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SWEPT BY THE ORIOLES!!! GRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!'

Whew... the losing streak finally comes to an end thanks to a power outage.

So much for losing...

But, you know, that's a good thing.

You win some, you lose some! But considering how poor the Royals are supposed to be, and that I faced Meche, but not Bannister, winning by an ave of less than 2 runs per game shows I'm not really ready for the Red Sox and Yankees

July 2008 in review

July had its ups and downs, as the Hickory's longest losing streak of the season (eight games) was sandwiched between two strings of five wins apiece.

Record

The Hickories were 13 and 12 in the month of July. Optimists will say it was their third consecutive month of playing over 500 ball, while pessimists will say it was their worst monthly record since April. This puts their total record at 58 wins and 48 losses, 16 games behind the division leading Yankees, four games behind the second-place Red Sox and one game ahead of the fourth-place Blue Jays. Compared to the start of the month, the Hickories surpassed the Blue Jays, while falling two games further back behind the Red Sox and falling six more games behind the Yankees.

The Yankees, meanwhile, had their third consecutive month with 19 wins, making July their month with the highest winning percentage (760) of the season. They were also near the top, league-wide in terms of most runs scored and fewest runs allowed.

Awards

For the month of July, Jacksonville CF Willy Mays-Hayes was named rookie of the month and closer Inego Montoya was named relief pitcher of the month. Mays-Hayes batted 375 with seven RBIs and numerous stolen bases, while Montoya notched seven saves without allowing an earned run.

Player of the week awards for the first and second weeks of July where won by Jack Cust (since traded as part of the for Ryan Braun trade) and Ryan Braun, respectively. Ryan Braun was also named player of the week for the week running from 7/28–8/3, when he batted 440 with one homerun and 10 RBIs

Offense

The Hickories scored 144 runs in July, which is their second highest scoring month this season. It also is the ninth most runs scored by a major-league baseball team this month. In spite of that, they no longer lead the league in hits or homeruns. The Yankees now lead the league in hits by over 100, and the Hickories have fallen to fourth in their division with 103 homeruns – only one better than the fifth place Orioles.

The Hickories Robert Plant and Willie Mays Hayes – their first two batters in lineup – are fifth and seventh in terms of best batting averages in the League, with 363 and 357, respectively. Robert Plant leads the league with 165 hits. They have no one in the top 10 in terms of homeruns, RBIs, or runs scored, but have the top three-based dealers in the league, as Robert Plant, Willie Mays Hayes, and SS Way Cool Junior have 46, 45, and 39 steals so far, putting them at least three ahead of the fourth place Willie Taveras

Looking at the lineup, Robert Plant (DECDDD) continues to play a fine second base, while his 363 average, three HR, 3 3B, 56 RBI, and 46 stolen bases make him a catalyst for the team. Mays Hayes (DDBDCE) plays a decent centerfield in the spacious Golden Apple Stadium, and while his offensive production with runners in scoring position fell off this month, he is dynamic on the base paths. SS Way Cool Junior (EECCCE) continues to shine at the plate, with his 354 average, and may even have earned a move up from ninth to 7th or 8th in the batting order, while cleanup hitter Buck Rogers (EBEEFD) has been very strong at the plate, leading the team with 27 homeruns and 80 RBIs (tied with Brian Braun), while boasting an impressive 327 BA.

RF David Banner (ECCCEE) is batting 283 with 4 triples, 12 homeruns, and 13 stolen bases. The team would like him to put the ball in play more often, but he has solidified his spot on the roster since his terrible opening month. Jeff Lebowski, (ECECFD), meanwhile, has played a very solid third-base and is hitting an impressive 327, with 13 homeruns. Vandelay (DDCEEE) continues to struggle at the plate, with is average falling to 281, and his having shifted from third in the lineup at the start of the year to the bottom of the lineup.

Catcher Crash Davis (EDFCEED) continues to be better than expected with a 418 average and 3 homeruns, but has not done as good as expected in throwing out runners. Runners with level B or C speed are swiping bases on about 90% of their attempts, causing the Hickories to use more pitchouts, and go to JR Towles (GDFBCC) for lineups with speed throughout.

Pitching

The Hickories 128 runs allowed was not as good as their 110 runs allowed in June, but was there second-best month of the season and was better than all but 13 teams this month. Their ERA for the season of 4.54 is second in the AL East and their 493 runs allowed this season is third in their division. The only pitcher on the league leader boards is Enigo Montoya, who is tied for third with 23 saves.

The Hickories juggled their rotation coming out of the All-Star break and David Cohen (98 GB 2SF – one, HSL – two, SCB – one, CCH – one), who has been there most consistent starter, is now first in the rotation followed by their former number one starter Gabe Kotter (92 GB 2SF – two, HSL – two, VSL – three, CCH – two). Former Met Mike Pelfrey (96 EB 2SF – two, SL – two, CH – two) is third while Syd Fernandez (88 DB HSL – two, DCB – one, SP – two, HSH – two) is fourth. John McClain (90 EB HSL – two, DCB – one, SP – two, SK – two) drops from second in the rotation to fifth, while Morris Butter maker (88 FB HSL – two, SLV – three, FOS – three, SFB –3) is there sixth starter.

While Enigo Montoya (94 CD HSL – four, SCB – two, SC – four) was handed the closers role at the start of the season, the rest of the relief corp seems to have fallen into place as follows:

Long reliever Glass Joe (92 FB 2SF – two, SLV – two, FOS – three, KN – three)

Middle reliever Henry Jones (87 FC 2SF – one, HSL – two, DCB – one, HSK – three) (as of the printing of this article, Jones was sent to the minors, replaced by Jack Tripper (93 FB SLV – two, CB – two, SP – three, SC – two)

Shorts relievers: Mickey Shuler (89 DC 2SF – 3, HSL – three, PA – one), who is used as a traditional set-up man, and former Met Joe Smith (95 CE SL – two, CH – two, SFB – two), who will come in earlier to get out of a jam, or will pitch the 7th inning.

Outlook

The Hickories were poised to make a run for the wild card. They are not mathematically out of the running, but their 8 game skid probably squashed those hopes. Still, that an expansion team could have given us those kinds of hopes is impressive!!!

Playoff picture

In an earlier report, we reported that even with 2 months still to go, the Hickories 8 game losing streak probably puts the wild-card spot out of reach. We retract that statement.

At this time, although the Hickories seem unlikely to catch the Yankees, they actually have the fourth best record in the American League, behind the Yankees, Red Sox, and Detroit Tigers. The Hickories are three games behind the Red Sox, who would be the wildcard team if the season ended today. Therefore, the Hickories are only three games out of the wildcard, and if it continues to come down to the Red Sox and the Hickories, the wildcard race could be decided between September 22 and 24th, when the Hickories host the Red Sox for the second of two three-game series between the Hickories and the Red Sox in September. The two three-game series against the Red Sox sandwich a three-game series against the Yankees.

Trades with the AL East - Orioles

Received Jason Isringhausen (95 CE CU – three, DCB – four, CH – two), age 36, from the Cardinals on 7/25 for catcher Roberto Hernandez (DCEEEG), age 32. Isringhausen should be a nice addition to the relief core, and the loss of offensive minded catcher Hernandez should not be significant in light of the trade they made later (discussed below).

Received Matt Kemp (DCCDFG), Age 24 and Tony Abreu, 3B (FEEEDE), age 24 on 7/18 in exchange for Nick Markakus (CBEECC), age 25. Markakus' better offense and defense seems to outweigh Matt Kemp's improved speed, and Abreu is not a major league talent, so it seems that the Dodgers got the better end of this deal

Received catcher Benji Molina (DBFEDA), age 34, from the Giants on 7/3 in exchange for Danys Baez (96 DE 2SF – two, CB – two, SP – two), age 31

Taking into account the Orioles earlier trade, they in effect, traded Roberto Hernandez and Danys Baez for Benji Molina and Jason Isringhausen. Improvements in both areas.

The Giants replaced Molina a week later with a trade with the Marlins for Matt Trainer (EEGAEC), age 32 but had to give up starting pitcher Matt Cain (97 CA HSL – four, CB – four, CH – three) to do it. Trainer is not as good Molina, and Matt Cain has more talent than short reliever Danny's bios. Clearly a poor deal for the Giants

DETROIT TIGERS SERIES

8/1/08: the Detroit Tigers Dontrelle Willis was dominating, limiting the Hickories to a single run through eight innings, but in the ninth, Ryan Braun (who struck out twice in the game) steps to the plate with the bases-loaded and hit a walk off bases clearing double. Final score: 5–4, Jacksonville

8/2/08: fine pitching performances by Mike Pelfrey and the Tigers Bonderman, with the difference being that the Tigers came through when they had runners in scoring position while the Hickories failed more often then not. Final score: 4–2, Tigers

8/3/08: The Hickories tied the game against a Justin Verlander who could have used more rest when Buck Rogers hit such a deep fly ball off the right centerfield fence, that Robert Plant, who was running on the contact with two out, crossed home plate from second before the ball made contact with the wall. Rogers, again, drove in the tying run two innings later with an RBI triple and then scored the go-ahead run, but it was not enough, as Gary Sheffield homered and combined with Carlos Quinten for four RBIs, along with a Cabrera RBI single. Final score: 5–4, Tigers

CHICAGO WHITE SOCKS SERIES

Note: prior to the start of the series, Art Vandelay (DDCEEE), batting 283 with 13 homeruns, that were largely due to a solid first month of the season, was sent down to the minors, replaced by Geordi LaForge (FCCDEE), batting 380 with four home runs in very limited action. Said the Hickory's management: "this is not an indictment of Vandelay, but we feel he's gotten a good chance to show what he can do and now we want him to develop further in the minors while we see what LaForge can do. LaForge showed some promise early on and only was sent down to the minors because we wanted to give Vandeley more playing time. At this point, we need to determine who is going to be our starting leftfielder in the event we make it to the postseason and need to trim our roster"

8/4/08: The Hickories opened up the scoring against John Danks when Jeff Lebowski hit a solo homerun over the right-field fence, but a big bottom half of the inning gave the White Sox the lead. A Buck Rogers three run homerun in the third gave the Hickories a two run lead, and David Banner followed with a 462 foot shot of his own. The So chipped away at that lead, and when Swisher put runners at second and third with a double in the bottom of the fourth, Hickories starter McClain exited. Joe Smith put out the fire and the Hickory's never lost their lead. Final score: 9–5, Hickories

8/5/08: this game was all about the "big inning," as two or more runs were scored in five different innings. The heart of the Hickories order won this game, as Braun was 5/5 with one homerun and three RBIs, Buck Rogers was 1/5 with one home run and three RBIs, and Banner, Lebowski, and Davis had one RBI each. Final score: 9–8, Hickories

8/6/08: The Hickories lead for most of the game, but 4 homeruns in the last few innings, two from Jim Thome, proved the difference. Final score: 6–4, Chicago

Trades by the Toronto Blue Jays

Received Edgar Renteria (BBCCBC), age 33, from the Tigers on 7/28 for AJ Burnett (98 D.A. KN – five, CH – four, HSK – four), age 31. The Blue Jays had a wealth of starting pictures, but they are now down to only four with level A or B stamina, and they already have a solid SS in David Eckstein (CCCBBB), so we view this as an overall downgrade – losing a strong starting pitcher in exchange for a position player that is similar to what you already have on the roster

Received Great Romero (96 CC SL – two, CB – one, CH – three), age 26, from the Astros on 7/4 for OF Shannon Stewart (CCCEEG), age 24. The Blue Jays will feel the loss of Stuart, as it pushes Adam Lind (ECEDFD) into the starting lineup. What's more, Shannon Stuart is probably a more valuable player then Romero, but the Blue Jays needed someone to round out the back and of their rotation.

Trade Grade: D

SACRAMENTO DUKES

8/8/08: A five run second inning from the Sacramento Dukes, including a grand slam that knocked Hickories starter Gabe Kotter out of the game, was counteracted by a five run third inning by the Hickories that included a three run homerun from Geordie LaForge. One inning later, the Hickories took a seven run lead and replaced several of their regulars with backup position players. Final score: 13–6, Hickories

8/9/08: the Hickories homered twice and built up a 6-0 lead by the third inning while Pelfrey pitched very well and took a one hit shut out into the 6th. After Pelfrey departed, the Dukes made a run but the Hickories held on. Final score: 6–5, Jacksonville

8/10/08: The Hickories Sid Fernandez was pitching a solid game, not allowing the Dukes to get the ball out of the infield until two outs in the fourth inning, while three Hickories homeruns in the first five innings, including a three run shot from Buck Rogers, gave the Hickories a comfortable lead. Final score: 7–2, Jacksonville

For the week ending 8/10/08, Ryan Braun was one of the weekly MVPs. During that week, he batted 429 with 4 homeruns and 11 RBIs

CHICAGO WHITE SOCKS SERIES

8/12/08: 8-4, Hickories

8/13/08: Morris Buttermaker struggled in the second and third innings while the White Sox Contreras was solid, and seemed to induce double plays every time the Hickories threatened. Still, the Hickories scratched and clawed their way back into the game, eventually tying it up in the seventh before pulling ahead. Final score: 5–3, Jacksonville

8/14/08: No one expected a pitching duel between these two teams that generally win with offense, but that is what viewers saw. Through the first 6 innings, the Hickories Gabe Kotter and the White Sox Hideo Nomo (who was a Hickory for about 2 days until they traded him to the Sox for Josh Fields, who was later the key piece in the trade that brought in Ryan Braun) pitched to a standstill, except for an 0–2 slider that Jim Thome deposited just beyond the centerfield fence in his initial at bat. The Hickories relief pitching did just as well, while Nomo showed off the League's best forkball through 9 innings. Final score: 1–0, White Sox