[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League – Baseball Bi-Weekly
Vol. 3, Monday, May 18, 2009 (cont.)

Northern League Profiles
Indianapolis Engines

Record: Last 2 Weeks (6-4), Overall 18-18

2-Week Synopsis: Swept 2 at Alabama, Won 2 of 3 vs Philiadelphia, Lost both vs Louisville, Won 2 of 3 vs Wichita

Leaders:
Avg - Elmer Flick .353
HRs – Elmer Flick 5
RBIs - Elmer Flick 29

Wins - Jack Taylor, Pud Galvin 4
ERA - Pud Galvin 2.27
Ks - Charlie Buffinton 49

Top Performance: Nick Johnson, in only his third start of the year, went 2-for-3 with 2 homers - including a grand slam - 2 walks and 6 RBI in the Engines' 10-9 victory over Wichita on May 17.

Round Trip (Four miscellaneous points about the team):
1) Manager Frank Salee had a sit-down with a disgruntled Aaron Rowand that has apparently calmed the centerfielder for the moment. "I asked him who to sit and he had no answer," Salee said. "It's a good problem to have."

2) Perhaps a spot to work Rowand in now would be to give Billy Hamilton a rest. Hamilton has seen his average fall 75 points in two weeks to .291, and he's now 6 for 49 this month.

3) After trading for catcher Ossee Schreckengost, Indianapolis wanted to be patient as he worked through his struggles. But now hitting a measley .157, the team's patience may be at an end. So is Schreckengst's, as evidenced by his 38 strikeouts to 7 walks.

4) The bullpen has shaved its ERA down 3/4 of a run in the past two weeks. Rumor has it that despite his surprising work in the rotation so far, Victor Zambrano (3.58)is going to be shifted to the pen to help there. Candy Cummings (9.82) will get a turn or two in the rotation.


Louisville Racers

Record: Last 2 Weeks (5-5), Overall 15-21

2-Week Synopsis: Split 2 at Arizona, Won 2 of 3 at Wichita, Swept 2 at Indianapolis, Lost all 3 at Philadelphia

Leaders:
Avg – Dan Brouthers .373
HRs - Dan Brouthers 14
RBIs - Dan Brouthers 35

Wins - Roy Oswalt 6
ERA - Roy Oswalt 3.56
Ks - Roy Oswalt 66

Top Performance: Roy Oswalt allowed 1 run on 4 hits over 8 innings, striking out a season-high 13 batters in Louisville's 4-1 win over Indianapolis May 13.

Round Trip (Four miscellaneous points about the team):
1) There's some concern that Edinson Volquez returned from the disabled list too soon. He gave up 6 runs over 5 innings in his first start back, but surrendered only a run over 6 innings his next time out. But in his last start he gave up 6 runs over 4 1/3 innings in a 9-7 loss at Philadelphia.

2) Will White has gotten a decision in all nine of his starts. The problem is that 8 of them are losses. After a strong spring, White has started off with a horrible April and an uneven May to this point. He's shown signs of improvement, but not to a sufficient degree.

3) An unsung hero on offense has been Lefty Marr, who is hitting .378 on the month and has now raised his average to .300 on the year.

4) After a rough April, young John Donaldson seems to be coming around. Pitching to a 6.75 ERA in April, Donaldson has posted a 3.48 ERA in three starts this month.