Bricktown Showdown - Toledo vs. Tuscon - 9/19/06

[redshark63]

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/app/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060917&content_id=133753&vkey=news_milb&fext=.jsp

Bricktown Showdown Preview
PCL, IL champs battle for Triple-A title in inaugural one-game playoff
By Kevin T. Czerwinski / MLB.com


http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/images/2006/09/17/GA7COCPk.jpg
Mike Hessman led the Mud Hens at the plate in the postseason, hitting five homers and driving in nine runs in 10 games for Toledo. (Joy R. Absalon/MiLB.com)



WHAT: Toledo Mud Hens vs. Tucson Sidewinders in the inaugural Bricktown Showdown

WHEN: Tuesday, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2

WHERE: AT&T Bricktown Ballpark on Mickey Mantle Plaza

ON THE MOUND

Toledo
Colby Lewis appears to be the logical choice, especially since Chad Durbin was promoted to Detroit after the Hens won the Governors' Cup, and Brian Boehringer started Friday against Rochester. Lewis has been strong in the postseason, starting a pair of games (winning one) and posting a 2.08 ERA in 13 innings. He's fanned 12 and walked five while holding the opposition to a .220 batting average. Lewis has had a week's rest after going six innings in the opener of the Governors' Cup Finals. The Toledo bullpen has been brilliant in the playoffs, posting a 1.09 ERA in 33 innings. That ERA would be 0.00 if not for the four runs surrendered by Lance Davis. Lee Gardner hasn't allowed a run in six appearances while John Ennis, Bobby Seay and Preston Larrish have kept the opposition scoreless in four outings apiece.

Tucson
Wow, where do you start? The Sidewinders seemed to breeze through the PCL playoffs and pitching was a big reason why. Tucson manager Chip Hale said Friday that former Tulane star Micah Owings will start Tuesday. He has had a brilliant season and that's carried over into the playoffs. Though he didn't record a decision in two starts, his ERA was 1.35 over 13 1/3 innings. He's fanned 13 and walked only two. Owings was 16-2 with a 3.33 ERA in 27 starts between the Southern and Pacific Coast leagues, but he really blossomed once he reached Tucson, going 10-0 with a 3.70 ERA in 15 starts. Overall, he allowed eight homers in 162 innings, a ratio that certainly won't favor the homer-happy Mud Hens. There aren't many pitchers who'll have a better time of it than Dustin Nippert has in the postseason. He's started a pair of games and won them both, posting a 0.63 ERA in 14 1/3 innings. He's struck out 13, walked only four and has scattered seven hits over that stretch. And with "Mike squared" closing out games, the Sidewinders have been nearly unhittable. Mike Koplove and Mike Schultz each have a pair of saves and neither has allowed a run in a combined 8 2/3 innings. Tucson's 2.81 team ERA was the best of the four PCL semifinalists.

AT THE PLATE

Toledo
Rochester manager Stan Cliburn likened the Mud Hens to the '27 Yankees after they pounded out eight homers in the final two games of the Governors' Cup. While Toledo isn't nearly as prodigious as the legendary Murderer's Row, it does have a great deal of pop and an all-or-nothing approach that became almost comical during the playoffs. Toledo led the league in homers (152) and strikeouts (1,194) during the regular season and didn't slow down during its 10 playoff games. The Hens connected for 22 homers and fanned 110 times to blow past Indianapolis, Charlotte and Rochester. In fact, 31 percent of Toledo's hits in the playoffs have been homers. Mike Hessman led the way with five homers and nine RBIs while hitting .306. The left-field wall, only 325 feet from home plate, should make for an inviting target. While there was no MVP named in the Governors' Cup, it was clearly Hessman. Dustan Mohr and Josh Phelps each connected for four home runs while leadoff man David Espinosa added three. The drawback -- Toledo only hit .218 as a team.

Tucson
The Sidewinders have used pitching and defense to win games, hitting only two homers in seven playoff games, and those roundtrippers didn't come until the seventh inning of Friday night's clincher. Robby Hammock had one of those homers and was named the Pacific Coast League Finals MVP. He's hitting .320 with six RBIs through seven playoff games. Kenny Perez has appeared in five games and is hitting .364, while Jon Weber, who has appeared in every game, is hitting .310. The Sidewinders, though, only hit .238 as a team through the PCL playoffs, and stole just three bases in four attempts. As evidenced by the fact they didn't hit their first home runs until the end of the seventh game, this club has displayed the ability to take advantage of opportunities when they are presented. Outfielder Scott Hairston had 26 homers during the regular season but hasn't gone deep in the playoffs. ... The Sidewinders played four games in Oklahoma City this season, losing three of them. They hit .194 (25-for-129) as a team in those games with three homers, but that had more to do with the Red Hawks' pitching than it did with the ballpark.

POINTS OF INTEREST

Tidewater won the Triple-A World Series in 1983 when it was a round-robin event with the Pacific Coast League and the now-defunct American Association. ... The International League lost all four Triple-A Classics against the American Association between 1988 and 1991. In addition to the Wings' 1990 loss to Omaha, they also lost in six games to Indianapolis in 1988. ... The Pacific Coast League won two of the last three Triple-A World Series held between 1998 and 2000. New Orleans and Vancouver were victors in the first two series before Indianapolis won the final Triple-A World Series in 2000, topping Memphis three games to one in Las Vegas. Overall, the International League has participated in a postseason championship 64 times since 1905, winning 27 times. ... Toledo has won three Governors' Cups, including the last two. ... Toledo came into existence as a franchise in 1883, going 56-28 to finish in first place in the Western League, which was disbanded three years later . ... Tucson won its first Pacific Coast League title since 1993 and back then, the club was known as the Toros. ... The Toros also won a title in 1991. The Sidewinders began the season with a 4-11 mark but quickly righted things and finished with a PCL-best 91-53 record. ... The winning team will split a $30,000 purse while the losers will receive $15,000.

SERIES COULD TURN ON...

Tucson's pitching. The Sidewinders have been brilliant for much of the season and have shown no signs of slowing down over the past two weeks. Even if Owings falters, Nippert will be available to pick up the slack.

PREDICTION

With such tremendous starting pitching and the inconsistency displayed by the International League champs, it is difficult not to go with Tucson.

Kevin Czerwinski is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

[blue]

I forget --- who did Toledo play in this showdown last year, and did they win?

[redshark63]

You did not forget.

This is the First year of the Showdown.

It is a call back to the old Little Word Series (albeit 1 game here) that has not been around for a number of years.

[Microline133]

Toledo is going to have their work cut out for them....Owings has been absolutely filthy of late. Fortunately, the D-Backs have most of Tuscon's sick offense in the big leagues (Quentin, Drew, Montero, etc.), which should help Lewis and the rest of the Toledo staff. Don't be surprised if Hamman pitches in relief tonight, despite winning the deciding game the other day.

Should be a very good battle...hopefully the power in the Toledo lineup can carry them through. I'm looking for a bomb by Hessman and a double by Espinosa to be the difference in the game.

[10458]

Well, The Tigers purchased the contracts of Chad Durbin and Mike Rabelo today. With only one spot on the 40 man roster. They designated Colby Lewis for assignment. Look for Eulogio De La Cruz to get the start for the Hens.

[redshark63]

Well, The Tigers purchased the contracts of Chad Durbin and Mike Rabelo today. With only one spot on the 40 man roster. They designated Colby Lewis for assignment. Look for Eulogio De La Cruz to get the start for the Hens.

The preview seem to indicate that Lewis would start. I forget the amount of time before he can report, if he clears. The game is tomorrow.

[beek_27]

I imagine the players are not too enthused about this (travel, thrill of championship and then an added game.....), but that's just an assumption on my part. Bonus for us!

Let's go Mud Hens!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Win it all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Sidney_N_OK]

I may try to go to this although watching on ESPN2 and the CWS series on gameday sounds good too. Tough decisions.

[Deadshot]

I wish I was going to be home to watch this. Is there anyone that tapes and uploads games to the web here?

[redshark63]

Well, The Tigers purchased the contracts of Chad Durbin and Mike Rabelo today. With only one spot on the 40 man roster. They designated Colby Lewis for assignment. Look for Eulogio De La Cruz to get the start for the Hens.

I stand corrected.

Good call...

================================================== ==

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/app/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060918&content_id=133916&vkey=news_milb&fext=.jsp

In De La Cruz, the Mud Hens trust
Right-hander to start for Toledo in Bricktown Showdown
By Kevin T. Czerwinski / MLB.com

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/images/2006/09/18/xsIznYwq.jpg
In his most recent outing, Toledo's Eulogio De La Cruz gave up five runs in four innings to Rochester in Game 3 of the Governors' Cup.


OKLAHOMA CITY -- When the idea of a Triple-A title game was first broached, one of the concerns that was voiced -- as it had been in the past when such a get-together was planned -- was about how extending the Minor League season for another day, hour or minute would impact the parent clubs when it came time to promote players for the September stretch run.

Well, Tuesday's Bricktown Showdown did have an impact but not in the way originally feared by the teams on the Major League level. It's International League champion Toledo with a pared down roster when it faces Tucson for the title of Triple-A champion. Eulogio De La Cruz, 22, will get the start for the Mud Hens, not so much based on merit but on attrition.

The Mud Hens lost a pair of starters in one swoop when Detroit promoted starter Chad Durbin after Saturday's victory over Rochester. So, the logical choice to start against the Sidewinders became Colby Lewis. But to make room for Durbin on the 40-man roster, Lewis had to be designated for assignment, leaving him ineligible to pitch Tuesday night.

"We hadn't really decided on who we were going with, but we were talking before that last game against Rochester, and it was either going to be Lewis or De La Cruz," Toledo pitching coach Jeff Jones said. "There are a lot of things to like about him [De La Cruz]. He's got a very good arm, and he's made a lot of progress. I remember seeing him in the Instructional League three years ago, and he had trouble throwing strikes. But he's worked on a few things, and he calmed down.

"When he's right, he has three quality pitches. He understands what we're trying to do, and he's a good kid. There are a lot of little things we've been working on like keeping his head on the target longer. He has a tendency to pull his head off. And from the stretch, he can be a little open, looking at the guy on first base. We're trying to get him to stay closed."

Cruz, who signed as an un-drafted free agent in 2001, spent the entire regular season, save one outing, with Erie of the Double-A Eastern League. He was 5-6 with a 3.43 ERA in 38 games (12 starts), but Columbus hit him hard in his only Triple-A start after getting promoted.

Still, it would appear as if his future is in the rotation. Jones said that everyone to whom he's spoken to in the organization about De La Cruz speaks of him as a starter. During the playoffs, as well as at Erie, he's shown glimpses of what he can do in that role. He was 4-1 with a 2.70 ERA as a starter at Erie, striking out 54 in 56 innings.

"At this point, that's the plan and we'll go from there," Jones said.

Though Columbus tuned him up in 2 1/3 innings -- he allowed three runs on four hits -- he rebounded with a marvelous outing against Charlotte in the opening playoff round. He scattered six hits and allowed two runs in seven innings against the Knights, striking out 11.

"He had a great game against Charlotte," Jones said. "He could have beaten a big-league team that day. I thought in his first outing against Columbus he was a little nerous. And then he mentioned to me a couple of days afterwards that he was nervous and said he'd be better his next time out. And that next time out was Charlotte."

But, De La Cruz, a native of the Dominican Republic, couldn't solve Rochester in the finals. He lasted only four innings, surrendering five runs on eight hits.

Now, however, he'll get his chance on perhaps the biggest stage on which he's ever pitched. The game is being televised nationally and whether he's making the start because of attrition or not, it's an opportunity for him to show the folks in Detroit that they have yet another promising young arm on the farm.

"He doesn't seem intimidated about moving up in class," Jones said. "He threw the ball well that game against Charlotte. He's a good kid."

Kevin Czerwinski is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

[redshark63]

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Bricktown Showdown IL Notebook
Mud Hens poised for inaugural game behind skipper Parrish
By Kevin T. Czerwinski / MLB.com

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/images/2006/09/18/TD7BwhzZ.gif
Toledo outfielder Ryan Ludwick returns to Oklahoma, where he played in 2002-03. (Joy R. Absalon/MiLB.com)


OKLAHOMA CITY -- Larry Parrish finished up his fourth season as Toledo skipper in fine fashion Saturday night, winning his second consecutive International League title. While such an impressive resume would likely garner some attention from Major League teams, he isn't worried too much about his future.

Parrish, who also has more than a season's worth of service as a big-league skipper, seems content in Toledo and speaks glowingly of the organization, the fans and the ballpark. So don't be surprised if he winds up back in the manager's office at Fifth Third Field in 2007.

"I don't think about it too much because I don't have any control over it," Parrish said about moving upward. "There are only so many Major League jobs, and it's not something that has to happen for me to be content with the game. It's one of those things that if it happens, fine. But if it doesn't, that's fine too."

Parrish is 302-280 as skipper of the Mud Hens. He also won a Southern League title with Jacksonville in 1996.

Still talkin' homers
Toledo's homer-happy approach was a hot topic throughout the Governors' Cup playoffs and remained so Monday during Bricktown Showdown press day. The local media peppered Parrish and his staff with questions about the long ball, and mostly they just grinned. It's nothing they haven't been asked about already.

"It's been a bit of a different club to watch," said Parrish, whose team connected for 22 homers in the playoffs, accounting for 31 percent of its hits. "We generally strike out in double digits, but we also have the chance to hit a couple of bombs. We generally look to put the big inning up. We've kind of defied logic the whole season."

Three-peat?
Parrish wouldn't go so far as to predict a third straight title next season, admitting that he was simply amazed that his club came back to win this year after taking home the 2005 crown, the franchise's first since 1967.

"I think it's tough to repeat at anything," Parrish said. "Last year was almost a fairy tale. It took so long to win again in Toledo. To go back-to-back is such an unbelievable feeling.

"But when guys predict a three-peat, they have [Michael] Jordan or [Shaquille] O'Neal playing for them. Guys at that level can go for the next one."

Ludwick returns
Tuesday's game marks a homecoming of sorts for outfielder Ryan Ludwick, who appeared in 159 games for the Oklahoma RedHawks over the course of two seasons. He hit .285 with 15 homers and 52 RBIs in 2002 and followed that up by hitting .235 with 17 homers and 63 RBIs in 2003.

"I told all the guys that this is 'The House that Ludwick Built,'" he said. "I told everyone I get 10 percent of the gate. I used to be able to run back then. I played center field."

Travel trouble
The Mud Hens may have found it easier to earn the trip to Oklahoma City than they did actually getting there. They were scheduled to take two flights out of Detroit on Sunday because the team couldn't find enough seats on one commercial flight. Simple enough, but there was also no direct route from the Motor City to Oklahoma City.

Parrish was on the first flight, which made stops in Chicago and Kansas City before touching down in Oklahoma City at 10 p.m. ET, about seven hours after they set out. The second flight got delayed in Chicago because of weather, and after stopping in St. Louis, arrived in Oklahoma City close to 2 a.m. on Monday.

Compounding matters was the fact that it had rained quite a bit over the weekend, leaving the field unusable for batting practice Monday afternoon. The Mud Hens hit in the stadium's underground cages.

"To go through all that to get here today and the field is a mess because of all the rain," Parrish said. "We didn't get that message until we got to the ballpark."

Speaking out
Parrish remains outspoken about the Bricktown Showdown, still questioning the need for such an event. Still, he said he and his team would show up ready to play and win Tuesday, especially when considering the game is being televised nationally.

"We'll play the game as hard as we can play it," he said. "But it's tough, especially with that last series we had. It goes five games, and then to turn around and try to fire them back up. I don't know how they'll come back tomorrow. I know they want this to be like another series.

"And everyone might not feel about it the way I do. But it's like if you won the World Series and then went to Japan to play one game against their team that won. I don't think one game is going to decide anything."

This and that
Toledo radio announcer Jim Weber, in his 32nd year behind the Mud Hens' microphone, will call the game. It will be his 4,000th consecutive Hens' game. ... Toledo was given the home clubhouse even though the game is being played in a Pacific Coast League ballpark, because the International League won the Triple-A All-Star Game earlier this year in Toledo. ... Saturday's victory over Rochester did not mark the first time Toledo has won back-to-back crowns. The Mud Hens also won consecutive titles in 1896-97. ... Catcher Mike Rabelo and pitcher Chad Durbin were promoted to the Tigers, while Colby Lewis was designated for assignment to make room for Durbin on the 40-man roster. ... If you're in Toledo on Wednesday evening, the club will hold a victory celebration for the fans at Fifth Third Field at 6:30 p.m. Gates open at 6. ... Event organizers were expecting upward of 9,000 people for Tuesday's game. ... The Mud Hens were given maroon Bricktown Showdown batting practice jerseys, but since BP was canceled on Monday, any modeling will be done prior to Tuesday's game. ... Parrish said every pitcher would be available Tuesday except Brian Boehringer, who started and won Game 4 of the Governors' Cup on Friday.

Kevin Czerwinski is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

[redshark63]

A bit of history...

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/app/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060916&content_id=133629&vkey=news_milb&fext=.jsp


Bricktown Showdown revives Triple-A history
Championship series tradition carries back more than a century
By Kevin T. Czerwinski / MLB.com


The idea of having some sort of Minor League Championship played at the Triple-A level is not a new one. When Tucson and Toledo square off in Tuesday's Bricktown Showdown, it will simply be the latest incarnation of a tradition that carries back for more than a century.

The Little World Series began shortly after the turn of last century with the Buffalo Bisons of the International League topping the Saint Paul Saints of the American Association in three games to get the whole thing started. The year was 1904, and Minor League Baseball was looking to pattern itself after the big leaguers, hoping to crown a champion of its own.

Interest and logistics, however, made participation sporadic, and it wasn't until the 1920s that the Little World Series was played on a consistent, annual basis. But by the time the Great Depression was in full swing, the Junior World Series, which the Little World Series had morphed into, had become a reality and would go on to be a staple in Minor League Baseball for the better part of the next four decades with the International League and American Association squaring off in an annual battle.

The Junior World Series was played through 1962, and then again from 1969 through 1975, before the event finally fell by the wayside. There have been several attempts since then to bring some sort of title game back, beginning in 1983 with the Triple-A World Series, a round-robin event among the International League, Pacific Coast League and American Association.

The Tidewater Tides, the Denver Bears and the Portland Beavers met that year in Louisville to crown a champion, with the representatives from the IL coming away with the title. The Tides posted a 3-1 mark in the round-robin affair, while Portland split its four games. Denver won only one of the four games it played to finish in third place. It marked the first and last time all three leagues would face each other in such a manner in the same season.

Crowning a true Triple-A champion became an easier prospect once the American Association folded. Las Vegas hosted The Triple-A World Series in 1998, the first of three consecutive years when a champion would be crowned at the Minor Leagues' highest level.

New Orleans (PCL) defeated Buffalo (IL) in four games to win the crown in '98, with future Astros' star Lance Berkman earning Most Valuable Player honors. Southpaw John Halama pitched a complete game in the opener as New Orleans dominated, 7-2. He struck out nine, while Daryle Ward hit a pair of homers to provide the offense.

Buffalo rallied in Game 2 behind James Betzold, Phil Hiatt and Jeff Manto, each of whom had a pair of RBIs in the 9-2 rout. But the Bisons' excitement was short lived. Ken Ramos and Marc Ronan hit back-to-back homers in the eighth inning of Game 3 to give the Zephyrs a 3-2 win and the series lead, setting the stage for Berkman's big finale.

Berkman had three homers, a single and six RBIs in a 12-6 Game 4 victory, giving New Orleans the crown. Berkman ended up hitting .467 in the series. Manto had three hits and three RBIs for Buffalo.

The Pacific Coast League won again in 1999, this time needing five games as the Vancouver Canadians outlasted the Charlotte Knights. The victory was Vancouver's swan song because the club left Canada and moved to California, where it became the Sacramento River Cats in 2000. But the Canadians went out on top, rallying to win the final two games of the series by a combined score of 25-4.

Mark Mulder pitched a complete game in the clincher, tossing a seven-hitter as Vancouver cruised, 16-2. Terrence Long drove in four runs and was named series MVP, hitting .429 with nine hits and 10 RBIs.

The International League gained a measure of revenge in 2000, winning what would be the final Triple-A World Series. Indianapolis topped Memphis in four games. Shortstop Santiago Perez earned MVP honors after hitting .462 with two homers, three RBIs and four runs scored. Horacio Estrada pitched eight strong innings in Game 4, which Indianapolis won easily, 9-2.

Lack of fan interest in Las Vegas and poor television ratings were just two of the factors that contributed to the competition's demise. There was talk of shortening the event to a three-game, weekend series as opposed to the weeklong five-game affair that had been taking place. Cooperstown, N.Y., site of the Hall of Fame, was discussed as a possible venue, as was rotating the series through the home parks of the participants.

In the end, all the kinks couldn't be worked out, leaving Triple-A Baseball without a final, ultimate winner. That is until now. The Bricktown Showdown, which will be played in Oklahoma City, is an event that both IL president Randy Mobley and PCL head man Branch Rickey hope will generate enough interest to keep the championship going for years to come, creating a new tradition in Triple-A postseason history.

Kevin Czerwinski is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

[redshark63]

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ANTICLIMACTIC TITLE GAME
Mud Hens and Sidewinders will still try to win it


By MAUREEN FULTON
BLADE SPORTS WRITER

OKLAHOMA CITY - No one playing in the Triple-A championship really knows why they're here.

But, since they are here, they think they might as well try to win.

Before the season, the Toledo Mud Hens and Tucson Sidewinders set goals - to win their leagues. The euphoria that came with the championships clinched over the weekend was still evident yesterday as the teams worked out at AT&T Bricktown Ballpark in preparation for tonight's "Bricktown Showdown."

The Hens, International League champions, and the Sidewinders, the Pacific Coast League champions, are the guinea pigs for the inaugural event.

"It's a decent idea," Hens pitcher Jason Karnuth said. "Some [players] are in more favor of it than others, but it's not a big deal."

BRICKTOWN SHOWDOWN
• Tonight, 7 vs. Tucson
• TV: ESPN2
• Radio: 1470


But most see the game, starting tonight at 7, as an exhibition.

"If you're trying to determine an overall champion, you have to play at least five to seven games," Tucson catcher Robby Hammock said.

"I don't think it will determine a true champion," Tucson manager Chip Hale said.

The teams are laid-back with the pressure of the playoffs behind them, but Hale said he thinks that will change come tonight.

"You can say all you want about, oh, I want to be here, I want to be there, but once that game starts you'regoing to see the best of both teams," he said.

Hens outfielder Ryan Ludwick, for one, has uttered some strong words that need backing up. Ludwick played for the Oklahoma Redhawks, Texas' Triple-A team, in 2002 and 2003, and hit 32 home runs with the club. He told his team that Bricktown Ballpark was the "House that Lud Built."

"After everything he's told us, I think he's good for at least a few homers," Hens manager Larry Parrish said.

Right-hander Eulogio De La Cruz will start for the Hens, his third playoff start. He's 1-1 with a 5.73 ERA in the playoffs. De La Cruz's first start against Charlotte was stellar, but he did not repeat the performance in Game 3 against Rochester.

"He's got a great future in the game," Hens pitching coach Jeff Jones said. "He's made tremendous progress in the last two years. He pitched a great game for us down in Charlotte when we needed him. Dominated the game, really. He probably could have beaten a big-league club that night."

Right-hander Micah Owings will start for the Sidewinders. Owings was 10-0 once he was called up to the PCL in mid-season. He made two starts in the playoffs and was 0-0 with a 1.35 ERA.

Owings could be able to combat the Hens' main form of attack, considering he allowed just eight home runs in 162 innings this season.

"You look at [Toledo's] numbers, it's very impressive," Hale said. "It will be a great test for him."

The teams had planned to take batting practice on the field yesterday, but an unexpected heavy rainfall drenched the field early Sunday morning, so crews were working on the infield all afternoon. The Hens retreated to the outfield instead, beginning their workout with a game of hacky-sack.

"It's going to be fun," Ludwick said. "Hopefully we can come out and do what we've done all year, leave with a victory."

Contact Maureen Fulton at: mfulton@theblade.com or 419-724-6160.

TARTA to assist rally
TARTA will operate shuttle bus service to the rally tomorrow evening at Fifth Third Field celebrating the Mud Hens' second consecutive International League championship.

The "Muddy Shuttle" buses will depart from 12 Park-and-Ride lots at 5:15 p.m. for the rally, which is scheduled to start at 6:15 and continue through
7:30. The fare is $1 for individuals or $2 for groups of up to five people. Return trips will leave the ballpark 20 minutes after the rally's conclusion.

[redshark63]

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MUD HENS NOTEBOOK
Pitching carried Sidewinders in playoffs

By MAUREEN FULTON
BLADE SPORTS WRITER

OKLAHOMA CITY - The Tucson Sidewinders rolled through the Pacific Coast League playoffs. Although Tucson leads the PCL with a .289 batting average, it was the 0.88 earned-run average in the playoffs that helped the Sidewinders complete the series sweep over Round Rock.

"We see it every year at the major league level - we see teams come in with all the offensive numbers, and it seems to be the pitching and defense that wins," Tucson manager Chip Hale said. "It definitely was proven in the PCL playoffs."

Tucson, Toledo's opponent in the Triple-A Championship at AT&T Bricktown Ballpark, won the PCL Pacific Southern division by 13 games with a record of 91-53. Hale said that although he had a lot of players called up to the Arizona Diamondbacks, the contributions came from all over.

"Guys who started out as bench players ended up carrying the club," Hale said.

Hens reliever Jason Karnuth pitched for Sacramento, the second-place team in the Pacific Southern, for the first half of the season. He faced Tucson four times, going 0-1 with one save and a 7.71 ERA.

"There's a few guys that I paid attention to that have since gone up," Karnuth said. "They got a lot of wins early on and got out to a big lead over us."

Outfielder Scott Hairston is the Sidewinders' best hitter, averaging .323 with 26 home runs. He led the PCL with a .591 slugging percentage.

"I was surprised to see Hairston wasn't in the big leagues," Karnuth said.

BACKUP FOR A DAY: Because catcher Mike Rabelo had his contract purchased by Detroit on Sunday, the Hens were in need of a backup plan behind Max St-Pierre. They called up Jeff Kunkel, who played college ball at the University of Michigan.

Kunkel was drafted in 2005 and signed with the Tigers the night before the 2006 draft after playing his last year at UM. He played the majority of the season with Oneonta, but West Michigan needed a backup catcher Friday in its final Midwest League playoff game so he went to Grand Rapids. West Michigan won the game.

Kunkel spent the night, attended the Notre Dame-Michigan game in South Bend on Saturday, then went home to Chicago on Sunday. He found out Sunday night that he was needed in Oklahoma City and flew out yesterday morning.

"I've been arriving just in time for all the good times," Kunkel said.

BUNTS: The Hens haven't lost on a Tuesday since June 27. They are 10-0 during that stretch. .•.•. The Sidewinders were 1-3 in games in Bricktown Ballpark this season. .•.•. The Hens have 22 players, two short of normal, for the game. They opted not to replace pitchers Chad Durbin and Colby Lewis. .•.•. The deciding game in the Governors' Cup finals was the first time the Hens won a playoff game and did not strike out at least 10 times.

[Flame 103]

I can't wait to watch this.

[MelissaG915]

it will be fun, but I agree with the players - it doesn't feel like a true championship without the best of five format. I'm also surprised they didn't "promote" Maybin to fill a roster spot, but I don't know the rules for doing that, even though they promoted Kunkel in WM for Roa.

[pyrotigers]

Lineups are out:

Pitching: De La Cruz v Owings

Tuscon:

1. Sadler, CF
2. Webber, J RF
3. Hairston, LF
4. Carter, DH
5. Barden, 3B
6. Hammock, 1B
7. Brito, J C
8. Erickson, 2B
9. Gonzalez, A, SS

Toledo:

1. Espinosa, DH
2. Mohr, CF
3. Ludwick, RF
4. Phelps, 1B
5. Hannahan, 2B
6. Hessman, 3B
7. Raburn, LF
8. St. Pierre, C
9. Dlugach, SS

Kirkland, Kunkel, and Maples on the bench for Toledo.

[fyrftrjim]

De La Cruz pitched a good game, I thought the L-Tigers struck out alot, WOW that must be an organizational thing.

[Microline133]

I'm looking for a bomb by Hessman and a double by Espinosa to be the difference in the game.
Well...I had the double by Espy....its just that damn Hessman guy forgot to hit a homerun. :knocked:

[NATE]

Is it my personal bias or did all of the Toledo players look small? Hannahan, Raburn, DeLaCruz, really all of them.

I know Dlugach is a site fave but I saw nothing from him that would disallow Holliman from competing and surpassing him on the depth chart.

I did like what I saw from Larrison. Maybe he can be that 6th or 7th inning guy like Spurling, Grilli, etc. from past years.

[Sidney_N_OK]

I agree. Larrison looked pretty tough in the couple of innings I saw him. I wish the speed gun was up last night to see where he was but he looked good. I thought EDLC pitched fairly well and had very good movement of his fastball in to the RH hitters, although his offspeed stuff needs to tighten up. He also looked about 5'8" instead of the 5'11" he is reported to be. With his height he will never get the downhill plane when he pitches. Just another observer...

[Microline133]

Larrison's been sitting in the 92-93 range since moving to the 'pen full time. I think it's a move that might just revive his career. He's got the filthy sinker and a reliable enough breaking ball to be effective in the 7th/8th innings of big league games.

[DrWho17]

I agree. Larrison looked pretty tough in the couple of innings I saw him. I wish the speed gun was up last night to see where he was but he looked good. I thought EDLC pitched fairly well and had very good movement of his fastball in to the RH hitters, although his offspeed stuff needs to tighten up. He also looked about 5'8" instead of the 5'11" he is reported to be. With his height he will never get the downhill plane when he pitches. Just another observer...
He looked 5'11" to me, and he looks like he gets plenty of angle on his sinker to me, it was a good pitch for him last night for sure. Larrison looked like he could turn out to be useful after all.

[DTroppens]

I didn't know this game was on ESPN until last night at 3 a.m. I saw a rebroadcast starting before I went to bed so I put the VCR on. I don't know the results yet so I'm not going to read this thread yet.