The last full month of minor league baseball is in the books.
Visalia 2, Bakersfield 1
Recap | Box
W: Pat McAnaney (4-0)
L: Robbie Ross (4-4)
S: Yonata Ortega (10)
HR: Paul Goldschmidt (34)
Notes: Pat McAnaney struck out 10 in six scoreless innings... Paul Goldschmidt hit his 34th home run, tying him for the MILB lead with Mike Moustakas... Teams combined for 11 hits... Bakersfield turned three double plays... Bakersfield was 1 for 11 w/ RISP and left 10 runners on base... Robbie Ross struck out seven in six innings and allowed two runs... Josh Ford and Jacob Kaase struck out three times each... Attendance was 1,213...
San Jose 10, Inland Empire 4
Recap | Box
W: Justin Fitzgerald (10-6)
L: Cody White (0-2)
Notes: San Jose had two two-run innings and two three-run innings... Juan Perez had three hits and three RBI... Four Giants had two hit games... Wendell Fairley stole two bases... Justin Fitzgerald allowed an unearned run in seven innings... All three pitchers who appeared for Inland Empire allowed at least two earned runs... All 10 of Inland Empire's hits were singles... Johan Garcia had two of them and three RBI... Attendance was 1,427...
Lake Elsinore 7, Lancaster 3
Recap | Box
W: Anthony Bass (8-7)
L: Kyle Greenwalt (8-7)
HR: Ali Solis (3)
Notes: Ali Solis had three hits and was a triple shy of the cycle... Solis had four RBI including a two run home run... Four Lake Elsinore players had two hit games... No one for Lancaster had more than one hit... Anthony Bass allowed one run in five innings and struck out six... Kyle Greenwalt allowed one earned run in six innings and was ejected... Lake Elsniore scored six runs in innings six through eight... Attendance was 1,560...
Rancho Cucamonga 8, High Desert 1
Recap | Box
W: Garrett Richards (4-1)
L: Maikel Cleto (4-9)
HR: Gabe Jacobo (20)
Notes: Gabe Jacobo had five RBI including a 3rd inning grand slam... Maikel Cleto allowed seven earned runs on six hits and five walks in five innings... Garrett Richards struck out eight and allowed one run in seven innings... Rancho Cucamonga had a three run 6th inning... Darwin Perez scored twice without a hit... Perez also stole two bases... Luis Nunez had two hits... Matt Oye struck out four in two innings of relief... Attendance was 1,269...
Stockton 8, Modesto 7
Recap | Box
W: A.J. Huttenlocker (1-0)
L: Kurt Yacko (6-5)
S: Paul Smyth (28)
BS: A.J. Huttenlocker (2)
Notes: Todd Johnson hit an RBI single in the top of the 9th that proved to be the winning run... Modesto had previously erased a 7-2 deficit with a five run 7th... Stockton scored six runs in the first two innings... David Thomas and Stephen Parker had three hit games... Parker had three RBI... Mike Spina hit two doubles and scored twice... Ian Krol allowed one run in five innings and struck out six... Only three of Modesto's runs were earned due to three Stockton errors... Grant Green left the game after one PA in which he was hit by a pitch... Parker Frazier allowed six runs in four innings... Four Nuts had two hit games... Ryan Peisel had three RBI... Attendance was 1,602...
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Spoiler
Everyone who has watched a baseball broadcast or show like Baseball Tonight has heard someone say it: "Games late in the season against teams out of contention are always the toughest." I'm pretty confident this is some kind of confirmation bias, and there's nothing that indicates games against teams not competing for a playoff spot are more difficult. I'm sure that some players on those teams compete hard and play out the string, but there are plenty that aren't focused and give away at bats with nothing to play for. There's a reason those teams aren't winning many games, and except for a matchup here and there, playing good teams is tougher than playing ones that aren't.
Now that the rant is out of the way, I do believe in the spoiler team. In tight races, it's still difficult to point to just one or two games that made the difference between making the playoffs and missing, but popular games for fans to look back at are ones against teams with nothing to play for, sometimes the teams not in contention. The Cal League is a little different. The way I see it, there are three teams at the moment who have nothing to play for. There's Inland Empire, who was eliminated from all playoff contention on the 28th. There are also San Jose and Lake Elsinore, who already have playoff spots wrapped up. Of course they don't want to be playing poorly, but winning isn't as urgent for them. Players can be promoted, managers can limit innings and try some other things and still know they'll be playing when the postseason starts.
In the South, it seems like High Desert and Rancho Cucamonga are jockeying for homefield in the Division Semis, but Lancaster can throw a wrench in that if they get hot immediately. All three teams are below .500 at home this year, but when the games matter most, I bet they'll prefer playing in the more familiar environment.
Up North, the picture is a little more murky. Stockton and Visalia look good now, but Bakersfield and Modesto are still fighting. Magic and elimination numbers are shrinking, but until they hit 0, those teams are still alive. San Jose is actually last in the second half standings. After a great first half, a handful of injuries and key promotions have left them as a weaker team.
Those are the situations in each division. How have the competing teams done against the three teams whose second half games don't mean as much? For the purposes of this entry, I'll use all second half games against San Jose and Lake Elsinore and only games since Inland Empire has been completely eliminated.
Bakersfield Blaze
2-0 v. Inland Empire
2-1 v. Lake Elsinore
3-3 v. San Jose
7-4 total (.636)
Bakersfield was the team responsible for Inland Empire, and they've held their own against Lake Elsinore and San Jose. If they don't make the playoffs, it's not because they didn't take care of business against these guys.
High Desert Mavericks
0-0 v. Inland Empire
4-3 v. Lake Elsinore (4 remaining)
3-3 v. San Jose
7-6 total (.538)
High Desert is one team that's had success against Lake Elsinore over the course of the season, and that's continued in the second half. They split two series against San Jose, and they're finished with Inland Empire.
Lancaster JetHawks
0-0 v. Inland Empire
4-2 v. Lake Elsinore (3 remaining)
4-5 v. San Jose
8-7 total (.533)
Lancaster had an incredibly difficult time with Lake Elsinore in the first half, but their fortunes have changed in the last couple months, culminating in the Cal League's first no hitter this year. They've done okay in an oddly high about of games against San Jose in the second half.
Modesto Nuts
0-0 v. Inland Empire (4 remaining)
2-1 v. Lake Elsinore
6-1 v. San Jose
8-2 total (.800)
Modesto caught San Jose at a bad time in the beginning of the second half, and they built up their win total. Those four games against Inland Empire at the end of the year are huge. If they stay in the race in this series against Stockton, they could have an edge.
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
0-0 v. Inland Empire
10-6 v. Lake Elsinore
3-0 v. San Jose
13-6 total (.684)
Lake Elsinore has to be pretty concerned that the three potential South division playoff opponents are building momentum against them. Rancho Cucamonga took advantage of getting a lot of meetings against the Storm and Giants in the last couple months.
Stockton Ports
0-0 v. Inland Empire
1-2 v. Lake Elsinore
7-9 v. San Jose
8-11 total (.421)
Stockton has been one of the league's best second half teams, but it isn't from playing these guys. They could be the only team San Jose has had success against in the second half, but it obviously hasn't stopped the Ports from approaching the playoffs.
Visalia Rawhide
0-0 v. Inland Empire
2-4 v. Lake Elsinore
7-3 v. San Jose (4 remaining)
9-7 total (.563)
Visalia has taken advantage of a number of meeting with San Jose. They didn't have much luck against Lake Elsinore, but their success against the Giants gives them the second most wins in this entry. If they can keep up their momentum against San Jose, they'll find themselves in the playoffs.
Like I said earlier, it's hard to pinpoint one or two specific games as the sole reason teams didn't make the playoffs. Generally though, teams want to beat the ones who don't have as much urgency, and this entry shows how those results have played out. There really isn't much to read into here, just a few head to head stats.
Now that the rant is out of the way, I do believe in the spoiler team. In tight races, it's still difficult to point to just one or two games that made the difference between making the playoffs and missing, but popular games for fans to look back at are ones against teams with nothing to play for, sometimes the teams not in contention. The Cal League is a little different. The way I see it, there are three teams at the moment who have nothing to play for. There's Inland Empire, who was eliminated from all playoff contention on the 28th. There are also San Jose and Lake Elsinore, who already have playoff spots wrapped up. Of course they don't want to be playing poorly, but winning isn't as urgent for them. Players can be promoted, managers can limit innings and try some other things and still know they'll be playing when the postseason starts.
In the South, it seems like High Desert and Rancho Cucamonga are jockeying for homefield in the Division Semis, but Lancaster can throw a wrench in that if they get hot immediately. All three teams are below .500 at home this year, but when the games matter most, I bet they'll prefer playing in the more familiar environment.
Up North, the picture is a little more murky. Stockton and Visalia look good now, but Bakersfield and Modesto are still fighting. Magic and elimination numbers are shrinking, but until they hit 0, those teams are still alive. San Jose is actually last in the second half standings. After a great first half, a handful of injuries and key promotions have left them as a weaker team.
Those are the situations in each division. How have the competing teams done against the three teams whose second half games don't mean as much? For the purposes of this entry, I'll use all second half games against San Jose and Lake Elsinore and only games since Inland Empire has been completely eliminated.
Bakersfield Blaze
2-0 v. Inland Empire
2-1 v. Lake Elsinore
3-3 v. San Jose
7-4 total (.636)
Bakersfield was the team responsible for Inland Empire, and they've held their own against Lake Elsinore and San Jose. If they don't make the playoffs, it's not because they didn't take care of business against these guys.
High Desert Mavericks
0-0 v. Inland Empire
4-3 v. Lake Elsinore (4 remaining)
3-3 v. San Jose
7-6 total (.538)
High Desert is one team that's had success against Lake Elsinore over the course of the season, and that's continued in the second half. They split two series against San Jose, and they're finished with Inland Empire.
Lancaster JetHawks
0-0 v. Inland Empire
4-2 v. Lake Elsinore (3 remaining)
4-5 v. San Jose
8-7 total (.533)
Lancaster had an incredibly difficult time with Lake Elsinore in the first half, but their fortunes have changed in the last couple months, culminating in the Cal League's first no hitter this year. They've done okay in an oddly high about of games against San Jose in the second half.
Modesto Nuts
0-0 v. Inland Empire (4 remaining)
2-1 v. Lake Elsinore
6-1 v. San Jose
8-2 total (.800)
Modesto caught San Jose at a bad time in the beginning of the second half, and they built up their win total. Those four games against Inland Empire at the end of the year are huge. If they stay in the race in this series against Stockton, they could have an edge.
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
0-0 v. Inland Empire
10-6 v. Lake Elsinore
3-0 v. San Jose
13-6 total (.684)
Lake Elsinore has to be pretty concerned that the three potential South division playoff opponents are building momentum against them. Rancho Cucamonga took advantage of getting a lot of meetings against the Storm and Giants in the last couple months.
Stockton Ports
0-0 v. Inland Empire
1-2 v. Lake Elsinore
7-9 v. San Jose
8-11 total (.421)
Stockton has been one of the league's best second half teams, but it isn't from playing these guys. They could be the only team San Jose has had success against in the second half, but it obviously hasn't stopped the Ports from approaching the playoffs.
Visalia Rawhide
0-0 v. Inland Empire
2-4 v. Lake Elsinore
7-3 v. San Jose (4 remaining)
9-7 total (.563)
Visalia has taken advantage of a number of meeting with San Jose. They didn't have much luck against Lake Elsinore, but their success against the Giants gives them the second most wins in this entry. If they can keep up their momentum against San Jose, they'll find themselves in the playoffs.
Like I said earlier, it's hard to pinpoint one or two specific games as the sole reason teams didn't make the playoffs. Generally though, teams want to beat the ones who don't have as much urgency, and this entry shows how those results have played out. There really isn't much to read into here, just a few head to head stats.
Cal League Condensed: 8/31 Preview
Bakersfield Blaze v. Visalia Rawhide 7:00 PM PT
Robbie Ross v. Pat McAnaney
Notes: Robbie Ross has only pitched 2.1 IP in consecutive starts... Ross has only pitched five innings in one of his last five starts... Pat McAnaney has won all three starts with Visalia this year... McAnaney has 21 strikeouts and only allowed two runs over 13 innings since his return from AA Mobile... Game will be available on 1270 AM in Visalia as well as www.milb.com...
Inland Empire 66ers v. San Jose Giants 7:00 PM PT
Cody White v. Justin Fitzgerald
Notes: Cody White hasn't made a start for Inland Empire since 5/20, spending time at two additional levels this season... White has an 11.25 ERA in 12 innings as a starter with the 66ers... Justin Fitzgerald has lost three of his last four starts and four of his last five decisions... Fitzgerald's second half ERA is about one run higher than his first half ERA... Game will be available on 1050 AM in Inland Empire as well as www.kcaaradio.com, www.sjgiants.com and www.milb.com...
Lake Elsinore Storm v. Lancaster JetHawks 7:00 PM PT
Anthony Bass v. Kyle Greenwalt
Notes: Anthony Bass has pitched five innings in consecutive starts... Bass was named to the Cal League postseason All-Star team... These two starters met in their last turn in the rotation, a 4-3 Lancaster win... Kyle Greenwalt got the win after allowing three runs in five innings... Greenwalt has a 6-1 second half record despite an ERA over 7... Game will be available on 92.9 FM in Lake Elsinore and 1380 AM in Lancaster as well as www.jethawks.com and www.milb.com...
High Desert Mavericks v. Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 7:05 PM PT
Maikel Cleto v. Garrett Richards
Notes: Maikel Cleto has at least four walks in three straight starts... Cleto only has six strikeouts in that span... Garrett Richards hasn't allowed an earned run in two straight starts, both wins... 11 of the 12 earned runs Richards has allowed with Rancho Cucamonga came in two of his five starts... Game will be available on 960 AM in High Desert and 1510 AM in Rancho Cucamonga as well as www.rcquakes.com and www.milb.com...
Stockton Ports v. Modesto Nuts 7:05 PM PT
Ian Krol v. Parker Frazier
Notes: These two starters met in their last turn in the rotation, a 5-1 Stockton win in which neither starter factored into the decision... Ian Krol struck out six and allowed one run in 4.2 IP... Parker Frazier allowed one run in four innings, his shortest start with Modesto... Frazier walked three batters after not walking any in his previous two starts... Game will be available on 1280 AM in Stockton and 970 AM in Modesto as well as www.milb.com...
CAL North
Stockton 39-24 .619 M#4
Bakersfield 35-28 .556 4 GB E#4, E#2
Visalia 33-30 .524 6 GB E#2, M#5
Modesto 30-33 .476 ELIMINATED FROM 2ND HALF CONTENTION, E#5
*San Jose 26-37 .413
CAL South
High Desert 34-29 .540 M#8, M#4
Rancho Cucamonga 34-29 .540 M#8, M#4
*Lake Elsinore 31-32 .492 3 GB
Lancaster 30-33 .476 4 GB E#4, ELIMINATED FROM WILD CARD CONTENTION
Inland Empire 23-40 .365 ELIMINATED FROM PLAYOFF CONTENTION
Transactions
HD: Rich Poythress placed on DL
HD: Brian Moran assigned to AA West Tenn
HD: Luis Nunez assigned from A Clinton
HD: Maximo Mendez assigned to AA West Tenn
IE: Vicente Padilla assigned from Dodgers
HD: Jose Jimenez assigned from A Clinton
RC: Matt Oye assigned from A Cedar Rapids
Robbie Ross v. Pat McAnaney
Notes: Robbie Ross has only pitched 2.1 IP in consecutive starts... Ross has only pitched five innings in one of his last five starts... Pat McAnaney has won all three starts with Visalia this year... McAnaney has 21 strikeouts and only allowed two runs over 13 innings since his return from AA Mobile... Game will be available on 1270 AM in Visalia as well as www.milb.com...
Inland Empire 66ers v. San Jose Giants 7:00 PM PT
Cody White v. Justin Fitzgerald
Notes: Cody White hasn't made a start for Inland Empire since 5/20, spending time at two additional levels this season... White has an 11.25 ERA in 12 innings as a starter with the 66ers... Justin Fitzgerald has lost three of his last four starts and four of his last five decisions... Fitzgerald's second half ERA is about one run higher than his first half ERA... Game will be available on 1050 AM in Inland Empire as well as www.kcaaradio.com, www.sjgiants.com and www.milb.com...
Lake Elsinore Storm v. Lancaster JetHawks 7:00 PM PT
Anthony Bass v. Kyle Greenwalt
Notes: Anthony Bass has pitched five innings in consecutive starts... Bass was named to the Cal League postseason All-Star team... These two starters met in their last turn in the rotation, a 4-3 Lancaster win... Kyle Greenwalt got the win after allowing three runs in five innings... Greenwalt has a 6-1 second half record despite an ERA over 7... Game will be available on 92.9 FM in Lake Elsinore and 1380 AM in Lancaster as well as www.jethawks.com and www.milb.com...
High Desert Mavericks v. Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 7:05 PM PT
Maikel Cleto v. Garrett Richards
Notes: Maikel Cleto has at least four walks in three straight starts... Cleto only has six strikeouts in that span... Garrett Richards hasn't allowed an earned run in two straight starts, both wins... 11 of the 12 earned runs Richards has allowed with Rancho Cucamonga came in two of his five starts... Game will be available on 960 AM in High Desert and 1510 AM in Rancho Cucamonga as well as www.rcquakes.com and www.milb.com...
Stockton Ports v. Modesto Nuts 7:05 PM PT
Ian Krol v. Parker Frazier
Notes: These two starters met in their last turn in the rotation, a 5-1 Stockton win in which neither starter factored into the decision... Ian Krol struck out six and allowed one run in 4.2 IP... Parker Frazier allowed one run in four innings, his shortest start with Modesto... Frazier walked three batters after not walking any in his previous two starts... Game will be available on 1280 AM in Stockton and 970 AM in Modesto as well as www.milb.com...
CAL North
Stockton 39-24 .619 M#4
Bakersfield 35-28 .556 4 GB E#4, E#2
Visalia 33-30 .524 6 GB E#2, M#5
Modesto 30-33 .476 ELIMINATED FROM 2ND HALF CONTENTION, E#5
*San Jose 26-37 .413
CAL South
High Desert 34-29 .540 M#8, M#4
Rancho Cucamonga 34-29 .540 M#8, M#4
*Lake Elsinore 31-32 .492 3 GB
Lancaster 30-33 .476 4 GB E#4, ELIMINATED FROM WILD CARD CONTENTION
Inland Empire 23-40 .365 ELIMINATED FROM PLAYOFF CONTENTION
Transactions
HD: Rich Poythress placed on DL
HD: Brian Moran assigned to AA West Tenn
HD: Luis Nunez assigned from A Clinton
HD: Maximo Mendez assigned to AA West Tenn
IE: Vicente Padilla assigned from Dodgers
HD: Jose Jimenez assigned from A Clinton
RC: Matt Oye assigned from A Cedar Rapids
Monday, August 30, 2010
Cal League Condensed: 8/30 Review
Visalia 9, Modesto 6
Recap | Box
W: Charles Brewer (7-3)
L: Josh Sullivan (2-3)
S: Yonata Ortega (9)
HR: Matt Davidson (1)
Notes: Visalia wins the series... Matt Davidson's first home run with Visalia was an 8th inning grand slam to give Visalia a 9-2 lead... Davidson had five RBI total... Modesto scored four runs in the 8th... Each team had 10 hits... Paul Goldschmidt had a three hit game and scored twice... Ben Paulsen had two hits and four RBI... Josh Sullivan allowed four earned runs on seven hits and three walks in 2.1 IP... Kenny Durst was charged with two errors and four runs in 4.2 IP... Charles Brewer struck out seven and allowed an unearned run in five innings... Justin Mace allowed four earned runs in 2.1 IP of relief... Attendance was 923... Modesto starts their last homestand against Stockton while Visalia plays their last home series against Bakersfield...
Bakersfield 5, Inland Empire 4
Recap | Box
W: Kennil Gomez (5-8)
L: Bobby Blevins (2-8)
HR: Doug Hogan (4) Davis Stoneburner (13) Cody Podraza (2) Alfredo Silverio (12)
Notes: Bakersfield wins the series... Vicente Padilla struck out one and allowed two hits in three scoreless innings for Inland Empire... Bobby Blevins allowed all five Bakersfield runs in six innings of relief... Joe Wieland allowed three runs on nine hits in three innings... Kennil Gomez got the win after only allowing one run in six innings of relief... Bakersfield was outhit 14-8... Alfredo Silverio and Andres Perez had three hit games... Silverio was a triple shy of the cycle... Attendance was 2,621... Bakersfield finishes up their road schedule at Visalia while Inland Empire joins them on the road in San Jose...
High Desert 9, Lake Elsinore 7
Recap | Box
W: Cheyne Hann (4-5)
L: Eric Gonzalez (6-5)
S: Stephen Penney (5)
BS: Eric Gonzalez (1)
HR: Vince Belnome (15) Denny Almonte (22)
Notes: High Desert wins the series... Lake Elsinore scored all seven runs in the first four innings including a four run 2nd... High Desert scored five unanswered runs to end the game... Nate Reed allowed six runs in three innings... High Desert's bullpen allowed one run in six innings... Shaver Hansen had three hits and scored three times... Four Mavericks had two hit games... Jeremy McBryde allowed five runs in five innings... Eric Gonzalez allowed three runs in 1.1 IP of relief... Bo Davis, Brad Chalk and Cole Figueroa had three hit games... Davis drove in three runs... Lake Elsinore outhit High Desert 16-15... Attendance was 1,525... Lake Elsinore finishes their road schedule at Lancaster while High Desert travels to Rancho Cucamonga...
Lancaster 8, Rancho Cucamonga 2
Recap | Box
W: Robert Donovan (1-2)
L: Manaurys Correa (1-10)
Notes: Lancaster avoids a series sweep... Lancaster finished 5-9 on their 14 game road trip... Robert Donovan allowed seven hits in six innings and only one run... Manaurys Correa made the start for Rancho Cucamonga and allowed six runs in four innings... Lancaster scored all eight of their runs in innings three through six including a four run 4th... Mark Ori had three hits, including two doubles, and scored three times... Rancho Cucamonga was outhit 12-11... Four Quakes had two hit games... Chris Scholl struck out five in three innings of relief but allowed two runs... Attendance was 1,022... Lancaster returns home to host Lake Elsinore while Rancho Cucamonga finishes their home schedule against High Desert...
Stockton 9, San Jose 5
Recap | Box
W: Scott Deal (2-4)
L: Edwin Quirarte (2-9)
BS: Edwin Quirarte (5)
HR: James Simmons (12) Wendell Fairley (1) Grant Green (19) David Thomas (2)
Notes: Stockton wins the series... Stockton had a six run 8th inning, including a three run home run by Grant Green, to erase a 5-3 deficit... David Thomas scored three times and had two RBI... San Jose's bullpen allowed eight runs in 5.1 IP... Ryan Verdugo walked four in 1.2 IP... Andrew Romo struck out five and allowed one run in 2.2 IP... No one in San Jose's lineup had more than one hit... Wendell Fairley hit a three run home run... Attendance was 2,323... San Jose hosts Inland Empire while Stockton heads to Modesto...
Recap | Box
W: Charles Brewer (7-3)
L: Josh Sullivan (2-3)
S: Yonata Ortega (9)
HR: Matt Davidson (1)
Notes: Visalia wins the series... Matt Davidson's first home run with Visalia was an 8th inning grand slam to give Visalia a 9-2 lead... Davidson had five RBI total... Modesto scored four runs in the 8th... Each team had 10 hits... Paul Goldschmidt had a three hit game and scored twice... Ben Paulsen had two hits and four RBI... Josh Sullivan allowed four earned runs on seven hits and three walks in 2.1 IP... Kenny Durst was charged with two errors and four runs in 4.2 IP... Charles Brewer struck out seven and allowed an unearned run in five innings... Justin Mace allowed four earned runs in 2.1 IP of relief... Attendance was 923... Modesto starts their last homestand against Stockton while Visalia plays their last home series against Bakersfield...
Bakersfield 5, Inland Empire 4
Recap | Box
W: Kennil Gomez (5-8)
L: Bobby Blevins (2-8)
HR: Doug Hogan (4) Davis Stoneburner (13) Cody Podraza (2) Alfredo Silverio (12)
Notes: Bakersfield wins the series... Vicente Padilla struck out one and allowed two hits in three scoreless innings for Inland Empire... Bobby Blevins allowed all five Bakersfield runs in six innings of relief... Joe Wieland allowed three runs on nine hits in three innings... Kennil Gomez got the win after only allowing one run in six innings of relief... Bakersfield was outhit 14-8... Alfredo Silverio and Andres Perez had three hit games... Silverio was a triple shy of the cycle... Attendance was 2,621... Bakersfield finishes up their road schedule at Visalia while Inland Empire joins them on the road in San Jose...
High Desert 9, Lake Elsinore 7
Recap | Box
W: Cheyne Hann (4-5)
L: Eric Gonzalez (6-5)
S: Stephen Penney (5)
BS: Eric Gonzalez (1)
HR: Vince Belnome (15) Denny Almonte (22)
Notes: High Desert wins the series... Lake Elsinore scored all seven runs in the first four innings including a four run 2nd... High Desert scored five unanswered runs to end the game... Nate Reed allowed six runs in three innings... High Desert's bullpen allowed one run in six innings... Shaver Hansen had three hits and scored three times... Four Mavericks had two hit games... Jeremy McBryde allowed five runs in five innings... Eric Gonzalez allowed three runs in 1.1 IP of relief... Bo Davis, Brad Chalk and Cole Figueroa had three hit games... Davis drove in three runs... Lake Elsinore outhit High Desert 16-15... Attendance was 1,525... Lake Elsinore finishes their road schedule at Lancaster while High Desert travels to Rancho Cucamonga...
Lancaster 8, Rancho Cucamonga 2
Recap | Box
W: Robert Donovan (1-2)
L: Manaurys Correa (1-10)
Notes: Lancaster avoids a series sweep... Lancaster finished 5-9 on their 14 game road trip... Robert Donovan allowed seven hits in six innings and only one run... Manaurys Correa made the start for Rancho Cucamonga and allowed six runs in four innings... Lancaster scored all eight of their runs in innings three through six including a four run 4th... Mark Ori had three hits, including two doubles, and scored three times... Rancho Cucamonga was outhit 12-11... Four Quakes had two hit games... Chris Scholl struck out five in three innings of relief but allowed two runs... Attendance was 1,022... Lancaster returns home to host Lake Elsinore while Rancho Cucamonga finishes their home schedule against High Desert...
Stockton 9, San Jose 5
Recap | Box
W: Scott Deal (2-4)
L: Edwin Quirarte (2-9)
BS: Edwin Quirarte (5)
HR: James Simmons (12) Wendell Fairley (1) Grant Green (19) David Thomas (2)
Notes: Stockton wins the series... Stockton had a six run 8th inning, including a three run home run by Grant Green, to erase a 5-3 deficit... David Thomas scored three times and had two RBI... San Jose's bullpen allowed eight runs in 5.1 IP... Ryan Verdugo walked four in 1.2 IP... Andrew Romo struck out five and allowed one run in 2.2 IP... No one in San Jose's lineup had more than one hit... Wendell Fairley hit a three run home run... Attendance was 2,323... San Jose hosts Inland Empire while Stockton heads to Modesto...
Cal League Condensed: 8/30 Preview
Modesto Nuts v. Visalia Rawhide 7:00 PM PT
Josh Sullivan v. Charles Brewer
Notes: Modesto can earn a series split... Josh Sullivan is on a two start winning streak, allowing two runs over 11 innings on only seven hits... Sullivan struck out a season high seven in his last start... Charles Brewer has pitched six innings in six consecutive starts... Brewer has 30 strikeouts to just six walks in that span... Game will be available on 970 AM in Modesto and 1270 AM in Visalia as well as www.milb.com...
Bakersfield Blaze v. Inland Empire 66ers 7:05 PM PT
Joe Wieland v. Bobby Blevins
Notes: Inland Empire can earn a series split... Joe Wieland has 32 strikeouts to five walks in his last 30 innings, four starts and one relief appearance... Wieland has a .78 ERA in 23 August innings... Bobby Blevins has two straight quality starts, a win and a loss... Blevins has a .355 BAA in seven starts with Inland Empire... Game will be available on 1050 AM in Inland Empire as well as www.kcaaradio.com and www.milb.com...
Lake Elsinore Storm v. High Desert Mavericks 7:05 PM PT
Jeremy McBryde v. Nate Reed
Notes: Lake Elsinore can earn a series split... Jeremy McBryde has only allowed two runs over 14 innings in his last two starts... McBryde hasn't lost since 7/29... Nate Reed lost his first Cal League start, allowing three earned runs in four innings against Inland Empire... Reed had four walks in those four innings after only walking 10 in 48 innings with the Arizona League Mariners... Game will be available on 92.9 FM in Lake Elsinore and 960 AM in High Desert as well as www.milb.com...
Lancaster JetHawks v. Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 7:05 PM PT
Robert Donovan v. Manny Flores
Notes: Rancho Cucamonga is going for a series sweep... Robert Donovan pitched 5.2 IP in Lancaster's 10 inning no hitter... Donovan hasn't allowed a run in 11.2 IP against Lake Elsinore, and all 21 runs came in 14 innings in his four other starts... Manny Flores has five consecutive starts but only one win in that span... Flores has a 1.91 ERA in 33 August innings... Game will be available on 1380 AM in Lancaster and 1510 AM in Rancho Cucamonga as well as www.jethawks.com, www.rcquakes.com and www.milb.com...
San Jose Giants v. Stockton Ports 7:05 PM PT
Andrew Romo v. Justin Murray
Notes: San Jose can earn a series split... Andrew Romo only allowed one run in four innings in his last start but walked six... Romo allowed five runs in just one inning in his first Cal League start which was against Stockton... Justin Murray has allowed two runs in 11.2 IP in his two starts since returning to the rotation... Murray allowed four runs in 4.1 IP in his last start against San Jose... Game will be available on 1280 AM in Stockton as well as www.sjgiants.com and www.milb.com...
CAL North
Stockton 38-24 .613 M#5
Bakersfield 34-28 .548 4 GB E#5, E#3
Visalia 32-30 .516 6 GB E#3, M#7
Modesto 30-32 .484 8 GB E#1, E#7
*San Jose 26-36 .419
CAL South
Rancho Cucamonga 34-28 .548 M#8, M#4
High Desert 33-29 .532 1 GB E#8, M#4
*Lake Elsinore 31-31 .500 3 GB
Lancaster 29-33 .468 5 GB E#4, ELIMINATED FROM WILD CARD CONTENTION
Inland Empire 23-39 .371 ELIMINATED FROM PLAYOFF CONTENTION
Transactions
BAK: Fabio Castillo assigned to AA Frisco
Josh Sullivan v. Charles Brewer
Notes: Modesto can earn a series split... Josh Sullivan is on a two start winning streak, allowing two runs over 11 innings on only seven hits... Sullivan struck out a season high seven in his last start... Charles Brewer has pitched six innings in six consecutive starts... Brewer has 30 strikeouts to just six walks in that span... Game will be available on 970 AM in Modesto and 1270 AM in Visalia as well as www.milb.com...
Bakersfield Blaze v. Inland Empire 66ers 7:05 PM PT
Joe Wieland v. Bobby Blevins
Notes: Inland Empire can earn a series split... Joe Wieland has 32 strikeouts to five walks in his last 30 innings, four starts and one relief appearance... Wieland has a .78 ERA in 23 August innings... Bobby Blevins has two straight quality starts, a win and a loss... Blevins has a .355 BAA in seven starts with Inland Empire... Game will be available on 1050 AM in Inland Empire as well as www.kcaaradio.com and www.milb.com...
Lake Elsinore Storm v. High Desert Mavericks 7:05 PM PT
Jeremy McBryde v. Nate Reed
Notes: Lake Elsinore can earn a series split... Jeremy McBryde has only allowed two runs over 14 innings in his last two starts... McBryde hasn't lost since 7/29... Nate Reed lost his first Cal League start, allowing three earned runs in four innings against Inland Empire... Reed had four walks in those four innings after only walking 10 in 48 innings with the Arizona League Mariners... Game will be available on 92.9 FM in Lake Elsinore and 960 AM in High Desert as well as www.milb.com...
Lancaster JetHawks v. Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 7:05 PM PT
Robert Donovan v. Manny Flores
Notes: Rancho Cucamonga is going for a series sweep... Robert Donovan pitched 5.2 IP in Lancaster's 10 inning no hitter... Donovan hasn't allowed a run in 11.2 IP against Lake Elsinore, and all 21 runs came in 14 innings in his four other starts... Manny Flores has five consecutive starts but only one win in that span... Flores has a 1.91 ERA in 33 August innings... Game will be available on 1380 AM in Lancaster and 1510 AM in Rancho Cucamonga as well as www.jethawks.com, www.rcquakes.com and www.milb.com...
San Jose Giants v. Stockton Ports 7:05 PM PT
Andrew Romo v. Justin Murray
Notes: San Jose can earn a series split... Andrew Romo only allowed one run in four innings in his last start but walked six... Romo allowed five runs in just one inning in his first Cal League start which was against Stockton... Justin Murray has allowed two runs in 11.2 IP in his two starts since returning to the rotation... Murray allowed four runs in 4.1 IP in his last start against San Jose... Game will be available on 1280 AM in Stockton as well as www.sjgiants.com and www.milb.com...
CAL North
Stockton 38-24 .613 M#5
Bakersfield 34-28 .548 4 GB E#5, E#3
Visalia 32-30 .516 6 GB E#3, M#7
Modesto 30-32 .484 8 GB E#1, E#7
*San Jose 26-36 .419
CAL South
Rancho Cucamonga 34-28 .548 M#8, M#4
High Desert 33-29 .532 1 GB E#8, M#4
*Lake Elsinore 31-31 .500 3 GB
Lancaster 29-33 .468 5 GB E#4, ELIMINATED FROM WILD CARD CONTENTION
Inland Empire 23-39 .371 ELIMINATED FROM PLAYOFF CONTENTION
Transactions
BAK: Fabio Castillo assigned to AA Frisco
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Cal League Condensed: 8/29 Review
High Desert 5, Lake Elsinore 4
Recap | Box
W: Andrew Carraway (11-7)
L: Rob Musgrave (3-4)
S: Daniel Cooper (1)
HR: Cody Decker 2 (25) Ali Solis (2) Trevor Coleman (6) Edilio Colina (3)
Notes: Three Mavericks had two hit games, including Daniel Carroll with two doubles... Andrew Carraway allowed four runs in seven innings... All four of Lake Elsinore's runs came on home runs... Ali Solis has homered in consecutive games played by him... High Desert outhit Lake Elsinore 10-6... Rob Musgrave struck out six and allowed three earned runs in five innings... Attendance was 1,036...
Rancho Cucamonga 4, Lancaster 3
Recap | Box
W: Kyle Hurst (4-3)
L: Jose Trinidad (0-1)
S: Matt Meyer (1)
BS: Jose Trinidad (1)
HR: Mark Ori (2)
Notes: Mike Trout's sac fly in the bottom of the 7th proved to be the winning run... Alberto Rosario had a three hit game... The bottom four players in Rancho Cucamonga's lineup each scored a run... Kyle Hurst allowed three runs in seven innings... Matt Meyer struck out four in two innings of relief to earn the save... Ross Seaton allowed three runs in 6.1 IP... Mark Ori had two RBI including a solo home run... Attendance was 1,719...
Visalia 7, Modesto 6
Recap | Box
W: Billy Spottiswood (6-5)
L: Rhett Ballard (0-1)
BS: Casey Weathers (2)
HR: David Christensen (7) Joe Sanders 2 (5) Josh Ford (18) Marc Krauss (25)
Notes: Marc Krauss hit a walkoff home run in the 9th... Modesto held leads of 3-0 and 6-3 during this game... Visalia scored three in the 8th to tie the game at 6... Three Visalia players drove in two runs each... Juan Nicasio struck out eight in seven innings and allowed three runs... Casey Weathers allowed three runs while only recording one out... David Christensen has homered in consecutive games... Joe Sanders hit two solo home runs... Attendance was 1,612...
Bakersfield 4, Inland Empire 3
Recap | Box
W: Danny Gutierrez (1-4)
L: Josh Walter (1-9)
S: Trevor Hurley (2)
HR: Vince DiFazio (2)
Notes: Bakersfield had four hits, and the teams combined for only nine... Johan Garcia was the only player in the game with more than one... Danny Gutierrez allowed two earned runs in six innings... Josh Walter struck out eight in five innings but allowed four runs... Inland Empire's bullpen pitched four no hit innings... Both bullpens combined to pitch seven scoreless innings... Cody Podraza stole two bases... Andres James committed two errors... Attendance was 4,121...
San Jose 7, Stockton 2
Recap | Box
W: Kyle Woodruff (3-2)
L: Andrew Carignan (2-3)
HR: Grant Green (18)
Notes: San Jose had a four run 7th inning... Francisco Peguero and Jose Flores each had three RBI... Flores had three hits including a triple... San Jose was outhit 9-8... Stockton was 2 for 9 w/ RISP and left 10 runners on base... Kyle Woodruff allowed two runs in six innings... Jose Pina allowed one run in 4.2 IP in his first start this year... Stockton's bullpen allowed six runs in 4.1 IP... Tyler Ladendorf hit two doubles... Attendance was 3,295...
Recap | Box
W: Andrew Carraway (11-7)
L: Rob Musgrave (3-4)
S: Daniel Cooper (1)
HR: Cody Decker 2 (25) Ali Solis (2) Trevor Coleman (6) Edilio Colina (3)
Notes: Three Mavericks had two hit games, including Daniel Carroll with two doubles... Andrew Carraway allowed four runs in seven innings... All four of Lake Elsinore's runs came on home runs... Ali Solis has homered in consecutive games played by him... High Desert outhit Lake Elsinore 10-6... Rob Musgrave struck out six and allowed three earned runs in five innings... Attendance was 1,036...
Rancho Cucamonga 4, Lancaster 3
Recap | Box
W: Kyle Hurst (4-3)
L: Jose Trinidad (0-1)
S: Matt Meyer (1)
BS: Jose Trinidad (1)
HR: Mark Ori (2)
Notes: Mike Trout's sac fly in the bottom of the 7th proved to be the winning run... Alberto Rosario had a three hit game... The bottom four players in Rancho Cucamonga's lineup each scored a run... Kyle Hurst allowed three runs in seven innings... Matt Meyer struck out four in two innings of relief to earn the save... Ross Seaton allowed three runs in 6.1 IP... Mark Ori had two RBI including a solo home run... Attendance was 1,719...
Visalia 7, Modesto 6
Recap | Box
W: Billy Spottiswood (6-5)
L: Rhett Ballard (0-1)
BS: Casey Weathers (2)
HR: David Christensen (7) Joe Sanders 2 (5) Josh Ford (18) Marc Krauss (25)
Notes: Marc Krauss hit a walkoff home run in the 9th... Modesto held leads of 3-0 and 6-3 during this game... Visalia scored three in the 8th to tie the game at 6... Three Visalia players drove in two runs each... Juan Nicasio struck out eight in seven innings and allowed three runs... Casey Weathers allowed three runs while only recording one out... David Christensen has homered in consecutive games... Joe Sanders hit two solo home runs... Attendance was 1,612...
Bakersfield 4, Inland Empire 3
Recap | Box
W: Danny Gutierrez (1-4)
L: Josh Walter (1-9)
S: Trevor Hurley (2)
HR: Vince DiFazio (2)
Notes: Bakersfield had four hits, and the teams combined for only nine... Johan Garcia was the only player in the game with more than one... Danny Gutierrez allowed two earned runs in six innings... Josh Walter struck out eight in five innings but allowed four runs... Inland Empire's bullpen pitched four no hit innings... Both bullpens combined to pitch seven scoreless innings... Cody Podraza stole two bases... Andres James committed two errors... Attendance was 4,121...
San Jose 7, Stockton 2
Recap | Box
W: Kyle Woodruff (3-2)
L: Andrew Carignan (2-3)
HR: Grant Green (18)
Notes: San Jose had a four run 7th inning... Francisco Peguero and Jose Flores each had three RBI... Flores had three hits including a triple... San Jose was outhit 9-8... Stockton was 2 for 9 w/ RISP and left 10 runners on base... Kyle Woodruff allowed two runs in six innings... Jose Pina allowed one run in 4.2 IP in his first start this year... Stockton's bullpen allowed six runs in 4.1 IP... Tyler Ladendorf hit two doubles... Attendance was 3,295...
Cal League Condensed: 8/29 Preview
Lake Elsinore Storm v. High Desert Mavericks 5:05 PM PT
Rob Musgrave v. Andrew Carraway
Notes: Rob Musgrave has allowed two or fewer earned runs in three of his four starts... The one he didn't was against High Desert, and he allowed five runs in 4.2 IP... Andrew Carraway pitched a quality start last time out... Carraway gave up four home runs in his last start against Lake Elsinore... Game will be available on 92.9 FM in Lake Elsinore and 960 AM in High Desert as well as www.milb.com...
Lancaster JetHawks v. Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 5:05 PM PT
Ross Seaton v. Kyle Hurst
Notes: Ross Seaton allowed seven runs while only recording two outs in his last start... Lake Elsinore batted .750 against Seaton in that start... Kyle Hurst is on a two game winning streak, his first wins as a starter this year... Hurst has 12 strikeouts and three walks over those starts... Game will be available on 1380 AM in Lancaster and 1510 AM in Rancho Cucamonga as well as www.jethawks.com, www.rcquakes.com and www.milb.com...
Modesto Nuts v. Visalia Rawhide 6:00 PM PT
Juan Nicasio v. Dan Taylor
Notes: Juan Nicasio struck out seven and allowed two runs in seven innings in his last start against Visalia... Nicasio has a 3.63 August ERA and a 30:3 K:BB ratio... Dan Taylor has 22 strikeouts in three consecutive months... Taylor allowed one run in 6.2 IP in his last start... Game will be available on 970 AM in Modesto and 1270 AM in Visalia as well as www.milb.com...
Bakersfield Blaze v. Inland Empire 66ers 6:05 PM PT
Danny Gutierrez v. Josh Walter
Notes: Danny Gutierrez is 0-4 in five starts with Bakersfield this year... Two of his four losses are quality starts... Josh Walter allowed eight runs in 4.2 IP in his last start... Walter has at least three walks in four of his last five starts... Game will be available on 1050 AM in Inland Empire as well as www.kcaaradio.com and www.milb.com...
San Jose Giants v. Stockton Ports 6:05 PM PT
Kyle Woodruff v. Jose Pina
Notes: Kyle Woodruff pitched 4.1 scoreless innings in his only start against Stockton this year, his first start of the season... Woodruff gave up three home runs in his last start... Jose Pina hasn't made a start since 2008 when he was in the Cubs organization... Pena has a 5.48 ERA in 42.2 IP with Stockton this year... Game will be available on 1280 AM in Stockton as well as www.sjgiants.com and www.milb.com...
CAL North
Stockton 38-23 .623 M#5
Bakersfield 33-28 .541 5 GB E#5, E#4
Visalia 31-30 .508 7 GB E#3, M#9
Modesto 30-31 .492 8 GB E#2, E#9
*San Jose 25-36 .410 13 GB
CAL South
Rancho Cucamonga 33-28 .541 M#9, M#6
High Desert 32-29 .525 1 GB E#9, M#6
*Lake Elsinore 31-30 .508 2 GB
Lancaster 29-32 .475 4 GB E#6, ELIMINATED FROM WILD CARD CONTENTION
Inland Empire 23-38 .377 ELIMINATED FROM PLAYOFF CONTENTION
Transactions
MOD: Chandler Laurent assigned from A- Tri-City
MOD: Brian Rike placed on DL
IE: Eric Thompson placed on DL
SJ: Johnny Monell assigned to AAA Fresno
STO: Jermaine Mitchell assigned to AAA Sacramento
STO: Andrew Carignan activated from DL
IE: Fumi Ishibashi activated from DL
STO: Ben Hornbeck placed on DL
Rob Musgrave v. Andrew Carraway
Notes: Rob Musgrave has allowed two or fewer earned runs in three of his four starts... The one he didn't was against High Desert, and he allowed five runs in 4.2 IP... Andrew Carraway pitched a quality start last time out... Carraway gave up four home runs in his last start against Lake Elsinore... Game will be available on 92.9 FM in Lake Elsinore and 960 AM in High Desert as well as www.milb.com...
Lancaster JetHawks v. Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 5:05 PM PT
Ross Seaton v. Kyle Hurst
Notes: Ross Seaton allowed seven runs while only recording two outs in his last start... Lake Elsinore batted .750 against Seaton in that start... Kyle Hurst is on a two game winning streak, his first wins as a starter this year... Hurst has 12 strikeouts and three walks over those starts... Game will be available on 1380 AM in Lancaster and 1510 AM in Rancho Cucamonga as well as www.jethawks.com, www.rcquakes.com and www.milb.com...
Modesto Nuts v. Visalia Rawhide 6:00 PM PT
Juan Nicasio v. Dan Taylor
Notes: Juan Nicasio struck out seven and allowed two runs in seven innings in his last start against Visalia... Nicasio has a 3.63 August ERA and a 30:3 K:BB ratio... Dan Taylor has 22 strikeouts in three consecutive months... Taylor allowed one run in 6.2 IP in his last start... Game will be available on 970 AM in Modesto and 1270 AM in Visalia as well as www.milb.com...
Bakersfield Blaze v. Inland Empire 66ers 6:05 PM PT
Danny Gutierrez v. Josh Walter
Notes: Danny Gutierrez is 0-4 in five starts with Bakersfield this year... Two of his four losses are quality starts... Josh Walter allowed eight runs in 4.2 IP in his last start... Walter has at least three walks in four of his last five starts... Game will be available on 1050 AM in Inland Empire as well as www.kcaaradio.com and www.milb.com...
San Jose Giants v. Stockton Ports 6:05 PM PT
Kyle Woodruff v. Jose Pina
Notes: Kyle Woodruff pitched 4.1 scoreless innings in his only start against Stockton this year, his first start of the season... Woodruff gave up three home runs in his last start... Jose Pina hasn't made a start since 2008 when he was in the Cubs organization... Pena has a 5.48 ERA in 42.2 IP with Stockton this year... Game will be available on 1280 AM in Stockton as well as www.sjgiants.com and www.milb.com...
CAL North
Stockton 38-23 .623 M#5
Bakersfield 33-28 .541 5 GB E#5, E#4
Visalia 31-30 .508 7 GB E#3, M#9
Modesto 30-31 .492 8 GB E#2, E#9
*San Jose 25-36 .410 13 GB
CAL South
Rancho Cucamonga 33-28 .541 M#9, M#6
High Desert 32-29 .525 1 GB E#9, M#6
*Lake Elsinore 31-30 .508 2 GB
Lancaster 29-32 .475 4 GB E#6, ELIMINATED FROM WILD CARD CONTENTION
Inland Empire 23-38 .377 ELIMINATED FROM PLAYOFF CONTENTION
Transactions
MOD: Chandler Laurent assigned from A- Tri-City
MOD: Brian Rike placed on DL
IE: Eric Thompson placed on DL
SJ: Johnny Monell assigned to AAA Fresno
STO: Jermaine Mitchell assigned to AAA Sacramento
STO: Andrew Carignan activated from DL
IE: Fumi Ishibashi activated from DL
STO: Ben Hornbeck placed on DL
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Cal League Condensed: 8/28 Review
Visalia 5, Modesto 4
Recap | Box
W: Chase Anderson (5-2)
L: Stephen Dodson (3-2)
S: Yonata Ortega (8)
HR: David Christensen (8)
Notes: Visalia scored their five runs on only three hits... Modesto committed four errors, including two by catcher Johnny Bowden, and only two of Visalia's runs were earned... Modesto pitchers threw three wild pitches and hit three batters... Rob Scahill struck out nine and allowed one earned run in 6.2 IP... Eric Smith pitched five scoreless innings... Modesto was 0 for 6 w/ RISP and left four runners on base... Attendance was 1,467...
Bakersfield 7, Inland Empire 3
Recap | Box
W: Andrew Doyle (1-0)
L: Ethan Martin (9-13)
HR: Tommy Mendonca (8)
Notes: Due to this loss and Rancho Cucamonga's win, Inland Empire is eliminated from playoff contention... Ethan Martin allowed three runs on four hits and five walks in 1.2 IP... Timothy Sexton piggybacked him and allowed four runs in 7.1 IP... Andrew Doyle got his first win with Bakersfield, allowing one run in five innings... Davis Stoneburner walked three times... Alfredo Silverio had three of Inland Empire's six hits... Attendance was 3,794...
Lake Elsinore 12, High Desert 8
Recap | Box
W: Steve Garrison (1-1)
L: Kenn Kasparek (9-5)
HR: Vince Belnome (14) Allan Dykstra 2 (15) Jake Shaffer (9) Denny Almonte (21)
Notes: High Desert once held a 5-0 lead... Lake Elsinore had two four-run innings, the 3rd and 5th... Allan Dykstra had four hits, including a pair of home runs, and five RBI... Four Lake Elsinore players had two run games... Neither starter pitched through the 5th inning, Adam Schrader allowing seven runs in 4.1 IP and Kenn Kasparek allowing eight in four... Five Mavericks had two hit games... Teams combined for 29 hits... Attendance was 4,061...
Rancho Cucamonga 7, Lancaster 4
Recap | Box
W: Ryan Chaffee (7-6)
L: Leandro Cespedes (2-7)
S: Eddie McKiernan (27)
HR: Brian Pellegrini (12) Luis Jimenez (11)
Notes: Rancho Cucamonga scored five of their runs in the first four innings... Five Quakes had two hit games... Ryan Chaffee struck out seven in seven scoreless innings... Leandro Cespedes allowed five runs in five innings... All four of Lancaster's runs were scored in the 8th inning on a Brian Pellegrini grand slam... Brandon Wikoff was Lancaster's only player with more than one hit... Attendance was 3,579...
Stockton 7, San Jose 5
Recap | Box
W: Shawn Haviland (9-6)
L: Oliver Odle (7-11)
S: Paul Smyth (27)
HR: James Simmons (11) Stephen Parker (20) Yusuf Carter (12)
Notes: Stockton scored all seven of their runs in the first two innings... Grant Green had three hits and scored twice... Three Ports had two hit games... Oliver Odle allowed seven runs in two innings... San Jose's bullpen pitched six scoreless innings and only allowed three baserunners... Shawn Haviland struck out seven in six innings and allowed two runs... James Simmons had three hits and scored twice... No one else in San Jose's lineup had more than one hit...
Recap | Box
W: Chase Anderson (5-2)
L: Stephen Dodson (3-2)
S: Yonata Ortega (8)
HR: David Christensen (8)
Notes: Visalia scored their five runs on only three hits... Modesto committed four errors, including two by catcher Johnny Bowden, and only two of Visalia's runs were earned... Modesto pitchers threw three wild pitches and hit three batters... Rob Scahill struck out nine and allowed one earned run in 6.2 IP... Eric Smith pitched five scoreless innings... Modesto was 0 for 6 w/ RISP and left four runners on base... Attendance was 1,467...
Bakersfield 7, Inland Empire 3
Recap | Box
W: Andrew Doyle (1-0)
L: Ethan Martin (9-13)
HR: Tommy Mendonca (8)
Notes: Due to this loss and Rancho Cucamonga's win, Inland Empire is eliminated from playoff contention... Ethan Martin allowed three runs on four hits and five walks in 1.2 IP... Timothy Sexton piggybacked him and allowed four runs in 7.1 IP... Andrew Doyle got his first win with Bakersfield, allowing one run in five innings... Davis Stoneburner walked three times... Alfredo Silverio had three of Inland Empire's six hits... Attendance was 3,794...
Lake Elsinore 12, High Desert 8
Recap | Box
W: Steve Garrison (1-1)
L: Kenn Kasparek (9-5)
HR: Vince Belnome (14) Allan Dykstra 2 (15) Jake Shaffer (9) Denny Almonte (21)
Notes: High Desert once held a 5-0 lead... Lake Elsinore had two four-run innings, the 3rd and 5th... Allan Dykstra had four hits, including a pair of home runs, and five RBI... Four Lake Elsinore players had two run games... Neither starter pitched through the 5th inning, Adam Schrader allowing seven runs in 4.1 IP and Kenn Kasparek allowing eight in four... Five Mavericks had two hit games... Teams combined for 29 hits... Attendance was 4,061...
Rancho Cucamonga 7, Lancaster 4
Recap | Box
W: Ryan Chaffee (7-6)
L: Leandro Cespedes (2-7)
S: Eddie McKiernan (27)
HR: Brian Pellegrini (12) Luis Jimenez (11)
Notes: Rancho Cucamonga scored five of their runs in the first four innings... Five Quakes had two hit games... Ryan Chaffee struck out seven in seven scoreless innings... Leandro Cespedes allowed five runs in five innings... All four of Lancaster's runs were scored in the 8th inning on a Brian Pellegrini grand slam... Brandon Wikoff was Lancaster's only player with more than one hit... Attendance was 3,579...
Stockton 7, San Jose 5
Recap | Box
W: Shawn Haviland (9-6)
L: Oliver Odle (7-11)
S: Paul Smyth (27)
HR: James Simmons (11) Stephen Parker (20) Yusuf Carter (12)
Notes: Stockton scored all seven of their runs in the first two innings... Grant Green had three hits and scored twice... Three Ports had two hit games... Oliver Odle allowed seven runs in two innings... San Jose's bullpen pitched six scoreless innings and only allowed three baserunners... Shawn Haviland struck out seven in six innings and allowed two runs... James Simmons had three hits and scored twice... No one else in San Jose's lineup had more than one hit...
Cal League Postseason All-Stars and Awards
NOTE: I started writing this yesterday, so a stat or two won't be exact after last night's games changed the numbers.
Of course it's not actually the postseason yet, but that didn't stop the Cal League from announcing their award winners and postseason All-Star team Friday. Originally, I planned on doing a predictions post before everything was announced and also do a follow up post comparing my picks to the official team, but obviously that ship has sailed.
I'll preface all of my analysis here by saying I'm not aware of any eligibility requirements for being named to the team. Mainly, this pertains to Brandon Belt. Of course he only played about half the season with San Jose, but it's hard to deny his impact, considering his stats and San Jose's struggles in the second half. I think it's fair to use batting title and ERA title AB/IP minimums to determine who played enough time in the Cal League to make the team. www.milb.com defines those as 2.7 AB per team game and .8 IP per team game.
I'll name the official Cal League pick in bold and then analyze it a bit. If I disagree with the pick, I'll name who I would've picked and why. I don't have all the information on these players though. I can only look at statistics and recall reports I've read in some cases. Defensive information is incredibly difficult to come by, and that's one huge advantage coaches and media members have over me because they see these players play every day. After that, I'll list some honorable mentions if there are any. In my honorable mentions, I'll also name guys that didn't meet the qualification minimums because guys that had an impact on the league in a short period deserve recognition too.
MVP- Paul Goldschmidt, Visalia
This one isn't a total slam dunk, but Goldschmidt is certainly deserving. He could finish up as the minor league leader in home runs, even if he's in a bit of a power slump lately. He leads the Cal League in SLG%, doubles, total bases, extra bases hits and doubles, and he's also the qualified leader in OPS. He's not just a one trick pony, and although he has some room for improvement in terms of his prospect status, he certainly had a great year deserving of an MVP.
My pick- Paul Goldschmidt, Visalia
Honorable mentions:
Brandon Belt, San Jose
Rich Poythress, High Desert
Kyle Russell, Inland Empire
Pitcher of the Year- Brad Brach, Lake Elsinore
In the majors, it's pretty rare for relievers to win the Cy Young Award, the last time being in 2003. It has to be a truly historic or dominant season for it to happen, and I think that makes sense. I also think Brach's season qualifies as historic. He set the Cal League saves record with plenty of games to spare, and he could put it out of reach for awhile. He's not just a closer that gets into trouble and gets lucky to collect saves. His WHIP is below 1, and he's striking out more than nine batters per nine innings.
My pick- Brad Brach, Lake Elsinore
Honorable mentions:
Anthony Bass, Lake Elsinore
Eric Surkamp, San Jose
Craig Westcott, San Jose
Rookie of the Year- Paul Goldschmidt, Visalia
Unless I completely misunderstand the eligibility for this award, it seems to me like most years it would go to the league MVP or Pitcher of the Year. I could be wrong, but since most players in the league are new to the league, both awards seem to have the same player pools. Regardless, Goldschmidt is obviously a deserving winner again. He's a rookie and the league MVP, so it makes sense that he would be the rookie of the year in just his first full year of professional baseball.
EDIT: Thanks to Donny Baarns, Director of Broadcasting for the Visalia Rawhide, I can say that Rookie of the Year is awarded to the best player in their first full year of professional baseball, not their first year in the league. That makes a lot of sense, and I'm glad it's cleared up. Goldschmidt is definitely still the winner.
My pick- Paul Goldschmidt, Visalia
Honorable mentions:
Brandon Belt, San Jose
Brad Brach, Lake Elsinore
Craig Westcott, San Jose
Manager of the Year- Carlos Lezcano, Lake Elsinore
Manager of the Year awards are always difficult to decide. It's tough to balance different factors like preseason expectations, a team being successful, dealing with adversity such as injuries and promotions and affect they have during games with their strategy. I personally don't buy into the last one that much, but Lezcano has certainly dealt with tough circumstances, including promotions of key players such as Blake Tekotte, Drew Cumberland, injuries such as Jaff Decker, and innings limits handcuffing his starting staff in the second half.
My pick- Carlos Lezcano, Lake Elsinore
Honorable mentions
Brian Harper, San Jose
Keith Johnson, Rancho Cucamonga
Steve Scarsone, Stockton
Catcher- Jordan Pacheco, Modesto
Pacheco is a pretty easy choice as the league's best catcher. He didn't maintain the torrid pace he set in April, but he was a consistent performer at the plate. He makes contact consistently using one of the best plate approaches in the league, walking more times than he struck out. The defense is still a work in progress, which is understandable considering he didn't become a catcher until his pro career started. If he keeps hitting, the Rockies will find a place for him.
My pick- Jordan Pacheco, Modesto
Honorable mentions
Jose Felix, Bakersfield
Ryan Ortiz, Stockton
First Base- Paul Goldschmidt, Visalia
This is the last time I'll have to talk about Goldschmidt in this entry. Counting the departed Brandon Belt, 1B is a pretty deep position in this league, so Goldschmidt certainly had a lot of competition. He didn't make the midseason All-Star team, but it's not like he had a bad first half. He just did most of his damage in the second half (20 home runs to 13 in the first half.) He's striking out more in the second half, but he's also walking a lot more which was one of his weaknesses earlier in the season.
My pick- Paul Goldschmidt, Visalia
Honorable mentions
Brandon Belt, San Jose
Rich Poythress, High Desert
Second Base- Kyle Seager, High Desert
Seager is another guy who was okay in the first half, didn't really stand out and didn't make the midseason All-Star team. In fact, it's possible to argue he was below average in the first half due to his home park. After the break, Seager turned it on, going on the league's longest hitting streak and hitting for power. He does a good job drawing walks and putting the ball in play. His power this year isn't a product of High Desert either. His home and road splits are pretty even.
My pick- Kyle Seager, High Desert
This is the first one I felt compelled to offer an additional comment on. On the surface, Albert Cartwright, now playing for AA Corpus Christi, could've been a better choice. However, his home park is also a hitter's paradise, and a quick look at his splits shows Cartwright mashed at home and wasn't the same player on the road.
Honorable mention:
Albert Cartwright, Lancaster
Shortstop- Grant Green, Stockton
Green had a pretty slow start to the season. His game still isn't perfect, his plate approach needs work, but earlier this year he hit for a good average and did nothing else. In the second half, his power is developing, and he's becoming a more complete player. His defense may never be ML quality for SS, but his bat could certainly get him there. 12 of his 17 home runs have come in the second half, and his slugging is up about 100 points. Oakland has to be satisfied with this 2009 first round selection.
My pick- Grant Green, Stockton
Thomas Field has pretty similar numbers to Green. He trades in power for better patience at the plate, but he still strikes out at a healthy pace too. If his defense was significantly better than Green's, I might've taken him, but from what I can tell, it isn't. His first half was worthy of a spot in the midseason All-Star Game, but since the break his power has tailed off, and he hasn't been making very good contact.
Honorable mention
Drew Cumberland, Lake Elsinore
Thomas Field, Modesto
Third Base- Stephen Parker, Stockton
Parker's season has flown under the radar despite being a pretty high draft pick and playing the role of hero for the Cal League in the All-Star Game. He's really doing everything the A's could ask for at the plate after a rough pro debut last season. Parker has been patient at the plate, among the league leaders in walks, hit for a good average and shown some power too. He's pretty pedestrian against left handed pitchers, and it seems like his defense at 3B leaves a lot to be desired.
My pick- Stephen Parker, Stockton
Honorable mention
Luis Jimenez, Rancho Cucamonga
Outfield- Johermyn Chavez, High Desert; Marc Krauss, Visalia; Francisco Peguero, San Jose
Johermyn Chavez does have real power as he showed last year with A Lansing in the Midwest League. His July is one of the best months anyone in the Cal League had all season, and he's been one of the league's hottest second half hitters, powering High Desert's relentless attack. However, as is the case with most High Desert hitters, there's a noticeable difference between his home and road performance. 23 of his home runs have come at home and only eight on the road.
In the 2009 draft, Arizona had seven picks in the first two rounds, and Krauss was the 7th. He's had a lot of success at the plate since, and his second half this year has been great. It remains to be seen if he'll hit at higher levels with a plate approach that needs work, but he hits for contact and a lot of power. Besides one bad month, Krauss has been one of the most consistent hitters in the league, especially in the second half when he has 17 of his 24 home runs this season.
Francisco Peguero might be the choice I disagree with the most, but I can understand the selection. If the voters were looking for a true CF, he might be the best option. He has great speed, 15 triples this season, steals bases and likely plays good defense. He was a starter for the World Team in this year's Futures Game which was a tremendous honor. He puts the ball in play very well, but he needs to become a lot more patient to be a legitimate leadoff option in the future.
My pick- Johermyn Chavez, High Desert; Marc Krauss, Visalia; Jermaine Mitchell, Stockton
In my mind, Jermaine Mitchell has flown under the radar. He's an older player and maybe not much of a prospect, but this team is for the best Cal League performers and not the best prospects. Maybe his 30 games in AA takes him out of consideration, but he still has over 300 at bats with Stockton which qualifies him for leaderboards. He's athletic, hits for decent power and absolutely mashes lefties, unlike a lot of minor league left handed hitters. He also plays CF, so I think he would've been a good choice. Jake Shaffer and Brandon Barnes also deserved consideration, but they're corner outfielders.
Honorable mentions
Brandon Barnes, Lancaster
Dennis Raben, High Desert
Kyle Russell, Inland Empire
Jake Shaffer, High Desert
Blake Tekotte, Lake Elsinore
Designated Hitter- Rich Poythress, High Desert
In the first half, I thought he was a solid hitter that just piled up good counting stats at Stater Bros. Stadium and a good High Desert lineup. In the second half, I was proven wrong as Poythress has posted some of the best post-ASB stats in the league. RBI continue to pile up in bunches, including a couple seven RBI games this year, and he's going to lead the minors in the category pretty easily. Poythress is definitely the best hitter not already on the All Star team, so he deserves the DH spot for sure.
My pick- Rich Poythress, High Desert
Honorable mentions
Brandon Belt, San Jose
Jermaine Mitchell, Stockton
Kyle Russell, Inland Empire
Utility Player- Jimmy Cesario, Modesto
I'm assuming the utility position isn't meant for the best hitter, but a hitter having a good season and able to play multiple positions. Cesario certainly fits that bill, despite spending about half the season at DH. He has appeared at six different positions this year, everything except SS and CF. He was a midseason All Star thanks to one of the league's best averages and a lot of triples, but his second half hasn't been as good at the plate. Despite that, I can see why he was selected.
My pick- Jimmy Cesario, Modesto
Looking at the available options, Cesario is the best choice. There are hitters having better offensive seasons, but they're all limited to just one position this year. If utility player was just supposed to be a second DH spot for the best hitter that didn't get voted on that their position, Cesario wouldn't be the pick, but that's not what it is.
Honorable mention
Drew Cumberland, Lake Elsinore
Jose Flores, San Jose
Andy Simunic, Lancaster
Starting Pitcher- Eric Surkamp, San Jose; Anthony Bass, Lake Elsinore; Shawn Haviland, Stockton
Eric Surkamp doesn't have enough innings to qualify for leaderboards due to a hip injury sustained in July. I'd imagine the voters gave him a break because he lost innings due to injury and not promotion, which is good because he certainly deserves to be here. Despite the meager win total and an ugly month of June, Surkamp has consistently dominated Cal League hitters and was a huge part of San Jose winning the first half title. He's shown good stuff and throws strikes.
Anthony Bass already had some Cal League experience before this year, and he used that to improve on the results and become the league's qualified ERA leader. The win total isn't impressive because most of his starts in the second half haven't been five innings, but that doesn't take away from how effective Bass has been. He has some of the best control in the league, and he strikes out a decent amount of batters too. We'll see how the Storm gets him stretched out for the postseason.
Shawn Haviland is tied for the league lead in strikeouts, and he gets them at a really good rate too. His first half was pretty pedestrian, allowing a lot of hits but still maintaining a good K:BB ratio. The second half has been great, still striking out a lot of batters and pitching more effectively. Haviland has been a huge part of Stockton's run to the playoffs in the second half, winning two pitcher of the week awards in August. He's clearly one of the better starters in the league this year.
My pick- Eric Surkamp, San Jose; Anthony Bass, Lake Elsinore; Ethan Hollingsworth, Modesto
This was an incredibly tough call. There are a lot of really good pitchers in the league this year with varying amounts of innings and other important stats. I think Hollingsworth has the best combination of innings in the Cal League and effectiveness. His WHIP is 1.21, better than Haviland's, and he piles up strikeouts at a decent rate too. His control is great, and he's been a rock at the top of the Modesto rotation which hasn't been very consistent for most of the season.
Honorable mentions
Charles Brewer, Visalia
Tyler Chatwood, Rancho Cucamonga
Pat Corbin, Rancho Cucamonga and Visalia
Dallas Keuchel, Lancaster
Aaron Miller, Inland Empire
Juan Oramas, Lake Elsinore
Anthony Vazquez, High Desert
Craig Westcott, San Jose
Relief Pitcher- Brad Brach, Lake Elsinore
The MILB article about the team doesn't specifically say there's a RP spot on the team, but I doubt he'd be Pitcher of the Year and not on the All-Star team, so I'll talk about him again. In a league where there's only been a handful of pitchers reach 30 saves, Brach shattered that mark and should have the saves record for awhile. He has 14 more saves than 2nd place in 2010, and he's done nothing but dominate the back end of the bullpen since being drafted by San Diego in 2008.
So that's the team. I actually feel like the voters did a very good job. I agreed with them on just about every pick, and it's not like any I disagreed with were slam dunk upgrades. There's a lot of talent in this league, and this team only includes players that have been around almost the entire season. Guys like Brandon Belt, Kyle Russell and Drew Cumberland had great first halves and earned new challenges at higher levels. To recap, here's the official team on the left and my picks on the right.
MVP: Goldschmidt/Goldschmidt
POY: Brach/Brach
ROY: Goldschmidt/Goldschmidt
MOY: Lezcano/Lezcano
C: Pacheco/Pacheco
1B: Goldschmidt/Goldschmidt
2B: Seager/Seager
SS: Green/Green
3B: Parker/Parker
OF: Chavez-Krauss-Peguero/Chavez-Krauss-Mitchell
DH: Poythress/Poythress
UT: Cesario/Cesario
SP: Surkamp-Bass-Haviland/Surkamp-Bass-Hollingsworth
RP: Brach/Brach
Of course it's not actually the postseason yet, but that didn't stop the Cal League from announcing their award winners and postseason All-Star team Friday. Originally, I planned on doing a predictions post before everything was announced and also do a follow up post comparing my picks to the official team, but obviously that ship has sailed.
I'll preface all of my analysis here by saying I'm not aware of any eligibility requirements for being named to the team. Mainly, this pertains to Brandon Belt. Of course he only played about half the season with San Jose, but it's hard to deny his impact, considering his stats and San Jose's struggles in the second half. I think it's fair to use batting title and ERA title AB/IP minimums to determine who played enough time in the Cal League to make the team. www.milb.com defines those as 2.7 AB per team game and .8 IP per team game.
I'll name the official Cal League pick in bold and then analyze it a bit. If I disagree with the pick, I'll name who I would've picked and why. I don't have all the information on these players though. I can only look at statistics and recall reports I've read in some cases. Defensive information is incredibly difficult to come by, and that's one huge advantage coaches and media members have over me because they see these players play every day. After that, I'll list some honorable mentions if there are any. In my honorable mentions, I'll also name guys that didn't meet the qualification minimums because guys that had an impact on the league in a short period deserve recognition too.
MVP- Paul Goldschmidt, Visalia
This one isn't a total slam dunk, but Goldschmidt is certainly deserving. He could finish up as the minor league leader in home runs, even if he's in a bit of a power slump lately. He leads the Cal League in SLG%, doubles, total bases, extra bases hits and doubles, and he's also the qualified leader in OPS. He's not just a one trick pony, and although he has some room for improvement in terms of his prospect status, he certainly had a great year deserving of an MVP.
My pick- Paul Goldschmidt, Visalia
Honorable mentions:
Brandon Belt, San Jose
Rich Poythress, High Desert
Kyle Russell, Inland Empire
Pitcher of the Year- Brad Brach, Lake Elsinore
In the majors, it's pretty rare for relievers to win the Cy Young Award, the last time being in 2003. It has to be a truly historic or dominant season for it to happen, and I think that makes sense. I also think Brach's season qualifies as historic. He set the Cal League saves record with plenty of games to spare, and he could put it out of reach for awhile. He's not just a closer that gets into trouble and gets lucky to collect saves. His WHIP is below 1, and he's striking out more than nine batters per nine innings.
My pick- Brad Brach, Lake Elsinore
Honorable mentions:
Anthony Bass, Lake Elsinore
Eric Surkamp, San Jose
Craig Westcott, San Jose
Rookie of the Year- Paul Goldschmidt, Visalia
Unless I completely misunderstand the eligibility for this award, it seems to me like most years it would go to the league MVP or Pitcher of the Year. I could be wrong, but since most players in the league are new to the league, both awards seem to have the same player pools. Regardless, Goldschmidt is obviously a deserving winner again. He's a rookie and the league MVP, so it makes sense that he would be the rookie of the year in just his first full year of professional baseball.
EDIT: Thanks to Donny Baarns, Director of Broadcasting for the Visalia Rawhide, I can say that Rookie of the Year is awarded to the best player in their first full year of professional baseball, not their first year in the league. That makes a lot of sense, and I'm glad it's cleared up. Goldschmidt is definitely still the winner.
My pick- Paul Goldschmidt, Visalia
Honorable mentions:
Brandon Belt, San Jose
Brad Brach, Lake Elsinore
Craig Westcott, San Jose
Manager of the Year- Carlos Lezcano, Lake Elsinore
Manager of the Year awards are always difficult to decide. It's tough to balance different factors like preseason expectations, a team being successful, dealing with adversity such as injuries and promotions and affect they have during games with their strategy. I personally don't buy into the last one that much, but Lezcano has certainly dealt with tough circumstances, including promotions of key players such as Blake Tekotte, Drew Cumberland, injuries such as Jaff Decker, and innings limits handcuffing his starting staff in the second half.
My pick- Carlos Lezcano, Lake Elsinore
Honorable mentions
Brian Harper, San Jose
Keith Johnson, Rancho Cucamonga
Steve Scarsone, Stockton
Catcher- Jordan Pacheco, Modesto
Pacheco is a pretty easy choice as the league's best catcher. He didn't maintain the torrid pace he set in April, but he was a consistent performer at the plate. He makes contact consistently using one of the best plate approaches in the league, walking more times than he struck out. The defense is still a work in progress, which is understandable considering he didn't become a catcher until his pro career started. If he keeps hitting, the Rockies will find a place for him.
My pick- Jordan Pacheco, Modesto
Honorable mentions
Jose Felix, Bakersfield
Ryan Ortiz, Stockton
First Base- Paul Goldschmidt, Visalia
This is the last time I'll have to talk about Goldschmidt in this entry. Counting the departed Brandon Belt, 1B is a pretty deep position in this league, so Goldschmidt certainly had a lot of competition. He didn't make the midseason All-Star team, but it's not like he had a bad first half. He just did most of his damage in the second half (20 home runs to 13 in the first half.) He's striking out more in the second half, but he's also walking a lot more which was one of his weaknesses earlier in the season.
My pick- Paul Goldschmidt, Visalia
Honorable mentions
Brandon Belt, San Jose
Rich Poythress, High Desert
Second Base- Kyle Seager, High Desert
Seager is another guy who was okay in the first half, didn't really stand out and didn't make the midseason All-Star team. In fact, it's possible to argue he was below average in the first half due to his home park. After the break, Seager turned it on, going on the league's longest hitting streak and hitting for power. He does a good job drawing walks and putting the ball in play. His power this year isn't a product of High Desert either. His home and road splits are pretty even.
My pick- Kyle Seager, High Desert
This is the first one I felt compelled to offer an additional comment on. On the surface, Albert Cartwright, now playing for AA Corpus Christi, could've been a better choice. However, his home park is also a hitter's paradise, and a quick look at his splits shows Cartwright mashed at home and wasn't the same player on the road.
Honorable mention:
Albert Cartwright, Lancaster
Shortstop- Grant Green, Stockton
Green had a pretty slow start to the season. His game still isn't perfect, his plate approach needs work, but earlier this year he hit for a good average and did nothing else. In the second half, his power is developing, and he's becoming a more complete player. His defense may never be ML quality for SS, but his bat could certainly get him there. 12 of his 17 home runs have come in the second half, and his slugging is up about 100 points. Oakland has to be satisfied with this 2009 first round selection.
My pick- Grant Green, Stockton
Thomas Field has pretty similar numbers to Green. He trades in power for better patience at the plate, but he still strikes out at a healthy pace too. If his defense was significantly better than Green's, I might've taken him, but from what I can tell, it isn't. His first half was worthy of a spot in the midseason All-Star Game, but since the break his power has tailed off, and he hasn't been making very good contact.
Honorable mention
Drew Cumberland, Lake Elsinore
Thomas Field, Modesto
Third Base- Stephen Parker, Stockton
Parker's season has flown under the radar despite being a pretty high draft pick and playing the role of hero for the Cal League in the All-Star Game. He's really doing everything the A's could ask for at the plate after a rough pro debut last season. Parker has been patient at the plate, among the league leaders in walks, hit for a good average and shown some power too. He's pretty pedestrian against left handed pitchers, and it seems like his defense at 3B leaves a lot to be desired.
My pick- Stephen Parker, Stockton
Honorable mention
Luis Jimenez, Rancho Cucamonga
Outfield- Johermyn Chavez, High Desert; Marc Krauss, Visalia; Francisco Peguero, San Jose
Johermyn Chavez does have real power as he showed last year with A Lansing in the Midwest League. His July is one of the best months anyone in the Cal League had all season, and he's been one of the league's hottest second half hitters, powering High Desert's relentless attack. However, as is the case with most High Desert hitters, there's a noticeable difference between his home and road performance. 23 of his home runs have come at home and only eight on the road.
In the 2009 draft, Arizona had seven picks in the first two rounds, and Krauss was the 7th. He's had a lot of success at the plate since, and his second half this year has been great. It remains to be seen if he'll hit at higher levels with a plate approach that needs work, but he hits for contact and a lot of power. Besides one bad month, Krauss has been one of the most consistent hitters in the league, especially in the second half when he has 17 of his 24 home runs this season.
Francisco Peguero might be the choice I disagree with the most, but I can understand the selection. If the voters were looking for a true CF, he might be the best option. He has great speed, 15 triples this season, steals bases and likely plays good defense. He was a starter for the World Team in this year's Futures Game which was a tremendous honor. He puts the ball in play very well, but he needs to become a lot more patient to be a legitimate leadoff option in the future.
My pick- Johermyn Chavez, High Desert; Marc Krauss, Visalia; Jermaine Mitchell, Stockton
In my mind, Jermaine Mitchell has flown under the radar. He's an older player and maybe not much of a prospect, but this team is for the best Cal League performers and not the best prospects. Maybe his 30 games in AA takes him out of consideration, but he still has over 300 at bats with Stockton which qualifies him for leaderboards. He's athletic, hits for decent power and absolutely mashes lefties, unlike a lot of minor league left handed hitters. He also plays CF, so I think he would've been a good choice. Jake Shaffer and Brandon Barnes also deserved consideration, but they're corner outfielders.
Honorable mentions
Brandon Barnes, Lancaster
Dennis Raben, High Desert
Kyle Russell, Inland Empire
Jake Shaffer, High Desert
Blake Tekotte, Lake Elsinore
Designated Hitter- Rich Poythress, High Desert
In the first half, I thought he was a solid hitter that just piled up good counting stats at Stater Bros. Stadium and a good High Desert lineup. In the second half, I was proven wrong as Poythress has posted some of the best post-ASB stats in the league. RBI continue to pile up in bunches, including a couple seven RBI games this year, and he's going to lead the minors in the category pretty easily. Poythress is definitely the best hitter not already on the All Star team, so he deserves the DH spot for sure.
My pick- Rich Poythress, High Desert
Honorable mentions
Brandon Belt, San Jose
Jermaine Mitchell, Stockton
Kyle Russell, Inland Empire
Utility Player- Jimmy Cesario, Modesto
I'm assuming the utility position isn't meant for the best hitter, but a hitter having a good season and able to play multiple positions. Cesario certainly fits that bill, despite spending about half the season at DH. He has appeared at six different positions this year, everything except SS and CF. He was a midseason All Star thanks to one of the league's best averages and a lot of triples, but his second half hasn't been as good at the plate. Despite that, I can see why he was selected.
My pick- Jimmy Cesario, Modesto
Looking at the available options, Cesario is the best choice. There are hitters having better offensive seasons, but they're all limited to just one position this year. If utility player was just supposed to be a second DH spot for the best hitter that didn't get voted on that their position, Cesario wouldn't be the pick, but that's not what it is.
Honorable mention
Drew Cumberland, Lake Elsinore
Jose Flores, San Jose
Andy Simunic, Lancaster
Starting Pitcher- Eric Surkamp, San Jose; Anthony Bass, Lake Elsinore; Shawn Haviland, Stockton
Eric Surkamp doesn't have enough innings to qualify for leaderboards due to a hip injury sustained in July. I'd imagine the voters gave him a break because he lost innings due to injury and not promotion, which is good because he certainly deserves to be here. Despite the meager win total and an ugly month of June, Surkamp has consistently dominated Cal League hitters and was a huge part of San Jose winning the first half title. He's shown good stuff and throws strikes.
Anthony Bass already had some Cal League experience before this year, and he used that to improve on the results and become the league's qualified ERA leader. The win total isn't impressive because most of his starts in the second half haven't been five innings, but that doesn't take away from how effective Bass has been. He has some of the best control in the league, and he strikes out a decent amount of batters too. We'll see how the Storm gets him stretched out for the postseason.
Shawn Haviland is tied for the league lead in strikeouts, and he gets them at a really good rate too. His first half was pretty pedestrian, allowing a lot of hits but still maintaining a good K:BB ratio. The second half has been great, still striking out a lot of batters and pitching more effectively. Haviland has been a huge part of Stockton's run to the playoffs in the second half, winning two pitcher of the week awards in August. He's clearly one of the better starters in the league this year.
My pick- Eric Surkamp, San Jose; Anthony Bass, Lake Elsinore; Ethan Hollingsworth, Modesto
This was an incredibly tough call. There are a lot of really good pitchers in the league this year with varying amounts of innings and other important stats. I think Hollingsworth has the best combination of innings in the Cal League and effectiveness. His WHIP is 1.21, better than Haviland's, and he piles up strikeouts at a decent rate too. His control is great, and he's been a rock at the top of the Modesto rotation which hasn't been very consistent for most of the season.
Honorable mentions
Charles Brewer, Visalia
Tyler Chatwood, Rancho Cucamonga
Pat Corbin, Rancho Cucamonga and Visalia
Dallas Keuchel, Lancaster
Aaron Miller, Inland Empire
Juan Oramas, Lake Elsinore
Anthony Vazquez, High Desert
Craig Westcott, San Jose
Relief Pitcher- Brad Brach, Lake Elsinore
The MILB article about the team doesn't specifically say there's a RP spot on the team, but I doubt he'd be Pitcher of the Year and not on the All-Star team, so I'll talk about him again. In a league where there's only been a handful of pitchers reach 30 saves, Brach shattered that mark and should have the saves record for awhile. He has 14 more saves than 2nd place in 2010, and he's done nothing but dominate the back end of the bullpen since being drafted by San Diego in 2008.
So that's the team. I actually feel like the voters did a very good job. I agreed with them on just about every pick, and it's not like any I disagreed with were slam dunk upgrades. There's a lot of talent in this league, and this team only includes players that have been around almost the entire season. Guys like Brandon Belt, Kyle Russell and Drew Cumberland had great first halves and earned new challenges at higher levels. To recap, here's the official team on the left and my picks on the right.
MVP: Goldschmidt/Goldschmidt
POY: Brach/Brach
ROY: Goldschmidt/Goldschmidt
MOY: Lezcano/Lezcano
C: Pacheco/Pacheco
1B: Goldschmidt/Goldschmidt
2B: Seager/Seager
SS: Green/Green
3B: Parker/Parker
OF: Chavez-Krauss-Peguero/Chavez-Krauss-Mitchell
DH: Poythress/Poythress
UT: Cesario/Cesario
SP: Surkamp-Bass-Haviland/Surkamp-Bass-Hollingsworth
RP: Brach/Brach
Cal League Condensed: 8/28 Preview
Modesto Nuts v. Visalia Rawhide 7:00 PM PT
Rob Scahill v. Eric Smith
Notes: These two starters met in their last turn in the rotation, a 4-0 Visalia win... Rob Scahill allowed three earned runs in six innings... Scahill's second half ERA is nearly three runs lower than his first half ERA... Eric Smith pitched six scoreless innings to earn a win... Smith hasn't allowed an earned run in two starts... Game will be available on 1270 AM in Visalia as well as www.milb.com...
Bakersfield Blaze v. Inland Empire 66ers 7:05 PM PT
Andrew Doyle v. Timothy Sexton
Notes: These two starters met in their last turn in the rotation, an 11-10 Bakersfield win... Andrew Doyle gave up two home runs and seven runs in 3.1 IP... Doyle had only allowed two runs in his previous four appearances with Bakersfield... Timothy Sexton gave up three home runs and six earned runs in 3.2 IP... Sexton has allowed 14 earned runs in 15.2 IP with Inland Empire this year... Game will be available on 1050 AM in Inland Empire as well as www.kcaaradio.com and www.milb.com...
Lake Elsinore Storm v. High Desert Mavericks 7:05 PM PT
Adam Schrader v. Kenn Kasparek
Notes: Adam Schrader lost for the first time as a pro in his last start despite only allowing one earned run in five innings... Schrader hasn't allowed a home run in 62.1 IP as a pro... Kenn Kasparek allowed three earned runs in each of his last two starts and won both... 12 of Kasparek's 33 walks this season have come in his last five starts... Game will be available on 92.9 FM in Lake Elsinore and 960 AM in High Desert as well as www.milb.com...
Lancaster JetHawks v. Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 7:05 PM PT
Leandro Cespedes v. Ryan Chaffee
Notes: Leandro Cespedes hasn't pitched out of the second inning in three out of his last five starts... Cespedes hasn't won since his 7/21 start when he pitched seven scoreless innings against Visalia... Ryan Chaffee allowed two runs in six innings in his last start... Chaffee was charged with 10 runs but only four were earned in 4.2 IP in his last start against Lancaster... Game will be available on 1380 AM in Lancaster and 1510 AM in Rancho Cucamonga as well as www.jethawks.com, www.rcquakes.com and www.milb.com...
San Jose Giants v. Stockton Ports 7:05 PM PT
Oliver Odle v. Shawn Haviland
Notes: These two starters met in their last turn in the rotation, a 6-5 San Jose win in which neither starter factored in the decision... Oliver Odle pitched his first quality start of August... Odle pitched seven innings, his longest start since 7/4, also seven innings...Shawn Haviland only struck out two batters, tied for a season low with his second start of the year... Haviland has only allowed four earned runs over his last three starts... Game will be available on 1280 AM in Stockton as well as www.sjgiants.com and www.milb.com...
CAL North
Stockton 37-23 .617 M#6
Bakersfield 32-28 .533 5 GB E#6, E#4
Modesto 30-30 .500 7 GB E#4, M#11
Visalia 30-30 .500 7 GB E#4, M#11
*San Jose 25-35 .417
CAL South
High Desert 32-28 .533 M#11, M#8
Rancho Cucamonga 32-28 .533 M#11, M#8
*Lake Elsinore 30-30 .500 2 GB
Lancaster 29-31 .483 3 GB E#8, ELIMINATED FROM WILD CARD CONTENTION
Inland Empire 23-37 .383 9 GB E#2, ELIMINATED FROM WILD CARD CONTENTION
Transactions
LE: Adam Zornes placed on inactive list
HD: Julio Morban assigned to A- Everett
HD: Daniel Carroll assigned from A Clinton
Rob Scahill v. Eric Smith
Notes: These two starters met in their last turn in the rotation, a 4-0 Visalia win... Rob Scahill allowed three earned runs in six innings... Scahill's second half ERA is nearly three runs lower than his first half ERA... Eric Smith pitched six scoreless innings to earn a win... Smith hasn't allowed an earned run in two starts... Game will be available on 1270 AM in Visalia as well as www.milb.com...
Bakersfield Blaze v. Inland Empire 66ers 7:05 PM PT
Andrew Doyle v. Timothy Sexton
Notes: These two starters met in their last turn in the rotation, an 11-10 Bakersfield win... Andrew Doyle gave up two home runs and seven runs in 3.1 IP... Doyle had only allowed two runs in his previous four appearances with Bakersfield... Timothy Sexton gave up three home runs and six earned runs in 3.2 IP... Sexton has allowed 14 earned runs in 15.2 IP with Inland Empire this year... Game will be available on 1050 AM in Inland Empire as well as www.kcaaradio.com and www.milb.com...
Lake Elsinore Storm v. High Desert Mavericks 7:05 PM PT
Adam Schrader v. Kenn Kasparek
Notes: Adam Schrader lost for the first time as a pro in his last start despite only allowing one earned run in five innings... Schrader hasn't allowed a home run in 62.1 IP as a pro... Kenn Kasparek allowed three earned runs in each of his last two starts and won both... 12 of Kasparek's 33 walks this season have come in his last five starts... Game will be available on 92.9 FM in Lake Elsinore and 960 AM in High Desert as well as www.milb.com...
Lancaster JetHawks v. Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 7:05 PM PT
Leandro Cespedes v. Ryan Chaffee
Notes: Leandro Cespedes hasn't pitched out of the second inning in three out of his last five starts... Cespedes hasn't won since his 7/21 start when he pitched seven scoreless innings against Visalia... Ryan Chaffee allowed two runs in six innings in his last start... Chaffee was charged with 10 runs but only four were earned in 4.2 IP in his last start against Lancaster... Game will be available on 1380 AM in Lancaster and 1510 AM in Rancho Cucamonga as well as www.jethawks.com, www.rcquakes.com and www.milb.com...
San Jose Giants v. Stockton Ports 7:05 PM PT
Oliver Odle v. Shawn Haviland
Notes: These two starters met in their last turn in the rotation, a 6-5 San Jose win in which neither starter factored in the decision... Oliver Odle pitched his first quality start of August... Odle pitched seven innings, his longest start since 7/4, also seven innings...Shawn Haviland only struck out two batters, tied for a season low with his second start of the year... Haviland has only allowed four earned runs over his last three starts... Game will be available on 1280 AM in Stockton as well as www.sjgiants.com and www.milb.com...
CAL North
Stockton 37-23 .617 M#6
Bakersfield 32-28 .533 5 GB E#6, E#4
Modesto 30-30 .500 7 GB E#4, M#11
Visalia 30-30 .500 7 GB E#4, M#11
*San Jose 25-35 .417
CAL South
High Desert 32-28 .533 M#11, M#8
Rancho Cucamonga 32-28 .533 M#11, M#8
*Lake Elsinore 30-30 .500 2 GB
Lancaster 29-31 .483 3 GB E#8, ELIMINATED FROM WILD CARD CONTENTION
Inland Empire 23-37 .383 9 GB E#2, ELIMINATED FROM WILD CARD CONTENTION
Transactions
LE: Adam Zornes placed on inactive list
HD: Julio Morban assigned to A- Everett
HD: Daniel Carroll assigned from A Clinton
Friday, August 27, 2010
Cal League Condensed: 8/27 Review
Modesto 6, Visalia 2
Recap | Box
W: Ethan Hollingsworth (10-8)
L: Taylor Sinclair (8-6)
Notes: Modesto scored two runs in the 4th without getting a hit thanks to some walks and an error... Modesto also scored three runs in the 8th on Dustin Garneau's bases clearing double... Garneau had four RBI... Mike Zuanich hit two doubles... Modesto was outhit 8-6... Visalia was 1 for 9 w/ RISP and left seven runners on base... Neither of Visalia's runs were earned... Ethan Hollingsworth allowed an unearned run in seven innings... Pat Corbin pitched three scoreless innings... Attendance was 2,549...
Inland Empire 2, Bakersfield 1
Recap | Box
W: Aaron Miller (5-4)
L: Wilfredo Boscan (9-13)
S: Eric Krebs (5)
Notes: Aaron Miller didn't allow a hit until Tommy Mendonca singled with one out in the 7th... Miller struck out seven in seven scoreless innings... Mendonca had two of Bakersfield's three hits... Teams combined for only eight hits... Three of Inland Empire's hits were doubles... Wilfredo Boscan allowed one earned run in a complete game but took the loss... Erik Morrison struck out four times... Attendance was 4,881...
High Desert 12, Lake Elsinore 8
Recap | Box
W: Daniel Cooper (1-0)
L: Eric Gonzalez (6-4)
HR: Ali Solis (1) Rymer Liriano (1) Kyle Seager (12) Shaver Hansen (5)
Notes: High Desert had a seven run 5th inning including a Shaver Hansen grand slam... Denny Almonte hit three doubles... Kyle Seager has homered in consecutive games... Jake Shaffer scored three runs... High Desert was outhit 12-9... Lake Elsinore relief pitchers allowed seven runs in four innings... Catcher Robert Lara struck out three in an inning on the mound but allowed a run... Jon Hesketh struck out six in three innings but also walked five and allowed two runs... Four Lake Elsinore players had two hit games... Ali Solis scored three times... Attendance was 1,973...
Rancho Cucamonga 4, Lancaster 2
Recap | Box
W: Orangel Arenas (7-3)
L: Patrick Urckfitz (5-9)
S: Eddie McKiernan (26)
HR: Jay Austin (10)
Notes: Rancho Cucamonga scored all four of their runs in the first four innings... Orangel Arenas allowed one run on two hits in seven innings and struck out seven... Eddie McKiernan struck out the side in a perfect 9th... Rancho Cucamonga turned three double plays... Four Quakes had two hit games... Lancaster was held to four hits... Patrick Urckfitz allowed four runs in six innings... Rancho Cucamonga stole three bases... Attendance was 3,491...
Stockton 4, San Jose 2
Recap | Box
W: Mike Hart (2-0)
L: Jorge Bucardo (2-2)
S: Paul Smyth (26)
Notes: Stockton was outhit 8-7... San Jose was 1 for 11 w/ RISP and left 14 runners on base... Fabian Williamson walked seven and gave up four hits in 4.2 IP but only allowed one run... Teams combined for 16 walks... Jorge Bucardo walked five and allowed three runs in four innings... Todd Johnson walked three times... Drew Biery had two RBI... Ehire Adrianza stole his 30th base... Attendance was 4,162...
Recap | Box
W: Ethan Hollingsworth (10-8)
L: Taylor Sinclair (8-6)
Notes: Modesto scored two runs in the 4th without getting a hit thanks to some walks and an error... Modesto also scored three runs in the 8th on Dustin Garneau's bases clearing double... Garneau had four RBI... Mike Zuanich hit two doubles... Modesto was outhit 8-6... Visalia was 1 for 9 w/ RISP and left seven runners on base... Neither of Visalia's runs were earned... Ethan Hollingsworth allowed an unearned run in seven innings... Pat Corbin pitched three scoreless innings... Attendance was 2,549...
Inland Empire 2, Bakersfield 1
Recap | Box
W: Aaron Miller (5-4)
L: Wilfredo Boscan (9-13)
S: Eric Krebs (5)
Notes: Aaron Miller didn't allow a hit until Tommy Mendonca singled with one out in the 7th... Miller struck out seven in seven scoreless innings... Mendonca had two of Bakersfield's three hits... Teams combined for only eight hits... Three of Inland Empire's hits were doubles... Wilfredo Boscan allowed one earned run in a complete game but took the loss... Erik Morrison struck out four times... Attendance was 4,881...
High Desert 12, Lake Elsinore 8
Recap | Box
W: Daniel Cooper (1-0)
L: Eric Gonzalez (6-4)
HR: Ali Solis (1) Rymer Liriano (1) Kyle Seager (12) Shaver Hansen (5)
Notes: High Desert had a seven run 5th inning including a Shaver Hansen grand slam... Denny Almonte hit three doubles... Kyle Seager has homered in consecutive games... Jake Shaffer scored three runs... High Desert was outhit 12-9... Lake Elsinore relief pitchers allowed seven runs in four innings... Catcher Robert Lara struck out three in an inning on the mound but allowed a run... Jon Hesketh struck out six in three innings but also walked five and allowed two runs... Four Lake Elsinore players had two hit games... Ali Solis scored three times... Attendance was 1,973...
Rancho Cucamonga 4, Lancaster 2
Recap | Box
W: Orangel Arenas (7-3)
L: Patrick Urckfitz (5-9)
S: Eddie McKiernan (26)
HR: Jay Austin (10)
Notes: Rancho Cucamonga scored all four of their runs in the first four innings... Orangel Arenas allowed one run on two hits in seven innings and struck out seven... Eddie McKiernan struck out the side in a perfect 9th... Rancho Cucamonga turned three double plays... Four Quakes had two hit games... Lancaster was held to four hits... Patrick Urckfitz allowed four runs in six innings... Rancho Cucamonga stole three bases... Attendance was 3,491...
Stockton 4, San Jose 2
Recap | Box
W: Mike Hart (2-0)
L: Jorge Bucardo (2-2)
S: Paul Smyth (26)
Notes: Stockton was outhit 8-7... San Jose was 1 for 11 w/ RISP and left 14 runners on base... Fabian Williamson walked seven and gave up four hits in 4.2 IP but only allowed one run... Teams combined for 16 walks... Jorge Bucardo walked five and allowed three runs in four innings... Todd Johnson walked three times... Drew Biery had two RBI... Ehire Adrianza stole his 30th base... Attendance was 4,162...
Pythagorean Records: 8/27 Edition
The next time I do this will be after the regular season. There are 11 games left in the season, so I think it's better to just wait the extra half week. As a reminder, prospect tracker will not be appearing until the end of the regular season as well.
San Jose's play has improved over the past week despite another starter going down to injury recently. I still believe they'll win the North overall title, and the upcoming series against Stockton will be key in determining who gets it. The other four teams in the division are starting to separate a little bit. Stockton's winning streak ended, but they still put themselves in good position to win the second half title and win the playoffs. Last week, Visalia was one game ahead of Bakersfield, Stockton and Visalia. Now, four games separate those teams, and Bakersfield needs to turn it around quickly to take over Stockton.
San Jose's real lead over Stockton and Visalia is smaller than Lake Elsinore's actual lead, but it's the Storm's expected lead that's smaller than San Jose's. Lake Elsinore has obviously struggled scoring runs lately, but a big part of the reason Rancho Cucamonga is approaching them in the standings is their own very good play. Rancho Cucamonga and High Desert should continue running neck and neck for the rest of the season, and as long as Lancaster doesn't take them for the second half title, they should both make the playoffs. Inland Empire and Lancaster are comparable in the standings, but the difference is Inland Empire's winning percentage has been even in both halves while Lancaster's has improved in the second.
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San Jose's play has improved over the past week despite another starter going down to injury recently. I still believe they'll win the North overall title, and the upcoming series against Stockton will be key in determining who gets it. The other four teams in the division are starting to separate a little bit. Stockton's winning streak ended, but they still put themselves in good position to win the second half title and win the playoffs. Last week, Visalia was one game ahead of Bakersfield, Stockton and Visalia. Now, four games separate those teams, and Bakersfield needs to turn it around quickly to take over Stockton.
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San Jose's real lead over Stockton and Visalia is smaller than Lake Elsinore's actual lead, but it's the Storm's expected lead that's smaller than San Jose's. Lake Elsinore has obviously struggled scoring runs lately, but a big part of the reason Rancho Cucamonga is approaching them in the standings is their own very good play. Rancho Cucamonga and High Desert should continue running neck and neck for the rest of the season, and as long as Lancaster doesn't take them for the second half title, they should both make the playoffs. Inland Empire and Lancaster are comparable in the standings, but the difference is Inland Empire's winning percentage has been even in both halves while Lancaster's has improved in the second.
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