Power Pros Forum

GAME 3 - 10/8/08: The report is that number six starter, Morris Buttermaker, who pitched very strong throughout September, will be given the start even though number two starter Gabe Kotter says he could pitch if needed. We are told that the manager is likely to have a short leash with Buttermaker, but doesn't want to turn to Kotter now since there will be at least one other game after tonight.

The Tigers Kenny Rogers started off strong while the Hickories Buttermaker allowed one run to score on three hits in the first inning. The Hickories tied it up with three hits of their own in the second. In the bottom of the inning, Buttermaker was pulled after allowing two runs, leaving with runners at first and second, one out. Glass Joe entered the game and used his level two, two seam fastball and level four knuckleball to strike out Miguel Cabrera and Magglio Ordonez. Buck Rogers tied the game with a two run home run into the right field bleachers. Carlos Guillen drove in Magglio Ordonez, who singled and moved to second on a wild pitch, giving the Tigers a one run lead in the fifth, but Buck Rogers came to the plate with Jeff Lebowski on first and put another pitch into the right field bleachers, giving the Hickories a one run lead. Glass Joe tired while pitching his fourth inning, and Pelfrey, in red condition but not scheduled to pitch for another three games, entered and closed out the 6th. Carlos Guillen tied the game with a double and then Sheffield singled in two runs in the seventh. In the eighth, Lebowski singled and his pinch runner scored when Rogers doubled off the centerfield fence. Ryan Braun drilled a first pitch changeup giving the Hickories a one run lead. Mickey Shuler came in to pitch the eighth and got off to a rocky start by allowing a leadoff triple, but a ground out to third that did not allow the run, followed by a strike out and a ground out to second allowed the Hickories to enter the ninth inning with a one run lead that Enigo Montoya protected. Final score: 8–7, Hickories

NOTE: the Hickories were 0/1 on steal attempts.

PLAYOFF WATCH: The Yankees beat the Angels for the third straight time, proceeding to the league championship series, while the Cincinnati Reds knocked out the Braves in three straight, proceeding do their league championship series. The Mets are one game up on the Dodgers, just as the Hickories are one game up on the Tigers.

GAME 4 - 10/9/08: The Tigers Rob Burnett was strong, while the Hickories Gabe Kotter also pitched well until the third inning when the Tigers scored four, capped by a Miguel Cabrera triple that brought in half of those runs. In the bottom of the third, the Hickories started the inning with consecutive singles, but failed to score. The Tigers extended their lead to five runs with an RBI double from Granderson in the fourth. Buck Rogers put the Hickories on the board with a solo homerun in the sixth. After a day of deep counts, Burnett finally tired after 7–1/3 innings, leaving with runners at first and second. Cool singled in two runs off of the Tigers reliever, and a fielders choice cut the Tigers lead down to two runs. Encyclopedia Brown, filling in at third-base while Lebowski, who is been in purple condition for the last several games, was given the day off, singled nt another run before the Tigers closed out the eighth with a one run lead. In the bottom of the ninth, the Tigers Tom Jones came in to protect the Tigers one run lead against the Hickories most dangerous hitters – Rogers, Braun, and Banner, and he did so. Final score: 5–4, Tigers.

NOTE: The Hickories had no steal attempts today

It all comes down to game 5

GAME 5

10/11/08: before the game, it was announced that David Cohen would be given the start against the Tigers Dontrelle Willis, even though Cohen still is in purple condition. Said the hickories manager earlier today "Cohen was our winningest pitcher this year and even though our other pictures are in good condition, whether we make it deep into the postseason or not will depend on him pitching once or twice per series. We expect good things from him, even if he's not in top form, but hopefully our offense will give him the support he needs."

POST-GAME INTERVIEW

Interviewer: what an exciting game and an exciting series it was between the Hickories and the Tigers. We are speaking with Glass Joe, Hickories middle reliever. Middle relievers don't normally get interviewed after the game, But Joe pitched the most innings of any Hickories pitcher this series, appearing in four of the five games, and boasting a 0.82 ERA after having a 4.36 season ERA. Glass?

Glass Joe: it is nice to be here. I definitely had a strong division series and was really happy to contribute. You know, towards the end of the season, my two seam fastball upped from level one to level two and when my knuckler increased to level four, I just got much better on the mound.

Interviewer: yes, you clearly were a top performer this post season, averaging almost 2 strikeouts per inning.

Glass Joe: part of it is that I was just in great condition so my pitches seemed to have a little extra bite to them.

Interviewer: can you tell us what it's like when you come into the games like today's game?

Glass Joe: well, I entered in the sixth inning in today's game. Cohen had a tough time of it, with Curtis Granderson lacing a triple into right field after starting 0–2, and then scoring right away in the 1st.

Interviewer: yes, Cohen seemed to have a tough time, starting 0–2 on a lot of Tigers, only to fail to finish them off, and was pulled after only recording one out in the first inning and allowing four runs.

Glass Joe: yes. Jack tripper pitched a few innings of relief, allowing 1 run when Mike Sweeney hit the right-field foul pole, but his role, like mine, is just to try to keep the other team off the scoreboard and give our team time to catch up.

Interviewer: right, and David Banner did his part, singling in two runs after Mays Hayes and Plant singled and moved up on a wild pitch, And later on in the game, 3 2-out singles from the bottom of the lineup brought in another Hickories run. Joe, today, you pitched the final five innings of the game, keeping the powerful Tigers lineup scoreless.

Glass Joe: yes, you know my knuckleball has been working real well, but I try to set them up with some of my faster pitches – my four seam and two seam fastball, in particular. I was glad to be able to do my part, but it was a shame it was not enough as control Willis, it was a great game.

Interviewer: yes, Willis was very strong, even though he had a lot of deep counts and broke the 40 pitch mark and the third inning, he still pitched into the seventh. Tom Jones has been tough all series and he closed out another game. So, this is the end of the Hickories Cinderella story for 2008. Joe, do you see yourself fighting for a starting spot next season?

Glass Joe: well, I'm certainly going to try, but we have a lot of strong pitchers in contention for that. I'm just going to focus on my pitches this off-season and see what I can bring to the table next year. Thank you.

Interviewer: thank you Joe. And thank you baseball fans for tuning in to this exciting series, where the Tigers take the last game, 5–3. In all, it was a great series with the Tigers only scoring two more runs over the entire series than the Hickories, who were 0-1 with steals today

The anticipation of game 5.....................................................!!!!!!!!!!!!

LOL! That last post WAS my game 5 report. I wanted to try a different style - a reporter post-game interview! Just read the last comments by the interviewer if you don't want to read the whole thing

Oh, lel, I get it now (I need to pay more attention!). Can't wait for the next season!

2008 PLAYOFFS

In the AL, the Yankees, who swept the Angels in the division series, and Tigers had a tough battle, with the Yankees coming out the victors but needing the full seven games. In the meantime, after the Mets took a full five games to beat the Dodgers while the Reds swept the Braves in the opening-round, the Mets swept the Reds in four straight, setting up a Subway series. The Yankees defeated the Mets in the 2008 World Series handily, winning four games while only dropping one.

Repeat of the 2000 World Series I see.

SALARY NEGOTIATIONS

Salary negotiation time was very stressful for the Hickories, which makes sense since the AL wildcard representative had to negotiate with all players on their roster. In the end, no players were allowed to test free agency, but there were some surprises:

The Hickories were, apparently willing to shell out major dollars for long-term deals, and signed front end starters David Cohen and Gabe Kotter to five-year deals paying $11.5 million and $11 million annually, while the offerings to their other starting caliber pictures appeared to fall in the $2 million range for a three-year contract. Mike Pelfrey received a $1 million contract for three years while Morris Buttermaker received a $1 million contract for two years. Jack Tripper, the Hickories long reliever, received a contract paying $800,000 for two years.

SS Enochs, the team's 2008 number 1 pick signed a three-year contract at $800,000 a year, and outfielders Vandelay and Laforge signed three-year contracts for $1 million and $2 million annually. What was shocking was the number of players who turned down rich, multi-year offerings in order to receive lower, one year contracts.

Closer Enigo Montoya rejected offerings of $7 and $8 million for five years, and will be playing under a one-year contract paying $900,000. Catcher Crash Davis, rookie of the year Robert Plant, Shortstop Way Cool Junior, Centerfielder Mays-Hayes and third baseman Jeff Lebowski all rejected five and four year deals paying between $4 and $5 million a year and will, instead, play under one-year contracts paying $900,000. Where the Hickories front office is disappointed at their players interest in short-term contracts over the longer term offerings, they are especially upset in Ryan Braun and Buck Rogers, The slugging DH and first baseman the Hickories really wanted to lock up for five years. Buck Rogers rejected offers of $9 million for five years and $9 million for four years, and will play under a one year contract paying $900,000. Ryan Braun rejected offerings of $11 million for a five-year contract and $10.5 million on a four-year contract, and will be playing on a one-year deal paying a mere $720,000.

This may set up a very strange locker room, where you have Art Vandelay, who lost his major-league roster spot last year, earning twice as much as most of the other starters from last year's team, and Jordi Laforge, the outfielder who took over for Vandelay, earning four times as much.

The team released the following statement: "We are committed to the long-term success of baseball in Jacksonville, and offering our players market value contracts was part of that. We are disappointed that a number of them preferred to take short-term, below market value contracts, but we will continue to work with key players players to ensure they are happy here and that we are able to attract valuable free agents."

FREE AGENCY

The Hickories signed no free agents during the signing period, focusing solely on re-signing their own players. Commented management, "we have a lot of players we think are going to develop into top and ballplayers and we want to see them developed at the major-league level. Similarly, our other players that we are not sure will ever make it into everyday starters are still solid backup players, so we didn't see the need to dip into the free-agent market."

NOTABLE SIGNINGS AROUND THE LEAGUE*:
* I forgot to make notes about which free agents signed where, so, unfortunately, this is just based on my quick review of each roster to see if I noticed who changed teams.

OF Carl Crawford (CBACBC) signed with the Orioles

1B Richie Sexson (DCEECA) and SS Raphael Furcal (DDBABD) signed with the Giants

OF Andruw Jones (DBDBAB) signed with the Dodgers

OF Jim Edmonds (DCDABC) and SS Khalil Greene (EBDCCC) signed with the Padres

OF Raul Ibañez (DBECCB) and 3B Ty Wigington (DBEEDD) signed with the Astros

C Ramon Hernandez (DCEEED) signed with the Cardinals

3B Aramis Ramirez (CAECCB) and 1B Mike Sweeney (EDFCCC) signed with the Cubs

3B Troy Glaus (EBEDCC), P Greg Gagne (94 BE DCB – five, CH – five) and OF Milton Bradley (DCDECC) signed with the Marlins

P Odalis Perez (91 CB CU – three, CB – three, CH – two) signed with the Nationals

1B Mark Teixeira (CADABA) resigned and P Mark Buehrle (89 CA 2SF – two, SL – two, CU – three, CB – three, CH – four) signed with the Braves

3B Nomar Garciaparra (DCEBCB) and 3B Chipper Jones (BADCBC) signed with the Mets

1B Scott Hatteberg (DBEDEB) signed with the Phillies

P Carlos Zambrano (97 CA 2SF – two, SL – four, CU – four, CB – four, SP – four, SFB – four) signed with the Rangers

SS Great Kennedy (DBDCBB), 1B Sean Casey (CCEBCA) and OF Scott Podsednik (DEBDCC) signed with the Rays

SS Adam Everett (EECABB) signed with the Twins

P AJ Burnett (98 DA KCB – five, CH – four, HSK – four) signed with the Tigers

OF Carlos Lee (CAEDEC) signed with the Indians

OPENING DAY HICKORIES PREVIEW

Following is the 2009 opening-day lineup, with brief comments:

CF Willie Mayes-Hayes (DDBCCD) improved his arm strength and error resistance, which should help in the expansive centerfield of golden apples stadium

2b Robert Plant (DEBDCE) – The rookie of the year improved his range at second, which should bode well for the Hickories pitching staff

LF Art Vandelay (CCCEDE) – Just like 2008, Vandelay looked good early on, winning the starting left-field spot. He clearly showed better range in the outfield, and we hope he shows his capabilities at the plate throughout the year

1b Buck Rogers (DBDEFD) Rogers honed his defensive skills, but did not jump a letter grade in any part of his fielding, which is below average by major league standards

DH Ryan Braun (BACDFG) improved his arm strength, but the Hickories must be disappointed that his error resistance is still at level G

RF David Banner (DCCCDE) improved his contact level towards the end of 2008 and improved his fielding in the spring, which should help him improve on a decent 2008 that probably would have been impressive if he hadn't floundered at the plate for the first two months of the season.

3b Jeff Lebowski (DCEBEE) improved his contact rating to level D during the off-season, improved his arm to level B and his fielding to an E. The Dude, as his teammates refer to him, looked really sharp at the plate and in the outfield, amd many expect this to be a breakout year in which Lebowski should be recognized as a formidable 3B. Lebowski successfully batted third at the end of 2008, and though he's been shifted back with the number three spot taken by Vandelay, it will be interesting to see if he works his way back to that spot.

SS Way Cool, Jr (DEBBCD) - when Cool improved his error resistance to level D and his arm to a level B, it eliminated any competition for the starting shortstop position

C Crash Davis (DDFCED) Davis improved his offense this off-season, and his defensive range and error resistance this spring, but we expect the Hickories are disappointed that he did not improve his arm strength this spring.

Bench:

Geordi LaForge (ECCDDD) – With Vandelay and LaForge improving their defense, the Hickories decided they plan to rotate LaForge in and did not need you better defensive option in the OF

Encyclopedia Brown (DEDCCD) – by showing last season that he could produce at the plate, and improving his arm and range to level C, the utility infielder earned a roster spot, pushed defensively–gifted, but offensively–challenged utility infielder Edgardo Alfonso (EFDCCD) into the minors, and kept 2008 1st round pick Enochs (CDDCCD) in the minors for now.

Remington Steele (DDEDED) - this backup third and first baseman who is a very good pinch-hitter earned a roster spot, in part, because of his improved power and, in part, because although 2008 first-round draft pick Enochs (CDDCCD) looked solid at the plate and improved his defense during the spring, Enochs' inability to play any spot other than shortstop, and his inability to play shortstop better than Encyclopedia Brown, resulted in his being sent down.

Mackey Sasser (DEECDC) - Sasser's improved arm and error resistance (not to mention his improved contact from the end of last season) should result in more playing time, if for no other reason than because it resulted in the Hickories decision to only carry two catchers on the major-league roster, as opposed to last season when they carried three.

HICKORIES 2009 PITCHING PREVIEW

Well, it is the close of spring-training and the Hickories have announced their pitching lineup, as follows:

STARTERS

#1 Starter David Cohen (98 FB 2SF – two, HSL – three, SCB – one, CCH – one): David improved his control towards the end of last season, and while he did improve his slider and two seam fastball a little bit, the Hickories were hoping his two seam fastball would be at a level 3 by now. David got by last season on his ability to change speeds, and it will be interesting to see if he is still the most dominant pitcher on the team, considering that a number of the Hickories other pitchers have more movement on their breaking balls

#2 Starter Gabe Kotter (92 FB 2SF – three, HSL – three, VSL – four, CCH – two): Kotter may be the Hickories most effective starter

#3 Starter Roy Hobbs (94 EB HSL – three, SCB – one, SP – three, HSK – three): the Hickories have high hopes for Hobbs, due to his improved slider and split fingered fastball, and this 2008 opening-day starter who lost his major-league spot when he could not get batters out, seems poised for a successful 2009, having pitched very well in the spring

#4 Starter Sid Fernandez (88 EB HSL – three, DC – one, SP – four, SHU – two): Fernandez has the most effective splitter on the team and pitched consistently well in August and September last year

#5 Starter Morris Buttermaker (88 FB HSL – two, SLV – three, FOS – four, SFB – four): his story is similar to Fernandez' – not much was expected of him in 2008, but he pitched very well towards the end of the season, gaining management's faith in him. The Hickories rank Fernandez above Buttermaker, mainly because Fernandez' split finger and drop curve are more effective strikeout pitches, while Buttermaker has been less consistent with strikeouts, although he has started using his slurve and fosh more effectively

#6 Starter Dwayne Schneider (98 GC104 HSL – three, DCB – one, FOS – four, SFB – three): the Hickories admit that Schneider might not be ready for prime time yet, but they are willing to spend the first month of the season trying to figure out if this right-hander can have similar success to David Cohen, their other pitcher with a lightning arm. While Cohen could rely on the change in speeds from his fastball to his slow curve and circle change, Schneider right now only has one strikeout pitch – the drop curve, until he finds a way to better use his fosh.

RELIEVERS

Swingman Mike Pelfrey (96 EB 2SF – three, SL – four, CH – two): The Hickories are very happy with Pelfrey's improvement with his slider and two seam fastball, and he had a strong spring. Pelfrey is disappointed at losing his spot in the starting lineup, and the Hickories admit he might be more deserving of the starting spot then Dwayne Schneider, but they need to see what Dwayne has to offer

Long reliever Glass Joe (92 FB 2SF – two, SLV – three, FOS – three, KN – five): Joe has been amazingly effective since improving his knuckleball to a level 4 at the end of last season, and he improved it even further this spring. Joe was hoping to earn a spot in the starting rotation, but he tends to use a lot of pitches and was unable to pitch more than 3–2/3 innings in any spring outing.

Middle reliever Manzanilla (92 CC108 2SF – two, SL – three, CB – five, FO – four): the 2008 number two draft pick was also hoping to earn a starting spot, but the Hickory's felt his stamina was not there and while Manzanilla has one of the best curveballs in the game, he needs to learn how to effectively utilize his slider and forkball. Still, they thought the middle relief role would be a good slot for him to hone his skills against major-league pitching

Set up man Mickey Shuler (89 DC 2SF – three, HSL – five, PA – one): last years set up man returns to the same role, with an improved slider

Closer Enigo Montoya (94 CD HSL – six, SCB – three, SC – four): he improved his screwball to an effective level 4 pitch at the end of last season and used the spring to improve his already-impressive hard slider, and make his slow curve even more effective

While there are many pitchers on the Hickories roster who are disappointed, perhaps the most disappointed is John McClain (90 EB HSL – three, DCB– One, SP – three, SK – three): the left-hander had an inconsistent 2008, but was looking forward to starting 2009 with an improved hard slider and splitter. Said the Hickories "John definitely will be a consistent major league pitcher, but we just had other pitchers that we thought were at a better point right now for starting

2 others disappointed at being left off the roster:

Joe Smith (95 CE SL – three, CH – two, SFB – three): Joe Smith challenged for the set up man's role last year and wound up being the pitcher the Hickories relied on to get out of jams, regardless of the inning. Smith improved his sinking fastball and slider and, reportedly, has asked for a trade. "Smith absolutely deserves to be on a major-league roster, whether it is on our team or someone else's. He was very effective; however, Glass Joe has been very effective in relief and if Manzanilla is able to be similarly effective, those pitchers have the added benefit of being able to pitch multiple innings without tiring, which is something Smith cannot match

Jack Tripper (93 FB SLV – three, CB – three, SP – three, SC – three): Tripper took over as the swingman/primary long reliever in the second half of the season, although he was outshone in the playoffs by Glass Joe. Still, Tripper hoped to get a starting spot, let alone not expecting to be completely off the major-league roster. "Tripper did a good job improving several of his pitches, but our other pitchers on the roster simply had a more effective spring."

2009 OPENING SERIES AGAINST THE YANKEES

Is there a tougher assignment than starting the year with a four game series against the defending World Series Champion Yankees in Yankee Stadium, having to face their top pitchers? The Hickories played Chien Wang tough, scoring five runs in the first three innings, while David Cohen held the Yankees to 3 runs in his 5–2/3 innings of work, on their way to a 5-3 win.

Against Andy Pettitte in game 2, the Hickories struggled but were ahead of 3–2 entering the eighth, as Gabe Kotter was efficient, if not overpowering through six innings, and 2008 second round draft pick Manzanilla pitched a perfect seventh against the heart of the Yankees lineup, but the Yankees were able to take a one run lead and close out the game, 4–3.

In game 3, a two run home run by Jeff Lebowski got things going against the Yankees Carl Pavano, but they stranded runners in scoring position in the third and fourth innings. The Hickories Roy Hobbs looked sharp, but hung a split finger fastball to Giambi that was deposited into the right-field stands. Hobbs started to struggle with his control in the fourth, giving up a two run shot to Alex Rodriguez, but a Buck Rogers homerun tied the game. Hobbs left the game with elbow pains in the sixth inning. In the seventh, Cool Junior was thrown out at home and the Hickories stranded Crash Davis at second. Carl Pavano tired and gave way to Latroy Hawkins. Ryan Braun got his first hit of the season – a homerun that gave the Hickories a one run lead. The Yankees started off the ninth inning with singles from Johnny Damon and Derek Jeter against the Hickories closer, who then induced Abreu to ground into a double play, bringing up Alex Rodriguez with the tying run on third. Rodriguez lofted the ball into shallow centerfield, but it was tracked down by Mayes-Hayes. Final score: 4–3, Hickories

The Yankees started one of their 2008 draft picks, a relatively ordinary pitcher with a nice curveball, squaring off against Morris Buttermaker. Buck Rogers started off the second by watching two curveballs go by before drilling a fastball, and Cool singled in a run later that inning. Buttermaker had some trouble finding the strike zone and the Yankees made him pay, scoring three runs. Banner hit a two run homerun and Lebowski followed with one of his own in the fourth. Both teams continued to score with the Yankees taking a two run lead into the fifth and a David Banner three run homerun giving the Hickories a two run lead entering the sixth. Both teams traded runs until the Yankees finally tied it up in the bottom of the ninth. A walk off homerun by Melky Cabrera evened the series at two. Final score: 12–11, Yankees

Notes: The improved range of all the starting position players, infield and outfield, was evident, as was the improved arm strength on the left side of the infield. it was announced that Roy Hobbs, who left game 3 due to elbow pains, will be on the shelf for 16 days. Quite a setback for the young pitcher who was looking to come back from a disappointing first season. Left-handed submarine pitcher John McClain (90 EB HSL – three, DCB – one, SP – three, SK – three) takes his spot on the roster, but it is expected that Mike Pelfrey (96 EB 2SF – three, SL – four, CH – two), currently slotted as the swingman, will take Hobbs's place in the rotation. Game four highlighted the Hickories willingness to live and die with a stolen base, as they were thrown out twice, and attempted steels lead to double plays on flyball outs twice, but they were successful four times.

BLUE JAYS

4/6/09: David Banner hit his third homerun of the season, this one a two run shot in the second, and then Geordi Laforge, playing centerfield to give Mayes-Hayes an early day of rest, hit his own home run. The Blue Jays immediately tied it up by pounding hit after hit against rookie Duane Schneider (98 GC HSL – three, DCB – one, FOS – four, SFB – three). The lead changed back-and-forth with neither team showing any dominant pitching and the last team up won the game on a walk off base hit. Final score: 7–6, Blue Jays

4/7/09: The Blue Jays Roy Halladay put on a pitching clinic and any balls put into play were scooped up by David Eckstein who seemed to be all over the field. The Hickories threatened in the fifth when Braun singled and stole second, but when he was thrown out on a close play at the plate, it seemed to let the air out of the Hickories sails. Meanwhile, Mike Pelfrey was less overwhelming than Halladay but no less effective, both pitchers allowing only three hits and no runs through five innings. The Jays pushed a run across in the sixth when Pelfrey exited with runners at first and second. The Hickories tied it up with two outs in the eighth, and added two more in the 9th as Halliday tired. Final score: three – one, Hickories

4/8/08: another exciting pitching duel, this one between the Hickories Gabe Kotter and the Jay's Dustin McGowan, saw a scoreless game broken in the fourth when Braun lofted a deep fly ball that barely cleared the right-field fence. In the bottom of the fourth, after fill-in shortstop Edgardo Alfonso let an inning ending double-play ball roll under his glove, Kotter struck out Scott Roland and Edgar Renteria to keep his shut out in tact, but lost his shutout bid the following inning after Plant made a similar error and David Eckstein came through with an RBI single. Kotter did not start the seventh inning, but Mickey Shuler came in and pitched a shutout seventh and eighth while McGowan continue to dominate the Hickories McGowan did not tire until the end of the 11th and ended up pitching 11–2/3 innings, over which time he threw 109 pages, leaving with Ryan Braun on first. The Hickories Glass Joe tired after pitching 4–2/3 innings, leaving with runners on first and second in the 13th inning with two out. Enigo Montoya entered the game, although it was not a save situation, and induced an inning ending groundout. In the 14th inning, Mays Hayes led off with a single, stole second, and came home one out later, just beating the strong throw from centerfield. When Montoya retired the Blue Jays in order, the marathon game (Officially running four hours and seven minutes) was over. Final score: two – one, Hickories (14)

NOTE: after the game, the Hickories sent shortstop Way Cool Junior down to the minors to recover from purple condition, replaced on the ML roster with SS Enochs (CDDCCD)

4/9/09: The Blue Jays struck first against a struggling David Cohen, putting together four singles in the first inning. Cohen righted himself and was effective (striking out six through four innings), even though he was not sharp, through the next several innings, but the Blue Jays tacked on a second run in the fourth. The Jay's added another run against the Hickories reliever in the fifth, while the Hickories offense only managed two base hits in those first five innings. The Jays Markham tired in the sixth inning and in a very dramatic turn of events, Vandalay hit his first home run of the season with runners at first and second, tying the game. The Jay's pushed another run across when they bunched together four hits in the seventh inning, and that would stand as the game-winner. Final score: 4–3, Blue Jays