Friday, September 2, 2005
AUGUST GRADES
Good morning everybody! Since we all have a long Labor Day weekend ahead of us, I thought that I would post a longer article today.
First things first... Francisco Liriano is up! Francisco Liriano is up!! Oh, and Jason Tyner too, but... Francisco Liriano is up!!! Liriano will likely throw out of the bullpen the rest of this season, maybe making a spot start.
Gophers fans, did you stay up to watch Laurence Maroney run all over Tulsa in the Gophers win? Maroney had 206 yards and two TDs in the season's first game. Vikings fans, the team is in Seattle to play the Seahawks tonight. Daunte Culpepper will start, and hopefully, he'll take one snap, hand it off, and Brad Johnson will replace him.
The last few months, I have done my monthly grades in two days, one for the hitters and one for the pitchers. Today, I will be grading both the hitters and the pitchers. Since I will be gone much of the weekend and don't have to work on Monday, I am also not going to post anything until Tuesday. So, enjoy the grades, and as always, please feel free to comment, even disagree.
I feel like saying, "So... do you want the good news first, or the bad news first?" I'm going to start with the hitters...
HITTERS
BRENT ABERNATHY
(10 Game, 8-34, .235/.297/.265, 1-2B, 0-HR, 3-RBI, 2/2 SB, 3 BB, 4 K)
As we found out in July, the Bret Boone Experiment went wrong, very wrong. We found that Brent Abernathy was a better option for the Twins. Based on his August numbers, it is fair to say that he isn't much better, but these are the types of numbers that we should expect from him.
August Grade: C-
July Grade: D+
June Grade: B+
JASON BARTLETT
(23 Games, 21-66, .318/.366/.394, 5-2B, 0-3B, 0-HR, 1 RBI, 1/1 SB, 5 BB, 12 K)
Bartlett ripped up the International League to the tune of .330, and fully earned his return to the Twins. He got off to a slow start when he came back, but has really been hitting well of late. Twins fans should also notice how well he is playing defensively. Even when he isn't getting on base, he seems to be putting together some very solid at bats.
August Grade: A-
May Grade: C
April Grade: B
MICHAEL CUDDYER
(24 Games, 19-85, .224/.258/.412, 4-2B, 4-HR, 8-RBI, 0/1 SB, 4 BB, 25 K)
Cuddyer was doing so well since an awful April. In June, he was almost benched, but then he started playing well and got hurt. He came back and did well in July. And then in August, he was a little disappointing again. It is good to see him get almost full playing time though. His slugging percentage isn't horrible. He did hit for some power. The problem is that 4:25 BB:K ratio. That isn't good at all. I like that Cuddyer is often willing to take a number of pitches, but in doing so, I would like to see far better contact from him!
August Grade: C-
July Grade: B
June Grade: C+
May Grade: A-
April Grade: D-
JUAN CASTRO
(4 Games, 5-13, .385/.429/.385, 0-2B, 0-HR, 0-RBI, 0/0 SB, 1 BB, 0 K)
I probably should just give Castro an incomplete because the sample size is just too small. But for those 13 at bats, he was able to make his numbers look half-way decent. Then an injury put him on the disabled list and, hopefully, Jason Bartlett has made his case to keep playing every day!
August Grade: A-
July Grade: C-
June Grade: D
May Grade: A-
April Grade: C+
LEW FORD
(27 Games, 29-101, .287/.333/.455, 4-2B, 2-3B, 3-HR, 13-RBI, 6/7 SB, 7 BB, 21 K)
After a miserable July, Ford came back with a very solid August. It included one AL Player of the Week award when he hit his three home runs in consecutive games. The .788 OPS is not lights-out, but average-at-worst for a centerfielder. Clearly, Ford is a better overall player and hitter when he is playing the field. He finally started stealing more bases too.
August Grade: B
July Grade: D-
June Grade: B-
May Grade: B-
April Grade: B
TORII HUNTER
(0 Games)
How bad was the Twins offense in August? I think a case could be made to say that Torii Hunter's bat was missed. Not because he would have done better than Lew Ford. He probably wouldn't have. But I do think that his presence is missed. August Grade: INC
July Grade: C+
June Grade: A
May Grade: D
April Grade: A-
JACQUE JONES
(22 Games, 14-80, .175/.224/.363, 3-2B, 0-3B, 4-HR, 8-RBI, 1/1 SB, 5 BB, 25K)
After a wonderful July, Jones went back to bad in August. Good home run numbers, including the big one against Freddy Garcia in that 1-0 win over the Sox. However, a .587 OPS is horrible! And 25 strikeouts in 85 plate appearances is not good at all.
August Grade: D
July Grade: A-
June Grade: C
May Grade: D
April Grade: A
MATTHEW LECROY
(25 Games, 22-90, .244/.327/.433, 2-2B, 5-HR, 16-RBI, 0/0 SB, 11 BB, 31 K)
Speaking of bad strikeout rates, how about 31 in 101 plate appearances. 31 strikeouts was most on the team, a team that struck out a lot this month. Initially when given more every day playing time, LeCroy responded with some power and RBI. Those numbers are good for the month, leading the club in both categories. However, he ended the month on an 0-18 streak. Good walk numbers though, and he always leads the team in pitches per plate appearance.
August Grade: B-
July Grade: B
June Grade: B+
May Grade: D+
April Grade: A-
JOE MAUER
(26 Games, 32-102, .326/.417/.483, 8-2B, 2-3B, 1-HR, 15-RBI, 3/3 SB, 14 BB, 13 K)
It was the month of Mauer. His numbers were great. Sure, everyone seems to want more home runs from him, but give him time. There is NOTHING to criticize the 22 year old catcher about! Look at his walk to strikeout ratio! (of course, seven of those walks were intentional.) The 15 RBI is even pretty good, especially when much of the month, the 1-2 hitters were Michael Ryan and Nick Punto! He led the team in hits, doubles, triples, total bases, walks, batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage. Plus, he was 3-3 stealing bases again. He is incredible!
August Grade: A
July Grade: A-
June Grade: C
May Grade: B+
April Grade: A-
JUSTIN MORNEAU
(27 Games, 21-103, .213/.311/.416, 3-2B, 0-3B, 4-HR, 14-RBI, 0/1 SB, 5 BB, 26 K)
For the third straight month, Morneau gets a D or worse. I am still one of his biggest supporters, but at some point, he needs to prove that he has the ability to take good at bats and make some adjustments. Four homers for the month isn't horrible for a Twins player. But the strikeout to walk rate of 5.2 to 1 is really bad for a power hitter. We can take the 26 strikeouts if he were taking good, powerful swings, but Morneau has had too many weak swings. I would like to see him put together a big month of September to head into the offseason with some confidence. That seems to be his biggest issue.
August Grade: D
July Grade: D-
June Grade: D
May Grade: B
April Grade: A
NICK PUNTO
(27 Games, 23-104, .221/.274/.298, 5-2B, 0-3B, 1-HR, 12-RBI, 5/6 SB, 8 BB, 21 K)
Nick Punto led the team in at bats. Let me repeat, Nick Punto led the team in at bats. I was wrong about him. I thought that he would be at least a decent every day player, but the reality is setting in that he is no better, statistically, than Luis Rivas. The difference is that it at least usually looks like Punto is putting in the effort, unlike Rivas. Why Punto remained in the 2-hole of the lineup all month is beyond me. The .572 OPS is awful. 21 strikeouts fro ma "contact" hitter is terrible. How many of those K's were looking?
August Grade: D-
July Grade: D+
June Grade: INC
May Grade: A-
April Grade: B
MIKE REDMOND
(8 Games, 12-31, .387/.387/.452, 2-2B, 0-HR, 1-RBI, 0 BB, 5 K)
What a great signing Mike Redmond was. He signed for less than what it would have kept to keep Henry Blanco, and he has far outperformed Blanco. His offense is just fine, and his defense is better than average too. If the Twins call up Rob Bowen in September, I wouldn't mind seeing the Twins led Redmond catch a little more and put Mauer in the DH spot. These were the Twins two best hitters for the month.
August Grade: A-
July Grade: A
June Grade: D
May Grade: C+
April Grade: B
LUIS RIVAS
(0 Games)
Nick Punto's play is making me miss Luis Rivas. OK, I just slapped myself and I remembered watching Rivas play too.
August Grade: INC
July Grade: B+
June Grade: D
May Grade: D-
April Grade: D
LUIS RODRIGUEZ
(12 Games, 3-25, .120/.120/.120, 0-2B, 0-3B, 0-HR, 1-RBI, 0/0 SB, 0 BB, 3 K)
L-Rod's numbers were bad for the month. However, I put much of the blame on Ron Gardenhire. Rodriguez had done nothing but produce through his first 2+ months of his big league career, yet Gardy continued to play Nick Punto every day. I'm not going to claim that Rodriguez would be an .800 OPS guy, but he would have likely been better than Punto. Rodriguez was sent back to Rochester when Scott Baker was called up.
August Grade: D-
July Grade: B
June Grade: A
May Grade: B+
MICHAEL RYAN
(18 Games, 14-56, .250/.311/.357, 3-2B, 0-3B, 1-HR, 4-RBI, 0/1 SB, 5 BB, 10 K)
Ryan has played a little bit better since Shannon Stewart's injury because he has been playing more consistently. But even with these numbers, he has been very inconsistent. Included in the month was a 9-13 stretch. Take out those three games and his batting average would have dropped to .116 and his OPS would have been way lower than the .668 it was.
August Grade: C+
July Grade: C
June Grade: C
SHANNON STEWART
(19 Games, 23-81, .284/.318/.358, 6-2B, 0-HR, 7-RBI, 0/1 SB, 4 BB, 6 K)
Stewart was just starting to hit when he made the leaping catch at the fence in Santana's 1-0 win. The blow jarred his shoulder and he hasn't played since. Even with his late decent numbers, his OPS was still just .686, well below average for a big league left fielder. Hopefully Stewart will be back in the lineup tonight and can have a solid September.
August Grade: B-
July Grade: D+
June Grade: B+
May Grade: A
April Grade: B-
TERRY TIFFEE
(17 Games, 10-46, .217/.234/.261, 2-2B, 0-3B, 0-HR, 5-RBI, 1/1 SB, 1 BB, 5 K)
Tiffee is still adjusting to some incredibly inconsistent playing time. I'm not saying that in the last four months he has done anything to earn more playing time, but pinch hitting and a start every week is difficult. So, there are some excuses... The .495 OPS speaks for itself.
August Grade: C
July Grade: C
June Grade: D-
May Grade: D-
April Grade: B+
So, there are my August Grades for the Minnesota Twins hitters. I would appreciate hearing your thoughts or comments on any of them. Please feel free to agree or disagree and let me know why. Send me an e-mail.
Now, let's get to the Twins pitchers and see how they fared in the season's fifth month. Anyone who follows the Twins knows that the pitching is really the team's lone redeeming quality at this point! A 2.60 team ERA for the month was second only to Oakland's.
PITCHERS
THE STARTERS
SCOTT BAKER
(1 start, 7 Innings, 0-0 with a 1.29 ERA, 1 walk, 5 strikeouts, 0.71 WHIP, 6.4 K/9)
Joe Mays finally made it possible for Baker to finally get a full-time gig. The Twins finally responded by finally giving Baker a spot in the rotation for the rest of the season, and hopefully for years to come. Finally! Sure, his one start was against the Royals this month, but the numbers are impressive. Unfortunately the Twins offense was unable to get him even two runs of support.
August Grade: A
July Grade: A-
May Grade: A
KYLE LOHSE
(6 starts, 38.1 Innings, 1-2 with a 3.05 ERA, 5 walks, 18 strikeouts, 1.04 WHIP, 4.2 K/9)
A month ago, I wanted more than anything for the Twins to replace Joe Mays and Kyle Lohse in the Twins rotation. Mays is out, but Lohse had one of the best months of his career. I shouldn't even include the W-L records for the Twins pitchers this month, but Lohse had a strong ERA. He greatly improved his walk:strikeout rates. If not for a rocky start against Texas in Arlington in his last start, his numbers would look even better.
August Grade: A-
July Grade: D+
June Grade: C-
May Grade: A-
April Grade: D
JOE MAYS
(5 Starts, 26.2 Innings, 1-3 with a 7.09 ERA, 9 walks, 10 strikeouts, 1.88 WHIP, 3.4 K/9)
The time had come. It had to happen. Mays deserves so much credit for his comeback, and I certainly believe that he deserves another shot next year to pitch somewhere. That will just have to happen elsewhere. I think Mays just wore down in the second half, and in recent starts, it looked like he was just throwing the ball and hoping the hitter would hit a ball at a fielder. I don't blame Mays. He just went out there when given the ball. I blame the manager and general manager for continuing to throw him out there.
August Grade: D-
July Grade: D
June Grade: C+
May Grade: B
April Grade: B
BRAD RADKE
(5 Starts, 33.2 Innings, 2-0 with a 2.94 ERA, 9 walk, 22 strikeouts, 1.07 WHIP, 5.6 K/9)
Another excellent month for Radke. He even got enough run support to get a couple of wins and not take a loss. His WHIP was incredible. His strikeouts were even up a little. The ERA is great. People may not want to believe it, but Radke really is one of the most consistently good pitchers in baseball and I really, really wish people would start to understand and appreciate that!
August Grade: A
July Grade: A
June Grade: C-
May Grade: B+
April Grade: B-
JOHAN SANTANA
(6 Starts, 45.1 Innings, 3-1 with a 1.39 ERA, 8 walks, 41 strikeouts, 0.77 WHIP, 8.1 K/9)
Speaking of the best pitchers in baseball, put Johan right at or near the top of that list. His second half success (is 'success' even saying enough?) continues. Look at his innings pitched. He averaged 7.5 innings per start. He still isn't striking out as many as he had the previous year, per inning, but he leads the big leagues in strikeouts. The WHIP is remarkable. Opponents hit just .166 against him. He is dominant now, and only lack of run support is keeping him from the stupid "WIN" stats that will likely cost him his second consecutive Cy Young Award.
August Grade: A
July Grade: B+
June Grade: B-
May Grade: B
April Grade: A-
CARLOS SILVA
(6 Starts, 42.2 Innings, 2-1 with a 3.38 ERA. 1 walk, 18 strikeouts, 1.03 WHIP, 3.8 K/9)
I have to be honest. I was one who really felt that Silva was capable of backing up his solid 2004 season with better numbers. In no way did I every think he was capable of doing what he has done this year. His consistency is remarkable. He strikes out very few (although he has struckout more the last month or two). He walks no one. His 0.40 BB/9 IP would break Cy Youngs all-time record by a bunch! He gives innings. A guy who gives up this many hits and yet ranks in the top five in WHIP is crazy. The Twins have three who rank in the top five in the league.
August Grade: A-
July Grade: A-
June Grade: B-
May Grade: B+
April Grade: A
THE BULLPEN
JESSE CRAIN
(14 Games, 17.2 Innings, 0-3 with a 1.53 ERA, 8 walks, 5 strikeouts, 1.36 WHIP, 2.55 K/9)
Crain's season has really been incredible. In terms of ERA, he has been great much of the year, the exception being in July. His WHIP is decent. He finds a way to get the job done. However, he is striking out no one. I don't understand that because he does throw in the mid-90s with good control. He also has a sharp curveball. You would think that he would accidentally strikeout more hitters, but he has more walks than strikeouts and it is baffling.
August Grade: C+
July Grade: D
June Grade: A-
May Grade: A
April Grade: B+
MATT GUERRIER
(10 Games, 12.1 Innings, 0-2 with a 5.84 ERA, 5 walks, 9 strikeouts, 1.46 WHIP, 6.6 K/9)
Take away the game that I saw Guerrier pitch, when he got just one out and gave up six earned runs in the 10th inning to the Mariners, and Guerrier's month would be 0-1 with a 1.50 ERA. That is why you can't necessary look at ERA for relievers because one bad game can significantly change the outlook of even a month. His WHIP would be at 1.00 without that one game, and that would be great. So, I'm not worried about Guerrier. He is still being incredibly productive.
August Grade: C+
July Grade: C
June Grade: A-
May Grade: B
April Grade: B
TERRY MULHOLLAND
(9 Games, 10.1 Innings, 0-0 with a 0.87 ERA, 2 walks, 7 strikeouts, 0.77 WHIP, 6.1 K/9)
After a couple of really awful months, Mulholland's numbers absolutely shocked me. He stopped walking people, and really didn't give up hits this month either. That contributed to not giving up runs. He even struck some batters out. Great month for Mulholland! One more to go in a Twins uniform!
August Grade: A-
July Grade: D
June Grade: D-
May Grade: A-
April Grade: D
JOE NATHAN
(13 Games, 14.2 Innings, 4-0 with a 0.00 ERA, 6 Saves, 3 walks, 20 strikeouts, 0.55 WHIP, 12.3 K/9)
I don't give many F's, and I don't give any A+ either. Perfect. What more could Joe Nathan have done. Not a run in 13 games. Four late-inning wins. 6-6 in save chances. Lots of strikeouts, and he isn't walking many any more. He has been incredible since the All-Star break. I don't want to write too much because the numbers just speak for themselves.
August Grade: A+
July Grade: A
June Grade: D
May Grade: C-
April Grade: A
JUAN RINCON
(15 Games, 15.2 Innings, 2-0 with a 1.72 ERA, 5 walks, 13 strikeouts, 1.09 WHIP, 7.5 K/9)
I see now why Gardy speaks of worrying about overusing his bullpen. The top guys all threw a lot in August. Why? Likely because the starters through so well that the game was close and Crain and Rincon got into a lot of games. Rincon got a couple of wins in those situations. Rincon is back. His stuff is nasty again. He has returned to dominant and been vital in the Twins winning.
August Grade: A-
July Grade: B
June Grade: B+
May Grade: C+
April Grade: B+
JC ROMERO
(12 Games, 8.1 Innings, 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA, 7 walks, 6 strikeouts, 2.04 WHIP, 6.5 K/9)
The games pitched remained similar, even with his early month, well, benching. He was used in less important situations. And, he continued to be awful for the most part, walking way too many. He didn't strikeout many either. Hopefully some of his opportunities will be pitched by Francisco Liriano in September!
August Grade: B-
July Grade: C+
June Grade: B-
May Grade: B
April Grade: B+
So, there are my August Grades for the Minnesota Twins. Again, I would love to hear you thoughts or comments on any of them. Please feel free to agree or disagree and let me know why. Send me an e-mail.
Did I mention yet that Francisco Liriano is up!!!???
I am not sure if this is a big series for the Twins or not. I mean, of course it is. The Twins want to play well and win every game they can. If they sweep, they would be just one game behind the Tribe. But they still would need to pass them and two other teams. I so want to still believe that this team has a shot at the Wild Card, but it is increasingly difficult because of the offense. Juan Castro will be back on the roster for tonight's game. But, of course, that does nothing for the offense, unless they would play him at 2B in place of Nick Punto, but my guess is that Gardy would put him at SS in front of Bartlett! UGGH!
Jason Tyner will provide depth in the outfield and some speed on the basepaths. Also, Shannon Stewart is expected to play in this series as well.
And... the Rochester season will be done after Monday. Then the Twins will call up Francisco Liriano and Travis Bowyer and likely Rob Bowen, and hopefully Willie Eyre and Boof Bonser.
Here are the pitching matchups for the weekend series against the Cleveland Indians at the Metrodome:
Friday - 7:10 - Brad Radke (8-10 3.71, 1.15, .265) vs CC Sabathia (11-9, 4.75, 1.36, .264)
Saturday - 6:10 - Johan Santana (13-6, 3.15, 1.00, .217) vs Kevin Millwood (7-11, 3.18, 1.17, .238)
Sunday - 1:10 - Scott Baker (1-1, 2.25, 0.95, .214) vs Jake Westbrook (13-13, 4.35, 1.30, .267)
ROCHESTER REDWINGS
Wednesday - REDWINGS-Scranton/Wilkes Barre - Rained Out.
Thursday - Game 1- REDWINGS 1, Scranton/Wikes Barre 2 - Boof Bonser deserves a call up to the Twins in September. He got some practice last night for the chance. Bonser gave up just two runs over five innings but didn't get much run support and took the loss. He walked one and struck out seven. Willie Eyre then struck out two in his two scoreless innings. Todd Dunwoody had two of the Red Wings five hits, including a double.
Thursday - Game 2- REDWINGS 5, Scranton/Wikes Barre 6 - In game two, the offense did provide some run support. Brian Buchanan led the way with a 3-3 day. He hit his 12th homer of the season, his second with Rochester. Luis Rodriguez went 2-4 with his first AAA homer. Augie Ojeda went 2-2 with a walk. Corky Miller went 2-3 with a walk and his 10th homer. Brent Schoening started and went 4.2 innings. He gave up all six runs in eight hits and three walks. Beau Kemp struck out three of the five batters he faced. Travis Bowyer then struck out one in his perfect inning. Chris Coste went 2-4 with two RBI in the game.
NEW BRITAIN ROCKCATS
Wednesday - Game 1 - ROCKCATS 1, Akron 5 - New Britain managed just two hits on the game including a double from Alex Romero. Levale Speigner had a tough start. In 4.1 innings, he gave up four runs on seven hits in 4.1 innings. He still walked none. Kevin Cameron then gave up a run in 1.2 innings.
Wednesday - Game 2 - ROCKCATS 3, Akron 5 - In Game 2, Danny Matienzo hit his 35th and 36th doubles in four at bats. JR Taylor was 2-3 with a double as well. Errol Simonitsch started and gave up three runs on seven hits in 4.2 innings. He walked none and struck out five.
Thursday - ROCKCATS 3, Akron 2 - Glen Perkins was the story in this game. The 2004 first round pick has really struggle in AA, but not last night. He gave up just one run on four hits and just one walk in seven innings. He struck out eight. Pat Neshek gave up a run in the 8th, but gets the Win as the Rockcats scored one in the top of the ninth. Daylon Childress then picked up the save by striking out the side in the 9th. Alex Romero had two of the team's five hits. James Tomlin had an RBI double.
FT MYERS MIRACLE
Wednesday - MIRACLE 9, Tampa 4 - Adam Harben picked up his 10th win of the season with another quality start. In six innings, he gave up three runs on eight hits and two walks. His ERA is now 2.66. Kyle Edlich, up from the Gulf Coast League, gave up a run in 2/3 of an inning. He gave up a hit, but he walked three. Jan Granado got the final out of that inning and pitched another scoreless frame. Jay Sawatski pitched a scoreless ninth. Scott Whitrock hit two three run homers (14th and 15th). Kyle Geiger and Jose Leger were both 3-4.
Thursday - MIRACLE 3, Sarasota 5 - Former Twins farmhand Erik Lohse got the win in this game, throwing three scoreless innings in relief. Jay Rainville gave up four runs in four innings on six hits. He walked none and struck out five. He gave up three home runs. Jose Mijares then gave up a run in his two innings. Matt Williams, another GCL call up, pitched two scoreless innings. Matt Tolbert, Jake Mauer and Kyle Geiger each had two hits.
BELOIT SNAPPERS
Wednesday - SNAPPERS 6, Peoria 8 - Eduardo Morlan started and gave up seven runs on five hits and four walks in 4.2 innings to take the loss. John Williams came in and, in 2.1 inning, allowed one run. Jose Cordero threw two scoreless innings. Johnny Woodard went 2-5. Javi Sanchez was 2-3 with a walk. Steven Tolleson went 1-1 with three walks. Trevor Plouffe went 1-3 with a walk and his 15th double.
Thursday - SNAPPERS 7, Peoria 2 - Kyle Aselton continues to pitch well in the starting rotation. Last night, he went 6.2 shutout innings. He gave up six hits and a walk, and struck out seven. He is now 6-2 with a 2.49 ERA. David Shinskie then threw 1.1 shutout innings. Kevin Culpepper gave up the two runs in the night. Jeremy Pickrel went 2-3 with a walk and a double. David Winfree went 2-4. Paul Kelly, playing 2B, and Korey Feiner each had two RBI.
ELIZABETHTON TWINS
Wednesday - Twins 5, Danville 4 - E-Town started the Appalachian League playoffs with a win over Danville. Ryan Mullins pitched very well. He went just five innings and gave up two run on three hits and three walks. He struck out 13 batters in his five innings. Yohan Pino had a blown save, but also picked up the win. In three innings, he gave up two runs and struck out three. Tim Lahey gave up a couple of hits, but gave up no runs and got the save to give the E-Twins a 1-0 series lead.
Thursday - Twins 2, Danville 15 - Elizabethton scored two first inning runs, but then Danville, a Braves affiliate, scored 15 consecutive runs to send the series to a third and final game for the Appalachian League title. Adam Hawes, who led the league in ERA during the regular season, gave up eight runs on nine hits and two walks in 4.1 innings. Danny Vais then gave up a run in 2.2 innings. Joe Gault then gave up six runs (2 earned) in his 0.2 innings. Ryan Gehring came in and gave up two hits before getting the final out. Larry Jones went 3-3 for the offense. In the first inning, Mark Robinson doubled in Yancarlos Ortiz and came around to score on a Dustin Bensko, who was 2-4, single.
That is it for me for today and for this week. I will be back on Tuesday. Everyone have a fun and safe Labor Day Weekend. If you have any questions or comments, or ideas for future postings, please e-mail me.