Bulls Below the Border

And out in Arizona ...

Inspired by some of the posts over on Rays Prospects I started digging around in the Winter League data, going from team to team looking for guys who played for the Bulls last year. I found several of our guys scattered around the Caribbean and Arizona and made up a list of how they’re going. Then, of course, I found a link that pretty much summarized everything I’d been looking for and more. Here’s all the Rays players currently playing Winter league baseball.

Of the position players listed, we saw Ray Olmedo and Henry Mateo last year. Neither are on a major league contract, so there’s no guarantee they’ll be back. The oddity is Tampa Bay infielder Willy Aybar. Hard to guess why he’s playing winter ball. Shouldn’t be for the money.

A bunch of the pitchers we saw last year are down south and out west: Bateman, dePaula, Medlock, Oliveros, Phillips, Rollins, and Talbot. One to watch is Mitch Talbot since he spent so much time on the DL last year. Seems to be doing OK.

Missing from any of the stats (although initially on rosters) are Justin Ruggiano and Jon Weber. Don't know what the story there may be.

The Best Team in AAA — Your Durham Bulls

Durham Bulls 5, Memphis Redbirds 4

Wrap, Box

I figure that almost anyone who reads this blog watched the game, so don’t expect anything new here. Still, a lot of things happened that deserve more than the cursory comment I was able to provide last night. And there are a few odds and ends certainly worth mentioning.

Jeremy Hellickson pitched a terrific five innings. He left the game with a decent 4-0 lead and I thought he was in line for the win. He was also, in spite of what I said last night, deserving of the MVP award.

Jason Cromer had a bad night. Joe Bateman wasn’t much better in his 1 ⅓ innings. If not for three spectacular catches of pitches behind the batters’ backs, it would have been worse. He left the bases loaded for Calvin Medlock and we were lucky to get away with a tie game. Calvin did fine through the 8th. Julio DePaula struck out the side in the 9th, but the 10th got really scary. Bases were loaded with one out when he got a dribbler right back to the mound that allowed him to start a 1-2-3 double play. Mitch Talbot slammed the door in the 11th, setting up the win.

Here’s a tidbit: Mitch Talbot got the first (April 9th) and last (September 22nd) wins of the season. He and I may have been the only guys who knew that before it went up here.

Offensively, the guy who stands out is the veteran Ray Olmedo. Two doubles his first two times at bat (one for a RBI). Two runs scored, the second being the hallmark of a veteran ballplayer and baserunner. Olmedo had doubled in Elliott Johnson and was on second base. Jennings beat out a bunt that moved Ray to third. The Memphis pitcher, who had made the play at first, had his back to the field and Ray (with Montoyo’s encouragement) took off for home.

In the end, Memphis’ manager allowed chaos to reign (or created it?). Michel Hernandez doubled, was pinch run for by Rashad Eldridge, who was then wild pitched to third. Ray Olmedo was intentionally walked, a new pitcher came in, and an outfielder was brought in to the infield to set up a five-man defense because there were no outs and not even a double play would save the game. But the pitcher hadn’t pitched in something like two weeks. The catcher had just come into the game. A wild pitch brought Eldridge home for the win.

Counting last night, the Bulls won five games in a row in the playoffs (and 7 for 9 overall). That’s pretty spectacular.

Six different pitchers won playoff games. Talbot, Hellickson, Cromer, Phillips, and Medlock each won a game. The winner of two games (are you ready for this?) was Joe Bateman.

Don’t know what you may have thought of it, but I thought the ESPN2 coverage of the game was pretty awful. Camera angles were poor; commentary, with a couple of exceptions, just didn’t say much. And Wool E. Bull got no camera time at all!

On the other hand, Neal Solondz and his counterpart from Memphis were doing the broadcast for 99.9 and that was terrific. Once I discovered them about the 5th inning I turned down the TV volume and had a decent night of it.

Other commentary on the game:

Indy Week was at Tyler’s Taproom. MiLB had this story. Marc Lancaster of The Tampa Tribune had this, with some Joe Maddon comments. And the AP, as reported by WRAL had a good story with some good quotes from Charlie Montoyo.

I’ll try to do a retrospective on the season soon. It was a great one. And it has been an enjoyable experience interacting with all the Bulls fans out there. Thanks for looking in, commenting, and keeping me honest (or at least trying to).

Governors’ Cup Comes To Durham

Durham Bulls 3, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees 2

Wrap, Box

What a night! And only fitting that pitchers who began their seasons with Durham should finish them by beginning and ending the last game of the season with the International League's Governors’ Cup in hand. Jason Cromer started the season as the fifth starter, went off to Montgomery for a while and came back. He got 20 starts in the regular season and two in the post-season. Julio DePaula was on the mound in the very first game of the season and had 49 appearances before its end. In the post season he had six (out of eight games) including last night’s save.

It wasn’t easy. In fact, our pitchers struggled all night long. Very few hits by the Yankees, but we sure walked a bunch (11) and hit one. Jason really wasn’t all that sharp. And yet he kept getting out of trouble. In the 2nd, for example, Juan Miranda (called up to the NY Yankees after the game, by the way) got a lead-off triple. A sac fly brought him home. Cromer hit a guy, walked a guy, but got out of the inning with a K. Same thing in the 3rd — two walks, single (run scored), but closed out the inning with two men on base. In total, during Cromer’s innings the Yankees left seven runners on base. In the 7th Joe Nelson walked a guy with two outs, but got out of it. In the 8th inning he had two outs and walked the bases full before getting a fly out to right. In the 9th Rollins let a guy get all the way around to third base before it was closed out. In the 10th Medlock walked one, but a double play ended the inning. In the 11th Medlock gave up a double to open the inning and the runner to third before he got two K’s to end it. And in the 12th Abreu walked his only batter (leaving the game with a burst blister on his hand), DePaula walked another, and men were on second and third, two out, before he got the comebacker that he ran to first for the last out.

So we kept them to two runs. For our own part, things were really, really quiet until the 8th and we got past starter Ivan Nova. Ruggiano drew a walk, Johnson singled him to second, and a double steal put them both in scoring position. It was the first time all night we’d even had runners in scoring position. Desmond Jennings singled both of them home and the game was tied. Sean Rodriguez got tossed in the 7th for aguing about whether a ball was foul or not and Chris Nowak came in for his only appearance of the series. He had a couple of chances to get famous, but didn’t make it, grounding into a double play in the 9th, and a base-loaded ground out in the 11th.

In the 12th, however, Elliott Johnson singled to right and John Jaso doubled him home. That was enough for the Bulls to bring home the trophy.

I’ll do a bit more later, but for now I just want to thank the team and the coaches for a great, great year. Topped off by a terrific post-season.

Great job! Have fun in Oklahoma City!

Update: Sean Rodriguez got tossed in the 7th, not the 9th as I had it in post.

2-0, Almost There

Durham Bulls 4, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees 1

Bulls lead Governor’s Cup 2-0

Wrap, Box

The night was ugly, but the baseball was pretty. A little over two thousand of us (2,480 to be exact) came early and stayed through the light rain that came down all night. Some broke out their umbrellas, some just moved back underneath the roof. Plenty of room.

Unlike most nights, everyone there seemed to understand the larger goings on — no need to explain who Rashad Eldridge was or why Mitch Talbot was only going to pitch a couple of innings. If you made a comment — such as one I heard at the top of the 4th inning when Desmond Jennings got a leadoff single, “About time the leadoff man got on base.” — folks around you nodded their heads. They all knew that Jennings’ playoff performance has been below par. Little bits of game trivia got passed around — “Ray Olmedo is the only Bull who doesn’t have a strike out.” “Bateman got the win when he came in for Talbot in the first game of the Louisville series.” “Damn, that’s three games in a row for DePaula, but he did have a day off.” “Did you know that’s only the second home run in the entire playoff series for the Bulls?”

Everyone knew that this was the last home game of the season. Even if the weather was crummy, we were all going to stay, because this is a really good team this year and they are capable of playing really good baseball. Which is what they did last night.

I have to admit that the Bulls had some good fortune at the front end of the game because the Yankees’ re-habbing Ian Kennedy was on a low pitch count. It was three-up and three-down for three innings (six strikeouts). But he had to leave and Kei Igawa came in. Now, I don’t want to say that the Bulls have got Igawa’s number, but back on August 15th we touched him up for five runs in one inning. Not quite the same last night, but when Igawa came on in the 4th Desmond Jennings got a single and Rashad Eldridge doubled him home to tie the game. It would be another couple of innings before Eldridge’s homer in the 6th put us ahead.

Good pitching and solid defense kept us in the game. A simply brilliant Johnson-Rodriguez-Dillon double play in the 2nd abruptly shut down a serious Yankees threat. If you weren’t there (even if you were) you need to see that play. Click over to the Bulls website and then click on the video highlights box and watch it. Back up and watch it again. Maybe again. Johnson flips ball with his glove behind his back to Rodriguez who barehands it and chunks it to Joe Dillon. Pretty, pretty, pretty. OK, watch it again.

Two more double plays ended the 4th and the 8th innings, although I guess the one in the 4th wasn’t exactly a double play. It was an out and an interference call for the second out. At any rate, the Yankees rarely got anyone into scoring position and when they did only once did they get home.

Julio DePaula and Winston Abreu have become one heck of a tag team. In the first game against Louisville DePaula came on in the 8th and held them, Abreu came on in the 9th and closed it out (no save, we were ahead by a good bit). In the third game, Julio came on with two outs in the 7th and a one run lead, kept things quiet through the 8th, and Abreu slammed the door in the 9th. In the deciding fifth game against Louisville, Julio came on with two outs in the 6th, handed it off to Winston with one out in the 8th, and Abreu got a save. Against the Yankees the night before last DePaula came on with two outs in the 7th and handed it over the Abreu to close out the 9th. And then last night Julio came on the in the 8th, ground out, single, double play. Abreu came on in the 9th, K, single, K, K.

Here’s the thing: Every win in the playoffs has been a DePaula/Abreu show at the end. But tonight my man Jason Cromer is on the mound and Julio/Winston may not be available (although I wouldn’t put it past Charlie if he needs them). I would really like to hear that we finished the Yankees off. So here’s hoping the rest of the bullpen gets a chance to show their stuff (assuming Jason needs it). Let’s wrap this up Bulls!

In the meantime, it has been a great year at the DBAP. They showed a fan appreciation video which, if they get it up on YouTube as they usually do, I’ll link to it. Nicely done and fun to watch on the way out of the park last night. It’s been great. Hope to see all of you again next year when the Bulls open their season by beating the Tampa Bay Rays.

Other commentary.

• Adam Sobsey’s look at the game.
• Chad Jennings came down from Scranton to do a story and several blog entries.

Bulls Win Game 1

Durham Bulls 4, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees 1

Bulls lead in Governor’s Cup 1-0

Wrap, Box, Indy Week, Scranton Times-Tribune

I’m beginning to have a hard time keeping from using the same words over and over again on the nights that Jeremy Hellickson pitches. He is really, really good. The only time he appeared to be in the slightest bit of trouble was when he gave up a single to the leadoff batter in the 4th and then walked the next batter. But he then struck out the next batter, and got a double play ball from the one after that. A two-out, bases-empty home run in the 7th accounted for the only run charged against him.

DePaula was sharper than usual for his inning and a third, Abreu wasn’t. Have to say that I got concerned when he walked two guys in a row in the 9th (with one out), but then he re-discovered himself and struck out the next two to close out the game.

I’d like to talk some about Henry Mateo. He kicked things off the first by drawing a walk, blowing past second on a Joe Dillon single to end up standing on third. He was either stealing or Charlie’d called a hit and run. Either way we had a man on third with one out and waiting for Sean Rodriguez’s RBI single. Then as leadoff in the 6th Henry puts a beautiful bunt down towards third and a few seconds later is standing on third. Clean bunt single, bad throw, poor back up by the right fielder. He then scored on another Joe Dillon single.

And I’d like to talk about Michel Hernandez. Scranton intentionally walked Justin Ruggiano to load the bases with one out (this was still in the 6th, after Mateo had scored and Matt Joyce had doubled Joe Dillon to third). Elliot Johnson struck out, so it began to look like slow-running Michel was in trouble. But he really slammed one up the middle for 2 RBIs. Looked to me like it was old guys night at the plate, Henry Mateo, Joe Dillon, and Michel Hernandez showing the youngsters how the game is played.

Mitch Talbot’s on tomorrow. I’m encouraged. He just went one inning longer than he should have the last time and we only used DePaula from the pen, so we’ve got a full crew there.

Last home game of the year tomorrow. Let’s go out on a high note, guys. There may not be a huge crowd in the DBAP, but we’re the ones who really care. Brilliant season. Let’s keep it up!

Bulls Beat Bats — Now For the Yankees

Durham Bulls 5, Louisville Bats 3
Wrap, Box

Now I know where I’m going to be Tuesday and Wednesday — at the DBAP cheering for the Bulls. We have won the first round of the playoffs with superb pitching performances by the relief crew and scrappy play by everyone else. The Bulls are on their way home and will be playing the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees for the Governor’s Cup beginning Tuesday.

If I didn’t know better, I’d think Paul Phillips was a starter. But in a couple of hundred professional games he’s made exactly two starts, one of them tonight, the other on September 6th against Norfolk. Nevertheless, he was exactly what we needed to win. He got through five solid innings.

We were up 4-3 when Medlock came on, so Phillips got the win. He deserved it. On the other hand, Calvin Medlock was really shaky, hitting a batter, walking two and enduring a muffed double play. But Charlie was quick with the hook. Julio DePaula set the Bats down to finish the 6th, had a 1-2-3 7th, but gave up a one-out walk in the 8th. So on came Winston Abreu for his third appearance in this five-game series. Winston got two outs to finish the 8th. A bunt single was all that happened in the 9th. The next three batters were out and the Bulls are now catching a plane back to Durham to play some more baseball.

On offense the Bulls played smart, effective baseball all night long, only making one mistake in the 8th (Jennings got picked off). Twelve hits, four walks, four stolen bases, it was basic heads up ball. Nevertheless, we scuffled for every run. As an example, Matt Joyce tripled to lead off the 4th, but it took a broken bat single by Justin Ruggiano to get him home. Ruggiano, by the way, has had a terrific series. And he was 3 for 4 tonight, two singles and a double, and two RBIs.

I think I said at the beginning of this playoff series that a lot was going to depend on the ability of Charlie Montoyo and Xavier Hernandez to manage the pitching staff. I still think that’s true and still think that is how we managed to win this round. Thank you, Charlie and X!

Oh, yeah. Jeremy Hellickson is supposed to start on Tuesday.

That’s Better

Game 139: Bulls 9, Knights 0
Season: 79-60
Games Left in Season: 5; Home Games: 3
Wrap, Box, Indy Week

For all my complaining about the Rays, it pales in comparison to what the White Sox have done to Charlotte over the last couple of days. I guess we should be thankful (but I won’t be).

Charlie Montoyo had some interesting things to say in his interview with Neal Solondz. He thinks the season should end on September 1.

Nevertheless, I don’t want to take anything away from my favorite left-handed Bulls pitcher (What’s that our only left-handed pitcher? OK, in that case simply my favorite Bulls pitcher), Jason Cromer. Terrific night for Jason. Six innings, 5 hits (all singles), two walks, two strikeouts, no runs. His ERA went down to 2.33. Followed in the 7th and 8th by Julio DePaula, who didn’t let any runs in, and in the 9th by Winston Abreu, who struck out the side.

The new guy, Desmond Jennings, and the veteran, Chris Richard led the offense. Jennings showed why he was named MVP of the Southern League almost a month after he was gone: Two walks, one hit by pitch, a triple, a home run, two stolen bases, three runs scored, and 2 RBIs. Chris Richard went 4-5, with a homer and three singles, and 4 RBIs.

Norfolk did us a favor by beating the Braves 8-1, so we’ve back up into sole possession of first place in the South Division. I’ve also noted DRR’s comments regarding how there’s an advantage to being the wild-card team as opposed to the division champs, and I agree. On the other hand, I’d really like a t-shirt that would tout three years in a row (plus Gov’s cup, of course).

World Cup

Mike Potter covered Team USA’s media day. Thanks, Mike. The best link I’ve found so far regarding the world cup is here. I still haven’t found any sportswriter-type stories on the Cup. If anyone else does, let me know.

Not Quite Enough

Game 127: Bulls 3, Knights 4
Season: 70-57
Games Left in Season: 17; Home Games: 7
Wrap, Box, Indy Week

The Durham Bulls 29th pitcher of the year, Jeff Bennett, started the game last night. If that sounds like we’ve had a lot of pitchers, we have. To be fair (not that being fair is my forte), three of the 29 were position players thrown to the wolves when we’d run out of relievers. Three more were rehabbing Rays. Nevertheless, 29 is more than we had in 2008 (27) and we had a couple of rehabbers last year as well. The Rays have used 20 pitchers this year.

At any rate, Bennett had a shaky start, giving up two runs in the first two innings. But the next two innings were just fine. Is Bennett a starter or reliever? Darned if I know. Guess we’ll find out.

Two big disappointments in the game for me was the performance of two of my favorite Bulls, Jon Weber and Jason Childers. Weber had the bases full in the 1st and hit into an inning-ending double play. He struck out with a runner on second in the 3rd. He hit into another inning-ending double-play with runners on first and second in the 5th. On the other hand, his single with Mateo on first in the 7th, moved Mateo to third and set up the go-ahead run when Mateo scored on Dillon’s ground out. So, he redeemed himself. Unfortunately, Jason Childers gave up a walk and then a home run in the 8th. And this coming just after he was profiled on the Bulls website.

Scary moment:

• Akinori Iwamura, bad knee and all, being waved home in the 3rd. It was always going to be a close play and, as it turned out, the ball got there well before he did. By the way, Iwamura drew three more walks last night. He’s got a stunning OBP of .600 since he’s been here.

Fun moments:

• The phrase, “baserunner caught in a run-down” was demonstrated in the 6th. Charlotte’s Josh Fields got way too far off second base and our pitcher, Julio DePaula, came off the mound and literally ran him down and tagged him out.
• In the 8th Michel Hernandez was coming to bat and I was ranting about who was available to pinch hit (Michel hasn’t had a hit since he came back). Michel comes to the plate and gets a leadoff single. Didn’t pay off, unfortunately, since like so many others last night, pinch runner Fernando Perez got stranded on second.

Bulls hit the road. Plan to do a post about that later in the day.

Only seven more games at home!

All-Star Break — Pitching

(click on chart for larger image)

For AAA the All-Star break comes at a point well past mid-season. We’re at 90 games, 18 past the 72 games that mark the first half of the season for us. And we only have 27 home games left before the playoffs begin.

Although we looked at these numbers recently, thought they might be worth another look before things start up again.

What jumps out at me in the pitching chart is the lack of depth. Of the five, only three have seen very many starts as Bulls (Davis 18, Hernandez 17, and Cromer 9). Of course, Sonnanstine had a bunch of starts with the Rays and if his mononucleosis is under control he will be a huge asset the rest of the season. I have no idea of Mitch Talbot’s status. He had 10 starts before he went on the disabled list and were he to come back, we could certainly expect a lot from him. So, that leaves only Matt DeSalvo as a weak starting pitcher.

Childers, DePaula, Bateman, and Thayer are obviously the core of our relievers and they are all doing credible jobs. It’s hard to tell how James Houser might work out as a reliever, but not bad so far. Similarly, Medlock’s status is uncertain. There’s something going on with him that appears to have nothing to do with Bulls as a team, but with roster juggling. Certainly his numbers are just fine and we’d be better off with him available in the bullpen all the time. We’ve only seen 3 innings from Meloan, so he’s impossible to judge. Julio is unimpressive.

So what do we have to worry about? Well, that’s pretty simple, the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Rays 40-man roster has five of our pitchers on it: Talbot, Davis, Sonnanstine, Houser, and Thayer. The Rays also have three pitchers on their disabled list, all relievers, but only one that appears to be coming off any time soon (Brian Shouse). For the Bulls that should mean that, except for Dale Thayer, our current crop of relievers should be safe from call up. Among our starters, my guess is that it would be a coin toss between Sonnanstine and Davis.

Are any of our pitchers trade bait? Hard to tell. The Rays’ problem at the moment appears to be the bullpen. Would they trade a promising starter for a proven reliever? Maybe, but this is the team that has already traded two proven pitchers off this year (Jackson and Hammel), so while it could surely happen, doesn’t seem likely. If they needed a position player, then maybe. But other than the catcher position, the Rays don’t seem to have any glaring weaknesses among their position players (and they’ve always got Joe Dillon). So, could they do something? Yes. Will they? What do you think?

I don’t have a good sense of who’s pitching in Montgomery this year, especially among the starters. So no idea who the Rays might want to have some AAA time. But that could add some interesting variables to the mix.

Outpitched, Outplayed

Game 86: Bulls 6, Braves 7
Season: 50-36
Wrap, Box

As much as I hate to admit it, the Durham Bulls just got outplayed tonight. I thought that maybe, just maybe, some 9th inning heroics would do it for us again, but it didn’t happen.

It was a really slow game, 3 ½ hours to play 9 innings. Some of that I blame on the Gwinnett starter, Antonio Armas, but we helped him out by getting 18 batters in the first 3 innings. That was OK, since we got 5 runs. It should have been 6, but something happened to Ray Olmedo as he came around third base in the 2nd and he wasn’t able to score on Brignac’s single. If I find out what, I’ll try to post it. But Olmedo left the game for Elliot Johnson. Unfortunately, a not-very-well-played bunt and an error in the top of the 3rd let Gwinnett have 2 runs. So, bottom of the 3rd, 5-2.

I don’t think we were ready for Mario Gomez, the first Braves reliever. He’s good. He shut us down for 4 innings. Meanwhile, Jason Cromer, my favorite Bulls pitcher, had a decent 6 innings, but, in a replay of his last start, the 7th was a mess. The difference was that last time Jason Childers got him out of the mess. This time he didn’t. A single and a double, on Cromer, then Childers comes on with runners on second and third. A wild pitch, an error, a homer (not necessarily in that order) and it’s 6-5 Braves. DePaula hangs on in the 8th, but the new guy, John Meloan lets another run across in the 9th. We get one run back in the bottom of the 9th, but that’s not enough to tie.

I’m getting superstitious about saying good things about Justin Ruggiano. Seems like every time I do, the next game is terrible for him. He started the night with three strikeouts and a ground out.

After tomorrow’s game, the Bulls won’t be back in the DBAP until the 24th of July. Here’s hoping that the turf recovers. I don’t think I’ve ever seen the field look quite as bad as it does right now. Not sure why, but I’m guessing that with the Team USA games, the ACC tournament and perhaps a bit of dry weather, it simply hasn’t been able to recover. Since I’m planning on watching a couple of Governor’s Cup games there this September, here’s hoping the crew can get it back into shape.

All Hail the Returning Bulls

Game 78: Bulls 4, Clippers 3
Wrap, Box, Indy Week Story

Game 79: Bulls 9, Clippers 6
Wrap, Box, Indy Week Story

The Durham Bulls are back in town this morning after a simply superb road trip. Last night’s hitting fiesta was simply the icing on the cake (total bases of 29 was the best of the year). They have truly earned their day off. They went 6-2 on the road. They scored 54 runs to the Mud Hens’ and Clippers’ 41. There were three 1-run games and the Bulls won two of them. There were three 2-run games and the Bulls won 2 of those.

The Bulls left home 6 games over .500 and in third place in the South Division of the International League. They come home 11 games over .500 and in first place in the South Division.

Without the day of rest, I’d still be concerned about the relief pitching, as I noted a couple of days ago. Last night’s crew (DePaula and Bateman) did poorly on one day’s rest. (Trivia question: If one reliever gives up a bunch of runs, can he then get a save if they still win the game?)

Pleased to see that the Bulls management team finally took my advice and put Jon Weber in leadoff spot — where he started the game with a home run. Of course, they were winning without Jon leading off, but why let facts get in the way?

Sometime today or tomorrow the Rays will dictate the answer at least one the two impending of the starting pitcher questions. If I hear something, I’ll put it up.

Does the July schedule look as odd to you as it does to me? We have only nine games at home, five in the early part of the month and four near the end. And all those with Southern Division teams. Then nineteen games at home in August. Odd, odd scheduling this year.

Charlotte tomorrow night (they’ve won their last five games, too), Andy Sonnanstine on the mound. Should be fun.

Now That’s a Lot of Ball

Game 77: Bulls 8, Clippers 7 (13 innings)
Season: 43-34
Wrap, Box, Indy Week Story

I’ve always thought that relievers had the easiest job in baseball, if a bit boring. How hard could it be to show up every day, maybe play a little catch, and hang out with the guys chewing sunflower seeds out in the bullpen? Probably not a good thing to be sitting in the bullpen with your iPod plugged in and your head bobbing, or working out your thumbs on Twitter, but otherwise, not a bad job. Every 3 or 4 days you warm up, take a look at the situation (or get told about it by your catcher), and stroll/trot out to the mound and do your thing.

On the road sometimes it’s even easier, since the home team doesn’t even come to bat in the 9th when they’re ahead.

Until you trek up to Ohio and in the first six games three of them go into extra innings (13, 15, and 13). Then you have to go to work.

In the last six games:

• Jason Childers: 3 appearances, 18 batters faced, 5 innings
• Julio DePaula: 3 appearances, 24 batters faced, 6 innings, 1 win, 1 save
• Dale Thayer: 3 appearances, 21 batters faced, 5 innings, 1 save, 2 blown saves
• Joe Bateman: 3 appearances, 28 batters faced, 7 innings, 1 win
• Calvin Medlock: 2 appearances, 14 batters faced, 4 innings
• Jorge Julio: 3 appearances, 21 batters faced, 5 ⅔ innings
• Chad Bradford: 2 appearances, 11 batters faced, 3 ⅓ innings, 1 win
• Dewon Day: 3 appearances, 18 batters faced, 3 innings, 1 loss
  

Some very complicated math reveals that the starters pitched 28 innings over the last six games and the relievers pitched 39. Which leads me to a picture of what might be going on in the locker room or out on the field prior to today’s game. Something like this.

Relievers to Starters: “Look guys, we’re getting tired and way, way behind on our tweets. Do you think you could last, oh say, 6+ innings or so?”

Starters to Relievers: “We’re doing our job. If you can’t hold them in check it ain’t our problem (OK, maybe Matt DeSalvo isn’t part of that conversation — in two games he’s only lasted a total of 6 ⅔ innings).”

Position players (especially the catchers) to all of them: “Just stop the bleeding guys. Justin can’t save the game every day. How about a full 9 innings of baseball and we go back to the hotel with another win?”

Odds and Ends

• The Bulls are in first place in the South!
• Dan Johnson is playing for the Yokahama BayStars
• Joel Guzman is playing for the Nationals’ AA team in Harrisburg, PA
• Andy Sonnanstine is set to open the Bulls home stand on Thursday.

Bulls Win 15 Inning Ordeal

Game 74: Bulls 2, Mud Hens 4
Wrap, Box, Indy Week Story

Game 75: Bulls 5, Mud Hens 3 (15 Innings)
Season: 41-34
Wrap, Box, Indy Week Story

My plan, once I heard that Jason Cromer was getting the start, was to focus my story on him — no matter what the outcome of the game. That was especially so since I’d heard that the President of his fan club was going to be interviewed over on The Rays Party. For the first 6 innings things went true to form for Jason, with the notable exception of him getting some run support by way of a home run from Chris Richard in his first at bat since coming off the DL, and a bit of small ball in the 3rd inning. At that point Jason had only allowed two hits, no walks, and eight strikeouts. My story was good to go. Then something of an oops in the 7th. A single, then a home run and he was out of there with a no-decision.

Eight innings and five pitchers later, the Bulls won. It wasn’t easy. My guess is that Toledo fans will not be marveling over some of the oddities of the game. One would be Dale Thayer with a blown save in the 10th that tied things up after Ray Sadler’s homer in the top of the inning and extended the extra inning ordeal. Or seeing, unique in my experience, an umpire calling interference on himself in what I think was the bottom of the 12th inning, which kept a Toledo runner from reaching third base. [It was the bottom of the 10th, and the umpire interfered with a throw to third on a steal attempt, causing the throw to go past third. Without the call, runner scores. Game over. Thanks, N.]

But in the 15th Jon Weber drew a walk. Henry Mateo hit a double, moving Weber to third. Ray Olmedo was intentionally walked (lots of those last night) to load the bases (two outs by this time). And Justin Ruggiano, after going 0 for 6, hit a single, scoring Weber and Mateo. Julio DePaula, in his third inning in relief and after only two days rest, finished it off.

Have to mention the bottom of the 14th heroics of Jon Weber. Toledo’s Scott Sizemore doubled. Clete Thomas followed with a single to Weber in right field. Sizemore, of course, tried to score, but was out at home on a perfect throw by Weber, otherwise the game would have been lost right there.

Odds and Ends

• For a good overview of this game and the sheer hard work of this whole series in Toledo, check out the Indy Week story.
• Charlie Montoyo leaves the team today to be with his son.
• Matt Joyce was benched last night for getting thrown out of the game Thursday arguing a third strike call.
• Andy Sonnanstine, last seen in Durham in 2007 when he appeared in 11 games before going up to the Rays, is coming back. Andy’s had a decent, but not stellar year with the Rays and apparently they had to choose between him and David Price once Kazmir came off the disabled list.
• With Chad Bradford coming off the Rays DL, Winston Abreu was designated for assignment. There’s a remote chance he’ll show back up here, but not likely. More likely is that he’ll end up with another team.
• Did I mention the interview with the President of the Jason Cromer Fan Club over on The Rays Party?
  

Fireman Takes Bucket of Gasoline to the Fire (Again)

Game 69: Bulls 3, Red Sox 4
Season: 38-31
Wrap, Box, Herald-Sun Story

It’s the 5th inning. Carlos Hernandez has been struggling all night. He simply doesn’t look like the pitcher who’s been doing such a good job all year. Earlier this week when he sat out his rotation spot with back troubles. Maybe that’s the problem. The score is 3-1 Bulls. Carlos starts the inning with his fifth walk. The next batter hits a single to left moving the runner to second base. The next batter grounds out to Olmedo at third. One out. Carlos gives up his sixth walk. Bases loaded. DePaula has been warming up since the first walk and the radio is saying that Hernandez is reaching his pitch count limit (Pitch count limit? Pitch count? We’re about to lose the game, Charlie.) Hernandez has really slowed the game down for the last two batters. I’m thinking he’s trying to give DePaula time to warm up and now’s the time to bring him in. But he stays for the next batter and I finally notice that the batter bats left-handed, Hernandez is left-handed, and maybe Montoyo wants a lefty on lefty situation. It works. Batter pops up. Infield fly rule. Two outs.

Now DePaula comes in. Batter hits a single, two runs score. Next batter hits a single. Another run scores. Pawtucket leads 4-3 and that’s the story of the game.

Sounds a little like the Joe Bateman the night before.

Not that we didn’t have a couple of small chances later on, but base running (or manager decisions, not sure which) stifled the chances for runs. (See video on Bulls home page, for base running problems.)

So lets talk about something else.

I got there early to see the Negro Leaguers honored. A privilege to see those gentlemen lined up along the first base line. One in a wheelchair. Several sporting canes. Squint a little and you can see young men with tiny little fat-fingered gloves on their hands chasing down fly balls or scooping up grounders. You can see elegantly dressed, straw-hatted fans in the stands cheering. Another time.

Jon Weber launched yet another bat in my direction last night. That’s three so far this year. Tell you what, if you really don’t like the writing let’s get together and talk about it. I’m no fearless journalist. I can be bought. Plus, you’re a lot younger and a lot more fit than I am (I do have more hair, though). I think it would be really cool to have one of your baseball bats as a souvenir. If only a more gentle form of delivery could be arranged. Not only that, I think I’ve been saying some really nice things about you this year. Even back in spring training I was saying nice things. What’s the grudge? You want more? How about this?

Jon Weber was the story for the Bulls last night. Very pretty home run into the right field stands in the 3rd inning.

(How’s that? OK? And, unlike some of my stuff, it’s even true.)

One of the oddities of the last two nights has been the reported record crowds. I guess I just don’t know how to count as well as the Bulls front office. They are reporting big numbers, I’m seeing a lot of empty seats. My only guess is that a lot of folks paid for seats and didn’t come.

Lastly, a comment on what seems to happen when a player only makes a visit to the big time. Reid Brignac and Matt Joyce are back from short stays with the Tampa Bay Rays. I’m guessing that it must do something to your head to strip off that Rays uniform and put your old Bulls gear back on. Reid is 4 for 17 (.235) since he came back, although his fielding actually appears to be improved. Matt is 3 for 23 (.130) since his return. You are both solid ballplayers. We like watching you play. Here’s hoping you get your grooves back. We need you.

Ugly Night

Game 64: Bulls 5, Iron Pigs 8
Season: 38-26
Box, Indy Week Story, Herald-Sun Story

Just a hint of how the night was going to go when I saw Julio DePaula go out to the mound. I didn’t have my radio earpiece in yet. So I leaned over and asked John what was going on. He told me that Hernandez had some sort of back problem and that Montoyo was going with a “starter by committee” approach. Hence, reliever DePaula on the mound. A broken-bat ground rule double (into the the visitors bullpen bench area), passed ball, walk, but fortunately a K to get out of the inning. No score, but things really weren’t looking all that good. The next inning started with a double, another double (one run in), another double (another run scores), a throwing error by DePaula to 2nd base (runner to 3rd), grounder to short (another run). Two of the doubles land in almost exactly the same place in front of and two the left of Matt Joyce in right field.

It doesn’t get better. John Jaso had a horrible night. Two passed balls and three wild pitches. What’s the difference? Hard to tell, sometimes I think the scorer just flips a coin.

Fourth inning. New guy Jorge Julio on the mound. Walk, stolen base (Jaso couldn’t seem to get the ball out of his glove), wild pitch, wild pitch (runner scores), walk, single, double play.

Fellow sitting next to me reminisces about Chris Richard’s two grand slam game. But I give up and watch the top of the 7th from the top of the Blue Monster. Driving home I get a huge twinge when the Bulls score three in the bottom of the 7th. Think about turning around and going back to the ball park, but the rally dies.

Odds and Ends

• Noticed that we had the same umpiring crew for the entire eight-game road trip (different crew tonight). Is that the way it’s supposed to work? Do pitchers and catchers start adapting their game to the umpire?
• Mike Potter, former Herald Sun sportswriter, is now blogging for The Independent Weekly and covering the Mudcats. Most recent story here. Interesting to see what happens when a pro gets let off the word count leash. Among other things, colorful adjectives go way up.
• Remember, vote early, vote often for International League All-Star. Guess that since Reid Brignac is back (today, maybe), makes sense to push for him in the shortstop slot.
• Speaking of Reid Brignac, some comments about him at DRaysbay.
• For Durham folks who haven’t found it, I can recommend Bull City Rising, a great city blog, with a good list of blogs covering local concerns/activities (we’re on it, thanks).

Price Shows Up For the Game, Bulls Hitters Don't

Game 35: Bulls 4, Redwings 3
Wrap, Box
Game 36: Bulls 2, Redwings 3
Season: 22-15
Wrap, Box, Indy Week Story


A couple of days ago I learned I could get the Bulls on television. So last night, for the first time ever, I watched the game at home. For those locally who are hostage to Time-Warner, home games are on Channel 251. The camera angles are OK and the play-by-play and commentary is the same as on radio. Terrific view of empty stands. The weather was not good all day and I just got lazy. Looked like a lot of other people had the same idea.

If we’d had other media coverage of the game last night, the big story would had been David Price. He finally brought his game to Durham and it was very, very good: 5 innings, no hits, 2 walks, no runs, 82 pitches, 50 for strikes. Just superb pitching and for the first time I saw what folks have been talking about. In particular, I liked what I saw after he gave up two walks in a row. He walked back of the mound for a bit. Then struck out the next batter. He left the game with the Bulls ahead 2-0.

I was just as interested in whether or not we were going to win the game. We didn’t.

The 6th inning was a mess. Former Bull Jason Pridie hit a one-out homer off of former Redwing Julio DePaula. Then a walk, triple (run scores), hit by pitch, walk, bases loaded. Then an ugly, but effective, play when DePaula slipped going after a come-backer but threw out the runner coming in from third and Jaso got the double play at first. DePaula left the game with a blown save. 2-2.

According to the broadcasters, the Redwings’s second baseman Alexi Casilla is down from the Twins on a punishment tour for not running out hit balls. Guess he was showing his stuff. I still can’t figure out how, after getting a single in the top of the 8th, he got all the way from first to home on a not very hard hit single into center field. He must have taken off on the pitch and run like hell. Showing Twins’ management he’s ready come back? [Oops! As pointed out in comments, Casilla went to second on a flyout to right field. So his dash was from second to home.] It was enough to win the game.

Webworld: Some interesting stuff out there today.

• Chris Richard was named International League Player of the Week.
• Mike Potter, long time Durham Herald-Sun reporter left the press box.
• Jason Isringhausen finished his rehab assignment and is going down to Tampa Bay.
• In the Rays’ 7-5 win over Cleveland yesterday, former Bull and starting pitcher Andy Sonnanstine ended up having to bat in Longoria’s slot in the batting order because of a mistake in the lineup card. He hit a double and got an RBI. See Her Rays take on the game and The Tampa Tribune’s.
• Rays Party takes a deeper look at Tampa Bay’s situation and thinks that Chris Richard, Jon Weber, or Ray Sadler should be called up. He also looks at the Bulls in general, and provides a detailed look at Justin Ruggiano.
• Lastly, we get a look at what can happen when you park too close to the DBAP.