End of Season Call-Ups

Tampa Bay reached down into the Durham Bulls roster after yesterday's game and pulled a few guys up. Mostly expected, but a couple of surprises. Links here and here.

• Left-hander Justin Marks was the surprise. He's got a lot going for himself. He's thrown a ton of pitches (2,400) with little apparent ill effect. He's left-handed. He has some experience as a reliever. He's got a decent WHIP (1.27). His won-loss record of 7-11 wasn't stellar, but neither was the team behind him. And he's got that big no-hitter. Plus, 13 of his 25 starts had game scores of greater than 50. Good luck!
• Mikie Mahtook was no surprise at all. Here's hoping he gets some playing time. He's had a tough year.
• Richie Shaffer is in the same category. His season with the Bulls has shown only rare moments of flash. But some of those moments have been in August. Again, good luck to both.
• Steve Geltz was called back. We like him. We hope he does well enough to stick with the Rays into 2017.

But who did not get called up? Yet. The two that stand out are infielders Tim Beckham and everyman Taylor Motter. Tampa Bay beat writer Mark Topkin speculates at the end of his article. Since the player for whom the Rays gave up Matt Moore, Matt Duffy (we saw him here on a rehab assignment), is out for the season, you'd think that one or both of these guys have a shot.

To make room on the roster, Bulls catcher Hank Conger was designated for assignment.

The only other Bulls on the 40-man are starting pitcher Jake Faria, who is probably done for the season, and reliever Tyler Sturdevant, who has been back-and-forth a lot this season. Some possibility that he could go back up.

Lastly, Eddie Gamboa had a very solid three innings against the Orioles yesterday. Box. Good for him!

That's a Wrap

Game 144, 5 September, DBAP
Norfolk Tides: 7
Durham Bulls: 1
Season: 64-80
Wrap, Box, Herald-Sun

Stats:
Game Score: Pruitt 41; Season Avg 54 (28 starts, 162.2 innings)
Tm OPS: Game .601; Season .685; Diff -.084

Most of this season Norfolk pitching gave the Bulls fits. They did again this last game of a season Durham Bulls fans are going to work at forgetting.

Austin Pruitt did not have his best stuff and worked awfully hard in his four innings. Casey Gillaspie had a home run and ended the season at .307, a remarkable number for this year.

Over the next several days we'll take a look at the whole season and the whole team.

For now, let's just say that we wish all the Bulls the best of luck. Some will get a call-up, some will probably be playing winter ball, some will be back next year.

Speaking of next year:

• First game: April 4, 2017; exhibition against Duke; 212 days
• First game: April 6, 2017 @ Gwinnett; 214 days
• First home game: April 10, 2017 vs Charlotte; 217 days

J.P.!

J.P. Arencibia

Game 143, 4 September, Durham Bulls Athletic Park
Norfolk Tides (Baltimore): 6
Durham Bulls (Tampa Bay): 10
Season: 61-82; Home Stand: 1-0; Games Remaining: 1
Wrap, Box, Herald-Sun

Stats:
Game Score: Harris 39; Season 39 (1 start, 3 innings)
Tm OPS: Game 1.095; Season .686; Difference .409

Folks like me who just sit up in the stands don't get to know the ballplayers. Nevertheless, we do form opinions based on what we see them do and hear about them. For the last two years, we've simply had fun watching J.P. Arencibia play the game. We can't say we were surprised when he used his "star of the game" interview to announce that he was retiring from baseball. Ken Tanner (the announcer) didn't seem to want to believe him. I do. Later on, or perhaps it was before the game, he made a few comments to the press. He was quoted in the Herald-Sun:

“I’m going to be straight up with you. I played six years in the big leagues, last year I led this league in home runs and I did good in the big leagues when I got there and now I’m back in Triple-A,” said Arencibia, who before the game was presented with his second straight “Good Guy” media award. “If I’m going to have to play in Triple-A (again next year), I’m no longer going to play baseball. I believe that I’m a major league player.
     “If I’m not in the big leagues, I’m going home. I’m 30. I’ve played enough. I’m not going to keep chasing the dream.”

Last year he was mostly a first baseman and designated hitter. This year he was mostly a catcher and designated hitter. He was a good ballplayer on what is, let's face it, a third-rate ballclub. Plus he had to catch a knuckleballer in development. What we liked about him is that he simply seemed to be having fun out there. And from time to time he was inspired.

Take yesterday. He had a very, very green young pitcher who'd just jumped from Single-A to Triple-A (Greg Harris) and he was having a tough time of it. J.P. was out there talking him through it every couple of minutes. That Harris got out of it with just three runs scored was a major accomplishment. At bat Arencibia was superb. His home run was pretty. His second hit, a single, was, in broadcaster Scott Pose's word, "buggywhipped" up into the wall. It was a pretty, pretty swing we just wish he'd had more of this year.

Not to put words into his mouth, but seems to me that J.P. is saying that he isn't Crash Davis, he's a major leaguer. If he's not seen that way, then it's time to find some other way to have fun.

J.P.: We loved watching you play baseball. We liked seeing you in a Durham Bulls uniform. Good luck. Thanks for helping us through these last two years.

Outside the game —

• The Biscuits are into their playoffs.
• Today's Charlotte/Gwinnett game is for the South Division Championship. Standings
• If the Bulls win today, they will not end up being the worst team in Durham Bulls history ... just tied for that honor with the teams from 2005 and 2006

Gwinnett & Charlotte Playing for the South

Meanwhile ...

Game 141, 2 September, Cool-Ray Field
Durham Bulls: 14
Gwinnett Braves: 0
Wrap, Box, Gwinnett Daily Post
Stats:
Game Score: Faria 78; Season Avg 54 (13 starts, 67.2 innings)
Tm OPS: Game 1.181; Season .682; Diff +.499

Game 142; 3 September, Cool-Ray Field
Durham Bulls: 7
Gwinnett Braves: 3
Season: 63-79; Trip: 1-2; Games Remaining: 2
Wrap, Box, Gwinnett Daily Post

Stats:
Game Score: Marks 72; Season Avg 54 (23 starts, 134.2 innings)
Tm OPS: Game .754; Season .682; Diff .072

The Bulls could not play themselves in to the playoffs, but the Braves are close to playing themselves out. The Norfolk Tides lost both games of a doubleheader to the Charlotte Knights and the Knights moved up to a 1/2 game of Gwinnett. And the last two games of the Knights' season are the Knights and Braves in Charlotte. One of those teams will win the Division.

The Bulls, meanwhile, have come home for their final two games, playing the Norfolk Tides for third place in the South.

Outside the Game —

• For more commentary on the Gwinnett Braves attendance woes see a late August article from the Gwinnett Daily Post (too close to Atlanta?). 
• Young (21 year-0ld) starter Greg Harris called up from Charlotte Stone Crabs. [stats]
• 2016 Goodmon Awards announced.

Tough Loss

Unless they collapse, the Braves are looking good for the South Division

Game 140, 1 September, Cool-Ray Field, Lawrenceville, Georgia
Durham Bulls: 0
Gwinnett Braves: 1
11 innings
Wrap, Box, Gwinnett Daily Post

Stats:
Game Score: Eveland 52; Season Avg 52 (1 start, 3 innings)
Tm OPS: Game .238; Season .677; Difference -.439

Playing to an empty stadium (1,175 paid, most left before the end), the Gwinnett Braves are within a game or so of clinching the South Division title. I've never understood why the Braves do so poorly. Doesn't auger well for the new major league stadium also going in north of Atlanta.

Starting the game was reliever Dana Eveland, who improved his already stellar ERA to 0.32. The downside of Eddie Gamboa being called up was punching a hole in the Bulls rotation. The Bulls used six relievers. Sure hope the Rays put Gamboa to work soon.

However, the Bulls could only come up with 2 hits over the 11 innings. For the 11th inning, we got to see the Bulls pull in an outfielder to set up a 5-man infield after the bases were loaded with no outs. Didn't work.

This was the 18th shutout of the season for the Bulls hitting crew.

Outside the game —

• Added to the roster was right-handed reliever Brad Schreiber. He has 51 innings in 39 appearances this year at Montgomery and Charlotte (Stone Crabs). [stats]

First Round of Durham Bull Callups; and Options Down

On September 1 the major leagues can expand their active roster from 25 to 40. Tampa Bay rarely takes full advantage, but they did make several moves today (and a couple yesterday I haven't mentioned).

• Catcher Curt Casali going back. As we've noted, he's been doing a terrific job lately. His only concern may be that he will be the only one in St Petersburg who has caught ...
• Knuckleballer Eddie Gamboa. Very pleased to see Gamboa get the call. It will be his first. And the callup puts him on the 40-man roster as well. No word on who might be going off the Rays 40-man, but they might have had an open slot.
• Reliever Ryan Garton is going back up. He's been going back and forth all year. No surprise there.
• Jamie Schultz went on the disabled list yesterday (pulled groin?) and
• Reliever Steve Geltz was optioned back.
• We mentioned this morning that infielder Tim Beckham was optioned down.

Grand Slam! Now for Hermine!

The Bulls play the Braves three games in Georgia. Possible to catch up. Norfolk is playing in Charlotte. Charlotte could catch up as well. And then there's the hurricane that's coming ashore just south of Atlanta.

Game 138, Tuesday, 30 August, DBAP
Columbus Clippers: 5
Durham Bulls: 1
Wrap, Box, Herald-Sun
Stats:
Game Score: Schultz 38; Season Avg 52 (27 starts, 130.2 innings)
Tm OPS: Game .388; Season .677; Diff -.289

Game 139, Wednesday, 31 August DBAP
Columbus Clippers: 3
Durham Bulls: 7
Season: 61-78; Home Stand: 2-4; Games Left: 5
Wrap, Box, Herald-Sun
Stats:
Game Score: Pruitt 48; Season Avg 54 (27 starts, 158.2 innings)
Tm OPS: Game 1.113; Season .680; Difference +.433

The Bulls loaded the bases and/or got runners to third base several times Wednesday night. But the last time was the time that made the difference. Jayron Varona's grand slam (he was going for a sac fly, but oops!) won it all.

The Bulls are traveling into the teeth of Hurricane Hermine (what kind of name is that?) to play Gwinnett for the South Division championship. The Braves are 2½ games ahead of the Bulls and they play three games down in Georgia. However, the hurricane is a'comin and there's little time left for makeup games. The challenge is to 1) play the games and 2) win the games they play. If they win just some of the games, then the Knights could sneak into the lead, and keep it.

Outside the game —

• For as long as we've been going to Bulls games Bill Law was a presence. It's going to be odd not seeing him there anymore. RIP.
• Arizona Fall League info is out. We don't follow that at all, but notice that the manager of one of the teams is to be Jared Sandberg. The league has become primarily a AA prospect venue in recent years.
• Former Bull Tim Beckham has been playing sloppy ball with the Rays lately. So they are going to punish him by sending him to the Bulls! How great is that? So now the Bulls are a penal colony for recalcitrant shortstops? Or is he a first baseman now? I forget. More stories here and here. Of course, just a month ago Beckham was a hero.
• In a similar vein, former Bull Desmond Jennings has cleared waivers. 
• No word yet on September callups.