NWK Bears ~ First Fifty Games Were Rough on Bears

From the desk of:   THE BRICK CITY NINE

NEWARK BEARS:  Brick City Reaches the Mid-Point of the Season After a First Half of Struggles.


Sunday's game against the New Jersey Jackals was number fifty of the Newark Bears' season.  There are now fifty games left.  And it saddens me to say, the outlook for the second half of the season isn't looking very promising.  The Bears are currently in last place with a 16-34 record, eighteen games out of first place, and twelve games out of second.  But don't get too lost in that, as only two teams, the Quebec Capitales and the New Jersey Jackals, have records above the .500 mark.


Monday was an off day for the Bears who are in the middle of a three game series against the Jackals.  So far they have split the first two games against second place New Jersey, with the rubber game scheduled for Tuesday.


After fifty games, my vote goes to Daryle Ward as the Bears' first half MVP.  In forty-seven games, he has 179 at-bats and is batting .291, with nine home runs, and thirty-six RBI.  For reference, the league leader in home runs has seventeen.  The league's RBI leader has forty-seven.


On the mound, Mike Ness has been the Bears' best starting pitcher.  In ten starts, he has a 5-2 record, with a 4.64 ERA.  In 66.0 innings pitched, he's surrendered seventy-six hits, issued eighteen walks, and struck out thirty-eight batters.  The league leader has seven wins.


My runner-up for team MVP is the Bears' closer, Jorge Vasquez.  He's made nineteen appearances, pitching in 22.1 innings, allowing only eight hits, and one earned run so far, which translates into a minuscule 0.40 ERA.  Vasquez has walked seven and struck out thirty-three batters en route to ten saves, one win, and one loss this season.


Off the field and in the seats, as has been the case for several years now, attendance is at critical levels.  I do not have facts to substantiate the teams' financial health, other than deducing an opionion based on the league's attendance figures, in addition to what I see with my own eyes whenever I attend a game.  But neither paint a pretty portrait.


Sporting the lowest attendance figures in the circuit over twenty-three dates, the Bears have averaged 750+/- fans per game.  Their grand total for the season stands at 17,000 fans.  The next lowest attendance figure is owned by the Worcester Tornadoes, who double Newark's head-count with 34,500 fans this season; good for an average of 1,700 fans per game.  These numbers are rounded off, but I think you get the point.


Last season's CanAm expansion club, the Rockland Boulders, have led the league in attendance since they joined the circuit, unseating perennial attendance champs, New Jersey, and Quebec.  The Boulders are averaging 3,100 fans per game this season, for a total of 76,000 over twenty-four dates.  That's four and a half times more than Newark.


And the bears in Yellowstone thought they had it rough.


To Ownership, Tim Raines, and the Newark Bears team - Here's to a better second half.


Let's Go Bears.




Mike.BTB

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 ~ 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 ~ Brick City Finding Few Wins To Feed On

From the desk of:   THE BRICK CITY NINE

NEWARK BEARS:  Back Home After a Rough Road Trip, New Jersey Visited The Den and Made Matters Worse.


The Midwest seemed like no place for Bears.  In their first foray into American Association territory, all the Brick City Nine could muster were two victories in ten tries.  They lost two of three games from the Gary SouthShore RailCats to begin the trip.  In Kansas City against the T-Bones, the Bears avoided a sweep by winning game three of that series.  And in the last stop of their westward swing, they played a double-header against the Grand Prairie Air Dogs, and a third game last Friday evening, and lost them all.  The road trip was most definitely a setback, and drops the Bears' season record to 10-19, and a fourth place standing.


After a two day break, the Bears were back in the comfort of The Den Monday evening, where they opened up a three game series against their second place rivals, and Garden State neighbor, the New Jersey Jackals.  But the game didn't go as Newark might have hoped.


The Jackals struck for six runs, five earned, in the second inning off Newark's starter, Caleb Cuevas.  But outside of that second inning, Caleb pitched well.  Aside of four hits in the second, he allowed but two over the rest of his 7.1 inning start.  He walked two and struck out eight.


The Bears however could do little against Jackals' pitching.  New Jersey starter Steve Fox, pitched six strong innings; allowing three hits and no runs.  He walked one and struck out seven.  Daryl Ward drove in the Bears' lone run off the Jackals' bullpen with an RBI single in the eighth.


The Jackals improved to 19-11 for the season, and remain one game behind the first place Quebec Capitales.  Newark however, dropped to 10-20 on the year; 8.5 games behind the Jackals.  They are now in last place, with the Worcester Tornadoes ahead of them by one-half game.


Thirty percent of the Bears season is now complete.




Mike.BTB

Newark Bears ~ Pick Up First Win on American Association Grounds

From the desk of:   THE BRICK CITY NINE

NEWARK BEARS:  Brick City Wins First Game Against Gary SouthShore RailCats.  Play For a Split in Series Sunday.

Game One; The Bears Great Western Migration


FRIDAY'S FINAL ~ GAME TWO
Railcats   20
Bears       11

Let's just say Friday night's game got out of hand.  Because Pedro Rivera only lasted an inning in Thursday's game, and the bullpen had to pick up the next eight, Coach Oberkfell was forced into some sacrificial managing with regards to Friday's game two starting pitcher, Mike Ness.

Mike Ness was making his fifth start of the season.  He never had good stuff, and never was going to get some.  Not this game.  But with a taxed bullpen, Ken Oberkfell left his starter on the mound through five innings, despite surrendering thirteen hits, and twelve earned runs.  Ken Oberfell then relied on just one pitcher out of the bullpen to pitch the final three innings.  Luis Garcia gave up six hits and allowed another seven runs.

The game ended in a 20-11 final.  Offensively for the RailCats Adam Klein, Mike Massaro, and Rico Washington combine to bat 10 for 13, with nine runs scored, and eleven RBI.

For Newark, Alex Bardeguez scored four runs from the lead-off spot.  He went 4 for 6 with an RBI.  Daryle Ward hit his fifth home run.  He batted 3 for 6, with three RBI.  Eric McGee hit his third home run.  He went 3 for 5 with three runs scored, and two RBI.  And Billy Alvino was 4 for 5, with two RBI.




SATURDAY FINAL ~ GAME THREE
Bears        6
RailCats   4

This pitching match-up featured Newark's usual reliever, Matt Fitton, making his first start of the season after seven relief appearances.  And on the hill for the RailCats, was Stephen Hiscock.

The two teams exchanged a run in the first inning.  Newark's sizzling hot Juan Martinez homered for the fourth time this season.  And for Gary SouthShore, Mike Coles reciprocated with his own solo home run for the tie.

In the second, the RailCats busted Matt Fitton for three more runs.  Adam Klein had an RBI single. Mike Massaro tripled home another run.  And David Cooper singled home Massaro with Gary's fourth run of the game.

Stephen Hiscock cruised through the first five innings.  In the sixth inning he ran into a little trouble.  After securing the first two outs, he allowed a single to Juan Martinez, a single to Daryle Ward, and walked Eric McGee to load the bases.  Hiscock then walked the next batter, Bryce Lane, to force in the Bears' second run of the game.  That ended a good night of pitching for the RailCats' starter.  In 5.2 innings, he only allowed four hits, two earned runs, walked two, and struck out eight Bears.  T.J. Wohlever took over for Hiscock and struck out the next batter to end Newark's threat, and keep it a 4-2 game.

After a rough start over the first two innings, Matt Fitton settled down over the next four and left the game after six innings of work.  He finished allowing six hits and four earned runs.  He struggled with four walks, and struck out three.  Coach Ken Oberkfell summoned Kyle Morrison to pitch the seventh.  He picked up the first two outs, the second with a strikeout.  Coach Oberkfell then called upon Matt Lyons, who secured the third out of the Railcats' home seventh.

In the eighth inning, the Bears finally clawed-up Gary's bullpen for four runs.  Nick Santomauro singled home Daryle Ward.  Courtney Billingslea then singled home two more runs.  Matt Tomczyk's RBI single topped off the eighth, and gave the Bears a 6-4 lead.

Matt Lyons returned to the hill for the bottom of the eighth and combined with Jorge Vasquez to keep Gary SouthShore quiet for another inning.  And into the ninth they went.  Juan Martinez' lead off single was wiped out when Daryle Ward grounded into a double play.  Eric McGee then grounded out to short to set up a save situation for the Bear's bullpen.

Jorge Vasquez came back out in the ninth to face the top of the line-up.  Vasquez struck out his first batter swinging.  The second batter he faced popped to right.  Mike Coles, who has been giving Bears' pitching fits, extended the game with a double.  Jorge Vasquez then walked David Cooper to put the tying run on base, and bring the winning run to the plate.  But the Bears' closer composed himself, and struck out the number five hitter, Mike Rohde, swinging for the final out of the game.

That was Jorge Vasquez' seventh save of the season.  Matt Lyons gets credit for the win.  In a spot start, Matt Fitton pitched rather efficiently.  The Railcats' Chris Allen was tagged with the loss in relief.

In their third try, the Newark Bears finally have their first victory on this road trip through American Association territory.  Brick City will try and earn a series split against the Gary SouthShore RailCats tomorrow, Sunday, before moving on to Kansas City and taking on the T-Bones baseball club.




Mike.BTB

Newark Bears ~ Salvage Game Three Versus St. Paul Saints

From the desk of:   THE BRICK CITY NINE

* Monday's Home Game Versus the Rockland Boulders Was Rained-Out.

St.Paul Saints vs. Newark Bears

Saints Win Series 2-1

I  -  St.P 6; NWK 3

II  -  St.P 7; NWK 2

III  -  NWK 7; St.P 1

 

NEWARK BEARS:  St. Paul Saints Bid Broad Street Adieu After Taking Inter-League Series Two Games to One.

Series Preview, and Recaps from Games One and Two:

St. Paul Saints Come Marching In

The Bears dropped two of three games in their first Inter-League meeting against the famed St. Paul Saints Baseball Club of the American Association.  Newark finally gained a win Sunday, in Game Three.

First Pitch

With rain threatening, the Bears protected a lead through the top of the fifth inning to at least make the game official.  In the home second inning, Burt Reynolds and Eric McGee led off with back-to-back solo home runs, staking Newark starting pitcher, Mike Ness, to a two run lead.

Burt Reynolds rounds second, then touches home after second inning blast.

Eric McGee touches home after completing back-to-back home runs.

However, the game played on.  In the fifth inning, Newark struck for four more runs off Saints' starter, Alberto Rolon.  Juan Martinez had an RBI single.  Then Daryle Ward (right) unloaded with a three run home run, his third of the season, to give Newark a 6-0 lead.  In the sixth inning, the Bears made it a seven run lead when Matt Tomczyk singled home Courtney Billingslea.  All seven Newark runs were earned and came off St. Paul's Alberto Rolon.

In the lead-off spot, Alex Bareguez was 3 for 4, with a run scored.

In his fourth start this season, the Bears' Mike Ness (left) pitched seven full innings to gain his second win against no losses.  He kept St. Paul quiet over the first six innings, before the Saints managed to score once in the seventh.  Ness allowed six Saints' hits.  He walked two, and struck out four.

Anthony Pluta pitched the eighth inning and surrendered two hits.  Jorge Vasquez came in for the ninth, faced four batters, surrendered a hit, and struck out one.

The Bears and Rockland Boulders will try and get their series started, most likely with a double-header on Tuesday.  Wednesday will be get-away day for the Bears, as they travel to Grand Rapids.





Mike.BTB

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 ~ 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 Wins Third Game Over Worcester

From the desk of:   THE BRICK CITY NINE

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

Newark Bears ~ Worcester Bullpen Gets Clawed in Eighth

From the desk of:   THE BRICK CITY NINE

Brick City Roars in Season Opener

Newark Bears; CanAm League Opening Day

NEWARK BEARS:  The Urban Grizzlies Ride Strong Pitching and Timely Hitting to Second Straight Victory Over Worcester.

Newark's starting pitcher, Brian Parker, gave the Bears a second consecutive strong effort Friday to get this young season started on a most positive note.  In 6.2 innings pitched, he allowed Worcester two scattered runs and three hits in total.  He walked no batters and struck out seven. Brian exited the game in the seventh inning on the winning side of a 3-2 game.  But when the Tornadoes tied the game at three in the top of the eighth inning against Damian Sequen and Matt Fitton, Brian Parker's effort was regulated to no-decision status.

In the top of the eighth, Damian Sequen walked the lead-off batter, then welted the next hitter with a pitch.  A sac-fly put the tying run on third, which prompted Coach Oberkfell to make a change.  In came Matt Fitton.  Another sac-fly promptly scored the runner from third.  Jose Canseco then popped out to end Worcester's at-bat.


In the home eighth, the Bears growled back with three runs.  With one out, Quentin Davis singled and stole second.  Alex Bardeguez singled him home for the go ahead run.  Daryle Ward then bopped a two run home run to give Newark a 6-3 lead.


Jorge Vasquez was summoned to pitch the ninth for Newark.  He surrendered a solo home run to Tornadoes' third baseman, Johnny Welch, but finally closed out Newark's second victory in as many games.  Matt Fitton was credited with the win, and Vasquez the Save.


For Daryle Ward, this was his first home run of the season.  Burt Reynolds was 2 for 4 with two runs scored.  Only second baseman, Juan Martinez failed to get a hit off Worcester pitching.  Tornadoes' Jose Canseco was 0 for 4 at the plate as the DH and clean-up hitter.


The 6-4 final score of this game is somewhat misleading.  This was actually a well pitched contest by both teams.  Combined, both staffs only walked one batter, and combined for sixteen strikeouts.  In seventeen combined innings, all pitchers limited the respective line-ups to fourteen hits.


Both teams will do it again in Game Three of this Opening Day four game series tonight.

OPENING DAY SERIES

Bears Lead 2-0

I  -  NWK 9; WOR 2

II  -  NWK 6; WOR 4

GAME THREE

Worcester Tornadoes

vs.

NEWARK BEARS

From

THE DEN

Broad Street, Newark

Mike.BTB

Newark Bears ~ Line-Up Suffers Major League Blow

From the desk of:  THE BRICK CITY NINE




NEWARK BEARS:  Daryle Ward's Contract Sold To Arizona Diamondbacks.


The Bears' line-up suffered a major hit yesterday.  The contract of first-baseman Daryle Ward was sold to the Arizona Diamondbacks.  Prior to the transaction, the Bears slugger appeared in 53 games.  In 218 at-bats, he had 68 hits for a .312 batting average.  He had 40 runs scored; 16 doubles; 12 home runs and 51 RBI for Newark this season.


This leaves a gaping hole in the middle of the Bears' line-up, who are trying to improve upon their .500 record and qualify for the playoffs with a month left in the regular season.  That task seems a little more daunting now.  The team's strength was it's ability to outscore teams; as their starting pitching has been the weakest part of their overall game.


Last night, the Bears started a three game series against the Pittsfield Colonials and lost 9-2 in front of the home crowd.  Tonight, Chris Vasami pitches for the Bears as they try and even the series and avoid dropping below the .500 level.






Mike.BTB

Newark Bears ~ Looking To Finish 1st Half Strong

From the desk of:  GROWLINGS FROM BROOKLYN


NEWARK BEARS:  Still Trying To Get A Piece Of
Fourth Place.


The Bears will end the season's first half against none other than the CanAm's first half clincher; Quebec Capitales in a three game series at The Den in Newark.


A hot start by the Bears this season turned into a tail spin which dropped them below .500 at times.  They've been hovering around that mark ever since.  Facing the League's first place club Thursday, the Newark Bears gained an inconsequential game on Quebec, and scratched their way to a game above .500 again.


The Bears tail-spin came on the heals of rising to second place with an 18-11 record.  Since then they have gone 5-11 and currently sit in fifth place; and after tonight, drew within 10.5 games of Quebec.


In game one of this last first half series, Tim Raines Jr. and Daryle Ward both homered, supplying Bears' starter, Alex Smith, with all six runs he'd need tonight.  They gave him an early 2-0 in the first when Tim Raines Jr. hit the Capitales' Matthew Rusch's seventh pitch of the inning out for his 8th home run, scoring Brandon Watson who singled to lead off the game.


In the sixth inning, Daryle Ward blasted a two run homer, scoring Tim Raines Jr., to give the Bears a 4-0 lead.  The lead became 6-0 in the seventh when Daryle Ward drove in two more unearned runs with a single.


Starter, Alex Smith gave Coach Raines what this team has needed so desperately; a starting pitcher who can pitch into the late innings of a game.  Thursday evening, Alex Smith gave his team 7.2 innings against the League's best team.  He walked five batters to give the Capitales hope.  But he surrendered only one hit.  They scored twice off him, but only one run was earned.


The bullpen preserved the Bears' twenty-second victory of the season versus twenty-one losses.


Matt Fitton pitched 0.2 innings following Smith.  He gave up three hits and allowed Quebec's third run of the game.  But Mikey Mehlich was called on to close the game.  After taking a tough loss Wednesday night against New York, he pitched the final 0.2 innings; no runs; no hits; no walks; one strikeout - earning him his seventh Save of the season.


Pittsfield sits 0.5 games ahead of Newark; in fourth place.  The Bears with try and gain way against Quebec again tomorrow in game two of this series, while the Pittsfield Colonials will play at Rockland.  Newark is 2.5 games behind third place Brockton.




Mike.BTB

Newark Bears ~ GM Mike Torrez Making Changes

From the desk of:  THE BRICK CITY NINE



NEWARK BEARS:  New Names Contribute To Snap 6-Game Losing Streak.

Desperate times call for measures.  Or in the Bears' case, just playing with a sense of desperation will do.  They did that tonight.  But that's not to say Newark hasn't been playing hard.  Under Tim Raines Sr., they have.  But GM Mike Torrez decided this week changes were in order.  He made a flurry of signings while in the midst of a six game losing streak.


The Bears are looking for some stability at catcher.  Billy Alvino was behind the dish the last two games including today.  Recently signed Bobby Dombrowski; was Tuesday night's catcher.  And of course, Eric McGee has caught for the Bears this season.


Thursday, Tim Raines Jr. was moved into the infield again to play second base.   Mike Torrez just signed a 22 year old outfielder named Pat Biserta.  He started in center field in Raines' place.  Two infielders; Ryan Walsh and Brandon Young were also signed by Mike Torrez and have been inserted into the line-up this week at third and shortstop respectively.


With changes to the roster, the Bears' needed a change in fortune next. 


The Bears brushed away a 1-0 Pittsfield lead in the top half of the first inning and scored four times in the bottom half.  Pittsfield starter; Eric Katzman; didn't last very long.  After a lead-off single by Brandon Watson, Eric Katzman walked three of the next four batters to force home a run.  Then newly acquired Pat Biserta cleared the bases with a three run double giving the Bears a 4-1 lead.


Pittsfield scored their second run of the game in the top of the second.  Newark brushed that off also and reciprocated with three more runs in the bottom of the frame.  Another lead-off single by newly signed Ryan Walsh and two more walks by Pittfield's Eric Katzman loaded up the bases with Bears again.  Tim Raines Jr. grounded into a 4-6-3 double play but Ryan Walsh scored on the play.  Daryle Ward then doubled home Brandon Watson.  Danny Santiesteban followed with a single to score Daryle Ward.


In the fifth, Danny Santiesteban doubled and stole third.  He scored the Bears' eighth run on a fielder's choice.


Today's starting pitcher for the Bears; Chris Vasami; whom played for the Bears previously, was also resigned this week and made his first start of the season today against Pittsfield.  Over his first five innings, he gave up eight hits; two earned runs; one walk; and struck out one batter. 


But how would he fare in the sixth inning which has become Newark's starting pitcher kryptonite this season? 


Answer - He gave up a lead-off single and walked the next batter.  He got his first out on a fly to center.  Another single advanced everyone one base, but an error by Tim Raines Jr. at second base allowed the lead runner to score.  And that was the end of Chris Vasami's day.  It was off to the bullpen for Coach Raines again.


Another recent acquisition; Matt Fitton; was summoned by Coach Raines to douse Pittsfield in the sixth.  And he did.  But the seventh was a different story.  Fitton got himself into trouble by loading the bases.  So in came the Bears' third pitcher of the game; Anthony Pluta.  He got the third out of the inning via strikeout to prevent Newark's 9-3 lead from caving in on them.


Mikey Mehlich pitched the ninth inning and wrapped up Newark's first win in their last seven tries.  They finally attained their seventeenth victory of the season versus sixteen losses.  Most importantly, they avoided dropping under the .500 mark.


Gone from Newark's roster are OF-Kyle LaMotta; 3B- Todd Gossage; and OF- Burt Reynolds; all released this week by GM Mike Torrez.


The Bears will try and salvage a split of this four game series against Pittsfield tomorrow; Friday.





Mike.BTB

Newark Bears ~ Whoa Canada

From the desk of:  THE BRICK CITY NINE



NEWARK BEARS:  CanAm League's Top Team Sweeps the Brick City Nine in Forgettable First Trip to Canada.


Last week's CanAm LHP of the Week; Alex Smith of the Bears; couldn't corral the Capitales earlier this afternoon in Quebec.  As a result, Newark lost to the Capitales completing a three game sweep on their Northern road. 


Hoping to go into Canada and close the gap between them and the CanAm League's top club, the Bears wound up losing three more games in the standings and today remain tied for third place with the Pittsfield Colonials.  Both teams have identical 16-14 records; 7.5 games out of first.  New Jersey is solidly in second place.


Poor defense in the first inning dropped the Bears and Alex Smith into an early hole.  Two unearned runs were part of a 3-0 start for Quebec.  On the other side, one of Quebec's many quality starters; Matthew Rusch; took his turn on the mound and started out well before Newark caught up to him also.  And after six innings, both teams were tied at five apiece.

With the game turned over to the bullpens, Newark's T.J. Hose was charged with pitching the eighth inning.  Two singles and a double later, the Bears were trailing by a run again.


T.J. Stanton pitched the ninth inning for Quebec and retired the Bears in order to gain the Save.  Dexter Bobo pitched the eighth inning for the Capitales and was the game's winning pitcher.



BEAR CLAWS:
Daryle Ward ~ 1 for 4; Home Run; 2 RBI.
Danny Santiesteban ~ 2 for 4; Home Run; 2 RBI.



The Bears get a day off Monday to travel back home to The Den where they'll host the Pittsfield Colonials for a four game series starting Tuesday.




Independent League NEWS:

ATLANTIC LEAGUE ~ During the bottom of the fourth inning in a game between the Lancaster Barnstormers and the Somerset Patriots, Lancaster manager; Butch Hobson; argued over a play at first base with the first base umpire .

A heated Butch Hobson then gestured as if to throw the Umpire out of the game.  Well, that bought Hobson an ejection.  Coach Hobson then repeated the gesture throwing the Umpire out of the game again.  He then removed the first base bag out of the ground and took it with him to the dugout, where he retrieved a Sharpie; signed the bag; and gave it to a young fan in the first row.  The home crowd went wild as the game continued without a first base bag.



Mike.BTB

Newark Bears ~ Bears Take Back Second Place

From the desk of:  GROWLINGS FROM BROOKLYN



NEWAR BEARS:  Split Four Game Series With Worcester.

See Game One and Game Two; HERE


GAME THREE FINAL:  Worcester 4;  Newark 2.
After a rain delay and getting shut-out for eight innings, the Bears finally mustered some offense against Worcester in the ninth inning.  But they fell half-way short of a comeback last night losing 4-2 in game three of the four game series against the Tornadoes.  The loss dipped the Bears percentage points behind Brockton for second place overall in the League.


Newark starter; Jesse Estrada; took another tough loss.  He falls to 1-3 on the season as he lasted 4.2 innings and gave up three of Worcester's runs.  TJ Hose and Kyle Morrison pitched 4.2 innings in relief and allowed one more run to the Tornadoes. 


TJ Hose actually had himself a rather stellar appearance.  He pitched 2.2 innings; gave up no hits and struck out five.


Tim Raines Jr. has seen his batting average rise from .348 to .371 recently.  He went 2 for 3 in this game with a run scored.  Danny Santiesteban carried a big stick with a 3 for 4 night and 2 RBI.



GAME FOUR; SERIES FINAL:  Newark 8;  Worcester 7.
The Bears grabbed the last game of this four game series to earn a split with the Worcester Tornadoes.
Each team took turns pelting each other with four runs in the first inning.  Worcester picked up three more runs in the second inning to make it a 7-4 game.  The Bears clawed their way back with a run in the third and fourth innings.  Then in the fifth, they scored two more to take an 8-7 lead.


That's when Coach Tim Raines Sr.'s bullpen, the backbone of this team, stepped up yet again in support of the starting pitching; which frankly, wasn't very good on either team's part late this afternoon.


Newark's starter; Casey Gaynor; picked up his first win, in his first start, in his first game of 2011 in spite of giving up 8 hits and 7 runs (all earned) over his 5 innings pitched. 


In relief, the bullpen shined again while protecting the Bears' lead.  Matt Fitton was first.  He pitched two innings; allowed one walk; a hit; and struck out one.  Chris Rollins and his season 0.84 ERA were called upon to pitch the eighth inning.  He struck out two batters for his part with no hits or walks allowed.  Mikey Mehlich was then summoned to close out the game for Newark.  After plunking the lead-off batter, Mikey retired the next three in order to earn his 5th Save of the season.  His ERA is a microscopic 0.75 now.


Brandon Watson, now batting .336 this season, had an outstanding day at the plate batting lead-off, -going 5 for 5 with 2 runs scored. 


Daryle Ward; 2 for 3; with two RBI, climbed to a .378 batting average.


Todd Gossage hit a solo home run in the third inning.  Burt Reynolds homered in the fifth inning.


Billy Alvino; Daryle Ward; and Burt Reynolds all had 2 RBI each.



SEASON RECORD/ OVERALL LEAGUE STANDINGS:

Entering Thursday's Games:
1st - 20-6 - Quebec Capitales
2nd - 15-10 - Brockton Rox
3rd - 16-11 - NEWARK BEARS
4th - 16-11 - New Jersey Jackals


After Thursday Finals:
1st - 21-6 - Quebec Capitales
2nd - 17-11- NEWARK BEARS - 4.5 games back
3rd - 17-11 - New Jersey Jackals
4th - 15-11 - Brockton Rox  -  After two and one half hour rain delay, Rox lose 1st game of DH.  2nd game to start by 11pm Thursday.  League Rules prohibit an inning starting past midnight.  Brockton and the Rockland Boulders will have roughly one hour to play game two.

***Game Two; Brockton/Rockland - Cancelled curfew.



Quebec; Newark; and New jersey all won tonight.  And you can see, a little pack has formed for second place overall.  Brockton and Newark have been battling for position all season.  Now New Jersey; winners of their last four in a row; have joined the party after getting off to a slow start this season.



NEWS:  In the Rockland Boulder's home park, Brockton Rox manager; Bill Buckner; and a few Brockton players got into a heated exchange with the game's umpiring crew as they were all leaving the field after the game.  The incident occurred in full view of  a number of remaining fans on Rockland's park concourse (designed to be fan/player interactive).  Cooler heads prevailed and the night ended without further incident, although the League announced they will look into the matter.




Mike.BTB

Newark Bears ~ Ninth Inning Win On Father's Day

From the desk of:  The Brick City Sluggers


NEWARK BEARS:  Paddy Matera Delivers A Ninth Inning Single To Salvage Game Three In Series Against Brockton Rox.


On Riverfront Stadium -

"Just about any ball hit in the air can leave the park at any time!" - in 7th inning.

That quip came later in the game.  Earlier, my new favorite announcer took exception with the Bears' bullpen.  Not their pitchers; he had a problem with not knowing who was warming up for the Bears at any given time because in Riverfront Stadium, the bullpen is "completely obscured" from view.


He didn't start in on the bullpen pitchers till the eighth when he began questioning how long Tim Raines Sr. was leaving Anthony Pluta in the game during a 6-6 game (at the time).

"He's known to do anything at anytime...."

"No sign of Tim Raines from the Newark dugout."

But he got a few things right today.  Tim Raines Sr. allowed Brockton to retake the lead at 7-6; and Newark killed themselves with sloppy fielding.


Newark got on the board right away. Tim Raines Jr. doubled in the first inning with two outs and Daryle Ward drove him home with a single.   But Brockton scored a run in the second to tie things at one.


In the third inning, Daryle Ward doubled with the bases loaded, delivering two more Bears across the plate for a 3-1 lead.


Paddy Matera homered in the fourth for his seventh of the season.  In the fifth, with Burt Reynolds at-bat and Tim Raines Jr. on third base, Brockton's Freddy Flores unleashed a wild pitch allowing Raines to score and giving the Bears a 5-1 lead.


They were cruising and in seemingly in control through five innings.  Then Brockton knotted this game in the top of the sixth with a two run home run followed by Todd Gossage's error which led to two more unearned Brockton runs.


The Bears' implosion continued in the seventh.  An overthrown ball by Bears' catcher; Eric McGee; led to another unearned run and a 6-5 Brockton lead.  But the Bears showed resiliency when they tied the game again at six apiece.  Tim Raines Jr. hit one of his many doubles on the day and was driven home by a Danny Santiesteban single.


The two teams traded runs again in the eighth to make it a 7-7 game.  Juan Martinez drove home Paddy Matera with the Bears' eighth inning run.


In the home ninth, Newark got a runner in scoring position after Burt Reynolds was hit by a pitch and advanced to second.  Todd Gossage drew an intentional walk with two outs.  Paddy Matera worked his way to a 3-1 count then delivered a game winning single for an 8-7 Bears' win.


The two team are now tied again for second place overall in the CanAm League behind Quebec.


Can you see the bullpen now? 


Somehow, Coach Raines found his way to gut it out with Anthony Pluta during a rocky 2.1 innings of patience testing and lead blowing while his counter-part; Brockton manager Bill Buckner; went through five pitchers trying to stop Tim Raines Jr. and Daryle Ward from going 6 for 8 this afternoon, with three runs scored and three RBI between them. 


But Anthony Pluta's team mates; Kyle Morrison working the ninth inning with 2 strikeouts; and Paddy Matera; 2 for 2, HR, 3 runs scored, 2 RBI; were there to pick up Coach Raines; starter Victor Gonzalez; and all the Bears from what could have been a dreadful loss to their Massachusetts rival.



NEXT UP FOR THE BEARS:

Four Game Series vs. Worcester Tornadoes @ Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium.





Mike.BTB

Newark Bears ~ Brockton Rocks In Return To The Den

From the desk of:  GROWLING IN BROOKLYN



NEWARK BEARS:  Brockton Provides A Rude Return To Riverfront Stadium For Bears.

After a rather successful road trip to Massachusetts and an off day Thursday, the Bears' return home to The Den wasn't quite what Newark had in mind.  There were no jars of honey waiting on the dinner table; nor puppy-like creatures happy to see master again.  Instead, Brockton showed up at Riverfront Stadium's door armed with bats and a complete lack of respect for being in some one's else's house.  You know how Friday night party crashers can be.


The Newark fans were supposed to greet their team with cheers upon them returning from their first ever CanAm visit to Massachusetts in triumph, having been victorious in two consecutive series wins.  And after a 2-1 first inning lead, they did just that; cheer.  But jeers quickly found their seats and settled in to watch as Brockton pounded the Bears early; often; and late; once they began play after a two and half hour rain delay.


Brockton scored one in the first and three more in the third inning.  Then, The Den's roof just caved in under the weight of eleven more Brockton runs.  That seven run fifth inning seemed like too much for Newark to recover from.


With the score 15-5 by the seventh inning, hibernation would have been an acceptable option at this point.  More torrential rain would have been OK too.


Now, either the Bears are starting to face better pitching with most teams having played 20 games or so, or the Newark hitters, like Raines Jr; Alvino; and even Santiesteban are starting to come down to earth a bit.  Tim Raines Jr. has cooled off considerably in his last three games or so after maintaining a torrid streak that kept his batting average above .400 for a spell.


Then while I was putting this together, other Bears stepped up and started to radically change the complexion of this game.  They scored six runs in the bottom of the seventh inning.  Daryle Ward smashed his ninth home run of the season; a solo shot.  With one out, Burt Reynolds jacked another solo home run; his seventh.  Gossage was hit by a pitch and Matera singled setting up Brandon Watson's single for another Bears' run.  Then, shortstop Juan Martinez tripled, scoring Watson and Matera making it a 15-11 game with two more innings to go in the game.


Continuing to claw back, the Bears gamely picked up one more run in the eighth inning making it a
15-12 game now.


But in the top of the ninth and final frame, Brockton had about a much as they cared to put up with tonight.  They came to Newark intent on busting up the Bears and retaliated for Newark's little show of resiliency by scoring two more runs in their top half for good measure.  And it's a good thing for them they did.  Because the Bears showed still yet a little more fight in them by taking those two runs back.  But they still ended up three runs short by the time this 17-14 contest was finally over.


Newark's starter; Jesse Estrada, suffered and allowed the brunt of the damage incurred by the Bears tonight.  In 4.2 innings pitched, he relinquished twelve hits and eleven runs.


Tonight's result aside, so far, this is shaping up into a marvelous rivalry.


Quebec has won 9 out of their last ten games and continue to sport the Leagues best record.  Newark's record after Friday night's loss drops to 13-8, which is still second best in the League, but four games behind the Capitales.


Game two of this three game series with Brockton is tomorrow; Saturday - 6:35pm.




Mike.BTB

NEWARK BEARS ~ Find Worcester To Their Liking

From the desk of:  GROWLINGS FROM BROOKLYN

Newark Bears:  Brick City Nine Gain Victory In First Trip To Worcester.


FINAL:
Newark Bears 6;  Worcester Tornadoes 2

Pitching!

Pitching; pitching; pitching.  Thank you!  Good night Worcester.

Well..., basically.



Aaron Kalb won his first game in two tries as the Bears gained victory over the Tornadoes in Newark's first ever trip to Worcester.  It was the Bears, behind seven strong innings pitched by Kalb, who blew into Worcester and disturbed the Massachusetts night.  Kyle Morrison relieved Kalb with two innings of scoreless work.


Aaron Kalb's Line:
7 ~ innings.
5 ~ hits.
2 ~ runs; earned.
2 ~ walks.
4 ~ strikeouts.

Kyle Morrison; relief:
2 ~ innings.
1 ~ hit.
0 ~ runs.
1 ~ walk.
2 ~ strikeouts.


Brandon Watson led-off the game for Newark with a single.  Number two hitter, Kyle LaMotta, then lost an 0-2 pitch over the wall for a two run home run.  Worcester came back with a pair of runs in the third to tie the game at two.


Billy Alvino scored on a Paddy Materra sac fly in the fourth inning for the go ahead run, and a lead the Bears would keep.


For good measure, the Bears put together a three run rally in the fifth inning.  Consecutive singles by Raines Jr, Ward, and Santiesteban plated one run when Raines scored on Santiesteban's hit.  A ruinous error by Worcester's shortstop; Boomer Blanchard; allowed both Daryle Ward and Danny Santiesteban to score.  That made it a 6-2 game.  The Bears' pitching took care of the rest.


Danny Santiesteban's RBI was his 17th, and places him second behind teammate Tim Raines Jr.'s 21 for the League lead.


The Bears are now 8-2 in their last ten games.  They improved their season record Monday night to
12-6 which places them a game behind Quebec as the League's best.


The Quebec Capitales, at 12-4, have as many wins as the Bears but with two less losses.  They are also winners of eight out of their last ten games, and are riding a four game win streak.  They were inactive Monday.

Game two of this three game series between the Bears and Tornadoes is Tuesday night.




Mike.BTB

NEWARK BEARS ~ Brick City ROX Brockton

From the desk of:  GROWLINGS FROM BROOKLYN

NEWARK BEARS: Team's First Trip To Brockton Starts Off With Win Over Rox.

Last week against Quebec, I caught a listen of the Brockton Rox web caster in between games of a double header, who had nary a good thing to say about the Bears.  During last night's web cast, it seemed he picked up where I left him off last.

So when 3,012 Brockton fans watched their home town team lose to the Bears by a score of 6-4 last night in the opening game of a three game series, I was pleased.  Payback is a real stitch in the baseballs sometimes.  The Bears might not have even realized their honor was at stake last night. 

But I did.  *wink!

In rehashing what happened to the Rox in his post-game wrap, my new favorite announcer was in a quandary as whether to credit the Bears for hitting three home runs, or rationalize that his starting pitcher was just missing pitches.  He reminded his audience countless times the Bears' Ward, Raines, and Watson, who all homered in this game, all had Major League experience.  ...And his point was?


But to his credit, he called them pesky.  Gee Wally!  Thanks.  However, he did say they'd be a problem for the Rox this season and would give them trouble for sure.  And that's the fairest thing I heard him say about the Bears in two opportunities I had to listen-in on his call.


So, Brockton's starting pitcher; Mike Smith; was just missing pitches.  Riiight.  The Newark Bears place four hitters within the top ten batters in the league.  Tim Raines Jr., who fell below .400 last night is second in the League with a .397 batting average.  Daryle Ward is fourth sporting a .372 average.  Billy Alvino is fifth with a .370 average and Danny Santiesteban is seventh with a .350 average.  Not enough for ya?  At number eleven in the League?  Newark's DH, Brandon Watson is batting .338 also.  So yea...I can see where Mike Smith was just missing pitches last night.


In addition to his fifth home run of the season, Tim Raines Jr. upped his League leading RBI total to twenty.


The Bears' starter; Alex Smith; walked four batters and as such, didn't have as neat a line as Mike Smith did.  But Alex Smith made sure the five runs his offense scored for him held up and in the process earned himself his second win of the season.

BROCKTON ROX

NEWARK BEARS

TONIGHT

(Bears lead series 1-0)

NEWARK BEARS

vs.

Brockton Rox

GAME TWO

From somewhere up in Massachusetts

Mike.BTB

NEWARK BEARS ~ Drop Matinee To Rival Jackals

From the desk of:  GROWLINGS FROM BROOKLYN


NEWARK BEARS:  New Jersey Jackals Take Lead In Overall Essex County Cup Challenge.

The Bears' winning streak ended at six games today.  They lost this afternoon to their rival, the New Jersey Jackals in game two of this three game series.  The Bears and Jackals split the two games in Newark.  They will conclude the series tomorrow at Yogi Berra Stadium which also starts a seven game road trip for the Bears.

The Jackals shut out the Bears 4-0 and limited them to four hits.  They now take a three games to two lead over the Bears in the season long Essex County Cup Challenge Series.

Tim Raines Jr. picked up one of Newark's hits.  Catcher Eric McGee went 2 for 3 today.  And Daryle Ward had a double for the Bears to round out their offense.

Today's starter Aaron Kalb didn't have a particularly bad outing.  Rather, he had a quite good outing, but got tagged with today's loss.  The Jackals jumped out to a first inning, three run lead while the Bears couldn't get anything going versus Jackals' starter and former Bear, Chris Vasami.  He limited the Bears to three hits over five and two thirds innings pitched.  A very good Jackals' bullpen took care of the rest for New Jersey.


Aaron Kalb's Line:
6 ~ innings.
84 pitches; 52 strikes.
4 ~ hits.
3 ~ runs; 2 earned.
2 ~ walks.
6 ~ strikeouts.


After finishing out this series against New Jersey tomorrow, the Bears head to Brockton and Worcester.




Mike.BTB