Category: General News
The Osprey version of “The M”
Here’s the Missoula Osprey version of “The M”, which is currently brushed into the outfield by our creative maestro with such things, Director of Stadium Operations, Byron Dike. He’s quite handy with the grass patterns.
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.
Playoff Ticket Information
The link will be posted later today, but read now about the Osprey Playoff Ticket information by clicking here. The general public will have their first chance to buy playoff tickets on Tuesday, August 16, and there will be an Osprey first associated with it. Read the story for all of the details.
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. |
Goldy’s First MLB HR
If you missed it … here’s the video of Paul Goldschmidt just crushing a Tim Lincecum fastball about halfway up the left-field bleachers at AT&T Park. Obviously, getting the first hit out of the way in his debut helped him relax a bit.
That 2-run jack was the game-winning RBI, as it turned out, so chalk one of those up for him, too. Goldschmidt goes from one team running away with a playoff spot in Mobile, to being on a team now tied for the lead in the National League West. It fits his career just as much as hitting home runs – Goldy helped the Osprey to the Pioneer League Championship series in 2009, helped keep Visalia in the hunt for a playoff spot until the final weekend of the 2010 season, and was helping the BayBears run away and hide from the rest of the Southern League Southern Division. So him being part of this run only makes sense.
Debuts, hit streaks and knocking off old friends (Take 2)
Somehow, Take 1 did not include anything … except a headline. Let’s try this again …
– First, former Osprey pitcher Kevin Eichhorn (2008-10) tossed his first-ever nine-inning complete game against … the South Bend Silver Hawks … on Monday. Eichhorn should have been in South Bend this season, but a trade sent him to the Detroit Tigers organization instead.
– Former Osprey first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (2009) went 1-for-4 in his debut with the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday. The D-backs won the game, 5-2, while Goldy collected a single in his first MLB at-bat, which came against Matt Cain. Tuesday, it will not get any easier, as the D-backs will face … Tin Lincecum.
Now on to Hit Streaks … Eric Groff is currently at 18 games, which is the third-best in Osprey history. The list of the top streaks:
20 – Will Crouch (8/13-9/4/2005)
19 – Scott Hairston (8/14-9/2/2001)
19 – Kyle Greene (6/21-8/1/2008)
18 – Eric Groff (7/13/11-current)
17 – Tyler Jones (6/28-7/19/2006)
16 – Ricardo Cruz (8/2-8/23/2005)
15 – RayWilly Gomez (7/1-17/2009)
13 – Pedro Ciriaco (8/10-8/24/2005)
13 – Rusty Ryal (8/6-8/21/2005)
13 – Jeramy Janz (6/17-7/3/2001)
13 – Corey Myers (6/18-7/1/1999)
13 – Richie Rowland (6/24-7/6/2010)
Groff also joins Lyle Overbay (1999) and Andrew Fie (2006) as the only Osprey players to have at least two 10-game hitting streaks in the same season. Overbay and Fie each had hit streaks of 12, 10 and 9 games in their first seasons. Fie played again in Missoula in 2007.
Goldschmidt? Probably
Good reads from Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic on the first base situation with the Arizona Diamondbacks. To the point that Paul Goldschmidt (2009) is headed to San Francisco. The chances have been given often to other guys, as described here, but it’s now apparently time to bring the future to the forefront.
There will apparently be several moves made by the D-backs tomorrow – two to make way for new pitchers Jason Marquis and Brad Ziegler, as well as internal moves to fill out other situations.
So tomorrow may be a fun day.
Trade Talk and Deals
The Arizona Diamondbacks have traded a pair of minor-leaguers – including former Osprey pitcher Jordan Norberto (2006) – to Oakland for reliever Brad Ziegler. The other player in the trade – first baseman/outfielder Brandon Allen – has the internet abuzz about a possible move for former Osprey first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (2009).
We’ll keep tabs on the situation, but for any up-to-the-second news, make sure you tune in to the official Twitter page of the Missoula Osprey, which you can find by heading to Twitter and searching for @OspreyBaseball.
Bird Droppings 