7-25 CUP O' JO

7-24 CUP 'O JO

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Recapping yesterday's action:

JOEY GOMES (DH, Joliet Jackhammers, Northern League IND):
7-24: Home Run Derby for Joliet as they hammered the Flyers 12-4 in a game that included 5 home runs and a back to back pair. Joey's stick is heating up just in time for the road trip to League Leading Fargo, ND. He was 4-5 on the day with a lead off home run (8) in the 5th, 2 runs scored, an RBI, a double (12) and 2 singles. .279 Avg. Joliet has won four in a row and are just .5 games back of the Division Leader, Kansas City. The Fargo Redhawks are red hot, riding a 12 game win streak into the series, but Joliet is poised to cool them off beginning tonight.

CHAD FILLINGER - P, Joliet Jackhammers, Northern League - IND:
Last game pitched - 7/22: What a fun game. Not only did the Jackhammers notch a 13-4 victory over rival Schaumburg, it may have been the first time that two Casa Grande Gauchos had back to back at bats in the pros. RHP Chad Fillinger found himself swinging the bat in the win over Schaumburg. Shorthanded after the ejection of teammate Corey Harris, the Jackhammers had just one reserve on the bench and the pitchers were pressed into offensive action. After pitching a two hit, no run 8th, Chad came to the plate in the 9th. He fouled off a 1-1 pitch and hit a grounder off the end of the bat to reach on a fielder's choice. Chad pitched one inning, K'd one, gave up two hits, no runs, and no walks. 2.78 ERA.

LOUIS OTT (DH/INF Detroit Tigers Organization - Erie Seawolves, AA):
LOUIS PROMOTED TO THE AA EERIE SEAWOLVES ON 7-9-08
7/24: Did not play in Erie's 1-0 win over Binghampton. .167 Avg. Erie is 20. games back, 6-5 in their last 10 with a 1 win streak.

TOMMY EVERIDGE (1B, Oakland A's Organization - Midland Rockhounds, AA):
7-23: 0-3 at 3B with a walk in a 2-6 loss to division leading Frisco. .252 Avg. Midland is 4-6 in their last 10 with a 2 game losing streak and 6 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
7-24: Game being rescheduled.
7/23: 0 for 3 with a walk and a run scored in a 7-11 loss to the the Modesto Nuts. Recap .345 Avg. The Oaks are 3-7 in their last 10 with a 5 game losing streak and 6 games back of Division leading Modesto.

STEPHEN PEARSON (1B, American Assn-Wichita Wingnuts, IND):
7-24: Playing 1B and LF, Stephen was 2 for 3 in the 4-9 loss to St. Paul with a run scored, an RBI, a double (13) and a HBP. .302 Avg. Wichita is in the cellar, 3-7 in their last ten with a 4 game losing streak and 4.5 games behind Lincoln, the Northern Division leader.

JONNY GOMES (DH, Tampa Bay Rays):
7-24: The Rays dropped the opening game of the 4 game Royals series in Kansas City by a score of 1-4, continuing their recent struggles on the road. Jonny was not in the lineup against RHP Gil Meche who struggled early in the game. The Rays had opportunities, but couldn't take advantage of Meche's mistakes. Happily, it was Jason Barlett's first day back after a stint on the DL and he looked sharp at the plate and, where we've missed him the most, at SS. The Royals do not have a left handed starter so it's unlikely Gomes will play in this series unless he is called on as a pinch hitter against one of two Royals relievers.

Rays Chatter: Trade rumors really heating up with the 7/31 deadline approaching. With several new teams emerging as contenders instead of dealers this year, the usual trade game is a bit topsy turvy. The Rays would be happy to upgrade RF with a rightie that can both field and hit for average but so far the price tag has been too high for a team that is poised to compete for the next several years. The Rays are likely to stand pat or possibly trade a prospect and some lesser players for some late game relief help in the bullpen. Jonny's name is not popping up all over the map as it did this time last year, but don't be surprised to see him packaged with a prospect toward the deadline for pitching help. There was some buzz yesterday at MLBTradeRumors.com about the Rays' interest in SF Reliever Tyler Walker, who did a brief stint with the Rays a few years back before throwing out his shoulder. Good chance for the Giants to pick off some PTown A's fans prior to the A's move, but Jonny's name was not mentioned.

BRANDON MORROW (P, Seattle Mariners):
Last pitched 7/23: Pitched the 9th and 10th in a tied game against Boston. Brandon's two scoreless innings were enough to extend the game but the 12th inning was a trainwreck. Willie Bloomquist , having moved from SS to CF, dropped a fly ball at the warning track with one out and two runners on. That brought Mike Lowell to the plate who hit a two run single off Sean Green. DH Vidro had a chance to be a hero with bases loaded in the 12th, but couldn't get 'em in. The struggling Mariners are 25 games under .500 and a basehit ahead of the Padres, the current MLB Cellar Dwellers.

Mariners' Chatter: Seattle is making it easier for fans with peanut allergies to enjoy the game. Now, if you can just find a peanut free airline to get to Seattle... Mariners Designate Peanut Free Zones

PTOWN's UP AND COMERS:

DJ GENTILE (OF, Mat-Su Miners (Palmer, AK), Alaska Baseball League, Amateur):
7-24: The sun finally came out in Palmer, Alaska with mom and dad in town. DJ had a good night with a single and an RBI triple. As of 7-20, DJ is still leading the team with a .311 avg, .475 slugging avg, and .373 on base avg.

PETALUMA VALLEY LITTLE LEAGUE 12 Y.O. ALL-STAR TEAM
Valley took a tough 10-2 loss against Pleasanton in the opening round of the Section II tourney in Alameda yesterday afternoon. Pleasanton shut out Foothill LL 17-0 the day before and may well be the team to beat as the tournament rolls on. Petaluma will have to battle back through the losers' bracket today facing Briarwood who lost a close 0-1 game to Turlock in the opening round. Gonna be a tough one and we wish them well. The tournament fields are located at the Will C. Wood School, 420 Grand St., Alameda, CA 94501.Take I-880 South to the 23rd Ave. exit, follow to Park St. Bridge. Follow Park St. to Otis Dr., right on Otis to Grand St., left on Grand. Parking available around school. GO GET 'EM VALLEY!