[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League – Baseball Bi-Weekly
Vol. 5, Monday, June 1, 2009 (cont.)

Northern League Profiles

Sacramento Stingers

Record: Last 2 Weeks (6-5), Overall 22-23

2-Week Synopsis: Split 4 vs Indianapolis, Lost both vs Memphis, Swept 2 vs Alabama, Won 2 of 3 vs Philadelphia

Leaders:
Avg – George Hall .367
HRs – George Hall 16
RBIs – George Hall 38

Wins - Jim Devlin 7
ERA - Jim Devlin 3.13
Ks - Jim Devlin 95

Top Performance: George Hall went 3-for-3 with 2 homers, 4 RBI and 3 runs scored in a 10-7 win over Indianapolis on May 20.

Injuries: 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 Stingers got a pair of injured players back. SS Sam Bankhead returned from his hamstring injury and has hit .292 since his return. CF Ginger Beaumont is off the disabled list, but he's not getting his job back yet. Jason Bay continues to play despite his struggles, batting only .197.

2) LF Socks Seybold continues to produce, batting .345 with a 1.058 OPS in May to raise his season totals to .316/.380/.567 with 7 homers and 25 RBI. He also leads the PBL with 22 doubles.

3) The Stingers continue to lead the Northern League with 55 homers.

4) Besides a 5-run blown save against Chicago on May 1, closer Brad Lidge is 2-0 with a 2.75 ERA. He's converted his last 4 chances.

Wichita Brigade

Record: Last 2 Weeks (7-5), Overall 28-19

2-Week Synopsis: Won 3 of 4 vs Chicago, Won 2 vs Alabama, Lost both vs Memphis, Split 4 at New York

Leaders:
Avg - Doggie Miller .308
HRs - Robinson Cano 6
RBIs - Jimmy Sheckard 27

W - Rube Waddell 8
ERA - Rube Waddell 2.52
Ks - Rube Waddell 95

Top Performance: Jonas Gaines threw a 3-hit shutout against the Chicago Hitmen on May 20.

Injuries: CF Spotswood Poles is due off the disabled list this week and says he almost 100% after his oblique strain.

Round Trip (Four miscellaneous points about the team):
1) Rube Waddell was named Northern League Pitcher of the month for May, going 5-1 with a 2.29 ERA. Waddell has been incredible, putting up quality starts in 10 of his 12 starts, and has thrown at least 8 innings in 9 of his last 10 starts.

2) Wichita supporters point out that they are the league's most balanced team, leading the Northern League in ERA while placing third in runs scored despite their lack - other than Waddell - of someone considered a true star. Critics however note the advantageous early schedule that has seen Wichita play 33 of its first 47 games at home. That changes this month, as Wichita plays 20 of 23 games on the road.

3) Jack Powell continues to struggle since returning from the disabled list. In 4 April starts, Powell was 2-0 with a 1.72 ERA. In 4 May starts, 1-2 with a 9.64 mark.

4) Manager Whitey Herzog's response to the home/road argument? "I have four starters with an ERA under three and a quarter. We'll win on the damn moon if that keeps up." Waddell (2.52), Jonas Gaines (3.09), Jay Hughes (3.25) and Al Orth (3.23) make him hard to argue with.