[Papi]

May 9,10,11 v Bangor Crusaders (23-7)

May 9-Former Mules infielder Bobby Harris hit a pinch hit, two run double, making a tight 2-1 ballgame, a 4-1 Crusaders win. Tony Aguirre pitched eight innings, scattering seven hits and just the one run, walking none and striking out four, while Hyeok Park pitched a perfect ninth, earning the save. Newmarket scored its lone run on a solo HR off the bat of Jeffrey Franklin. (23-8)
W-Tony Aguirre (3-0) L-Chris Briggs (4-2) S-Hyeok Park (8) HR-NMKT Jeffrey Franklin (2)

May 10-Scott Fullerton and Alberto Flores each had two hits and an RBI and Rafael Gutierrez hit a solo HR as Newmarket snuck past Bangor, 3-2. Felipe Garcia pitched seven innings, allowing just four hits and two runs, while walking two and striking out six, staying perfect on the year at 6-0. (24-8)
W-Felipa Garcia (6-0) L-Pedro Rangel (3-2) S-John Coury (10) HR-NMKT Rafael Gutierrez (2)

May 11-A two run bottom of the 8th inning, capped by an RBI single from Juan Escobedo, who went 4-5 helped Newmarket come from behind to beat Bangor, 4-3. Fernando Peralta added two hits and an RBI for the Mules, while Denis Sullivan hit a solo HR to lead the Crusader offense in the loss. Ki-heung Song pitched a perfect eighth inning, picking up the win. (25-8)
W-Ki-heung Song (2-1) L-Francisco Galiendo (1-2) S-John Coury (11) HR-BAN Denis Sullivan (5)

May 12,13,14 at Orono Red Riot (12-21)

May 12-Miguel Lopez hit a pair of homeruns, driving in three for the game, and Dave Spence hit a game breaking grand slam, as Orono beat Newmarket easily, 8-2. Hector Garcia pitched 8 2/3 innings, giving up just five hits and the two runs, walking four and striking out six, while Alex Herman picked up the loss, allowing nine hits and seven runsin 5 2/3 innings of work. (25-9)
W-Hector Garcia (2-5) L-Alex Herman (2-2) HR-NMKT Fernando Peralta (4), ORO Miguel Lopez 2(4), Dave Spence (6), Andres Medina (5)

May 13-Quint Kobes went 3-5 with a homerun, three RBI and two runs scored and Juan Escobedo added three hits, including a homerun and two RBI as Newmarket beat up on Orono, 8-3. Sergio Hernandez, playing in place of the injured Mario Saenz, went 2-3 with a double and two runs scored in support of Jesus Guardado, who allowed three runs over 7 2/3 innings, moving to 6-1 on the year. (26-9)
W-Jesus Guardado (6-1) L-Doug Rich (3-5) HR-NMKT Juan Escobedo (4), Quint Kobes (4)

May 14-Juan Escobed continued his hot streak, going 2-5 with a homerun and three RBI and Roberto Rodriguez added a solo shot as the Mules took two of three from the Red Riot, winning 7-3. Escobedo is hitting .447 (30-67) with three homeruns and 12 RBI in the last 16 games for the Mules. Chris Briggs pitched a complete game, giving up six hits and three runs, walking just one, striking out six, and throwing 122 pitches. (27-9)
W-Chris Briggs (5-2) L-Pier-Alexandre Beaupre (2-3) HR-NMKT Juan Escobedo (5), Roberto Rodriguez (4), ORO Andres Medina (6), Ramiro Guzman (5)

News and Notes:

NL Player of the Week: Juan Escobedo (Newmarket) .484 (15-31) 2 HR 7 RBI
SL Player of the Week: Glenn Ward (Danvers) .400 (10-25) 5 HR 12 RBI

-Bangor and OF Aurelio Barron have come to terms on a new three year deal that will keep Barron in Bangor until his 35th birthday. The deal calls for him to be paid a total of $5,895,000. The 32 year old Barron is hitting .312 with five homeruns and 23 RBI on the year and is a career .291 hitter with 66 homeruns and 261 RBI in 380 games, all with the Crusaders.

Minor League Update:

Eduardo "Boy Scout" Delgado (11-5 1.85 @ AAA last year)--(59/70/63-59/72/65)--Had amazing year at AAA last year. His numbers across the board were staggering: 27 games, 21 starts 155 2/3 IP 114 H 169/33 K/BB ratio. Also posted 0.95 WHIP and .201 opponent BA and gave up just six homeruns. Will probably start 2012 in the Mules bullpen.

Augusto "Spud" Lima (.301 10-56 @ AAA last year)--(54/78/43/37/77-54/83/58/56/84)--Acquired from Nashua in the offseason for Jesus Flores, Lima should be the starting SS next year for Newmarket. Had 23 doubles and five triples in just under 300 AB's. Walked 25 times and struck out 55, and also stole 31 bases in 40 attempts.

Jose Reyes (.233 1-25 @ AA last year)--(49/82/18/30/32-58/91/38/56/47)--Reyes continues to slip down the prospect list for the Mules as he can't stay healthy. He required rotator cuff surgery towards the end of last season and hasn't played at all this year and may not. Did hit 15 doubles in 233 at-bats, so the gap to gap power is still there, but he's running low on chances.

Sergio Aguirre (.299 5-18 @ AA)--(44/54/42/48/45-64/77/47/51/85)--Signed as an international Free Agent, Aguirre made an impact right away, hitting just .200, but slugging nine homeruns in 202 AB's for AA. Has a teriffic eye at the plate as well, posting a 22/21 BB/K ratio thusfar on the year. Should be in line for a starting job within a year or two, or at least challenging for Sergio Hernandez spot on the bench for the Mules.

Tony Cordova (12-9 2.89 @ AA last year)--(53/63/39-53/63/47)-Non prospect has transformed himself into a solid young thrower. Started 27 games a year ago, pitching 196 innings and allowing juts 174 hits, while walking 51 and strikig out 178. Will finish out the year at AA and next year will be in the rotation in AAA.

Next up for Newmarket will be three games at home against the Augusta Moose, followed by three games on the road in Portland against the Bulldogs. I will also begin to post information about the other teams, especially in the Southern League so that everyone can get to know them a little better.