When will they ever learn ?

PRO BASEBALL


When will they eeeev-ver learn?


You simply don't give up on the Lompoc kids - even when they reach the pro's . Ryan Church, and his Atlanta Braves teammates, reminded the Mets, while the T-Bones watched the 'Ship' sail right on past.
Ryan Church

After a year and a half of jerking Ryan Church around the Mets traded him to Atlanta on July 10th. He had sustained a concussion in '08 spring training, but returned to play quite well before taking a knee in the head for a 2nd concussion. He tried to play through that as well, despite being in a fog much of the rest of the season. It didn't help that almost every time he started to get hot, they yanked him from the line-up.

In the spring this year, the organisation treated him like he was a kid who had been trying to play hookey - with the GM & manager making slighting remarks and assigning him to rookie-type duties. Among other things they intimated that he coundn't hit lefties and tha his power was gone. Finally, after trying to replace him with almost everybody they could, he was named the starter in right field.

He began the season hot, real hot. You could even make the case that he carried the Mets for much of the first month, aaaannnd -- was pulled from the line-up. Then the Mets signed a aging Gary Sheffield to take his spot. They eventual dealt him to the Braves for Jeff Francour, despite being one of the few steady players they had on a squad decimated by injuries.

At the time of the trade, both team were struggling. The Mets at 40-44, and Atlanta with a 41-44 record. Since the trade, the Mess have continued in the rut the were in -posting a 16-20 record, while the Braves went 22-13 and have climbed back into playoff contention. Part of that resurgence has been due to 'Churchie'.

Despite posting respectable numbers for New York, in the 27 games played since joining the Braves, he has increased his On-base% by 35 points (to .367), his slugging% by 54 points (to .429), and his OPS by 89 points (.796). And while his batting avg. has dropped a bit (.280 to .262), his power has reappeared - 2 homers & 8 doubles in 27 contests vs. 2 homers and 16 doubles in 67 games with the Mets. His plate discipline has also been outstanding 14 walks and 14 strikeouts.

Last night the Metropolitans recieved an up-close and personal view of what 'Churchie' can do when he is treated well. He was 3-5 with 2 doubles, an RBI, and 2 runs scored in a 15-2 rout by Atlanta. The Mets won 3 of 5 versus Atlanta with Ryan, but have been 2-4 without him. They have one more tonight and two more 3-game series down the stretch.

And speaking of being treated like a piece of meat ...

Andy Shipman

Andy had a bad game last night. He was brought in with two runners on and one out in the 9th inning, gave up an RBI double, and RBI single, hit a batter, and gave up the winning run on a fielder's choice. This outing raised his ERA clear up to - 1.57 !!! The loss was only his 2nd since joining the Gary Southshore Railcats on June 3rd.

Last year, 'Ship' joined the Kansas City T-Bones late in the year and helped them win a league title. In 10 games (15.1 innings), he was 1-1 with a 2.35 ERA. He allowed 4 runs (all earned) on 11 hits, walked 5, and struck-out 16. His K/inning were equal to his WHIP (1.04).

After some hesitation over the winter, KC signed him to an 09 contract on March 30th. Once the season started, on May 15th, Andy made 5 appearances (5.1 innings) in a 9 day span and then was waived. Why?? Well, he did have a couple of bad outings, but he was also a member of a bullpen that had problems.

His first appearance was in the middle of a 9th inning parade that saw 14 batters come to the plate, and 8 runs score in a 10-4 loss. He faced 3 batters & surrenderred 3 consecutive hits, including a 3-run homer. The next day, however, he had a perfect 9th, albiet in a losing effort. Two days after that he threw 2 innings, including another perfect 9th, to earn a save.

Three days later, after a scoreless 8th, he again had problems, allowing 4 consecutive hits in the 9th (Sgl, Sgl, FldChc, Sgl + Error) that all scored runs. The reliever who replaced him, immediately coughed up an RBI double that tagged him with another run.

In his last appearance, 2 days later, the pen blew a lead in the 9th which tied the game. Pitching the 10th, Andy struck out the first batter, but the catcher dropped the ball and the runner was safe. A sacrifice and an RBI single ended the game. Result - 0-2 record, 1 save, bloated ERA, and pink slip on May 27th.

The Railcats, 6-11 at the time, however, liked what they saw and signed him. They liked what they got even more. Entering last night's game Shipman had a 1.32 ERA and a 4-1 record, giving up 7 runs (5 earned) and 23 hits in 34 innings. His SO/W ratio was 2.8 (28 to 10). Result - 12 saves, the best ERA in the league for pitchers with more than 3 innings (now 2nd), and a NL Pitcher of the Week award. His 37 appearances are 5th in the NL, and he is tied for the league lead with 13 saves.

It has worked out pretty well for the team as well. The Railcats (51-35) have clinched a playoff berth and are battling for 1st place in the Northern League. Two nights ago they overtook the slumping Winnipeg Goldeyes (it's a fish) by thumping the Joliet Jackhammers 17-4. But last night's loss dropped them .002 points behind, but even in games, to the streaking (9 consecutive wins) Fargo-Morehead Redhawks (50-34). Winnipeg (49-36) is 1.5 games back.

Oh!!! Those T-Bones that didn't need the 'Ship' when they were 6-3 back in May ? Well, they have a team ERA of 4.99, a total of 15 saves, and a 38-46 record. Might be time to break out the grill !!!

Christopher White

Meanwhile in Lakeland Florida, Chris White had a great night. In something of a batting slump, the 21 year-old Lompoc native busted loose against the Clearwater Threshers (Sharks), helping the Flying Tigers to a 10-7 victory. Batting in the #2 hole, he led off the third inning with a line drive solo shot, and followed it up with an RBI ground-rule double in the 6th. He also had another busy outing in right field.

Although he is the 3rd youngest player on the squad, he has been playing and starting regularly (90 games played - 3rd on the team), but rotating through the outfield spots - centerfield (50%) and 25 % each in right and left. He has only 2 errors, 7 assists, and 173 put-outs on 184 chances. Offensively he is 5th on the team in total bases (107), 3rd in walks drawn (28), and 2nd in stolen bases (14).

Daniel Duffy

Danny Duffy [8-3, 3.38 ERA] is the probable starter for the FSL-North leading Wilmington Blue Rocks tonight. Danny is the youngest (by at least 3 years) of the 6 main starters on the team (4 regular & 2 split the 5th spot). He is 4th on the team in innings pitched (104), #1 in ERA among the regular starters, tied for the team lead in wins (8).

And finally -- this comment from The Royal Tower website:

If you haven't heard, the Royals finally inked LHP Chris Dwyer, who was the
team's fourth round selection this year. He got a $1.45M bonus. The deal was in place well over a month ago but wasn't signed until today to at least somewhat respect the commissioner's "slotting system." If you need any proof to prove that the deal was agreed upon well in advance, just consider he made only one start in the Cape Cod League this summer. Dwyer has three above average pitches -- a 90-94 MPH fastball, a downer curve, and a changeup. He has to clean up his command a little, but he'll likely be on the fast track to Kansas City. I personally would love to see him join the Wilmington club to round out the year...because no one is going to beat a rotation of Montgomery-Duffy-Gutierrez-Dwyer in the playoffs.

-- el stato