Calzones Corner - Week 2 in review

[Matt]

4/22/2008: Bridgeport, CT – The Calzones kept up their solid early season play throughout week 2, duplicating their first week efforts by again posting a 5-2 mark. The hometown heroes were again led by the Herculean efforts of the pitching staff. The pitching staff now leads the IL in many pitching categories, including ERA, fewest hits allowed, fewest home runs allowed, fewest walks allowed, batting average against, OBP against, slugging against, OPS against, fewest stolen bases, and fewest stolen bases attempted. Surprisingly, the offense has been more than adequate and is now tied for the second best batting average in the IL, second in doubles, and 4th in slugging percentage despite having the second fewest HR in the league. On a bright note, after hitting just 1 HR in the first 9 games, the Calzones hit 7 this past week and the offense is resembling what many around here were hoping it could be.

Even in defeat the Calzones played very well, with a pair of one-run losses to show for their fantastic efforts. But the Calzones were not happy about the 5-4 loss to Connecticut on Sunday, with some real strong feelings being expressed about some blatantly blown calls. ESPN has played over and over the tape of Jack Miller clearly knocking the ball from Nutmeggers catcher Horiuchi's glove during a violent collision at the plate in the first inning. It was also obviously clear that Cliche slid in under the high tag of Horiuchi in the third inning on a steal of home, and again the home plate umpire missed the call. Here's to hoping that umpire is soon serving fries to people in a hurry.

Let's recap the week:
Monday, April 14. Gary Fisher makes his Calzones debut and pitches a brilliant 7 shutout innings, allowing just 4 hits and walking two while striking out six on his way to the victory. Tony Pearson would supply all the offense the Calzones would require with a 2-run double in the third inning. The Underground would manage an unearned run in the 8th but that would be all as Douglass and Ortíz combined to preserve the victory. San Antonio 2, London 1.

Tuesday, April 15. Yukio Fujita would start for the Calzones before a sellout crowd, but left with one out in the fifth after developing a blister. He allowed 3 hits, 1 unearned run, walked 2 and struck out 3. Pedro Vázquez would come on in relief and pitch 3.1 shutout innings – allowing 1 hit and striking out 3 – before giving way to Héctor Nieves, who closed it out 1.1 innings of perfect relief. The Calzones jumped all over London starter Robert Collins, racking up 6 runs on 8 hits through the first four innings, and that would be all the Calzones would need as they rolled up their 4th straight victory. San Antonio 6, London 1.

Wednesday, April 16. After hitting just 1 HR in their first 9 games, the Calzones found the tonic they were looking for to wake up the slumbering power sticks: Alfredo Pinto and David Olivas. Michael Kelly would start the barrage with a monstrous shot that was estimated at 452 ft., but many observers felt it was much longer than that. Rumor is the FAA might fine Kelly for not filing a flight plan. Two outs later Marcus Sotelo followed with a solo shot of his own. Ishibashi would lead off the 5th with his own solo shot. Tony Pearson would hit a sacrifice fly later in the inning for a 4-0 lead. Víctor Martínez would tack on a two-run shot in the 6th off Olivas, estimated at 449 ft. New Orleans was held in check all evening by Jorge Gallegos, who pitched 7 shutout innings, allowing 4 hits, walking 1 and striking out 6. New Orleans would scratch out a single run in the 8th, but that would be all as the Calzones rolled to a 5th straight victory. San Antonio 6, New Orleans 1.

Thursday, April 17. Ramón Ornelas took to the mound for his first start of the season for the Calzones, replacing Alberto Semblano, who had come down with the flu just prior to the game. Ornelas gave the Trendsetters all they could handle, allowing just a single run over 8 innings on just 4 hits while striking out 7 and not walking a batter. Conan McCullough was nearly as tough for the Calzones to handle, as the Trendsetters starter allowed just one run over 6.1 innings. The game was tied at 1 going into the bottom of the 9th. Bobby Wright came on to pitch for the Calzones but was force to leave the game after 5 pitches with what turned out to be a torn bicep muscle and will miss at least two months. Ortíz came on in relief and gave up a leadoff triple on his first pitch. He then surrendered a sacrifice fly to Todd Hansen and that was the ballgame, with the Calzones 5 game winning streak coming to an end. New Orleans 2, San Antonio 1.

Friday, April 18. The Calzones would batter the Trendsetters pitchers for a Calzones season-high 9 runs and 15 hits. The Calzones led 6-0 going into the bottom of the 7th, but the Trendsetters would strike for 5 runs against ace Kirby Gibson, who had an uncharacteristically wild inning. But manager Peter Farrell let his ace work through it and he responded by escaping with the lead intact. The Calzones offense rewarded him by getting him 3 runs back in the 8th, and Gibson went on to pick up his third victory in as many starts for the Calzones. San Antonio 9, New Orleans 5.

Sunday, April 20. The Calzones still feel a little "home cooking" by the umpiring crew might have cost them this one. But Fisher was not nearly as sharp as his first outing, allowing 5 runs on a pair of home runs through 6.2 innings, and the Calzones wasted many opportunities as they left 8 runners stranded on the day. Connecticut 5, San Antonio 4.

Monday April 21. Yukio Fujita would help the Calzones avenge the previous day’s loss by allowing just 1 run through 7.1 innings, and the offense would use a 4-run outburst in the 4th inning to give the Calzones a lead they would not relinquish. Lorenzo Vega would hit his first HR as a Calzone – a 2-run shot in the 4th inning – and Jack Miller would continue his hot hitting with a 2-run double to cap the frame. A Carlos Aquino sacrifice fly in the 7th would complete the scoring. San Antonio 6, Connecticut 2.

Pitcher of the Week - Yukio Fujita. Sort of a tough call this week, but the fact that the Calzones won both his starts was the deciding factor. Fujita finished 1-0 with a 0.77 ERA for the week in 2 starts, and in three starts is now 2-0 with a 0.45 ERA. Ramón Ornelas deserves honorable mention for his great start in a losing effort.

Player of the Week - Jack Miller. After a slow start the first week, Miller went on a hitting tear this week by batting .476 with a double and 5 RBI, and he tacked on 3 stolen bases.

News and Notes

Kevin Koch has been called up to replace Bobby Wright on the roster. Koch, you might remember, had a terrific spring save for one rough outing against Charleston. The 27-year-old right-hander was brought into the Calzones organization as a minor league free agent over the winter, expected to do nothing more than add some depth to the organization. But he opened some eyes with a good spring and inherited the closer role at Joplin. His control has really been surprising so far this year – the Calzones expected it would be good, but it has exceeded expectations. His strikeout numbers are really up. Last year at two levels he was 4-8 with 21 saves, 3.09 ERA, and walked 21 while striking out 45. During spring training he walked just 3 while striking out 16 in 14.2 innings. So far at Joplin he has appeared in 6 games, pitching 5 innings, allowed 2 hits, 1 walk, and struck out 6 without allowing a run. And he has converted all 5 save opportunities.

Cisco Muñóz was given his release, allowing the Calzones to call up Tony Pearson at the beginning of the week to be the 5th outfielder and some left-handed power off the bench. All Pearson did this week was hit .318 with 3 doubles, a home run and 6 RBI. And he stole a base as well.

The Calzones are toying with the idea of moving Miller and his team-leading 6 stolen bases into the leadoff spot.

Gary Fisher will remain in the rotation at least one more start. He is scheduled to face his former team, Kentucky, at home in the finale of that 3 game set. Tim Higgins remains in the bullpen for now as he attempts to work through some mechanical issues. Semblano will return to the rotation to face Kentucky in the opener of that series, with Ornelas returning to the long role in the bullpen for now. Kirby Gibson is scheduled to start the middle game of the series.

With 7 starters for 5 spots, the Calzones have a chore on their hands to keep everyone sharp and happy. They are attempting to keep Semblano's innings down a little this season, and they especially don't want him pitching past the 6th inning. He tends to run out of gas in the later innings. Ornelas deserves to be in the rotation, but who do you sit? Higgins is the odd man out along with Ornelas right now, and the Calzones are really eager for Fisher to take hold of a spot in the rotation. It will be interesting to see how the Calzones handle the rotation issues as the season unfolds, but it sort of seems like a good problem to have.

Paulina Rubio will be on hand to sing the National Anthem for the Friday night game with Kentucky. Game time is 7.05 pm.

We'll be back next week for another recap of an exciting week in Calzones baseball. See you at the game.

[Duane]

Hey ... if I wanted to bring some of my friends from the pub, would you cough up some comp tickets? Ya know we are all freinds here in the IL and I promise to spend more than my share on beverages of the intoxicating type. SO do we have a deal? Me and my friends, you and your stadium, lots of booze and good times for all? I'll tell Bubba, Topper, Thump, and the Twins (all 5 of them) ... Ok see you there ... hey you wanna drink I have some right here ... somewhere ... Bubba did you take my bottle????

[Duane]

Hey, can Newt come too? I can't forget him like we did in WV.

[Tyler]

Looks like somebody doesn't want to trigger a certain contract clause in their starter's contract. Call the union!

[Matt]

That's only a small part.

He had fantastic numbers last year in innings 1 thru 6. From inning 7 on he was lit up like a Christmas tree. The batting average against in the late innings went up to around something like .355. I can't get to last years numbers anymore to see what it was, but I remember looking at that and immediatly putting Mr Semblano on a pitch count.

Then there was the gamesmanship. Trying to match righties and lefties against the right lineups. Wanted all lefties facing Charleston, and righties to face New Orleans. Worked, took 4 of the 6 games.