Walter Hammond, the Barons and one last shot at redemption

[Sizeman21]

We have a quick 2-game series on the road against the Milwaukee Brewers kicking off today. Here is my report on the opponent:

The Brewers play their games in Miller Park, which can be described as a ballpark slightly favoring hitters. The building seats 35000 fans.

With their record standing at 15 wins and 14 losses, the Brewers have a winning percentage of .517. They are leading the East Division. Their number of runs scored of 143 rank 13th in the Liberty League, their .274 batting average ranks 7th. On the other side of the diamond, they have given up 117 runs (1st) with their starters compiling an ERA of 3.64 which ranks 3rd. Their bullpen sports an ERA of 3.01, ranking 1st.

Here are the projected pitching matchups, our pitchers listed first:
RHP R. Savino (1-0, 5.14 ERA) versus LHP G. Miguel (2-1, 2.25 ERA)
RHP J. Sanchez (3-3, 6.82 ERA) versus RHP D. Sanderson (0-0, 3.50 ERA)

The top 5 players on their team are:
1. RF Kevin Horn (Age: 27, Overall : 3.5, Potential: 3.5)
2. SP Josh Meeker (30, 3.5, 3.5)
3. RP Mike Huey (31, 3.5, 3.5)
4. CL Hisanobu Ikeda (28, 3.5, 3.5)
5. SP Gregorio Miguel (35, 3.0, 3.0)

Projected Lineups:

BIR:

CF O'Mahony - LF Cantavalle - 2B Kodama - 1B Reeves - SS Ziegler - C Reyes - RF Apperson - 3B Naylor - P .........

MIL:

2B Diaz - 1B Wilson - CF Hernandez - RF Horn - 3B Escala - LF Marks - SS Pita - C Shimizu - P ........

Game 1: Barons 3 - Brewers 2

10 hits for the Barons sees the team claim their .500 win% back on the season. O'Mahony, Ziegler and Kodama all hit doubles as Robert Savino keeps us in the game, going 7 innings giving up the only 2 runs for the Brewers.

Game 2: Barons 3 - Brewers 9

Ugly game, ugly loss for m Barons. Ishibashi gave up 5 runs in 6 innings and Ducker didn't help, allowing 4 runs in his 2 innings. 4 Brewers hit home runs in the game, pumping up the crowd and making our loss even more miserable.

We can't even win a 2 game series for peat sake! We are 4-6 in our last 10 games while Hartford, Atlanta and Miami are all above .500 in their last 10.

[Sizeman21]

We have a 4-game series on the road against the Hartford Chiefs kicking off today. Here is my report on the opponent:
A neutral park, Hartford Grounds has room for 29600 fans.

The Chiefs are playing .556 ball this season, compiling a record of 20 wins and 16 losses. They are in 3rd place in the East Division, 3.0 games behind the leader. Their number of runs scored of 168 rank 6th in the Freedom League, their .274 batting average ranks 3rd. On the other side of the diamond, they have given up 148 runs (5th) with their starters compiling an ERA of 3.70 which ranks 3rd. Their bullpen sports an ERA of 4.28, ranking 10th.

Here are the projected pitching matchups, our pitchers listed first:
RHP J. Sanchez (3-3, 6.82 ERA) versus RHP X. Thornton (5-1, 3.68 ERA)
LHP R. Colbourne (0-0, 1.80 ERA) versus RHP N. Gore (2-1, 4.25 ERA)
LHP N. Beidler (3-4, 5.65 ERA) versus LHP F. Lopez (2-2, 3.00 ERA)
RHP R. Savino (2-0, 4.29 ERA) versus RHP B. Lopez (2-3, 5.25 ERA)

The top 5 players on their team are:
1. CL Matt Johnson (Age: 28, Overall : 5.0, Potential: 5.0)
2. 2B Chris Roberts (31, 4.5, 4.5)
3. SP Xavier Thornton (26, 4.0, 4.5)
4. C Phil Phillips (28, 3.0, 3.0)
5. RF Danny Caceres (28, 3.0, 3.0)

Projected Lineups:

BIR:

LF Cantavalle - SS Ziegler - 2B Weiss - C Reyes - 1B Reeves - RF Apperson - CF O'Mahony - 3B Naylor - P .........

HAR:

LF Morales - RF Caceres - 1B Trujillo - C Phillips - CF Sandoval - 2B Ray - SS Rodriguez Jr. - 3B Uribe - P .......

Game 1: Barons 4 - Chiefs 7

Errors were our downfall this game. We had 3 of them, and our starting pitching once again can't finish a game. Juan Sanchez gave up all 7 of Hartford's runs in his miserable 5 innings of work. Chiefs hit 3 homeruns, 2 of which were 2 run shots and one solo counting for all but one 2 of their runs. Our only bright spot is that Ziegler had a 3 hit game, one a home run and stole his 13th base of the season.

Game 2: Barons 4 - Chiefs 2

While the game was low scoring, we prevailed late, scoring 2 runs in the 8th and the other 2 in the 9th. The Chiefs starting pitcher, Nate Gore, went 8 innings in the teams loss, picking up player of the game. Colbourne struck out 7 in 5 and a third innings but was not able to pick up the W.

Game 3: Barons 2 - Chiefs 0

We held the Chiefs scoreless as Biedler shuts the door in his best performance of the season. 8 innings pitched, 0 runs allowed, 8 strike outs on 100 pitches is a huge performance for our staff these days! Our two runs came off of two solo shots, one from Rich Cadena in the 5th innings, and one in the 9th inning from Ray Reeves. We squeak by this game but we get a much needed W.

Game 4: Barons 5 - Chiefs 4 (10)

Hartford center fielder Jorge Sandoval had a good game in a losing cause. His team fell, 5-4, to Birmingham at Hartford Grounds. Sandoval was 2-5 with a home run. He drove in 3 runs and scored once. Jason Natale picked up the win in relief, improving his record to 2-0. Matt Johnson was tagged with the loss. Birmingham is now riding a 3-game win streak.

The Barons got a big at-bat from pinch hitter Pieter Verhagen. For the game, Verhagen was 1-1. In the top of the tenth, with a runner on 3rd, he stroked a run-scoring single. His 2nd hit of the season gave Birmingham a 5-4 lead.

Series Recap:

Another much needed victory as the Barons cruise into a off day on the back of a 3 game W streak. Nothing big to ride home on but we have climbed above a .500 win% once again, which is something. We finally outscored our opponents in a series. 15 runs to 13 over 4 games is a good look.
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I will do a player view next update. and some weekly awards around the league and such. Here is the division as it stands.

[Sizeman21]

Liberty League's Star Player Named: At the age of 27, Jose Maldonado might have some potential he hasn't realized yet -- if his success at the plate last week is any indication. The Austin right fielder put up some exceptional numbers the past seven days with a .440 batting average. For his efforts Maldonado collected the Liberty League Player of the Week Award.

He racked up 11 hits in 25 at-bats, 4 home runs and 9 RBIs last week in 6 games.

Looking at his season stats, Maldonado has compiled a .361 batting average and a .428 on-base percentage, while hitting 14 home runs and driving in 39 runs.
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Ismael Arriaga Wins Freedom League Trophy: His hard work and hustle paid off this week. The hard-working and hard-playing Ismael Arriaga was rewarded with the Freedom League Player of the Week honors.

The scrappy San Antonio Missions shortstop hit .407 while collecting 11 hits in 27 at-bats, 4 home runs and 10 RBIs.

This season Arriaga is batting .338 with 10 home runs. He has scored 28 runs and driven in 42.

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Weekly Team Power Rankings: Here are the current team power rankings for American Baseball League:

Teams (Total Points, Tendency):
1) Santa Fe Rattlers (136.9, o)
2) Portland Rosebuds (122.5, +)
3) Mobile Seagulls (119.5, -)
4) Miami Sun Sox (119.4, o)
5) Austin Pioneers (112.0, ++)
6) Beaumont Exporters (107.2, ++)
7) Denver Grizzlies (105.0, ++)
8) Birmingham Barons (99.2, ++)
9) Las Vegas Knights (97.6, ++)
10) Ft. Worth Cats (95.6, -)
11) Stockton Ports (92.5, --)
12) Hartford Chiefs (91.5, -)
13) Memphis Chicks (91.2, -)
14) San Antonio Missions (91.0, ++)
15) Dallas Steers (90.7, +)
16) Seattle Rainiers (90.2, --)
17) Atlanta Crackers (89.9, --)
18) Los Angeles Seraphs (89.0, -)
19) Milwaukee Brewers (88.0, --)
20) Columbus Jets (79.5, +)
21) Tacoma Thrashers (76.0, --)
22) San Diego Sails (75.5, -)
23) Oklahoma City Indians (75.5, o)
24) Hot Springs Bathers (74.0, --)
25) Boston Roosters (73.6, o)
26) Knoxville Smokies (72.9, +)
27) Chicago Packers (72.2, -)
28) Roswell Rockets (69.9, +)
29) Reno Jokers (66.0, -)
30) Oakland Oaks (37.5, o)

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I took a look at the Denver Grizzlies, our next opponent in an upcoming 3-game series, and here are the results.

With their record standing at 22 wins and 18 losses, the Grizzlies have a winning percentage of .550. They are leading the Central Division. The Grizzlies are playing well at the moment, having a 4-game winning streak going. Their number of runs scored of 181 rank tied for 8th in the Freedom League, their .264 batting average ranks 9th. On the other side of the diamond, they have given up 199 runs (9th) with their starters compiling an ERA of 4.49 which ranks 9th. Their bullpen sports an ERA of 5.10, ranking 15th. When playing against our Barons this season, they have a record of 1 wins and 2 losses.

Here are the projected pitching matchups, our pitchers listed first:
LHP N. Ishibashi (4-4, 4.98 ERA) versus RHP D. Aguiar (1-6, 5.07 ERA)
RHP J. Sanchez (3-4, 7.58 ERA) versus LHP B. Olander (2-4, 7.26 ERA)
LHP R. Colbourne (0-0, 2.30 ERA) versus LHP J. Doan (3-1, 3.06 ERA)

The top 5 players on their team are:
1. 1B David LaBerge (Age: 30, Overall : 3.0, Potential: 3.0)
2. RP Gabriel Alegria (30, 3.0, 3.0)
3. SP Diogo Aguiar (31, 3.0, 3.0)
4. RP Trevor Darley (30, 3.0, 3.0)
5. 2B Tokimasa Kumagai (28, 3.0, 3.0)

Projected Lineups:

DEN:

3B Garcia - CF Fukuyama - 1B LaBerge - RF Jimenez - 2B Kumagai - LF Song - C Guerrero - SS Perez - P ......

BIR:

LF Cantavalle - SS Ziegler - 2B Weiss - C Reyes - 1B Reeves - RF Apperson - CF O'Mahony - 3B Naylor - P .........


Game 1: Grizzlies 4 - Barons 3 (10)

The Denver Grizzlies outlasted the Birmingham Barons in an extra-inning thriller.

Denver starter Diogo Aguiar had a strong outing against the Birmingham Barons at Birmingham Grounds. The right-hander was a big part of his team's 4-3 win. The win was Jon Hill's in relief. His record improves to 4-0. Vincent Raudales took the loss for Birmingham.

The Grizzlies got a big at-bat from right fielder Frank Jimenez. For the game, Jimenez went 2 for 5 with 2 singles. He drove in 2 runs. In the top of the tenth, with runners on 1st and 2nd, he stroked a run-scoring single. His 10th hit of the season gave Denver a 4-3 lead.

Game 2: Grizzlies 3 - Barons 4

It was a fun time at Birmingham Grounds, where the Denver Grizzlies and Birmingham Barons tangled.

The Birmingham Barons did just enough to secure a 4-3 victory over the Denver Grizzlies at Birmingham Grounds. Nobody did more than pitcher Juan Sanchez, who captured player of the game honors. Earning his 12th save of the year was Jordan Montalvo.

Jason O'Mahony went 1-4 for Birmingham. The top prospect had a key at-bat in the bottom of the eighth. With one out and runners on 1st and 3rd, he broke a 3-3 tie with a run-scoring ground out off Gabriel Alegria. It was his 23rd RBI of the season.

Game 3: Grizzlies 2 - Barons 10

Riding the 4-hit performance of the three-time All-Star Roberto Cantavalle, the Birmingham Barons stopped the Denver Grizzlies, 10-2. Reynaldo Colbourne earned the win to go to 1-0. He allowed 1 earned run on 3 hits, with 4 walks and 6 strikeouts. The Barons bumped their record to 23-21 with this latest triumph.

Masahiko Kodama chipped in for Birmingham with a 2-run home run in the bottom of the third. For the game, the second baseman had 3 hits in 5 at-bats with 1 home run, 2 singles, 1 run scored, and 4 RBI.

Series Recap: A good series for the Barons, taking 2 of 3 from top dogs Denver in the FL Central Division. For once, our pitching looked to be under control, giving the team a chance for the win ever game of the series and hitting came through when times mattered most for the team. with a 6-4 record in our last 10 games, the team is looking alot better and seemingly more confident in games. Hopefully we can keep our stride going.

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Next 3 series:

Versus Hartford (22-21)
@ Roswell (15-29)
@ Columbus (19-23)

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