8-23 CUP O' JO

Woo! Hammers win again and pull to within two game of a playoff spot. And... those Tampa Bay Rays have the best record in baseball again.

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JOEY GOMES - OF, Joliet Jackhammers, Northern League - IND
8-22 vs. Gary Railcats: He did it again. 4-4 in a must win game. No RBIs with those four singles, but he did score a crucial run in Joliet's 5-4 victory over Gary. Joey's got 97 hits on the season and is batting .308 after last night's game. Joliet (40-48) is 6 and 4 in their last 10 with a 2 game win streak. More good news. 4th place Kansas City lost to Winnipeg last night. The Hammers have 8 games to close a two game gap for a playoff spot. They face 2nd place Gary again today and tomorrow, then go head to head with Kansas City Tues-Thurs next week. The finish the season with a two game series against Winnipeg who is currently tied for second.

CHAD FILLINGER - P, Joliet Jackhammers, Northern League - IND
8-22-08 vs Gary: Chad entered the game with a two run lead in the 7th. He struggled in the 7th, loading the bases and walking in a run. The 8th was better and Chad ended up with two innings pitched, a hit, an earned run, 2 walks, 3 Ks and a 3.83 YTD ERA. What sounded like control problems on this end of the broadcast may have been something more as Chad was tossed in the 8th for arguing balls and strikes with the man in blue. Gary's Manager, Vacaville native Greg Tagert was tossed for the the same reason in the 6th. Maybe Blue needs Wichita's bat ring binoculars.

LOUIS OTT (DH/INF Detroit Tigers Organization - Lakeland Flying Tigers, A):
Stats as of 8-20: Lou is batting .267 with 76 hits, 12 extra base hits, 24 RBI, 5 stolen bases and a .690 OPS.

8-22 vs. Dundein: Lou's game was postponed last night. That darned tropical storm can't leave Florida alone.
8-21: 1 for 4 with a leadoff triple at DH in the 9th inning of an 8-1 loss. Lakeland (27-31) has gone 3 and 7 in their last 10, with a one game losing streak.

TOMMY EVERIDGE (1B, Oakland A's Organization - Midland Rockhounds, AA)
8-22 vs. Corpus Christi: 1 for 3 with an RBI sac fly, a single, a run scored, and a walk at 1B in a 5-2 win over. Avg .279. Frisco also won last night is and tied with Midland for first place in the Southern Division.

KONRAD SCHMIDT (C, Arizona Diamondbacks Organization - Visalia Oaks, High A)
8-22 vs High Desert: Konrad keyed the Oaks otherwise anemic offense last night plating a run early with a ground out, driving in an insurance run with an RBI double in the 9th, and scoring twice. Visalia won 5-3. .319 avg. The Oaks are 7-3 in their last 10 and in 4th place, 8.5 games back with a two game win streak. The Oaks (27-33 in the second half, 61-69 overall) are five games behind Modesto for the North Division's second wild-card spot with nine games remaining. Modesto has the tougher schedule down the stretch, breathing some hope into Visalia's chances.

STEPHEN PEARSON (1B, American Assn-Wichita Wingnuts, IND)
8-22 vs Lincoln Salt Dogs: 0 for 2 as Wichita edged Lincoln 2-1 and eliminated the Salt Dogs from playoff contention. Wichita, 11 games back in 4th place, is playing for pride.

JONNY GOMES (DH/OF, Tampa Bay Rays Organization - Durham Bulls, AAA)
8-22-08 vs Louisville: 0 for 5 with a K, 3 fly outs and a ground out batting 3rd and playing LF in last night's 6-2 win. .227 avg. The Bulls edged closer to the playoffs with the win.

BRANDON MORROW (P, Seattle Mariners)
Mariner Chatter: Brandon is scheduled to pitch in Tacoma on 8-31, the day before the rosters expand. His 72 pitch 10 K outing on Thursday has Seattle fans smiling. Throwing in a 5 day rotation, he could get two more starts in Tacoma before the September callups with the second of those starts falling on 8-31. If he continues to do well, September would give him enough time for 4-5 starts. 4 innings in AAA probably translates to 3+ in the majors due to the quality of hitters who can keep an at bat against a young power pitcher alive with patient at bats and foul balls on 3-2 counts. It would sure be exciting to have a Major League starter at Camp For A Cure this year. Gotta believe.

8-21-08: Brandon pitched 4.2 innings giving up two hits, two earned runs and striking out 10 batters before being relieved. His pitch limit is now north of 70. The game was suspended in the 7th inning due to a power outage in Portland. Brandon got his ERA down to 3.86 as he continues to stretch out his appearances and transition to a starting role. Hopefully in time for September call ups.

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A Pearl from the Little League World Series... New York Yankee Bobby Abreu surprised the Venezuelan team with a charter bus trip to see the Yanks play Baltimore. Abreu went 5-5 and the Evil Empire came from behind to win. Now that's some cool mojo.