7-27 CUP O' JO

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Recapping yesterday's action:

JOEY GOMES (DH, Joliet Jackhammers, Northern League IND):
7-26: Joliet slammed the door on Fargo's win streak at 13 games with a dominating 11-2 win over the Redhawks yesterday. Joey was 3 for 5 with 2 singles, a solo HR (9), 2 RBI and 2 runs scored at DH. .287 Avg. Joliet (32-30) has won 6 of their last 10 and have shot up to second place this week thanks in part to last place Schaumburg taking two in a row from Kansas City. They play the Redhawks in the rubber match today at 1pm Fargo time. They are 6.5 games back of Fargo and .5 games ahead of Kansas City.

CHAD FILLINGER - P, Joliet Jackhammers, Northern League - IND:
Last appearance was on 7-25: Pitched a scoreless final inning for Joliet walking one and fanning three in the team's loss to Fargo. 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 - Lakeland Flying Tigers, A):
LOUIS TRANSFERRED TO CLASS A LAKELAND FLYING TIGERS ON 7-26-08
7/26: Lou knew he was only in Erie for a few weeks to cover an injury situation and he made the most of the opportunity. He ended the AA stint with a .238 Avg. Back in Lakeland, FL yesterday, Lou was 0-3 with a walk and 2 K's in the Tigers 4-3 win over Sarasota. .256 Avg. Lakeland is in second place, 4.5 games back of Dunedin.

TOMMY EVERIDGE (1B, Oakland A's Organization - Midland Rockhounds, AA):
7-26: Another good game for Tommy who was 2-4 with 2 doubles, 2 runs scored, 2RBI, and 1k in the 8-6 win over Corpus Christi. .257 avg. The Rockhounds are 5-5 in their last ten with a two game win streak, 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
7-26: 2 for 4 at DH with two singles in the Oaks' 2-5 loss to Rancho Cucamonga. .378 avg. The Oaks are 3-7 in their last 10 with a 1 game losing streak and 6 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):
7-26: 1 for 5 at 1B in a 5-2 win over St. Paul. .296 Avg. Wichita is in the cellar, 5-5 in their last ten with a 2 game win streak, 4.5 games behind Lincoln, the Northern Division leader.

JONNY GOMES (DH, Tampa Bay Rays):
7-25: Popped out for Hinske in an 8th inning pinch hit appearance as the Rays notched a 5-3 win over Kansas City on the strength of 2 Carl Crawford triples. The win combined with a Red Sox loss has really tightened up the AL East where Tampa Bay holds a 2 game lead over Boston and a 3 game lead over New York. The Rays still own the second best record in baseball behind the Angels and ahead of the White Sox and Cubs. How sweet it is.

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):
7-26: Did not pitch as the Mariners dropped their 7th straight.
7-25: 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):
7-26: Rained out.
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
The report from the field at Fall Ball Evaluations yesterday is that Petaluma Valley Little League won their "must win" game Saturday morning. It took 11 innings so hopefully they are d-e-e-p in pitching! They'll need it for their next "must win" game today at 1pm! Congrats Valley. Keep it up. You gotta believe! 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!