Welcome to the Bulls!

Game 51: Bulls 6, Bisons 4
Season: 33-18
Wrap, Box, Indy Week Story, Herald-Sun Story

The stories linked above tell you about the game. I want to talk about a guy who is thousands of miles away from his raisin’, as they say around here, who sure looks like he’s found a home in Durham, shortstop Brandon Chaves. After 8 years as a professional, never above AA ball, this native of Hawaii showed up when we were in Rochester (from the Montgomery Biscuits) on May 26th. His first game he went 0-3 with a walk. After that he announced himself to the Bulls and at least this fan. As of yesterday he’s hitting .522 with 12 hits in 23 at bats and 5 walks (only 3 strikeouts). His OBP is .621. His OPS is 1.186! He’s hitting .750 with runners in scoring position. He’s got 5 RBIs. In the field? Seven games, seven double plays. Errors? 0. His Fielding Percentage is 1.000. What else can I tell you about this guy except that he’s fun to watch. I know it’s a small sample, but if “the diamond” (catcher, pitcher, shortstop, second base, center field) is the key to team defense, Chaves is filling the hole left by Brignac more than adequately. In fact, if he keeps it up, Reid may have a bit of a problem when he comes back. In the meantime, I’m just enjoying watching this guy play.

Welcome to Durham, Brandon. Have fun! Here’s hoping you help us get the Governor’s Cup.

I guess that it’s time for our section of the stands to stop hoarding peanut shells and invite Adam Sobsey down from his perch in the press box. It looks like he didn’t jinx the series against the Bisons. Now it’s time to welcome the second-most famous minor league baseball team in America, the Toledo Mud Hens. Our guys achieved lasting fame through the story of a worn-out catcher and rising phenom competing for the attentions of a local baseball Annie. Their guys achieved fame through the exploits of a cross-dressing Army clerk wearing a Mud Hens hat. Sounds like a match-up to me.

Deeefense!

Game 50: Bulls 5, Bisons 2
Season: 32-18
Wrap, Box

Superb defense made a very shaky 5 innings by James Houser look better than it was. A perfect strike from Jon Weber in left field to Craig Albernaz to tag out Jesus Feliciano in the 1st inning was bookended by a fine play by Chris Nowak at first base to close out the 9th inning. In between were a very nice running catch by Ruggiano in the 3rd, and double plays in the 4th and 5th. I’m impressed by our new crew at shortstop (Chaves) and second base (Mateo).

Of course, we got five runs batting around in the 5th and won yet another game without a home run. I like that we’re able to win games without the homer. Hate to depend on that.

Player moves

• We got a new outfielder, Rashad Eldridge, up from Montgomery. He was 0-4, but got on base on an error and scored a run. He was started in right field, which is a tough place to play when the sun’s still up. He did OK out there.
• The wrap above says that Chris Mason is starting tomorrow. I don’t understand that. It was Mitch Talbot’s turn, so wonder if something is going on there. Guess we might find out tomorrow. Mason was relieving in Montgomery. We saw a lot of him last year. Here’s hoping a year’s more experience has made a difference.
• Reliever Dewon Day is officially on the DL.
• Chris Richard should be coming off the DL in a day or so.
• Alex Jamieson has disappeared from the roster again. Guess he’s back to “Hudson Valley”.

Interesting asides in Indy Week's coverage of yesterday's game. Would never have thought that Japanese teams are scouting AAA.

Doubles, Doubles, Doubles

Game 46: Bulls 13, Redwings 2
Season: 29-17
Wrap, Box

Common sense did not prevail at Frontier Field last night. Top of the 9th. The Bulls were ahead 13 to 2, lightning was flashing out in the distance and the rain started pouring down. Kevin Oklabzija, a Rochester sportswriter captured the moment, “If no one sees the final outs of a blowout defeat, did the loss really happen?” After one out they pulled the tarp and there was an hour plus delay. According to Oklabzija, less than two dozen fans watched the final five outs. Game over at 11:35 PM, today’s game at 11:05 AM. Dumb, dumb, dumb. I’m going to have to start keeping an eye on umpire Damien Beal. He’s not dealing with a full deck.

The game story is Mitch Talbot pitching his way out of trouble in the second and doubles, doubles, doubles.

The Bulls hit eight doubles last night. Matt Joyce hit three. Henry Mateo, Chris Nowak, Jon Weber, Ray Sadler, and Matt Hall each had one. Then there was a triple (Albernaz), and eight singles for the Bulls best hitting performance this year. If you’re into quirky stuff, and I am, the box score reveals that our ghost catcher Alex Jamieson (guess he’s back from Hudson Valley) came in to pinch hit for Justin Ruggiano in the 9th (after the rain delay) and then in the bottom of the 9th stayed in to play first base. Nowak (at first) went to left field, Joyce (in left) went to right, Sadler (in right) went to center.

New guy shortstop Brandon Chaves went 4 for 4. Very nice.

Webworld

• Neil Solondz interviews Winston Abreu, and Matt Hall. Guess I now know why Matt Hall doesn't have much of a record. He just signed last year. A couple of interesting comments about coming to AAA.
• Fernando Perez writes about his songs [Thanks, Adam].
• Sixty Feet, Six Inches rhapsodizes about baseball.
• The Rays Party takes what seems to me to be an unkind shot at Joe Dillon.
• Adam Sobsey writes about the Bulls press box in the print edition of Indy Week (and online).