From the desk of: THE BRICK CITY NINE
NEWARK BEARS: New Names Contribute To Snap 6-Game Losing Streak.
Desperate times call for measures. Or in the Bears' case, just playing with a sense of desperation will do. They did that tonight. But that's not to say Newark hasn't been playing hard. Under Tim Raines Sr., they have. But GM Mike Torrez decided this week changes were in order. He made a flurry of signings while in the midst of a six game losing streak.
The Bears are looking for some stability at catcher. Billy Alvino was behind the dish the last two games including today. Recently signed Bobby Dombrowski; was Tuesday night's catcher. And of course, Eric McGee has caught for the Bears this season.
Thursday, Tim Raines Jr. was moved into the infield again to play second base. Mike Torrez just signed a 22 year old outfielder named Pat Biserta. He started in center field in Raines' place. Two infielders; Ryan Walsh and Brandon Young were also signed by Mike Torrez and have been inserted into the line-up this week at third and shortstop respectively.
With changes to the roster, the Bears' needed a change in fortune next.
The Bears brushed away a 1-0 Pittsfield lead in the top half of the first inning and scored four times in the bottom half. Pittsfield starter; Eric Katzman; didn't last very long. After a lead-off single by Brandon Watson, Eric Katzman walked three of the next four batters to force home a run. Then newly acquired Pat Biserta cleared the bases with a three run double giving the Bears a 4-1 lead.
Pittsfield scored their second run of the game in the top of the second. Newark brushed that off also and reciprocated with three more runs in the bottom of the frame. Another lead-off single by newly signed Ryan Walsh and two more walks by Pittfield's Eric Katzman loaded up the bases with Bears again. Tim Raines Jr. grounded into a 4-6-3 double play but Ryan Walsh scored on the play. Daryle Ward then doubled home Brandon Watson. Danny Santiesteban followed with a single to score Daryle Ward.
In the fifth, Danny Santiesteban doubled and stole third. He scored the Bears' eighth run on a fielder's choice.
Today's starting pitcher for the Bears; Chris Vasami; whom played for the Bears previously, was also resigned this week and made his first start of the season today against Pittsfield. Over his first five innings, he gave up eight hits; two earned runs; one walk; and struck out one batter.
But how would he fare in the sixth inning which has become Newark's starting pitcher kryptonite this season?
Answer - He gave up a lead-off single and walked the next batter. He got his first out on a fly to center. Another single advanced everyone one base, but an error by Tim Raines Jr. at second base allowed the lead runner to score. And that was the end of Chris Vasami's day. It was off to the bullpen for Coach Raines again.
Another recent acquisition; Matt Fitton; was summoned by Coach Raines to douse Pittsfield in the sixth. And he did. But the seventh was a different story. Fitton got himself into trouble by loading the bases. So in came the Bears' third pitcher of the game; Anthony Pluta. He got the third out of the inning via strikeout to prevent Newark's 9-3 lead from caving in on them.
Mikey Mehlich pitched the ninth inning and wrapped up Newark's first win in their last seven tries. They finally attained their seventeenth victory of the season versus sixteen losses. Most importantly, they avoided dropping under the .500 mark.
Gone from Newark's roster are OF-Kyle LaMotta; 3B- Todd Gossage; and OF- Burt Reynolds; all released this week by GM Mike Torrez.
The Bears will try and salvage a split of this four game series against Pittsfield tomorrow; Friday.
Mike.BTB
Showing posts with label Andrew Pluta. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Andrew Pluta. Show all posts
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
NEWARK BEARS ~ Lose In First Visit To Yogi Berra Stadium
From the desk of: Growlings from Brooklyn
NEWARK BEARS: N.J. Jackals Take Game Two In This New Rivalry Between Neighbors.
New Jersey 7
I listened to a very entertaining game tonight on web-cast as Newark made their first ever trip into their new rival's park; Yogi Berra Stadium; home of the New Jersey Jackals, for game two of the Essex County Series. Game one was played in, and won by Newark last Sunday. After an off day yesterday, the newly christened rivalry series made it's debut in Little Falls as part of a home-and-home.
I'm sure the end result of tonight's game wasn't quite what the Bears had in mind. But like I said, it was an absolute good listen even though it snapped a short two game win streak for Newark. The Bears record now stands at 2-3 for the young season.
The Bears and Jackals traded first inning runs. Then Newark broke out with four more in the top of the second inning. An error, a wild pitch, and three Newark hits, including a Tim Raines Jr. double, had the Jackals down 5-1 early.
New Jersey immediately started chipping away at that lead. They got a run back in the bottom of the second inning. After two more New Jersey runs in the third, and another run in the sixth inning, we had a tie game.
Then came the decisive eighth inning. Newark's Billy Alvino singled to lead off the Bear's eighth. The Bears regained the lead 6-5, when Tim Raines Jr. stepped in again and tripled home Alvino.
On a side note, after going hitless on the first two games of the season, Tim Raines Jr. has been a hitter possessed. He had another four hits tonight (4 for 5) to go along with two RBI. Tonight's effort raised his batting average to a lofty .429 and climbing.
But the Jackals had something else in mind this evening other than losing a second straight game to the Bears and marveling at Raines. A double by Jeremy Slayden and a two run home run by Chris White gave New Jersey their first lead of the night in late dramatic fashion. The Jackals bullpen put the Bears to rest in the top of the ninth by striking out two batters to finish this game off; a game which the Bears seemed in control of for most of the night but still sensed it slipping with every home run New Jersey clubbed out tonight (three to be exact).
Alex Smith started this game for Newark and to his detriment, allowed New Jersey to hang around in those first few innings. But he pitched five innings and was staked to a 5-4 lead when Newark turned to their bullpen. Andrew Pluta relieved Smith and had an outing he'd much sooner forget. In three innings work, he gave up five hits and three runs; and more importantly the lead. He was tabbed with tonight's loss. For Alex Smith, a drab no decision.
Newark and New Jersey finish this three game series tomorrow, Wednesday, at Yogi Berra Stadium with an 11:05AM start time.
Mike.BTB
The Essex County Executive's Cup Challenge
The Inaugural Series is tied 1-1.
Game Three ~ Tomorrow
June 1, 2011
FINAL:
Newark 6New Jersey 7
I listened to a very entertaining game tonight on web-cast as Newark made their first ever trip into their new rival's park; Yogi Berra Stadium; home of the New Jersey Jackals, for game two of the Essex County Series. Game one was played in, and won by Newark last Sunday. After an off day yesterday, the newly christened rivalry series made it's debut in Little Falls as part of a home-and-home.I'm sure the end result of tonight's game wasn't quite what the Bears had in mind. But like I said, it was an absolute good listen even though it snapped a short two game win streak for Newark. The Bears record now stands at 2-3 for the young season.
The Bears and Jackals traded first inning runs. Then Newark broke out with four more in the top of the second inning. An error, a wild pitch, and three Newark hits, including a Tim Raines Jr. double, had the Jackals down 5-1 early.
New Jersey immediately started chipping away at that lead. They got a run back in the bottom of the second inning. After two more New Jersey runs in the third, and another run in the sixth inning, we had a tie game.
Then came the decisive eighth inning. Newark's Billy Alvino singled to lead off the Bear's eighth. The Bears regained the lead 6-5, when Tim Raines Jr. stepped in again and tripled home Alvino.
On a side note, after going hitless on the first two games of the season, Tim Raines Jr. has been a hitter possessed. He had another four hits tonight (4 for 5) to go along with two RBI. Tonight's effort raised his batting average to a lofty .429 and climbing.
But the Jackals had something else in mind this evening other than losing a second straight game to the Bears and marveling at Raines. A double by Jeremy Slayden and a two run home run by Chris White gave New Jersey their first lead of the night in late dramatic fashion. The Jackals bullpen put the Bears to rest in the top of the ninth by striking out two batters to finish this game off; a game which the Bears seemed in control of for most of the night but still sensed it slipping with every home run New Jersey clubbed out tonight (three to be exact).
Alex Smith started this game for Newark and to his detriment, allowed New Jersey to hang around in those first few innings. But he pitched five innings and was staked to a 5-4 lead when Newark turned to their bullpen. Andrew Pluta relieved Smith and had an outing he'd much sooner forget. In three innings work, he gave up five hits and three runs; and more importantly the lead. He was tabbed with tonight's loss. For Alex Smith, a drab no decision.
Newark and New Jersey finish this three game series tomorrow, Wednesday, at Yogi Berra Stadium with an 11:05AM start time.
Mike.BTB
Sunday, May 29, 2011
NEWARK BEARS ~ Win First Game in a Romp
From the desk of: Growling in Brooklyn
NEWARK BEARS: Win Their First Ever Game In CanAm League and Avoid Sweep by Rockland.
FINAL SCORE:
Rockland Boulders 4
NEWARK BEARS 16
After dropping the first two games of the season, the Newark Bears roared back at their competition Saturday night. They finally won their first game of the season and also avoided a sweep at the hands of the Rockland Boulders. Rockland only rolled out three pitchers against Newark and the Bears clawed them all.
Newark pounded out 18 hits and plated 16 runs tonight in a romp over the Boulders at Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium. Tim Raines Jr. had a break-out game as well with his first three hits of the season. In going 3 for 5 tonight, he drove in 6 RBI. Todd Gossage also chipped in with 3 more RBI. The two combined for 9 RBI and 4 runs scored.
Other notable swings - Lead-off batter Brandon Watson set the table with a 4 for 6 day; an RBI and 2 runs scored. Catcher Billy Alvino went 3 for 3; two runs scored and an RBI. And first baseman Brian Nichols went 3 for 5 batting clean-up today with two runs scored.
Ryan Lobban was the starting pitcher for Newark tonight, hurling five innings and is credited with the win. He gave up four hits and surrendered three runs all coming in the fifth, while walking two and striking out two. By then the Bears were leading 9-3 and the bullpen took care of the rest.
TJ Hose relieved Lobban with two innings pitched. He gave up two hits, allowed a run and struck out two. Andrew Pluta pitched the final two innings to seal the deal for Newark. He allowed only one hit and struck out two, including the last batter of the game in a non-save situation.
NEXT GAME:
The Newark Bears face their officially declared rival; the New Jersey Jackals for the first time since being newly minted foes. The first game of a home-and-home series is in Newark Sunday with a start time of 1:05pm. Both teams head to the home of the Jackals for the second game on Monday.
Mike.BTB
NEWARK BEARS: Win Their First Ever Game In CanAm League and Avoid Sweep by Rockland.
FINAL SCORE:
Rockland Boulders 4
NEWARK BEARS 16
After dropping the first two games of the season, the Newark Bears roared back at their competition Saturday night. They finally won their first game of the season and also avoided a sweep at the hands of the Rockland Boulders. Rockland only rolled out three pitchers against Newark and the Bears clawed them all.
Newark pounded out 18 hits and plated 16 runs tonight in a romp over the Boulders at Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium. Tim Raines Jr. had a break-out game as well with his first three hits of the season. In going 3 for 5 tonight, he drove in 6 RBI. Todd Gossage also chipped in with 3 more RBI. The two combined for 9 RBI and 4 runs scored.Other notable swings - Lead-off batter Brandon Watson set the table with a 4 for 6 day; an RBI and 2 runs scored. Catcher Billy Alvino went 3 for 3; two runs scored and an RBI. And first baseman Brian Nichols went 3 for 5 batting clean-up today with two runs scored.
Ryan Lobban was the starting pitcher for Newark tonight, hurling five innings and is credited with the win. He gave up four hits and surrendered three runs all coming in the fifth, while walking two and striking out two. By then the Bears were leading 9-3 and the bullpen took care of the rest.
TJ Hose relieved Lobban with two innings pitched. He gave up two hits, allowed a run and struck out two. Andrew Pluta pitched the final two innings to seal the deal for Newark. He allowed only one hit and struck out two, including the last batter of the game in a non-save situation.
NEXT GAME:
The Newark Bears face their officially declared rival; the New Jersey Jackals for the first time since being newly minted foes. The first game of a home-and-home series is in Newark Sunday with a start time of 1:05pm. Both teams head to the home of the Jackals for the second game on Monday.
Mike.BTB
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