Von Hayes
 |
Nick Renault 3-5, 6.16 ERA |
| Kevin Mannix 0-6, 8.35 ERA |
|---|
The Barnstormers just completed a six-game homestand with the four-day All-Star break sandwiched in the middle. They went 2-4. For a team building its hopes for contending in the second half on winning at home, this wasn’t a good sign.
One reason the results haven’t changed is the roster hasn’t changed much. The offense hasn’t received the premium upgrade it desperately needs. So the peaks and valleys continue. The Barnstormers scored 19 runs in their two wins during this homestand. They scored 10 runs in their four losses – which included two extra-inning affairs.
Over their last 18 games, the Barnstormers have scored four runs or fewer 11 times. They have just three homers since the second half started. They are dead last in runs, batting average and on-base percentage and are starting to lag significantly behind the seventh-place teams in those categories.
Some positive steps have been taken. OF Luis Perez looks like a modest upgrade with an .845 OPS through nine games and has the potential to perform better. 1B Ian Bladergroen was activated from the disabled list. Although it’s going to take him a while to shake off the rust, he should have an impact in the long term.
It’s obviously not enough.
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, having a subpar offense while playing at Clipper Magazine Stadium is a losing formula. It has been for two years. The Barnstormers are 23 games under .500 since 2006, which was the last time they had an elite lineup for an extended period of time.
Manager Von Hayes bristles at the suggestion he should sacrifice defense for offense. He wants his best gloves at their best positions. He wants to try to scratch out low-scoring wins by making all the plays in the field.
While that’s understandable in some respects, especially since the options on the bench are not overwhelming, it’s also a tough way to consistently succeed in the Atlantic League. The Barnstormers haven’t won back-to-back games since July 4 — despite getting some really good pitching lately. They have one winning streak greater than two games all season.
As the frustration with the lack of offense mounts, it’s important to recognize: If you keep doing things the same way with the same players in the same spots, you’re going to get the same results.
Changes to Camden:
The Riversharks have made their fair share of changes since the last time the Barnstormers saw them. They signed P Jose Lima, who hasn’t fared well and won’t appear in this series. They signed OF Shaun Boyd and are playing him at 2B. They signed C Alberto Castillo , who hasn’t hit much.
Camden has been torn apart by defections to affiliated ball and retirements. Although head of baseball operations David Keller has been aggressive when it comes to player procurement, he hasn’t been able to adequately replace the key players lost. The Riversharks are 5-11 this month and are another example of how the difficult market is pinching everyone — including the Barnstormers.
The situation is so dire that Camden is forced to have Kevin Mannix in the rotation. The rigthhander has been clobbered in his nine appearances. The Barnstormers have a chance for one of their peaks tonight.
Lineups …
4-5 |
2-7 |
|---|---|
| Lloyd Turner, 2B | Nic Jackson, CF |
| Mike Woods, LF | Shaun Boyd, CF |
| Danny Gonzalez, SS | L.J. Biernbaum, RF |
| Matt LeCroy, DH | Ron Davenport, 1B |
| Ian Bladergroen, 1B | Tyler Von Schell, DH |
| Luis Perez, RF | Sheldon Fulse, LF |
| Ivanon Coffie, 3B | Alberto Castillo, C |
| Jutt Hileman, CF | Rob Gandolfo, 3B |
| Kevin Kotch, C | Gabe Suarez, SS |
Scoring summary …
| Barnstormers | 000 | 030 | 100 | 4 | 10 | 1 |
| Riversharks | 520 | 000 | 00x | 7 | 7 | 2 |
-
WP: Kevin Mannix (1-6)
LP: Nick Renault (3-6)
SV: Alec Zumwalt (17)
FINAL: Riversharks 7, Barnstormers 4
Riversharks 1st: Davenport’s double scores Boyd and Biernbaum. Fulse’s triple scores Davenport and Von Schell. Castillo’s groundout scores Fulse.
Camden leads 5-0.
Riversharks 2nd: Davenport’s triple scores Suarez and Biernbaum.
Camden leads 7-0.
Stormers 5th: Turner’s double scores Hileman. Woods’ sacrifice fly scores Kotch. Gonzalez’s groundout scores Turner.
Camden leads 7-3.
Stormers 7th: Perez’s single scores Gonzalez.
Camden leads 7-4.
RECORD: 4-6 (34-46)
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Ron Davenport
Camden’s first baseman delivered a two-run double in the first inning and a two-run triple in the second as the Riversharks built a 7-0 lead. Back in spring training, Davenport was a man without a job. Camden gave him a shot and the former Blue Jays farmhand has become an elite hitter in this league.
NOTES:
*Nick Renault was roughed up again:
| 1 IP | 3 H | 6 R | 5 ER | 2 BB | 1 K |
Renault was removed one batter into the second inning with an apparent injury. That may explain his struggles of late. The righthander has been tagged for 25 earned runs in his last 14 innings. It looks like the fifth spot in the rotation is open again. Yamel Guevara is the obvious solution if the team doesn’t sign a starter.
*Pat Cassa was great out of the bullpen and gave his team a chance at a miracle rally.
| 4 IP | 3 H | 1 R | 0 ER | 1 BB | 3 K |
Every time you start to think Cassa might be overmatched in this league, he turns in a strong performance. This has to rank among his best of the season.
*Hitting streaks alive: Matt LeCroy is at 13 games. Danny Gonzalez is at 10.
*Lancaster had a chance to complete its comeback in the seventh. With the team trailing 7-4, Jutt Hileman flied out with the bases loaded. That was the team’s final serious threat.
*The Barnstormers left 11 men on base. They left 12 on base Sunday. This is one of the by-products of not having lineup depth. Even when the team gets chances, there are few hitters capable of taking advantage of them. LeCroy and Hileman are the only batters hitting over .300 with runners in scoring position.
BOTTOM LINE:
The Barnstormers have lost three in a row and are two games under .500 for the first time in the second half. They made a game of it even after being put in a 7-0 hole. Ultimately, they lost to a pitcher who was 0-6 with an 8.35 ERA.
good luck juan, nick and luis….we’ll be cheering for you in the crowd!
1) Jason (or anyone who knows): Was Matt LeCroy hurt last night when he left and Jutt Hileman came in to run late in the game? Thought it was just a calculated move to score the tying run late until I saw Matt leave the field with the trainer? Help! Don’t tell me Matt is hurt. He has been making great contact since his return.
2) Jason Scobie looked pretty good last night— he had good stuff! And the relievers did a decent job. A key hit or would have brought the victory. Yep… see all comments about the offense in the blog entry by Jason G. above
3) As much as I enjoy the way Juan Francia handles a bat, he and Coffie have not produced much this year. It is hard to carry offensive players like this given the rest of the line up. Was disappointed to see Woods-Turner-Perez OF last night that put both Francia and Coffie in the INF.
Given their production, I would rather see Kevin Kotch get more playing time. Big guys like Ian Bladergroen and Kotch are sometimes given time at 3B as well as behind the plate/1B. Any chance this is an option if Turner is to play OF? Or can Kevin/Ian play OF at a decent level leaving Turner at 3B and Matt LeCroy at 1B?
An additional bat or two is needed — but short of that — how can you get an offensive upgrade given the players currently on the roster? It’s clear the Stormers need to produce more runs given the stats Jason noted in this blog entry.
1. It was a strategic move.
2. You could make a strong case that Scobie has the best stuff among the starters. He’s going to be very good in the rotation.
3. Coffie has been decent. His on-base is .387 in 30 games because he draws some walks. He could be an asset at the Clip — where he has performed well. Francia and Hileman both have on-base percentages below .300, which is a drain on the offense.
One possible solution is to get another outfielder and put Turner or Woods at 2B. I’ve been saying that for two months but they can’t seem to find that upgrade. Neither Kotch nor Bladergroen is a solution at 3B. If you’re desperate, and the Barnstormers should be, you could sign a DH type and play Blade in RF. That’s hardly an ideal solution, but you’ve got to find a way to score runs.
Brian Stavisky was named Texas League player of the week. congrats to Stavo!
Von Hayes still seems to be managing this squad as if it were an affiliated team with young guys (where “it’s how you play the game, not whether you win or lose).
I think Dave and Tom hits Juan on the head. He needs to look at some balls come across the plate before making a decion to swing the bat. This is where he can look up to Danny. It is very rare to see Danny swing at anything until the pitcher has threw a strike at him. I would like to see Woods at 2nd and give Juan some time to think about things.
I agree, Matt has made a 180 since his return. If we loose him him, I would hate to see what would happen.
Kotch/Manni who do you play! they are both good. Kevin is awesome for playing defence, and Manni is great at offense.
ugh!
Way to go Brian!!!!
That’s AWESOME!!!
I’m very surprised Brian hasn’t been moved up. He consistantly has the highest batting average on the team… Hello Arkansas… We want Stavo19 to get promoted!!!!!
Dopey, hold on to those gloves
Not that I’m keeping track of the one who left.. right Texasroadhouse???
Pitching and Defense are NOT going to Win Ball Games in the AL. Good Grief……
Francia drew some groans for swinging at the first pitch with the bases loaded Sunday. I didn’t have a problem with it. When there are runners in scoring position, you should be aggressive and try to drive those runners home. Francia got a good pitch to hit. He rolled over it and grounded out to first base. It happens.
The bigger issue is how the team structures its lineup and how it allocates at-bats. Patience at the plate is a skill — just like power. You either have it or you don’t. Asking Francia to be more patient is not realistic. He’s a free swinger who is never going to walk much. His value stems from his defense, his speed and his ability to hit singles and steal bases.
If the Barnstormers want a more patient approach, they need to find/play more patient batters. You can’t change them. It just doesn’t work.
Jason, you are very good at what you do and bring to light things people may not think of. I agree with you about Juan. He is a very good at 2nd base and does not have the patience at bat. I am not asking him to look for a strike before swinging, but stop swinging at everything. You don’t have to swing at the first pitch. I left early on Sunday so I did not get to see the hit. In my opinion, you can teach these young guns a little patience. When you do, you will see their batting average go up. (BTW what is Juan’s?). Trust me I do not want to see Juan let go.
Jason, if you had full control of the team how would you handle this situation?
We can not keep leaving guys in base, it is killing us. I love to see or hear the stormers put a lick’en on Camden tonight. I think it may give us a boast. Go Stormers!
I meant on base.
Jason:
I agree with you for the most part. All hitters have tendancies, if they didn’t there would be no use keeping scouting reports. I do think in some cases, however, our guys are not cognizant of situational hitting. With the bases loaded or in a close game, etc. a hitter does need to vary his approach. I have noticed before that I don’t think all of our guys have a situational approach.
“When there are runners in scoring position, you should be aggressive and try to drive those runners home. Francia got a good pitch to hit. He rolled over it and grounded out to first base. It happens.”
Maybe Von Hayes should have been MORE aggressive here and pinch hitted. Juan didnt hit a ball out of the infield last night.
If I was in charge? The front office will get a laugh out of that question.
This is a difficult team to fix because what the Barnstormers need — an elite middle-of-the-order hitter — is so hard to find. Some of their problems right now go back to decisions made from March through May.
I’d bat Woods leadoff and Gonzalez second. To me, that’s a no brainer. I’d give Coffie more playing time at 3B and Turner more time at 2B — just to get another on-base hitter in the lineup. That’s about all you can do with the way the roster is constructed.
I think the pitching is good enough to win the division. They need another bat (two, really) and the course of the season will depend on whether or not they can find one. The Mexican League regular season ends Sunday. That could be the best hope for a big upgrade. Maybe the last hope.
Hey folks, where is the best parking to go to a York Revolution game?? Is it still available over the creek at the armory field?? Thanks
Jason, thanks for the Matt LeCroy article in the paper today. Another great story.
Pack.. just bring lots of $$$$ for parking in Ddoorrrk!
I thought I heard no more parking at the field. Thanks, Rad.
I was debating going to York on Wed morning. Parking probably will be worse in the day time.
Dammit…..5 Runs in 1st again??? This is getting to be crap!!!! There has GOT to be a problem with the approach when this is happening 3-4 times a week.
Great play Jutt and Kevin! Let’s continue the runs we started last inning.
Thanks for updating the score on the blog. It is very helpful when I cant be at the game or cant listen. I appreciate it.
I second that Packmule! It is very helpful and I appreciate it as well.
It would be great to also have the pitching changes included on who was going in too
Jason, you are more powerful than you know. We baseball fans hunger for any info that you can provide us.
Thank you all powerful OZ!!!!!!!
I can do pitching changes for home games. Road games are tougher. I’m multi-tasking most of the time.
Maybe you can get a little commercial money by doing the “Gene O’Brien calls to the bullpen” on line too.
Just do me a favor and no “Pizza Hut screams for Pizza” promotions on line. Ha ha
Overall, the pitching in this league right now is just…yikes
1st Place update:
Somerset lost again tonight. York is currently losing, but are within one run in the top of the 7th.
ok, make that York is down by 3 in the top of the 7th. Bridgeport just scored 2 runs
I didnt get to listen to the game, so thanks for those details of the game. They give us all a better understanding of the game then just the score. Have a good night.
What happened to Nick?? How bad is he hurt??
He has a blister on his ring finger.