7-26 CUP O' JO

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Recapping yesterday's action:

JOEY GOMES (DH, Joliet Jackhammers, Northern League IND):
7-25: Joliet couldn't keep the mojo going to derail the steaming hot Fargo Redwings who soaring above the Northern League on a 13 win streak. Joey was 1 for 3 in the loss with a single, a walk and a run scored. .280 Avg. Joliet is won four in a row and are just .5 games back of the Division Leader, Kansas City. The Jackhammers mounted two promising rallies last night so they should be able to solve the Redwings before heading home for another series with Schaumburg.

CHAD FILLINGER - P, Joliet Jackhammers, Northern League - IND:
7-25 Pitched a scoreless final inning for Joliet walking one and fanning three. 2.66 ERA.
7/22: Gonna leave this one up awhile... He might not get another AB until he signs with a National League team! On July 22, not only did the Jackhammers notch a 13-4 victory over rival Schaumburg, 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
7/25: Did not play in Erie's 7-6 10 inning win over Bowie. .238 Avg. Erie is 19.5 games back, 6-4 in their last 10 with a 2 game win streak.

TOMMY EVERIDGE (1B, Oakland A's Organization - Midland Rockhounds, AA):
7-25: 2-4 at DH with a single, home run #18, 1 K , 2 runs scored and a HBP in a lopsided 11-0 win over Corpus Christi. Tommy's home run was also his 80th RBI of the season. .254 avg. The Rockhounds are 4-6 in their last ten with a one game win streak, 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
7-25: 2 for 4 at DH with a single, a double, a pair of RBIs, a run schored, a K and a HBP in the Oaks' 16-2 pounding of Rancho Cucamonga, the southern division leader. .364 avg. Recap The Oaks are 3-7 in their last 10 with a 1 game win streak and 5 games back of Division leading Modesto.

Oaks Chatter: Konrad's former teammate, South Bend Silverhawk Josh Collmento is a finalist in the Mustaches in the Minors contest. He became the team's runaway favorite when Konrad and his horseshoe-and-patch combo were promoted to Visalia. No word on how well Konrad did with Visalia fans, but you can catch a glimpse in this MiLB slideshow featuring The Konrad Kombo. It knocks the socks off the Grizzly Adams full beard he was sporting last winter, that's for sure.

STEPHEN PEARSON (1B, American Assn-Wichita Wingnuts, IND):
7-25: 0 for 3 in the 12-2 win over St. Paul. .298 Avg. Wichita is in the cellar, 4-6 in their last ten with a 1 game win streak, 4 games behind Lincoln, the Northern Division leader.

JONNY GOMES (DH, Tampa Bay Rays):
7-25: Did not play last night as the Rays snapped their 7 game losing streak on the road with a messy 5-3 win over the Royals in KC. Edwin Jackson had a no hitter going through 4 innings before giving up a solo home run in the 5th. The bullpen took over in the 6th after he gave up his only other hit, another solo home run. While the pen only gave up two more hits, it was a much closer game than the box score would suggest. Pena's bat came back to life yesterday and Rays fans hope it's the beginning of long toasty hot streak for the first baseman. 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):
Pitched a scoreless 9th inning last night after JJ Putz allowed the tying run in the 8th. The game ended with a rare mistake by Ichiro as Lowe hit a liner to deep RF. Ichiro jumped to grab it, but it glanced off his glove allowing two runs to score. Brandon faced 5 batters, walking two and striking out one. 1.56 ERA. The struggling Mariners are 26 games under .500 and a basehit or two ahead of the Nationals, the current MLB Cellar Dweller.

PTOWN's UP AND COMERS:

DJ GENTILE (OF, Mat-Su Miners (Palmer, AK), Alaska Baseball League, Amateur):
7-25: DJ had an RBI double in the Minors 7-0 shut out of The Fire. As of 7-26, DJ is still leading the team by a 50 point margin with a .324 avg, .507 slugging avg, and .387 on base avg.

PETALUMA VALLEY LITTLE LEAGUE 12 Y.O. ALL-STAR TEAM
Valley won their must win game against Briarwood last night, beating them 12-5. They continue to battle through the loser's bracket with a 10am game against Woodcreek Little League today. If they win, they will play again tomorrow at 1pm. Another loss in this tournament means the end of the road for Valley. 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!