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Memorial Day is a traditional quarter pole for baseball. Nearly two months into the season. So it seems a good day to take a breath, before the short season leagues begin play, and see where we are in 2015. Before I get to the games let's take a quick look at the teams' positions in their league standings and a few Best and Worst statistical lists for the season thus far.
After a run in 1st, Sacramento has lately fallen to 2nd in the Pacific Northern Division of the PCL
|
Pacific Coast League Pacific Northern |
W |
L |
PCT |
GB |
ELIM# |
HOME |
AWAY |
L10 |
Streak |
|
25 |
19 |
0.568 |
- |
- |
16-9 |
9-10 |
7-3 |
L1 |
|
|
21 |
24 |
0.467 |
4.5 |
96 |
12-13 |
9-11 |
4-6 |
L6 |
|
|
19 |
24 |
0.442 |
6.0 |
96 |
10-9 |
9-15 |
4-6 |
W1 |
|
|
18 |
26 |
0.409 |
7.5 |
94 |
9-11 |
9-15 |
4-6 |
L3 |
Richmond has spent May trying to dig their way back from the disastrous April:
|
Eastern League Western |
W |
L |
PCT |
GB |
ELIM# |
HOME |
AWAY |
L10 |
Streak |
|
25 |
17 |
0.585 |
- |
- |
12-8 |
12-9 |
4-6 |
W1 |
|
|
22 |
21 |
0.512 |
3.0 |
- |
10-7 |
12-14 |
4-6 |
L1 |
|
|
19 |
23 |
0.452 |
5.5 |
98 |
14-12 |
5-11 |
5-5 |
W1 |
|
|
19 |
24 |
0.442 |
6.0 |
97 |
10-9 |
9-15 |
5-5 |
W1 |
|
|
18 |
23 |
0.439 |
6.5 |
98 |
10-12 |
8-11 |
6-4 |
W2 |
|
|
16 |
26 |
0.381 |
8.5 |
95 |
10-15 |
6-11 |
4-6 |
L1 |
San Jose has had a similar rhythm with early disaster but much better play of late:
|
California League North |
W |
L |
PCT |
GB |
ELIM# |
HOME |
AWAY |
L10 |
Streak |
|
31 |
14 |
0.705 |
- |
- |
15-6 |
16-7 |
6-4 |
L2 |
|
|
23 |
22 |
0.500 |
8.0 |
18 |
12-8 |
10-14 |
4-6 |
W2 |
|
|
21 |
24 |
0.455 |
10.0 |
16 |
10-11 |
10-13 |
5-5 |
W1 |
|
|
19 |
26 |
0.422 |
12.0 |
14 |
13-11 |
6-15 |
7-3 |
W7 |
|
|
17 |
26 |
0.395 |
13.5 |
14 |
8-15 |
9-11 |
3-7 |
L3 |
While Augusta bobs up and down and hangs around:
|
South Atlantic League Southern |
W |
L |
PCT |
GB |
ELIM# |
HOME |
AWAY |
L10 |
Streak |
|
26 |
18 |
0.581 |
- |
- |
13-13 |
12-5 |
7-3 |
W1 |
|
|
23 |
21 |
0.535 |
3.0 |
26 |
10-9 |
13-11 |
4-6 |
L1 |
|
|
21 |
22 |
0.488 |
4.5 |
23 |
8-13 |
13-9 |
4-6 |
L1 |
|
|
20 |
24 |
0.442 |
6.0 |
22 |
7-13 |
12-11 |
5-5 |
W2 |
|
|
19 |
25 |
0.442 |
6.0 |
22 |
9-18 |
10-6 |
4-6 |
L1 |
|
|
19 |
25 |
0.442 |
6.0 |
22 |
9-12 |
10-12 |
7-3 |
L3 |
|
|
19 |
25 |
0.419 |
7.0 |
21 |
9-12 |
9-13 |
4-6 |
W1 |
One thing you can see in the Cal league standings is that for leagues that crown first half winners, it gets late early as Yogi used to say. And a second thing of note is that we're now in the 40-45 game range for most of these teams, so players suspended 50 games are nearing the end of their suspensions. Now some stats. I did a 75 PA min for these Best/Worst lists. All the names are linked to Minor League Central player pages. Also, these probably don't include Sunday's games.
|
NAME |
Age |
Level |
BA |
NAME |
Level |
Age |
BA |
|
25.83 |
Sac |
.350 |
24.25 |
.154 |
|||
|
28.50 |
SJ/Sac |
.348 |
23.42 |
.173 |
|||
|
23.00 |
.333 |
22.00 |
.192 |
||||
|
22.67 |
Aug/SJ |
.329 |
22.83 |
.194 |
|||
|
26.75 |
.325 |
29.08 |
.194 |
||||
|
25.00 |
.315 |
23.25 |
.203 |
||||
|
24.92 |
.311 |
25.25 |
.209 |
||||
|
22.50 |
.311 |
30.17 |
.211 |
||||
|
20.50 |
.311 |
25.67 |
.211 |
||||
|
26.83 |
.299 |
23.42 |
.214 |
|
NAME |
Age |
Level |
OBP |
NAME |
Level |
Age |
OBP |
|
25.83 |
Sac |
.429 |
24.25 |
.197 |
|||
|
28.50 |
SJ/Sac |
.427 |
31.83 |
.225 |
|||
|
22.67 |
Aug/SJ |
.408 |
22.00 |
.241 |
|||
|
23.00 |
.379 |
23.25 |
.244 |
||||
|
26.83 |
.374 |
22.83 |
.257 |
||||
|
26.42 |
.371 |
25.33 |
.265 |
||||
|
25.00 |
.370 |
33.58 |
.278 |
||||
|
24.92 |
.366 |
25.50 |
.279 |
||||
|
20.50 |
.364 |
28.58 |
.280 |
||||
|
26.75 |
.359 |
23.42 |
.283 |
|
NAME |
Age |
Level |
BB% |
NAME |
Level |
Age |
BB% |
|
26.42 |
15.1% |
31.83 |
0% |
||||
|
29.08 |
13.1% |
25.50 |
1.5% |
||||
|
23.42 |
12.6% |
25.33 |
2% |
||||
|
25.67 |
11.8% |
24.25 |
2.9% |
||||
|
21.92 |
11.4% |
22.50 |
3.2% |
||||
|
30.17 |
11.1% |
25.50 |
3.7% |
||||
|
22.42 |
11.1% |
27.83 |
4.4% |
||||
|
26.83 |
11.1% |
23.25 |
4.5% |
||||
|
21.33 |
11% |
20.33 |
4.7% |
||||
|
22.67 |
Aug/SJ |
10.9% |
25.17 |
SJ/SAC |
5% |
|
NAME |
Age |
Level |
K% |
NAME |
Level |
Age |
K% |
|
23.00 |
8.7% |
26.42 |
34% |
||||
|
29.08 |
12.1% |
25.25 |
33.3% |
||||
|
24.42 |
12.3% |
21.33 |
32.2% |
||||
|
23.08 |
12.5% |
30.17 |
30.2% |
||||
|
33.58 |
12.7% |
25.67 |
29.4% |
||||
|
25.17 |
SJ/SAC |
12.9% |
22.42 |
27% |
|||
|
20.50 |
13.6% |
22.00 |
25.8% |
||||
|
32.33 |
14% |
27.17 |
25.6% |
||||
|
27.83 |
14.4% |
23.42 |
25.2% |
||||
|
28.50 |
SJ/Sac |
14.6% |
26.83 |
24.2% |
|||
|
25.00 |
15.7% |
24.25 |
23.4% |
|
NAME |
Age |
Level |
SLG |
NAME |
Level |
Age |
SLG |
|
26.75 |
.633 |
24.25 |
.169 |
||||
|
28.50 |
SJ/Sac |
.508 |
23.42 |
.245 |
|||
|
26.42 |
.489 |
22.00 |
.256 |
||||
|
25.83 |
Sac |
.475 |
23.25 |
.260 |
|||
|
27.17 |
.470 |
22.83 |
.266 |
||||
|
22.67 |
Aug/SJ |
.467 |
29.08 |
.269 |
|||
|
24.92 |
.464 |
23.42 |
.272 |
||||
|
29.67 |
.459 |
30.17 |
.275 |
||||
|
25.50 |
.458 |
33.58 |
.278 |
||||
|
22.50 |
.453 |
24.42 |
.299 |
||||
|
20.33 |
.452 |
31.83 |
.300 |
|
NAME |
Age |
Level |
Iso |
NAME |
Level |
Age |
Iso |
|
26.75 |
.308 |
24.25 |
.015 |
||||
|
26.42 |
.226 |
25.17 |
SJ/SAC |
.032 |
|||
|
25.50 |
.191 |
33.58 |
.042 |
||||
|
27.17 |
.188 |
24.42 |
.056 |
||||
|
29.67 |
.180 |
23.25 |
.057 |
||||
|
20.33 |
.172 |
23.42 |
.058 |
||||
|
22.42 |
.167 |
22.00 |
.064 |
||||
|
25.25 |
.163 |
30.17 |
.064 |
||||
|
28.50 |
SJ/Sac |
.160 |
22.83 |
.072 |
|||
|
24.92 |
.153 |
23.42 |
.072 |
And if you like SB like I do, Fargas leads the system with 17 (70% success), Jarrett Parker next with 10 (91%), Kelby Tomlinson (67%) now with 10 as well, Darren Ford (75%) and Jesus Galindo (60%) have 9, and Juan Perez (89%), and Randy Ortiz (61.5%) have 8. Lots and lots to discuss from the above I'm sure.
To the Memorial Day games!
Paul Galanti, whose decorations include the Silver Star and two Purple Hearts, throws out the first pitch. pic.twitter.com/Dye1V4nhpx
— Squirrels Baseball (@GoSquirrels) May 25, 2015
Sacramento lost to Nashville (A's), 5-0
| Name | AB | R | H | RBI | 2b | 3b | HR | BB | SO | SB | CS | |
| RF | Brett Jackson | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| CF | Darren Ford | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| SS | Ehire Adrianza | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3b | Adam Duvall | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| DH | Hector Sanchez | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Name | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K | HR | HB | WP | ERA |
| Clayton Blackburn, L, 1-3 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5.06 |
| Steven Okert | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2.61 |
| Cody Hall | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2.45 |
The Sacramento offense was completely stifled by Athletics #7 prospect LHP Sean Nolin and relievers in this game. Brett Jackson, with a single and a walk, qualified as the offensive star of the game, as no other RiverCat hitter reached base twice. In all the full offensive attack was four singles, two walks and a HBP. Only twice in the game did Sacramento advance a runner to 2b. In the 4th, singles by Adrianza and Sanchez put runners on 1b and 2b with 1 out, but a Juan Perez DP ended the inning. And with 1 out in the 9th, Darren Ford took 2b on defensive indifference. Nolin, who is coming back from injury only threw 4 IP as he's building up his pitch count. And onsite viewer gave this report of his stuff:
Sean Nolin 84-86 MPH, run/downhill flashing from left; good action, slightly long; A-sp/wiggle on 76-77 CH. 68 CB, drift w/ action shift.
— Chris Kusiolek (@Oak_AllDay) May 25, 2015
Adam Duvall's single kept alive his 9 game hitting streak, which is only the second longest streak of the year for Adam. You can read a feature story on Duvall here:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Adam Duvall had hoped for a better spring, but how he's hitting <a href="https://twitter.com/RiverCats">@RiverCats</a> could have him back with the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Giants?src=hash">#Giants</a> soon <a href="http://t.co/ROUt1VSz4O">http://t.co/ROUt1VSz4O</a></p>— MiLB.com (@MiLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MiLB/status/602858239110197248">May 25, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Clayton Blackburn has now made 4 starts in the PCL, two at home and two on the road. His peripherals stand at 17 Ks, 7 BB, 2 HB in 21 IP and his WHIP is 1.31. The Albuquerque start where he allowed 8 runs is driving the 5.00 ERA. How are we feeling about Clayton's start to the year?
Not a great result but we do have some video footage of Clayton yesterday while you're thinking about that question:
And parenthetically, what in the world is wrong with JCP this year? He seems to have forgotten how to field as well as hit. Aside from the questionable display above, he made two more fielding errors in this game.
The next two nights at Raley Field both feature former CYA winners on the mound. Excitement!
Richmond beat Bowie (Orioles), 6-1
winning their four game series, 3-1
|
|
Name |
AB |
R |
H |
RBI |
2B |
3B |
HR |
BB |
SO |
SB |
CS |
|
2b |
Kelby Tomlinson |
4 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
SS |
Rando Moreno |
5 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
RF |
Mac Williamson |
3 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
DH |
Devin Harris |
2 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
1b |
Ricky Oropesa |
4 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Name |
IP |
H |
R |
ER |
BB |
K |
HR |
HB |
WP |
ERA |
|
Kyle Crick, W, 1-1 |
6.1 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
2.10 |
|
Stephen Johnson |
1.0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4.12 |
The top five hitters did all the damage here. 1-4 hitters Tomlinson, Moreno, Williamson, and Harris had 9 hits, 3 walks and a HBP between them, while #5 hitter Oropesa chipped in with a big three-run HR. Besides Oropesa's HR, the only other XBH was Williamson's ground rule double, which knocked in Tomlinson with the game's first run. That also gave Mac a 14 game hit streak. Richmond's lineup has become a tale of two halves, as the top 4 are among the most productive hitters in the system, while the bottom four with Schroder, Carbonell, and Jax includes some of the least productive.
Kyle Crick records his longest AA start as the Squirrels win, 6-1. pic.twitter.com/ZFCetUpz6a
— Squirrels Baseball (@GoSquirrels) May 25, 2015
With only 52 strikes in 100 pitches, and more walks than Ks it's hard to call this a particularly good outing for Crick. But he did get into the 7th inning for his longest start in AA. And, as is often true of Crick, he was effective at run prevention, only being touched up for a solo HR.
Oh, and the Squirrels also advanced to the championship of logomania:
To the championship! https://t.co/Tl5O4obyqg
— Squirrels Baseball (@GoSquirrels) May 26, 2015
San Jose defeated Rancho Cucamonga (Dodgers), 6-2
sweeping the four game series 4-0, and completing a perfect 7-0 homestand
| Name | AB | R | H | RBI | 2b | 3b | HR | BB | SO | SB | CS | |
| DH | Hunter Cole | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2b | Austin Slater | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 3b | Ryder Jones | 4 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| RF | Dylan Davis | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Name | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K | HR | HB | WP | ERA |
| Nik Turley, W, 1-0 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1,50 |
| Ian Gardeck | 1.2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3.34 |
| Daniel Slania, S, 10 | 1.1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2.14 |
Memorial day at the park #sjgiants https://t.co/3DUeLc0II3
— Julie (@phibear35) May 26, 2015
The Giants hitters faced the once and future rehabbing major leaguer Eric Bedard last night, and they got on him early with a three-spot in the first inning. The free-swinging SJ hitters pounded out 12 hits in this one, and put the ball in play with regularity as they had only 3 Ks and 1 BB in the game. They managed a second 3-run rally in the 8th inning when they hit all four of their doubles (all of their XBH for the game). The double explosion came courtesy of Ryder Jones, Dylan Davis, Brian Ragira, and Seth Harrison. As has been the case for most of this week, at game's end the Giants had the top 2 hitters by BA in the Cal league in Hunter Cole (.350) and Ryan Lollis (.345). However, that ends today, as Ryan Lollis adds another affiliate level to his line for the year:
And now off to Richmond... Lollis promoted to Double-A after the game today. 2nd in Cal League in AVG (.345). https://t.co/6mbt8i4GrC
— Joe Ritzo (@JoeRitzo) May 26, 2015
San Jose also had something of a ringer on the mound, as Nik Turley, who started one game for Sacramento before going on the DL, made the start. Seems like a few more guys should be showing up soon from the DL as well:
Christian Jones throwing off the mound pregame right now to Jeff Arnold and Rafael Rodriguez. All three players on DL, but nearing return.
— Joe Ritzo (@JoeRitzo) May 25, 2015
Arnold tore his ACL in the 1st game at Richmond last year and his been out of action ever since recovering from knee surgery. And a sad day for another member of the SJ staff as Mason McVay hangs it up:
Mason McVay placed on voluntary retired list today. McVay made 63 appearances out of #SJGiants bullpen over last two seasons.
— Joe Ritzo (@JoeRitzo) May 25, 2015
Augusta lost to Greenville (Red Sox), 5-3
| Name | AB | R | H | RBI | 2b | 3b | HR | BB | SO | SB | |
| CF | Johneshwy Fargas | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 3b | Jonah Arenado | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| RF | Cristian Paulino | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2b | Travious Relaford | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Name | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K | HR | HB | WP | ERA |
| Matt Gage, L, 2-2 | 4 | 10 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3.99 |
| Rodolfo Martinez | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4.26 |
| Dusten Knight | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.59 |
Not much doing for the Greenjacket offense in this one as they broke their four game win streak. Even the 2 run HR that Paulino hit was less than it appeared as the RF lost his line drive in the lights and Paulino circled the bases while they searched for it. Paulino did, however, hit the ball hard, and he recorded two different OF assists so he was showing off the tools tonight. Fargas' SB was his 17th of the year. Arenado made his 11th fielding error in this game.
Of course, a lot of the excitement around this game happened off field:
Yoan Moncada signs for fans. pic.twitter.com/Cf7FxO2YqE
— David Lee (@David11Lee) May 25, 2015
Moncada took BP a few minutes ago, all from the right side. Sweet swing with lift/separation, quick bat, slight open stance. I love it.
— David Lee (@David11Lee) May 25, 2015
But for the Giants fans who are dearly missing regular Ray Black appearances, we did have this:
Rodolfo Martinez is feeling it tonight. Touched 101 on the team's gun while striking out 2 in a perfect 6th.
— David Lee (@David11Lee) May 26, 2015
David's full game notes, including remarks on Skyler Ewing's struggles and Cristian Paulino assessment can be found here:
Monday's Greenville-Augusta notes: Gage, Ewing, Paulino, Chavis, Guerra. http://t.co/bzl43HfsHv
— David Lee (@David11Lee) May 26, 2015
That's enough for now. Three games on tap tonight, including the highly anticipated return of Barry Zito to Sacramento, while Richmond continues to climb toward .500. Hope everybody had a great holiday. See you at the ballyard
Bunting is up all over Lake Olmstead Stadium for tonight's #MemorialDay match up at 7:05pm against @GreenvilleDrive pic.twitter.com/8ekJvJYx6F
— Augusta GreenJackets (@GreenJackets) May 25, 2015