DELMARVA Baseball League

[illeracula]

Week 20
Current Week: 4-3 (81-42 .664 / +13.0)
Next Week: 3 @ Washington Senators, 3 @ Richmond Cardinals
Power Ranking: 1 (+1 / 121.5)
Fan Interest: 100
Owners Mood: Ecstatic
Expectation: Playoffs

Runs Scored: 692 (3rd)
Avg: .282 (2nd)
HR: 138 (4th)
SB: 106 (1st)
Runs Against: 454 (1st)
Starters ERA: 3.44 (1st)
Pen ERA: 3.35 (1st)
Def Eff: .724 (1st)

Game 117: Norfolk 11, Virginia Beach 6
Lanny Reese: 4.2 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 3 BB, 3K
Ryan Williams: 2.0 IP, H, 3 BB, K
Sergio Rodriguez: 3-5, 2 R, RBI
Sergio Galvez: 1-5, HR (20), 2 R, 3 RBI
Francisco Gallegos: 2-4, 2B, 2 R
Trevor Parker: 1-5, HR (25), R, 4 RBI
Bob Short: 2-5, 2B, 2 R
H: 14, LOB: 8

Game 118: Norfolk 4, Virginia Beach 5
Angel Rivera: 6.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 5 BB, 7 K
Michael Meagher (2-1, BS 1): 0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, BB, 2 K
Claudio Flores: 2-3, R
Pedro Torres: 1-3, RBI
Sergio Galvez: 1-4, R, RBI
H: 6, LOB: 5

Game 119: Norfolk 6, Virginia Beach 5 (11 Innings)
Paul Brown: 8.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, BB, 5 K
Miguel A Gonzalez (5-3, BS 5): 2.0 IP, H, R, 3 K
Eric Helton (SV 3): 1.0 IP, 3 H, R, K
Henry Rojas: 3-5, 2 RBI
Francisco Gallegos: 2-6, 2 2B, R
Pedro Torres: 2-4, 2B, R
Bob Short: 1-5, HR (10), R, RBI
Sergio Rodriguez: 2-6, HR (4), R, RBI
H: 12, LOB: 8

Game 120: Ellicott City 4, Norfolk 1
Jaoquin Hernandez (11-3): 7.2 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 3 BB, 7 K
Robinson Lopez: 1-3
H: 3, LOB: 4

Game 121: Ellicott City 7, Norfolk 9
Armando Lopez: 4.1 IP, 8 H, 3 R, BB, 3 K
David Moran (7-2): 2.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, BB, 3 K
Miguel A Gonzalez (SV 29): 0.2 IP
Juan Hernandez: 3-4, 2B, HR (2), 3 R, 4 RBI
Robinson Lopez: 2-4, RBI
Francisco Gallegos: 2-4, 3B, R, RBI
Trevor Parker: 1-2, 2B, 2 R
H: 12, LOB: 4

Game 122: Ellicott City 7, Norfolk 4
Lanny Reese (1-1/14-3): 6.1 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 6 K
Juan Hernandez: 1-4, HR (3), R, 2 RBI
Bryant Frank: 2-3, 2 2B, R
Sergio Galvez: 2-4, 2B
H: 8, LOB: 4

Game 123: Ellicott City 1, Norfolk 9
Ernie Kennedy (12-6): 8.0 IP, 4 H, R, 3 BB, 5 K
Trevor Parker: 3-4, 3B, 3 R, RBI
Mike Baldwin: 1-3, HR (9), R, RBI
Francisco Gallegos: 0-1, 3 R, RBI
Bob Short: 1-3, 3 RBI
H: 8, LOB: 5



Injuries:
SP Cornell Pearson, Torn UCL (Undergoing Tommy John Surgery), 5 Months
SP Carlos Coronado, Torn Labrum, 2-3 Months
LF Leonard Lawson, concussion, ready to return
MR Teo Ha, shoulder soreness, 2 weeks

MR Teo Ha left a game earlier this week complaining of shoulders soreness, our trainer say she should sit out for at least 3 weeks. So he was placed on the DL. Boyd Martin was called up from AAA to take his roster slot, giving him a lefty for a lefty. Martin is 4-0 2.95, 3 saves in 49 AAA gamest his season.

SP Ernie Kennedy came off the DL and was put back in the rotation. Armando Lopez was moved back to the bullpen and Ryan Williams was sent back down to AAA. Williams pitched in 4 games with the Cav's, spanning 5.1 innings, allowing 6 hits and 3 runs. He looked much better over hit past 3 games compared to his debut.

Other/Roster News:
n/a

GM Notes:
We missed a big opporutnity to just tear the Express and their confidence apart, but we ended up splitting with them. I guess I should be happy that outcome, I was just hoping for a lot more. Looking at the box-scores it was 4 ugly games against the Express. We just can't seem to hit their pitching as well as some others.

We still lowered our magic number to 26, with just under 40 games to go. I have to say I am happy with that. We have been consistent all season long and I guess that is something I am not overly used to. We just didn't have that stretch where we ran off some crazy hot winning streak. With just over a week left to play in August it looks like we won't end up with a 20-win month, but it will be another month like the others. I guess I should be happy that we are winning and the goal of the 20-wins might just be a little much.

Ernie Kennedy came back like he didn't miss a beat and that was nice to see. I just hope he had a little tired shoulder and he will be fine, there seems to be way too many arm injuries to these young guys...(knock on wood)... he is the future ace of Norfolk that is for sure and he has 2 really solid mentors (Brown, Pearson). I am glad he has worked his way through the early season nerves/kinks to become one of my most reliable starters.

I have been hard on this team throughout the year and I don't think they have deserved it. I look at our record and I am quite surprised that we are doing so well. Makes me think I have effected some of the enjoyment I could of had from this year. As we have a bunch of young kids pitching solidly, young bats up and down the lineup. Its really been enjoyable, yet I seem to focus on the negative things. I am going to try be more positive about this team over the next month and see how that goes. We are well rounded, up and down the lineup, and are playing true "team" ball right now.

I do have to say its really odd looking up at the team leader board and seeing "Trevor Parker" all over it. If you asked me if I thought he would put up these kind of numbers at the beginning of the season I would of said no way, but here he is, one of 4 guys hitting over .300 and he leads the team in RBI's and HR's. Trevor Parker? He will end up being the only Cav with over 100 RBI's this season. From a platoon guy, to a starter, to a MVP candidate... just wow, he is better than I had expected him to be. Makes someone a little more expendable this off-season thats for sure.



Standings Leaders
DE Southern: Milton Brewers: 73-49 (+5.5)
DE Northern: Wilmington Iron Pigs: 66-54 (-- % points)
MV Eastern: Virginia Beach Surf Dawgs: 77-46 (+1.5)
MV Western: Norfolk Cavaliers: 84-42 (+13.0)

Players of the Week:
Delaware: Peter Peters (New Castle Colonials) 12-20, 6 HR's, 12 R's, 12 RBI'sx
MarVa: Mauro Perez (Annapolis Admirals) 11-25, HR, 9 RBI's

Power Rankings:
1) Norfolk Cavaliers (121.5)
2) Chesapeake Blue Crabs (119.3)
3) New Castle Colonials (113.8)
4) Ocean City Tourists (113.2)
5) Virginia Beach Surf Dawgs (137.4)

News:
Newark Millers: SS Ivan Rodriguez will miss 4-5 months after sustaining a broken kneecap in a game earlier this week. Rodriquez hit .205-13-50 on the season.

Milestones:
Batting:
1B Francisco Reyes (Georgetown Sixteens) 22 hits from 2500
OF Jeff Lewis (Ocean City Tourists) 30 hits from 2500

Pitching:
Arturo Herrera (Chesapeake Blue Crabs) 11 games from 1000 (career leader)
Mike Banks (New Castle Colonials) 18 games from 1000 (2nd all-time)

[illeracula]

Week 21
Current Week: 2-4 (83-46 .664 / +14.0)
Next Week: 3 @ Salisbury Ports, 4 @ Chesapeake Blue Crabs
Power Ranking: 3 (-2 / 112.8)
Fan Interest: 100
Owners Mood: Ecstatic
Expectation: Playoffs

Runs Scored: 716 (3rd)
Avg: .280 (2nd)
HR: 146 (t3rd)
SB: 109 (1st)
Runs Against: 489 (1st)
Starters ERA: 3.57 (1st)
Pen ERA: 3.42 (1st)
Def Eff: .721 (1st)

Game 124: Norfolk 1, Washington 2
Angel Rivera: 8.0 IP, 7 H, R, BB, K
Miguel A Gonzalez (5-4): 0.1 IP, H, R, BB
Francisco Gallegos: 1-3, 2B
Sergio Rodriguez: 1-4, R
H: 4, LOB: 2

Game 125: Norfolk 1, Washington 7
Paul Brown (11-5): 4.2 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 2 BB, 3 K
Leonard Lawson: 1-4, HR (20), R, RBI
H: 5, LOB: 4

Game 126: Norfolk 3, Washington 2
Jaoquin Hernandez (12-3): 8.0 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 3 K
Miguel A Gonzalez (SV 30): 1.0 IP, K
Francisco Gallegos: 2-3, HR (16), 2 R, 2 RBI
Bob Short: 3-3
Trevor Parker: 1-3, @B, RBI
H: 9, LOB: 9

Game 127: Norfolk 8, Richmond 10
Lanny Reese (1-2/14-4): 1.0 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 2 BB
Boyd Martin: 2.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 3 K
Trevor Parker: 3-4, HR (26), 3 R, 4 RBI
Robinson Lopez: 2-4, 2B, 2 R
Leonard Lawson: 1-4, 2B, 2 RBI
H: 9, LOB: 3

Game 128: Norfolk 6, Richmond 5 (12 Innings)
Ernie Kennedy: 7.1 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 3 BB, 2 K
David Moran (8-3): 2.0 IP
Sergio Galvez: 4-6, 2B, HR (21), 2 R, RBI
Henry Rojas: 3-6, 2B, R, 2 RBI
Leonard Lawson: 1-6, HR (21), R, RBI
Francisco Gallegos: 3-6, 2B
H: 15, LOB: 9

Game 129: Norfolk 5, Richmond 9
Angel Rivera (7-5): 4.0 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 3 BB, 3 K
Bob Short: 2-3, 2 HR (12), 3 R, 2 RBI
Trevor Parker: 2-3, HR (27), R, RBI
Bryant Frank: 1-3, 2B, 2 RBI
Sergio Rodriguez: 2-4
H: 9, LOB: 3



Injuries:
SP Cornell Pearson, Torn UCL (Undergoing Tommy John Surgery), 4-5 Months
SP Carlos Coronado, Torn Labrum, 2 Months
MR Teo Ha, shoulder soreness, 2-3 weeks

Another Setback For Norfolk's Teo Ha: Just when it looked like Teo Ha would soon return to the Norfolk Cavaliers, the reliever suffered yet another setback in his recovery from shoulder soreness. According to his doctors, treatment was progressing well until yesterday, when Ha experienced quite a bit of pain during a workout. Further examination revealed he had caused more damage and would now be disabled for at least 2-3 weeks.

Other/Roster News:
I really didn't want to do it, but Juan Hernandez was sent down to AAA once Leonard Lawson returned from the DL. Hernandez hit .273-3-16 in 18 games for us and should make another trip up in September. He will be a nice addition to the roster next year that is for sure. Speed, Power, and Defense what more can you ask for... Lawson heads in to the starting lineup and Bob Short is now the back-up for all 4-slots.

GM Notes:
Nothing like falling apart against your division rivals, two teams that we really should handle and beat. Yet somehow we gained a game in the standings, and we now lead the Express by 14 and the Senators by 19 (they gained 1 game). I said I was going to try to be more positive, but look at this week and tell me how I am supposed to be?

There are 2 more games remaining in August and it looks like we just put together our worst month of the season. As soon as I start praising this team they fall apart. We lost 10 games in June and played over .600 ball in August we have already lost 12 and are playing .556 ball. This month will mark our first sub-.600 month of the year, and I am not overly happy by that. Just look at the stats, the last week of July our starters had an ERA of 3.39 and bullpen 2.97, this month 3.57 and 3.42! They just keep going up and we need to stop that... could this be the signs of a young staff and a first year pitching coach not gelling??

With a solo-HR in the last game of the week Trevor Parker becomes our first (and most likely only) 100 RBI man this season. We should have 4 more players over 70, but no one else will be gunning for 100. Which is crazy to think, since we have 7 players with 10 or more HR's, and 3 with over 20. Just goes to show you how much we love the solo-HR.

This was a crazy week... the first 3 games against the Senators we just couldn't get anything going with the bats, then the next 3 games we couldn't get anything going with the pitching... at least that is my opinion. I am not sure what is going on, guess its time for the hitting to start cooling down after 2 months of crushing. But what about the pitching? Could the injury to Carlos Coronado meant that much? Maybe so, he had a stam of 20 and he pitched a lot of innings.

I have a bunch of kids down in AAA that are ready to be called up and I am ready to call them up come September. The problem is the AAA team is the team to beat, do I want to ruin their chances? Whats more important? Finding a superstar for next season or winning a AAA title? Might be our last one for a while, seems like our prospects are either in AAA or A.

We have a big 14 game lead with only one month to go, however I don't feel comfortable yet. I would figure I would be riding high and just ready to get the season over with to start the playoffs... but I don't have that feeling this season... for as good as we have played why don't I have that "good" feeling?



Standings Leaders
DE Southern: Milton Brewers: 78-50 (+8.5)
DE Northern: Wilmington Iron Pigs: 72-57 (+1.0)
MV Eastern: Virginia Beach Surf Dawgs: 81-48 (+2.5)
MV Western: Norfolk Cavaliers: 83-46 (+14.0)

Players of the Week:
Delaware: Mario Ramos (Milford Clippers) 10-22, HR, 11 RBI's
MarVa: Jose Lopez (Washington Senators) 11-21, 4 HR's, 9 RBI's

Power Rankings:
1) Virginia Beach Surf Dawgs (117.0)
2) Miilton Brewers (113.7)
3) Norfolk Cavaliers (112.8)
4) Chesapeake Blue Crabs (112.4)
5) Ocean City Tourists (109.9)

News:
DBL: Suspended RF Jorge Alonso (Washington Senators) and Ryan McCoy (Ellicott City Express) for 5-games for their parts in a bench-clearing brawl.
DBL: Suspended 3B Dale Tracey (Christiana Blue Hens) for 6 games after Tracey threw on-field tantrum following a called 3rd strike.

Milestones:
Batting:
1B Francisco Reyes (Georgetown Sixteens) 16 hits from 2500
OF Jeff Lewis (Ocean City Tourists) 21 hits from 2500

Pitching:
Arturo Herrera (Chesapeake Blue Crabs) 11 games from 1000 (career leader)
Mike Banks (New Castle Colonials) 17 games from 1000 (2nd all-time)

[illeracula]

Week 22
Current Week: 5-2 (88-48 .647 / +14.0)
Next Week: 4 vs Ocean City Tourists, 3 vs Virginia Beach Surf Dawgs
Power Ranking: 3 (-2 / 112.8)
Fan Interest: 100
Owners Mood: Ecstatic
Expectation: Playoffs

Runs Scored: 770 (3rd)
Avg: .283 (1st)
HR: 153 (4th)
SB: 113 (1st)
Runs Against: 514 (1st)
Starters ERA: 3.57 (1st)
Pen ERA: 3.37 (1st)
Def Eff: .720 (1st)

Game 130: Salisbury 3, Norfolk 10
Paul Brown (12-5): 7.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 0 ER, BB, 8 K
Sergio Rodriguez: 4-6, 2B, R, 2 RBI
Sergio Galvez: 2-5, 3B, R, 2 RBI
Francisco Gallegos: 3-6, 2B, R, RBI
Pedro Torres: 3-5, R
Henry Rojas: 3-4, R, RBI
H: 19, LOB: 14

Game 131: Salisbury 0, Norfolk 10
Jaoquin Hernandez (13-3): 9.0 IP, 2 H, 3 BB, 6 K
Sergio Rodriguez: 1-5, R, 2 RBI
Francisco Galleogs: 0-1, 2 R
Bob Short: 1-3, R, 2 RBI
Mario Vazquez: 1-3, 2 RBI
H: 6, LOB: 2

Game 132: Salisbury 4, Norfolk 2
Lanny Reese (2-3/14-5): 7.1 IP, 11 H, 4 R, BB, 5 K
Sergio Galvez: 3-5, RBI
Bryant Frank: 3-4, R
Trevor Parker: 1-4, HR (28), R, RBI
H: 13, LOB: 10

Game 133: Norfolk 9, Chesapeake 7
Ernie Kennedy: 4.1 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 4 BB, 4 K
Armando Lopez (10-3): 2.0 IP, H, K
Miguel A Gonzalez (SV 31): 1.0 IP, 2 H, K
Mark Badlwin: 2-3, 2 HR (11), 2 R, 4 RBI
Sergio Galvez: 2-5, HR (22), 2 R, 2 RBI
Pedro Torres: 4-5, RBI
Leonard Lawson: 3-5, RBI
H: 16, LOB: 10

Game 134: Norfolk 4, Chesapeake 5 (10 Innings)
Angel Rivera: 5.1 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 3 BB, 6 K
David Moran (8-4): 1.1 IP, 3 H, R, BB, K
Claudio Flores: 1-2, 2B, R, 3 RBI
Bryant Frank: 2-3, RBI
H: 7, LOB: 6

Game 135: Norfolk 5, Chesapeake 3
Paul Brown: 5.1 IP, 7 H, 3 R, BB, 7 K
Boyd Martin (1-0): 0.2 IP
Miguel A Gonzalez (SV 32): 1.0 IP, 2 K
Sergio Galvez: 2-3, HR (23), R, RBI
Mark Bolton: 2-4, 2 RBI
Leonard Lawson: 1-4, 2B, R
H: 7, LOB: 10

Game 136: Norfolk 14, Chesapeake 3
Jaoquin Hernandez (14-3): 7.0 IP, 8 H, R, BB, 6 K
Sergio Rodriguez: 5-6, 2 2B, HR (5), R, 8 RBI
Sergio Galvez: 3-6, 2 R
Francisco Galleogs: 1-4, HR (17), R, 2 RBI
Bob Short: 2-5, 2 R
Claudio Flores: 4-5, 3 R, 2 RBI
Mario Vazquez was the only Cav's starter w/o a hit, but he scored 2 times.
H: 21, LOB: 8



Injuries:
SP Cornell Pearson, Torn UCL (Undergoing Tommy John Surgery), 4 Months
SP Carlos Coronado, Torn Labrum, 8-9 weeks
MR Teo Ha, shoulder soreness, 1 week

Other/Roster News:
I ended up calling up only 2 players, but wanted to make some more moves. Will hold off for now, but Oliver Ramos (.341-34-115), Alberto Ramos (17-0 3.42), Lazzaro Tadiottto and Ryan Williams will most likly get the call over the next month.

Minor league injuries haven't helped, Juan Hernandez is out for the rest of the season, so he is going to miss his opportunity and Miguel Ramirez (.312-22-83) is out for September. Both those guys would of been on the Cavaliers roster this month...

Only C Mark Bolton (.301-5-23) and MR Boyd Martin (5-0 3.00, 3 SV) got the call to start the month off.

GM Notes:
Sergio Rodriguez tied the Cavaliers record for RBI's in a game. The record was established by Brain Cline on 7/25/2015! We have had plenty of 7 RBI's games, but 8 is quite a feat... At Cline was a power hitter, Rodriguez not so much. He his a pure singles hitter, yet that game he did have 3 XB hits.

We have 26 games left this season and we need to win 12 of them, at least I'd like to win at least 12 of them. Hitting the #12 puts us with another 100 win season, making it 12 in a row. We have had a great run here in Norfolk and with the core we have and the youth on the way it seems like we should be ok for a while.

As the Calendar turned to September, I was curious how we have been playing home vs away. We started out so poorly at home and greta on the road. That however changed over the past few months, becuase we seem to love playing at home winning .672% (45-22) of our games. We like playing on the road too just not as much, winning .623% (43-26). I wonder what the change was. My guess is better hitting, but I really don't know.

The team record for HR's is 237 and we have hit over 200 4 times (237/2023, 212/2026, 203/2025, 201/2020). The record breaking year we had 8 players hit 13 or more, with 3 over 30... This season we are only on pace to hit around 175, but I have to say we have a well rounded lineup. We have 8 players with 10 or more and 3 with over 20. So this team might not have the big numbers of the past, but they still have a powerful lineup. I still think we rely on the HR too much and we hit way too many solo-shots.

Angel Rivera has made 24 starts this season, has a 7-5 record, which means has 12 ND's. That just seems like quite a lot. Of his 24 starts, 16 have een for quality and he averages 102 pitches per game. He has held his opponents to a .222 batting average and only gave up 12 HR's in 160.1 IP... His biggest problem is he doesn't have that "out" pitch, he has only struck out 95 hitters. If he can develop that pitch and throw more strikes and continue to go deeper into games he could make for a solid #4 or 5 starter.

After a rough patch it seems like Miguel Angel Gonzalez has found his footing again. He has saved his last 4 opportunites, and 6 of 7. He is back to striking out some guys and his control is back to where it used to be. Everyone has blips, and I am glad he worked through his. He is still having a solid season at 5-4 1.73 with 32 saves in 37 opportunities. It will be interesting to see how he does this month, if walks less than 2 he walk less than 10 for the season. Currently he has 7 walks in 57.1 innings. He walked 1 in August, June, and May and 4 in July. Amazing season for the 26 year old.

Just something that will make you go wow... my AAA team is first in the league, currently with a record of 101-32 (.759). They have scored 1007 runs, hit 239 HR's and have a team batting average of .320! They have 3 players on their roster hitting over .350. Juan Hernandez (.366-35-109), Oliver Ramos (.354-37-125) and Blake Quirke (.354-26-108)... All 3 of these guys 'should' be in Cavaliers orange next season... and yes that is going to pose a huge problem for us. Ramos is a 1B/DH, Quirke and Hernandez are OF's... Yikes. Looks like something is going to give (or be traded)...

I am ready for the last month to play out and see how we do. I doubt we will have that "20" win montht his year, which is crazy to think. Does that mean we aren't as good as we were in the past or does that mean we are more consistent? Either way, we are winning games and that is what matters most. Its hard to remain positive around this team, they just seem so inconsistent, but I am trying.



Standings Leaders
DE Southern: Milton Brewers: 81-54 (+6.5 / M# 21)
DE Northern: Wilmington Iron Pigs: 76-60 (+2.0 / M# 24)
MV Eastern: Virginia Beach Surf Dawgs: 86-50 (+5.5 / M# 22)
MV Western: Norfolk Cavaliers: 88-48 (+16.0 / M# 10)

Players of the Week:
Delaware: Ole van den Burgt (Wilmington Iron Pigs) 12-28, 2 HR's, 2 RBI's
MarVa: Will Riley (Annapolis Admirals) 12-26, 3 HR's, 9 RBI's

Power Rankings:
1) Norfolk Cavaliers (120.5)
2) Virginia Beach Surf Dawgs (118.8)
3) Ocean City Tourists (109.7)
4) Dover Generals (108.3)
5) Milton Brewers (106.0)

News:
Baltimore Barons: SP Enrique Acevedo hasn't had a great season (6-14 6.50) but for one game he was the man, going 9 innings striking out 4, walking 4 and no allowing a hit. The 2nd no-hitter for 2027 and the 18th in DBL history, at 22 he may be the youngest to throw a no-hitter, but we haven't been keeping that information.

Milestones:
Batting:
1B Francisco Reyes (Georgetown Sixteens) 14 hits from 2500
OF Jeff Lewis (Ocean City Tourists) 16 hits from 2500

Pitching:
Arturo Herrera (Chesapeake Blue Crabs) 9 games from 1000 (career leader)
Mike Banks (New Castle Colonials) 14 games from 1000 (2nd all-time)

[illeracula]

August 2027 Award Winners

Delaware Conference Monthly Awards

Peters Wins Best Bat Trophy in August: Peter Peters received the Delaware Conference Batter of the Month trophy earlier today for his efforts at the plate this last month. "He might be getting older," New Castle's manager told reporters, "But he's been around long enough to know what it takes to put a stretch such as this together... and he doesn't keep that to himself. He's always talking to the younger guys in the clubhouse helping 'em any way they'll let him. Peter's value to our team goes farther than the numbers he puts up on the field." To win the honor Peters put up a .382 batting average, 9 home runs, 22 RBIs and scored 27 times in August. Currently Peters is batting .328 with 31 home runs and 94 RBIs.

Brewers Starter Wins DEConf Pitching Award: August was a very good month for Júlio Rocha of the Milton Brewers. He held opposing hitters for a .207 average and took home the Delaware Conference Pitcher of the Month award. In 5 starts he claimed a 4-0 record as he put up a 2.11 ERA and struck out 39 in 38.1 innings. To date this season Rocha is 19-4 with 26 starts and an ERA of 2.57 with 168 strikeouts in 192.1 innings.

August's Best DEConf Rookie Named: The outstanding Delaware Conference rookie in August was Newark's left fielder Manuel Díaz. Last month he played in 27 games and hit .357 with 4 doubles, 1 triple, and 6 home runs. Díaz also scored 8 times and drove in 25 runs. This season Díaz is batting .299 with 17 home runs. He has scored 51 runs and driven in 64.

MarVa Conference Monthly Awards

Bond Brings Home MVConf Batter of Month Honor: Seasoned by several years of professional experience, 32-year-old Claude Bond put together a solid offensive month for Chesapeake and was crowned August's top batter in the MarVa Conference. He batted .330 with 9 home runs, 19 RBIs and 23 runs scored. Bond is presently hitting at a .337 pace with 21 home runs, 50 RBIs and has scored 64 times.

Ocean City Starter Named MVConf's Best Pitcher: Steven Ray took a much-deserved turn in the spotlight earlier today as he accepted the MarVa Conference Pitcher of the Month award for August. The 26-year-old Tourists starter is a relative newcomer to the league, but nonetheless racked up an impressive 5-0 won-lost record in 6 starts. This month he fanned 38 batters in 45.1 innings and compiled a 1.59 ERA. This year Ray has compiled a 18-4 mark with a 3.03 ERA.

MarVa Conference Names Rookie of Month: Youngster Matt Douglas emerged as the latest MarVa Conference Rookie of the Month today. The young man from Salisbury deserved the honor, batting .337 with 5 home runs and 13 runs batted in. Is the month of August a harbinger of things to come or just a fluke? We'll find out someday, but for now, we'll just let Douglas enjoy the limelight. Looking at his present stats, Douglas has compiled a .280 batting average in 103 games with a .331 on-base percentage, while hitting 7 home runs and driving in 43 runs.

League Leaders - September 6, 2027

Delaware Conference League Leaders





End of the Year Award Front Runners:
Silver Slugger: Antonio Castaneda, Peter Peters, Michael Johnson
Golden Arm: Julio Rocha, Ricardo Gonzalez, Fernando Fareles
Newcomer: Ryan Sutton, Peyton Hensley, Manuel Diaz

MarVa Conference League Leaders





End of the Year Award Front Runners:
Silver Slugger: Domingo Calencia, Steven Jefferson, Jorge Alonso, Ramirio Herrera, Lucio Pena, Trevor Parker, Claude Bond
Golden Arm: Ernie Kennedy, Chris Steele, Steven Ray
Newcomer: Shumei Ishikawa, Jose Garcia, Ernie Kennedy, Matt Douglas

Standings - September 6, 2027



Southern Division:
Current Leader: Milton Brewers (81-54 .600 / +6.5 / Magic #: 21)
Projected Winner: Dover Generals (92-70 .568 / +1)
The Dover Generals sit 6.5 games out with less than a month to go, and they don't play the Brewers at all the rest of the way. The Generals are going to have their hands full trying to chase down this Brewers team. Right now the Brewers have the #2 offense (runs scored) and the #1 pitching staff (runs against) in the Delaware Conference. Lead by a deep starting rotation and an ace, Julio Rocha, who has won the pitcher of the month award for the second time in a row. Things are looking good for the Brewers. Brewers in August: 16-12, Generals in August: 13-15.

Northern Division:
Current Leader: Wilmington Iron Pigs (76-60 .559 / +2.0 / Magic #: 24)
Projected Winner: Wilmington Iron Pigs (93-69 .574 / +1)
I figured the Iron Pigs had this division won and were going to make it look easy, but then out of no where the Colonials have made it interesting. The Colonials are lead by two aces Luis Deleon and Pablo Garcia to have the conferences 2nd best pitching staff (Runs against) and an offense lead by veteran Peter Peters and young kid Jorge Trujillo, that have them sitting pretty at #3. The Iron Pigs rely on the leagues top offense and a mediocre pitching staff. The have one of the games top pitchers (Ricardo Gonzalez) and a top closer (Arturo Ramirez), but after that there are a lot of questions. This race could get interesting if the teams continue to play as they did last month. Wilmington in August: 15-12, New Castle in August: 18-11 ... The Colonials and Iron Pigs play each other 4 more times, the last 4 games of the season.

Eastern Division:
Current Leader: Virginia Beach Surf Dawgs (86-50 .632 / +5.5 / Magic #: 22)
Projected Winner: Ocean City Tourists (88-74 .543 / +2)
The Surf Dawgs finish the year playing 7 games on the raod 3 in Ocean City and 3 in Chesapeake. This week might decide who the winner of the Eastern Division is going to be. The Surf Dawgs are lead by a balanced offense, with their #2 batter to the #8 batter all slugging 14+ HR's. Its no surprise they are #1 in runs scored in the MC. The biggest question mark for the Dawgs is their starting pitching, if they can stay consistent and keep the games close, the offense will score runs and the Surf Dawgs will be heading to the playoffs again. The top 3 teams will be battling for supremacy and come in hot. In August the Dawgs were 20-9, the Crabs 18-11 and the Tourists 18-10.

Western Division:
Current Leader: Norfolk Cavaliers (88-48 .647 / +16.0 / Magic #: 10)
Projected Winner: Norfolk Cavaliers (116-46 .716 / +21)
The Cavaliers didn't play great in August going 17-12, but they played good enough to gain 9.5 gains on the Express who collapsed in August going 8-20. With a month to go the Cav's have a magic number of 10. The way the Express are playing and the consistency the Cav's have displayed this year its only a matter of time the Cav's clinch the Western Division for the 12th season in a row. It wasn't supposed to be this easy for the Cav's this season, but injuries decimated the Senators and the Express feel apart in August (after the Brock trade). The question for the Cav's in September is can they get to the 100 win mark.

Things to watch in September:
The Northern Division and the Eastern Division battles.

Antonio Castaneda (Wilmington Iron Pigs) heads in to the final month of the season with the triple-crown lead. He has put together an amazing season with a +9.0 WAR (.338-45-108). Can he keep the stats and win the triple-crown?

Can Julio Rocha (or someone else) knock down Ricardo Gonzalez and take home the Golden Arm award? Gonzalez has won the award for the past two seasons. Gonzalez isn't having the type of season he has had the past 2 years, but he still leads the league with a 9.2 WAR.

Can Ernie Kennedy hold off an win the ERA title in his rookie year? Will he have a shot at winning the Newcomer of the year Award? Will Steven Ray continue his hot streak and walk away with the Golden Arm award?

Will Miguel Angel Gonzalez walk under 10 people for the season?

The wide open race for the Silver Slugger in the MarVa Conference.

[illeracula]

Week 23
Current Week: 6-1 (94-49 .657 / +18.5)
Next Week: 2 @ Annapolis Admirals, 3 @ Ellicott City Express
Power Ranking: 1 (- / 123.3)
Fan Interest: 100
Owners Mood: Ecstatic
Expectation: Playoffs

Runs Scored: 808 (2nd)
Avg: .283 (1st)
HR: 162 (3rd)
SB: 118 (1st)
Runs Against: 535 (1st)
Starters ERA: 3.50 (1st)
Pen ERA: 3.32 (1st)
Def Eff: .721 (1st)

Game 137: Ocean City 1, Norfolk 2
Lanny Reese: 7.0 IP, 2 H, BB, 4 K
Miguel A Gonzalez (6-4, BS 6): 1.0 IP, 3 H, R, BB, K
Trevor Parker: 2-4, 2 2B, 2 R
Claudio Flores: 0-1, RBI
H: 5, LOB: 5

Game 138: Ocean City 3, Norfolk 3
Ernie Kennedy (13-6): 7.1 IP, 8 H, R, 2 BB, 4 K
Miguel A Gonzalez (SV 33): 1.0 IP, BB, K
Bob Short: 1-3, HR (13), R, 3 RBI
H: 5, LOB: 4

Game 139: Ocean City 1, Norfolk 9
Angel Rivera (8-5): 8.0 IP, 2 H, R, 3 BB, 4 K
Trevor Parker: 2-5, 2B, HR (29), R, 2 RBI
Sergio Rodriguez: 2-5, R, RBI
Bryant Frank: 2-2, 2B, R, 3 RBI
Robinson Lopez: 2-4, RBI
Sergio Galvez: 2-4, 2 R, RBI
H: 14, LOB: 9

Game 140: Ocean City 2, Norfolk 8
Paul Brown (13-5): 8.1 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 5 K
Bob Short: 1-4, HR (14), R, 3 RBI
Pedro Torres: 3-4, HR (11), 2 R, 2 RBI
Sergio Galvez: 2-4, 2B, 3B, R, RBI
Henry Rojas: 2-4, R
H: 11, LOB: 4

Game 141: Virginia Beach 1, Norfolk 2
Jaoquin Hernandez (15-3): 8.0 IP, 5 H, R, BB, 10 K
Miguel A Gonzalez (SV 34): 1.0 IP, K
Bob Short: 1-3, R
Leonard Lawson: 1-1, 2B, R, (PH)
Robinson Lopez: 0-1, SF, RBI
Sergio Galvez: 0-3, SF, RBI
H: 7, LOB: 8

Game 142: Virginia Beach 5, Norfolk 6
Lanney Reese (2-3/15-5): 5.1 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 3 BB, K
Miguel A Gonzalez (SV 35): 1.0 IP, K
Francisco Gallegos: 1-2, HR (18), R, 2 RBI
Sergio Galvez: 2-4, 2 2B, R
Bryant Frank: 1-3, 2B, 2 RBI
H: 7, LOB: 3

Game 143: Virginia Beach 10, Norfolk 8
Ernie Kennedy (13-7): 3.2 IP, 6 H, 7 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 K
Trevor Parker: 1-4, HR (30), R, 3 RBI
Bob Short: 2-4, HR (15), 2 R, RBI
Sergio Galvez: 1-4, HR (24), 2 R, 2 RBI
Robinson Lopez: 1-3, HR (7), R, 2 RBI
Henry Rojas: 2-5, 2 R
H: 11, LOB: 3



Injuries:
SP Cornell Pearson, Torn UCL (Undergoing Tommy John Surgery), 4 Months
SP Carlos Coronado, Torn Labrum, 7 weeks
MR Teo Ha, shoulder soreness, 2 days

Other/Roster News:
I didn't make any callups this past week, but next week we will see 3 players joining our roster, maybe 4.

GM Notes:
Our Magic #1 is one and Angel Rivera will be on the hill against the Annapolis Admirls to see if we can clinch it. I am not overly worried about not winning the Divsion, and I do think it will be nice to just get it over with.

It does look like I will have a little delmina come playoff time on who will be my #4. Do I go with Lanny Reese who has struggled in Cav's orange or with Angel Rivera who has been here all year and just had back luck. I think the answer will be decided over the next 3 weeks. Brown, Kennedy, Hernandez sound like a pretty formidable first 3.

This week reminded me of the first month of the season when it was all pitching. Our offense didn't do much, and our pitching carried the slack. Kennedy gave up 5 unearned runs in the final game of the week, Lopez makes the play we have a perfect week. I hope our pitching can continue to stay hot for the month heading into October.

The more I look at my lineup the more I like them. I am surprised how balanced it is. We really don't have that one stand-out player. Seems like that is something this offense rarely has. We are 2nd in runs, currently, and only have 1 player that is going to have over 100 RBI's on the season... I also think the lineup has gelled better once I have gone with Lopez at 3B and Frank at SS. The defense is still playing well, even if our best 2 fielding SS's (Flores, Vazquez) aren't playing much. Flores did finally get his average over .200.

Trevor Parker is hitting .300-30-109 right now with 18 games to play. I am curious if he has any chance of winning the Silver Slugger (MVP). I'd hate to wonder where we would be without him.

I have complained a lot about this team all season, but in reality this team is really solid and probably the deepest team 1-25 (or even 30) I have ever had in Norfolk. It doesn't seem any injury, even the injury to our top pitcher and our #3 pitcher could slow us down. Its been a fun year to see.

I don't have a whole lot to say about this team right now, just getting ready to finish strong and get the playoffs kicked off right. I am thinking, yes again, that I may finish with a 6-man rotation to my arms fresh. Things are exciting here in Norfolk only 3 weeks to go till the real fun starts!!



Standings Leaders
DE Southern: Milton Brewers: 87-55 (+9.0 / M# 12)
DE Northern: Wilmington Iron Pigs: 78-64 (0.0 / M# 20) | New Castle Colonials: 79-54 (0.0 / M# 19)
MV Eastern: Virginia Beach Surf Dawgs: 87-55 (+4.5 / M# 16)
MV Western: Norfolk Cavaliers: 94-49 (+18-5 / M# 1)

Players of the Week:
Delaware: Samuel Darcy (Newark Millers) 14-22, 3 HR's, 6 RBI's
MarVa: Mike Ford (Baltimore Barons) 13-30, HR, 9 RBI's, 5 R's

Power Rankings:
1) Norfolk Cavaliers (123.3)
2) Milton Brewers (111.3)
3) Virginia Beach Surf Dawgs (109.3)
4) New Castle Colonials (104.8)
5) Chesapeake Blue Crabs (103.5)

News:
Christiana Blue Hens: SS Bernard Schneider is out for the season after straining his hamstring. Schneider will miss at least 5 weeks. He hit .320-13-48 for the Blue Hens this season.
Newark Millers: 30-yr-old 1B Yann Gosselin joined the 300 HR Club. Gosselin known to put on power shows during BP hit #300 against the Dover Generals earlier this week. On the seasons Yann is hitting .251-25-69.
Seaford Bluejays: They had a lot of optimism heading into this season, but once again they will miss the playoffs. Marking the 10th time, every year of their existance.
Washington Senators: LF Ricarod Hidalgo is out for 4 weeks with a torn meniscus. Hidalgo is one of the games best when he is on the field, but he is known to be quite injury prone. This year he has hit .312-32-87 in 101 games.

Milestones:
Batting:
1B Francisco Reyes (Georgetown Sixteens) 14 hits from 2500
OF Jeff Lewis (Ocean City Tourists) 16 hits from 2500

Pitching:
Arturo Herrera (Chesapeake Blue Crabs) 9 games from 1000 (career leader)
Mike Banks (New Castle Colonials) 14 games from 1000 (2nd all-time)

[illeracula]

Week 24
Current Week: 2-3 (96-52 .649 / +17.5)
Next Week: 3 @ Richmond Cardinals, 4 vs Washington Senators
Power Ranking: 1 (-- / 116.8)
Fan Interest: 100
Owners Mood: Ecstatic
Expectation: Playoffs

Runs Scored: 841 (2nd)
Avg: .283 (1st)
HR: 169 (3rd)
SB: 124 (1st)
Runs Against: 558 (1st)
Starters ERA: 3.54 (1st)
Pen ERA: 3.31 (1st)
Def Eff: .721 (1st)

Game 144: Norfolk 7, Annapolis 8 (18 Innings)
Angel Rivera: 8.0IP, 6 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 5 K
Eric Helton (BS 1): 0.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R (11th inning)
Boyd Martin (1-1): 1.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, BB, K
Trevor Parker: 5-7, 2 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI
Henry Rojas: 3-9, 2B, HR (14), 2 R, RBI
Robinson Lopez: 2-5, 2B, HR (8), R, RBI
Oliver Ramos: 2-6 (debut)
We had the lead in the 11th and the 18th, but couldn't close the door
H: 19, LOB: 17

Game 145: Norfolk 10, Annapolis 5
Paul Brown: 5.2 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 3 BB, 8 K
Armando Lopez (11-3): 1.0 IP, H, BB, K
Robinson Lopez: 1-1, 3B, R, 2 RBI (PH)
Bryant Frank: 3-5, 2B, 2 RBI
Francisco Gallegos: 2-6, HR (19), R, 2 RBI
Pedro Torres: 2-5, 2B, 2 R
Leonard Lawson: 2-4, HR (22), 2 R, RBI
H: 16, LOB: 11

Norfolk Fans Go Crazy After Cavaliers Clinch MarVa Conference Western Division: The entire city of Norfolk was alive with the news of the Norfolk officially clinching a spot in the playoffs. Known through the league for their fervor, the Norfolk fans took to the streets and the bars to celebrate. Said one inebriated Cavaliers fan on the street, "DELMARVA Baseball League should have all of the games during the playoffs here in Norfolk. Forget tradition. We will show everyone a good time."

Game 146: Norfolk 12, Ellicott City 1
Jaoquin Hernandez (16-3): 7.0 IP, 5 H, R, 3 BB, 7 K
Trevor Parker: 5-5, 3B, HR (31), 3 R, 3 RBI
Bob Short: 3-5, HR (16), 2 R, 2 RBI
Pedro Torres: 1-4, 2B, 4 RBI
Francisco Gallegos: 2-5, 2B, 2 R, RBI
H: 16, LOB: 5

Game 147: Norfolk 3, Ellicott City 4
Alberto Ramos: 7.1 IP, 8 H, 2 R, BB, 4 K
Miguel A Gonzalez (6-5, BS 7): 0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 BB
Sergio Galvez: 2-5, 2B, R, RBI
Sergio Rodriguez: 2-5, 2 R
H: 6, LOB: 8

Game 148: Norfolk 1, Ellicott City 5
Ernie Kennedy (13-8): 6.0 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 3 BB, 4 K
Trevor Parker: 1-4, HR (32), R, RBI
H: 5, LOB: 7



Injuries:
SP Cornell Pearson, Torn UCL (Undergoing Tommy John Surgery), 3-4 Months
SP Carlos Coronado, Torn Labrum, 6 weeks

MR Teo Ha returned to the bullpen after.

Other/Roster News:
To start off the week we recalled SP Alberto Ramos (18-0 3.41), MR Ryan Williams (3-1 2.97, SV) and purchased the contract of 1B Olvier Ramos (.350-37-126). I do wish Juan Hernandez was healthy. There are a couple of others, but I didn't want to completely ruin the Bay Stars chance at the Championship. Ramos will be placed in the rotation and Romas will get some AB's at 1B and DH.

GM Notes:
I get so stoked after a 6-1 week, just to head into a week when we play two teams that aren't that good and we can't even win a series. This type of week drives me nuts. What went wrong? It is almost as if we forget how to hit, catch and pitch during weeks like this... then agian look at those LOB numbers they are pretty sick... funny thing is, I see that we have 96 wins and 14 games to go and I really don't think we will hit that 100 mark. But we are better than that right?

Who is the Cavaliers ace rigth now? Paul Brown? NOPE. Ernie Kennedy? NOPE. Joaquin Hernandez? OF course!! With Paul Brown's history and Ernie Kennedy's ratings I would of never guessed that Hernandez was going to be the top pitcher, but he is just on fire of late. He has picked us up over the past few weeks and he may end up being our best start on the season.

Alberto Ramos didn't lose, but he didn't win either. He took a ND in a game that we should of won. He hasn't lost a game all season (including AAA) and I think that is really awesome. He came out for us and pitched a heck of game, actually a lot better than I was expecting... Oliver Ramos made his debut with a bang collecting 2 hits, but at the end of the week those are still his only hits hitting 2-8 with 0 HR and 0 RBI's. He is going to be best with us however.

I am done talking about Miguel Angel Gonzalez, seems like everytime I say something postive about him thigns blow up all over the place. Crazy. I am guessing as this is his first season in the bullpen he isn't used to this much work. The innings aren't the issue, but the day in and day out pitching is finally catching up. Hopefully thats not the case, but it very possible is...

Having the Division clinched does make weeks like this a little easier to take, but we are just 2-3 weeks away from the playoffs and weeks like this don't give me much confidence. I am worried as I look at our pitchers and they seem a little "off". I look at our offense and it seems a little hot and cold. I just hope we can out of this month ready to play with our heads in the right places.

Trevor Parker had a great week and end up raising his average to .311, with 32 HR's and 117 RBI's. And one thing that has gone unnoticed with Parker are his 18 steals. He has really put together an incredible season. I really didn't think he had it in him and I am quite impresssed with him. Maybe that injury to Bob Short earlier in the season was a good thing for the Cav's, since Parker moved from back-up to starter and Short has been teh back-up ever since.

Fourteen more to go, and then the fun starts. Lets hope we can stay healthy.



Standings Leaders
DE Southern: Milton Brewers: 90-58 (+8.0 / M# 7)
DE Northern: Wilmington Iron Pigs: 82-66 (3.5 / M# 11)
MV Eastern: Virginia Beach Surf Dawgs: 91-57 (+5.5 / M# 9)
MV Western: Norfolk Cavaliers: 96-52 (+17.5 / **)

Players of the Week:
Delaware: Mark Hoover (Dover Generals) 9-25, 3 HR's, 6 RBI's
MarVa: Trevor Parker (Norfolk Cavaliers) 12-21, 2 HR's, 8 RBI's

Power Rankings:
1) Norfolk Cavaliers (116.8)
2) Milton Brewers (111.5)
3) Virginia Beach Surf Dawgs (111.7)
4) Ocean City Tourists (105.4)
5) Dover Generals (104.7)

News:
Milton Brewers: Lost SP/MR Takayuki Iemochi for the next 7 months with a ruptured disc. Iemochi is 3-7 5.57, 3 SV's this season.
Washington Senators: Lost MR Kajetan Levorato for 4-5 months. Kajetan pitched in 40 games this year, going 5-5 4.40 with a save.

Milestones:
Batting:
1B Francisco Reyes (Georgetown Sixteens) 14 hits from 2500
OF Jeff Lewis (Ocean City Tourists) 16 hits from 2500

Pitching:
Arturo Herrera (Chesapeake Blue Crabs) 9 games from 1000 (career leader)
Mike Banks (New Castle Colonials) 14 games from 1000 (2nd all-time)

[illeracula]

Week 25
Current Week: 6-1 (102-53 .658 / +18.0)
Next Week: 3 vs Balitmore Barons, 4 @ Salisbury Ports
Power Ranking: 1 (-- / 121.5)
Fan Interest: 100
Owners Mood: Ecstatic
Expectation: Playoffs

Runs Scored: 879 (2nd)
Avg: .284 (1st)
HR: 174 (3rd)
SB: 16 (t1st)
Runs Against: 576 (1st)
Starters ERA: 3.48 (1st)
Pen ERA: 3.30 (1st)
Def Eff: .724 (1st)

Game 149: Norfolk 6, Richmond 5 (11 Innings)
Angel Rivera: 3.1 IP, H, R, 5 BB, K
Migue A Gonzalez (7-5): 2.0 IP, 2 H, BB, K
David Moran (SV 2): 1.0 IP
Bob Short: 3-5, HR (17), R, RBI
Bryant Frank: 3-3, 2B, R, RBI
Robinson Lopez: 1-5, HR (9), R, 2 RBI
Henry Rojas: 2-5, 2 2B, R
H: 14, LOB: 6

Game 150: Norfolk 3, Richmond 0
Lanny Reese (3-3/16-5): 7.1 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 5 K
Miguel A Gonzalez (SV 36): 1.0 IP
Pedro Torres: 2-4, 3B, HR (5), 2 R, 2 RBI
Bryant Frank: 2-3
H: 6, LOB: 5

Game 151: Norfolk 9, Richmond 4
Paul Brown (14-5): 8.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 3 BB, 10 K
Bob Short: 2-5, HR (18), R, RBI
Sergio Galvez: 3-5, 2B, R, RBI
Trevor Parker: 2-5, HR (33), R, 3 RBI
Sergio Rodriguez: 2-6, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI
Robinson Lopez: 3-4, 2 R
H: 19, LOB: 11

Game 152: Washington 1, Norfolk 6
Jaoquin Hernanez (17-3): 8.2 IP, 4 H, R, 2 BB, 5 K
Sergio Rodriguez: 1-3, 2B, R
Robinson Lopez: 1-3, 2 RBI
Henry Rojas: 1-3, R, RBI
H: 8, LOB: 6

Game 153: Washington 4, Norfolk 5
Alberto Ramos (1-0): 9.0 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 4 K
Mike Baldwin: 2-2, 2B, RBI
Sergio Rodriguez: 2-2, 3B, R, RBI
Claudio Flores: 2-3, R, RBI
Sergio Galvez: 1-5, 2B, 2 RBI
H: 10, LOB: 13

Game 154: Washington 2, Norfolk 9
Ernie Kennedy (14-8): 9.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 3 K
Francisco Gallegos: 3-5, 2 2B, R, 5 RBI
Henry Rojas: 2-3, 2 2B, 2 R
Sergio Rodriguez: 2-5, 2 R
Trevor Parker: 1-3, 3B, R, RBI
H: 12, LOB: 5

Game 155: Washington 2, Norfolk 0
Angel Rivera (8-6): 8.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 4 K
Francisco Gallegos: 2-3
H: 6, LOB: 4



Injuries:
SP Cornell Pearson, Torn UCL (Undergoing Tommy John Surgery), 3-4 Months
SP Carlos Coronado, Torn Labrum, 5 weeks

Other/Roster News:
none

GM Notes:
Really? 6-1, 2-3 and then 6-1 again? How do I know which team is going to show up? I know bad weeks happen, but bad weeks against bad teams, good weeks against decent teams, that doesn't make sense. I guess maybe I should be happy we can beat the better teams, as we prepare for the playoffs, but let me just tell you how annoying this inconsistency is.

I was looking over my stats for my pitchers and I was surprised to see that not one of my starters will start 30 games this season. I guess the 6-man/5-man rotation swap kept them from reaching that mark. Next season will be a different story, as the rotation won't be filled with rookies... Brown: 28, Hernandez: 28, Kennedy: 28, Rivera: 28, Lopez: 12. Reese who spent most of the season with the Blue Hens did pitch in 30 games, but only 10 of those starts were with the Cav's.

I am surprised to see that Sergio Galvez and Bob Short ready the 90+ RBI mark. Galvez will finish the season with over 100, which is crazy, and Short will just fall short unless he has a huge week. Galvez is sitting with 99 and Short 93. I am not sure how I missed Galvez get that many, last I figured he woudl finish the season in the 80's. And with Short missing time due to an injury and not playing much otherwise how'd he get that many? I was all ready to ship Short off during the off-season, but when he is playing like this how can I? My decision for my OF in 2028 is going to be a tough one.

With one more week to play I am starting to think about how my playoff pitching rotation is going to be. I am a little nervous about it, however. The reason I am nervous is because these guys have been so inconsistent. One game they throw a shut-out the next game they can't get out of the 3rd inning. It seems like that has been the common theme this season... Right now I know my 1-3, and most likely Reese will be my #4, with Rivera and his 75% GB% in the bullpen... We will see how the last week of starts go.

I am surprised that we will end the seasons pushing 900 runs scored. I have been ripping this offense all season and I really never gave these guys enough credit. That being said we will still leave too many runners stranded, and we are still quite inconsistent. As long as we can continue to hit and get two or three guys hot during the playoffs we should be good. I am still shocked that we are going to end the season with possible 3 players hitting over .300. When was the last time that happend in Norfolk? Maybe I will have to look it up.

Mike Baldwin was almost dealt this off-season and I almost signed John O'Donegan to an extension (he didn't sign with anyone this year) in a sign that I was going to give up on my back-up catchers. However I couldn't work anything out with J O'D and I ended up going with Baldwin after a semi-decent spring. Well all he did was put up numbers that surprised me. Mike Baldwin is hitting .281-11-31 in limited time. With his emergence and Mark Bolton running out of options, it looks like Bolton has seen his last days in Cavaliers orange.

One more week... I am going to head off an finish up the season, I feel like i am typing to take up space. This team is playing well (on most days) so there really isn't a whole lot to talk about. i am surprised how strong we can be at times, i just wish it was all the times.



Standings Leaders
DE Southern: Milton Brewers: 93-62 (+6.0 / M# 2)
DE Northern: Wilmington Iron Pigs: 84-71 (+3.0 / M# 5)
MV Eastern: Virginia Beach Surf Dawgs: 96-59 (+5.0 / M# 3)
MV Western: Norfolk Cavaliers: 102-53 (+18.0 / **)

Players of the Week:
Delaware: Donald Kane (Dover Generals) 12-26, 3 HR's, 12 RBI's
MarVa: Paul Turner (Balitmore Barons) 10-25, 3 HR's, 7 RBI's

Power Rankings:
1) Norfolk Cavaliers (121.5)
2) Virginia Beach Surf Dawgs (116.5)
3) Chesapeake Blue Crabs (110.7)
4) Milton Brewers (109.0)
5) Dover Generals (106.0)

News:
Salisbury Ports: SP Jason Mathis will miss the rest of this year and most likely all of next with a stretched elbow ligament. Mathis is expected to miss 11-12 months, and it will be interesting if the 37-yr-old comes back. Jason was 8-16 5.39 in 31 starts.

Milestones:
Batting:
1B Francisco Reyes (Georgetown Sixteens) 1 hit from 2500

Pitching:
Mike Banks (New Castle Colonials) 5 games from 1000 (2nd all-time)

Ocean City Tourists: OF Jeff Lewis becomes the 2nd player in the DBL to reach the 2500 hit mark. Lewis is still going strong at 35, hitting .291-25-99 this season.

Chesapeake Blue Crabs: MR Arturo Herrera came in with a runner on base, and four pitches later, he was out of the inning with a double-play. It seemed like any other game, but Herrera was congratulated by his teammates as he made his 1000 appearance in the DBL, the first pitcher to reach that mark. The 39-yr has been around the DBL since 2013 and has posted 79-60 record with a 3.06 ERA while compiling 207 saves. He is a four time all-star and won the Championship in 2023 with the Lewes Braves.

[illeracula]

Week 26
Current Week: 3-4 (105-57 .648 / +18.0)
Next Week: ** The Playoffs Begin **
Power Ranking: 1 (-- / 121.5)
Fan Interest: 100
Owners Mood: Ecstatic
Expectation: Playoffs

Runs Scored: 920 (2nd)
Avg: .284 (1st)
HR: 186 (3rd)
SB: 130 (2nd)
Runs Against: 604 (1st)
Starters ERA: 3.53 (1st)
Pen ERA: 3.27 (1st)
Def Eff: .724 (1st)

Game 156: Baltimore 2, Norfolk 7
Lanny Reese (4-3/17-5): 8.1 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 8 K
Sergio Galvez: 2-5, HR (25), 2 R, RBI
Bob Short: 4-4, 2B, R, 3 RBI
Pedro Torres: 2-4, 2 R
H: 13, LOB: 11

Game 157: Baltimore 4, Norfolk 5
Paul Brown: 6.2 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 5 K
Teo Ha (6-1): 2.1 IP, H, 2 K
Pedro Torres: 1-5, 3 RBI
Leonard Lawson: 2-5, 2B, R
Bryant Frank: 2-2, R
H: 9, LOB: 9

Game 158: Baltimore 4, Norfolk 1
Jaoquin Hernandez (17-4): 7.1 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 6 K
Henry Rojas: 2-4, R
Leonard Lawson: 2-4
H: 8, LOB: 5

Game 159: Norfolk 4, Salisbury 6
Ernie Kennedy (14-9): 4.2 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 5 BB, 3 K
Sergio Rodriguez: 2-4
Trevor Parker: 2-4, HR (34), R, RBI
Bob Short: 2-4, HR (19), R, 2 RBI
Bryant Frank: 2-3, HR (3), R, RBI
H: 8, LOB: 5

Game 160: Norfolk 17, Salisbury 2
Alberto Ramos (2-0): 7.1 IP, 7 H, 2 R, BB, 2 K
Leonard Lawson: 5-5, 2 2B, HR (23), 3 R, 3 RBI
Trevor Parker: 2-6, 2 HR (36), 3 R, 4 RBI
Sergio Rodriguez: 2-7, R, 2 RBI
Oliver Ramos: 2-5, HR (1), 2 R, 2 RBI (1st big league dinger)
Bryant Frank: 1-4, 2B, 2 R, 3 RBI
Claudio Flores: 2-2, RBI
H: 18, LOB: 10

Game 161: Norfolk 1, Salisbury 3
Angel Rivera (8-7): 7.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 BB, 5 K
Bob Short: 2-4, HR (20), R, RBI
Mark Bolton: 2-3, 2B
H: 7, LOB: 8

Game 162: Norfolk 6, Salisbury 7
Lanny Reese: 7.0 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 4 K
Eric Helton (3-3, BS 3): 0.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, K
Pedro Torres: 2-2, HR (13), 2 R, 2 RBI
Robinson Lopez: 1-4, HR (10), R, RBI
Sergio Galvez: 2-3, HR (26), R, RBI
H: 8, LOB: 9



Injuries:
SP Cornell Pearson, Torn UCL (Undergoing Tommy John Surgery), 3 Months
SP Carlos Coronado, Torn Labrum, 4 weeks

Other/Roster News:
HC Quin Tedford has been in New Orleans since 2019. The Cav's and Tedford have decided to part ways.

HC Haywood Strong has been our Short-Season A hitting coach for 3 seasons, and has impressed enough that we signed him to an extension and promoted him to Double-A

MGR Alfredo patino has signed a 4-yr extension to remain our manager at our AAA affiliate. Patino has been in Yokohama since 2014 and been with our organization his entire career, managing our AA affiliate in 2013. He has a record of 1269-788 and has lead the Baystars to 3 championships.

GM Notes:
Alberto Ramos had a season to remeber. Ramos started 32 games this season, 3 for the Cav's and 29 for our AAA affiliate, and he didn't take a loss all year, finishing with a perfect 20-0 record. Before his September callup Ramos was 18-0 3.41 for the Baystars, and in 3 starts for the Cav's 2-0 3.04. What an amazing season. He did turn some heads and most likely be a fixture in the Cav's staff next season.

Somehow the Cavaliers finished the Season with 3 players knocking in 100 runs or more. Bob Short finished the season on a red-hot streak and ended up with 20 HR's and 100 RBI's. Sergio Galvez cooled off, but his streak during August-September was enough to get him to 26 HR's and 101 RBI's, and our offensive leader Trevor Parker finisehd with 36 and 127. I will however have some interesting moves to make during the playoffs. Galvez is starting to cool off and Lawson and Short are just crushing. Look at this outfielders:
Trevor Parker: .306-36-127
Sergio Galvez: .293-26-101
Leonard Lawson: .318-23-82
Bob Short: .301-20-100
Sergio Rodriguez: .298-5-62

Pretty solid OF/DH lines right there.

Robinson Lopez hit his 10th HR in the final game of the regular season, giving us 9 players who hit 10 or more HR's. The only position we didn't get 10 from was our SS.

We finished the season with 920 runs scored, scoring 5.7 runs per game! This is a number I would of never guessed we'd come close to. It is also the 4th highest in Cavaliers history. I am still curious how we scored 1015 runs in 2018, that was a crazy season! That season we only hit 175 HR's, which is our 9th highest out of 15 seasons. THose guys knew how to knock runners in when they got on base. I can't back and look now, but I'd be curious to see how many times (if any) we left 10 or more runners on base...

I am surprised we finished the season so well, and I am surprised we ran away with our division. I really didn't expect that this season especially how the offense was performing during the beginning of the year. In the end the offense carried us more than the pitching, at least it feels that way, something I never would of guessed. All-in-all for losing our #2 and #3 for most/all of the season we ended up doing alright. Nothing like having 3-4 rookies in the rotation all season long (I consider Hernandez a rookie, he pitche din 12 games last year and was injured most of the season).

I am however a little worried about the playoffs. We take on the Surf Dawgs who are going to want revenge against us from last season, and I just am not overly confident with this crew. I will need Brown to step it up here in the playoffs.

And finally, I am shocked that we won 105 games, but moreso I am shocked we have not one pitcher that will be considered for the Golden Arm award. When was the last time that was the case in Norfolk? Heck we had the #1 starting staff in the MarVa Conference too... crazy times.

Time to tinker with the playoff roster and figure out who is coming and who is going, I don't have very much play so it really won't be that hard... I need some confidence.



Standings Leaders
DE Southern: Milton Brewers: 99-63 (+7.0 / **)
DE Northern: Wilmington Iron Pigs: 89-73 (+6.0 / **)
MV Eastern: Virginia Beach Surf Dawgs: 101-61 (+7.0 / **)
MV Western: Norfolk Cavaliers: 105-57 (+18.0 / **)

Players of the Week:
Delaware:
MarVa:

Power Rankings:
1) Norfolk Cavaliers (121.5)
2) Virginia Beach Surf Dawgs (116.5)
3) Chesapeake Blue Crabs (110.7)
4) Milton Brewers (109.0)
5) Dover Generals (106.0)

News:
Chesapeake Blue Crabs: Signed RF Alberto Molinero to a 5-yr extension. Molinero will make $9.5M per season, which is quite a great deal for a guy who hit .274-30-98 this season.
Wilmington Iron Pigs: Lost their starting C and Silver Slugger candidate for the rest of the season, lucky for them it was the last week. Castaneda hit .321-48-119, numbers that will most likely earn him a trophy at the end of the season.
Delaware Conference: Jorge Trujillo (New Castle Colonials) won the batting title finsing the season hitting .328, 7 points higher than Antonio Castaneda.
MarVa Conference: Henry Rojas (Norfolk Cavaliers) won the batting title finishing the season with a .326 average 8 points higher than the #2 man.

Milestones:
Batting:
1B Francisco Reyes (Georgetown Sixteens) became the third player in the DBL to reach the 2500 hit milestone. He thinks he can chase 3,000, but we will see as Reyes has seen his performance drop over the past 3 seasons.

Pitching:
Mike Banks (New Castle Colonials) 1 game from 1000 (2nd all-time)

Minor League Champions:
AAA: Yokohma Baystars (Norfolk Cavaliers)
AA: Cincinnati Buckeyes (Milford Clippers)
A: Birmingham Colones (Ellicott City Express)
SA: Jacksonville Tritons (Norfolk Cavaliers)

[illeracula]

September 2027 Award Winners

Delaware Conference Monthly Awards

September's Best Batter Announced: When Samuel Darcy stepped up to the plate in September, he did it with confidence and today he was honored with the Delaware Conference Batter of the Month award. The young Milton catcher posted a .471 batting average with 8 home runs, 31 RBIs and scored 19 runs. Darcy also worked pitchers for 9 walks to post a .494 on-base percentage. This year Darcy is hitting .324 with 139 hits, 35 home runs, 114 RBIs and has scored 72 runs.

Alfonso DECONF Winner, Top Hurler in September: Guillermo Alfonso's been around the league long enough to appreciate the honor he received today. After going 5-0 in September, the 30-year-old Christiana hurler has been named Delaware Conference Pitcher of the Month. He fanned 37 in 39.2 innings, logged an ERA of 0.91 and allowed opponents to hit .164 against him. Thus far this season Alfonso has posted a 19-9 record, started 32 games, struck out 180 batters in 220.1 innings and compiled a 3.31 ERA.

Delaware Conference Names Rookie of Month: Ryan Sutton earned September's Rookie of the Month honors in the Delaware Conference for last month's performance. The boyish New Castle center fielder might be wet behind the ears, but he's proving that he has what it takes to play at this level. Sutton hit .291 with 7 home runs, 19 RBIs and 22 runs scored this past month on his way to winning the award. A look at his season totals shows Sutton with 28 home runs, .296 BA, .337 OBP, 103 RBIs and 78 runs scored.

MarVa Conference Monthly Awards

MVCONF's Top Hitter Named: Jason Atkins battered MarVa Conference pitchers all September and wound up taking home the Batter of the Month Award. "I've been around DELMARVA Baseball League long enough to know you really have to work hard day in and day out to be able to put up this kind of consistency," the 26-year-old Atkins told reporters. "I put in a lot of work, even on the days I might not take the field, and it's always nice when everything comes together for me like it did this last month." In 26 games, Atkins hit .311 with 9 home runs, 21 RBIs and scored 17 runs. In his season totals Atkins has 32 home runs and a .293 batting average.

Roeder Takes MVCONF #1 Pitcher Trophy: Mike Roeder has been around the league long enough to know that relievers are often overlooked. That has never stopped him from doing what he does best -- and he did it extremely well in September and stole away with the MarVa Conference Pitcher of the Month award. The Ports bullpen ace collected 11 saves and 10 strikeouts in 16 innings, holding the opposition to a .228 average and posting a 0.56 ERA and a 1-0 record. To date this season, Roeder has fashioned a 4.26 ERA and rung up 29 saves for his club. He has 37 strikeouts and 34 walks. Opponents have hit for a combined .248 average against him and Roeder has a 4-4 won-lost mark.

Newcomer of the Month Picked: Shumei Ishikawa had a very good September and today was presented the MarVa Conference Rookie of the Month trophy. Last month the 27-year-old Washington third baseman played in 26 games and hit .313 with 2 doubles, no triples and 7 home runs. Ishikawa also scored 21 times and drove in 16 runs. Ishikawa is swinging at a .306 pace on the year with 17 home runs, 69 RBIs and 87 runs scored. He has played in 122 games.

League Leaders - October 4, 2027 (final)

Delaware Conference League Leaders





End of the Year Award Front Runners:
Silver Slugger: Antonio Castaneda, Michael Johnson, Peter Peters
Golden Arm: Julio Rocha, Ricardo Gonzalez, Fernando Fareles
Newcomer: Ryan Sutton, Peyton Hensley, Manuel Diaz, Mark Hoover

MarVa Conference League Leaders





End of the Year Award Front Runners:
Silver Slugger: Steven Jefferson, Ramirio Herrera, Lucio Pena, Trevor Parker, Claude Bond
Golden Arm: Steven Ray, Chris Steele, Antonio Cortes
Newcomer: Shumei Ishikawa, Jose Garcia, Ernie Kennedy, Matt Douglas

Standings - October 4, 2027 (final)



Southern Division:
Current Leader: Milton Brewers (99-63 .611 / + 7)
Projected Winner: Dover Generals (92-70 .568 / +1)
Despite losing to the Dover Generals 7 times in the last month of the season the Brewers put together a solid 19-13 finish, and pretty much walked away from the rest of the division. Surprisingly, they didn't have much of a battle to finish off the seasons, in a division that was predicted to be tough. The Brewers enter the playoffs for the third time, and second time in a row.

Northern Division:
Current Leader: Wilmington Iron Pigs (89-73 .549 / +6)
Projected Winner: Wilmington Iron Pigs (93-69 .574 / +1)
The Iron Pigs head into the playoffs struggling winning just 15 of their last 31 games. The Colonials missed their opportunity in September, as the Millers, made a strong run but fell off near the end. The Iron Pigs make the playoffs for the seventh time, and third time in a row. This year they failed to win 90 games, the only division winner to do so.

Eastern Division:
Current Leader: Virginia Beach Surf Dawgs (101-61 .623 / +7.0)
Projected Winner: Ocean City Tourists (88-74 .543 / +2)
The Surf Dawgs wanted revenge on the Cavaliers for knocking them out of their first playoff last season and they showed it winning 19 and losing only 12 during the last month+. The Dawgs walked away with the Eastern for the 2nd year in a row. They also set a franchise record with 101 victories, and became the first 2017 expansion team to win over 100. They are geared up and ready to go.

Western Division:
Current Leader: Norfolk Cavaliers (105-57 .648 / +18.0)
Projected Winner: Norfolk Cavaliers (116-46 .716 / +21)
The Cavaliers walked away from their competition in the Western Division, surprisingly. A lot of experts figured the Senators would make a run, but they struggled with injuries all season and finished under .500. The Cavaliers finished strong winning 19 in September and 20 of their last 31. They do head into the playoffs a little flat losing 2 of three to the Ports. This marks the 14th playoff appearance for the Cav's and 13th in a row. They have also won a record 7 titles.

September/October thoughts:
All the division races sputtered out and it didn't end very fun, as the same four teams from last year are in the playoffs again this season. The Brewers are my favorite to win it all, with the way they have played all season and their very balanced team.

Antonio Castandea had a chance to win the triple crown heading into the final month of the season, but didn't finish strong hitting .228-3-13. This followed 2 months where he hit over .393 (.393-21-24 and .394-7-24).

There are no clear winners in any of the races. I am not sure who'd I pick to win and it will be interesting to see how it all works out. I do hope that Julio Rocha can knock Ricardo Gonzalez from the Golden Arm, however he put up 18 wins and over 300 K's. Should be interesting to see the winners.

During his first full season as a closer Miguel Angel Gonzalez was very impressive posting a 7-5 1.85 record with 36 saves in 44 opportunities. I would like to see him grow and save more than .837% next season. He finished the season with 68.0 IP, 87 K's and only 12 BB's. He walked a season high of 5 in September. He posted a final WHIP of 0.72 (0.55 @ home) and only gave up 3 HR's. He should have a bright future as a closer.

Jorge Trujillo and Henry Rojas both won the batting title for the first time in their career. Another crazy thing is to see 4 Cavaliers in the top 7 for batting average in the MarVa Conference.

The 2027 season ends with 3 players reaching the 2500 hit mark: Kent Davis (2569), Jeff Lewis (2508) and Francisco Reyes (2503). Cliff Jones at the ripe age of 44 has hinted that he'd like to play in 2028 is 118 hits away from the 2500 mark. Jones hit .299-8-44 for the Colonials this season. He was the oldest player in the DBL this season.

** I am hoping to start the playoffs tomorrow. I am quite busy at work and with school, but I am anxious to get things started **

[illeracula]

Last season the Brewers went down to the Iron Pigs in 5 games, but the Iron Pigs had home field. Will that make a difference this season? The Brewers would like to think so. Lead by a young offense an strong starting staff the Brewers will need to keep the Iron Pigs offense at bay. The Iron Pigs are the only playoff team to win under 90 games this season. A lot of that has to do with the fact they didn't have the depth in the rotation they did last season.

The Brewers are a better team this season, and a lot of that has to do with their pitching staff. With Fernando Fareless, Pedro Rivera and Golden Arm candidate Julio Rocha leading the way.

Iron Pigs Keys Winning:
1) Need someone besides Ricardo Gonzalez to win a game.
2) Need their offensive leaders Tom Anderson and Alonso Martinez to step it up, as last seasons Conference MVP Antonio Castaneda is out for the series.
3) Get to the Brewers bullpen.

Brewers Keys to Winning:
1) Beat the pitchers not named Ricardo Gonzalez.
2) Starters need to go deep into games.
3) Young bats, Chip Hurt & Michael Johnson, need to lead the way.

The Iron Pigs have made three trips to the Fall Class and have never won, the Brewers are just making their third playoff appearance. While the Iron Pigs have the experience, the Brewers have a little more talent.

Last season I picked the Brewers to win, and the Iron Pigs surprised me and took the series in 5. This season with the Brewers another year experienced, and with a better starting staff, I see them winning in 6 and going to their first DelMarVa Championship.

[illeracula]

Last season the Cav's beat the Surf Dawgs in 6 tough games, and if it wasn't for Cornell Pearson and Carlos Coronado the Surf Dawgs would of be heading to the Championship. Those two names could be key in this series, as they are both out for the playoffs. The Cav's instead will be going into the playoffs with 3 kids under 25 years old, and their ace who struggled last season.

Last year the Surf Dawgs were without their team MVP Shunen Koyama for the series, this year he is back. Both teams like to score runs and both teams have solid pitching. It should be a really interseting series.

The Cav's have the edge on hill giving up 99 less runs than the Surf Dawgs, but the Surf Dawgs have a full lineup and are hungry, especially after last seasons devistating loss. They won 100 games this year and they are ready to take down the defending Champion.

Surf Dawgs Keys to Winning:
1) Score runs! The Cav's staff gave up 3.7 runs per game. They Surf Dawgs will need at least that to win this series.
2) Noah Roberts or Ray Thompson need to step it up. Both pitches strugged against the Cav's this season to win the series their #1 and #2 need to shut the Cav's down.
3) Shunen Koyama makes his first playoff appearance. He needs to lead the offense.

Cavaliers Keys to Winning:
1) Ernie Kennedy. He got knocked around quite a bit this season by the Surf Dawgs, and he will need to step it up this series for the Cav's to win. Especially since last years Series MVP is out for the Cav's.
2) The bats. Someone on the Cav's will need to step up and be the offensive leader during this series. Galvez and Gallegos the team vets need to come through.
3) Score runs off the starters. The Cav's had more success against the Dawgs starters than the pen this year. If they can get to them early it will only help take pressure off the young starters and the bullpen.

It took 10 seasons for an expansion club to make the playoffs, and now in their 11th season they Dawgs won 100 games. They keep setting the bar for the other expansion clubs, and this season they set out to take it one step further and win the MarVa Conference. The only team standing in the way is the team that knocked them out last year, so the are even more stoked than before.

Can the Surf Dawgs take out the Cav's and stop the Cav's run? The Cav's have been the class of the DBL for many seasons and it would only add another knotch to the history making Surf Dawgs if they can take them down... The Cav's fans don't seem worried however, knowing they have "been there and done that" 8 times (7 times leading to Championships).

In the end whoever hits is going to win this series. I can't go against my team and I am going to pick the Cav's to win in 5.

[illeracula]

Game 1 Conference Championship Series

MarVa Conference

The Cav's made a minor adjustment to their roster, as we will be carrying 12 pitchers and 13 position players. I ended up dropping Carlos Franco and going with an extra pitcher, Allen Williams. I don't think either one would see much playing time so in the end its not an overly big deal (at least I hope not).

The Cav's will be going with a 4-man rotation during the playoffs with Angel Rivera heading to the bullpen. It was a tough call by Lanny Reese seemed to be pitching better at the end of the year, plus Rivera has 72% GB ratio, so I like the idea of having that in the pen.

The Cav's are trying to win Championship #8 and they will have a tough opponent on their hands. For the Cav's Paul Brown will be on the hill. Brown has made 9 post-season starts going 6-2 3.00 for his career. Last season he struggled a little going 2-1 4.91 in 3 starts. He will need a big series this season for the Cav's to move forward.

For the Surf Dawgs they counter with Ray Thompson. Thompson split time as a starter and in the bullpen this season and will be making his first post-season start today. He pitched in 2 games last year, but for only 1.1 innings. There will be a lot of pressure on this 27 year old today.

The Surf Dawgs lineup is tough, with 7 players (#2-#8) hitting 16+ HR's on the season. they are going to give the Cav's pitchers fits:
LF Jose Silva, 2B Steve Jefferson, DH Wayne Weaver, RF Julio Rodriguez, SS Shunen Koyama, CF Ira Kelly, 1B Duncan Gilmore, C Luis Romero and 3B Adam Rowe.

The Cavaliers make a shocking move sitting Sergio Galvez in game 1. He is 0-19 over his career against Thompson. so the start will go to Bob Short who finished the season red-hot. The Cav's like the Dawgs have 7 players with 10+ HR's.
CF Sergio Rodriguez, DH Leonard Lawson, 1B Francisco Gallegos, RF Trevor Parker, 2B Pedro Torres, LF Bob Short, C Henry Rojas, SS Bryant Frank and 3B Robinson Lopez

Lets play ball!!
Inning 1:
Both teams go down 1-2-3.

Inning 3:
The Surf Dawgs got the first hit of the game, when #9 hitter singled to left. But he was erased by a double-play... The Cav's have yet to get a hit..

Inning 4:
The Surf Dawgs got another hit, as Julio Rodriguez blooped one into center, but that was it... The Cav's Sergio Rodriguez lead things off with a single up the middle. He would go to second on a Thompson balk, move to third on a Duncan Gilmore error, and then score on a Trevor Parker sac-fly. Bob Short and Pedro Torres would both single, and Henry Rojas would hit into a ground-out to end the inning and leave the bases-loaded... Cav's lead 1-0

Inning 7:
The Cav's would some runners on, after a Bob Short double and an intentional walk to Henry Rojas. Sergio Galvez would PH for Bryant Frank and ground into a FC. The Cav's would strand 2 more runners on base... Cav's lead 1-0

Inning 8:
TOP: With one out, Catcher Luis Romero would draw a walk, the 2nd walk of they for Paul Brown. Manny Martinez would PH for Adam Row and make Brown pay for the walk, hitting a shot over the RF wall (390ft)... Surf Dawgs lead 2-1
BOTTOM: The Cav's would fight back in their bottom half of the 8th. Sergio Rodriguez lead things off with a double, Leonard Lawson would draw a walk putting runners on first and second. Francisco Gallegos would single to left, to load the bases. Trevor Parker flew out for out #1. Pedro Torres would draw a walk, plating the tying run. Bob Short would give the Cav's the leads with a 2-run double to right-center. Henry Rojas would be intentionally walked to load the bases. Claudio Flores would single up the middle, plating 2 more. Robinson Lopez would single after Flores giving the Cav's another run... when the dust settled the Surf Dawgs ran through 5 pitchers and the Cav's 12 batters, and would get the lead back... Cav's lead 8-2

Inning 9:
Paul Brown came out to try to finish off the game, but after striking out Weaver, he gave up a double to Julio Rodriguez and a single to Shunen Koyama, before giving way to Armando Lopez would would finish off the game... Cav's win 8-3

Cav's take the series lead 1-0

W: Paul Brown (1-0)
L: Rodney Glatz (0-1)
HR: VB: Manuel Martinez (1)

POG: Bob Short (NFK), 3-4, 2 2B, R, 2 RBI

Game Notes:
Ray Thompson went 7 innings, allowing just 4 hits and 1 unearned run. He did everything he could to keep the Cav's in check... The Surf Dawgs used 5 pitchers in the 8th playing the lefty/righty match-up game. It didn't work out too well... Sergio Rodriguez had 2 hits for the Cav's, him and Short are the only Cav's that had multi-hit games... Claudio Flores, Robinson Lopez and Bob Short all drove in 2-runs for the Cav's... Julio Rodriguez had 2 hits for the Surf Dawgs, who only managed 6 total hits off of Paul Brown... Noah Roberts (VB) faces off against Joaquin Hernandez (NFK) in game 2.

Delaware Conference
The Iron Pigs got on the board early, when Alonso Martinez gave them a 2-run lead with a shot over the left-center field wall... After that Pedro Rivera settled into a rhythm and only allowed 4 more hits over the next 7 innings... The 2-run lead didn't last long as the Brewers chipped away with a single run in the each of the 2nd and 3rd innings... In the 6th they would take the lead, following a single, a walk and a hit batter to loud the bases Matt Rose would single to right, scoring two runs... For good measure the Brewers would add 2 more in the 7th, putting the nail in the coffin. Game won went to the Brewers by the score of 6-2.

Brewers lead the series 1-0

W: Pedro Rivera (1-0)
L: Edmund Scott (0-1)
HR: WIL: Alonso Martinez (1)

POG: Pedro Rivera (MIL), 8 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 8 K

Game Notes:
The teams turned a combined 6-double plays. 4 by the Iron pigs, and 2 by the Brewers... The Brewers didn't have any player with more than 1-hit and only had 1 extra-base hit a triple by Enrique Maldonado... The Iron pigs collected only 6 hits, two of which were boy Eugene St. John... Matt Rose and Sam Darcy each drove in 2 for the Brewers... The Brewers drew 8 walks, collected 7 hits, had one hit-by-pitch and left 7 men on base... Jesus Nunez who is the catcher, replacing injured Antonio Castaneda, went 0-4. The Iron Pigswill need more from Nunez if they want to win this series... The Iron Pigs had 2 extra-base hits, the HR by Martinez and a double by Tom Anderson. Both of which came in the first inning... The Iron Pigs struck out 8 times, the Brewers 2... Game 2 should be an exciting match-up with two 18 game winners going at it, Ricardo Gonzalez (18-9 2.76) for the Iron Pigs and Fernando Fareless (18-10 2.98) for the Brewers.

[illeracula]

Game 2 Conference Championship Series

MarVa Conference

One thing I noticed during game 1 is that I am not a fan of having ony 13 position players. After Galvez PH and Flores came in for him I was left with Vazquez and Baldwin on the bench. That is just not enough, and I hope it doesn't' come back to haunt me.

For the Surf Dawgs they are going with Noah Roberts in game 2. Noah lost his only start in the post-season last year, but he only gave up 2 runs over 9 innings. The final score of that game was 2-1, he was out-pitched by Carlos Coronado. This year he is hoping for better results. He did struggle in his starts against the Cav's this season, so he is rip for revenge.

The Dawgs lineup is the same as it was for Game 1:
LF Jose Silva, 2B Steve Jefferson, DH Wayne Weaver, RF Julio Rodriguez, SS Shunen Koyama, CF Ira Kelly, 1B Duncan Gilmore, C Luis Romero and 3B Adam Rowe.

The Cav's counter with 22 year old Joaquin Hernandez. Hernandez made one post-season start last season going 6 innings, allowing 4 runs. He took the ND. He is out to show that a full-season of innings has made him that much better. He was perfect against the Surf Dawgs this seaosn going 3-0 with a 3.86 ERA.

With a talented out-field tough decisions have to be made and for Game 2 Leonard Lawson will be getting a rest, with Galvez back in the lineup. Galvez has 218 post-season AB's, which include 13 HR's and 35 RBI's. He struggled some last season, so hopefully he is ready to make up for that this season.

LF Sergio Rodriguez, CF Sergio Galvez, 1B Francisco Gallegos, RF Trevor Parker, 2B Pedro Torres, DH Bob Short, C Henry Rojas, SS Bryant Frank and 3B Robinson Lopez

Lets Play Ball!!
Inning 1:
After Hernandez gave up a single to the lead-off man, the Cav's turned a double play and that was it. But in the bottom half the Cav's jumped on Roberts sending 9 men to the plate. Rodriguez started the inning with a triple, he would come across to score 2 batters later on a sac-fly by Gallegos. Trevor Parker would plate 2, Galvez who walked, and himself with a 2-run shot to right (369ft). After Pedro Torres walked, Bob Short would add another run with a bomb to right-center (409ft). Henry Rojas would just miss a HR hitting the wall in right-center. After Frank walked, Lopez would strike out swinging ending the inning... Cav's lead 4-0 after 1.

Inning 2:
The Surf Dawgs would get another unner on, when Hernandez walked Shunen Koyama, but woud leave him on standing on first. In the bottom half with 2-outs Francisco Gallegos would single up the middle. Trevor Parker would walk, putting runners on first and second and Pedro Torres would make Roberts pay with a 3-run shot over the left-centerfield wall (434ft)... After 2 the Cav's have staked out a 7-0 lead.

Inning 3:
TOP:
The Surf Dawgs would get on the board in the third as lead-off man Luis Romero started the inning off with a solo-blast down the right-field line (349ft). After striking out Rowe, Hernandez would plunk Jose Silva and walk Steven Jefferson. Wayne Weaver grounded into a FC moving Silva to third, and he would come across to score on a Julio Rodriguez single... Cav's lead was cut to 7-2
BOTTOM:
The Cav's would get one of two runs back. Leadoff man Henry Rojas doubled to right-center, He would move up a batter later on a passed ball and then score on a Sergio Rodriguez FC. The Cav's would threaten, but only get one leaving 2 men on... After 3 the Cav's are up 8-2

Inning 4:
The Surf Dawgs would get a single by Gilmore, but he would be left on 1st. The Cav's would get things started quickly with Trevor Parker hitting his 2nd HR of the game (375ft). Pedro Torres and Bob Short would both single, but the Cav's couldn't get anything else... After 4 the Cav's hold the 9-2 lead.

Inning 5:
TOP:
Jose Silva would lead off the inning with a double. He would move over to third on a ground-out and then come across to score on a Wayne Weaver grounder. The Surf Dawgs still trail 9-3
BOTTOM:
The Cavs would answer right back. After Lopez flew out, Rodriguez, Galvez and Gallegos would single, the final hit scoring Rodriguez. Thats all the Cav's would get however, they lead 10-3.

Innings 6-9:
The teams wouldn't threaten and the game would go scoreless the rest of the way. The Cav's would take game 2 with a 10-3 drubbing.

The Cav's lead the series 2-0

W: Joaquin Hernandez (1-0)
L: Noah Roberts (0-1)
HR: VB: Luis Romero (1), NFK: Pedro Torres (1), Trevor Parker 2 (2), Bob Short (1)

POG: Trevor Parker (NFK): 2-4, 2 HR's, 3 R, 3 RBI

Game Notes:
The Cav's would collect 16 hits, with their first 7 batters collecting 2 or 3... Sergio Galvez collected 3 hits along with Bob Short... Pedro Torres and Trevor Parker each had 3 RBI's... Joaquin Hernandez went all 9 innings, allowing 8 hits and 3 runs. He walked 3 and struck out 6... Noah Roberts didn't make it out of the second inning, giving up 7 runs on 6 hits and 3 walks... The Surf Dawgs collected 8 hits, with leadoff man Jose Silva leading the way going 2-3 with a double and 2 runs... The Surf Dawgs turned 3 double-plays... The Cav's scored 10 runs and left 11 runners stranded... Brooks Carlson went 3 innings, allowing just 1 run and Jimmy Jones went 2 innings allowing 1 hit for the Surf Dawgs... Henry Rojas collected 2 doubles. Bryant Frank 0-3 with a walk and Robinson Lopez 0-2 with 2 walks were the only Cav's starters not to get a hit.

Delaware Conference

Fernandez Fareless didn't start for the Brewers, but part-time starter Patrick Everett did. Everett went 11-6 4.67 this season. And he didn't disappoint the Brewers faithful going 8 strong innings, allowing just 5 hits and 3 runs, while walking 2 and striking out 10... However that one it? That was a big one a 3-run 2-out HR by Tom Anderson to give the Iron Pigs all the runs they needed... As Ricardo Gonzalez was lights out, allowing just 5 base-runners, 3 hits and 2 errors. He dominated the Brewers going 8 innings and striking out 10.

The series is now tied 1-1

W: Ricardo Gonzalez (1-0)
L: Patric Everett (0-1)
S: Arturo Ramirez (1)
HR: WIL: Tom Anderson (1)

Game Notes:
This was your old fashion pitching duel, both teams combined for under 10 hits. The Iron Pigs had 5 of those 10 and 3 of them went for Extra bases... The Brewers collected 4 singles, didn't draw a walk, and struck out 11 times. Five Brewers struck out 2 times... Steve Kelly had 2 hits for the Iron Pigs, going 2-3, he was the only batter in the game to collect more than 1 hit.

[illeracula]

Game 3 Conference Championship Series

MarVa Conference
We head into Virginia Beach to take on the Surf Dawgs for game three. We started out the season read hot on the road, but have cooled off some as the season moved on. So this should be an interesting game after 2 big wins in Norfolk.

Rookie Ernie Kennedy will be on the hill for us. His performance fell off the second half of the season and he ened up posting a +4.80 ERA in Augusto and a +5.60 ERA in September. Last season our lone lefty in the rotation shut down the Surf Dawgs, so maybe he can do it again... that being said Ernie struggled against the Dawgs this season going 0-3 5.48.

One minor change to the lineup today, I have decided to sit Francisco Gallegos in favor of Bob Short. Gallegos is a career 1-26 against Steve Cole.

CF Sergio Rodriguez, 1B Sergio Galvez, DH Leonard Lawson, RF Trevor Parker, 2B Pedro Torres, LF Bob Short, C Henry Rojas, SS Bryant Frank and 3B Robinson Lopez

Last season Steve Cole lost 2 games against the Cavaliers during the playoffs, this will be his third start and he is hungry for a win, but he has struggled against the Cav's, not just in the post-season the regular season as well (0-2 8.10).

The lineup for the Surf Dawgs looks a little different with the lefty on the hill, as we will see 3 new starters.

LF Jose Silva, DH Manuel Martinez, SS Shunen Koyama, RF Julio Rodriguez, CF Ira Kelly, 2B Steven Jefferson, 3B Adam Rowe, 1B Errol Yarborough, C Michael Shoemaker

Lets Play Ball!!!
Inning 1:
TOP:
We started off with a bang. Sergio Rodriguez singled to right, which was followed by a 2-run HR by Sergio Galvez over the RF wall (389ft)... Pedro Torres did scratch out a 2-out single, but that was it. After a 1/2 inning we had 2-0 lead.
BOTTOM:
I was hoping for a perfect game, but hope vanished when lead-off man Jose Silva singled up the middle on a 3-2 count. After a strike out, a wild pitch would move Silva to second and Shunen Koyama would bring him home with a double down the LF line. After 1 the Cav's held a 2-1 advantage.

Inning 2:
The Cav's wouldn't wait long to get that run back. Henry Rojas singled up the middle. Bryant Frank would walk. After Robinson Lopez couldn't get the bunt down, he swung away and singled up the middle to load the bases. Sergio Rodriguez would single in Rojas. Sergio Galvez drew a bases loaded walk plating Frank. And after a Leonard Lawson fly out, Trevor Parker would knock Steve Cole out of the game with a 412ft GRAND SLAM to center field. And after 2 the Cav's would lead 8-1.

Inning 3:
TOP:
The Cav's weren't done... Leading off the inning Henry Rojas put a ball into orbit hitting a 435ft shot to dead-center. Frank singled, Lopez reached on a E6 moving Frank to 2nd. Sergio Rodriguez would single to load the bases. Sergio Galvez would fly out to deep right, scoring Frank. And Leonard Lawson would single in Lopez.
BOTTOM:
The Surf Dawgs haven't given up yet however. Kennedy give up a single to Jose Silva to start off the 3rd. Silva would be out on a FC. Shunen Koyama would single moving Martinez to third and with runners on first and second Julio Rodriguez would double down the left-field line scoring both Martinez and Koyama... After 3 the Cav's lead 11-3

Inning 4:
The Cav's would add one more run on Henry Rojas 2nd HR of the game a shot over the right-center field wall (407ft), their only hit of the inning. And Kennedy looks to be settling down putting the Dawgs down 1-2-3 for the first time of the game... Cav's add one, now lead 12-3.

Inning 5:
TOP:
The Cav's would continue to add to their lead. Sergio Rodriguez would single to start thigns off, followed by a suspicious HBP to Sergio Galvez, putting runners on 1st and 2nd. Lawson would fly out to deep right, moving Rodriguez to 3rd. Then both Sergio's would score when Trevor Parker would hit the top off the fence, just missing a HR for a double. After 4.5 the Cav's held a 14-3 lead.
BOTTOM:
Kennedy was on a roll setting down the Surf Dawgs 1-2-3 last inning, but this inning didn't go so well. After striking out Jose Silva to start the inning off, the Dawgs would pour it on. Martinez singled up the middle, and would score on Shunen Koyama's double to right. Koyama then scored on a Julio Rodriguez single. Kelly would strike out, then Steven Jefferson, Adman Rowe and Errorl Yarbrough would single, Rodriguez and Jefferson would score. Kennedy's day was done, and Michael Meagher would end the inning... But when the dust settled the Cav's lead was cut to 14-7.

Inning 6:
The Cav's would go an inning without scoring despite a 1-out triple by Bryant Frank... And the Surf Dawgs would start to mount a comeback. Jose Silva singled to left. Manuel Martinez hit a dribbler to third and beat it out, and with 2 runners on Shunen Koyama would drill the first pitch he saw from Michael Meagher 397ft over the RF wall. Allen Williams would come in retire the next three hitters, but the damage was done. the Cav's lead 14-10 after 6 innings.

Inning 7:
The Cav's would get 2 men on but weren't able to get anyone across the plate. Sergio Galvez lead off the inning getting plunked for the 2nd time in the game... The Surf Dawgs would go down 1-2, then Williams would hit Michael Shoemaker. Shoemaker would go to third on an E2, putting runners on 1 first and third for Manuel Martinez. Martinez would face new pitcher David Moran and strike out! The Cav's lead remains 14-10.

Inning 8:
The Cav's would pour it on in the 8th... Henry Rojas lead off the inning with a record tying 3rd HR of the game, a shot down to RF line (376ft). Frank would fly out. Robinson Lopez would single. Sergio Rodriguez would walk. And Lopez and Rodriguez would score on Sergio Galvez's HR down to RF line (344ft). Francisco Gallegos PH'ing for Lawson would draw a walk, Parker would strike out, Torres would walk moving Gallegos to second. Short would single loading the bases. Henry Rojas would collect his record trying 5th hit a double down the RF line, clearing the bases. Rojas would score on a Bryant Frank single. Lopez would walk and Rodriguez struck out to end the inning... The Surf Dawgs would go down 1-2-3 and after 8 the Cav's held a 22-10 lead.

Inning 9:
TOP:
Lead-off man Sergio Galvez would get drilled for the 3rd time today, but 2-batters later Trevor Parker would make them pay with a 2-run shot down the Rf line (375ft). That is all the Cav's could get, but they now lead 24-10.
BOTTOM:
Jefferson ground out to third. Adam Rowe walks. Errol Yarbrough grounds into the 6-4-3 game ending double play. The Cav's win 24-10

The Cav's lead the series 3-0

W: Micahel Meager (1-0)
L: Steve Cole (0-1)
HR: NFK: Henry Rojas 3 (3), Trevor Parker 2 (4), Sergio Galvez 2 (2), VB: Shunen Koyama (1)

POG: Henry Rojas, NFK: 5-6, 2B, 3 HR, 5 R, 6 RBI

Post Game Comments:
He spoke to the writers in the post-game press room and said, "I guess you could say I was a good guesser today, especially on the last one. I was ahead in the count, so I got set for a certain pitch, and got it ... all of it."

In the post-game press conference the Virginia Beach skipper quipped to reporters, "Hey, we tried to get him out. We threw everything but the kitchen sink against him and he hit it. Maybe we should've thrown the kitchen sink."

Game Notes:
First off this game was just insane and I am not sure I have ever been a part of a wacky game like this, let alone in the playoffs... Here is a look at the records that were set or tied today:

• H. Rojas ties the MV CONF playoff game record for hits with 5.
• H. Rojas sets the MV CONF playoff game record for home runs with 3.
• H. Rojas sets the MV CONF playoff game record for runs with 5.
• S. Gálvez ties the MVCONF playoff game record for runs with 5.
• T. Parker sets the MVCONF playoff game record for RBI with 8.

Eight of the nine Cav's starters had 2 hits or more... The Cav's combined for 24 hits, 11 of which went for extra bases. 3 doubles, a triple and 7 HR's... The Surf Dawgs offense combined for 14 hits. With four players collecting two or more... Shunen Koyama had 4 hits, 2 doubles, and a HR, scored 3 times and drove in 5... Julio Rodriguez went 2-5 for the Surf Dawgs with a double and 3 RBI's... The Surf Dawgs struck out 10 times... Neither starter went 5 innings. Cole didn't make it through the second allowing 7 hits, 2 walks and 8 runs. Kennedy went 4.2 innings, allowing 11 hits, 7 runs, but he did strike out 8... Allen Williams (1.2), David Moran (0.2) and Eric Helton (1.2) finished the way for the Cav's allowing 0 hits, 1 walk and 2 K's... The Cav's left 10 runners on base... Only Carl van der Esch didn't give up a run for the Surf Dawgs who went through 7 pitchers. van der Esch only pitched to 2 batters, he struck out one and walked one... Brooks Carlson pitched 2.2 innings, allowing 2 runs on 3 hits, he lasted the longest of any Surf Dawgs pitchers... It will be interesting to see how the Surf Dawgs can, of if they will, bounce back from this loss. The positive of it all is they scored 10 runs.

Delaware Conference
With the series tied at 1, they head into Wilmington and the Brewers have to be feeling good with their ace Julio Rocha on the hill... The Brewers would jump on the score board first in the top of the third. As they commonly do, they manufactured it, a single by Matt Rose, was followed by 2 walks to load the bases. A sac-fly by Chip Hurt, was followed by a flyout and then a single by Michael Johnson which plated their second run. Edward Barnes walked to reload the bases, but Middelkamp struck out looking to end the inning. Leaving 3 men on, this inning might come back to haunt the Brewers... Irving Mills would settle down and end up going 6.1 innings, allowing just those 2 runs... Rocha would keep the Iron Pigs scoreless till the 8th. He was showing signs of being tired, but he had been effective so they Brewers decided to keep on going with him. Steve Kelly would start the 8th off with a double followed by Ramon Martinez single. Two batters later Kelly would score on a sac-fly by Kevin Barber... Heading into the bottom of the 9th, the Brewers brought in close Eric Loveland, to face the lower part of the Iron Pigs order... 2 pitches into the inning Arturo Martinez would tie the game with a solo-HR. The HR seemed to shake up Loveland who would give up a single to Matt Fisher the next batter. After a ground out, Loveland walked Simpson, forced a ground-out moving runners to second and third... Then he lost it walking the next 2 batters, and giving the Iron Pigs the 3-2 victory.

Iron Pigs lead 2-1

W: Arturo Martinez (1-0)
L: Eric Loveland (0-1)

HR: Alonso Martinez (2)

POG: Julio Rocha, Milton, 7.2 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 B, 5 K

Game Notes:
The Brewers had a lot of wasted opportunities, collecting 11 hits, and leaving 12 men stranded. The didn't even hit into a double play... The third inning for the Brewers could end up being the deciding factor of this series... The Iron Pigs collected 11 hits, with Matt Fisher leading the way going 3-4... Kevin Barber went 0-3, but had 2 RBI's for the Iron Pigs... Matt Rose and Ramon Granados each had 2 hits for the Brewers... All 11 of the Brewers hits were singles... The Iron Pigs had 2 doubles and a HR... The Iron Pigs have to be feel like they are in a good position for this series, with Gonzalez able to go game 7, they just need to win 1 of the next 3. I doubt it will go that far however. The Brewers just can't seem to score. Game 4 will be a big game for the Brewers.

[NYY #23]

Your offense is putting on a clinic this series! It's pretty hard to lose with you average 14 runs a game. Let's hope they can keep it up.

[illeracula]

Originally Posted by NYY #23

Your offense is putting on a clinic this series! It's pretty hard to lose with you average 14 runs a game. Let's hope they can keep it up.

What is crazy is that the Surf Dawgs have a pretty solid staff, but for whatever reason we match up well against them. It has been a pretty crazy series so far, especially for a team I was ready to give up on because I didn't think we could score (at least for the first 2 months).

Lets hope we can, we have been known to have our ups and downs.

[illeracula]

Game 4 Conference Championship Series

MarVa Conference

Game 4 and we have a chance to put it away, but I am not sure I am going to like that. Do I really want to put it away early and then get all this extra rest before starting the series? I guess I don't really have much say in that now do I? I will be happy to know that we are heading to the finals, so that is a plus.

We have Lanny Reese on the hill, our mid-season acquisition. He fared ok with us, but he was very erratic, finishing 5-3 3.74 in 12 starts. He will be making his first start of his career in the post-season.

Gallegos returns to the lineup, replacing Lawson. Gallegos has hit Melendez well over his career and everyone else is just too hot to sit.

LF Sergio Rodriguez, CF Sergio Galvez, 1B Francisco Gallegos, RF Trevor Parker, 2B Pedro Torres, DH Bob Short, C Henry Rojas, SS Bryant Frank and 3B Robinson Lopez

For the Surf Dawgs they will throw Juan Melendez. He will be making his 2nd career post-season start. Last season he gave up 4 runs over 5.1 innings against the Cav's, and over his career he has struggled going 0-2 12.91 (this usually means we are in trouble in the post-season). The Surf Dawgs need Melendez to slow down the Cav's offense if they hope to have any chance of winning this series.

The Dawgs go back to the same lineup they had for Games 1 and 2 against righty's.

LF Jose Silva, 2B Steve Jefferson, DH Wayne Weaver, RF Julio Rodriguez, SS Shunen Koyama, CF Ira Kelly, 1B Duncan Gilmore, C Luis Romero and 3B Adam Rowe.

Lets Play Ball!!
Inning 1:
The Cav's would get the scoring started early... Sergio Rodriguez singled to right, which was followed by a Sergio Galvez double off the CF wall. Rodriguez would score. A ground out would move Galvez to third, then Trevor Parker would get plunked. A double-play ends the inning... the Dawgs got a single, but that was it. Cav's lead 1-0 after 1.

Inning 5:
The score would remain tied till the bottom of the 5th, when Adam Rowe would get the Surf Dawgs on the score board with a solo-shot over the RF wall (355ft). Rowe hit an 0-2 pitch, one that Reese wishes he could take back... After 5 the score is tied 1-1

Inning 7:
TOP:
The Cav's would get things going in the 7th, with one out Bryant Frank would double. He would move to third on a Robinson Lopez single, the first batter for new pitcher Rhys Kennerley. Frank would end up at third, and then come around to score on a Sergio Rodriguez single. Lopez would then come in to score on a Sergio Galvez single. But Gallegos would ground into a 5-4-3 to end the inning. After 6.5 the Cav's lead 3-1
BOTTOM:
However that lead wouldn't last long... Adam Rowe lead off with a walk. He'd go to 2nd on a single by Jose Silva. Then Steven Jefferson would load the bases with a single. Wayne Weaver would give the Dawgs the lead with a GRAND SLAM over the right-field wall (349ft). End the day for Reese. That was all the Dawgs could get, but they now had the lead. After 7 The Surf Dawgs lead 5-3.

Inning 9:
The Cav's are down 5-4 with the Surf Dawgs closer on the hill, Matsusuke Koizumi...
PH Leonard Lawson strikes out. Robinson Lopez singles to left. Sergio Rodriguez strikes out. Sergio Galvez grounds out 4-3... Game over Surf Dawgs live to see another day. The Dawgs win game 4 by a score of 5-3.

Cav's lead the series 3-1

W: Rhys Kennerley (1-0)
L: Lanny Reese (0-1)
S: Matsusuke Koizumi (1)

HR: VB: Wayne Weaver (1), Adam Rowe (1)

POG: Wayne Weaver, VB, 1-3, HR (1), 1 R, 4 RBI

Game Notes:
Lanny Reese was tiring, but the bullpen wasn't ready. It looks like he stayed in one batter too long. He threw 108 pitches, allowing 8 hits and 5 runs. He walked 5 and struck out only 2... Juan Melendez went 6.1 innings, allowing 5 hits and 2 runs, he did walk 3 and he struck out 3. He bounced back from his previous rough starts against the Cav's... After a day with 11 extra bases hits and 7 HR's. The Cav's couldn't get anything over the wall, but they did collect 2 doubles... Sergio Rodriguez lead the Cav's with 3 hits, Sergio Galvez had 2 hits and 2 RBI's and Robinson Lopez added 2 hits... Ira Kelly and Steven Jefferson each had 2 hits for the Surf Dawgs... The Surf Dawgs turned 3 double plays, the Cav's 2... Both teams had their chances, the Cav's left 9 men on, the Dawgs 7.

You can blame this one on me. I kept Reese in the game about 2 hitters too long. I wasn't paying enough attention to his pitch count and when I noticed I couldn't get the pen ready in time... I really had faith he could work his way through it... Hopefully this isn't the momentum shifter the Surf Dawgs needed.

Delaware Conference

The Milton Brewers had Fernando Fareless on the hill and he was ready to go, and all he did was dominate the Iron Pigs for 8 innings. Allowing 5 hits and only 1 run, a solo-shot to Matt Fisher in the 4th... Luckily for the Brewers they were able to get some runs across the board against Juan Rosario... In the 3rd the Brewers jumped to a 2-0 lead, doing what they know how to do, manufacturing runs, via small ball... Ramon Benabe was hit-by-pitch to start the inning off, he would move to third when the next batter Vicente Gonzalez would double to right. Chip Hurt would knock in Benabe, and Gonzalez would score on a Granados double-play ball. But those two runs would be all the Brewers needed.

Series tied 2-2

W: Fernando Fareless (1-0)
L: Juan Rosario (0-1)
S: Eric Loveland (1)

HR: MIL: Matt Rose (1), WIL: Matt Fisher (1)

POG: Fernandez Fareless, MIL, 8.0 IP, 5 H, R, 2 BB, 4 K

Game Notes:
Alonso Martinez and Matt Fisher both had 2 hits for the Iron Pigs... Eugene St. John doubled for the third time this series for the Iron Pigs, who had 7 total hits, 2 for extra bases... the Brewers had 6 hits and 2 extra base hits as well... Juan Rosario went 7 innings for the Iron Pigs, allowing 5 hits and 4 runs. He walked 1 and struck out 5... Backup catcher for the Iron Pigs Jesus Nunez has yet to get a hit in the 3 games he has played this series, making the Antonio Casteneda injury hurt even more... Offensive leader for the Brewers Michael Johnson is hitting .188-0-1, for the Brewers to have a chance he needs to pick it up... These two teams match up really well together and it looks like what is is going to come to do is what team can score, or maybe better yet, whose bullpen is going to be better. This may be a seven gamer.

[illeracula]

Game 5 Conference Championship Series

MarVa Conference

One more game in Virginia Beach and then we head back to Norfolk. I am hoping to finish this series off today... I decided to go with the 100% rested Angel Rivera instead of our ace Paul Brown. This is a little risky, but Rivera will be on a short leash with Armando Lopez, who is also rested, ready to come in if we get into trouble. Why am I doing this? I am not 100% sure. Brown is only 89% rested. If we can win I want him to start game 1... so I am taking the risk... we will see what happens.

I am keeping Serigo Galvez in the game against Ray Thompson despite him going 0-19 over his career against him. Why? Well Galvez is hitting .700 in this series, why would I remove him? What that means is Leonard Lawson will be on the bench again.

LF Sergio Rodriguez, CF Sergio Galvez, 1B Francisco Gallegos, RF Trevor Parker, 2B Pedro Torres, DH Bob Short, C Henry Rojas, SS Bryant Frank and 3B Robinson Lopez

The Surf Dawgs have Ray Thompson on the hill, who started game 1 and pitched well. No earned runs over 7 innings... And the lineup is the same lineup, their typical vs Righy lineup.

LF Jose Silva, 2B Steve Jefferson, DH Wayne Weaver, RF Julio Rodriguez, SS Shunen Koyama, CF Ira Kelly, 1B Duncan Gilmore, C Luis Romero and 3B Adam Rowe

I have to keep Jose Silva off the bases this game if I want to win...

Lets Play Ball!
Inning 1:
TOP:
The Cav's wanted to show that their offense is still capable of hitting the ball in the top of the first. Sergio Galvez singled, moved over to third on a Francisco Gallegos double off the left-field wall. Both guys would score when Trevor Parker doubled down the left-field line. Pedro Torres drew a walk putting runners on first and second. Bob short would walk to load the bases. Henry Rojas would single up the middle scoring Parker and Torres. And Frank would end the inning on a 6-4-3... Cav's lead 4-0
BOTTOM:
Angel Rivera started off quite shaky, walking Jose Silva, then allowing a double to Steven Jefferson moving Silva to third. After a strike out Silva would score when Gallegos dropped the ball on what should of been an easy 6-3 play. With runners on first and third, Koyama would hit into a 3-6-3 ending the inning and after 1 the Cav's lead 4-1

Note: Armando Lopez started to warm up after the 2 hitters of the game...

Inning 2:
The Cav's would go down 1-2-3, but the Surf Dawgs wouldn't... Ira Kelly walked to lead things off and would head to second on a Duncan Gilmore single... Armando Lopez replaced Angel Rivera on the Hill... After a fly out, Adam Rowe would double off the right field wall. Kelly would score, but Gilmore would be gunned down at the plate by Trevor Parker. Jose Silva would fly out to end the inning, but the Surf Dawgs have started to chip away, after 2 the Cav's lead 4-2.

Inning 3:
A walk, a ground out and 2 strike-outs is all the Cav's could muster... However the Surf Dawgs have just begun... For the third time of the game the lead-off man drew a walk. Jefferson would go to second on Wayne Weavers single. Both would move up on a dribbler down the third base line, and then come into to score on Ira Kelly's single. That is all the Dawgs would get, but it was enough to tie the game. After 3 the game is tied at 4.

Inning 4:
The Cav's would lose Henry Rojas to an injury, possible hamstring strain, as he legged out an infield single. Baldwin would come into the game to replace Rojas and move to second on a Frank single. But Lopez would pop the sac-bunt attempt back to the pitcher and the Sergio's couldn't do anything. The news is Rojas is out and that could be a bad thing... The Dawgs wouldn't score, but would get a hit, and after 4 the score remains tied at 4.

Inning 5:
The Surf Dawgs would load the bases with 1-out, but Lopez was able to work his way out of the jam... After 5 the game is tied at 4.

Inning 7:
The Cav's would finally get something going with Thompson out of the game and Rodney Glatz on the hill... Sergio Galvez would hit a 1-out solo-shot down the RF line (346ft). Gallegos would draw a walk, move to second on a wild pitch. After Parker flew out to left, Gallegos would come around to score on a Pedro Torres single to right-center... Lopez seems to be settling down and after 7 the Cav's lead 6-4.

Inning 9:
With the top of the lineup coming up for the Surf Dawgs the Cavaliers would being in their closer Miguel Angel Gonzalez to make his first appearance of the series. Jose Silva would greet him with a single up the middle. Gonzalez would strike out Steven Jefferson, and then walk Wayne Weaver moving Silva to second. Julio Rodriguez would hit a high fly ball to right-field for out #2 and then Shunen Koyama would ground into a FC to SS Bryant Frank and the Cav's would take the game 6-4.

Cavaliers win the Series 4-1

W: Armando Lopez (1-0)
L: Rodney Glatz (0-1)
S: Miguel Angel Gonzalez (1)

HR: NFK: Sergio Galvez (3)

POG: Sergio Galvez, Norfolk, 2-5, HR, 2 R, RBI

Game Notes:
The Cavaliers collected 2 hits, with Henry Rojas and Sergio Galvez each leading the way with 2... Rojas was 2-2 with 2 RBI's before being removed from the game injured. Mike Baldwin would double in his first AB replacing Rojas... Francisco Gallegos scored 2 runs, drew 2 walks and went 1-3 on teh day... Jose Silva, Ira Kelly and Doug Gilmore each had 2 hits for the Surf Dawgs. Kelly also doubled and drove in 2... After a rocky first inning Doug Gilmore didn't allow any more runs going 5.2 innings, giving up 7 hits and 4 runs. He did walk 3 and strike out 6... Rodney Glatz took the loss in both of Ray Thompson's starts this series, today he allowed 2 runs over 2.2 innings, on 3 hits and a walk... Armando Lopez went 6 innings of relief, allowing 7 hits and 2 runs. He walked 3 and struck out 1... Angel Rivera went 1.0 inning, faced 7 hitters, and gave up 2 hits, 2 walks, 2 unearned runs and 1 earned run... Teo Ha pitched a perfect 8th for the Cav's... The Surf Dawgs left 10 runs stranded... The Cav's will appear in the DelMarVa Championship game for the 9th time, the are 7-1.

MVP of the MarVa Conference: Sergio Galvez, Norfolk
- Series: 9-15 (.600), 2B, 3 HR, 10 RBI, 8 R, 4 BB, 0 K's
- Game 1: 0-1, PH
- Game 2: 3-4, R
- Game 3: 2-2, 2 HR, 5 R, 7 RBI's, BB
- Game 4: 2-3, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 BB
- Game 5: 2-5, HR, 2 R, RBI

Delaware Conference

The key to this series is who is going to score runs? Every game seems to be a pitching duel and game 5 wasn't any different... Edmond Scott would do his thing, and throw 8 shut-out innings, allowing just 4 hits and 4 walks, before handing the ball off to Augusto Ramriez to shut the door... Pedro Rivera was equally good, going 6.2 innings, allowing just 1 hit, but that hit was a big one, a solo-shot to Matt Fisher in the 5th. That was all the Pigs would need... The Iron Pigs would win game 5 1-0!

Iron Pigs lead the series 3-2

W: Edmond Scott (1-1)
L: Pedro Rivera (1-1)
S: Arturo Ramriez (2)

HR: WLM: Matt Fisher (2)

POG: Edmond Scott, Wilmington, 8.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 2 K, 72 Game score

Game Notes:
Each team had 4 hits.. Chip Hurt had 2 hits for the Brewers... The Iron Pigs only drew 1 walk. Including the 3 Brewers errors the Iron Pigs had 9 base runners all game. The left 4 on base for the game... The Brewers had 4 hits, 4 walks and one error. Nine base runners on the game, and left 5 men on base... Micheal Johnson continues to struggle going 0-3 he is now hitting 0.158 on the series... Ricardo Gonzalez will be on the hill for the Iron pigs for game 6 in Milton.

[illeracula]

Game 6 Conference Championship Series

Delaware Conference

A big key to this series was to score runs and the team that scored the most was going to win (yes that is obvious)... so how did the Brewers fair against one of the games top pitchers?

In the third the Brewers would break the goose eggs, after a lead-off strike out the Breweres would string together 3 hits in-a-row against Gonzalez. A dobule by Matt Rose, a single by Enrique Maldonado, which scored rose, and a single by Chip Hurt, which moved Maldanado to third. Darryl Burns would hit a slow grounder, and Maldonado would score. Giving the Brewers an early 2-run lead at home.

But in the fourth the Iron Pigs would answer. As the bottom half of the lineup would make things happen for them. Alonso Martinez lead off the inning with a single, then after a fly-out, 3B Darryl Burns would commit a huge error, allowing Martinez to get to third and Kevin Barber get to second. Jesus Nunez would ground out giving the Iron Pigs thiei first run. After a walk, to Chris Simpson, Steve Kelly, the #9 hitter, would hit a huge 3-run HR... In the 5th the Iron Pigs would add one for insurance on a solo-shot by Tom Anderson, and that is all they would need.

The Iron Pigs would win the game 5-2 and take the series 4-2.

W: Ricardo Gonzalez (2-0)
L: Patrick Everett (0-2)
S: Arturo Ramirez (3)

HR: WIL: Steve Kelly (1), Tom Anderson (2)

POG: Steve Kelly, Wilmington, 2-4, HR, R, 3 RBI

Game Notes:
The Iron Pigs collectd 11 hits, with four players each collecting two... The Brewers had 8 hits, with 2 players collecting two each... The Pigs left 8 men on, the Brewers 11... The Brewers would hit 1-HR all series, a solo-HR in game 4... Patric Everett didn't pitch bad, goin g6.2 innings, allowing 9 hits and 5 runs, only 1 earned. He walked 3 and struck out 8... Ricardo Gonzalez went 8.0 Innings, striking out 7. He gave up 7 hits and walked 2, and both runs were charged to him... Two of the three "big" hitters for the Brewers couldn't get anything going: Michael Johnson .136-0-1 and Edward Barnes .150-0-1. Can't win with performances like that.

MVP of the Delaware Conference: Ricardo Gonzalez, Wilmington
- 2 GS, 16.0 IP, 10 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 17 K, 2 Wins, 1.13 ERA
- Game 2: 8.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 10 K
- Game 6: 8.0 IP, 7 H, 2 R/ER, 2 BB, 7 K

[illeracula]

The preliminary report is that Henry Rojas has a strained back and will be out for 2 weeks, which means he will miss the series. He was having a great playoffs so far hitting .529-3-8 with 3 doubles and 7 runs scored, striking out only 1 time and walking 4, so he is going to be missed a lot!

The official word hasn't come down, but we can't take chances so we are going to have to update our roster. Rojas will be sent to the 11-day DL and removed from the playoff roster. I also decided to go with 11 pitchers, and 13 position players, and the unlucky pitcher removed from the roster was Allen Williams. It was a tough call between Williams or Angel Rivera, but in the end I decided Rivera has earned the slot to be the #11.

With two open slots on the roster and the need for a catcher Mark Bolton was added. Bolton hit .301 in AAA (123 AB's) and .455 (11 AB's) in September for us, so I am hoping if he is needed he will be able to come through. And the only other player available for the playoff roster was Carlos Franco. With Franco I have a little more flexibility (I think) and more infield defense on the roster.

The injury to Rojas hurts and I only hope Mike Baldwin will be able to put at least 1/2 of what Rojas did.

Not starting Paul Brown in game 5 was risky, but it also means he is fully rested for Game 1. And yes if he is a little tired for Game 5, it won't matter, because that will be his game.

I am ready to make things happen and I hope we can make do with these roster updates.

DelMarVa Championship Preview coming soon...