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 ~ 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 ~ 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 ~ St. Paul Saints Come Marching In

From the desk of:   THE BRICK CITY NINE

NEWARK BEARS:  The Modern St. Paul Saints Enjoying Their First Ever Visit to Broad Street.  Take First Two Games Over Bears.  Game Three Sunday Afternoon.



Professional baseball in St. Paul, Minnesota, dates back to 1884, when a third league, the Union Association, formed to compete against the established National League, and their rivals, the  American Association of Baseball.  St. Paul later played in the Western League during the 1890's, which was the precursor to the American League we know today.

From 1902 through 1960, St. Paul existed as a (AAA) minor league team in the 20th century version of the American Association, until the league ultimately folded, and it's teams were dispersed to the Pacific Coast League, and the International League.

The modern day St. Paul Saints come to us through the former Northern League of Independent Baseball, which formed in 1993 and ceased after the 2005 season.  The present American Association of Independent Baseball formed in 2006, and the St. Paul Saints have been members since.

For us tri-state area baseball fans, Darryl Strawberry once, and maybe infamously, played for the Saints in a comeback bid to play Major League Baseball again following his suspension from the game.


The St. Paul Saints are in town visiting the Newark Bears for a weekend series, of which, the Saints have already taken the first two games of three.  Call me silly for waxing nostalgic, but the ring of saying - St. Paul Saints versus Newark Bears just sounds classic, and out of another era.  There is indeed a historic connotation, and even significance, to this match-up.  But one that will go unspoken about in the grand scheme of things.


I for one however, am excited the Saints are in town for some Canadian/American - American Association Inter-League play.  That said, I will be at Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium today, Sunday, to enjoy the game, and take in what I think is a rather unique match-up of applied team histories.


In Friday's series opener, the Bears dropped this first modern day encounter by a 6-3 final score.  Alex Smith made the start for Newark, and suffered his third defeat of the season.  He pitched six full, allowing six runs, although only were three earned, on eight hits.  Alex only walked two, and struck out  six Saints.  An error by Burt Reynolds at third led to Smith's three unearned runs allowed in a four run second inning.


The Bears scored one in the bottom of the second on an RBI single by Juan Martinez.  But they gave it back in St. Paul's next at-bat, who then held a 5-1 lead.  In the sixth inning, the Saints tacked on one more insurance run when Benji Johnson led off with a homer off Alex Smith.


Eric McGee hit his first home run of the season; a solo shot for Newark in the seventh.  They would score again on an RBI single by Alex Bardeguez to make it a 6-3 game.  But that's as close as Newark would get.


Caleb Cuevas and Damian Sequen finished up Newark's pitching duties with three scoreless innings in relief.


St. Paul's Wes Roemer pitched 7.2 innings, gave up six hits, and allowed the Bears three runs.  He walked none and struck out seven for the win.  Bret Severtson gained the save.


In Game Two of the series played Saturday, St. Paul jumped on Bears pitching yet again to secure a 7-2 win.  Defense failed the Bears again, as five errors on the day helped the Saints score four unearned runs.


The Bears' Pedro Rivera made his third start, and lasted five innings.  He gave up five hits and allowed two earned runs out of four he surrendered.  Rivera issued four walks and struck out six.  Matt Fitton also suffered from the team's defensive lapses in relief.  In four innings pitched, only one of his three runs allowed were earned.  He struck out five Saints in his four innings.


Newark's lone two runs against St. Paul starter, Danny Guitierrez, came on RBI singles by Juan Martinez, and Burt Reynolds.


Three Saints relievers combined to allow six innings and keep the Bears sedated.  St. Paul's Josh Cephus pitched three innings for the win.


If you're at the game today, Tweet me up.
Credit - St. Paul Saints Scorecard @ SonOfNostalgia.com

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 ~ Ninth Inning Rally Equals Win Number Four

From the desk of:   THE BRICK CITY NINE

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

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