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Jacksonville Hickories: Talkin' softly, but carrying big...
https://www.mlbppworld.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=8137		 Page 18 of 20
Author:  ERISA Dude [ Tue Feb 18, 2014 10:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Jacksonville Hickories: Talkin' softly, but carrying big
MARINERS

7/24/09: fans were treated to an impressive pitching duel, in which Hickory starter Syd Fernandez took a three hit shutout into the eighth inning while the Mariners Oliver Perez pitched well with runners in scoring position, allowing only one run to score. An Adrian Beltre leadoff homerun in the 8th inning tied the game. A Mayes Hayes RBI double put the Hickories ahead in the nighth. Fernandez allowed a leadoff double in the 9th, but was able to close out the game, allowing one run on just five minutes. Final score: two – one, Hickories

RAYS

7/25/09: Solo homeruns from Buck Rogers, Brian McCann, Jeff Lebowski, and David Banner against James Shields was more than enough as the Hickories Gabe Kotter pitched eight innings of shutout ball. Final score: 4–0, Hickories

TRADE REQUEST: The Hickories received a trade request from the Astros, looking to receive Hickories shortstop Way Cool Junior (DEBBCD) in exchange for Astros starting pitcher Francisco Liriano (98 CB HSL – five, CH – three). In rejecting this trade, the Hickories said "we have good depth with our pitching, but while we have a number of players on our roster that can play shortstop, including Enochs (CDDCCC), who we envision challenging for the starting shortstop position next spring, we think we need to keep Way Cool Junior in that spot if we are to contend for a title. With Cool, Freddy Sanchez (CBCCBC) at second and Mays Hayes manning center (DDBCCD), we have that strength up the middle that good defensive teams need."

7/26/09: against the Rays Edwin Jackson (98 DB 2SF – one, SL – three, CH – two), the Hickories broke open a scoreless tie in the third when Freddy Sanchez hit a bases-loaded triple over the centerfielders head. McCann followed by calmly hitting a 0–2 slider into left field. David Cohen was pitching strongly, but gave up a two run home run to BJ Upton in the fourth. In the fifth, an RBI single from Lebowski preceded a three run homerun from Buck Rogers. In the top of the 6th inning, Carlos Pena hit a two run home run to right, cutting the Hickories lead to four. In the bottom of the sixth, Freddy Sanchez, who already had two triples on the day, singled home Mayes Hayes. That would be the end of the scoring for the day. Final score: 9–4, Hickories
Author:  ERISA Dude [ Thu Feb 20, 2014 6:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Jacksonville Hickories: Talkin' softly, but carrying big
YANKEES

    NOTE: With Robinson Cano traded for Felix Hernandez, 3b Eric Chavez (DCCBAB) is manning second base

7/27/09: The Yankees scored first in the second inning when Jorge Posada hit a fly ball that David Banner dropped, and ultimately scored on a double by Eric Chavez. The following inning, Johnny Damon tripled and scored on a fielders choice, but Art Vandelay tied the game with a two run homerun in the bottom of the third. The Yankees jumped ahead when Melky Cabrera drove in Jorge Posada and Bobby Abreu with a single. An RBI single from Way Cool junior brought the Hickories to within a run heading into the fifth inning. David Banner made up for his earlier error when he homered to dead center field with Buck Rogers on first in the sixth inning, giving the Hickories a one run lead. The Yankees retook the lead in the seventh when they loaded the bases and scored two runs on a single and a fielders choice, but an RBI double from Buck Rogers in the bottom of the inning tied it up. Eric Chavez led off the 11th inning with a triple and scored one out later on a Johnny Damon single, and Mariano Rivera closed out the 11th. Final score: 7–6, Yankees

7/28/09: The Yankees looked unstoppable in the first inning, singling and doubling off of Morris Buttermaker on their way to scoring three runs, but the Hickories took a one run lead against Ian Kennedy with the help of a McCann triple and Eric Chavez errors on throws home and to third. Vandelay doubled home Cool; Lebowski singled home Vandelay; and then Buck Rogers hit a three run homerun to the opposite field. Back to back third inning doubles from Alex Rodriguez and Morgan Ensberg brought in a run, but Freddy Sanchez matched that with a solo homerun in the bottom of the fourth inning. Buttermaker was relieved by Buzz Nesbitt (88 DC 2SF – two, CU – five, FOS – four), making his first appearance this season. Nesbit got off to a rocky start by surrendering a single to Derek Jeter and a homerun to Alex Rodriguez in the bottom of the inning, and Kennedy's last pitch of the day resulted in David Banner getting robbed of a homerun by a leaping Melky Cabrera. The Yankees scored twice more in the seventh, but Mickey Schuler and Enigo Montoya retired Yankees in order in the eighth and ninth innings. Final score: 10–8, Hickories

    NOTE: after Eric Chavez' two errors, the Yankees quickly struck a deal with the Athletics, receiving second baseman Jack Hanahan (FEGFEC) in exchange for reliever Chris Britton (94 EE CB – two). Most analysts believe that this was a mistake by the Yankees, who should have packaged one or two of their better relievers in exchange for a better second baseman.

7/29/09: The Hickories seem to struggle against Chien Wang, so the crowd breathed a sigh of relief in the first inning when Johnny Damon was cut down at home to keep the game scoreless in the first. Instead, the Hickories scored first when Geordi Laforge doubled in David Banner in the second inning. Tim Lincecum was solid after that, but tired in the sixth inning and after striking out Alex Rodriguez, gave up a triple to Jorge Posada before exiting in favor of reliever Glass Joe. Joe allowed an infield single to Matsui that allowed the tying run to score. A Melky Cabrera single brought in the go-ahead run before Joe was able to close out the top of the sixth. Buck Rogers tied the game in the seventh with a leadoff homerun. In the 8th, Brian McCann drove in the go-ahead run when Mackey Sasser, playing catcher today, singled and was bunted to second. David Banner followed with a big homerun just inside the right-field foul pole. Enigo Montoya closed out the top of the 9th uneventfully. Final score: 5–2, Hickories

    NOTE: With three games to play against their division rival next month, the Hickories are currently 13 and 4 against the Yankees, and if the Yankees fail to make the playoffs, they can almost assuredly point to that disparity as the main culprit.

TRADE OFFER: The Padres contacted the Hickories offering 28 year old third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff (DBDDEFF) in exchange for 25 year old backup catcher Mackey Sasser (DEEECDC). In declining the trade, the Hickories commented "Kouzmanoff is an offensively-gifted talent, but we think he is really suited for a DH spot. We are currently comfortable with Brian McCann being our main DH, and after the problems we had with Ryan Braun earlier this year, did not want to get involved in something like this. We also like the depth that Sasser provides us as a backup catcher and first baseman, and a pinch hitter."
Author:  ERISA Dude [ Fri Feb 21, 2014 7:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Jacksonville Hickories: Talkin' softly, but carrying big
BLUE JAYS

    7/31/09: A monster first inning highlighted by an Alex Rios grand slam on an 0–2 pitch gave the Jay's a five run lead. David Banner clubbed a two run home run in the fourth. Rios drove in another run in the bottom of the fourth. Buck Rogers hit his 30th homerun of the season in the sixth inning with Jeff Lebowski on base before David Banner hit his second homerun of the day – his 29th of the season. The Jays starting pitcher was pulled at that point, but their reliever surrendered a three run homerun to Freddy Sanchez, giving Hickories a two run lead entering the bottom of the sixth, when the Blue Jays scored a run to narrow the gap to a single run entering the seventh inning. A two run home run off of Mickey Shuler in the eighth inning gave the Blue Jays a one run lead and added two more runs before the Hickories could close out the eighth. Final score: 10–8, Blue Jays

TRADE: The Hickories and White Sox struck a last minute deal yesterday, announcing that the Hickories will receive the White Sox 2009 first-round draft pick, 24-year-old (as of two days ago) SS Bumstead (FD100DDDE) in exchange for the following three Hickories: pitchers John McClain (25 years old, 90 EB HSL – three, DCB – one, SP – three, sk-4) and Buzz Nesbitt (26 years old, 88 DC 2SF – two, CU – five, FOS – four), and 23 -year-old minor-league SS Osborn (DF83EEDE), who was the Orioles 2008 draft pick.

    Hickories released the following statement "we have been impressed with Bumstead and his ability to drive the ball at the plate while also seeming to have the skills needed to develop into a solid major-league shortstop. McClain has good pitching skills, but just did not seem able to put together on the mound for us this year, so we were willing to package him up. We would have liked to have seen what Nesbitt could do, but the opportunity to nab a player of Bumstead's quality seemed too good to be true."

    The White Sox released the following statement: "Bumstead will be a major-league shortstop and its possible that this could burn us in the future, but with Orlando Cabrera and Jack Wilson on our roster, he would not have seen the light of day for several years, and we did get a defensively minded shortstop who can put the bat on the ball in return. We also see McClain as a good way to upgrade our rotation, and expect the submarine left-hander to fit in nicely and probably allow Hideo Nomo to shift into more of a spot starters role."

Analysts believe this is a good trade for both teams. The Hickories gave up a player who lost his spot in the starting rotation last year and lost his spot on the major-league roster this year, along with a shortstop who was sixth or seventh on their depth chart (depending on whether you consider Freddy Sanchez to be a potential shortstop candidate), and an unproven relief pitcher in Buzz Nesbitt. In the meantime, the White Sox gave up a prospect they don't need now for a pitcher they hope will improve their current team as well as another shortstop they can let develop.
Author:  Power Pros 27 [ Fri Feb 21, 2014 7:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Jacksonville Hickories: Talkin' softly, but carrying big
1 post to 1,000! I like the (Insert team here) released the following statement statements :razz:
Author:  Baseballteen9500 [ Fri Feb 21, 2014 8:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Jacksonville Hickories: Talkin' softly, but carrying big
Oh lord happy 1,000 posts Erisa Dude!!!
Author:  Acemaker55 [ Fri Feb 21, 2014 10:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Jacksonville Hickories: Talkin' softly, but carrying big
Happy 999 posts ERISA Dude :D
Author:  ERISA Dude [ Sun Feb 23, 2014 12:02 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Jacksonville Hickories: Talkin' softly, but carrying big
JULY IN REVIEW

    RECORD


With record of 79 and 28, the Hickories are in first place in the AL East by 19 games over the Yankees, and have the best record in baseball by 12 games over the Mets.

For the third straight month, they posted 20 or more wins, winning 21 games while losing only 4. The next best record in the major leagues was 17 wins with 8 losses, posted by the Colorado Rockies, Pittsburgh Pirates and Houston Astros

    AWARDS


Brian McCann was the only Hickory to win player of the week honors in July, winning it twice

Enigo Montoya was named relief picture of the month of July, during which he saved 9 games with a 0.96 ERA and 6 strikeouts.

    HITTING


The Hickories improved on June, which remains their lowest offensive output, scoring 150 runs. 150 runs was good for fourth best in baseball. The Indians scored the most runs in July – 165.

The Hickories have scored the second fewest runs in their division this season, and perhaps even more odd is that the team with the lowest offensive output so far this year in the AL East is the Yankees. The Hickories have hit 154 homeruns, good for second in the majors behind the Detroit Tigers, and their 181 stolen bases is at least 70 runs better than the next closest team.

Brian McCann is tied for first place with Adam Dunn for best batting average in the majors at 367. Shortstop Way Cool Junior is tied with our pool holes for fifth at 357.

Ryan Braun continues to lead the majors with 40 home runs. Jeff Lebowski has fallen to fifth on the leader boards with three home runs while Buck Rogers has climbed up to sixth with 29 Homeruns. Lebowski is also fifth with 99 RBIs

Robert Plant, now with the Pirates, continues to lead the league with 53 stolen bases. Way Cool junior, Willie Mays Hayes, David Banner, and Art Vandelay are second, third, fifth, and seventh with 45, 35, 30, and 28, respectively

    PITCHING


The Hickories pitchers allowed 91 runs in July, making this their second stingiest month of 2009. Only the Houston Astros allowed fewer (88) runs

The Hickories team era of 3.74 remains second lowest in the majors behind the New York Mets (3.68), and only the Detroit Tigers have allowed fewer than the Hickories 425 runs allowed (378).

Gabe Kotter is posting the fourth best ERA in the majors, at 2.87. Kotter and David Cohen are tied for third in the majors with 11 wins, along with Ben Sheets and several others. The Mets Pedro Martinez leads all of baseball with 15 wins.

Inigo Montoya leads the majors with 32 saves. Jonathan Broxton of the Pirates is second with 25 saves and Mariano Rivera is third with 24.

Mickey Shuler is tied for first with 16 holds

    WHO'S HOT


Brian McCann had a very strong month, hitting very well in the clutch. Willie Mays Hayes, Buck Rogers, and Crash Davis have also improved their batting averages to 305 (up from 288), 287 (up from 266), and 286, respectively. Also, the trade for Freddy Sanchez is working out very well, Sanchez has been on-base almost every game, improving his average by almost 40 points and bringing his homerun total up to seven

    WHO'S NOT


Jeff Lebowski, who homered in the All-Star game, has been steady at 301 BA, but only hit 2 homeruns (30).

    LEFT FIELD


Art Vandelay seems to have won the left-field spot since just after the All-Star break

    Vandelay 310 BA, 310 AB, 12–2 B, 2–3 B, 16 HR, 58 RBI, 14 K, 28 SB
    Laforge 301 BA, 246 AB, 8–2 B, 6–3 B, 14 HR, 37 RBI, 9K, 16 SB
Author:  ERISA Dude [ Sun Feb 23, 2014 12:04 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Jacksonville Hickories: Talkin' softly, but carrying big
My 1,000th post - my family will be so proud!!!
Author:  BrewersFuzz [ Sun Feb 23, 2014 3:36 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Jacksonville Hickories: Talkin' softly, but carrying big
ERISA Dude wrote:
My 1,000th post - my family will be so proud!!!

We're proud too! :) I'm amazed at the amount of work you put into this log! :shock:
Author:  ERISA Dude [ Sun Feb 23, 2014 5:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Jacksonville Hickories: Talkin' softly, but carrying big
BLUE JAYS

8/1/09: David Cohen pitches a solid six innings while for the Hickories, who belt 4 homeruns. Final score: 12–4, Hickories

      SECOND BASEMAN FREDDY SANCHEZ SUSPENDED


    8/2/09: MLB announced today that Hickories second baseman Freddy Sanchez tested positive for performance enhancing drugs and will be suspended for the remainder of 2009. Sanchez denies any culpability and believes it is some sort of mistake or error with the tests. The Hickories released the following statement "we are completely stunned, but understand that MLB has rules and we will abide by them. We do believe that MLB should allow us to adjust the trade that brought in Sanchez so we can get our former player back. We do think it is unfair for our team to bear the brunt of this issue."

    A spokesperson for MLB indicated that MLB could not adjust the prior trade since the test results do not indicate the time period in which Freddy Sanchez supposedly took PEDs. Since MLB does not know whether this occurred while Sanchez was a member of the Pirates or Hickories it will not look back at the prior trade. It should also be noted that it would be difficult to undo the prior trade since there were multiple players involved - Tim Lincecum, Mike Pelfrey, and Robert Plant.

      This is a big blow to the Hickories who may have built enough of a lead to still come away with the AL East title even if they falter, making this largely an issue with how far they would get in the playoffs. The Hickories currently have utility infielder Encyclopedia Brown (DEDCCD) on the major-league roster and the two most likely candidates to replace Sanchez from their minor league system include light hitting utility infielder Edgardo Alfonzo (EFDCCC) and shortstop Enochs (CDGCCC), whose hitting might make him the more preferable option, but would likely force their current shortstop Way Cool Junior (DEBBCD) to second base.

8/2/09: The Hickories struggled with failed bunt attemps, a runner thrown out at home, and two runners stranded in scoring position within the first five innings, but finally got a run across when Vandelay singled in the fifth, stole second, and scored on a Crash Davis single. Later that same inning, Mays Hayes reached first on a fielders choice, stole second, and scored on a single from Cool Junior. Two batters later, Jeff Lebowski hit a three run homerun to right center field and Buck Rogers followed with a solo shots off of a 3–0 changeup. In the bottom of the fifth, Roy Hobbs lost his shutout bid when Vernon Wells drove in two runs. In the top of the seventh, Lebowski hit his second homerun, this one a solo shot. Hobbs left with 1 out in the 6th and a runner on second. Manzanilla closed out the sixth and seventh, and Mickey Shuler closed out the eighth and ninth. Final score 7-2, Hickories
Author:  ERISA Dude [ Sun Feb 23, 2014 5:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Jacksonville Hickories: Talkin' softly, but carrying big
Power Pros 27 wrote:
1 post to 1,000! I like the (Insert team here) released the following statement statements :razz:


Thanks. I've had fun playing with different formats and those statement releases are a good way for me to do pretend analysis

BrewersFuzz wrote:
ERISA Dude wrote:
My 1,000th post - my family will be so proud!!!

We're proud too! :) I'm amazed at the amount of work you put into this log! :shock:


LOL - sometimes, I'm surprised, too. But I still enjoy playing the games - I play 1-2 games a night, and the log is a fun way to add some creativity and rehash my season.

If you ever get those log entries where it's just a final score, those are usually the games I feel like playing without recording what exactly happened.
Author:  ERISA Dude [ Mon Feb 24, 2014 5:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Jacksonville Hickories: Talkin' softly, but carrying big
SACRAMENTO DUKES

8/4/09: The Duke's starter did not have great movement on his pitches, but he uses them effectively, especially his changeup, and escaped a tight second inning jam in which the Hickories had a runner at third with no out and a runner at second with one out and could not score. The Hickories Gabe Kotter, was his usual, effective self, boasting an ERA of under 2.9. Vandelay hit a solo homerun in the third. The Dukes tied it up when they singled after bunting a runner to second. The Dukes added two more runs in the fourth on two base hits and a triple, but a sixth inning homerun from David Banner cut the Dukes lead to a single run and an RBI single from Mays Hayes later in the inning tied the game. Dan Johnson singled in the go-ahead run the bottom of the eighth off of Jack Tripper, who closed out the fifth inning when he relieved Kotter allowed a two-out single. The Hickories put a runner on second in the ninth inning, but could not score. score: 4–3, Dukes

8/5/09: The Dukes starter (98 CB HSL – five, CH – three) was pitching great, and keeping the hickories batters off-balance, but Morris Buttermaker was also pitching a shut out. In the fifth, David Banner hit a solo homerun, giving him 30 home runs and over 30 steels for the season. Buttermaker left after throwing 7–2/3 innings, with runners at first and third, two out, and a shutout in tact. Inigo Montoya closed out the inning. In the ninth, Banner drove in LaForge who was inserted as a pinch runner for Buck Rogers, doubling the Hickories lead. The Hickories didn't need it, as Montoya retired the Dukes in order, striking out Dan Johnson for the final out of the game. Final score: 2–0, Hickories

NOTE: This was Buttermaker's most impressive effort to date. 7–2/3 IP, 6H, 2K, 0R

8/6/09: David Banner put the Hickories on the board for the second game in a row with a solo homerun, this one traveling 429 feet. Back-to-back doubles from the Dukes tied the game. The Hickories pulled ahead in the top of the third on a Brian McCann sacrifice fly, and extended their lead to two runs when Buck Rogers homered in the sixth. which seemed important when Great Soria homered in the bottom of the sixth, but in the eighth, David Banner homered with Buck Rogers and Jeff Lebowski on base. The Dukes added a run on in the eighth, but Lebowski hit a two run homerun in the top of the ninth. Final score: 8–3, Hickories
Author:  ERISA Dude [ Mon Feb 24, 2014 5:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Jacksonville Hickories: Talkin' softly, but carrying big
YANKEES

8/7/09: Tim Lincecum and Andy Pettit pitched to a virtual stalemate, and the Hickories even tied the game by scoring two runs against Mariano Rivera, but the Yankees pulled it out with a run in the 10th. Final score 4–3 (10), Yankees

8/8/09: The Hickories tried valiantly, but a disastrous nine run fourth inning by the Yankees was too much to overcome. Final score: 10–8, Yankees

8/9/09: The Yankees lead from innings 1–6, when the Hickories grabbed a three run lead. The Yankees tied it with a three run homerun in the eighth off of Mickey Shuler, but the Hickories hit three home runs and scored four times in the eighth. Final score: 9–5, Hickories

AWARD: David Banner was named MVP for the week ending 8/9. During this week, he batted 480 with 5 homeruns and 8 RBIs

SCHEDULE: The Hickories will not face the Yankees again in 2009 unless they meet in the playoffs. They posted a 14 and 6 record against the Yankees this year. For the remainder of this month, they will face Central division teams that they have not yet played in 2009, these being The Cleveland Indians, Oakland A's, Detroit Tigers, and Texas Rangers.
Author:  ERISA Dude [ Tue Feb 25, 2014 5:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Jacksonville Hickories: Talkin' softly, but carrying big
INDIANS: The Indians big 2009 off-season signing of Cliff Lee (CAEDEF) has really paid dividends, as the leftfielder is batting 290 with 22 homeruns and 80 RBIs, largely out of the cleanup spot. Joined by Travis Hafner's 300 average, 36 home runs and 129 RBIs from the three hole and Victor Martinez 25 homeruns and 80 RBIs (although a disappointing 248 that average), the Indians have one of the most potent middle of the lineups in baseball

8/11/09: against the imposing CC Savath yeah (97 BA SLV – five, CH – three), hickories gave up any pretense of swinging for the fences but were able to group together enough base hits, including one infield be single, to bring eight batters to the plate and three runners across the plate in the first. In the third, David Banner, moved up to three in the batting order (with Brian McCann being given the day off) single, stole second, and scored when second baseman Jamey Carroll let a buck Rogers roller go through his legs. Greatwood drove in Jeff Blake, who doubled in the bottom of the third, And then Lebowski let a Sizemore ground ball go through his legs, allowing wood to score. After a double-play, Hafner hit a two run homerun that tied the game. Singles from Encyclopedia Brown, mayes haise, and Vandelay gave the hickories a one run lead entering the bottom of the fourth, And Lebowski doubled that lead when he let off the fifth inning with a homerun. Hafner led off the bottom of the sixth with his second homerun of the day to pull the Indians within a run, But Duane Schneider pitched a shutout seventh and eighth and Montoya easily closed out the life. Final score: 6–5, Hickories

8/12/09: David Banner, again batting and the three spot, drove in May is haze with a sacrifice fly in the top of the first, But a Travis Hafner RBI double tied up. In the second, way cool single do with two outs, store second, and was driven in by Encyclopedia Brown (DED CCD), who has been hitting so well that the hickories sent Enochs (CDDCCD), Who can only play shortstop, down to the minors, calling up defense of specialist Edgard Alfonso (EFDBCD) and are leaving brown, Both of whom can play any infield spot except catcher, in as their starting second baseman. Mays Hayes then took a jake Westbrook hanging curve and drove it over the centerfielder's head for an RBI double. Hey Mandalay single brought in the third run of the inning. When Maurice butter maker catch a shut out second inning, the hickories and the third leading 4-1. A one out blast from Buck Rogers my Westbrook slider telling inside, And a three run homerun from crash Davis gave the hickories a seven run cushion and sent Westbrook to an early exit. in the fourth, May is Hayes double and scored on a Vandelay homerun right before banner added a homerun of his own. The Indians finally scored their second round in the fifth on a Sizemore RBI double, But the bakeries matched that in the seventh when crash Davis hit his second homerun of the day. Mays Hayes let off the eighth with a homerun. Butter maker left in the eighth inning after striking out leadoff batter Grady Sizemore. In the nice, cool missed a home run by a foot, But it didn't matter, since Jack tripper, who recorded the final two outs of the eighth, retired the Indians in order in the night. Final score: 13–2, hickories

Note: it's been quite sometime since the Hickories enjoyed blowout like this. The game seemed over so early, by the 4th inning, all of their bench players were in the game as defensive replacements. Five different Hickories hit homeruns, with Crash Davis hitting two.

8/13/09: Indians starter Cliff Lee started Mayes Hayes off with five cut fastballs, with Mays Hayes driving the fifth one into the right field corner for a double and then scoring on a Vandelay single. The Indians seemed to catch a break when, after Vandelay was thrown out trying to stretch a single into a double, McCann double into the right field corner and, after David Banner narrowly missed a homerun just left of the left-field foul pole, he drilled a ball to left that was so sharply hit, that McCann had to stop at third and the Hickories failed to score again. In the second, Mays Hayes drilled an inside fastball into the left centerfield gap for an RBI double that put runners at second and third, and Brian McCann doubled over the center fielder's head one run later to bring in both runs. In the bottom of the inning, David DeLuchi singled in Victor Martinez, who doubled off Hickory starter David Cohen. The Indians then scored a run on three consecutive infield singles before Grady Sizemore drove in the two runs needed to tie the game, sending David Cohen to the exits. The Hickories manager made an unusual move, sending in late inning reliever Mickey Shuler, explain later "we needed someone to slow their momentum and Mickey is used to that kind of pressure. We felt we were on the verge of totally losing control of this game and needed someone with his experience to finish up that second inning and keep things steady for us in the third." But Shuler did not keep things steady in the third inning, surrendering a leadoff homerun to Cliff Lee. Glass Joe entered to start the fourth inning and showed the Indians the most effective knuckleball in baseball, striking out five hitters in his first two innings of work. The Hickories tied the game in the sixth against Indians reliever Raul Betancourt when Encyclopedia Brown singled home Buck Rogers. Bettencourt exited without completing the second out of the sixth inning when catcher Mackey Sasser hit a soft single to left, easily allowing Way Cool to score from second. David Banner hit his 35th homerun of the season to enter the bottom of the seventh with the Hickories leading by two. Travis Hafner tied the game with a two run home run against relief pitcher Manzanillo in the bottom of the eighth, and then after striking out Cliff Lee, Manzanillo surrendered the go ahead home run to Victor Martinez. Final score: 8–7, Indians
Author:  ERISA Dude [ Fri Feb 28, 2014 7:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Jacksonville Hickories: Talkin' softly, but carrying big
OAKLAND ATHLETICS:

    The Athletics are tied for third in the soft AL west with a 53 and 65 record. Other then the still – dangerous Frank Thomas, the only threats at the plate are Dan Johnson, when he can connect, and Travis Buck. In general, you know that when your third baseman and left fielder's ratings are FDFEFD and FFGFFF, respectively, that is not a recipe for a potent lineup

8/14/09: The long ball is the name of the day, as the Hickories batter the Athletics pitching staff. Final score: 9–3

8/15/09: Brian McCann hits three homeruns, Remington Steele gets his first homerun of 2009 as a pinch-hitter, and several other Hickories homer to put this game out of reach early against Kyle Kendrick. final score: 13–8, Hickories

    INTERNAL HOMERUN RACE: in addition to the major-league baseball homerun race, in which two Hickories are tied for third and another is sixth, the locker room is apparently enjoying their own, internal bidding war over who is expected to hit the most home runs on the team. Brian McCann and Art Vandelay are two of Hickory's hottest hitters, although this late-season surge from McCann and Vandelay's assignment to being an everyday player may have come too late for these two hitters with current home run totals of 24 and 23, respectively, to truly surge the top of the Hickories ranks. David Banner, currently third on the team with 35 homeruns, has been the team's most consistent hitter. He is definitely on a hot streak right now, but is the only one of the top three players who has not slumped at all in 2009. Buck Rogers and Jeff Lebowski are tied for the team lead with 37 homeruns. Rogers slumped badly the first few months of the season, barely hitting over 230 while Lebowski was scorching for the first half of the season, earning his first trip to the All-Star game. Since about a week before the All-Star game, Lebowski has been mired in a slump although he shows signs of coming out of it, while Rogers has been hot, boosting his batting average and driving the ball very well.

8/16/09: The Hickories stranded a runner at second and the first and second innings against athletic started Joe Blanton, while the Athletics jumped ahead when Dan Johnson led off the second inning with a homerun against Gabe Kotter. David Banner tied the game with a homerun in the fourth, but Gabe Kotter gave the lead back with a Frank Thomas leadoff homerun. Jeff Lebowski drilled a Blanton curveball, putting it in the left-field bleachers, and the Hickories took the lead in the following inning on David Banner's second homerun of the day. In the seventh, Cool Jr. singled in Crash Davis to give the Hickories a two run lead. After recording the first out in the bottom of the seventh, Kotter gave up a double and exited the game, but Mickey Shuler closed out the inning easily. In the ninth, Remington Steele hit his second homerun in as many games – another pinch-hit homerun, this one with Geordie Laforge on first, and then Encyclopedia Brown hit the first homerun of his career. Vandelay followed with his 24th homerun of the season, all on fastballs from reliever Dallas Bradon (90 DC SL – two, CB – three), sending what was a close game into the bottom the ninth with the Hickories enjoying a six run lead. Travis Buck homered when Mickey Shuler hung a slider. Enigo Montoya was brought in even though it was a non-save situation and he did give up a run, but closed out the game. Final score: 8–4, Hickories

    For the week ending 8/16, Willie Mays Hayes was named player of the week for hitting 615 with 2 homeruns, 5 RBIs, and numerous stolen bases

INDIANS

8/18/09: Roy Hobbs was shaky in the first inning, but he settled down and the Hickories pounded on Jake Westbrook after the third inning. Final score: 9–4, Hickories

8/19/09: when Morris Buttermaker allowed singles to the first three Indians he faced, he was fortunate that the next three harmlessly popped the ball up to the infield and only one run scored. Meanwhile, Indians starter Cliff Lee is not known as having a great changeup, but he used it to retire the first six Hickories he faced. Buttermaker did not allow a hit in the next two innings, although he did need Cool Junior to make an amazing grab on a Travis Hafner flyball to shallow left-field that required the shortstop to make a backward diving catch. In the fourth inning, Buttermaker allowed a leadoff double to Cliff Lee, but after a ground out, he struck out the next two batters. The Hickories first runner to get into scoring position was Buck Rogers who doubled to leadoff the fifth inning and was, disappointingly, stranded there. The Hickories finally tied the game in the seventh when David Banner singled, stole second, and scored on a Lebowski single to center field against a tiring Cliff Lee. Two batters later, Encyclopedia Brown singled off the Indians reliever to bring in the go-ahead run, giving Buttermaker the chance to collect a win on his solid performance (7 IP, 5H, 6K, R). Buck Rogers came up with a clutch double in the bottom of the eighth to bring in Cool Junior with two outs, But the Hickories did not need the insurance run since Enigo Montoya retired Hafner, Lee, and Martinez in order. Final score: three – one, Hickories

    NOTE: Second baseman Encyclopedia Brown, the utility player forced into service when the Hickories traded away rookie of the year Robert Plant for Freddy Sanchez who was then suspended for use of PEDs, was named player of the game. His average is over 350.

8/20/09: Travis Lee homered in his first at-bat against Syd Fernandez with Travis Hafner on first. In the bottom of that inning, Brian McCann doubled home Art Vandelay against Indians starter John Maine (94 CA 2SF – one, SL – two, CB – one, CH – two). The Indians extended their lead back to two runs when a Greatwood double put runners at second and third and one run scored on a fielders choice. Fernandez struggled again in the third inning, allowing a triple to Cliff Lee and intentionally walking Victor Martinez in order to face David Delluci – a move that paid off, but Fernandez was visibly tired. Against reliever Duane Schneider, the Indians tacked on another run when Cairo was awarded a single on a ball that seemed to be within Buck Rogers' reach at first. Rogers doubled into the right field corner to start off the bottom of the fourth inning and scored on a Lebowski single that was the first of three singles that brought in the Hickories second run of the inning and brought them to within a run of the Indians before Cliff Lee hit his second homerun of the day. McCann led off the bottom of the fifth with a ground rule double and scored when a Buck Rogers dribbler found the hole between short and second. In the seventh, Delluci drove in Halfner, putting the Indians back up by two. Vandelay led off the bottom of the inning with the double against reliever Tyler Yates and ultimately scored on a sacrifice fly, and then after Mickey Shuler held the Indians scoreless in the top of the eighth, the Delluci tied the game when Mayes Hayes singled home Cool Junior. The score remained tied entering the bottom of the 10th inning when Cool Jr. singled with one out, stole second, and scored when Geordie Laforge, who entered on a double switch when the Hickories pinch-hit for their second baseman in the ninth inning, singled to right field. Final score: 7–6, Hickories
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