Wednesday, May 31, 2006

 

John Hudgins is a Beast

Well, I think the title of this post explains it all. Tonight's game was headed by another outstanding peformance by John Hudgins, who pitched seven scoreless innings, striking out six and walking one. He and Geoff Jones, who earned his first save, combined for the 2-hitter. The BayBears have won three straight series against three difficult teams. Mobile has won 5 of 6 and 10 0f their last 14. What has made the difference? Good pitching and clutch hitting. Manager Gary Jones has said it time and time again that clutch hits are necessary to success. Exhibit A: Juan Ciriaco's 9th inning game winning RBI (see "On A Roll?"). John Hudgins may have replaced Cesar Carrillo as Mobile's 1-2 punch on the mound (along with Jared Wells). Speaking of Carrillo, he has been placed on the DL in Triple-A Portland with a strained right forearm. I think a get well card is in order.

# posted by padre2 @ 10:14 PM 4 comments

Monday, May 29, 2006

 

On A Roll?

Stephen Smitherman hit his third HR with the BayBears in only 7 games to lead Mobile over B'ham on Memorial Day. Starter Jared Wells pitched nicely, giving up only one run in 7 innings of work. He got the no decision and Geoff Jones picked up the win after Juan Ciriaco got the game winning hit in the bottom of the 9th. The BayBears have won two straight series (against two formidable opponents--West Tenn and Montgomery) and have won four straight games. Today's game featured the Bears in their "turn back the clock" jerseys which looked strikingly like just a plain oversized away jersey. The 1947 Mobile Bears jerseys they wore last year were dope, this year was bleh. Anyways, hopefully this winning thing can keep going. I miiiiight be at the game tomorrow night. We'll see. I've been uber busy lately. Go BayBears...

# posted by padre2 @ 8:16 PM 0 comments

Friday, May 26, 2006

 

Hudgins Shines, Part Deux

BayBears won against the Biscuits tonight behind another great outing by John Hudgins. Well, that is, "great outing" if you don't count the 6 walks given up. Besides that, Hudgins was super-duper giving up only 3 hits and 1 earned run in 5 innings. He got the W to improve to 2-0. Kottaras took over DH duties (Montgomery is AA affiliate of the D-Rays) while Matt Lauderdale caught for Mobile. G-Kott went 2-3 with 2 BB, a double, and a ribeye. Luis Cruz added 2 delicious ribeyes to increase his total to 28 for the year. Overall, a good win in front of over 4,000. The series against the Biscuits ends tomorrow night at 7:05.

I thought I was going to go to the game Saturday but that's not looking so good now so I'll try to catch Sunday's 6:05 start or celebrate Memorial Day with a Turn Back The Clock game at 2:05pm. Gotta love those day games.

# posted by padre2 @ 11:32 PM 0 comments

Thursday, May 25, 2006

 

Burn the Biscuits

On Wednesday night, Jared Wells stunned everyone by allowing only 3 hits over 7 innings of work as he led the BayBears over the Biscuits 8-0. Tonight, the Bears lost 3-zip to Montgomery. I'll get the stats up when I get them. Burn the Biscuits weekend (yes, I made that up) continues through Sunday. If someone makes a sign that says "Burn the Biscuits" at Saturday night's game, I will come give you a hug.

According to Fox 10 (WALA) here in Mobile, the BayBears bullpen loves American Idol. I had a feeling that's why they weren't out there in right field last night! Actually, this is a story that the WALA crew did...pretty good in my opinion. I wish they had the video. For such a crappy station with even worse writing, I've gotta admit Fox 10 has some of the best BayBears coverage around (maybe because they're only a hop skip and jump away from the Hank). They actually talk about the team and what's been going on. WPMI 15 (oddly channel 11) has good coverage, with the occasional interview with Jonesey. If you watch WKRG 5 for sports, you're already just plain dumb.

# posted by padre2 @ 11:37 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, May 23, 2006

 

Peavy Sets Record

Last night, former BayBear and native Mobilian Jake Peavy set a new Padre record for strikeouts in a game with 16. Peavy pitched 7 innings and got the loss (mainly due to lack of run support!!).

The BayBears finished up their series in West Tenn Sunday winning 3 of 5 and begin a 10-game homestand tonight against the division leading Montgomery Biscuits. Tonight's promotion: Super Hero Night, dress up as your favorite super hero and get in free.

Lack of updates over the last few days due to a little thing I like to call high school graduation. I'm always looking for other people to contribute to the site, so let me know if you're interested.

# posted by padre2 @ 11:10 AM 0 comments

Friday, May 19, 2006

 

Carrillo Promoted to AAA

Cesar Carrillo, the #1 Padres Minor League Prospect, has been promoted to Triple-A Portland. The pitcher was promoted after starting only 9 games this year in Mobile. So far this season he is 1-3 with a 3.02 ERA, giving up only 45 hits in 50.2 innings. Best of luck to Cesar Carrillo.

# posted by padre2 @ 10:38 PM 0 comments
 

A Good Night To Be A Thompson

Wednesday night was a good night to have the last name Thompson -- regardless of the first name. BayBear alum Mike Thompson made his major league debut, starting against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix. Mike had a great outing, striking out the side in the bottom of the 1st and gave up a respectable 4 runs (3 earned) in 5.0 innings of work. Another Thompson-Sean Thompson- pitched 7 scoreless innings for the BayBears and picked up his first win of the season. First baseman Michael Johnson led the BayBears going 4-5 hitting 2 dingers. Mobile beat West Tenn 8-0. Unfortuantely, however, the BayBears were unable to win last night in extras to the Jaxx. Ryan Meaux had two errors in the 10th to essentially hand West Tenn the win. Gary Cates sac-ed out to end the game. Jared Wells will come back from the DL tonight and pitch for Mobile.

# posted by padre2 @ 9:50 AM 1 comments

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

 

Mike Thompson To Make MLB Debut

Former BayBear Mike Thompson has made it to the bigs. The pitcher will start tonight for the Padres as they face the Arizona Diamondbacks. With Portland (AAA) this year, Thompson has a stunning 5-0 record with a 3.70 ERA giving up only 35 hits in 41.1 innings.

# posted by padre2 @ 5:32 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, May 16, 2006

 

Bears Win Up And Down Battle 11-10

Roger Deago got out to a ROCKY start today. And when I say ROCKY, I mean Rocky Mtn ROCKY, not Appalacian Mtn ROCKY. Anyways, Roger was so ROCKY, I can't even put all of the bad stats into one sentence. So here are Deago's stats for today's game:
The BayBears were trailing 8-2 coming into the bottom of the 7th. Then something happened. A miracle? Maybe. Mobile exploded for 6 runs, which were helped out by 2 2-out errors by Tony Abreu. In the next inning, Luis Cruz knocked in the go-ahead run and Michael Johnson, in his first game back from the DL, made the score 11-8 with a key hit. On the game, Johnson went 2-2 with 3 RBI. The game wasn't over though. BayBear closer Dale Thayer gave up a 2-run shot to Anthony Ragliani. Oops. But Thayer redeemed himself getting the final outs for Mobile, earning the win. After the game, I mentioned the Blue Bunny commercial to Kennard Jones. He laughed and gave a quick "Thanks" and "Take care." Such a class act.

# posted by padre2 @ 7:26 PM 1 comments

Monday, May 15, 2006

 

John Hudgins Shines; Jones Commercial

In his first start with Mobile, pitcher John Hudgins took a no-no into the 6th and eventually got the win as the Bears won 6-2 Sunday night. George Kottaras led the BayBears going 3-3 with a walk, 2 runs, and a 2-bagger. Drew Macias also scored 2 runs and knocked in 3. Game 4 of the 5 game series is tonight. I'll be at tomorrow's 11:35am game.

Jones Makes Appearance in Commercial
BayBears CF Kennard Jones and manager Gary Jones both make an apprearance in a recent Blue Bunny ice cream commercial. The ad is local to the Mobile metro area, but you can view it at the official BayBears site. It's probably one of the funniest commercials I have ever seen. Kennard's acting is priceless.

See you all at tomorrow's game...

# posted by padre2 @ 4:28 PM 0 comments

Saturday, May 13, 2006

 

Roster Moves; BayBears Lose; Kottaras Interview

Roster Moves
The Padres recently aquired RHP John Hudgins and 1B Vince Sinisi from the Rangers. In exchange, former BayBear and highly respected prospect Freddy Guzman was dealt along with Cesar Rojas to Texas. Hudgins and Sinisi will both report to Mobile. P Ryan Meaux was sent down from AAA Portland to Mobile.

BayBears Lose 6-0
Mobile lost ... again on Friday night. Suns pitcher Danny Muegge held the Bears to five hits over seven scoreless innings. Bears starter Sean Thompson gave up four runs and seven hits over 4 2/3 innings to drop to (0-3). I'm pretty sure it's about time to send him back down and send up somebody from Lake Elsinore like Michael Ekstrom.

Kottaras Interview
There is a great interview of BayBear George kottaras up on the Baseball America site. Kottaras talks about his learning experiences, plate discipline, and a little about G-Kott's love of Greek cuisine. The interview can be found here.

# posted by padre2 @ 1:04 PM 0 comments

Friday, May 12, 2006

 

P-Mac Called Up

BREAKING NEWS: Former BayBear McAnuly Called Up to Replace Bowen

Thats right folks, P-Mac is going back to San Diego. In today's Padres game, catcher Rob Bowen injured his hand when a bat came back and hit him on his hand. He was immediately placed on the 15-day DL after it was determined that he suffered a partially dislocated thumb on his catching hand. First baseman Paul McAnuly, who played with the BayBears and enjoyed a 7 game stint with the Padres last year, will be taking Bowen's place on the roster. With the Beavers this year, McAnulty is batting .278 with 8 HR, 19 RBI, and an impressive .972 OPS.

In other transaction news, pitcher Dewon Brazelton was demoted to Triple-A Portland after Thursday's lackluster outing in which he failed to record an out in relief of Jake Peavy.

# posted by padre2 @ 8:59 PM 0 comments
 

Baseball Sudoku

I just got back inside from checking the mail, in which I saw one of the greatest things ever. On the cover of the current issue of, ESPN Magazine it reads,"Baseball Sudoku." It's a new book released by the sports and entertainment giant. I was instantly captivated when I saw the headline. I love to play sudoku, and now with the baseball version, it is even better. Instead of filling the boxes with the numbers 1-9, you fill them with baseball positions, P-RF. Apparently, the book is only 10 bucks. You know, uh, graduation is coming up for me ... so, yea.

We FINALLY won last night! WAHOO! JOY! RAPTURE! Back at home tonight against the Suns.

# posted by padre2 @ 10:46 AM 0 comments

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

 

My Take On Delmon Young

I'll only talk for a second seeing as I have been extremely busy.

Delmon Young's suspension was recently set to 50 games by the International League. Having the suspension set at 50 games to me equates it to a first time positive steroid test. Asinine. Think about it: what else could you do on the field of play that would be worse than throwing your bat at an umpire? Not much. 70+ games and I'm satisfied.

# posted by padre2 @ 9:40 PM 0 comments

Monday, May 08, 2006

 

24-Inning Game

Another dissappionting loss last night. We now have 20 losses (already). I don't want to talk about it.

In former BayBear news: Wiki Gonzalez, a catcher with Mobile in 1998, drove in the winning run this past weekend in a New Orleans Zephyr uniform. This was no ordinary GW hit, the RBI ended a 24 inning game that was played over two nights. Amazing.

In Southern League news: Birmingham Barons manager Chris Cron was forced to bench his team from last Saturday night's game after several heated words, including 3 (THREE!) bench-clearing brawls. Sheesh guys.

# posted by padre2 @ 6:51 PM 0 comments

Saturday, May 06, 2006

 

Heartbreaking Loss

The Bears were starting to heat up, but last night they lost in a heartbreaker. They scored 3 in the top of the 8th to tie the game at 7. After an 82 minute rain delay, Kevin Randel knocked in the winning run after the BayBears plunked B.J. Garbe and gave up a single and an intentional walk. Carolina went on to win 8-7/ The BayBears were led by Brett Dowdy who went 2-4 with 2 RBI. Juan Ciriaco had 2 hits and 2 runs scored. Starter Jose Oyervidez (3.23) went 4.0 innings giving up 1 run on 4 hits and 3 walks. Mobile now has the worst record in the Southern League at 10-18 (.357), 6.5 games back of the Montgomery Biscuits.

On the other hand, the Padres are still undefeated in May. All-Star voting has begun. Let's get Barfield there.

# posted by padre2 @ 2:04 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, May 02, 2006

 

Rainout

Sunday's game was rained out, partly because the BayBears staff is too weak to pull the tarp over the infield. Kennard Jones had to help the effort, but in the end it didn't matter. It was raining too hard anyway. 10 game roadtrip starts today. Bleh. I hate the new 5-game series crap.

BayBear Beat is now listed on the AL.com list of blogs. Woohoo.

And um, there is a simple way to contribute to BayBear Beat. Feel free to comment. Please. It's easy.

# posted by padre2 @ 4:02 PM 1 comments