Power Pros Forum

Yeah, I seem to have struck a good balance. Obviously strikeouts and walks are still low, but that's pretty much an unfixable problem.

August 15th, 2015
9:18 AM
Honolulu, HI

After our plane had gotten in late last night, I was thrilled to spend a night in my own bed. After sleeping in, I headed into the kitchen and poured myself a bowl of cereal. I absentmindedly flipped on the TV. ESPN came on. I turned my attention to my corn flakes and began munching, aimlessly looking back and forth between food and television.

Wait.

Is that…

“And here we are now with the rookie who’s taken the league by storm: Matt, thanks for being on the show.”

I quickly set my spoon down on the table and grabbed the remote. I turned up the volume several notches.

“...really not much to say. I’ve worked towards this my entire life.”

Matt had apparently just finished answering some question about how he, according to the bottom of the screen, “Broke Mark McGwire’s rookie home run record yesterday against Boston.” The interviewer continued.

“What would you say is the biggest contributor to your success at such a young age?”
“Hard work.”
“...Have you had any difficulties transitioning directly from college to the Major Leagues?”
“Not really, no.”
“None at all?”
“No.”
“...”
“...”
“What do you think is the most important thing for the Gunmen to do to stay in first place going into the last two months of the season?
“We’re the best team in our division. We’ll staay in first.”
“A team composed entirely of rookies is unprecedented. What is unique about the clubhouse atmosphere compared to older, more experienced teams? Do you feel like it’s more of an advantage or disadvantage?”

I admired the interviewer’s abilities to almost singlehandedly keep the conversation going.

McCarthy appeared to think for a moment. “I’m not really sure. I don’t pay much attention to that kind of stuff.”
The interviewer forced a laugh. “You just keep to yourself?”
“I’m there to play baseball, so I keep to that.”
“...”
‘...”
“..........Well there you have it folks. The league’s newest home run king. Thanks for being on the show, Matt.”
“Sure.”

Throughout the interview, Matt’s face never strayed from what could only be called a gruff stare. I don’t think they’ll be having him on again anytime soon…

Oakland Athletics (48-70) vs. Honolulu Gunmen (70-48)
August 15th-17th

So far this year, we've won 8 out of 9 against Oakland. They're pretty bad.

Key Players:

Eric Chavez - 3B
.266, 18 HR, 58 RBI, .797 OPS
3, E, D, C, C, B, B, Spray Hitter, Hot Hitter, Barehand CTH, Consistency 2, Error Prone, Star, Aggressive HTR, Cautious STL, Aggressive FLD, Gd Eye
Bio: Though he's no longer the star he was in his twenties, hometown hero Eric Chavez remains very popular and moderately productive in Oakland.
Analysis: Chavez leads the A's in homers with a modest 18.

Ryan Sweeney - RF
.267, 75 R, 14 3B, 15 SB, .716 OPS
2, A, F, B, D, E, D, Gd Day Game, VS Lefty 1, Stealing 2
Bio: An excellent leadoff man, Sweeney is great at getting on base and has the speed to overcome his often poor jumps when stealing. He struggles against lefties and has very little power, but usually hits for a good average.
Analysis: Sweeney's average has leveled in the mid-.260's, which is lower than expected for a contact hitter like him.

Mark Ellis - 2B
.316, 14 HR, 19 2B, 56 RBI, .885 OPS
3, D, B, C, E, C, B, Contact Hitter, Hot Hitter, Gd IF HTR, Barehand CTH, Clutch Hit 2, Patient HTR, Aggressive FLD
Bio: The 31-year old is a top-of-the-line second baseman on both sides of the ball.
Analysis: Ellis remains pretty much the only bright spot on this abysmal Athletics offense, although now even he is slumping.

Projected Pitching Match-ups:

Game 1
Charlie Huff (10-4, 3.45) vs. Shawn Hill (3-6, 6.54)

Game 2
Akinori Otsuka (9-5, 3.75) vs. Jason Bergmann (7-4, 4.76)

Game 3
Johnny Rivera (4-6, 3.42) vs. Joe Blanton (4-11, 5.40)

August 15th, 2015

Oakland Athletics (48-70) vs. Honolulu Gunmen (70-48)

Final Score(12):
Oakland Athletics - 4
Honolulu Gunmen - 5

Rick Allen was bad again today, giving up three hits and not recording an out. Fortunately, we were able to win in 12 innings as Danny Millwood hit a pinch hit double and Jose Medrano knocked him in.

Box Score
Win: Viet Trieu (3-1)
Save:
Loss: Huston Street (0-6)
HR:

J. Medrano - 2-6, RBI, SB, .301
M. McElroy - 1-5, .273
J. Hernandez - 1-5, K, .296
M. McCarthy - 0-5, K, .290
D. Wayne - 1-5, R, .322
P. Warr - 3-5, 2 2B, RBI, 2 R, .276
D. Wilde - 2-5, 2B, 2 RBI, R, .278
S. Bernard - 1-5, RBI, .271
C. Raines - 0-4, .247
-----D. Millwood - 1-1, 2B, R, .293

C. Huff - 6 IP, 9 H, 3 ER, 5 K, 0 BB, 3.50
D. Edwards (HLD) - 2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 3.04
R. Allen - 0 IP, 3 H, ER, 4.35
E. Lorrier (BSV) - 1.1 IP, H, 0 ER, 1.76
V. Trieu (W) - 2.2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, K, 2.52

August 16th, 2015

Oakland Athletics (48-71) vs. Honolulu Gunmen (71-48)

Final Score:
Oakland Athletics - 0
Honolulu Gunmen - 3

The lack of offense was overcome by Otsuka's 2-hit shutout.

Box Score
Win: Akinori Otsuka (10-5)
Save:
Loss: Jason Bergmann (7-5)
HR: Derek Wayne (17)

J. Medrano - 1-4, RBI, .301
M. McElroy - 0-4, K, .271
J. Hernandez - 0-3, .294
M. McCarthy - 1-2, R, BB, .291
D. Wayne - 1-3, HR, 2 RBI, R, K, .322
P. Warr - 0-2, K, BB, .275
-----T. Weaver - R
S. Bernard - 1-2, BB, .272
M. MacKenzie - 0-3, K, .262
C. Raines - 0-3, .245

A. Otsuka (W) - 9 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 5 K, 3 BB, 3.52

August 17th, 2015

Oakland Athletics (48-72) vs. Honolulu Gunmen (72-48)

Final Score(10):
Oakland Athletics - 2
Honolulu Gunmen - 3

Another blown save, another walk-off. This time it was Adam Wilson who was unable to shut the door, and Patrick Warr who sent us home in the 10th.

Box Score
Win: Rick Allen (5-7)
Save:
Loss: Joe Blanton (4-12)
HR: Matt McCarthy (52), Patrick Warr (19,20)

J. Medrano - 1-4, 2 K, .300
M. McElroy - 1-4, 2 K, .270
J. Hernandez - 0-4, K, .292
M. McCarthy - 1-4, HR, RBI, R, .290
P. Warr - 2-4, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 2 R, K, .277
D. Millwood - 0-3, K, .286
D. Wilde - 0-3, K, .276
S. Bernard - 1-3, E, .272
C. Raines - 0-3, K, .243

J. Rivera - 8 IP, 6 H, ER, 7 K, 0 BB, 3.26
A. Wilson (BSV) - IP, 3 H, ER, K, 2.48
R. Allen (W) - IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 4.27

Series MVPs:
Patrick Warr - 5-11, 2 2B, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 4 R, BB
Akinori Otsuka - 9 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 5 K, 3 BB
Johnny Rivera - 8 IP, 6 H, ER, 7 K, 0 BB
______________________________________________________________

Before this post, the actual date had surpassed the log's date for the first time in history. A round of applause, everyone.

WOOOWOOOOOOO

also, [applause]

[applause] indeed

also nice game from Otsuka

GOAT pinch runner


He's getting better with every start.

Honolulu Gunmen (73-48) vs. Minnesota Twins (57-64)
August 18th-20th

We play them nine times in the coming month. We swept them in July.

We've got a three game lead on the Wild Card now, but we're still two games back of the Dolphins.

Key Players:

Dick Shogun - SP
6-6, 4.87 ERA, 135.0 IP, 181 K
95, D, A, CUT(3), CB(7), SPLT(2), CCHG(2), Spin 4, Safe Pitch, Dr. K, Gd Delivery, Gd Rain, Release 4
Bio: An ace in the truest sense of the word, Shogun has been dominating AL hitters with his lively fastball and wicked curveball for a decade now.
Analysis: He's third in the majors in strikeouts behind Kenneth Howard and Paul Ceplin of New York, but his ERA is lackluster.

Joe Mauer - C
.339, 10 3B, 14 HR, 66 RBI, .924 OPS
2, C, C, C, C, B, B, Contact Hitter, Push Hitter, Hot Hitter, Gd IF HTR, Firstball HTR, Throwing 4, HD 1st Slide, Gd Catcher, Gd Day Game, Gd Rain, Durability 2, Star, Slap Hitter, Patient HTR, Gd Eye
Bio: One of the best all-around players in baseball, the 25-year old Mauer is the centerpiece of this Minnesota franchise.
Analysis: Mauer is just a shade off his career highs in batting average (.346) and OPS (.936).

Justin Morneau - 1B
.312, 11 2B, 14 HR, 74 RBI, .844 OPS
3, D, B, E, C, D, B, Contact Hitter, Gd IF HTR, Firstball HTR, Throwing 4, Consistency 4, Barehand CTH, Pr Rain
Bio: The second half of a truly terrifying JM-combo, Morneau (27) is the older of the pair.
Analysis: Morneau came into the year with a career batting average of .276. That number's already up to .282.

Michael Cuddyer - RF
.325, 16 2B, 19 HR, 88 RBI, .917 OPS
3, D, C, B, D, E, C, Gd IF HTR, Throwing 4, Gd Eye
Bio: He may be overshadowed by his slightly younger teammates, but the 29-year-old outfielder is no slouch.
Analysis: Cuddyer is having a fantastic year.

Projected Pitching Match-ups:

Game 1
Michael Davis (10-4, 3.39) vs. Nick Campbell* (3-4, 5.40)
*Rookie taken in first round of 2015 draft

Game 2
Cesario Castillo (6-7, 3.37) vs. Matt Morris (6-5, 4.83)

Game 3
Brendan Bikowski (10-3, 2.38) vs. Dick Shogun (6-6, 4.87)**
**Regardless of Shogun's current ERA, this should be an awesome pitcher's duel.

August 18th, 2015

Honolulu Gunmen (73-48) vs. Minnesota Twins (57-64)

Final Score:
Honolulu Gunmen - 3
Minnesota Twins - 6

Michael Davis was roughed up quite a bit today, allowing six runs on nine hits in his first three innings of work. After that, he got through two more innings allowing only a hit and a walk, but we were unable to mount a comeback.

Box Score
Win: Nick Campbell (4-4)
Save: Francisco Liriano (10)
Loss: Michael Davis (10-5)
HR: Derek Wayne (18)

J. Medrano - 2-4, .302
M. McElroy - 0-4, .268
J. Hernandez - 0-4, K, .289
M. McCarthy - 0-4, K, .288
D. Wayne - 2-4, HR, RBI, 2 R, .323
P. Warr - 2-4, 2B, .280
D. Wilde - 1-4, 2B, R, .276
M. MacKenzie - 1-4, 2 RBI, .261
C. Raines - 1-4, .243

M. Davis (L) - 5 IP, 10 H, 6 ER, 4 K, BB, 3.69
E. Lorrier - 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1.69
V. Trieu - 1.1 IP, H, 0 ER, 2 K, 2.43

August 19th, 2015

Honolulu Gunmen (73-49) vs. Minnesota Twins (58-64)

Final Score:
Honolulu Gunmen - 2
Minnesota Twins - 3

Cesario Castillo was fortunate to only allow three runs. as he gave up a whopping 13 hits in just 4 and a third of work. A two-run homer from Juan Hernandez in the 7th made it a one run game, but Matt Morris held on for the complete game win.

Box Score
Win: Matt Morris (7-5)
Save:
Loss: Cesario Castillo (6-8)
HR: Juan Hernandez (25)

J. Medrano - 0-4, .299
M. McElroy - 0-3, R, BB, .266
J. Hernandez - 1-4, HR, 2 RBI, R, .289
M. McCarthy - 1-4, K, .288
-----T. Weaver
D. Wayne - 2-3, 2B, K, .325
P. Warr - 0-3, .277
D. Wilde - 1-3, .276
S. Bernard - 0-3, E, .270
C. Raines - 0-3, .241

C. Castillo (L) - 4.1 IP, 13 H, 3 ER, 3 K, BB, 3.47
M. Colyer - 1.2 IP, H, 0 ER, 2 K, 2.68
A. Wilson - 2 IP, H, 0 ER, 2 K, 2.40

August 20th, 2015

Honolulu Gunmen (73-50) vs. Minnesota Twins (59-64)

Final Score:
Honolulu Gunmen - 4
Minnesota Twins - 2

For once, we were on the right end of a blown save, as we tied it at two in the ninth to force extras. We then scored two in the top of the 10th, and Rick Allen shut the door.

Box Score
Win: Adam Wilson (4-1)
Save: Rick Allen (37)
Loss: Jesse Crain (1-5)
HR:

J. Medrano - 2-5, 2B, 2 R, .300
M. McElroy - 1-3, RBI, K, .267
-----M. MacKenzie - 2-2, 2B, 3B, 3 RBI, .274
J. Hernandez - 0-5, 3 K, .286
M. McCarthy - 0-4, 2 K, .285
D. Wayne - 1-3, K, .325
-----T. Weaver - 0-0, BB, SB, .091
P. Warr - 0-4, 4 K, .275
D. Wilde - 1-4, R, 3 K, .276
S. Bernard - 2-3, .273
-----D. Millwood - 1-1, R, .291
C. Raines - 0-4, K, .238

B. Bikowski - 7.1 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 9 K, 0 BB, 2.39
A. Wilson (W) - 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 5 K, 2.33
R. Allen (SV) - IP, 0 H, 0 ER, K, 4.19

Series MVPs:
Derek Wayne - 5-10, 2B, HR, RBI, 2 R
Matt MacKenzie - 3-6, 2B, 3B, 5 RBI
Adam Wilson - 3.2 IP, H, 0 ER, 7 K, W

Hey, go mac

Liriano with the save?

Are you really questioning the validity of PP pitching roles?

No sir, it all makes perfect sense to me

U KNO T WEAVER GOT THAT BB AND SB WOOWOO

that average tho..........

BUT DOES HE GET ON BASE

HE DOOOOO