Friday, June 28, 2013

Brave New World

The Bisons and the Braves split their 4 game set this week. Here's how it played out.

Game 1: L 4-3



Justin Germano was the starter and wasn't terrible. 6 innings with 3 runs (2 earned) on 10 hits. Mickey Storey gave up a run in his lone inning and Brad Lincoln threw a clean inning.

The big hitting performance was from Mauro Gomez, who hit 2 HR and drove in 3 runs in his 2-4 game. Other multi-hit games were from Mike McCoy (2-4) and Anthony Gose (3-4, 2B, SB).

Game 2: W 4-3

Kevin Pillar, newest Bison, with 4 2B


The Bisons flipped the script in this one on the strength of another solid Thad Weber start. He went 7 innings giving up 3 runs (just 1 earned) and struck out 5 without walking anyone. Joel Carreno and Brad Lincoln each pitched shutout innings.

Kevin Pillar was a beast in this one, going 4-5 with 4 doubles. Ryan Goins drove in 2 runs, going 1-3 with a double. Luis Jimenez hit a HR in his 1-3.

Game 3: L 7-5



Chad Jenkins started and left after 2 innings with an injury. He gave up 1 run. Dave Bush came on and threw 3 innings allowing 5 runs and taking the loss. Buddy Carlyle threw 2 innings giving up a run and Tommy Hottovy threw a shutout 9th.

On offense, Ryan Goins was the star with his 4-5 day which included a double. Other multi-hit efforts came from Kevin Pillar (2-5, 2B) and the returning Muninori Kawasaki (2-4, SB). Mauro Gomez and Luis Jimenez hit back-to-back HR.

Game 4: W 8-2



Todd Redmond had a solid outing with 9 K in his 5 innings allowing 2 runs. John Stilson and Mickey Storey threw 2 no-hit innings each to close it out.

Luis Jimenez was the star in this one, going 3-5 with a double and 3 RBI. The other multi-hit game was Jim Negrych (2-5, 2B).



With his 8-19 performance in the series, Kevin Pillar is the leader against the Braves 
this season with a .421 batting average and a team leading 6 doubles.

Anthony Gose is hitting .360 (9-25, 4 BB) with 3 doubles and 3 SB.

Ryan Goins is hitting .348 (8-23, 3 BB) with 2 doubles and 6 RBI.

Mauro Gomez has 4 HR in the season series with a .250 average.

Sean Ochinko has an interesting line. He is 1-14, but has 8 BB for a .409 OBP.

Mike Nickeas is without a hit in 11 AB.




Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Running With The Bulls

My favourite Blue Jay of all time and one of the most 
exciting players the Blue Jays have seen in years.

While the Blue Jays were winning 11 in a row, the Bisons were losing 2 series in a row before the Bulls came to town. The Herd were able to take 3 of 4 and got back in the winning ways with a little help from a rehabbing superstar.

Game 1: W 3-2


Thad Weber got the start and was excellent for the 2nd outing in a row. He threw 6 innings and gave up 2 runs (1 earned) on 7 hits to get the win. Mickey Storey, Tommy Hottovy, and Brad Lincoln threw 3 shutout innings. Lincoln picked up his 2nd save.

On offense, the big hit was a 2-run double in the 5th to put them up 3-2 for good.

Jose Reyes was 1-4 with a double and a run scored.

Game 2: W 6-3


Mauro Gomez was the star of this one, going 2-3 with a walk. His 2 hits were his 20th and 21st HR of the season, which leads the league. He added 5 RBI.

Jose Reyes was 2-4 with 2 runs scored and a SB.

Chad Jenkins got the start and was really good. He threw 7 innings allowing 3 runs (1 earned) on 9 hits. John Stilson got the win with a shutout 8th and Joel Carreno got the save with a clean, 2 K 9th.

Game 3: W 1-0


The pitchers were great in this one, throwing 14 shutout innings. Todd Redmond (pictured) got the start and went 6 shutout innings with 3 hits. Dave Bush went 1.2 IP, Tommy Hottovy went 1 IP, Buddy Carlyle went 2.1 IP, Mickey Storey went 2 IP, and Joel Carreno went 1 IP and got the win.

The winning run scored on a throwing error off a bunt which allowed Mike Nickeas to score from 2nd base after a lead off double.

Jose Reyes went 2-5 and Ryan Goins did the same.

Game 4:


Mike Montgomery pitched 7 innings allowing just 1 run in his start against the Herd.

Jose Reyes managed to go 2-4 with the lone RBI.

Ricky Romero was awful again after a couple solid starts. He went 3.1 IP with 6 hits and 5 walks allowing 5 runs. John Stilson threw 2 clean innings after a bad relief outing for Claudio Vargas.



For the series, Jose Reyes was 7-17 with a double and a SB.

For the year against the Bulls, Mauro Gomez is now 6-32 with 3 walks, 5 HR, and 12 K. His 3-true-outcome is 20 of 35 if that's what he's shooting for.


Saturday, June 22, 2013

Boom

Mauro Gomez. 2 HR. 5 RBI. Beast mode. 

That is all. 

Debut Of...

A huge Bisons debut took place last night in their 3-2 victory over Durham Bulls. 

That debut was Kevin Pillar. 

I know that Jose Reyes also debuted last night, but he's headed to Toronto soon. 

Pillar is here to stay. 

He was 2-4 with a double and 2 RBI batting 2nd in the order. 

Speaking of Reyes, he was 1-4 with a double and scored the eventual winning run. 

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Recapping The Barves Series

After taking the 1st game of the series, the Minor League Braves stormed back to take the next 3 games.

Let's go over how it went down.

Game 1: W 5-4


Todd Redmond got the start and was sharp, throwing 6 innings giving up just 2 ER. Mickey Storey (pictured) threw 2 innings of 1 hit ball, striking out 3. John Stilson came on for the save and got it despite giving up 2 runs.

On offense, the mutli-hit games came from Anthony Gose (2-4), Jim Negrych (2-3, BB), and Moises Sierra (2-4, 2B). Andy LaRoche hit a HR and scored 2 runs in his return to Triple-A.

Game 2: L 2-0


Despite a great outing from Dave Bush, who went 6 innings giving up just 1 hit and 2 walks on way to 1 ER, took the hard luck loss when Buddy Carlyle gave up a HR in his 1.2 IP. Brad Lincoln threw a scoreless 9th inning.

Matt Pagnozzi (pictured) hit an 8th inning HR for the Braves that sealed the deal.

The Bisons only managed 3 hits themselves in this one. Gose hit a double and Jimenez stole a base, his 3rd.

Game 3: L 5-4


Ricky Romero got the start and continued his stretch of solid starts. He went 7 innings, allowing only an unearned run, while walking 3 with 7 hits. Joel Carreno let the Braves back in the game, allowing 2 runs in the 8th. John Stilson blew the save and took the loss, giving up a pair of runs in the 9th.

The big blows were a 2-run HR in the 8th by Joey Terdoslavich (pictured) and a 2-run single in the 9th by Todd Cunningham.

Anthony Gose was the only Bison with multiple hits. He was 2-4 with a double and a stolen base. Ryan Goins walked twice, going 0-2.

Game 4: L 3-2


Justin Germano had a solid start for the Herd, going 8 innings and giving up 3 runs. The big blow came in the 8th with an Ernesto Mejia (pictured) 2-run HR. Claudio Vargas pitched a clean 9th inning.

Multi-hit games from Mike McCoy (2-4), Luis Jimenez (2-4, 2B), and Moises Sierra (2-4, 2B). Ryan Goins had a 2-run single in a late rally in the 9th inning.

For the series, only 2 hitters had a "good" showing.

Moises Sierra (5-15, 1 BB, 2 RBI, 2 2B, 1 3B, 1-2 SB) and Anthony Gose (5-12, 1 BB, 2 2B, 1 SB).


Monday, June 17, 2013

Braves Preview


The Bisons return home to take on the Braves from Gwinnett. 

There isn't much star power on the 28-43 Braves, but there are some interesting guys on the squad. 

Starting with the best player, RF Joey Terdoslavich. Finally finding a semi-permanent defensive home in the OF after playing corner infield most of his career, Joey is having a nice season after struggling in his 53 game promotion in 2012. He has a .312/.346/.559 slash with 14 HR, 48 RBI, and a team leading 21 2B. He is a consensus top 20 prospect in the system. 

Their veteran power hitter akin to our Mauro Gomez is Ernesto Mejia. He is leading the team with 16 HR and 54 RBI. He also has 17 2B with his .254/.342/.533 slash line. 

Their only other ranked prospect on the hitting side if CF Todd Cunningham. He has a .279/.368/.373 slash with 10 SB and 15 extra base hits. He ranks from top 10 to top 20 based on where you check. 

Tyler Pastornicky is a favourite of mine from his Blue Jay days. He was sent in the Yunel Escobar trade. He is hitting .314/356/.437 with 18 extra base hits and 7 SB. He has been playing 2B. 

Brandon Bogs is a well traveled OF who is having a decent season. He owns a 259/.350/.450 slash with 7 HR. 

In smaller samples this year, the Braves have 2 guys putting up nice numbers. 

Alden Carrithers, a tiny little man playing 3B has a .338/.418/.475 slash in 80 at bats. 

OF Stefan Gartrell has a .304/.347/.500 slash in 46 at bats. 

Other recognizable names are:

Catcher Matt Pagnozzi (.562 OPS), OF Jose "George" Constanza (team leading 11 SB with a .266/316/.313 slash), iF Sean Kazmar (.528 OPS), and IF Paul Janish (.562 OPS). 

Their pitchers aren't great shakes either. 


Rehabbing starter Brandon Beachy should make a start in the series, but he's been limited to just 12 IP in his 3 starts as he builds the strength back up in his arm. 

Prospect of note is Sean Gilmartin, a top 5 prospect. He's been shaky this season with a 5.83 ERA in 13 starts (71 IP). 

The other ranked prospect is top 20 David Hale. He has a 5.28 ERA in 29 IP (6 starts, 2 relief appearances). 

Other names you may recognize:

LOOGY Joe Beimel, Kameron Loe, and, brother of Blue Jay Cletus, Cory Rasmus, who has a 1.44 ERA and 7 saves in 25 IP. 

Tonight's pitching matchup is Chad Jenkins and Omar Poveda, who is 5-3 with a 3.01 ERA is 13 starts, 83.2 IP. 

Sunday, June 16, 2013

Bisons Get Paw'd

That was a bad weekend trip to Pawtucket. Losing 3 of 4 to the team ahead of them at the top of the division is rough. The way they lost the games was worse. Onto the recaps to find out the painful ways the Bisons found to lose.

Game 1:


In game 1 of a 7 inning double header, Ricky Romero got the start and was excellent. He tossed 6 innings of 2 hit ball. He walked and struck out 3 batters. He left with the game tied at 0 only for Brad Lincoln to allow a run to score. 

With 2 outs in the bottom of the 7th, Xander Bogaerts hit a single, stole 2nd base, and scored on an Alex Hassan single to win the game.

The Bisons had 1 hit, a Mike McCoy single. They added only a walk (Ryan Goins) and 2 hit batters (Moises Sierra and Mike Nickeas).

Game 2:


Newly promoted top prospect Xander Bogaerts was a key factor in the Paw Sox win in game 2 of the double header. He hit a 2-run HR in the 4th inning to put the Sox up 2-0.

Justin Germano got the start for the Bisons and threw 5 innings just allowing the 2 runs off the bat of Bogaerts. He left the game up 7-2 after the Bisons exploded for 7 runs in the 6th inning.

The explosive 6th inning went like this:
Gose walk, Goins double, Gomez single which scored both runners. 2-2. Jimenez fly out, Sierra walk, Negrych single to score Gomez. 3-2. Velez walk, Nanita single scoring Sierra. 4-2. Ochinko walk. 5-2. Gose strike out, Goins single scoring Velez and Nanita. 7-2. Gomez strike out.

The wheels fell off in the bottom of 7 with the big blow being a Bryce Brentz 3-run HR. A walk and a double tied the game and sent this one into extra innings.

In the bottom of 9, Jeremy Hazelbaker (who hit the game tying double in the 7th) singled in the game winning run.

Multi-hit games from Ryan Goins (2-5, 2B) and Mauro Gomez (2-5). Ricardo Nanita had a hit, 2 walks, and a SB.

Game 3:


Thad Weber got the start for Buffalo and was amazing. He threw 7 no-hit innings and left the game up 2-0. He struck out 8 batters and walked just 1.

The offense did just enough, scoring 2 runs, to get the win.

Eugenio Velez hit a 2nd inning HR, and scored on an error after stealing 3rd base in the 4th.

Buddy Carlyle gave up a HR in the bottom of the 8th inning to give the Sox hope. Tommy Hottovy struck out the 2 batters he faced in the 9th and Brad Lincoln came on for the 1-out save.

Multi-hit games from Mike McCoy (3-5) and Sean Ochinko (2-4).

Game 4:


Father's day was a change for the Bisons to even the series, but starter Chad Jenkins continued his unimpressive triple-A time by giving up 5 runs in his 3 innings of work. Claudio Vargas threw 3 shutout innings and Joel Carreno added 2 more.

The Bisons bats were cold until the 8th inning, when Nanita drove in a run. Mauro Gomez added a 2-run HR in the 9th.

Jim Negrych had the teams only multi-hit effort, going 2-4. Gomez's HR was his league leading 18th of the season.

Season to date stats against the Red Sox:

After 2 series against the Sox, the impressive hitting performances have been:

Luis Jimenez (9-24, 3 BB, 2 HR, 6 RBI)
Jim Negrych (9-26, 3 BB, 3 2B)
Mike McCoy (8-25, 1 BB, 3 SB)

The worst performance has been:

Anthony Gose (1-24, 6 BB, 12 K, 1 SB)

Monday night the Bisons are back home, as they host the Gwinnett Braves for 4 games. This will be the first match-up against the Braves this season. 

I'll go over some of their key players tomorrow, hopefully before the start of the series.

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Xander Bogaerts Debuts


Some exciting news!

Xander Bogaerts, the Red Sox top prospect and one of the fastest rising prospects in baseball, will be making his debut against the Bisons tonight. 

This should be special. 


International League Leaders



We are 2 months into the Triple A season and its time to start thinking about who is leading in certain categories that interest me.

Stolen Bases

1. Felix Pie (PIT) - the 28 year old former top prospect has 23 SB. 

2. Jeff Kobernus (WSH) - the 2-time MLB Rule V pick has 21 SB despite spending some time in Washington for the Nationals. 

T-3. Josh Harrison (PIT), Jason Bourgois (TB), and Jeremy Hazelbaker (BOS) - these 3 are tied at 16. Harrison, 25, has spent time in Pittsburgh. 



Home Runs

1. Mauro Gomez (TOR) - with 17, your Buffalo Bison's power hitter is leading the league. I would like to see the Jays give the 28 year old a call up at some point as he could be a nice option against left handed pitchers. 


T-2. Mike Hessman (CIN) - the 35 year old minor league veteran is doing what you pay him do. That is to swat AAA HR. he has 15

T-2. Ernesto Mejia (ATL) - the Gwinnett Braves slugger, 27 years old, is continuing his impressive minor league track record with 15 HR. 

T-4. Luis Jimenez (TOR) and Wil Myers (TB) - the 31 year old Jimenez and the 22 year old Wil Myers couldn't be any different. Jimenez is a minor league journeyman who looks like he should be pumping gas. Myers is a stud prospect with impressive pedigree and a really bright future. They both have 13 HR and Luis is one of the best hitters in the league. Baseball is a funny game. 

ERA - Starters (min. 5 starts)

1. Tony Cingrani (CIN) - the 23 year old top prospect has started 6 games with 31.1 IP. His ERA is 1.15 and he also leads the league in K/9. 



2. Vidal Nuno (NYY) - the 25 year old finesse lefty has a 1.44 ERA and a 10.8 K/9 in 25 IP across 5 starts. Like Cingrani, he has spent time in the Show this season. 



3. Chien-Ming Wang (NYY) - the former Yankee front-end horse has a 2.33 ERA in 9 starts spanning 58 IP. He was recently released so that he could sign with the Blue Jays and join their MLB rotation. 

Honorable Mentions. 

Jose Alvarez (DET) - the 24 year old has a 2.42 ERA in 74.1 IP. 

Greg Reynolds (CIN) - the 27 year old former top draft pick has a 2.51 ERA in 86 IP. He has an opt-out date coming up. 

Allen Webster (BOS) - the 23 year old top prospect has a 9.9 K/9 in 9 starts. 

Andy Oliver (PIT) - the 25 year old former Tigers prospect has a 9.8 K/9 in 66 IP. 

Jake Odorizzi (TB) - the 23 year old prospect has a 9.8 K/9 in 55.1 IP. 

ERA - Relievers (min. 15 games)

1. Ryan Reid (PIT) - the 28 year old recent call up to the Show had a 0.52 ERA in 34.2 IP. 

2. Josh Lueke (TB) - the scumbag has a. 0.72 ERA and a leading 12.6 K/9 amongst relievers. 

3. Ryan Rowland-Smith (BOS) - the 30 year old Aussie has a 0.76 ERA in 35.2 IP. 

4. Matt Hoffman (DET) - the 24 year old lefty specialist has a 0.79 ERA in 22.1 IP. 



Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Red Sox Preview



Starting tomorrow night, the Bisons travel to Pawtucket to battle the Baby Red Sox.

Game 1 will have Ricky Romero versus Rubby De La Rosa. De La Rosa was a main piece in the huge trade last August with the Dodgers. He has seen too much time in the majors to be considered a prospect, but is just 22 years old. He is 0-1 with a 3.29 ERA in 38.1 IP. Romero is 0-1 with a 10.22 in 24.2 IP across 6 starts.




Game 2 has Allen Webster starting for the Red Sox. He was rated a top 5 prospect heading into the season and has gone 5-1 with a 3.38 ERA in 45.1 IP. The Bisons starter is TBD.




The other games have starters TBD for both teams.

Some other pitchers that the Red Sox have are:

Pedro Beato. 4-1, 1.89 ERA in 33.1 relief innings.




Ryan Rowland-Smith. The Australian is 3-0 with a 0.76 ERA in 35.2 relief innings.





Brandon Workman is a borderline top 10 prospect who is recently been promoted to triple-A.

The line-up features the following hitters:

The starting catcher is Ryan Lavarnway. The former top prospect has stagnated some in triple-A, but is still young-ish, but his power production is down. He is hitting .267/.367/.397 on the season.



Their 1B is Brandon Snyder, the former Oriole and Ranger. He is hitting .299/.380/.526 on the season with 9 HR, 35 RBI, and a team leading 15 doubles.





Jonathan Diaz, a former Blue Jays farmhand, has been playing since Jose Iglesias was recalled to Boston. He is hitting .255/.364/.342 in limited time.




Brock Holt has been playing SS since Iglesias' call-up and plays 2B as well. He is hitting .268/.358/.323 and was named as the 19th best prospect in the system on Minor League Ball.


The other IF is Drew Sutton. The switch-hitter has MLB time with the Reds, Indians, Red Sox, Rays, and Pirates. He is hitting .258/.365/.368 with 13 doubles.

The OF regulars, who also spend some time at DH, are:

Jackie Bradley Jr. is the consensus number 2 prospect in the organization and is hitting .348/.42/.539 with 9 doubles in 89 AB. He has spent some time in Boston this season.

Jeremy Hazelbaker is hitting .276/.341/.413 with a team leading 16 SB and 6 HR.

Justin Henry, who also sees time in the IF, has 12 doubles and 7 SB.





Bryce Brentz is a top 10 prospect and he has been the teams most dangerous hitter this season. He is hitting .279/.329/.502 with a team leading 12 HR and 45 RBI.





The Paw Sox are 37-27 on the season and in 1st place, 3 games ahead of the Bisons.

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Rail Raiders Recap



Game 1:

Saturday kicked off the series with a 10-4 win for the Bisons. Claudio Vargas got the nod on the hill and went 6.1 IP allowing 4 runs. Mickey Storey pitched 2.2 clean innings, allowing just 1 hit.

The Bisons fell behind early after the Raiders scored 2 in the 2nd and 1 in the 3rd inning.

They came back in the 4th with 4 runs. Negrych drove in 2 with a double, followed by a Nanita double to plate him. McCoy followed with a double of his own to bring in Nanita.

The Bisons would add 1 in the 5th on a Jimenez single, plating Goins, who had walked. Nickeas doubled in a run in the 6th to make it 6-3.

The Raiders scored in the bottom half to make them 2 back, before the Bisons would score 3 in the 7th. A Nickeas single scored 1 run and Goins would bring in 2 with a single of his own. Gose would add a sac fly in the 9th to score the 10th run.

Mike McCoy was the stand out in this one, doubling 3 times and walking in 4 AB. Other multi-hit games came from Jimenez (2-5, 2B), Moises Sierra (2-5), Jim Negrych (2-5, 2B, 2 RBI), and Ryan Goins (2-5, 2B, 2 RBI).

Game 2:

The Bisons took this one as well, winning 4-1. Dave Bush got the start and threw 6 great innings, allowing just 2 hits. He struck out 5 while shutting the Raiders out. Joel Carreno threw 2 shutout innings and Buddy Carlyle allowed just an unearned run to score in the 9th.

The Bisons got all the offense they would need early on a Jimenez double and a Mauro Gomez 2-run HR. Langerhans singled later in the frame to plate the 4th run of the inning.

Multi-hit games came from Luis Jimenez (2-5, 2B, RBI), Mauro Gomez (2-5, HR, 2 RBI), Jim Negrych (2-5, 2B), and Mike McCoy (2-3, BB).

Game 3:

With the scheduled game rained out, the teams played a double header on Tuesday.

The opener saw the Raiders beat the Herd 6-5. Chad Jenkins made the start and went 4.2 innings allowing 6 runs on 10 hits. John Stilson pitched a shutout inning in relief.

Multi-hit games from Anthony Gose (2-4), Moises Sierra (3-4, HR, 2 RBI), Ricardo Nanita (2-4, 2B, 2 RBI), and Ryan Goins (2-4).

The Raiders hit 2 HR off of Jenkins. Melky Mesa hit a 2nd inning solo HR and Dan Johnson hit a 5th inning 2-run shot.

Game 4:

The second game of the double header had the Raiders complete the sweep by winning 6-2 and tie the series at 2-2.

Todd Redmond came back from Toronto and started the game and was not impressive. He threw 4 innings, giving up 5 runs on 5 hits. He did strike out 7 to no walks. Thad Weber gave up a run in his 1.2 IP.

All the damage on Redmond was done in the bottom of the 3rd, with Dan Johnson delivering the big blow, a 2-run HR.

Mauro Gomez hit his league leading 17th HR, a 2-run shot, in the 4th.

Luis Jimenez was the only hitter with a multi-hit game, going 2-3 with a double.

Saturday, June 8, 2013

Bisons Get Iron Piged



The Bisons are fresh off a 1-3 series against the Iron Pigs and have some new faces on the team.

Gone are Andy LaRoche and Josh Thole. Congrats to the pair for earning their way onto the Major League roster. I expect good things from the duo, and hope Thole can help carry some of the load that J.P. Arencibia is having some difficulty carrying.

Coming to the Herd are Sean Ochinko, coming up from AA New Hampshire, and Anthony Gose. Gose is returning from Toronto where he was used sparingly and was no longer needed when Rajai Davis came off the DL.

Ochinko is a 26-year-old catcher who was an 11th round draft pick in 2009. He is hitting .243/.329/.375 with 2 HR in 144 PA. He should share time with Mike Nickeas.

Also new to the roster: Todd Redmond, Chad Jenkins, and Brad Lincoln. All three are decently demoted, with Lincoln coming down after 4 great innings in the 18 inning Saturday game. He will be replaced in the Majors by someone to be determined.

Dustin McGowan was called up by the Blue Jays from his rehab assignment, replacing Redmond. McGowan will be back in the Majors for the first time since 2011. I wish him the best.

Jenkins was thought to go back to Toronto when his turn in the rotation came around. His spot appears to have been given to Chien-Ming Wang, who was recently released from his minor league contract with the Yankees. He should be starting Tuesday.

Onto the recaps.

Game 1: Pigs 4, Bisons 0

The damage was done early off of Thad Weber, who made the start for the Bisons. Cody Overbeck delivered the offense early with a 2nd inning HR and hit another in the 4th, which was a 2-run HR.

Mickey Storey allowed the 4th run to score on a double in the 5th inning.

Dustin McGowan made an appearance, giving up a hit and a walk in his inning.

Multi-hit games from Mike McCoy (2-4, 2B) and Eugenio Velez (3-5, 2B, SB).

Game 2: Pigs 5, Bisons 3

Chad Jenkins made his Bisons debut and was not sharp. He gave up all 5 runs in his 5 innings. After 2 quick innings, he gave up a 3rd inning lead-off walk and gave up a 2-run HR to Michael Martinez. He gave up 2 more runs on 3 hits in the 4th and another in the 5th after Jenkins allowed the bases to be loaded with 0 outs. He was lucky to have gotten out of the inning when he did.

Mauro Gomez hit a 7th inning HR, his 15th of the season, to start a comeback. They would score 2 more in the 8th inning to get within striking distance. They would fail to come back.

Dustin McGowan pitched on back-to-back days, giving up 2 hits in his inning.

There were no multi-hit games from any of the hitters.

Game 3: Pig 3, Bisons 4

Game 1 of a double header was started by Ricky Romero and he was pretty good until the 6th inning. He had a shutout until he started getting hit hard. He gave up his 3 runs on 4 hits and a walk in the 6th. John Stilson came on to bail him out and pitched a shaky 7th with an error and a walk.

The Bisons runs came off a Negrych double in the 4th, a Gose double in the 5th, a Luis Jimenez HR in the 6th, and a McCoy single in the 6th.

There were no multi-hit games for the offense. Jimenez's HR was his 13th of the season.

Game 4: Pigs 4, Bisons 0

The bats were really cold in this one, with only 3 hits in this one for the Herd.

Sean Ochinko made his debut and was 0-2. The hits came from Gose, Goins, and Gomez.

Justin Germano had a decent start, allowing 4 runs, 2 earned, in 6 innings.

Dustin McGowan made his MLB return on Saturday to complete his comeback story. He pitched to 4 batters. He walked a batter, had a batter reach via error, and hit a batter before getting a strikeout. He was removed from the game and Juan Perez bailed him out. He received a very warm reception from the Toronto crowd.


Monday, June 3, 2013

Beating The Tide



Big series win for the Bisons, taking 3 of 4 on the road. 

Game 1 on Friday night had a strong Dave Bush performance. He threw 5.2 IP allowing just 2 ER. The Bisons would win 6-3. 

Extra base hits were the story as Sierra, Nickeas, McCoy, and Jimenez all had RBI extra base hits in the first 3 innings. They added 2 runs on sacrifice flys. 

Game 2 had Ricky Romero on the hill. He wasn't terrible. 6 IP with 5 runs on 8 hits. He didn't walk anybody although he cave up a 1st inning 2-run HR to Russ Canzler and allowed Xavier Avery to triple in a run a score on a subsequent wild pitch in the 2nd inning. 

On offense, the Bisons tied it at 4 in the 4th on 2-run HR from Gomez and a 2-run single from Goins. Jimenez would hit a HR in the 5th to tie it up after the Tide scored via sacrifice fly. 

Trayvon Robinson hit a walk-off HR off Beck to win it for the Tide. 6-5. 

Game 3 had the Bisons winning 7-4 on the strength of a 3rd inning that started with a Goins double. The inning followed with a walk, a bunt hit, a RBI hit-by-pitch for Sierra, sacrifice fly, sacrifice fly, and a LaRoche 2-run HR. Jimenez hit a 2nd inning HR as well. 

Justin Germano was strong in 6 innings for the Herd, striking out 8 and allowing just 2 ER. 

Game 4 was a power display, as the Bisons won 10-5 on the backs of a 1st inning Thole 2-run HR and 2 Gomez HR in the 5th and 7th innings. Nickeas added a 2-run 4th inning double. 

The Tide hit 3 HR, 2 coming from Zelous Wheeler. 

The series stars were:

3rd Star: Josh Thole. 
6-12 with a HR and 5 RBI

2nd Star: Luis Jimenez. 
7-12 with 2 HR and 4 RBI

1st Star: Mauro Gomez. 
4-13 with 3 HR and 6 RBI

Sunday, June 2, 2013

Does Character Matter?

So, I read an article on HardballTalk today about the Rays and their seeming willingness to give "bad make-up" guys a chance or even a second chance.

This seems to be spawned mainly from the recent adventures of Josh Sale.


Kind of looks like he might be buddies with Brett Lawrie, doesn't he?

Anyways, Sale was recently in a little trouble over an incident at a strip club. Josh decided it would be a nice move to "make it hail" on a young lady. Josh proceeded to brag about the incident on Facebook.


Classy, Josh. 

Josh Sale was a 1st round draft pick by the Rays in 2010, number 17 overall. He just recently finished serving a 50 game suspension for failing a drug test for methamphetamine and an amphetamine. He was most likely out celebrating his return to baseball and decided it was a night for a special treat.

The Rays organization decided to suspend Josh indefinitely for his actions, calling it "conduct detrimental to the organization." 


This whole situation has got me thinking about the players that the Rays tend to get their hands on. I'm sure it's not an active thought by the organization, but this can't be just coincidence that they seem to keep bringing pricks into the organization.

Another player that jumps to mind when I think of the Rays and their bad boys: Josh Lueke. Yeah, I know. The topic of Josh Lueke has been beaten into the ground, much in the way Josh would probably treat his girlfriends.

In 2008, Lueke was arrested, while in the Rangers organization, for committing rape and non-consensual sodomy. Lueke proceeded to lie to the police about having even had any sexual contact with the victim, which was proven false by DNA testing. The DNA testing showed that there was seminal fluid in the girl's rectum and Lueke's DNA on her clothes.

The incident was controversial on the baseball side when he was traded to the Rangers in the Cliff Lee deal. The team president of the Rangers claimed he had no knowledge of the incident at the time of the deal and that he would've rejected Lueke's involvement if he had known of the pitcher's past. The Rangers's GM allegedly gave the Mariners false information on Lueke's past (which was readily available with a tool called Google) by saying the Josh was arrested after an incident with a woman and was later acquitted. Rangers GM Jon Daniels later apologized to the Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik for the misuse of the word acquittal. Lueke eventually pleaded no contest to false imprisonment with violence and would serve 40 days in prison with time served. He was out right away.

Mariner's pitching coach Rick Adair claimed the Mariners knew about Lueke at the time of the trade (in part due to Adair being the minor league pitching coordinator for the Rangers in 2008) and was fired along with Manager Don Wakamatsu and scouting director Carmen Fusco. The Lueke incident may have played into the decisions, but it was never the reason given. 


Josh Lueke was then traded from the Mariners to the Rays for catcher John Jaso in November 2011. The initial reaction to the trade tried to skim over Lueke's past on all credible sites, but the fan reaction was of the thought that they killed 2 birds with 1 stone. By getting rid of Lueke, the Mariners fixed their mistake. By acquiring Jaso, they brought in a high-OBP catcher who would end up being one of their better hitters in 2012.

The reaction on the Rays end was confusion. Why would they bring in a problem? Don't they know about his past? The fan reaction seemed to be that they trusted that the team knew what they were doing. 

The incident has been moved to the side by most, with Lueke being a quiet citizen and keeping out of trouble (that we know of). Recently, though, an article was written titled "Josh Lueke, Redemption, Rape, and Baseball" which seemingly tries to paint Lueke as a potential good redemption story. To be fair, the author doesn't sugarcoat the past, including justly ripping Lueke for his bullshit excuses in the past and of his attempts to move on. These attempts include not reading the newspaper, trying not to let the questions bother him, and of saying his mom actually has it the worst. Yeah, he actually said that. His mom, not the girl he raped in her ass, had it the worst. This is the part where you start to wish this asshole would die.

Lueke tries to pass the incident off as a mistake, which it wasn't. The article tries to paint a picture of Lueke learning from his mistake to make a redemptive come-back. There is a problem with this. We, as society, will never forget what he did. All the goodwill and charity and donations won't make what Josh did go away or change history. Sure, there is the thought that he served his time, admitted to his crime, and deserves to move on. I get that argument, but being a good pitcher (which he isn't) won't bring him redemption. 

Why would the Rays want the headache of Josh Lueke? There are hundreds of young, hard throwing pitchers in the minor leagues that could interest them. They chose (and yes, they chose him) to have Josh Lueke and his past rape follow them from city to city, where apposing teams' fans can hate this man.

This has become a ramble, so I'll move on.

Going back a bit in the Rays history, one of their top draft picks was a man named Josh Hamilton. His story is well known, but I'll gloss over it anyway. Drafted number 1 overall in 2009, Hamilton was considered a blue-chip prospect and a star in the making. In 2001, his drug use started to derail his career. He started using heavily and the Rays sent him to the Betty Ford Center for rehab. He failed his first drug test in 2003, and was showing up late for practice. He would fail 2 more Rays tests and serve a 30-day suspension. MLB would then suspend Josh in 2004 for the entire season after failing at least 2 more tests. These failed tests are from a drug more severe than pot. Josh would be out of baseball for 3 years. Hamilton would return to baseball in 2006 after earning his way back. He was then selected by the Reds in the Rule V draft after being left off the Rays 40-man roster.

Now, before I continue, please understand I don't blame the Rays organization. I blame Josh Hamilton. He alone made these decisions that led to his suspensions. To be fair, Josh hardly comes close to fitting in with the above names. Hamilton is, by all accounts, a nice guy who is trying desperately to avoid falling back into his old habits.

Moving on to a favourite target among Jays fans, Yunel Escobar. Escobar was a 2005 2nd round draft pick for the Braves and would make the Majors in June 2007. Escobar developed a reputation in Atlanta being lazy, not hustling, and not caring. All things that I thought then and now are bullshit. When my favourite team, the Blue Jays, acquired him for SS Alex Gonzalez and prospects Tim Collins (a reliever for the Royals now) and Tyler Pastornicky (a SS who profiles as a utility guy) I was happy. When Escobar came to Toronto he played hard, smart, and well. I saw some of the things the Braves fans didn't like, but nothing alarming. Just minor things. Until September 15, 2012.



That was the day that I realized this guy wasn't all there and he may be a problem. He took the field that day wearing his usual eye-black. He had a slight variation on the day, with the phrase "Tu Ere Maricon" written on his face. The phrase translates to "you are a faggot" and immediately cries came out for severe punishment. Escobar was suspended for 3 games and had his salary donated to charity. That the saying was a common thing for Latin ballplayers to say to each other doesn't forgive this stupid display. 

Even Escobar's teammates wouldn't defend him. J.P. Arencibia said "what he did, it's not a joking matter. He needs to be educated on what he can say and can't say." Escobar was traded to the Marlins, then the Rays. It seemed teams just didn't want him. Except the Rays, it seems. 

Escobar made a bit of a wave a few weeks back when he hit a HR off the Jays and did a "safe" taunt across home plate. It was something I thought was funny, but others took it as disrespect and another in the long list of Escobar mistakes. I call bullshit on this, but Escobar is clearly someone who has trouble figuring out what is acceptable.

Next up is Elijah Dukes. 


Dukes has been arrested numerous times for battery and once for assault from 1997 onward. According to records, he fathered at least 5 children with 4 women from 2003 to 2006. In May 2007, Duke's wife (yeah, some woman actually married this prick) filed a restraining order after he threatened the life of her and her children. He sent a picture of a gun to her phone and left her a nice voicemail: 

"Hey, dawg. It's on, dawg. You dead dawg. I ain't even bullshittin. Your kids too, dawg. It don't even matter who's in the car with you. Nigga, all I know is, nigga, when I see your mothafuckin ass riding, dawg, it's on. As a matter of fact, I'm coming to your motherfuckin house." 

In June, Dukes was accused of impregnating a 17-year-old foster child in the care of a relative. When she informed him of the pregnancy, Dukes allegedly threw a bottle of Gatorade at her. 

In December of 2007, Dukes was traded to the Nationals and they hired an ex-police officer to be in the role of "Special Assistant: Player Concerns." 

After his MLB career was over in November 2010, Dukes was arrested for failure to pay child support and in March 2011 for assaulting an ex-girlfriend who was pregnant.

The Rays kept Dukes through all of that. For what? An 88 OPS+ and average defense? They made the right move in trading him, but held on too long to a guy who had trouble written all over him.

A man who is not well known is Greg "Toe" Nash. Toe was abandoned by his mother when he was 12, and was kicked out of 2 schools for fighting. He dropped out of high school in 8th grade. He struck out 17 batters and hit 2 HR in a little league game and Ray's scout Benny Latino took notice. Since he didn't play high school baseball, Latino spent 7 years trying to find Nash.



When Nash was 18, he was playing in an Indy League when Latino found him. The Rays brought him to their minor league camp where he threw 90 MPH and hit towering HR. After he went un-drafted, the Rays gave him $30,000 to sign and went on to play in the same OF as Josh Hamilton and Carl Crawford. 

Despite some legal troubles in 2001, Nash reported to camp and was eventually assigned to Rookie League. In 2002 , Nash was charged with having sex with a 15-year-old girl. The Rays released him the day he was released from jail. 

The Reds would give him a 2nd chance, but he was quickly released for legal reasons (allegedly a fight, which Nash was arrested for) and was again arrested in 2005 for violating parole.

In this instance, the Rays quickly got rid of the problem, but there were so many warning signs with this kid that the Rays involvement in his story didn't need to there. 

My last interest is Matt Bush. 



Matt Bush was a high draft pick (see a trend here?) for the San Diego Padres. His troubles started right after being drafted in 2004, when he was arrested on suspicion of felon assault, trespassing, disorderly conduct, and underage drinking after he fought with security trying to remove him from a bar. 

In 2009, Bush was involved in a drunken assault at a San Diego high school, which was caught on camera. A drunk Matt Bush beat up a high school lacrosse player with a golf club. The kicker was that Matt Bush decided to put on a show. He screamed "I'm Matt Fucking Bush" which was recorded on video and would make him a douche-bag legend.

Bush was drafted as a SS, but would transition to the mound in 2007. In 2009, Bush was removed from the roster and traded to the Blue Jays. Before he was traded, however, Bush was involved in an incident in a high school parking lot. 

The Blue Jays instituted a zero-tolerance policy for Bush and when he was threw a baseball at a woman's head and banged her into a car window after accusing her of drawing on his face on a party, Bush was released the next day. He spent the 2009 out of baseball. He appeared to be done.

How do the Rays fit in? Well, they decided Matt Bush deserved a 3rd chance. He spent 2010 and 2011 in the bullpen for the affiliates for the Rays, trying to earn his way to the Major Leagues. He stayed out of trouble for 2 seasons, it appeared. Prior to the 2012 season, Bush was released for running over a 72-year old man with his teammate's car. He was drunk.

He was charged with 2 counts of DUI with property damage, 1 count of DUI with serious bodily harm, 1 count of leaving the scene with an injury, 1 count of driving with a suspended license, and 2 counts of leaving the scene with property damage. The incident happened after Bush was kicked out of strip club (remind you of anyone?) for trying to climb on the stage. Bush ran over the victims head as he fled the scene and had the victim not been wearing a helmet, he skull would've been crushed.

The alcohol level in his blood was .18, almost 3 times the legal limit, when he was tested. Bush was also a suspect in 2 other hit-and-runs earlier that day. It was after this that Andrew Friedman, the Rays VP, announced that Bush would never play for the organization again. Bold statement. Bush eventually pleaded guilty to a reduced charge and will serve 51 months in prison and since he has 3 DUI convictions, he will be unable to drive for 10 years. 

I'm a fan of second chance in sports. It may seem backwards, then, to know that I would never want to be one to take that chance. Sure, You may miss out on a season like the one that Josh Hamilton is capable of. The upside, to me, isn't worth the downside. The downside, of course, is terrible press.

Public opinion can deem people guilty without trial and it may not be fair, but it is what it is. The Rays have been very generous in looking past so many red flags that they are starting to develop a reputation of their own as an organization. Their stance on Matt Bush was admirable, but their stance on Josh Sale is a step backwards. 

As a sports fan, I would rather the teams I root for lose with decent human beings than win with criminal assholes who hit women and treat women like shit. There are other players across the league who have toed the line and some who have crossed it, but it seems that a good portion of them pass through the Rays organization.

I hope it stops.