Playing with pride. - UPDATED
Posted by Carl on August 10, 2007
In what can only be considered a trend now, we’ll lead off with yesterday’s guest post from over at OoLF.
Thursday, August 09, 2007
LYNX: HAPP MAKES HIS CASE
They do like to make it interesting (boxscore, play-by-play). The Lynx almost wasted a spectacular performance by J.A. Happ (4-5, 4.55 ERA), before beating the Bisons in 11 innings. With the Lynx leading 4-3, Brian Sanches surrendered back to back doubles allowing Buffalo to tie things in the bottom of the ninth. Ottawa scored four in the top of the 11th, but the combination of Kane Davis, Anderson Garcia and an uncharacteristic error by Brennan King allowed three more Buffalo runs in the home half of the 11th before Ben Francisco grounded out to end the game. Pat Gillick and the Phillies must be absolutely salivating at the prospect of J.A. Happ joining the club in September. Whatever Happ did to right his game, we’re hopeful that it’ll rub off on the rest of the rotation and bullpen; over the last 19 2/3 innings (including today) he’s given up 2 runs, and struck out 21. In today’s effort, Happ went seven innings, allowing 2 hits and striking out 7. Of his 100 pitches, 61 went for strikes. His last two starts have been nothing less than dominant.
In other news, the Phillies picked up Russell Branyan who, coincidentally played for Buffalo last night going “ofer” as a DH, striking out 3 times. No word yet on where Branyan will be assigned, but in order to accomodate him someone will be bumped - at least off the 40 man roster. If he’s to be added to the 25 man roster, we’d bet that Chris Roberson’s spot may be in jeopardy. A move down to AAA Ottawa would set off a chain reaction that would likely see one of the recent solid AA Reading additions Javon Moran or Matt Padgett returned to Baseballtown. In today’s effort, Moran went 4-6 and came within a HR of hitting for the cycle.
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The good part about putting the posts up at OoLF first is that we get to have a chuckle at the predictions that they mess up over there; Chris Roberson wasn’t sent down to make room for Branyan, Geoff Geary was.
Clearly, with all the double posting we’ve developed a bit of an identity crisis. (blogger: “We”?)
The most likely corresponding roster move will see Ryan Cameron jumping on a plane (again!) for either Reading or Clearwater. Moving on to tonight’s action, scheduled starters are John Ennis with Jeff Harris throwin’ for the Bisons - just to even things up in the prediction department, ottawalynxblog.com predicts a 5-2 Lynx win. Yesterday afternoon was much more of a nail-biter than it should have been; J.A. gave them 7 solid innings of shutout ball. Over his last two starts he’s given up no runs (0, zero, zip), struck out 15 (!), given up three hits (!) and only 1 walk. Incredible. To their credit, no one quit last night, even when Buffalo had the winning run on second in the ninth. Winning isn’t everything, but pride always matters.
In other news, the Vermont Lake Monsters hold on to a 1/2 game lead in the Stedler division of the NY-Penn league. With just 26 games remaining, the Lake Monsters are poised to make a run at their first championship in over ten years.
Late breaking blog: Zack Segovia’s been DFA’d as part of the Branyan move. Best wishes to one of our blog favorites, wherever he ends up.
*** UPDATE ***
Cat’s Pride member, Patricia, emailed me to let me know that the Lynx are just 8 wins shy of 1000, a fact I’d completely missed. Ms. E. was also honest enough to also advise us that this stat came from another booster club member. Thanks again!
November 10, 2007 at 8:20 pm
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