Category: Alumni Update
Lineups, notes and news …
News ….
– Paul Goldschmidt a Southern League All-Star. No surprise. Especially since, after leaving for the Major Leagues on Aug. 2, he still leads the Southern League in Home Runs (30, tied for the lead), RBIs (94, up by two), On-Base (.435) and Slugging Percentage (.626), as well as OPS (1.061) and walks (82, leads by eight), and is still in the top 5 in extra-base hits, total bases, runs scored and batting average. That’s domination … when you can leave for a month and still have your name all over the place on the leaders’ sheet.
Starting Lineups:
Great Falls Voyagers (18-11, 35-32)
1 Randall Thorpe CF
7 Joe De Pinto 2B
21 Kevan Smith DH
25 Mark Haddow RF
20 Jimmy Jacquot C
11 Michael Earley LF
2 David Herbek SS
30 Martin Medina 1B
18 Kyle Eveland 3B
41 Pete Gehle LHP
Missoula Osprey (14-15, 39-28)
30 Chris Ellison CF
23 Fidel Pena 2B
12 Eric Groff 3B
35 Jon Griffin DH
38 Stephen Cardullo SS
11 Tom Belza 1B
24 Roidany Aguila C
7 Jeremia Gomez RF
17 Ty Linton LF
29 Conrad Flynn RHP
Game notes:
| Last Time Out: A day off and playing at home did not snap the Missoula Osprey out of their current slump, as they dropped a 13-7 decision to the Great Falls Voyagers on Tuesday at Ogren Park Allegiance Field in front of 2,169 fans. The Osprey, who have dropped three straight games, and have lost six of their past eight contests, fell behind early by a 4-0 score, before scoring four runs in the bottom of the second inning. Ryan Court and Stephen Cardullo hit back-to-back solo home runs, while Ty Linton added a two-run double to tie the game at 4-all. The Voyagers answered with their own four-run inning in the top of the fourth off of Osprey starter Robby Rowland (2-6) to take the lead for good. Missoula finished with 11 hits, paced by a three-hit, one-RBI night by Fidel Pena, and two hits and a RBI by Jeremia Gomez. Eight of the nine Osprey starters collected at least one base hit in the contest.
K Watch: The Osprey pitching fanned 11 Voyager batters in the loss, and moved within 39 strikeouts of setting a new Pioneer League record for total strikeouts by a pitching staff, set last season by both Orem and Great Falls, who each collected 697 strikeouts for the 2010 campaign. Missoula currently has 659 strikeouts – 29 shy of the club record, set in 2005. With 659 strikeouts, another goal is also within reach, as the Osprey have nine games to collect 41 strikeouts – which would make them the first club in the 76-game season format in Pioneer League history to collect 700 strikeouts as a pitching staff. Plus, with an 9.87 strikeouts per 9 Innings pitched ratio, the Osprey staff would also likely take that team mark down. The 2005 Osprey staff – which featured left-hander Greg Smith, who was Pioneer League Pitcher of the Year that season – posted a 9.18 Ks per 9 IP ratio. On the Mound Tonight: Missoula will send right-hander Conrad Flynn to the mound as he will make what stands to be his final start of the 2011 regular season, pending any situations developing. Flynn (4-2, 5.40) has struggled this month, posting a 1-1 record with a 6.35 ERA in August, and that includes his last outing – allowing seven earned runs on eight hits over 5 2/3 innings pitched in a loss at Ogden. Flynn will be making his first start of the season against Great Falls after four relief outings, spanning 12 innings, with a 1-0 record and 3.00 ERA, fanning 16 Voyagers in 12 innings of work. Great Falls has hit just .171 off of Flynn this season. Flynn will be used out of the bullpen during the playoffs, and may see an appearance before the end of the regular season. The Voyagers will counter tonight with left-hander Pete Gehle, who is looking to change his luck with the Osprey this season. Gehle (3-7, 5.06) has a 1-3 mark with a 5.23 ERA against Missoula this season, including a hard-luck, 2-1 loss in his last outing against the Osprey on August 9, where he allowed just two runs on a hit and a walk, while fanning five batters. Gehle has thrown 20 2/3 innings against the Osprey (second most to Blair Walters) and has fanned 20 while allowing 18 hits and 12 earned runs, including three home runs. The Osprey hit just .222 against him this season. In August, Gehle is 1-2 with a 6.16 ERA, with 16 strikeouts in 19 innings pitched. Defense: The Osprey currently have a .970 fielding percentage. If that holds, it would also set a new club standard. By The Numbers:
D-backs Minor League Report/Osprey Alumni Update (PS – Team playing in
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Starting Lineups, Osprey Nugget #1 Answer and the Next One
by Ben Catley
OK, let’s put last night behind. File it under “T” for Time To Move On. One of the greatest things about baseball, is that today is always anew, there’s always tomorrow and the memories of yesterday only get better with age.
Now, for the lineups, and the Osprey Nugget segment of the day:
Missoula Osprey (13-12, 38-25) starting lineup: Tom Belza (DH) Chris Ellison (LF) Eric Groff (2B) Jon Griffin (1B) Ryan Court (3B) Stephen Cardullo (SS) Roidany Aguila (C) Jeremia Gomez (RF) Justin Bianco (CF) Taylor Siemens (LHP) Ogden Raptors (12=13, 34-29) starting lineup: Scott Wingo (2B) Noel Cuevas (LF) Joc Pederson (CF) O'Koyea Dickson (DH) Scott Schebler (RF) Matt Kirkland (1B) Andrew Edge (C) Justin Boudreaux (SS) Alexis Aguilar (3B) Ryan O'Sullivan (RHP) - will be followed by RHP Freddie Cabrera
To the Osprey Nugget segment ….
Answer to Nugget #1 – Lyle Overbay (1999), JD Closser (1999) and Eric Groff (2011) are the only Osprey to ever collect 20+ doubles, 10+ home runs, and 9+ steals in a season. Overbay is the only one to hit the triple-double in those categories, he had 10 stolen bases.
To Nugget #2, for tonight’s entry …
While we’re not expecting a duplication of the Adrian Gonzalez effort, it should be noted that Osprey outfielder Jeremia Gomez has hit a home run on each of the last two pitches he has seen. Gomez – who was benched after doing what baseball players call a “pimp job”, or watching his two-run blast that went well over 400 feet and splashed into a pond on the other side of the grass seating area at Brent Brown Ballpark on Tuesday – has promised to act like he’s been there before the next time he crushes a ball like that.
By the way, it reminds us of another “pimp job”, delivered by former Osprey Adam Eaton (2010) last season. Note two things, though … the request for time out that was never granted, and Roberto Rodriguez’s reaction in the dugout.
While watching BP, I just saw one of the longest home runs I have seen hit here at any time at Lindquist Field. Eric Groff hit over the 390-foot sign to the left of straightaway center field, and onto the middle of 23rd street, which runs behind the left-field wall. That ball bounced above the top of the wall by a good four feet after it hit the street. Someone will find that at the corner of 23rd and Grant (which runs a half-block behind the right-field fence).
May that be a good sign for tonight …
Osprey Nugget of the Day
OK, o cool peoples … today is the first of a four-game series with the Ogden Raptors. The team is staying about a block away from the field, and two blocks away from the clubhouse. Should be a fun series.
Now, to drop a little knowledge. Tonight’s “Did You Know” will hopefully answer this question, which was brought up on the broadcast last night. So, comment if you have an answer to this one:
Eric Groff stole his 9th base of the season on Wednesday, putting him into some exclusive company. Can you name the other former Osprey who each had 20+ doubles, 10+ home runs and nine or more steals? We’ll check back and post a hint if needed.
Until then … happy thinking!
Lineups and notes for Saturday night at the park …
First, tonight’s lineups:
Ogden Raptors (7-12, 29-28) starting lineup:
Wingo (2B), Cuevas (LF), Pederson (RF), Dickson (1B), Schebler (DH), Maynard (C), Boudreaux (SS), Hunt (3B), Baldwin (CF), Martinez (RHP)
Missoula Osprey (11-8, 36-21) starting lineup:
Ellison (CF), Belza (2B), Groff (3B), Griffin (DH), Court (1B), Pena (C), Cardullo (SS), Linton (LF), Gomez (RF), Darrah (RHP)
On to the notes:
| The Skinny: The Osprey, winners of the Pioneer League North Division First-Half title, continue their three-game series with the Ogden Raptors, and will look to snap their first two-game losing streak since late June tonight. The string of not losing back-to-back games lasted over seven weeks before back-to-back losses over the last two nights.
The North is back to being a mess …: The Pioneer League North Division looks a lot like it did during the first half of the season, with three teams tied for first place entering tonight’s action. The Osprey are one of those teams, and Billings jumped into the tie for first with a win at Casper, while Great Falls was stung in a come-from-behind loss at Idaho Falls. That leaves the threesome tied at 11-8, with Helena five games off the pace at the moment. Billings also opened up a three-game lead over Great Falls, and six over Helena, for a possible wild-card, if the Osprey win the Second Half North crown. … while the Owlz begin to take control in the South: The South Division race is starting to become, believe it or not, all Orem. The Owlz have won two in a row to pull ahead of Casper by a pair of games, and keep hard-charging Idaho Falls four games off the pace. One of those three teams will face Ogden in the Southern Division playoffs – and Orem has a nine-game lead in a possible wild-card scenario, so if the Chukars or Ghosts have playoff dreams, they will most likely have to win the South in the second half. On the Mound Tonight: Missoula will send out right-hander Jesse Darrah to the mound as he looks to snap the Osprey out of their current funk. Darrah (4-0, 4.08) is a solid candidate to get the job done, winning all four of his decisions and posting a 3.48 ERA since July 1. In August, Darrah had allowed just one hit in eight innings of work before getting touched up a bit by Orem on Monday in a relief outing, allowing four runs on five hits and three walks. In his last start, Darrah pitched five hitless innings at Great Falls, though he did allow three walks, and struck out four batters in what turned out to be a 2-1 win on August 9. Darrah is currently in a piggyback situation with right-hander Conrad Flynn (4-1, 4.07), who is 3-0 with a 1.85 ERA as a reliever this season. Darrah is 4-0 with a 3.80 ERA as a starter in nine starts this season, and has struck out 56 batters in 51 innings pitched. The Raptors will counter tonight with right-hander Brandon Martinez, who has been Ogden’s most consistent starter this season. Martinez (5-3, 4.39) will make his 12th start tonight, and while July had its rough spots (3-3, 5.28 for the month), he has followed that up with an August that more resembles his numbers from June, when he was 2-0 with an ERA right at 3.00. Martinez has a 3.77 ERA in three August starts, but has also not kept the ball down as well – he has allowed three home runs in August, one more than he had allowed in the first two months of the season combined. |
We’re on shortly … let’s hope for a win tonight.
Lineups for August 16, Notes and one more thing …
Leading off tonight – starting lineups for tonight’s game:
Orem Owlz (10-5, 32-21) starting lineup: Lindsey (2B), Hairgrove (SS), Jones (RF), Hall (1B), Cowart (3B), Giovinazzo (CF), Pacione (DH), Ray (LF), Mahoney (C), Crowley (LHP)
Missoula Osprey (9-6, 34-19) starting lineup: Ellison (RF), Pena (2B), Groff (DH), Griffin (1B), Court (3B), Belza (SS), Aguila (C), Linton (LF), Bianco (CF), Siemens (LHP)
Pre-Game guest will be Chris Ellison, as he is now back in the lineup.
Now, to bring you up to speed ….
| Another Streak In a Season of them: The 2011 season has become a historic one for the Osprey, and while it does not look like they will close in on the 52-win team in 2001, they have managed to achieve something that they, nor any other team in Osprey history, has been able to do. The last time the Osprey lost back-to-back games was June 27-28, when they fell to 3-6 on the season. Since then, they have compiled a 31-13 record, and they have not lost back-to-back games in seven weeks.
Leaderboard: Current Osprey at the top or in the top 5/10 of the stats in the Pioneer League:
On the Mound Tonight: Missoula will send out left-hander Taylor Siemens to the mound as he will look to continue his impressive start to his professional baseball career. Siemens (2-1, 1.55) had the rarest of starts in his last outing at Helena last week – he lost the game and had his ERA go down, as he allowed five runs, none of which were earned. Siemens has been better on the road, but still has a 2.60 home ERA. Siemens would lead the league in ERA if he had enough innings. The Owlz will counter tonight with left-hander Ryan Crowley, who will make his 7th start and 8th appearance of the season. Crowley (0-0, 5.87) has not pitched out of the fourth inning in any of his starts this season, and has only gone beyond three full innings once. His lone start against the North – coming in Great Falls – went just an inning and did not allow a run or hit, coming off of an eblow ailment. Crowley has been touched up a bit on the road, allowing eight earned runs in eight innings away from Brent Brown Ballpark, with the host teams hitting .429 against him. Crowley was a 19th round pick in the 2011 MLB Draft. Pitching Probables Thursday, August 18 Friday, August 19 Saturday, August 20 By The Numbers:
D-backs Minor League Report/Osprey Alumni Update:
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Lineups for August 15 and News to Know
It’s signing day … the last day MLB clubs can sign plyers from the 2011 MLB Draft. A number of D-backs’ picks remain unsigned, but that could change as the day rolls along. The deadline is 10:01 p.m. MT.
Here’s tonight’s starting lineups for the opener with the Orem Owlz:
Orem Owlz (10-4, 32-20) starting lineup: Taylor Lindsey (2B) Jerod Yakubik (LF) Ryan Jones (RF) Frazier Hall (1B) Abel Baker (C) Kaleb Cowart (3B) Gary Mitchell (DH) Brandon Brewer (SS) Drew Martinez (CF) Daniel Vargas-Vila (P) Missoula Osprey (8-6, 33-19) starting lineup: Fidel Pena (2B) Tom Belza (RF) Eric Groff (3B) Jon Griffin (DH) Ryan Court (1B) Stephen Cardullo (SS) Roidany Aguila (C) Ty Linton (LF) Justin Bianco (CF) Conrad Flynn (P)
News and Notes:
– Enrique Burgos will miss his next turn in the starting rotation due to inflammation in his right elbow. It’s not seen as serious with Burgos, and he could make his next start as soon as next Monday in Orem. We’ll know more by the weekend.
– Burgos getting a break has re-set the Osprey rotation – left-hander Taylor Siemens will pitch on Tuesday, right-hander Dexter Price goes on Wednesday, righty Raymond Hernandez gets the nod on Thursday, and right-hander Robby Rowland will open the series against the Ogden Raptors on Friday. Jesse Darrah will pitch on Saturday, and Siemens will close out the homestand on Sunday.
Now to tonight’s Game Notes:
| The Skinny: The Osprey, winners of the Pioneer League North Division First-Half title, begin a 14-game swing against South Division foes Orem and Ogden with a four-game series at home against the South Division-leading Owlz. It matches the two best teams in the Pioneer League against each other.
Another Streak In a Season of them: The 2011 season has become a historic one for the Osprey, and while it does not look like they will close in on the 52-win team in 2001, they have managed to achieve something that they, nor any other team in Osprey history, has been able to do. The last time the Osprey lost back-to-back games was June 27-28, when they fell to 3-6 on the season. Since then, they have compiled a 30-13 record, and they have not lost back-to-back games in close to seven weeks. These Owlz can hit: Entering this series, the Orem Owlz offense is dominating the Pioneer League. Orem leads the Pioneer League with a .314 batting average – 20 points better than second-place Ogden, and 31 points better than the Osprey. They have scored more runs (364) than anyone else, are the lone PBL team with over 900 total bases, and lead the league in team slugging percentage (.492). In addition, the Owlz also have three of the top four individuals in batting – Jerod Yakubik (.395/1 HR/22 RBI) leads teammate Frazier Hall (.391/6/36), while Taylor Lindsey (.362/8/28) is currently fourth in the league. Ryan Jones (.341/9/44) is currently seventh in hitting. It will be a matchup of the “irresistible force” meeting the “immovable object”, as the Osprey are tops in the PBL in ERA (4.35) as well as tops in the league in least runs allowed (256). On the Mound Tonight: Missoula will send out right-hander Conrad Flynn to the mound as he will look to improve on his outings as a starter. Flynn (3-1, 4.62) has allowed three or more runs in each of his three prior starts, including eight in 4 1/3 innings at Idaho Falls on July 19. However, Flynn is 3-0 with a 2.79 ERA in five home appearances (two starts). The free-agent signee has been stellar in relief, posting all three of his wins and a 1.85 ERA in eight appearances out of the bullpen. The Owlz will counter tonight with right-hander Daniel Vargas-Vila, who will make his 10th straight start after making his initial appearance of the season out of the bullpen. Vargas-Vila (1-2, 3.53) has gone over a month without allowing more than two earned runs in a start (or three runs – which he did against Billings on July 24, but only one was earned). He has also pitched at least five innings in five of his last six starts – the lone start in which he didn’t make it through five innings was his last loss – July 30 at Casper. All five of his decisions have come in road starts (3.80 ERA). The Legend Grows: Former Osprey first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (2009) went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles, a run scored and a RBI to help the D-backs beat the NY Mets at Chase field on Sunday, 5-3. By The Numbers:
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Lineups, notes and breaking news …
First, the breaking news. Lyle Overbay has a new job – backing up Paul Goldschmidt. The two most popular first baseman in Osprey history are now on the same team, after Overbay (1999) signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks today. Overbay will back up Goldchmidt (2009) at first, after Xavier Nady broke his hand last night and was lost for the season. More on this coming soon …
Now, for tonight’s starting lineups:
Helena (4-9, 22-29) starting lineup: John Dishon (CF) Yadiel Rivera (SS) Parker Berberet (1B) Ben McMahan (LF) Max Walla (RF) Kyle Dhanani (3B) Tyler Roberts (C) Kenny Allison (DH) Gant Elmore (2B) Tommy Toledo (RHP) Missoula (7-6, 32-19) starting lineup: Fidel Pena (2B) Tom Belza (1B) Eric Groff (3B) Jon Griffin (DH) Stephen Cardullo (SS) Jeremia Gomez (RF) Roidany Aguila (C) Ty Linton (LF) Justin Bianco (CF) Keith Hessler (LHP)
Game notes:
| The Skinny: The Osprey, winners of the Pioneer League North Division First-Half title, look to bounce back and split the first series of their longest homestand of the season when they take on the Helena Brewers tonight. The Osprey hold a slim 7-6 edge in the season series. Last Time Out: For the second time in three games, the usually-stout Missoula Osprey defense hit a bump in the road, as they committed three errors in a 6-4 loss to the Helena Brewers on Friday here at Ogren Park Allegiance Field in front of 2,103 fans. Those three errors turned into four unearned runs allowed by Seth Simmons (1-2), who struck out four batters in two innings, but could not totally escape from trouble in the top of the sixth, when the Brewers struck for three runs to take the lead for good in the game. The Osprey – who committed four errors in a 9-4 loss to Helena on Wednesday – took a 3-1 lead after a three-run outburst in the bottom of the second inning – two runs scoring on a Ty Linton triple, and Linton would touch the dish on a RBI single by Bryan Henry. However, Chad Pierce (2-4) would quiet the Missoula bats enough in his five innings of work to pick up the win. After that three-run rally put Helena in front, 5-3, Jon Griffin would get the Osprey closer in the home half of the sixth, hitting a solo home run, his 12th of the season, over the left-center field wall to lead off the inning. Brewers reliever Seth Harvey then retired the next nine batters he faced to get to closer Sean Albury, who pitched around a two-out single to convert his fifth save in five tries. Missoula starter Robby Rowland pitched a tough five innings, allowing just two runs on four hits and a walk, while striking out seven batters. Osprey pitching finished with 13 strikeouts on the night. Linton led the Osprey at the plate with two hits and two RBIs. Eric Groff, Roidany Aguila and Stephen Cardullo added base hits for Missoula, who had just seven hits in the contest. Another Streak On the Line Tonight: The 2011 season has become a historic one for the Osprey, and while it does not look like they will close in on the 52-win team in 2001, they have managed to achieve something that they, nor any other team in Osprey history, has been able to do. The last time the Osprey lost back-to-back games was June 27-28, when they fell to 3-6 on the season. Since then, they have compiled a 29-13 record, and they also have not lost back-to-back games in over six weeks. Only two teams come close to this – the 1999 squad went a month (June 18-19 to July 18-19) without losing back-to-back games, while the 2001 squad – that team that posted a 52-24 mark – had three two-week stretches where they did not lose back-to-back games. Oddly enough, when the 2001 squad went on a club-record 13-game win streak, it ended with a two-game losing streak – with the most recent back-to-back losses occurring 22 days prior. On the Mound Today: Missoula will send out left-hander Keith Hessler to the mound as he will make a spot start for the Osprey tonight. Hessler (3-0, 2.39) is taking the place of right-hander Enrique Burgos, who will not be able to make his usual start tonight. Hessler, who did some starting in college, has not pitched more than three innings in any outing for the Osprey this season, so it’s likely that the bullpen will be used tonight. The Brewers will counter tonight with right-hander Tommy Toledo, who will be making his first start against the Osprey this season. Toledo (0-2, 3.14) has fanned 21 batters in 14 1/3 innings pitched for the Brewers. Pitching Probables: Tuesday, August 16 Wednesday, August 17 Thursday, August 18 The Legend Grows: Former Osprey first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (2009) came in off the bench on Friday night for the Arizona Diamondbacks, going 1-for-2 in the 4-3 win over the NY Mets at Chase Field in Phoenix. By The Numbers:
Osprey Alumni Update/Minor League Report: The rookie DSL D-backs (22-40) lost to the DSL White Sox on Friday, 6-2. Alan Santiago (2009) went 0-for-2 with a pair of walks at the plate in the setback, and is now hitting .252 on the season. Next: vs. DSL Orioles, DH. Short-Season A Yakima (7-10, 20-35) won its third straight game on Friday, beating Vancouver, 5-4. Former Osprey reliever Justin Albert (2010) picked up the win in relief. Albert went 2 1/3 innings, allowing just a hit while striking out five batters. Westey Moss (2011) picked up a pair of hits, while Henry Zabala (2009) and Jae Yun Kim (2009-10) each added a base hit to the Bears’ 12-hit attack. Next: vs. Vancouver. Class A South Bend (21-26, 55-61) lost to Lansing on Friday, 6-2. David Narodowski (2009)was 2-for-4 with a run scored at the plate, improving his batting average to .385 with the Silver Hawks, while Ender Inciarte (2009) added a base hit and a run scored, while both Raywilly Gomez (2009) and Matt Helm (2009-10) each added a base hit and a RBI. Kable Hogben (2009), Keith Cantwell (2009) and Randy Hamrick (2010) combined for 3 1/3 innings of scoreless relief. Next: at Bowling Green, with Bradin Hagens (2009) getting the start for the Silver Hawks. Class A Advanced Visalia (23-24, 54-63) won its sixth straight game, this time in walk-off fashion, with a 4-3 win over Inland Empire on Friday in 12 innings. Rossmel Perez (2008) went 2-for-4, with a three-run home run, for the Rawhide, while Mike Belfiore (2009) struck out the side in the top of the 12th to pick up the win in relief. By the way, it was Alfredo Marte who hit the first pitch of the bottom of the 12th out for a home run to end the game. Next: vs. Inland Empire, with Derek Eitel (2010) expected to get the start for the Rawhide. Double-A Mobile (32-15, 70-47) picked up an 8-1 win over Mississippi on Friday. Ollie Linton (2008) had two hits and three RBIs, Jake Elmore (2008) added two hits and a run scored, while Taylor Harbin (2007) chipped in with a base hit, run scored and two RBIs. Next: vs. Mississippi, with Bryan Henry (2007) getting the start for the BayBears. Triple-A Reno (66-53) has lost five in a row, after falling at New Orleans on Friday, 5-3. Next: at New Orleans. |
Starting Lineups for August 9 and other stuff …
First, tonight’s starting lineups … if we get going. Right now, the clouds want to tease us a bit, after it rained here pretty good for about 20 minutes or so. So we shall see …
MISSOULA (5-4, 30-17) starting lineup: Breland Brown (DH) Fidel Pena (2B) Ryan Court (3B) Jon Griffin (1B) Stephen Cardullo (SS) Roidany Aguila (C) Ty Linton (LF) Jeremia Gomez (RF) Justin Bianco (CF) Jesse Darrah (RHP) GREAT FALLS (7-2, 24-23) starting lineup: Qualon Millender (CF) Kyle Eveland (3B) Joe De Pinto (2B) Mark Haddow (RF) Jimmy Jacquot (1B) Kevan Smith (C) David Herbek (SS) Michael Earley (DH) Randall Thorpe (LF) Pete Gehle (LHP)
Tonight’s pre-game interview is Taylor Siemens, from a conversation during a rain delay (of all things). We’re still scheduled to start on time, which means we’re on at 6:40, with the first pitch at 7:05, or thereabouts, MT.
Other stuff:
– Lyle Overbay is now a free agent. The former Osprey first baseman (1999) was designated for assignment by the Pittburgh Pirates on August 1, and cleared waivers. He’s also helping out in his hometown.
– In a related move, the Pirates also moved infielder Pedro Ciriaco (2005) back to Triple-A Indianapolis to make room for a roster spot.
– Greg Smith (2005) is trying to stick again, this time in Yankee pinstripes. The former major-leaguer, who started the season with Grand Prairie of the American Association, is currently 3-3 with a 5.16 ERA for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Since signing in June, Smith has even flirted with a no-hitter.
Lineups, setting habits and notes
Before anything else … it’s harder on the body to forget a routine than to establish one.
First, tonight’s lineups from Great Falls …
MIS starting lineup: 1. Fidel Pena (DH) 2. Tom Belza (RF) 3. Eric Groff (2B) 4. Jon Griffin (1B) 5. Ryan Court (3B) 6. Stephen Cardullo (SS) 7. Roidany Aguila (C) 8. Ty Linton (LF) 9. Breland Brown (CF) Enrique Burgos (RHP) GF starting lineup: 1. Randall Thorpe (CF) 2. Kyle Eveland (3B) 3. Joe De Pinto (2B) 4. Mark Haddow (RF) 5. Jimmy Jacquot (1B) 6. Kevan Smith (C) 7. David Herbek (SS) 8. Michael Earley (LF) 9. Andrew Douglas (DH) Blair Walters (LHP)
Now, some news and notes …
– Chris Jarrett (2010) has opted to retire. The former Osprey outfielder was hitting .198 in 83 games with the South Bend Silver Hawks this season.
– Over a two-day span, right-handed pitcher Blake Cooper (2010) was promoted to Class A Advanced Visalia and right-hander Randy Hamrick (2010) was promoted to South Bend.
– C Raywilly Gomez (2009) was also removed from the 7-day DL and reactivated on the South Bend roster.
Osprey updates:
– OF Jeremia Gomez was activated off of the 7-day DL by the D-backs on Sunday. He is resuming normal activity at a quick pace it seems, so we shall see when he gets back into the lineup.
– OF Chris Ellison is being worked back in to normal activity, and may be available to play during the upcoming homestand.
Also, one more thing … guess who has a 13-game hit streak? Fidel Pena, who extended his streak with a three-hit game on Sunday. He and Eric Groff (24 games) have the two longest current streaks in the Pioneer League.
Lineups, Notes and Such for August 4
Here’s your entry for the latest information relating to tonight’s Osprey game against the Billings Mustangs. First, the starting lineups:
Billings Mustangs
Second Half: 1-3 Overall: 21-21 Manager: Pat Kelly
Spencer Dickinson CF
Juan Silva LF
Ryan Wright 2B
Robert Maddox 1B
Sean Buckley DH
Kyle Waldrop RF
Junior Arias 3B
Yovan Gonzalez C
Cristobal Rodriguez SS
Tony Cingrani LHP
Missoula Osprey
Second Half: 2-2 Overall: 27-15 Manager: Hector De La Cruz
Fidel Pena DH
Tom Belza RF
Ryan Court 3B
Jon Griffin 1B
Eric Groff 2B
Stephen Cardullo SS
Roidany Aguila C
Ty Linton LF
Breland Brown CF
Conrad Flynn RHP
| The Skinny: The Osprey, winners of the Pioneer League North Division First-Half title, continue their three-game series with the Billings Mustangs tonight. The Osprey have the edge in the season series, 6-5, after taking home a 6-2 win on Wednesday.Last Time Out: Eric Groff waited exactly nine outs and one pitch to extend his current hit streak on Wednesday, hitting a solo home run to left field in the bottom of the second inning as the Missoula Osprey beat the Billings Mustangs, 6-2, in front of 2,448 onlookers at Ogren Park Allegiance Field. Ryan Court added a two-run home run, while Tom Belza and Stephen Cardullo added two hits and a RBI each as the Osprey collected 10 hits in the contest. Ty Linton added a RBI single, snapping a 2-2 tie with his run-scoring safety in the bottom of the sixth inning to give the Osprey the lead for good. Enrique Burgos (4-3) pitched six solid innings, allowing two runs on five hits, to pick up the win. Seth Simmons pitched into the eighth, while DJ Johnson nailed down the final five outs for his fourth save in five chances. Court homered to right field, his fourth roundtripper of the season, with a man on in the seventh to extend the lead to 5-2. Cardullo doubled home Groff in the home half of the eighth, after Johnson induced the second of three double plays the Mustangs would hit into on the night in the top half of the inning to get out of a jam and preserve the lead.
The streak continues … : Eric Groff extended his current hitting streak to 20 straight games with a 2-for-4 night at home on Wednesday. That ties the club record, set by Will Crouch in 2005. During the 20-game streak, Groff is 34-for-82 at the plate (.415), with 11 doubles, a triple, seven home runs and 21 RBIs. Groff has also collected 10 multi-hit games during what is now his longest career hitting streak. Groff put together a 10-game streak from June 23-July 6 earlier this season, and has hit in 32 of the 36 games he has played in this season. By the way, the Pioneer League record is 30, which was set in 2004 by Ricardo Nanita of Great Falls. Groff improved his season batting average to .358, which is currently second in the Pioneer League, and he leads the league in total bases (98), doubles (15), extra-base hits (25) and slugging percentage (.662), while he is also second in total hits (53). On the Mound Today: Missoula will send out right-hander Conrad Flynn to the mound in search of his fourth win of the season. Flynn (3-1, 4.66) will be making his third start of the season tonight, a role in which he has struggled … to the tune of a 0-1 mark with a 12.92 ERA. The bullpen suits him just fine – he’s 3-0 with a 1.69 ERA in seven relief outings. He has allowed just two hits since coming off his roughest outing in the season. Flynn also likes pitching at home – he’s 3-0 with an 1.88 ERA. The Mustangs counter tonight with left-hander Tony Cingrani, who is potentially going to pitch into the fifth inning for the first time this season tonight. The Mustangs have watched as Cingrani (0-1, 2.08) has built up his innings over time – only 17 1/3 innings pitched entering his seventh start of the season. He was very solid against the Osprey, striking out four in 2 2/3 innings pitched in his only outing against the Osprey on July 11, a game in which the Mustangs picked up a 5-2 win. Pitching Probables Saturday, August 6 Sunday, August 7 Stat of the Day: Only three Osprey players have had a pair of hit streaks of 10 or more games during a season, with Eric Groff at the top of the heap (20 games, 10 games) in the longest streak. The others – Lyle Overbay (1999, 12-game and 10-game) and Andrew Fie (2006, 12-game and 10-game). By The Numbers:
Osprey Alumni Update/Minor League Report: The rookie DSL D-backs (20-34) had their game with the DSL Padres rained out. Next: at DSL White Sox. Short-Season A Yakima (3-5, 16-30) picked up a 4-3 win over Everett on Wednesday. Westley Moss (2011) went 2-for-4 with a run, improving his batting average to .279, while Randy Hamrick (2010) notched his first save of the season. Next: vs. Everett. Class A South Bend (17-21, 51-56) dropped a 6-1 setback at Lansing on Wednesday. Matt Helm (2009-10) drove in Ender Inciarte (2009) for the lone Silver Hawks’ run. Inciarte went 1-for-4 on the night. Next: at Lansing. Class A Advanced Visalia (17-22, 48-61) fell at Stockton on Wednesday, 7-1. Bobby Borchering (2009) was 2-for-4 at the plate for the Rawhide, while David Holmberg (2010) pitched six innings of effective baseball, but received no run support as he took the loss. Next: at Stockton. Double-A Mobile (28-11, 66-43) managed to get tripped up by Chattanooga, 10-7, on Wednesday. Kyle Greene (2008) – the last Osprey player to make a run and get close to Crouch’s streak before Groff tied it on Wednesday – went 3-for-3 at the plate, with two runs scored, a home run and two RBIs, while teammate Ollie Linton (2008) posted a 3-for-5 night with a run and a RBI. Next: vs. Chattanooga. Triple-A Reno (64-47) won a wild game on Wednesday, knocking off Memphis in 13 innings, 8-7. Esmerling Vasquez (2004) pitched a scoreless inning of relief, allowing just a walk but also collected a strikeout. Next: vs. Memphis. |
Bird Droppings 