0 B)
9: P Sherrell Brown (27-L Major League debut F) Rookie

HARTFORD
1: RF Billy Ness (27-L .373-51-0-6-.830-4 B)
2: CF Mike Fox (22-L .263-186-3-21-.733-9 B)
3: C Mike Moen (30-R .277-166-1-11-.684-1 D)
4: LF Roy Zimdahl (30-R .275-142-8-23-.842-2 B)
5: 3B Larry Napoli (34-R .212-99-5-15-.699-0 C)
6: 2B Charlie Mackey (26-R .168-125-3-16-.605-3 B)
7: 1B Chuck Kellogg (29-R .302-63-1-6-.836-1 B+)
8: SS Dan Flaherty (40-R .176-142-3-9-.585-2 B)
9: P Franklin Garcia (31-R .231-26-0-2-.538-0 F)

Game Start: 7:05 PM
Ballpark: Ebbets Field
Weather: 68 F, Overcast, with a 7 MPH wind blowing out to center
Attendance: 7,183

Top of the First:
Cal Doty strikes out... Joe Roberts swings at the first pitch and lines a hit to center. He steals 2nd. Brian Porter strikes out... Mike Volkman takes a 3-2 pitch for ball 4. Tony Becerra grounds out to 2nd...

Bottom of the First:
Bill Ness lines out to 2nd, Frank Roadman making a nice catch! Mike Fox grounds out to 1st, unassisted. Mike Moen flies out to center! 1-2-3!

Bottom of the Third:
With 1 out, Dan Flaherty triples off the wall in left center. With the infield in, P Franklin Garcia grounds a hit to right and Flaherty scores... 1 to 0, Whalers. Billy Ness grounds into an force at 2nd, 4-6, and then gets thrown out trying to steal!

Bottom of the Fourth:
Mike Fox leads off with a triple to left... With the infield in, Mike Moen grounds a hit to right and Fox scores. 2 to 0, Whalers. With 1 out, Larry Napoli draws a walk. Charlie Mackey beats out an infield hit to load the bases up... Chuck Kellogg swings at a 3-2 pitch and lines a hit to right center and Moen scores. 3 to 0, Whalers. The Bullpen gets up. Dan Flaherty draws a walk to force in a run... 4 to 0, Whalers. P Franklin Garcia grounds a hit to left and another run is in.... 5 to 0, Whalers. Call to the Bullpen: Barry Finney (26-R). Ed Diskin (37-R) is in to play 2nd in a double switch. Billy Ness grounds a hit up the middle and another run scores... 6 to 0, Whalers. Mike Fox walked on 4 pitches.... 7 to 0, Whalers. Mike Moen flies out to center and P Garcia tags up and scores and Ness moves to 3rd. 8 to 0, Whalers. Roy Zimdahl grounds out to short! I have a feeling we are not going to sweep the Whalers and make them the worst team in the League....

Bottom of the Fifth:
Danny Stewart is in to play center, Dennis Brown in right and Rick Tuttle at 1st. Cal Doty moves to left. Larry Napoli grounds a 3-2 pitch up the middle for a hit and goes to 2nd on a wild pitch. Charlie Mackey lines one to deep right center, but Dennis Brown runs it down! Napoli scoots over to 3rd. Chuck Kellogg grounds a hit up the middle and Napoli scores. 9 to 0, Whalers. Dan Flaherty grounds into a 5-4-3 double play.

Top of the Sixth:
With 1 out, Danny Stewart grounds out to short, but P Franklin Garcia is hurt. New Pitcher: Angel Guerrero (33-R), with an 8.24 ERA and 29 H in 19.2 IP. Brian Porter lines out to right.

Top of the Eighth:
Leander Gooding doubles to right center. Bert Swope, who's 0'fer streak is at 38, draws a walk. Ed Diskin grounds one to 3rd, but Larry Napoli boots it and the bases are loaded with no outs. Cal Doty pops out to left and the runners hold... A wild pitch scores Gooding! 9 to 1, Whalers. No Shutout! Danny Stewart grounds out to short and Swope scores. 9 to 2, Whalers.

Top of the Ninth:
Dennis Brown swings at the first pitch and loops a hit to center. Rick Tuttle grounds into a force at 2nd, 6-4. That does it for P Angel Guerrero. New Pitcher: Morris Thomas (31-R), with a 6.30 ERA in 30 IP. PH Barry Laskowski (34-R) lines one hard, but right to RF Billy Ness, but Ness drops the ball for a 2 base error. Leander Gooding flies out to deep center and Brown tags up and trots home. 9 to 3, Whalers. Bert Swope ends his schneid with a single up the middle!!!!! Ed Diskin swings at the first pitch and lines a hit to center and Laskowski scores. 9 to 4, Whalers. Only 5 more to go, boys! Cal Doty lines out to 3rd...

Lost - 9 to 4

We had 6 hits and made no errors
Hartford had 12 hits and made 3 errors

Sherrell Brown (L 0-1) went 3.1 innings, allowed 8 runs, 9 hits, 2 walks and struck out 1.
RHP Barry Finney went 2.2 innings, allowed 1 run, 3 hits and 1 walk.
RHP Justin Reddick went 2 scoreless innings, allowed 1 walk and struck out 1.

Franklin Garcia (W 6-4) went 5.2 scoreless innings, gave us 2 hits, 1 walk and struck out 2. At bat, he went 2 for 2, scored a run and and 2 RBI.

RF Mike Volkman went 1 for 1 with a walk. SS Leander Gooding hit a double, scored a run and had an RBI. C Bert Swope ended his 0 for 38 streak with a hit and a walk and scored a run.

The Whalers announced that P Franklin Garcia had shoulder tendinitis that should bother him for about a week.

[Questdog]

Wednesday, May 30, 2001

Today is Tony Becerra's 32nd birthday!

Yesterday's game was rained out, so we will try to play a doubleheader today.

Jacksonville Jays (16-34 .320 15 GB in 8th (last) place in the Southern Division) at
Hartford Whalers (20-31 .392 11 GB in 8th (last) place in the Northern Division)

Game 1
JAX: Victor Espinoza (36-R) (4-4 2.18 ERA 70.1 IP, 57 H, 2 HR, 19 BB, 53 SO) vs.
HART: Freeman Cain (34-L) (1-5 4.16 ERA 75.2 IP, 87 H, 3 HR, 33 BB, 27 SO)

Espinoza gave up 6 runs on 8 hits and 5 walks in 5.1 IP last time out in a loss.

Cain is their #1 starter, though Franklin Garcia, yesterday's pitcher, has a lot better stats. But Cain is a lefty, so we will find it difficult to score any runs... He gave up 2 runs on 8 hits and 4 walks in 7 IP last time out in a no decision.

Lineups: Pos Name (Age-Bats BA-AB-HR-RBI-OPS-SB DEF)
JACKSONVILLE
1: SS Leander Gooding (30-R .252-131-0-11-.616-2 B)
2: CF Cal Doty (24-L .278-187-1-18-.694-8 C+)
3: 3B Brian Porter (33-S .253-178-1-17-.641-0 C+)
4: 1B Ismael Gonzales (33-R .250-44-1-5-.647-0 D+)
5: RF Mike Volkman (33-L .395-76-1-16-.972-0 D+)
6: 2B Frank Roadman (26-R .192-146-3-12-.536-10 B)
7: LF Joe Roberts (30-L .343-134-0-13-.782-9 A) Sprained elbow
8: C Garrett Bender (27-R .310-58-2-9-.828-0 B+)
9: P Victor Espinoza (36-R .105-19-0-0-.296-0 F)

HARTFORD
1: RF Billy Ness (27-L .364-55-0-7-.817-4 B)
2: CF Mike Fox (22-L .265-189-3-22-.746-9 B)
3: LF Robbie McFarland (23-L .295-105-4-18-.861-0 B) Rookie #82 prospect
4: C Mike Moen (30-R .278-169-1-13-.682-1 D)
5: 2B Charlie Mackey (26-R .180-128-3-16-.625-3 B)
6: 3B Eric Drake (27-S .122-49-0-1-.375-5 B+)
7: 1B Larry Napoli (34-R .216-102-5-15-.704-0 B+)
8: SS Dan Flaherty (40-R .179-145-3-10-.604-2 B)
9: P Freeman Cain (34-L .174-23-0-1-.348-0 F)

Game Start: 1:05 PM
Ballpark: Ebbets Field
Weather: 55 F, Overcast, with an 8 MPH wind blowing out to left
Attendance: 7,406

Top of the First:
Leander Gooding grounds out to short. Cal Doty grounds a hit to right. He tries to steal 2nd, but they have a pitchout on and he is out... Brian Porter beats out an infield hit. Ismael Gonzales swings at the first pitch and grounds out to 1st, unassisted.

Bottom of the First:
Billy Ness swings at a 3-2 pitch and grounds out to 3rd. Mike Fox lines out to 3rd. Robbie McFarland grounds out to short! 1-2-3!

Bottom of the Fourth:
Charlie Mackey and Eric Drake lead off with back to back walks... But the next three all make outs!

Top of the Fifth:
Garrett Bender leads off with a double to left center. P Victor Espinoza lays down a bunt, but they get the out at 3rd, 3-5... Leander Gooding grounds into a 6-4-3 double play...

It starts to rain in the bottom of the 5th...

Top of the Sixth:
With 2 outs, Ismael Gonzales grounds a hit up the middle. Mike Volkman gets beaned. Frank Roadman grounds a hit to center and Gonzales scores! 1 to 0, Jays!

Bottom of the Seventh:
After P Victor Espinoza throws a strike to Mike Fox, the umpires stop the game for 50 minutes. Now, I have a policy of never pulling a pitcher when he is throwing a shutout, but Espinoza was already at 117 pitches before the rain delay and there is no way he could pitch 3 more innings. Call to the Bullpen: Bill Grant (30-L), the lefty who cannot get lefties out, so we bring him in with 2 lefties to face.... Fox swings at his first pitch and rips one hard to left, but Joe Roberts makes a great running catch! The next two make outs!

Top of the Eighth:
On the Hill: Morris Thomas (31-R), after a perfect 7th and the 50 minute rain delay. Cal Doty swings at the first pitch and lines a hit to right. Brian Porter grounds into a force at 2nd, 1-6, but SS Dan Flaherty is hurt. Chuck Kellogg (29-R) comes in to play 3rd and Eric Drake moves to short. Ismael Gonzales bats against the righty because I fell asleep for a minute and draws a walk. I am brilliant! Mike Volkman grounds a double down the right field line and Porter scores! 2 to 0, Jays. That does it for P Thomas. New Pitcher: Edwin Torres (27-L), with a 3.81 ERA in 28.1 IP. Frank Roadman strikes out... Joe Roberts swings at the first pitch and grounds out to short...

Top of the Ninth:
New Pitcher: Marty Beck (24-R), their closer, with a 2.45 ERA in 33 IP. 18 walks, though, and only 11 strikeouts. Garrett Bender beats out an infield hit. PH Dennis Brown (27-L) strikes out. Leander Gooding swings at the first pitch and grounds a double over the 3rd base bag! Cal Doty is walked intentionally to load the bases up with 1 out. Brian Porter grounds a hit to right and Bender scores! 3 to 0, Jays! 1B Tony Becerra (32-L), who should have pinch-hit for Ismael Gonzales last inning, but came in for defense anyway, lines a hit to right and Gooding scores! 4 to 0, Jays! Mike Volkman flies out to right and the runners hold for some reason. Looked deep enough to me... Frank Roadman puts a charge into one to straight away center, but it is caught...

Won - 4 to 0

You have witnessed a very rare event!
A combined shutout by a team of mine!

We had 13 hits and made no errors
Hartford had 6 hits (all singles, 5 of them never left the infield) and made no errors

Victor Espinoza (W 5-4) pitched 6+ shutout innings, allowed 5 hits, 5 walks (1 INT) and struck out 2. 117 pitches.
LHP Bill Grant (H 4) went 2 scoreless innings, allowed 1 hit and 1 walk.
RHP Gary Adamson pitched a perfect 9th.

Freeman Cain (L 1-6) went 6 innings, gave us 1 run, 7 hits, 1 walk, 1 HBP and struck out 1. Only the 2nd left-hander to take a loss against us.

SS Leander Gooding hit a double and scored a run. CF/LF Cal Doty had 2 hits and a walk. 3B Brian Porter had 2 hits, scored a run and had an RBI. 1B Ismael Gonzales had 2 hits and a walk and scored a run. 1B Tony Becerra had a hit his only time up and had an RBI. RF Mike Volkman had 2 hits with a double, was hit by a pitch and had an RBI. C Garrett Bender had 2 hits with a double and a walk and scored a run. We will move him out of the 8 hole and see if he stops hitting....

Game 2
JAX: Tom Betke (25-R) (0-1 7.50 ERA 6 IP, 7 H, 0 HR, 3 BB, 4 SO) Rookie vs.
HART: Bill Wilson (32-R) (1-7 7.17 ERA 54 IP, 68 H, 17 HR, 20 BB, 38 SO)

This will be Betke's 2nd Major League start. His first was on May 8 and went fairly well for the first 6 innings, but then he and the Bullpen allowed 4 runs to scored in the 7th.

That is not a typo; Wilson has allowed 17 HR in 54 IP. He has lost 5 starts in a row, but pitched well last time out: 7 IP, 3 R, 4 H, 1 HR, 2 BB, 4 SO. I will give odds that he does not allow a HR to the Jays...

Lineups: Pos Name (Age-Bats BA-AB-HR-RBI-OPS-SB DEF)
JACKSONVILLE
1: CF Cal Doty (24-L .283-191-1-18-.704-8 C+)
2: LF Joe Roberts (30-L .333-138-0-13-.760-9 A) Sprained elbow
3: 3B Brian Porter (33-S .257-183-1-18-.645-0 C+)
4: RF Mike Volkman (33-L .400-80-1-17-.992-0 D+)
5: 1B Tony Becerra (32-L .228-149-6-19-.656-1 A+)
6: 2B Frank Roadman (26-R .192-151-3-13-.532-10 B)
7: SS Leander Gooding (30-R .250-136-0-11-.616-2 B)
8: C Bert Swope (29-S .182-99-0-5-.497-0 B)
9: P Tom Betke (25-R .333-3-0-1-1.000-0 F)

HARTFORD
1: RF Billy Ness (27-L .350-60-0-7-.783-4 B)
2: CF Mike Fox (22-L .263-194-3-22-.737-9 B)
3: 1B Kim Scarbrough (34-R .229-83-0-7-.598-2 C+) Strained oblique
4: LF Roy Zimdahl (30-R .272-147-8-23-.827-2 B)
5: 2B Charlie Mackey (26-R .176-131-3-16-.616-3 B)
6: SS Eric Drake (27-S .137-51-0-1-.424-6 C)
7: 3B Larry Napoli (34-R .219-105-5-15-.708-0 C)
8: C Mike Tyra (25-R .243-37-0-0-.673-0 C+)
9: P Bill Wilson (32-R .278-18-0-2-.611-0 F)

Game Start: 7:05 PM
Ballpark: Ebbets Field
Weather: 69 F, Overcast, with a 9 MPH wind blowing out to left
Attendance: 5,360

Top of the First:
Cal Doty swings at a 3-2 pitch and grounds out to 2nd. Joe Roberts grounds out to 1st, unassisted. Brian Porter grounds out to 2nd...

Bottom of the First:
Billy Ness grounds a hit up the middle. Mike Fox pops out to 3rd. Ness steals 2nd. Kim Scarbrough grounds out to short and Ness goes to 3rd. Roy Zimdahl strikes out looking on 3 pitches!

Bottom of the Second:
With 1 out, Eric Drake fouls off two payoff pitches and then takes ball 4. Larry Napoli swings at a 3-2 pitch and grounds a hit up the middle and Drake beats the throw to 3rd. Mike Tyra swings at an 0-2 pitch and hits a home run to left... 3 to 0, Whalers.

Top of the Third:
Leander Gooding nubs one in front of the plate, but C Mike Tyra throws the ball away for a 2 base error. It starts to rain.... The next three all make outs. Through 3 innings, we have not hit a home run yet, nor any hit whatsoever...

Top of the Fourth:
Joe Roberts lines a double to right. Brian Porter flies out to deep right center and Roberts moves over to 3rd. Mike Volkman takes a 3-2 pitch for strike three... Tony Becerra pops out to 2nd...

Bottom of the Fourth:
Larry Napoli and Mike Tyra lead off with back to back walks... P Bill Wilson bunts them up. With the infield in, Billy Ness grounds out to short and the runners hold. Mike Fox takes a 3-2 pitch for ball 4, already P Betke's 5th walk of the game... Kim Scarbrough swings at the first pitch and grounds out to 2nd!

Top of the Sixth:
Cal Doty lines a hit to center, but gets thrown out trying to make it a double.... Joe Roberts lines a hit to center. With 2 outs, Mike Volkman lines a double to left and Roberts scores from 1st! 3 to 1, Whalers.

Bottom of the Seventh:
With 1 out, Roy Zimdahl and Charlie Mackey hit back to back singles. Call to the Bullpen: Roger Wallace (25-R). Ed Diskin is in to play 2nd in a double switch and Frank Roadman moves to short. Eric Drake beats out an infield hit to load the bases up with 1 out. Larry Napoli flies out to right and the runners hold. Mike Tyra lines out to 2nd!

Top of the Ninth:
New Pitcher: Edwin Torres (27-L), not their closer, who pitched an inning and gave us 2 runs in the first game. Torres got 2 outs in the first game. 3-4-5 up for us. Brian Porter pops out to short... Mike Volkman swings at the first pitch and grounds out to the pitcher... PH Ismael Gonzales (33-R) lines a hit to left. Frank Roadman strikes out...

Lost - 3 to 1

We had 7 hits and made no errors
Hartford had 9 hits and made 1 error

Tom Betke (L 0-2) went 6.1 innings, allowed 3 runs, 8 hits, 1 home run, 5 walks and struck out 2.
RHP Roger Wallace went 1.2 scoreless innings, allowed 1 hit and struck out 2.

Bill Wilson (W 2-7) went 8 innings, gave us 1 run, 6 hits, no walks and struck out 7. And still 17 HR allowed....
LHP Edwin Torres (SV 3) pitched a scoreless 9th, gave us 1 hit and struck out 1. The 15th Save against us by the 15th different pitcher! This has to end soon as almost every reliever in the League has a Save against us....

LF Joe Roberts had 2 hits with a double and scored our only run. RF Mike Volkman hit a double and had our only RBI. PH Ismael Gonzales had a hit.

For Hartford, C Mike Tyra hit his 1st home run of the season, drew a walk and had 3 RBI.

The Whalers announced that SS Dan Flaherty, the 40 year old, had torn a muscle in his back and was likely out for the rest of the season.

[Questdog]

Thursday, May 31, 2001

Jacksonville Jays (17-35 .327 14.5 GB in 8th (last) place in the Southern Division) at
Hartford Whalers (21-32 .396 11.5 GB in 8th (last) place in the Northern Division)

JAX: Marco Gonzalez (26-R) (1-3 3.38 ERA 40 IP, 39 H, 2 HR, 18 BB, 21 SO) vs.
HART: Bud White (33-R) (5-2 3.30 ERA 60 IP, 61 H, 3 HR, 23 BB, 23 SO)

Gonzalez gave up 4 runs on 6 hits, 2 home runs and 4 walks in 6 IP last time out in a loss.

White gave up 4 runs on 10 hits and 4 walks in 7 IP last time out, but got a win.

Lineups: Pos Name (Age-Bats BA-AB-HR-RBI-OPS-SB DEF)
JACKSONVILLE
1: CF Cal Doty (24-L .282-195-1-18-.700-8 C+)
2: LF Joe Roberts (30-L .338-142-0-13-.773-9 A) Sprained elbow
3: RF Mike Volkman (33-L .393-84-1-18-.981-0 D+)
4: C Garrett Bender (27-R .328-61-2-9-.875-0 B+)
5: 1B Tony Becerra (32-L .224-152-6-19-.643-1 A+)
6: 3B Brian Porter (33-S .251-187-1-18-.632-0 C+)
7: SS Leander Gooding (30-R .245-139-0-11-.603-2 B)
8: 2B Frank Roadman (26-R .194-155-3-13-.531-10 B)
9: P Marco Gonzalez (26-R .100-10-0-0-.200-0 F)

HARTFORD
1: CF Mike Fox (22-L .258-198-3-22-.726-9 B)
2: SS Charlie Mackey (26-R .178-135-3-16-.613-3 C)
3: 1B Kim Scarbrough (34-R .230-87-0-7-.594-2 C+) Strained oblique
4: LF Roy Zimdahl (30-R .273-150-8-23-.828-2 B)
5: C Mike Moen (30-R .272-173-1-13-.666-1 D)
6: RF Norm Mayer (25-L .205-146-4-18-.693-6 A)
7: 3B Chuck Kellogg (29-R .324-68-1-8-.861-1 C+)
8: 2B Tom McDonnell (32-R .143-7-0-1-.286-0 C)
9: P Bud White (33-R .211-19-0-3-.513-0 F)

Game Start: 7:05 PM
Ballpark: Ebbets Field
Weather: 63 F, Rain, with a 16 MPH wind blowing out to center
Attendance: 4,130

Top of the First:
Cal Doty pops out to center. Joe Roberts draws a walk. Mike Volkman grounds out to 1st, unassisted, and Roberts goes to 2nd. Garrett Bender, our new cleanup hitter, lines one hard to deep center, but Mike Fox runs it down...

Bottom of the First:
Mike Fox flies out to deep left. Charlie Mackey lines out hard to deep right. Kim Scarbrough grounds out to 2nd! 1-2-3!

Top of the Second:
With 1 out, Brian Porter grounds a hit up the middle. Leander Gooding draws a walk. A wild pitch moves them up. Can Frank Roadman make contact? No he cannot... P Marco Gonzalez draws a walk to load the bases up with 2 outs. Cal Doty takes a 3-2 pitch for ball 4 to force in a run! 1 to 0, Jays! Joe Roberts swings at the first pitch and grounds out to 3rd...

In the top of the 3rd, there is a 25 minute rain delay.

Bottom of the Third:
Chuck Kellogg doubles off the screen in right. Tom McDonnell grounds a 3-2 pitch to left for a hit and Kellogg beats the throw home... Tie Game: 1 to 1. P Bud White bunts the runner up. Mike Fox takes a 3-2 pitch for ball 4. With 2 outs, Kim Scarbrough grounds a 3-2 pitch to right for a hit and McDonnell scores... 2 to 1, Whalers.

Top of the Fourth:
Leander Gooding and Frank Roadman lead off with back to back hits. P Marco Gonzalez bunts them up. Cal Doty grounds a hit to left and Gooding scores and Roadman heads home..... The throw by Roy Zimdahl is to the backstop for an error and Doty goes to 2nd!! 3 to 2, Jays! Joe Roberts lines a hit to center and Doty scores! 4 to 2, Jays! The next two make outs.

Bottom of the Fifth:
With 1 out, P Bud Light, I mean White, doubles to left center. With 2 outs, Charlie Mackey, the sub-.200 hitter doubles off the wall in center and P White scores... 4 to 3, Jays.

Top of the Sixth:
Frank Roadman takes a 3-2 pitch for ball 4 and then steals 2nd. P Marco Gonzalez bunts him to 3rd. They walk Cal Doty intentionally. Much to my chagrin, he does not try to steal, but Joe Roberts gets in an 0-2 hole, taking pitches so he could... Roberts swings at the next pitch and clears the bases with a double to left and ends up on 3rd!! 6 to 3, Jays! They walk Mike Volkman intentionally, which is P White's 8th walk of the game. They make a pitching change: Marty Beck (24-R), their closer, who gave us 2 runs in an inning yesterday. Volkman tries to steal, but gets thrown out... Garrett Bender draws a walk. Tony Becerra grounds a hit up the middle and Roberts scores and Bender heads to 3rd and beats the throw and Becerra takes 2nd! 7 to 3, Jays! Brian Porter, who has quit hitting altogether, pops out to short. 4 for his last 34 (.118).

Top of the Seventh:
Leander Gooding beats out an infield hit and then steals 2nd. With 2 outs, Cal Doty takes a 3-2 pitch for our 10th walk of the game! Joe Roberts swings at the first pitch and doubles to right center and Gooding scores! 8 to 3, Jays!

Bottom of the Seventh:
Chuck Kellogg lines a 3-2 pitch to right for a hit. With 1 out, PH Diego Yanes (34-L), batting .304 with 2 HR and 6 RBI in 31 AB, lines a double to right. The Bullpen gets up. Mike Fox flies out to deep center and Kellogg tags up and scores. 8 to 4, Jays. Charlie Mackey, that pesky sub-.200 hitter swings at a 3-2 pitch and beats out an infield hit.... Call to the Bullpen: Gary Adamson (35-R). Kim Scarbrough grounds a double over the 1st base bag and both runners score.... 8 to 6, Jays. Scarbrough is hurt. Pinch-runner: Rookie Robbie McFarland (23-L). Roy Zimdahl grounds out to short!

Bottom of the Eighth:
Mike Moen leads off with a double to right... The Bullpen is up. Norm Mayer swings at the first pitch and triples to right... 8 to 7, Jays. PH Billy Ness (27-L), batting .354 with 7 RBI in 65 AB, swings at the first pitch and lines a hit to right and Mayer scores... Tie Game: 8 to 8. Call to the Bullpen: Justin Reddick (28-R). Ed Diskin is in to play 2nd in a double switch and Frank Roadman moves to short. Tom McDonnell bunts the runner to 2nd. 1B Larry Napoli (34-R), batting .222 with 5 HR in 108 AB, grounds out to 1st, unassisted, and Ness goes to 3rd. We walk Mike Fox intentionally to face that pesky sub-.200 hitter, Charlie Mackey, who has 2 hits with a double today.... He flies out to left!

Top of the Ninth:
On the Hill: Edwin Torres (27-L), after a scoreless 8th. 8-9-1 up for us. Frank Roadman strikes out looking on 3 pitches... I really thought he would hit for us... Ed Diskin doubles to right center! They walk Cal Doty intentionally for the second time today. A lefty walking a lefty intentionally.... A passed ball moves the runners up! Will they walk another lefty? Nope, they pitch to Joe Roberts and he pops out to shallow center and the runners hold.... That brings up Danny Stewart, another lefty, and a light hitter to boot.... He was put in for defense when we had a big lead... PH Barry Laskowski (34-R) is sent up and he is walked intentionally to get to our cleanup hitter! They must not think much of him and I cannot blame them. He never hit a lick before this year. But Garret Bender lines a hit to center and 2 runs score!! 10 to 8, Jays! Tony Becerra is allowed to hit to keep his glove in the game and he grounds out to short.

Bottom of the Ninth:
Dennis Brown is in to play right and Joe Roberts goes back to left and Cal Doty goes back to center. PH Mike Tyra (25-R), batting .250 with 1 HR and 3 RBI in 40 AB, swings at the first pitch and grounds out to short. Roy Zimdahl lines a hit to left. Mike Moen swings at a 3-2 pitch and lines out to right. Norm Mayer swings at a 3-2 pitch and grounds out to 2nd and THIS Ball Game Belongs to the Jays!

Won - 10 to 8

We had 11 hits and made 1 error
Hartford had 14 hits and made 1 error

We end our team record string of errorless games at 9.

Marco Gonzalez went 6.2 innings, allowed 6 runs, 9 hits, 2 walks and struck out 2. At bat, he drew a walk.
RHP Gary Adamson (BS 2) got 1 out, allowed 2 runs and 4 hits.
RHP Justin Reddick (W 1-0) went 2 scoreless innings, allowed 1 hit and 1 walk.

Bud White went 5.1 innings, gave us 7 runs, 6 hits, 8 walks (2 INT) and struck out 1. He threw a WP. 110 pitches. At bat, he was 1 for 1 with a double and scored a run.
LHP Edwin Torres (L 2-3) went 2 innings, gave us 2 runs, 2 hits, 3 walks (2 INT) and struck out 1.

CF/LF Cal Doty had a hit and 4 walks (2 INT), scored 3 runs and had 3 RBI. LF/RF Joe Roberts had 3 hits with 2 doubles and a walk, scored a run and had 4 RBI. PH Barry Laskowski was walked intentionally. C Garrett Bender had a hit and 2 walks and 2 RBI. 1B Tony Becerra had a hit and a walk and an RBI. SS Leander Gooding had 2 hits and a walk, stole a base and scored 2 runs. 2B/SS Frank Roadman had a hit and a walk, stole a base and scored 2 runs. 2B Ed Diskin hit a double and scored a run in his only at bat.

For Hartford, 1B Kim Scarbrough had 2 hits with a double and 3 RBI.

The Whalers announced that 1B Kim Scarbrough, who was already suffering from a strained oblique, now had a sore back. He should be fully healed in 2 to 3 weeks and they will put him on the Disabled List.

[Questdog]

Monthly Awards for May, 2001
Player of the Month: Dennis Fuller, lf, Rochester (27-L) .385/.441/.719 96 AB, 4 2B, 2 3B, 8 HR, 12 BB, 7 SO, 2 SB, 3 CS, 21 R, 23 RBI in 27 G (24 GS)
Pitcher of the Month: Paul Gaughan, rhp, Birmingham (32-R) 6-0 1.24 ERA 6 GS, 43.2 IP, 32 H, 1 HR, 6 BB, 31 SO
Rookie of the Month: Dennis Farmer, rhp, New Orleans (23-R) 2-1 1.18 ERA 5 GS, 38 IP, 29 H, 2 HR, 13 BB, 19 SO

Monthly Awards for April, 2001
Player of the Month: Mickey Lynn, lf, Buffalo (28-L) .337/.436/.717 92 AB, 5 2B, 0 3B, 10 HR, 16 BB, 14 SO, 2 SB, 1 CS, 21 R, 24 RBI in 25 G
Pitcher of the Month: Ramiro Huerta, rhp, Birmingham (28-R) 5-0 1.93 ERA 6 GS, 42 IP, 37 H, 1 HR, 12 BB, 20 SO
Rookie of the Month: Buford Nolan, rhp, Ottawa (24-R) 3-0 2.93 ERA 4 GS, 27.2 IP, 28 H, 0 HR, 14 BB, 13 SO

I tried to edit out the really raunchy bits, but Stacy, our statistician, threatened to quit if I diddled with her numbers....

[Questdog]

Friday, June 1, 2001

1B Rick Tuttle (34-R), 2B Frank Roadman (26-R) and RF Dennis Brown (27-L) were sent to Daytona (A). 2B Rick Dundore (35-R), 3B Bobby Scrogham (25-R) and CF Frank Wendell (33-R) were recalled.

We are back home to play New Orleans a 3 game series over the weekend. They just won 3 of 4 at Ottawa and have won 6 of their last 7. We split 4 games with them here, April 19-22. The Pelicans are 7th in scoring with 4.17 runs per game (Jacksonville is #15 with 3.53). They are 3rd from the bottom with 26 HR and we are tied for last with 20. They are 6th in fewest runs allowed with 3.77 per game (Jacksonville is #15 with 4.94). Their run differential is +21 and ours is -75, still the worst in the League.

New Orleans Pelicans (26-27 .491 6.5 GB in 6th place in the Southern Division) at
Jacksonville Jays (18-35 .340 14.5 GB in 8th (last) place in the Southern Division)

NO: Bill Colby (29-R) (4-4 3.43 ERA 76 IP, 87 H, 5 HR, 18 BB, 38 SO) vs.
JAX: Mackie Reed (29-R) (2-3 5.03 ERA 59 IP, 75 H, 6 HR, 24 BB, 24 SO)

Colby is 3-0 in his last 4 starts. We beat him in April, but only scored 2 runs (1 earned) in 6 IP. That was the game that Victor Espinoza pitched his shutout.

Reed won his last start with 1 run allowed in 8.2 IP on 7 hits and 4 walks. He hit a double and a home run in the game, the first Jay pitcher ever to hit a home run.

Lineups: Pos Name (Age-Bats BA-AB-HR-RBI-OPS-SB DEF)
NEW ORLEANS
1: CF Victor Ocasio (25-R .246-195-6-22-.696-10 A)
2: 1B Ron Taylor (29-S .200-25-0-0-.550-4 A)
3: LF Omar Camacho (29-L .235-204-4-18-.618-12 B+)
4: RF Ricky Palmer (31-S .250-28-1-3-.764-0 A)
5: C Niel Williams (25-R .243-140-3-9-.701-0 B)
6: 2B Chuck Corrigan (25-R .277-195-1-20-.659-1 A)
7: 3B Mike Akins (33-R .156-32-0-2-.458-0 B+)
8: SS Benito Abonza (29-R .292-168-0-20-.726-1 A)
9: P Bill Colby (29-R .233-30-0-5-.467-0 C)

A heck of a defense they are running out there today.

JACKSONVILLE
1: CF Cal Doty (24-L .284-197-1-21-.714-8 C+)
2: LF Joe Roberts (30-L .347-147-0-17-.805-9 A) Sprained elbow
3: RF Mike Volkman (33-L .379-87-1-18-.954-0 D+)
4: C Garrett Bender (27-R .323-65-2-11-.868-0 B+)
5: 1B Tony Becerra (32-L .223-157-6-20-.640-1 A+)
6: 2B Ed Diskin (37-R .161-62-0-4-.510-0 B)
7: SS Leander Gooding (30-R .252-143-0-11-.618-3 B)
8: 3B Bobby Scrogham (25-R .200-20-0-1-.633-1 C) Rookie
9: P Mackie Reed (29-R .278-18-1-3-.800-0 D+)

Game Start: 7:05 PM
Ballpark: Connie Mack Stadium
Weather: 75 F, Partly Cloudy, with an 8 MPH wind blowing out to right
Attendance: 9,986

Top of the First:
Victor Ocasio swings at an 0-2 pitch and hits a home run to left center... 1 to 0, Pelicans. Ron Taylor strikes out. Omar Camacho grounds out to 1st, unassisted. Ricky Palmer pops out to 3rd.

Bottom of the First:
Cal Doty grounds a hit to center. Joe Roberts grounds into a 6-4-3 double play... Mike Volkman strikes out looking on 3 pitches...

Top of the Second:
With 1 out, Chuck Corrigan takes a 3-2 pitch for ball 4 and steals 2nd. Mike Akins grounds one to 3rd, but Bobby Scrogham throws the ball away for a 2 base error and Corrigan scores... 2 to 0, Pelicans. The next two make outs.

Bottom of the Second:
With 1 out, Tony Becerra hits a home run to right! 2 to 1, Pelicans. The scoreboard is odd looking now. They have 2 runs on 1 hit and we have 1 run on 2 hits.

Bottom of the Third:
Bobby Scrogham leads off with a double to right center. P Mackie Reed bunts him to 2nd. With his .800 OPS, I would have liked him to swing away.... Cal Doty fouls out to 3rd... Joe Roberts grounds out to short...

Bottom of the Fourth:
Mike Volkman leads off with a double to left center and goes to 3rd on a ground out. Tony Becerra flies out to right and Volkman tags up and beats the throw home! Tie Game: 2 to 2.

Top of the Fifth:
Benito Abonza grounds one to 2nd, but Ed Diskin makes a bad throw for an error. P Bill Colby bunts the runner up. With 2 outs, Ron Taylor lines a hit to left and Abonza scores a bit ahead of Taylor getting thrown out at 2nd by Joe Roberts.... 3 to 2, Pelicans.

Bottom of the Fifth:
Leander Gooding loops a hit to left and goes around to 3rd on a pair of ground outs. Cal Doty grounds a double over the 1st base bag and Gooding scores! Tie Game: 3 to 3.

Top of the Seventh:
Chuck Corrigan grounds a hit to center. The Bullpen gets up. Corrigan steals 2nd and ends up on 3rd when C Garrett Bender throws the ball away... Mike Akins strikes out on 3 pitches. With the infield in, Benito Abonza grounds out to 3rd and Corrigan stays put. They let P Bill Colby bat and of course, he lines a hit to left and Corrigan scores... 4 to 3, Pelicans. I am sorry Pia; I did not mean to sock your shoulder.... That's gonna bruise.... You want some nachos?

Bottom of the Ninth:
New Pitcher: Jim Rutherford (31-R), their closer, who has 10 Saves, but a 5.40 ERA. He does not have a Save against us.... Ed Diskin lines a double to left! Leander Gooding grounds an 0-2 pitch to left for a hit and Diskin heads home.....Safe! Tie Game: 4 to 4! Gooding steals 2nd! Bobby Scrogham grounds out to 2nd and Gooding goes to 3rd. With the infield in, PH Danny Stewart (30-L) grounds out to 3rd and Gooding holds... They walk Cal Doty intentionally, the 9th time already he has been this season. Joe Roberts strikes out looking on 3 pitches....

Extras!

Top of the Tenth:
New Pitcher: Roger Wallace (25-R). Danny Stewart stays in the game to play center and Cal Doty moves to left. Top of their order up. Victor Ocasio beats out an infield hit... PH Jim Tindall (38-L), batting .241 with 2 RBI in 29 AB, is sent up. Ocasio tries to steal, but we have a pitchout on and C Garrett Bender throws him out! Tindall doubles to center... We walk Omar Camacho intentionally. Ricky Palmer flies out to deep left and Tindall tags up and moves to 3rd. Niel Williams strikes out!!!!

Bottom of the Tenth:
New Pitcher: Bucky Nicholson (28-R), with a 5.73 ERA in 22 IP. 3-4-5 up for us. Mike Volkman lines a hit to right. Garrett Bender lines a hit to center and Volkman beats the throw to 3rd! Can we score a runner from 3rd with no outs? The 2-2 pitch to Tony Becerra is in the dirt and past the catcher and Volkman races in and beats the toss back to the pitcher and THIS Ball Game Belongs to the Jays! The second time we have won on a walk-off wild pitch!

Won - 5 to 4

Undefeated in June!

We had 11 hits and made 3 errors
New Orleans had 8 hits and made no errors

Mackie Reed went 7 innings, allowed 4 runs (1 earned), 4 hits, 1 home run, 2 walks and struck out 4.
LHP Bill Grant went 2 scoreless innings, allowed 2 hits, 1 HBP and struck out 2.
RHP Roger Wallace (W 3-1) went 1 scoreless inning, allowed 2 hits, 1 walk (INT) and struck out 1.

Bill Colby went 8 innings, gave us 3 runs, 7 hits, 1 home run, 2 walks and struck out 3. At bat, he had a hit and an RBI.
RHP Bucky Nicholson (L 2-2) did not retire a batter, gave us 1 run and 2 hits. He threw a WP.

CF/LF Cal Doty had 2 hits with a double and a walk (INT) and had an RBI. RF Mike Volkman had 2 hits with a double and scored 2 runs. including the winning one. C Garrett Bender had 2 hits with a double. 1B Tony Becerra hit his 7th home run of the season, drew a walk (INT) and had 2 RBI. 2B Ed Diskin hit a double and scored a run. SS Leander Gooding had 2 hits, stole a base, scored a run and had an RBI. 3B Bobby Scrogham hit a double, drew a walk and stole a base.

[Questdog]

Saturday, June 2, 2001

New Orleans Pelicans (26-28 .481 6.5 GB tied for 6th place in the Southern Division) at
Jacksonville Jays (19-35 .352 13.5 GB in 8th (last) place in the Southern Division)

NO: Reggie Hawkins (27-R) (1-4 4.53 ERA 53.2 IP, 63 H, 6 HR, 17 BB, 23 SO) vs.
JAX: Sherrell Brown (27-R) (0-1 21.60 ERA 3.1 IP, 9 H, 0 HR, 2 BB, 1 SO)

We beat Hawkins in April, scoring 3 runs in 6 IP.

This will be Brown's second start. His first did not go well.

Lineups: Pos Name (Age-Bats BA-AB-HR-RBI-OPS-SB DEF)
NEW ORLEANS
1: CF Victor Ocasio (25-R .250-200-7-23-.714-10 A)
2: 1B Fred Heff (20-R .322-90-0-10-.811-1 B+) Rookie #68 prospect
3: LF Omar Camacho (29-L .232-207-4-18-.615-12 B+)
4: RF Ricky Palmer (31-S .219-32-1-3-.692-0 A)
5: C Niel Williams (25-R .241-145-3-9-.691-0 B)
6: 2B Chuck Corrigan (25-R .278-198-1-20-.662-3 A)
7: 3B Mike Akins (33-R .139-36-0-2-.411-0 B+)
8: SS Ron Taylor (29-S .241-29-0-1-.609-4 A)
9: P Reggie Hawkins (27-R .235-17-0-0-.471-0 F)

JACKSONVILLE
1: CF Cal Doty (24-L .289-201-1-22-.728-8 C+)
2: LF Joe Roberts (30-L .336-152-0-17-.779-9 A) Sprained elbow
3: RF Mike Volkman (33-L .380-92-1-18-.957-0 D+)
4: C Garrett Bender (27-R .329-70-2-11-.878-0 B+)
5: 1B Tony Becerra (32-L .226-159-7-22-.666-1 A+)
6: 2B Ed Diskin (37-R .167-66-0-4-.524-0 B)
7: SS Leander Gooding (30-R .259-147-0-12-.628-4 B)
8: 3B Bobby Scrogham (25-R .217-23-0-1-.705-2 C) Rookie
9: P Sherrell Brown (27-L .000-1-0-0-.000-0 F)

Game Start: 2:05 PM
Ballpark: Connie Mack Stadium
Weather: 74 F, Partly Cloudy, with a 13 MPH wind blowing out to center
Attendance: 10,911

Top of the First:
Victor Ocasio grounds out to short. Fred Heff swings at the first pitch and flies out to left. Omar Camacho grounds a hit to right. He tries to steal 2nd and C Garrett Bender throws him out!

Bottom of the First:
Cal Doty grounds out to 2nd. Joe Roberts swings at a 3-2 pitch and misses... Mike Volkman grounds out to 2nd...

Top of the Second:
With 1 out, Niel Williams takes a 3-2 pitch for ball 4. Chuck Corrigan grounds a hit up the middle. Mike Akins grounds a hit to left and Williams beats the throw home... 1 to 0, Pelicans. Ron Taylor grounds into a 6-4-3 double play!

Top of the Third:
P Reggie Hawkins grounds one to 3rd, but Bobby Scrogham boots it... Victor Ocasio walks on 4 pitches... Fred Heff bunts the runners up. Omar Camacho strikes out on 3 pitches! Ricky Palmer walks on 4! Niel Williams swings at the first pitch and grounds a hit to right and 2 runs score... 3 to 0, Pelicans.

Bottom of the Third:
Leander Gooding gets beaned. Bobby Scrogham grounds a hit up the middle. P Sherrell Brown bunts into a double play, 1-5-3....

Bottom of the Fourth:
Joe Roberts lines a hit to left. With 1 out he steals 2nd and then goes to 3rd on a ground out. Tony Becerra grounds a hit up the middle and Roberts scores! 3 to 1, Pelicans. Victor Ocasio tries to scoop the ball, but lets it go through his legs for an error and Becerra goes to 2nd. Ed Diskin lines a hit to left and Becerra beats the throw to the plate! 3 to 2, Pelicans. Becerra is hurt... Leander Gooding lines a double to the left field corner and Diskin scores and Gooding ends up on 3rd! Tie Game: 3 to 3. They walk Bobby Scrogham intentionally. P Sherrell Brown grounds out to 3rd.

Top of the Fifth:
Ismael Gonzales (33-R) is in to play 1st. Victor Ocasio draws a walk, the 4th issued by P Sherrell Brown. Fred Heff, the bunting fool, bunts Ocasio to 2nd. Omar Camacho grounds a hit up the middle and Ocasio beats the throw home and Camacho goes to 2nd. 4 to 3, Pelicans. The Bullpen is up. Ricky Palmer lines a hit to left. Niel Williams flies out to left and Camacho tags up and scores. 5 to 3, Pelicans. Call to the Bullpen: Barry Finney (26-R). Palmer steals 2nd. Chuck Corrigan hits a home run to left... 7 to 3, Pelicans.

Top of the Sixth:
Ron Taylor swings at the first pitch and lines a hit to left center. With 1 out, Victor Ocasio grounds a hit to left. Fred Heff beats out an infield hit to load the bases up with 1 out. Omar Camacho grounds into a force at home, 6-2. Ricky Palmer takes a 3-2 pitch for ball 4 to force in a run... 8 to 3, Pelicans. Niel Williams walks on 4 pitches... 9 to 3, Pelicans. The Bullpen gets up. Chuck Corrigan clears the bases with a double to right center... 12 to 3, Pelicans. P Barry Finney calls out Trudy the Trainer.... I tell her not to bother; he can come see her... New Pitcher: Justin Reddick (28-R). Brian Porter (33-S) is in to play 1st in a double switch. Mike Akins grounds one to 3rd and Bobby Scrogham boots another one... Ron Taylor grounds out to 1st, 3-1.

Top of the Seventh:
Danny Stewart is now in center and Cal Doty moves to left. P Reggie Hawkins lines a hit to right. Victor Ocasio grounds into a force at 2nd, 4-6. With 2 outs, Omar Camacho pokes a little hit to center. Ricky Palmer draws a walk to load the bases up with 2 outs. Niel Williams draws a walk to force in a run... 13 to 3, Pelicans.

Top of the Eighth:
With 2 outs, P Reggie Hawkins doubles to center. P Justin Reddick balks him to 3rd. Victor Ocasio pops a hit to center and P Hawkins scores... 14 to 3, Pelicans.

Top of the Ninth:
New Pitcher: Roger Wallace (25-R). With 2 outs, Niel Williams hits a home run to left... 15 to 3, Pelicans.

Lost - 15 to 3

New team record for runs allowed and run deficit...

We had 10 hits and made 2 errors
New Orleans had 18 hits and made 1 error

New team record for hits allowed....

Sherrell Brown (L 0-2) went 4.2 innings, allowed 6 runs (4 earned), 4 walks and struck out 2.
RHP Barry Finney went 1 inning, allowed 6 runs, 5 hits, 1 home run and 2 walks.
RHP Justin Reddick went 2.1 innings, allowed 2 runs, 4 hits, 2 walks and struck out 1. He balked.
RHP Roger Wallace went 1 inning, allowed 1 run, 2 hits, 1 home run and struck out 2.

Reggie Hawkins (W 2-4) went 9 innings (CG), gave us 3 runs, 10 hits, 1 walk, 1 HBP and struck out 1. 107 pitches. At bat, he had 2 hits with a double and scored 2 runs.

LF Joe Roberts had 2 hits, stole a base and scored a run. C Garrett Bender had 2 hits. 1B Tony Becerra had a hit, scored a run and had an RBI. 2B Ed Diskin had 2 hits, scored a run and had an RBI. SS Leander Gooding hit a double, was hit by a pitch and had an RBI. 3B Bobby Scrogham had 2 hits and a walk (INT) and stole a base.

For New Orleans, CF Victor Ocasio had 2 hits and 2 walk, scored 4 runs and had an RBI. LF Omar Camacho had 3 hits, scored 2 runs and had an RBI. C Niel Williams went 2 for 2 with his 4th home run of the season and 3 walks, scored 3 runs and had 6 RBI. 2B Charlie Corrigan had 4 hits with a double and his 2nd home run and 5 RBI.

Trudy's report on 1B Tony Becerra is an oblique strain that should keep him out of action for about a week. P Barry Finney has elbow inflammation that will keep him out of action for 8 to 9 weeks....

[Questdog]

Sunday, June 3, 2001

We put RP Barry Finney (26-R) on the DL and sent P Sherrell Brown (27-R) back to Daytona (A). We recalled RP Barry Short (32-R) and called up P Mike Hasley (25-R). Short has done well for the Tortugas since being demoted, do we will give him another chance. Hasley has a 4.44 ERA, but has only allowed 1 HR in 26.1 IP, so he will get a chance in the rotation.

We also need a spot starter for today, because of the rainout earlier. None of our pitchers are rested enough to go on short rest. So LF Barry Laskowski (34-R) was sent back to Daytona (A) and SP Mike Gaddis (32-R) was called up. He is famous for his 12.18 ERA....

New Orleans Pelicans (27-28 .491 6.5 GB in 6th place in the Southern Division) at
Jacksonville Jays (19-36 .345 14.5 GB in 8th (last) place in the Southern Division)

NO: Dennis Farmer (23-R) (4-1 1.95 ERA 55.1 IP, 45 H, 3 HR, 16 BB, 31 SO) Rookie vs.
JAX: Mike Gaddis (32-R) (0-4 12.18 ERA 17 IP, 34 H, 5 HR, 5 BB, 9 SO)

We lost to Farmer in April, but scored 6 runs (5 earned) in 8.2 IP. He was just named Rookie of the Month for May.

In his last start for the Jays, Gaddis faced these same Pelicans and gave up 6 runs in 3 IP.

Lineups: Pos Name (Age-Bats BA-AB-HR-RBI-OPS-SB DEF)
NEW ORLEANS
1: CF Victor Ocasio (25-R .255-204-7-24-.725-10 A)
2: 1B Dan Carroll (23-R .210-105-0-11-.539-6 A+) Rookie #53 prospect
3: LF Omar Camacho (29-L .239-213-4-19-.626-12 B+)
4: RF Ricky Palmer (31-S .229-35-1-4-.741-1 A)
5: C Niel Williams (25-R .252-147-4-15-.737-0 B)
6: 2B Chuck Corrigan (25-R .289-204-2-25-.701-3 A)
7: 3B Mike Akins (33-R .167-42-0-3-.446-0 B+)
8: SS Benito Abonza (29-R .285-172-0-20-.710-1 A)
9: P Dennis Farmer (23-S .350-20-0-4-.733-0 F) Rookie #107 prospect

JACKSONVILLE
1: CF Cal Doty (24-L .283-205-1-22-.714-8 C+)
2: LF Joe Roberts (30-L .342-155-0-17-.790-10 A) Sprained elbow
3: RF Mike Volkman (33-L .365-96-1-18-.918-0 D+)
4: C Garrett Bender (27-R .338-74-2-11-.884-0 B+)
5: 1B Bobby Scrogham (25-R .269-26-0-1-.791-3 B) Rookie
6: SS Ed Diskin (37-R .186-70-0-5-.550-0 D+)
7: 2B Rick Dundore (35-R .273-11-0-0-.697-1 B)
8: 3B Brian Porter (33-S .246-195-1-18-.617-0 C+)
9: P Mike Gaddis (32-R .333-6-0-0-.667-0 F)

Game Start: 2:05 PM
Ballpark: Connie Mack Stadium
Weather: 73 F, Partly Cloudy, with a 9 MPH wind blowing out to right
Attendance: 12,433

A new all-time attendance record! Including Opening Day!
Free ice cream and pizza does make a difference!
Of course, we came out behind on the deal, but we got a record crowd!
They sure aren't here for the great baseball....

Top of the First:
Victor Ocasio flies out to center. Dan Carroll swings at a 3-2 pitch and misses! Omar Camacho flies out to center! 1-2-3!

Bottom of the First:
Cal Doty pops out to left. Joe Roberts lines out to center. Mike Volkman grounds out to short...

The Pelicans go 9 up, 9 down! They must be all tuckered out from all the base running they did yesterday...

Bottom of the Third:
With 2 outs, Mike Volkman beats out an infield hit and gets balked to 2nd. Garrett Bender grounds a hit to left and Volkman beats the throw home! 1 to 0, Jays!

Top of the Sixth:
Benito Abonza lines a hit to right, the first of the game for the Pelicans. The Bullpen gets up. P Dennis Farmer bunts the runner up. Victor Ocasio strikes out looking. Dan Carroll swings at a 3-2 pitch and lines a hit to right and Abonza scores with a throw... Tie Game: 1 to 1.

Top of the Ninth:
On the Hill: Gary Adamson (35-R), after a perfect 8th. PH Jim Tindall (38-L), 1 for 1 with a double this series, takes a 3-2 pitch for ball 4... Dan Carroll grounds into a force at 2nd, 5-4. Carroll steals 2nd... We walk Omar Camacho intentionally. Ricky Palmer swings at a 3-2 pitch and misses! Niel Williamson swings at a 3-2 pitch and pops one to shallow right, but 2B Ed Diskin makes a great running catch!

Bottom of the Ninth:
P Dennis Farmer is at 81 pitches. 4-5-6 up for us. Garrett Bender grounds out to 1st, 3-1. Bobby Scrogham flies out to deep left. Ed Diskin lines out to 1st...

Extras!

Top of the Tenth:
They go down in order!

Bottom of the Tenth:
New Pitcher: Jim Rutherford (31-R), their closer, who blew a Save and gave us a run in an inning on Friday. SS Leander Gooding (30-R) walks on 4 pitches. Brian Porter strikes out looking... PH Ismael Gonzales (33-R) is sent up. Gooding steals 2nd and goes to 3rd when C Niel Williams throws the ball into center! A wild pitch would be nice for another walk-off win! Gonzales swings at an 0-2 pitch and grounds one back to the mound. P Rutherford looks Gooding back to 3rd and then makes a wild throw to 1st and Gooding scores and THIS Ball Game Belongs to the Jays!

Won - 2 to 1

We had 6 hits (all singles) and made no errors
New Orleans had 2 hits (both singles) and made 2 errors (both in the 10th inning)

Mike Gaddis went 7 innings, allowed 1 run, 2 hits, 1 walk and struck out 6. At bat, he had a hit. Game Score of 74! Only Victor Espinoza has surpassed that! I guess Gaddis deserves to get another start.
RHP Gary Adamson (W 4-1) went 3 scoreless innings, allowed 2 walks (1 INT) and struck out 2.

Dennis Farmer went 9 innings, gave us 1 run, 6 hits, 1 walk and struck out 1.
RHP Jim Rutherford (L 2-4) got 1 out, gave us 1 unearned run (his own error), 1 walk and struck out 1.

C Garrett Bender had 2 hits and an RBI. SS Leander Gooding drew a walk in his only appearance, stole a base and scored the winning run. PH Ismael Gonzales got the winning RBI.

[Questdog]

June 4, 2001

Monday Morning Report
Player of the Week - Ron Wisham, SP, Syracuse (31-L 7-3 2.21 ERA) Pitched a shutout and gave up 1 run in 16 IP with 11 H, 0 BB and 10 SO.

(Slash lines are for the season, not the week)

May 29 - Charlie Foltz (27-) of Memphis pitched a 5 hit shutout at Syracuse. he walked 2 and struck out 11. He balked. 136 pitches. He is now 6-3 with a 3.25 ERA in 11 starts. The Mules won, 3 to 0.
May 29 - Paul Gaughan (32-R) of Birmingham pitched 6 innings, allowed 1 unearned run, 6 hits, no walks and struck out 5 and picked up the win. He is now 10-0 with a 2.19 ERA in 12 starts. The Baron won, 7 to 3.
June 1 - Mike Kunz (30-R) of Syracuse pitched a 5 hit shutout at home versus Indianapolis. He walked 1 and struck out 6. At bat, he had a hit. He is now 1-3 with a 2.98 ERA in 6 starts. The Sycamores won, 5 to 0.
June 1 - Al Moser (33-R) of Memphis pitched a 4 hit shutout at Birmingham. He walked 3 and did not strike out a batter. At bat, he had 2 hits. He is now 3-7 with a 3.28 ERA in 10 starts. The Mules won, 6 to 0.

[Questdog]

Monday, June 4, 2001

We decided to give P Mike Gaddis (32-R) at least one more start after his stellar performance yesterday, so we sent P Mike Hasley (25-R) back to Daytona (A) and recalled RF Dennis Brown (27-L). It has not been 10 days since he was demoted, but we have placed a player on the DL since, so we can recall him without issue. We cannot recall LF Barry Laskowski (34-R), however, which is what we would prefer. The plan is to recall Laskowski when his time is served and send Brown back to the Tortugas.

The Louisville Colonels are here to play a short 2 game set. They swept Richmond in 3 games at home over the weekend and have won 8 of their last 10. We lost a pair of games to them here, April 16-17. They are last in scoring with 3.46 runs per game (Jacksonville is #15 with 3.52). We have both scored the same number of runs, but they have played 1 game more. They play in the best pitcher's park in the League, however, and we play in a decent hitters park. The Colonels are 9th in fewest runs allowed with 3.88 per game (Jacksonville is #15 with 5.04). Their run differential is -24 and ours is -85.

Louisville Colonels (31-26 .544 3 GB in 3rd place in the Southern Division) at
Jacksonville Jays (20-36 .357 13.5 GB in 8th (last) place in the Southern Division)

LOU: Carlos Santiago (23-L) (2-5 3.46 ERA 80.2 IP, 82 H, 7 HR, 32 BB, 40 SO) Rookie vs.
JAX: Victor Espinoza (36-R) (5-4 2.00 ERA 76.1 IP, 62 H, 2 HR, 24 BB, 55 SO)

Santiago is their #1 starter. We have not faced him, but he is a #1 starter and a lefty, so we know what that means... He is 0-3 in his last 4 starts. He allowed 5 runs on 10 hits and 3 walks with 1 strikeout in 5.2 IP last time out, but escaped with a no decision. I am sure the Jays are just what the doctor has ordered to fix all his recent issues.

Espinoza pitched 6 shutout innings las time out and got a win, but was thwarted by the weather and his lack of control from getting a chance at a shutout.

Lineups: Pos Name (Age-Bats BA-AB-HR-RBI-OPS-SB DEF)
LOUISVILLE
1: CF Al Graves (24-L .249-213-3-12-.654-15 C+)
2: RF Ray Lovell (27-L .167-42-0-2-.456-0 B) Rookie
3: C Dick Pavlov (33-L .295-173-5-17-.811-1 B+)
4: 1B Alan Douglas (25-S .213-150-8-20-.710-6 A)
5: 3B Jorge Ramos (28-L .301-113-3-9-.787-0 C+)
6: LF Gilmer Duncan (27-L .268-168-6-22-.735-10 B+)
7: 2B Ron Lerche (22-R .253-158-1-13-.658-3 A) Rookie #5 prospect
8: SS Graham Carr (29-R .309-162-0-13-.728-0 B+)
9: P Carlos Santiago (23-L .083-24-0-0-.208-0 F)

JACKSONVILLE
1: CF Frank Wendell (33-R .235-51-0-5-.549-3 C+)
2: LF Cal Doty (24-L .278-209-1-22-.701-8 B+)
3: RF Mike Volkman (33-L .360-100-1-18-.902-0 D+)
4: 1B Ismael Gonzales (33-R .280-50-1-6-.702-0 D+)
5: 3B Bobby Scrogham (25-R .233-30-0-1-.694-3 C) Rookie
6: 2B Ed Diskin (37-R .189-74-0-5-.547-0 B)
7: SS Leander Gooding (30-R .260-150-0-13-.644-5 B)
8: C Bert Swope (29-S .186-102-0-5-.502-0 B)
9: P Victor Espinoza (36-R .095-21-0-0-.269-0 F)

Game Start: 7:05 PM
Ballpark: Connie Mack Stadium
Weather: 78 F, Partly Cloudy, with a 9 MPH wind blowing out to right
Attendance: 6,349

Top of the First:
Al Graves flies out to center. Ray Lovell swings at the first pitch and flies out to deep center. Dick Pavlov takes a 3-2 pitch for ball 4. Alan Douglas lines a hit to center. Jorge Ramos grounds out to 1st, 3-1!

Bottom of the First:
Frank Wendell swings at the first pitch and hits one a mile, but mostly straight up and flies out to left. Cal Doty grounds out to short. Mike Volkman grounds a hit up the middle. Ismael Gonzales grounds a hit to left. Bobby Scrogham grounds a hit to left and Volkman heads home....Safe! 1 to 0, Jays! Ed Diskin clears the bases with a triple to center!! 3 to 0, Jays! Leander Gooding bloops a hit to right center and Diskin scores! 4 to 0, Jays! Bert Swope pops out to short.

Top of the Third:
Al Graves beats out an infield hit. Ray Lovell, the sub-.200 hitter hits a home run 469 ft. to right center... 4 to 2, Jays.

Top of the Sixth:
Jorge Ramos takes a 3-2 pitch for ball 4. The Bullpen gets up. With 1 out, Ron Lerche lines a hit to center. Graham Carr grounds a hit up the middle and Ramos scores. 4 to 3, Jays. Call to the Bullpen: Bill Grant (30-L). Rick Dundore (35-R) is in to play 2nd in a double switch. PH Steve McManus (34-R), batting .333 with 3 RBI and 3 2B in 15 AB, plunks one into a force at 2nd, 2-6, and Lerche goes to 3rd. Al Graves grounds out to 2nd!

Bottom of the Eighth:
On the Hill: Ed Deese after 2 scoreless innings. PH Joe Roberts (30-L) grounds one to short, but Graham Carr throws it away for a 2 base error. Leander Gooding grounds a double to left and Roberts scores! 5 to 3, Jays! They walk Bert Swope intentionally. Rick Dundore obliges with a ground ball to short, but Graham Carr boots it for his second error of the inning and the bases are loaded with no outs! CF Danny Stewart (30-L) lines out to left and Gooding tags up and beats the throw to the plate! 6 to 3, Jays! Cal Doty clears the bases with a double lined to the left field corner and ends up on 3rd!! 8 to 3, Jays! That does it for P Ed Deese. New Pitcher: Randy Duffy (29-L), with a 5.19 ERA in 26 IP with 39 H. Mike Volkman strikes out... 3B Brian Porter (33-S) swings at a 3-2 pitch and grounds a hit to right and Doty scores! 9 to 3, Jays! Bobby Scrogham, who is now playing 1st, hits a home run to right!! 11 to 3, Jays! We have tied our record for runs scored in a game!

Won - 11 to 3

We had 14 hits and made 1 error
Louisville had 9 hits and made 2 errors

Victor Espinoza (W 6-4) went 5.1 innings, allowed 3 runs, 8 hits, 1 home run, 2 walks and struck out no one. He threw a WP. At bat, he had a hit. He had nothing today and we still won!
LHP Bill Grant (H 5) went 2.2 scoreless innings, allowed 2 walks and struck out 1.
RHP Barry Short went 1 scoreless inning and allowed a hit.

Carlos Santiago (L 2-6) went 5 innings, gave us 4 runs, 8 hits, 1 walk and struck out 2.

LF Cal Doty hit a double, scored a run and had 2 RBI. RF Mike Volkman had 3 hits and scored a run. PH/3B Brian Porter went 1 for 2, scored a run and had an RBI. 3B/1B Bobby Scrogham had 2 hits with his 1st home run of his career, drew a walk, scored 2 runs and had 3 RBI. 2B Ed Diskin hit a triple, scored a run and had 2 RBI. SS Leander Gooding had 2 hits with a double, scored a run and had 2 RBI. C Bert Swope hit a double, drew a walk (INT) and scored a run.

For Louisville, RF Ray Lovell, who came into the game batting .167, had 3 hits with a triple and his 1st home run and had 2 RBI.

[Questdog]

Tuesday, June 5, 2001

Louisville Colonels (31-27 .534 3.5 GB in 3rd place in the Southern Division) at
Jacksonville Jays (21-36 .368 13 GB in 8th (last) place in the Southern Division)

LOU: Bruce Conway (30-L) (6-4 3.70 ERA 65.2 IP, 67 H, 3 HR, 23 BB, 30 SO in A Ball) Rookie vs.
JAX: Marco Gonzalez (26-R) (1-3 4.05 ERA 46.2 IP, 48 H, 2 HR, 20 BB, 23 SO)

Conway, a 30 year old rookie, will be making his season debut today. Yesterday's win aside, word apparently has gotten around that all you need is a lefty to beat us and his pedigree does not matter...

Gonzalez gave up 6 runs on 9 hits and 2 walks in 6.2 IP last time out, but escaped with a no decision and we won the game.

Lineups: Pos Name (Age-Bats BA-AB-HR-RBI-OPS-SB DEF)
LOUISVILLE
1: CF Al Graves (24-L .249-217-3-12-.651-15 C+)
2: 1B Alan Douglas (25-S .214-154-8-20-.705-6 A)
3: C Dick Pavlov (33-L .288-177-5-17-.797-1 B+)
4: RF Jorge Ramos (28-L .296-115-3-9-.784-0 D)
5: SS Graham Carr (29-R .313-166-0-14-.735-0 B+)
6: LF Gilmer Duncan (27-L .263-171-6-22-.723-10 B+)
7: 3B Ed Ruiz (31-R .277-159-4-23-.741-1 C+)
8: 2B Ron Duggins (29-R .236-148-3-14-.652-6 B+)
9: P Bruce Conway (30-L Season debut C) Rookie

JACKSONVILLE
1: SS Leander Gooding (30-R .266-154-0-15-.660-5 B)
2: LF Rick Dundore (35-R .250-16-0-0-.607-1 B)
3: RF Mike Volkman (33-L .371-105-1-18-.915-0 D+)
4: C Garrett Bender (27-R .346-78-2-12-.890-0 B+)
5: 3B Bobby Scrogham (25-R .265-34-1-4-.831-3 C) Rookie
6: 1B Ismael Gonzales (33-R .283-53-1-6-.700-0 D+)
7: CF Frank Wendell (33-R .241-54-0-5-.555-3 C+)
8: 2B Ed Diskin (37-R .195-77-0-7-.578-0 B)
9: P Marco Gonzalez (26-R .091-11-0-0-.258-0 F)

Game Start: 7:05 PM
Ballpark: Connie Mack Stadium
Weather: 80 F, Rain, with a 9 MPH wind blowing out to right
Attendance: 5,406

Top of the First:
Al Graves triples to right center... Alan Douglas beats out an infield hit and Graves scores.... 1 to 0, Colonels. After 2 batters they have matched their hit total of yesterday's game... Douglas tries to steal 2nd, but C Garrett Bender throws him out! Dick Pavlov draws a walk... Can P Marco Gonzalez retire a batter? Jorge Ramos grounds a hit to center... Graham Carr lines a hit to center and the bases are loaded with 1 out... Gilmer Duncan beats out an infield hit and Pavlov scores... 2 to 0, Colonels. The Bullpen gets active... Ed Ruiz takes a 3-2 pitch for ball 4 to force in a run... 3 to 0, Colonels. Ron Duggins flies out to deep center and the runners on 2nd and 3rd advance. 4 to 0, Colonels. At least we have finally had a batter put out... P Bruce Conway strikes out.

Bottom of the First:
Leander Gooding lines a hit to center. Rick Dundore flies out to left. Mike Volkman grounds into a 4-6-3 double play...

Top of the Sixth:
Ed Ruiz leads off with a home run to left... 5 to 0, Colonels.

Bottom of the Sixth:
With 1 out, PH Brian Porter (33-S) lines a hit to left. Leander Gooding lines a hit to right. Rick Dundore grounds into a force at 2nd, 3-6, and Porter goes to 3rd. Mike Volkman lines a hit to left and Porter scores. 5 to 1, Colonels.

Bottom of the Seventh:
With 1 out, Ismael Gonzales swings at the first pitch and hits a home run to right. 5 to 2, Colonels. Frank Wendell, Ed Diskin and PH Cal Doty (24-L) all follow with singles and the bases are loaded with 1 out. Leander Gooding lines a hit to right and 2 runs score!! 5 to 4, Colonels. Rick Dundore gets beaned with an 0-2 pitch and the bases are loaded back up. Mike Volkman lines out hard to left and Doty tags up and beats the throw home and Gooding moves to 3rd! Tie Game: 5 to 5! Finally, the manager comes out to take the ball from P Bruce Conway. New Pitcher: Dick Miller (32-R), with a 3.44 ERA in 18.1 IP, but 25 H and 2 HR. Garrett Bender walks on 4 pitches to load them back up. Bobby Scrogham pops out to center...

Bottom of the Eighth:
With 2 outs, Ed Diskin takes a 3-2 pitch for ball 4. LF Cal Doty lines a hit to left. Leander Gooding clears the bases with a double over the center fielder's head!! 7 to 5, Jays!

Top of the Ninth:
On the Hill: Roger Wallace (25-R), after a scoreless 8th. 4-5-6 up for them. Jorge Ramos swings at the first pitch and flies out to left. Graham Carr swings at the first pitch and grounds out to 3rd. Gilmer Duncan sends one to deep center, but Danny Stewart (30-L) runs it down and THIS Ball Game Belongs to the Jays!

Won - 7 to 5

Mini-sweep!
Don't look now, but we have won 5 of our last 6!
Hartford lost and we now no longer have the worst record in the League!!!!!

We had 12 hits and made 1 error
Louisville had 12 hits and made no errors

Marco Gonzalez went 6 innings, allowed 5 runs, 11 hits, 1 home run, 2 walks and struck out 3. He threw a WP. At bat, he had a hit.
RHP Barry Short went 1 scoreless inning, allowed 1 walk and struck out 1. He balked.
RHP Roger Wallace (W 4-1) went 2 scoreless innings and allowed 1 hit.

Bruce Conway, in his season debut, went 6.2 innings, gave us 5 runs, 10 hits, 1 home run, no walks, 1 HBP and struck out 2.
RHP Larry Lewis (L 2-2) went 1 inning, gave us 2 runs, 2 hits and 1 walk.

SS Leander Gooding had 4 hits with a double and 4 RBI. RF Mike Volkman had a hit and 2 RBI. 1B Ismael Gonzales hit his 2nd home run of the season. 2B/3B Ed Diskin had a hit and a walk and scored 2 runs. PH Brian Porter had a hit and scored a run. PH/LF Cal Doty went 2 for 2 and scored 2 runs.

For Louisville, CF Al Graves had 3 hits with a triple and scored a run.

[Questdog]

Thursday, June 7, 2001

We are in Columbus to play the Explorers a 4 game series through the weekend. They just lost a pair of games here to Buffalo. They are 15th in scoring with 3.58 runs per game (Jacksonville, amazingly, is up to #13 with 3.71!). How we have scored more run than Columbus is a mystery, as they outpace us in nearly every statistical category. They are 3rd in fewest runs allowed with 3.67 per game (Jacksonville is #15 with 5.00). Their run differential is -5 and ours is -75, still the worst in the League, but only 5 behind Hartford!

Jacksonville Jays (22-36 .379 11.5 GB in 8th (last) place in the Southern Division) at
Columbus Explorers (27-30 .474 6.5 GB in 6th place in the Northern Division)

JAX: Mackie Reed (29-R) (2-3 4.64 ERA 66 IP, 79 H, 7 HR, 26 BB, 28 SO) vs.
COL: Ron Vanderpool (28-R) (1-2 3.16 ERA 37 IP, 34 H, 4 HR, 8 BB, 17 SO) Rookie

Reed has not lost a game in his last 5 starts, though he has only won 1. Last time out was a no decision where he allowed 4 runs (1 earned) on 4 hits, a home run and 2 walks in 7 IP.

Vanderpool gave up 3 runs on 6 hits and 3 walks in 7 IP last time out in a no decision.

Lineups: Pos Name (Age-Bats BA-AB-HR-RBI-OPS-SB DEF)
JACKSONVILLE
1: SS Leander Gooding (30-R .283-159-0-19-.694-5 B)
2: LF Cal Doty (24-L .282-216-1-24-.711-8 B+)
3: RF Joe Roberts (30-L .329-161-0-17-.761-10 B+) Sprained elbow
4: C Garrett Bender (27-R .333-81-2-12-.865-0 B+)
5: 1B Bobby Scrogham (25-R .237-38-1-4-.750-3 B) Rookie
6: 2B Ed Diskin (37-R .200-80-0-7-.589-0 B)
7: CF Danny Stewart (30-L .176-68-0-8-.440-1 C+)
8: 3B Brian Porter (33-S .249-201-1-19-.621-0 C+)
9: P Mackie Reed (29-R .263-19-1-3-.759-0 D+)

COLUMBUS
1: CF Bill Baehr (28-L .256-78-0-6-.643-3 B)
2: 3B Tim Dawson (24-R .288-156-1-13-.705-3 C)
3: 1B Gabriel Beltran (31-S .281-228-6-26-.748-6 B)
4: LF Robert Duenas (31-L .375-48-0-9-.939-0 B)
5: 2B Ron Stillwaggon (37-R .297-192-6-29-.883-1 B)
6: RF Lee Roe (30-R .224-85-2-11-.616-0 B)
7: C Marc Barksdale (30-R .159-164-1-9-.483-0 B)
8: SS Joe Tirey (29-L .216-194-5-23-.629-0 A)
9: P Ron Vanderpool (28-R .091-11-0-0-.182-0 F) Rookie

Game Start: 7:05 PM
Ballpark: Comiskey Park
Weather: 81 F, Clear Skies, with a 9 MPH wind blowing left to right
Attendance: 5,876

Top of the First:
Leander Gooding grounds out to short. Cal Doty strikes out looking on 3 pitches... Joe Roberts pops out to left...

Bottom of the First:
Bill Baehr lines an 0-2 pitch to left for a double... Tim Dawson grounds out to 3rd. Gabriel Beltran flies out to deep left and Baehr tags up and makes it to 3rd. Robert Duenas pops out to short! P Mackie Reed had 2 strikes on every hitter, but no strikeouts...

We go 9 up, 9 down...

Top of the Fourth:
After we make it to 11 up, 11 down, Joe Roberts lines a hit to left and goes to 2nd on a wild pitch. Garrett Bender grounds a hit to right and Roberts scores! 1 to 0, Jays!

Bottom of the Fourth:
With 1 out, Gabriel Beltran hits a home run to right... Tie Game: 1 to 1.

Top of the Seventh:
With 2 outs, Danny Stewart lines a hit to right. Brian Porter grounds a double over the 1st base bag and Stewart scores! 2 to 1, Jays!

Bottom of the Ninth:
New Pitcher: Bill Grant (30-L). Top of the order up for them. PH Mike Brewer (38-R), batting .323 with 1 HR in 164 AB, swings at the first pitch and grounds out to short. Tim Dawson takes a 3-2 pitch for ball 4. Gabriel Beltran grounds into a 6-4-3 double play and THIS Ball Game Belongs to the Jays!

Won - 2 to 1

4 wins in a row, a new team record!
6 wins in our last 7 games!

We had 7 hits and made 1 error
Columbus had 3 hits and made no errors

Mackie Reed (W 3-3) went 8 innings, allowed 1 run, 3 hits, 1 home run, no walks and struck out 4. 89 pitches. He was really upset to be lifted for a pinch-hitter in the 8th.
LHP Bill Grant (SV 2) pitched a scoreless 9th and allowed 1 walk.

Ron Vanderpool (L 1-3) went 8 innings, gave us 2 runs, 6 hits, 2 walks and struck out 5. He threw a WP.

RF Joe Roberts had 2 hits and a walk (INT) and scored a run. 3B Brian Porter had 2 hits with a double and a walk and an RBI.

Down on the Farm: The Daytona (A) Tortugas lost to the Lexington Legends at home, 3 to 2, in 15 innings. Tortuga starter, Dalton Hartman (24-R), went 11 innings, allowed 2 runs (1 earned), 7 hits, 2 walks and struck out 12. 152 pitches thrown. In his previous start, he went 8 innings in another no decision, allowed 1 run, 3 hits, no walks and struck out 11! None of his first 5 starts were any good at all and he missed a month with shoulder inflammation. But he will be the next candidate for the Jay rotation. He was ranked as prospect #197 by Baseball America this Spring. 2B Frank Roadman (26-R) is 3 for 27 (.111) since being sent down. SS Junior Danielson (29-R), who hit .137 for the Jays, has flipped the numbers to .173 for the Tortugas...

[Questdog]

Friday, June 8, 2001

Jacksonville Jays (23-36 .390 11.5 GB in 8th (last) place in the Southern Division) at
Columbus Explorers (27-31 .466 7.5 GB in 6th place in the Northern Division)

JAX: Mike Gaddis (32-R) (0-4 9.00 ERA 24 IP, 36 H, 5 HR, 6 BB, 15 SO) vs.
COL: Terry Luckett (26-L) (7-3 1.96 ERA 92 IP, 90 H, 3 HR, 12 BB, 69 SO)

Gaddis, who had an ERA of 12.18 after his first 4 starts for the Jays, was brought back from Daytona (A) to make a spot start out of desperation and went 7 innings and only allowed 1 run on 2 hits and a walk and struck out 6. So he is getting another start today.

Luckett is their #1 starter and is 2nd in the League in ERA and is a lefty. In his last 10 starts, he is 7-1 and has not allowed more than 2 runs in any game. He is also the leading vote getter for starting pitchers in the Northern Division for the All-Star team.

Lineups: Pos Name (Age-Bats BA-AB-HR-RBI-OPS-SB DEF)
JACKSONVILLE
1: SS Leander Gooding (30-R .276-163-0-19-.678-5 B)
2: LF Cal Doty (24-L .282-220-1-24-.707-9 B+)
3: RF Mike Volkman (33-L .367-109-1-20-.897-0 D+)
4: C Garrett Bender (27-R .329-85-2-13-.849-0 B+)
5: 1B Ismael Gonzales (33-R .281-57-2-7-.739-0 D+)
6: 3B Bobby Scrogham (25-R .214-42-1-4-.684-3 C) Rookie
7: CF Frank Wendell (33-R .246-57-0-5-.561-3 C+)
8: 2B Ed Diskin (37-R .190-84-0-7-.562-0 B)
9: P Mike Gaddis (32-R .375-8-0-0-.750-0 F)

COLUMBUS
1: CF Jorge Moreida (22-L .280-186-1-6-.677-5 B) Rookie #29 prospect
2: 3B Mike Brewer (38-R .321-165-1-17-.767-0 C)
3: 1B Gabriel Beltran (31-S .280-232-7-27-.757-6 B)
4: RF Tim Brantley (27-L .263-137-3-14-.748-0 C)
5: 2B Ron Stillwaggon (37-R .292-195-6-29-.870-1 B)
6: LF Tim Dawson (24-R .283-159-1-13-.696-3 B+)
7: SS Joe Tirey (29-L .213-197-5-23-.620-0 A)
8: C Skip Arbore (35-R .206-34-0-4-.472-0 C+)
9: P Terry Luckett (26-L .357-28-0-4-.831-0 D)

Game Start: 7:05 PM
Ballpark: Comiskey Park
Weather: 76 F, Partly Cloudy, with a 7 MPH wind blowing out to right
Attendance: 7,473

Top of the First:
Leander Gooding strikes out... Cal Doty strikes out... Mike Volkman walks on 4 pitches. Garrett Bender swings at a 3-2 pitch and grounds a hit to left and Volkman goes to 3rd. Ismael Gonzales strikes out on 3 pitches....

Bottom of the First:
Jorge Moreida lines out to center. Mike Brewer grounds out to short. Gabriel Beltran strikes out looking! 1-2-3!

Bottom of the Second:
With 1 out, Ron Stillwaggon grounds one to 2nd, but Ed Diskin throws it away for a 2 base error. Tim Dawson grounds a double over the 3rd base bag and Stillwaggon scores... 1 to 0, Explorers. A wild pitch sends Dawson to 3rd. Joe Tirey takes a 3-2 pitch for ball 4. Skip Arbore grounds into a force at 2nd, 5-4, and Dawson scores. 2 to 0, Explorers.

Top of the Fourth:
With 1 out, Garrett Bender swings at the first pitch and grounds a hit to left. Ismael Gonzales lines a double to left. Bobby Scrogham swings at a 3-2 pitch and grounds a hit to left and Bender scores! 2 to 1, Explorers. Frank Wendell beats out and infield hit and Gonzales scores! Tie Game: 2 to 2! Ed Diskin grounds a hit to left and Scrogham scores and the other runners advance on the throw! 3 to 2, Jays! P Mike Gaddis strikes out. Leander Gooding strikes out...

Bottom of the Fourth:
With 2 outs, Joe Tirey grounds a triple down the left field line. The Explorers now have 3 hits: 2 triples and a double. Skip Arbore grounds a hit to right and Tirey scores... Tie Game: 3 to 3. P Terry Luckett lines a hit to center. Jorge Moreida grounds out to short!

Top of the Fifth:
Cal Doty beats out an infield hit. With 1 out, Garrett Bender lines a double to the right field corner and Doty scores! 4 to 3, Jays. P Terry Luckett had allowed 4 runs in his last 3 starts combined! The next two make outs.

Bottom of the Sixth:
Tim Dawson lines a hit to right. The Bullpen gets up. With 1 out, Skip Arbore grounds a hit up the middle and Dawson beats the throw to 3rd, a throw that injured CF Frank Wendell. Danny Stewart (30-L) goes in to play center. PH Rusty Dexter (29-L), batting .242 with 3 RBI in 62 AB is sent up. Call to the Bullpen: Bill Grant (30-L). Dexter strikes out looking on 3 pitches! Jorge Moreida swings at a 3-2 pitch and grounds out to 2nd!

Top of the Ninth:
On the Hill: Bill Ellis (34-R), after 2 scoreless innings, With 1 out, Leander Gooding beats out an infield hit. He steals 2nd and they walk Cal Doty intentionally, the 10th time he has been walked intentionally this season. Mike Volkman swings at a 3-2 pitch and grounds a hit to left and Gooding beats the throw home! 5 to 3, Jays! Garrett Bender lines a 3-2 pitch to center for a hit and the bases are loaded with 1 out. 3B Brian Porter (33-S) swings at the first pitch and lines out to left and Doty trots home! 6 to 3, Jays! PH Tony Becerra (32-L), who was cleared to play today by Trudy the Trainer, bloops a hit to center and Volkman scores! 7 to 3, Jays!

Won - 7 to 3

5 wins in a row!
We are the Best Team in Baseball!
(over the last 10 games)

We had 15 hits and made 1 error
Columbus had 8 hits and made no errors

We tied our team record for hits in a game!

Mike Gaddis (W 1-4) went 5.1 innings, allowed 3 runs (1 earned), 7 hits, 2 walks and struck out 4. He threw 2 WP.
LHP Bill Grant (H 6) went 2.2 scoreless innings, allowed 1 hit and struck out 2. he leads the League in Holds.
RHP Josh Reddick pitched a perfect 9th and struck out 1.

Terry Luckett (L 7-4) went 6 innings, gave us 4 runs, 10 hits, 1 walk and struck out 6. 113 pitches. At bat, he had a hit.

SS Leander Gooding had 2 hits, stole a base and scored a run. LF Cal Doty had a hit and a walk (INT) and scored 2 runs. RF Mike Volkman had a hit and a walk, scored a run and had an RBI. C Garrett Bender had 4 hits with a double, scored a run and had an RBI. 1B Ismael Gonzales hit a double and scored a run. 3B/1B Bobby Scrogham had a hit, scored a run and had an RBI. PH/1B Tony Becerra had a hit and an RBI. 2B Ed Diskin had 2 hits and an RBI.

Trudy's report on CF Frank Wendell is a sore hamstring and he should be fine in 3 or 4 days.

Down in the Bushes: The Nashville (B) Sounds of the Southern League lost at Chattanooga, 4 to 2, ending their 13 game winning streak. They are now 18-2 in their last 20 games and 43-19 (.694) on the season, 8 games ahead of 2nd place Mobile.

[Questdog]

Saturday, June 9, 2001

Today is P Marco Gonzalez' 27th birthday!

It is 6 days to the trading deadline and we got our 1st trade offer for P Victor Espinoza (36-R). And I do not see how we will get much of a better one, so I pulled the trigger.

Trade #12
P Victor Espinoza (36-R) to New Orleans for 1B/OF Glen Lewis (20-L)

Lewis was the #3 prospect this Spring, according to Baseball America. He does not seem ready for the Major Leagues, so he will go to Daytona (A). The walks and strikeouts are definitely a concern, but he is only 20 and should improve in that area, though it does not look like he will ever be a high walk, low strikeout kind of guy. Hopefully, his power develops to compensate. One of the positive signs is that he is hitting lefties better than he is hitting righties. I considered rejecting the trade, to hope for Orlando to give us one of their top 2 prospects, but a bird in the hand, as they say...

To fill Espinoza's spot in the rotation, we called up P Dalton Hartman (24-R), who has had 2 outstanding outings in a row for the Tortugas. His rest schedule, unfortunately, does not sync with everyone else, but we have a day off on Monday, so I am hoping that will negate the need for a spot starter to be called up.

Jacksonville Jays (24-36 .400 10.5 GB in 8th (last) place in the Southern Division) at
Columbus Explorers (27-32 .458 7.5 GB in 6th place in the Northern Division)

JAX: Tom Betke (25-R) (0-2 5.84 ERA 12.1 IP, 15 H, 1 HR, 8 BB, 6 SO) Rookie vs.
COL: Mike Elizondo (22-R) (2-7 3.38 ERA 82.2 IP, 85 H, 5 HR, 23 BB, 34 SO)

Betke has not pitched in 10 days. Last time out, he gave up 3 runs on 8 hits, 1 home run and 5 walks with 2 strikeouts in 6.1 IP in a loss. This will be his 3rd Major League start.

Elizondo started off the season 2-0, but has since lost 7 in a row. 4 of the 7 losses were Quality Starts. Last time out, was not: 6 runs (5 earned) on 10 hits, 1 home run, 2 walks and 2 strikeouts in 8.1 IP.

Lineups: Pos Name (Age-Bats BA-AB-HR-RBI-OPS-SB DEF)
JACKSONVILLE
1: CF Cal Doty (24-L .281-224-1-24-.706-9 C+)
2: LF Joe Roberts (30-L .333-165-0-17-.770-10 A) Sprained elbow
3: RF Mike Volkman (33-L .363-113-1-21-.888-0 D+)
4: C Garrett Bender (27-R .356-90-2-14-.899-0 B+)
5: 1B Tony Becerra (32-L .235-162-7-24-.678- A+)
6: 2B Ed Diskin (37-R .205-88-0-8-.581-0 B)
7: SS Leander Gooding (30-R .280-168-0-19-.681-6 B)
8: 3B Bobby Scrogham (25-R .217-46-1-5-.669-3 C) Rookie
9: P Tom Betke (25-R .200-5-0-1-.600-0 F) Rookie

COLUMBUS
1: CF Jorge Moreida (22-L .272-191-1-6-.660-5 B) Rookie
2: 3B Mike Brewer (38-R .312-170-1-17-.745-0 C)
3: 1B Gabriel Beltran (31-S .281-235-7-27-.767-6 B)
4: RF Tim Brantley (27-L .255-141-3-14-.728-0 C)
5: 2B Ron Stillwaggon (37-R .291-199-6-29-.863-1 B)
6: LF Roberto Duenas (31-L .353-51-0-9-.887-0 B)
7: C Marc Barksdale (30-R .161-168-1-9-.483-0 B)
8: SS Joe Tirey (29-L .215-200-5-23-.634-0 A)
9: P Mike Elizondo (22-R .207-29-0-0-.448-0 F)

Game Start: 7:05 PM
Ballpark: Comiskey Park
Weather: 74 F, Clear Skies, with a 9 MPH wind blowing out to left
Attendance: 7,249

Top of the First:
Cal Doty lines a hit to center. Joe Roberts lines a hit to right and Doty beats the throw to 3rd! Mike Volkman grounds out to 3rd and Doty scores and Roberts goes to 2nd. 1 to 0, Jays! Garrett Bender grounds one to 2nd, but Ron Stillwaggon boots it! Tony Becerra pops out to left and the runners hold. Ed Diskin takes a 3-2 pitch for strike three...

Bottom of the First:
Jorge Moreida grounds out to 2nd. Mike Brewer takes a 3-2 pitch for ball 4. Gabriel Beltran pops out to 3rd. Tom Brantley doubles to center... Ron Stillwaggon swings at a 3-2 pitch and flies out to deep center!

Top of the Fifth:
Leander Gooding gets beaned and then goes around to 3rd on a pair of ground outs. Cal Doty lines a hit to left and Gooding scores! 2 to 0, Jays!

Top of the Seventh:
Leander Gooding beats out an infield hit and Bobby Scrogham grounds a hit to left. P Tom Betke bunts into a force at 3rd, 1-5. Cal Doty loops a hit to center and the bases are loaded with 1 out. With the infield in, Joe Roberts grounds a hard one to the left side, but 3B Mike Brewer makes a diving stop and gets the force at home, 5-2. Mike Volkman clears the bases with a triple to right!!! 5 to 0, Jays!

Top of the Eighth:
New Pitcher: Dave Fussell (36-R), with a 1.56 ERA in 17.1 IP and an 0.98 WHIP. Tony Becerra grounds a hit up the middle. Ed Diskin triples to right and Becerra scores! 6 to 0, Jays! Leander Gooding lines a hit to center and Diskin scores! 7 to 0, Jays! That is all we get.

Bottom of the Eighth:
Gabriel Beltran swings at a 3-2 pitch and doubles to left center. The Bullpen is up. With 1 out, Ron Stillwaggon draws a walk, the sixth issued by P Tom Betke. The next two fly out!!

Bottom of the Ninth:
P Tom Betke is at 128 pitches and the Bullpen is ready to go. Joe Tirey takes a 3-2 pitch for walk #7.... PH Tom Horvath (28-R), 0 for 1 this series, lines a hit to left center. Jorge Moreida swings at a 3-2 pitch and grounds a hit to center and the bases are loaded. Why could they have not scored there, so I could pull poor Tom? Mike Brewer grounds into a force at home, 1-2. Gabriel Beltran pops out to left and the runners hold. Tim Brantley draws walk #8 to force in a run... 7 to 1, Jays. Call to the Bullpen: Gary Adamson (35-R). Ron Stillwaggon swings at a 3-1 pitch and pops out to 2nd and THIS Ball Game Belongs to the Jays!

Won - 7 to 1

6 wins in a row!

We had 13 hits and made no errors
Columbus had 7 hits and made 3 errors

Tom Betke (W 1-2) went 8.2 innings, allowed 1 run, 7 hits, 8 walks and struck out 4. 160 pitches. At bat, he scored a run.
RHP Gary Adamson faced 1 batter and retired him.

Mike Elizondo (L 2-8) went 6.2 innings, gave us 5 runs, 9 hits, no walks, 1 HBP and struck out 3.

Cal Doty had 3 hits, scored 2 runs and had an RBI. LF Joe Roberts had 2 hits and scored a run. RF Mike Volkman had 3 hits with a triple and 4 RBI. 2B Ed Diskin hit a triple, scored a run and had an RBI. SS Leander Gooding had 2 hits, was hit by a pitch, scored a run and had an RBI.

Around the League: Victor Espinoza (36-R) wasted no time making his debut for the New Orleans Pelicans and he picked up a win versus Hartford, going 6.2 innings, allowing 3 runs (1 earned), 5 hits, 1 home run, 3 walks and striking out 2. There was a 51 minute rain delay in the 5th inning and he was not as sharp after play resumed.

[Questdog]

Sunday, June 10, 2001

Jacksonville Jays (25-36 .410 10.5 GB in 8th (last) place in the Southern Division) at
Columbus Explorers (27-33 .450 8.5 GB in 6th place in the Northern Division)

JAX: Marco Gonzalez (27-R) (1-3 4.44 ERA 52.2 IP, 59 H, 3 HR, 22 BB, 26 SO) vs.
COL: Terry Wilson (29-R) (3-4 3.50 ERA 82.1 IP, 83 H, 6 HR, 34 BB, 72 SO) Rookie

Gonzales has allowed 11 runs in 12.2 IP in his last 2 starts, but escaped both times with a no decision and we won both games.

Wilson only gave up 2 runs (1 earned) on 7 hits and 3 walks in 7 IP last time out, but took a loss. He is 5th in the League in SO.

Lineups: Pos Name (Age-Bats BA-AB-HR-RBI-OPS-SB DEF)
JACKSONVILLE
1: CF Cal Doty (24-L .288-229-1-25-.716-9 C+)
2: LF Joe Roberts (30-L .335-170-0-17-.771-10 A) Sprained elbow
3: RF Mike Volkman (33-L .373-118-1-25-.918-0 D+)
4: C Garrett Bender (27-R .337-95-2-14-.855-0 B+)
5: 1B Tony Becerra (32-L .234-167-7-24-.669- A+)
6: 2B Ed Diskin (37-R .207-92-0-9-.600-0 B)
7: SS Leander Gooding (30-R .287-171-0-20-.696-6 B)
8: 3B Brian Porter (33-S .254-205-1-21-.635-0 C+)
9: P Marco Gonzalez (27-R .167-12-0-0-.397-0 F)

COLUMBUS
1: CF Jorge Moreida (22-L .276-196-1-6-.664-5 B) Rookie
2: 3B Mike Brewer (38-R .310-174-1-17-.743-0 C)
3: 1B Gabriel Beltran (31-S .282-238-7-27-.774-6 B)
4: RF Tim Brantley (27-L .257-144-3-15-.741-0 C)
5: 2B Ron Stillwaggon (37-R .286-203-6-29-.850-1 B)
6: LF Tim Dawson (24-R .288-163-1-14-.709-3 B+)
7: C Marc Barksdale (30-R .164-171-1-9-.490-0 B)
8: SS Joe Tirey (29-L .212-203-5-23-.628-0 A)
9: P Terry Wilson (29-R .179-28-0-5-.429-0 F)

Game Start: 2:05 PM
Ballpark: Comiskey Park
Weather: 80 F, Clear Skies, with a 7 MPH wind blowing right to left
Attendance: 6,835

Top of the First:
Cal Doty grounds out to 3rd. Joe Roberts pops out to short. Mike Volkman pops out to 2nd...

Bottom of the First:
Jorge Moreida walks in 4 pitches... Mike Brewer grounds a hit to center and Moreida beats the throw to 3rd. Gabriel Beltran flies out to center and Moreida tags up and scores. 1 to 0, Explorers. Brewer tries to steal 2nd, but C Garrett Bender throws him out! Tim Brantley swings at a 3-2 pitch and flies out to the warning track in center.

Top of the Second:
With 1 out, Tony Becerra swings at the first pitch and grounds a hit to right. With 2 outs, Leander Gooding swings at the first pitch and lines a hit to center. Brian Porter lines a hit to right center and Becerra beats the throw home! Tie Game: 1 to 1.

Bottom of the Fourth:
Gabriel Beltran walks on 4 pitches. Tim Brantley lays down a bunt, but C Garrett Bender throws it away for a two base error... With the infield in, Ron Stillwaggon grounds a hit to left and both runners score... 3 to 1, Explorers. With 1 out, Marc Barksdale lines a hit to right. Joe Tirey swings at the first pitch and grounds a hit up the middle and the bases are loaded with 1 out. The Bullpen gets up. P Terry Wilson grounds into a force at home, 5-2, but beats the throw to 1st. Jorge Moreida grounds out to 1st, unassisted!

Bottom of the Sixth:
Ron Stillwaggon lines a hit to left center. The Bullpen is back up. Tim Dawson lines a hit to right center. But the next three make outs!

Top of the Seventh:
P Terry Wilson strikes out the side in order... He now has 9 on the day.

Bottom of the Seventh:
Jorge Moreida and Mike Brewer lead off with back to back hits and the Explorers have runners at the corners with no outs. Call to the Bullpen: Justin Reddick (28-R). Rick Dundore is in to play 2nd in a double switch. Gabriel Beltran strikes out. Tim Brantley flies out to deep left and Moreida trots home. 4 to 1, Explorers.

Bottom of the Eighth:
Tim Dawson leads off and swings at the first pitch and hits a home run to left... 5 to 1, Explorers. Marc Barksdale grounds a hit to left. The Bullpen is up again. With 2 outs, Jorge Moreida doubles to right. Call to the Bullpen: Roger Wallace (25-R). Mike Brewer grounds a hit up the middle and both runners score... 7 to 1, Explorers.

Lost - 7 to 1

We had 6 hits (all singles) and made 1 error
Columbus had 14 hits and made no errors

Marco Gonzalez (L 1-4) went 6+ innings, allowed 4 runs (3 earned), 9 hits, 2 walks and struck out 4.
RHP Justin Reddick went 1.2 innings, allowed 3 runs, 3 hits, 1 home run and struck out 2.
RHP Roger Wallace got 1 out, allowed 2 hits and struck out 1.

Terry Wilson (W 4-4) went 8 innings, gave us 1 run, 6 hits, 1 walk and struck out 10. He is the 1st pitcher to reach double digit K's against us.

SS Leander Gooding had 2 hits. 2B Rick Dundore had a hit in his only at bat.

For Columbus, CF Jorge Moreida had 3 hits with a double and a triple, drew a walk and scored 3 runs. 3B Mike Brewer had 3 hits and 2 RBI.

Down in the Bushes: I have already settled on who I want to take with our first pick in the B Leagues Draft in January: SP Jim Baucom (19-R). He's 6' 8" and will turn 20 in a few weeks and he leads the Southern League in strikeouts. He can reach 100 MPH on the radar gun and throws 4 pitches. He is smart and there are no personality issues known. He pitches for the Jackson Generals and is 6-3 with a 2.76 ERA in 14 starts with 97.2 IP, 74 H, 3 HR, 30 BB and 89 SO. The only knock is his stamina is not the highest, but it is high enough to be able to finish games. He also cannot hit a lick, but If he can make it through the rest of the season without an injury and is available when we pick, he will be a Jay. Of course, now I have jinxed it....

[Questdog]

June 11, 2001

Monday Morning Report
Player of the Week - Keith Meyer, 2B, Memphis (26-L .351/.427/.560) Had 14 hits with 3 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 2 BB, 2 SO, 0 SB, 1 CS, 7 R and 8 RBI in 6 G

(Slash lines are for the season, not the week)

June 5 - Yui Ogawa (26-L) of Indianapolis pitched a 2 hit shutout at home versus Ottawa. He walked 4 and struck out 8. 148 pitches. It is his 2nd shutout of the season. He is now 5-6 with a 3.69 ERA in 13 starts. The Arrows won, 10 to 0.
June 8 - Jim Riggs (31-R) of Providence pitched a 3 hit shutout at home versus Richmond. He did not walk a batter and struck out 5. It is his 2nd shutout of the season. He is now 6-4 with a 2.67 ERA in 14 starts. The Steamrollers won, 7 to 0.
June 8 - 2B Sal Esquivel (32-R) of Syracuse hit 2 doubles and a home run and had 6 RBI at Charlotte. The Sycamores won, 8 to 5.

[Westheim]

That Lewis boy definitely needs seasoning, but he doesn't look like a bad grab for a 36-year-old inches from the cliff.