The Pastime Baseball League

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League – Baseball Bi-Weekly
Vol. 2, Monday, April 20, 2009 (cont.)

Southern League Profiles



Record: Last 2 Weeks (3-8), Overall 6-9

2-Week Synopsis: Lost 3 of 4 vs Arizona, Lost both vs Indianapolis, Lost both at Chicago, Won 2 of 3 at New Orleans >>

Leaders:
Avg – Grant Johnson .308
HRs – Alejandro Oms, Lip Pike 3
RBIs – Jimmy Ryan 12

Wins – Jouett Meekin/Charlie Sweeney 2
ERA – Charlie Sweeney 3.27
Ks – Tommy Bond 28

Top Performance: Corey Hart went 3-for-5 with 2 homers and 5 RBI in a 14-3 drubbing of New Orleans on April 18. Hart also scored 2 runs and drew a walk in the game.

Round Trip (Four miscallaneous points about the team):
1) The 14-run effort in Corey Hart’s big game skews the team’s overall offensive numbers a bit, particularly in runs, where their total of 53 puts them 5^th in the Southern League. Remove that effort and they have scored 39 runs in 14 games, more in line with their league-lowest Avg (.234), OBP (.286) and SLG (.347).
2) Lip Pike has produced as expected following the April 3 trade that acquired him from Indianapolis. Though hitting only .229, Pike has hit 3 homers and driven in 8, drawing 9 walks as well for a .400 OBP and a .519 SLG.
3) While Pike has played well, the void created by dealing Ossie Schrekengost to Indianapolis hasn’t worked out, as catcher Tom Daly is hitting only .160.
4) Besides the New Orleans game, Corey Hart is 4-for-21 with no homers and 1 RBI.



Record: Last 2 Weeks (3-8), Overall 4-11

2-Week Synopsis: Lost 3 of 4 vs San Antonio, Split 2 vs Sacramento, Lost both at Wichita, Lost 2 of 3 at Memphis>>

Leaders:
Avg – Mike Donlin/George Scales .383
HRs – Harry Stovey 4
RBIs – Harry Stovey 16

Wins – John Clarkson/Billy Rhines/Ervin Santana/Brian Lawrence 1
ERA – Scott Kazmir 3.52
Ks – John Clarkson/Brian Lawrence 14

Top Performance: Scott Kazmir gave up only 2 hits over 8 scoreless innings, striking out 9 in a 4-0 loss against San Antonio on April 9.
Injuries: Kazmir has been sidelined with a tired arm since being pulled in the 4^th inning of a start at Wichita on April 15. He’s due to come off the DL on April 30.

Round Trip (Four miscallaneous points about the team):
1) Scott Kazmir’s season has been a strange one. He was shelled for 11 runs in his first start of the year, then came back with 8 shutout innings against San Antonio, only to matched by Noodles Hahn and see the bullpen – namely Al Spalding – surrender 4 in the 10^th of a 4-0 loss. He came back and threw 3 2/3 shutout innings at Wichita before being pulled with what the team called a tired arm, seeing him head to the DL.
2) Pitching has been the main struggle for Los Angeles, as the team has posted a brutal 6.43 ERA. Three starters over 6 (Brian Lawrence at 6.23, John Clarkson at 6.30, Billy Rhines at a whopping 8.10), a cumulative bullpen ERA of 7.26 and allowing a home run a game are good ways to end up – well – 4-11.>>
3) The offense is power or bust right now. Their 14 homers are tied for second in the Southern League, but their 37 walks leave them 6^th, as is their .312 OBP.
4) Do not expect the current semi-platoon with Miguel Cabrera and Joe Crede to last. Cabrera is hitting .346 with a .370 OBP slugging .654, dwarfing Crede’s .219/.375/.594 production.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League – Baseball Bi-Weekly
Vol. 2, Monday, April 20, 2009 (cont.)

Southern League Profiles



Record: Last 2 Weeks (7-4), Overall 10-5

2-Week Synopsis: Swept 4 at Alabama, Split 2 vs Louisville, Lost both at Charlotte, Won 2 of 3 at Los Angeles

Leaders:
Avg - Deacon White .373
HRs - Cap Anson 5
RBIs - Deacon White 17

Wins - Jesse Tannehill 3
ERA - Jesse Tannehill 0.39
Ks - Tim Lincecum 28

Top Performance: Cap Anson was 2-for-2 with a pair of homers, 4 RBI, 2 walks and 2 runs scored in a 6-5 win over Los Angeles on April 17.

Injuries: Aubrey Huff is set to come off the DL any day now and says he's fully recovered from the high ankle sprain suffered during spring training March 23.

Round Trip (Four miscallaneous points about the team):
1) Deacon White has hit in all 15 games so far for Memphis.
2) White's team-leading average has Oscar Charleston beat by 2 points.
3) The expected punch of Charleston and Ichiro Suzuki hitting back-to-back has been stalled by Suzuki's slow start. He's batting only .255 and has yet to draw a walk.
4) The most remarkable part of Jesse Tannehill's amazing start? He's posted that 0.39 ERA over three starts while striking out 2 batters.



Record: Last 2 Weeks (3-8), Overall 4-9

2-Week Synopsis: Swept in 4 at Orlando, Swept in 2 at New York, Swept 2 at Philadelphia, Lost 2 or 3 vs Las Vegas

Leaders:
Avg - Fred Carroll .345
HRs - Topsy Hartsel 3
RBIs - Topsy Hartsel 8

Wins - Doc McJames 2
ERA - Doc McJames 2.28
Ks - Doc McJames 24

Top Performance: Mark Prior threw a complete game 4-hitter, striking out 11 while allowing only 1 run - a 9th inning RBI double to Lip Pike, in a 9-1 win against Las Vegas April 17.

Injuries: Seth McClung - disabled since March 18 with a sore shoulder - is eligible to come off the 15-day DL at any time, though the team says he is likely 2 weeks from returning.

Round Trip (Four miscallaneous points about the team):
1) Topsy Hartsel was named Southern League Player of the Week last week, having hit .476 (10-for-21) with 3 homers, 7 RBI and 4 runs scored.
2) There is some definite potential in this rotation, but this is a poor lineup. Ross Barnes and Sam Thompson are going to have to carry things, as beyond that there is little there. This team has scored a Southern League-low 43 runs so far.
3) Dontrelle Willis has been knocked around horribly so far, giving up 24 hits over 13 2/3 innings in his 3 starts to the tune of a 10.54 ERA. While excellent in his last start, Mark Prior had posted a 14 ERA in his first two outings as well.
4) Running hasn't been part of manager Tony LaRussa's game so far, but he's picked his spots. The Knights are 3-for-3 in steals...Curtis Granderson has 2 and Topsy Hartsel has the other.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League – Baseball Bi-Weekly
Vol. 2, Monday, April 20, 2009 (cont.)

Southern League Profiles



Record: Last 2 Weeks (7-4), Overall 10-5

2-Week Synopsis: Swept 4 vs New Orleans, Lost both at Philadelphia, Won both at New York, Lost 2 of 3 vs Arizona

Leaders:
Avg – Sam Crawford .447
HRs – Ryan Howard 5
RBIs – Ezra Sutton20

Wins – Chuck Smith 4
ERA – Sam Leever3.18
Ks – Sam Leever/Francisco Liriano 24

Top Performance: Ezra Sutton went 3-for-5 with 4 RBI in a 14-7 pounding of New Orleans on April 9.

Round Trip (Four miscallaneous points about the team):
1) Ryan Howard was named Southern League Player of the Week for the week ended April 13. Howard went 10-for-24 (.417) with 4 HRs and 12 RBI for the week.
2) Avg, OBP, SLG, OPS, Runs, Hits, Extra Base Hits, Homers and Walks. These are the categories in which Orlando leads the Southern League.
3) The last point is particularly impressive when you consider Honus Wagner hasn't even produced yet, batting .246.
4) Chien-Ming Wang is supposed to be the number 5 starter, but scheduling quirks have kept him from taking his turn thus far. He's thrown five games out of the pen and looked a bit shaky, but it's expected he'll pick up a start this week.



Record: Last 2 Weeks (7-5), Overall 8-6

2-Week Synopsis: Won 3 of 4 at Los Angeles, Split 2 vs Wichita, Swept 2 at Sacramento, Lost 2 of 3 at Alabama

Leaders:
Avg – Jimmy Williams .333
HRs – Jimmy Williams 2
RBIs – Hugh Duffy 11

Wins – Joe McGinnity 3
ERA – Noodles Hahn 0.69
Ks – Noodles Hahn 25

Top Performance: Noodles Hahn threw a complete game 4-hit shutout, striking out 10 in a 4-0 win over Los Angeles on April 9.

Round Trip (Four miscallaneous points about the team):
1) A surprise has been Scott Podsednik. Batting .306 with a .370 OBP, Podsednik has gotten the bulk of starts in left field and currently leads the Southern League in steals with 7.
2) As if the great starts of Noodles Hahn and Joe McGinnity haven't been enough, the Sheriffs just got Brandon Webb back from the disabled list. His flexor tendon healed in his index finger, Webb returned with 8 innings, allowing 3 unearned runs and striking out 5 against Alabama on April 18th.
3) How long will Kyle Lohse banished for? Who knows. But after allowing 5 runs on 6 hits in a third of an inning against Los Angeles on April 8, manager Bobby Cox has yet to let Lohse see the mound again. So that ugly 162.16 ERA stands, at least for now.
4) The Sheriffs have a PBL-leading 27 steals, with 10 players having already notched at least 1 over the first 14 games.

[EMSoccerCoach]

That wraps up the second edition. New edition will begin tomorrow.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League – Baseball Bi-Weekly
Vol. 3, Monday, May 4, 2009

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League – Baseball Bi-Weekly
Vol. 3, Monday, May 4, 2009 (cont.)

Northern League Statistics

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League – Baseball Bi-Weekly
Vol. 3, Monday, May 4, 2009 (cont.)

Southern League Statistics

[EMSoccerCoach]

DELETED...files too large.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League – Baseball Bi-Weekly
Vol. 3, Monday, May 4, 2009 (cont.)

Northern League Profiles

Charlotte Cougars

Record: Last 2 Weeks (8-3), Overall 19-7

2-Week Synopsis: Won 2 of 3 at Philadelphia, Swept 2 vs Louisville, Swept 4 vs New York, Lost both at Arizona

Leaders:
Avg - John McGraw .354
HRs - Paul Hines 6
RBIs - Paul Hines 24

Wins - Kid Nichols 5
ERA - Tim Keefe 2.78
Ks - Kid Nichols 45

Top Performance: Fred Dunlap went 4-for-6 with a triple, HR, 3 runs and 5 RBI in a 15-3 win over New York on April 29.

Round Trip (Four miscellaneous points about the team):
1) Kid Nichols was named Northern League Pitcher of the Month for April. Only 20, Nichols went 5-0 with a 3.00 ERA, striking out 45 over 48 innings in 6 starts.
2) The awards continued as just before press time, catcher Roger Bresnahan won Northern League Player of the Week honors for the week ended May 3. Bresnahan returned April 25 after being diagnosed with plantar fasciatis late in spring training. He took the collar his first game back, but has since hit in 7 straight. For the week of the award, he hit .560 (14-for-25) with 3 homers and 12 RBI.
3) After six bullpen appearances, Ben Sheets has taken the 5^th starter slot and taken it firmly. Sheets gave up a run on 6 hits over 8 2/3, striking out 5 in a 5-1 win at Philadelphia in his first start, and followed that up with a complete game win in the 15-3 pounding at New York on April 29. On the year, Sheets is 2-1 with a 2.35 ERA.
4) Matt Cain’s year remains one of involvement. In 8 appearances, Cain has 3 wins, a loss and 3 saves. His record and 2.79 ERA misrepresent his effectiveness, though, as he’s given up 12 hits and walked 4 in 9 2/3 innings of work.

Chicago Hitmen

Record: Last 2 Weeks (5-6), Overall 10-16

2-Week Synopsis: Swept in 3 by Wichita, Lost both at Indianapolis, Swept 4 at Sacramento, Split 2 vs Alabama

Leaders:
Avg - King Kelly .345
HRs - Albert Pujols 5
RBIs - Albert Pujols 24

Wins - Cy Young/George Bradley 3
ERA - Cy Young 3.91
Ks - George Bradley 42

Top Performance: Albert Pujols went 3-for-5 with 2 HRs and a walk, scoring 4 runs and driving in 7 in a 14-11 slugfest win over Sacramento on May 1. Among Pujols’ hits was a 2-out 9^th inning grand slam with the score tied 9-9 off of Brad Lidge (yes, Pujols even owns him in OOTP).

Round Trip (Four miscallaneous points about the team):
1) After having not stolen a base in their first 15 games, the Hitmen have since stolen 4. One of them was by pitcher Bob Caruthers.
2) King Kelly has banged out 15 doubles to lead the Northern League.
3) Their offense has been lackluster – the Sacramento game notwithstanding – but Chicago has arguably been hurt most by their defense, which has committed a PBL-leading 30 errors, leading to a whopping 25 unearned runs – just shy of 1 a game.
4) The Hitmen hope to be turning the corner, having won 5 of their last 6. They next head to Memphis - the Southern League's top team at 16-10 - for a pair, but then come home for an 8-game homestand.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League – Baseball Bi-Weekly
Vol. 3, Monday, May 4, 2009 (cont.)

Northern League Profiles
Indianapolis Engines

Record: Last 2 Weeks (4-7), Overall 12-14

2-Week Synopsis: Lost 3 vs Sacramento, Swept 2 vs Chicago, Split 4 at Wichita, Lost both at Memphis

Leaders:
Avg - Billy Hamilton .366
HRs – Elmer Flick 4
RBIs - Elmer Flick 21

Wins - Jack Taylor, Pud Galvin 3
ERA - Pud Galvin 1.56
Ks - Charlie Buffinton 38

Top Performance: Victor Zambrano allowed only 1 run over 7 innings, allowing 4 hits and striking out 9 and walking none in a 3-1 win at Chicago.

Round Trip (Four miscellaneous points about the team):
1) Chief among Indianapolis manager Frank Selee’s concerns is the bullpen. The rotation’s ERA is 3.13, tops in the Southern League. The bullpen ERA, however, is 7.62 – the main culprits being Doug Waechter (11.66) and Candy Cummings (11.37).
2) The Engines have four players hitting .333 or better – Jake Beckley (.333), Elmer Flick (.337), Abner Dalrymple (.349) and Billy Hamilton (.366).
3) The trade for catcher Ossee Schreckengost has yielded little thus far. Schreckengost is hitting a paltry .182, and has struck out in a third of his at bats.
4) Aaron Rowand is reportedly unhappy about his lack of playing time. Rowand suffered a fractured rib during spring training, but hit a 2-run homer in his return April 15 against Arizona. Since then, however, Rowand has 2 at bats and a walk. While a nice player, Rowand is stuck behind three outfielders who are all raking the ball right now – Flick, Dalrymple and Hamilton.

Louisville Racers

Record: Last 2 Weeks (3-8), Overall 10-16

2-Week Synopsis: Lost 2 of 3 at New York, Lost both at Charlotte, Lost 3 of 4 vs Philadelphia, Split 2 vs Las Vegas

Leaders:
Avg – Dan Brouthers .381
HRs - Dan Brouthers 11
RBIs - Dan Brouthers 28

Wins - Roy Oswalt 4
ERA - Roy Oswalt 3.81
Ks - Roy Oswalt 46

Top Performance: Dan Brouthers went 3-for-5 with two homers, 4 RBI and 3 runs scored in a 9-7 loss to Philadelphia on April 29.

Injuries: Edinson Volquez has returned from the disabled list and is scheduled to make his next turn in the rotation.

Round Trip (Four miscellaneous points about the team):
1) The league’s best player Dan Brouthers leads the league’s most potent offense (135 runs, 5.19 a game). The only problem? The most runs allowed in the league (146).
2) Shawn Chacon went 1-1 with a 4.20 ERA in two starts filling in for Edinson Volquez while he was on the DL.
3) David Dejesus has been strong in his platoon role. Playing against righties – when Roy Thomas moves to left, displacing Joe Kelley – Dejesus is hitting .407 with 2 homers, 8 RBI and 17 runs, which places him in the top 10 in the league.
4) Brian Roberts and Pop Smith may have a longer wait at second base than anyone expected, as Hardy Richardson continues to produce. Richardson is hitting .306, and his 17 walks give him a .408 OBP thus far.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League – Baseball Bi-Weekly
Vol. 3, Monday, May 4, 2009 (cont.)

Northern League Profiles
New York Heroes

Record: Last 2 Weeks (7-6), Overall 14-11

2-Week Synopsis: Won 2 of 3 vs Louisville, Won 3 of 4 vs Philadelphia, Lost all 4 at Charlotte, Swept 2 at Los Angeles

Leaders:
Avg – Ed McKean .360
HRs - Jesse Burkett, Roger Connor, David Wright 3
RBIs – Ed McKean 18

Wins - Jim McCormick 4
ERA - Jim McCormick 1.46
Ks - Harry Howell 35

Top Performance: Ed McKean went 5-for-5 with a homer, double and 3 RBI in a 12-3 win over Philadelphia on April 24.

Round Trip (Four miscallaneous points about the team):
1) Jim McCormick’s innings in each start so far: 8, 9, 8, 8 1/3, 8, 8. That’s an ace.
2) Closer Jonathan Papelbon hit his first bump. Working two innings against Louisville on April 22, he gave up two runs on four hits. But Papelbon has since responded with 4 straight saves.
3) After going 6 for his first 46 (a .130 clip), Grady Sizemore has gone 8-for-21, raising his average to .233. His 16 walks give him a respectable .371 OBP.
4) While Sizemore’s patience has been praised, David Wright’s lack thereof has been frustrating. New York is high on his tools, but the young third baseman is hitting only .213 and has drawn 1 walk, compared with 21 strikeouts. Wright says he’s not pressing, but concedes he’s “not getting it done.”


Philadelphia Ringers
Record: Last 2 Weeks (6-7), Overall 13-11

2-Week Synopsis: Lost 2 of 3 vs Charlotte, Lost 3 of 4 at New York, Won 3 of 4 at Louisville, Split 2 at San Antonio

Leaders:
Avg - Pete Gillespie .358
HRs - John O'Rourke 8
RBIs - John O'Rourke 24

Wins - Satchel Paige, Old Hoss Radbourn, Bill Duggleby 3
ERA - Satchel Paige 2.49
Ks - Satchel Paige 54

Top Performance: Red Donohue threw 8 shutout innings of 1-hit ball, striking out 8 in a 4-0 win over New York on April 25.

Round Trip (Four miscellaneous points about the team):
1) Now that the schedule achieved a more normal pace, Red Donohue and Joel Pineiro have taken regular turns in the rotation. Donohue (3.81 ERA) has done a strong job, while Pineiro (7.27 ERA) has struggled.
2) Satchel Paige has been remarkably consistent – besides one game. Louisville battered Paige for 6 runs in 2/3 of an inning on April 28. He got over it quickly, though, as Philadelphia came back to win 12-11.
3) Philadelphia has mounted an incredibly balanced attack. Each of their 8 regular starters have homered, have double digit runs scored and double-digit RBIs>>
4) The rumblings are starting for Victor Martinez to see a bit more playing time given the struggles of Jocko Milligan, who is hitting only .226. The switch-hitting Martinez, in only 15 ABs, is hitting .333.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League – Baseball Bi-Weekly
Vol. 3, Monday, May 4, 2009 (cont.)

Northern League Profiles

Sacramento Stingers

Record: Last 2 Weeks (4-7), Overall 10-14

2-Week Synopsis: Swept 3 at Indianapolis, Lost both vs Wichita, Lost 4 vs Chicago, Split 2 vs New Orleans

Leaders:
Avg – George Hall.386
HRs – George Hall 9
RBIs – George Hall 21

Wins - Jim Devlin 4
ERA - Guy Hecker 3.29
Ks - Jim Devlin 55

Top Performance: Adam LaRoche, in a rare start,went 4-for-5 with a homer, 2 runs and 4 RBI in a 14-11 loss at Chicago on May 1.
Injuries: The Stingers suffered a big loss when Ginger Beaumont was placed on the disabled list with a bicep strain. He’s had a hard time bending the arm, but it doesn’t seem to be a tear and thus will require only rest, not surgery. The move is retroactive to May 2, and Beaumont is expected to be ready when the stint is complete. Arlie Latham sprained his ankle running the bases, but will not be DL’d. He’s expected to be ready later this week.

Round Trip (Four miscellaneous points about the team):
1) The red-hot George Hall won Northern League Player of the Week on April 27, having gone 8-for-17 (.471) with 3 homers and 7 RBI. Hall is currently riding a 12-game hitting streak.
2) The Stingers will be home for the rest of the month except for a 3-game set in Chicago May 15-17. Whether that’s good, however, remains to be seen: The Stingers are 5-4 on the road…5-10 at home.
3) The Stingers lead the Northern League with 32 homers.
4) J.J. Putz (0-1, 1.76 ERA)may get a shot at the closer’s role, as Brad Lidge (1-1, 3 SV, 8.00 ERA) continues to struggle.

Wichita Brigade

Record: Last 2 Weeks (8-3), Overall 16-9

2-Week Synopsis: Swept 3 at Chicago, Swept 2 at Sacramento, Lost 2 of 3 vs Indianapolis, Split 2 vs Orlando

Leaders:
Avg - Spotswood Poles .376
HRs - Spotswood Poles 3
RBIs - Spotswood Poles 19

Wins – Rube Waddell 4
ERA - Jack Powell 1.72
Ks - Rube Waddell 50

Top Performance: Considered by many, including Baseball America, to be the PBL’s top prospect, Jonas Gaines showed why, throwing a complete game 5-hit shutout against Chicago on April 22.

Injuries: The Brigade have three players on the way back. Cherokee Davis is expected back any day now after his spring car accident. Shea Hillenbrand should also return in the next couple of days from his virus. Jack Powell, out since April 20 with a forearm strain, is expected back for his next turn in the rotation.

Round Trip (Four miscellaneous points about the team):
1) Spotswood Poles has been everything the Brigade could have asked for, leading the team in all major categories, driven by efforts such as a 5-for-5, 5 RBI day against Wichita on May 1 in a 13-1 win. He has flair, too, capping the day with a 2-run homer after 4 singles.
2) Jack Powell’s return is going to spur a difficult decision for manager Whitey Herzog. As speculated last issue, Elton Chamberlain was pulled from the rotation in favor of Al Orth (1-1, 5.79). Jake Westbrook, who has posted a 1.98 ERA and gave up 2 runs over 6 in his lone start against Orlando, filled in for Powell, but showed more than Orth has. Which one will move to the pen when Powell returns to arguably the league’s best rotation.
3) Rube Waddell (4-1, 2.52) has won his last four starts, going the distance in 3 of them. In the other he went 8 innings, giving way for a pinch hitting in the 9^th of a 2-1 game.
4) The Brigade continue to lead the Northern League in steals with 42. Ten different players have already stolen a base, led by 2B Hub Collins, who is a perfect 9-for-9.

[EMSoccerCoach]

At the risk of seeming like I'm fishing, please let me know anything you like or dislike about the writeups here. I really write these not only because I enjoy doing it, but because I enjoy talking baseball. So anything I can write here that will increase interest in the league and get people talking I'm certainly open to.

One thing I plan is to zip up attachments of the full "issues" of the PBL Bi-Weekly. Makes great bathroom reading

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League – Baseball Bi-Weekly
Vol. 3, Monday, May 4, 2009 (cont.)

Southern League Profiles

Alabama Airmen

Record: Last 2 Weeks (8-4), Overall 12-15

2-Week Synopsis: Won 3 of 4 at Orlando, Split 2 at Memphis, Won 3 of 4 at New Orleans, Split 2 at Chicago

Leaders:
Avg - Joe Mauer .375
HRs - Joe Mauer, George Van Haltren 7
RBIs - George Van Haltren 26

Wins - Vic Willis 4
ERA - Vic Willis 2.51
Ks – Joe Corbett 62

Top Performance: George Van Haltren went 4-for-6 with a homer, 3 runs and 4 RBI in a 15-10 slugfest win over Orlando on April 20.

Injuries: Bobby Lowe was injured March 27, tearing a ligament in his thumb. He's expected to be out until mid-June.

Round Trip (Four miscellaneous points about the team):
1) Bill Bradley was named Southern League Player of the Week today after having hit .444 with 3 homers and 6 RBI.

2) One of the Top 10 prospects in the game, 20-year-old Ed Delahanty is forcing his way into the lineup. He’s picked up 6 starts at first base and four in left field as he’s hit .435 (20-for-46) with a 1.132 OPS. With the current 1B duo of Mike Jacobs and Henry Larkin batting a combined .172 with one homer, look for Delahanty to get a chance to take the job outright.

3) No coincidence that in winning 8 of 12 the past two weeks, the Airmen have also climbed from last to 5^th in the Southern League in walks.

4) Another factor in the turnaround has been the bullpen, which in two weeks shaved nearly a run off its collective ERA (5.53 to 4.66).

Arizona Sandmen

Record: Last 2 Weeks (8-4), Overall 16-11

2-Week Synopsis: Split 4 at San Antonio, Split 2 vs Las Vegas, Won 3 of 4 vs Los Angeles, Won both vs Charlotte

Leaders:
Avg – Nap Lajoie .362
HRs – Nap Lajoie 5
RBIs – Nap Lajoie 19

Wins – Ben Sanders 5
ERA – Dan Casey 1.94
Ks – Ben Sanders 31

Top Performance: Dan Casey threw 10 shutout innings, allowing 5 hits and striking out 4 in what would become a 1-0 win over Las Vegas in 15 innings on April 26.

Injuries: Alex Cintron, who was having a torrid spring, hitting .400, went down March 23 with a strained MCL. He is not expected back until at least early June. Mike Koplove came off the DL yesterday after a mild hamstring strain. Webster McDonald strained a back muscle and was put on the 15-day DL retroactive to April 25. Ben Sanders strained an oblique muscle May 2 and has been put on the 15-day DL.

Round Trip (Four miscellaneous points about the team):
1) Announced moments from press time, Arizona dealt pitcher Nick Altrock and young outfielder Xavier Nady to New Orleans for shortstop Kid Elberfeld. Altrock was 2-4 with a 4.12 ERA for the Sandmen, who apparently believe Bronson Arroyo and Anibal Sanchez can contribute. Nady was on Arizona’s reserve squad. Elberfeld, meanwhile, hit .283 with a homer and 9 RBI for New Orleans. While considered a natural shortstop, Elberfeld had played third base almost exclusively for New Orleans. Arizona manager Pasty Tebeau confirmed that Elberfeld will play short for the Sandmen, which leaves the roles of Jose Reyes (.231, 0 HR, 6 RBI) and Pee Wee Butts (.294, 0 HR, 3 RBI) up in the air.

2) The league’s worst offense (98 runs, 3.6 a game) has been compensated for by the league’s best staff (3.12 ERA).

3) Buoying the staff is a back end of the bullpen that has been simply outstanding. Setup men Mike Koplove (6 scoreless innings) and Randy Choate (1 run allowed in 7 innings) have led the way to closer Jose Valverde (1-0, 8 saves, 1.64 ERA).

4) Key to their division-leading record: The Sandmen are 7-3 in 1-run games, best mark in the SouthernLeague.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League – Baseball Bi-Weekly
Vol. 3, Monday, May 4, 2009 (cont.)

Southern League Profiles


Record: Last 2 Weeks (7-4), Overall 13-13

2-Week Synopsis: Won 2 of 3 at Los Angeles, Split 2 at Arizona, Won 3 of 4 vs San Antonio, Split 2 at Louisville

Leaders:
Avg – Grant Johnson .293
HRs – Grant Johnson, Lip Pike 5
RBIs – Jimmy Ryan 18

Wins – Jouett Meekin/Charlie Sweeney 4
ERA – Jouett Meekin 2.63
Ks – Tommy Bond 52

Top Performance: Jouett Meekin threw a 2-hit complete game shutout in an 8-0 win against San Antonio

Round Trip (Four miscellaneous points about the team):
1) Lip Pike continues to produce since he was acquired from Indianapolis April 3. Pike’s average is up to .281, and he’s hit 5 HRs, driven in 16 runs and walked 15 times for a .425 OBP.

2) The catching issue brought on by dealing Ossie Schrekengost to obtain Pike has yet to be resolved, as neither Tom Daly nor Ed McFarland have produced. Add to his .172 average that Daly has struck out 30 times in 93 ABs and that he’s thrown out only 19% of those trying to steal, and it’s not out of the question that Vegas makes a deal for a new backstop. The team appears to have little confidence in Kid Baldwin, who remains on the reserve squad.

3) After three straight losses, Josh Beckett has righted the ship, allowing 2 runs in his last 17 innings, including 9 shutout innings in a 1-0 extra-inning loss at Arizona.

4) Justin Verlander made his first start and made his case for a permanent rotation spot, hurling a 3-hit shutout in a 5-0 win at Louisville.

Los Angeles Idols

Record: Last 2 Weeks (3-8), Overall 7-19

2-Week Synopsis: Lost 2 of 3 vs Las Vegas, Split 2 with San Antonio, Lost 3 of 4 at Arizona, Lost both vs New York

Leaders:
Avg –George Scales .390
HRs – Harry Stovey 7
RBIs – Harry Stovey 22

Wins – Brian Lawrence 3
ERA – Brian Lawrence3.92
Ks – Brian Lawrence 30

Top Performance: George Scales went 4-for-6 with a run and 2 RBI including a game-winning double in the 11^th for an 8-7 win over San Antonio on April 25.

Injuries: Scott Kazmir was just activated from the DL and is expected to make his next start.

Round Trip (Four miscellaneous points about the team):

1) The Idols have drawn an almost unthinking 56 walks in their first 26 games, barely 2 walks a game.

2) It’s till the worst in the league, but Los Angeles’ bullpen has shaved its ERA from 7.33 to 6.38 in the past two weeks.

3) Not even a 4-RBI game could save Joe Crede. As speculated, Miguel Cabrera has taken the third base job full-time.

4) The Idols have stolen 5 bases all year, lowest in the Southern League.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League – Baseball Bi-Weekly
Vol. 3, Monday, May 4, 2009 (cont.)

Memphis Strummers
Record: Last 2 Weeks (6-5), Overall 16-10

2-Week Synopsis: Lost 2 of 3 vs New Orleans, Split 2 vs Alabama, Split 4 at Orlando, Swept 2 vs Indianapolis

Leaders:
Avg - Deacon White .382
HRs - Cap Anson 6
RBIs - Deacon White 23

Wins - Jesse Tannehill 5
ERA - Jesse Tannehill 1.93
Ks - Tim Lincecum 56

Top Performance: For the first time we go away from a single game here, as Deacon White gets the nod for his 24-game hitting streak, which finally was snapped May 2 against Indianapolis.

Round Trip (Four miscellaneous points about the team):
1) Oscar Charleston has gone cold, mired in a 3-for-25 slump that has brought his average down to .262.[/B]

2) Ichiro Suzuki finally drew a walk, but he’s still cold at the plate, batting only .237.

3) One pleasant surprise is the performance of Josh Willingham, who has nailed down the left field job, batting .329 with a .385 OBP, 2 homers and 13 RBI. He’s a statue out there, but with Charleston next to him, he really only needs to go in one direction.

4) Sadie McMahon was so good out of the pen that skipper Harry Wright was compelled to kick Rodrigo Lopez and his 8.68 ERA out of the rotation and give McMahon a crack. He responded with a complete-game 5-hitter in a 5-2 win over Alabama.

New Orleans Knights

Record: Last 2 Weeks (4-7), Overall 8-16

2-Week Synopsis: Won 2 of 3 at Memphis, Lost both vs Orlando, Lost 3 of 4 vs Alabama, Split 2 at Sacramento

Leaders:
Avg - Fred Carroll .340
HRs – Curtis Granderson/Topsy Hartsel 3
RBIs – Sam Thompson 17

Wins - Doc McJames/Rich Harden 3
ERA - Doc McJames 2.06
Ks – Mark Prior 44

Top Performance: Jack Chesbro hurled a complete game 5-hit shutout against Memphis on April 23, walking 3 and striking out 5.

Round Trip (Four miscellaneous points about the team):
1) Rumors abound that manager Tony LaRussa is on the hot seat. With the team next to last in the Southern League in both runs and runs allowed, the front office is reportedly getting impatient quickly.

2) The acquisition of Nick Altrock from Arizona has booted Dontrelle Willis from the rotation. The trade was apparently sparked by Willis’ last start, in which he allowed 6 runs in 1 2/3 innings. Altrock will slide into the rotation, and LaRussa has apparently declared Willis is going to get a shot at closer.

3) Since being named Player of the Week April 20, Topsy Hartsel has hit .250 with 0 homers and 3 RBI.

4) New Orleans is out of the cellar offensively in the Southern League, moving up to 7^th in runs with 104. They have still remarkably hit only 14 homers, though.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League – Baseball Bi-Weekly
Vol. 3, Monday, May 4, 2009 (cont.)

Orlando Orcas
Record: Last 2 Weeks (6-6), Overall 16-11

2-Week Synopsis: Lost 3 of 4 vs Alabama, Swept 2 at New Orleans, Split 4 vs Memphis, Split 2 at Wichita

Leaders:
Avg – Sam Crawford .391
HRs – Ryan Howard 8
RBIs – Ezra Sutton 31

Wins – Chuck Smith/Sam Leever 5
ERA – Chuck Smith 2.78
Ks – Sam Leever 46

Top Performance: Ezra Sutton went 3-for-5 with a homer, 2 runs and 4 RBI in a 10-4 win over Memphis on April 27.

Round Trip (Four miscellaneous points about the team):

1) The Orcas certainly had a strong April, and the evidence is in the fact that the team owns both the month’s best hitter and best pitcher. Ezra Sutton was named Southern League Hitter of the Month for April, batting .371 with 4 homers, 28 RBI and 17 runs. The one nobody saw coming is Chuck Smith, who has been simply outstanding. Smith went 5-0 with a 2.78 ERA for the month.

2) Avg, OBP, SLG, OPS, Runs, Hits, Extra Base Hits, Homers and Walks. These are the categories in which Orlando leads the Southern League…still. The offense has been simply amazing, scoring 163 runs in 27 games…30 runs more than next team in the Southern League (Alabama).

3) At the risk of parroting last issue’s report, consider the offensive production given that Honus Wagner – thought to be an MVP candidate - has now seen his average tumble to .205.

4) Takashi Saito has been strong as the closer, converting all 6 opportunities so far and pitching to a 1.80 ERA.

San Antonio Sheriffs

Record: Last 2 Weeks (5-6), Overall 13-12

2-Week Synopsis: Split 4 vs Arizona, Split 2 vs Los Angeles, Lost 3 of 4 at Las Vegas, Split 2 vs Philadelphia

Leaders:
Avg – Jimmy Williams .362
HRs – Jimmy Williams 6
RBIs – Jimmy Williams 20

Wins – Joe McGinnity 4
ERA – Joe McGinnity1.59
Ks – Noodles Hahn 55

Top Performance: Easily the performance of the year so far in the PBL, from an unexpected source: Scott Podsednik went 5-for-5 with 2 homers, 4 runs and 6 RBI in a 17-7 win over Philadelphia on May 2.

Round Trip (Four miscallaneous points about the team):
1) Brandon Webb’s return from the disabled list solidifies what is already the Southern League’s top rotation.

2) Noodles Hahn has been knocked around his last two starts after a blazing start. Hahn gave up 5 runs over 7 2/3 innings against Los Angeles before allowing 4 runs over 8 at Las Vegas.

3) Kyle Lohse was finally allowed to pitch again after his 1/3 inning 6-run outing April 8. He threw scoreless innings back-to-back outings before allowing a run in 3 straight.

4) The Sheriffs have a PBL-leading 45 steals, led by Scott Podsednik’s 14.

[EMSoccerCoach]

That's another edtion in the books. The May 20 edition will begin tomorrow.

[kenyan_cheena]

Hopefully the Hitmen can build on the momentum they had going at the end of that fortnight. Those Cougars sure look nasty.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Originally Posted by kenyan_cheena

Hopefully the Hitmen can build on the momentum they had going at the end of that fortnight. Those Cougars sure look nasty.

The Cougars' offense is mid-pack, but their pitching has just been great. The Hitmen just can't score. If Pujols or King Kelly don't produce, they don't score. Santana and Amos Rusie will develop and this rotation should be great in the next 2 years, but they still need to score.

If Chicago comes through the 4-game set in Memphis well, the might be able to get something together.