Game 61: Stormers 8-4

	Eric Ackerman 2-4, 3.46 ERA		Barry Hertzler 3-3, 3.28 ERA

The construction of the Barnstormers’ current rotation is reminiscent of the group that started the 2006 season. That’s the only other time in franchise history when this team could claim to have four quality starters. The names were Denny Harriger, Scott Sobkowiak, Andy Zwirchitz and Brian Whitaker back then. Today the staff is anchored by Josh Hall, Eric Ackerman, Nick Renault and Shane Youman.

The Barnstormers won mostly with pitching in the first half of 2006. Harriger, Squeeze and Sobkowiak were a combined 17-7 with a 3.78 ERA through the end of June. They put the Barnstormers in first place on their way to a wire-to-wire championship.

Of course, Zwirchitz and Sobkowiak ended up getting injured, the rotation fell apart and the Barnstormers became an offensive juggernaut in the second half as they steamrolled toward the playoffs. That’s often how things work in the Atlantic League.

This year’s team is hoping to follow the early map of 2006 and defy the odds by winning with pitching in a hitter-dominated environment and a hitter-friendly ballpark. The top four starters are a combined 9-7 with a 4.10 ERA. There’s no dominant ace, like Harriger, but this is an unusually deep rotation.

“The potential to get quality outings has gone up tremendously,” manager Von Hayes said. “If they keep working hard and we piece together a couple of players to get out there and play every day, I think we’re going to be a pretty solid team in the second half. If all things remain the same.”

The last part of that quote is the key. One reason it’s difficult to win with pitching in this league is it’s difficult to keep a talented staff together and healthy. If the Barnstormers retain their Big Four, they’ll continue to succeed. They’re 8-4 since this rotation was put in place. It shows the value of not only talent, but stability.

“Our pitching has really gotten a lot better,” DH Matt LeCroy said. “All we need now is a little more offense.”

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Today’s matchup:

Ackerman against Barry Hertzler may not jump off the page as a premium pitching matchup, but these have been two of the best starters in the league to this point. Both are ranked in the top five in ERA. Hertzler has odd stats. Despite being third in ERA and third in innings pitched, he has issued more walks (30) than strikeouts (26).

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ALB.com has an interesting look at the Long Island Ducks and all their big-name talent.

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Lineups …

(26-34)	(29-31)
Lloyd Turner, 2B	Henry Mateo, 2B
Mike Woods, LF	Branden Florence, RF
Danny Gonzalez, SS	Luis Lopez, 3B
Matt LeCroy, DH	Jesse Hoorelbeke, 1B
Manny Mejia, C	Ryan Bear, CF
Greg Blosser, RF	Calvin Pickering, DH
Jutt Hileman, CF	Bobby Darula, LF
Ivanon Coffie, 3B	Brian Munhall, C
Kevin Kotch, 1B	Alex Prieto, SS

Scoring summary …

Barnstormers	005	300	000	8	15	1
Bluefish	200	101	000	4	11	0

WP: Eric Ackerman (3-4)
LP: Barry Hertzler (3-4)

FINAL: Barnstormers 8, Bluefish 4

Bluefish 1st: Florence’s double scores Mateo. Lopez’s groundout scores Florence.
Bridgeport leads 2-0.

Stormers 3rd: Gonzalez’s single scores Turner. Mejia’s single scores Woods and Gonzalez. Blosser’s double scores LeCroy and Mejia.
Lancaster leads 5-2.

Stormers 4th: Kotch hits solo home run. Gonzalez’s double scores Turner. Mejia’s single scores Gonzalez.
Lancaster leads 8-2.

Bluefish 4th: Pickering’s single scores Bear.
Lancaster leads 8-3.

Bluefish 6th: Munhall’s fielder’s choice scores Bear.
Lancaster leads 8-4.

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Box score:

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Lloyd Turner

Turner collected three more hits and raised his average to .303. Moving him to the leadoff spot could be a great move for this offense. His on-base percentage this month is .495 — which is Pujolsian.

Other notes:

*Eric Ackerman is 3-0 with a 3.18 ERA in his last three starts. During those 22 2/3 innings, he has 15 strikeouts and just one walk. His impressive transition to the rotation continues.

*Judd Songster still hasn’t allowed a run since May 21. The streak is at 15 1/3 innings. Songster faced a scare in the ninth. The bases were loaded with one out when he struck out Jesse Hoorelbeke and Ryan Bear to close out the win.

*Kevin Kotch made his first appearance at first base for the Barnstormers. He also smashed his second home run in 50 at-bats this season.

The bottom line:

The Barnstormers continue to surge as the second half approaches. They are 9-4 over their last 13 games. Friday night, they roughed up one of the league’s ERA leaders and held one of the league’s better offenses in check.