Tonight is the final game of the three game series against Columbus. I wish that the league office would schedule the last game of the series in the afternoon so that we had time to get the team and their gear of town on a timely basis. I flew home this morning with Mr. Stuart to make sure tha that the stadium and staff are ready for a three game home series against Kansas City. I will watch the game in the office. It will be a good test for Salazar (3-0, 2.66) against Sidney Booker (3-1, 3.26), who is one of the tops in the league. Last night was a tough loss to swallow, however, Joe Jackson certainly pitched well enough to earn another start or two, but the offense just couldnt generate enough runs for the win.
Baltimore, Veteran Woods Sign Deal
Baltimore has reached an agreement with closer Rick WoPiods to continue as their closer for another three years.
This season Woods has 10 saves. In 14 appearances he has hurled 14.2 innings, struck out 16 and given up 6 walks with an 0-1 record. The Baltimore reliever has recorded a 3.07 ERA and allowed the opposition to hit .268 when on the hill. For his career Woods is 72-61 with 49 saves and an ERA of 4.15. The terms of the agreement have not been disclosed.
@pgraves we have heard that the deal is for 3 years at $3.6 million per year with the third year being a player option.
As a GM one always has to keep one eye on the present and one eye on the future. While in the position there isnt much to reflect on the past, however, every now and then I like to a few moments to reflect on the past. On the plane I had some time so I looked back on the Mallard team that won the World Series in 2004.
Catcher Scotty Hubbard (35 years old) was traded this offseason to Jacksonville
First Base Carlos Pena (34 years old) is currently the first basemen with Nashville
Second Base Ethan Sharp (41 years old) retired in 2010 after 13 season in the ABL
Short stop Gabriel Hernandez (37 years old) retired in 2008 after 11 seasons, 2004 was his only year in Madison
Third Base Wesley Mill (32 years old) today is actually is birthday, currently a free agent, spent last year in Austin. His mind is there but his body is not.
Left Field Arturo Delgado (39 years old) retired in 2007
Center Field David Chamings (35 years old) is still with the Mallards, next year is the last year and is a team option.
Right Field Rick Arthur (37 years old) retired in 2008
Key Pitchers
Robert Aquino (33 years old) currently a reliever with Mesa
Tim Brown (38 years old) retired in 2011
Pedro Gonzalez (38 years old) retired in 2013
Lorenzo Hernandez (35 years old) retired in 2011
Mike Howell (39 years old) a free agent looking for another team
Rafael Rodriguez (33 years old) currently a middle reliever with Jacksonville
Jose Varela (36 years old) currently a free agent, ironically he left Milwaukee after the 2004 season and came back for 2011 when we won our second championship.
Maybe if we have injury problems I should look at bringing him back, perhaps that is the juju we are missing. Makes you realized how quickly rosters turn over.
Game time
We are off to a nice start in the top of the first G. Martinez hit a 2 run home run followed a solo home run by K. Nishikawa.
In the bottom of the third inning B. Salazar has allowed 4 runs; now we are playing from behind.
Its the top of the 4th inning G. Martinez hits a triple with two Shaffer and Ryan on base, to put the Mallards back on top, he has the two hardest bases of the cycle complete.
Ortiz has pulled Salazar in the top of the 5th inning after allowing another solo shot to tie up the game. M. Huporkorny is coming out.
Columbus third basemen just left the game with a fractured finger, he will be out for two months.
Bottom of the sixth and Columbus is threatening, players on the second and third with two outs, Huporkorny is tiring and allows a single, giving Columbus the go ahead run.
@tligget San Francisco starting pitcher Bruce Hawkins leaves the game with a calf strain, he shouldnt miss his next start.
Tampa is losing to Austin in the seventh, so they are continuing their slide as well and Memphis is blowing out Detroit, the winner of this game will be tied with Memphis for the lead in the division.
It is time to stretch. Columbus leads the game 7 to 6. There have been five players today who hit two home runs in a game, sure wish one of ours was on that list.
@pgraves Dallas Sixto Chavez ties the regular season record for runs at 4
Tampa has tied Austin at 2 in the bottom of the eighth inning. Top of the ninth, we only have three more outs, to get on the board. Kouno has gotten into scoring position with two outs and Chamings strikes out to end the game. Our struggles continue losing to Columbus 6-7. Marc Huporkorny took the loss. After one quality start from the piching staff we have reverted back to our normal self.
Austin and Tampa have taken the game into extra innings. Tampa wins the game in the bottom of the 11th inning.
Mallards Drop their Second in a Row
By Rick Featherstone
WP: B. Gaillard (1-1, 5.30)
LP: M. Huporkorny (1-1, 1.82)
Save: A. Limon (9)
HR: K. Nishikawa (9), G. Martinez (5), A. Holliday (5), A. Marshall (6)
POG: G. Martinez 2-5, R, 4 RBI, HR, 3B
Performances of the Day
