The Tides Wait for No Man

[seawolf17]

Okay, Edgy. I give up. Who is it?

[Guest Edgy DC]

Thai Gear colors should've given it away. It's the guy we gave up for Anderson Hernandez.

[seawolf17]

Ah, old what's-his-name, who immediately started ripping the clubhouse as soon as he left. Too bad your career is virtually over, pal.

[Guest Rotblatt]

Tides Crush MFC 9-2, Pound Out 19 Hits

Victor Diaz, starting at 1B for the second time this season, showed signs of life last night, hitting a 3-run home run in the first inning and a 2-run home run in the 8th. Shortstop Chase Lambin, who was recalled from AA at some point (possibly after Williams got called up?) continued his hot hitting, going 3-4 with a double and a triple, and our own Eric Valent hit 4 singles in 5 at bats, bringing his average up to .279. Speaking of rising batting averages, Hernandez, who started at 2B last night (he fielded 5 balls and was in the middle of 3 DPs without an error) had 3 singles, a walk, and a sacrifice fly to raise his to .404.

Junge pitched effectively for 7.2 innings, giving up 5 hits, walking 4, and K'ing 2 while allowing only 2 runs. Colyer relieved with 2 outs and a runner on third, walked a batter, then K'ed Mitch Jones to end the inning. Lavigne came in for the ninth and worked around a leadoff single to preserve the win.

The odd-man out in terms of middle infielders last night was Basak. The stats of our middle infielders now stand as follows:

22 YO, Anderson Hernandez (52 AB) .404/.434/.596/1.030, 9 SB, 1 CS
26, Chase Lambin (41 AB) .341/.391/.439/.830
25, Jeff Keppinger (255 AB) .337/.377/.455/.832, 5 SB, 1 CS
26, Chris Basak (157 AB) .274/.343/.484/.827, 5 SB, 2 CS
32, Benji Gil (229 AB) .258/.310/.389/.699, 4 SB, 6 CS

Minus Gil, our MI line for the year stands at: .324/.373/.477/.850 OPS, 19 SB, 4 CS. Folks, that's pretty darn good. Clearly, Hernandez looks like our best MI prospect due to his age and superior numbers so far, but Lambin is only in his third regular-length pro season, and Keppinger only his his fourth. For both of them, this is their first full season of AAA, so despite their advanced ages, they can't be considered career minor leaguers yet.

It looks to me like we're grooming Hernandez to be our back-up 2B. If we were interested in building his trade value, we'd leave him at SS, the more valuable position. Does this mean we're planning on trading Matsui or Cairo?

Basak has mostly stayed at shortstop when he's played, but the emergence of Lambin & Hernandez has cut into his playing time, despite his solid numbers. Hopefully we have a plan for clearing out the MI logjam at Norfolk (which will only get worse when Keppinger returns). Basak might make a decent PTBN, but not playing regularly will hurt his trade value, and it looks to me like Chase has earned his promotion to AAA.

At any rate, a nice problem for us to have. Should we trade Cairo, Anderson or Matsui, we'll have a ready replacement in the wings--and one of them might even turn out to be better than the original . . .

on edit: forgot to mention the Diaz at 1B thing. Valent's been playing there for the most part, but Diaz has now started the last 2 games there without an error.

From the PilotOnline, regarding his defense:

]�I�m just learning the footwork that I�m going to need to get back up there,� said Diaz, who began his pro career as a second baseman. �The biggest challenge is all the stuff you learn every day, but then you still have to take four at-bats.� Diaz, 23, picked a perfect night to show off a well-rounded game. Mets general manager Jim Duquette is in town through today, and Wednesday he saw Diaz snag a sharply hit grounder to his right in the second inning and scoop two balls out of the dirt to complete two of the Tides� four double plays. �He looks natural over there,� Duquette said. �He played second base before, so that helped. We all like what we�ve seen.�

For the full story, click here: http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/story.cfm?story=88831&ran=129173

[MFS62]

I believe Lambin is a switch hitter, which could only increase his value.
Any idea what his L/R splits look like?

I onlyhope thatyour idea about trading Matusi or Cairo is true. They (or as part of a package)might bring back something decent.

Thanks for the update.

Later

[Guest Rotblatt]

Both Lambin & Hernandez are switch hitters, but I have no idea of their splits. Or how to find out. If anyone has any idea of how to do that, please let me know! I'd be very interested . . .

[Guest Rotblatt]

Chase Hands Victory to MFC, Redding; Tides Fall 6-2

Chase Lambin, starting for what I think is the first time at 3B, committed two errors, leading to 4 unearned runs, and Redding, Munro, Bean & Marwonek held the Tides to 2 runs. Neil Musser went 5 innings and gave up 2 ER, 7H, 3 BB & K'ing 3.

Hernandez went 2-4, Diaz went 0-4 and struck out 3 times, Lambin went 1-3 and was hit by a pitch, and Basak, who started at second, went 1-4 with a SB. Hamulack pitched 2 innings, giving up 1 hit and K'ing 2, bringing his ERA down to 1.08, and Aybar gave up 3 hits (incuding a HR) and 2 unearned runs.

The rubber game is tomorrow at 7:15.

[Guest Rotblatt]

Tides Imitate Mets; Drop Series Against MFC on Diaz Error In Tenth

The Tides blew a strong start by All-Star Scobie (7 IP, 6 H, 1 BB, 2 ER, 6 K) when RP Colyer , pitching in the eighth with a 5-2 lead, couldn't record a single out, allowing four straight base hits and three runs to open the eighth. Juan Padilla relieved with no outs and runners on 1st & 2nd, and kept Colyer from taking more damage.

Padilla allowed one walk in the 9th, then stayed on for the tenth. He struck out Andy Philips swinging but replacement catcher Lunar dropped the pitch, and Diaz missed Lunar's throw to first, putting the go-ahead run on board. Mike Vento followed with a single, bringing Philips to second. A WP advanced the runners, Padilla got a K, walked Nieves, then another WP by Padilla brought in the go-ahead run. Padilla took the loss after giving up only a hit, a walk, an unearned run and K'ing 3 in 3 innings.

Pagan had a HR, 2B Hernandez walked twice but went 0-3, Diaz had a walk & a SB, Calloway went 2-4, and SS Basak went 1-3 with a BB.

[Guest Rotblatt]

July 9, 2005

Seo Hit Hard, Wins 7th Anyway Against Slumping Braves; 8-7

Tides batters pounded Braves starter Ken Ray for 8 hits and 7 runs in 5.2 innings to push the Braves' losing streak to an even 10. The spectacular Seo got the start for the Tides, but got shelled, giving up 8 hits, including 3 HR, and 6 ER in 6 innings. Seo gave up a solo shot in the 1st, then got unhinged in the second, allowing 4 hits, including 2 doubles. SS Hernandez's error kept the inning going, leading to 4 runs, 3 earned. Over the next 4 innings, Seo allowed only 3 hits but two of them were solo shots. Seo struck out 5 and didn't allow a walk.

All the Tides' position players contributed to the offensive attack, with RF Pagan (1-3, 2 BB), 1B Diaz (1-3, 2 BB, SB), C Santiago (1-4, 2B), LF Valent (1-4, BB), CF Calloway (1-4, SF) & 3B Nye (1-3, BB) each having one hit. Hernandez (2-5, 3B) & 2B Lambin (2-4, 2 2B) each had two hits.

McGinley pitched a perfect 7th, and Aybar got the save, going 2 one-hit innings and striking out 2. Aybar has allowed 2 runs, both unearned, and struck out 5 in 6.2 scoreless innings since being sent down.

July 10, 2005

Jose Santiago Hands Braves 11th Straight Loss, Tides Win 5-4

Jose Santiago picked up his 7th win on Sunday, allowing only 6 hits and 1 walk in 7 scoreless innings and striking out 5. Pagan led the offensive charge, going 3-4 with a double, a walk and 3 stolen bases. 1B Diaz, LF Valent and 3B Nye each had 2 singles, and Calloway & Lambin each went 1-3 with a BB. Hernandez went hitless for what I think is the first time at AAA, striking out twice, but driving in a run with a sac fly.

Lavigne pitched the eighth and allowed four baserunners (2 H, 2 BB), 2 of whom scored, one on a WP by Lavigne. Padilla got the save, but was uncharaceristically mediocre, allowing three hits and 2 runs, 1 earned, and not striking out anyone. Padilla committed a throwing error, allowing J.J. Jurries to score from third.

[Guest Rotblatt]

Rotblatt's Halfway House Presents
=orange]Mid-Season Awards for Outstandingly Tidey Performances

Mid-Season MVP

Brian Daubach (.356/.434/.629, 11 HR, 40 R, 42 RBI)

Despite playing in only 55 of the Tides' 92 games, Daubach is the mid-season MVP for the Tides. He leads the team in BA, OBP, SLG, R & RBI and is tied with DeFelice for the lead in HR. Honorable mention goes to our mid-season Cy Young winner . . .

Jae Seo (7-3, 3.19 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 104.1 IP, 100 K, 26 BB)

Seo leads Tides starters in ERA, IP, & K, despite a 8.22 ERA on April 19. Seo appears to have turned the corner, but how long can he stay motivated pitching in Norfolk?

Fastest Tide

Angel Pagan with 18 SB in 26 tries (.047 SB/PA) is our current leader, but newcomer Anderson Hernandez (10/11, .137 SB/PA) is rapidly catching up despite 70 fewer games.

Slowest Tide Who Thinks He's Fast
Benji Gil, who is 4-10 in SBA this year.

Saddest Tide

Jeff Keppinger, who despite his hot start (.337/.377/.455, 5 SB) and promising news coverage, injured himself right as he was in a position to conribute to the Mets.

Biggest Relief

Juan Padilla. 3-2, 11 SV, 1.44 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, 62.1 IP, 59 K, 9 BB, 4 HR.

This guy is so dominant, he nearly took the Cy away from Seo, despite my inherent distrust of giving the award to relievers. Seo beat Padilla out only because Padilla's been pitching in high-leverage situations for only a month.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Interesting term there: "high-leverage."

[Guest Rotblatt]

]Interesting term there: "high-leverage."

Yeah, I might be wrong about that, but that's my perception based on looking at the recaps & game logs. He's been the regular closer for maybe a month or so, and for about a month or so before that, coming in in the 7th or eighth, mostly in close ballgames. More importantly than the closing thing, though, is my recollection that most of the "Close game, runners on, Padilla comes in" have come rather recently, but like I said, I could be wrong.

If I'm right, it shows that Oberkfell is playing a little bit outside the box, using his closer in non-save situations occaisionally . . . Actually, Padilla's been regularly pitching more than 1 inning lately. He's averaging 1.73 IP every time he goes out there, which is a lot for a reliever.

Yet one more reason to call him up . . .

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

Papers say Los Mets have signed 25-y.o. Venezuelan RHP Lino Urdaneta out of the Mexican League and will assign him to AAA Norfolk.

I looked up just about all I could on the guy for something to recommend him (not much) and discovered that he's made a single appearance in big-league ball, last season with the Tigers, during an 11-run inning in which he got nobody out! (I recall this game).

He gave up a walk and five singles, all of them scored so he has an ERA of infinity

[smg58]

Perhaps Minaya knows something we don't, or perhaps he's another guy who won't do anything besides stunt the growth of more deserving prospects.

Just out of curiosity, does anybody know if Tyler Yates, Grant Roberts, or Orber Moreno will ever be heard from again?

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

I should say I have no problems with giving almost any 25-y.o. pitcher a shot at AAA, as opposed to say, a previously released outfielder with a poor history as a pro.

With pitchers it could be only a matter of an adjustment to their delivery, or an injury that needed time to heal.

At any rate, I doubt the investment is terribly great, or that the next Koufax will be held back this Lino character.

[seawolf17]

Yates is out for the year, I think. Roberts is not in the Mets' system any longer, and Orber might be hurt also.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Grant Roberts is a sinking case.

Removed from the Mets big-league roster: bad.

Grabbed by nobody and signed to a minor league deal by that same Mets team: worse.

Only getting one inning of opportunity during spring training: still worse.

Not getting a minor-league assignment out of spring training: da bomb.

Not even getting an extended spring training assignment, but getting released from the Mets' small-time minor-league obligation to him: atomic fat man bomb.

Getting signed to a minor league deal by the Yankees: I can't watch. Somebody make it stop.

Getting suspended for using illegal performance-enhancing substances*: Rock. Freakin'. Bottom.

Grant's season statistics so far (that I can find) have him giving up four runs in four innings in a single start for the Trenton Thunder. He's been thunderstruck.

* Thankfully, he never used these while pitching in the Mets system.

[Guest ScarletKnight41]

Grant Roberts is now pitching for the Trenton Thunder (the MFY's AA affiliate).

[Guest SI Metman]

So how many people predicted Jae Seo would give up 12 runs tonight? Well if you did, you were wrong. He gave up 13 runs on 15 hits in 4 2/3.

Victor Diaz had a 2 run blast and a grand slam, so the Tides only lost 14-11.

[smg58]

And there goes Seo's trade value. Great.

[Guest Rotblatt]

Some interesting stuff going on in Norfolk.

Keppinger has reported to St. Lucie for rehab work and might be ready to start playing again in a few weeks.

Scobie won his league-leading 13th win yesterday.

Brian Bannister got a day job.
http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/story.cfm?story=89883&ran=219580&zr=1

Daubach is back to hitting the snot out of the ball and Diaz is spending a little more time in RF (but still playing at 1B occaisonally).

Here are stats of selected batters from 7/12 through yesterday's game (~50-60 PA for each batter). As you can see, Valent & to a lesser extent Diaz look ready to come back up. Anderson is slumping, as is Lambin (despite a 3-homer game in the middle of July).

Valent, 1B/LF: .378/.440/.556/.996
Diaz, 1B/RF: .333/.345/.560/.905
Lambin, 2B/3B: .255/.286/.447/.733
Nye, 3B: .220/.220/.463/.683
Hernandez, 2B/SS: .240/.296/.320/.616

Select AAA Pitching through the same time period. Seo has been struggling, Junge has been dominant, Bannister has impressed, and Scobie has been effective.

Junge: 13.1 IP, 0.68 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, 12.15 K/9, 9.00 K/BB, 0.68 HR/9
McGinley: 3.2 IP, 2.45 ERA, 1.91 WHIP, 4.9 K/9, 1.00 K/BB, 0 HR
Seo: 18.1 IP, 6.87 ERA, 1.58 WHIP, 6.38 K/9, 2.17 K/BB, 0.98 HR/9
Scobie: 19.2 IP, 2.28 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 4.58 K/9, 1.67 K/BB, 0.92 HR/9
Hamulak (our new closer): 4.1 IP, 0 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 6.23 K/9, 3 K/BB, 0 HR
Bannister: 12.2 IP, 3.55 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 8.52 K/9, 2.4 K/BB, 0 HR
Bell: 3 IP, 3.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 9 K/9, 0 BB, 0 HR

[Guest ScarletKnight41]

Thanks for the update.

How is Joe Hietpas doing in AAA?

[Guest Rotblatt]

Hietpas has actually only played in 3 games and had 5 at bats. He hasn't reached base yet. DeFelice is getting most of the starts at Norfolk, and when we have a DH, it's going to Valent, Diaz or Daubach.

[Guest ScarletKnight41]

OK - thanks.

[MFS62]

I have a feeling that Joe will soon be passed on the organization chart by last year's draft pick Aaron Hathaway. He is reportedly a very good - excellent defensive catcher, and is beginning to look good with the bat.(Neither has much power)

Later

[Guest Rotblatt]

Stats: July 29 - August 3

Pagan & Daubach have been slumping, posting .477 & .558 OPS's, respectively. Diaz has remained hot, batting .400, while posting an OPS of 1.143. He's also whiffed 7 times in 25 at bats, while only walking once, so there's clearly room for improvement. Valent only had 4 hits in his last 20 at bats, but 3 were for extra bases, and he walked 7 times over that span, giving him a .957 OPS. Redman is officially the Hot Met of the Week, getting 10 hits in his last 18 at bats--5 of them doubles. His OPS over that span is 1.452. Nye comes in at a close second, getting 11 hits & 8 RBI in 24 at bats, posting a 1.244 OPS.

Hietpas got 4 more at bats, and got his first two AAA hits--both singles.

Middle Infield Watch

Lambin didn't get on base much (.200 AVG, .294 OBP) but the hits he got went a long way, earning him a .467 SLG & a .761 OPS. He was atrocious in the field, however, scoring 7 errors in just 6 games.

Hernandez is still struggling a bit at the plate, batting .250 AVG/.357 OBP/.292 SLG/.649 OPS with 2 SB. His defense has allegedly been good, however.

Our pitching staff featured a few standout performances:

Banniser went 5 innings, giving up 5 H, 2 BB & 1 ER, while K'ing 7. Unfotunately, he was betrayed by the defense and allowed 3 additional unearned runs.

McGinley has been dominant lately in relief, pitching 5 innings in the last 6 games, allowing only one baserunner, who hit a homer. He struck out 4 over that span.

Bell has also been dominant, pitching 4 innings between 2 games, allowing only 1 hit and striking out 2. No word on how his changeup is progressing, but he certainly has been effective since being sent down.

Chenard went 6.2 IP, allowing 3 H & BB'ng 4. He allowed only 1 run and struck out 4.

Musser went 6 scoreless innings, allowing only 2 hits and a walk, while striking out 5 batters.

Junge also went 6 scoreless innings, giving up 2 hits and striking out 2.

The Tides went 4-2 over the stretch, losing one game to Toledo, sweeping the MFClippers, then splitting a series against Durham. The Tides continue to dominate the International League South and sit 13.5 games ahead in the standings, with the fourth best record in the league.

[Guest SI Metman]

Norfolk had an amazing comeback in Indy, helped out by former Mets Ty Wigginton and Mark Corey

Inning started with an 8-1 Indy lead.

Norfolk Top 9th

Prentice Redman singles on a ground ball to left fielder Ray Sadler.

Rodney Nye doubles (16) on a ground ball to left fielder Ray Sadler. Prentice Redman to 3rd.

Chris Basak singles on a ground ball to center fielder Nate McLouth. Prentice Redman scores. Rodney Nye to 3rd.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Chase Lambin replaces Manny Aybar.

Chase Lambin doubles (8) on a fly ball to center fielder Nate McLouth.
Rodney Nye scores. Chris Basak scores.

Angel Pagan doubles (19) on a ground ball to left fielder Ray Sadler. Chase Lambin scores.

Pitcher Change: Jeff Miller replaces Mark Corey, batting 6th.

Anderson Hernandez singles on a ground ball to center fielder Nate McLouth. Angel Pagan scores.

With Victor Diaz batting, Anderson Hernandez steals (16) 2nd base.
Victor Diaz walks.

Eric Valent lines out to first baseman Graham Koonce.

With Mike DiFelice batting, Anderson Hernandez steals (17) 3rd base. Victor Diaz steals (6) 2nd base.
Mike DiFelice walks.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Jeff Duncan replaces Mike DiFelice.

Prentice Redman reaches on throwing error by third baseman Ty Wigginton. Anderson Hernandez scores. Victor Diaz to 3rd. Jeff Duncan to 2nd.

Rodney Nye hits a sacrifice fly. Fielding error by right fielder Yurendell De Caster. Victor Diaz scores. Jeff Duncan scores. Prentice Redman to 3rd. Rodney Nye to 1st.

Chris Basak out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Yurendell De Caster. Prentice Redman scores. Rodney Nye to 2nd.

Chase Lambin pops out to shortstop J. Furmaniak.

That's 9 runs if you count em. Tides win 10-8.

Also, if Friday night's Met game gets too boring, you can watch the Tides on MiLB TV
[url]http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/app/index.jsp?cid=milb[/url].

There should be a link there on the front page for the 8 PM Game time

[Theoldmole]

Is Graham related to Cal?

[MFS62]

And they hung a five-spot in a third of an inning, on old friend Mark Corey.

Later

[Frayed Knot]

Anderson Hernandez gets some big city pub:

http://www.nypost.com/sports/mets/26720.htm