Season Log: Iowa City Country

philliesfan134 · **Posted:** Wed Nov 28, 2012 11:22 pm

Like the trade for Bailey. Essentially you're dumping Lannan for Bailey and adding in extra non-core players in Sanchez/Dierdorrff. I think Bailey's a solid replacement for Lannan and I like that he's young too.

ERISA Dude · **Posted:** Thu Nov 29, 2012 6:16 am

That's what I'm hoping - Bailey for Lannan seemed even-Steven skill wise, and if things change and I want to make a move, I think Bailey would be easier to move since he's got a lower salary.

I know this game is not "reality," but part of me felt I should act like a low budget team and dump Lannan and Dierdorff since they're underperforming. I added Sanchez cause I had to add a cheap player with a lot of D ratings to make it work, and his lack of improvement in practice has been frustrating. He's also 1 or 2 years closer to FA than my other backups.

ERISA Dude · **Posted:** Fri Nov 30, 2012 9:45 am

5/22 – 24/2009: Iowa City Country versus Anaheim Angels

Game one: Country Depablos (93 DC SL – four, CB – four, VS L – one) versus Angels Escobar

Lineup:

Final score: Angels win three – two in 10 innings

Comments:

Game two: Homer Bailey ( 93 EB 2SF – three, DCB – four) versus Santana (96 DB CB – two, CH – two)

Final score: Country win 11 – 10 in 11 innings

Comments:

Country caught up in the bottom of the eighth.

Angels a four run lead entering the bottom of the 10th,

Cust hit a line drive game-tying homerun

game winning single from Milledge.

Key stats:

GAME THREE: Country James (91 CB SL – three, CH – three) versus Angels Lackey (95 CA to SF – two, HSL – three, CB – four, CH – three)

Final score: eight – three Country

Roster moves:

Lineup:

The Country seemed lifeless on offense until there were two outs in the bottom of the second and Sweeney hit a triple to right-center field. Huisman brought him home with a soft single to center. The Angels were also struggling at the plate, but put together four singles that brought in two runs in the fourth (two – one Angels)[/color]. The Country matched that in the fifth when Milledge stole second and Fields and Harris hit back-to-back doubles (three – two Country).

James was pulled after the sixth inning, having allowed two runs on 10 hits with eight strikeouts. Andrew Brown started the seventh, and was completely shutting down the Angels offense until two outs in the eighth when he served up the tying homerun to Kotchman. The Country got some timely hitting of their own the bottom half when Hudson doubled with two outs and came home when Milledge drilled the ball down the left-field line. A single by Erdos and a two run homerun from Cust gave the Country a commanding eight – three lead entering the ninth. Middle reliever Murray started the ninth inning and retired the side, allowing only a Chone Figgins double.

Comments:

Weekly MVP: the weekly MVP for the week ending 5/24/2009 was announced and Cust was named, along with Alex Rodriguez. During this timeframe, Cust batted 481 with 6 homeruns and 18 RBIs. Alex Rodriguez batted 560 with seven homeruns and 15 RBIs. It is the fifth time Cust has received that award this year, including receiving the award for the last four weeks in a row. League analysts are making Cust an early pick for league MVP at year-end.

Roster move: after the game, Dan Johnson was placed back on the roster, and Merrill sent down

MrLiamcar · **Posted:** Fri Nov 30, 2012 1:05 pm

Nice job going 2-1

ERISA Dude · **Posted:** Sat Dec 01, 2012 3:21 pm

Trade request

Sources report that the San Diego Padres have contacted the Country about trading star starting pitcher Jake Peavy (96 BA 2SF – two, SL – five, CB – three, CH – four, HSK – three) [/color]for star second baseman Orlando Hudson (CBABAC)[/color]

For both players, this is their seventh year in the majors. Peavy will be a free agent after next season, while Hudson is under contract for three more seasons after the current one. Peavy earns about $1 million more per year than Hudson.

Sources say that the Country are not interested in trading arguably the best second baseman in baseball for someone who is arguably one of the top tier pictures in baseball.

MrLiamcar · **Posted:** Sat Dec 01, 2012 3:22 pm

Don't do it

philliesfan134 · **Posted:** Sat Dec 01, 2012 3:30 pm

Yeah, I agree. Enticing offer, but I'd lean towards the guy with the longer contract just in case.

ZeroGibson13 · **Posted:** Sat Dec 01, 2012 3:35 pm

Yeah, I'd stay with Hudson!

Marvin Card · **Posted:** Sun Dec 02, 2012 3:23 am

Hudson is a good choice.

ERISA Dude · **Posted:** Sun Dec 02, 2012 10:40 pm

5/26 – 28/2009: Iowa City Country at New York Yankees

Roster moves:

Game one: Country O'Connor (89 EA SL – three, CB – one, CH – three) versus Yankees Wang (96 CA HSL – three, SP – three, CH – three, HSK – five)

Lineup:

A base hit and a two run homerun by Jack Cust off of a high, outside changeup with two outs in the top of the first set the tone, and lead was extended to three runs when Hudson singled home Dan Johnson in the second. A Matsui RBI double narrowed the Country's lead to two. Three – one, Country.

The Country seems to be using their prior tactic of taking a lot of pitches in order to wear down the opponent's starter, and Wang threw 34 pitches before starting the third inning.

Teixeira doubled home Jeter in the third, and then Rodriguez' RBI double tied the game. The Yankees continued to single their way to a five – three lead.

Midway through the fifth inning, Wang hit the 70-pitch mark, but it might not have mattered as he had to leave the game after Cust smashed the ball and it ricocheted off of him. Wang was replaced by Carl Pavano (93 FB SFB – one, SL – two, SP – two, CH – two).

A solo homerun from Alex Rodriguez extended the Yankee lead to 6 – 3 after five innings. The Country meanwhile, looked lifeless since the third inning, only putting runners in scoring position twice and failing to bring them home both times, but Dan Johnson led off the top of the 7th with a solo home run to right field, but six – four was as close as a Country would come in this disappointing loss

Comments:

GAME TWO: COUNTRY JAMES (91 CB SL – three, CH – three) AT YANKEES PAVANO (93 FB to SF – one, SL – two, ST – two, CH – two)

Lineup:

This was a very well pitched game. The score was 0-0 through five innings; the Yankees having only one hit; the Country only two. The Yankees finally broke through in the bottom of the sixth when Morgan Ensburg hit a solo homerun. The Country hit several singles, including an RBI single from Sweeney. The Yankees came back with two runs on a Rodriguez double in the bottom of the seventh, taking a three – one lead into the eighth.

McCurdy led off the eighth with a single. After Hudson singled him to second, his pinch runner scored on a soft Milledge single to center, with both Hudson and Milledge taking an extra base when Melky Cabrera's throw home sailed over the catcher's head. A fielders choice from Schrager allow Hudson to score, bringing up Jack Cust with the go-ahead run on third, but Cust grounded out to second, ending the top of the 8th tied at 3. When the Yankees threatened but failed the score, the game entered the ninth inning tied at three

Pavano stayed in the game start the 9th and served up a lead off homerun to Dan Johnson into the right field bleachers. Later in the inning inning, Brendan Harris, who entered the game earlier as a pinch-hitter and stayed on to play shortstop, hit a two-run home run to left field, giving the Country a six – three lead entering the bottom of the 9th.

Chamberlain took the mound to face his former teammates, starting with Cano. Three groundouts to the right side of the field off of sliders tailing inside and the Country had a six – three victory over the Yankees

Comments:

Game three: Country Depablos (93 DC SL – four, CB – four, VSL – one) at Yankees Mussina (92 CC 2SF – two, SL – one, KC – five, CH – two, SIFB – two)

Lineup:

The Country scored pretty quickly thanks to an error by the Yankee right fielder who dropped an easy flyball from Hudson that allowed Hudson to reach second. Hudson then moved to 3rd and scored on fielders choices. A two run home run by Alex Rodriguez put the Yankees up by one. In the top of the second, Josh Fields immediately tied up the game with a leadoff homerun off of a change up, up in the zone. Oddly, when Mussina next faced Josh Fields in the top of the fourth, he threw another changeup up in the zone and, again, Fields put it into the left-field bleachers. In the bottom of the fourth, a two run homerun by Hideki Matsui on an 0-2 curveball that just caught the inside part of the plate tied the game four – four. When he gave up a few more singles including the go-ahead RBI to catcher José Molina, Depablos was sent to the showers his earliest exit in a game this season. Grindell entered, but fared no better as he allowed several hard hits and several more runs to score and the fourth inning ended with the Yankees leading nine– four

A Jack Cust two run home run brought the Country to within three. The next batter was Fields, who homered in his last two at bats off of Mussina changeups. The first pitch Mussina threw to Fields was a change up up in the zone, and Fields smacked it - going...going...but just foul! After throwing a knuckle curve and a slider, Mussina came back with another changeup, low in the zone that Fields fouled straight back. The next pitch was a third change up in the middle-outside portion of the plate that Fields put over the left-field wall for his third consecutive home run. Several base hits, a Derek Jeter fielding error, and a passed ball sent the game into the bottom of the fifth with the Country leading 11-9. A Teixeira homerun brought the Yankees to within a run, and the 6th ended with the Country leading 11 – 10

In the seventh, Cabrera drove in the tying run with a double, ending the seventh inning tied at 11. In the bottom of the eight, a couple of base hits and a double by Teixera off of Joba Chamberlain put the Yankees up by two. Another single and the eighth inning ended with the Yankees leading 14 – 11. Marianno Rivera started the 9 and easily retired Cust, Fields, and Johnson to end the game.

Comments:

Roster moves: after the game, Spilborghs was recalled and Thurston sent down to the minors; pitcher Shawn Green was also called up and middle reliever Murray sent down

ERISA Dude · **Posted:** Tue Dec 04, 2012 12:32 pm

5/29 – 31/2009: Iowa City Country at Anaheim Angels

Game one: Country Bailey (93 EB 2SF – three, DCB – four) at Angels Santana (96 DB CH – two, CB – two)

Lineup:

Innings one-two: Santana seem to make the same mistake a lot of pitchers make against the Country – throwing too many changeups, which the Country seem to hit especially well when the pitchers changeup is only a level one or two. Santana gave up a deep double off a changeup up in the zone to Milledge, survived throwing three changeups to Erdos, but then when he started Cust off with the changeup, Cust hit an opposite field two run home run. Josh Fields stepped up and fouled off Santana's first changeup before watching three more changeups be thrown for balls. Finally the Angels catcher called for different pitch – a curveball that Santana threw right over the middle of the plate and Fields knocked it out of the park. When the inning ended, on a high changeup to Dan Johnson that was tracked down in deep centerfield for out number three, they had scored three runs.

The Angels immediately came back with a leadoff inside the park homerun against Bailey when the wii remote went dead at the wrong time. The first inning ended with the Country leading three – one

Inning three: RBI doubles from Cust and Schrager, sandwiching an RBI single from Johnson left runners at second and third with two out. When McCurdy grounded out to short, the three run half inning was over, and when the angels threatened (thanks in part to an uncalled error by shortstop Huisman) but failed to score, the Country took a six – one lead into the fourth.

Inning four: the Angels were poised for a big fourth inning when Chone Figgins stepped to the plate with one out and the bases-loaded, but two timely pop-ups – 1 to the second baseman in shallow rightfield and one to the catcher in foul territory - ending the threat and the inning with a six – one Country lead

Inning 7: the Angels left their middle reliever in the game for his 3rd inning even though he was tiring, and though he survived Jack Cust, he gave up a single to Fields and then a homerun on a hanging split fingered fastball to Dan Johnson. Bailey did not start the seventh inning, replaced by middle reliever Buchanan (88 DC CU – three, SL – three, CB – two, FO – three), who faced the minimum number of batters with the help of a five – three double-play when Huisman picked up the ground ball and stepped on second himself before throwing to 1st. Eight – one Country

Neither team threatened to score in the 8th or 9th, and the Country won 8 – 1

Comments:

Game two: Country Grindell (93 EC CU – four, CB – three, PA – three, HSK – one) at Angels Eckert (81 GD SL – one)

Lineup:

Innings one-two: Jack Cust doubled home Erdos, who had singled and stole second, but the Angels pulled ahead when Bobby Abreu hit a two-run home run over the right-field fence in the bottom of the second. 2-1 Angels[/color]

Innings three– four: Fields tied the game with a solo homerun and then back to back doubles from Johnson and Schrager brought home another run. Three – two, Country. In the fourth, Angels reliever Villareal began to tire and, with one out, he gave up a single to Milledge and Erdos before he hung a slider to Cust that Cust put over the right field fence. Angels picked up two runs on a Guerrero double to left-center field off of reliever Oliver. Six – four Country

Innings six – seven: Schrager led off the sixth with an opposite field home run off of an outside changeup up in the zone. After Oliver retired the Angels, the Country started the seventh off with a bang – two singles and a homerun off of a 90 mile-per-hour fastball on the outside corner of the plate by Jack Cust. The Angels stormed back, single after single until they had scored several runs and chased Oliver from the game. Green came in to relieve him and gave up a three run homerun to Kotchman that tied the game at 10

Inning nine: the Country grabbed the lead when Dan Johnson hit a two-run home run. With a two run lead, Chamberlain entered the game against Guerrero. Guerrero singled, Willingham struck out, and Tori Hunter hit into a five – four – three double play. Country win 12 – 10

Comments:

Game three: Country Jimenez (98 EB CB – two, CH – four) at Angels Lackey (95 CA 2SF – two, HSL – three, CB – four, CH – three)

Innings 1-2: 3 leadoff singles brought in a run and then, two outs later, one swing of Dan Johnson's bat brought home three more. In the second, the Country tacket on a run when Hudson doubled and scored on a Milledge single. Country lead five – zero

Inning three: with one out and runners at first and third, Angel second baseman Matsui inexplicably picked up the ground ball from Dan Johnson that he retrieved about 2 feet away from second base, and instead of trying for an inning ending double-play, he came home but his throw was too late. The Angels climbed back into the game on a few timely hits, including a Guerrero triple and a Tori Hunter homerun. Country lead six – four

Inning five: the Country added a run on a fielders choice, but the Angels did even better, scoring three runs on several singles and a fielders choice to tie the game at seven

Inning eight: the game was still tied entering the eighth inning when Schrager and McCurdy each singled, bringing up Huisman. The light hitting Huisman hit his first home run of the season to put the Country up by three. Erdos then did his Huisman imitation, hitting his third homerun of season after Hudson and Milledge singled. Erdos' homer was on a split fingered fastball and Cust came to the plate and drilled another split fingered fastball over the centerfield fence on a line drive.

The Angels scored two runs when Willingham doubled off the centerfield wall. 14 – 9 Country. Shawn Green, who entered in the eighth inning, pitched the ninth and retired the side, the game ending on a six – four – three doubleplay.

Comments:

MrLiamcar · **Posted:** Tue Dec 04, 2012 6:04 pm

Awww Yeah!!!!!!!!!

ERISA Dude · **Posted:** Tue Dec 04, 2012 6:29 pm

Lol. I think I've gotten past my slump!

MrLiamcar · **Posted:** Tue Dec 04, 2012 7:06 pm

Uhhh..ya think.

ERISA Dude · **Posted:** Thu Dec 06, 2012 11:15 pm

May in review

The AL players of the month included Jack Cust. Cust hit 476 with 28 homeruns and 71 RBIs during this month – for many players, an annual home run and RBI total like that would be a successful season. In comparison, David Wright was the NL player of the month for hitting 394 with 7 home runs and 37 RBIs

Standings
At 44 and 12, the Country have the best record in baseball. 6 games better then the NL Mets; 8 games better than the league rival Yankees; 14 games better than 2nd place division
Indians.

The Country were 20 and 8 this month, scoring 221 runs and allowing 159. These impressive numbers are actually a minor drop off from April, when they were 24/4 with 238 runs scored and 131 runs allowed

Pitching
The Country pitching staff have allowed the fewest runs in major-league baseball, even though only the Dodgers and White Sox pitching staffs have allowed more hits. In terms of ERA, the staff's 4.53 ERA is second in the AL Central and is in the top 10 in major-league baseball.

Depablos is still on the MLB leader boards, fourth in major-league baseball with a 3.04 ERA. Joba Chamberlain is 6th in the majors with 12 saves in 13 opportunities

Offense
The Country lead their division in every offensive category except sacrifices, where they are third, and they lead the league in team batting average, runs scored, and homeruns. With stolen bases, they're 54 stolen bases is behind the Red Sox, Brewers & Rockies (57), and Orioles (63).

Individually
The Country starting lineup is making a mockery of the rest of the league in several categories. The Country hold the top four spots in individual batting averages and six of the top 10 spots, with Cust, Milledge, and Erdos leading the way with 470, 465, and 446, respectively. They have the top five spots for total hits, and six of the top nine, with Milledge, Cust, and Fields leading the way with 121, 101, and 95 hits, respectively. Orlando Hudson and Josh Fields are tied with Hanley Ramirez for second in the league (to Chone Figgins) with 21 doubles.

Jack Cust leads the league with 41 homeruns so far, Josh Fields is second with 36 home runs and Dan Johnson is fourth with 22 homeruns. Alex Rodriguez is third with 27 homeruns. Dan Johnson leads the league with 106 RBIs and Josh Fields is third with 72 RBIs. Josh Fields leads the league in runs scored with 69. Millage and Cust are second and third with 61 and 57, respectively. Lastings Milledge leads the league with 21 stolen bases and Hudson is in the top 9 with 13. Cust, Fields and Johnson are first, third, and fourth in major-league slugging percentage with 1.1, .875, and .842, respectively.

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Season Log: Iowa City Country

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