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LocalRock · 04-17-2022, 11:49 PM

6/1: We entered the rubber match of this series facing rookie starter Willie Villanueva, a 24 year old righty who was a 10th round (294th overall) selection in the 2010 USBL Draft. He enters the game off back-to-back quality starts, in each of which he earned Player of the Game honors. On the year he has a 3.43 ERA with 37 punch outs in 42.0 IP.

We sent Jose Ramirez out to try to secure the series victory, and coming off a 6 inning shutout performance, he gave us another beautiful outing, allowing just 5 hits and 3 walks with 4 Ks and no runs through 6.1. Unfortunately, Villanueva held our offense in check, allowing just 4 hits, and one unearned run to cross in 6 innings of work. The bullpen did us in, unfortunately, as Greg Doyle surrendered the game tying run in the eighth, and it was Dan Schmitz who allowed the game-losing run, a walk off solo shot by Titans’ 1B Adam Ososki to lead off the 10th, as we dropped the series finale 2-1. (16-24)

6/2 - 6/4 vs PHX (23-17): A quarter of the way into the year, we enter a 3 game set against our division rival Phoenix Rattlers, who are currently tied for first with San Diego at 23-17. They are currently on a 5 game win streak, taking the final 2 from the Titans then sweeping Baltimore in 3. Last time we faced them was back in late April, when they took 2 of 3. Offensively, the snakes are led by 33 year old second baseman Gabe Vasquez, who is slashing .324/.367/.614 with 12 homers, 31 RBIs, and 8 stolen bases through the first 40 games of the year. On May 17th, the 2010 NBL MVP hit his 300th career home run, a 2 run shot against the Boston Rebels. Their pitching staff currently ranks 2nd in Starters’ ERA, 6th in Bullpen ERA, and 6th in FIP. They have allowed the fewest runs in the NBL thus far. This will be a touch matchup for our offense, that ranks last in runs scored this season.

6/2: Opening game of the series we face off against ace Erik Rios, who enters with a 3-2 record and a 2.50 ERA in 8 starts (57.2 IP). Last years NBL leader in innings pitched, HR/9, and WAR, has been dominant once again this year, after being rewarded with a 5 year/$73.2 million contract in the offseason.

It was an outright dominant day from both Rios and Taylor Martinez, as the offenses combined for just 8 hits and a single run the entire game. The lone run was an unearned run scored off a first inning error. Martinez went 7 innings, allowing just 1 hit and 3 walks, striking out 4, as we came away with the win over the potential NBL Pitcher of the year, 1-0. (17-24)

In injury news, Kalamazoo SS Orlando Estrada has been placed on the Injured List after suffering a fractured thumb in the club’s 6-4 10 inning win over the Seals’ Brooklyn Park Badgers. The 24 year old, who was slashing .319/.361/.341 over 99 PAs, is expected to miss the next 5 to 6 weeks. To fill the hole left, we have promoted 24 year old 2B Paul Kibbe from Single-A Burbank. in 17 games (61 PAs), Kibbe was 17-58 with 3 walks and 11 Ks, along with a homer and 9 RBIs. Though not projecting to be a solid hitter and any level, Kibbe has a solid glove with an elite arm and has strong defensive capabilities, along with 65-grade speed.

An in-division trade was struck between California and San Diego, with the Surf sending platoon catcher Tyler Turnbow to California, along with the 93rd overall prospect 21 year old LF Jorge Medrano, and $660,000 in exchange for 26 year old minor league reliever Tom Lamont, who was for some reason playing in AA despite appearing to be USBL-ready, along with 24 year old minor league starter Rob Jarrett, who was also playing in AA. Interesting deal for San Diego, who looks to fix the worst bullpen in baseball, but at the cost of a top-100 prospect. And for a guy who has never even touched a big league field? I don’t get it, but that’s why they’re leading the division and we’re in a 3-way tie for last.

04-17-2022, 11:49 PM	#32
LocalRock Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Dec 2021 Posts: 32	6/1: We entered the rubber match of this series facing rookie starter Willie Villanueva, a 24 year old righty who was a 10th round (294th overall) selection in the 2010 USBL Draft. He enters the game off back-to-back quality starts, in each of which he earned Player of the Game honors. On the year he has a 3.43 ERA with 37 punch outs in 42.0 IP. We sent Jose Ramirez out to try to secure the series victory, and coming off a 6 inning shutout performance, he gave us another beautiful outing, allowing just 5 hits and 3 walks with 4 Ks and no runs through 6.1. Unfortunately, Villanueva held our offense in check, allowing just 4 hits, and one unearned run to cross in 6 innings of work. The bullpen did us in, unfortunately, as Greg Doyle surrendered the game tying run in the eighth, and it was Dan Schmitz who allowed the game-losing run, a walk off solo shot by Titans’ 1B Adam Ososki to lead off the 10th, as we dropped the series finale 2-1. (16-24) 6/2 - 6/4 vs PHX (23-17): A quarter of the way into the year, we enter a 3 game set against our division rival Phoenix Rattlers, who are currently tied for first with San Diego at 23-17. They are currently on a 5 game win streak, taking the final 2 from the Titans then sweeping Baltimore in 3. Last time we faced them was back in late April, when they took 2 of 3. Offensively, the snakes are led by 33 year old second baseman Gabe Vasquez, who is slashing .324/.367/.614 with 12 homers, 31 RBIs, and 8 stolen bases through the first 40 games of the year. On May 17th, the 2010 NBL MVP hit his 300th career home run, a 2 run shot against the Boston Rebels. Their pitching staff currently ranks 2nd in Starters’ ERA, 6th in Bullpen ERA, and 6th in FIP. They have allowed the fewest runs in the NBL thus far. This will be a touch matchup for our offense, that ranks last in runs scored this season. 6/2: Opening game of the series we face off against ace Erik Rios, who enters with a 3-2 record and a 2.50 ERA in 8 starts (57.2 IP). Last years NBL leader in innings pitched, HR/9, and WAR, has been dominant once again this year, after being rewarded with a 5 year/$73.2 million contract in the offseason. It was an outright dominant day from both Rios and Taylor Martinez, as the offenses combined for just 8 hits and a single run the entire game. The lone run was an unearned run scored off a first inning error. Martinez went 7 innings, allowing just 1 hit and 3 walks, striking out 4, as we came away with the win over the potential NBL Pitcher of the year, 1-0. (17-24) In injury news, Kalamazoo SS Orlando Estrada has been placed on the Injured List after suffering a fractured thumb in the club’s 6-4 10 inning win over the Seals’ Brooklyn Park Badgers. The 24 year old, who was slashing .319/.361/.341 over 99 PAs, is expected to miss the next 5 to 6 weeks. To fill the hole left, we have promoted 24 year old 2B Paul Kibbe from Single-A Burbank. in 17 games (61 PAs), Kibbe was 17-58 with 3 walks and 11 Ks, along with a homer and 9 RBIs. Though not projecting to be a solid hitter and any level, Kibbe has a solid glove with an elite arm and has strong defensive capabilities, along with 65-grade speed. An in-division trade was struck between California and San Diego, with the Surf sending platoon catcher Tyler Turnbow to California, along with the 93rd overall prospect 21 year old LF Jorge Medrano, and $660,000 in exchange for 26 year old minor league reliever Tom Lamont, who was for some reason playing in AA despite appearing to be USBL-ready, along with 24 year old minor league starter Rob Jarrett, who was also playing in AA. Interesting deal for San Diego, who looks to fix the worst bullpen in baseball, but at the cost of a top-100 prospect. And for a guy who has never even touched a big league field? I don’t get it, but that’s why they’re leading the division and we’re in a 3-way tie for last.