7-22 CUP O' JO

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Recapping yesterday's action:

JOEY GOMES (DH, Joliet Jackhammers, Northern League IND):
and
CHAD FILLINGER - P, Joliet Jackhammers, Northern League - IND:
7/21: Day off for Joliet.

Coming up... 3 games at neighboring Schaumberg where there are usually on field fireworks at some point. My money is on the Schaumberg Manager to be ejected by game two. Joliet can't afford to give up any ground to the trailing Flyers. After that, they're on the road to Fargo where, ya know, they could really make up some games in the standings against the league leader.

LOUIS OTT (DH/INF Detroit Tigers Organization - Erie Seawolves, AA):
LOUIS PROMOTED TO THE AA EERIE SEAWOLVES ON 7-9-08
7/21: Pinch hit with a K in a 3-12 loss to the Binghampton Mets. .214 Avg. Erie is 20 games back, 4-6 in their last 10 with a 1 game losing streak.

TOMMY EVERIDGE (1B, Oakland A's Organization - Midland Rockhounds, AA):
7-21: 0 for 4 at 3B in a 3-4 loss to San Antonio. .252 Avg. Midland is 5-5 in their last 10 with a 1 game losing streak and 5 games back of Division Leader, Frisco.

Rockhounds Chatter: Two of Tommy's teammates made the Team USA Roster. Pitchers Trevor Cahill and Brett Anderson are going to Bejing.

KONRAD SCHMIDT (C, Arizona Diamondbacks Organization - Visalia Oaks, High A):
PROMOTED TO CLASS A ADVANCED VISALIA OAKS 7-11-08
7-21: 3 for 4 with a double and two singles in a 1-5 loss to the Bakersfield Blaze. The Oaks are 3-7 in their last 10 with a 3 game losing streak and 4 games back of Division leading Modesto.

STEPHEN PEARSON (1B, American Assn-Wichita Wingnuts, IND):
7-21 and 22: All Star break for the American Association. The Wingnuts pick it up again tomorrow night vs. the St. Paul Saints. .301 Avg. Wichita is in the cellar, 4-6 in their last ten with a 2 game losing streak and 3.5 games behind Lincoln, the Northern Division leader.

Wingnut Chatter: In a virtual online feeding frenzy, EBay bidding on the famed jersey worn by the Wingnuts Manager Kash Beaucamp during his sensational and nationally televised temper tantrums last week has surged to $120.50 with just 25 hours and 3 minutes to go. Will Kash come through with the infamous batting ring "binoculars" for the CampForACure Silent Auction? Time will tell, but it would sure be good for his karma.
Video courtesy of the Associated Press.
Story by John Marshall of the Chicago Tribune.

JONNY GOMES (DH, Tampa Bay Rays):
7-21: Jonny had a great night in the Rays 4-0 shutout of the A's with a walk, a two out single, a run scored and a ground out. .193 Avg. Looking forward to two more starts in this series.

Rays Chatter: Maddon-ing-ly (is that really an adjective?), Rays Skipper Joe Maddon pulls Jonny for defensive upgrade Gabe Gross anytime there's less than a 6 or 7 run differential in the 6th inning. I was surprised to see it last night after two patient ABs. Seemed a little heavy handed. PTownFan thinks that if Joe really wants to play to win, Carl Crawford needs to get off his high horse and learn to bunt to get his speedy butt on base more often. That's where the "tough love" is really needed. When Jonny's going good, let him develop a rythym to carry into the next game (or two). That said, Maddon is a colorful character: Maddon On "Meatloafing"

BRANDON MORROW (P, Seattle Mariners):
Last trip to the mound was on 7-19: 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):
7-21: Day off for the Miners.

PETALUMA VALLEY LITTLE LEAGUE 12 Y.O. ALL-STAR TEAM
Woohoo! They did it! Petaluma Valley edged Alameda 4-3 in a must win game last night in Woodland. The newly crowned California Division One Champs will now meet other NorCal Division winners in the Section II Tournament in Alameda beginning Thursday, 7/24, meeting the winner of Pleasanton and Foothill (Palo Cedro) Little Leagues. Good luck Petaluma! 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.

Here's a YouTube video of the dramatic finish of last Friday night's semi-final game: http://youtube.com/watch?v=jxJIaJyv-a8