AL EAST WEEKLY REPORT (after 120games)

1. Augusta Vacationers (79-41, 10 games ahead, 22-7 since last report)

So the Vacs showed what kind of character this team is made of. They fell behind the O’s and then began a hot streak that has basically won the division since the O’s sunk to ridiculously low depths. Rich May and Pablo Mesa have been the most consistent starters and have 5 complete games between them and a record of 23-9. Closer Louie Nieto has 22 saves in 25 chances with a solid 3.34 ERA.

Harold Martin continues to swing a hot stick and sits at .279-36-100. Russ
Flanagan is putting up Russ Flanagan-like numbers with 32 bombs and 96 RBI. There is probably no other player in the league that hits more clutch HR’s than C Felipe Castro who has 21 and quite possibly single handedly set the tone with the second half of the season with his clutch performance in the 4-game series vs Baltimore.

Minor League Watch

AAA-Rookie overall record (332-204, .619 pct)

Pitcher- Tom Neal(AA) 16-5, 3.18, 1.19 WHIP
Hitter - Cam Greisinger (AA) .342-44-142, 1.176 OPS



2. Baltimore O’s (67-53, 12 games back, 8-21 since last report)

Over the stretch of just 29 games, the O’s went from a 2-game lead to 12 games back and eyeing the Wild Card instead of the division. Where did it all go wrong? For starters, the 5-man rotation which was a strength the 1st half of the season has become pedestrian at best except for Matty Gibson who has been stellar at 14-6 with a 3.80 ERA. Todd Baxter has been a torch in his 24 starts at 4-11 with a 6.17 ERA and folling no one as opponents are hitting .307 against him. Felipe Cora (40/41 saves) is still solid out of the pen but he failed in some clutch situations against Augusta.

Also, there isn’t one O’s regular hitting above .290. Walt Seneca has only 1 HR and 5 RBI in the past 27 games. Albert Sosa is 42 for 44 on the base paths but his .298 OBP is not gonna get it done. Julio Julio’s shakey glove may have demoralized the O’s. They haven’t been able to recover since his circus act against the Vacs.

Minor League Watch

AAA-Rookie overall record (278-260, .517 pct)

Pitcher- York Schmidt (AA) 21/23 saves 2.60 ERA 1.40 WHIP
Hitter - Boots Brunette (AAA) .334-36-133, 1.045 OPS3.


3. San Juan Slugging Diablos (52-68, 27 back, 15-14 since last report)

The rotation has finally stabilized but obviously too little too late. Ben Walton has anchored the staff and is now 12-10 with a 4.29 ERA. Walton has allowed only 5 runs in his last 5 starts for a 1.36 ERA over that stretch and has not allowed a HR. Rick Douglas is among the league leaders with 123 K’s. Karim Rivera was called up at the break and has appeared out of the pen in 14 games and carries a 2.93 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP.

Fred Eyre has carried the offense of late and is hitting .293-34-106. Speedy 2-bagger Davey Vazquez went down with an ankle injury but still has 74 steals in 79 chances. Rookie Lorenzo Perez is tiring but still is having a great year at .322-31-105.

Minor League Watch

AAA-Rookie overall record (333-202, .622pct)

Pitcher- Jacque Burns (HA) 13-3, 3.19, 1.28 WHIP
Hitter- Phillip Forrester (HA) .360-40-174, 1.141 OPS



4. Florida Beach Bums (35-85, 44 back, 11-18 since last report)

Pitching has actually been solid for the Bums since the All-Star break. Don Lambert has witnessed his ERA drop down to a respectable 4.21 in 23 starts. Reliever Paul Clifton leads the team in appearances with 49 and is 3-2 with 3 saves and a 3.89 ERA. Rookie Felipe Estrada was recalled from AAA and so far is fooling no one. In 12 appearances and 1 start he is 0-4 with a 11.28 ERA while opponents are lining up to join in on the .340 clip he’s allowing their average to rise to.

In the offseason, the Bums could really use some pop in the middle of their lineup. Only 3 players have reached double digits in HR’s and when .436 leads your team in slugging then you know you have problems. Rob Towers has been the most productive at .277-16-72 but those numbers would make a solid 6 or 7 hole….not cleanup. There is plenty of speed throughout the Bums’ lineup as Phil Carver has 42 steals and Luis Concepcion has 24.

Minor League Watch

AAA-Rookie overall record (249-286, .465 pct)

Pitcher- Matt Pose (RK) 8-3, 3.12, 1.14 WHIP
Hitter- Tim Powell (AA) .332-31-129, 1.131 OPS