Just got back from Batavia, where the Jammers lost a 5-4 decision to the Muck Dogs. The lineup, stats, and my impressions:

 

1. CF Greg Burns: 1-3, BB, Sac, 3b, 2 R, K. On his triple in the second, Burns made an ugly headfirst slide into third. He laid a good sac bunt down in the 4th- almost beat it out. On defense, he cut off a ball nicely in the gap, holding the batter to a single.

 

2. SS James Guerrero: 3-5, 2 RBI, 1 K. He pulled off a nice hit-and-run in the 1st inning to get Burns to third. In the 8th with a man on 3rd, the centerfielder shifted WAY to the right, and the rightfielder was almost guarding the line. BIG gap between left and center.

 

3. RF Jeff "Milhouse" Van Houten: 0-5, K, GIDP, RBI. He made a real good slide into second to try to break up a double play in the 4th (didn't work).

 

4. 3B Gaby Sanchez: 0-3, K, HBP, Reached on Catcher's Int, BB, R. Sanchez had a real bad at-bat in the 9th- he swung at 3 pitches in the dirt. He made a web gem in the 6th, making a diving stab of a line drive.

 

5. 1B Matt Ellington: 1-2, 2 BB, HBP, SB. In the 5th, Ellington was on second- on a hit, he rounded third and started slowing down, then started running hard again to the plate- he slid, but was out by plenty. That was the deciding run, too. Mordy (who was coaching 3rd) was waving him the whole way- no idea why he slowed down.

 

6. DH Kris Harvey: 1-4, 2 K, BB, RBI. Harvey immediately ticked me off in the 3rd when the pitcher had thrown a 4 pitch walk to the previous batter; Harvey is next up and swings at the first pitch, out of the strike zone. His final at-bat (last out of the game) was ugly too, as he struck out.

 

7. LF Jamar Walton: 1-4, K. Walton slid late into second in the 5th on a fielder's choice and kicked up the bag- could've hurt himself.

 

8. 2B Gary Roche: 1-4, 2B.

 

9. C Tanner Rogers: 1-2, 2 Sacs. I was surprised to read that Rogers last played for AA Carolina last season. He bunted in two at-bats, and faked in another. On defense, he did throw out a potential basestealer.

 

Pitchers:

 

Todd Doolittle: 2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO. Doolittle took the loss, but looked better than Batavia's starter, IMO. He had good location of his fastball and kept it low. He ran into trouble in the 2nd- bases loaded and one out. K'd the next guy, but then gave up a base hit.

 

Kenny Berkenbosch: 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K. He was most impressive of the three pitchers. He worked very quickly, and threw hard. Not much of an offspeed pitch (but none of the guys really did).

 

Mike Bille: 3 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K. I thought he looked most unimpressive- location wasn't solid, and got kind of wild at times.

 

Other notes: The ump had a small strike zone. I was surprised that Mordy was 3rd base coach as well, then noticed players switching the 1st base coach duties every inning. Do they not take those coaches on road trips? An interesting thing my dad noticed was the pitching coach coming out of the dugout, tipping his cap to the 'pen, either acknowledging their sign or making one of his own. I suppose that's how they communicate with no phones. A good game, and I hope to go back later this year for a rematch.

Nice write up, thanks.

Nice work, I see Gaby Sanchez and Jeff Van Houten were taken out of this game, but James Guerrero continue to go strong. Hey he was coached up by Tony Gywnn

I was surprised that Mordy was 3rd base coach as well, then noticed players switching the 1st base coach duties every inning. Do they not take those coaches on road trips?826413[/snapback]

That's pretty common for the minors - every Sea Dog manager was always the third base coach as well. Usually the hitting coach would be at the first base box. It probably saves some money. I do remember that Stump Merrill (sp?), the manager of the then-Yankees affiliate Norwich Navigators, would always have a real third base coach at the coaching box.

geemoney, thanks for the report.

Interesting to me that Mordy also worked as 3B coach, a position I wish he had with the Marlins right now!

But, I will be patient as he builds up his credentials.

A wild one today in Jamestowm

 

12 IN of play with our boys coming out ahead 9-8 in the bottom of 12th James Guerrero scored the winning run

 

DH Greg Burns went 2-4 with 4R 2BB and 2SO

 

CF Jeff Van Houten 2-6 with 3RBIs and 1SO

 

3B Gaby Sanchez 2-6(double)

 

RF Kris Harvey 2-6 with 1R with 2SO

 

Mordy got those boys playing well :thumbup