7/14/12 Gwinnett Braves 8, Louisville Bats 10

Louisville Slugger Field, Louisville, KY
Game 3 of 4

After dropping the opening game of the series, the first and only visit by the Braves to Slugger Field this season, the Bats trolled the Braves big time in the second game, a record-setting effort by the Bats that ended 22-1 in their favor.  There were many heroes in that game, and just as many goats.  Showing up at LSF with my daughter Chihiro, I was more excited about seeing Julio Teheran take the mound than anything else...the way the Bats season has been going, there aren't many chances that they will win tonight, and there aren't very many points of light on the roster...well, OK, there are a few that showed up here recently, but for the most part, it has been Dioner Navarro that has been the picture of offensive consistency for AAA Louisville...and he delivered something special and bizarre at the same time.

Teheran started off coolly, yet ended his night with a thud after 6.2IP and 5R (4ER) that started after a 2nd inning 3-run HR by recent roster addition Xavier Paul.  True, the Braves had their way with Bats RHP Chad Reineke, who worked himself away from the ball after 3.1IP of sweaty disassociation, and 7R (6ER), giving up 2 HRs in the process.

The combined bullpen of Kanekoa Texeira, Carlos Fisher, Travis Webb, and Donnie Joseph held the Braves to only 1 more run, 5 hits, 1BB and 4K in their combined 5.2 innings of relief.  Even still, the Bats entered the bottom of the 9th down by 3 runs, and it looked like RHP Jaye Chapman had their number.  Appearances can be deceiving.

Cody Puckett stuck out swinging to lead off, then PH/3B Mike Costanzo came through with a rocket 0-1 double to deep RF.  Chapman walked Denis Phipps, he and Costanzo are stranded after Didi Gregorius lined out to RF (Gregorius reached base on an exciting wild-pitch strikeout in the 7th, and eventually scored).  Corky Miller (who had been 1B coach all evening) steps up to the plate to pinch-hit, and is walked to load the bases with 2 outs.  Miller's patience was the key to this walk, but Chapman inexplicably walked Neftali Soto with the bases loaded to bring in Costanzo.

What happened next admittedly happened so fast it was difficult for most of us in the stands to understand.  Dioner Navarro takes a 1-0 pitch for what seemed to be a ground rule double, which would have tied the game.  In deep RF, the ball seemed to bounce back into the field once it hit the wall, just missing the yellow goal line.  The account that was published in the 7/15/12 edition of the Louisville Courier-Journal recounted the event in this manner:

This was an odd one right down to the end - and beyond.  Navarro...sent a line drive into the right-field corner that kicked back onto the field.  First-base umpire Will Little signaled home run, and the Bats exploded out of the dugout to celebrate...

Gwinnett manager Dave Brundage said his players told him that a fan interfered with the ball in the corner, causing it to bounce back onto the turf.  he pleaded with the umpires, who huddled for a few minutes before upholding the original call.

"My players were arguing that it hit the guy in the arm as he was reaching for the ball," Brundage said.  "I personally couldn't see it because I was in the dugout.  I just saw how it ricocheted.  It would have been a ground rule double."

When Navarro was asked if he thought it was a home run, he said: "I don't know.  I was running.  I saw the umpire (make the home run signal)."

Well, that happened...a walk-off GRAND SLAM.  As for the dugout exploding, well it didn't really happen that way...there was a joyous pilgrimage to the plate by Navarro's teammates, but from where I sat, they seemed as confused as the rest of us.  While the umps were huddling, our friend Jimmy (with his trusty AM radio) relayed the ensuing controversy...when the huddle broke up, the game was over, officially.

Did it really happen?  I wasn't the only one present who thought it was a ground rule double, but as we know in baseball...the umpires have the final say.

1st Inning:

Braves RHP Julio Teheran warming up

Bats CF Denis Phipps faces Teheran

 Bats SS Didi Gregorius faces Teheran

2nd Inning:
Braves 2B Lance Zawadzki faces RHP Chad Reineke

4th Inning:
Braves CF Jose Constanza (the bat-licking guy) faces Reineke

Braves SS Josh Wilson faces Reineke

 ...Jose Constanza at 2B

RHP Kanekoa Texeira takes the mound, in relief of Reineke

Braves LF Felix Pie faces Texeira

Bats RF Xavier Paul faces Teheran

Bats 2B Chris Valaika (who wears sandals off the field) faces Teheran

 #shadows

Bats LF Cody Puckett, looking like he might be featured in the Little League World Series

5th Inning:
Braves C Jose Yepez faces Texeira...I tried to capture his truly sweet swing but the best I could do was frame his most excellent batting stance...

Zawadzki grounds out, 1B Neftali Soto (SOH.......toe) to Texeira

7th Inning:
Gregorius reaches first on a Wild-Pitch strikeout, Corky Miller is the 1B coach

runner going...

RHP Jaye Chapman in relief of Teheran...a few days later, Chapman was picked up by the CUBS

9th Inning:
Swith-hitting Zawadzki on the opposite side of the plate, facing LHP Travis Webb

Bats PH Corky Miller faces Chapman with 2 on and 2 out...he would draw a free pass to load the bases

For today's Mystery Rookie Card game, my pull was kind of surprising...I tend to pick lower-tier prospects who not only never panned out, but that I've never seen play before.  Today was different, as I selected this 2008 Upper Deck Hernan Iribarren RC...we just saw Iribarren barely a month ago, in the Colorado Springs Sky Sox lineup at this memorable game.  Iribarren is a Venezuelan IF/OF with 9 years of Minor League service.  He originally signed as an amateur free agent with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2004, and was a fixture in their system through 2007.  He was called up to AAA Nashville in 2008, and played in 12 games for the Brewers in MLB in both 2008 and 2009.  He was selected on waivers by the Texas Rangers in early 2010, playing 128 games and batting .275/.333/.385 for the AAA Oklahoma City RedHawks that year.  In January of 2011 he signed as a free agent with the Colorado Rockies, but didn't play professional ball at all that year.  Iribarren re-signed with the Rockies in 2012 and is batting .304/.373/.379 for the Sky Sox, playing the majority of his games in CF and at 2B.

Chihiro's pick was this 2008 Upper Deck Timeline Chin-Lung Hu, who signed with the Dodgers as an amateur free agent in 2003.  Hu spent 2003-2010 in the Dodgers farm system, playing a handful of games with the Major League club in 2007-2010, until he was traded to the Mets for pitcher Michael Antonini in December of 2010.  He was granted free agency in late 2011 after playing 22 games with the Mets (.050/.091/.050...ewww, gross) and 13 games with the AAA Buffalo Bisons (.194/.219/.258).  Hu also played Australian Baseball with the Adelaide Bite in 2011, sporting a slightly more impressive triple-slash of .277/.328/.437 while down under.  Without any considerable Major League interest, Hu signed with the Southern Maryland BlueCrabs (of the Independent Atlantic League) in 2011 and is holding his own with .296/.351/.402 in 50 games.

UPDATE: Immediately following the 4th game of the series, the Braves and Reds made a "cross-dugout" trade that swapped IF Paul Janish for RHP Todd Redmond, who started game 1 of the series.  A great move, as Todd's "invisi-ball" is semi-legendary and his sub-4 ERA with Gwinnett in 2011 and 2012 can only mean good things for the Reds and their dangerous vacancy of Major League-ready pitching available for call up from the Minors...did I also mention that Redmond famously threw a no-hitter against Louisville in 2010?  Oh...okay...

Official Program #3, featuring Kristopher Negron

Official Scorecard #3, featuring Corky Miller...and autographed tonight by Corky Miller!!

Bat Chat

Himmelding banned 50 meetings for caffeine use

SAN FRANCISCO -- A shock of seismic proportions struck the Field Sales Division on Wednesday when Lofta-Whippy Inc. suspended account manager Lyle "Bob" Himmerding for 50 meetings for testing positive for caffeine, a performance-enhancing substance.

The suspension, during which Himmelding will not be paid, is effective immediately.  Himmelding, 28, was enjoying a career-best quarter. He was named Most Valuable Player in last month's sales team win of the Groscznick account at Kansas City, where he went 2-for-3 in package presentations with a $2 million home run contract. The "switch-hitter" (nicknamed so for his sales and marketing prowess) leads Lofta-Whippy with 159 contracts and 52 multi-package deals  while landing 34.6% of potential sales deals -- the second-highest average in the Software Division of Lofta-Whippy -- with $11 million in home run contracts and 60 patents in 113 opportunities.

Though none of the Field Sales Division said so directly, an undercurrent of frustration ran through their Pacific Heights office campus as they struggled to understand why Himmelding, a seven-year Lofta-Whippy veteran, would flout established rules.


"Ultimately it was just a bad decision," said account executive Chas Wolfschmad. "That's all I'm really going to say about it."


Asked if anger was among the emotions he felt, manager Walter Goldstein replied, "I'd say more disappointment. He's such a great teammate and was having such a nice year for us. Unfortunately, these things happen in sales. There's not a lot you can do about it. I guess the best thing you can do is keep educating associates so these things don't happen."


Tied for first place in the Software Division West region with the Glendale branch as the workday began Wednesday, the Field Sales Division had 45 scheduled meetings remaining as Himmelding was officially sidelined. His suspension will continue into the start of the 4th Quarter if the Field Sales Division qualifies, but Himmelding could return if the Field Sales Division brings at least five additional opportunities after the end of its schedule. That would complete his suspension.

"I'm not thinking about that," Goldstein said. "We have too many meetings in front of us. This is a tight race. So I'll be honest -- that's the last thing on my mind right now."

Of course, reaching the 4th Quarter will become a challenge for the Field Sales Division without Himmelding, their No. 3 salesman. Account manager Cliff VandeGraaf has been presenting in front of Himmelding during last week's round of meetings with Klout Schneider Electronics and can be expected to fill that role for the remainder of the quarter. Lyle "Pop" Kaminsky replaced Himmelding in software marketing, though it's questionable whether he'll present the bulk of the deals at that spot.

The Field Sales Division did not immediately announce a replacement for Himmelding on their 25-man team.


"My positive test was the result of my use of a substance I should not have used," Himmelding said in a statement issued by the Software Sales & Marketing Association. "I accept my suspension under the Coffee is Evil Program and I will try to move on with my life. I am deeply sorry for my mistake and I apologize to my teammates, to the San Francisco Field Sales Division organization, and to my customers for letting them down."

The Field Sales Division also issued a statement:

"We were extremely disappointed to learn of the suspension of Bob Himmelding for violating Lofta-Whippy Inc.'s Caffeine Prevention and Treatment Program. We fully support Lofta-Whippy Inc.'s policy and its efforts to eliminate performance-enhancing drugs from our line of business. Per the protocol outline by Lofta-Whippy Inc.'s Collective Bargaining Agreement, the Field Sales Division will not comment further on this matter."

Himmelding's total sales for the quarter was 13 points behind that of branch-leader Mark McGillicuddy of Potrero Hill prior to Wednesday's meetings. With 501 potential sales presentations, Himmelding is one shy of automatically qualifying for the Software Division Employee of the Year. However, he would win the title if he were still to have the division's highest sales with a theoretical landing of one successful deal.


Himmelding's quarter-long excellence this year appeared to guarantee him a lucrative contract after this fiscal year, when he'll be eligible for a promotion to executive account manager. The Field Sales Division reportedly explored a multiyear extension for Himmelding recently but broke off talks with his representatives.

Himmelding signed a one-year, $160,000 contract with the Field Sales Division prior to the current fiscal year.

Himmelding, who joined the San Francisco Field Sales Division in a November job summit with the Kansas City branch, replacing veteran pitchman Sal Reinheitsgebot, has been a popular team member since his arrival as a full-time software sales champion with the Red Bank, NJ branch in 2006. His personality prompted coffee mugs reading, "WIN" -- a take-off on the company's "Got WIN?" advertising campaign -- and he carries numerous nicknames such as "Bobbo" and "Sport," in addition to "Bob" as he is most commonly known as.

He was the starting package specialist for the 2009 Software Sales-champion Red Bank branch, but was laterally assigned to the Atlanta branch after the close of the 4th quarter. He had a poor year with Atlanta, and was demoted to the Kansas City branch. He had a resurgence with Kansas City, landing 30.5% of potential sales with with 44 multi-package deals and 87 patents.

He is the second Field Sales Division associate to receive a suspension this year for using a performance-enhancing substance. Closer Mark Sharkley Costanzo is currently serving a 100-meeting suspension for testing positive for caffeine and citicoline, his second suspension for violating Lofta-Whippy's Caffeine Prevention and Treatment Program. He has begun shuffling power-point decks in anticipation of rejoining the Field Sales Division, but is still working with Harry Jingelhammer, who is widely believed to be a caffeine user.

This story was not subject to the approval of Lofta-Whippy Inc. or its management.

7/12/12 Gwinnett Braves 8, Louisville Bats 5

Louisville Slugger Field, Louisville, KY
Game 1 of 4

Hello, hello...it's $1 beer night and also the annual "meeting" of my church Men's Club at Louisville Slugger Field.  It's still bloody hot in Possibility City and with the past few weeks at work being as hectic as they have been, baseball and beers for a buck sound pretty damn good tonight...threatening rain and heat be damned, bring on Thursday Baseball!

Observation is key to my craft...the responsible score-keeper (amateur or professional) must be keen to subtle changes in situations.  It has been barely two weeks since I last attended a Bats game, but immediately I notice a significant change in the lineup as I arrive at the Overlook Patio and see a name familiar to me, but not to the Louisville team, on the lineup display: Didi Gregorius, batting 2nd and playing SS.

I also see Jose Constanza in the lineup for the Braves, he being the infamous bat-licker I glorified in a post last year.  Sure I'm still stunned to see Gregorius' name posted, but I make no secret to my comrades about Constanza's taste for burning wood.  Constanza only tags two balls foul tonight, one was a bunt attempt.  As for the other one, he did bring the bat to his nose and I'm positive he gave it a taste.

Today, July 12, 2012, Mariekson Julius "Didi" Gergorius is making his debut with the Louisville Bats.  Aside from having a great baseball name (h/t to my friend William Tasker for pointing this out last year on Twitter) Didi had a great 2011 season with the Reds organization, .289/.324/.429 in 84 games between the A+ Bakersfield Blaze and the AA Carolina Mudcats.  With the AA franchise shifting to the Pensacola Blue Wahoos in 2012, Gregorius stayed the course, .278/.344/.373 in 81 games before being called up to the Bats on July 10th.

Contrary to local press reports to date that speak of the Bats' defense "keeping them in games," I've bemoaned their poor defense a few times this season...most notably in this post.  Judging a team's defensive prowess solely based on 'lack of errors' is truly poor defensive projection mechanics.  Errors are purely at the discretion of the Official Scorer, and fielding metrics are not quantitative and/or qualitative enough to even scratch the surface of how a team is really doing on the field defensively.  Regardless of what strangely seasoned beat writers and even the team themselves feel about their defensive capabilities, one way to tell is to look at how starting pitchers are doing, how their misguided ERA performance metrics compare to where balls are being hit, and how much ground infielders and outfielders have to travel to get to those balls.  A key telling point of this: one of the Bats' most highly renowned 'highlight reels' this season is Kris Negron making a tremendous run and catch of a nearly impossible line drive.  These highlights are sexy, but from where I sit: if Negron had been where he should have been, that out would have been a whole lot easier to make.

Didi Gregorius is probably better known for his athleticism and defense than he is for his bat; he's capable of handling any infield position well but seems at home as a shortstop, and has what many scouts consider above-average range at the position, good hands, and a great throwing arm.  This is pretty much a guy with a great deal of upside, something the Reds don't need now (as long as Zack Cozart doesn't break his legs anytime soon) but would be a good trade chip, or fair replacement for Cozart should he go on the auction block.  For right now, the Bats need better defense (and better defensive positioning)...Gregorius' presence here should make a difference.  Defense aside, his left-handed bat brings it tonight, going 2-for-4 with 3TB and 2RBI, one of those from a SAC fly line drive to right-center field.

Despite Didi's presence tonight, the Braves take care of the Bats in edge-of-your-seat fashion, dealing Bats starter Tim Gustafson with 4ER in 4IP, an even clock with Braves starter Todd Redmond's 5R (4ER) in 5IP.  The Bats bullpen gives up the game nearly an inning at a time, with Carlos Fisher and Nick Christiani allowing a combined 2ER in 3IP to give the Braves a lead they will possess for the rest of the inning.  Donnie Joseph pitches a scoreless 8th, but Jordan Smith slams the door on any hopes of a comeback with a 3hit, 2 run 9th inning.  Luis Durango and (yes!) Lance Zawadzki drive in 5 runs and have 9TB between them; former Major League enigma Felix Pie drives in 1 run and has 4TB.  The Braves are 7-15 with RISP, the Bats are 4-10.  Of peculiar interest: the Braves strand 7 runners in scoring position with 2 outs (Pie is responsible for 3 alone), the Bats only strand 4.

There are other changes I notice during the game.  The official scorecard no longer features Danny Dorn, but instead Kristopher Negron.  Sure, this makes sense: Negron's highlight reel grab mentioned earlier, as well as his plus plus hair, make him a player that is quite popular here (but never as popular as Corky Miller).  However, in recent years the Bats have never 'switched' featured players on the official scorecard...even when Justin Lehr was featured and was summarily out for the season before it even began.  A quick review of the roster provides a few surprises in this respect...

Didi Gregorius' arrival wasn't the only one...he was here for a few games in May, but I completely missed Brian Peacock arriving in Louisville, being sent back down to Pensacola, and then returning to Louisville again.  He's not playing tonight, but the oft-injured erstwhile catcher (who also plays other esrtwhile positions as erstwhilically needed) proves to be a puzzling addition to this squad...as long as he stays healthy.  Also in Lousiville is Xavier Paul, a 4th round pick by the Dodgers in 2003.  Paul has been with 3 organizations, including the Dodgers, prior to his release by the Nationals on July 3rd of this year; 4 days later he signed as a free agent with the Reds.  Finally, here's Henry Rodriguez, a 22-year-old Venezuelan with 4 seasons of professional service for the Diamondbacks and the Reds.  Rodriguez finished 2011 with the AA Carolina Mudcats, and has spent time with the AZL Reds and AA Pensacola Blue Wahoos until getting called up to Louisville on 7/4/12.

The omissions from the roster (since 6/30/12) are more startling.

Danny Dorn: his absence from the official scorecard definitely means something now, his last game in Louisville was 6/29/12 (the day before my last visit here).  Dorn was granted his release by the Reds after 6 full seasons with the organization.  The 28 year old was a 32nd round pick in the 2006 draft, and despite being notorious for his righty/lefty splits and reasonable career .280/.362/.489 had fallen slightly below this mark since 2010 (when he posted a monster .302/.398/.545) and has never had a cup of coffee of any kind with the Reds.  5 days after today's game, he was picked up by the Tigers and will certainly be in the lineup for the IL Wset rivals Toledo Mud Hens in an upcoming series.  Dorn was a fan favorite here, but nothing the likes of which Corky Miller can boast.

Scott Carroll: ah, this one stings a little.  Scott has always been one of my favorite pitchers, but as a starter in 2011 posted a somewhat disappointing 7-8 record with a 5.39 ERA for the season, with a team that boasted much better practical defense than the current squad.  Scott made the change to relief appearances for Louisville this year, but was somewhat inconsistent and was released by the Reds on July 1st.  3 days after today's game, Scott was picked up by the White Sox and again, and could be a factor (or not) in an upcoming series with the Charlotte Knights.

Daryl Jones: I wrote about him after seeing him on opening day, his .187/.282/.363 in 27 games wasn't enough to keep the mustard warm for long and really, his release by the Reds isn't much of a surprise.  His star shined bright, very briefly, but this 3rd round pick in the 2005 draft was let go by the Cardinals after the 2011 season and couldn't get the shine back here.  As of this writing, Jones hasn't landed elsewhere yet.

Joey Gathright: last but not least, this Minor League roustabout has had some Major League playing time (452 games in 7 seasons with 4 different teams, including the Cubs and the Royals) but other than being able to leap over parked cars (inside joke falls flat) has never really pulled off anything short of a missed sensation for the various Major League, Minor League, and Independent League clubs he's played for in his 11 season professional career (including the infamous Yuma Scorpions in 2011).  He arrived in Louisville in late May after starting 2012 with the Bridgeport Bluefish, and after his release by the Reds he has returned there.  I'd be hard pressed to believe there are many organizations left ready to take a chance on Gathright.

Moving on, most readers know that I have a firm and steadfast requirement: if you are visiting Louisville and intend to take in a baseball game while you're in town and you DON'T let me know so that I can join you, I will be very angry.  Matt and Carolyn LaWell of A Minor League Season were in town (and celebrating their anniversary tonight) and were kind enough to stop by and see me and hang out from about the 3rd inning on.

Matt performed the ultimate score-keeper support duty and manned by scoresheet while I made a mandatory hygiene run during what was getting to be a crazy 9th inning.  It was great to meet them, and I would be a total miscreant if I didn't take a moment to urge you to check out their site and their amazing project, one that's keeping them busy enough to barely go mad.  The good news is they are young, and they've got the energy...and their stories are fantastic.  They were even kind enough to invite me to join them in Dayton later in the week, something I really regretted that I couldn't do.  Check them out, and do what you can to support their work!!  I'll get you started...here's a wonderful article about scorekeeping, quality stuffs!

My friend Ranny (who comes with me to games once in a while) caught a Dioner Navarro foul ball.  I love the smell of fresh foul balls, this one smelled excellent.

 I told him I could get it signed for him in a couple of days, as I had a game on the 14th...and I did!

The Mystery Rookie card game was interesting today; since I was with a large group (who, before the game, were with a larger group, all enjoying the discount beer special Thursdays are so well known for) I couldn't well afford to buy as many mystery packs that were required to play the game the right way.  Instead, I opted to pick up 3, and get two volunteers at the Overlook to play the game with me.  This would make trading a little more exciting, and with more possibilities.  I can't recall who my original pick was, but somehow (maybe it was the heat, maybe it was the beer flowing at a dollar-bill pace) I managed to trade my forgettable mystery pick for this 2007 Topps Turkey Red Billy Butler RC.

My friend Tony decided he didn't want his pick, this 2006 Upper Deck Andrew Brown RC, so he gave it to me.

Andrew Brown, 6th round pick for the Atlanta Braves in 1999, is pictured here as a Cleveland Indian in 2006, his 3rd and final season with the Indians organization.  Brown spent 2000 injured and was spun by the Braves in 2001.  After 2-1/2 seasons with the Dodgers, Cleveland picked him up.  He was a Padre to start the 2007 season, and ended it with the Athletics, where he stayed until 2008.  He made Minor League appearances for the Nationals and the Cardinals in 2010, his last blip on the Baseball-Reference radar.  Between 2006 and 2008 he pitched in 73 MLB games (as a starter for Cleveland and a reliever, often closing, for Oakland).

During the game, Ranny joined me and had 2 more mystery packs.  This is a fun game, people love it!  Ranny picked this stunning 2005 Upper Deck First Pitch Justin Germano RC.  Not really a stunning pick at first, but only a few days later, Germano was picked up by the Cubs!!

My pick was a good one...last year when Ranny was at a game with me, he lucked out on a Ken Griffey Jr RC; I lucked out on this 1994 Upper Deck Electric Diamond Manny Ramirez.  Sticker says "5 bucks," I say "HIGH FIVES"!!

So fresh, so clean!

Official Program #3, featuring Kristopher Negron

Official Scorecard, also featuring Kristopher Negron and NOT Danny Dorn, and Bat Chat

#GoThursdayBaseball

#ReceiveBaseball

7/7/12 Chicago Cubs 1, New York Mets 3

Citi Field, Flushing, NY
Game 2 of 3

Well, it finally happened!  On June 26, just over a week ago, RIZZOMANIA arrived in Chicagoland!!

Kevin Goldstein now has an extra 3 hours of his day back (only to be replaced by questions about Junior Lake, I suppose...or twice as many questions about Brett Jackson), and the Cubs have Anthony Rizzo in the lineup.  And this is pretty exciting stuff.

Sure there are lots of expectations for Rizzo in Chicago, and the pressure is certainly on.  There were also expectations for Rizzo in San Diego last year, but the shoes he was expected to fill were pretty darn big (Adrian Gonzalez) for starters, his eventual thumb injury didn't help batters...but the story is quite different now.  I don't think even the most psychotic of Cubs fans expects Rizzo to be the key to a World Series any time over the next 5 years; at best his presence at first will fill a void some fans found vacant when Derrek Lee was traded, a void that even Carlos Pena couldn't fill.  Only time will tell how that's going to work out, but for now, Rizzo is here and he's a great deal of fun to watch.  

Rizzo's debut in a Cubs uniform was, incidentally, against the Mets at home.  He was 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI and the Cubs beat the Mets 5-3.  So, this is what hope is about: Randy Wells started that game (and couldn't finish it) against Dillon Gee.  10 days later, the Cubs are in New York, Gee is on the mound again, and Wells is back at AAA (he was sent there immediately following the June 26th outing, also known as "Randy's Last Straw"), and this is the first time I am seeing Rizzo in action with the Cubs.

With Wells gone, Samardzija is here to face Gee; this time the tables are turned and Gee turns in an amazing performance, 8IP, 7H 1ER, 4K.  Samardzija seems to be rushing his delivery a bit, and gets tagged for 2 HRs, from which all 3 of the Mets runs were scored.  Still, the Shark goes 7 innings, walks 2 and strikes out 4 (3 of those were swinging).  One would like to look at this outing and think he didn't do all that poorly...well, but Gee had the upper hand, and that's that.

But, hey...who in the hell is Jordanny Valdespin??

This guy was truly shocking, could this be the dawning of the "Valdespin Era" for Mets fans?  I was surprised to see him in the lineup, as I really honestly didn't know who he was.  Found out quickly who he was when he tattooed a solo shot waayyyy over in right-center field on a 1-1 pitch in his first at-bat of the game, 2nd inning.  

Valdespin moved up rather quickly in the Mets system, so quickly over the past couple of years that between the last time I saw the Buffalo Bisons in Louisville last season, he was in Binghamton...he was called up to Buffalo in August, and barely hit the ground there to start the AAA season in April when he made his Mets debut in April 23.  Mostly making spot starts and appearing in primarily pinch-hitting roles, but the more PAs he started to get, the better his results...through May 30, he was .095/.136/.238, 1HR and 3 RBI (WPA 0.147) in 22 PA.  By comparison, in June he was .286/.302/.524, 1HR and 9 RBI (WPA 0.281) in 43 PA.  Kinda sexy stuff.

However, you may be asking yourself...how are the Mets doing with Valdespin's performance during these two distinct periods of time?  From April 23 through May 30, the Mets were 8-8 in the 16 games Valdespin played in.  From June 3 through June 23, the Mets were 7-10 in the 17 games Valdespin played in; about the same amount of games, just about twice as many PA.  I guess that's why they call it "win probability added"...sure, it's higher during his better offensive period, but his offense isn't the single most contributing factor to the team's winning games.  One month in comparison to another is also two sample sizes that are almost too small to call...even with more PA, Valdespin averaged 2.47 AB per game (2.53 PA) during June.  It will be interesting to see how he does with more playing time...and how that playing time contributes to what could be a great season for the Mets.

Go CUBS!!!