Pitching Report
The Jammers 3.39 team ERA is seventh in the league and keeps me thinking this team isn’t as bad as their 6-11 record would indicate. What’s helped is arguably the best bullpen in the league.
Entering play Friday, Jamestown had a bullpen ERA of 2.23, nearly 3 runs better than the starters, who come in at 5.10. Jamestown has still only had two starts get through six innings and none have started the seventh. Thus, the bullpen has thrown 96.2 innings versus just 65.1 out of the starters.
Now, there might be more talent in the bullpen, and with a 14-man staff, it’s hard to blame manager Angel Espada for using the bullpen so much this year.
Regardless, here’s a rundown of what the rest of the roadstand might look like:
Friday, July 6 at Staten Island
The Jammers really need this one. They still haven’t won a series (while splitting three) and tonight gives them a chance to do so against one of the bottom teams in the league. Plus, Jamestown has a three-gamer with Brooklyn coming up, who tied for the best record in the league at 13-5. Don’t want to finish this stand up 1-4 and if they don’t win tonight, they’ll have to win the series against Brooklyn to do better than 1-4.
Regardless, I’ll say it’s Blake Logan tonight, even though Jamestown has yet to announce its starter. Logan has thrown well in two outings this year and threw three no-hit innings Sunday. Which mean, I’ll assume Ryan Newell also gets two innings today. Assuming Logan goes five, that will leave an inning or two for the rest of the staff.
Tops on my list would probably be Bryan Berglund if the Jammers are losing. Berglund now hasn’t thrown in eight days and has thrown just once in the last 12 days. He’s been used the least among Jammers relievers.
Lefty Beau Wright also hasn’t thrown in three days and should be fully rested from his 3-inning outing on Monday.
If winning, Nick Wittgren will be called upon to close it out. I would assume Miguel Fermin is ready to go as well for the eighth inning.
Saturday, July 7 at Brooklyn
This will be Matt Milroy. Milroy has gone two, then three, then four innings in his first three starts. It’s not a pattern or coincidence. His pitch counts haven’t been overly high in any of them. The former reliever is being stretched out and I’d assume they’ll aim for five Saturday.
This is where you’ll definitely see Berglund if he doesn’t throw Friday. And the same can be said for Beau Wright. I also think you’ll probably see Brian Ellington on this night.
Again if winning, some combination of Wittgren/Fermin/Jheyson Manzueta will be employed.
Sunday, July 8 at Brooklyn
Back to staff ace Helpi Reyes, who’s actually been pretty good this year. His last start got washed after 2.1 innings, and while those numbers won’t effect his ERA until the game is finished, they aren’t in the books now. So, it will only be his fourth start and with him not getting much work last time out because of the rain, I’d assume Jamestown will look for Reyes to go as long as he can.
Guys like Frankie Reed, Manzueta and Ellington will be in the discussion here. Berglund another possibility if he throws an inning Friday.
Monday, July 9 at Brooklyn
Ramon Del Orbe will get the start. He’s been a rollercoaster this year, with enough up-and-downs to make Espada nauseous for sure. He had two pretty decent starts to begin his year, but has been tough to watch since then. Monday will be a good test for the righthander.
Tuesday, July 10, off day
Jammers will return home. 12 of their next 15 will be at home. Not falling too far come behind come Tuesday will be important.
Morning Jam: July 6
A good combined outing from Mason Hope and Jacob Esch was spoiled last night as the Jammers lost 2-1 while only picking up four hits, all by the top two hitters in the lineup.
Esch, in particular was great. He threw three more scoreless innings to drop his ERA to 1.69. The collegiate second baseman has been their long man, throwing 16 innings in five games this year. He’s been rock solid for them out of the pen.
The four hits came from Yefri Perez and Pedro Mendoza, two NYPL veterans at the top of the order. Jammers are now 6-11, six games out of first place in the Pinckney Division and 3.5 out of the wild card.
Jamestown team’s ERA is now 3.39 after that fine outing. But while that number is pretty impressive, the starters’ ERA is 5.10. It’s the bullpen that has been so tremendous and with Esch’s three scoreless innings, the bullpen ERA is down 2.23. Plus the bullpen has thrown 96.2 innings compared to just 65.1 out of the starters.
Not much else to report. Jamestown finishes up their three-game series with Staten Island tonight. That game will be on MiLB.tv. Also, after Jamestown finishes its three game set with Brooklyn, they will have 12 out the next 15 games at home. If Jamestown can keep that record right where it is now by going 2-2 over the next four, they’ll have a great shot to make a move in the standings before July ends.
No word on who is starting tonight. It’s is the fourth spot in the rotation, usually Ryan Newell’s, but the Blake Logan started in his place the last time this spot came up. Newell then came on in relief.
Morning Jam: July 4 Recap, Transaction Notes
Hope everyone had a great July 4. Back to work for me. Going to recap a few notes since Tuesday night — and there was a lot – and we’ll go in with a pitching report later on in the day. We’re just about at the 1/4 mark of the season (19 games) so I’ll be doing some mid-semester report cards on Saturday. That would have been Jamestown’s 20th game, but the suspension Tuesday killed that.
Notes
• Well the Jammers have played good ball since I last talked to you on Monday. They were winning 5-2 Tuesday before the rain came and cancelled it in the third. That game will be made up July 23 in Jamestown starting where it left off with one out in the Auburn third inning. By rule, that game will still be a nine inning game with the originally scheduled game to be a 7-inning contest and start a half hour after the conclusion of the first game. The doubleheader is scheduled to start at 5:05 p.m. in Jamestown.
• But, it was a nice come-from-behind victory Wednesday night that made the start of a six-game roadswing promising. Jamestown beat Staten Island yesterday 5-3 in 12 innings, largely thanks to first baseman Felix Munoz. Jamestown led early 2-0, but Staten Island scored one in the fourth and two in the fifth to take the lead. When Munoz came to bat in the bottom of the eighth with two out and nobody on, it looked like the Jammers were on their way to another loss. But, Munoz crushed a homerun to tie the game. Jheyson Manzueta then got out of a bases-loaded, nobody out jam in the bottom of the 11th and the Jammers scored two in the top of the 12th to win a stunner.
• That was without shortstop Austin Nola, though. The rookie infielder from LSU was called up to Greensboro yesterday. The Grasshoppers are battling some injuries, so no word yet on if Nola will return to Jamestown. Catcher Austin Barnes and outfielder Rand Smith were place on the disabled list Tuesday. In addition, Brent Keys and Terrence Dayleg were also on the disabled list leaving the Grasshoppers with just 11 active hitters. Nola went 1-for-4 in his Greensboro debut.
• Plenty of others moves for the Jammers too, though. Sean Donatello received a big promotion on Tuesday, getting called up to A-Advanced Jupiter. Donatello had been in Jupiter earlier in the year, but he had thrown 12 innings this year in Jamestown and had allowed just one run on eight hits.
• Collin Cargill finished his rehab stint in Jamestown. He was on rehab from Jupiter, but was sent to Greensboro. Cargill threw four innings in two games and allowed four hits. He wasn’t going to be here for long.
• Finally, Michael Vaughn was sent back down to the Gulf Coast League. I was a bit perplexed with what Vaughn was doing in Jamestown. While he was on the disabled list, Jamestown had three active catchers on the roster as is. Vaughn didn’t play a game for Jamestown.
• Confused by all these moves? Check out our active roster page.
• Tonight the Jammers send Mason Hope the mound as the 20-year-old starter looks to get Jamestown its second win in a row. Don’t forget the Jammers have a 3-run cushion in game still to be played, so even though it wouldn’t technically feel like the first three game winning streak this season, it would feel like it.
Morning Jam
Tough night for Jamestown yesterday as the Jammers lost 2-1 to the Auburn Doubledays. A day after Jamestown bashed out 15 hits, the offense — in its rather inconsistent form — had just three. Which is too bad, because it spoiled another great outing from the pitching staff, namely the bullpen, who threw five scoreless innings between Jheyson Manzueta and Beau Wright.
In particular it was Wright, who faced the minimum nine batters in three innings. The only baserunner he allowed was a hit batsman, which he quickly erased on a double play to the next batter he faced.
But, the offense couldn’t muster anything together besides the speed of Juancito Martinez. Martinez led off the fifth with a walk, stole second, advanced to third on a ground out, and advanced home on another ground out. A run is a run, though.
Some notes:
• Yeison Hernandez went 2-for-4 yesterday for Greensboro. He had started off with an 0-for-5 night.
• His roster move opened up space for Pedro Mendoza, who finally went hitless last night after a blistering 5-for-9 start since being activated. He’s still hitting .385 in the three games.
• Anthony Gomez picked up a hit last night, breaking an 0-for-18 slump, which I was starting to blame on myself. Gomez went nearly a week without a hit, which unfortunately started right after I talked to him.
• Blake Logan made his first start for the Jammers Sunday, taking the place of Ryan Newell. No word on if Logan will remain in the rotation, but it’s hard to imagine he won’t. The rookie threw three no-hit innings and has now allowed just four baserunners in five innings for Jamestown. No runs allowed and eight strikeouts. He’d be the ace on the staff at this point.
• Jamestown’s starters ERA was 5.93 heading in to play on Sunday. Logan helped drop that down to 5.58.
• Kentrell Dewitt had to be taken out of the game Sunday in between the second and third innings. Tough to say where Dewitt got hurt, but the team was mum on the outfielder’s condition. Dewitt missed three games earlier in the year with an undisclosed injury as well. He’s day-to-day and didn’t play Monday, so I doubt we’ll see him that soon.
• Errors continue to be a problem for Jamestown. They’ve made 24 this season (15 games), more than 1.5 per game. By, comparison, Auburn (leaders of the Pinckney Division) have made just 14.
• Fireworks at the ballpark tonight as Jamestown wraps up a 3-game set with Auburn. Staff ace Helpi Reyes will get the nod, his fourth start of the year as the Jammers look to take the rubber match of this series. It would be the first series victory of the year for Jamestown, which has lost three and split two.
Jammers-DoubleDays Lineups
I will not be in attendance tonight. Long day at the paper with the holiday Wednesday. Won’t be at tomorrow’s either, sadly, because it’s a 6-game roadstand to follow.
Lineups for July 2
JAMESTOWN
1. Yefri Perez – DH
2. Pedro Mendoza – 3B
3. Austin Nola – SS
4. Viosergy Rosa – 1B
5. Jesus Solorzano – LF
6. Anthony Gomez – 2B
7. Jose Behar – C
8. Cameron Flynn – RF
9. Juancito Martinez – CF
SP – Matt Milroy
AUBURN
1. J.R. Higley – LF
2. Tony Renda – 2B
3. Shawn Pleffener – 1B
4. Angelberth Montilla – CF
5. Carlos Alvarez – 3B
6. Wander Ramos – RF
7. Craig Manuel – DH
8. Stephen Perez – SS
9. Spencer Kieboom – C
SP – Blake Monar
Notes
Well, manager Angel Espada appears to have finally settled on a lineup, or is at least riding out this group, which is riding a two-game winning streak.
That means no Anthony Gomez, at the top, at least. Gomez is back in the lineup after sitting out the last two days. He’s back, but hitting sixth. Top of the order stays the same with Perez, Mendoza and Nola. Hard to argue, they’ve been hitting.
Viosergy Rosa gets the nod at first again, too. Felix Munoz is hitting, and hitting a ton. But, after splitting time 50/50, it’s Rosa for the third day in a row and fifth out of the last six.
Same can be said for Behar and the catching position. While basically going every other day, Behar had started multiple games in a row just once before this stretch (at two). This will be start No. 3 in a row.
And, Kentrell Dewitt must really be hurt. Dewitt was lifted after the second inning yesterday. Not sure where or what he hurt, either, and the staff is mum on his condition. Dewitt missed three games in a row (Games No. 3-5) but again, the staff said no injury. I considered it strange because Jamestown only has four outfielders and nobody else had had more than a day off in a row besides the struggling Flynn who got two days off in a row once.
Around the NYPL: Week Two
First things first, the Jammers rebounded well after losing eight in a row by pulling out a miracle Saturday night and cruising Sunday night. It’s not enough to get them out of the Pinckney basement, but for the way things have gone for Jamestown in the opening two weeks this season, 5-9 isn’t bad at all.
We’re almost one-fourth through the season as Friday night’s game will be Game No. 19. I’ll break down what we’ve seen from the Jammers at some point this week. Likely Thursday.
As for the NYPL, here are my weekly awards.
Hitter of the Week: Andrew Aplin (Tri-City). Unfortunately, I can’t break down league-wide stats with splits, but Aplin had one hell of a week, batting 7-for-13 with four walks in five games. Just two extra-base hits, but he knocked in five, scored eight times and stole seven bases. That’s one pretty great week.
Pitcher of the Week: Luis Mateo (Brooklyn). This was a no-brainer. Mateo started two games this week and threw six shutout innings in each game, grabbing the win in both. He allowed five hits, one walk and struck out 13. He’s now 3-0 with a 0.51 ERA.
| New York Penn League Standings | ||||
| (Through Sunday, July 1) | ||||
| McNamara | W | L | PCT | GB |
| Brooklyn Cyclones (NYM) | 10 | 4 | 0.714 | – |
| Hudson Valley Renegades (TB) | 9 | 5 | 0.643 | 1 |
| Aberdeen IronBirds (BAL) | 5 | 9 | 0.357 | 5 |
| Staten Island Yankees (NYY) | 4 | 10 | 0.286 | 6 |
| Pinckney | W | L | PCT | GB |
| Auburn Doubledays (WSH) | 9 | 5 | 0.643 | – |
| State College Spikes (PIT) | 8 | 6 | 0.571 | 1 |
| Williamsport Crosscutters (PHI) | 7 | 7 | 0.500 | 2 |
| Mahoning Valley Scrappers (CLE) | 7 | 7 | 0.500 | 2 |
| Batavia Muckdogs (STL) | 6 | 8 | 0.429 | 3 |
| Jamestown Jammers (MIA) | 5 | 9 | 0.357 | 4 |
| Stedler | W | L | PCT | GB |
| Tri-City ValleyCats (HOU) | 11 | 3 | 0.786 | – |
| Lowell Spinners (BOS) | 8 | 5 | 0.615 | 2.5 |
| Vermont Lake Monsters (OAK) | 5 | 9 | 0.357 | 6 |
| Connecticut Tigers (DET) | 3 | 10 | 0.231 | 7.5 |
Morning (afternoon) Jam
Jamestown bid June a fond farewell after scoring four runs in the ninth inning to have an improbable end to their 8-game losing streak and beat Batavia 6-5. July starts with Auburn, a team that just swept the Jammers in rather easy fashion last week in Auburn.
Already at the ballpark today and here are the lineups:
JAMESTOWN
1. Yefri Perez – DH
2. Pedro Mendoza – 2B
3. Austin Nola – SS
4. Matt Juengel – 3B
5. Viosergy Rosa – 1B
6. Jesus Solorzano – CF
7. Kentrell Dewitt – LF
8. Jose Behar – C
9. Cameron Flynn – RF
SP – Blake Logan
AUBURN
1. Tony Renda – 2B
2. Stephen Perez – SS
3. Shawn Pleffener – 1B
4. Angelberth Montilla – RF
5. Estarlin Martinez – DH
6. Khayyan Norfork – 3B
7. Jordan Poole – LF
8. Wes Schill – CF
9. Spencer Kieboom – C
SP – Gregory Baez
TRANSACTION NEWS
Pedro Mendoza was activated off the 7-day disabled list two nights ago to further clog up the infield. Subsequent move sent Yeison Hernandez up to Greensboro. Hernandez, who just turned 20 years old, was hitting .282 in eight games this year.
Morning Jam: June 30
Well… it’s going to be a long year in Jamestown.
The Jammers dropped their seventh in a row, fourth of their last five by at least five runs and didn’t show much of anything after a 4-run first inning from Batavia.
Jamestown’s starter Ramon Del Orbe walked four and balked home a run in one of the ugliest first innings I’ve seen as Batavia had a total of one hit (a single) en route to scoring the four runs. Jamestown finished the game with four hits.
• Juancito Martinez had another nice day at the plate. Went 0-for-1, but walked twice and stole a bag. He’s got five steals which is third best in the league.
• Austin Nola’s day off yesterday helped. He went 2-for-4 today with a couple of well hit balls. Nola has reached base in 9-of-11 games despite the batting average under .200. He looks like one of the few players on this team. Did well at third base, too. Not sure where he projects, but third might be the better choice for him.
• Not much else to say here. Jamestown only had seven baserunners and grounded into three double plays. Kentrell Dewitt had a leadoff double in the 8th, advanced on a grounder and scored on a fly ball. Small ball from the Jammers finally, but too bad it was when they were down by seven.
• Jamestown is now batting .227 as a team with a .296 on-base percentage.
• They’ll look to avoid the sweep tonight with Mason Hope on the mound. Ben Freeman is going for Batavia. He shut down the Jammers Sunday at Diethrick Park. Tonight is at Dwyer Stadium in Batavia.
Jammers-Muckdogs lineups
Today’s lineups here in Jamestown for Jammers (3-8) vs. the Batavia Muckdogs (5-6).
JAMESTOWN
1. Anthony Gomez-SS (.222/.310)
2. Rony Peralta-2B (.333/.455)
3. Austin Nola-3B (.143/.262)
4. Matt Juengel-DH (.243/.333)
5. Felix Munoz-1B (.381/.409)
6. Brian Dice-C (.333/.385)
7. Kentrell Dewitt-LF (.167/.219)
8. Juancito Martinez-CF (.306/.375)
9. Cameron Flynn-RF (.179/.233)
SP — Ramon Del Orbe (0-1, 3.60 ERA, 2 GS)
BATAVIA
1. Steve Ramos-RF
2. Breyvic Valera-2B
3. Garrett Wittels-SS
4. David Washington-1B
5. Patrick Wisdom-3B
6. Jesus Montero-C
7. Matt Young-CF
8. Kolby Byrd-DH
9. Jordan Walton-LF
SP — Kyle Helisek
TRANSACTION NEWS
Reliever Collin Cargill is in Jamestown on a rehab stint. The 24 year old is in his second professional season with the Marlins. He was a 22nd round draft pick last year and pitched in two games for the Jammers.
Morning Jam: June 29
“Craziest game I’ve ever been a part of,” Muckdogs first baseman Jordan Walton, on Twitter.
That about sums it up there. Jamestown was one out away from losing in the ninth, one out away from winning in the 11th, had their manager tossed in the 14th and were out away from sending it to an extra frame in the 17th.
But, an error on shortstop Yeison Hernandez — with the bases loaded — allowed the gamewinning run to score after 4 hours and 41 minutes of baseball.
The marathon loss was Jamestown’s sixth in a row and dropped their record to 3-8. Hopefully a little home cooking will do the trick tonight when the Jammers host those same Batavia Muckdogs at 7:05 p.m. tonight.
• It will be interesting to see how the Jammers react tonight. Long losing streaks are tough on everyone. Losing a 17-inning came when you thought you had it won in the 11th is tough on everyone one, too. Now combine them and what does that make it? Still way to early in the season, but Jamestown needs this thing to end tonight for their own psyche. I won’t try to tell you they need this one if they want to make the playoffs, but you don’t want things to spin too far out of control before we even get to July.
• I will be at tonight’s game. Ramon Del Orbe goes for Jamestown, he’s been their best this season. They’ll need him more than ever tonight to break this long losing streak.
• Austin Nola had his first day off of the season yesterday just for maintenance. He’ll be back in the lineup today. Besides that, expect some wholesale changes because of the long, long night for the starters yesterday.
• Jamestown is still not in the basement of the NYPL. They share the same 3-8 record with Connecticut. They’re also only a game behind Mahoning Valley in the Pinckney Division. So as bad as everything has been, it’s still a bit too early to panic.
• Jamestown’s batting average has dipped all the way down to .232, which is fourth last in the league. Exactly a week ago, they were fourth in the league and hitting at a .264 clip. As bad as the pitching has been, this team needs to start hitting again.
• Kix Country Bases Merloted tonight at the ballpark. Should be a fun Friday night at Diethrick.
• Birthday wishes for Hernandez. Yeison turns 20 today.
Jampacked Blog 