The Portland Beavers, est. 2001

[PhillieFever]

Originally Posted by Bub13

Was really hoping Tull's personality would read "Thick as a brick."

That's great. I cracked up when I read QD's comment about Flute playing in Rock and Roll.

[PhillieFever]

Originally Posted by Questdog

Monday, March 17, 2003

P Terry Cole, our 19-game winner from last season, is hurt. He is out at least until after the All-Star break. The drama will be whether he is healthy enough by the trading deadline so we can try to get something for him..... I should have traded him this Winter, but I foolishly hoped that he could give us something in 2003....

Damn that hurts. And at 32, there's no guarantee he comes back as he once was. Tough break.

[Questdog]

Originally Posted by PhillieFever

Damn that hurts. And at 32, there's no guarantee he comes back as he once was. Tough break.

No, it is guaranteed that he is useless....He has been hurt now in 5 straight starts.....His first game back, he will just get hurt again.....He will not pitch again for the Beavers, unless he does not heal up by the trading deadline.

[Questdog]

2003 Portland Beavers Directory

Names in Red are new to the Beavers and names in Blue were promoted from a lower position (No one was promoted this year)

Chairman of the Board - Mark Hamilton, 62 yrs. old from Wyomissing, Pennsylvania
President-General Manager - Medley Fikes, 40 yrs. old from West Palm Beach, Florida
Vice President - Ron Hensley, 57 yrs. old from Lafayette, Louisiana
Scouting Director - Eddie Henderson, 50 yrs. old from Brisbane, Australia
Manager - Bobby Crider, 47 yrs. old from Lakeville, Minnesota
Bench Coach - Byron Tyrer, 41 yrs. old from Half Way Tree, Jamaica
Pitching Coach - Gary Marquardt, 52 yrs. old from Belleville, Illinois
Hitting Coach - Bob Kyle, 49 yrs. old from Westfield, Massachusetts
Trainer - Allen Burger, 44 yrs. old from Harlingen, Texas

Park - Multnomah Park Seating Capacity - 45,000

Farm System:
Indianapolis Indians of the International League (AAA)
Manager - Bill Roberts, 48 yrs. old from Lake Ronkonkoma, New York
Pitching Coach - Andy Robinson, 50 yrs. old from Santa Monica, California
Hitting Coach - Steve Pilling, 58 yrs. old from Los Angeles, California

Jacksonville Suns of the Southern League (AA)
Manager - Don Glickman, 40 yrs. old from Waterbury, Connecticut
Pitching Coach - Dave Purcell, 65 yrs. old form Los Angeles, California
Hitting Coach - Paul Beatty, 51 yrs. old from Los Angeles, California

Stockton Ports of the California League (A+)
Manager - Mark O'Bannon, 48 yrs. old from Winter Haven, Florida
Pitching Coach - Jorge Maravilla, 60 yrs. old from Tepic, Mexico
Hitting Coach - Joe Bass, 59 yrs. old from Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Lexington Legends of the South Atlantic League (A)
Manager - Mike Poore, 64 yrs. old from New York, New York
Pitching Coach - Del Clark, 53 yrs. old from Cherry Hill, New Jersey
Hitting Coach - Jim Parker, 43 yrs. old from Independence, Missouri

Hillsboro Hops of the Northwest League (SA)
Manager - Miguel Macias, 46 yrs. old from Santiago, Cuba
Pitching Coach - Jerry Hill, 63 yrs. old from Springfield, Kentucky
Hitting Coach - Burt Clark, 53 yrs. old from Bangor, Maine

Great Falls Voyagers of the Pioneer League (R)
Manager - Kirk Roberts, 40 yrs. old from Jingcheng, China
Pitching Coach - Jack Barnard, 46 yrs. old from Smyrna, Georgia
Hitting Coach - Alex Gonzalez, 45 yrs. old from Santiago, Dominican Republic

Bristol Beavers of the Appalachian League (R)
Manager - Alan Carter, 61 yrs. old from Barstow, California
Pitching Coach - Tomas Proano, 46 yrs. old from Villa Guerrero, Mexico
Hitting Coach - Elder Estevens, 48 yrs. old from Barcelona, Venezuela

Mark O'Bannon was the manager for the Charlotte Stone Crabs (TB) of the Florida State League (A+) from 1996 until 2002. He only made the playoffs once in 7 seasons. As a player he had 22 AB for the Seattle Mariners in 1984-85. He was a 1B/OF.
Jim Parker was the Hitting Coach for the Chicago Cubs 2001-02. As a minor league player, he was an OF/C who could not hit.
Burt Clark is a first-time coach. He was a minor league OF who hit .311 in 9 seasons, but never made the major leagues.
Kirk Roberts was the Bench Coach for the St. Louis Cardinals 2000-01. As a player, he was a minor league pitcher, mostly in relief, who made it to AA. I have not asked him how he was born in China.
Jack Barnard was the Pitching Coach for the Charlotte Stone Crabs (TB) of the Florida State League (A+) 2001-02. He was a minor league relief pitcher who only made it to A Ball.
Tomas Proano is a first-time coach. He was a minor league relief pitcher who only made it to A Ball.
Byron Tyner and Jerry Hill have not coached or played in Organized Baseball before.

[Questdog]

2003 Spring Training Report

Other than P Terry Cole, who's injury was no surprise, we made it through Spring Training relatively unscathed. IF Ivan Alvarez, the Rule V Pick, has a sore elbow that the Burgermeister says should be fine in a week or so and only affects is throwing.

Let's Meet the Beavers!

Last season we had 13 players on our Opening Day roster who were new to the Organization. This year we only have 4. But 2 of the 4 were All-Stars in 2001 and/or 2002! This year's Opening Day starters are highlighted in Blue.

Opening Day Roster
Pitchers
Starting Rotation
Alan Gross 2002 All-Star
28 yr. old left-hander from Merrionette Park, IL, a suburb of Chicago. 5' 11" 180 lbs. $500K, in his 3rd season. 96 MPH fastball, but throws mostly a cutter. Has an excellent slider and forkball and a crappy changeup. 11-11 with a 2.97 ERA for us last year. Has not been well-supported by the offense in either of his 2 seasons with the Beavers. Hopefully, that will change. He's coming off season-ending rotator cuff surgery that saw him miss all of September and the post-season in 2002. He looked good this Spring and we need him to be effective to have any chance at repeating as Division Winners. He is very smart.

Tony Ricketts
28 yr. old right-hander from Huber Heights, OH, a suburb of Dayton. 6' 5" 225 lbs. $500K, in his 3rd season. 95 MPH fastball with an excellent slider and a very good curve ball and a crappy changeup. Excellent control. Only 1.5 BB/9 last season when hi went 15-4 with a 3.34 ERA after leading the league in losses in 2001. Cut is HR allowed down from 28 to 16. The All-Time leader in wins for the Beavers with 23.

Darrell Massingham
27 yr. old right-hander from Tamiami, FL, a suburb of Miami. 5' 11" 195 lbs. $500K, in his 3rd season. 95 MPH Fastball with a great curveball and a decent changeup. We acquired him the Winter in a trade with Arizona. Was the 8th overall pick in the 1996 draft out of Texas A&M. Fields his position well. Super guy and a hard worker, but keeps to himself.

J.T. Burdick
25 yr. old left-hander from North Olmsted, OH, a suburb of Cleveland. 5' 10" 185 lbs. $500K, still a rookie. 92 MPH fastball with a great slider and an even better changeup. Was 1-3 with a 3.60 ERA in 7 starts for us last year. Baseball America named him the #35 prospect in baseball this Spring, which would be great if they had not named him #10 the year before. He was a 15th round draft pick in 1996. He will go as far as his control will allow him.

Angel Rodriguez
25 yr. old right-handed SP from Cartago, Venezuela. 6' 6" 220 lbs. $500K, 3rd season, but should not be arbitration eligible until after next year. 94 MPH fastball, but throws a cutter, an excellent curveball, a very good changeup and a good forkball. This will be his 3rd try at establishing himself in the major leagues. So far, he is 8-14 with a 4.43 ERA in 39 starts. 31 HR in 232 IP and 104 BB and 135 SO. He has lost 5 lbs from last Spring and looks in very good shape. Hopefully, the third time is the charm.

Bullpen
Larry Duke
35 yr. old left-hander from Decatur, IL. 5' 11" 190 lbs. $3.5 million, FA after this season. 96 MPH fastball with an excellent curveball and a good sinker. Went 9-11 with a 4.04 ERA in 26 starts for us last year. Has lost a little off his fastball from last Spring. Super control (1.4 BB/9), but too easy to hit. One of the leaders in the clubhouse. He will likely start some if others get hurt or are not effective.

Larry Castillo
29 yr. old from DeSoto, TX, a suburb of Dallas. 5' 9" 180 lbs. $1.4 million, arbitration eligible after this season. 94 MPH fastball. but he only throws a cutter and a very good curveball. He pitched 68.2 IP for us last year in 53 G and went 1-0 with 3 SV and a 3.67 ERA. A nice guy, but sometimes a little too nice to hitters.... But he is pretty good and cheap and a good mentor to our young relievers.

Vic Gutowski
24 yr. old right-hander from Lonoke, AR, a small town about 25 miles east of Little Rock. $550K Rookie. 5' 10" 180 lbs. 94 MPH fastball, but only throws a cutter and a drop-off-the-table curveball, one of the best in baseball, but maybe not the best on the team. Has been trying to throw a changeup without success. Started last season in AA. We got him in a trade with Oakland and he opened amazed us when we was called up. In 17 innings, he only allowed 9 hits and 2 walks and struck out 27 with no HR. 2-0 with 1 SV and a 1.06 ERA. He did not have the curve biting very well in Spring Training, so we hope he was not a flash-in-the-pan.

Al McMillian
25 yr. old left-hander from Destrehan, LA, a suburb of New Orleans. $500K, rookie last year. 6' 1" 205 lbs. 97 MPH fastball, but only throws a sinker and a devastating curveball that is equal to or better than Gutowski's. Since he is a lefty and Gutowski is a righty, it is hard to pick which is better, but both are awesome. Had a 4.70 ERA in 30.2 IP for the Royals when they traded him to us, but had a 1.99 ER in 31.2 IP for Portland. 11.9 SO/9 for us and no HR. He cannot always get the curveball over, but he gets it over enough. Only 18 hits allowed for us. Superior human being. 1st round draft pick in 1997, but missed almost all of 1998 with a torn rotator cuff.

Ron Beckman
26 yr. old right-hander from Cleveland, OH. 5' 7" 165 lbs. $500K, 3rd season. 97 MPH fastball with a topnotch slider a crappy changeup. It still amazes me how such a little fellow can throw the ball so hard. A big fan favorite. Was 6-4 with 11 SV and a 2.71 ERA in 86.1 IP last year. Not as effective against lefties as righties. In his 2 seasons, right-handers have only batted .207 against him, but left-handers are hitting .251. He is the team clown.

Doug Maxwell 2002 All-Star
23 yr. old right-hander from Northlake, SC. 6' 2" 195 lbs. $500K, rookie last season, when he was 3rd in the voting for Fireman of the Year and 2nd in Rookie of the Year. 95 MPH fastball with a killer slider and an awful changeup. He was 7-4 with 15 SV and a 1.19 ERA in 98.1 IP last season, but gave up 6 runs in 7.1 IP in the post-season. All Winter the local talk radio shows have blamed his post-season on overwork. I don't buy it. He's a big strong kid. Ron Beckman is a little bitty fella and his IP in the season was not much less than Maxwell's, but he was nearly unhittable in the post-season. Maxwell is a superior human being.

Fielders
Catchers
Mark Parker
29 yr. old who bats and throws right-handed from Phoenix, AZ. 6' 0" 195 lbs. $6.5 million, arbitration eligible after this season. FA after 2005. A solid receiver with a decent arm. A bit of a disappoint for us last year, mostly because he missed 2 months with injuries. Another injury plagued season this year and he will be traded, because I will not pay $10 million a season for a part-timer. Excellent batting eye and can run very well for a catcher. Does not strike out much, but has a pronounced uppercut, which keeps him from hitting for a high average. Hit .259-9-46 with a .767 OPS in 352 AB. 53 BB and only 33 SO. We need him to do better and catch 120 games. He is in better shape this Spring, having shed 5 lbs. from last year.

Greg Bradt
28 yr. old who bats and throws right-handed from Grand Prairie, TX, between Dallas and Fort Worth. 6' 0" 215 lbs. $500K, rookie last season. A solid receiver with a decent arm. Not fast, but runs better than his body looks like it should. Came out of nowhere to hit .331 in 118 AB for us last year, but then got hurt. Did not hit a home run, but had 9 doubles. He was our 26th pick in the expansion draft. A hard worker and a stand up guy.

Infielders
Antonio Mata 2002 AL MVP
29 yr. old 1B switch-hitter who throws right-handed from Ponce, Puerto Rico. 6' 6" 220 lbs. $15.8 million, free agent after this season. Led the American League in runs (114), hits (223), home runs (39) and RBIs (139) in 2002. Hit .337 with a .955 OPS. Stole 20 bases. Won a Gold Glove in 2001. Only 16 HR in 2001. If he gives us 100 RBIs, I don't care how many home runs he hits, but our team record of 13 ought to be in jeopardy. He is a good guy and I hope he plays more than just one season in Portland, but we may not be able to afford him if he has another monster season.

Eric McCornack
28 yr. old 1B/OF switch-hitter who throws left-handed from Buffalo, NY. 6' 0" 215 lbs. $500K, in his 3rd season, but not arbitration eligible after this year. Hit .286 with an .826 OPS in 63 AB last year, so he gets a job guaranteed through the end of April. If he continues to hit, I will be surprised. Our 33rd pick in the expansion draft. Hit .192 in 78 AB in 2001.

Mike Wetzel
26 yr. old IF who bats and throws right-handed from Grand Rapids, MI. 6' 0" 195 lbs. $500K, rookie last year. Hit .224 with a .537 OPS for Tampa Bay in 43 G before we picked him up in a trade. He turned it on for us, hitting .305 with a .728 OPS in 266 AB. Solid defender, best suited for 3rd base, but can play 2nd and short as well. Not much power and not very fast, but whacks out line drive after line drive. Very smart and plays the game as a game to win. That seems like something obvious that all players do, but it is not. Most players focus on the task at hand (hitting, throwing, catching) and fail to grasp the overall situation. Wetzel understands how his actions affect the overall outcome and is always looking for ways to enhance our winning chances. I fell in love with him in the second half of last season, but I wish he was our backup infielder. But he will do a good job for us as the starter at 2nd this year.

Doug Baker
26 yr. old IF/OF who bats left-handed and throws right-handed from Petal, MS, across the river from Hattiesburg. 6' 2" 205 lbs. $500K, rookie last season. A .300 hitter in the minors, only hit .190 last year in his rookie season. A hard worker, but does not take himself seriously. He made the team for his versatile defense. He can play 2B, SS and the OF. But he will have to hit some to keep his job.

Ron Peddicord 2002 A.L. All-Star
37 yr. old 3B who bats from both sides and throws right-handed from Los Angeles, CA, 5' 11" 220 lbs. $19 million, FA after this season. We only have to pay $5.7 million of his salary; the Orioles are on the hook for the rest. At 37, his range is not the best in the league, but his arm still is and he is a plus defender. HIt .279 with an .826 OPS for us after the trade, but only played in 36 games for us due to injuries. Made the All-Star team 7 times in the 90's with 8 .300+ seasons and took home 7 Silver Slugger bats.

Stu Redman 2002 Gold Glove
31 yr. old SS who bats and throws right-handed from San Angelo, TX. 6' 1" 200 lbs. $11.1 million, free agent after this season. Did better than we hoped he would, hitting nearly .300 and winning a Gold Glove. Stole 28 bases. Only knock on him is that he could walk a bit more. One of the leaders in the clubhouse. Here's hoping he has a big season so we can get a draft pick out of him when he leaves.

Ivan Alvarez
22 yr. old SS who bats left-handed and throws right-handed from San Miguelito, Panama. 6' 2" 180 lbs. $500K, rookie this year. We picked him up in the Rule V draft from Detroit and he immediately becomes the heir-apparent at shortstop. Has hit very well in the low minors, but is making the big jump from A Ball to the majors. The last time we made a pick in the Rule V draft, we ended up returning the player, but we will keep Alvarez for certain, even if he goes 0 for 100, as he just looks a future star to SD Eddie Henderson. He drew over 100 walks last season.

Outfielders
Jeff Johnson
28 OF who bats and throws left-handed from New Territory, TX, a community in Sugar Land, TX, a suburb of Houston. 6' 2" 205 lbs. $8.5 million through 2006. Signed a free agent from Colorado this Winter. Had a down season for him last year, hitting .285-15-55 with a .768 OPS. He led the league in runs scored in 2001 and had an OPS of .910. Has twice hit 25 or more home runs. Does not hit lefties all that well, so we will platoon him some. Not a great defender either, but not terrible. Likes to steal bases, but is not very good at it. 18 SB with 17 CS last year. The more I talk about him, the more I wonder why I signed him..... he is a good guy, at least.

Frank Wiginton
32 yr. old LF who bats from both sides and throws right-handed from Dayton, OH. 6' 0" 205 lbs. $4 million, free agent after this season. He is not happy about us signing Jeff Johnson, but he is 32 and coming off an injury-plagued season what ended in mid-August. He has gained weight since the injury, too. He will get to play some and be our primary pinch-hitter against right-handers. He is the career leader in most offensive stats for the Beavers.

Dave Priestley
29 yr. old OF who bats and throws right-handed from Kenosha, WI (between Chicago and Milwaukee). 6' 0" 200 lbs. $1.1 million, probably arbitration eligible after this season. He started out hot last year, but ended cold. Finished at .264-4-25 with a .739 OPS. He is in better shape this Spring than last and shed some weight. He will play left against lefties, as long as he produces good numbers. Can play center, but does not platoon with Javy Fernandez, because his range is a little short of ideal.

Javy Fernandez
28 yr. old CF who bats and throws left-handed from the Dominican Republic. 6' 0" 190 lbs. $750K, arbitration eligible. Super Smart and Super Hard Worker. HIt better than we expected last year, but did not draw the walks that he had in the past. He had 169 more AB for us in 2002 than he had for Tampa Bay in 2001, but drew 8 fewer walks for us. He is a .270 hitter against righties and a .200 hitter against lefties. Has put on 5 lbs this Winter, but whether it is muscle or fat, I could not say.

Lee Kowalski
28 yr. old RF who bats and throws left-handed from Virginia Beach, VA. 5' 9" 185 lbs. $3.6 million, arbitration eligible. Biggest disappoint of 2002 for me, personally. Had a hot September and finished at a respectable .280 with a .768 OPS and set a team record with 13 HR, but did not hit very well most of the season and missed to months with injuries. Stole 30 bases and played solid defense. I was hoping for .300-15-90 and 50 SB. He also hit not walk near as much as he had the year before. 68 BB and 512 AB in 2001, but only 39 BB and 472 AB in 2002. He will begin the season as our lead-off hitter. He also put on some weight since last Spring.

Disabled List
Terry Cole
32 yr. old left-hander from Reading, PA. 6' 6" 235 lbs. $7.5 million, FA after this season. 95 MPH fastball with an excellent curve and changeup and a mediocre splitter. He led the NL in wins with 19 last year, but maybe will have none for the Beavers this season. If he is cleared by the Doctors to play before the trading deadline, he will not play, but will be traded before he can hurt himself yet again.

Jim Ackley
28 yr. old left-hander from Warwick, RI, a satellite of Providence. 5' 11" 190 lbs. $500 K, in his rd season. 91 MPH fastball, but only throws a cutter and a solid curveball and a ineffective changeup. The Unsung Hero of the Bullpen had a 1.66 ERA in 43.1 IP, but tore a tendon in his elbow near the end of August. In about 3 weeks, we expect him to be able to pitch. He will be sent on a rehab assignment and then we will play it by year. I would love to have him back if he can still pitch, but figuring out ho to make room on the roster for him will not be easy.

Prospects and other minor leaguers who might see action for the Beavers this summer

Prospects ranked by Baseball America in the top 200

J.T. Burdick #35 (down from #10 last year) See our rotation above.

Keith Page #72 (#47 in 2001, but unranked in 2002)
21 yr. old LF who bats and throws right-handed from Niles, OH (between Youngstown and Warren). 6' 0" 170 lbs. Smart and a very hard worker. A decent fielder, but nothing special. Hit .279 for Jacksonville (AA) last year and will begin this season at Indianapolis (AAA). SD Eddie Henderson has never wavered in his praise of Page's swing and thinks he will be the first Beaver to win a batting title one of these days.

SS Ivan Alvarez #109 (unranked in 2001) See our Infield above

3B Don Wiggins #134 (1st time eligible for the list)
19 yr. old 3B who bats and throws right-handed from Antioch, CA (between San Francisco and Stockton). 6' 3" 205 lbs. Very smart and a take-charge kind of fellow. The 2nd overall pick in the draft last season. Hit .301 for Bristol (R) last season and will play this season for Hillsboro (SA) this year, just down the road from Multnomah Park. Obviously, with the 2nd overall pick, we expect stardom. SD Eddie Henderson thinks he will hit for average and power and show patience at the plate. He has a line-drive swing that should produce extra-base hits by the bushel. He is a good defender. They only thing he cannot do is run well, but he is not a lumbering hulk.

Other Prospects we have high hopes for

Paul Hoskins
24 yr. old left-handed reliever from Danvers, MA (north of Boston). 6' 2" 200 lbs. 94 MPH fastball with a curveball just a bit shy of those of Al McMillian and Vic Gutowski, but not by much. Was 3-0 with a 1.62 ERA in a cup of coffee for Portland last year and ought to be with the team now, but we have too many good arms in our Bullpen! He will be the first call-up this year if help is needed in the pen.

Lonnie O'Shea
25 yr. old left-handed reliever from Bridgeport, TX (small town 70 miles NW of Dallas). 6' 4" 230 lbs. 99 MPH fastball, but only throws a cutter and a solid change up. No breaking pitch. Smart, but a little on the selfish side. He will be at Indianapolis (AAA) this year.

Bill Frank
23 yr. old right-handed reliever from Lakewood, CA, a suburb of Los Angeles. 5' 11" 175 lbs. 99 MPH fastball but only throws a sinker and a very good curveball and a crappy changeup. He was our best pitcher in Spring Training this year. 7 H and 7 BB in 15 IP with 14 K and 1 run. He will be at Indianapolis (AAA). Laid back fellow.

Bill Kelly
22 yr. old 3B who bats left-handed and throws right-handed from Somerville, MA, a suburb of Boston. 6' 0" 190 lbs. Our 2nd round pick in the Amateur Draft in 2001. Nowhere near the prospect that Don Wiggins is, he nevertheless is on track to be a good major leaguer. Hit .315 with an .819 OPS for Lexington (A) last year and will begin this season at Jacksonville (AA). There are no weaknesses evident in his game as yet. He should hit for a good average and have plus power and plate discipline. No a fast runner. We will try to get him some time at first base in case both he and Wiggins pan out to be the players we hope.

Jose Duenas
21 yr. old OF/2B who bats left-handed and throws right-handed from Mexico, MO (small town 120 miles west of St. Louis). 5' 11" 175 lbs. Our 5th round pick from 2001 has seen his stock rise in the past year. Hit .301 for Hillsboro (SA) and will be at Lexington (A) this year. He's looking to be a great lead-off hitter. He will not ever be good enough at 2nd to play there in the majors, I think. He has no power and is not very good at stealing bases, but otherwise is looking tip-top.

Steve Fitz
21 yr. old SS who bats from both sides and throws right-handed from Woonsocket, RI, a satellite of Providence. 6' 2" 190 lbs. Our 6th round pick in 2001. Good defender and SD Eddie Henderson thinks he will be a decent hitter, for average at least. No power and not very disciplined. Hit .309 at Bristol (R) and will be at Hillsboro (SA) this season.

Minor leaguers who will likely spend some time in Portland this season

Bill Tull
24 yr. old right-hander starting pitcher from Edgewater, NJ (across the Hudson River from Manhattan). 5' 10" 170 lbs. 94 MPH fastball with a good slide and a solid changeup. Looked decent in Spring Training. Does not seem to be a strikeout pitcher. He will get some starts in Portland when the injuries start to bite.

C Steve Jensen (26 R), 3B/1B Jim Eighmy (28 R), 3B Tim DePriest (28 R), SS Rick Ferrell (27 R), OF Don Quinney (28 L) and OF Jerry Alston (30 L) all spent time in Portland last year and all will be on hand, if needed, at Indianapolis (AAA).


Well, I think I improved the offense by a ton this off-season (same as last season). If everyone hits like they are supposed to and stays healthy we should finally graduate to the upper half of the offenses in the NL. We should hit triple digits in home runs for the first time ever. Our Bullpen, though it was already the best in the NL, is even better this year due to having all those bright young arms a year older and with the team for th whole season. The starting rotation is held together with bailing twine and wads of gum and will be the reason we do not repeat as NL West champions (if we do not repeat). Bottom line, I do not think we need to plan on besting our 99 wins of a year ago, because we will not go 41-16 in 1-run games, but I think the boosted offense will slightly more than offset the weakened rotation and we ought to be in the hunt until the end.

See you on Opening Day!

[Questdog]

Friday, April 4, 2003

I read an interesting article in Sports Illustrated today and I thought I would pass along the info to those of you who have not seen it. They rate the best pitchers in baseball in various categories.

Hardest thrower - Ken Lund, Baltimore (24 R) (AA) Honorable Mention - Tom Bretches, Montreal (30 L)

Best Control - Gerry Gleason, Seattle (33 R). H.M. - Champ Keckler, Philadelphia (37 R)

Best at Getting a GDP - Harris Clay, Seattle (37 R) H.M. - Luis Chavez, Oakland (30 R)

Best Reliever at Stranding Runners - Brian Boxell, Baltimore (30 L) H.M. - Ricky Torres, Pittsburgh (30 L)

Best Strikeout Artist, Starter - Omar Chavez, Arizona (25 L) H.M. - Dave Sikes, San Diego (24 L)

Best Strikeout Artist, Reliever - Ron Bell, New York (N) (27 R) H.M. - Robby Hermosillo, New York (A) (29 L)

Toughest to Run On - Mike Clark, Philadelphia (38 L) H.M. - Sandy Hammack, Oakland (31 R)

Best Fastball - Ed Johnson, St. Louis (28 R) H.M. - Jim Roussell, Cincinnati (33 R)

Best Curveball - Floyd Johnson, Baltimore (27 L) H.M. - Ricky Sanchez, Atlanta (23 R)

Best Slider - Mickey Monroe, Kansas City (28 R) H.M. - Dave Sikes, San Diego (24 L)

Best Changeup - Dick Williamson, Toronto (29 L) H.M. - Mickey Monroe, Kansas City (28 R)

Best Sinker - Al McMillian, Portland (25 L) H.M. - Abel Arrais, Colorado (26 R)

Best Splitter - Carlos Benavidez, Boston (24 R) H.M. - Steve Balla, Philadelphia (34 R)

Best Cutter - Mark Gray, New York (A) (31 R) H.M. - Craig Connor, Philadelphia (31 R)

Best Forkball - Frank Madero, New York (A) (33 R) H.M. - Steve Crowder, Los Angeles (A) (29 R)

Best Circle Change - Ricardo Castaneda, Philadelphia (31 R) H.M. - Sandy Hammack, Oakland (31 R)

Best Screwball - Omar Romero, Baltimore (33 L) H.M. - Ed McChesney, Cincinnati (31 R)

Best Knuckle-Curve - Craig Connor, Philadelphia (31 R) H.M. - Pete Swanson, Colorado (33 R)

Best Knuckleball - Manny Fernandez, Montreal (29 R) H.M. - Marcos Flores, Milwaukee (22 R) (AA)

Best 1-2 Starters - Mickey Monroe (28 R) and Doug Willard (25 L), Kansas City H.M. - Frank Madero (33 R) and Nick Miller (30 R), New York (A)

Best Left-Righty Bullpen Combo - Al McMillian (25 L) and Doug Maxwell (23 R), Portland H.M. - Mark Gray (31 R) and Robby Hermosillo (29 L), New York (A)

[Questdog]

Monday, April 7, 2003

Opening Day!

We open 2003 with a 2-game set in San Francisco against manager George Harper (63) and his Giants. They were the World Champions in 2001 but could not afford to keep everyone around for 2002 and dropped to 5th in the NL West. They were 10th in scoring last year with 661 runs (Portland was tied for #11 with 658). They were 8th in runs allowed with 697 (Portland was #2 with 590). They have 4 players on the Disabled List, including their starting shortstop, Herman Taylor (29 R) and 2001 Cy Young Award winner, P John Phillips (32 R), who only won 4 games last year before getting hurt. They did not make any significant off-season acquisitions, but did see their #3 and #4 hitters leave via free agency (1B Phil Turpen and C Stan Brown).

Editor's Note: I had to re-import the schedule because the All-Star Game was not set properly for some reason, so we are playing the same schedule this season as we did in 2001.

Portland Beavers (99-63 .611 Champions of the National League in 2002) at
San Francisco Giants (80-82 .494 19 GB in 5th place in the NL West)

Alan Gross, Por (28 L 11-11 2.97 8.0-0.6-2.2-5.9 in 2002 H/9-HR/9-BB/9-K/9) vs Israel Renteria, SF (33 R 13-10 3.63 7.6-0.3-4.6-7.4 in 2002)

We were 2-1 against Renteria in 2002. He pitched 2 very good games and one stinker. The one home run he hit last year was against us.

Lineups: Pos Name (Age Bats BA-HR-RBI-OPS) Stats are for last season
PORTLAND
1: RF Lee Kowalski (28 L .280-13-67-.768 in 472 AB)
2: SS Stu Redman (31 R .299-6-63-.751 in 605 AB)
3: 1B Antonio Mata (29 S .337-39-139-.955 in 661 AB) Trade w/TB 10/24
4: 3B Ron Peddicord (37 S .300-19-71-.858 in 454 AB) For BAL & POR
5: C Mark Parker (29 R .259-9-46-.767 in 352 AB)
6: LF Jeff Johnson (28 L .285-15-55-.768 in 565 AB) FA from COL 12/31
7: 2B Mike Wetzel (26 R .275-2-36-.657 in 422 AB) For TB & POR
8: CF Javy Fernandez (28 L .259-5-45-.679 in 580 AB)
9: P Alan Gross (28 L .125-1-4-.355 in 56 AB)

SAN FRANCISCO
1: SS Alex Obregon (26 L .152-0-1-.374 in 33 AB)
2: 3B Bob Dupin (32 R .304-4-28-.765 in 253 AB)
3: LF Alfredo Cabrera (26 L .279-14-62-.746 in 430 AB) 2001 WS MVP
4: C Rick Peterson (32 R .243-7-29-.676 in 202 AB)
5: 2B Dave Guillory (27 L .249-8-66-.625 in 566 AB) 2001 All-Star
6: RF Tony Dominguez (30 S .289-8-28-.784 in 280 AB)
7: 1B Ramon Candelaria (30 L .292-5-36-.779 in 260 AB in AA/AAA)
8: CF John Anderson (29 S .217-11-41-.600 in 598 AB)
9: P Israel Renteria (33 R .221-1-5-.541 in 68 AB) 2002 All-Star

Game Start: 7:05 PM
Weather: 53 deg. Dark Clouds with a 12 MPH wind blowing out to center.
Attendance: 29,125

Lee Kowalski starts 2003 by taking a called strike and then grounding a 2-1 pitch into right for a hit. Stu Redman beats out an infield hit. Antonio Mata, the highest paid player in Beaver history, makes his first appearance in a Portland uniform. I think I forgot to mention in the Spring Training report that he did not hit a single home run in the the practice games. He strikes out. Of course.... Ron Peddicord, who makes more than Mata, but most of the bill is not footed by the Beavers, strikes out looking. 2 down. Mark Parker drives one to deep center, but John Anderson runs it down at the warning track.

Bottom of the 1st: Alex Obregon works the count full and grounds one to 1st, where Mata, a 2001 Gold Glove winner, boots his first chance as a Beaver.... E-3. This is an epic debut! By the way, Danny Hernandez, our first sacker last year, is slated to bat cleanup for Arizona. How much will you bet that he out-homers Mata? Bob Dupin grounds into a 5-4-3 double play! Mata now has a .500 FA!! Alfredo Cabrera flies out to left!

Top of the 2nd: Jeff Johnson, in his Beaver debut, grounds out to 1st, 3-1.

Top of the 4th: Antonio Mata leads off with a triple to right center and scores on an infield hit by Ron Peddicord! 1 to 0, Beavers.

Intermittent rain begins in the 5th inning.

Through 5 innings, we have hit into 2 double plays, but turned 3!

Top of the 7th: With 1 out, Mark Parker triples to center. They walk Jeff Johnson intentionally, but he steals 2nd! Mike Wetzel flies out to right and Parker scored without a throw. 2 to 0, Beavers.

Bottom of the 7th: Dave Guillory leads off with a triple to right and our Bullpen scrambles into action. Tony Dominguez singles to left. 2 to 1, Beavers. With 1 out, Dominguez tries to steal 2nd, but Mark Parker throws him out!

Top of the 8th: With 1 out, Lee Kowalski takes a 3-2 pitch for ball four and then goes to 2nd on a ground out. Antonio Mata comes through with a 2-out single and Kowalski scores! 3 to 1, Beavers.

Bottom of the 8th: New Pitcher: LHP Al McMillian. He makes his 2003 debut by striking out the side in order!

Bottom of the 9th: McMillian is back out there and he strikes out the side in order again!!! ....and THIS Ballgame belongs to the Beavers!

Won - 3 to 1

We had 7 hits and made 1 error.
The Giants had 6 hits and made no errors.

Alan Gross (W 1-0) went 7 innings, allowed 1 run, 6 hits, 2 walks and struck out 3. At bat, he had a hit. The Giants are not exactly an offensive powerhouse, but early returns on Alan's injury recovery look promising!
LHP Al McMillian (SV 1) pitched 2 perfect innings and struck out all 6 batters he faced!! He ties the team record for relief K's that Phil McPhie set last year, but McPhie did it in 3.2 IP.

Israel Renteria (L 0-1) went 8 innings, gave us 3 runs, 7 hits, 3 walks (1 INT) and struck out 6.

Despite the initial rough going, 1B Antonio Mata, in his Beaver Debut, had 2 hits with a triple, scored a run and had an RBI. C Mark Parker hit a triple and scored a run. LF Jeff Johnson, in his Beaver Debut, went 0 for 3 with an intentional walk and a strike out.

[Questdog]

Tuesday, April 8, 2003

Portland Beavers (1-0 1.000 tied for 1st in the NL West) at
San Francisco Giants (0-1 .000 1 GB tied for 7th (last) place in the NL West)

Tony Ricketts, Por (28 R 15-4 3.34 8.0-0.8-1.5-5.9 in 2002 H/9-HR/9-BB/9-K/9) vs Brian Stinnett, SF (32 R 13-9 2.59 7.1-0.6-3.1-6.4)

We were 2-1 against Stinnett in 2002. He pitched 2 very good games and one not so great, but not terrible. He went at least 7 innings each time.

Lineups: Pos Name (Age Bats BA-HR-RBI-OPS)
PORTLAND
1: RF Lee Kowalski (28 L .333-0-0-.833 in 3 AB)
2: SS Stu Redman (31 R .250-0-0-.500 in 4 AB)
3: 1B Antonio Mata (29 S .500-0-1-1.500 in 4 AB)
4: 3B Ron Peddicord (37 S .333-0-1-.833 in 3 AB)
5: C Mark Parker (29 R .250-0-0-1.000 in 4 AB)
6: LF Jeff Johnson (28 L .000-0-0-.250 in 3 AB)
7: 2B Mike Wetzel (26 R .000-0-1-.000 in 3 AB)
8: CF Javy Fernandez (28 L .000-0-0-.000 in 4 AB)
9: P Tony Ricketts (28 R 2003 Debut .111-0-2-.272 in 54 AB in 2002)

SAN FRANCISCO
1: SS Alex Obregon (26 L .250-0-0-.750 in 4 AB)
2: RF Ramon Candelaria (30 L .000-0-0-.000 in 3 AB)
3: 1B Alfredo Cabrera (26 L .250-0-0-.500 in 4 AB) 2001 WS MVP
4: C Rick Peterson (32 R .000-0-0-.000 in 4 AB)
5: 2B Dave Guillory (27 L .500-0-0-1.500 in 4 AB) 2001 All-Star
6: LF Tony Dominguez (30 S .500-0-1-1.167 in 2 AB)
7: 3B Bob Dupin (32 R .000-0-0-.250 in 3 AB)
8: CF John Anderson (29 S .333-0-0-.667 in 3 AB)
9: P Brian Stinnett (32 L 2003 Debut .246-0-9-.542 in 65 AB in 2002)

Game Start: 7:05 PM
Weather: 49 deg. Overcast with a 14 MPH wind blowing in from center.
Attendance: 15,855

Lee Kowalski works the count full and takes ball four. He steals 2nd. Stu Redman is out on a slow roller to short and Kowalski moves over to 3rd. Antonio Mata flies out to left and Kowalski tags up and scores just ahead of the throw. 1 to 0, Beavers. Full count to Ron Peddicord and he takes ball four. Full count to Mark Parker and he takes ball four. Jeff Johnson swings at the first pitch and beats out an infield hit to load the bases up with 2 outs. Mike Wetzel strikes out.

Bottom of the 1st: Alex Obregon flies out to center. Ramon Candelaria grounds out to 2nd. Alfredo Cabrera fouls out to the left side, Stu Redman making the catch! 1-2-3!

Top of the 5th: Stu Redman leads off by taking a 3-2 pitch for ball four. Antonio Mata triples to left center! 2 to 0, Beavers! No home runs, but 2 triples in 2 days for Mata! Ron Peddicord flies out to deep right and Mata scores. 3 to 0, Beavers.

Bottom of the 6th: With 1 out, Alex Obregon singles to left center and with 2 outs, Alfredo Cabrera hits a home run to right. 3 to 2, Beavers.

Bottom of the 7th: With 1 out, Tony Dominguez draws a walk and our Bullpen is notified. 3B Ryan McGinnis doubles down the left field line and Dominguez scores from 1st to tie the game at 3. John Anderson double to center. 4 to 3, Giants. Call to the Bullpen: LHP Larry Duke. He walks a batter, but gets the final two outs of the inning.

Top of the 9th: Still 4 to 3, Giants. New pitcher: RHP Alex Andrade, their closer. The top of our order is up, but we go down 1-2-3. Ballgame.

Lost - 4 to 3

41-16 in 1-run games in 2002; 0-1 in 2003....

We had 7 hits and made 1 error.
The Giants had 6 hits and made no errors.

Tony Ricketts (L 0-1) went 6 and 1/2 innings, allowed 4 runs, 6 hits, 1 home run, 1 walk and struck out 4.
LHP Larry Duke went 2/3 of an inning and allowed 1 walk.
RHP Vic Gutowski pitched 1 scoreless inning and struck out 1.

Brian Stinnett (W 1-0) went 7 innings, gave us 3 runs, 7 hits, 4 walks and struck out 5. At bat, he had a hit.
RHP Alex Andrade (SV 1) pitched a perfect 9th.

1B Antonio Mata hit a triple, scored a run and had 2 RBIs. C Mark Parker had 2 hits and 2 walks, but no runs or RBIs.

For the Giants, 1B Alfredo Cabrera hit a home run and had 2 RBIs.

[Questdog]

Thursday, April 10, 2003

We are in Montreal to play manager Alex Zendejas (47) and his Expos a 4-game series through the weekend. They lost 2 games here to the Phillies to open the season. They won 78 games last year and finished in a tie for 5th in the NL East. They were 7th in runs scored with 678 and 14th in runs allowed with 747. Their team is about the same this year as last. The only significant losses they suffered were a pair of pitchers: SP Steve Lowenstein, who was 14-9 with a 4.14 ERA and their closer, Robby Hermosillo, who had 44 SV with 108 K in 89 IP. Hermosillo signed with the Yankees as a free agent, but Lowenstein, 35, has not signed a contract with anyone, yet.

Every team in the NL West is 1-1.

Portland Beavers (1-1 .500 tied for 1st (last) in the NL West) at
Montreal Expos (0-2 .000 2 GB tied for 6th (last) place in the NL East)

Darrel Massingham, Por (27 R 3-3 3.46 7.2-0.9-3.5-6.0 in 2002 for ARZ H/9-HR/9-BB/9-K/9) vs Chuck Albrecht, Mtl (29 R 9-12 4.25 10.6-0.6-2.7-5.5 in 2002)

We were 2-0 against Albrecht in 2002. He gave us plenty of hits, but hardly any walks and not too many runs.

Lineups: Pos Name (Age Bats BA-HR-RBI-OPS)
PORTLAND
1: RF Lee Kowalski (28 L .286-0-0-.730 in 7 AB)
2: SS Stu Redman (31 R .250-0-0-.583 in 8 AB)
3: 1B Antonio Mata (29 S .375-0-3-1.208 in 8 AB)
4: 3B Ron Peddicord (37 S .200-0-2-.575 in 5 AB)
5: C Mark Parker (29 R .500-0-0-1.458 in 6 AB)
6: LF Jeff Johnson (28 L .167-0-0-.452 in 6 AB)
7: 2B Mike Wetzel (26 R .000-0-1-.000 in 7 AB)
8: CF Javy Fernandez (28 L .143-0-0-.393 in 7 AB)
9: P Darrell Massingham (27 R 2003 and Beaver Debut .231-0-2-.462 in 13 AB in 2002)

MONTREAL
1: RF Ray Barnard (26 L .125-0-0-.250 in 8 AB)
2: 2B Oscar Quinones (30 R .000-0-0-.000 in 9 AB) 2001 Silver Slugger 2001/02 Gold Glove
3: C Dwight Smith (30 R .333-0-0-.889 in 6 AB) 2001 All-Star Signed 5-yr./$61.5 mil. ext. 10/27
4: LF Terry Hall (29 R .000-0-0-.111 in 8 AB)
5: 3B Bill Anzivino (31 R .222-0-1-.444 in 9 AB) 2002 Silver Slugger & All-Star
6: SS Paul Cook (28 L .250-1-2-1.250 in 4 AB) Signed 1-yr./$2.84 mil. ext. 10/27
7: 1B Javier Bojorge (28 L .500-1-2-1.571 in 6 AB)
8: CF Bobby Jensen (28 R .333-0-0-.667 in 6 AB)
9: P Chuck Albrecht (29 L 2003 Debut .262-0-7-.585 in 65 AB in 2002) Signed 5-yr./$40.12 ext. 10/27

Game Start: 7:05 PM
Weather: Dome
Attendance: 14,078

Lee Kowalski tries to bunt his way on, but whiffs on the attempt, but then beats out an infield hit swinging away. On the first pitch to Stu Redman, Kowalski takes off for 2nd, but they have a pitch-out on, but C Dwight Smith throws the ball into center field and Kowalski goes to 3rd! SB + E-2. Redman flies out to right, not very deep, but Kowalski tags up anyway and beats the throw! 1 to 0, Beavers! Antonio Mata hits a 1-0 pitch to deep left field and it is gone! 2 to 0, Beavers! Ron Peddicord lines a hit to left center. Mark Parker flies out to right. 2 outs. Jeff Johnson grounds out to 2nd.

Bottom of the 1st: Ray Barnard swings at Darrell Massingham's first pitch as a Beaver and pops out to short. Oscar Quinones bloops a 3-1 pitch into left for a hit. Dwight Smith swings at the first pitch and pops out to short. Terry Hall grounds out to the pitcher!

Bottom of the 2nd: Bill Anzivino leads off with a double to left center. With 1 out, Javier Bojorge singles and then steals 2nd. Bobby Jensen lines a hit to center and both runners score to tie the game at 2. With 2 outs, Ray Barnard blasts a home run to right. 4 to 2, Expos.

Top of the 3rd: Lee Kowalski leads of with a flare to left for a hit. Stu Redman doubles to left and Kowalski scored from 1st standing up! 4 to 3, Expos. That is all we get, though.

Bottom of the 4th: With 1 out, Bobby Jensen doubles to right center and then P Chuck Albrecht singles him home. 5 to 3, Expos. The Bullpen is up, but we get the next two out.

Top of the 5th: Javy Fernandez leads off with an infield hit. We pinch-hit for the pitcher with SHB Frank Wiginton, but he lays down a bunt. It is a good one, but we just wasted our best pinch-hitter.... Lee Kowalski reaches on an error by Oscar Quinones. E-4. Stu Redman grounds out to 3rd and Fernandez scores. 5 to 4, Expos.

Top of the 6th: Ron Peddicord leads off with a hit to center. With 1 out, Jeff Johnson doubles to center. Mike Wetzel then gets his first hit of the year, a grounder into center that scores Peddicord and ties the game at 5! That is all we get, though.

Top of the 7th: On the hill: LHP Mike Orr, beginning his 2nd inning of work. Stu Redman leads off with an infield hit and goes to 2nd on a wild pitch. With 1 out, Ron Peddicord grounds a hit to right and Redman heads home, but gets thrown out by Ray Barnard. Peddicord moves up to 2nd on the throw. Mark Parker singes to left, but Peddicord stops at 3rd. Pinch-Hitter: RHP Dave Priestly. Wild Pitch! 6 to 5, Beavers!

Bottom of the 9th: Still 6 to 5, Beavers. On the Hill: RHP Ron Beckman, beginning his 3rd inning of work, but has only thrown 11 pitches. With 2 outs, 3B Dale Stiles launches one to deep center, but Javy Fernandez catches it up against the wall and THIS Ballgame Belongs to the Beavers!

Won - 6 to 5

We had 12 hits and made no errors.
The Expos had 9 hits and made 2 errors.

Darrell Massingham went 4 innings, allowed 5 runs, 7 hits, 1 home run, 1 walk and struck out 3.
RHP Vic Gutowski went 1 perfect inning with 2 strikeouts.
LHP Larry Duke (W 1-0) went 1 and 1/3 innings, allowed 1 hit and struck out 1.
RHP Ron Beckman (SV 1) went 2 and 2/3 innings, allowed 1 hit and struck out 1. 20 pitches.

Chuck Albrecht went 5 and 1/3 innings, gave us 5 runs (4 earned), 9 hits, 1 home run, no walks and struck out 3. At bat, he had a hit and an RBI.
LHP Mike Orr (L 0-1) went 1 and 2/3 innings, gave us 1 run, 3 hits, 2 walks and struck out 1. He threw 2 WP.

RF Lee Kowalski had 2 hits, stole a base and scored 2 runs. SS Stu Redman had 2 hits with a double and 3 RBIs. 1B Antonio Mata his his 1st home run as a Beaver and our first home run of the season as a team. 3B Ron Peddicord had 3 hits and scored 2 runs. LF Jeff Johnson hit a double. PH Eric McCornack drew a walk.

For the Expos, RF Ray Barnard had 2 hits with his 1st home run of the season and had 2 RBIs. He also threw a runner out at the plate.

Down on the Farm: The Indianapolis Indians (AAA) opened their season with a 15 to 1 win at Pawtucket. RF Keith Page (21 R), our highest rated prospect in the minors by Baseball America, debuted in AAA with 3 hits and a walk, scored 2 runs and had 3 RBIs. Bill Tull (24 R) got the win with 7 innings of 3-hit ball. He walked 4, struck out 4 and gave up 1 run.

[Questdog]

Friday, April 11, 2003

Portland Beavers (2-1 .667 tied for 1st in the NL West) at
Montreal Expos (0-3 .000 3 GB tied for 7th (last) place in the NL East)

J.T. Burdick, Por (25 L 1-3 3.60 9.0-0.7-4.0-5.6 in 2002 H/9-HR/9-BB/9-K/9) vs Gary Hageman, Mtl (30 R 2-4 6.46 11.9-1.6-4.3-3.5 in 2002)

We beat Hageman the only time we faced him last season, but he only gave us 2 runs in 6 innings and did not suffer the loss.

Lineups: Pos Name (Age Bats BA-HR-RBI-OPS)
PORTLAND
1: RF Lee Kowalski (28 L .333-0-0-.762 in 12 AB)
2: SS Stu Redman (31 R .333-0-3-.774 in 12 AB)
3: 1B Antonio Mata (29 S .308-1-4-1.132 in 13 AB)
4: 3B Ron Peddicord (37 S .400-0-2-.862 in 10 AB)
5: C Mark Parker (29 R .400-0-0-1.100 in 10 AB)
6: LF Jeff Johnson (28 L .222-0-0-.633 in 9 AB)
7: 2B Mike Wetzel (26 R .091-0-2-.174 in 11 AB)
8: CF Javy Fernandez (28 L .182-0-0-.432 in 11 AB)
9: P J.T. Burdick (25 L 2003 Debut .000-0-0-.077 in 12 AB in 2002)

MONTREAL
1: RF Ray Barnard (26 L .250-1-2-.750 in 12 AB)
2: 2B Oscar Quinones (30 R .077-0-0-.154 in 13 AB) 2001 Silver Slugger 2001/02 Gold Glove
3: C Dwight Smith (30 R .200-0-0-.585 in 10 AB) 2001 All-Star
4: LF Terry Hall (29 R .000-0-0-.077 in 12 AB)
5: 3B Bill Anzivino (31 R .333-0-1-.801 in 12 AB) 2002 Silver Slugger & All-Star
6: SS Paul Cook (28 L .125-1-2-.625 in 8 AB)
7: CF Bobby Jensen (28 R .444-0-2-1.000 in 9 AB)
8: 1B Javier Bojorge (28 L .400-1-2-1.155 in 10 AB)
9: P Gary Hageman (30 R 2003 Debut .083-0-0-.250 in 12 AB in 2002

Game Start: 7:05 PM
Weather: Dome
Attendance: 14,098

Lee Kowalski flies out to right, the first time this season he has not reached base to lead off the game. Stu Redman grounds a hit up the middle, but then gets thrown out trying to steal. Antonio Mata flies out to right.

Bottom of the 1st: Ray Barnard swings at a 3-2 pitch and grounds out to 2nd. Oscar Quinones swings at the first pitch and bloops a hit to center and then goes to 2nd on a ground out by Dwight Smith, 4-3. Terry Hall lines out to short!

Top of the 3rd: Mike Wetzel leads off with a hit, goes to 3rd on back-to-back passed balls and scores on a ground out by Javy Fernandez. 1 to 0, Beavers. P J.T. Burdick reaches base on an error by Paul Cook (E-6) and then scores when Lee Kowalski doubles to right center! 2 to 0, Beavers.

Top of the 4th: Ron Peddicord leads off with a home run to left! 3 to 0, Beavers. Marker Parker follows by taking a 3-2 pitch for ball four and then scores when Jeff Johnson doubles to center! 4 to 0, Beavers! Mike Wetzel lines a hit to right and Johnson scores. 5 to 0, Beavers.

Bottom of the 4th: Bobby Jensen leads off with a grounder up the middle for a hit. With 1 out, Pinch-hitter Danny Vincent, a lefty, triples. 5 to 1, Beavers. Ray Barnard flies out to deep center and Vincent scores. 5 to 2, Beavers.

Top of the 6th: On the hill: RHP Doug Schmitz, beginning his 2nd full inning of work. Javy Fernandez leads off with a line drive to left for a hit, gets bunted to 2nd by P J.T. Burdick, goes to 3rd on a ground out and scores on a hit by Stu Redman. 6 to 2, Beavers. Antonio Mata triples to left center! 7 to 2, Beavers. His 3rd triple in 4 games!

Bottom of the 6th: Paul Cook leads off with a line drive to center for a hit. Bobby Jensen draws a walk from a full count. With 2 outs, Ray Barnard walks on 4 pitches to load the bases and get our Bullpen up. Oscar Quinones lines a hit to right and 2 runs score. 7 to 4, Beavers. Dwight Smith flies out to right to end the inning.

Top of the 7th: New pitcher: LHP Tom Bretches, the hardest throwing pitcher in the majors, according to Sports Illustrated. With 1 out, Jeff Johnson draws a walk. With 2 outs, Javy Fernandez doubles to left and Johnson scores. 8 to 4, Beavers.

Won - 8 to 4

We had 13 hits and made no errors.
The Expos had 9 hits and made 1 error.

J.T. Burdick (W 1-0) went 6 innings, allowed 4 runs, 8 hits, 4 walks and struck out 1. At bat, he scored a run.
RHP Doug Maxwell, in his 2003 debut, went 2 scoreless innings, allowed 1 hit, 1 HBP, 1 walk and struck out 3.
RHP Larry Castillo, in his 2003 debut, went 1 scoreless inning, allowed 1 walk and struck out 1.

Gary Hageman (L 0-1) went 4 innings, gave us 5 runs (4 earned), 7 hits, 1 home run, 3 walks and struck out 1.

RF Lee Kowalski had 2 hits with a double, stole a base and had an RBI. SS Stu Redman did not make an out at the plate with 2 hits and 2 walks, but got caught stealing twice. He scored a run and had an RBI. 3B Antonio Mata hit his 3rd triple in 4 games and had an RBI, his 5th in 4 games. 3B Ron Peddicord hit his first home run of the season. C Mark Parker hit a double, drew a walk and scored a run. LF Jeff Johnson hit a double, drew a walk, scored 2 runs and had an RBI. 2B Mike Wetzel had 2 hits and a walk, scored a run and had an RBI. CF Javy Fernandez had 3 hits with a double, scored a run and had 2 RBIs.

[Questdog]

Saturday, April 12, 2003

We made a minor trade last night, sending OF Brion Hawkins (30 R) and SP Bill Eckman (27 R) to Arizona for 1B Victor Sanchez (23 S). None of these players are worth much, but we needed a 1B for our minor leagues and Sanchez might have some value later on. Sanchez will go to Jacksonville (AA).

Portland Beavers (3-1 .750 tied for 1st in the NL West) at
Montreal Expos (0-4 .000 4 GB in 8th (last) place in the NL East)

Alan Gross, Por (28 L 1-0 1.29 7.7-0.0-2.6-3.9 H/9-HR/9-BB/9-K/9) vs Glenn Greer, Mtl (33 R 4-8 5.00 9.9-0.6-2.8-4.6 in 2002)

We have never faced Greer before, but we are looking forward to the opportunity.

Lineups: Pos Name (Age Bats BA-HR-RBI-OPS)
PORTLAND
1: RF Lee Kowalski (28 L .353-0-1-.833 in 17 AB)
2: SS Stu Redman (31 R .429-0-4-1.000 in 14 AB)
3: 1B Antonio Mata (29 S .278-1-5-1.041 in 18 AB)
4: 3B Ron Peddicord (37 S .333-1-3-.922 in 15 AB)
5: C Mark Parker (29 R .357-0-0-1.042 in 14 AB)
6: LF Jeff Johnson (28 L .250-0-1-.774 in 12 AB)
7: 2B Mike Wetzel (26 R .200-0-3-.435 in 15 AB)
8: CF Javy Fernandez (28 L .313-0-2-.728 in 16 AB)
9: P Alan Gross (28 L .500-0-0-1.000 in 2 AB)

MONTREAL
1: RF Ray Barnard (26 L .200-1-3-.635 in 15 AB)
2: 2B Oscar Quinones (30 R .176-0-2-.399 in 17 AB) 2001 Silver Slugger 2001/02 Gold Glove
3: C Dwight Smith (30 R .143-0-0-.476 in 14 AB) 2001 All-Star
4: LF Terry Hall (29 R .063-0-0-.229 in 16 AB)
5: 3B Bill Anzivino (31 R .313-0-1-.764 in 16 AB) 2002 Silver Slugger & All-Star
6: SS Paul Cook (28 L .154-1-2-.538 in 13 AB)
7: CF Bobby Jensen (28 R .455-0-2-1.084 in 11 AB)
8: 1B Javier Bojorge (28 L .357-1-2-.971 in 14 AB)
9: P Glenn Greer (33 R 2003 Debut .194-0-2-.444 in 36 AB in 2002)

Game Start: 7:05 PM
Weather: Dome
Attendance: 14,663

Lee Kowalski grounds one to short, but Paul Cook boots it. E-6. Stu Redman grounds out a hit to center. Antonio Mata triples to right center!! 2 to 0, Beavers! Unbelievable! That is 4 triples in 5 games! Ron Peddicord grounds out to 1st and Mata scores. 3 to 0, Beavers. Mark Parker lines a hit to right. Jeff Johnson doubles to center and Parker scores standing up. 4 to 0, Beavers. Mike Wetzel gets plunked. Javy Fernandez grounds into a force at 2nd, 5-4. 2 outs. P Alan Gross grounds out to 2nd. You gotta love it when the pitcher bats before he ever takes the mound!

Bottom of the 1st: Ray Barnard flies out to left. Oscar Quinones grounds out to 1st. Dwight Smith doubles to center. Terry Hall lines a hit to left. Bill Anzivino grounds out to 3rd!

Top of the 2nd: Lee Kowalski and Stu Redman lead us off with back-to-back infield hits. With 1 out, Ron Peddicord singles to load the bases up. A wild pitch scores Kowalski. 5 to 0, Beavers. Redman scores on a fly ball by Mark Parker. 6 to 0, Beavers.

Bottom of the 2nd: Lead-off hitter Paul Cook grounds out to short, but Stu Redman waves for the trainer and the Burgermeister takes him out of the game. He says a tender shoulder that should be fine in 3 or 4 days. Well, our backup has a tender elbow so, Doug Baker goes in to play 2nd and Mike Wetzel moves over to short.

Top of the 3rd: Mike Wetzel must be jacked up about playing shortstop, because he jacks a home run to right center! 404 ft. 7 to 0, Beavers!

Bottom of the 6th: Ray Barnard leads off with a walk and with 1 out, surprises us by stealing 2nd, down 7 runs. Dwight Smith singles to center and Barnard scores. 7 to 1, Beavers. Terry Ha singles and our Bullpen gets up. Bill Anzivino singles and they have another run. 7 to 2, Beavers.

Won - 7 to 2

We had 10 hits and made 1 error.
The Expos had 6 hits and made 1 error.

Alan Gross (W 2-0) went 6 innings, allowed 2 runs, 5 hits, 2 walks and struck out 3. 97 pitches.
Larry Castillo (SV 1) went 3 scoreless innings, allowed 1 hit and struck out 2.

Glenn Greer (L 0-1) went 3 innings, gave us 7 runs (6 earned), 8 hits, 1 home run, no walks and struck out no one.

RF Lee Kowalski had a hit and scored 2 runs. SS Stu Redman continued his hot start going 2 for 2 and scoring 2 runs, but hurt his shoulder. 1B Antonio Mata hit his 4th triple in 5 games, scored a run and had 2 RBIs. He hit 6 triples in each of the last two seasons. 3B Ron Peddicord had 2 hits and an RBI. LF Jeff Johnson had 2 hits with a double and an RBI. 2B/SS Mike Wetzel hit his 1st home run of the season.

For the Expos, their 3-4-5 hitters were 6 for 12, but the rest of the team went 0 for 22.

[Questdog]

Sunday, April 13, 2003

Portland Beavers (4-1 .800 tied for 1st in the NL West) at
Montreal Expos (0-5 .000 5 GB in 8th (last) place in the NL East)

Tony Ricketts, Por (28 R 0-1 5.68 8.5-1.4-1.4-5.7 H/9-HR/9-BB/9-K/9) vs Bob Adair, Mtl (31 L 0-1 9.64 11.6-0.0-13.5-5.8)

The first lefty we face this season is a pretty good one. He beat us the only time we faced him last year, holding us to 2 runs in 8 innings. The Phillies roughed him up on Opening Day, but he was 18-15 with a 3.40 ERA over the past 2 seasons.

If we were facing a righty, we'd give SS Stu Redman the day off to nurse his sore shoulder, but he will play today.

Lineups: Pos Name (Age Bats BA-HR-RBI-OPS)
PORTLAND
1: RF Lee Kowalski (28 L .318-0-1-.739 in 22 AB)
2: SS Stu Redman (31 R .500-0-4-1.113 in 16 AB)
3: 1B Antonio Mata (29 S .273-1-7-1.034 in 22 AB)
4: 3B Ron Peddicord (37 S .368-1-4-.935 in 19 AB)
5: C Mark Parker (29 R .353-0-1-.958 in 17 AB)
6: 2B Mike Wetzel (26 R .222-1-4-.675 in 18 AB)
7: LF Dave Priestly (29 R .000-0-0-.500 in 1 AB)
8: CF Javy Fernandez (28 L .250-0-2-.586 in 20 AB)
9: P Tony Ricketts (28 R .000-0-0-.000 in 3 AB)

MONTREAL
1: RF Ray Barnard (26 L .167-1-3-.571 in 18 AB)
2: 2B Oscar Quinones (30 R .150-0-2-.377 in 20 AB) 2001 Silver Slugger 2001/02 Gold Glove
3: C Dwight Smith (30 R .222-0-1-.641 in 18 AB) 2001 All-Star
4: LF Terry Hall (29 R .150-0-0-.377 in 20 AB)
5: 3B Bill Anzivino (31 R .350-0-2-.809 in 20 AB) 2002 Silver Slugger & All-Star
6: SS Paul Cook (28 L .118-1-2-.412 in 17 AB)
7: 1B Javier Bojorge (28 L .278-1-2-.760 in 18 AB)
8: CF Bobby Jensen (28 R .333-0-2-.812 in 15 AB)
9: P Bob Adair (31 L .000-0-0-.000 in 1 AB)

Game Start: 2:05 PM
Weather: Dome
Attendance: 15,454

Lee Kowalski strikes out. Stu Redman grounds out to short. Antonio Mata flies out to deep center.

Bottom of the 1st: Ray Barnard leads off with a walk. Oscar Quinones pops out to short. Dwight Smith grounds into a 5-4-3 double play!

Top of the 2nd: When Mike Wetzel lines out to right for the 2nd out, P Bob Adair leaves the game with an injury. RHP Yoshimune Kato takes his place.

Top of the 3rd: Javy Fernandez works the count full and takes ball four. P Tony Ricketts bunts him over to 2nd. With 2 outs, Stu Redman beats out an infield hit and Antonio Mata takes a 3-2 pitch for ball four to load the bases up. Ron Peddicord lines a hit to left center and 2 runs score! 2 to 0, Beavers!

Bottom of the 5th: Paul Cook leads off with a home run down the right field line. 2 to 1, Beavers.

Bottom of the 8th: New Pitcher: RHP Ron Beckman. Bobby Jensen leads off with a single to right and a wild pitch sends him to 2nd. The Bullpen gets up. With 1 out, Ray Barnard beats out an infield hit. Oscar Quinones flies out to left and Jensen scores from 3rd without a throw to tie the game at 2.

Top of the 9th: New pitcher: RHP Netuno Granho. Top of our order and they go down 1-2-3.

Bottom of the 9th: P Ron Beckman gets the first two outs and then we make a Call to the Bullpen: LHP Al McMillian. Doug Baker comes in to play 2nd and Mike Wetzel moves over to short in a double switch. Pinch-Hitter: RHB Dale Stiles. He swings at the first pitch and flies out to center!

Extras!

Top of the 10th: Full count to Ron Peddicord and he takes ball four. Mark Parker walks. Mike Wetzel bunts the runners up to 2nd and 3rd. Pinch-Hitter: LHB Jeff Johnson. They walk him intentionally to load the bases. With the infield in, Javy Fernandez grounds a hit up the middle and Peddicord scores! 3 to 2, Beavers! Doug Baker grounds into a force a t home, 4-2, but Lee Kowalski takes a 3-2 pitch for ball four to force in a run! 4 to 2, Beavers! Pinch-Hitter: SHB Frank Wiginton. He lines a hit to left center and another run is in! 5 to 2, Beavers! New pitcher, a bit late, maybe: RHP Tony Martinez. He beans Antonio Mata to force in another run! 6 to 2, Beavers! Ron Peddicord strikes out to end the inning.

Bottom of the 10th: New Pitcher: RHP Vic Gutowski. He walks lead-off batter Javier Bojorge. Bobby Jensen lines a hit to left and our Bullpen is active again. After a force out at 2nd that puts runners at 1st and 3rd, a passed ball scores a run. 6 to 3, Beavers. But Gutowski strikes out Ray Barnard and gets a ground out to end the game and THIS Ballgame Belongs to the Beavers! Sweep!

Won - 6 to 3 in 10 innings

We had 9 hits and made no errors.
The Expos had 6 hits and made no errors.

We drew 9 walks in the game (2 INT).

Tony Ricketts went 7 innings, allowed 1 run, 3 hits, 1 home run, 2 walks and struck out 5. He deserved the win!
RHP Ron Beckman went 1 and 2/3 innings, allowed 1 run and 2 hits. He threw a WP. He is the reason Ricketts did not get his 1st win of the season.
LHP Al McMillian (W 1-0) faced 1 batter and retired him. A 1 pitch win! We did a double switch to keep him in the game, but our hitters would not make outs....
RHP Vic Gutowski went 1 inning, allowed 1 run, 1 hit, 1 walk and struck out 1.

Bob Adair went 1 and 2/3 innings, and only gave us a walk and struck out 1. He got hurt; no word on his condition.
RHP Netuno Granho (L 0-1) went 1 and 2/3 innings, gave us 4 runs, 2 hits and 4 walks (1 INT).

PH Frank Wiginton had a hit and an RBI. 3B Ron Peddicord had 2 hits and 2 walks, scored a run and had 2 RBIs. C Mark Parker drew 2 walks. 2B/SS Mike Wetzel hit a double. LF Dave Priestly had 2 hits with a double and an intentional walk. PH Jeff Johnson was walked intentionally and scored a run. CF Javy Fernandez had a hit and a walk, scored 2 runs and had an RBI.

For the Expos, SS Paul Cook hit his 2nd home run of the season. CF Bobby Jensen had 3 hits and scored a run.

[Questdog]

April 14, 2003

Monday Morning Report

AL Player of the Week - Doug Granger, c, Oakland (31 L .500/.536/.885) Had 13 hits with 1 2B, 3 HR, 6 R and 7 RBI in 6 G
NL Player of the Week - Bobby Manzano, 1b, Colorado (27 L .520/.571/.600) Had 13 hits with 2 2B, 5 R and 2 RBI in 6 G

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

April 8: Jasper Adams (34 R) of Boston pitched a 3-hit shutout at home versus Detroit. He did not walk a batter and struck out 7. The Red Sox won, 1 to 0.
April 8: SS Tony Davila (24 L) of Minnesota had 5 hits at Seattle. He drew a walk, stole a base, scored 3 runs and had an RBI. The Twins won, 14 to 5.
April 11: RF Greg Moore (25 L) of New York (A) hit 2 home runs at home versus Minnesota. He also drew a walk. The Yankees lost, 3 to 2.
April 12: CF Dennis Kossmann (26 R) of Los Angeles (N) hit 2 home runs at Miami. He had 5 RBIs. The Dodgers were down, 8 to 6, entering the 9th inning, but scored 7 runs, helped by a 3-run home run by Kossmann. They gave up 4 runs in the bottom of the 9th, but the Dodgers held on for a 13 to 12 win. The Marlins had 2 men on base when the final out was made.
April 12: RF Bob Bruce (31 L) of Detroit hit 2 home runs at home versus Milwaukee. He had 3 hits and 5 RBIs. The Tigers won, 9 to 1.
April 12: C Doug Granger (31 L) of Oakland hit 2 home runs at Tampa Bay. He had 3 hits, scored 3 runs and had 4 RBIs. The A's won, 9 to 3.
April 13: SS Frank Alton (22 R) of Cincinnati hit 2 home runs at home versus Houston. The Reds won, 9 to 3.
April 13: Gerry Gleason (33 R) of Seattle pitched a 4-hit shutout at home versus Toronto. He did not walk a batter and struck out 8. Dick Williamson of the Blue Jays also went the distance and only gave up 3 hits, but the 3rd one was a 2-run home run with 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th to 1B Alex Barron and the Mariners won, 2 to 0.

Random Fact of the Week: You can have a good pitching rotation with 3 solid starters and 2 iffy spots to fill. That is what we had last season with Terry Cole, Alan Gross and Tony Ricketts. You cannot have a good starting rotation with 2 solid starters and 3 iffy spots to fill. That is what we have this season with Terry Cole on the Disabled List. There is a huge difference. If we are going to repeat as NL West Champions we will need at least one of the other pitchers to step up and become a sold starter. Early returns on Darrell Massingham and J.T. Burdick were not promising, though Massingham looked good in Spring Training. Burdick did not. Angel Martinez has yet to start a game. He pitched fairly well in Spring Training, though his control was not very good with 12 walks in 19 IP. But one of those three needs to show signs soon of being someone we can count on or I will have to try to make another trade.

[Questdog]

Monday, April 14, 2003

Since Stu Redman has a sore shoulder, we cannot afford to keep SS Ivan Alvarez sitting idle on our bench waiting for his sore elbow to heal. We need to be able to give Redman some rest, so we put Alvarez on the Disabled List, retroactive to April 2, and called up SS Rick Ferrell from Indianapolis (AAA). The Burgermeister cannot give us any timetable on Alavarez' return. Editor's Note: One of the cool new features of the revamped injury system in OOTP18!

Home Opener!

Manager Wayne Pittman (40) has his Braves in town for a 4-game series. They won 3 of 4 from the Diamondbacks in Atlanta over the weekend and are off to a hot start. They won 78 games last year and finished in a tie for 5th place with the Expos, who we just played. After 1 week of play, they are tied for 4th in runs scored with 5.3 per game (Portland is tied for #1 with 5.5!). They lead the league in doubles; we lead the league in triples. They are tied for 5th in runs allowed with 4.0 per game (Portland is 2nd with 3.2). Philadelphia is #1 with 1.7, 10 runs allowed in 6 games. The NL has an ERA of 4.10, but the AL has an ERA of 3.20.

The only significant loss the Braves had to free agency was P Victor Solis (31 L), who was 18-9 with a 2.69 ERA in 2001, but only 10-13 with a 4.29 in 2002. He signed with the Angels. However, half of the Braves lineup is out with injuries. 1B Ron Newberry, 2B Rick Roberson, SS Roosevelt French and LF Jose Alfaro are all hurt.

Atlanta Braves (5-1 .833 1 GB in 2nd place in the NL East) at
Portland Beavers (5-1 .833 tied for 1st in the NL West)

William Rojas, Atl (36 R 1-0 2.25 9.0-1.1-1.1-4.5 H/9-HR/9-BB/9-K/9) vs Angel Rodriguez, Por (25 R 2-6 4.25 9.3-1.2-4.0-5.5 in 2002)

Rojas did not pitch at all in the majors in 2002 and only 2 games in the final week of the season in AA and only 2/3 of an inning. He had a save against us in 2001 when he pitched mostly in relief with the Rockies, going 2-7 with 5 SV and a 6.69 ERA in 75.1 IP with 4 starts. However, in his first start for the Braves this year, he went 8 innings against the Reds and only allowed 2 runs.

Lineups: Pos Name (Age Bats BA-HR-RBI-OPS)
ATLANTA
1: 2B Doug Lamb (25 S .409-1-3-1.143 in 22 AB) Not a rookie, but still the #35 prospect this Spring
2: CF Kenny Box (28 L .333-0-0-.885 in 12 AB)
3: 1B Phil McCoy (34 R .000-0-0-.250 in 6 AB)
4: RF Dan Myer (26 L .200-2-5-.846 in 20 AB)
5: C Juan Fuentes (28 R .400-0-3-1.078 in 20 AB) Playing hurt Signed 1-yr./$2.52 mil ext. 10/27
6: LF Ray Hennessy (24 L .222-1-4-.744 in 18 AB) Rookie
7: 3B Alex Gonzalez (35 R .300-0-5-.764 in 20 AB) FA from SEA 1-yr./$4.88 mil.
8: SS Dan Weller (30 S .556-1-3-1.556 in 9 AB)
9: P William Rojas (36 S .000-0-0-.000 in 2 AB) FA from TOR 1.-tr./$1.02 mil.

PORTLAND
1: RF Lee Kowalski (28 L .296-0-2-.700 in 27 AB)
2: 2B Mike Wetzel (26 R .238-1-4-.720 in 21 AB)
3: 1B Antonio Mata (29 S .231-1-8-.930 in 26 AB)
4: 3B Ron Peddicord (37 S .391-1-6-.986 in 23 AB)
5: C Mark Parker (29 R .300-0-1-.873 in 20 AB)
6: LF Jeff Johnson (28 L .313-0-2-.921 in 16 AB)
7: CF Javy Fernandez (28 L .250-0-3-.599 in 24 AB)
8: SS Rick Ferrell (27 R 2003 MLB Debut .333-0-3-.775 in15 AB in AAA)
9: P Angel Rodriguez (25 R 2003 Debut .233-0-0-.500 in 30 AB in 2002)

Game Start: 7:05 PM
Weather: 42 Deg. Overcast with an 8 MPH wind blowing out to left. Why did we not build a dome here? Oh, yeah, I was against it....I was stupid....
Attendance: 33,371 New Regular Season record Crowd!

Doug Lamb lines a 3-2 pitch to left center for a hit. He steals 2nd. Kenny Box strikes out looking. Phil McCoy strikes out looking. Dan Myer grounds a hit to right and Lamb scores. 1 to 0, Braves. A wild pitch sends Myer to 2nd. Juan Fuentes grounds a hit to left and Myer scores. 2 to 0, Braves. Ray Hennessy grounds out to 2nd.

Bottom of the 1st: Lee Kowalski nubs one and gets thrown out by the catcher. Mike Wetzel grounds out to short. Antonio Mata flies out to left.

Top of the 3rd: With 1 out, Kenny Box walks, steals 2nd, goes to 3rd when C Mark Parker's throw is into the outfield and scores on a fly ball. 3 to 0, Braves.

First time through the order against this old bum, who did not even pitch hardly at all last year, we get nothing but 3 strikeouts....

Top of the 4th: Juan Fuentes leads off with a grounder just out of the reach of SS Rick Ferrell for a hit and goes to 1nd on a ground out. With 2 outs, Dan Weller lines a hit to center and Fuentes heads home, but Javy Fernandez throws him out!

Bottom of the 4th: With 1 out, Mike Wetzel gets our 1st hit of the game. Ron Peddicord gets a hit, too, but we get no runs....

Bottom of the 5th: With 1 out, Javy Fernandez grounds a hit to center. Rick Ferrell grounds another one to center and Fernandez goes to 3rd. Down 3 to 0, we decide to Pinch-Hit for P Angel Rodriguez: SHB Frank Wiginton. Wild pitch! Fernandez scores! 3 to 1, Braves. Wiginton grounds a hit to right and Ferrell scores! 3 to 2, Braves. Full count to Lee Kowalski and he lines one into the left field seats for a home run! 4 to 3, Beavers!

Bottom of the 6th: New Pitcher: RHP Doug Maxwell. Full count to Phil McCoy and he takes ball four. Dan Myer swings at the first pitch and hits one 414 ft. to left center. 5 to 4, Braves. The Bullpen is up. Juan Fuentes grounds a hit up the middle. Ray Hennessy strikes out to finally get us an out. Alex Gonzalez walks on 4 pitches. It looks like Doug Maxwell's shaky pitching from the post-season has carried over to this season.... Call to the Bullpen: LHP Larry Duke. Dan Weller grounds an 0-2 pitch up the middle for a hit and Fuentes scores. 6 to 4, Braves. Pinch-hitter: RHB Gary Chinnici. He doubles to left center and another run is in. 7 to 4, Braves. Bullpen is back up.... Doug Lamb takes a fastball in the ribs to load the bases with 1 out. Kenny Box grounds into a force at home, 5-2. Phil McCoy grounds out to the pitcher. What a crock of turds....

Bottom of the 6th: New pitcher: LHP Russ Dana. Jeff Johnson lines a 3-2 pitch to center for a hit and goes to 2nd on a wild pitch. Javy Fernandez reaches on an error by Doug Lamb. E-4. Rick Ferrell lines a hit to center and Johnson scores. 7 to 5, Braves. Pinch-Hitter: RHB Stu Redman. He tries to bunt, but misses, so he swings away and doubles to left center! Fernandez scores. 7 to 6, Braves. Lee Kowalski strikes out. Mike Wetzel flies out to deep left and Ferrell trots home with the tying run. 7 to 7. New pitcher: LHP Alex Saenz. Antonio Mata takes a 3-2 pitch for ball four. Ron Peddicord strikes out looking on 3 pitches to end the inning.

Top of the 7th: New Pitcher: LHP Al McMillian. He strikes out Dan Myer, but then Juan Fuentes grounds a double down the 3rd base line. Ray Hennessy triples to right center. 8 to 7, Braves. Some Bullpen we got here.... No one is warming up, because no one else is fresh and McMillian needs to eat at least one inning.... Alex Gonzalez grounds a hit up the middle. 9 to 7, Braves. Half of their lineup is on the DL and it is the good half!

Bottom of the 9th: New pitcher: LHP Jim Enright, their closer. A win and 3 saves and no runs allowed in 7 IP. Signed a a free agent from Philadelphia for 1-yr./$830K, but he was good in 2001 and 2002, though not a closer. Antonio Mata leads off with a double to left center. Ron Peddicord lines a hit to left. Mark Parker lines a hit to left-center and Mata scores and Peddicord goes to 3rd! 9 to 8, Braves. Pinch-Hitter: RHB Dave Priestly. He lines a hit to right and Peddicord scores to tie the game and Parker goes to 3rd! 9 to 9! Pinch-Hitter: SHB Eric McCornack. He grounds one to 3rd and John Fitzgerald, who is normally an outfielder, boots it and Parker scores and THIS Ballgame Belongs to the Beavers!!!!

Won - 10 to 9

We had 15 hits and made 2 errors.
The Braves had 14 hits and made 3 errors.

Angel Rodriguez went 5 innings, allowed 3 runs (2 earned), 5 hits, 1 walk and struck out 2. He threw a WP.
RHP Doug Maxwell went 1/3 of an inning, allowed 4 runs, 2 hits, 1 home run, 2 walks and struck out 1.
LHP Larry Duke went 2/3 of an inning and allowed 2 hits and 1 HBP.
LHP Al McMillian went 2 innings, allowed 2 runs, 3 hits and struck out 3.
RHP Vic Gutowski (W 1-0) went 1 inning, allowed 2 hits and struck out 1. We did not look like the best Bullpen in Baseball today....

William Rojas went 5 innings, gave us 4 runs, 7 hits, 1 home run, no walks and struck out 3. He threw a WP.
LHP Jim Enright faced 5 batters and did not get an out. He gave us 3 runs (2 earned) and 4 hits.

RF Lee Kowalski hit his 1st home run of the season and had 2 RBIs. 1B Antonio Mata hit a double, drew a walk and scored a run. 3B Ron Peddicord had 3 hits and scored a run. LF Jeff Johnson had 2 hits and scored a run. PH Dave Priestly had a hit and an RBI. CF Javy Fernandez had a hit and scored 2 runs. PH Eric McCornack knocked in the winning run with a ground ball to 2rd that was booted. SS Rick Ferrell had 2 hits, scored 2 runs and had an RBI. PH Frank Wiginton had a hit, scored a run and has an RBI. PF Stu Redman hit a double and had an RBI.

For the Braves, RF Dan Myer had 2 hits with his 3rd home run of the season, scored 2 runs and had 3 RBIs. C Juan Fuentes had 5 hits with a double, scored 2 runs and had an RBI.

[Questdog]

Tuesday, April 15, 2003

Atlanta Braves (5-2 .714 2 GB in 2nd place in the NL East) at
Portland Beavers (6-1 .857 tied for 1st in the NL West)

Larry Raposa, Atl (27 R 0-0 5.14 9.0-0.0-2.6-5.1 H/9-HR/9-BB/9-K/9) vs Darrell Massingham, Por (27 R 0-0 11.25 15.8-2.3-2.3-6.8 in 2002)

Raposa beat us the only time we faced him last year and he only gave us 1 run and it was unearned. He was 11-14 with a 4.52 ERA in 34 starts for the Braves last year. He looks like a good pitcher, except he gives up too many home runs. 28 last season, but none in his first start this year.

Lineups: Pos Name (Age Bats BA-HR-RBI-OPS)
ATLANTA
1: 2B Doug Lamb (25 S .385-1-3-1.067 in 26 AB)
2: CF Kenny Box (28 L .250-0-0-.708 in 16 AB)
3: 1B Phil McCoy (34 R .000-0-1-.231 in 9 AB)
4: RF Dan Myer (26 L .240-3-8-.955 in 25 AB)
5: C Juan Fuentes (28 R .520-0-4-1.291 in 25 AB)
6: LF Ray Hennessy (24 L .261-1-5-.842 in 23 AB) Rookie
7: 3B Alex Gonzalez (35 R .292-0-6-.745 in 24 AB)
8: SS Dan Weller (30 S .538-1-4-1.385 in 13 AB)
9: P Larry Raposa (27 R .000-0-0-.000 in 2 AB) 2002 Gold Glove

PORTLAND
1: RF Lee Kowalski (28 L .281-1-4-.749 in 32 AB)
2: 2B Mike Wetzel (26 R .240-1-5-.676 in 25 AB)
3: 1B Antonio Mata (29 S .233-1-8-.927 in 30 AB)
4: 3B Ron Peddicord (37 S .429-1-6-1.021 in 28 AB)
5: LF Jeff Johnson (28 L .350-0-2-.935 in 20 AB)
6: C Greg Bradt (28 R .000-0-0-.000 in 1 AB)
7: CF Javy Fernandez (28 L .250-0-3-.586 in 28 AB)
8: SS Rick Ferrell (27 R .500-0-1-1.000 in 4 AB)
9: P Darrell Massingham (27 R .000-0-0-.000 in 1 AB)

Game Start: 7:05 PM
Weather: 43 Deg. Overcast with a 7 MPH wind blowing in from left.
Attendance: 17,350

Doug Lamb beats out an infield hit. Kenny Box grounds out to 1st, 3-1, and Lamb goes to 2nd. Phil McCoy grounds out to short. Full count to Dan Meyer and he lines a hit to left center and Lamb scores. 1 to 0, Braves. Juan Fuentes, 5 for 5 yesterday, strikes out.

Bottom of the 1st: Lee Kowalski swings at the first pitch and grounds out to short. Mike Wetzel grounds out to short. Antonio Mata swings at the first pitch and lines a hit to right. Ron Peddicord flies out to center.

Rain begins to fall in the bottom of the 3rd.

Top of the 6th: After that run-scoring single in the 1st, P Darrell Massingham got serious and sat down 14 in row, striking out 8 of them, before Doug Lamb gets a 1-out hit. He steals 2nd. With 2 outs, Phil McCoy gets his 1st hit of the year and Lamb scores. 2 to 0, Braves.

Bottom of the 6th: We load the bases up with no outs on hits by Antonio Mata and Ron Peddicord and an error by Phil McCoy on a ground ball by Jeff Johnson. E-3. Greg Bradt bounces one back to the pitcher and they get the force at home, 1-2. Javy Fernandez beats out an infield hit and Peddicord scores. 2 to 1, Braves. Rick Ferrell triples to left center and 3 runs are in!!! 4 to 2, Beavers. But that is all we get.

Top of the 9th: Still 4 to 2, Beavers. The plan is to use 3 pitchers to get 3 outs. New Pitcher: RHP Larry Castillo. Phil McCoy gets his 2nd hit of the year.... so much for the plan.... Call to the Bullpen: LHP Larry Duke. Dan Meyer grounds a single to right. That was an awesome plan.... Call to the Bullpen: RHP Ron Beckman. Juan Fuentes grounds into a 6-4-3 double play. I was looking through the stats for last year and I noticed that Beckman was among the leaders last season in percentage of GDPs per opportunity. McCoy is at 3rd with 2 out and Ray Hennessy, a lefty and the tying run is at the plate. Lefties give Beckman trouble, but we have no more lefties in the pen that are fresh. He hits a home run to left to tie the game at 4.... Our Bullpen has gone from the best in the league to the worst in a matter of days.... Alex Gonzalez takes a 3-2 pitch for strike three.

Bottom of the 9th: On the hill: LHP Alex Saenz, beginning his 2nd inning of work. Pinch-Hitter: RHP Dave Priestly. He swings at the first pitch and grounds out to short. Le Kowalski strikes out. He is now 2 for 6 (.333) against lefties this year, but with 3 strikeouts. Mike Wetzel grounds out to short.

Extras!

Top of the 10th: Well, our brilliant plan for the Bullpen in the 9th, leaves us with not much for the extra innings.... New Pitcher: RHP Doug Maxwell, the least unfresh arm left. With 1 out, PH Gary Chinnici lines a hit to center, but that is all they get.

Bottom of the 10th: New pitcher: LHP Jim Enright, their closer who did not get a batter out yesterday in a loss. He sits our 3-4-5 hitters down in order today....

Top of the 11th: Phil McCoy takes a 3-2 pitch for ball four to lead off the inning, but Dan Myer grounds into a 4-6-3 double play! Juan Fuentes flies out to right.

Bottom of the 11th: We need to win it now, because P Doug Maxwell cannot go much longer and we have no one left who is not gassed. We go dwon in order.

Top of the 12th: With 1 out, Alex Gonzalez pokes a hit to right. With 2 outs, PH David Garcia lines a shot to left, but Jeff Johnson makes a great running catch!

Bottom of the 12th: Okay, we HAVE to win it now, or we will lose in the 13th.... New pitcher: RHP Dante Paulino., a hard-throwin' wild man. 5 K and 2 BB in 2.2 IP. Pinch-Hitter (for P Doug Maxwell): SHB Frank Wiginton. He swings at the first pitch and grounds out to 1st. Lee Kowalski draws a walk. Mike Wetzel grounds into a 6-4-3 double play. Why did Kowalski not try to steal? That kills us....

Top of the 13th: New pitcher: LHP Al McMillian, pitching for the 3rd straight day and he threw 37 pitches yesterday. With 1 out, Kenny Box doubles to the right field corner. Phil McCoy hits a home run to right. 6 to 4, Braves. McMillian strikes out the next two and actually struck out the side....

Bottom of the 13th: Antonio Mata leads off with a hit. Ron Peddicord takes a 3-2 pitch for ball four. Jeff Johnson swings at a 3-2 pitch and grounds into a force at 2nd, 3-6. 1st and 3rd with 1 out. Pinch-Hitter: LHB Doug Baker. He takes a 3-2 pitch for ball four to load up the bases. If everyone would just takes pitches, we would win.... P Dante Paulino balks in a run. 6 to 5, Braves. Javy Fernandez takes a 3-2 pitch for ball four and the bases are loaded. Pinch-Hitter: RHB Mark Parker. If we tie the game, but do not win it here, we will be hurting to field a defense.... Parker walks on 4 pitches to tie the game! 6 to 6. Pinch-Hitter: SHB Eric McCornack. The Braves have 1 pitcher left in their pen who is fresh. McCornack swings at the first pitch and lines out to 1st. That fella is a moron.... I want to send his butt to AAA right now.... 2 outs. Lee Kowalski up. He swings a t a 3-2 pitch and grounds out to 2nd. The pitch was a strike....

Top of the 14th: New Pitcher: RHP Vic Gutowski, the last reliever in the pen and our last bench players are on the field and no one is playing an unfamiliar position. But Gutowski is pitching for the 3rd day in a row. With 1 out, Alex Gonzalez lines a hit to left. But the other three batters all struck out! The Braves bench is also empty, so P Dante Paulino had to bat.

Bottom of the 14th: New pitcher: RHP Ken Ketchmark, their last fresh reliever. They have one more reliever left, but he has thrown 52 pitches over the last two days. With 1 out, Antonio Mata hits a soft single to right. He goes to 2nd on a wild pitch and to 3rd on a ground out. 2 outs and the winning run 90 feet away. 2-2 pitch to Jeff Johnson and he lines a hit to right and THIS Ballgame Belongs to the Beavers!!!

What we are going to do for a Bullpen tomorrow, I have no idea....and we will need one early, because it is J.T. Burdick going....

Won - 7 to 6 in 14 innings

We had 11 hits and made 1 error.
The Braves had 12 hits and made 1 error.

Darrell Massingham went 8 innings, allowed 2 runs, 4 hits, no walks and struck out 9. He deserved the win and had it in the bag when he left the mound.
RHP Larry Castillo faced 1 batter and allowed a run and a hit.
LHP Larry Duke faced 1 batter, threw 1 pitch and allowed a hit. I guess Duke and Castillo will be fresh for tomorrow, but so what?
RHP Ron Beckman went 1 inning, allowed 1 run, 1 hit, 1 home run, and struck out 1. Already his 2nd blown save of the season.
RHP Doug Maxwell went 3 scoreless innings, allowed 2 hits, 1 walk and struck out 2. Very encouraging outing for him!
LHP Al McMillian went 1 inning, allowed 2 runs, 2 hits, 1 home run and struck out 3.
RHP Vic Gutowski (W 2-0) went 1 scoreless inning, allowed 1 hit and struck out 3.

Larry Raposa went 7 innings, gave us 4 runs (3 earned), 8 hits, 1 walk and struck out 3. He threw a WP.
RHP Ken Ketchmark (L 1-1) went 2/3 of an inning, gave us 1 run and 2 hits. He threw a WP.

RF Lee Kowalski who started out the season hit, has gone cold. He drew 2 walks, but went 0 for 5. He is 3 for his last 20 with 7 strikeouts. 2B Mike Wetzel went 0 for 7 and that new car smell is starting to fade.... 1B Antonio Mata had 4 hits and scored 2 runs. LF Jeff Johnson only had 1 hit, but it ended the game. He also drew a walk, scored 2 runs and had an RBI. CF Javy Fernandez had 2 hits and a walk, scored a run and had an RBI. SS Rick Ferrell had 3 hits with a triple and 3 RBIs. He's now 5 for 9 since being called up with 4 RBIs. PH/C Mark Parker drew a walk which forced in a run. PH Eric McCornack went 0 for 1 and got a good chewing out from manager Bobby Crider, who says he thinks McCornack has learned his lesson and talked me out of shipping him out....

For the Braves, 1B Phil McCoy, hitless coming into this game, had 3 with a home run and a walk, scored 2 runs and had 3 RBIs. LF Ray Hennessy hit his 2nd home run of the season to tie the game in the 9th and had 2 RBIs.

Down on the Farm: Reliever Mike LeTellier (23 R) of Jacksonville (AA) pitched an inning and 2/3 today and gave up a hit and 5 walks, but struck out 4 and did not allow a run.

[Questdog]

Wednesday, April 16, 2003

Atlanta Braves (5-3 .625 3 GB tied for 2nd place in the NL East) at
Portland Beavers (7-1 .875 tied for 1st in the NL West)

Dick Light, Atl (27 R 1-0 3.38 6.8-1.1-2.3-6.8 H/9-HR/9-BB/9-K/9) vs J.T. Burdick, Por (25 L 1-0 6.00 12.0-0.0-6.0-1.5)

We did not face Light last season. He was 5-9 with a 4.19 ERA for the Braves in 19 starts.

SS Stu Redman is supposed to be 100% now; his shoulder is fine.

Lineups: Pos Name (Age Bats BA-HR-RBI-OPS)
ATLANTA
1: 2B Doug Lamb (25 S .375-1-3-.995 in 32 AB)
2: CF Luis Madrid (22 L .250-0-1-.500 in 20 AB) Rookie
3: 1B Phil McCoy (34 R .214-1-4-.797 in 14 AB)
4: RF Dan Myer (26 L .258-3-9-.900 in 31 AB)
5: C Juan Fuentes (28 R .419-0-4-1.051 in 31 AB)
6: 3B Alex Gonzalez (35 R .300-0-6-.730 in 30 AB)
7: LF Kenny Box (28 L .227-0-0-.655 in 22 AB)
8: SS Dan Weller (30 S .368-1-4-.947 in 19 AB)
9: P Dick Light (27 R .000-0-0-.000 in 4 AB)

PORTLAND
1: RF Lee Kowalski (28 L .243-1-4-.685 in 37 AB)
2: SS Stu Redman (31 R .455-0-5-1.045 in 22 AB)
3: 1B Antonio Mata (29 S .297-1-8-.963 in 37 AB)
4: 3B Ron Peddicord (37 S .382-1-6-.921 in 34 AB)
5: LF Jeff Johnson (28 L .308-0-3-.823 in 26 AB)
6: C Greg Bradt (28 R .000-0-0-.000 in 6 AB)
7: 2B Mike Wetzel (26 R .188-1-5-.535 in 32 AB)
8: CF Javy Fernandez (28 L .273-0-4-.636 in 33 AB)
9: P J.T. Burdick (25 L .000-0-0-.000 in 1 AB)

Game Start: 7:05 PM
Weather: 49 Deg. Clear skies with a 7 MPH wind blowing out to center.
Attendance: 18,842

Doug Lamb strikes out on 3 pitches! Luis Madrid pops out to short. Phil McCoy grounds out to short! 1-2-3!

Bottom of the 1st: Lee Kowalski flies out to right. Stu Redman grounds out to 3rd. Antonio Mata grounds out to 2nd.

Top of the 3rd: With 1 out, Dan Weller singles to left and goes to 2nd when Jeff Johnson overruns the ball. 1B + E-7. He steals 2nd. No problem, though because the pitcher is up. We'll strike out the pitcher and then get an out an all will be fine.... Why does it NEVER work out that way with a runner on 3rd and 1 out and the pitcher up? P Dick Light grounds a hit to right. 1 to 0, Braves.

Bottom of the 5th: Javy Fernandez leads off with a double to left center. P J.T. Burdick tries to bunt him over to 3rd, but they get the out at 3rd. Lee Kowalski hits a home run to right! 2 to 1, Beavers! Stu Redman walks, Antonio Mata singles and Ron Peddicord walks to load the bases up with 1 out, but Jeff Johns and Greg Bradt cannot get us a run in.

Bottom of the 6th: Mike Wetzel leads off by grounding a 3-2 pitch up the middle for a hit. Javy Fernandez hits a 3-1 pitch into the left field seats! 4 to 1, Beavers!

Top of the 8th: The Bullpen is warmed up before the inning starts. Pinch-hitter: Gary Chinnici takes a 3-2 pitch for ball four. Doug Lamb grounds a hit to right and Chinnici goes to 3rd. Call to the Bullpen: LHP Larry Duke. Luis Madrid doubles to center and both runners score. 4 to 3, Beavers. Phil McCoy takes a 3-2 pitch for ball four. Dan Myer strikes out. Finally! An out! Call to the Bullpen: RHP Ron Beckman, trying for his 3rd blown save in 3 4 days.... Dave Priestly is in to play left in a double switch. Juan Fuentes grounds into a 5-4-3 double play!

Top of the 9th: P Ron Beckman sits them down in order! 3 lefties! ....and THIS Ballgame Belongs to the Beavers!

Won - 4 to 3

We had 8 hits and made 1 error.
The Braves had 7 hits and made no errors.

We turned 4 double plays.

J.T. Burdick (W 2-0) went 7 innings, allowed 3 runs, 6 hits, 4 walks and struck out 4. At bat, he scored a run, but only because he made a bad bunt.
LHP Larry Duke went faced 3 batters and gave up a hit and a walk and only got 1 out.
RHP Ron Beckman (SV 2) went 1 and 2/3 innings, but only faced 4 batters and struck out 2.

Dick Light (L 1-1) went 7 innings, gave us 4 runs, 8 hits, 2 home runs, 4 walks and struck out 2.

RF Lee Kowalski hit his team-leading 2nd hoe run of the season, drew a walk and had 2 RBIs. 1B Antonio Mata had 2 hits with a double. CF Javy Fernandez hit a double and his 1st home run of the year and had 2 RBIs.

[Questdog]

Thursday, April 17, 2003

Atlanta Braves (5-4 .556 3 GB in 3rd place in the NL East) at
Portland Beavers (8-1 .889 tied for 1st in the NL West)

Jerry Baumann, Atl (28 L 1-0 4.02 7.5-0.6-2.3-4.0 H/9-HR/9-BB/9-K/9) vs Alan Gross, Por (28 L 2-0 2.08 7.6-0.0-2.8-4.2)

We were 1-1 when Baumann faced us last year, but he only gave us 1 earned run in 13.2 IP. 8 H, 0 BB 14 SO. He was 14-12 with a 2.78 ERA for the Braves in 33 starts.

Lineups: Pos Name (Age Bats BA-HR-RBI-OPS)
ATLANTA
1: 2B Doug Lamb (25 S .389-1-3-.995 in 36 AB)
2: CF Luis Madrid (22 L .292-0-3-.667 in 24 AB) Rookie
3: 1B Phil McCoy (34 R .176-1-4-.701 in 17 AB)
4: RF Dan Myer (26 L .242-3-9-.881 in 33 AB)
5: C Juan Fuentes (28 R .382-0-4-.977 in 34 AB)
6: 3B Alex Gonzalez (35 R .273-0-6-.667 in 33 AB)
7: LF Kenny Box (28 L .192-0-0-.558 in 26 AB)
8: SS Dan Weller (30 S .391-1-4-.957 in 23 AB)
9: P Jerry Baumann (28 R .200-0-0-.600 in 5 AB) 2002 All-Star

PORTLAND
1: RF Lee Kowalski (28 L .250-2-6-.773 in 40 AB)
2: SS Stu Redman (31 R .400-0-5-.947 in 25 AB)
3: 1B Antonio Mata (29 S .317-1-8-.990 in 41 AB)
4: 3B Ron Peddicord (37 S .378-1-6-.914 in 37 AB)
5: C Mark Parker (29 R .280-0-3-.806 in 25 AB)
6: 2B Mike Wetzel (26 R .194-1-5-.531 in 36 AB)
7: LF Dave Priestly (29 R .500-0-1-1.292 in 6 AB)
8: CF Javy Fernandez (28 L .297-1-6-.782 in 37 AB)
9: P Alan Gross (28 L .200-0-0-.400 in 5 AB)

Game Start: 7:05 PM
Weather: 48 Deg. Overcast with an 8 MPH wind blowing out to left.
Attendance: 18,414

Doug Lamb leads off with a triple to right center. Luis Madrid walks on 4 pitches. Phil McCoy bloops a hit to center and Lamb scores. 1 to 0, Braves. I knew P Alan Gross, who has been an unlucky pitcher in the past two seasons, could not go 3-0 to start the season.... Dan Myer grounds out to 2nd and the runners move up. Juan Fuentes walks to load the bases up with 1 out. 3-2 pitch to Alex Gonzalez and he takes ball four to force in a run.... 2 to 0, Braves. Kenny Box grounds one to 1st. Mata steps on first and goes to 2nd to try for a double play, but the throw is not in time and another run is in. 3 to 0, Braves. Dan Weller grounds a hit to left and both runners score.... 5 to 0, Braves. P Jerry Baumann flies out to left.

Bottom of the 1st: Lee Kowalski strikes out. Stu Redman lines a hit to left. Full count to Antonio Mata and with Redman running, he grounds out to short and Redman is at 2nd. Ron Peddicord pops out to 1st.

Top of the 3rd: With 1 out, Juan Fuentes grounds a single to left and then scores on a double by Alex Gonzalez. 6 to 0, Braves. The Bullpen is up.... Gonzalez tries to steal third and is thrown out and I hope the tag was very hard....

Bottom of the 5th: With load the bases up with 1 out on singles by Lee Kowalski and Stu Redman and an infield hit by Antonio Mata, but all we get is 1 run on a fly ball by Ron Peddicord. 6 to 1, Braves.

Top of the 6th: New Pitcher: RHP Vic Gutowski. Kenny Box leads off with a hit to left, goes to 2nd on a grounds out and scores on a single to center by PH Gary Chinnici. It looked like Javy Fernandez might have a play at the plate, but he whiffed on the pickup. 1B + E-8. 7 to 1, Braves.

Bottom of the 8th: New pitcher: RHP Jim Arkin. With 1out, Ron Peddicord draws a 4-pitch walk. Mark Parker swings at a 3-2 pitch and doubles to center. Mike Wetzel strikes out for the 2nd out. LF Jeff Johnson beats out an infield hit and Peddicord scores. 7 to 2, Braves. Javy Fernandez lines a hit to center and Parker scores. 7 to 3, Braves. New pitcher: RHP Ray O'Malley. Pinch-Hitter: LHB Doug Baker. He grounds a hit to right and Johnson scores. 7 to 4, Braves. New pitcher: LHP Russ Dana. Lee Kowalski lines a hit to right center and Fernandez scores! 7 to 5, Braves. New pitcher: LHP Alex Saenz. Stu Redman doubles to left and both runners score to tie the game at 7! Antonio Mata nubs one in front of the plate, but C Juan Fuentes thorws the ball away for a 2-base error and Redman scores! 8 to 7, Beavers! Ron Peddicord takes a 3-2 pitch for strike three to end the inning, but we cannot complain about 7 runs!

Top of the 9th: New Pitcher: RHP Doug Maxwell, the only semi-fresh pitcher left. He is in for the 3rd time in 4 days. Larry Duke and Ron Beckman are warming up. It is the top of the Atlanta order due up. Doug Lamb pops out to short. Luis Madrid grounds out to 2nd. Full count to Phil McCoy and he swings and missed and THIS Ballgame Belongs to the Beavers!!!

8 wins in a row, a new team record!

Won - 8 to 7

We had 13 hits and made 2 errors.
The Braves had 9 hits and made 1 error.

Alan Gross went 3 innings, allowed 6 runs, 5 hits, 3 walks and struck out 1. Maybe he is not back to where he was before the injury....
RHP Larry Castillo went 2 scoreless innings, allowed 2 hits, 1 walk and struck out 1.
RHP Vic Gutowski went 2 innings, allowed 1 unearned run, 2 hits and struck out 2.
LHP Al McMillian (W 2-0) went 1 perfect inning with 2 strikeouts.
RHP Doug Maxwell (SV 1) went 1 perfect inning with 1 strikeout.

Jerry Baumann went 5 innings, gave us 1 run, 7 hits, 1 walk and struck out 3.
LHP Alex Saenz (L 0-1) went 1/3 of an inning, gave us 1 unearned run, 1 hit and struck out 1.

RF Lee Kowalski had 2 hits, scored 2 runs and had an RBI. SS Stu Redman had 4 hits, with a double, scored a run and had 2 RBIs. C Mark Parker hit a double and scored a run. PH Eric McCornack drew a walk. PH Doug Baker had a hit, scored a run and had an RBI.

[Questdog]

Friday, April 18, 2003

Manager Champ Walker (41) has his Astros in town to play a 2-game series over the weekend. They just split 4 games in Houston with the Phillies. It was the first 2 losses of the season for Philadelphia, so they will probably chill our hot streak, too. They won 94 games in 2001 and missed the division title by 1 game, but dropped down to 70 wins and last place a year ago. Scoring is way up in the NL in the early going and even though the Astros are scoring 4.8 runs per game, that only puts them in 9th place (Portland is #1 with 6.2, believe it or not). They are tied for 10th with 5.1 runs allowed per game (Portland is 5th with 4.4). Their pitchers have the 2nd best BA allowed at .226, but still have a 4.70 ERA because of home runs (11) and walks (36). Their pitchers are last in strikeouts.

Gone from last year are 1B Dave Brown (33 R) and LF Mike Cane (29 L). Both were good in 2001, but big disappointments last year. Cane was signed by Seattle, but Brown is still looking for a job. Also 3/5 of their rotation is gone, 1 by trade (Bob Shelton 26 R), 1 by free agency (Paul McDonald 34 R) and 1 by injury (Denny Willis 32 R). Besides Willis, CF Jerry Slocum is currently on the DL. 1B Ray Wilson (39 R), an ex-Beaver, is on their team.

Houston Astros (5-5 .500 4 GB tied for 5th place in the NL West) at
Portland Beavers (9-1 .900 1st place in the NL West)

Jessie Gomez, Hou (30 L 0-1 4.97 11.4-0.0-3.6-5.0 H/9-HR/9-BB/9-K/9) vs Tony Ricketts, Por (28 R 0-1 3.38 6.1-1.3-2.0-6.1)

Gomez was 0-1 in 4 starts against us last year with an ERA of 3.42. We were 3-1 in the games. Overall, he was 7-14 with a 4.60 ERA in 31 starts for the Astros.

Lineups: Pos Name (Age Bats BA-HR-RBI-OPS)
HOUSTON
1: RF Alfredo Garcia (24 L .300-0-4-.745 in 40 AB)
2: SS Moose Nelson (23 L .275-0-3-.626 in 40 AB) Rookie
3: 1B Lorenzo Gallegos (34 L .143-0-2-.548 in 14 AB) Playing hurt Waivers from PHI 4/12
4: 3B Ron Janeiro (32 R .342-0-12-.781 in 38 AB) 2001 Silver Slugger and All-Star
5: LF David Rodriguez (27 L .200-2-4-.681 in 35 AB)
6: 2B Jim Ellison (29 R .167-1-6-.567 in 36 AB) Ext. 1-yr./$2.72 mil 10/27
7: C Roger Bradshaw (32 R .200-0-1-.685 in 10 AB)
8: CF Frederico Letre (21 L .206-0-1-.515 in 34 AB) Rookie #85 prospect.
9: P Jessie Gomez (30 L .000-0-0-.000 in 5 AB) Ext. 1-yr./$920K 10/27

PORTLAND
1: RF Lee Kowalski (28 L .267-2-7-.775 in 45 AB)
2: SS Stu Redman (31 R .467-0-7-1.081 in 30 AB)
3: 1B Antonio Mata (29 S .304-1-8-.927 in 46 AB)
4: 3B Ron Peddicord (37 S .350-1-7-.854 in 40 AB)
5: C Mark Parker (29 R .276-0-3-.803 in 29 AB)
6: LF Jeff Johnson (28 L .313-0-4-.795 in 32 AB)
7: 2B Mike Wetzel (26 R .200-1-5-.527 in 40 AB)
8: CF Javy Fernandez (28 L .293-1-7-.756 in 41 AB)
9: P Tony Ricketts (28 R .000-0-0-.000 in 5 AB)

Game Start: 7:05 PM
Weather: 48 Deg. Dark Clouds with an 8 MPH wind blowing out to right.
Attendance: 24,516

Alfredo Garcia flies out to center. Moose Nelson takes a 3-2 pitch for strike three. Lorenzo Gallegos flies out to deep center! 1-2-3!

Bottom of the 1st: Lee Kowalski swings at the first pitch and grounds out to 1st. Stu Redman lines a hit to left center. Hotter than hot! Antonio Mata grounds a hit to left. Ron Peddicord flies out to deep left. Mark Parker swings at a 3-2 pitch and flies out to center.

Top of the 2nd: Ron Janeiro leads off with a double to left. With 1 out, Jim Ellison grounds a hit to left and Janeiro beats the throw to the plate. 1 to 0, Astros. Roger Bradshaw and Frederico Letre both take 3-2 pitches for ball four and the bases are loaded with 1 out, but P Tony Ricketts gets the next two out.

Bottom of the 4th: Our 3B Ron (Peddicord) leads off with a double to left. He goes to 3rd on a ground out, and with 2 outs, Mike Wetzel lines a hit to center to tie the game at 1! Javy Fernandez then hits a home run to left! 3 to 1, Beavers! JAvy now has 2 home runs on the season; out 3-4-5 hitters, (Mata, Peddicord and Parker) have 2 total.... You can add #6 (Johnson) and #2 (Redman) to the list so that JAvy has as many home runs by himself as our 2 through 6 hitters have total....

Top of the 5th: With 1 out, Moose Nelson triples to left center and later scores on a fly ball. 3 to 2, Beavers.

Top of the 6th: Jim Ellison leads off with a hit up the middle. The Bullpen jumps into action. Roger Bradshaw takes a 3-2 pitch for ball four. Frederico Letre grounds into a force at 2nd, 3-6, and they are at 1st and 3rd with 1 out. Pinch-hitter: LHB Al Cross. Call to the Bullpen: LHP Larry Duke. They leave Cross in to hit. On a 2-2 pitch, Letre takes off for 2nd. Cross swings and misses and C Marl Parker guns down Letre for a strike-em-out-throw-em-out double play!!

Top of the 7th: Alfredo Garcia leads off with a home run down the right field line to tie the game at 3. Bullpen hops up again., but that is all they get.

Bottom of the 7th: PH Frank Wiginton leads off with an infield hit, but hurts his hip and has to come out. The Burgermeister says a week, maybe less, but he can play with it. Well, why did he come out of the game? Rick Ferrell goes in to run for him, but never makes it home.

Top of the 9th: Still 3 to 3. New Pitcher: LHP Al McMillian. It starts to rain.... We get 1 out and then it starts to pour and the game is halted....

We will try to finish it up before tomorrow's game.

[Questdog]

Saturday, April 19, 2003

We have to finish up yesterday's game and then we will play another.

Houston Astros (5-5 .500 4 GB tied for 6th place in the NL West) at
Portland Beavers (9-1 .900 1st place in the NL West)

Completion of Yesterday's Game:
Top of the 9th: 3 to 3. 1out. On the Hill: LHP Al McMillian. Pinch-Hitter: RHB Howard Morrell. He strikes out looking! Alfredo Garcia beats out an infield hit and the Bullpen gets up. Moose Nelson grounds a hit to right and Garcia goes to 3rd. 1B Ray Wilson, the ex-Beaver, grounds out to short!

Bottom of the 9th: New pitcher: RHP Elmer Vogt. Javy Fernandez leads off with a double to left! But the next three go down in order.... so much for a quick end to this....

Extras!

Top of the 10th: New Pitcher: RHP Doug Maxwell. They go down 1-2-3!

Bottom of the 10th: Antonio Mata leads off with a grounder to right for a hit, but once again, the next three make outs.

Top of the 11th: With 2 outs, P Elmer Vogt gets a hit and then Alfredo Garcia walks on 4 pitches, but Moose Nelson strikes out looking!

Bottom of the 11th: With 2 outs, we get walks from 2B Doug Baker and Lee Kowalski, but Stu Redman strikes out.

Top of the 12th: New Pitcher: RHP Larry Castillo. He sits them down in order!

Bottom of the 12th: Once again, Antonio Mata leads off with a ground ball to right for a hit, but gets thrown out trying to steal. Ron Peddicord walks. P Elmer Vogt is at 50 pitches. Mark Parker flies out to right. 2 down. New pitcher: RHP Greg Destin, their closer. Jeff Johnson grounds a hit to right and Peddicord takes 3rd. Pinch-Hitter: RHB Dave Priestly. Only backup catcher Greg Bradt is left on the bench. Priestly lines a 3-1 pitch hard, but right to 2nd for the 3rd out.

Top of the 13th: New Pitcher: RHP Vic Gutowski, the last reliever not yet used in this game. He sits them down in order, though two balls were caught on the warning track.

Bottom of the 13th: With 1 out, Doug Baker lines a hit to left. Lee Kowalski triples to right center and THIS Ballgame Belongs to the Beavers!

Won 4 to 3, in 13 innings.

We had 15 hits and made no errors.
The Astros had 10 hits and made no errors.

Tony Ricketts went 5 and 1/3 innings, allowed 2 runs, 5 hits, 1 HBP, 4 walks (!) and struck out 5.
LHP Larry Duke went 1 and 2/3 innings, allowed 1 run, 2 hits, 1 home run and struck out 2.
RHP Ron Beckman went 1 perfect inning and struck out 2.
LHP Al McMillian went 1 scoreless inning, allowed 2 hits and struck out 1.
RHP Doug Maxwell went 2 scoreless innings, allowed 1 hit, 1 walk and struck out 2.
RHP Larry Castillo went 1 perfect inning.
RHP Vic Gutowski (W 3-0) went 1 perfect inning and struck out 1. He now leads the team in wins.

Jessie Gomez went 5 innings, gave us 3 runs, 8 hits, 1 home run, no walks and struck out 1.
RHP Greg Destin (L 0-1) went 2/3 of an inning, gave us 1 run and 3 hits.

Lee Kowalski only had 1 hit but it was an RBI-triple that ended the game. He also drew a walk. SS Stu Redman had 2 hits. 1B Antonio Mata had 3 hits. 3B Ron Peddicord had 2 hits with a double and scored a run. CF Javy Fernandez had 3 hits with a double and his 2nd home run of the season and had 2 RBIs. PH Frank Wiginton beat out an infield hit. 2B Doug Baker went 1 for 2 with a walk and scored the winning run.

For the Astros, RF Alfredo Garcia had 2 hits with his 1st home run of the season and drew a walk. SS Moose Nelson had 3 hits with a triple and scored a run.

Regularly Scheduled Game:
John Holm, Hou (33 R 1-0 0.96 2.9-1.0-3.9-4.8 H/9-HR/9-BB/9-K/9) vs Angel Rodriguez, Por (25 R 0-0 3.60 9.0-0.0-1.8-3.6)

We have never faced Holm as a starter, because he was in the bullpen the last 2 years. He had a win in relief against us last season. This will be his 2nd start of the year. In his 1st, he pitched a 3-hit complete game at Cincinnati and gave up 1 run on a homer.

Ron Beckman is the only reliever in our pen, not already tuckered out. Manager Bobby Crider and I talked about it between games and we decided that since our starting rotation is not pitching all that well we need another reliever in the pen, so we will make a move after this game, but it is too late to help for this one.

Lineups: Pos Name (Age Bats BA-HR-RBI-OPS)
HOUSTON
1: RF Alfredo Garcia (24 L .311-1-5-.829 in 45 AB)
2: SS Moose Nelson (23 L .304-0-3-.717 in 46 AB) Rookie
3: C Howard Morrell (29 R .400-2-6-1.172 in 30 AB) 2001 Silver Slugger and 2nd in MVP 2001/02 All-Star 2002 Gold Glove
4: 1B Lorenzo Gallegos (34 L .125-0-2-.521 in 16 AB) Playing hurt
5: 3B Ron Janeiro (32 R .349-0-13-.799 in 43 AB) 2001 Silver Slugger and All-Star
6: LF David Rodriguez (27 L .189-2-4-.662 in 37 AB)
7: 2B Jim Ellison (29 R .190-1-7-.580 in 42 AB)
8: CF Frederico Letre (21 L .179-0-1-.469 in 39 AB) Rookie #85 prospect.
9: P John Holm (33 L .250-0-0-.500 in 4 AB) Ext. 1-yr./$1.6 mil 10/27

PORTLAND
1: RF Lee Kowalski (28 L .260-2-8-.791 in 50 AB)
2: SS Stu Redman (31 R .444-0-7-1.016 in 36 AB)
3: 1B Antonio Mata (29 S .327-1-8-.934 in 52 AB)
4: 3B Ron Peddicord (37 S .356-1-7-.881 in 45 AB)
5: LF Jeff Johnson (28 L .297-0-4-.759 in 37 AB)
6: C Greg Bradt (28 R .000-0-0-.100 in 9 AB)
7: 2B Mike Wetzel (26 R .205-1-6-.525 in 44 AB)
8: CF Javy Fernandez (28 L .319-2-9-.871 in 47 AB)
9: P Angel Rodriguez (25 R .000-0-0-.000 in 1 AB)

Game Start: 7:05 PM
Weather: 52 Deg. Clear skies with a 14 MPH wind blowing in from center.
Attendance: 23,935

Alfredo Garcia works the count full and then grounds out to 1st. Moose Nelson swings at the first pitch and pops out to 1st. We need more of that and fewer full counts.... Full count to Howard Morrell and he doubles to center. Lorenzo Gallegos pops one over 1st, but Antonio Mata runs it down!

Bottom of the 1st: Lots and lots of runs, so Angel Rodriguez can pitch deep into the game! Full count to Lee Kowalski and he swings and misses. Stu Redman swings at the first pitch and grounds out to 1st. Antonio Mata grounds out to 1st, 3-1.

Top of the 2nd: Angel will not be able to pitch deep into this game.... He walks lead-off man Ron Janeiro and then David Rodriguez doubles to center. Jim Ellison grounds a hit to center and both runners score.

Bottom of the 4th: Stu Redman leads off with a home run to right! 2 to 1, Astros. With 2 outs, Jeff Johnson hits another to right! 2 to 2! Greg Bradt follows with another! 3 to 2, Beavers! Everybody in the lineup is hitting home runs, except for our usual 3-4-5 hitters.... Mike Wetzel follows and hits one further than ny of them, but straight up in the air....

Top of the 8th: Still 3 to 2. Can we get 1 more inning out of Angel Rodriguez? No, we cannot. With 1 out, he issues back-back-back walks to Howard Morrell and Lorenzo Gallegos. Call to the Bullpen: RHP Ron Beckman. He gets Ron Janeiro to hit a double play ball to short, but Stu Redman decides to make his first error of the year and the bases are loaded with 1out. E-6. David Rodriguez flies out to shallow right and the runners hold. Jim Ellison grounds a hit up the middle and 2 runners score. 4 to 3, Astros.

Bottom of the 8th: With 2 outs, Greg Bradt grounds a single to right. Mike Wetzel doubles to right center and Bradt scores to tie the game, but they throw out Wetzel trying to take 3rd. 4 to 4.

Top of the 9th: With 1 out, Alfredo Garcia hits a home run to right. 5 to 4, Astros. With 2 outs, Howard Morrell hits one to left. 6 to 4, Astros.

Bottom of the 9th: New pitcher: RHP Bobby Mitchell, not their closer, but he has not allowed a run yet this year in 4 IP. Javy Fernandez leads off with a hit to right. Pinch-Hitter: SHB Frank Wiginton and his sore hip. He grounds a hit to the right of 2nd. Rick Ferrell goes in to run for him. Lee Kowalski swings at a 3-1 pitch and grounds into a force at 2nd, 4-6. 1st and 3rd with 1 out. Full count to Stu Redman and he strikes out. 2 down. Antonio Mata flies out to deep center and our team-record 9-game winning streak is over.

Lost - 6 to 4

We had 13 hits and made 2 errors.
The Astros had 8 hits and made no errors.

Angel Rodriguez went 7 and 1/3 innings, allowed 4 runs (2 earned), 5 hits, 5 walks and struck out 2. He threw a WP.
RHP Ron Beckman (L 0-1) went 1 and 2/3 innings, allowed 2 runs, 3 hits, 2 home runs and struck out 2. 3rd blown save already. He only had 4 all of last year.

John Holm (W 2-0) went 8 innings, gave us 4 runs, 11 hits, 3 home runs, 1 walk (INT) and struck out 3.
RHP Bobby Mitchell (SV 1) pitched a scoreless 9th and gave us 2 hits and struck out 1.

SS Stu Redman had 3 hits with a double, scored a run and had an RBI, but struck out when it mattered most and made a very costly error, though it was only his 1st of the year. Editor's Note: We play like it is 1990 for stats (mostly) and shortstops make plenty of errors. LF Jeff Johnson had 3 hits with a double and his 1st home run as a Beaver. C Greg Bradt had 2 hits with his 1st home run in the major leagues and scored 2 runs. He now has more home runs that starter Mark Parker.... 2B Mike Wetzel hit a double and had an RBI. PH Frank Wiginton had a hit.

For the Astros, RF Alfredo Garcia hit his 2nd home run of the season and 2nd in 2 games and drew a walk. C Howard Morrell hit a double and his 3rd home run of the year, drew a walk and scored 2 runs. 2B Jim Ellison had 3 hits with a double and 4 RBIs.

[Questdog]

Sunday, April 20, 2003

We sent 1B Eric McCornack (28 S) to Indianapolis (AAA) and recalled P Paul Hoskins (24 L). We now have that dreaded thing, a 7-man Bullpen.

Houston Astros (6-6 .500 4 GB in 6th place in the NL West) at
Portland Beavers (10-2 .833 1st place in the NL West)

Antonio Ochoa, Hou (32 R 1-0 3.38 7.9-1.1-2.3-3.4 H/9-HR/9-BB/9-K/9) vs Darrell Massingham, Por (27 R 0-0 5.25 8.3-0.8-0.8-9.0)

We have never faced Holm as a starter, because he was also in the bullpen the last 2 years. This will also be his 2nd start of the year. In his 1st, he held Cincinnati to 4 hits and 3 runs in 7 IP.

Lineups: Pos Name (Age Bats BA-HR-RBI-OPS)
HOUSTON
1: RF Alfredo Garcia (24 L .306-2-6-.876 in 49 AB)
2: SS Moose Nelson (23 L .275-0-3-.648 in 51 AB) Rookie
3: C Howard Morrell (29 R .412-3-7-1.281 in 34 AB) 2001 Silver Slugger and 2nd in MVP 2001/02 All-Star 2002 Gold Glove
4: 1B Lorenzo Gallegos (34 L .100-0-2-.460 in 20 AB) Playing hurt
5: 3B Ron Janeiro (32 R .326-0-13-.762 in 46 AB) 2001 Silver Slugger and All-Star
6: LF David Rodriguez (27 L .195-2-4-.672 in 41 AB)
7: 2B Jim Ellison (29 R .239-1-11-.677 in 46 AB)
8: CF Frederico Letre (21 L .195-0-1-.494 in 41 AB) Rookie #85 prospect.
9: P Antonio Ochoa (32 L .000-0-0-.333 in 2 AB) Ext. 1-yr. $1.28 mil. 10/29

PORTLAND
1: RF Lee Kowalski (28 L .255-2-8-.757 in 55 AB)
2: SS Stu Redman (31 R .463-1-8-1.134 in 41 AB)
3: 1B Antonio Mata (29 S .298-1-8-.854 in 57 AB)
4: 3B Ron Peddicord (37 S .347-1-7-.852 in 49 AB)
5: C Mark Parker (29 R .229-0-3-.676 in 35 AB)
6: LF Jeff Johnson (28 L .341-1-5-.925 in 41 AB)
7: 2B Mike Wetzel (26 R .208-1-7-.543 in 48 AB)
8: CF Javy Fernandez (28 L .320-2-9-.870 in 50 AB)
9: P Darrell Massingham (27 R .000-0-0-.000 in 2 AB)

Game Start: 2:05 PM
Weather: 61 Deg. Clear skies with an 11 MPH wind blowing out to center.
Attendance: 23,760

Alfredo Garcia lines out to 2nd. Moose Nelson beats out an infield hit. Howard Morrell grounds into a 5-4-3 double play!

Bottom of the 1st: Lee Kowalski flies out to left. Stu Redman lines out to deep center. Antonio Mata strikes out looking.

Top of the 3rd: With 1 out, P Antonio Ochoa walks on 4 pitches and goes to 2nd on a wild pitch. Alfredo Garcia walks. With 2 outs, Howard Morrell lines a hit to left and Ochoa scores. 1 to 0, Astros.

Top of the 7th: The BUllpen is up from the get-go because P Darrell Massingham is at 100 pitches. He strikes out the 1st two batters of the inning, but then the P Antonio Ochoa doubles to left center. Call to the Bullpen: LHP Larry Duke. Pinch-hitter: RHB Roger Bradshaw. He grounds a hit up the middle and Ochoa scores. 2 to 0, Astros.

Bottom of the 7th: Jeff Johnson leads off with a triple to the right field corner. Mike Wetzel flies out to right, but Johnson holds. Looked deep enough tom me, but Lee Rivera is now in right and he has a heck of an arm. Javy Fernandez takes a 3-2 pith for ball four. Pinch-Hitter: SGB Frank Wiginton. He flies out to center and Johnson scores. 2 to 1, Astros. Javy Fernandez steals 2nd, but Lee Kowalski strikes out.

Top of the 9th: On the hill: RHP Larry Castillo beginning his 2nd full inning of work. With 1 out, Frederico Letre singles and steals 2nd. Ed Larson strikes out. Call to the Bullpen: LHP Paul Hoskins. Pinch-hitter: RHB Ray Wilson, the ex-Beaver. He grounds a hit to center and Letre scores. 3 to 1, Astros.

Lost - 3 to 1

We had 4 hits and made no errors.
The Astros had 11 hits and made 1 error.

Darrell Massingham (L 0-1) went 6 and 2/3 innings, allowed 2 runs, 7 hits, 3 walks and struck out 3. He threw a WP.
LHP Larry Duke went 1/3 of an inning and allowed a hit.
RHP Larry Castillo went 1 and 2/3 innings, allowed 1 run, 2 hits and struck out 3.
LHP Paul Hoskins faced 2 batters and got 1 out and gave up 1 hit.

Antonio Ochoa (W 2-0) went 7 innings, gave us 1 run, 4 hits, 3 walks and struck out 5. He threw a WP. At bat, he hit a double, drew a walk and scored 2 runs.
RHP Greg Destin (SV 3) pitched a perfect 9th and struck out 1.

LF Jeff Johnson had 2 hits with a triple and scored out only run. CF Javy Fernandez drew 2 walks and stole a base. PH Frank Wiginton had a SF.

For the Astros, 3B Ron Janeiro had 3 hits.

Where are the home runs from our 3-4-5 hitters? Combined they have 2 in 152 AB.