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Florida State League Notebook 08/09/2005 6:10 PM ETMLB.com
Brevard County Manatees (Milwaukee Brewers) CAN'T STOP HIM: Starter Tim Dillard (11-7) registered his ninth consecutive victory on Friday as the Manatees edged Sarasota, 2-1. The 22-year-old right-hander yielded just three hits without a walk, fanning five over seven innings for a 2.45 ERA. He is in a three-way tie for the league lead in wins and has tossed 154 1/3 innings -- 11 shy of Ryan Dempster's 1997 team record. ON A ROLL: At the end of the week, Brevard County was on a three-game winning streak. The Manatees had not won three straight games since July 8. They tried to make it four in a row on Sunday, but the game was suspended in the third inning due to rain with Brevard County in front, 1-0. SOME NEW FACES: In his first start and second outing for the Manatees, Steve Hammond allowed two runs on three hits over five innings on Aug. 4. He walked two and struck out three in a 7-3 victory over Sarasota. The 23-year-old joined the Manatees on July 28 from Class A West Virginia. ... Catcher Nestor Corredor was promoted from the Power on Friday. The 21-year-old went 0-for-3 in his Brevard County debut.
Clearwater Threshers (Philadelphia Phillies) Serving as the designated hitter, Thome went 1-for-3 with a walk in his first game on Saturday vs. Tampa. Sunday's game against the T-Yanks was rained out, but the 34-year-old started both games of Monday's doubleheader, going 3-for-4 with two walks, a homer and three RBIs. Sidelined since the end of June with right elbow tendonitis, the four-time All-Star had been taking batting practice and working out with Clearwater the past few weeks. Despite his success at the plate, Thome hasn't been able to play the field and throw without pain, his main hurdle to a return to the Phillies. QUOTE OF THE WEEK: "It's up to Jim and the medical people to decide if that's feasible. I think it would be in everybody's best interest for Jim to return as a complete player. We view it as a good news that he's able to start a rehab assignment." --Phillies general manager Ed Wade on the possibility of Thome returning to Philadelphia as a pinch-hitting threat. A SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION: Chris Honsa had started just one game in two pro seasons entering 2005, but that didn't stop manager Greg Legg from inserting the right-hander into his rotation on July 24. By most accounts, the move has worked. In four starts, Honsa has a 3.24 ERA, giving up 20 hits in 25 innings. Although poor run support resulted in losses his first three times out, he picked up the win in Monday's 7-1 victory over Tampa. Overall, the former 33rd-round pick is 4-4 with a 3.75 ERA in 22 games.
Daytona Cubs (Chicago Cubs) YOU'RE OUTTA HERE: In the same game, three Cubs and two Hammerheads were ejected. Cubs reliever Lee Gwaltney was tossed by the plate umpire in the seventh, while center fielder Chris Walker was ejected by the first base umpire an inning later. Daytona hitting coach Mike Micucci also got tossed. SNAPPED: The Cubs' 7-2 loss to Clearwater on Friday snapped a four-game winning streak. Daytona had not won four in a row since June 12. IN AND OUT: On Aug. 2, pitcher Jason Wylie and J.D. Westphal were assigned from the Arizona Summer League, while pitchers Kevin Collins and Nate Sevier were placed on the disabled list.
Dunedin Blue Jays (Toronto Blue Jays) LUCKY 13: The Blue Jays have a very busy day scheduled for fans on Saturday the 13th. Fans will be treated to a pregame concert, headlined by the group "Una Voce." Gates open at 3 p.m. ET for a VIP reception, with the concert starting at 4:30 p.m. There will also be a silent auction later that evening with items donated by Downtown Dunedin Merchants. Proceeds will benefit Equality Florida. Also on Saturday, Dunedin will host the eighth annual Pinellas County Animal Services Night. Blue Jays fans will find information about hurricane preparedness for their furry or feathered friends, the Pinellas Animal Foundation and pet adoption.
Fort Myers Miracle (Minnesota Twins) BREAK OUT THE BROOMS: On Friday, Fort Myers participated in a rare event -- a doubleheader against Jupiter. The Miracle's last twinbill was nearly two months ago when they split against Clearwater. Not only did Fort Myers play a doubleheader, the Miracle swept the Hammerheads, winning by scores of 4-2 and 3-0. Fort Myers' last sweep came exactly four months ago in the season opener vs. Sarasota on April 8.
Jupiter Hammerheads (Florida Marlins) Last week, the Hammerheads continued their second-half struggles, dropping five of six games to Fort Myers and Daytona. Jupiter has lost 18 of its last 22 contests and is in the East Division basement with a league-worst 14-28 mark. Much of the carnage has been done in hostile territory. Jupiter is a respectable 11-11 at Roger Dean Stadium, but just 3-17 on the road. NO LONGER ON HOLD: In a seemingly ordinary relief appearance, Lincoln Holdzkom struck out two in a 1-2-3 inning during Monday's 7-3 loss to Daytona. However, the outing was anything but routine for the right-hander, who was making his first appearance for the 'Heads since 2003. Two years ago, the then-21-year old ended the season as the top relief prospect in the Florida Marlins system. However, elbow trouble in big league camp the following year resulted in Tommy John surgery for Holdzkom, who missed all of 2004 and most of 2005. He began his comeback with the GCL Marlins in late July, giving up one earned run in four innings. Now back with Jupiter, Holdzkom is looking to resume his career as a 97-mph flame-thrower with a hard-breaking curve.
Lakeland Tigers (Detroit Tigers) Tata, 23, struggled in the first two innings, giving up four hits, but escaped both jams. The right-hander settled down and allowed just two hits in the next five innings. Brian Rogers and Chris Homer each pitched a scoreless inning as Lakeland registered its ninth shutout and ended a four-game losing streak. LOSING THEIR CLAWS: Lakeland's losing streak could have reached eight games if not for Tata's brilliant start. The Tigers lost three straight after that victory -- including a doubleheader sweep against Palm Beach on Friday -- heading into Monday's scheduled off day. That made seven losses in its last eight games for Lakeland, which is scuffling after easily winning the first-half title in the West Division. Still, the Tigers were clinging to first place in the West Division by percentage points over Dunedin. RAIN, RAIN, GO AWAY: Sunday's game against Sarasota was postponed due to unplayable field conditions. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Aug. 27.
Palm Beach Cardinals (St. Louis Cardinals) A TERRY-BLE WEEK: Terry Evans had a rough seven days at the plate, going hitless in four straight games before collecting a double and single in Saturday's loss to Vero Beach. For the week, the 23-year-old outfielder went 2-for-15, lowering his average to .222. DECISIONS, DECISIONS: Palm Beach went 3-3 on the week, with the starting pitcher factoring in the decision in every game. The best outing was by Eric Haberer, who allowed one run in six innings on Friday in a 2-1 victory over Lakeland. The worst was turned in two days later by Jose Garcia, who surrendered six runs on 10 hits over five innings as the Cards lost, 9-3, at Vero Beach. DRYER ON FIRE: Matt Dryer had his best game of the season on Aug. 2 against Lakeland, going 4-for-5 with two home runs, a double, five RBIs and three runs scored. For the week, the 25-year-old third baseman hit .389 (7-for-18).
St. Lucie Mets (New York Mets) METS WIN ON A BALK: The Mets defeated Dunedin, 3-2, on Thursday via a balk. Andy Wilson broke a 2-2 tie in the ninth inning by doubling, advancing to third on Jamar Hill's sacrifice and coming home on reliever Milton Tavarez's balk. PACK YOUR BAGS: St. Lucie will be traveling a lot over the next two weeks, playing 10 of its next 14 games away from Tradition Field. But that could turn out to be a great thing for the Mets. St. Lucie has been a much better road team in the second half, posting a 13-8 record, compared to an 11-10 home mark. Last week, the Mets finished 2-3 with both wins coming on the road.
Sarasota Reds (Cincinnati Reds) JUST ANOTHER COMEBACK: Joey Votto doubled in the bottom of the ninth inning to bring in Phillip Gentry with the winning run as Sarasota defeated Brevard County, 6-5, on Wednesday night. The Reds scored three runs in the eighth inning and two in the ninth for the rousing comeback win. THE NUMBERS GAME: July was a good month for some, especially for Javon Moran, who batted .373 with five stolen bases before being promoted to Double-A Chattanooga on July 24. Votto hit .288 with five home runs. As of Sunday, he led Sarasota with 12 homers and 69 RBIs. Reliever Kyle Edens was nearly flawless, with an 0.84 ERA in July. He was 6-3 with a 2.67 ERA through Sunday. Edward Valdez was only 2-2 last month, but that was because of lack of support as he fashioned a 2.25 ERA in July. He has made eight starts for Sarasota since his promotion earlier this season and had a 2.09 ERA through Sunday. RAIN, RAIN, GO AWAY: Sunday's game at Lakeland was postponed due to unplayable field conditions. It will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Aug. 27. TRANSACTIONS: Blake Hendley was promoted to Sarasota from Dayton on Aug. 3. The reliever had spent most of the season with Sarasota as the team's most dependable option out of the bullpen, compiling a 7-0 record with a 1.94 ERA.
Tampa Yankees (New York Yankees) WHO'S HOT: Josh Hollingsworth went 6-for-12 with two homers, eight RBIs and five runs scored in four games last week. THE WRIGHT AND WRONG STUFF: New York Yankees right-hander Jaret Wright allowed two hits and struck out eight over six scoreless innings on Thursday against Vero Beach and moved one step closer to returning to the Major Leagues. Carl Pavano wasn't so lucky, yielding three runs on six hits and whiffing three in six innings against the Dodgers on Wednesday. Pavano was slated to return to the Yankees and start on Tuesday against the Chicago White Sox, but instead will visit with his orthopedist. QUOTE OF THE WEEK: "We're not going to throw him against a team like the White Sox unless we know for sure we're getting Carl Pavano instead of someone who is trying to be Carl Pavano." --Yankees general manager Brian Cashman to the New York Daily News on Pavano's rehab start.
Vero Beach Dodgers (Los Angeles Dodgers) IT AIN'T OVER 'TIL IT'S OVER: On Thursday, the Dodgers rallied from a 6-0 deficit in the seventh inning to defeat the Yankees, 8-7, and pick up their season-high sixth straight win. Anthony Raglani went 2-for-4 with a homer and four RBIs. Casey Hoorelbeke (7-1) picked up the win with 2 1/3 scoreless innings in relief to lower his ERA to 1.80. The winning streak ended the following day with a 5-4 loss to Tampa. GO THE DISTANCE: Brian Pilkington tossed his first complete game in two years to lead Vero Beach past Palm Beach, 4-1, on Saturday. The 22-year-old right-hander allowed just two hits -- both singles -- and two walks while striking out six. He is 6-7 with a 3.13 ERA and 55 strikeouts in 83 1/3 innings. INSIDE-THE-PARKER: In Sunday's 9-3 win over Palm Beach, Anthony Raglani hit an inside-the-park-homer as part of a 3-for-5 effort that left him a single short of the cycle. The 22-year-old left fielder tripled in a run in the first inning and connected for his unusual dinger in the third. He struck out in the fifth, doubled in the seventh and grounded out in the eighth. WHO'S HOT: Not only did right fielder Matt Kemp and first baseman-designated hitter Cory Dunlap hit safely in every game last week, they both collected at least two hits in every game but one. Kemp went 11-for-25 (.440) with a double, homer, three stolen bases, five RBIs and eight runs scored. Dunlap, who hit a double in five consecutive games, was 12-for-25 (.480) with seven runs and nine RBIs. QUOTE OF THE WEEK: "If I get into a routine, I feel a lot better. I know I'm going to throw every five days and what I have to do as far as running and lifting so I can plan my week according to that." -- Dodgers pitcher Danny Muegge to the Vero Beach Press Journal on why he prefers to be back in the rotation. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.
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