9-2 CUP O' JO

I'm going to miss the boys of summer. It's now just Jonny's Bulls and Brandon's Mariners. And the hope of a AAA call up for Tommy. The PTown connection to the Tampa Bay Rays may be tenuous, but I'm riding it hard for as long as it lasts.

With fewer Pearls to ponder, the Camp For A Cure publicity machine will go into high gear. The Silent Auction is my piece of that inspirational action. This year's camp is Saturday, November 1st. If you have baseball memorabilia or any other items you think could help us raise thousands of dollars for cancer and lupus research during the Camp Silent Auction, I would love to hear from you.

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TOMMY EVERIDGE (1B, Oakland A's Organization - Midland Rockhounds, AA)
The Hounds had to win last night's game to own the Division title free and clear and get to the playoffs. But the Baseball Gods were cowboys last night and steered Midland hits straight into Rough Rider gloves a few too many times. Frisco won a close one, 5-4. The RoughRiders got off to a smooth start, scoring 4 in the first inning. After two three up/three down innings, Midland pushed two across in the third and two more in the 7th to tie the game. Tommy led off the 8th with a ground ball single and made it to third on a sac bunt and a throwing error. Another Hound reached on a walk, but Tommy was out in a force play at home. With two outs, Midland left 'em loaded. In the bottom of the 8th, the RockHounds new pitcher got a quick ground out, then walked three to load the bases. A wild pitch scored a run but the pitcher stayed in the game and generated two quick ground outs to end the inning. Unfortunately, Midland couldn't capitalize on a two out double by Tommy that moved another runner to third and the final batter struck out with the winning run on 2B. Oh the agony. The Hounds tied for the Division title, but both Frisco and San Antonio hold the tie-breaker advantage based on head to head total sesaon record. Perhaps with Midland's season over and the AAA Rivercats still in the playoff hunt, they will tap Tommy, the RBI machine with a .279 average again this year for a final few weeks of glory. I'm channelling the Baseball Gods real hard on that. I have been SUCH a faithful fan. They owe me one.

KONRAD SCHMIDT (C, Arizona Diamondbacks Organization - Visalia Oaks, High A)
Good for the Oaks. They ended the season with a 6-3 win over Stockton. Konrad was 1-3 with a walk, a couple of ground outs and a K, ending his season with a .329 average.

JONNY GOMES (DH/OF, Tampa Bay Rays Organization - Durham Bulls, AAA)
1-4 with a single as the Bulls lost their final regular season game to Charlotte 6-1. The single was enough to maintain his .252 avg. Gotta say, the Bulls haven't been playing too well down the stretch. I hope they get something going for the playoffs. David Price will take the mound in Friday's series opener. See yesterday's post for the September callups story. You hate to think this way, but it seems Jonny's only chance for basking in some playoff glory will be at the expense of a fellow DH or OF's health. That's a bummer. Life in the Big Leagues I guess.

BRANDON MORROW (P, Seattle Mariners)
Seattle is looking forward to Brandon's first MLB start. That will most likely be in Friday's opener against the Yankees. Hopefully, New York will arrive all soft and squishy from a pummelling by the Rays which commences tonight. The Emerald City is also anticipating the MLB debut of Matt Tuiasosopo, son of former Seahawks defensive lineman Manu Tuiasosopo and brother of former Uof W QB Marques Tuiasosopo who plays for the Oakland Raiders. Matt is an infielder and was a highly sought after quarterback prospect who chose baseball instead. Matt grew up in Woodinville, a burb to the north of Seattle proper and the family is rather beloved in the area. Finally, some fun times in Seattle.