AL EAST WEEKLY REPORT

1. Augusta Vacationers (29-12, 4 game lead, 15-7 since last report)

2-Time All Star Rich May is off to an incredible start at 6-0, 2.78 ERA in 8 starts while rookie Pablo Mesa is baffling opponents with a 4-0 record and a 2.79 ERA. Louie Nieto is slamming the door with 9 saves in 10 chances and a 2.19 ERA. Opponents are hitting just .213 against the 6’3 Dominican southpaw who at age 33 still hasn’t lost a thing. The rotation did lose Danys Vazquez who is on the 60-day DL with elbow tendinitis but so far, the Vacs haven’t lost a beat.

Adam O’Malley is on a tear while hitting safely in 13 straight raising his average to .305 while providing power (7-bombs) and speed (9 steals). Former 1b Silver Slugger Russ Flanagan is still trying to find his stroke as .269-3-29 is well under par for his standards to go along with a team low .713 OPS. Former MVP Harold Martin is having another fine season leading the team with 35 RBI and 10 HR’s.

Minor League Watch

Pitcher- Eugene Thomas (AA) 8-9 saves, 1.98 ERA, 1.02 WHIP
Hitter- Alex Palmeiro (LA-HA) .398-19-47, 1.362 OPS

Interesting Fact- He doesn’t play much, but long-time Minor League star Matty Baerga is 12-25 (.480) with a HR and 5 steals in 6 games.

2. Baltimore O’s (25-16, 4 games back, 13-10 since last report)

The O’s love life on the road as they are 16-7 away from the friendly confines while just 9-9 at home. Their road ERA is a sparkling 2.90 while it balloons to 4.10 at home. It doesn’t matter where Ace Willie Rios pitches as he has lowered his ERA from 2.56 to 1.98 yet has only 1 win in the last 5 starts. Super versatile reliever Ryan Crosby is still dealing posting a 1.43 ERA in 22 games. Carl Lloyd is now pitching effectively out of the pen as well limiting opponents to a .140 batting average in 16.2 IP. Both of those guys are getting the ball to stud closer Felipe Cora who is 13 for 13 in saves with a microscopic 0.49 ERA.

Speedster Albert Sosa continues to burn up the basepaths with 20 steals in 22 attempts while leading the team in runs scored with 25. Chad Mercker has found his power stroke connecting for 11 HR’s. Veteran Arthur Webster’s uninspiring .212 average to go along with his $6.5 mil contract have him listed as enemy #1 among O’s faithful. It is reported that the two-time All Star is also making waves throughout the clubhouse as well.


Minor League Watch

Pitcher- Jerry Goldberg (AA) 6-1, 1.50, 0.78 WHIP .160 OAV
Hitter- Kenny Nolan (AAA) .416-7-28, 1.130 OPS

Interesting Fact- The High A squad carries a .313 team batting average and an .858 OPS.

3. San Juan Slugging Diablos (15-26, 14 back, 10-13 since last report)

The 5.37 team ERA is still the weak spot for the Diablos. The starters are a combined 9-19. Rick Douglas has pitched better of late going 2-1 and lowering his ERA from 6.55 to 4.83. The pen is still struggling saving just 50% of their opportunities but lefties Willie Flores and Dan Coco are the two reliable arms sporting 3.06 and 3.29 ERA respectively. Rookie Monte Stewart only has 1 win in 8 starts and is carrying a 5.59 ERA.

Rookie sensation Lorenzo Perez is crushing the ball at a .352-12-37 clip while leading in 11 offensive categories for the Diablos. No one knows what has happened to Don Zhang who is following up last seasons (.292-38-113) with an abysmal (.193-8-14) so far. Veteran and last season’s All Star Junior Urbina is showing signs of aging while hitting a pedestrian .235-5-30.


Minor League Watch

Pitcher- Francis Christopher (HA) 5-0, 2.27 1.13 WHIP
Hitter- Sandy Coleman (LA-HA) .375-14-51, 1.160 OPS

Interesting Fact- AAA, HA & LA are all in 1st place while AA is in 2nd.



4. Florida Beach Bums (13-28, 16 back, 9-13 since last report)

The Bums have pitched better of late lowering their team ERA from 7.34 to 6.46 but it obviously is why this team is resting comfortably in the AL East cellar. 9 of the 12 hurlers for the Bums carry an ERA over 5.39. They’ll welcome back Alberto Izturis from the DL soon who was their most consistent starter before getting hurt. In 6 starts Izturis is 1-3 with a 4.15 ERA. Paul Clifton remains the best bullpen option appearing in 17 games and compiling a 3.55 ERA and .223 opponents batting average. 34 y/o vet Craig Rivers was recently appointed closer and has 3 saves in 3 chances. He was an All Star in seasons 6 & 7.

DH Rob Towers is having a solid rookie campaign at the plate (.302-7-30) but the team’s .257 batting average ranks 29th and their OPS of .705 is dead last. 3 players who have appeared in every game, Lew Peterson, Phil Carver & JP Guerrero are hitting .219, .213 and .184 respectively.

Minor League Watch

Pitcher- Bubbles Lawrence (LA) 4-0, 2.93 1.11 WHIP
Hitter- Jordan O’Keefe (HA) .274-13-31, 1.032 OPS

Interesting Fact- The Bum prospects reside in the lower levels as both A level teams are playing well over .500 while AAA & AA are a combined 30-50.

Quarter Mark ALL- AL East Team

C- Felipe Castro, Augusta (.250-10-22)
1b- Lew Rivera, San Juan (.352-3-11)
2b- Adam O'Malley, Augusta (.305-7-19)
SS- Lorenzo Perez, San Juan (.352-12-37)
3b- Lawrence Grieve, San Juan (.293-8-21)
OF- Harold Martin, Augusta (.288-10-35)
OF- Fred Eyre, San Juan (.306-11-29)
OF- Chad Mercker, Baltimore (.265-11-27)
DH- Flip Hill, Augusta (.294-11-32)
SP- Rich May, Augusta (6-0, 2.78)
SP- Willie Rios, Baltimore (4-1, 1.98)
SP- Pablo Mesa, Augusta (4-0, 2.79)
SU- Ryan Crosby, Baltimore (5-2, 1.43)
CL- Felipe Cora, Baltimore (13svs, 0.49)