Power Pros Forum

Honolulu Gunmen (74-50) vs. Toronto Blue Jays (56-68)
August 22nd-24th

The Blue Jays were sellers at the deadline this year, trading away a fair amount of talent. Their key acquisition was of 24-year old fireballer Tim Lincecum (98, D, A) from the Giants.

Key Players:

Roy Halladay - SP
10-7, 4.66 ERA, 143.0 IP, 135 K, 1.36 WHIP
95, B, A, 2SFB(2), CUT(4), CB(5), CHG(4), H-SNK(2), w/RISP 4, Poise 4, Fastball Life 4, Spin 4, Consistency 4, Release 2, Slow Starter, Star
Bio: "Doc" is the cornerstone of this Blue Jays franchise.
Analysis: He, like a handful of other great pitchers, is struggling this season. His ERA did spike to 3.71 last year, so this is a troubling trend, should it continue.

A.J. Burnett - SP
7-5, 4.79 ERA, 146.2 IP, 131 K, 1.59 WHIP
98, D, A, KNCB(5), CHG(4), H-SNK(4), Spin 4, Safe Pitch, Dr. K, Fastball Life 2, Choke Artist, Star
Bio: He's no Doc, but the 31-year old Burnett is a good pitcher.
Analysis: He just cannot get guys out right now. His and Halladay's struggles are a big reason why the Blue Jays haven't been very good this year.

Scott Rolen - 3B
.331, 14 HR, 77 RBI, .918 OPS
2, D, C, D, B, A, B, Hot Hitter, Consistency 4, Barehand CTH, Tough Runner, Gd Rain, VS Lefty 2, Cautious STL, Aggressive FLD, Gd Eye
Bio: Rolen is known as one of the best defensive third baseman in the game, and he's not shabby at the plate either.
Analysis: The 33-year old Rolen is experiencing a career resurgence in Toronto. It's surprising he wasn't dealt at the deadline, as he surely would've fetched a high price.

Projected Pitching Match-ups:

Game 1
Charlie Huff (10-4, 3.50) vs. Gustavo Guillen (1-6, 5.77)

Game 2
Akinori Otsuka (10-5, 3.52) vs. Roy Halladay (10-7, 4.66)

Game 3
Johnny Rivera (4-6, 3.26) vs. A.J. Burnett (7-5, 4.79)

"Gustavo" Guillen

I call BS.

I don't understand. What else would G. Guillen's first name be?

August 22nd, 2015

Honolulu Gunmen (74-50) vs. Toronto Blue Jays (56-68)

Final Score:
Honolulu Gunmen - 2
Toronto Blue Jays - 1

The line-up looked very different today, as a lot of regulars got the day off. Javier Soriano made his debut at age 28, going 0 for 4. After the game, he was demoted and LHP Justin Hampson (92, B, E, SLD[2], CB[3], CHG[2]) was called up from AAA Pasadena.

Mike Colyer also got his first career save.

Box Score
Win: Charlie Huff (11-4)
Save: Mike Colyer (1)
Loss: Gustavo Guillen (1-7)
HR: Shannon Stewart (8), Matt McCarthy (53)

J. Medrano - 1-5, R, K, .299
M. MacKenzie - 2-4, .282
J. Hernandez - 0-4, E, .284
M. McCarthy - 2-4, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, R, .287
D. Millwood - 0-4, .282
P. Warr - 1-4, .274
T. Weaver - 3-3, BB, .286
C. Raines - 0-4, .236
J. Soriano - 0-4, .000

C. Huff (W) - 8 IP, 4 H, ER, 4 K, 0 BB, 3.37
M. Colyer (SV) - IP, H, 0 ER, K, 2.64

August 23rd, 2015

Honolulu Gunmen (75-50) vs. Toronto Blue Jays (56-69)

Final Score:
Honolulu Gunmen - 3
Toronto Blue Jays - 2

Another tight win, Akinori Otsuka went pitch for pitch with Roy Halladay and came out on top with a 92-pitch complete game.

Box Score
Win: Akinori Otsuka (11-5)
Save:
Loss: Roy Halladay (10-8)
HR:

J. Medrano - 1-5, .299
M. McElroy - 1-5, .266
J. Hernandez - 1-4, R, .283
M. McCarthy - 2-4, .289
D. Wayne - 2-4, 2B, R, .327
P. Warr - 1-4, .274
D. Wilde - 2-3, 2B, 2 RBI, R, BB, .278
S. Bernard - 1-4, RBI, .273
C. Raines - 0-4, K, .233

A. Otsuka (W) - 9 IP, 10 H, 2 ER, 2 K, 2 BB, 3.43

August 24th, 2015

Honolulu Gunmen (76-50) vs. Toronto Blue Jays (56-70)

Final Score:
Honolulu Gunmen - 1
Toronto Blue Jays - 2

The A.J. Burnett of old showed up today and shut us down, striking out eight in a complete game victory.

Box Score
Win: A.J. Burnett (8-5)
Save:
Loss: Johnny Rivera (4-7)
HR: Vernon Wells (10)

J. Medrano - 1-4, 2B, .298
M. McElroy - 2-4, K, .268
J. Hernandez - 1-4, .283
M. McCarthy - 0-4, K, E, .286
D. Wayne - 1-3, K, .327
P. Warr - 0-3, K, .272
D. Wilde - 1-3, 2B, R, K, .279
S. Bernard - 2-3, RBI, K, .276
C. Raines - 0-3, 2 K, .232

J. Rivera (L) - 6 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 4 K, BB, 3.24
V. Trieu - IP, 0 H, 0 ER, K, 2.38
A. Wilson - IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 2.29

Series MVPs:
Matt McCarthy - 4-12, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, R
Donnie Wilde - 3-6, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R, BB
Charlie Huff - 8 IP, 4 H, ER, 4 K, 0 BB, W
Akinori Otsuka - 9 IP, 10 H, 2 ER, 2 K, 2 BB, W

RACIST

But he could be a Great

Gregorio

atta boy Otsuka!

and McCarthy!

WOOOOOOO U KNO DAS RIGHT

Minnesota Twins (61-66) vs. Honolulu Gunmen (76-51)
August 25th-27th

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
.335, 12 3B, 14 HR, 67 RBI, .904 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
.318, 14 2B, 15 HR, 76 RBI, .860 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 a bit older than his catching counterpart.
Analysis: Morneau came into the year with a career batting average of .276. That number's already up to .282.

Michael Cuddyer - RF
.317, 16 2B, 19 HR, 89 RBI, .889 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 (10-5, 3.69) vs. Scott Baker (9-9, 4.98)

Game 2
Cesario Castillo (6-8, 3.47) vs. Boof Bonser (12-9, 6.39)

Game 3
Brendan Bikowski (10-3, 2.39) vs. Nick Cambell (4-5, 5.02)

Since the poll function on this website is borked:

http://strawpoll.me/5648232

Please vote on the above poll if you haven't already. Multiple options can be selected.

August 25th, 2015

Minnesota Twins (61-66) vs. Honolulu Gunmen (76-51)

Final Score:
Minnesota Twins - 4
Honolulu Gunmen - 9

A five run third inning pretty much sealed this game for us. Donnie Wilde hit a three-run bomb to make it a 6-0 game, and the pitching held the Twins to four runs.

Justin Hampson made his Gunmen debut today, retiring Justin Morneau on a grounder to second.

Box Score
Win: Michael Davis (11-5)
Save:
Loss: Scott Baker (9-10)
HR: Patrick Warr (21,22), Donnie Wilde (7)

J. Medrano - 1-5, 2B, .297
M. McElroy - 1-3, R, .268
-----D. Millwood - 0-2, .278
J. Hernandez - 3-5, R, .286
M. McCarthy - 1-5, RBI, R, K, .285
D. Wayne - 2-4, 2B, RBI, 2 R, .328
P. Warr - 3-4, 2B, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 3 R, .277
D. Wilde - 2-4, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, R, .281
S. Bernard - 1-4, RBI, .276
C. Raines - 2-4, .234

M. Davis (W) - 6.2 IP, 9 H, 3 ER, 5 K, 4 BB, 3.71
J. Hampson - 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 3.99
V. Trieu - IP, H, 0 ER, 2.32
D. Edwards - IP, 3 H, ER, K, 3.17

August 26th, 2015

Minnesota Twins (61-67) vs. Honolulu Gunmen (77-51)

Final Score:
Minnesota Twins - 2
Honolulu Gunmen - 4

Box Score
Win: Cesario Castillo (7-8)
Save: Rick Allen (38)
Loss: Boof Bonser (12-10)
HR: Matt McCarthy (54)

Cesario Castillo brought his best stuff to the game today, although he needed some help getting out of the eighth. We scored thrice in the second and added an insurance run on McCarthy's 54th home run of the year in the sixth.

J. Medrano - 1-3, 2B, 3 RBI, BB, .297
M. McElroy - 0-4, 2 K, .266
J. Hernandez - 1-4, 2 K, .286
M. McCarthy - 1-4, HR, RBI, R, K, .285
D. Wayne - 1-4, 2B, R, K, .328
P. Warr - 0-3, K, .275
D. Wilde - 0-3, .279
S. Bernard - 1-3, R, K, .276
C. Raines - 1-2, R, BB, .236

C. Castillo (W) - 7.1 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 7 K, BB, 3.41
A. Wilson (HLD) - 0.1 IP, H, 0 ER, 2.28
J. Hampson (HLD) - 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, BB, 3.94
R. Allen (SV) - IP, H, 0 ER, K, 4.12

August 27th, 2015

Minnesota Twins (61-68) vs. Honolulu Gunmen (78-51)

Final Score:
Minnesota Twins - 6
Honolulu Gunmen - 2

Brendan Bikowski had one of his roughest outings of the year today, as he got roughed up for six runs in his first two innings of work.

Box Score
Win: Marion Berg (1-0) (rookie reliever)
Save:
Loss: Brendan Bikowski (10-4)
HR: Steve Bernard (11)

J. Medrano - 1-4, K, .297
D. Millwood - 1-2, RBI, K, .281
-----M. McElroy - 0-2, 2 K, .265
J. Hernandez - 0-4, K, .284
M. McCarthy - 1-4, 2 K, .285
D. Wayne - 1-4, .327
P. Warr - 1-3, .275
D. Wilde - 0-3, .277
S. Bernard - 1-3, HR, RBI, R, .277
C. Raines - 0-2, R, K, BB, .234

B. Bikowski (L) - 5 IP, 10 H, 6 ER, 4 K, 2 BB, 2.66
V. Trieu - 2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, K, 2.22
J. Hampson - 0.1 IP, H, 0 ER, 3.90
M. Colyer - 1.2 IP, H, 0 ER, 4 K, 2.56

Series MVPs:
Derek Wayne - 4-12, 2 2B, RBI, 3 R
Patrick Warr - 4-10, 2B, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 3 R
Colin Raines - 3-6, 2 R, 2 BB
Cesario Castillo - 7.1 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 7 K, BB, W

Honolulu Gunmen (78-52) vs. Los Angeles Angels (61-69)
August 28th to 31st

We close out the month with a four game set against the Angels, our "backup" division rival. They've struggled immensely in the last month or two, falling well below .500 despite a promising start to the year. Still, they're one of the only teams in the league with a winning record against us (4-2), so we'll have to be playing our best ball considering exactly half of our remaining games are against them.

Key Players:

Garret Anderson - DH
.255, 12 HR, 52 RBI, .729
3, C, B, E, F, D, B, Hot Hitter, 2nd Position 4, Timely Whiff, Aggressive HTR, Cautious STL
Bio: Garret Anderson is a seasoned veteran and long-time Angel who continues to supply plenty of pop in the middle of the lineup. His fielding and base running, however, have taken a dive over the last couple seasons.
Analysis: Anderson is having a bad year. He may be near the end.

Torii Hunter - CF
.266, 15 HR, 55 RBI, .755 OPS
3, D, B, D, B, A, C, Gd IF HTR, Throwing 4, Consistency 4, Spider Catch, HD 1st Slide, Timely Whiff, Stealing 2, Pr Rain, Aggressive FLD
Bio: Torii Hunter, at age 32, is a perennial Gold Glove candidate who still hits the ball pretty well. Expect very few cheap singles to center, and precisely zero triples from the Gunmen offense.
Analysis: Hunter is having a solid year at the plate and is in the running for a Gold Glove as always.

Raul Alcarez - RF
.245, 24 HR, 95 RBI, .763 OPS
3, B, B, D, C, D, B, Clutch Hit 5, Hot Hitter, Tough Out, Gd IF HTR, Rally Hitter, Throwing 2, Durability 2, Star
Bio: The 32-year old Raul Alcarez has been one of the most popular players in Los Angeles throughout his entire big league career. Perhaps he isn't the most graceful, as his proneness to injuries show, but he certainly holds his own at the plate and always seem to come through when it matters.
Analysis: His average is quite low by his standards, but he's still hitting the snot out of the ball.

Projected Pitching Match-ups:

Game 1
Charlie Huff (11-4, 3.37) vs. Ervin Santana (6-11, 5.47)

Our 2-starter will face off against wildly inconsistent LA fireballer Ervin Santana, whose 96-mph fastball has excellent life but struggles with inconsistency and changing speeds.

Game 2
Akinori Otsuka (11-5, 3.43) vs. John Lackey (8-11, 4.90)

Otsuka, who has been on a tear lately, will battle the Angels' interim ace (Jered Weaver was traded to Boston in July) John Lackey. His control and stamina are above average, but his low 90s fastball has a tendency to flatten out and get crushed. His calling card is his curveball.

Game 3
Johnny Rivera (4-7, 3.24) vs. Kelvim Escobar (11-11, 5.18)

Los Angeles' wins leader boasts a 95-mph fastball and an excellent complementary change-up. His ERA is relatively poor, but his consistency keeps the Angels in just about every game he pitches. Johnny Rivera has been limiting opposing offenses pretty well all year, but he is often unable to work deep into games, hence his lack of wins.

Game 4
Michael Davis (11-5, 3.71) vs. Chuck James (1-2, 4.34)

Chuck James figures to get his fifth start of the year in game four, as Joe Saunders is day-to-day with shoulder soreness. There's a chance he'll be recovered by the time the game comes around, but it's unlikely. James is an unspectacular pitcher signed by Los Angeles during Spring Training. He's nothing to worry about.

Previously:

August 28th, 2015
5:13 PM
Los Angeles, CA

I was filling out the day's lineup card when I felt my cell phone vibrate against my thigh. Unknown caller. I let it ring and continued writing.

"Let's see," I said to myself, "Hernandez, McCarthy, Wayne..."

As I was writing, I felt my phone vibrate again. I pulled it out to silence it and saw the exact same number, located out of Los Angeles, CA. I decided to answer, just to give the caller a piece of my mind.

"Look, I don't know how you got this number, but stop calling me."
There was a moment of silence.
"Well, Matthew, I have the phone number of all my employees. You provided it when you were hired."

I was briefly stunned. Hold on...

"Who is this?"
The man on the other end laughed. "Isn't that obvious? It's your boss."
"That can't be," I argued. "I saved your number the last time you called me. Which, I might add, was over four months ago."
"Well, you're doing such an excellent job I didn't think I had much reason to call. And this is my cell phone. I'm calling from Angel Stadium. Step out of the dugout and wave!"

I was a little annoyed by his insistence upon being mysterious, but I obliged. I stepped out of the dugout and looked around, but I didn't see anyone on a cell phone.

"Looking chipper as ever!" he bellowed.
"Where are you sitting?" I asked, not really expecting an answer.
"In a luxury box. You probably can't see that high up, but I assure you I'm here. Anyway, good luck today! I'm hoping for a Gunmen victory!"
"Thank you," I said. "Who are you?"
He paused.
"I never told you?" he laughed again. "In due time, Matthew. Now go out there and get me a win!"
"I'll do my best."
"That's the spirit!"
*click*

I silenced my cell phone as I walked back into the dugout. Sitting down at the end of the bench, I pulled out the lineup card and continued writing.

"Warr, Wilde, Bernard..."

Who could he be??????!!??

August 28th, 2015

Honolulu Gunmen (78-52) vs. Los Angeles Angels (61-69)

Final Score(13):
Honolulu Gunmen - 5
Los Angeles Angels - 6

A back and forth game all throughout, Adam Wilson allowed a single and a home run in the eight to allow the Angels to tie it and ultimately win in 13 innings.

Box Score
Win: Chris Bootcheck (3-2)
Save:
Loss: Viet Trieu (3-2)
HR: Casey Kotchman (17), Maicer Izturis (14), Matt McCarthy (55)

J. Medrano - 1-6, BB, .296
M. McElroy - 1-5, RBI, BB, .265
J. Hernandez - 2-6, 2 2B, 2 R, K, .284
M. McCarthy - 3-6, HR, 3 RBI, R, K, .287
D. Wayne - 1-5, K, BB, .326
P. Warr - 1-6, 2 K, .274
D. Millwood - 2-6, 2 R, K, .284
D. Wilde - 2-6, 2B, RBI, .278
S. Bernard - 1-5, BB, .276

C. Huff - 7 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 4 K, 0 BB, 3.39
A. Wilson - 0+ IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 2.58
E. Lorrier - 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, K, 1.64
D. Edwards - 2.2 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 3.00
V. Trieu (L) - 1.2 IP, 2 H, ER, 2 K, 2.33
___________________________________________________

August 29th, 2015
12:10 AM
Visitor's Clubhouse, Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Los Angeles, CA

Most of the players had shuffled out quickly, as they often do after extra innings losses, but a few were still hanging around and packing up as I walked in. Adam Wilson was among those present, his eyes cast down. One of the team's oldest players, at a ripe 27, his background saw him bouncing around minor league teams for three years before playing two in an independent league. It was from there that we were able to draft him for the league's expansion.

"Keep your chin up," I offered. He turned his gray eyes to me and rubbed his goatee.
"Yeah," he replied, "I'll be all right."

Another voice chimed in.

"Happens to the best of us," said Devin Edwards.
Adam nodded.
"You leaving soon, Matt?" asked Devin.
"Me? Oh, yeah, was just seeing who was still hanging around."
"I'll walk with you," he offered. "You coming, Adam?"
"No, I'll catch up with you guys later."
"Sure thing. C'mon, skip."

Devin and I walked out of the clubhouse and down toward the player parking lot.

"He'll be all right," he said. "Adam's got a lot of fight in him."

I suddenly remembered that my phone was still silenced in my back pocket. I reached back and took it out. 18 new messages, it read. Most of them were from Claire as she watched the game from the hotel. Seven of them consisted of nothing more than "Yes!"

"Lots of messages from the lady friend?" asked Devin with a good-natured smile.
My cheeks flushed, and I cursed my absurdly bashful nature. "No, no," I said, unable to come up with anything else. "No."

It was then that I noticed there was still one message, not from Claire. I checked and saw that it was from the same number as before: the number of the owner. I quickly clicked on it.

"Tough loss, there, Matt. Don't you love it when your best relievers crap the bed? The nature of baseball... meet me at the bar at the team hotel after the game. We should speak in person again."

My heart raced. After all this mysterious bullshit, he was just going to show his face like that? I hadn't even talked to the guy in months. Yet I was beyond intrigued to finally meet him. But what did he mean by again? We'd never spoken in person.

"This is my car," Devin said, interrupting my thoughts. "I'll see you tomorrow, Matt."
"Yeah, I'll see you."

He got in, and I quickly walked over to my own car. I drove as fast as I could without risking a ticket. Fifteen minutes later, I was there. I made my way to the bar and looked around.

It was Friday night, and the place was packed. There had to be at least twenty guys that could reasonably be the voice on the other end of the phone. I walked around, looking at tables and at the bar. People gave me strange looks as I peered through the dimly lit room and at them, trying to see if I recognized anyone.

Finally, at the end of the bar, sitting alone with a scotch in a suit, was a familiar face. He smiled and waved me over. I obliged hazily. After all these years... I simply couldn't believe it.

"How wonderful it is to finally see you again, Matt."

Ooh a late night update