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YOGI BERRA STADIUM
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MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND
Saturday, May 26, 2018
OPENING DAY WEEKEND
QUEBEC CAPITALES vs. NEW JERSEY JACKALS
First Pitch
Showing posts with label CanAm League. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CanAm League. Show all posts
Sunday, May 27, 2018
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Newark Bears: There Will Be No Baseball On Broad Street This Season
From the desk of: THE BROAD STREET NINE
NEWARK BEARS: Game Called.
Winter appears over. The last remnants of snow have finally melted from the front of my house. Clocks have been set forward again. The calender says it's Spring. One cycle ends, and a new one begins. The time for renewal, growth, and BASEBALL, are near.
In the matter of our national pastime being played in New Jersey's largest city, I wish it were that easy, ordered, and neat.
While groundskeepers around the nation are manicuring baseball fields in preparation of Opening Day, there is little activity in Newark. The gates to The Den will remain chained up this season. The endangered Brick City Bear will stay in extended hibernation until further notice.
This organization has been plagued by ineffective ownership well before Dr, Doug Spiel and Danielle Dronet separated themselves from the previous structure. That's already been well chronicled. The couple has also been resoundingly criticized, but I feel they at least entered this endeavor with good intentions, unlike the more scrupulous scuttlebutt involving a previous partner.
I believe the Bears' problems were already greater than this ownership's ability to change things around any time soon. Years of depressed attendance figures, and mounting debt became too much to overcome. The last domino appears to have unfortunately fallen on their watch.
Sometimes, it is easy to read writing on a wall. In my opinion, things really started taking a turn for the worse after the Bears second Atlantic League title in 2007. The gift shop is usually a good indication of team health. In 2007, the shop was still packed with everything a fan could want - yearbooks, pins, scorecards, jerseys and t-shirts, name it. The next season, it was bare. Sure enough, the team filed for bankruptcy by the end of 2008.
Their situation hastily deteriorated from then on, and by 2011, the Bears found themselves playing in the more economically feasible CanAm League. But that remedy lasted exactly three seasons. The Newark Bears are now idle. Future seasons remain equally in doubt.
Jose Herrera's three home runs in the clinching game of the 2007 Atlantic League Championship Series was very literally the Newark Bears last hurrah. I'm glad I was there.
Founded in 1998 by then owner, and former Yankee catcher, Rick Cerone, the Newark Bears were a charter member of the independent Atlantic League. The construction of Bears and Eagles Riverside Stadium was completed soon thereafter.
Former major leaguers Tim Raines and Garry Templeton were the Bears two most recent field managers. They were among the many well known big leaguers who came to play or coach in Newark over the years.
The city of Newark has such a rich baseball legacy. The current situation is a shame. I still feel Brick City can draw off that history, and make baseball a successful endeavor today. Obviously, several things need to change first. I do know, an easily accessible downtown ballpark lying dormant this summer, is a ponderous development. Baseball needs to continue in Newark.
Truth be told, the Canadian/American League is in no better shape. That circuit has been reduced to four members this season, and will participate in the American Association as a division. Over the last five years alone, the Atlantic City Surf and Nashua Lions, two other charter members of the Atlantic League who also switched over to the CanAm League, have folded, along with the Brockton Rox, Pittsfield Colonials, Sussex SkyHawks and Worcester Tornadoes.
Only the Quebec Capitales and the New Jersey Jackals remain from recent Can Am League history. The Rockland Boulders and Trois-Rivieres Aigles are newer expansion teams added over the last three years.
Mike.BTB
NEWARK BEARS: Game Called.
Winter appears over. The last remnants of snow have finally melted from the front of my house. Clocks have been set forward again. The calender says it's Spring. One cycle ends, and a new one begins. The time for renewal, growth, and BASEBALL, are near.
In the matter of our national pastime being played in New Jersey's largest city, I wish it were that easy, ordered, and neat.
While groundskeepers around the nation are manicuring baseball fields in preparation of Opening Day, there is little activity in Newark. The gates to The Den will remain chained up this season. The endangered Brick City Bear will stay in extended hibernation until further notice.
This organization has been plagued by ineffective ownership well before Dr, Doug Spiel and Danielle Dronet separated themselves from the previous structure. That's already been well chronicled. The couple has also been resoundingly criticized, but I feel they at least entered this endeavor with good intentions, unlike the more scrupulous scuttlebutt involving a previous partner.
I believe the Bears' problems were already greater than this ownership's ability to change things around any time soon. Years of depressed attendance figures, and mounting debt became too much to overcome. The last domino appears to have unfortunately fallen on their watch.
Sometimes, it is easy to read writing on a wall. In my opinion, things really started taking a turn for the worse after the Bears second Atlantic League title in 2007. The gift shop is usually a good indication of team health. In 2007, the shop was still packed with everything a fan could want - yearbooks, pins, scorecards, jerseys and t-shirts, name it. The next season, it was bare. Sure enough, the team filed for bankruptcy by the end of 2008.
Their situation hastily deteriorated from then on, and by 2011, the Bears found themselves playing in the more economically feasible CanAm League. But that remedy lasted exactly three seasons. The Newark Bears are now idle. Future seasons remain equally in doubt.
Jose Herrera's three home runs in the clinching game of the 2007 Atlantic League Championship Series was very literally the Newark Bears last hurrah. I'm glad I was there.
Founded in 1998 by then owner, and former Yankee catcher, Rick Cerone, the Newark Bears were a charter member of the independent Atlantic League. The construction of Bears and Eagles Riverside Stadium was completed soon thereafter.
Former major leaguers Tim Raines and Garry Templeton were the Bears two most recent field managers. They were among the many well known big leaguers who came to play or coach in Newark over the years.
The city of Newark has such a rich baseball legacy. The current situation is a shame. I still feel Brick City can draw off that history, and make baseball a successful endeavor today. Obviously, several things need to change first. I do know, an easily accessible downtown ballpark lying dormant this summer, is a ponderous development. Baseball needs to continue in Newark.
Truth be told, the Canadian/American League is in no better shape. That circuit has been reduced to four members this season, and will participate in the American Association as a division. Over the last five years alone, the Atlantic City Surf and Nashua Lions, two other charter members of the Atlantic League who also switched over to the CanAm League, have folded, along with the Brockton Rox, Pittsfield Colonials, Sussex SkyHawks and Worcester Tornadoes.
Only the Quebec Capitales and the New Jersey Jackals remain from recent Can Am League history. The Rockland Boulders and Trois-Rivieres Aigles are newer expansion teams added over the last three years.
Mike.BTB
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Bryan Banes Pitches Eight Strong But Loses Duel - Newark Bears Fall 1-0 To Quebec
From the desk of: THE BROAD STREET NINE
NEWARK BEARS - Offense Falls Flat Wasting Stellar Effort By Starting Pitcher Bryan Banes.
The Bears did well in coming back over the weekend to win the final two games against the Rockland Boulders, and gain a split of their season opening four game series. Newark took their 2-2 record to the Great White North this evening, to challenge the four time defending CanAm champs, Quebec Capitales. Bryan Banes took the hill for the Bears, opposed by Quebec's Dustin Crenshaw.
The two hurlers engaged in an old fashioned pitching duel, white-washing each other's line-up through the first five innings. Banes retired the first six batters he faced, and nine of his first ten. Quebec finally broke the scoreless stalemate with a run in the bottom of the sixth. Center fielder Sebastien Boucher drew a walk off Banes, then came around to score on DH Rene Leveret's double. And that's the way the game ended folks, in a 1-0 final.
The Bears out-hit the Capitales seven to three, yet came up short. Bryan Banes pitched very well over eight full innings. He allowed the one run on three hits, walked two and struck out four in what amounted to a complete game - a hard luck loss in his first start of the season. He walks away from tonight's game with a nifty 1.12 ERA and a 0.630 WHiP.
For the Capitales, three pitchers combined to secure Quebec's shutout. Dustin Crenshaw pitched seven full innings, allowing no runs on five hits. He walked one and struck out three before departing on the winning side. In relief, Casey Harman pitched the eighth, while Chris Cox pitched a scoreless ninth for the save.
Only Bears' center fielder Brandon Newton and right fielder Carlos Guzman failed to hit safely. Otherwise, seven Newark batters each had one hit apiece. Third baseman DAngelo Jimenez' double was the Bears only extra base hit.
The now 2-3 Newark Bears have two more games in Quebec before moving on to face the expansion Trois-Rivieres Aigles.
Mike.BTB
NEWARK BEARS - Offense Falls Flat Wasting Stellar Effort By Starting Pitcher Bryan Banes.
The Bears did well in coming back over the weekend to win the final two games against the Rockland Boulders, and gain a split of their season opening four game series. Newark took their 2-2 record to the Great White North this evening, to challenge the four time defending CanAm champs, Quebec Capitales. Bryan Banes took the hill for the Bears, opposed by Quebec's Dustin Crenshaw.
The two hurlers engaged in an old fashioned pitching duel, white-washing each other's line-up through the first five innings. Banes retired the first six batters he faced, and nine of his first ten. Quebec finally broke the scoreless stalemate with a run in the bottom of the sixth. Center fielder Sebastien Boucher drew a walk off Banes, then came around to score on DH Rene Leveret's double. And that's the way the game ended folks, in a 1-0 final.
The Bears out-hit the Capitales seven to three, yet came up short. Bryan Banes pitched very well over eight full innings. He allowed the one run on three hits, walked two and struck out four in what amounted to a complete game - a hard luck loss in his first start of the season. He walks away from tonight's game with a nifty 1.12 ERA and a 0.630 WHiP.
For the Capitales, three pitchers combined to secure Quebec's shutout. Dustin Crenshaw pitched seven full innings, allowing no runs on five hits. He walked one and struck out three before departing on the winning side. In relief, Casey Harman pitched the eighth, while Chris Cox pitched a scoreless ninth for the save.
Only Bears' center fielder Brandon Newton and right fielder Carlos Guzman failed to hit safely. Otherwise, seven Newark batters each had one hit apiece. Third baseman DAngelo Jimenez' double was the Bears only extra base hit.
The now 2-3 Newark Bears have two more games in Quebec before moving on to face the expansion Trois-Rivieres Aigles.
Mike.BTB
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Newark Bears Rally Comes Up Short In Rockland; Drop CanAm Season Opener To Boulders 6-4
From the desk of: THE BROAD STREET NINE
NEWARK BEARS - The Resilient Urban Species Begins Another Season In A Wild Yet Dwindling Environment.
The 2013 Canadian-American League regular season is open for business. Welcome to year nine for the old circuit, reorganized in 2005. Many teams have come in and out of the league, and this year is no different. The Can-Am League will try to make a full season of it with five teams. Returning from last season are the Rockland Boulders, New Jersey Jackals, Quebec Capitales, and the Newark Bears. The league welcomed a new expansion team this season - the Trois Rivieres Aigles, which gives the Quebec Capitales a local Canadian rival. Missing from last year's group are the Worcester Tornadoes. They similarly went the way of the Pittsfield Colonials and the Brockton Rox respectively, after the 2011 season. The Can-Am League will once again play inter-league games against the independent American Association to facilitate a one-hundred game schedule.
The Quebec Capitales have won the last four CanAm championships consecutively.
The Newark Bears opened their season this evening at Provident Bank Park against the Rockland Boulders. Returning for another season to bolster the Bears rotation, Mike Ness took the mound opposed by Rockland's own veteran hurler, Bobby Blevins. The visitors gave Mike Ness an early 1-0 lead in the first, when Bears right fielder Carlos Guzman doubled off Blevins, to deliver DAngelo Jimenz with the game's first run. In the bottom of the frame however, Rockland struck back for a pair. With two outs, Jerod Edmondson drew a four pitch walk. The following batter, Chris Edmondson then connected off Ness for a two run home run.
Rockland center fielder Donnie Webb led off the bottom of the third inning with the Boulder's second home run off Ness. In the fourth, Boulder's DH Johnny Welch led off with yet another home run off Mike Ness, giving Rockland a 4-1 lead. The Boulders continued with another run in the fifth, on Jerod Edmondson's sac-fly, giving the Boulders a 5-1 lead through five complete.
After allowing Newark's first inning run, Bobby Blevins tamed the Bears over the next four. Through five innings, he allowed Newark six hits, walked none, and struck out five. His counter-part, Ness allowed five earned runs on six hits, walked one and struck out four. Both pitchers continued through the sixth. The Bears finally mustered another run off Blevins in the top of the seventh. Designated hitter Brandon Mims and second baseman Brandon Newton struck consecutive one out singles. Third baseman DAngelo Jimenez then doubled to deliver Mims from second, to make it a 5-3 game. In relief of Mike Ness, Coach Templeton tasked Ryan Carr with pitching the bottom of the seventh.
With one out, the Bears put a runner in scoring position in the eighth. Jamar Walton drew a walk off Rockland reliever Nick Serino, then promptly stole second. Kyle Lafrenz came through with a clutch base hit to score Walton, making it a 5-4 game. In the bottom of the frame however, Rockland picked up an unearned run off Newark's veteran pitcher Kyle Morrison.
Newark put the tying runs in scoring position in the top of the ninth after Brandon Mims drew a walk and Brandon Newton doubled. But that's where they stayed, stranded. Reliever Kevin Fuqua recovered to retire the next three in order, picking up his first save of the regular season.
Bobby Blevins picked up his first victory. He pitched 6.2 innings, allowed three earned runs, nine hits, and struck out five Bears batters before exiting. Mike Ness suffered his first loss. In six innings of work, he surrendered five runs on six hits, three of which were home runs. He walked one and fanned five.
Newark's Opening Day is tomorrow, Friday, at Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium, where the Rockland Boulders will visit for the next three games of the series.
Mike.BTB
NEWARK BEARS - The Resilient Urban Species Begins Another Season In A Wild Yet Dwindling Environment.
The 2013 Canadian-American League regular season is open for business. Welcome to year nine for the old circuit, reorganized in 2005. Many teams have come in and out of the league, and this year is no different. The Can-Am League will try to make a full season of it with five teams. Returning from last season are the Rockland Boulders, New Jersey Jackals, Quebec Capitales, and the Newark Bears. The league welcomed a new expansion team this season - the Trois Rivieres Aigles, which gives the Quebec Capitales a local Canadian rival. Missing from last year's group are the Worcester Tornadoes. They similarly went the way of the Pittsfield Colonials and the Brockton Rox respectively, after the 2011 season. The Can-Am League will once again play inter-league games against the independent American Association to facilitate a one-hundred game schedule.
The Quebec Capitales have won the last four CanAm championships consecutively.
2013 NEWARK BEARS ROSTER
Garry Templeton - a veteran of sixteen Major League seasons, is famously known as the shortstop traded from St. Louis to the San Diego Padres for Ozzie Smith. He was the first switch hitter to achieve one hundred hits from each side of the plate in the same season. He led the National League in triples for three consecutive seasons, and led the circuit in hits once. This season, Gary Templeton is the new manager of the 2013 Newark Bears.
Garry Templeton - a veteran of sixteen Major League seasons, is famously known as the shortstop traded from St. Louis to the San Diego Padres for Ozzie Smith. He was the first switch hitter to achieve one hundred hits from each side of the plate in the same season. He led the National League in triples for three consecutive seasons, and led the circuit in hits once. This season, Gary Templeton is the new manager of the 2013 Newark Bears.
The Newark Bears opened their season this evening at Provident Bank Park against the Rockland Boulders. Returning for another season to bolster the Bears rotation, Mike Ness took the mound opposed by Rockland's own veteran hurler, Bobby Blevins. The visitors gave Mike Ness an early 1-0 lead in the first, when Bears right fielder Carlos Guzman doubled off Blevins, to deliver DAngelo Jimenz with the game's first run. In the bottom of the frame however, Rockland struck back for a pair. With two outs, Jerod Edmondson drew a four pitch walk. The following batter, Chris Edmondson then connected off Ness for a two run home run.
Rockland center fielder Donnie Webb led off the bottom of the third inning with the Boulder's second home run off Ness. In the fourth, Boulder's DH Johnny Welch led off with yet another home run off Mike Ness, giving Rockland a 4-1 lead. The Boulders continued with another run in the fifth, on Jerod Edmondson's sac-fly, giving the Boulders a 5-1 lead through five complete.
After allowing Newark's first inning run, Bobby Blevins tamed the Bears over the next four. Through five innings, he allowed Newark six hits, walked none, and struck out five. His counter-part, Ness allowed five earned runs on six hits, walked one and struck out four. Both pitchers continued through the sixth. The Bears finally mustered another run off Blevins in the top of the seventh. Designated hitter Brandon Mims and second baseman Brandon Newton struck consecutive one out singles. Third baseman DAngelo Jimenez then doubled to deliver Mims from second, to make it a 5-3 game. In relief of Mike Ness, Coach Templeton tasked Ryan Carr with pitching the bottom of the seventh.
With one out, the Bears put a runner in scoring position in the eighth. Jamar Walton drew a walk off Rockland reliever Nick Serino, then promptly stole second. Kyle Lafrenz came through with a clutch base hit to score Walton, making it a 5-4 game. In the bottom of the frame however, Rockland picked up an unearned run off Newark's veteran pitcher Kyle Morrison.
Newark put the tying runs in scoring position in the top of the ninth after Brandon Mims drew a walk and Brandon Newton doubled. But that's where they stayed, stranded. Reliever Kevin Fuqua recovered to retire the next three in order, picking up his first save of the regular season.
Bobby Blevins picked up his first victory. He pitched 6.2 innings, allowed three earned runs, nine hits, and struck out five Bears batters before exiting. Mike Ness suffered his first loss. In six innings of work, he surrendered five runs on six hits, three of which were home runs. He walked one and fanned five.
Newark's Opening Day is tomorrow, Friday, at Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium, where the Rockland Boulders will visit for the next three games of the series.
Mike.BTB
Monday, September 03, 2012
Newark Bears: 2012 Regular Season Finale
From the desk of: THE BRICK CITY NINE
Autumn is almost upon us, and the Bears are still looking a little thin around the ribs. Labor Day signals the end to yet another summer of scarcity in Newark. Beyond the Fall, a hard, cold winter awaits. And hibernating on a half filled tummy is not the ideal situation.
You know the old adage - Baseball mirrors Life, and Life mirrors Baseball. There are hard cold realities in both. Where real life is concerned, there are only two types of Bears on the planet that matter - the living, and the dead. With regards to the realities of baseball business, that means being operational, or defunct. In either case, it is one thing to live, and something wholly other to survive.
To live is to play, and forage on opposing pitchers. The dead quietly and too often anonymously just fade from memory. With any luck, someone might recall them in a school book or something as a long lost species who similarly bit the dust like 99% of all life on the planet before them. That's being rough. I know. But such is the life of the resilient urban Brick City Bear.
Around this time last year, by their own word the owners were hopeful of turning a profit this season. I wonder how that went for them. Upon completion of their second season in full control, and considering the state in which their former partner/owner allegedly left the team, it's still not right to dump a fan's perspective regarding years of negligence on their laps. There's been too much negative news emanating out of Bear and Eagles Riverfront Stadium over the last three years (plus) already. On the outside, it is hard to tell how much, if any, progress the club made this season. I just hope the new couple in charge made at least some strides, however large or small, towards turning the club's fortunes and image around.
I'll say this much for those in attendance against the Worcester Tornadoes. The six-hundred or so cubs per game they've gotten over the last two days, are probably the same six-hundred die hard fans who've been there since Opening Day. Chalk one up for consistency. To you, that hardcore group of fans - nice job! I sincerely hope to see you again next season. For now however, another season is done. Monday, September 3rd, the 2012 CanAm season comes to a close.
On Labor Day, the Newark Bears will play their one hundredth, and last game of the regular season. Do not underestimate the significance of that last line. Quite obviously, teams that can not financially afford to complete their schedules negatively impact the entire league. In a five team circuit already downsized from years past, compromising the integrity of the schedule, and the possible domino effect is very troublesome to other organizations of the CanAm League. In the past, this league has been unfairly tagged as a circuit where teams go to die. The Nashua Pride and Atlantic City Surf are two of the more commonly known teams which have gone extinct. The Newark Bears are A) - eerily, and B) - perilously, walking in the same base paths their former Atlantic League brethren once did.
Relative to today's CanAm dilemma, the long struggling Pittsfield Colonials prematurely ended operations last season. And lest we forget, the Brockton Rox did not participate this season. Although, they claim they will be back.
The situation involving the Worcester Tornadoes just took everything a step further; and I do mean a drastic step further. It was only a short time ago this summer when everything from the players equipment to the club's office furniture was in threat of being trucked-off into the night if someone didn't satisfy a court order, and immediately pay some grossly overdue bills before the umpire called Play Ball! I do not believe the Bears' situation is as dire. So here's to waking up next Spring in relatively good shape.
After today's game, join me for one last game recap.
Mike.BTB
NEWARK BEARS:
The 2012 Regular Season Draws To A Close This Afternoon. What Happens Next Is Any Body's Guess.
Autumn is almost upon us, and the Bears are still looking a little thin around the ribs. Labor Day signals the end to yet another summer of scarcity in Newark. Beyond the Fall, a hard, cold winter awaits. And hibernating on a half filled tummy is not the ideal situation.
You know the old adage - Baseball mirrors Life, and Life mirrors Baseball. There are hard cold realities in both. Where real life is concerned, there are only two types of Bears on the planet that matter - the living, and the dead. With regards to the realities of baseball business, that means being operational, or defunct. In either case, it is one thing to live, and something wholly other to survive.
To live is to play, and forage on opposing pitchers. The dead quietly and too often anonymously just fade from memory. With any luck, someone might recall them in a school book or something as a long lost species who similarly bit the dust like 99% of all life on the planet before them. That's being rough. I know. But such is the life of the resilient urban Brick City Bear.
Around this time last year, by their own word the owners were hopeful of turning a profit this season. I wonder how that went for them. Upon completion of their second season in full control, and considering the state in which their former partner/owner allegedly left the team, it's still not right to dump a fan's perspective regarding years of negligence on their laps. There's been too much negative news emanating out of Bear and Eagles Riverfront Stadium over the last three years (plus) already. On the outside, it is hard to tell how much, if any, progress the club made this season. I just hope the new couple in charge made at least some strides, however large or small, towards turning the club's fortunes and image around.
I'll say this much for those in attendance against the Worcester Tornadoes. The six-hundred or so cubs per game they've gotten over the last two days, are probably the same six-hundred die hard fans who've been there since Opening Day. Chalk one up for consistency. To you, that hardcore group of fans - nice job! I sincerely hope to see you again next season. For now however, another season is done. Monday, September 3rd, the 2012 CanAm season comes to a close.
On Labor Day, the Newark Bears will play their one hundredth, and last game of the regular season. Do not underestimate the significance of that last line. Quite obviously, teams that can not financially afford to complete their schedules negatively impact the entire league. In a five team circuit already downsized from years past, compromising the integrity of the schedule, and the possible domino effect is very troublesome to other organizations of the CanAm League. In the past, this league has been unfairly tagged as a circuit where teams go to die. The Nashua Pride and Atlantic City Surf are two of the more commonly known teams which have gone extinct. The Newark Bears are A) - eerily, and B) - perilously, walking in the same base paths their former Atlantic League brethren once did.
Relative to today's CanAm dilemma, the long struggling Pittsfield Colonials prematurely ended operations last season. And lest we forget, the Brockton Rox did not participate this season. Although, they claim they will be back.
The situation involving the Worcester Tornadoes just took everything a step further; and I do mean a drastic step further. It was only a short time ago this summer when everything from the players equipment to the club's office furniture was in threat of being trucked-off into the night if someone didn't satisfy a court order, and immediately pay some grossly overdue bills before the umpire called Play Ball! I do not believe the Bears' situation is as dire. So here's to waking up next Spring in relatively good shape.
After today's game, join me for one last game recap.
Mike.BTB
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Newark Bears: New Jersey Jackals Suffer Late Game Clawing
From the desk of: THE BRICK CITY NINE
NEWARK BEARS: The Final Five Games Are At Hand
The Quebec Capitales have clinched the CanAm League's division title. The New Jersey Jackals have locked up the second playoff spot. For the Newark Bears, the final five games of their regular season are at hand.
Wednesday night was an off day for the club. Tuesday evening, Newark made a very short trip up the road for what is effectively their last road trip of the season against the New Jersey Jackals. The series resumes Thursday. After concluding this series Friday evening, the Bears will host the Worcester Tornadoes to finish out the season.
The Bears are currently 33-62, and have opened up a six game lead over Worcester. Therefore Newark is assured of not finishing in last place. That distinction will fall on the Tornadoes; as if they didn't have enough troubles already.
Tuesday's game was a great back and forth battle. Both starting pitchers got bombed. Newark's Julian Sampson faced off against Jackal's starter, Dustin Birosak. Sampson only lasted 4.1 innings. He surrendered nine runs; eight earned; and allowed eleven hits. He also walked three. Sampson managed to strikeout two batters before getting yanked. Birosak line was equally ugly. In 5.1 innings, he allowed ten hits, and eight earned runs. He walked two and struck out five.
New Jersey scored three times in the first, and picked up another run in the second, putting Newark down 4-0 early. D'Angelo Jimenez' RBI single got Newark on the board in the third. In the fourth, Juan Martinez crushed his seventh home run of the season to make it a 4-2 game. New Jersey then lowered the hammer in the fifth inning. Four hits, two errors, and five runs later, the Jackals held a 9-2 lead.
In their very next at-bat, the Newark Bears clawed back and plated seven runs to achieve a 9-9 tie. Five Newark hits and an error later, and there was a brand new ball game to play with three more innings to go. It was the Bears who would pull ahead. They scored a run in the eighth and another in the ninth to complete an 11-9 win.
Pitching in the seventh and eighth inning, Anthony Pluta gets credit for his fourth relief win this season. And winding up a rather stellar season, closer Jorge Vasquez notched his twenty-first save of the season. He has seventy strikeouts in 42.1 innings pitched.
Mike.BTB
NEWARK BEARS: The Final Five Games Are At Hand
The Quebec Capitales have clinched the CanAm League's division title. The New Jersey Jackals have locked up the second playoff spot. For the Newark Bears, the final five games of their regular season are at hand.
Wednesday night was an off day for the club. Tuesday evening, Newark made a very short trip up the road for what is effectively their last road trip of the season against the New Jersey Jackals. The series resumes Thursday. After concluding this series Friday evening, the Bears will host the Worcester Tornadoes to finish out the season.
The Bears are currently 33-62, and have opened up a six game lead over Worcester. Therefore Newark is assured of not finishing in last place. That distinction will fall on the Tornadoes; as if they didn't have enough troubles already.
Tuesday's game was a great back and forth battle. Both starting pitchers got bombed. Newark's Julian Sampson faced off against Jackal's starter, Dustin Birosak. Sampson only lasted 4.1 innings. He surrendered nine runs; eight earned; and allowed eleven hits. He also walked three. Sampson managed to strikeout two batters before getting yanked. Birosak line was equally ugly. In 5.1 innings, he allowed ten hits, and eight earned runs. He walked two and struck out five.
New Jersey scored three times in the first, and picked up another run in the second, putting Newark down 4-0 early. D'Angelo Jimenez' RBI single got Newark on the board in the third. In the fourth, Juan Martinez crushed his seventh home run of the season to make it a 4-2 game. New Jersey then lowered the hammer in the fifth inning. Four hits, two errors, and five runs later, the Jackals held a 9-2 lead.
In their very next at-bat, the Newark Bears clawed back and plated seven runs to achieve a 9-9 tie. Five Newark hits and an error later, and there was a brand new ball game to play with three more innings to go. It was the Bears who would pull ahead. They scored a run in the eighth and another in the ninth to complete an 11-9 win.
Pitching in the seventh and eighth inning, Anthony Pluta gets credit for his fourth relief win this season. And winding up a rather stellar season, closer Jorge Vasquez notched his twenty-first save of the season. He has seventy strikeouts in 42.1 innings pitched.
TONIGHT
NEWARK BEARS
vs.
New Jersey Jackals
FROM
Yogi Berra Stadium
New Jersey
Mike.BTB
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Newark Bears: Brick City and Worcester In A Battle For Survival
From the desk of: THE BRICK CITY NINE
The Newark Bears are currently in Worcester, wrapping-up a four game series against the Tornadoes. But in truth, both teams are gripped in a fight for survival. The Brick City Nine certainly have their problems. Locally, we are well aware of them. But the Tornadoes are literally up to their batting helmets in debt and face a grim, uncertain future as well. And that future may very well fall upon them no later than tonight.
At least on the outside, their situation appears even more dire than that of Newark's. In a Wednesday article posted on WorcesterTelegram.com, we are told, Tuesday's game between the Tornadoes and Bears was held up by an hour when a service company hired by the Tornadoes showed up to the park demanding owed payments with a court order in hand, that attached, among other items, the team's equipment as assets. Office furniture was even attached to the court order. The matter was supposedly settled when the CanAm League Office stepped in and promised to satisfy Worcester's bill payment. And we thought the Bears had it bad?
For Worcester, that was only the most recent financially induced dilemma. Jose Canseco signed to play with the team earlier this season. He left Worcester when the team allegedly started short-changing him on wages. Canseco was reported as claiming the team was bouncing checks and that other players were also not getting paid. Canseco basically called ownership a joke. Of course we must take what he says with a grain of salt. Just look at the messenger. Never-the-less, Jose Canseco sicked his lawyer on the Tornadoes for less than $8,000 dollars he feels he's owed in back wages.
Since I started putting this post together last night, WorcesterTelegram.com published a follow-up article today, August 16, 2010, stating the Worcester Tornadoes have quite possibly played their last game. Again, the matter is over money, and who the team owes it to. If need be, the League will intercede and assume control of the team. In that case, the club will be stripped of their name, and play the remainder of the season on the road.
They say misery loves company. And with the Tornadoes and Bears in similar situations, at least they have each other. The end of the road may be at hand in Worcester. But the Newark Bears at least do not have bill collectors holding up starts of games as took place in Worcester during this series. Well, not yet. Right? The unfortunate reality for both teams however, is they may soon switch leagues yet again, and join the Atlantic City Surf, Nashua Pride; and Sussex Skyhawks in the defunct circuit. In no revelation, the Worcester Tornadoes, and the Newark Bears are both suffering continued, anemic gate receipts. The Tornadoes and Bears currently only pull in 600, and 700, fans per game, respectively.
This season, only the team's unconventional owners know how much the debits and credits ledger has fluctuated since. Ms. Dronett's idea for a TV reality show never made to our living rooms sets. But they, Danielle Dronett and co-owner Doug Spiel, did release a reality video. How much revenue her endeavour generated for the Bears is unknown. I just hope that wasn't their only plan.
As far as the team being a circus, I imagine Mr. Jim Hague was speaking in response to the period after Frank Boulton declared the Bears unfit for the Atlantic League, and about the era under controversial former owner; Tommy Cetnar; then again, through the effective coup orchestrated by the present ownership; which perhaps was for the best. But only time will tell.
On the field, Ken Oberkfell is now the former manager of the Bears. In two short seasons, Ken Oberkfell went from managing AAA-Buffalo in the Mets organization, to managing the Bears this season, to the unemployment line at the present. Officially, he left the team for personal reasons. In his place and making his managerial debut, the Bears named Chuck Stewart as their new field boss.
But even then, things haven't changed much on the field. Both the Bears and the Tornadoes are battling each other to stay out of the league's cellar. After tonight, fifteen games remain in the CanAm League regular season. At the moment, Newark holds the edge after taking two of three games from Worcester heading into Thursday night. Three and one half games separate the Bears from last place Worcester. But that is no consolation when you're facing extinction.
THURSDAY GAME NOTE: As of 8:00pm Thursday evening, the fourth game between visiting Newark and host Worcester Tornadoes was tied up at two apiece, in the third inning. So quite obviously, something or someone stepped in on Worcester's behalf, and payed whatever bills needed to be paid, and thus prevented the U-Haul trucks from taking all their stuff away.
References used for this post, and credit:
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/07/how_court_battles_unpaid_bills.html
http://www.telegram.com/article/20120816/NEWS/108169831/1009/SPORTS
http://www.telegram.com/article/20120814/NEWS/108149940/0/News02
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/22/sports/baseball/did-newark-bet-on-the-wrong-sport.html?pagewanted=all
http://www.ctpost.com/baseball/article/Q-and-A-with-Frank-Boulton-Atlantic-League-695958.php
Mike.BTB
NEWARK BEARS: Bears Beware ~ The Winds of Extinction Are Blowing In From Worcester.
The Newark Bears are currently in Worcester, wrapping-up a four game series against the Tornadoes. But in truth, both teams are gripped in a fight for survival. The Brick City Nine certainly have their problems. Locally, we are well aware of them. But the Tornadoes are literally up to their batting helmets in debt and face a grim, uncertain future as well. And that future may very well fall upon them no later than tonight.
At least on the outside, their situation appears even more dire than that of Newark's. In a Wednesday article posted on WorcesterTelegram.com, we are told, Tuesday's game between the Tornadoes and Bears was held up by an hour when a service company hired by the Tornadoes showed up to the park demanding owed payments with a court order in hand, that attached, among other items, the team's equipment as assets. Office furniture was even attached to the court order. The matter was supposedly settled when the CanAm League Office stepped in and promised to satisfy Worcester's bill payment. And we thought the Bears had it bad?
For Worcester, that was only the most recent financially induced dilemma. Jose Canseco signed to play with the team earlier this season. He left Worcester when the team allegedly started short-changing him on wages. Canseco was reported as claiming the team was bouncing checks and that other players were also not getting paid. Canseco basically called ownership a joke. Of course we must take what he says with a grain of salt. Just look at the messenger. Never-the-less, Jose Canseco sicked his lawyer on the Tornadoes for less than $8,000 dollars he feels he's owed in back wages.
Since I started putting this post together last night, WorcesterTelegram.com published a follow-up article today, August 16, 2010, stating the Worcester Tornadoes have quite possibly played their last game. Again, the matter is over money, and who the team owes it to. If need be, the League will intercede and assume control of the team. In that case, the club will be stripped of their name, and play the remainder of the season on the road.
They say misery loves company. And with the Tornadoes and Bears in similar situations, at least they have each other. The end of the road may be at hand in Worcester. But the Newark Bears at least do not have bill collectors holding up starts of games as took place in Worcester during this series. Well, not yet. Right? The unfortunate reality for both teams however, is they may soon switch leagues yet again, and join the Atlantic City Surf, Nashua Pride; and Sussex Skyhawks in the defunct circuit. In no revelation, the Worcester Tornadoes, and the Newark Bears are both suffering continued, anemic gate receipts. The Tornadoes and Bears currently only pull in 600, and 700, fans per game, respectively.
According to this report written last season, the Bears owed nearly $800,000 in back rent to the Essex County Improvement Authority. The team was; and I assume still is; making yearly payments that continue to escalate until 2022, when the debt is scheduled to be paid off, according to Jim Paganelli, the executive director of the ECIA. Bill collectors from PSE&G, seed companies and clothiers were asking for their money, and payroll was delayed for some employees last season, according to court papers and interviews with current and past employees. Jim Hague, the team’s former public relations director, who also served as the stadium announcer, resigned in late June, calling the team a "circus".
This season, only the team's unconventional owners know how much the debits and credits ledger has fluctuated since. Ms. Dronett's idea for a TV reality show never made to our living rooms sets. But they, Danielle Dronett and co-owner Doug Spiel, did release a reality video. How much revenue her endeavour generated for the Bears is unknown. I just hope that wasn't their only plan.
As far as the team being a circus, I imagine Mr. Jim Hague was speaking in response to the period after Frank Boulton declared the Bears unfit for the Atlantic League, and about the era under controversial former owner; Tommy Cetnar; then again, through the effective coup orchestrated by the present ownership; which perhaps was for the best. But only time will tell.
On the field, Ken Oberkfell is now the former manager of the Bears. In two short seasons, Ken Oberkfell went from managing AAA-Buffalo in the Mets organization, to managing the Bears this season, to the unemployment line at the present. Officially, he left the team for personal reasons. In his place and making his managerial debut, the Bears named Chuck Stewart as their new field boss.
But even then, things haven't changed much on the field. Both the Bears and the Tornadoes are battling each other to stay out of the league's cellar. After tonight, fifteen games remain in the CanAm League regular season. At the moment, Newark holds the edge after taking two of three games from Worcester heading into Thursday night. Three and one half games separate the Bears from last place Worcester. But that is no consolation when you're facing extinction.
THURSDAY GAME NOTE: As of 8:00pm Thursday evening, the fourth game between visiting Newark and host Worcester Tornadoes was tied up at two apiece, in the third inning. So quite obviously, something or someone stepped in on Worcester's behalf, and payed whatever bills needed to be paid, and thus prevented the U-Haul trucks from taking all their stuff away.
References used for this post, and credit:
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/07/how_court_battles_unpaid_bills.html
http://www.telegram.com/article/20120816/NEWS/108169831/1009/SPORTS
http://www.telegram.com/article/20120814/NEWS/108149940/0/News02
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/22/sports/baseball/did-newark-bet-on-the-wrong-sport.html?pagewanted=all
http://www.ctpost.com/baseball/article/Q-and-A-with-Frank-Boulton-Atlantic-League-695958.php
Mike.BTB
Saturday, July 21, 2012
NWK Bears ~ Sixty Games Down; Forty To Go
From the desk of: THE BRICK CITY NINE
NEWARK BEARS: Brick City's Ace Starter; Mike Ness.
Sixty games are in the books. Forty remain. The Bears are currently playing a series against the circuit leading Quebec Capitales, in which they have dropped the first two games so far by a combined 26-8 score. Two weekend games remain for the Bears to try and gain a split in the series.
The Bears and Worcester Tornadoes have been taking turns holding up the pack, as both have fallen on very rough times this season. The Bears are currently taking their turn in last place with a 17-43 record. The former cellar dwelling Worcester club is a fraction better with a 17-42 record. Both teams are losers of their last eight games, and nine of their last ten.
On a better note, Bears' starter Mike Ness, is coming off being named Pitcher of the Week ending July 15th. The soon to be twenty-five year old became the second Bears' pitcher to be recognized as such. Earlier in the season, closer Jorge Vasquez was awarded the distinction.
Mike Ness is indeed enjoying a good campaign. In twelve starts this season he has logged eighty-two innings, for a 6.2 innings per game average. He has forty-nine strikeouts, while walking twenty-one. His 3.73 ERA goes along with a 6-2 record. His six wins are just three off the league leader pitching for Quebec. Mike has earned four wins in his last six starts.
But on July 11th in a Wednesday matinee game, he no doubt pitched the game of his career. In front of a robust home crowd at Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium, that exceeded four figure attendance, Mike Ness faced thirty-one Quebec Capitales. In pitching nine full innings against the first place team from Canada, he allowed no runs, walked one batter, struck out eight, and most significantly, surrendered no hits; not one. Mike Ness did indeed pitch a nine inning no-hit victory over Quebec. While he did allow one walk, six Newark errors in the field would ensure this would not be a perfect game. He threw 123 pitches; 85 for strikes. Eric McGee hit his fifth home run of the season to support the effort.
In his next and latest start against Rockland on July 17th, he earned a no-decision after tossing another seven innings of shut-out ball. In that game, he limited the Boulders to three scattered hits. So in his last sixteen innings pitched, he has allowed a stingy three hits and no runs.
Mike.BTB
NEWARK BEARS: Brick City's Ace Starter; Mike Ness.
Sixty games are in the books. Forty remain. The Bears are currently playing a series against the circuit leading Quebec Capitales, in which they have dropped the first two games so far by a combined 26-8 score. Two weekend games remain for the Bears to try and gain a split in the series.
The Bears and Worcester Tornadoes have been taking turns holding up the pack, as both have fallen on very rough times this season. The Bears are currently taking their turn in last place with a 17-43 record. The former cellar dwelling Worcester club is a fraction better with a 17-42 record. Both teams are losers of their last eight games, and nine of their last ten.
On a better note, Bears' starter Mike Ness, is coming off being named Pitcher of the Week ending July 15th. The soon to be twenty-five year old became the second Bears' pitcher to be recognized as such. Earlier in the season, closer Jorge Vasquez was awarded the distinction.
Mike Ness is indeed enjoying a good campaign. In twelve starts this season he has logged eighty-two innings, for a 6.2 innings per game average. He has forty-nine strikeouts, while walking twenty-one. His 3.73 ERA goes along with a 6-2 record. His six wins are just three off the league leader pitching for Quebec. Mike has earned four wins in his last six starts.
But on July 11th in a Wednesday matinee game, he no doubt pitched the game of his career. In front of a robust home crowd at Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium, that exceeded four figure attendance, Mike Ness faced thirty-one Quebec Capitales. In pitching nine full innings against the first place team from Canada, he allowed no runs, walked one batter, struck out eight, and most significantly, surrendered no hits; not one. Mike Ness did indeed pitch a nine inning no-hit victory over Quebec. While he did allow one walk, six Newark errors in the field would ensure this would not be a perfect game. He threw 123 pitches; 85 for strikes. Eric McGee hit his fifth home run of the season to support the effort.
In his next and latest start against Rockland on July 17th, he earned a no-decision after tossing another seven innings of shut-out ball. In that game, he limited the Boulders to three scattered hits. So in his last sixteen innings pitched, he has allowed a stingy three hits and no runs.
Mike.BTB
Tuesday, July 03, 2012
NWK Bears ~ No Pain, No Gain, For Ken Oberkfell's Starting Pitchers
From the desk of: THE BRICK CITY NINE
NEWARK BEARS: Caleb Cuevas Just the Latest of Ken Oberkfell's Sacrificial Lambs.
There's no mistaking it; the Bears have hit lean times. But that's no reason to start sacrificing cubbies now. More about that later. But they remained resilient however, enough so to earn a four game split against the second place New Jersey Jackals this past weekend. In the process, they also managed to squeeze by the Worcester Tornadoes, and out of last place heading into Tuesday night's game against the defending CanAm Champs.
In a much needed change of scenery, the Bears migrated up to Canada, to start a four game series against the first place Quebec Capitales. Caleb Cuevas was making his sixth start still in search of his first win against three loses. The Capitales promptly scored two runs against him in the first inning. In the second, Newark struck back with two runs to tie. Danny Santiestaban scored on a fielder's choice, and Burt Reynolds singled home Juan Martinez. After the first inning, Cuevas faced the minimum over the next two frames.
Bryce Lane scored on a wild pitch in the top half of the fourth to give Newark a 3-2 lead. But in the home half of the frame, Quebec pounced all over Cuevas for seven runs, off five hits, including a home run. Four runs came unearned after an error by Tucker Nathans at third, and one scored off a wild pitch.
Newark picked up two in the fifth inning. Danny Santiestaban singled home Billy Alvino, and Tucker Nathans singled home Daryle Ward to make it a 9-5 game. But in the bottom of the fifth, the Renegades scored their tenth run off Caleb Cuevas.
Manager Ken Oberkfell sent out his starter for a sixth inning, and Hudson Valley promptly plated their eleventh run. To that point, Caleb's line was not pretty. In six full innings, he allowed eleven runs; seven earned; and surrendered eleven hits, while walking two, and striking out one. Then incredulously, Coach Oberkfell sent out his starter for yet another inning of work. Sure enough, Caleb Cuevas surrendered another two runs in the seventh before being mercifully lifted after recording just one out.
This sort of handling of his pitchers is now beyond odd. Ken Oberkfell's handling of his starting pitchers now borders peculiar, if not irresponsible. Look no further than Monday night's game against New Jersey. Coach allowed Brian Parker to surrender nine runs in 4.2 innings. It's understandable he might be demanding of a six inning start. But this tough love is now starting to prove highly ineffective. If you let teams tee-off, someone is going to get hurt. Just sayin'... And it's not like the season hasn't been dotted with such sacrificial offerings. They freckle the season. I know, what else is there for a manager to do? I get that. But can we at least start with a little more humane treatment, and reaching for a quicker hook once in a while? Maybe not in Brian Parker's case, but in Caleb Cuevas' outing for sure.
Let's just say, the Capitales were leading 15-5 in the eighth inning. And thankfully, this game did eventually end. It wasn't what the Bears wanted, nor what they needed. Instead they travelled to the great white north and encountered more scarcity of wins. But they are Bears. They'll get through this. The Worcester Tornadoes were involved in an inter-league game against the Amarillo Sox and lost badly as well. So that's another day the Bears won't spend in last place. And right now, you'll just have to treat it like another day in paradise.
Mike.BTB
NEWARK BEARS: Caleb Cuevas Just the Latest of Ken Oberkfell's Sacrificial Lambs.
There's no mistaking it; the Bears have hit lean times. But that's no reason to start sacrificing cubbies now. More about that later. But they remained resilient however, enough so to earn a four game split against the second place New Jersey Jackals this past weekend. In the process, they also managed to squeeze by the Worcester Tornadoes, and out of last place heading into Tuesday night's game against the defending CanAm Champs.
In a much needed change of scenery, the Bears migrated up to Canada, to start a four game series against the first place Quebec Capitales. Caleb Cuevas was making his sixth start still in search of his first win against three loses. The Capitales promptly scored two runs against him in the first inning. In the second, Newark struck back with two runs to tie. Danny Santiestaban scored on a fielder's choice, and Burt Reynolds singled home Juan Martinez. After the first inning, Cuevas faced the minimum over the next two frames.
Bryce Lane scored on a wild pitch in the top half of the fourth to give Newark a 3-2 lead. But in the home half of the frame, Quebec pounced all over Cuevas for seven runs, off five hits, including a home run. Four runs came unearned after an error by Tucker Nathans at third, and one scored off a wild pitch.
Newark picked up two in the fifth inning. Danny Santiestaban singled home Billy Alvino, and Tucker Nathans singled home Daryle Ward to make it a 9-5 game. But in the bottom of the fifth, the Renegades scored their tenth run off Caleb Cuevas.
Manager Ken Oberkfell sent out his starter for a sixth inning, and Hudson Valley promptly plated their eleventh run. To that point, Caleb's line was not pretty. In six full innings, he allowed eleven runs; seven earned; and surrendered eleven hits, while walking two, and striking out one. Then incredulously, Coach Oberkfell sent out his starter for yet another inning of work. Sure enough, Caleb Cuevas surrendered another two runs in the seventh before being mercifully lifted after recording just one out.
This sort of handling of his pitchers is now beyond odd. Ken Oberkfell's handling of his starting pitchers now borders peculiar, if not irresponsible. Look no further than Monday night's game against New Jersey. Coach allowed Brian Parker to surrender nine runs in 4.2 innings. It's understandable he might be demanding of a six inning start. But this tough love is now starting to prove highly ineffective. If you let teams tee-off, someone is going to get hurt. Just sayin'... And it's not like the season hasn't been dotted with such sacrificial offerings. They freckle the season. I know, what else is there for a manager to do? I get that. But can we at least start with a little more humane treatment, and reaching for a quicker hook once in a while? Maybe not in Brian Parker's case, but in Caleb Cuevas' outing for sure.
Let's just say, the Capitales were leading 15-5 in the eighth inning. And thankfully, this game did eventually end. It wasn't what the Bears wanted, nor what they needed. Instead they travelled to the great white north and encountered more scarcity of wins. But they are Bears. They'll get through this. The Worcester Tornadoes were involved in an inter-league game against the Amarillo Sox and lost badly as well. So that's another day the Bears won't spend in last place. And right now, you'll just have to treat it like another day in paradise.
Mike.BTB
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Newark Bears ~ New Jersey Jackals Put a Lickin' on Bears
From the desk of: THE BRICK CITY NINE
NEWARK BEARS: New Jersey Jackals' Push For First Place Coming at Bears' Expense.
When it rains, it pours. The Bears dropped their second straight to the Jackals, and have now lost ten of their last twelve games, as well as their last five in a row.
Jorge Vasquez pitched a dandy ninth inning for the Bears. But the same can't be said for the five Newark pitchers which preceded him in Tuesday's Game Two versus the New Jersey Jackals. Because by that time, New Jersey was leading 16-4, and fresh off scoring seven runs in the eighth inning.
Starting pitcher, Pedro Rivera, by far suffered his worst outing of the season. He only lasted 2.2 innings, walking one, surrendering seven hits, and allowing six runs; five coming in the third. In the eighth inning, Anthony Pluta got roughed up pretty badly as well. He failed to record an out, and allowed six runs on just one hit, and four walks. An E-4 by Juan Martinez opened the door for four unearned runs to score.
Daryle Ward, Eric McGee, Bryce Lane, and Juan Martinez each drove in a run for Newark.
In the second inning, New Jersey's 3B-Nick Giarraputo, was hit by a pitch and left the game. At the moment, he is the CanAm League's offensive Triple Crown Leader. He leads the circuit in batting average with a .406 mark. He is number one in home runs with eleven. And tops the circuit in RBI with thirty-three.
New Jersey's starting pitcher, Steve Fox, leads in two of three pitching categories. He leads the CanAm League in wins with five, and in ERA with a 1.91 mark. He was recently named CanAm Pitcher of the Week.
Wednesday is matinee day. The Bears and Jackals will go at it again in Game Three, then conclude this four game series Thursday.
The Jackals gained a game on Quebec, who lost to the Worcester Tornadoes Tuesday. New Jersey now sits just a half game out of first place. After tonight's loss, Newark owns last place to themselves, with Worcester only one game better.
Transactions:
INF-Courtney Billingslea was released.
Mike.BTB
NEWARK BEARS: New Jersey Jackals' Push For First Place Coming at Bears' Expense.
When it rains, it pours. The Bears dropped their second straight to the Jackals, and have now lost ten of their last twelve games, as well as their last five in a row.
Jorge Vasquez pitched a dandy ninth inning for the Bears. But the same can't be said for the five Newark pitchers which preceded him in Tuesday's Game Two versus the New Jersey Jackals. Because by that time, New Jersey was leading 16-4, and fresh off scoring seven runs in the eighth inning.
Starting pitcher, Pedro Rivera, by far suffered his worst outing of the season. He only lasted 2.2 innings, walking one, surrendering seven hits, and allowing six runs; five coming in the third. In the eighth inning, Anthony Pluta got roughed up pretty badly as well. He failed to record an out, and allowed six runs on just one hit, and four walks. An E-4 by Juan Martinez opened the door for four unearned runs to score.
Daryle Ward, Eric McGee, Bryce Lane, and Juan Martinez each drove in a run for Newark.
In the second inning, New Jersey's 3B-Nick Giarraputo, was hit by a pitch and left the game. At the moment, he is the CanAm League's offensive Triple Crown Leader. He leads the circuit in batting average with a .406 mark. He is number one in home runs with eleven. And tops the circuit in RBI with thirty-three.
New Jersey's starting pitcher, Steve Fox, leads in two of three pitching categories. He leads the CanAm League in wins with five, and in ERA with a 1.91 mark. He was recently named CanAm Pitcher of the Week.
Wednesday is matinee day. The Bears and Jackals will go at it again in Game Three, then conclude this four game series Thursday.
The Jackals gained a game on Quebec, who lost to the Worcester Tornadoes Tuesday. New Jersey now sits just a half game out of first place. After tonight's loss, Newark owns last place to themselves, with Worcester only one game better.
Transactions:
INF-Courtney Billingslea was released.
Mike.BTB
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Newark Bears ~ Drop Opening Game to Kansas City T-Bones
From the desk of: THE BRICK CITY NINE
NEWARK BEARS: American Association Territory Proving Hazardous For Bears.
In Sunday's series finale, the Gary SouthShore RailCats outlasted Bears' starter, Brian Parker. The home team rallied in the sixth inning to score the tying, and go ahead runs. Gary starter, Kyle Wilson was strong over seven innings, and could have benefited from better defensive play. Three of the four runs he allowed came unearned. The RailCats' bullpen kept the Bears quiet the rest of the way. The game ended in a 5-4 final score. The Bears wound up dropping three of four games in their first trip to Gary, Indiana.
Next stop - Kansas City..., "Kansas City, Here I Come...," - to take on the T-Bones.
Caleb Cuevas was making his second start for the Bears, and Brian Grening was on the hill for BBQ Nation. And Kansas City waisted no time putting Newark on the grill. After scoring two quick runs in the first, the T-Bones slow cooked and smoked the Bears; adding another run in the fourth for taste.
Brian Grening was excellent through six innings, allowing three hits, no runs, no walks, and striking out six. For Newark, as has been Coach Oberkfell's desire this season, he's determined to make his starting pitchers be accountable for six innings, no matter the situation. And so he let Cuevas struggle through seven walks, and three runs on four hits, in 5.2 innings, before finally getting lifted for Matt Lyons. To his credit, Cuevas struck out five.
Thanks to three unearned runs, Newark finally posted a total four runs in the seventh to take a 4-3 lead. But Matt Lyons gave two back in the bottom of the seventh, and Anthony Pluta gave Kansas City two more in the eighth for an 7-4 final score.
Kansas City's Brian Grening pitched eight full ininngs for the win. Jacob Wiley picked up the save
The Bears have now lost four of five games during this swing through the American Association.
Mike.BTB
NEWARK BEARS: American Association Territory Proving Hazardous For Bears.
In Sunday's series finale, the Gary SouthShore RailCats outlasted Bears' starter, Brian Parker. The home team rallied in the sixth inning to score the tying, and go ahead runs. Gary starter, Kyle Wilson was strong over seven innings, and could have benefited from better defensive play. Three of the four runs he allowed came unearned. The RailCats' bullpen kept the Bears quiet the rest of the way. The game ended in a 5-4 final score. The Bears wound up dropping three of four games in their first trip to Gary, Indiana.
Next stop - Kansas City..., "Kansas City, Here I Come...," - to take on the T-Bones.
NEWARK BEARS
vs.
Kansas City T-Bones
From
Community America Ballpark
Gary, Indiana
Caleb Cuevas was making his second start for the Bears, and Brian Grening was on the hill for BBQ Nation. And Kansas City waisted no time putting Newark on the grill. After scoring two quick runs in the first, the T-Bones slow cooked and smoked the Bears; adding another run in the fourth for taste.
Brian Grening was excellent through six innings, allowing three hits, no runs, no walks, and striking out six. For Newark, as has been Coach Oberkfell's desire this season, he's determined to make his starting pitchers be accountable for six innings, no matter the situation. And so he let Cuevas struggle through seven walks, and three runs on four hits, in 5.2 innings, before finally getting lifted for Matt Lyons. To his credit, Cuevas struck out five.
Thanks to three unearned runs, Newark finally posted a total four runs in the seventh to take a 4-3 lead. But Matt Lyons gave two back in the bottom of the seventh, and Anthony Pluta gave Kansas City two more in the eighth for an 7-4 final score.
Kansas City's Brian Grening pitched eight full ininngs for the win. Jacob Wiley picked up the save
The Bears have now lost four of five games during this swing through the American Association.
Mike.BTB
Friday, June 08, 2012
Newark Bears ~ The Great Western Migration
From the desk of: THE BRICK CITY NINE
NEWARK BEARS: Go West Young Cub!
The Bears made their first migration into American Association territory, where they were met rather unkindly by a Gary SouthShore RailCats' line-up that knocked Newark's starting pitcher out of the box after just one inning, and chipped away at Brick City's bullpen the rest of the game.
Bear's starter Pedro Rivera's last act in Thursday's opening game came when he took a come-backer off the bat of Mike Coles, starting a 1-4-3 play to end the bottom of the RailCats' home half of the first inning. Rivera did not return to the mound for the second.
Making his first appearance for Newark, first out of the Bears' pen was Rob Swift. In two innings of work, three walks and three hits resulted in two earned runs. He struck out two. Brian Parker was next out of the pen, and pitched well over two innings. But his line was marred by errors which led to an unearned run in the fourth inning. The second Bears' error of the fourth inning, was Parker's own.
Matt Lyons took his turn against Gary SouthShore in the sixth inning. The RailCats worked him for a walk, a stolen base, a single, and a double for two more runs. Exit Matt Lyons; hello Anthony Pluta for the eighth and ninth innings. The RailCats drew four walks against Pluta, along with two hits. Before they were through, two more runs had come across the plate for what was ultimately a 7-4 Railcat victory. Newark's Rob Swift was tagged with the loss.
Newark actually scored first in this game. Juan Martinez scored on a wild pitch by Gary's starter, Derek Drage. Juan Martinez scored a second time in the fifth inning upon hitting his third home run of the season. In the seventh inning, once again it was Juan Martinez generating Newark's only offense of the evening. A two RBI double upped his game RBI total to three. Juan finished the game hitting 4 for 5, with 2 runs scored. After Martinez, all Newark could manage were four scattered singles against four RailCat pitchers.
The home team managed eight hits against Bears' pitching. The RailCats' Mike Coles and Mike Rohde combined on six of them. Together they hit safely in six out of ten at-bats, and combined to drive in four runs.
Game Two from U.S. Steel Yard is Friday night. And that's alright by me.
Let's Go Bears! And belated hello to Gary SouthShore!
Mike.BTB
ATLANTIC LEAGUE ~ AMERICAN ASSOCIATION
INTER-LEAGUE SERIES
NEWARK BEARS
vs.
Gary SouthShore RailCats
From
U.S. STEEL YARD
Gary, Indiana
RailCats Lead Series 1-0
I - GS 7; NWK 4
II - Friday Night
The Bears made their first migration into American Association territory, where they were met rather unkindly by a Gary SouthShore RailCats' line-up that knocked Newark's starting pitcher out of the box after just one inning, and chipped away at Brick City's bullpen the rest of the game.
Bear's starter Pedro Rivera's last act in Thursday's opening game came when he took a come-backer off the bat of Mike Coles, starting a 1-4-3 play to end the bottom of the RailCats' home half of the first inning. Rivera did not return to the mound for the second.
Making his first appearance for Newark, first out of the Bears' pen was Rob Swift. In two innings of work, three walks and three hits resulted in two earned runs. He struck out two. Brian Parker was next out of the pen, and pitched well over two innings. But his line was marred by errors which led to an unearned run in the fourth inning. The second Bears' error of the fourth inning, was Parker's own.
Matt Lyons took his turn against Gary SouthShore in the sixth inning. The RailCats worked him for a walk, a stolen base, a single, and a double for two more runs. Exit Matt Lyons; hello Anthony Pluta for the eighth and ninth innings. The RailCats drew four walks against Pluta, along with two hits. Before they were through, two more runs had come across the plate for what was ultimately a 7-4 Railcat victory. Newark's Rob Swift was tagged with the loss.
Newark actually scored first in this game. Juan Martinez scored on a wild pitch by Gary's starter, Derek Drage. Juan Martinez scored a second time in the fifth inning upon hitting his third home run of the season. In the seventh inning, once again it was Juan Martinez generating Newark's only offense of the evening. A two RBI double upped his game RBI total to three. Juan finished the game hitting 4 for 5, with 2 runs scored. After Martinez, all Newark could manage were four scattered singles against four RailCat pitchers.
The home team managed eight hits against Bears' pitching. The RailCats' Mike Coles and Mike Rohde combined on six of them. Together they hit safely in six out of ten at-bats, and combined to drive in four runs.
Game Two from U.S. Steel Yard is Friday night. And that's alright by me.
Let's Go Bears! And belated hello to Gary SouthShore!
Mike.BTB
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Newark Bears ~ Take Matinee Game Over Tornadoes
From the desk of: THE BRICK CITY NINE
NEWARK BEARS: Yesterday's Pitching Duel Turned Into This Morning's Loss. Brick City Drops Rain Suspended Game.
Bears Strike Back in Today's Matinee Game for 7-4 Win Over Worcester.
Tuesday - RAIN HALTS PITCHER'S DUEL in WORCESTER
The Bears and Tornadoes were tied after six innings in Wednesday's matinee game. Newark jumped out to an early 3-0 lead after two. Daryle Ward doubled home Alex Bardeguez in the first inning. In the second, Bryce Lane led off the inning with a walk. A two out double by Dan Coury scored Lane. And yet another two out double by Quentin Davis drove in Dan Coury.
Worcester picked up two runs in the third. The Bears then scored their fourth run in the fourth, to take a 4-2 lead on Dan Coury's home run. In the bottom half of the fourth, Worcester rallied against Newark's starting pitcher, Brian Parker, again for another run, making it a 4-3 game. With one out, Coach Oberkfell then made his move to the bullpen, and brought in Damian Sequen.
Brian Parker pitched 5.1 innings and got peppered for eleven hits. He allowed four earned runs, no walks, and struck out five before being relieved.
Damian Sequen held Worcester in the sixth. Three Bears' relievers combined on 3.2 innings to keep Worcester at four runs. Anthony Pluta pitched 1.1 innings, with two strikeouts. Jorge Vasquez took care of the ninth by striking out the side. Damian Sequen was credited with the win, and Vasquez the save.
In the seventh inning, Alex Bardeguez scored an insurance run on a passed ball. Newark scored a second time when Daryle Ward scored on a wild pitch. Then in the ninth inning, they tacked on one more run for good measure. Juan Martinez doubled home Eric McGee with the Bears' seventh, and final run.
Tuesday's Game Continuation:
The two teams concluded Tuesday night's rain suspended game this morning. Click link above for game details of a fine pitcher's duel. Today, Worcester's catcher, Chris Torres launched the game winning home run in the home ninth, giving the Tornadoes a 2-1 victory. And of course, the Bears earned a split of the series in today's matinee. They will play the rubber game of this series on Thursday.
Mike.BTB
NEWARK BEARS: Yesterday's Pitching Duel Turned Into This Morning's Loss. Brick City Drops Rain Suspended Game.
Bears Strike Back in Today's Matinee Game for 7-4 Win Over Worcester.
Tuesday - RAIN HALTS PITCHER'S DUEL in WORCESTER
The Bears and Tornadoes were tied after six innings in Wednesday's matinee game. Newark jumped out to an early 3-0 lead after two. Daryle Ward doubled home Alex Bardeguez in the first inning. In the second, Bryce Lane led off the inning with a walk. A two out double by Dan Coury scored Lane. And yet another two out double by Quentin Davis drove in Dan Coury.
Worcester picked up two runs in the third. The Bears then scored their fourth run in the fourth, to take a 4-2 lead on Dan Coury's home run. In the bottom half of the fourth, Worcester rallied against Newark's starting pitcher, Brian Parker, again for another run, making it a 4-3 game. With one out, Coach Oberkfell then made his move to the bullpen, and brought in Damian Sequen.
Brian Parker pitched 5.1 innings and got peppered for eleven hits. He allowed four earned runs, no walks, and struck out five before being relieved.
Damian Sequen held Worcester in the sixth. Three Bears' relievers combined on 3.2 innings to keep Worcester at four runs. Anthony Pluta pitched 1.1 innings, with two strikeouts. Jorge Vasquez took care of the ninth by striking out the side. Damian Sequen was credited with the win, and Vasquez the save.
In the seventh inning, Alex Bardeguez scored an insurance run on a passed ball. Newark scored a second time when Daryle Ward scored on a wild pitch. Then in the ninth inning, they tacked on one more run for good measure. Juan Martinez doubled home Eric McGee with the Bears' seventh, and final run.
Tuesday's Game Continuation:
The two teams concluded Tuesday night's rain suspended game this morning. Click link above for game details of a fine pitcher's duel. Today, Worcester's catcher, Chris Torres launched the game winning home run in the home ninth, giving the Tornadoes a 2-1 victory. And of course, the Bears earned a split of the series in today's matinee. They will play the rubber game of this series on Thursday.
Mike.BTB
Newark Bears ~ Rain Halts Pitcher's Duel in Worcester
From the desk of: THE BRICK CITY NINE
NEWARK BEARS: Mother Nature Halts a Heck of a Game.
Heading into the ninth inning of a 1-1 tie game, Mother Nature interceded to delay the outcome of this contest. And it's a shame. Because this game deserved a winner Tuesday night.
Mike Ness of the Bears, and Kevin Cooper of the Tornadoes, engaged in a classic pitcher's duel over the first eight innings of the game.
Mike Ness surrendered three hits, and allowed but one run. He walked one batter and struck out seven. Worcester's Kevin Cooper, similarly allowed three hits, and surrendered one Newark run. He walked two and struck out nine Bears. In the top of the ninth, Cooper was relieved by Michael Bourdon. He managed two outs before the umpires ordered players off the field due to rain.
The game was ultimately suspended.
Shortstop Alex Bardeguez drove in the lone Newark run. Tornadoes' second baseman Brandon Pickney drove in Worester's one run.
Jose Canseco of the Tornadoes was held hitless on four at-bats. Left fielder Brendon Kelliher had two hits in three times up. Billy Alvino had one hit and scored Newark's run. Quentin Davis, Bardeguez, and Burt Reynolds, also hit safely for the Bears.
They will resume Game One of this four game series Wednesday.
The St. Paul Saints defeated the Quebec Capitales 8-2 Tuesday evening, which means the Bears still maintain a half game lead over Quebec, for the early circuit lead. The Bears and St. Paul Saints will meet for the first time ever, next weekend, at Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium.
TUESDAY UPDATE:
The Bears and Tornadoes concluded Tuesday's game early on Wednesday. In the bottom of the ninth, Worcester catcher Chris Torres hit the game-winning home run in the home ninth inning, to give the Tornadoes a 2-1 win.
Mike.BTB
NEWARK BEARS: Mother Nature Halts a Heck of a Game.
Heading into the ninth inning of a 1-1 tie game, Mother Nature interceded to delay the outcome of this contest. And it's a shame. Because this game deserved a winner Tuesday night.
Mike Ness of the Bears, and Kevin Cooper of the Tornadoes, engaged in a classic pitcher's duel over the first eight innings of the game.
Mike Ness surrendered three hits, and allowed but one run. He walked one batter and struck out seven. Worcester's Kevin Cooper, similarly allowed three hits, and surrendered one Newark run. He walked two and struck out nine Bears. In the top of the ninth, Cooper was relieved by Michael Bourdon. He managed two outs before the umpires ordered players off the field due to rain.
The game was ultimately suspended.
Shortstop Alex Bardeguez drove in the lone Newark run. Tornadoes' second baseman Brandon Pickney drove in Worester's one run.
Jose Canseco of the Tornadoes was held hitless on four at-bats. Left fielder Brendon Kelliher had two hits in three times up. Billy Alvino had one hit and scored Newark's run. Quentin Davis, Bardeguez, and Burt Reynolds, also hit safely for the Bears.
They will resume Game One of this four game series Wednesday.
The St. Paul Saints defeated the Quebec Capitales 8-2 Tuesday evening, which means the Bears still maintain a half game lead over Quebec, for the early circuit lead. The Bears and St. Paul Saints will meet for the first time ever, next weekend, at Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium.
TUESDAY UPDATE:
The Bears and Tornadoes concluded Tuesday's game early on Wednesday. In the bottom of the ninth, Worcester catcher Chris Torres hit the game-winning home run in the home ninth inning, to give the Tornadoes a 2-1 win.
Mike.BTB
Friday, May 25, 2012
Newark Bears ~ Look Who's In First
From the desk of: THE BRICK CITY NINE
NEWARK BEARS: Brick City Jumps Out to an Early Circuit Lead.
* Friday night's game in Newark versus the Quebec Capitales was postponed.
As of - Thursday, May 24, 2012:
For the second consecutive night, Newark needed two runs in the top of the ninth inning in order to gain victory over Rockland in the rubber game of a three game set.
In his second start this season, Brian Parker pitched into the seventh inning for a second consecutive time. He allowed Rockland three scattered runs off six hits. He walked three and struck out five before giving way to Anthony Pluta. With a run in the sixth however, the Boulders relegated Parker's effort to no-decision status.
Newark held the early lead with a run in the first after Daryle Ward connected on his second home run this season. After Rockland tied the game in their next at-bat, the Bears picked up two more in the third. Billy Alvino reached first on an E-6, and later came around to score on a fielder's choice. A Juan Martinez single drove in Matt Tomczyk with the second unearned run of the inning.
Rockland tied the game in the sixth at three. And it stayed that way till the ninth. In the visitor's half, Eric McGee led off with a double. Billy Alvino then came through with a clutch two out base hit to deliver McGee from second. Alvino eventually scored on another two out single by Matt Tomczyk.
After having pitched a scoreless eighth, with two strikeouts, Anthony Pluta was the beneficiary of Newark's effort in the ninth. He gained his second relief win this season. Then Jorge Vasquez was summoned to close out the ninth inning for Newark. He did so in grand fashion by striking out the side.
...And behold, the Newark Bears are a first place club. With Thursday's win, the Bears affixed themselves to a firm one game lead atop the circuit over the Quebec Capitales. The Bears are the first team to five wins. Along with timely hitting, the Bears have been able to do so behind quality pitching that's getting deep into games. But it's relief pitchers Anthony Pluta and Matt Fitton who lead the league so far in wins with two apiece. Brian Parker is second in the league with twelve strikeouts.
Offensively, Bryce Lane has the early lead in RBI with nine.
The Bears and Quebec Capitales will make up Friday's game with a double-header on Saturday, at 'ol Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium.
Mike.BTB
NEWARK BEARS: Brick City Jumps Out to an Early Circuit Lead.
* Friday night's game in Newark versus the Quebec Capitales was postponed.
As of - Thursday, May 24, 2012:
For the second consecutive night, Newark needed two runs in the top of the ninth inning in order to gain victory over Rockland in the rubber game of a three game set.
In his second start this season, Brian Parker pitched into the seventh inning for a second consecutive time. He allowed Rockland three scattered runs off six hits. He walked three and struck out five before giving way to Anthony Pluta. With a run in the sixth however, the Boulders relegated Parker's effort to no-decision status.
Newark held the early lead with a run in the first after Daryle Ward connected on his second home run this season. After Rockland tied the game in their next at-bat, the Bears picked up two more in the third. Billy Alvino reached first on an E-6, and later came around to score on a fielder's choice. A Juan Martinez single drove in Matt Tomczyk with the second unearned run of the inning.
Rockland tied the game in the sixth at three. And it stayed that way till the ninth. In the visitor's half, Eric McGee led off with a double. Billy Alvino then came through with a clutch two out base hit to deliver McGee from second. Alvino eventually scored on another two out single by Matt Tomczyk.
After having pitched a scoreless eighth, with two strikeouts, Anthony Pluta was the beneficiary of Newark's effort in the ninth. He gained his second relief win this season. Then Jorge Vasquez was summoned to close out the ninth inning for Newark. He did so in grand fashion by striking out the side.
...And behold, the Newark Bears are a first place club. With Thursday's win, the Bears affixed themselves to a firm one game lead atop the circuit over the Quebec Capitales. The Bears are the first team to five wins. Along with timely hitting, the Bears have been able to do so behind quality pitching that's getting deep into games. But it's relief pitchers Anthony Pluta and Matt Fitton who lead the league so far in wins with two apiece. Brian Parker is second in the league with twelve strikeouts.
Offensively, Bryce Lane has the early lead in RBI with nine.
The Bears and Quebec Capitales will make up Friday's game with a double-header on Saturday, at 'ol Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium.
Mike.BTB
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Newark Bears ~ Ninth Inning Rally Equals Win Number Four
From the desk of: THE BRICK CITY NINE
The Bears took their first ride up to Rockland Tuesday night where they dropped the first game of their series against the Boulders by an 8-4 final. Pedro Rivera was making his first start for Newark, and quite frankly, could have used a little more help. Two errors in the second inning led to Rockland's first two unearned runs. Another error led to Ryan Mollica's three run home run off Rivera in the third inning, bringing the number of unearned Boulder runs to five. Then in the sixth, Ryan Mollica sent Pedro Rivera off to the showers with his second home run of the game.
In the seventh inning, Newark committed yet another error; their fourth of the game; which opened the door for Rockland second baseman, Cole Kraft's 2-run home run off Damian Sequen, who pitched the seventh and eighth innings for Newark.
Newark's scoring came in the top of the second inning, and in the seventh. Eric McGee doubled home Burt Reynolds, and scored when Billy Alvino grounded into a double play. And in the seventh, Bryce Lane hit a solo run home run; his second.
Wednesday games mean morning games. And so the teams convened in Rockland at 10:30am for Game Two of this three game set. Making his second start, Mike Ness, pitched six full innings and left on the winning side of a 4-3 game. He gave up three earned runs on seven hits, and two walks. He struck out two.
Quentin Davis doubled and scored in the first inning. Courtney Billingslea hit a solo home run in the second. And after singling in the third, Quentin Davis scored again to give the Bears a 3-0 lead after two and a half innings of play.
Rockland got a run back in the bottom of the third. And picked up two more runs against Mike Ness in the fourth to tie the game. But the Bears picked up their pitcher with a go ahead run in the sixth. Once again, Quentin Davis factored in the scoring when he singled home Bryce Lane.
The Boulders remained stout and scored against Matt Fitton in the home seventh to tie the game at four. But then came back the Bears in the top of the ninth. Bryce Lane drew a bases loaded walk for the go ahead run. And for insurance, Daryle Ward scored on Courtney Billingslea's sac-fly.
Anthony Pluta was the beneficiary of those two runs and earned the win. Jorge Vasquez pitched the bottom of the ninth to close out the Bears' fourth win of the season.
Final Score - Bears 6; Rockland 4
Newark and Rockland will play the rubber game of this series Thursday evening.
So far this season, the Newark Bears, and last season's three-peat CanAm Champs, the Quebec Capitales, are first to four wins, and sit atop the five team circuit. Remember, there is no split season this year. The top two teams in the division after 100 games played will make the playoffs. So that's six down and ninety four to go. After the Bears wrap up this series with Rockland, they will host the defending champions for three games.
Go Bears.
Mike.BTB
NEWARK BEARS: Brick City Busts Some Rocks for Ninth Inning Win.
Series Tied 1-1
I - Boulders 8; Bears 4
II - Bears 6; Boulders 4
Game Three ~ Thursday
The Bears took their first ride up to Rockland Tuesday night where they dropped the first game of their series against the Boulders by an 8-4 final. Pedro Rivera was making his first start for Newark, and quite frankly, could have used a little more help. Two errors in the second inning led to Rockland's first two unearned runs. Another error led to Ryan Mollica's three run home run off Rivera in the third inning, bringing the number of unearned Boulder runs to five. Then in the sixth, Ryan Mollica sent Pedro Rivera off to the showers with his second home run of the game.
In the seventh inning, Newark committed yet another error; their fourth of the game; which opened the door for Rockland second baseman, Cole Kraft's 2-run home run off Damian Sequen, who pitched the seventh and eighth innings for Newark.
Newark's scoring came in the top of the second inning, and in the seventh. Eric McGee doubled home Burt Reynolds, and scored when Billy Alvino grounded into a double play. And in the seventh, Bryce Lane hit a solo run home run; his second.
Wednesday games mean morning games. And so the teams convened in Rockland at 10:30am for Game Two of this three game set. Making his second start, Mike Ness, pitched six full innings and left on the winning side of a 4-3 game. He gave up three earned runs on seven hits, and two walks. He struck out two.
Quentin Davis doubled and scored in the first inning. Courtney Billingslea hit a solo home run in the second. And after singling in the third, Quentin Davis scored again to give the Bears a 3-0 lead after two and a half innings of play.
Rockland got a run back in the bottom of the third. And picked up two more runs against Mike Ness in the fourth to tie the game. But the Bears picked up their pitcher with a go ahead run in the sixth. Once again, Quentin Davis factored in the scoring when he singled home Bryce Lane.
The Boulders remained stout and scored against Matt Fitton in the home seventh to tie the game at four. But then came back the Bears in the top of the ninth. Bryce Lane drew a bases loaded walk for the go ahead run. And for insurance, Daryle Ward scored on Courtney Billingslea's sac-fly.
Anthony Pluta was the beneficiary of those two runs and earned the win. Jorge Vasquez pitched the bottom of the ninth to close out the Bears' fourth win of the season.
Final Score - Bears 6; Rockland 4
Newark and Rockland will play the rubber game of this series Thursday evening.
So far this season, the Newark Bears, and last season's three-peat CanAm Champs, the Quebec Capitales, are first to four wins, and sit atop the five team circuit. Remember, there is no split season this year. The top two teams in the division after 100 games played will make the playoffs. So that's six down and ninety four to go. After the Bears wrap up this series with Rockland, they will host the defending champions for three games.
Go Bears.
Mike.BTB
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Newark Bears ~ Brick City Wins Third Game Over Worcester
From the desk of: THE BRICK CITY NINE
Saturday Final:
Tornadoes 7
NEWARK 2
Saturday, the Worcester Tornadoes earned their first victory of the season with a 7-2 victory over the Newark Bears. After Newark took the first two games of this four game Opening Day series, the Tornadoes jumped on Newark's starter, Sean Campbell early in Game Three. The Tornadoes whipped up four runs in the top of the second inning. Worcester scored a fifth run against Campbell in the fifth inning. Kyle Morrison allowed two more scattered runs during his three inning relief stint giving the Tornadoes their seven runs.
All the Bears could muster against Tornadoes' starter, Dan Sausville and Worcester's bullpen, came in the third inning. Bryce Lane singled home Burt Reynolds, and Dan Coury later singled home Bryce Lane for Newark's only two runs of the game. The Bears did however pepper Dan Sausville for twelve hits before he was relieved after six innings pitched. But over the next three innings, Worcester's bullpen allowed but one hit the rest of the way.
As you can guess, the Bears left fourteen runners on base. But aside from two doubles by Burt Reynolds and Dan Coury, all the Bears managed were singles. Burt Reynolds had a big day, going 3 for 5 in the game. Daryle Ward was 2 for 3 and drew two walks.
After going hitless in his first two games, Jose Canseco was 1 for 5 at the plate for Worcester.
Sunday Final:
Tornadoes 6
NEWARK 9
In Sunday afternoon's final game of the series, the Bears jumped out to an early 3-0 lead. Quentin Davis scored on a passed ball in the first. In the second, Courtney Billingslea hit a solo home run, and Norberto Susini scored on a fielder's choice.
After Worcester scored one run in the third, they exploded for five runs in the fifth inning to take a 6-3 lead. Bears' starter Alex Smith was doing fine through four innings. He allowed one earned run, on four hits, and a walk. Then Matt Fitton took over the pitching duties. An error, a walk, and a single loaded the bases with one out, and the inning went south from there. A couple of more hits and yet another error lead to Worcester's five run inning.
In the bottom of the fifth, the Bears got one back when Alex Bardeguez doubled home Juan Martinez. Matt Fitton stayed in the game and pitched another two scoreless innings. Then in the bottom of the seventh, the Bears broke out for five runs of their own against Tornadoes' starter, Kevin Cooper, who was aiming for a seven inning starting effort, and against reliever Mike Mullen.
Quentin Davis started the scoring with an RBI single. Off a Burt Reynolds single, Quentin Davis and Bryce Lane both scored unearned runs. Daryle Ward scored when Norberto Susini was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. The following batter, Billy Alvino, was also hit by a pitch, which forced home Burt Reynolds from third.
Anthony Pluta pitched a scoreless eighth inning and Jorge Vasquez tossed a scoreless ninth to preserve Newarks' third victory in four tries. Matt Fitton was credited with the win.
For Worcester, Jose Canseco was 2 for 5 at the plate, with an RBI, and a run scored.
Mike.BTB
NEWARK BEARS: Brick City Wraps Up Opening Day Weekend With Three Wins over Worcester Tornadoes.
BEARS WIN OPENING DAY SERIES 3-1
I - NWK 9; WOR 2
II - NWK 6; WOR 4
III - WOR 7; NWK 2
IV - NWK 9; WOR 6
Saturday Final:
Tornadoes 7
NEWARK 2
Saturday, the Worcester Tornadoes earned their first victory of the season with a 7-2 victory over the Newark Bears. After Newark took the first two games of this four game Opening Day series, the Tornadoes jumped on Newark's starter, Sean Campbell early in Game Three. The Tornadoes whipped up four runs in the top of the second inning. Worcester scored a fifth run against Campbell in the fifth inning. Kyle Morrison allowed two more scattered runs during his three inning relief stint giving the Tornadoes their seven runs.
All the Bears could muster against Tornadoes' starter, Dan Sausville and Worcester's bullpen, came in the third inning. Bryce Lane singled home Burt Reynolds, and Dan Coury later singled home Bryce Lane for Newark's only two runs of the game. The Bears did however pepper Dan Sausville for twelve hits before he was relieved after six innings pitched. But over the next three innings, Worcester's bullpen allowed but one hit the rest of the way.
As you can guess, the Bears left fourteen runners on base. But aside from two doubles by Burt Reynolds and Dan Coury, all the Bears managed were singles. Burt Reynolds had a big day, going 3 for 5 in the game. Daryle Ward was 2 for 3 and drew two walks.
After going hitless in his first two games, Jose Canseco was 1 for 5 at the plate for Worcester.
Sunday Final:
Tornadoes 6
NEWARK 9
In Sunday afternoon's final game of the series, the Bears jumped out to an early 3-0 lead. Quentin Davis scored on a passed ball in the first. In the second, Courtney Billingslea hit a solo home run, and Norberto Susini scored on a fielder's choice.
After Worcester scored one run in the third, they exploded for five runs in the fifth inning to take a 6-3 lead. Bears' starter Alex Smith was doing fine through four innings. He allowed one earned run, on four hits, and a walk. Then Matt Fitton took over the pitching duties. An error, a walk, and a single loaded the bases with one out, and the inning went south from there. A couple of more hits and yet another error lead to Worcester's five run inning.
In the bottom of the fifth, the Bears got one back when Alex Bardeguez doubled home Juan Martinez. Matt Fitton stayed in the game and pitched another two scoreless innings. Then in the bottom of the seventh, the Bears broke out for five runs of their own against Tornadoes' starter, Kevin Cooper, who was aiming for a seven inning starting effort, and against reliever Mike Mullen.
Quentin Davis started the scoring with an RBI single. Off a Burt Reynolds single, Quentin Davis and Bryce Lane both scored unearned runs. Daryle Ward scored when Norberto Susini was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. The following batter, Billy Alvino, was also hit by a pitch, which forced home Burt Reynolds from third.
Anthony Pluta pitched a scoreless eighth inning and Jorge Vasquez tossed a scoreless ninth to preserve Newarks' third victory in four tries. Matt Fitton was credited with the win.
For Worcester, Jose Canseco was 2 for 5 at the plate, with an RBI, and a run scored.
Mike.BTB
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