Season Log: Iowa City Country

ERISA Dude · **Posted:** Fri Jan 04, 2013 8:46 am

7/25 – 26/2009: Iowa City Country at Honeybees

Key players for the Honeybees[/color] include 1B Mike Jacobs, formally of the Marlins (DBFCFB), DH Kestor (FBEEE), and SS Chiaffredo (EFDDC), who was included in the Country trade for starting pitcher Rijo.

Game one: Country Jimenez (98 EB CB – two, CH – four) at Honeybees Hamels (96 CA 2SF – two, CB – four, CH – two)

Neither team scored until a top of the fourth, when Cust hit a homerun with Spilborghs on first. The Country extended their lead in the seventh when Huisman, McCurdy, and Milledge each singled up the middle. The score remained three – zero Country entering the bottom of the 9th, when Chamberlain entered and struck out the side.

Comments: Milledge was 2/4 with a walk, an RBI, and a stolen base. Erdos was 3/4 with a stolen base, and Cust was 1/4 with a homerun and two RBIs. Country starter Jimenez pitched eight solid innings – a six hit shutout with nine strikeouts. We are told that he did not seem to be tired at the start of the ninth inning, but having thrown 74 pitches, the Country decided to bring in Chamberlain.

Game two: Country Bailey 93 EB 2SF – three, DCB – four) at Honeybees Mathiesen (98 EB SL – three, CH – two)

2 singles and a walk in the 1st brought Dan Johnson to the plate with the bases loaded and he delivered with a sacrifice fly to centerfield. When Bailey retired the Honey bees on 2 infield fly outs and a strikeout of Mike Jacobs, the Country lead one – zero. The Country extended their lead when Huisman smacked a one-out triple into the right-field corner and scored on a two-out single from Milledge, but the Honey bees' Kester led off the bottom of the second with a solo opposite field home run. Two – one Country. In the fourth, Milledge, again, came through in the clutch, getting a two-out opposite field single to drive in McCurdy. Milledge went to second on the throw home and scored on a Spilborghs single. Spilborghs then stole second and scored on an Erdos opposite field single. When Bailey allowed a couple of singles, but struck out the last two batters to close out the inning, the Country lead five – one

2 singles and a double in the 5th gave the Honeybees their second run of the day and a fielders choice brought in a third run. Bailey's 2nd strike out Jacobs for the final out of the inning kept the Country's lead at two (five – three). In the eighth, the Honeybees appeared ready to take the lead, having runners at first and second with no out and later the bases loaded with one out, but a pop out to the catcher and a ground ball out to third ended the eighth-inning with the Country maintaining a five – three lead. Joba Chamberlain started the 9th and closed out the game, striking out two in the process. Final score: five – three Country

Comments: Starting pitcher Homer Bailey was nominated player of the game - he allowed three runs on seven hits over five innings with six strikeouts. Relievers Stratton, Green, Brown, and Chamberlain each pitched a full inning and while Brown struggled and allowed three hits in his, no one allowed a run to score. Offensively, Milledge was the RBI leader, driving in Huisman on one occasion and McCurdy on another while also stealing a base. Spilborghs scored twice and also stole a base.

For the Honey bees, Kestor was 4/4 with a double and a homerun; Hoffman was 3/3 with a run scored; Mike Jacobs was 1/4 with two strikeouts; and Mathiesen, the losing pitcher, went seven – 1/3 innings, allowing five runs on 13 hits with no strikeouts and one walk

philliesfan134 · **Posted:** Fri Jan 04, 2013 5:35 pm

Funny to think how good Jacobs was back then for the Marlins.

I wonder how the Honeybees got Hamels, probably along with Mathieson I'm thinking. Kestor looks pretty good for them.

Nice job picking up the 2-game mini series sweep.

ERISA Dude · **Posted:** Fri Jan 04, 2013 11:53 pm

7/25/2009: Iowa City Country and the Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed to a trade

The Country send spot starter O'Connor (90 EA SL – three, CB – one, CH – four, RISP – four, slow starter, choke artist) to the Dodgers in exchange for outfielder Matt Kemp (DCCDFG) and relief pitcher Broxton (98 BE SFB – two, HSL – two, SP – two, CH – two, RISP – four, recovery four). Broxton has 3 1/2 years remaining on his contract, while O'Connor and Camp will be free agents in 2 1/2 seasons.

O'Connor was relied upon heavily in the 2nd half of last season, but with the recent trades that brought in Homer Bailey and Rijo, and the success of rookie Pettyjohn, O'Connor has not seen much game action. Rumor has it that both pitchers O'Connor and James, currently in the minors, have been shopped around.

Analysts give the Country mixed reviews on this trade. Those who like it point to the fact that they received a potential three tool player (hitting, power, and speed) who can play all outfield positions in exchange for a pitcher who had not cracked the starting rotation in a six man rotation made up of first and second-year players.

Critics point to the fact that the Country traded away their pitcher with the most stamina and will continue to be relying on pitchers with C or low B stamina, making them more reliant on the bullpen, but even critics admit their bullpen has been pretty solid in the seventh – ninth innings this year, and may actually improve with the addition of Broxton.

Critics also will wonder how Kemp will fare in a reserve role, as he is unlikely to replace Lastings Milledge (who leads the league in steals by a wide margin) or Spilborghs (who is like Kemp, but a little better in each category). It is possible that Kemp could spell Erdos (CDCEDD), but he is unlikely to replace the young outfielder who has been one of the Country's most consistent hitters this year and is generally considered to be a better fielder. Because of that, critics wonder if O'Connor would have been more useful to eat up innings down the stretch when the Country starters tire than the value they will get from a talented backup outfielder.

Proponents of the deal point to the fact that not only has O'Connor not been able to crack their 6-man rotation, but hasn't even been on the major-league roster recently, as their spot starter or long reliever, meaning the Country do not view O'Connor as one of their top eight pitchers. Still in their minor-league system is Chuck James, who can start in a pinch and will surely be called up when rosters expand in September. Proponents say that in exchange for a starting pitcher that is not in the Country's top eight, they received an outfielder who will be one of their top four at that position (or five if you include Cust, their DH, in the equation)

Analysts looking from the Dodgers perspective have largely lauded this trade as a good way to solidify the back end of the rotation, currently anchored by Hiroki Kuroda, Cliff Lee, and Brad Penny. Although they gave up some outfield production for this, they have the talent to absorb this hit, as Juan Pierre (CDAEBA) is in the mix in left and center, Andre Ethier (CBBCDD) can play either corner outfield spot, and Andrew Jones (DBDBAB) will continue to anchor centerfield. Their 4th outfielder, Great Soria (DDBCFD), though not the doubles threats that Kemp is, has better speed and defense.

So while only the future will determine who made out best in this deal, the Dodgers seemed to improve their pitching depth significantly without sacrificing outfield depth while the Country improved their outfield depth and relief corps, and only time will tell how much of their starting rotation will suffer from the loss of O'Connor, if at all.

philliesfan134 · **Posted:** Sat Jan 05, 2013 7:30 am

I still say it was a good deal, especially since you still have James left as a swing man in the minors (for now, at least). I can see it being good from both sides though. I really like you getting Kemp and Broxton, good job on pulling the trigger. Time will tell how it goes, but for right now, I like it.

ERISA Dude · **Posted:** Sat Jan 05, 2013 8:42 am

Thanks. I'll try to check on how the honeybees got those pitchers the next time I play

ERISA Dude · **Posted:** Sat Jan 05, 2013 9:25 am

On 7/6, the Honeybees received Hamels, Mathiesen, and Walrond (90 GC SL – two) And sent third baseman Costa (FCFEFD) to the Phillies

The three trades made by the Country this season (that netted them pitcher Homer Bailey, pitcher Rijo and shortstop Devore (FEDDCE – gold glove), and Kemp and Broxton puts them among the least active teams in the majors this season. The Dodgers, Reds, Royals, Padres, Cubs, and Phillies made three trades this season. The Tigers made two trades and the Rays, Athletics, and Braves, only one.

The Indians consummated 6 trades (The most notable bringing in starting pitcher Ben Sheets and reliever Michael Wuertz (93 CE SL – five, CH – two)); The Marlins made six trades, their most significant addition being relief pitcher Joel Zumaya who can throw 102 mph (102 DE CB – two, CH – two). The Mets also made six trades, with Matt Holliday and Mike Lowell being their most significant additions. Mike Lowell came to the Mets on July 9 but was not brought up to the majors until July 23. The Honeybees also made six trades this season, their most notable being the two pitchers mentioned above as well as their trade with the Marlins Marlins that brought in Mike Jacobs. The Honeybees did receive the most players in return for their trades this season, bringing in 10 players in their six trades.

ERISA Dude · **Posted:** Sat Jan 05, 2013 9:32 am

Unofficially, the Kansas City Royals Are considered the team to have traded away the most significant players in order to receive the most significant players this season. They added second baseman Brandon Phillips (DBCECF), Right fielder Alex Rios (CB BD DC), And left fielder Luke Scott (DBB DFC), Giving up outfielder David DeJesus (DDB DBC), Pitcher Zack Greinke (96 BE 2SF – two, SL – two, CCH – two), And leftfielder, third baseman Mark Teahen (DCC DDC)

philliesfan134 · **Posted:** Sat Jan 05, 2013 10:26 am

I wonder why the Phillies even considered that trade, lol.

Maybe with current rosters when (pre-Mike Young trade) they needed a 3B and maybe this guy is a super-prospect with huge potential (I don't know how he could at F/C/F/E/F/D). Then they might consider giving up Hamels (like a real-life Hamels for Olt trade that was proposed) + the extra pieces for him, but otherwise, that's just another weird MLBPP trade I guess haha.

ERISA Dude · **Posted:** Sun Jan 06, 2013 8:53 pm

7/28 – 30/2009: Iowa City Country versus Cleveland Indians

Preview:

Game one: Country Grindell (93 EC CU – three, CB – three, PA – three, HSK – one) versus Indians Carmona (97 CA SL – one, CH – one, HSK – five)

For the Country, Matt Kemp gets his first start in place of Lastings Milledge. Kemp will play right field and Spilborghs slides over to center.

After Grindell pitched a solid first, striking out Sizemore and Hafner, Erdos scored on a soft single from Johnson after stealing second, but Indians third baseman Blake tied the game with a homerun in the fourth. The Country got that run back in the fourth on an RBI single from Matt Kemp, but were unable to come up with more even though they had runners at first and second with no outs. Two – one Country

In the fifth, another Erdos single and stolen base led to another run. Three – one Country.[/color] In the top the eighth, two singles and a Travis Hafner double brought the Indians to within a run with the tying amd go-ahead run in scoring position, but a huge strikeouts by Broxton (pitching his second inning) of catcher Victor Martinez, followed by a ground out by Blake to third ended the eighth with the Country clinging to a three – two lead.

Chamberlain started the ninth inning and shutdown the Indians, saving the game, three – two Country.

Comments:

Game two: Country Bourgeois (90 DB CU – four, SL – two, CB – four, VSL – one) versus Indians Paul Byrd (90 CB 2SF – two, SL – one, CB – one, CH – two)

Inning one– two: Travis Hafner took a vertical slider on the outside part of the plate and sent it over the left-field wall for a solo homerun. Jack Cust tied the game on a solo home run off of a three – one fastball in the upper middle of the plate, and Dan Johnson followed with a homerun of his own off of a changeup on the outside portion of the plate. 2-1 Country

Inning four: an RBI double from the Indians Blake tied the game, but Cust put the Country back on top with a leadoff homerun off of a change up high in the zone. Consecutive singles by Harris, Huisman, and McCurdy extended the Country's lead to four – two

Inning five: spot starter and first-round draft pick Pettyjohn pitched a strong fifth and sixth innings, but with two outs in the sixth, gave up a solo homerun to Blake, but Cust, again got the run back on his third homerun of the day – this one a homerun to rightfield off of a two – one inside fastball. Indian starter, Paul Bird, was definitely tiring, but he remained in the game, giving up two singles and then a bases clearing double to Brendan Harris before being removed. Seven – three Country

Inning seven: Cust hit his fourth homerun in a row – this one into the upper deck on and inside changeup. Eight – three Country

Inning eight: Pettyjohn continued to seem to be in total control, but with one mistake pitch, gave up a two run homerun to Victor Martinez. Eight – five Country

Inning nine: Chamberlain started the ninth inning and did not strike out any batters, but did not allow a run, closing out the game, eight – five

Comments:

Game three: Country Depablos (93 DC SL – four, CB – four, VSL – one) versus Indians Sheets (96 CA HSL – two, DCB – five, CH – three)

Inning one: Depablos started off strong, striking out Sizemore and Hafner to end the top of the first quickly. In the bottom half, Erdos singled and Cust, after watching 3 changeups be thrown just outside, hit the fourth one to the opposite field for a two run homerun. Sheets then started Dan Johnson off with a changeup inside, about belt high, that the first baseman hit over the right-field fence. Three – zero Country

Innings two-three: Erdos doubled over the centerfielder's head, scoring McCurdy from first. In the third, Spilborghs singled, stole second, and scored on to fielders choices. Five – zero, Country

Inning seven: Depablos was dominant, not allowing the Indians their second hit until the seventh inning when Sizemore led off with a double, but Depablos buckled down and struck out Hafner, Martinez, and Blake to maintain a two-hit shutout through seven.

Jiang, one of the Country's middle relievers, took the mound in the ninth and closed out the game, striking out Sizemore for the final out. Five – zero Country

Comments:

ZeroGibson13 · **Posted:** Sun Jan 06, 2013 9:18 pm

Peralta playing left? Another case of MLBPP idiocy.

ERISA Dude · **Posted:** Sun Jan 06, 2013 10:17 pm

While I don't disagree with you, they have the better SS playing short and it does keep a DB offensive player in the lineup.

ERISA Dude · **Posted:** Sun Jan 06, 2013 10:27 pm

TRADES & ANALYSIS

7/29/2009: the [size=200]Rockies and Red Sox have reached the trade agreement

The Red Sox send outfield slugger Manny Ramirez (CBEFDE, intimidator, bases clearer, tough out) to the Rockies in exchange for pitcher Aaron Cook (94 CA SLV – four, CH – two; RISP – four, spin – four, release – two).

Cook will be a free agent after this season, in which you will earn almost $7.8 million. The Red Sox add Cook to their already large stable of starting pitching that includes Johan Santana, Daisike Matsuzaca, and Jon Lester, along with the ageless Curt Schilling and the effective Tim Wakefield.

Manny has 2-1/2 more years left on his contract that pays almost $20 million per season. He will provide another power hitter to the outfield position vacated by the Rockies' earlier trade of Matt Holliday.

Analysis:

7/31/2009: on the trade deadline, it was announced that the Rangers traded pitcher Josh Beckett (97 BA 2SF – two, SFB – four, CH – three, FO – five, DCB – four; Dr. K, intimidator, choke, walk) to the Giants in exchange for outfielder Randy Winn (CBBECC; Lefty – four, spray hitter, hot hitter, throwing, baserunning, consistency – four). Both players are in the final year of their contract, with Winn earning $6.75 million this year and Beckett earning $8.66 million

Rangers Analysis:

Giants Analysis:

Analysts find this trade interesting, as it seems to identify two teams going in opposite directions in their attempts to win a championship – the Giants sacrificing hitting for pitching while the Rangers sacrifice pitching for hitting[/size]

ZeroGibson13 · **Posted:** Sun Jan 06, 2013 10:42 pm

Manny to the Rockies?

ERISA Dude · **Posted:** Tue Jan 08, 2013 9:38 pm

7/31 – 8/2/2009: Iowa City Country at Chicago White Sox

Preview:

Game one: Country Rijo (96 DB SL – two, CB – three, FO – three) at White Sox Martinez (91 FC CU – three, CB – three, CCH – five, CH – four)

After a first inning in which Martinez shined with is offspeed stuff and Rijo shined with his fastball, Cust put the Country on the board with a home run off of a inside curve ball. The White Sox took the lead in the bottom of the fourth when Thome hit a two run homerun to rightfield. In the sixth, Swisher doubled the White Sox lead with a solo shot into the left field bleachers that sent Rijo to the exit.

Country reliever, Jiang, pitched well and did not allow another run, but Pedro Martinez was masterful, keeping the Country hitters off-balance with his circle change and cut fastball and pitched a complete game, three – one White Sox

Comments:

Game two: Country Jimenez (98 EB CB – two, CH – four) at White Sox Vasquez (95 CA SL – two, CB – three, SP – one, CH – three)

It took until the third inning for either team to mount any offense and Spilborghs got it started with an opposite field home run. When the White Sox stranded runners in scoring position, the fourth inning ended with the Country leading one – zero. Jermaine Dye tied the game in the bottom of the fourth on a homer to leftfield. Spilborghs took back a one run lead in the top of the fifth when he singled home Huisman, who singled and stole second. A rare mental error by Dan Johnson cost the Country a run when he retrieved the grounder stepped, on first, and started to head towards the dugout, forgetting that there was a runner heading towards second with only two outs. He clearly would've had time to throw to second for an inning ending double play, but instead that runner ended up coming around to score on a Swisher single. Two – two.

The sixth inning started with Brendon Harris splitting the left and centerfielders for a double and scoring one out later on a Johnson double off the right centerfield wall. An RBI single from Fields brought in another run, but back to back home runs by Konerko and Dye tied the game again. Four – four. Cust broke the tie when he hit a slider tailing away for a solo homerun in the eighth. Andrew "fireman"Brown took the mound to start the bottom of the eighth inning, and the White Sox manager did the Country two significant favors in that inning, pinch hitting Great Floyd (EED) in place of Jim Thome and pinch hitting Toby Hall (DFF) for Jermaine Dye. Brown dominated the three batters he faced, retiring to them on strikeouts.

Consecutive leadoff consecutive singles to leadoff the ninth brought in one run, and then an RBI single from Erdos and Cust gave the Country a healthy eight – four lead entering the bottom of the ninth.

With a four run lead, Brown stayed in the game for the ninth and again dominated, striking out two as he retired the White Sox in order.

Final score: eight – four Country

Comments:

Game three: Country Bailey (93 EB 2SF – three, DCB – four) at White Sox Contreras (95 DB 2SF – two, SL – two, SP – four, CH – three)

The first couple of innings showed some solid pitching, although each team stranded a runner in scoring position, but the Country finally broke through in the top of the fourth when Josh Fields hit a solo homerun on a one – one outside fastball, but with one swing of the bat, Jim Thome pulled the White Sox ahead when he homered with Swisher on first. That two – one lead for the White Sox would turn into the final score of the game as Contrares pitched a six hit complete-game, with the ninth inning being the only inning in which he allowed more than one hit (he allowed two).

Comments:

Awards:

ERISA Dude · **Posted:** Wed Jan 09, 2013 6:07 pm

8/4 – 6/2009: Iowa City Country at Oakland Athletics

Preview: The Country swept the Athletics in their three-game series back in the beginning of June, when the Country won 2 close games (eight – five and seven – six), and one easy win (five – zero).

The Athletics lead the AL west division, ahead of the Mariners by one game and the Angels by seven. They are doing this without a strong starting staff, led by Joe Blanton (92 BA 2SF – one, SL – three, CB – two, CH – two) and Gaudin (95 CA SL – two, SP – two, CH – one). They are also not blowing teams away on offense, having only 3 players (catcher David Ross, first baseman Frank Thomas, and second baseman Mark Ellis) with power ratings over level C. But they have strong fielders, especially in the infield and could make it difficult for the Country to score runs.
Game one: Country Grindell (93 EC CU – Three, CB – three, PA – three, HSK – one) at Athletics Frese (91 EC SL – three, CB – one)

Final score: eight – three Country.

Offensive summary:

Defensive summary:

Game two: Country Depablos (93 DC SL – four, CB – four, the SL – one) at Athletics Blanton (92 BA 2SF – one, SL – three, CB – two, CH – two)

Final score: six – two Country

Offensive summary:

Pitching summary:

Comments:

Game three: Country Bourgeois (90 DB SL – two, CU – three, CB – four, VSL – one) at Athletics Gaudin (95 CA SL – two, SP – two, CH – one)

Final score: 7-0, Country

Offensive summary:

Pitching summary:

Comments:

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