Jordan Herr
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Ben Fritz 3-5, 6.40 ERA* |
| Keith Ramsey 3-4, 4.11 ERA |
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The Barnstormers are turning to their 20th starting pitcher today. That is a staggering total for a 99-game stretch. To put it in perspective, the 2006 team – which had its share of starting pitching injuries – only used 11 starters. The most this franchise ever used prior to this season was 13.
The latest newcomer is Ben Fritz. He’s a 6-4, 225-pound righthander who was drafted 30th overall by the A’s in 2002. He was a phenom coming out of Fresno State, but his results in the minors have mostly been pedestrian.
Fritz’s best success as a pro came in 2006 when his manager was Von Hayes. While at Double-A Midland, Fritz posted a 3.30 ERA in 12 starts and made the Texas League All-Star team. He was promoted to Triple-A for the first – and only – time. The success didn’t follow him to the next level as he posted a 5.83 ERA in 17 starts in Sacramento.
Overall, Fritz has a lifetime 5.06 ERA with about six strikeouts per nine innings and a 1.49 WHIP.
It’s always difficult to project how a pitchers’ performance will translate to the Atlantic League. Zack Parker’s numbers were awful when he arrived in Lancaster, but he immediately became an ace. Ditto Josh Hall.
The Barnstormers have found several high-quality pitchers over the last two months or so. Hall, Shane Youman, Jason Scobie and now Fritz were all either straight out of affiliated ball or Korea. All had Triple-A time and all were ready to assume spots in the rotation. No team can match the Barnstormers’ pitching additions, but – for whatever reason – they haven’t been able to upgrade the lineup with the same regularity. That remains the Achilles heel and it threatens to end the team’s playoff hopes.
Lancaster is 13-15, two games under .500 for the first time since July 23. It has slipped 2½ games behind first-place Somerset. There are five games left on this road trip and the Barnstormers need to snap this losing streak before the gap becomes too wide.
*stats from Double-A Erie this season
Box score:
Scoring summary:
Stormers 1st: Woods hits solo home run.
Lancaster leads 1-0.
Blue Crabs 2nd: Johnston’s double scores Osborn. Polanco’s single scores Johnston.
SoMd leads 2-1.
Stormers 3rd: Hileman hits solo home run.
Game tied at 2.
Blue Crabs 3rd: Pride’s triple scores Ramistella. Osborn’s single scores Pride. Owens’ home run scores Osborn.
SoMd leads 6-2.
Stormers: 6th: LeCroy’s double scores Woods. Turner’s single scores Castillo and LeCroy. Hileman’s double scores Bladergroen and Turner.
Lancaster leads 7-6.
Stormers 7th: Francia’s double scores Woods.
Lancaster leads 8-6.
RECORD: 14-15 (44-55)
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Mike Woods
The left fielder returned to his familiar leadoff role during the two weekend games and he jumpstarted the offense in this one. Woods went 4-for-4 and scored three runs. The offense is better when he bats first.
BOTTOM LINE: In the Freedom Division, you don’t have to be great to stay in contention. You only have to be average. The Barnstormers’ come-from-behind win moves them back within 1.5 games of first place and snaps a four-game losing streak. They still have a losing record, but they’re also still in the hunt.
I’m with ya about Hileman, Stormin’. I was hoping for a long time that he’d get his act at the plate together but it’s gotten downright painful to watch and he just continues to get worse.
Six weeks left.
3:45 p.m….
Hileman hit a homer today. He has also stuck out afterwards.
The Stormers are losing in the 6th inning with a 6-2 score. Rleal is in relief.
Mike Woods homered in the first inning and walked today. Mike was then caught off first for a double play in the third inning. He now has a double in the sixth inning.
Mike is playing well… as usual…. 6th game hitting streak started.
Our traveling bloggers need to ring more cowbell!
Why are we always running ourselves out of innings?
4:07 p.m….
Barnstormers 7-6 in the 6th! All five came with two outs in the inning. A five run inning and Jutt seems to be coming alive.
Good aggressive play. Although Jutt failed in an attempt to get home after a dropped ball at first base, it’s this type of aggressive ball playing that will make things happen and potentially win ballgames.
Keep it up, guys!
dadTB
Not the best of starts for Fritz. Hope he’s working off rust. I see he was put on the DL 7/12, activated 7/22 and released July 30. So he hasn’t done much pitching in the last 30 days.
I hope he’s the quality pitcher you are projecting. His numbers at Midland in 2007 weren’t good. The Tigers picked him up in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft, and as you posted, his numbers weren’t very good this year at Erie.
As I said previously said I really like Jutt. And I hope he really goes on a tear. But in the previous 10 games he was 3 for 28. And with seven of the games at home, Jutt had no where to hide.
5:30 p.m. …
Barnstormers win 8-6.
Five pitchers used in the effort. Gomez pitching tomorrow evening.
Good job tonight, Stormers. You got back on the wining track and stopped the slide at 4 games.
This Blue Crab team has been on a tear during the second half. They played tough the first two games, but couldn’t keep it going into the third game of the weekend.
Looks like the Bloggers/Boosters on the bus trip made a difference today… More cowbell meant more runs!
Go Stormers!
dadTB
Just got in from working on weekend….dadtb, thanks for the updates. I appreciate hearing some of what I missed.
The rest of you who blogged yesterday….good job. I enjoyed the passion that I read in your blogs. Whether you are a Herr or a Hayes fan, yesterday was a good day on the blog. It was great to see that the passion for the team is still out there, even though the front office hasnt rewarded that passion.
I’m sure the Front Office doesn’t appreciate alot of the comments that get posted. However, they better REALLY worry when NOTHING is getting posted.
I do miss the heavy blogging days
Great job guys this weekend!!! You did your best and it paid off on sunday!!! Was good to see them this weekend!!!
Way to go Jutt on your homer!!!!
Also, kuddos to michael woods
way to get back in there juan and come out with 2 hits! i volunteer rad to make you brownies when you get home.
Hey hey.. I’m already baking for our special pitcher coming off the DL.. guess he’ll share the goodies with all..
Stormer08-I enjoyed the nice hits that Juan had especially where they thought he was goin to bunt. that was cool. have a special treat for him
#10: They still happen, just not here.