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Oh, what a Saturday. We welcomed Tom Cheek back to the radio booth, and enjoyed meeting Rob Bradford at Alice Fazooli's to chat about his fine new book Chasing Steinbrenner. While the big boys couldn't contribute a win to help us with our celebrations, the farm affiliates went 4-2 to inspire us to keep the faith.

Toledo 11 Syracuse 6

The Mud Hens scored 7 runs in the first 4 innings and that was the ballgame. The Sky Chiefs scored 6 runs in the last 3 innings, but the game was never close. Cam Reimers took most of the punishment- 2.1 innings, 5 earned runs on 8 hits and no walks with 1 strikeout. The bright spot in the pen was Talley Haines who went 2 perfect innings with 3 strikeouts. Gabe Gross doubled and hit his 8th homer of the season, and Julius Matos had 3 hits. Guillermo Quiroz went 0-3 with a walk. Jorge Sequea and Russ Adams are both on the Syracuse disabled list.

Box Score

Syracuse Post Standard game story, complete with swipes at Moneyball.


Harrisburg 7 New Hampshire 12

The score flatters the Senators. The Fisher Cats scored 4 runs in each of the first 2 innings and were never headed. The Senators scored 6 runs in the top of the ninth to make the final score respectable. Justin Singleton had 4 hits, including ones in each of the first two innings, and drove in 4 runs. Paul Chiaffredo had the line of the day- 5 4 4 3, and hit 2 solo homers after the game was out of reach.Anton French, Tyrell Godwin and John-Ford Griffin each had 2 hits. Josh Banks pitched 7 fine innings, allowing 1 run on 5 hits, including a solo homer. He walked 1 and struck out 3. Dan Jackson gave up all 6 runs in the ninth without retiring a batter, before Jordan DeJong restored order and closed out the game.

Box Score

The Union-Leader game story


Dunedin 4 Tampa 2

The D-Jays rode the pitching of Ismael Ramirez, Brian Reed and Bubbie Buzachero and the hot bat of Ron Davenport to victory. Davenport had 4 hits including a solo homer. Raul Tablado reached base 3 times and Manny Mayorson stroked a 2 run single in the 6th inning to break the game open. Ramirez went 6.1 innings and gave up both Tampa runs on 7 hits with 1 walk and 2 strikeouts. Reed allowed 1 baserunner in 1.1 innings and struck out 2, and then Buzachero came on to pitch a perfect 1.1 innings for his 16th save. Justin Maureau has been placed on Dunedin's disabled list, and Robert Nunley has been added to the active roster.

Box Score


Delmarva 8 Charleston 3

Delmarva continued its revenge for last weekend's defeats with an 8-3 thrashing of the Alley-Cats. John Wesley, pitching in relief in his Sally League return, was the main victim. Jeremy Harper started and pitched a very fine 5 innings, 2 earned runs on 4 hits, including a homer, and 1 walk, while striking out 7. He left with the game tied. Wesley was tagged for 5 runs on 7 hits in 2 innings. Felix Romero and Mark Sopko finished up, with Romero pitching very effectively, 1 perfect inning with 2 strikeouts. Joey Reiman, Clint Johnson and Eric Arnold each had 2 hits to lead the offence.

Box Score


Auburn 10 Jamestown 7

The Doubledays scored 3 runs in the 10th inning as they won their 13th in a row. Aaron Matthews drew a bases loaded walk to drive in the winning run. Curtis Thigpen was the hitting hero with 2 singles and his first pro home run. Auburn pitchers, Randy Dicken, Chris Neylan and Jayson Rodriguez were in trouble early and often, but converted outfielder Erik Rico shut the door in the late innings with 2.1 innings of scoreless relief, allowing 2 hits and 1 walk with 1 strikeout, to get his 4th win of the young season. Dewon Day came on for the bottom of the tenth and allowed a hit and a walk but nothing more, while striking out 2, for his fifth save. Matthews and Brian Hall each reached base 3 times, and Box favourite Chip Cannon returned to the lineup, going 1-4 while starting the game-winning rally.

Box Score

Syracuse Post-Standard game report


Princeton 4 Pulaski 8

The P-Jays rode the fine pitching of Chi Cheng (man, the Cheer Club's going to have fun with chants when Chi makes it to the Show) and the hot bat of Charles Anderson to an easy victory. Cheng went 5 innings and allowed 1 run on 3 hits and 3 walks with 6 strikeouts. Michael Rider, Edward Rodriguez and Edward Cannon finished up with Rodriguez' 1.1 perfect innings and 2 strikeouts as the highlight. Anderson went 3-3, including 2 homers, and drew a walk. He drove in 4. Jon Ashford also homered, and Junior Chourio had 2 hits.

Box Score


Your 3 star selection.
So many choices, so little time.
3rd star-the 4-hit men: Paul Chiaffredo and Justin Singleton, New Hampshire and Ron Davenport, Dunedin plus Curtis Thigpen, Auburn for 3 hits, including his first homer
2nd star-Chi Hung Cheng, Pulaski
1st star-Charles Anderson, Pulaski
Honourable Mention- Josh Banks, New Hampshire
Minor League Update-July 11, 2004 | 14 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
Coach - Sunday, July 11 2004 @ 10:55 AM EDT (#52628) #
Logan has a low on-base percentage and little power, but he can fly.

Sounds like Matt Michael of the Post-Standard hasn't been informed how difficult it is to steal first base. It must be frustrating to be a SkyChiefs fan, or on that beat, because the incredible, unprecedented rash of injuries throughout the organization has affected Syracuse as much as it has the Jays. However, as J.P. pointed out with justifiable pride yesterday, the other five levels of the system have either clinched a playoff spot, or are well-positioned to do so, which reflects extremely well on the current regime's philosophy.

Thigpen's just going to have to step it up a notch if he wants a star. :)
Mike Green - Sunday, July 11 2004 @ 11:37 AM EDT (#52629) #
Oops. I meant to give Curtis a star, too. Thanks for pointing out the omission, which is now fixed.

It's true. The Sky Chiefs were looking very good entering the year with all the stars from 2003's fine New Haven team starting the year in Syracuse, or expected early in the year. But, as you say, injuries have meant that Rios was promoted early, Gabe Gross was restricted to DHing and Dustin McGowan never made it. And even as replacements were found, they too made their way onto the DL. Now, it's the infielders, with Adams and Sequea on the DL, and Stubby Clapp and Glenn Williams headed for the Olympics. Ouch.

We should send Matt Michael a copy of Bill James' long essay on Luis Aparicio in the original Historical Abstract. The essay argues that Aparicio was an inadequate leadoff hitter, notwithstanding his basestealing prowess, because of his inability to get on base. However, his defense at short was, in the opinion of James, the best prior to Ozzie, and fully justified his selection to the Hall of Fame.

Defence is an important part of the game, and it is increasingly being analyzed with persuasive metrics,in addition to the subjective evaluation of observers.
_Finn McCool - Sunday, July 11 2004 @ 04:13 PM EDT (#52630) #
http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/tor/news/tor_news.jsp?ymd=20040710&content_id=794733&vkey=news_tor&fext=.jsp
I sure there have to be a few people interested in how close the jays are to signing their first two picks this year. COMM
_My Names not Ry - Sunday, July 11 2004 @ 04:16 PM EDT (#52631) #
Thigpen is already conjuring up memories of Gibbons, Vito, Jeremiah Johnson, and Morrisson in his first season, hopefully he and Vito can progress a bit more then Johnson and Morrisson did.
Mike Green - Sunday, July 11 2004 @ 05:31 PM EDT (#52632) #
http://www.syracuse.com/wdwn/
Need a pick-me-up after a rough weekend. How 'bout an Auburn Doubledays game? It's 4-3 Auburn after 4. Casey McKenzie is pitching. Ryan Klosterman just lined out to Jamestown's third baseman (Pistol, are you listening?) Brad McCann for the first out. COMN if you'd like to listen
Mike Green - Sunday, July 11 2004 @ 05:37 PM EDT (#52633) #
Eric Nielsen reached on an infield single. Brian Hall struck out and Adam Lind flied out to the track in right-centre. The announcers have flip-flopped twice whether Auburn or Jamestown leads. I think they've settled on 4-3 Jamestown.
_D - Sunday, July 11 2004 @ 05:59 PM EDT (#52634) #
Aaron Hill hit a 2 run double in his only plate appearance (so far) at the futures games.
_D - Sunday, July 11 2004 @ 06:05 PM EDT (#52635) #
Diaz just hit a double in his first plate appearance too.
_D - Sunday, July 11 2004 @ 06:47 PM EDT (#52636) #
Hill was named MVP of the game
_greenfrog - Sunday, July 11 2004 @ 07:36 PM EDT (#52637) #
Hill--futures MVP--cool.

Banks, Thigpen, Cheng, et al. Also cool.

Anyone know where Rosario is at these days?
_Mike Forbes - Sunday, July 11 2004 @ 08:42 PM EDT (#52638) #
Congrats To Aaron Hill.
Pistol - Sunday, July 11 2004 @ 08:55 PM EDT (#52639) #
Hill soaked up the entire experience, playing in a big league stadium for the second time in his life (he played in a summer league game at SkyDome as a high schooler) and taking pregame infield with Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith. He also left with the MVP award, joining a distinguished class that also includes Alfonso Soriano, Sean Burroughs and Jose Reyes.

Not bad.....
_Finn McCool - Sunday, July 11 2004 @ 10:57 PM EDT (#52640) #
About a week ago the Fisher Cat radio guys were talking about Rosario and said he was making progress and should return soon. No time frame was given, but the way they were talking it sounded like Rosario would be back some time in July
_Jeff Geauvreau - Monday, July 12 2004 @ 01:29 AM EDT (#52641) #
http://www.roanoke.com/sports/baseball/7666.html
This a must read for all minor league Jay fans on Chi-Hung Cheng.

I recommend adding this story to the Monday July 12/04 Batters box minor league edition for stories.

COMN to read story. (COMN = click on my name for anybody that does not know).

A great quote from a Pulaski 1st basemen Charles Anderson who hit 2 HR Sat night on 19 yr old Pulaski Pitcher Chi-Hung Cheng ( This quote makes me smile and dream).

Cheng repertoire is nasty, according to his teammate Anderson.

"He's phenomenal," Anderson said. "I've faced him twice in intrasquad [games] and he struck me out once and he broke my bat the other time. He's got very good stuff."

Particularly his mesmerizing curveball.

"It's huge," Anderson said. "It's like a Barry Zito curve. I see it right out of his hand and I still miss it."
Minor League Update-July 11, 2004 | 14 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.