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batted balls · 07-25-2006, 12:50 PM

Miami--If you've seen Ron Fraser lately, chances are the Miami manager had his cap off and was scratching his head.

"We've been a mystery so far this season," said Fraser (shown below). "It's early, but we're a real Jekyll and Hyde team right now."

The Hurricanes' 8-8 record certainly reflects Fraser's feelings. Miami began the year 4-0, dropped five straight and has split nearly every game since.

"We look like world beaters some days," Fraser continued. "Other days we look like we couldn't beat the Dade County Little League All-Stars."

Miami, five games behind front-running Michigan, ranks in the top 10 in nearly every statistical category in the All-American Baseball League.

"That may be, but we haven't dominated too many opponents yet this season," Fraser said.

Pitcher Alex Fernandez, who is 2-2 despite giving up no more than three runs in any game this season, agrees.

"I've been inconsistent," Fernandez said. "I've been leaving way too many balls out over the plate."

Fernandez has beaten Notre Dame and tossed a two-hit shutout April 12 against Michigan State. The right-hander has lost to Minnesota and Illinois.

"There's no way Alex should be a .500 pitcher," said catcher Mike Piazza. "Look at his ERA (1.76)."

Left-hander Warren Bogle, meanwhile, is 3-0 with a 2.45 ERA. John Fulgham (0-2), Neal Heaton (1-1) and Wade Taylor (0-0) round out the starting rotation.

The bullpen, a team strength a year ago, has been solid with the exception of right-hander Danny Rios (0-2, 11.25). However, Rios has not pitched since April 6 after a second straight loss to Minnesota.

Offensively, Miami has been hit or miss. Outfielders F.P. Santangelo (.370-1-10) and Orlando Palmeiro (.293-2-10) have been fairly consistent. Piazza (.236-3-4) and first baseman Pat Burrell (.226-0-2) have not.

"I've not been doing the job," said Burrell who has struck out 17 times in just 53 at-bats. "That's got to change."

Diamond Notes: Mississippi State right-hander Jonathan Papelbon earned East Player of the Week honors. Papelbon won two games including a five-hit shutout of Michigan State . . . A day after Papelbon shutout Michigan State, Ken Tatum recorded a five-hit whitewash of the Spartans . . . Cap Anson of Notre Dame leads the East with a .422 average; teammate Frank Carpin tops the division with fives saves . . . the Fighting Irish have two of the East's hottest hitters. Anson is 10-for-his last 20 while left fielder Carl Yastrzemski is 11-for-his last 24 with two home runs . . . Lou Gehrig of Ivy is the leader in stolen bases (3), home runs (4) and RBIs (15) . . . Minnesota second baseman Paul Molitor is in the midst of a 12-game hitting string that has raised his average to .415, second only to Anson.

Stat of the Week: Michigan State has been shut out three times this season. The Spartans failed to score a run in an AABL-high 30 game last year.

East Standings

Team W L PCT GB
Michigan 13 3 .813 --
Ivy 11 5 .688 2.0
Mississippi State 10 6 .625 3.0
Miami 8 8 .500 5.0
Minnesota 8 8 .500 5.0
Notre Dame 7 9 .438 6.0
Florida State 6 10 .375 7.0
Illinois 6 10 .375 7.0
Michigan State 6 10 .375 7.0
Louisiana State 5 11 .313 8.0

07-25-2006, 12:50 PM	#183 (permalink)
batted balls All Star Starter Join Date: May 2003 Location: White Sox Country Posts: 1,319 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	Jekyll & Hyde Hurricanes Puzzle Fraser Miami--If you've seen Ron Fraser lately, chances are the Miami manager had his cap off and was scratching his head. "We've been a mystery so far this season," said Fraser (shown below). "It's early, but we're a real Jekyll and Hyde team right now." The Hurricanes' 8-8 record certainly reflects Fraser's feelings. Miami began the year 4-0, dropped five straight and has split nearly every game since. "We look like world beaters some days," Fraser continued. "Other days we look like we couldn't beat the Dade County Little League All-Stars." Miami, five games behind front-running Michigan, ranks in the top 10 in nearly every statistical category in the All-American Baseball League. "That may be, but we haven't dominated too many opponents yet this season," Fraser said. Pitcher Alex Fernandez, who is 2-2 despite giving up no more than three runs in any game this season, agrees. "I've been inconsistent," Fernandez said. "I've been leaving way too many balls out over the plate." Fernandez has beaten Notre Dame and tossed a two-hit shutout April 12 against Michigan State. The right-hander has lost to Minnesota and Illinois. "There's no way Alex should be a .500 pitcher," said catcher Mike Piazza. "Look at his ERA (1.76)." Left-hander Warren Bogle, meanwhile, is 3-0 with a 2.45 ERA. John Fulgham (0-2), Neal Heaton (1-1) and Wade Taylor (0-0) round out the starting rotation. The bullpen, a team strength a year ago, has been solid with the exception of right-hander Danny Rios (0-2, 11.25). However, Rios has not pitched since April 6 after a second straight loss to Minnesota. Offensively, Miami has been hit or miss. Outfielders F.P. Santangelo (.370-1-10) and Orlando Palmeiro (.293-2-10) have been fairly consistent. Piazza (.236-3-4) and first baseman Pat Burrell (.226-0-2) have not. "I've not been doing the job," said Burrell who has struck out 17 times in just 53 at-bats. "That's got to change." Diamond Notes: Mississippi State right-hander Jonathan Papelbon earned East Player of the Week honors. Papelbon won two games including a five-hit shutout of Michigan State . . . A day after Papelbon shutout Michigan State, Ken Tatum recorded a five-hit whitewash of the Spartans . . . Cap Anson of Notre Dame leads the East with a .422 average; teammate Frank Carpin tops the division with fives saves . . . the Fighting Irish have two of the East's hottest hitters. Anson is 10-for-his last 20 while left fielder Carl Yastrzemski is 11-for-his last 24 with two home runs . . . Lou Gehrig of Ivy is the leader in stolen bases (3), home runs (4) and RBIs (15) . . . Minnesota second baseman Paul Molitor is in the midst of a 12-game hitting string that has raised his average to .415, second only to Anson. Stat of the Week: Michigan State has been shut out three times this season. The Spartans failed to score a run in an AABL-high 30 game last year. East Standings Team W L PCT GB Michigan 13 3 .813 -- Ivy 11 5 .688 2.0 Mississippi State 10 6 .625 3.0 Miami 8 8 .500 5.0 Minnesota 8 8 .500 5.0 Notre Dame 7 9 .438 6.0 Florida State 6 10 .375 7.0 Illinois 6 10 .375 7.0 Michigan State 6 10 .375 7.0 Louisiana State 5 11 .313 8.0 Attached Images __________________ White Sox fan since 1972 Last edited by batted balls; 07-27-2006 at 08:50 PM.