Charlie Weatherby has followed Reggie Taylor's path to the Ducks.
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Jason Scobie 0-0, 2.16 ERA |
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Benito Baez 4-3, 4.32 ERA |
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The Barnstormers went back to their familiar top-of-the-lineup formula Thursday night. That meant Mike Woods in the leadoff spot and Danny Gonzalez hitting second. The decision left only one question: What took so long?
The Woods-Gonzalez combo ranks among the best in the league. Both players are patient hitters who draw walks and sport excellent on-base percentages. Woods’ on-base is .396. Gonzalez’s is .401. This is where they belong.
“I’ve always batted second,” Gonzalez said. “I feel comfortable anywhere. I’m trying to do my best every time I go out there, so it really doesn’t matter.”
Gonzalez, despite his 10 homers and team-best .470 slugging percentage, was miscast as a No. 3 hitter. He’s more of a table setter than a slugger. Barnstormers put him third after a rash of injuries and departures left them with little choice. Now that Ian Bladergroen is back, the team can return to its original 1-2 setup.
Manager Von Hayes experimented with Juan Francia in the leadoff spot, but his lack of patience and .286 on-base percentage were a bad fit. Lloyd Turner also hit leadoff at times, but he seems better suited for the No. 6 or 7 slot.
Woods-Gonzalez is the best alignment. The duo reached base six times and scored five runs against Newark Thursday night. Gonzalez had an RBI double and a three-run homer as the offense was jumpstarted for eight runs.
“We switched that up a little bit,” Hayes said. “Danny has been in that No. 3-hole for quite some time. There’s quite a difference between the 3-hole and the 2-hole. When you’ve got a little bit of speed in front of you, he took advantage of some fastballs the first time and sat on a breaking ball the next time. It was a tremendous game for him.”
Thursday night’s lineup was the best the Barnstormers can field as their roster is currently constructed. It also included Ivanon Coffie, who has brought some much-needed pop to the bottom of the lineup. Coffie hit his fifth homer as his OPS climbed to .835 in 34 games.
Weatherby to Ducks:
Charlie Weatherby is back in the Atlantic League. It’s not with the Barnstormers, the team he helped win the championship in 2006. According to ALB.com and the league’s official Web site, the relief pitcher has signed with the Ducks.
Whether they believe it’s fair or not, this will add to the Barnstormers’ growing reputation as a franchise that isn’t committed to winning. That’s what happens when a team doesn’t make in-season upgrades and allows star players to end up on other clubs. We saw it with Reggie Taylor last season and Derrick DePriest this spring. Now it’s Weatherby.
Weatherby was in the Phillies organization in 2007. He hasn‘t pitched this year. He was rehabbing from a minor procedure on his shoulder and was hoping to latch on with an affiliated club. Instead, his comeback will take him to Long Island.
Lineups …
6-7 |
6-7 |
|---|---|
| Vic Gutierrez, 2B | Mike Woods, LF |
| Ramon Castro, SS | Juan Francia, 2B |
| Keith Reed, DH | Danny Gonzalez, SS |
| Jose Herrera, RF | Matt LeCroy, DH |
| Raul Gonzalez, CF | Manny Mejia, C |
| Ruben Mateo, LF | Lloyd Turner, 2B |
| Scott Knazek, C | Ian Bladergroen, 1B |
| Tim Sweeney, 1B | Jutt Hileman, CF |
| Ramon Nivar, 3B | Jordan Herr, RF |
Scoring summary …
| Bears | 001 | 000 | 100 | 2 | 8 | 0 |
| Barnstormers | 110 | 001 | 05x | 8 | 14 | 1 |
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WP: Jason Scobie (1-0)
LP: Benito Baez (4-4)
SV: Ryan Cullen (5)
FINAL: Barnstormers 8, Bears 2
Stormers 1st: Woods hits solo home run.
Lancaster leads 1-0.
Stormers 2nd: Mejia hits solo home run.
Lancaster leads 2-0.
Bears 3rd: Herrera’s triple scores Gutierrez.
Lancaster leads 2-1.
Stormers 6th: LeCroy’s single scores Francia.
Lancaster leads 3-1.
Bears 7th: Reed’s fielder’s choice scores Nivar.
Lancaster leads 3-2.
Stormers 8th: Mejia’s single scores Gonzalez. Hileman’s single scores LeCroy. Herr’s single scores Mejia. Woods sacrifice fly scores Bladergroen. Francia’s single scores Hileman.
Lancaster leads 8-2.
Pitchers:
Bears: Benito Baez, J.J. Trujillo (8), Steve Kent (8).
Barnstormers: Jason Scobie, Judd Songster (7), Ryan Cullen (7).
Box score:
RECORD: 7-7 (37-47)
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Jason Scobie
| 6.1 IP | 7 H | 2 R | 2 ER | 4 BB | 4 K |
This was a timely performance for Scobie, who earned his first win and looks like he’s going to be a force in the rotation. Any pitcher with a power sinker can excel, particularly at this level. The righthander has allowed four earned runs in 14 2/3 innings.
NOTES:
*Josh Hall was signed by the Rockies and assigned to Triple-A Colorado Springs. He’s expected to start for his new team Sunday. It’s obviously a big loss for the pitching staff. Hall was 6-3 with a 4.10 ERA and had established himself as the ace of the rotation.
As one excellent pitcher left, another settled in. Scobie was in command. His outing made you wonder what could have been with Hall, Scobie, Eric Ackerman and Shane Youman lined up as starters.
*Ryan Cullen retired all seven batters he faced for his seventh save. Manager Von Hayes employed an odd bullpen strategy. Supposed closer Judd Songster was used for two batters in the seventh inning before Cullen was brought in to face Jose Herrera with a 3-2 lead and the tying run on third. Cullen took it from there with the Goose Gossage-type save. His ERA is 1.63. He’s having a great year.
*The power came back. The Barnstormers went through a home run drought at the start of the first half. They’ve belted four homers in the first two games of this series. LF Mike Woods and C Manny Mejia each hit solo shots in the first two innings.
*Matt LeCroy’s hitting streak was extended to 17 games with an RBI single in the sixth. He’s one behind Norm Hutchins for the team record.
*Luis Perez was released. This leaves the Barnstormers’ outfield woefully thin again. Jordan Herr was back in the starting lineup Friday night. There were no outfielders on the bench.
BOTTOM LINE:
The Barnstormers won back-to-back games for the first time since July 4. Even better, they found a way to beat one of the league’s elite pitchers. Lancaster has at least a split in this four-game series against Newark with a chance for much more.
Sure would like to know who’s making these decisions. Although I must admit it certainly looks like the Oriole way of running a club doesn’t it. Don’t commit to winning, just make $$.
Welcome back Charlie!!!
Best of luck to you in Long Island
concerns over weatherby’s health prompted stormers to pass on him.
We currently have 15 pitchers on the roster, 3 of which are on the DL. Maybe the numbers have something to do with it?
You’re right I guess Barney….it’ just frustrating seeing all these guys going to other Teams.
Of course thats a problem..we are paying those guys while they are on the DL and we will continue to do so until they aren’t. Its unfortunate that we don’t “open up the wallets” a little more but realistically, having all these guys on the DL is hurting us both ways. We can’t afford to pay all these guys AND get other players in here. (if they even want to come here) thats why we get cheap filler inners…college guys and guys with little experience. Herr, Evans etc as opposed to the names that other teams are picking up right now. Its frustrating thats for sure….even if player procurement CAN find the higher profile players..we have suck an overhead on the DL guys…well……….
Charlie would have been a nice acquisition…but yeah healthwise I guess we couldn’t take a chance on him? He gets hurt again we add another name to that DL. Its too bad we couldn’t take that chance…I miss the bullpen swaying to the rally roni thing!
The Barnstormers have the money to upgrade the roster. Although having guys on the DL is an obstacle, it’s not insurmountable. This is one of the most financially successful franchises in the league. If they don’t want to assume the injury risk with Weatherby, that’s fine. It’s even defensible. But that doesn’t excuse other player procurement issues, such as the lack of position player upgrades over the past two months.
The worst part is, I’m not sure anymore “they” care what the Fans think.
As long as the turnstiles keep turning, there is little incentive for them. Obviously, Winning is not as important to them as making $$.
These “Gas” Tickets are a microcosm of the attitude “They” have towards the Core Fans of the Team.
I know of one man on the DL list that wants to go home. But they will not let him go. So in stead they are paying him to sit the rest of the season. Why not let him go home and have his surgery there with his family? he sure does not get it and neither do I.
I’ m “amaized” at this lack of activity. The Freedom Division is mired in mediocrity and the Barnstormers may be one stud player from breaking away from the pack. The Barnstormers must be looking for a player(s) that fits a certain profile. And they either can’t find that player or the player doesn’t want the Barnstormers. Cause it certainly doesn’t take a Brink’s truck to sign a player for the balance of this season. Paying the top salary of $3000/mos., that’s less than $6000 for the rest of the season. Minus the salary of the player released, that’s not a lot of incremental salary they would be taking on.
Just can’t make sense of it all, as hard as I try. Maybe we need to pass the hat like they do at the little league games games. LOL.
I know we have the money Jason..certainly not saying we don’t. I am more saying that they WON”T spend it. At least on Lancaster. Camden, York and southern Md have gotten the players they need. I do agree with you that there is a player procurement issue here unlike the other teams..even the other ones owned by ODP. There’s no excuse for not upgrading positions in the last 2 months.
And, like maize says, we very well could be one stud player away from breaking free….I don’t think so but it could happen. As of yet no team has broken free.. I don’t believe its because they can’t find that player…other teams have upgrated almost constantly. I also believe its because whatever profile they are trying to fit is the wrong one. Seems to me their profile is young, college, no experience in a league of this caliber…let’s take a chance on him type thing…all that comes rather cheaply. Sure, we have the money…just spend it wisely…
Two transactions:
Luis Perez was released.
Josh Hall was signed by the Rockies and assigned to Triple-A Colorado Springs.
That frees up about $4000
You earned it, Josh. Wish you continued success.
Jason, how do you read the Perez release. Is there a 20 HR hitting RF on the horizon?
Jason- someone was also signed todat,correct?
There is so much to say but most of what I want to say has been said by others on here of late.
But I am going to say one thing about the media here. They are letting the Barnstormers off way too easy. They need to rip this organization but they don’t. Jason does a great job and He seems the toughest on the Barnstormers but overall the media is very easy on the Barnstormers and I think that should stop. This team is being run like a big joke and the fans (true baseball fans) are being hurt. If things keep up and are run the same way for a few more years then baseball is dead in Lancaster. The Barnstormer’s organization will have killed it. The media needs to get on the ball.
I wanted to post something yesterday but I went to the game and did not have time. It show how the media can rip a team. This comes from Richard justice. He covers the Houston Astros and does some work for ESPN. On his blog for the newspaper he rips the owner of the Astros yesterday and just overall the team. Maybe it is time for that here. Drayton McLane is the owner of the Astros
A sports blog with Richard Justice
« When was the last time the Astros looked smart? | Main
July 24, 2008
Thank you for writing me about Ed Wade. Now stop.
All of a sudden, I’ve got friends in Philadelphia. I hear from sportswriters and TV guys and all kinds of fans. They tell me they feel my pain. They tell me they knew it was going to be like this.
Please stop. I’ll give you Oscar Villarreal, Shawn Chacon and Michael Bourn if you’ll just leave me alone.
These people shouldn’t be gloating about Ed Wade. They should be sending him flowers. If not for Ed Wade, they wouldn’t have Brad Lidge. He’s 22 for 22. Would the Phillies be in first place without Brad Lidge? I think not.
They should also thank Ed Wade for Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Pat Burrell, Cole Hamels, Gavin Floyd, Kyle Kendrick and Brett Myers. All those players were drafted during Ed Wade’s seven years on the job. Are the Phillies in first place without Chase Utley? I assure you they are not.
The Astros had problems long before Ed Wade got here. Some of those bad drafts occurred when Gerry Hunsicker was on the job. In fact, he predicted tough times were coming.
It’s not all Drayton McLane’s problems, either. Although I did check the stats this morning and see that Drew Stubbs is hitting .440 in Double-A and I’m reminded he may stand as McLane’s single dumbest move as owner. Ordering his baseball people to back out of a pre-draft deal because Bud Selig got ticked off about it may haunt the Astros for years. Hope you enjoy watching him play center field for the Cincinnati Reds, Drayton. Hope you get a real good view from your front-row seat.
That dumb decision is followed closely by saving $1.2 million by not signing three of the top six picks in the 2007 draft. Why is Pat Murphy now working for the Tampa Bay Rays? He was the assistant scouting director when the Astros won Baseball America’s Organization of the Year award in 2001.
Would someone tell me why he was shown the door? I’m waiting. Go ahead and explain that one to me.
Where is he now? In Tampa Bay? How are the Rays doing? Do they have any good players in the minor leagues? Why is Pat in Tampa Bay? Because Gerry Hunsicker is there?
See how this stuff is all tied together, Drayton? See what happens when you let your ego get in the way? See what happens when you surround yourself with butt-kissers? How’s that working out for you? At least you don’t have Gerry Hunsicker arguing with you about doing the right thing.
If you had any guts, you’d phone Tampa Bay today and plead with them to let you bring Gerry back. But you won’t do it. You’d rather finish last than admit that you screwed up.
Go ahead and keep listening to Tal and Ed. At least you got your revenge on the Hendricks Brothers. You showed them, didn’t you? What’s your record since you showed Andy Pettitte the door? How does last place taste?
I suggested in this morning’s column that you take Tal and Ed on a long vacation and leave Pam in charge. Give her two years and the organization would be respectable again.
You’re not going to do that because someone else might get the credit. You want the credit for being in last place? Fine, it’s yours. Congratulations.
OK, never mind.
Posted by Richard at July 24, 2008 07:54 AM
I’ve asked this question before and I’m not sure if I ever got an answer. Wouldn’t these injuries be covered under worker’s comp. insurance? This would certainly alleviate some of the financial issues of having so many guys on the DL. Granted The Stormers worker’s comp. premiums must be astronomical, but I’ve known players from other leagues that were injured in season and were covered under worker’s comp. Crazy 27- This may explain why the player you are talking about needs to stay here to be treated here by Stormers aproved worker’s comp. doctors.
Who is the Catcher we got today Jason??
Charlie taught the ball-hawks how to throw the 4-seam fastball 2 seasons ago. next to Jutt, he was their fav. player. would have loved to seen him back here.
There’s a catcher named David Castillo with the club. He hasn’t signed yet. He has to clear waivers in the Northern League before he can sign. If that happens, and if he passes a physical, he’ll be eligible to play Sunday.
Jason, why was Perez released?? He was one guy who seemed to hustle every play.
Perez was released for non-baseball reasons.
Thanks…………..
So if the new catcher makes the team, does that mean Kotch will get shown the door??? Is there a date that Burky may be back????? I miss his demeanor behind the plate.
And so the front office doesnt forget…………WHY DONT YOU GO OUT AND FIND SOMEONE THAT CAN REALLY HELP THE OFFENSE ……..????????????????
Instead of giving me gas money to get to a game, I will pitch in gas money so you guys will hit the road to find an excellent upgrade to one of our positions in the field.
By the way, that last post was not directed at the current players. I got to listen to the last 2 innings of the game tonight and was quite proud how they hung in their to get their bats going in the eighth. Real nice job again!!!!
Sounds like the pitching tonight was top-notch and despite not having the stats, the team tonight out hit the Bears. Nice effort. What do you say we sweep the bears????? (I know now I sound like Stormin’)
Way to go Josh and best of luck!!!
Great Job Stormers!!!
From the Atlantic League blog….
“Ducks Add Weatherby: I guess Lancaster has so much pitching that there just wasn’t room for P Charlie Weatherby to go back there. Instead, the Ducks wisely picked him up. Weatherby was one of the better relievers in Barnstormers history, and was signed by the Phillies as a result.
Say what you want about the Ducks, but you can never say they don’t care about winning.”
…………………how true. You cant say the Ducks dont care about winning. Now for the Barnstormers………………
why to go stormers!!! Great win tonight.
what a possible 4th catcher on the bench. Only three outfielders.
Give Hayes credit on the Cullen move in the seventh. Herrera cant hit lefties at all. Why did they try to bunt???
I love this Castro vs Gonzalez show down. Go Danny!
Make it three tomorrow
Our Possible New Catcher
http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/C/David-Castillo.shtml
Why do we another catcher?? we need outfielders and pitchers correct?? Lance tell’s me 4 weeks till he will be back. I do not see it in that short of time. He will not be able to come back full time. Why are we not playing Kevin. I thought he was good. I read some other comments on here that others thought he was good. Young but good.
The team played really well last night.
Way to go Matt and Manny.
Grads. to Josh Hall sorry to seem go but best of luck to you Josh.
Matt Lecroy is a joy to watch. He really enjoys the game and puts his heart in to every play.
Very nice victory last night.
Looks like Castillo is another Von Hayes connection…