Eight Men Moved

The Rays have moved eight players to minor league camp, giving Bulls fans a developing look at roster possibilities. Of the six pitchers, three are on the 40-man and there’s little reason for them not to move to the Bulls roster. When you move that many pitchers, though, you don’t need all the catchers in the big league camp, so young Mr. Maile moved “down” as well. All of them were on our master list from a few days ago.

Note that the Port Charlotte setup is huge. Moving to minor league camp means moving from one locker room to another. They’ve got five or six fields down there, but no press coverage to speak of. So these fellows will disappear off the stats sheets until April.

Player	Age	Position	2013 Team(s)
Enny Romero*	23	LHP	Bulls/Biscuits
Mike Montgomery*	23	RHP	Bulls
Alex Colome*	25	RHP	Rays
Matt Andriese†	23	RHP	Padres AAA
Merrill Kelly†	25	RHP	Bulls/Biscuits
Victor Mateo†	24	RHP	Biscuits
James Darnell†	27	OF	Padres AAA
Luke Maile	23	C	Bowling Green (A)

* = on Rays 40-man roster
† = Non-Roster invitee

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.

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!

Hot, Hot, Hot

Game 115: Bulls 11, Chiefs 5
Season: 65-50
Wrap, Box

How do you figure a night like this? After one of the worst nights of the season yesterday with only 4 hits, the Bulls have their best hitting night of the year with 18 hits. (Note: On the scoreboard when I left the park, and on my scoresheet, the Bulls had 17 hits. However, the box score shows Weber with 4 hits and the Bulls with 18. So someone must have prevailed upon the official scorer — yet another errant bat, Jon? — to change that 8th inning E-1 to an infield hit, as it should have been scored in the first place.) One home run (Chris Richard), 3 doubles (Mateo, Weber, and Johnson), and 14 singles. Every Bull got on base, except for Albernaz who came on in the 8th for Jaso and only had one at-bat. And no blowout inning, just a steady drumbeat of 1, 2, and 3-run innings. Pretty, pretty, pretty.

Hot it was. I made the mistake of checking the weather about an hour into the game and got one of those “feels like” numbers — over 100.

I can’t honestly say that Andy Sonnanstine looked all that good, although he did get the win. Sure seemed like he was working really hard and he did run up to 96 pitches in six innings. Abreu was Abreu. It sure is great to see him and his nasty slider back. Maybe the big guys can hit it, but these guys sure can’t. Keep it up Winston. Dale Thayer had a bit of trouble when he came on in the 8th giving up a double, two singles, and a run before he settled down. By the way, it looks like he’s growing his famous ’stache back.

Something like 50 years ago the psychologist B. F. Skinner pretty much nailed down where superstitious behavior comes from and put it off to what became known as operant conditioning. That may be. On the other hand, players (and fans) know that if they wear their hats a certain way, do just the right things in the on-deck circle, scratch this and wiggle that, then good things happen. The trick is to make sure that you keep doing the right things. So, whatever it was, just keep it up.

Elliot Gets a Hit, or Three

(Photo courtesy Durham Herald-Sun)

Game 103: Bulls 7, Tides 5
Season: 58-45
Wrap, Box, Herald-Sun

The photo tells part of the story of last night — Craig Albernaz did a terrific job at the plate. Nice try, but Norfolk's Fiorentino was wrong. He was out. Henry Mateo is holding the ball in his glove there and the tag was good. Fiorentino was out on his attempted steal in the 4th, just like Gathright was out when Albernaz picked him off first base in the 1st. Albernaz also had an RBI single in the 5th that almost (but not quite) got him above the Mendoza line. No wild pitches, no passed balls. I’m becoming more impressed with our backup catcher.

Elliot Johnson’s single, double, and home run (and a very nice play at third to end the game) made for a great night for him and the Bulls. We also had a long discussion about the likelihood of getting a triple in the DBAP, much less a night of single, double, triple and homer. The consensus was, not likely. The dimensions of the DBAP really aren’t good for anyone except a Gathright in his prime, or a Fernando Perez, to stick a ball into the dirt out in right field and make it around to third base. Certainly not last night when Norfolk right fielder Durta showed a cannon of an arm early on. Maybe a shot off the base of the wall in left center that takes a bad carom and gets misplayed. But hard to do. Fun to watch for, though. Hughes had his try the other night. Johnson has his last night. Maybe if Fernando comes through on his way back to Tampa Bay …

Wade Davis was not at the top of his game last night, but the team backed him up well with a double play, pick off, and the aforementioned strike ’em out, throw ’em out, attempted steal.

Reid Brignac made two very nifty plays, one in the 3rd and another in the 6th to end the inning. He’s showing a pretty good glove this year, and his RBI double in the 5th really got things going.

This isn’t the best umpiring crew in the International League — Beal, Crabill, and Rackley. The blown call at the plate in Sunday’s game (in our favor) and the one last night (in Norfolk’s favor). What appeared to be some very inconsistent strike calls at home plate, and a couple of others that I can’t seem to bring to mind. I was up on the top of the Blue Monster when Ruggiano got tossed, but according to Adam Sobsey some unkind words were exchanged. No surprise there.

A great home stand! The Bulls took on the Tides and won 4 out of 5. Can’t ask for any more than that.

By the way, DRR called it in his comment yesterday. Dale Thayer is on his way back to the Bulls, not that Shouse did Tampa Bay much good yesterday. I’m not even going to try to figure out how Durham’s going to sort out the pitching staff for this trip up to Scranton. Trading deadline is upon us, but really hard to tell how it may play out. Think I’ll just wait and see.

Top 5 Durham Bulls — Batting Average

(click on chart for larger image)

I have to confess that two batters sort of snuck in on me here. I didn’t realize how well Jon Weber and Reid Brignac were doing. Good for them!

Davis, Relievers Shut Down Knights

Game 83: Bulls 5: Knights 1
Season: 48-35
Wrap, Box

Good to see Elliot Johnson back in the lineup. It’s been a very long time, May 5th, since he’s been in a Durham Bulls uniform. He went 1 for 4 last night and made a couple of good plays. Creates a puzzle for management given the quality year that Henry Mateo’s having, but we should all have such problems.

Those who were at last Friday’s game will, I’m sure, be happy to learn that Charlotte pitcher Jack Egbert (who was hit in the pitching arm by a Henry Mateo line drive) may miss a rotation, but will be back pitching soon. [Thanks, N]

About the game: Four runs in the top of the 4th, a solo homer by Ruggiano (his 11th) and a three run shot by Ray Sadler (also his 11th) was enough. In the 9th Jon Weber hit his league-leading 27th double to score Ray Olmedo for an insurance run. Weber also tossed two more bats into the stands.

It was a difficult outing for Wade Davis, but his 5th inning really stood out. It took a ton of pitches, but over the radio it sounded like he was showing a lot of character. The first batter, Miguel Negron, held on through 8 pitches to draw a walk on a 3-2 count. During Eider Torres’ 9-pitch at-bat Negron stole second, but Torres struck out, also on a 3-2 count. Carlos Quentin, the rehabbing White Sox star and batting .800 on his rehab stint was walked on 4 pitches. Have to think that with first base open, the walk was semi-intentional with a man on second and one out. When Josh Kroeger came to bat, Jason Childers started warming up. Davis was at 91 pitches at the time. Kroeger hit a fly ball to Jon Weber in left. Daryle Ward hit a fly ball to Ruggiano in center. So Davis, at 96 pitches, got out of it leaving a 4-run lead to the relievers.

Then came the relievers: Childers, Julio, and Bateman. Not a single Knight got on base, not one! Childers: six up, six down — ground out, strike out, pop up, strike out, line out, ground out. Julio (OK, I am going to have to break with my own tradition and say something nice about Jorge Julio): three up, three down — strike out, strike out, ground out. Bateman: three up, three down — strike out, ground out, pop up. Just terrific pitching.

An aside: If you are listening to the games over the web, you can choose to listen to the broadcaster for the Bulls’ opponents. On the last road trip and again last night I did that for a couple of innings, thinking it might be fun to get someone else’s take on the Bulls. What I learned was how fortunate we are to have a broadcaster of Neil Solondz’s caliber calling games for us. He provides an excellent sense of the park and of our opponent’s strengths and weaknesses. His pitch by pitch, play by play calling of the game is simply superb. You really have a sense of what’s going on — how each pitcher and player has been doing recently, what’s currently in front of him, and how well he does his job. And the incredible ability to keep on calling a game like that 11-2 mess a couple of nights ago. A game like that and he’s got to know that folks are switching off their radios and computers all over the Triangle. It’s an every day grind for Neil and his “crew” as well. He’s doing a terrific job. Check out some of the other broadcasters, you’ll see what I mean. He’s the best of the bunch that I’ve heard so far.

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?
  

If You Thought the Last Game Was Ugly …

Game 65: Bulls 8, Iron Pigs 16
Season: 38-27
Wrap, Box, Herald-Sun Story, Indy Week Story

It’s the morning after and I’m trying to find something good to say about last night’s game. I was trying to do the same thing last night. Gave up. Went to bed.

I scribbled the headline above on the edge of my scorecard sometime in the 3rd inning. Along with a note, “Why is this guy (Houser) pitching for the Bulls?” But then in the bottom of the 6th I started trying to craft an alliterative headline with words like “comeback” and “cardiac”, especially when my man Jon Weber came to the plate with a couple of runners on base and four runs already scored. Didn’t happen. But we did get out of the inning with a bunch of runs and the game was within reach, only (only!) 7-9 at that point.

But the Pigs get 5 runs in the top of the 8th. Do you really want to know how that happened? Really? Darn, it’s only eight o’clock. Too early for a shot of Jack. OK. Here it is. Bateman’s on the mound. First batter (Furmaniak, what kind of name is that?) grounds out. Second batter (Spitale) infield single. He steals second base, but it doesn’t matter since Bateman walks the third batter, Ellison. Fourth batter pops up. Two outs, we’re OK. Bateman walks the fifth batter. Bases loaded. Note: not a ball hit out of the infield. Jorge Julio (see note about Houser above) comes in for Bateman and plunks his first batter. Run scores. 7-10. Newhan comes to bat and hits a grand slam. 7-14. Go back to my original headline.

Is there anything good to come out of this? Well, yes there is. First of all Justin Ruggiano showed some signs of life at the plate. Only one strikeout and a couple of hits. Maybe, just maybe. Henry Mateo is on a real tear at bat. Ray Sadler crushed one in the 2nd inning over the Bull. Rhyne Hughes had a single, double, and homer. So even if he doesn’t stay with us when Chris Richard comes back, he shows real promise. Pretty good glove at first base, too. So the hitting side of the equation, which has not been good lately, looks better.

On the other hand, things are grim on the pitching side and not just for us. The vaunted depth of the Rays system turns out to be not deep enough. From Tampa Bay to Durham to Montgomery the disabled lists have at least eight pitchers on them (my count could be off one or two).

Oh well, Reid Brignac is back. We might get to see another rehabbing right-handed Rays reliever, Chad Bradford, tonight. He’s at least fun to watch. Lord knows I sure wouldn’t want to be a batter facing what amounts to a fast-pitch soft baller throwing a hardball at me. Speaking of softball. Alex Jamieson got an inning in relief last night. Reminded me of my slow pitch days. Not quite enough arc on the ball, though.

Webworld

• Some interesting quotes in Indy Week story
• An Iron Pigs blogger thinks the umps got fooled and thought they were calling a football game last night.
• RaysIndex takes a look at the Pythagorean puzzle and coins the term, "clutchiness."

Wade Davis Keeps Pawsox Off Base

Game 58: Bulls 3, Red Sox 2
Season: 37-21
Wrap, Box, Indy Week Story

Back on May 18th and 24th, Wade Davis had two stellar performances by the metric I like the most, how often opposing batters get on base (OBA), in those games .130 and .185 respectively. Then he had two games (May 29th and June 3rd) where it ballooned up to .414 and .346. Interestingly, he won the first two games and lost the second two games. Last night it was a respectable .280 and he won. I know there are a lot of other variables involved, but, on balance, Davis’ keeping runners off base is surely a large part of the Durham Bulls’ success this year, particularly when you note that his three no-decisions had low OBAs and the Bulls won the games.

Last year, when Tampa Bay was yo-yoing our players back and forth it seemed to me that after the guys came back they had a tough time getting into the groove. Dale Thayer may be an example of that. After last night, however, here’s hoping he’s back on track. He was in for two innings and got the save. From the sound of it, much better than previous two outings even if still a bit shaky.

Henry Mateo got his first home run as a Bull and our first homer in quite a while. We’re winning these games with small ball, but it’d be nice to see Ruggiano, Richard, Sadler & Co send a couple out of the park.

Justin Ruggiano got tossed for arguing a third strike. Justin is really having a hard time of it lately. Not sure what’s going on this year, but I can only hope that he pulls out of it. We need him back in form.

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).