The Career of Julien Henri - A look back in time

[stevem810]

I had the day off as Matthieu Michel was given the start in CF. Matt has a very nice day at the plate going 2 for 4 with an RBI. He will give the Diamonds quality play as we begin the final month of the season.

But, the batting star was Herve Delage. He went 2 for 4 with a double and a triple, scoring three and batting in a pair. Herve is now batting .262 with 70 RBI's (second to Levick with 73). He had an opportunity to really pad his offensive totals today but grounded out with the sacks juiced.

The home win puts in a tie for first place.

[stevem810]

Another win for Sebastian! The 7-12 record belies the 3.23 ERA and 1.18 WHIP. Vautier is an outstanding pitcher.

[stevem810]

The Bench Coach Claude Torres explained to me after the game that I'll be in the starting rotation on the mound, but, in a platoon role in CF playing about one out of three days. I told him that was fine. Privately, I'm disappointed in the decision. At the same time, my numbers have not been that great so Torres has a point.

GM Meyers, it is widely known, does have some concerns about Mr. Torres and his relationships with the players. It's been mandated that all levels of the organization have good and open dialogue with the players. The expectation is that managers and coaches work to improve and strengthen the communication. A lot of us are very young. We're good ball players but not always blessed with effective communication skills.

The organization will be looking closely at the final month of the season and how well the team plays. It's performance time for the complete staff of players and coaches. There is pressure to win. But, I have always embraced the phrase, 'pressure is a privilege'. Bring it on.

[stevem810]

Matthieu Michel set the tone for the Diamond win when he led off the game with a solo shot into the right field seats. Later in the game he added a three bagger. No disputing Michel has a hot bat and deserves the nod in CF. I wish him well.

On the mound Lepine made it look easy. He breezed through 8 innings with the comfort of 9 runs on the board from his guys. Siccard had a big hit for us in the first inning as he came to the plate with ducks on the pond.
Final 9-0.

[stevem810]

I'll be pitching tonight against the tough Montreal Royals. It's a challenge that I look forward to taking head on. Here we go.

[stevem810]

I feel more a part of this team than I could have ever imagined. Just last month I'm trying to win a pennant for the AAA Waveriders. Now, tonight, I just finished pitching against the first place Canadian club in a game that elevated us into sole possession of first place in the Martinique Division.

My teammates came up huge. Michel making catch after catch in CF. Vial with the big hit in the second inning clearing the bases. All the starting line up collecting at least one hit. And, my catcher, Michaud pounding the final nail in the coffin with his three run homer in the 7th.

What a feeling! It's great to play for Le Diamant.

[BirdWatcher]

Originally Posted by stevem810

I feel more a part of this team than I could have ever imagined. Just last month I'm trying to win a pennant for the AAA Waveriders. Now, tonight, I just finished pitching against the first place Canadian club in a game that elevated us into sole possession of first place in the Martinique Division.

My teammates came up huge. Michel making catch after catch in CF. Vial with the big hit in the second inning clearing the bases. All the starting line up collecting at least one hit. And, my catcher, Michaud pounding the final nail in the coffin with his three run homer in the 7th.

What a feeling! It's great to play for Le Diamant.

Fun game for the kid. Well pitched but also some nice run support. I got this all starters with a hit achievement just recently with my Denver Brewers but in a game we lost so it was cold comfort. But this was a very nice win for the Diamonds!

[stevem810]

Montreal at Le Diamant, again. Here are the match ups for this evenings game.

A big 3rd inning for the Diamonds.

[stevem810]

Cosman was tough. Combined with the big hitting of the Diamond line-up it was a relatively easy win for us.
Herve DeLage was all over the diamond playing defense as he successfully handled 6 ground balls.

[stevem810]

We're off to a good start in the final month.

[stevem810]

Located just west on route du Diamant is the charming village of Anse d'Arlet. Popular with french speaking tourists, the beautiful beach is nestled in a cove that allows for safe and easy swimming. Home to many moored sailboats, the main, and only street, is a haven for beachcombers, snorkelers, and sailors.

The Sting Rays are currently in first place in the Martinique Division. Key performers include SP Ilies Briand (having a career year), corner OF Antoine LeCroix (leads the team in HR's), and thirty year old closer Julien Gilbert (11 saves and 7 wins).

They have been operating without Guillaume Andreiu, their ace, who is gone for the year. He won 17 games last year.

Francois Marchand is their GM.

[stevem810]

Here are the Sting Rays with their line-ups, prospects, etc.

[stevem810]

I'll be on the bench to start this evening. Lepine has been hot, so, we're hoping the Diamonds can post another W.

[stevem810]

Not the result we were hoping for despite a serious threat in the 9th inning. We plated two and had the bases juiced for Mercier. But, he flew out to center field to end the game.

The Sting Rays lose so we are still tied for first. However, Cap Chevalier won so the Waves are now just 2 games back and a viable threat for the pennant.

[stevem810]

I'll admit it. Losing this game is still driving me crazy. On so many levels we gave it away.

With an early lead, our always sure handed CF M. Michel dropped a fly ball. It lead to an unearned run.

In the top of the 4th with 0 outs, Siccard singled and Levick doubled. Both runners stranded.

In the 5th with a 2 run lead I walked two batters. It lead to two runs.

In the bottom of the 10th, Lesage retired the lead-off batter and then issued 3 straight free passes. To top it off, he hit the next batter with the next pitch forcing in the winning run.

Now, you can see why I will probably not sleep very well tonight.

For my part, I had a good game but it feels empty. In the 3rd inning I hit my second homer of the year. Like I said, not much joy from it all. Here are the details. We'll bounce back tomorrow.

[stevem810]

We thought we had this in the bag. There were a few key moments in the game. In the first one, I had a SF to score our first run. The next one took place in the 9th. A 2 out 2 run double tied the score. Next, a 2 out solo homer in the 10th and our goose was cooked.

We are now tied for 2nd place 2 games behind the Sting Rays.

[stevem810]

Some of the league leaders as we wind things down.

[stevem810]

It's a tight pitchers duel in Le Diamant against the Ancien Combattants from Fountain Bleu. Cosman (14-8) vs. Du Four (13-7)

But, a big moment for Vial surfaces in the bottom of the 5th.

Vial singled in one run. Mercier and DeLage retired so Fountain Bleu keeps it close, 2-1 Diamonds.

[stevem810]

A walk and a single and the Diamonds are in danger of losing a late inning game, again.

[stevem810]

With the infield playing in, and runners on second and third with one out, Steve 'Stallion' LeRoux ripped a base hit to right center plating two.

In the bottom of the 10th, the Diamonds brought Herve to the plate with 2 outs. No heroics for DeLage as he struck out for the second time today capping an 0 for 5 performance.

The guys are bit down in the clubhouse today. I'm right there with them.