8-29 CUP O' JO

Last night's blog "research" was temporarily interrupted by a moment of patriotism as I tuned into Obama's speech. Hedging my bets, I had the Rays game going in the bottom corner thanks to the wonders of Picture In Picture technology while monitoring the Joliet/KC game on the internet radio feed. When the Jackhammers put Chad in the game to pitch the 7th inning with a 19-5 lead, I got my priorities straight and decided to catch Barack later on You Tube. I love America. And all of her wonderful high tech gizmos.

JOEY GOMES - OF, Joliet Jackhammers, Northern League - IND
and
CHAD FILLINGER - P, Joliet Jackhammers, Northern League - IND
The Jackhammers just refuse to hand Kansas City that fourth and final playoff spot on a silver platter. Joliet won 6-2 Wednesday night and Joey (1-4) hit a huge 2 run jack. Last night's game was a thing of beauty. KC only needed one more win against the Hammers to clinch a playoff berth and simplify their post game travel schedule but Joliet said "not tonight" and tenderized the T-Bones with an 11-6 win to take the series. Joey had a great night going 3-4 with a walk. An RBI single plated two to get things going early in the game. He later added two more singles and improved his average to .305 going into the final series of the season. Chad was solid in his relief appearance, holding the Hammers' 5 game lead. Entering the game in the 7th with a 10-5 lead, he allowed one hit in 1.2 innings pitched, and struck out one. His YTD ERA is 3.55. They're still two games back of Kansas City who end up their season with League Leading Fargo who is riding a 9-1 win streak. The Jackhammers will be playing with one eye on the scoreboard all weekend and hoping to meet Fargo in the playoffs next week. Let's go guys! Hammer 'em.

LOUIS OTT (DH/INF Detroit Tigers Organization - Lakeland Flying Tigers, A)
Lou's hit a rough patch at the plate the last few days with some O-for days. In Wednesday's 1-0 win over Fort Myers, he was 0-3 and last night was 0-4 with 3 K's in a 6-3 loss. Here's to a strong finish for one of PTown's favs! 0-4 with a run scored, a walk and 2Ks in Lakeland's 7-5 win over Fort Myers last night. .256 average. No playoffs for Lakeland this year.

TOMMY EVERIDGE (1B, Oakland A's Organization - Midland Rockhounds, AA)
Oh boy. The Rockhounds have lost two in a row to San Antonio, their competition for the wild card playoff slot based on overall season record. With losses Wednesday and Thursday, the Hounds are now two games back of Frisco for the 2nd half Division title and .5 back of San Antonio for the wild card berth. Midland faces San Antonio again tonight and finishes the season with a 3 game series against Frisco. San Antonio has an easier go facing the last place Corpus Chrisi team. Tommy was 1 for 3 on Wednesday and 1 for 5 last night. Let's hope the hounds can get back on track tonight and sew this thing up with a strong finish.

KONRAD SCHMIDT (C, Arizona Diamondbacks Organization - Visalia Oaks, High A)
The Oaks have won two in a row against Bakersfield. Konrad was 1-4 at DH on Wednesday. Last night he was 3-4 with two RBIs and a run scored keying the Oaks' 4-3 win and adding another 10 points to his average which now stands at .346.

JONNY GOMES (DH/OF, Tampa Bay Rays Organization - Durham Bulls, AAA)
After clinching the Division title, the Bulls dropped a game to Norfolk Wednesday night. Jonny was 0-4 in the 5-4 loss. Last night, they got things back on track with an 11-9 win over The Tide. Jonny had a great night at the plate going 4-6 with 2 runs scored, a double, 3RBI and a K boosting his average to .256. Let's go Jonny. How 'bout a strong finish and another pass through Tampa Bay in September.

BRANDON MORROW (P, Seattle Mariners)
Brandon had another start in Tacoma Tuesday night. It coulda gone better but he showed once again that he can go 4+ innings without his arm falling off. He pictched consistently in the low-mid 90's last night and lit up the gun a 96 a few times. The not-so-pretty line went like this: 4.2 innings pitched, 6 earned runs on 5 hits (2HR), 3BB and 3K. That's an 11.57 ERA, but hey, he's new at this. He threw 79 pitches; 47 for strikes. Brandon did get the loss... to Sacramento. A powerhouse. Tacoma is 5 games back of Salt Lake with 6 games to go. 2 more against Sacramento then 4 at home vs. last place Portland. They've got a shot. I've seen several reports today that Brandon is slated to start against the Yankees on September 5th so it appears his transition to starting pitcher will continue in Seattle next month.