AL East Report, 8/19/08

1. Augusta Vacationers (51-27, 1 game lead, 11-9 since last report)

The Vacs actually spent a few days outta 1st place as the race for the division is on with the O’s. The team ERA has climbed to 3.85 which is as high as it has been on season. Key to that stat is veteran Cookie Whang who is winless in his last 9 starts. Whang and is now 4-5 on the season. Reliever Buddy Weiss who carried a stellar 2.39 ERA for the Vacs last season is getting bombed with an 8.78 ERA and a bloated 2.25 WHIP this season in 10 appearances. Rich May continues to anchor the staff at 9-1 with a 2.84 ERA.

Russ Flanagan who got off to such a putrid start is now putting up Flanagan type numbers at .279-16-62. Adam O’Malley continues to lead the team with a .312 average and 23 steals and 60 runs scored. Harold Martin continues to lead the team in the power categories (25 HR & 64 RBI) but his .257 average is well beneath is .286 lifetime average.

Minor League Watch

Pitcher- Phil Chang (AA) 5saves 19apps 1.54 ERA 0.91 WHIP
Hitter- Raymond Brower (AA) .388-21-70 1.231 OPS

Interesting Fact- The AA Vacs have 4 players on pace to hit 40 HR’s- Cam Greisinger, Darrell Phillips, Santos Wilfredo & Raymond Brower.

2. Baltimore O’s (50-28, 1 game back, 14-6 since last report)

As predicted by yours truly, the O’s aren’t going anywhere. They are a legit contender and should make the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. They spent a few days atop of the AL East but have now dropped 2 straight while the Vacs have won 5 in a row. All hail closer Felipe Cora who remains perfect at 29 saves in 29 ops. Starter Jerry Butler is 3-0 in his last 6 starts to improve to 6-5 on the season with a 3.39 ERA. Willie Rios is looking to make his 1st All star team with a 9-4 record and a 3.59 ERA.

Walt Seneca has been on fire with 16 RBI in his last 7 games. Overall Seneca is hitting .286-18-76 and is the only O’s player to play in every game. Michael Kingland is playing everyday now and is hitting .324 with 27 steals in 29 chances. Former 1st round pick Al Melo can’t seem to get enough AB’s and is 0 for his last 10 dropping his average to .291 yet still carries a solid .375 OBP.

Minor League Watch

Pitcher- Jerry Goldberg (AA) 12-3, 2.74 ERA 1.02 WHIP
Hitter- Abraham Jones (AA) .313-30-95, 1.107 OPS

Interesting Fact- The 5 man rotation at LA is a combined 5-41.

3. San Juan Slugging Diablos (30-48, 21 back, 7-13 since last report)

Despite the team’s slide of late, starter Ben Walton is 4-1 in his last 6 starts with a 3.71 ERA. Tanyon Dunn has been an effective closer of late and has the best WHIP on the team at 1.25 but he hasn’t had a lot of opportunities of late with just 6 saves on the season. Reliever Bobby Little was acquired via trade from Charleston on August 1, and has struck out 19 in just 13 innings…in 14 games.

Lorenzo Perez continues to swing a hot bat in his rookie season hitting .347-20-70 and a .405 OBP. 2b Davey Vazquez started the season in a platoon but is now playing everyday and is still perfect on the paths with 45 steals in 45 attempts. Overall he is hitting .314-8-30 and leads the team with 57 runs scored. Vic Coronado, a career .296 hitter with a .920 OPS still is struggling at .245-6-25 and is now playing part time at just 30 years old.

Minor League Watch

Pitcher- Karim Rivera (AAA) 16-18 saves, 3.13 ERA .213 OAV
Hitter- Alfredo Sanchez (AAA) .338-10-57, 36 SB’s

Interesting Fact- The High A Diablos have a TEAM OBP of .403.

4. Florida Beach Bums (22-56, 28 back, 7-13 since last report)

Former 1st rounder Tom Hauser has been the most consistent starter with a 4.93 ERA. Closer Craig Rivers has only appeared in 13 games this season but has a sparkling 1.07 WHIP and is a perfect 5 for 5 in save ops. Yamid Chavez has been solid as a starter and out of the pen with 59 k’s in 68.2 IP’s.

7 Bums have played in every game this season. Brad Roosevelt has maintained consistency and is the team’s main threat hitting .283-11-43. Phil Carver has stolen 25 bags but is hitting just .229. Rob Towers is just 1 for his last 23 sinking his average down to .282.

Minor League Watch

Pitcher- Carmen Scarsone (HA) 10-4, 3.61 95k’s in 102.1 IP’s
Hitter- Tim Powell (AA) .341-22-95, 1.158 OPS

Interesting Fact- 2nd overall pick this year, Rob Greisinger is hitting .488-3-16 in his first 12 games.

AL East Wins, ERA & Saves Leaders

Wins
1. Rich May, Augusta 9
1. Willie Rios, Baltimore 9
1. Miguel Estrella, Baltimore 9
4. Pablo Mesa, Augusta 8
4. Ryan Crosby, Baltimore 8

ERA
1. Rich May, Augusta 2.84
2. Vic Ordonez, Augusta 3.01
3. Pablo Mesa, Augusta 3.14
4. Jerry Butler, Baltimore 3.39
5. Chris Wright, Augusta 3.58

SAVES
1. Felipe Cora, Baltimore 29
2. Louie Nieto, Augusta 15
3. Tanyon Dunn, San Juan 6
3. Vic Ordonez, Augusta 6
5. Craig Rivers, Florida 5