OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post

batted balls · 08-13-2006, 02:23 PM

July 12, 2007

Los Angeles--The injuries are mounting in the All-American Baseball League West. The biggest name to be sidelined belongs to Southern California pitcher Mark Prior.

Prior, 11-4 with a 2.29 ERA, will head to the 15-day disabled list with a pulled triceps muscle. The All-Star right-hander leads the West in strikeouts with 160 in just 126 innings pitched. Prior (shown below) was last season's Golden Arm Award winner.

"We're obviously concerned with Mark's injury," said Trojan manager Rod Dedeaux. "We do have the luxury of a lead in the West."

USC has won 13 straight games and has built an 11-game lead over second-place Arizona State. The Trojans are a remarkable 66-23.

Dedeaux indicated that left-hander Bill Lee will take Prior's slot in the rotation. Lee is 3-0 with a 1.88 ERA. Lee, who also has two saves, has made three starts in 10 appearances this season. Minor leaguer Brian Cooper was called up to take Prior's roster spot.

While USC lost one of its top pitchers, Arizona lost its starting short stop. Eddie Leon will be out at least two weeks with pulled ligaments in his throwing arm. Although Leon was batting just .154, Leon did manage to hit four home runs and drove home 29 runs.

"Eddie being out also hurts us defensively," said Arizona manager Jerry Kindall. "While he may not make too highlight reels, Eddie makes the routine play nearly every time."

Arizona will shift All-Star second baseman Jason Bates to short. Utility man Casey Candaele will take over at second. Outfielder Chip Hale was brought up from the minors.

"Jason won't be the kind of short stop Eddie is, but he'll hold his own," said Kindall. "Casey will give us a little more speed in the lineup."

Third-place UCLA lost starting pitcher Jim Parque. The left-hander will miss two weeks with a strained elbow. Parque was 7-7 with a 4.15 ERA in 17 starts. Right-hander Tim Leary (3-5, 4.76 ERA in 45 relief appearances) will take Parque's rotation turn. Boardwalk Brown came up from the minors to pitch out of the Bruin bullpen.

UCLA also sent Rich Amaral down to the minors. Amaral was struggling with a .188 average. Promising hitter Eric Karros was brought up. Karros was tearing up Triple-A ball with a .321 average, 27 home runs and 75 RBIs. Karros, an infielder, hit just .210 in 105 at-bats last year with UCLA.

Diamond Notes: USC's 13-game winning streak is just one short of Arizona State's record of 14 straight victories. The Sun Devils' streak came last season en route to the AABL West title . . . USC swept Arizona State in a brief two-game series right after the All-Star break. USC won both games by shutouts (7-0 and 5-0) . . . The Trojans have won 21 of their last 24 games . . . Trojan right-hander Tom Seaver may be turning things around. Seaver has won this last two starts with a 1.80 ERA. Seaver is 5-6 with a 3.07 ERA on the year . . . Mark Kotsay and Reed Johnson, recent minor league call-ups, have had mariginal success for Cal State Fullerton. Kotsay is batting .240 with one RBI for the Titans. Johnson is hitless in nine at-bats.

Stat of the Week: Stanford closer Steve Chitren has converted 15 straight save opportunities. If the right-hander can convert his next two save chances, Chitren will equal his record of 17 consecutive set a year ago.

West Standings

Team W L PCT GB
Southern California 66 23 .742 --
Arizona State 55 34 .618 11.0
UCLA 52 37 .584 14.0
Stanford 47 42 .528 19.0
California 45 44 .506 21.0
Arizona 43 46 .483 23.0
Texas 43 46 .483 23.0
San Diego State 34 55 .382 32.0
Cal State Fullerton 33 56 .371 33.0
Oklahoma State 27 62 .303 39.0

08-13-2006, 02:23 PM	#222 (permalink)
batted balls All Star Starter Join Date: May 2003 Location: White Sox Country Posts: 1,319 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	Prior Headlines Growing West Disabled List July 12, 2007 Los Angeles--The injuries are mounting in the All-American Baseball League West. The biggest name to be sidelined belongs to Southern California pitcher Mark Prior. Prior, 11-4 with a 2.29 ERA, will head to the 15-day disabled list with a pulled triceps muscle. The All-Star right-hander leads the West in strikeouts with 160 in just 126 innings pitched. Prior (shown below) was last season's Golden Arm Award winner. "We're obviously concerned with Mark's injury," said Trojan manager Rod Dedeaux. "We do have the luxury of a lead in the West." USC has won 13 straight games and has built an 11-game lead over second-place Arizona State. The Trojans are a remarkable 66-23. Dedeaux indicated that left-hander Bill Lee will take Prior's slot in the rotation. Lee is 3-0 with a 1.88 ERA. Lee, who also has two saves, has made three starts in 10 appearances this season. Minor leaguer Brian Cooper was called up to take Prior's roster spot. While USC lost one of its top pitchers, Arizona lost its starting short stop. Eddie Leon will be out at least two weeks with pulled ligaments in his throwing arm. Although Leon was batting just .154, Leon did manage to hit four home runs and drove home 29 runs. "Eddie being out also hurts us defensively," said Arizona manager Jerry Kindall. "While he may not make too highlight reels, Eddie makes the routine play nearly every time." Arizona will shift All-Star second baseman Jason Bates to short. Utility man Casey Candaele will take over at second. Outfielder Chip Hale was brought up from the minors. "Jason won't be the kind of short stop Eddie is, but he'll hold his own," said Kindall. "Casey will give us a little more speed in the lineup." Third-place UCLA lost starting pitcher Jim Parque. The left-hander will miss two weeks with a strained elbow. Parque was 7-7 with a 4.15 ERA in 17 starts. Right-hander Tim Leary (3-5, 4.76 ERA in 45 relief appearances) will take Parque's rotation turn. Boardwalk Brown came up from the minors to pitch out of the Bruin bullpen. UCLA also sent Rich Amaral down to the minors. Amaral was struggling with a .188 average. Promising hitter Eric Karros was brought up. Karros was tearing up Triple-A ball with a .321 average, 27 home runs and 75 RBIs. Karros, an infielder, hit just .210 in 105 at-bats last year with UCLA. Diamond Notes: USC's 13-game winning streak is just one short of Arizona State's record of 14 straight victories. The Sun Devils' streak came last season en route to the AABL West title . . . USC swept Arizona State in a brief two-game series right after the All-Star break. USC won both games by shutouts (7-0 and 5-0) . . . The Trojans have won 21 of their last 24 games . . . Trojan right-hander Tom Seaver may be turning things around. Seaver has won this last two starts with a 1.80 ERA. Seaver is 5-6 with a 3.07 ERA on the year . . . Mark Kotsay and Reed Johnson, recent minor league call-ups, have had mariginal success for Cal State Fullerton. Kotsay is batting .240 with one RBI for the Titans. Johnson is hitless in nine at-bats. Stat of the Week: Stanford closer Steve Chitren has converted 15 straight save opportunities. If the right-hander can convert his next two save chances, Chitren will equal his record of 17 consecutive set a year ago. West Standings Team W L PCT GB Southern California 66 23 .742 -- Arizona State 55 34 .618 11.0 UCLA 52 37 .584 14.0 Stanford 47 42 .528 19.0 California 45 44 .506 21.0 Arizona 43 46 .483 23.0 Texas 43 46 .483 23.0 San Diego State 34 55 .382 32.0 Cal State Fullerton 33 56 .371 33.0 Oklahoma State 27 62 .303 39.0 Attached Images __________________ White Sox fan since 1972 Last edited by batted balls; 08-13-2006 at 04:22 PM.