[EMSoccerCoach]

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

Northern League Profiles

Sacramento Stingers

Record: Last 2 Weeks (6-4), Overall 16-18

2-Week Synopsis: Swept 2 vs Orlando, Lost 2 of 3 vs Charlotte, Split 2 vs New York, Won 2 of 3 at Chicago

Leaders:
Avg – George Hall.369
HRs – George Hall 13
RBIs – George Hall 31

Wins - Jim Devlin 5
ERA - Jim Devlin 3.18
Ks - Jim Devlin 72

Top Performance: Arlie Latham went 4-for-4 with a stolen base and 3 runs scored in a 12-10 win over New York on May 11.

Injuries: The Stingers should get Ginger Beaumont back this week, fully recovered from his bicep strain. Sam Bankhead should also return at the end of the week. However, outfielder Cory Sullivan tore a ligament in his thumb on May 10 and will be out until at least early July.

Round Trip (Four miscellaneous points about the team):
1) The injury to Cory Sullivan was sad to see, as the young outfielder had done a remarkable job filling in for Ginger Beaumont since his injury. Sullivan had only 6 at bats in April, but since taking over in center after Beaumont's injury, Sullivan had hit .370 with 7 runs and 6 RBI.

2) The injury to Sullivan led to George Hall being moved to center and Jason Bay taking over in left field. But Bay struggled, going 2-for-16 since joining the lineup.

3) The Stingers continue to lead the Northern League with 41 homers.

4) The expected switch at closer was nullified when J.J. Putz was disabled with shoulder soreness. That left Brad Lidge with the opportunity to raise his game, and he has, converting his last 3 save opportunities.

Wichita Brigade

Record: Last 2 Weeks (5-5), Overall 21-14

2-Week Synopsis: Split 2 vs New Orleans, Lost 2 of 3 vs Louisville, Won 2 vs Philadelphia, Lost 2 of 3 at Indianapolis

Leaders:
Avg - Spotswood Poles .339
HRs - Spotswood Poles 5
BIs - Spotswood Poles 23

W - Rube Waddell 6
ERA - Rube Waddell 2.84
Ks - Rube Waddell 72

Top Performance: Oyster Burns went 2-for-4 with a homer, 2 runs and 4 RBI in an 8-1 victory over Philadelphia on May 11.

Round Trip (Four miscellaneous points about the team):
1) Jack Powell's return from injury has not gone as well as hoped. In his first game back, Powell gave up 8 runs - 7 earned - over 6 2/3 in a 10-1 loss to Louisville. He followed that effort by giving up 7 runs over 5 1/3 in a 10-9 loss at Indianapolis. When he got hurt, Powell's ERA was 1.72; it's now 4.15.

2) Manager Whitey Herzog decided to stick with Al Orth in the rotation when Powell returned despite the good start by Jake Westbrook. For now, Westbrook will serve in the setup role. Orth responded by throwing a complete game, allowing only 2 runs in a 14-2 drubbing of Philadelphia. "Jake's time will come," Herzog said, also noting Westbrook took the move well.

3) After 6 straight starts in which he earned the win - and in which he went at least 8 innings - Rube Waddell stumbled against allowing 5 runs over 6 innings in Indianapolis. He took it well, though: Wichita won the game 9-5.

4) Robinson Cano has turned it on this month, batting .388 with 3 homers, 6 RBI and 11 runs scored.