7-20 CUP O' JO

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Recapping yesterday's action:

JOEY GOMES (DH, Joliet Jackhammers, Northern League IND):
7/19: 1 for 4 in Joliet's 5-6 loss to Gary's come from behind victory over the Jackhammers last night. Joliet needed baserunners in the 8th to break a tie and regain the lead. Joey did his job with lead off single, but the team couldn't get him home. .263 Avg. Joliet is 3-7 in their last 10 with a 3 game losing streak, and 6.5 games back of Fargo with a solid hold on 5th place in a 6 game division.

CHAD FILLINGER - P, Joliet Jackhammers, Northern League - IND:
7/18: Another rough night for Chad who left a couple up enabling Gary to tie things up with a home run in the 8th and take the lead with a home run in the 9th. They were the only two hits he surrendered in two innings pitched. His record is now 3-2 with a 2.91 ERA.

Jackhammer Chatter: Miniature horse racing caps off a big weekend at Silver Cross Field following Hogs and Hammers Night with fireworks on Friday and the Girl Scout Sleepover last night.

LOUIS OTT (DH/INF Detroit Tigers Organization - Erie Seawolves, AA):
LOUIS PROMOTED TO THE AA EERIE SEAWOLVES ON 7-9-08
7/19: Did not play in Erie's 2-7 loss to Division leading Akron. Erie is 21.5 games back, 4-6 in their last 10 with a 1 game losing streak.
7/17: 0-4 as the left fielder for the Seawolves in their 7-5 win over Akron. Lou hit 'em hard, but couldn't find a gap. Solid with the action in left field. .100 Avg.

TOMMY EVERIDGE (1B, Oakland A's Organization - Midland Rockhounds, AA):
7-19: 2 for 4 with a double, single, and a K in a 0-4 loss to San Antonio. .255 Avg. Recap
Midland is 5-5 in their last 10 with a 1 game loging streak and 5 games back of Division Leader, Frisco.

KONRAD SCHMIDT (C, Arizona Diamondbacks Organization - Visalia Oaks, High A): PROMOTED TO CLASS A ADVANCED VISALIA OAKS 7-11-08
7-19: 0 for 2 with a run scored as Visalia was thumped 2-11 by Bakersfield. .333 Avg. Recap The Oaks are 5-5 in their last 10 with a 1 game losing streak and 3 games back of Division leading Modesto.

STEPHEN PEARSON (1B, American Assn-Wichita Wingnuts, IND):
7-19: o for 4 in a 2-1 loss to Sioux City. .302 Avg. Wichita is 5-5 in their last ten with a 1 game losing streak and 2.5 games behind Sioux Falls, the Northern Division leader.

Wingnut Chatter: EBay bidding on the famed jersey worn by the Wingnuts Manager Kash Beaucamp during his sensational and nationally televised temper tantrums last week has stalled at $104.15 with 3 days and 2 minutes to go. PTownFan has shamelessly requested the donation of the infamous batting ring "binoculars" to the CampForACure Silent Auction...
The video courtesy of the Associated Press.
The story by John Marshall of the Chicago Tribune.

JONNY GOMES (DH, Tampa Bay Rays):
Did not play as the Rays pulled out a dramatic 6-4 win over Toronto in St. Pete on 90's Night At The Trop. The win featured rookie Evan Longoria's first grand slam and a bunt single by catcher Dionner Navarro that touched off some drama in his next at bat. League, the Jays pitcher plunked Navarro and was immediately tossed. Turns out he was sore that Tampa was trying to add insurance runs to their 5-0 lead following the slam. Give me a break. This is MLB not a Triple A Little League Game! Good call Blue. The Red Sox lost to the Angels again giving Tampa a 1.5 game lead in the AL East. It took 12 innings, but the Yankees beat the A's on a bases loaded Hit By Pitch yesterday afternoon so they remain 5.5 games back of Tampa.

Coming up... lots of lefties for opposing teams. Jonny should get some consistent ABs, but he'll have to hit early in the game to stay in the lineup. If he does get a RF start, look for Maddon to order up a defensive replacement late in any close game. Reserve Gabe Gross is winning me over as a solid defensive outfielder with good range, a good arm, and clutch (only) hitting.

Rays Chatter: San Francisco's own MC Hammer performed last night at the Trop for the happy fans. Did you know that Oakland A Reggie Jackson gave Hammer his nickname? MC was a ballboy for the A's and Reggie thought he looked an awful lot like Hammerin' Hank Aaron.

BRANDON MORROW (P, Seattle Mariners):
Got three quick fly outs in the 9th to end a painful game in Seattle which was really over in the 3rd inning. The Mariners lost 9-6 to the Cleveland Indians. The regular Seattle Closer, JJ Putz, is due back from the DL shortly. It's not clear whether he and Morrow will share the closer role, which Brandon has excelled at during his absence.

PTOWN's UP AND COMERS:
DJ GENTILE (OF, Mat-Su Miners (Palmer, AK), Alaska Baseball League, Amateur):
7-19: Did not play in the Miners 5-2 win over the Goldpanners.
7-18: 0 for 3 with a K in a 5-3 win over the Peninsula Oilers. DJ is leading the team with a .281 avg.

PETALUMA VALLEY LITTLE LEAGUE 12 Y.O. ALL-STAR TEAM
District 35 Champs, Petaluma Valley Little League, won their second game Friday night and advances to the potential Championship game tonight at 7pm in Woodland. They will face Alameda Little League, the Loser's Bracket winner, who lost earlier to PVLL and would have to beat Valley twice to win the Championship and advance. The next stop on the Road To Williamsport for the Little League World Series is the Division II tourney in Alameda. Good luck PVLL! Here's a YouTube video of the dramatic finish of Friday night's game: http://youtube.com/watch?v=jxJIaJyv-a8