8/1/2015 Toledo Mud Hens 0, Louisville Bats 1

Louisville Slugger Field, Louisville, KY

Game 2 of 3

It's STAR TREK night in Louisville...the color is a little bold, but the Bats are bold as well, so they kind of complement each other...entering this series, the Toledo Mud Hens led the Bats 7-6 in 2015; last night the Bats blew the Hens away 8-5 at the hands of Brennan Boesch (in support of former Cubs Legend RHP Donn Roach)...tonight the Bats continued to turn the screw, shutting out the Hens 1-0

My scoresheets, using my pitch-counting method! Read about it HERE, download the scoresheets for free HERE!

Toledo Mud Hens starter LHP Matt Boyd only stuck around for 2 scoreless innings, walking 3 and striking out 1, not allowing any hits. Here he faces LOU C Ramon Cabrera, with Irving Falu at 2B and Ryan LaMarre at 1B (both reached via walks).

Toledo legend Mike Hessman, who was a Bat for a year, returned to Toledo in 2014...this is probably his final season in professional baseball..

LOU RHP Matt Buschmann, pitching to Hessman in the 2nd inning, was the real story of the game, pitching a complete game shut out with 4 hits and 4 strikeouts.

Another solo shot for the Mystery Rookie Card game, I picked this really nifty 2012 Bowman Platinum Tyler Pastornicky RC.

Sure, it's barely worth a buck, but it sure is nice to look at. Kind of like Tyler Pastornicky himself, released by the Braves earlier this year and is currently plugging away at something in the Texas Rangers org. He's kind of young to be a Minor League Hammydown, but that's how it goes sometimes.

Official Program (featuring Robert Stephenson) and Scorecard

Ticket (Tucker Barnhart, yup)

Bat Chat and Gameday Stats

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7/8/2014 Toledo Mud Hens 3, Louisville Bats 4

Louisville Slugger Field, Louisville, KY

Game 3 of 4

STOP THE PRESSES! Today, for the first time this season, I can record a legitimate WIN in the Mystery Rookie Card game...hands down!

Not only that, but this could be the biggest WIN of all, since I started the game a few seasons ago!

One thing I'm seeing here this season that I haven't seen for a while is really good pitching. Tonight's originally scheduled starter was Tim Crabbe, but as Crabbe went on the DL yesterday, recent call-up Mikey O'Brien was pencilled in to start for the Bats against Derek Hankins...both pitchers I had never known of before tonight.

Tonight is 24-year-old O'Brien's AAA debut; he started the season in Pensacola, appearing in 17 games (9 of them starts) and owning a 3-3 record with a 3.86 ERA. He then was demoted to Bakersfield, for unknown reasons, and was 1-0 with a 6.23 ERA in 3 starts there. Cincinnati picked up O'Brien in the December 2013 Rule 5 Draft from the Yankees.

Toldeo's starter Derek Hankins is another story; he's just turned 30 and has spent time in the Pirates and Rangers organizations since 2004, prior to signing with the Tigers in 2013 (when he also spent some time with the mighty Doosan Bears of the KBO). Hankins, who hails from Effingham, IL, was pretty good with the Mud Hens last season (4-4 with a 3.03 ERA in 14 starts) but has seen his line slip a little this season, entering the game with a 4-9 record and a 5.93 ERA.

Fact of the matter is, both starters were excellent; both going at least 6IP and neither one allowing more than 2 runs. Neither pitcher was handed a decision tonight, as that trophy went to the bullpen. The damage to either team was minimal, but the game's outcome was decided during the 7th inning...one that saw the Mud Hens in the lead by 1 at the middle, and was met with a response by the Bats with 2 more runs scored. Neftali Soto's sac fly in that inning, against LHP Mike Belfiore in relief, ended up being the game-winning RBI.

SCOREKEEPER'S NOTE: While we're on the subject of the 7th inning, the first batter O'Brien faced was the legendary Mike Hessman, who reached on a throwing error by Soto. Later in the game, the Official Scorer reversed the call and ruled it a hit, but I was not about to change the ruling on my scoresheet.

I also got a second look at Donald Lutz this evening  Bloodied, yet unbowed, by his lack of #sparkle on June 14th I am hoping to see some #shine tonight...especially since Lutz has an 8-game hitting streak going on. Here, Lutz is facing Hankins.

Tonight, Lutz did see some action in left field, but ended his hitting streak at 8 games, with a sac fly RBI to his credit.

SCOREKEEPING PRO TIP: Of course, I'm trusting that all of you are always being sure that you're wearing sunscreen. That being said, when it's miserably HOT (as it was tonight), the sweat and sunscreen can add some misery to your scoresheet. We all know that sweat, sunscreen, and a little bit of rosin helps a pitcher with the grip on their ball; it's also true that sweat + sunscreen + paper = a medium that isn't fair to the application of graphite on paper (or ink, for that matter, if that's how YOU roll).

Everyone should have a small hand towel or dry washcloth in their Scorekeeper's Utility Belt. I can't handle life without mine, as it's great to keep the sweat out of your eyes and even better...to rest your sweaty, sunscreeny hands on and protect your scoresheets. It works!

Chihiro and I are all smiles this evening!! Go Tuesday Baseball! That means $1 Hot Dogs!!

The lede for this post proclaimed my joy in finally "winning" the Mystery Rookie Card game today. Where I was nearly despondent when my pal Marty pulled a Barry Bonds RC a month ago, this is my day to celebrate the same, victoriously.

There isn't a card in the 1986 Donruss set that looks quite this amazing. Regardless of what it's "worth," it's a keeper, and also a badge of sorts. I'll keep this card in my scoring clipboard for the rest of the season.

Chihiro's pick sported a familiar face on this 2006 Topps #230...yes, I remember that guy! It's Tim Corcoran!

Tim had a really good outing with the Gwinnett Braves when I saw him here early last season. He was a 44th round draft pick by the Mets in 1996, yet didn't make his MLB debut until 9 years later, as a Tampa Bay Devil Ray, and pitching for his 3rd organization. He only appeared in 40 games with the Rays from 2005-2007 (17 of them starts), and never appeared in an MLB game afterwards. He signed with the Florida Marlins later that year, then with the Dodgers (twice) in 2009, and again in 2012. He played in 16 games with the Delfines de Cuidad del Carmen of the Mexican League in 2012, and found himself in the Braves organization in 2013 at the age of 35 and isn't active this season.

BONUS CARDS: Sure, my wallet is hurting, but certainly not my pride. Bottom line, Matt (who runs the Slugger Monkey kiosk at LSF) is keeping to his word on my requests for Jose Altuve cards, and had quite a stack for me tonight. I couldn't pick them all up, but here's what I was able to take home with me:

The 2013 Bowman Chrome Jose Altuve Refractor #194 is numbered 60 out of 250. The 2014 Topps Heritage #28 is simply darling. The 2013 Topps #35 Refractor is also darling.

Here's a 2011 Bowman #11; the 2013 Bowman #108 is numbered 4 out of 500. Sweet!!

Last time I was at LSF, I challenged Matt to find some other Astros hits for me. Here are two Carlos Correa cards, what a stud!! 2013 Topps (Pro Debut) #4 and 2013 Bowman #BP100.

My scoresheets, using my new pitch-counting method! Read about it HERE, download the scoresheets for free HERE!

Official Program (featuring Tucker Barnhart) and Scorecard

Ticket (featuring Corky Miller, this season he broke the record previously held by Bill Lyons for most games played for the Louisville franchise)

Bat Chat and Gameday Stats

If you enjoy my work, I encourage you to spread the word via Twitter

(I am @yoshiki89), and also please leave a comment!

4/4/2013 Toledo Mud Hens 3, Louisville Bats 4

Louisville Slugger Field, Louisville, KY
Game 1 of 4
MiLB Opening Day

I covered many of the details of this memorable occasion in an article published in the April 30th edition of Big Leagues Magazine, albeit in a different voice (but the same flavor) than that with which I tend to use here.  If you like what I do, and missed this because you weren't a subscriber, I highly recommend that you check it out now.

This is my fourth consecutive Opening Day game in Louisville, my Dad was in town to share the experience with me.  It was also "Joey Votto Commemorative Beer Stein" night; we both scored one.

Dad kept his, I gave mine to my good friend Shawn, a Reds fan, who couldn't make it because he was recovering from brain surgery.  I figured he would love it a hundred more times than I ever could!

Tony Cingrani is making his AAA debut with the Bats against 11-year veteran Shawn Hill.  Reds prospect phenom Billy Hamilton is making his AAA debut for the Bats tonight as well.  With these two guys on board, plus new manager Jim Riggleman (who is not so new to some of us), one would hope that the Bats could make a go at 2013 better than the flat they made in 2012.

Well, if tonight is any indication...the odds are good.  Cingrani flawlessly handcuffs the Mud Hens for 6 innings, allowing no hits, only one walk, and striking out 14 (10 of them swinging).  

Hamilton doesn't steal a bag or really impress with the bat, but he does turn a routine lead-off single to shallow right field into a double on his speed alone.  Here he is in his first AAA plate appearance.  Posterity.

But, Mike Hessman is now a Louisville Bat!!  Mike is an 18-year Minor League veteran who has appeared in 109 Major League games and has served time with the Braves, Tigers, Mets, part of 2011 with the Japanese Orix Buffaloes, and 2012 with the Astros.  

Mike turned 35 a month prior to tonight's game, and his visage upon the jumbotron shows a face that is comprised of worn leather and a skull made out of the finest British steel.  His frame at this age is that of a toned and exultant Greek God, one who wears his pants "stockings up" and for a 8-year stretch in the International League, was a thorn in the side of many pitchers and opposing clubs, including many of the faithful in Louisville who are glad he's finally on "our side" of the dugout.  During that stretch he hit a total of 193 home runs.  For 5 of those 8 seasons, he was a fixture in Toledo, the very same club he faces tonight.

Truly, revenge is a sweet thing.  He pops out unceremoniously to second base in his first plate appearance (an 8-pitch at bat), but launches #WeirdMEAT over the left-center lawn in his second and third plate appearances, cruising along the path towards his 400th professional HR.  He is responsible for two of the Bats' 3 runs off of Shawn Hill, and into the top of the 9th inning the Bats are 3 outs away from a W for Cingrani, a shut out of the Mud Hens, and an opening day WIN for the Bats.

But, this is Baseball, and the Gods are not so anxious to let this one go so easily.  Kevin Whelan gets the ball to close this out, but 3 unearned runs (started off by a Jason Donald error) under his watch bring the Mud Hens and Bats to a tie in the bottom of the home 9th.  Toledo assigns Luis Marte to retire the Bats and force extra innings, but an 0-1 pitch to lead-off batter Felix Perez is lined viciously to the porch in right field and the Bats win it in walk-off fashion...with Whelan earning the W.  SMDH.  #KillTheWin

Another reminder: please take a moment to read the pdf version of "MiLB Opening Day Diary: Anatomy of a Nearly Perfect Inning" for an alternate recap of this game, and more importantly, the events that transpired that evening!

The inaugural mystery rookie card pull of the 2013 season was kind of interesting.  My Dad pulled this 2008 Upper Deck Timeline Justin Masterson...he's off to a great start so far this season for the Indians, so I advised Dad to hang onto this one.  Masterson displays some excellent face in this photo, also I was unaware that he was born in Jamaica, mon.

My pull was a little more exciting in a different way, aside from the $12 price tag (valued so because it's numbered 25 of 75).  Sure, it's an authentic game-worn jersey card; at the time he was a Phillie but later played right here in Louisville as a Red in 2004, 2005 and 2007.  Machado appeared in only 24 MLB games from 2003-2005 (17 of those with the Reds in 2004); after a 2-year stint in the Milwaukee Brewers system from 2010-2011, Machado played in 29 games for the Parma Cariparma of the Italian Baseball League in 2012 and hasn't been heard from since.

My scoresheets, first live IWT game using my new pitch-counting method! Read about it HERE, download the scoresheets for free HERE!

Official Program (featuring new Bats manager Jim Riggleman) and Scorecard

Louisville is finally adding some #sparkle to their season tickets, with several players (and a mascot) featured on different dates...I believe I have one of each this season, so here's tonight's ticket with Corky Miller (and NO, that's not the mascot I was speaking of)

Bat Chat and Gameday Stats (rosters only, OPENING DAY y'know)

If you enjoy my work, I encourage you to spread the word via Twitter

(I am @yoshiki89), and also please leave a comment!