Season Log: Iowa City Country

ERISA Dude · **Posted:** Sun Jan 13, 2013 4:19 pm

8/7 – 9/2009: Iowa City Country versus Toronto Blue Jays

Game one: Country Jimenez (98 EB CB – two, CH – four) versus Blue Jays Burnett (98 DA CB – five, CH – four, HSK – four)

Final score: four – zero, Country

Summary

Country stats:

Blue Jays stats:

Game two: Country Rijo (96 DB SL – two, CB – three, FO-three) versus Blue Jays Lowry (90 DA SL – three, CB – two, CH – three)

Final score: five – two, Country

Player of the game: Brandon Harris (winning RBI)

Country stats

Blue Jay's stats

Game three: Country Bailey (93 EB 2SF – three, DCB – four) versus Blue Jays Guillen (93 FB CU – two, CB – two, CH – two)

Final score: eight – three, Blue Jays

Summary

Country stats

Blue Jays stats

Awards: for the week ending August 9, newly-acquired Matt Kemp was named MVP. During this week, he hit 619 with four RBIs

ERISA Dude · **Posted:** Mon Jan 14, 2013 11:48 pm

With the trade deadline passed, we're going to take a look at the Country's major-league pitching staff

Starters

Depablos (93 DB SL – four, CB – four, VSL – one)

Rijo (96 DB SL – two, CB – three, FO – three)

Jimenez (98 EB CB – two, CH – four)

Grindell (93 EB CU – three, CB – three, PA – three, HSK – one)

Bailey (93 EB 2SF – three, DCB – four)

Bourgeois (91 DB SL – two, CU – three, CB – four, VSL – one)

Spot starter: Pettyjohn (95 DC 2SF – one, SL – one, CB – one, PA – three): when the Country selected this 1st round draft pick, they expected him to spend a year in the minors to develop, but he has done well enough to stay on the major league roster, using an above average fastball and a solid palmball to rack up 27 strikeouts in 44 innings. He has six wins, no losses and four quality starts out of the six games he started, and was nominated for rookie of the year for both months following the draft. We understand that the Country are focusing on increasing his stamina, but once he develops his slider or 2-seamer, he could be dominant.

Long reliever: Stratton (86 DC SL – three, CB – three, FO- three, SHU – one) - a free agent the Country picked up after last year's draft, he has an easygoing right-handed sidearm motion that reminds most people of pitcher Jake Peavy. He's been consistently effective in the long-relief role, and analysts believe that if he ups his velocity to 90, he should be able to start. He's already upped his velocity by 1 mph this season. Stratton has appeared in 29 games this season, starting three, and going eight – one with two saves, five holds, and 37 strikeouts in 81 innings, posting a solid 2.22 ERA.

Short relief

Green (93 CE SL – three, SP – three, SK – three) v. Jiang (91 DC CU - 3, FO - 4, SC - 2)

Broxton (98 BE HSL – two, SP – two, CH – two, SFB – two)

Brown (95 DE SL – four, CB - 1, CH – five)

Closer: Chamberlain (100 DE SL – five, SCB – five, CH – four): dominant! The Country have 1 of the top closers in the game. He can dominate with his fastball and slider, and make you look foolish with his slow curve, and his changeup is effective, too. Since coming over from the Yankees, his slider and slow curve have gone from 4s to 5s, his stamina has improved, and his velocity increased to an even 100 mph. Chamberlain has a solid 2.72 ERA this season, and 28 saves out of 30 opportunities. His 39 strikeouts in 43 innings is also impressive.

ERISA Dude · **Posted:** Tue Jan 15, 2013 12:50 pm

With the trade deadline passed, following is a look at the fielders on the major-league roster, or who we expect to be on the major-league roster for postseason play

Outfielders

Infielders

Bench players: the Country have, perhaps, the deepest, most dynamic bench in the majors

ERISA Dude · **Posted:** Thu Jan 17, 2013 7:48 am

8/10 – 12/2009: Iowa City Country at Baltimore Orioles

Preview: this will be the first meeting in 2009 between the Baltimore Orioles and the Iowa City Country. The Country continue to win, as their pitching has improved while their hitting has declined. The Orioles are three games above 500 and in second place in the AL east behind the division leading Yankees.

A few days before this season's trade deadline, the Orioles traded away their dynamic leftfielder Luke Scott (DBBDFC) In exchange for reliever Zack Greinke (96 BE 2SF – two, SL – two, CCH – two). Greinke improves the Orioles relief corps, but still left the Orioles with one of the weakest rotations in the majors. Pelfrey is the only starter with both a stamina of at least level B and one offspeed pitch at level 3. The majority of the Orioles starters have stamina levels at C, and although several of their relievers are in yellow or red condition, if they are forced to go to their bullpen early 2 days in a row, it could be disastrous. Offensively, The Orioles miss Luke Scott, but still have Aubrey Huff (DBC), Melvin Mora (DCE), Ramon Hernandez (DCE), and Brian Roberts (DBB) to drive in runs
Game one: Country Grindell (93 EB CU – three, CB – three, PA – three, HSK – one) at Orioles Patton (90 FC SL – two, CB – one, CH – one)

Final score: six – zero, Country

Comments:

Game two: Country Depablos (93 DB SL – four, CB – four, VS L – one) at Orioles Loewen (93 FB HSL – one, CB – two, CH – two).

Final score: eight – four Country

Country stats

Selected Orioles stats:

Comments:

Game three: Country Bourgeois (91 DB SL – two, CU – three, CB – four, the SL – one) at Orioles Trachsel (90 EC 2SF – two, SL – one, CB – one, SP – two, CH – two)

Final score: three – two (10), Country

Summary:

Selected Country stats:

Selected Orioles stats:

Roberts 3/4, HR
Huff 1/4, HR, K

Trashel 10 IP, 3R, 9H, K

Comments:

Roster move: Orlando Hudson was cleared from the disabled list after yesterday's game and was recalled to the major-league roster. Although most were expecting utilityman Shawn Riggins (C, 3b, 2b, DFEBCC) to be optioned down, Shrager (3B, 2B, 1B, DCEDEC) was sent down instead. The Country cited Shrager's purple condition as the reason for his demotion

ERISA Dude · **Posted:** Sun Jan 20, 2013 5:37 pm

Setting: GMs office

GM: Thanks for coming by today, Coach. Hudson should be coming off the DL soon and I want to talk about the roster, and who'll go down.
Coach: Right. We still have time to decide who's going to be on the post-season roster, but I assume that's what you really want to discuss, right?
GM: Exactly. As for who goes down to make room for Hudson, I'm guessing it'll be either Schrager or Riggins?
Coach: Yes. Riggins is in good condition right now while Schrager is not, so plan on sending Schrager down unless I call you.

GM: Fine. Now, am I right that you want to keep 12 pitchers and 5 OFs?
Coach: Yes. A 6 man rotation has been working really well, and with most if our starters having low B stamina, I think cutting down to 5 nonstarters could be too taxing on the bullpen.
GM: But Chamberlain and Brown should be able to go 2 innings, right?
Coach: they can easily go 2 innings in red condition, and be dominant both innings. My concern is that if they are in yellow and go 2 innings, depending on whether they allow a base runner or have deep counts, it could knock them down to blue for the next game.

GM: How's Broxton turning out by the way?
Coach: amazing! His fastball seems to come at you like 100 mph, even when the gun registers mid-90s. Not much movement on his pitches, but his splitter is like a strong two-seamer for most guys and the change of speed on his changeup is usually sufficient even without the movement.
GM: is he taking over the 8th inning for Brown?
Coach: not sure. brown has much more movement on his change and slider. If the tying or go-head run is in scoring position in the 5th or 6th, I'm more likely to go with Brown. He's been I. That spot time and again. If we get to the 9th, up by 4 and just want to close it out, I might give the nod to Broxton, all things being equal.

GM: Fine. Now...if we sent down an OF, you'd still have 4 on the roster and could keep both Riggins and Schrager.
Coach: True, but with Cust being our DH, I need that extra OF in case someone gets hurt. Also, I'm thinking about platooning Erdos.
GM: platooning Erdos and Kemp?
Coach: No. Platooning Erdos and Milledge. I've been so impressed with Kemp's quick rise from C speed to B, and his consistency at the plate, I want to see him in the lineup more.
GM: how do you think they'll take the news?
Coach: Erdos and Milledge will both be disappointed. For Milledge, not only will he be platooned, but I'll need to move him to left field. Neither Kemp nor Spilborghs are comfortable in left. So it'll be a double whammy for Milledge.
GM: Erdos? You know, when we had him learn centerfield in the spring, the idea was to keep him in the lineup more, not less.
Coach: True. He'll be disappointed, but he's a young kid - he'll get past. I'm more worried about Milledge. He plays with a chip on his shoulder and I'm afraid he'll think we're not giving him his respect.
GM: the guy does have the potential to be this generation's Rickey Henderson.
Coach: in terms of base stealing? Definitely. Power to the gaps? No way. Attitude? He already is!!
GM: Ha, ha, ha. Seriously, though, Milledge is CDA, offensively, while Kemp is DCB, and Erdos is CDC. Shouldn't Erdos be the odd man out?
Coach: Well, a platoon would mean Erdos sits against lefties. The kid is so steady with the bat, and both he and Kemp can be productive from any spot in the lineup, while Milledge is really a lead off or 2-hole hitter. I may not have something solid to point to, but I want to keep Erdos in the lineup.
GM: you know that might mean we need to trade Milledge in the offseason?
Coach: I know.
GM: OK. Don't worry about that. Clay Timpner in the minors is up to speed B, so he's around where Milledge was last season, and Joe Thurston's playing well, too. We can lose Milledge and still be fine long-term.
Coach: don't forget about Sweeney.
GM: Sweeney seems to have plateaued a bit. He's up to C speed, but we've having him focus on defense and he's struggling with it. He might be on someone else's roster next opening day.
Coach: I'd miss his contact and his speed.
GM: no you wouldn't. He's not going to compete for a starting spot next year. Neither will Timpner or Thurston, but Timpner is a better all-around player, who just needs to learn RF, and Thurston is similar offensively with much better defense. Next season, if there's room for a backup OF, Thurston might be the better choice because of his defense and ability to play 2nd, with Timpner getting called up if we need a starting OF for a period of time.
Coach: sounds good. What about the rookies we had on our roster?
GM: one guy has nice contact and speed - Cs. A potential major league backup. We have one or two other folks, but they're just keeping roster spots warm - potential trade material.

Coach: OK. Now...as for the infield bench, Harris has been great at 1st, 2nd and 3rd, and is a solid pinch hitter, so I don't know how important Shrager's offense is.
GM: but Riggins and Towles can't hit, so once you use up Harris, you're done for pinch hitters.
Coach: I'll also either have Milledge (CDA) or Erdos (CDC) to pinch hit. So against AL teams, I'll have 2 pinch hitters, but even our 8-9 guys are CE contact/power, so I don't know that Schrager's DC rankings would be enough to warrant a pinch hitter, and both those guys are switch-hitters. Against NL teams, I'll also have, either Kemp or Cust. That should be enough pinch hitting.

GM: Good points. But Schrager can backup at 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.
Coach: Harris is a better backup at those same spots, and Riggins plays a better 2nd and 3rd. He's actually the best defensive 3b we've got on the team. I'd rather have a really good 3b/2b, and be left with two 1st basemen (Johnson and Harris), especially since I generally won't care to replace them for offense or defense. Riggins also gives me more flexibility with Towles. Towles has his speed up to C, so to the extent I want to put in a defensive replacement at 2nd or catcher early in the game, where both Riggins and Towles play, I like being able to use Riggins and save Towles in case I need a pinch runner later in the game.

GM: OK. Glad to hear you've got things thought through. So we'll send down Schrager, you'll platoon Erdos and Milledge, and everything else is status quo?
Coach: mostly...I'm thinking of moving Pettyjohn into my 6th starter spot and moving Bourgeois to the spot-starter role.
GM: why?
Coach: Bourgeois is a fine pitcher, but he's not dominant. Pettyjohn can be dominant, and he does well when he starts, but he struggles in relief. He's a slow starter and I think we'll get better performance from them switching spots than what we're getting now. Nothing's set in stone on that, though.
GM: all right...well, that doesn't involve a roster move so however you set the rotation is your business.

Coach: Thanks. Talk to you after.
GM: Thank you. Bye.

philliesfan134 · **Posted:** Sun Jan 20, 2013 6:40 pm

Good read. I'm interested to see how these situations play out. Nice work, as always.

ZeroGibson13 · **Posted:** Sun Jan 20, 2013 6:53 pm

ERISA, I really love how you analyze the players like that so in-depth.

ERISA Dude · **Posted:** Sun Jan 20, 2013 8:55 pm

Thanks, guys

ERISA Dude · **Posted:** Mon Jan 21, 2013 5:51 pm

8/13-15/2009: Iowa City Country at Cleveland Indians

Preview: [/color] the Country played the Indians six times so far this season, winning all six. Since the last time they played, the Indians improved their bullpen by adding reliever Michael Wuertz (93 CE SL – five, CH – two). The Indians have some of the best pitching in major-league baseball, featuring with Fausto Carmona (98 CA SL – one, CH – one, HSK – five), Jake Westbrook (93 CA CU – two, CB – three, CH – three, HSK – four), and recently acquired Ben Sheets (96 CA HSL – two, DCB – five, CH – three). On offense, Grady Sizemore leads off as one of five players with level B power, not to mention David Eckstein at short with level C power.
Game one: Country Jimenez (98 EB CB – two, CHF – four) at Indians Carmona (98 CA SL – one, CH – one, HSK – five)

Final score: seven – three (10 inn.) Country

Comments: Jimenez and Fields were named co-players of the game. All seven of the Country's runs were brought in on homeruns – a three-run homerun in the first by Jack Cust and a grand slam homerun in the 10th by Josh Fields. Jimenez only gave up five hits in his 10 inning complete-game; he also had a relatively low four strikeouts

Game two: Country Bailey (93 DB 2SF – three, DCB – four) at Indians Westbrook (93 CA CU – two, CB – three, CH – three, HSK – four)

Final score: six – four, Country

Summary:

Miscellaneous stats

Comments: Jack Cust was named player of the game for hitting the come from behind homerun in the top of the eighth. The Country manager was unusually angry after this win, saying "we got lucky on this one. We swung at too many first pitches and allowed Westbrook to get to the 8th inning without even throwing 60 pitches in the game. We just cannot go in there against these good pitchers and let them off the hook with one pitch per at bat."

Game three: Country Stratton (86 DC SL – three, CB – three, FO – three, SHU – one) at Indians Sheets (96 CA HSL – two, DCB – five, CH – three)

Final score: four – three, Indians

Summary:

Selected stats:

ERISA Dude · **Posted:** Mon Jan 21, 2013 5:54 pm

FYI - this will probably be my last "series post" until the post-season. I can play the games much faster if I'm not pausing to take notes, and since I am sometimes also helping my son with his homework, it just gets to be too much.

To the extent I'm thinking about roster changes and major lineup decisions, I might post on that; otherwise, the next series post will probably be the 2009 post season.

Thanks.

ERISA Dude · **Posted:** Wed Jan 30, 2013 10:08 am

September 2, 2009:

Coach: Thanks for making time for this meeting. I know this is premature, but I want to start thinking about whether we want some of our pitching staff to add to their repertoire. Now that we have the expanded rosters, you can take a look at the, and let me know what you think.
Pitching Coach: Sure thing. I don't have any absolute recommendations right now, but I'm happy to share my thoughts on a few of the guys.

Homer Bailey (right 93 EB 2SF – three, DCB – four)

Uchiyama (right 95 DC SL – one, CH – two)

He could develop a devastating two seam fastball, like Bailey, and I like the slight inside break on those. He doesn't have a pitch that breaks like a curve yet, and a slow curve might be devastating with his fastball. A vertical slider might also be great for him. Usually, I prefer a splitter or vertical slider to a two seam fastball, but I'm usually working with pitchers that throw in the low to mid 80s and the bigger break is important. Right now, I'm leaning towards a 2-seamer or a slow curve

Murray (left 90 DC SL – three, KNC – four, FO – two)

Since this pitcher's slowest pitch is the forkball (-14 MPH on the wiki entry), and his knuckle curve has been disappointing as a strikeout pitch, I was thinking of adding a slow curve to get a more significant slow pitch. Might also consider a sinker or screwball to get a break to the other side of the plate.

Pettyjohn (right 95 DC 2SF – one, SL – one, CB – one, PA – three)

A big part of me thinks I should not bother teaching this guy a new pitch since he already has four and three of the four are at low levels – it would probably make more sense for him to focus on building up his current pitches than learning a new one, but since you usually cannot teach a new pitch after a player has been in the league a couple of years, it's hard for me not to. If I do try to teach him a new pitch, I'm leaning towards a shuuto but would also consider a hard sinker

What do you think?

ERISA Dude · **Posted:** Sat Feb 09, 2013 3:11 pm

GM: So, there's only a few days left in the season, and we've clinched the top spot through the playoffs. How do you feel about things?
COACH: Other than being a little anxious about Cust being in purple condition for awhile, pretty good. When we made the call to keep Riggins on the roster instead of Schrager, I felt good about that - now that Riggins upped his arm strength to level A, it's even better.

GM: What's up with Cust?
COACH: I don't know - just in a funk. His energy levels are fine, and we're resting him 'cause we can, but I think I'm going to play him the last few games to see if it'll snap him out of it.

GM: OK. I noticed you're no longer platooning Milledge and Erdos. Matt Kemp is riding the bench. Why?
COACH: In some ways, I can't lose with this trio; or you could say I can't win. I was platooning Milledge and Erdos, but both players are very good at getting on base, and Milledge might be the fastest player in the league. Did you see him steal those bases against Ivan Rodriguez? Erdos, meanwhile, is so steady, he's a better fielder than Kemp and Milledge, and he's upped his speed to B, so once Kemp's hitting slowed down, I sat him and went back to our prior OF alignment of Spilborghs in right, Erdos in left, and Milledge in center. But then, I put Kemp in to rest Erdos and he goes 4/4 with a double and 2SBs! For the most part, I think it will be game time decisions and part of the factoring will be their spot in the order.

GM: Spot in the order?
COACH: Yes. Milledge is the fastest of the group and has the least power. I like him hitting out of the 1 or 2 spot. Other than that, Erdos and Kemp are more productive. They are especially productive in the 6-7 spot, driving in the power hitters.

GM: Spilborghs still locked in as a starter?
COACH: Yes, especially since he's come out of his slump by being more selective early in the count. He and Kemp are 2 most powerful players in the mix, and he and Erdos make the best contact, and he and Milledge are the fasted on the team, so he brings it all! Not to mention his increased contact against lefties and with runners in scoring position. As you know, we've been very productive at my recent lineup change where, after Hudson and Milledge, we go right to Cust, Fields, and Johnson, and then Spilborghs followed by either Kemp or Erdos. It's really increased the runs scored by Fields and Johnson. And Spilborghs, Kemp, and Erdos are all fast enough to score from 2nd on shallow singles from our 8 and 9 hitters.

GM: How are things going with the decision to keep Jiang over Green?
COACH: Green was disappointed, but frankly, he just hasn't performed. Neither he nor Jiang are "shut down relievers" like Brown, Broxton, and Chamberlain, but Jiang, at least, has the stamina to recover from a poor inning. Green doesn't. You know, I know we acquired him thinking he'd grow into a closer, but I'm not confident about that anymore.
GM: Agreed. I don't know what the market will be for him, but I will look into it. It seems that instead of grabbing the closer's role, he's lost ground to Brown and Broxton, and apparently Jiang, too.
COACH: Yes. You could add the rookie Uchiyama to that mix, too. Uchiyama has good stuff - has shown some dominance just with his level 2 change.

GM: Broxton seems like the real deal
COACH: the guy is totally dominating. Frankly, it's been toughest on the relievers with the expanded roster - they haven't gotten the work they need, and Broxton has been shutting teams down with just his changes of speed. He's been in blue condition and hasn't had much movement on his pitches.

GM: What's your strategy for managing the player's condition over this last week?
COACH: Well, I'm going to start my starting roster unless their fatigue levels are high. With the bench players who will be on the post-season roster, I want to substite them in during the 6-8th innings to get them some work. With pitchers, I'll think about pulling my starters in the 6th inning and get my relievers in there, although I'll be willing to let the back-end starters stay in longer. As you know, until the stamina spike ended, all our starters were focusing on stamina, and they are all B level stamina now. As for practicing, I'm being more conservative about resting players - we'll have more and more players resting instead of practicing, just to play it safe.

GM: sounds like a plan!

ERISA Dude · **Posted:** Mon Feb 11, 2013 12:12 am

8/28/2009: Dr K! Homer Bailey, against the powerful White Sox lineup, Strikes out 12 in 7 – 2/3 innings, allowing one earned run (who scored after Bailey was removed for a relief pitcher with a runner on first)

9/1/2009: Come out swingin'! Grindell strikes out five Texas Rangers in the first two innings, as the Country enjoy a blowout 14 – 1 victory

9/4/2009: Heart breaking loss! Jimenez takes a two – zero lead into the bottom of the eighth, but surrenders the game tying homerun to Red Sox rookie Condrey (F contact, D power). The Sox bring in the winning run in the bottom of the 9th

9/5/2009: KNOCKOUT! In a tight game where the Country lead the Red Sox by 1 run after the 1st 5 innings and 2 runs for the next 2 innings, Dan Johnson puts the game away with a grand slam off of a tired Curt Schilling, followed an inning later by a 3 run homerun. An RBI double early in the game gave Johnson 8 RBIs for the day.

9/6/2009: Nail biter! Against the Red Sox Jon Lester, Grindell is given a one – zero lead in the third and allows just three hits through six innings as the Country take a one – zero lead into the eighth inning, which inning ends with the Country leading four – two, the final score of the game

Matt Kemp is the AL MVP for the week ending 9/6/2009, during which time he batted 542 with two home runs, 12 RBIs, and numerous stolen bases

9/7/2009: No clutch! The Country threatened several times but failed to score as the White Sox Buehrle leads the White Sox to a six – one victory

9/8/2009: Cust to the rescue! Jack Cust hits three homeruns – a three run homerun that ties the game in the fifth, a three run homerun that ties the game in the seventh, and a two run homerun that gives the Country the lead in the eighth

9/9/2009: first round knockout! the Country send 11 players to the plate in the first inning against Javier Vasquez (95 CA SL – two, CB – three, SP – one, CH – three), bringing home seven runs

9/12/2009: An 11 inning duel! Red Sox starter Aaron Cook and Country starter Depablos maintain shutouts entering the eighth-inning. Cook continues his shut out through the 10th, when he serves up a changeup right down the middle the plate that Dan Johnson smashes deep deep deep, but just foul! Cook continues to shut down the Country, while the Country use relievers to continue to shut out the Red Sox intil the bottom of the 11th inning, when JR Towles, filling in at shortstop, singles, steals second, moves to third on a Hudson single, and scores the winning run on a sacrifice fly by Clay Timpner. This game ended in the 11th inning and each team had 11 hits

9/13/2009: Duel, round 2! The next night, the Country Rijo and Red Sox Matsuzaka kept the game scoreless entering the fifth, when the Country scored one run that the Red Sox matched in the sixth. The one – one tie continued until the bottom of the 12th inning, when pinch-hitter Ryan Sweeney hit a ground ball just fast enough to get between the shortstop and second baseman. Sweeney stole second and scored the game winner on a similar slow rolling single up the middle by Orlando Hudson. This game ended in the 12th inning and each team had 12 hits

9/18/2009: Saving the saver! In a tight game against the White Sox, the Country lead 3-1 at the end of five and 4-1 at the end of seven. Chamberlain enters in the ninth inning to close out the game and, with 2-1 count and two out, Jermaine Dye puts a high inside fastball over the left-field bleachers, tying the game. The Country do not score in the bottom of the ninth and the White Sox did not score in the top of the 10th, but leading off the bottom of the 10th is Josh Fields, who homers on the second pitch he sees to win the game.

9/19/2009: Edge of your seats! In a game pitting the White Sox Pedro Martinez against the Country's Rijo, the Country had a 2-1 lead after one that the White Sox tied in the fifth. Both teams scored another run in the eighth and the game remained tied until the 11th when, with a runner on second and the chance to be a hero and, potentially, come out of his significant slump, Ryan Spilborghs, instead, grounded to second, where the White Sox got the tag out at third. Spilborghs then stole second and came home on a soft single from Huisman. Aside from both teams pitching well, the Country enjoyed the help of 5 double plays

For the week ending September 20, 2009, Josh Fields and Orlando Hudson were named weekly MVPs. Fields hit 500 with three home runs and five RBIs in that span, while Hudson hit 483 with one homerun, five RBIs, and numerous stolen bases

9/23/2009: Thunder from #9! The light hitting Shawn Riggins (DFEACC), filling in at catcher against the speedy Kansas City Royals, goes 3/4 and leads the team with three RBIs in their blowout seven – zero win

For the week ending 9/27/2009, Spilborghs was named AL MVP. During this time, he hit 435 with three homeruns, eight RBIs, and numerous stolen basis. Alex Rodriguez was the other AL player named. Surprisingly, when named player of the week, he was listed at catcher, having obviously played several games at that spot.

For the month of September, 2009, Josh Fields named player of the month. During this month, he hit 423 with nine home runs and 21 RBIs.

Country starter Depablos finished the season at 15/0, making him tied for sixth in major-league baseball for that number of wins. With only 152 innings pitched, he does not qualify for the ERA rankings, but is 3.32 ERA would put him at second in the league behind the Red Sox Cook (2.79) and the Yankees Mussina (3.40), and Jimenez' 3.51 ERA (14/1) would put him in between the number four picture, Randy Johnson (3.44) and the Phillies Batista (3.65).

Joba Chamberlain saved 40 games this season, making him number one in the majors. He beat out Mariano Rivera by one save, although he had four lost save opportunities to Rivera's two blown opportunities this season. Andrew "fireman" Brown had 18 holds this season, good for 11th in the majors.

ERISA Dude · **Posted:** Mon Feb 11, 2013 11:41 pm

PLAYOFF PREVIEW

Well, the Country have had an amazing season, dominating from start to finish, although their homeruns and overall offense did dip in the last month of the season. In fact, If you look at the monthly records, while the Country dominated each month, their runs scored went down each month. The way they kept dominating is that their pitching consistently improved throughout the season.

However, during the season, we saw that the Country can be very vulnerable against solid pitchers who attack the strike zone. Pitchers that throw numerous "waste pitches" or try to paint the corners unsuccessfully get blown up when the Country are able to look for a single pitch. Pitchers who attacked the strike zone with fastballs and sliders have fared well, as the Country have trouble catching up to the fastball with 2 strikes and will often swing at strikes early in the count, allowing these starting pitchers to pitch deeper into the games.

With their 139 and 23 record, the Country earned the number one ranking in the seasons playoffs and will face-off against the AL Western division leading Mariners (87/75) while the Yankees (98/64) host the wild-card winning Indians (87/75). In the National League, the league leading Mets (101/61) host the Central division winning Reds (81/81) while the Western winning Rockies (97/67) host the wild card winning Marlins (87/75).

COUNTRY-MARINERS COMPARISON

Pitching

Mariners front end pitcher, Zach Duke (90 CB SL – two, CB - four, CH – four) has the stuff to make the Country look foolish, but with none of the Mariners starters having fastballs able to reach more than 92 mph, it is unlikely that many will last past the sixth inning. The Country starters have better breaking pitches and throw harder.
Edge: Country

Hitting

Offensively, the Mariners have a solid offense, with eight starters or bench players having a C or B level power. Even so, the Country's power hitters are stronger and their speedsters faster. The Country led the majors in homeruns, stolen bases, and runs scoredEdge: Country

Fielding

Edge: Even

Prediction: The Country will sweep the Mariners

ERISA Dude · **Posted:** Sun Feb 24, 2013 8:03 am

End of 2009 Season Recap

Division playoffs - Iowa City Country versus Seattle Mariners: Country win the series, 3-1

League Championship - Iowa City Country versus NY Yankees: Country win a nail biting series, 4-3, scoring only 2 more runs than the Yankees over the course of the exciting series in which each team had an extra-innings win and knocked the losing team's closer out of the game.

World Series - Iowa City Country versus Miami Marlins: there was a lot of hype, with both teams entering the World Series after each winning a seven game League Championship Series, but while the Marlins have a potent offense (adding Carl Crawford to their roster this season), they just did not have the depth of pitching, with only Jared Weaver and Anibal Sanchez having more than one pitch at level 3 or higher. After a blowout seven – one victory, the Country won a tight two – one game, a four – two game in which the Country hit four solo homeruns, and then completed the sweep with a 6-1 victory over Jared Weaver, in which the game was tied at one after two and remained that way until the Country blew the game open in the seventh and eighth innings against the Marlins relievers

2009 Season Titles:

Awards:

2009-10 Offseason Storylines

Power Pros Forum

Season Log: Iowa City Country

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