By Hamish Campbell
Claymores Beat Writer
The Edinburgh News
That was the week that … meh.
The Claymores have found a not-so-encouraging rut this season in which they veer from terrible to mediocre back to terrible. This was one of the so-so weeks, where they dropped two of three to San Antonio and appeared on the way to full-out implosion, only to bounce back and take two of three from Trans-Atlantic Division leading Havana.
Go figure.
The most impressive outing of the week, though, was the series opener against San Antonio on May 14.
Starter Oniji Yokoyama put the clamps down on the Calzones from the opening pitch, shutting down the San Antonio offense en route to a 4-hit shutout and 5-0 victory. On the day, Yokoyama went 9.0 innings, allowing 4 hits, 0 runs, 1 walk and 8 strikeouts for a PQS score of 5.
First baseman Orlando Barrón went 3-4 with 2 runs scored, while the resurgent RF Pat Barry ripped a 3-run homer in the 7th inning to put things out of reach.
One other event of note this week: SP Clark Snow returned to the mound for Scotland after a 7-month layoff with a torn rotator cuff. Snow started the May 15 game against San Antonio and went 4.1 innings, allowing 4 hits, 2 runs and 1 walk while striking out 1 batter.
Nothing to write home about, surely, but it was encouraging to see Snow on the mound pitching effectively if not brilliantly.
You’ve got to walk before you run, and Snow has taken his first steps back.
The Week’s Scores
At Scotland
05/14: Scotland 5, San Antonio 0
05/15: San Antonio 4, Scotland 3
05/16: San Antonio 8, Scotland 3
At Scotland
05/17: Scotland 5, Havana 3
05/19: Havana 7, Scotland 2
05/20: Scotland 5, Havana 4
The Record
This week’s W-L Record: 3-3
Overall Record: 18-24, .429
Position in Standings: Tied for 3rd place with Amsterdam in the Trans-Atlantic Division, 14.5 games behind Havana.
Who’s Hot This Week …
Naomi Honma, SS: .364/.417/.682; 2 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR; 5 Runs, 2 RBIs in 22 AB
Orlando Barrón, 1B: .346/.393/.423; 2 doubles; 4 Runs; 1 RBI in 26 AB
Pat Barry, RF: .320/.346/.720; 1 double, 3 HRs; 3 Runs; 9 RBIs in 25 AB
… And Who’s Not
Vincent Powell, LF: .136/.208/.182; 1 double; 0 Runs; 1 RBI in 22 AB
Yasunari Fujihara, C: .067/.263/.067; 0 Runs; 0 RBIs in 15 AB
Sadakuno Nakagawa, RP: 8.31 ERA; 0-1 W-L; 3 HA; 4 R; 1 BB; 5 Ks in 4.1 IP