News

My computer charger broke, so I cannot post the last Omaha-Portland game. Omaha won 8-7 in 7 innings. I will post that as soon as I can.

Omaha did win the vote for the All-Star game. It will be held in their new ballpark, TD Ameritrade Park.

Game 8

Austin Uniforms - Montreal Uniforms

Notes
Eric Milton had his second start north of the border. But Victor Zambrano had his second start of the season, after missing his last start. In the first, a Baldelli Walk set up the table for Brendan Irons, who hit his second home run of the season. But in the 2nd was when things really got interesting. With two runners on first, Matt Lecroy tee'd off with a 3 run homer. That wasn't the end. Khalil Greene hit a solo home run two batters later. In the same situation as the first, Baldelli walked, and Irons hit his second home run of the day. 8 runs in the first two innings was enough by far. In the 4th, Jake Woods came in to relive Milton. In the 4th, two doubles plated one for the home side. The game ended quietly due to 1-2-3 fifth innings. The Roughnecks are putting ground on second place, now 1.5 up, with Omaha still to play.

Batters
AUS
Dukes 0-4
Greene 1-3 HR, 1R, 1RBI
Baldelli 0-1 K, 2BB, 2R
Irons 2-3 2HR, 2B, 2R, 4RBI
Spivey 1-3 1B
Munson 1-3 1B, K
Rolls 0-2 BB, K, 1R
Rodriguez 2-3 2B, 1B, 1R
Lecroy 1-2 HR, BB, 1R, 3RBI

MON
Gathright 0-2 BB
Guzman 0-3 K
Church 0-3
Aybar 1-3 1B
Phelps 0-2
Butler 1-2 2B, 1R
Bowen 0-2 K
Ortmeier 1-1 2B, BB, 1RBI
Tyner 0-0 2BB

Pitchers
AUS
Zambrano- 5 IP, 1 ERA, 2 Ks, 1 ER, 4 BB W

MON
Milton- 3 IP, 13.30 ERA, 1 Ks, 8 ER, 4 BB L
Woods- 2 IP, 0 ERA, 1 Ks, 0 ER, 1 BB

Player of the Game- Brendan Irons



Portland Uniforms - Omaha Uniforms

Notes
Absolutely crazy game. The most pitchers used in CBL history at 7. In the first, the Trappers pulled away early. The first 10 batters of the game had an at bat in the top of the first. Kason Gabbard got Bracket out to end the miserable inning. The Cyclones got one back in the bottom of the inning with two doubles by the 3 and 4 holes. The following inning, Burroughs hit a solo homer making it 5-1. Tadano loaded the bases in the 2nd, but got out of it. Brown doubled, and Berroa tripled in the 3rd that would be enough for Gabbard with 6 ER in 3 innings. But then the comeback began. A 3 run home run by Atkins made it 6-4. Then, a single by Buscher brought in Crosby from third. With a runner on, Gary Mathews, Jr. unloaded on a pitch and caused the 'Clones to take the lead 7-6. The very next inning, Taschner was in for his first appearance of the year, and a double scored Encarnacion at 3rd. That tie would remain with two 6 star relief pitchers in for 2 innings each. Gagne gave up one hit, and struck out 2 in 2 for his first game of the season. In the 7th, Calero loaded the bases from a double, single, and walk. Then Buscher comes up again and gets a hit over the head of Encarnacion for a double, but one was enough and the Cyclones completed an amazing comeback.

Batters
POR
Bracket 0-4 BB, 1R
Burroughs 2-4 HR, 1B, K, 2R, 1RBI
Encarnacion 2-4 3B, 2B, 2R, 1RBI
Pena 3-4 3B, 2 2B, 3RBI
Sexson 1-4 2B, K, 1R
Giles 0-3 K, BB
Brown 2-4 1B, 2B, K, 1R
Berroa 2-4 3B, 1B, 1RBI
Horwitz 1-3 2B, K, BB, 1RBI

OMA
Mathews Jr. 1-4 HR, 1R, 2RBI
Vidro 1-4 1B
Valentin 2-4 2B, 1B, 1R
Monroe 2-4 2 2B, 1R, 1RBI
Hermida 1-3 2B, BB, 2R
Atkins 2-4 1B, HR, 2K, 1R, 3RBI
Ensberg 1-4 1B, K 1R
Bo. Crosby 1-2 3B, 2BB, 2R
Buscher 2-3 2 1B, BB, 1R, 2RBI

Pitchers
POR
Tadano- 3 IP, 11.6 ERA, 1 Ks, 7 ER, 3 BB
Gagne- 2 IP, 0 ERA, 2 Ks, 0 ER, 0 BB
Calero- 1.2 IP, 5 ERA, 1 Ks, 1 ER, 1 BB L

OMA
Gabbard- 3 IP, 10 ERA, 1 Ks, 6 ER, 1 BB
Taschner- 1 IP, 5 ERA, 1 Ks, 1 ER, 0 BB
Julio- 2 IP, 0 ERA, 3 Ks, 0 ER, 0 BB
Maldonado- 1 IP, 0 ERA, 0 Ks, 0 ER, 2 BB W

Player of the Game- Brian Buscher

Week 1 in review

Taylor--------- W - L - GB-
Orlando------ 4 - 2 -
Virginia------ 4 - 2 -
Montreal----- 1 - 4 - 2.5

Lommel--------- W - L - GB-
Austin-------- 4 - 2 -
Omaha------- 3 - 3 - 1
Portland----- 2 - 5 - 2.5

Power Rankings
1. Austin Roughnecks
2. Orlando Majestics
3. Virginia Beach Bums
4. Omaha Cyclones
5. Portland Trappers
6. Montreal Bleus

Notes on stats

• Oscar Robels has gotten a hit in every game this year. As a DH, he hasn't had a reason to be out of the line up. Juan Francia has 0 appearances.
• Eric Gagne has no appearances this season.
• Marcus Giles has hit safely in his last 6 at bats, and 7 in his last 8.
• Sean Burroughs, Khalil Greene, and Juan Encarnacion are all tied on the all time hits leaderboard with 54.
• Juan Encarnacion now holds the lead, or share of the lead in every offensive category.
• Dontrelle Willis threw the second no-hitter in CBL History.

Game 7

Austin Uniforms - Montreal Uniforms

Notes
A nice afternoon game in Montreal, especially for the Bleus fans. Chris Young was up against Bobby Bradley, the Roughneck's 3rd starter. Both pitchers had fairly good starting innings. But walks were a major part of the game. Young loaded the bases in the 2nd after two walks and a single. The game was scoreless, until Baldelli singled in Greene who hit a triple. Then, the Bleus finally broke through. A leadoff double by Ortmeier, then a walk, single, and two more walks. Bradley walked in two runs, but it wasn't over. Josh Phelps hit a big double to make it 4-1. In the 5th, Manny Delcarmen was in for his first appearance in the CBL. A walk, K, then a double play wnded the game, and gave Montreal it's first win in team history.

Batters
AUS
Dukes 0-3
Greene 1-3 3B, 1R
Baldelli 2-3 2 1B, 1RBI
Irons 0-2 K, BB
Spivey 1-3 2B, K
Munson 0-2
Rolls 0-1 BB
Rodriguez 1-1 1B, BB
Burke 0-0 2BB

MON
Gathright 1-2 1B, BB, 1R
Guzman 1-3 1B, 1R
Church 0-0 2BB, 1R
Aybar 0-1 BB
Phelps 1-2 2B, K, 2RBI
Butler 0-2 K
Bowen 0-2
Ortmeier 1-2 2B, 1R
Bergeron 0-2

Pitchers
AUS
Bradley- 4 IP, 5 ERA, 2 Ks, 4 ER, 4 BB L

MON
Young- 4 IP, 1.25 ERA, 2 Ks, 1 ER, 4 BB W
Delcarmen- 1 IP, 0 ERA, 1 Ks, 0 ER, 1 BB SV

Player of the Game- Josh Phelps



Orlando Uniforms - Virginia Uniforms

Notes
In order to not be swept at home, the Bums would need a good performance by Looper.
Luckily, Looper was on. In the first with two runners on, Abernathy grounded into a double play. To start the bottom half off, Adam Everett homered. In the second, Pete LaForest doubled scoring Crede. Robels singled scoring Hillenbrand, and gave the M's the lead. But in the bottom half of the inning, With two runners in scoring position, Everett got another RBI from a single. Baldelli hit a double scoring Holliman. That was enough, as Anderson earned the save in the 5th.

Batters
ORL
Freeman 0-2 BB
Simms 1-3 1B
Abernathy 1-2 1B, BB
Grieve 0-3
Crede 2-3 2 1B, 1R
Hillenbrand 1-2 1B, 1R
LaForest 1-2 2B, 1RBI
Inglett 0-2
Robels 1-2 1B

VIR
Everett 2-3 HR, 1B, 1R, 2RBI
Hall 1-1 2B, BB, 1RBI
Blalock 0-2
Byrnes 0-2
Bigbie 0-2
Stokes 2-2 1B, 3B, 1R
Crosby 0-2
Holliman 1-2 2B, 1R
Greenberg 0-2

Pitchers
ORL
Wells- 4 IP, 3.75 ERA, 0 Ks, 3 ER, 1 BB L

VIR
Looper- 4 IP, 2.5 ERA, 0 Ks, 2 ER, 1 BB W
Anderson- 1 IP, 0 ERA, 0 Ks, 0 ER, 1 BB SV

Player of the Game- Adam Everett


Portland Uniforms - Omaha Uniforms

Notes
The second start of Akimumi Koike went better than his first, though he almost blew it. The Cyclones jumped ahead in the first with 4 hits, scoring 2 runs. But the Trappers scored two of their own with a Giles double, and Berroa triple. Omaha finally broke Ainsworth. Two singles to start the inning, then a walk. With bases loaded, the next three batters got on, including a 2 rbi double by Brian Buscher. Ainsworth left the game, as his night was done. In the 5th, Koike was going for the complete game. Simon and Burroughs walked, then who else but Juan Encarnacion to hit a home run, making it 6-5. Pena and Sexson couldn't manage to tie, and the Cyclones even up'd their record at 3-3.

Batters
POR
Bracket 0-3
Burroughs 1-2 1B, BB, 1R
Encarnacion 1-3 HR, 1R, 3RBI
Pena 2-3 2B, 1B, 1R
Sexson 0-3
Giles 2-2 2B, 1B, 1R, 1RBI
Brown 0-2 K
Berroa 1-2 3B, 1RBI
Simon 0-1 BB, 1R

OMA
Mathews Jr. 0-3
Vidro 1-3 1R
Valentin 1-3 1R
Monroe 2-3 2B, 1B, K, 2R, 1RBI
Hermida 1-2 1B, BB
Atkins 1-2 1B, BB, 1R, 1RBI
Ensberg 1-2 1B, 1R, 1RBI
Bo. Crosby 2-2 3B, 1B. 1RBI
Buscher 1-2 2B, K, 2RBI

Pitchers
POR
Ainsworth- 3 IP, 10 ERA, 1 Ks, 6 ER, 1 BB L
Burgos- 1 IP, 0 ERA, 1 Ks, 0 ER, 1 BB

OMA
Koike- 5 IP, 5 ERA, 1 Ks, 5 ER, 2 BB W

Player of the Game- Craig Monroe

New Rule

The double play will be included in the rules for further notice. If there is one, or no outs, and a runner is on first... If the following batter has his at bat randomized, and the first TWO results are out, then both runners will be out, and the pitcher will be able to breathe easier.

Game 6

Austin Uniforms - Montreal Uniforms

Notes
ben Sheets had his first CBL start against the Roughnecks. The problem is that Montreal has no offense. In 3 games, the team has scored just 3 runs. In the first, Sheets was a little rusty. Khalil Greene hit a two run home run as the second batter in Sheets career. Two more batters got on off of singles. But a 2-0 lead over the Bleus means a good chance at winning. Damian Rolls hit a bases loaded single to make it 3-0. The Bleus managed to get one in after a triple and double in the fourth. Clarke and Yan both pitched scoreless 5th innings, and the final was 3-1

Batters
AUS
Dukes 2-4 2 1B, K, 1R
Greene 2-4 HR, 1B, 1R, 2RBI
Baldelli 1-3 1B, 1R
Irons 1-2 2B, BB
Spivey 1-2 1B, K, BB
Munson 1-2 1B, BB
Rolls 1-2 1B, BB, 1RBI
Rodriguez 1-3 2B
LeCroy 0-3

MON
Gathright 0-2 2K BB
Guzman 1-3 1B
Church 0-3
Aybar 0-3
Phelps 0-3
Butler 1-2 1B, K
Bowen 1-1 3B, BB, 1R
Ortmeier 0-1 BB
Bergeron 1-2 2B, 1RBI

Pitchers
AUS
Ponson- 4 IP, 3.75 ERA, 3 Ks, 1 ER, 3 BB W
Yan- 1 IP, 0 ERA, 0 Ks, 0 ER, 0 BB SV

MON
Sheets- 4 IP, 3.75 ERA, 1 Ks, 3 ER, 3 BB L
Clarke- 1 IP, 0 ERA, 0 Ks, 0 ER, 1 BB

Player of the Game- Khalil Greene



Orlando Uniforms - Virginia Uniforms

Notes
Two of the better pitchers in the league up against each other. Mark Mulder and Chuck James wanting to win and take first place. Early on it looked like the Bums would run away. With Hall and Blalock on base, Eric Byrnes hit a 3 run home run. The M's slowly worked back into the game. A double by Crede plated Grieve int he 2nd. In the 3rd, Grieve hit a home run of his own, with Jamie Simms on base. That tied up the game. But the M's broke it open in the next inning. Inglett hit a solo home run, then with Robels on base Freeman hit a home run. Grive came up big again when he singled when Abernathy tripled. 7-3 would be the ending score after the M's broke it open.

Batters
ORL
Freeman 1-3 HR, 1R, 2RBI
Simms 0-2 BB 1R
Abernathy 1-3 3B, 1R
Grieve 3-3 HR, 2B, 1B, 2R, 2RBI
Crede 2-3 2B, 1B, 1RBI
Hillenbrand 0-3 K
LaForest 1-3 1B
Inglett 1-3 HR, 1R, 1RBI
Robels 1-2 1B, K, 1R

VIR
Everett 0-3
Hall 0-2 BB, K, 1R
Blalock 1-3 1B, 1R
Byrnes 3-3 HR, 1B, 3B, 1R, 3RBI
Bigbie 0-3
Stokes 0-1 BB
Crosby 0-2
Holliman 1-2 1B, K
Greenberg 1-2 1B

Pitchers
ORL
James- 5 IP, 3 ERA, 2 Ks, 3 ER, 2 BB W

VIR
Mulder- 4 IP, 7.75 ERA, 1 Ks, 7 ER, 1 BB L
Windsor- 1 IP, 0 ERA, 1 Ks, 0 ER, 0 BB

Player of the Game- Ben Grieve


Portland Uniforms - Omaha Uniforms

Notes
Trying to bounce back from being no hit, the Cyclones put their best arm on the mound for the game in Mark Prior. But unlucky Doug Waechter never really has gotten to ace status although being a 6 point pitcher after performing great in season 1. Both pitchers had good first innings. The Trappers got one across when Angel Berroa singled with Marcus Giles on third base after a triple. It wasn't till the 4th till the Cyclones scored. With runners on first and second, Morgan Ensberg hit a 3 run home run. That was enough for the Cyclones and Jorge Julio came in for a perfect 3 out save.

Batters
POR
Bracket 0-3
Burroughs 1-3 2B, K
Encarnacion 0-3
Pena 1-2 1B
Sexson 0-2
Giles 2-2 2B, 3B, 1R
Brown 0-2 K
Berroa 1-2 1B, 1RBI
Simon 1-2 2B

OMA
Mathews Jr. 0-2 K, BB
Vidro 0-2 K
Valentin 0-2
Monroe 1-2 3B, K
Hermida 1-2 1B, 1R
Atkins 1-2 1B, 1R
Ensberg 1-2 HR, 1R, 3RBI
Bo. Crosby 1-1 3B, BB
Ellison 0-2 K

Pitchers
POR
Waechter- 4 IP, 3.75 ERA, 4 Ks, 3 ER, 2 BB L

OMA
Prior- 4 IP, 1.25 ERA, 2 Ks, 1 ER, 0 BB W
Julio- 1 IP, 0 ERA, 0 Ks, 0 ER, 0 BB SV

Player of the Game- Mark Prior

Bleus sign Sheets

The winless Montreal Bleus make a move to improve their pitching staff. 35 year old Free Agent Ben Sheets will replace Noah Lowery as the 4th starter. Sheets is a 6 point pitcher, but he will get as many starts as a first starter.

Sheets will wear the number 36. When asked why, Sheets said "I've worn 15, 21, and 28 in my career. Those were taken. I looked at number 51, but I respect Lowery and won't take his. I added 15 and 21 together to get 36." Sheets will fly to Montreal and start the next game against the Roughnecks.

As far as Lowery, he will be released. He may be signed as a RP at the end of the season, but he does not have a job as of now.

CBL Pictures

Hank Blalock

Game 5

Orlando Uniforms - Virginia Uniforms

Notes
On the day Doug Mientkiewicz has his number retired, an actually surprising pitching duel took place. The last pitchers in each rotation for the M's and Bums pitched really good for 3 of the 4 innings. Both pitchers had a great first 2 innings, Nieve had a no hitter until the 3rd. But in the third, a walk and a home run set up the lead. Simms walked, then of course Brent Abernathy hit an RBI triple. Ben Grieve knocked him in with a single of his own. Batting around this inning took the wind out of the game. Jason Jennings was in the 4th, when a walk, double, and a Crosby Home run made it much closer. 4-3 into the last inning. The reliable Boof Bonser had a perfect inning to tie up the Taylor division with Virginia.

Batters
ORL
Freeman 0-3
Simms 0-2 BB, 1R
Abernathy 1-3 3B, 1R, 1RBI
Grieve 1-3 1B
Crede 0-2 BB, K
Hillenbrand 1-2 1B
LaForest 0-2 K
Inglett 0-1 BB, 1R
Robels 1-1 HR, BB, 1R, 2RBI

VIR
Everett 0-3
Hall 0-3
Blalock 1-2 1B
Byrnes 0-1 BB, 1R
Bigbie 0-2
Stokes 1-2 2B, 1R
Crosby 1-2 HR, 1R, 3RBI
Holliman 1-2 1B, K
Wilkerson 0-2

Pitchers
ORL
Jennings- 4 IP, 3.75 ERA, 1 Ks, 3 ER, 1 BB W
Bonser- 1 IP, 0 ERA, 0 Ks, 0 ER, 0 BB SV

VIR
Nieve- 4 IP, 5 ERA, 2 Ks, 4 ER, 3 BB L
Spooneybarger- 1 IP, 0 ERA, 0 Ks, 0 ER, 0 BB

Player of the Game- Oscar Robels



Portland Uniforms - Omaha Uniforms

Notes
The last time Backe pitched against the Trappers, the first no hitter was thrown in CBL history in Portland. Well something funny happened this game. In Omaha, Dontrelle Willis throws a no hitter opposite of Backe. In the first, the Trappers scored 3 fast ones off of two singles, and two doubles. In the 3rd, Encarnacion hit a solo home run. A 4-0 would be enough for Dontrelle. As the first batter of the 3rd, Morgan Ensberg walked. He was one walk away from a perfect game as he retired the next 9 batters for a no no.

Batters
POR
Bracket 0-3 K
Burroughs 2-3 1B, 2B, 1R
Encarnacion 2-3 1B, HR, 2R, 1RBI
Pena 0-3
Sexson 2-3 2 2B
Giles 2-2 2B, 1B
Brown 0-2
Berroa 0-2
Horwitz 0-2

OMA
Mathews Jr. 0-2
Vidro 0-2
Valentin 0-2
Monroe 0-2 K
Hermida 0-2
Atkins 0-2
Ensberg 0-1 BB
Bo. Crosby 0-1
Buscher 0-1

Pitchers
POR
Willis- 5 IP, 0 ERA, 1 Ks, 0 ER, 1 BB W NO HITTER

OMA
Backe- 4 IP, 5 ERA, 2 Ks, 4 ER, 0 BB L
Maldonado- 1 IP, 0 ERA, 0 Ks, 0 ER, 0 BB

Player of the Game- Dontrelle Willis

Game 4

Austin Uniforms - Portland Uniforms

Notes
The last game of the series between these rivals. These two pitchers matched up great, Papelbon and Tadano going at it. The 1st innings were identical. 5 batters one K, one single, and one walk. In the second, Ricky Bracket opened up the scoring with a triple with the bases loaded. The lead didnt last long. The other rookie in the game one upped Bracket. After a double scored Dukes, Brandon Irons connected for a 3 run homer to make it 4-3. The pitchers held until the 5th, where closers were put in. Calero had a perfect inning in the top half. In the bottom of the inning, Chad Bradford redeemed himself from his bad first outing with one walk, then 3 outs to clinch the win for the Roughnecks.

Batters
AUS
Dukes 1-2 2B, BB, 1R
Greene 1-3 2B, 1R, 1RBI
Baldelli 2-3 2 1B, 1R
Irons 1-3 HR, 1R, 3RBI
Spivey 0-2 K
Munson 0-2 K
Rolls 0-2
Rodriguez 0-2
LeCroy 1-2 1B, K

POR
Bracket 1-3 3B, 3RBI
Burroughs 1-2 1B, BB
Encarnacion 0-3 2K
Pena 0-2 BB
Sexson 0-3 K
Giles 1-2 3B, 1R
Brown 0-2 K
Berroa 0-1 BB, 1R
Horwitz 1-1 3B BB, 1R

Pitchers
AUS
Papelbon- 4 IP, 3.75 ERA, 3 Ks, 3 ER, 3 BB W
Bradford- 1 IP, 0 ERA, 1 Ks, 0 ER, 1 BB SV

POR
Tadano- 4 IP, 5 ERA, 3 Ks, 4 ER, 1 BB L
Calaero- 1 IP, 0 ERA, 0 Ks, 0 ER, 0 BB

Player of the Game- Brendan Irons