Monday, April 30, 2007

Biscuits Drop Game To Jacksonville

Montgomery BiscuitsA rough night in Jacksonville for the Montgomery Biscuits tonight. And some former Columbus Catfish helped.
Anthony Ragliani and Xavier Paul hit home runs as the Jacksonville Suns defeated the visiting Montgomery Biscuits, 9-6, on Monday afternoon.

Ragliani's two-run shot in the second inning put the Suns (13-11) on the board, while Paul's three-run blast capped Jacksonville's four-run seventh frame. John Lindsey contributed a three-run double in the third.

Michael Megrew (2-1) earned the win, allowing two runs on six hits and three walks, fanning five over 5 1/3 innings. Wesley Wright yielded four runs -- three earned -- over 1 2/3 frames, while Brian Akin struck out four over two shutout innings to pick up his first save.

Paul, Wright, and Akin played for the Catfish when they were at Class A ... and when the Catfish were part of the Dodgers organization.

The two teams play a day game Tuesday to end the series. I won't be there. I'll be at the Catfish game in Columbus.

Catfish Beat Rome Again

An 8th inning double by Matt Fields gave the Columbus Catfish the lead, and hometown hero Brian Baker shut down Rome in the 9th to give the Catfish a 5-3 win over the Braves tonight. It was the 5th straight win over Rome this season.

Rome scored an unearned run in the top of the 1st. The Catfish responded with a run in the bottom of the inning, on an RBI single by 3B Cesar Suarez that scored CF Desmond Jennings, who had singled to start the inning.

Back to back doubles by Rome in the 2nd inning allowed the visitors to take the lead. It would have been more, but RF Quinn Stewart fielded a ground ball single, and threw to C Craig Albernaz, who held on to the ball when Rome 3B Brandon Monk ran him over trying to score. Instead, it was out three, and the inning ended with a 2-1 Rome lead.

In the 4th, Rome scored another run on a single and a triple. The Catfish got a run back in the bottom of the inning when DH Ryan Royster hit a solo shot over the right center field wall.

The Catfish stranded runners on third base in the 5th, 6th, and 7th innings. But in the 8th, with 1 out, Royster singled, moved to second when SS Brett Grandstrand walked. After a pitching change, 1B Matthew Fields doubled, scoring Royster and Grandstrand. After a walk and a fielder's choice, Jennings singled, bringing Fields home, and giving the Catfish a 5-3 lead.

Catfish starter Jeremy Hellickson allowed 3 runs, 2 earned, in 5 innings. He struck out 3. Wilton Noel struck out 4 in 2 innings relief. Columbus native Brian Baker came on in the 8th and sat Rome down in order. He allowed a 2-out double in the 9th, but forced the 3rd ground ball out of the inning, and picked up his 1st win of the season.

The Catfish have now beaten Rome in all 5 meetings this season. Tomorrow's game is a mid-day affair, staring at 11:00 AM. I'll be there.

Catfish To Open Against Atlanta Pitching ... NOT!

Columbus Catfish logoSee the update below

Although it's the Rome Braves that are opening a series with the Columbus Catfish tonight, it's Atlanta Braves pitching they'll be facing. For an inning, at least.

Atlanta Braves reliever Chad Paronto, who is on the 15-day DL, is making a rehab start tonight ... an probably tomorrow night, too ... for Rome as they take on the Catfish.

According to an email from the Catfish:
Paronto is ... scheduled to pitch tonight (Monday) and Wednesday .... (in the) first inning in each game between the Rome Braves and Columbus Catfish.

It will be the 2nd time this season the Catfish have faced a Major Leaguer in a rehab start. They faced Jon Lester of the Red Sox pitched 4 innings in Greenville on April 10.

At first, it looked like the Columbus Catfish would face Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Chad Paronto, who is on the 15-day DL, twice during the series with the Rome Braves that starts tonight. But now it looks like that won't happen.

This afternoon, the Catfish got word to not look for Paronto in the lineup:
Atlanta has informed Rome that Chad Paronto will probably NOT be pitching against Columbus during this series.

It would have been the 2nd time this season the Catfish have faced a Major Leaguer in a rehab start. They faced Jon Lester of the Red Sox who pitched 4 innings in Greenville on April 10.

Other Braves fans ... or fans of area baseball other than Catfish fans ... might also be interested in the fact that the Rome roster also includes:
  • Brandon Monk, IF, LaGrange, GA (just up the road a bit from Columbus)

  • Deunte Heath, P, Decatur, GA (a bit further away)

  • Josh Morris, IF, Cartersville, GA (north of Atlanta)

  • Tyler Wilson, P, Andalusia, AL (south Alabama, 1/2 way between Montgomery and Ft. Walton Beach, FL)

  • Kyle Cofield, P, Rainbow City, AL (near Gasden, 1/2 way between Rome and Birmingham)

There's another player from Georgia on the roster, but he's on the DL and likely won't play.

Often, families of players from the area will show up to the games to watch their sons, brothers, cousins, etc, play, particularly when it's closer to Columbus than it is to their player's team. We might get some families from Rome players at the games. They will often come down to near where our seats are to take pictures of the players, and we get the chance to talk with them. We may have that chance this home stand.

Sunday, April 29, 2007

Catfish Earn Split With Charleston

Columbus Catfish logoColumbus Catfish SS Brett Grandstrand was 3-for-4 and 3B Cesar Suarez was 3-for-5 as the Catfish pounded out 14 hits en route to a 7-1 win over the Charleston RiverDogs (Yankees).

Charleston scored an unearned run on an error by Catfish C Matt Spring in the bottom of the 1st.

The Catfish came back in the 5th, putting up 5 runs. Spring led the 5th with a solo homer to left field, tying the game. With 1 out, CF Desmond Jennings reached on an error, then moved to third on a single by RF John Matulia, then scored on a single to right by Suarez. Matulia scored on a sacrifice fly by DH Nevin Ashley. LF Ryan Royster closed the scoring with a 2-run homer to left. A follow-up triple by Grandstrand was wasted, but the Catfish had a 5-1 lead.

In the 7th, Ashley drove in Suarez, then later scored on a hit by Spring. That was all the scoring, as the Catfish ended with a 7-1 win.

Josh Butler allowed the unearned run on 3 hits, 2 walks, and struck out 5, and won his second game. Neal Frontz pitched the last three innings, and picked up his first save.

The win gives the Catfish another split. They've split all series this year so far ... except for the sweep of Rome. They return home Monday, with a short 6-game series, 3 against Rome and 3 against Charleston.

Biscuits Blast Jacksonville

Montgomery BiscuitsTwo multi-run blasts by Reid Brignac and John Jaso proved the difference in the Montgomery Biscuits 7-2 win over the Jacksonville Suns (Dodgers) this afternoon.

Jacksonville took an early lead with an unearned run in the 1st inning. Biscuits LF Jason Pridie misplayed a ball hit by former Columbus Catfish Xavier Paul, allowing a run to score.

The Biscuits tied it up in the 4th, when 3B Evan Longoria scored on a wild pitch.

In the 5th, LF Brooks Badeaux drove in C John Jaso on an RBI single. SS Reid Brignac followed with a 3-run shot to right. More fireworks ... but no runs ... followed that inning. After the next batter, 3B Evan Longoria, was hit by a pitch, things got heated. Before it was all over, Biscuits manager Billy Gardner and pitcher Jeremy Flanagan ... who wasn't pitching ... were ejected ... but the Biscuits were up 5-1.

In the 8th, Jaso hit a 2-run shot to extend the Biscuits lead. In the bottom of the inning, Jacksonville scored another unearned run on an error.

Dale Thayer came in and pitched the 9th for the Biscuits, and struck out the side, preserving the win.

Chris Mason pitched 5-1/3 innings, allowing 1 unearned run on 8 hits and a walk. He struck out 6 in improving his record to 3-0.

Brian Henderson closed out the 6th, Evan Meek pitched the 7th and 6th, allowing an unearned run on one hit.

Catfish Drop Another To Charleston

Columbus Catfish logoFor the second night in a row, the Charleston RiverDogs (Yankees) beat the Columbus Catfish. The Catfish couldn't overcome an early Charleston lead, and fell 7-4.

Charleston scored 2 unearned runs in the 1st inning, then 2 in the 2nd on a walk and 3 singles.

The Catfish closed the gap in the 4th when 2B Joey Callender had an RBI single that scored C Nevin Ashley. But Charleston answered with a run in the bottom of the 4th.

Catfish CH Desmond Jennings led the 5th with a solo shot to left. Later in the inning, LF Ryan Royster singled to left, driving in 3B Cesar Suarez.

Threee singles and a double in the Charleston 7th put the Catfish in a 7-3 deficit.

SS Brett Grandstrand drove in RF Maiko Loyola, but that was all the Catfish could muster.

Starter Woods Fines lasted 3-2/3 innings, allowing 5 runs, 3 earned, on 7 hits and 5 walks. He also had a strikeout. He's now 1-2.

Reliever Chris Kelly went 3-1/3, allowing 2 runs on 5 hits. He also had a strikeout. Ryan Owen pitched a perfect 8th, striking out 2.

The Sunday game is the finale of this series. The Catfish need a win to earn another split. Except for this week's sweep of Rome, every Catfish series this season has been a split.

Saturday, April 28, 2007

Biscuits Fall To Jacksonville

Montgomery BiscuitsThe Montgomery Biscuits dropped the second game of the series at Jacksonville, losing to the Suns (Dodgers), 3-2.

The Biscuits fell behind early when former Columbus Catfish OF Xavier Paul hit a solo home run in the bottom of the 1st, putting Jacksonville up 1-0.

The Biscuits tied the game in the 5th. CF Fernando Perez drove in 3B Gabriel Martinez, who had led off the inning with a single.

A 2-run homer off Biscuits starter Derek Feldkamp in the 6th gave Jacksonville a 3-1 lead.

The Biscuits closed the gap in the 9th. LF Jason Pridie doubled, scoring 2B Josh Asanovich, to make it 3-2. However, with the tying run on third and the go-ahead run on second, former Catfish P Jonathan Meloan struck out Biscuits SS Reid Brignac to end the game.

The Biscuits stranded 10 runners on base, 6 in scoring position.

Perez now shares the team lead in doubles. He hit his 6th 2-bagger to start the game.

Feldkamp was tagged with the loss, his 3rd of the year, despite having his longest outing of the season. He struck out 3 in his 6 innings of work. Richard De Los Santos worked the last 2 innings, allowing 1 hit and striking out 1.

Catfish Pitcher Named SAL Pitcher of the Week

Columbus Catfish logoColumbus Catfish pitcher Wade Townsend has been recognized for his mound performance this week. Townsend is the South Atlantic League pitcher of the week.
Two starts resulted in two wins for the ever-reliable Townsend. He yielded a run over five innings against Asheville on Monday and a run over six innings against Rome on Saturday. The Texas native struck out a season-high nine batters in the latter outing, and he now ranks fourth in the league with 25 strikeouts.

Townsend is second in the league in strikeouts with 32. He had 7 in last night's no-decision at Charleston.

Blogrolling 2007-04-28

Some items of interest from the blogroll.

If you'd like to share an item via TrackBack, please feel free to do so.

Friday, April 27, 2007

Charleston Ends Catfish Streak At Five

Columbus Catfish logoDespite an early lead, the Columbus Catfish bullpen blew that lead, and fell to the Charleston RiverDogs (Yankees), 6-4.

CF Desmond Jennings led the game with a walk, then stole second, then third. 3B Cesar Suarez hit a 1-out singles scoring Jennings. After C Nevin Ashley singled, LF Ryan Royster singled, scoring Suarez, and the Catfish were up 2-0.

A single, double, and wild pitch in the bottom of the 1st made it 2-1.

With 1 out, Jennings singled and stole second. Suarez walked. A double steal, then a wild pitch scored Jennings, and the Catfish had a 3-1 lead.

Things fell apart in the bottom of the 6th. Four singles, 2 walks, and an error, and Charleston had 5 runs and a 6-3 lead.

The Catfish got a run back in the 8th. With 1 out, Ashley reached on an error, stole second, and took third on a passed ball. He scored when RF Quinn Stewart singled to left, but that's all the Catfish could manage. The left 2 runners in scoring position in the 8th, and went down in order in the 9th.

Starter Wade Townsend pitched 5 innings, allowing a run on 3 hits, and struck out 7. He was not involved in the decision. Reliever Ryan Morse was tagged with 5 runs, 2 earned, in 2/3 innings work. It was his 2nd blown save, and first loss of the year. Ryan Reid pitched the last 2-1/3 innings, allowing just 1 hit and struck out 2.

The loss leaves the Catfish 5 games behind division-leading Augusta, but drops them from 2nd to 4th place.

Biscuits Beat Jacksonville, 12-5

Montgomery BiscuitsThe Montgomery Biscuits' first trip to the largest city in south Georgia began with a 12-5 win over the Jacksonville Suns (Dodgers).

Back-to-back homers in the first inning gave the Biscuits an early lead. Leadoff man Fernando Perez walked and stole second. LF Jason Pridie singled, then SS Reid Brignac homered. 2B Evan Longoria followed with a solo shot, and the Biscuits were up 4-0.

A solo homer in the bottom of the inning made it 4-1.

In the third inning, Jacksonville tied the game. C A. J. Ellis, a former Columbus Catfish (then known as the South Georgia Waves) player, walked, then scored on SS Chin Lung Hu -- another former Catfish -- tripled. Hu scored on a single by 2B Luis Maza. After moving to 3rd on a sacrifice and a ground out, Maza scored when 1B Cory Dunlap singled, tying the game at 4-4.

The Biscuits broke the game open in the 6th. 1B Chris Nowak walked, moved to second on RF Shaun Cumberland's single, and scored on a single by C John Jaso. A wild pitch by former Catfish Wesley Wright allowed Cumberland to score. After 2B Josh Asanovich walked, Wright was replaced on the Jacksonville mound by former Catfish Carlos Alvarez, who then walked Perez to load the bases. Pridie hit a 2-run single. A double steal put both runners in scoring position. Then Brignac drove in Perez on on a sacrifice fly. Longoria drove in Pridie on a single to center field, putting the Biscuits up 10-4.

Doubles by DH Patrick Breen and Perez in the 7th made it 11-4. Jacksonville closed the gap slightly on an RBI triple by former Catfish Xavier Paul in the bottom of the 7th, making it 11-5.

Longoria singled in the 8th, scoring Brignac and the Biscuits had a 12-5 lead.

Longoria and Jaso were both 3-for-5. Brignac and Pridie were both 2-for-4, driving in 4 and 2 runs.

Chris Seddon went 6 innings, allowing 4 runs on 8 hits, walking 3 and striking out 3 in picking up the win for the Biscuits. Nick Debarr went 2 innings, allowing a run on 2 hits. Former Catfish Brett Wayne pitched the 9th, allowing 2 hits, but struck out former teammate Xavier Paul for the game's final out.

Headline News 2007-04-27

From Fox News:
6 Penn State Players Charged Over Off-Campus Fight
All future fights must be on-campus

From Fox News:
Georgia Wildfires Flare Up Again, Force Repeat Evacuations
Waycross destryed, damage in the dozens of dollars

From Fox News:
Massachusetts Catholic School Bars Same-Sex Couple From Prom
May apply again after entering priesthood

From Fox News:
Player Wounded in Shooting Sues Duquesne University
Blames PR department for not being as effective as Virgina Tech's

From Fox News:
Rhode Island College DJs Fired for Repeating Imus Comments
John Cleese leads stoning

From Fox News:
Ohio Fraud Defendant Released on Bond After Reciting Bible's 23rd Psalm
Judge sentences man to learn 8th Commandment

From Fox News:
Condom Found in McDonald's Happy Meal, Reports Say
Test markets of Really Happy Meal a success

From Fox News:
Drew Barrymore Named People Magazine's 'Most Beautiful' Person
People Magazine's "Hire the handicapped" program a success

From Fox News:
Spanish Judge Indicts 3 U.S. Soldiers Over Journalist Killing in Iraq
Charges reduced to misdemeanor when judge discoverd it was a journalist

From News Austrailia:
Harry's Head Priced At $625,000
Price is so high because it's never been used

Network Down / Open TrackBacks 2007-04-27

It looks like my network is down. Or not. The TiVo is on, but the laptop (the backup laptop; the primary is STILL down) won't connect. Dial-up works, though.

So, no perusing the blogroll this morning. No much of anything until I figure out why the laptop isn't working. If it's not one thing, it's another. Still, if you have an item you'd like to share via TrackBack, please feel free to do so.

Thursday, April 26, 2007

Catfish Winning Streak At Five

Columbus Catfish logoThe Columbus Catfish won their fifth game in a row Thursday night, shutting down the Charleston RiverDogs (Yankees), 5-2.

C Nevin Ashley singled in RF John Matulia in the 1st inning, to give the Catfish an early lead.

In the 2nd, DH Maiko Loyola singled, stole second, and moved to third on an error, and scored on a wild pitch.

Ashley got his 2nd RBI of the night on a bunt single that scored CF Desmond Jennings.

Two more runs in the 5th gave the Catfish a 5-0 lead, when 3B Cesar Suarez scored on an error, and Ashley scored on a single by LF Ryan Royster.

Charleston managed two 7th inning runs off the Catfish bullpen, but only had one baserunner in the last 2 innings, and the Catfish took a 5-2 win.

Lewis Rollins pitched 5 innings of no-hit ball, walked 4 and struck out 7 in picking up his 2nd win. He now leads the Catfish in strikeouts with 31. Wilton Noel pitched an inning and 2/3, allowing 2 runs (none earned) on 3 hits, striking out 2. Brian Baker pitched the final 2-1/3 innings and picked up his first save.

On the basepaths, the Catfish were more aggressive than normal, stealing 6 bases. However, 9 runners were left on base, 6 in scoring position.

With the win, the Catfish are in 2nd place, 5 games behind division-leading Augusta.

The series with Charleston continues, with game two Friday night.

Headline News 2007-04-26

From ABC News:
GOP Hopeful Huckabee's Son Arrested for Gun
Endorsed by NRA

From ABC News:
China Invites U.S. Food Inspectors
To include representatives from AKC

From ABC News:
Alec Baldwin Is Sorry
Rest of world discovers what conservatives knew years ago

From ABC News:
Sheryl Crow Clears the Air About Toilet Paper Comments
Now wearing Glade Plug-Ins

From ABC News:
Is Internet Love More Likely to End in Divorce?
Marriages hit Alt-F4

From ABC News:
Canada Announces Greenhouse Gas Targets
Greenhouse Gas Wal-Marts planned next

From ABC News:
N. Koreans on Hunger Strike in Thailand
Even starving Koreans won't eat Thai food

From ABC News:
Entrepreneur Enterprise
Ferengis buy starship

From ABC News:
Vivid New Pictures of a Violent Sun
Police called

From ABC News:
'Monster Mash' Singer Pickett Dies at 69
He's now a graveyard smash

Blogrolling 2007-04-26

Some items of interest from the blogroll.

If you'd like to share an item via TrackBack, please feel free to do so.

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

About Those Biscuits

Montgomery BiscuitsSomone asked me the other day about my cheering on the Montgomery Biscuits. They asked how I "got hooked into going to Biscuits games." Which is sort of how the Wife feels, since she's not really a sports fan.

Anyway, about those Biscuits. It sort of happened by accident. And by fate. And it's sort of a long story. You might want to go get a Coca-Cola. I'll wait.

Huntsville Blanks Biscuits

Montgomery BiscuitsThe Montgomery Biscuits came up short in the series finale with the Huntsville Stars (Brewers) tonight, falling 3-0.

Huntsville got on the board early on a 2-run homer by CH Steve Moss in the top of the 1st. The Biscuits had a runner on 3rd in the bottom of the 1st, when SS Reid Brignac doubled and took third on a fielding error, but was stranded.

They had runners in scoring position in the 4th, 6th and 7th innings, but were unable to bring a man around.

Huntsville made it 3-0 in the 9th, when 2B Hernan Iribarren singled, scoring CF Mel Stocker, who had tripled to lead off the inning.

Mike Prochaska allowed 4 hits and struck out 7 without walking anyone, but the 2-run homer made the difference in the game. With the loss, he dropped to 0-2. Richard De Los Santos pitched a perfect 8th inning. Dale Thayer pitched the 9th, and allowe 1 run on 2 hits.

The loss drops the Biscuits to 10-9. They're off Thursday, and open a 5-game series in Jacksonville on Friday.

Headline News 2007-04-25

From ABC News:
Dems Predict a Win on Iraq Pullout Vote
Thanks Al-Qaeda for support on vote

From ABC News:
Pelosi to Skip Top U.S. General in Iraq's Briefing
Couldn't cancel meeting with Osama

From ABC News:
26 Killed in Chinese Bus Crash
Chinese Fire Drill goes horribly wrong

From ABC News:
Queen of England to Pay Tribute to Virginia Tech Victims
Commissions Elton John to re-write "Candle In The Wind"

From ABC News:
Winnie the Pooh Forces Post Office Evacuation
Was shooting at Eyore

From ABC News:
What's Next for Ex-Duke Prosecutor, Players?
Players write book, "If I Did It"

From ABC News:
Life after rape in Congo
Kennedys show vacation pictures

From ABC News:
Cheney returns to work after leg check-up
Wound from Reid bite healing nicely

From ABC News:
Gay male parents get dedicated fertility program
Will be told where penis is supposed to go

From ABC News:
Men who want children should skip the hot tub
Hot tub sales skyrocket

Blogrolling 2007-04-25

Some items of interest from the blogroll.

If you'd like to share an item via TrackBack, please feel free to do so.

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

The Choice Was Obvious

Tuesday, I had a light breakfast. And a light lunch.

So, in the middle of the afternoon, I was hungry.

What to get? What to get?

Snickers? Baby Ruth? Potato chips? Doritos?

I wasn't sure what I wanted, but I wanted something.

Then, on the bottom row of the snack machine, I saw it.

I had never seen that item in the snack machine before. So I don't know when it was placed there, but it must have been recently, since I didn't remember seeing the item before.

But a close look at the brand name, and I knew that was the obvious choice ... the only choice.

The only disappointment was that they still wanted 60 cents from me ... even though it had my name on it!

Catfish Sweep Rome

The Columbus Catfish completed their first sweep of the season, besting the Rome Braves, 6-2.

The Catfish got on the board early. DH Desmond Jennings led the game with a single to center field. CF John Matulia singled, moving Jennings to second. Jennings stole third, Matulia stole second, and Jennings scored on an error on a missed catch by Rome 2B Chase Fontaine. 3B Cesar Suarez doubled, scoring Matulia.

In the 2nd inning, 1B Matt Fields started things with a double. With 2 outs, Jennings doubled, scoring Fields.

Rome scored a run in the 4th, making the score 3-1.

In the 8th, RF Maiko Loyola walked, then scored on LF Ryan Royster's double. After 2B Brett Grandstrand bunted for a single, Royster scored on a single by Fields.

The Catfish added another run in the 9th on Grandstrand's sacrifice fly to right field.

Rome added another run in the bottom of the 9th, making it 6-2, Catfish.

Matulia was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate, scoring twice.

Jeremy Hellickson made his first appearance for the Catfish, going 6 innings, allowing 1 unearned run, and striking out 6. He was activated earlier in the day after Matt Falk was sent to Hudson Valley of the New York-Penn League (Class A Short-Season).

Ryan Owen pitched 3 innings, striking out 3, allowing 1 run on 4 hits, and earned his 1st save.

The sweep was the first of the season for the Catfish. The last sweep of another team was in Rome last season.

Wednesday is an off day for the Catfish. Thursday, they open a 4-game series in Charleston.

Biscuits Blast Huntsville

Montgomery BiscuitsAfter getting blasted last night, the Montgomery Biscuits got some revenge on the Huntsville Stars (Brewers) this afternoon, using 4 home runs to beat the visitors, 13-6.

In the 1st inning, LF Jason Pridie hit a 2-run homer, to give the Biscuits a 2-0 lead.

In the 3rd, CF Fernando Perez, who scored ahead of Pridie in the 1st inning, hit his own home run, a solo shot to left, putting the Biscuits up 3-0.

The 4th inning saw another home run. DH Chris Nowak led the inning with a solo shot, making it 4-0. Later in the inning, with 1 out, 1B Gabriel Martinez and C John Jaso both singled. After moving to third base on a fly ball out, Martinez scored when Perez singled, and the inning ended with the Biscuits leading 5-0.

Huntsville scored on an error in the top of the 5th, closing the gap to 5-1.

In the bottom of the 5th, with 2 outs, 3B Evan Longoria walked, moved to second on Nowak's single, and scored when RF Shaun Cumberland singled. After a pitching change, Martinez homered, scoring Nowak and Cumberland, and the Biscuits were up 9-1.

2B Josh Asanovich doubled in the 6th, moved to third on a wild pitch, and, after Perez walked, scored on a double play ball, giving the Biscuits a 10-1 lead.

Huntsville took advantage of a shaky outing by Biscuits reliever (and former Columbus Catfish utility infielder/outfielder) Brett Wayne, scoring on 2 walks, an error, 2 singles, and a hit batsman. Brian Henderson replaced Wayne, but walked in another run before getting out of the inning, with the Biscuits lead cut to 10-5.

The home team got 3 runs back in the bottom of the 7th. Longoria singled, Nowak walked, then Cumberland singled, scoring Longoria. Martinez singled, scoring Nowak and Cumberland.

Huntsville scored one more run in the top of the 9th, before Henderson got the final two batters to ground out.

Martinez was 3-for-4 to lead the Biscuits, scoring twice, and driving in 5 runs.

Chris Mason scattered 4 hits over 8 innings, allowing 1 unearned run, walking none, and striking out 7. Wayne's 2/3 of an inning work accounted for 4 runs, but only 1 was earned. He also stuck out 1. Henderson struck out 1 in his 2-1/3 innings work.

The series is now tied at 2 games each, with the rubber game Wednesday night, before the Biscuits head to Jacksonville to take on the Suns (Dodgers).

Headline News 2007-04-24

From CNN:
Reid: Congress will pass Iraq bill within days
Urges president to sign surrender document

From CNN:
'Active' Castro meets China envoy
Filming begins for "Weekend At Fidel's"

From ABC News:
Letterman Plays Washington
Leno plays Jefferson

From ABC News:
Swedish Hospital May Ban Crocs
Alligators, Monitor Lizards may also be restricted

From ABC News:
Obama Blasts Bush's Leadership
Cites own months of experience

From Reuters:
U.S. sees 200th DNA conviction reversal
Still not reliable enough to convict O.J.

From Reuters:
Abbott makes AIDS drug offer to Thailand
Costello thwarts plan

From ABC News:
Ali, Ono Swing To the Top of 'Dancing'
Former heavyweight champ, Lennon widow surprise pair

From NY Daily News:
Hillary Loves Harriet Tubman
Thinks she's sexy

From BBC:
Crow calls for limit on loo paper
Fewer men wanting to date singer

Blogrolling 2007-04-24

Some items of interest from the blogroll.

If you'd like to share an item via TrackBack, please feel free to do so.

Biscuits Lose Ugly

Montgomery BiscuitsUnlike the 1-run games with Huntsville the previous 2 games, the Montgomery Biscuits lost big-time Monday night. The Huntsville Stars (Brewers) scored 6 times in the 6th, beating the Biscuits 10-3.

Huntsville had runners on base every inning, save the 7th, en route to the win. They put up 1 run in the 4th, and 2 in the 5th to take a 3-0 lead.

The Biscuits came back in the bottom of the 5th. 3B Evan Longoria and 1B Chris Nowak both singled. With 1 out, C Josh Arhart singled to load the bases. Three straight singles by LF Jason Pridie, 2B Josh Asanovich, and CF Fernando Perez each scored a run and left the bases loaded. Huntsville turned a double play to end the rally, leaving the game tied at 3.

Then the 6th inning happened.

The Biscuits lifted starter James Houser for Jarod Matthews, but Huntsville loaded the bases on a single and 2 walks. Jeremy Flanagan replaced Matthews, and hit the first batter he faced, giving Huntsville the lead. Two singles scored 2 more runs, a sacrifice fly scored another, then 3 more singles scored 2 more runs, making it 9-3. Another run in the 8th made it 10-3.

Asanovich and Arhart were both 2-for-3 for the Biscuits, the only players with multiple hits. Huntsville starter Adam Pettyjohn allowed only 1 baserunner on a walk in the first 4 innings, before the Biscuits had their 1 big inning in the 3rd. He took the win. The 3 pitchers out of the Huntsville bullpen each allowed a single hit, but got only 1 runner as far as second base.

Matthews took the loss for the Biscuits, his first of the year.

Defensively, the Biscuits kept it from getting worse, turning 2 double plays and stranding 12 Huntsville runners, 5 in scoring position.

The loss drops the Biscuits to 9-9, in 4th place, 4 games out of 1st place.

Catfish Beat Rome Again In Extra Innings

Columbus Catfish logoIt only took 12 innings this time, but the outcome was similar to the night before. The Columbus Catfish scored multiple runs in the top of the 12th inning, then held on for an extra inning win over the Rome Braves, 5-3 Monday night.

The Catfish had scored first, when RF John Matulia tripled with one out in the 1st, then scored on a single by 3B Cesar Suarez.

Rome tied it up in the 2nds, on an error, a single, a fielder's choice, and a sacrifice fly. The home team took the lead in the 6th, on a triple, a fielder's choice, a single, and another fielder's choice.

Like Rome came back from a 2-run deficit the night before, the Catfish did the same Monday. In the 7th, Matulia walked, and scored on a Suarez double to left. With one out, LF Ryan Royster walked, then, after a pitching change, scored on a single by 2B Brett Grandstrand.

The Catfish had a runner on 2rd with 1 out in the 8th, but 2 infield pop flies stymied the threat, and, after squashing a Rome threat in the 9th, the game went to extra innings.

Rome put a runner on 2nd in the 10th, but the Catfish held. In the 11th, the Catfish managed to put a runner on 3rd base, but couldn't bring him in.

In the 12th, Royster led with a double. Grandstrand attempted to sacrifice him over to 3rd, but an error by Rome pitcher Deunte Heath not only allowed Grandstrand to reach base, but to reach second, and allowed Royster to score, putting the Catfish up by a run. With first base open, 1B Matt Fields struck out, but reached on a dropped third strike when Rome 1B Josh Morris misplayed the toss from Rome C Jerry Verastegui. Grandstrand made it to third when Rome turned a double play, and scored when SS Jairo De La Rosa singled, putting the Catfish up, 5-3.

Rome threatened with a 1-out double by CF Jordan Schafer, but he was stranded at second when reliever Neal Frontz struck out the next 2 Rome batters to win the game.

The win was the first of the season by Frontz. He allowed 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 5 in 3 innings work. Starter Josh Butler allowed 3 runs (2 earned) on 6 hits, with 5 Ks in 6 innings work. He was relieved by Chris Kelly, who pitch 3 scoreless innings, allowing 2 hits and striking out 3.

Royster's 12th inning double was his only hit of the night, but it came when needed most, as did De La Rosa's single ... also his only hit of the night ... that scored the insurance run in the 12th.

Suarez also made the most of his 2 hits. His 1st inning single and his 7th inning double each scored a run. Matulia also had 2 hits, and scored twice on the night.

With the win, the Catfish have tied their longest winning streak of the season at 3 games, and have beaten a team 3 times in a row for the 1st time this season. The win also guarantees a series win with Rome. The Catfish had split each of the first 4 series with Kannapolis, Greenville, Asheville, and Augusta.

After one more game with Rome on Tuesday night, the Catfish have a day off, then head to Charleston for 4 games, before returning home to Columbus on the 30th.

Monday, April 23, 2007

Blogrolling 2007-04-23

Some items of interest from the blogroll.

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Sunday, April 22, 2007

Catfish Win In 16

Columbus Catfish logoThe Columbus Catfish blew a 2-run lead in the 9th, but batted around in the 16th to take the second game of the series with the Rome Braves Sunday, 8-3.

Rome pitcher Lance Cormier stuck out 4 (yes, 4) Catfish batters in the 1st inning, as the Catfish jumped out to a 1-0 lead. CF Desmond Jennings led the game with a double to left. Cormier stuck out DH John Matulia, and then 3B Cesar Suarez, but a wild pitch on strike three allowed Suarez to reach first, and Jennings to make it to third. Catfish C Nevin Ashley was the third strike out victim for out 2. LF Ryan Royster singled, scoring Jennings. RF Quinn Stewart struck out for the third out and the 4th strike out of the inning.

Rome tied the game in the 5th on a single, a sacrifice, and a double. The double was Rome CF Jordan Schafer's South Atlantic League-leading 11th.

The Catfish re-took the lead in the 6th. With 1 out, Ashley was hit by a pitch, then stole second. With 2 out, Stewart doubled, scoring Ashley. 1B Matt Fields reached on an error, allowing Stewart to score.

The Catfish went down in order in the 7th, 8th, and 9th innings. Rome had runners in scoring position in the 6th and 7th innings, and tied the game in the 9th. A walk, a double, and a throwing error sent the game to extra frames.

In the 10th inning, the Catfish had the bases loaded with 1 out, but Rome P Ryne Reynoso struck out the next 2 batters to end the threat.

The 11th saw the Catfish get a runner on first, but double play ended that. In the 12th, two runners reached, but were thrown out, one at second, and one at home for the third out.

The Catfish had runners on 2nd and 3rd in the 13th, but a strike out ended that. In the 15th, a base runner reached on a single, but the pinch runner was picked off.

Things finally broke loose in the 16th. Fields singled, but was forced out as 2B Joey Callender grounded to third. Brett Grandstrand replaced Callender on the base path, and moved to second when SS Jairo De La Rosa walked. Jennings walked to load the bases. With 2 outs, Suarez drew a walk, scoring Grandstrand, C Matt Spring walked, scoring De La Rosa, and, after a pitching change, LF Maiko Loyola walked, scoring Jennings. With the bases still loaded, Stewart singled, sending Suarez and Spring to the plate. However, Loyola was thrown out at third, for the third out, but the Catfish had an 8-3 lead.

Ryan Reid, who came in to pitch to start the 13th, set Rome down in order in the bottom of the 16th to earn the win.

Starter Woods Fines pitched 6 innings, allowing 1 run on 6 hits, striking out 5. Ryan Morse pitched 6 innings of relief, allowing 1 earned run, but the unearned run cost him the save. He allowed 4 hits, walked 2, and struck out 7. Reid didn't allow a hit in his 4 innings on the mound, striking out 4 and earning his 1st win.

Biscuits Fall In 11

A solo homer in the top of the 11th inning spoiled a Sunday afternoon Kids' Day for the Montgomery Biscuits. The Biscuits bullpen didn't allow a hit after a meaningless single in the 5th inning ... until the game-winning dinger in the 11th, but would up with the 2-1 loss to the Huntsville Stars (Brewers).

The Biscuits scored in the first when, with 1 out, SS Brooks Badeaux singled, then, with 2 out, moved to second on 3B Evan Longoria's single to left, and moved to third on a wild pitch. 1B Chris Nowak singled, scoring Badeaux.

And that was all the scoring for the Biscuits. Huntsville tied the game in the 4th on back-to-back doubles to lead the inning, and, other than a single in the 5th and 2 walks (1 intentional) in the 9th, Huntsville didn't have any runners on base ... until the solo shot in the 11th.

The Biscuits had lots of opportunities to win the game, but left 11 runners on base, 7 in scoring position, including 1 in the bottom of the 11th.

Biscuits starter Derek Feldkamp went 5 innings, allowed 1 run on 5 hits, walked 1 and struck out 5 while getting a no-decision, despite pitching well enough to earn his first win of the season. Richard De Los Santos pitched 3 perfect innings of relief, striking out 3 in the process. Nick Debarr pitched the 9th inning. Brian Henderson pitched a perfect 10th, but allowed the game-winning home run with 2 out in the 11th, and took the loss.

Prior to the game, nearly the entire roster was available for signing autographs. Many of the 4,918 fans that showed up for the game took advantage of the opportunity. And, despite, the number of autographs they signed, the Biscuits players were pleasant and very personable with the children ... and adults ... that asked for signatures.

And that's one of the reasons that I enjoy minor league baseball. The players ... most anyway ... seem to appreciate the fans ... and often go out of their way to be friendly to the kids at the ballpark. Sure, there are major leaguers that are like that, too, but there are plenty of players in the majors that don't have time for the fans. Not so in the minors. Most leave a smile on a kid's face.

Blogrolling 2007-04-22

Some items of interest from the blogroll.

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Catfish Best Braves

Columbus Catfish logoThe second road trip of the season for the Columbus Catfish began well Saturday night, as they defeated the Rome Braves (Braves, duh) 7-1.

RR John Matulia went 5-for-5, a home-run short of the cycle, to lead the Catfish 12-hit attack. LF Ryan Royster was 3-for-4, with 3 doubles on the night.

The Catfish started things early, with Matulia hitting a 1-out triple to right field. With 2 outs, C Nevin Ashley singled on a ground ball to center, scoring Matulia.

In the 3rd, Matulia doubled with 1 out, went to third on a passed ball, and scored on 3B Cesar Suarez's sacrifice fly, putting the Catfish up 2-0.

Rome closed the gap in the 4th, when Braves 1B Josh Morris doubled, scoring CF Jordan Schafer.

In the 5th, Catfish 2B Brett Grandstrand reached on an error, stole second, and went to third on SS Jairo De La Rosa's bunt single. CF Desmond Jennings singled, scoring Grandstrand. Matulia reached on a bunt single, loading the bases. Rome P Timothy Gustafson struck out Suarez, but the wild pitch allowed De La Rosa to score, making it 4-1. With 2 outs, Royster's 2nd double brought Jennings and Matulia around, and the Catfish had a 6-1 lead.

1B Matt Fields homered to lead off the 7th, making it 7-1.

Catfish starter Wade Townsend went 6 innings, allowing 4 hits and a run, striking out 9 on the way to his 3rd win. Columbus native Brian Baker pitched 2 innings of relief, allowing 3 hits, and striking out 2. Neal Frontz pitched the 9th inning to seal the win.

The win improves the Catfish to 9-8, in 4th place in the division, 2 games out of 2nd place. The Catfish have 3 more games in Rome, then head to Charleston, South Carolina for 4 games before returning home on April 30 against Rome.

Saturday, April 21, 2007

Biscuits Return Home With Win

In a rematch of the 2006 Southern League championship series, the Montgomery Biscuits battled back and forth with the Huntsville Stars (Brewers), winning 7-6.

Biscuits crowdThe Wife and I took the grandchildren to the game, and it was crowded. 7,298 showed up, forcing us to have to sit on the grass. Normally, I buy tickets ahead of time before going to a Biscuits game, but not Saturday. And my knees are betraying my age.

The crowd meant that not only were the stands full, but so were the concessions. So I missed much of the action while getting Cokes, ice cream, biscuits (of course), and such. But I could hear the crowd behind me cheering when good things happened. And good things did happen.

Biscuits SS Reid Brignac was 3-for-5 for the night, with a stolen base, driving in 2 runs and scoring once himself. 3B Evan Longoria was 2-for-3, with a 2-run homer (that was the big cheering during one concession stand trip), and 3 RBI. Also going 2-for-3 was 1B Chris Nowak, who had 2 RBI.

Up 5-1 going to the 6th, the Biscuits ran into trouble. Starter Chris Seddon allowed 4 straight singles to start the Huntsville 6th, before giving way to Brett Wayne. A double, an errant pick-off attempt, and a single gave Huntsville the 6-5 lead, and Wayne has his first blown save of the season.

The Biscuits offense came to the rescue. In the bottom of the 6th, a single, a double, and an intentional walk loaded the bases with 2 outs for Nowak, who proceeded to drive in 2 on a single to left field. That gave the Biscuits a 7-6 lead.

Wayne pitched a perfect 7th, and got 2 outs in the 8th before Dale Thayer came in to finish the game. 3 straight stikeouts in the 9th carried him to his 4th save of the season.

Blogrolling 2007-04-21

Some items of interest from the blogroll.
  • aTypical Joe finds that even mass killers can't get good service at the Post Office either.

  • VW Bug (One Happy Dog Speaks) prepares for a road trip ... and has a song in her head.

  • WuzzaDem finds Alec Baldwin at his new job.

  • Pirate's Cove has more on the craziest of the Balwin brothers.

  • Jeff H. (Think Sink) celebrated filling in the blank.

  • Cranky (Six Meat Buffet) takes up for Slublog in the fight with Phelps & Cult.

  • Sin City looks at other options than a local tax on Coca-Cola.

  • Random Yak wonders why the gun-control folks miss one vital point.

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Friday, April 20, 2007

Biscuits Drop Series Finale

Montgomery BiscuitsUp 2-0 going into the 8th, the Montgomery Biscuits bullpen allowed 3 late-inning runs by the Birmingham Barons (White Sox), dropping the 5th game of the series, 3-2 Friday night.

The Biscuits got on the board in the top of the first. CF Fernando Perez started the game with a bunt single, then stole second. With 1 out, he stole third, then came home on a ground ball out by SS Reid Brignac.

Perez scored again in the 5th, leading off the inning by drawing a walk, stealing second, and moving to third on a wild pitch. With one out, Brignac hit a sacrifice fly to left, bringing Perez home.

Biscuits starter Mike Prochaska pitched threw the 5th inning, allowing just one hit and striking out 2. He left the game up 2-0. Reliever Jeremy Flanagan allowed just one base runner on one hit in the next 2 innings, but things came unraveled in the 8th.

Flanagan left with one out in the 8th after hitting 2 batters. With runners on the corner, reliever Richard De Los Santos was charged with a balk, making it 2-1. A double by Birmingham 2B Christopher Getz tied the game.

In the bottom of the 9th, a walk, a single, a sacrifice bunt, and an intentional walk loaded the bases with 1 out. After getting a fly-ball second out, De Los Santos allowed a single to center, and the winning run for Birmingham crossed the plate.

The loss was the second last at-bat loss in the series with Birmingham. The Barons won 3 of 5 games.

The Biscuits return to Montgomery Saturday night, opening a series with the Huntsville Stars (Brewers).

Catfish Pounded By Greenjackets

Two nights in a row, and for 24 straight innings, the Columbus Catfish held the Augusta Greenjackets (Giants) from scoring an earned run. That had to come to an end eventually. And it did tonight. Augusta scored early ... and often ... en route to a 9-0 pasting of the Catfish.

Augusta scored 3 runs with 2 outs in the 1st inning, added another in the 4th, 2 in the 5th, and for good measure, 3 in the 8th.

Greenjackets starter Adam Cowart pitched 7 innings, scattering 5 hits, and striking out 5 Catfish batters as he picked up his 4th win of the season.

Things went poorly for the Catfish from the get-go. In the 1st inning, LF John Matulia hit a 1-out double on a line drive to right field, but was thrown out at third trying to stretch it into a triple. He would be the last Catfish runner to get past first until the 7th inning, when RF Maiko Loyola beat out a ground ball to short, then moved to third on two wild pitches by Cowart.

The Catfish did manage 6 hits off Cowart and reliever Thomas King, but stranded 4 runners, the rest being picked off or caught stealing.

Defensively, Catfish C Nevin Ashley picked off 2 runners at first base, in addition to throwing out an Augusta baserunner trying to steal second.

P Ryan Owen was tagged with the loss, giving up 3 runs in 3 innings, and striking out 4. After that 3-run 1st inning, he only faced 6 more batters in the next 2 innings, but was lifted to start the 4th.

The loss evens the Catfish record at 8-8, earning a split with Augusta ... and in all 4 series played so far this season, both at road and at home.

The Catfish head to Rome to face the Braves this weekend, and won't be back in town until the 30th.

Headline News 2007-04-20

From CNN:
Columbine survivor: Emotional roller coaster ahead
Being stalked by Michael Moore next

From CNN:
Students disgusted by killer's manifesto
Didn't approve of killing spree, either

From CNN:
Bush, Democrats fail to bridge differences over Iraq
Agreement not possible as long as Bush refuses to cut and run

From CNN:
Chinese officials crack down on bad English
Thousands charged with Vioration of Engrish Ranguage Raws

From CNN:
'Law & Order' renewal still uncertain
Network reserves right to nip Fred Thompson presidential run

From CNN:
Spector's jurors already think he's guilty
Having actually committed murder weighs against him

From CNN:
Congo criticized over child soldiers
Democrats still support Al-Qaeda child bombers

From CNN:
Fires threaten Georgia's Okefenokee refuge
Residents may have to start marrying outside family

From WGAL:
Police: Phony cop attacked woman
Phony woman had big suprise for phony cop

From KIRO:
Police: Burglar shoots self in foot
Barney Fife: A cop gone wrong

Open TrackBacks 2007-04-20

Still trying to solve the issues with the Dell laptop. Computer Associates really screwed it up. So, I worked on it all night ... missing last night's Catfish game in the process. And, being up late trying to fix it (made progress, but it's still not fixed), I overslept this morning. So no scanning the blogroll.

However, if you'd like to share an item via TrackBack, please feel free to do so.

Thursday, April 19, 2007

Biscuits Edge Barons

Montgomery BiscuitsSS Reid Brignac hit a go-ahead solo home run in the 6th inning to help the Montgomery Biscuits edge the Birmingham Barons (White Sox) 3-2 Thursday night.

Birmingham went up 1-0 in the 1st inning when 2B Christopher Getz, who had reached on a 1-out single, scored on 3B Christopher Kelly's double.

The Biscuits evened the score in the 3rd. With 1 out, 2B Josh Asanovich singled, CF Fernando Perez walked, and LF Brooks Badeaux loaded the bases on a line drive single to right field. Brignac hit a sacrifice fly to left scoring Asanovich.

In the 6th inning, Brignac led off with his 2nd home run of the season, and picked up his 2nd RBI of the night, and 9th of the season, second on the team.

In the 7th inning, the Biscuits scored the deciding run. With 1 out, RF Jason Pridie singled. Asanovich followed with a single, moving Pridie to second. Pridie stole third, and scored on Birmingham C Donny Lucy's throwing error.

In the 9th, Biscuits reliever Nick Debarr loaded the bases on a walk and 2 singles. He was relieved by Dale Thayer, who struck out Lucy for the first out. Birmingham picked up a run on SS Robert Valido's sacrifice fly. Thayer stuck out CF Sean Smith to pick up the save.

Christopher Mason pitched 6-2/3 innings, allowed 1 run on 6 hits, and struck out 3. Reliever Brian Henderson finished the 7th inning, and Debarr came in and pitched the 8th, before being relieved in the 9th. Mason picked up his first win in 3 starts, while Thayer earned his 3rd save.

The Biscuits are now 8-6, in 3rd place, 2 games behind division-leading Birmingham and Mississippi (Braves).

Catfish Bounce Back, Blank Augusta

Columbus Catfish logoFor the second night in a row, the Columbus Catfish didn't allow the Augusta Greenjackets (Giants) to score an earned run. Unlike the previous night, they didn't allow them to score an unearned run, either.

Powered by home runs from CF Desmond Jennings and DH Brett Grandstrand, the Catfish blanked the division leaders, 6-0.

The Catfish got on the board in the first inning, when Jennings led the home half with a solo shot over the left field wall.

In the 4th inning, Grandstrand added 4 more runs with a grand slam. LF John Matulia led the inning with a single to left. With 1 out, C Nevin Ashley reached on an error when Augusta P Robert Grace mishandled a bunt. RF Maiko Loyola loaded the bases when he drew a walk. That led to Grandstrand's grand slam.

The Catfish pushed one more run across in the 8th inning. With 2 out, 3B Cesar Suarez and Ashley both singled. After Craig Albernaz replaced Ashley, Loyola singled to right, scoring Suarez.

Starter Lewis Rollins went 6 innings, allowing 2 hits, walking 1, and striking out 7 in picking up his 1st win. Chris Kelly worked 2 innings of relief, striking out 1. Ryan Reid worked the 9th inning, shutting down Augusta in three at-bats, allowing a meaningless single, and getting 1B Brett Pill to ground into a 6-3 double play.

The series concludes Friday night, with the Catfish assured no worse than a split with the Greenjackets.

Blogrolling 2007-04-19

Some items of interest from the blogroll.

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Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Making A Buy

We all try to live right and stay on the straight and narrow. But we're human. And we have human frailties.

And, when loved ones are affected, you show the support the best way you can.

When the weakness becomes a habit, things can get very complicated. And when the habits ... these addictions ... take root, we enter a different world.

Tuesday evening, this hit home.

You see, the Wife has an addiction. And had to have a fix.

We car pool, since we work just a couple of blocks from each other. And when I got off work, I drove over to her workplace to pick her up.

She got into the car as usual, but something seemed ... different. I couldn't put my finger on it, and let it drop.

Then, her phone rang.

All I heard was her end of the conversation. But it was enough to let me know that something out of the ordinary was going on.
"Yeah. Hey. You got it? (pause) By where? (to me:) You know where the Rothschild Building is? (I wasn't sure.) (to the caller:) Yeah, I think so. Is that 12th Street? (pause) 11th Street? Yeah, we're close. (pause) We'll be by there in a minute." (hangs up)

Yes, it was quite clear to me. My Wife has an addiction. And she was making a buy.

What was I to do? Go along? Do nothing?

I was driving, so doing nothing wasn't possible. I had to either help her make her buy ... or hinder her from making her buy.

In the end, I decided to not confront, but to go along.

We made a couple of turns and were on 11th street. Since it's a one-way street, and since I wasn't certain which building was the Rothschild Building, I wasn't sure that we hadn't passed it.

We drove in circles for a little bit, turning and heading down 10th (another one-way) to the end near the river, then heading back to 11th, to begin the circuit again.

Nervous that she was going to miss her supplier, she opened her cell phone and looked up the last incoming call. She hit "redial" and tried to call her source. It rolled to voice-mail.

Now, she was concerned that she not going to make the transaction. She called again. Voice-mail again.

She had me pull into a parking space, then jumped out and walked up and down a section of 11th Street, hoping to spot her contact. No luck.

She got back into the car and took a deep breath. Then, her phone rang. It was her supplier.
"Hey. Yes. What block are you on? (pause) Where is that? 10th Street? What street are you facing? (to me:) She's on 11th, looking at the Rothschild Building. (to the caller:) What are you wearing? What color pants? (pause) Yeah, we're moving now. We're crossing 3rd Avenue. (pause) Okay, I see you. We'll be there in just a second." (hangs up)

She pointed her contact out to me. I saw her. She told me to move over to the far left-hand lane. I did.

We approached the contact, pulling into an empty parking space.

The contact approached the car, with her merchandise in her hands.

The Wife had me roll down my window.

The supplier bent down, and handed the package to me. I handed it over to the Wife, and the transaction was completed.

They exchanged a few words, discussing meeting again in the future, then the deal was done.

We drove away as the Wife examined her buy. I didn't say much.

When we got home ... no, going to the baseball game wasn't in the cards that night ... the Wife took her stash inside, then went to where she needed to be to ... enjoy it.

I let her have her indulgence of her habit. I hope it was the right thing to do.

But I knew that I had crossed a line that night that I never imagined I would cross.

I had helped my Wife make a buy on the streets of Columbus. It was the first time I had ever participated in a street buy of ... a goldfish.

My life will never be the same.

Late Error Sinks Catfish

After knocking the Augusta Greenjackets (Giants) from the ranks of the unbeatens the night before, the Columbus Catfish held Augusta scoreless for 8-2/3 innings. Unfortunately, they played 9 innings. And the Catfish ended up on the short end of a 1-0 score tonight.

The Catfish managed but 4 hits, however, 2 of those were doubles. 3 innings ended with a Catfish runner on third base. A total of 8 Catfish runners were left on base, 6 in scoring position.

Catfish pitchers allowed 5 hits and stranded 7 Augusta runners, including 5 in scoring position. Starter Joshua Butler allowed 3 hits over 6 innings, and struck out 4. Reliever Neal Frontz allowed 2 hits in 3 innings relief, striking out 3 and walking 1. He was tagged with the loss when Augusta scored an unearned run in the 9th.

Frontz pitched well in a losing cause. He got struck out the first two batters in the top of the 9th in a scoreless contest, before walking RF Matt Weston. He appeared out of the inning when Augusta 3B Ryan Rohlinger hit a grounder to third, but Catfish 3B Cesar Suarez bobbled the ball before recovering and throwing high to first. Following that error, Augusta DH Nestor Rojas lined a single to right field, scoring Weston.

That unearned run held up. Catfish RF Maiko Loyola walked, and after a pitching change, moved to second on DH Quinn Stewart's sacrifice bunt to first. However, Augusta reliever Juan Trinidad struck out 1B Matt Fields and got 2B Brett Grandstrand to ground out to short, ending the game.

Frontz was charged with the loss, his 3rd in 4 appearances out of the bullpen.

The Catfish fall to 7-7, 6 games out of first and 2 games out of 2nd.

The series continues Thursday night, with the Catfish hosting the 3rd game of this series on Simpson's 20th Anniversary.

Yes, the Simpsons. Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, etc. Those Simpsons.

MinorLeagueBaseball.com calls the Thursday promotion one of the Top Ten promotions of the week in all of the minors. It should be fun.

Headline News 2007-04-18

From ABC News:
Find Out How to Catch Depression Early
Join the Democratic Party

From ABC News:
White House Secret Service Hurt in Gun Mishap
Dick Cheney's gun safety class goes awry

From ABC News:
Majority Expect U.S. Will 'Lose' in Iraq
Democrats' strategy paying off

From ABC News:
Missing U.S. Teacher May Have Fallen Off Cliff
Cliff able to breathe again

From ABC News:
Christie's Auctions Prehistoric Objects
Date with Dick Clark fetches record amount

From ABC News:
In presidential race, French resign themselves to pragmatism
History of surrender finally pays off

From ABC News:
Whale Is Spotted in New York Harbor
Striped elsewhere

From ABC News:
Vivid New Pictures of a Violent Sun
Sol blamed for Va. Tech shootings

From ABC News:
'Amphibian Ark' Planned to Save Frogs
God's Plan B begins

From ABC News:
Charles Dickens Theme Park Set to Open
Most popular ride: Estella

Biscuits Bounce Back, Beat Birmingham

Montgomery BiscuitsAfter dropping 2 in a row to the the Birmingham Barons (White Sox), the Montgomery Biscuits bounced back Wednesday afternoon, taking a 6-4 decision.

CF Jason Pridie opened the game with a line drive triple to right field. He scored when 2B Brooks Badeaux hit a grounder to second base, putting the Biscuits up early, 1-0.

Birmingham tied the game on a double and a 1-out RBI single in the 2nd inning, then went up on a solo home run by Barons RF Thomas Collaro in the 6th inning.

The Biscuits evened the game in the 7th. DH Chris Nowak doubled to start the inning. RF Shaun Cumberland sacrificed him to third. 1B Gabriel Martinez singled to center, scoring Nowak.

The 8th inning saw the Biscuits go up by two. Badeaux doubled with 2 out. After SS Reid Brignac walked, 3B Evan Longoria doubled, scoring Badeaux and Brignac.

A 2-out, 2-RBI double by Collaro tied the game for Birmingham in the bottom of the 8th.

In the 9th, Martinez opened with a line drive single to right. With 1 out, CF Fernando Perez walked. Following a pitching change, Pridie, who had moved to LF, reached on a fielder's choice, erasing Perez, but moving Martinez to third. A Brooks Badeaux single scored Martinez. A Reid Brignac singled drove in Pridie, and the Biscuits were up 6-4.

Dale Thayer, who had blown the save opportunity in the 8th inning, but benefitted from the Biscuits runs in the top of the 9th, allowed one base runner in the 9th, but got Birmingham PH Ricardo Nanita to fly out to left and 2B Christopher Getz to ground out to second base to secure the win.

Starter James Houser scattered 4 hits over 6 innings, allowed 2 runs, all earned, and struck out 4 in the no-decision.

The Biscuits managed to strand 6 Birmingham runners on base, 4 in scoring position.

Birmingham still leads the South Division of the Southern League. The Biscuits are in 3rd place, 3 games back, at 7-6.

Blogrolling 2007-04-18

Some items of interest from the blogroll.
  • M. Barbay wishes the story about bunnies ended as cute as ... a story about bunnies.

  • Mrs Jose Goldbloom (Goldbloom's Padded Cell) misses pork.

  • Fausta participated in a Q and A with Gen. Cichowski.

  • Two Dogs (Mean Ol' Meany) enjoyed Knights of Prosperity.

  • Rick Moran (Right Wing Nut House) had a conversation with his cats.

  • Wild Thing (Theodore's World) says the Westboro cult is going to Va. Tech.

  • Jack Yoest (Reasoned Audacity) says the left thinks the right works like they do.

  • Buckley F. Williams (The Nose On Your Face) looks at the Richard Gere protest.

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Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Birmingham Blasts Biscuits

Montgomery BiscuitsThe Montgomery Biscuits were held to 3 hits and the Birmingham Barons (White Sox) pounded out 12 en route to a 10-1 decision Tuesday night.

The Biscuits scored first ... without even recording a hit ... in the 2nd inning. 3B Evan Longoria and 1B Chris Nowak both walked, then RF Shaun Cumberland reached on an error, loading the bases. C Josh Arhart walked, forcing in Longoria. And that was it for the Biscuits.

Although 6 more batters reached base on walks, none scored. In fact, the Biscuits were 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position. They left 9 runners on base.

Birmingham was more productive at the plate, getting runners on base every inning, and scoring in 5 of 8 innings.

Biscuits starter Derek Feldkamp pitched 5 innings, allowing 3 runs, 2 earned, walking 3, and striking out 1. He's now 0-2 on the season.

Catfish End Augusta Unbeaten Streak

Columbus Catfish logoAfter opening the season with 12 straight wins, the Augusta Greenjackets (Giants) fell from the ranks of the unbeaten, losing to the Columbus Catfish tonight, 5-1.

Augusta got on the board first in the top of the 3rd. 2B Marcus Sanders singled to center, then moved to second on LF Tyler Graham's single.s on a ground ball to center fielder Desmond Jennings. Marcus Sanders to 2nd. With one out, Sanders and Graham executed a double steal. Sanders then scored when 1B Brett Pill hit a sacrifice fly to right field.

The Catfish came back in the bottom of the inning. With one out, CF Desmond Jennings singled, and moved to third on a ball four passed ball that put RF Maiko Loyola on first. 3B Cesar Suarez doubled, driving in Jennings. DH Nevin Ashley sacrificed Loyola home, but the inning ended when Suarez was tagged out at second.

Augusta threatened in the 4th and 6th innings, putting runners in scoring position, but were unable to convert.

In the bottom of the 6th, the Catfish padded their lead, knocking Augusta starter Daniel Griffin from the game. Loyola led the inning with a short double that Augusta SS Brian Bocock couldn't handle. Suarez was hit by a pitch. Loyola scored on Ashley's double to center. That's when Griffin was lifted for reliever Benjamin Snyder. LF Quinn Stewart singled, bringing home Suarez. 2B Brett Grandstrand sacrificed Ashley home on a bunt to the pitcher.

Augusta put a runner on 3rd in the 7th, but again couldn't convert. Catfish reliever Brian Baker set down Augusta in the 8th, and Ryan Owen got three straight ground ball outs in the 9th to secure the win.

Griffin fell to 2-1 with the loss. Catfish starter Ryan Morse improved to 2-0, striking out 3 and walking 2 in 6 innings work, and now has an even 1.0 ERA.

The Catfish managed to strand 8 Greenjackets, 5 in scoring position.

Augusta drops to 12-1, with a 4-game lead. The Catfish are in 4rd place, a game out of second.

The 4-game series continues Wednesday night.

Headline News 2007-04-17

From Reuters:
33 dead in Virginia shootings: university president
Reid, Pelosi call for U.S. to withdraw from Virginia

From Reuters:
Stone-throwing fracas mars Madonna's Malawi visit
How fracas obtained stones still unclear

From Reuters:
Asians fear backlash after Virginia school shooting
TSA takes over school security, to profile grey-haired grandmothers

From Reuters:
Virginia Tech massacre "senseless tragedy": Pope
Says Halocaust was tragedy that made sense

From Reuters:
Graceland lures Elvis fans 30 years after King's death
Graceland is such a slut

From Reuters:
O.J. Simpson book sale canceled
Public already knows how he did it

From Reuters:
U.S. woman first to run Boston marathon in orbit
Hard part was getting Boston in orbit

From Reuters:
White House threatens veto of drug price bill
Wants street price to come down

From ABC News:
Seattle Man Charged in Bizarre Duck Case
Earl Billings arrested

From Reuters:
Protesters burn effigies after Gere kisses Shilpa
Gerbil supporters riot

Blogrolling 2007-04-17

Some items of interest from the blogroll.

If you'd like to share an item via TrackBack, please feel free to do so.

Monday, April 16, 2007

Chattanooga? Lookout!

The Wife and I went to Chattanooga this past weekend. And had a good time. And a miserable time.

It was a long drive. And it rained all day Saturday. Still, they got the game in. But the Biscuits lost.

But that wasn't the worst of it.

You see, I thought the Wife was a little subdued on the way up. I figured it was something I had done or said. Yes, I had done and said something. You know, just being an ass like husbands are wont to do.

But, no, it wasn't me. Turns out the Wife was coming down with a cold. Which is why she was carrying NyQuil and DayCare in her purse.

And she sat in the rain. Well, sort of. The rain stopped before the game. And when it started back, we moved to covered seating.

Then, it was cold Sunday. Really cold. Of course, we were in Chattanooga. Which has the Albert Gore Highway nearby. So, Sen. Gore's son's global warming kicked in, and it froze. Or seemed like freezing.

And we sat in the stands, under a blanket, trying to keep warm.

The Biscuits won, which was nice.

But we didn't do much in Chattanooga, other than go to baseball games. And that's the first time we'd been to a baseball game in Chattanooga, and the first time we went to Chattanooga, and didn't do something "touristy" ... like See Rock City. Or climb Lookout Mountain. Or go to the Tennessee Aquarium. Or Ruby Falls. Or anything.

But we did go to Krystal. You see, Krystal headquarters is in Chattanooga. And, it's the second oldest fast-food chain in the U.S. White Castle is older.

And, when I went to Columbus, Ohio a few years ago, I ate at White Castle. Since its headquarters is there.

So, going to Chattanooga means eating at Krystal, right? Well, it did.

I wanted to go up to the big, tall building downtown, pull into the parking garage, and ask for a dozen Krystals, just to see the look on the guard's face. But the Wife said no. Besides, he's probably had that happen before. But by folks a lot younger. And less sober. And named Harold and Kumar.

Anyway, we drove to a Krystal on the south side of town. And ordered a dozen Krystals.

We tried not to wake up the employee that was sleeping in the back of the restaurant. You can click here to see her sleeping.

And, no, we didn't wake her. But Pancho did.

Actually, I don't think "Pancho" was his real name. But that's what the Chattanooga Police called him when they came to take him away.

But he had already left, after "f*** this" and "f*** that" and "n***** this" and "n***** that" and so on. He claimed to be an Indian, although no one asked. And he said lots more, before digging into the trash can and got out a cup so he could fix himself a cup of coffee. He left before the police arrived, yelling at all the folks who were coming into the restaurant, picking up rocks and threatening to throw them, before heading off to the Eckerd's next door.

I hope he got his medications refilled while he was there.

The Wife was a little scared of him, and was barely able to eat 3 Krystals before we left.

But, no worries. We finished off the rest of the Krystals after we headed home after the ballgame.

Overall, not a bad trip. But not the best. Weather, colds (sniffles, etc), and crazy homeless people in the Krystal can put a damper on a trip.

I have nothing but good words to say, however, about the grounds crew in Chattanooga, getting the field ready for the game.

Oh, and one word of caution, if you make a road trip to Chattanooga.

Don't eat a dozen Krystals before you head off in a closed vehicle. Especially if the weather's cold and you don't want to put the window down.

Biscuits Lose In Ten

Montgomery BiscuitsMontgomery Biscuits starting pitcher Chris Seddon pitched 7 innings of 1-hit ball, but got into a jam in the 8th and left with a no decision in tonight's 2-1 loss to the Birmingham Barons (White Sox).

The Biscuits got on the board first. In the 3rd inning, with 1 out, CF Fernando Perez walked, moved to third on a single to left by SS Brooks Badeaux, and scored when 3B Evan Longoria singled to right field.

Birmingham tied the game in the 5th when DH Cory Aldridge got the Barons first hit of the night on a single on a fly ball to left field. After moving to second on a ground out and to third on a wild pitch, he scored on C Donny Lucy's sacrifice fly.

Though 7 innings, the only other base runners Birmingham had off of Seddon were on walks, of which one was stranded and the other picked off.

The 8th inning spelled trouble for Seddon, who allowed the first 2 runners on singles. Former Columbus Catfish Brett Wayne relieved him, and got out of the inning.

The Biscuits had runners in scoring position in both the 9th and 10th innings, each time with 1 out, but were unable to capitalize.

Birmingham scored in the bottom of the 10th to win the game, taking game 1 of this 5-game series.

Nick Debarr took the loss for the Biscuits, his 2nd loss against 2 wins in his 5th appearance out of the bullpen this season.