Defs their third game out of the last 4 winning...

1-0 over the FisherCats. Nate Bump (another good start 6.1 IP 3hits), Justin Hedrick (1.2 IP, 1 hit) and Osris Matos (1 IP, save #8) combine on the four hit shutout. All the scoring came with two outs in the sixth as Ryan Rohlinger (2 for 3) singled and Carlos Sosa doubled him home. The Defs would go on to load the bases but didn't score. Olmo Rosairo went 2 for 4 in the game. The Connecticut defense turned three DPs behind the pitchers.

Last day of June....

as the "home" season begins to slowly wind down already thanks to a front loaded "first half" schedule a couple of things:

1.) If you told me that EME would be leading the team in hits (69) at this point in the season, well......
2.) If you told me Ronnie Ray would have the most pitching appearances (26, tied with Matos) at this point of the season, well...
3.) And if you told me Simon Klink would have only one homer at this point of the season..

A tip of the hat to Ray while we're at it: a 1.10 ERA in in last ten games covering 16 plus innings pitched.

And speaking about that schedule my record in the 27 games I've seen so far is 10 up and 17 down. I should at least hit the 40 game mark this season; saw 47 games in both 2006 & 2007. Got to work tonight and Wednesday night so I'll get the DH Tuesday and Thursday's game.

Defs win another football game vs the B-Mets 14-5..

with a 9 run third inning and 21 hits in the game as every Defender except for the pitchers had a least one hit. EME leads the way going 4 for 6 with a double and 4 RBIs. Ben Copeland goes 4 for 6 with a RBI. Simon Klink played first today and went 3 for 6 including a double and a RBI. Jake Wald continues his hot hitting going 3 for 5 with a pair of doubles. Adam Witter, behind the plate, collects 3 RBIs and Dave Maroul, playing third, had two RBIs.
Adam Cowart goes 5.1 IP and gets the win improving to 6-6. Ronnie Ray pitches the balance of the game to get his first save.

Ben Snyder debut is a short one tonight...

as he lasts just 3.1 IP giving up all 5 B-Mets runs in a 5-4 Defs loss. Connecticut built a 3-0 lead after a Kyle Haines RBI single in the second that scored Pablo Sandoval (2 for 4) who had doubled. In the third Ben Copeland (2 for 4) singled in a pair of runs. But the wheels started to come off in the third as Snyder, who was on the basepaths in the top half of the innings via an error and advanced on a wild pitch and sac bunt before scoring on Copeland's hit, gave up a three run homer for a 3-3 tie. In the fourth two singles and a HBP loaded the bases before a two run single by the opposing pitcher put the B-Mets up 5-3 and knocked Snyder out of the game.
Connecticut scored one more run on Adam Witter's (another start at first) RBI groundout to finialize the score at 5-4.
Connecticut managed just five hits in the game; four against B-Mets ace Salvador Aguilar who improves to 9-1 with a 2.82 ERA.

Defs take road opener 4-2 over B-Mets tonight..

as Jake Wald knocks in two runs with a pair of doubles to pace the attack. In the second inning down 1-0 Pablo Sandoval (2-3) singled for his first Double A hit and came around on a EME RBI single. Jake then brought EME home with his first double for a 2-1 Connecticut lead.
In the fourth a Adam Witter walk (Witter makes his fielding debut at firstbase tonight) and back to back RBI doubles by Carlos Sosa and Wald made the score 4-1.
On the mound Dave McKae (6-4) went five innings giving up one run. Brooks McNiven pitched three innings of no hit ball and handed off the game to Osiris Matos to close the game. Matos didn't have it tonight giving up a run on three hits and a walk. Kelvin Pichardo came on with the bases loaded and one out and gets an infield fly and a strikeout to end the game for his third save this season.

Misc fan notes: With Paul Oseguera on the DL it's good to see McKae having a good outing. Interesting that Bien goes to Witter at first tonight instead of Klink (I'm assuming Klink is still on the team) as both are lefty batters as Klink is a switch hitter. Wondering if Pablo will play at first at some point in time.
Looking forward to Ben Snyder's debut.

Defs lose 2-0 to Portland tonight....

as the offense managed just five hits; two each from Adam Witter and Jake Wald. Pablo goes 0-4 with 3 Ks. Garrett Broshuis takes the hard luck loss going 7 IP as his record moves to 6-6. My computer's mouse is going so this is going to be a short post. Back Friday!

Defs win 5-1 behind Nat Bump and some timely...

hitting over the SeaDogs tonight. Bump (2-3) throws 6 innings giving up 6 hits and one earned run. Kelvin Pichardo is lights out in two innings allowing no hits and 4 Ks. And Osiris Matos survives a scary 9th but doesn't give up a rub.
Down 1-0 in the fifth Adam Witter hit his 10th homer of the season leading off the tie the game. Later in the inning Olmo Rosairo (2-4) would hit a one out two run double scoring Jake Wald who had singled and AR who reached on an error for a 3-1 CT. lead. The Defs would add two more runs in the sixth as AR would single in two runs.
EME goes 2 for 3 with a walk and Ryan Rohlinger batting third goes 2 for 4.
Pablo Sandoval makes his EL debut batting cleanup and goes 0 for 4. In other roster moves Joe Perez in his blog reports pitcher Ben Snyder is with the team from San Jose. CT. pitcher Joey Martinez is on the DL and backup catcher Nestor Rojas is back to Augusta.

With the Giants and Indians playing in interleague..

here's a little history lesson:

1954 World Series
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
1954 World Series
Team / Wins Manager Season
New York Giants (4) Leo Durocher 97-57, .630
GA: 5
Cleveland Indians (0) Al Lopez 111-43, .721
GA: 8

Dates: October 1–October 5
Television: NBC
TV announcers: Jack Brickhouse and Russ Hodges
Radio network: Mutual.
Radio announcers: Al Helfer and Jimmy Dudley.
Umpires: Al Barlick (NL), Charlie Berry (AL), Jocko Conlan (NL), Johnny Stevens (AL), Lon Warneke (NL: outfield only), Larry Napp (AL: outfield only)

Future Hall of Famers: Giants: Leo Durocher (mgr.), Monte Irvin, Willie Mays, Hoyt Wilhelm.
Indians: Al Lopez (mgr.), Larry Doby, Bob Lemon, Early Wynn.

The 1954 World Series matched the National League champion New York Giants against the American League champion Cleveland Indians. The Giants swept the Series in 4 games to win their first championship since 1933, defeating the heavily favored Indians, who had won an AL-record 111 games in the regular season. The Series is perhaps best-remembered for "The Catch", a sensational running catch made by Giants center fielder Willie Mays in Game 1, snaring a long drive by Vic Wertz near the outfield wall with his back to the infield. It is also remembered for utility player Dusty Rhodes' clutch hitting in three of the four games. Giants manager Leo Durocher won his only title among the three pennants he captured in his career. As of 2006, it remains the last World Series victory for the Giants.

This was the first time the Cleveland Indians had been swept in a World Series and the first time the New York Giants had swept an opponent without qualificaiton. They had won four games without a loss in the 1922 World Series, but there was also one tied game.
The Indians, by winning the American League pennant, kept the Yankees from winning their sixth straight series. The last time the Yankees had not won the series or pennant beforehand was 1948, when, again, the Indians kept them out (although that year, they won the Series). It was also the only World Series from 1949 to 1958 which did not feature the Yankees.


[edit] Summary
NL New York Giants (4) vs AL Cleveland Indians (0)

Game Score Date Location Attendance
1 Cleveland Indians - 2, New York Giants - 5 (10 innings) September 29 Polo Grounds IV 52,751[1]
2 Cleveland Indians - 1, New York Giants - 3 September 30 Polo Grounds IV 49,099[2]
3 New York Giants - 6, Cleveland Indians - 2 October 1 Cleveland Stadium 71,555[3]
4 New York Giants - 7, Cleveland Indians - 4 October 2 Cleveland Stadium 78,102[4]

] Game 1
Wednesday, September 29, 1954 at Polo Grounds IV in New York, New York

Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 R H E
Cleveland 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 8 0
New York 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 5 9 3

WP: Marv Grissom (1-0) LP: Bob Lemon (0-1)
HRs: NYG – Dusty Rhodes (1)

[edit] Game 2
Thursday, September 30, 1954 at Polo Grounds IV in New York, New York

Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Cleveland 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 8 0
New York 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 X 3 4 0

WP: Johnny Antonelli (1-0) LP: Early Wynn (0-1)
HRs: CLE – Al Smith (1) NYG – Dusty Rhodes (2)

[edit] Game 3
Friday, October 1, 1954 at Cleveland Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio

Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
New York 1 0 3 0 1 1 0 0 0 6 10 1
Cleveland 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 2 4 2

WP: Ruben Gomez (1-0) LP: Mike Garcia (0-1) SV: Hoyt Wilhelm (1)
HRs: CLE – Vic Wertz (1)

[edit] Game 4
Saturday, October 2, 1954 at Cleveland Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio

Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
New York 0 2 1 0 4 0 0 0 0 7 10 3
Cleveland 0 0 0 0 3 0 1 0 0 4 6 2

WP: Don Liddle (1-0) LP: Bob Lemon (0-2) SV: Johnny Antonelli (1)
HRs: CLE – Hank Majeski (1)

[edit] Composite Box
1954 World Series (4-0): New York Giants (N.L.) over Cleveland Indians (A.L.)

Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 R H E
New York Giants 1 2 6 0 7 1 1 0 0 3 21 33 7
Cleveland Indians 3 0 0 0 3 0 2 1 0 0 9 26 4
Total Attendance: 251,507 Average Attendance: 62,877
Winning Player’s Share: – $11,148 Losing Player’s Share – $6,713[5]

Records
Hank Thompson set a World Series record for bases on balls received during a four-game series with seven and Bob Lemon set a World Series record for bases on balls given up during a four game Series with eight.

Defs rally falls short as SeaDogs win 6-5 tonight..

at Dodd. With two outs in the home half of the ninth Adam Witter's single made the score 6-4 and Dave Maroul's (2-4 double) infield tapper made it 6-5 but PH Simon Klink struck out to end the game.
Portland took a 3-0 lead after two innings against Adam Cowart. Cowart didn't have much tonight giving up 6 runs in 4 IP on 9 hits, two of them homers. Connecticut had tied the game at 3-3 on a Carlos Sosa's RBI groundout in the second and Ryan Rohlinger's first EL homer, a two run shot to left, in the 4th. But the wheels came off for Cowart in the top of the fifth as he gave up a leadoff homer to Bubba Bell for a 4-3 Seadog lead. The next three batter all singled to load the bases and the hook came out for Cowart. Jason Waddell came on to pitch and walked in two runs to make it a 6-3.
Connecticut blew a chance in the 8th as Maroul lead off with a double and Jake Wald bunted for a single to put runners on first and third with no out. But Jake tried to advance on a pitch in the dirt and was thrown out at second. Kyle Haines was then K'ed and AR grounded out.

Misc fan notes; The big news is Sergio Romo was promoted to the bigs today. The Connecticut closer had 11 saves with a 1-3 record. Good Luck Sergio!
Lost in the above game recap was Ronnie Ray's 3 innings of no hit ball (yes, it's his 25th game appearance). EME and Ben Copeland both have a pair of hits tonight with EME scoring twice.
Dave Maroul made his first appearance at first this season. Rohlinger's homer in his sixth AB ties the number of homers hit at Dodd by both Klink and Maroul combined at third for the whole season to date.
Check out Joe Perez's blog for the latest on the roster rumor mill. They should just drop the hammer already.
Pics are Maroul at 1B and Ryan's scoring on his HR with EME ahead of him.

Well it couldn't last forever...as Joey Martinez

scoreless string was snapped tonight by the Portland SeaDogs enroute to a 5-3 victory over the Defenders. Martinez had thrown 19 consecutive scoreless innings and had not given up an earned run in 32 straight inning but Portland scored a pair of runs off him in both the first and second innings tonight. He left the game after being hit by a line drive off his forearm.
Brooks McNiven came on and pitched very well going 5 IP allowing just one run on two hits. Justin Hendrick continued his fine season throwing 2.1 IP of no hit shutout ball to close the game and bring his ERA to 1.88.
Not a lot of hitting for the Defs again in this game as AR and Ben Copeland were the sparks in the lineup. AR has a perfect line going 2 for 2 with a pair of BBs, two runs scored and SB #23. Copeland goes 2 for 4 with another triple (EL leading #11) a double with two RBIs. He just missed a homer in the 8th which turned out to be the triple. Carlos Sosa knocked in a run with a 1 for 3 night.
Martinez drops to 4-6 on the season with a 2.15 ERA.
Ryan Rohlinger made his EL debut with the Defs tonight at third and went 0 for 4.

Misc fan notes: Face in the crowd tonight was Felipe Alou the great Giants outfielder who later went on to become a manager for the Giants as well. I remember him playing for the Yanksees in the early 70's best. He made his MLBB debut on 6/8/58 and ended up with a lifetime BA of .286 with 206 HRs and 852 RBIs. He spent the night in the stands with GB and Adam Cowart.
Joe Perez stopped by as well for a couple of innings. Please read his blog for the latest (link on the left). Looks like the roster will be getting a makeover. Rohlinger is the first new face with PS and perhaps more to follow.
Pics are of course Mr. Alou and Rohlinger.

RockCats avoid sweep and win 2-1 this afternoon...

as RockCat Erik Lis' solo homer off Dave McKae in the 4th was the game winner. Lis scored the first RockCat run on a sac fly in the second as NB took a 1-0 lead.
For Connecticut Ben Copeland hit yet another triple, his tenth, in the sixth and scored on a double player for the only Defs run as the team managed just five hits in the game.
McKae in the spot start drops to 5-4 on the season.

Misc fan notes: Looks like Pablo Sandoval, the hard hitting C/1B is headed out here from Single A San Jose where he was hiiting .359 with 12 hrs and 58 rbis. I'm pretty excited about this. Where's does he play?
Also the prior thinking was there was no way SF was going to send a hitting prospect to Dodd? What happened? Will SF and CT still be stuck with each other in '09 here in CT?

Defs use the long ball and beat N.B. 5-2 tonight..

as Carlos Sosa's three run homer in the sixth, his seventh of the season, was the game winner. Carlos went 3 for 4 on the night Connecticut took a 1-0 lead in the third on Olmo Rosairo's solo shot, his 4th of the year. Eliezer Alfonzo added an insurance run on a RBI douuble scoring Ben Copeland who had hit his league leading 9th triple.
GB pitches another good game improving to 6-5. Broshuis goes 7 IP allowing two earned runs on 5 hits, two BBs and notches 3 Ks. Osiris Matos gets his 7th save.

You see this often in sports when...

the star is hurt or in minor bb is promoted the rest of the team, at least in the short term, step ups. Such was the case tonight in the wake of TI's well deserved promotion to Fresno as Connecticut's pitching and team defense along with some timely hitting lifted the Defs to a 4-2 win over the RockCats.
Nate Bump who owns the RockCats (a five inning no no last time out in NB) throws a one hitter over five tonight. Justin Hedrick wingles out of a bases loaded jam and Sergio Romo in a two inning stint gives up a 2 run homer down the left field line to preserve the win.
In the second Dave Maroul's RBI single scored EME who had walked, one of two walks EME drew in the game. In the third Olmo Rosairo (3 for 4) hit a seeing eye single up the middle with two outs with the bases loaded in knock in two runs for a 3-0 CT lead. Ben Copeland hit his league leading 8th triple of the season in the fourth to score Kake Wald who had walked. RockCat pitching gave up 8 walks in the game.
In the field Dave Maroul made a couple of nice plays, Eliezer Alfonzo made a nice catch of a foul pop up against the backstop net, and Ben Copeland made a nice sliding catch in right center.

Misc game notes: Defs will wear Juneteeth Negro League uniforms Saturday. Nice display about the Negro Leagues on the concourse behind the press box. I have to work Saturday...hate when that happens and the team is wearing alternate unis.
Nice crowd tonight 5100 and into the game despite the rain that came down for the middle part of the game. A rare Tater sighting tonight and the snack shack along the RF line was open.
Carlos Sosa back in the lineup.
Who's the backup at first base with TI gone and Klink now the starter there. Witter, Olmo, the return of TVS?

Rubber game goes to the FisherCats 6-1 tonight..

as Adam Cowart takes the loss to even his record at 5-5. Cowart goes just 5.1 IP giving up 8 hits and four runs, all earned. Eliezer Alfonzo goes 2 for 4 with a RBI double. Jake wald and Ben Copeland each go 2 for 4 as Connecticut collected 10 hits in the game.
Rockcats make their first visit to Dodd this season Friday to start a three game set.

How hot is Joey Martinez? Another shutout..

performance as the Defs win 9-0 over the FisherCats in NH tonight. Over his last four starts he's pitched 25.2 IP and not allowed an earned run. Tonight he throws a seven inning two hitter with 4 ks to improve to 4-5 with a 1.73 ERA. Jason Waddell and Ronnie Ray toss an inning each to wrap up the game.
AR (2-5) went yard for the first time this season, a 2 run shot, and ends the game with 3 RBIs. Adam Witter in the DH spot hits his 9th dinger, a solo homer in the ninth and adds a sac fly to his line as well. Klye Haines (Bien, just play him everyday please he's hitting .328 now) goes 3 for 5 and knocks in three runs and scores twice from the leadoff spot.
EME, Dave Maroul, and Eliezer Alfonzo all collected two hits in the game to pace a 14 hit attack. As hondo pointed out EME was in RF and Olmo was out in LF for the second straight game. Rubber game of the three game set Thursday; be nice to take it!

MIA: Carlos Sosa..........

last played 6/11/08. Any info out there? Olmo in the OF last night and Witter PH'd last night also.

FisherCats down Defs 6-5 in N.H. tonight....

as Paul Oseguera (1-2) gets lit up in the fifth inning for 4 runs. Paul allows five total runs, all earned, on five hits walking four. Dave McKae goes three inning giving up a run.
EME goes yard for the third time this season a solo shot in the eight. EME plays in RF tonight and Olmo Rosairo gets the call in LF. Olmo goes 2 for 4 with a double and a RBI. Ben Copeland, Jake wald and Simon klink get the other RBIs tonight.
Eliezer Alfonzo gets the rehab start behind the plate and goes one for four in his first '08 game with Connecticut.

Eliezer Alfonzo rehabbing with CT?

He appears on the Connecticut roster posted on BaseballAmerica.com. He was with Augusta but they are on their All-Star break now. Don't know what the roster on the Defs website says as it doesn't come up on my computer.

EL schedule making is for the birds....

as we're done with Reading, Bowie, Altoona, and Harrisburg but have not played New Britain at home at yet. And when we see Erie for the first time the season's over. over.

Defs break open a close one with 6 runs in ...

the 8th and beat the Curve 8-0 this afternoon. TI drives in three runs on a 2 for 4 ands Simon Klink knocks ina pair on a 2 for 3 performance.
GB (5-5, 3.87 ERA) throws his best game of the season going 7 IP and allowing just 3 hits with 5 Ks and no walks. Kelvin Picardo and Sergio Romo (3 Ks) pitch an inning each to complete the shutout. It's the third straight victory via shutout thrown by the CT. pitching staff. Connecticut now ranks second best in team ERA at 3.36.

Misc fan notes: Good to see Kyle Haines back in the lineup! Check out Joe Perez's blog about the latest concerning a new MLBB affiliate for Norwich next season.

Long, wet, damp, muggy, losing baseball night...

as the Defs drop a totally forgettable game 4-1 to the Curve at Dodd tonight. A one out walk by Nate Bump (0-3) followed by a double to left field that EME finally got to led to a quick 1-0 Altoona lead in the top of the first. The Curve picked up a couple more in in the third on a run scoring wild pitch and a RBI single for a 3-0 advantage and that's all she wrote.
Bump ended up going 3.1 IP allowing 4 runs on six hits and walked four. Josh Sharless, Justin Hedrick and Brooks McNiven mopped up.
Like last night the Defs had chances, leaving 12 men on base, but could only muster 6 hits. Adam Witter goes 2-4 with a double and a RBI single and AR goes 2 for 4

Misc fan notes: Just a tough game to watch in a steady dizzy tonight. The games Bump starts seem to take forever.
Wish Bien would figure out a way to get Kyle Haines into these games against NL teams!

Happy Father's Day Sunday! I'll be with my family tomorrow and will be back at Dodd next Friday.

Fright night at Dodd as the the Defs drop...

a scary and ugly 7-3 game to the Curve. Maybe it was a letdown after the sweep of the Thunder but just pretty much an all round flat performance in front of the 5000+ fans tonight. Adam Cowart (5-4, 3.54 ERA) had nothing in his five inning giving up 5 runs, three earned on 10 hits (two to the opposing pitcher including a RBI double) and a walk. He got help from a team defense that ended the game with 3 errors and a run scoring passed ball.
Sad part was Connecticut had 11 hits in the game including two hits apiece from EME, Dave Maroul, Olmo (2 doubles) and AR (2 RBIs) but done of them mattered much. Olmo had a complete adventure at second with his 12th error not even the low point which was actually a kicked ball assist to Jake. Dave Maroul made his 16th error and Adam Witter had his 9th PB of the season.
Anyway let's hope that got that out of their system for awhile.

Misc fan notes: Hands down the best singing of "Take me out to the ballgame" ever in franchise history by four Putnam Bank employees for the 7th inning stretch. Done with four part harmony just blew everyone away!

Defs sweep! Back to back shutouts....

as Joey Martinez (5 IP), Justin Hedrick (2 IP) and Kelvin Pichardo (2 IP save #2) combine on a 8 hitter and complete the three game sweep 3-0 over Trenton. Marinez improves to 3-5 with a 1.90 ERA.
All the runs came on long balls as TI (2 for 4 double, HR) connected in the first with a two run homer, number 8, with Kyle Haines on board who had singled. In the second David Maroul went deep for the 6th time finish the scoring.
EME and Jake went 2 for 4 as Connecticut had 8 hits in the game also.
Check out Mike Ashmore's blog for additional pics and coverage.

Misc fan notes: Looking forward to the games Friday and Saturday at Dodd against the Curve!

Paul Oseguera, Osiris Matos and Sergio Romo..

combine on a six hit shutout as Connecticut edges the Thunder 1-0 tonight. The Defenders managed just three singles in the game, two by Ben Copeland. In the top of the 7th Copeland singled, Kyle Haines moved him over with a sac bunt and Jake Wald delivered the winning hit to score Copeland.
Meanwhile on the mound Oseguera went 6 IP allowing 4 hits and getting 5 Ks. Osiris Matos continues his great season going 2 IP with 4 Ks and lowering his ERA to 1.11. Sergio Romo came on in the 9th for his 11th save striking out one.

Misc fan notes: That's two in a row over the Thunder and means at least a split of the six game road trip. How long will Matos be around for at the rate he's going?

Joey Martinez is now on the EL (on-line) All-Star

ballot! Last week I emailed Brian Irizary who said he was contacting the EL league office about why Martinez wasn't on the on-line ballot since the EL office is in charge of All-Star balloting. I just looked at the ballot and Martinez is on it; pretty amazing.

There was a rain delay in Trenton and the game has picked back up with Connecticut up 5-3. Ben Copeland has knocked in a pair of runs with a double and groundout. Carlos Sosa has hit a solo homer #6 of the season. Olmo Rosario has a pair of doubles and a RBI in three trips to the plate. Kyle Haines has a RBI single.
Garrett Broshuis started and went 4 Ip giving up Trenton's three runs on 4 hits. After the rain delay Dave MaKae has come into the game to pitch.

*UPDATE: the game is in another rain delay the top of the 9th with CT. still up 5-3.
**UPDATE II: Defs win 6-3 as sosa drives in Haines with a double in the top of the 9th and sergio Romo strikes out the side in the bottom half of the frame for his 10th save.
Misc fan notes: Congrats to TI for being named EL player of the week! Also Steve (JP) Palazzolo has been promoted to Fresno!

Dog days of summer not here yet...

but it's a hot one today!

No more of these Sunday night games as...

the Curve blow out the Defs 13-4 tonight and take the rubber game of the three game set. Nate Bump (0-2) doesn't get past the third inning giving up 5 runs, all earned. Jason Waddell fared worst giving up 6 runs in just a third of an inning.
TI remains hot going 2 for 3 with a double and a pair of RBIs. Jake Wald, still in the leadoff spot goes 3 for 4 with a double and a RBI.

Misc fan notes: Keep voting for Joey!! Day off Monday for the Defs as they start a three game set at Trenton on Tuesday.

Defs 5 Curve 3 as Connecticut stops 3 game slide..

tonight in Altoona. Adam Cowart improves to 5-3 (3.41 ERA) going 6 IP allowing one run on 6 hits and fanning 5. Carlos Sosa breaks out of his slump going 3 for 5 with a double and a pair of RBIs. TI stays hot hitting 2 doubles in three trips. Adam Wittter knocks in a run going 2 for 4. Bien has Jake in the leadoff spot tonight and he gets knocks in an insurance run in the eight. Kyle Haines gets the other RBI with a run scoring tripe. Connecticut steals five bases in the game; two each for AR and TI and one for Jake.

Misc fan notes: Continue to vote for Joey Martinez!

Check out Paul Lukas blog post of 6/6/08..

as the follow up to the most recent "Deep End" blog post. Paul's post can be found at:

http://www.uniwatchblog.com/

Nice story, interesting looking park under the bridge. The visting team is Tyler Von Schell's York squad.

Joey Martinez is this year's Jessie Floyd (2006) and

last year's GB only he's better than those two other pitchers. Tonight he throws 7 innings of shutout three hit ball against the Altoona Curve with 5 Ks and no walks and comes away with a no decision. It's the fifth game he's pitched where he's received zero run support this season. He now sports a 2-5 record with a 2.05 ERA. He should be an EL All-Star. Where's that web site?
Steve Palazzolo takes the loss giving up an unearned run (Jake!) and a single hit (the game winning single of course) in his 2.2 IP as his ERA drops to 2.43. Third loss in a row for Connecticut as they managed just 5 hits in 10 innings on the road in the first meeting of the two teams this season.
Carlos Sosa remains in a major slump now batting .103 (4 for 39) in his last ten games with 14 Ks. Come on Carlos!

Misc fan notes: Ok, here's the messed up part, as I just went to vote for the EL All-Star Game. You can vote for one position player from Connecticut and one pitcher from Connecticut and Joey Martinez who has started 11 games for the team isn't listed! You have to write him in!!! Nate Bump and Josh Sharpless are listed and they didn't even start the season here!!!
Who is responsible for this??? The team or front office and I'm thinking the team.

OK everyone vote in Martinez!!! I'm thinking this can be done multiple times.

PS I voted for TI as the position player.

Defs lose a see-saw game 9-6 this morning/afternoon..

as the Thunder score three runs in the 9th to break a 6-6 tie and take the rubber game of the three game series. Connecticut jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead as TI homered on the first pitch he saw in the first with Antoan (AR) Richardson on board via a walk. It was TI's third homer in as many games (who says you can't homer here?). In the bottom of the second with the score 2-1 Simon Klink went deep for the first time this season to make it 3-1. Jake Wald then singled and stole second and came around on Ben Copeland's single for a 4-1 lead.
Paul Oseguera would give up the lead in the 5th as Trenton scored 4 times to take a 5-4 lead. Dave McKae came on to relieve Oseguera to close out the fifth. Connecticut would come right back and tie the game on a AR single's and his 18th SB of the season moved him into scoring position for another Copeland RBI single. Connecticut would steal six bases in this game. In the seventh Connecticut would take the lead as Copleand and TI drew walks and then pulled a double steal. With two strikes on him EME would lift a sac fly for the 6-5 lead. However in the 8th Trenton tied the game with McKae entering his 4th inning of work on a single and a triple that rolled arounded the right field corner getting past Copeland.
Things then fell apart in the ninth for Josh Sharpless who hadn't pitched in a week and left with the same line from his last outing: .1 IP 3 ER 2 hits and 2 BBs for a 81.00 ERA.
Tough loss as the Defs battled back, were aggressive on the basepaths and got a good outing in long relief from McKae in front of a big school day crowd as they've now lost 8 out of nine games.

Misc fan notes: Got an all-you-can-ticket for my birthday that I used today. Ended up knocking down 2 cheeseburgers ($10), 3 hot dogs ($6), box of popcorn ($3) and 6 small diet Pepsis ($6) a total at regular retail of $25. A WEAK performance in my book! I know I can do better for a night game.
Pics top to bottom: TI and Klink go deep, AR steals and Josh throws

Defs lose 3-1 in 12 innings tonight....

to Trenton. TI's homer over the right center wall accounted for the Connecticut run in the fourth. Trenton tied it up off GB in the sixth on a leadoff walk, sac bunt and single. GB pitched well going 6.1 IP allowing just 4 hits and the one run. Both teams had chances in the latter innings but the Thunder pushed acroos a couple of unearned runs off Jason Waddell (his error) in the top of the 12th and that's all she wrote.

Msic fan notes: Small crowd tonight as it rained all day. I'm hearing about 3200 kids for the morning game Thursday. Blue unis???
Kelvin Pachardo and Sergio Romo both pitched great out of the pen tonight.
Pics from top to bottom: EME, Copeland and TI after the HR

Defs snap 6 game losing streak behind TI's ...

4 RBI game as Connecticut beat the Thunder 5-3 tonight. In the bottom of the third with the Defs down 1-0, Kyle Haines drew a one out walk. Ben Copeland then singled and both runners moved to second and third on a wild pitch. TI then doubled just inside the right field line to score both runners. In the bottom of the fourth with the scored tied EME walked and came around on a Antoan Richardson RBI single. In the bottom of the seventh with the game tied this time at 3-3, Haines would walk again and TI then homered to the opposite field to complete the scoring at 5-3.
Steve Palazzolo won in relief improving to 4-1 with a 2.62 ERA. Osiris Matos picked up this 6th save of the season.

Misc fan notes: Thunder Jose Tabata left the game in the first after being hit on the left forearm by a Nate Bump pitch with the bases loaded. Tabata was the second of two batters hit by the Connecticut starter. Bump went 4 IP giving up 4 hits, 2 runs and issuing three walks and slowed the game to a crawl.
I like Kyle Haines who went 1-3 with three walks and scored twice. Kid is a player. EME went 2 for 3 with a slice double down the right field line.
Matos saved this game because Sergio Romo is on the DL again.

Thanks for the birthday wishes! Here's a present for..

everyone. These are pictures I've taken of every Defender to have played so far this 2008 season. Enjoy, just click on the "omax2004" at the bottom.

www.flickr.com Go to omax2004's photostream

Gone fishing.......

as the Defs have a scheduled day off and I'm taking it off as well since it's my birthday today!

Defs drop #6 in a row 6-5 to B-Mets today....

as Adam Cowart had nothing and all his stuff was "up" today; not good for a groundball pitcher. Defs get 13 hits but not enough runs. Not theusual recap tonight but will post a bunch of "happy" pics instead. Was wishing they were going to wear the blue jerseys today.