Goose Egged

Yeah, I wore the yoke today.  The big goose egg.  Oh-fer.  I mean I hit the ball well all day but it was either right at someone or I got a little too much under it.  One I just knew was gone as a pulled a slider right down the left field line.  But I got just a little too much under it and it got up into the wind that was blowing in from left and was caught at the edge of the warning track.  The good news is that we won 4-3 to guarantee us the series win again against the Mets and our third series in a row.  I would love to have a great game at the plate but I'll take the win every time. 

4fer

As the title suggests, today I went 4 for 4 with two solo home runs and two RBIs (my average climbed to .477) as we eked out a 5-4 win over the Binghamton Mets today.  It was a nail biter but thankfully Bernier turned his day around after going 0 for 3 with a walk-off RBI double in the bottom of the ninth. It wasn't pretty but a win is a win and now we are 1-0 for the series.  

I would also like to thank Todd, Lori and the kids for coming all the way from Tennessee to catch the game and say hi.  I know they didn't come all this way to see me, they are actually on vacation, but I can spin it however I want since it's my blog. 

Cats and Dogs

On Tuesday, we opened up a three game series with the Portland Sea Dogs and manage to hold on for a 4-2 victory.  After playing my first three games back from the IR, Skip decided to give me the day off but that didn't last long.  In the 4th inning I was called on to pinch run for Ramirez in the fourth inning after he rolled his ankle really bad at first.  I finished the game at first base and went 2 for 2 with a double and two RBIs bumping that average up to .465.

After trying to give me the day off on Tuesday fell through, Skip gave me the day off Wednesday instead.  We went on to win 5-3 but it took us 10 innings to do it.  After being down 3-1 in the sixth, a run in the 7th and another in the top of the 9th sent us to the extra frame where we managed to plate two and then shut down the Sea Dogs in the bottom half.

Today we tried for the sweep of Portland but the Sea Dogs rose to the challenge and managed to hand us a 9-8 loss.  We started out strong scoring six in the top of the 1st inning but couldn't hold them off as they scored five in the 7th to tie it up at eight all before plating what would be the winning run in the bottom of the 8th.  I finished the game 2 for 6 with a homer, one RBI and two runs scored.

Now it's time to head home as we host Binghamton for a short three game weekend series.  Come out to the park and say hi. 

I ate my Wheaties!!!!!!!

First of all, we won.  We won big.  I mean we won really big.  We were on the good side of a 14-4 blowout.  Everyone pitched in for the victory as everyone in the line up scored at least one run.  Shaver and Barton were the only ones who didn't join the hit parade but they both picked up walks and scored.  We got seven strong innings on the mound from Owen before Franco came in and slammed the door.  Well, not actually slammed.  More like he got up and checked to make sure it was locked.  So after losing the first game in the series, we went on to sweep the last three handily much to the dismay of the Binghamton fans.  Sorry folks.

As for me? Maybe yesterday was the fluke because as the post title says, I definitely ate my Wheaties this morning.  I went 5 for 6 today with three home runs, five runs scored and six RBIs.  I was also just a double shy of hitting for the cycle as I added a single and a triple to my three homers pushing my average up to an amazing .454 for the season.

I also want to take a minute to say that I am thinking about changing the way I post.  I'm seriously thinking about just doing one post for each away series we play.  Sometimes it's just hard to travel, play, rest and then post.  But we will see what happens.  I still haven't made up my mind completely yet.

Wish us luck as we head over to Maine for a three game series with Portland.

Trying to get the flow back

I sort of struggled in today's game and only went 1-4 with a sacrifice fly for a RBI.  I was hoping that yesterday wasn't a fluke and that I wouldn't have any lingering effects of my long layoff.  The good news is that we won 6-2 and now have a 2-1 lead in the four game series. 

5/24: Guess Who's Back?!?!?!?!

That's right!!!! I'm back and needless to say, I couldn't wait to get on the field.  I must admit, that first time up in the batter's box, I was a little nervous. It was like the very first time I stepped up to the plate in AA.  But after I fouled that first pitch off, it was like riding a bike.  So when Valdez, the pitcher for the Mets, left that slider up, I jacked it out of the park for a solo home run.  Not a bad way to come back from injury, huh?  I came up two more times after that and even though I was hitting the ball hard, they were all atom balls.  But in the 7th I went yard again, this time off Cabrera, with another solo shot to left. We finished with a 6-3 win as I went 2-5 with the 2 solo home runs and 2 RBIs.

5/23: Loss but a win

We lost a tough one tonight to the Binghamton Mets as they scored in the bottom of the 9th to win 4-3.  Not exactly the start that we wanted for the four game series here in New York but we have three more games and I'm sure we will at least get a split of the series if not a win.  Mark my words. 

That was the loss I mentioned in my post title.  The win is this.  Immediately after the game, I was informed that I was removed from the 15-day disabled list and placed back on the active roster.  I was hoping this would happen this weekend but I didn't think they would move so quick.  It couldn't have been 30 minutes after the game ended when I was told.  And get this, the Skipper said that he wants to watch me take infield and BP tomorrow.  If he like what he sees, then I'm backing in the lineup.  Oh hell yeah!!!!!!!!

5/22: Series Split

So we won tonight, 6-3, to split the series against Richmond.  I would have preferred to have won it 3-1 or 4-0 but a split is better than losing the series.  

But I have to say that I am more excited that I will be boarding the bus in about 30 minutes to head to Binghamton with the team. That's right people, it looks like my rehab stint is over. Even though I'm still on the 15-day DL through tomorrow's game, I am hoping that maybe Saturday morning I will be taken of the list and returned to the active roster.  Keep you fingers crossed and wish me luck. 

5/19: Rough start against Richmond

After winning two of three from the Senators in Harrisburg, the team returned home to host Richmond again.  It was a rough start for us as we lost 4-3 in the first game of this four game series.  I'm sure we will bounce back tomorrow. 

As far as my rehab, I've actually been running nearly full speed and have been taking batting practice like normal.  I'm really trying to get back this weekend.  Right now, it looks like I will be traveling with the team when we leave for Binghamton on Friday.  Hoping to be back in the lineup by Sunday at least.  We shall see I guess. 

5/16: Phase 3 is under way

YEAH!!!!!!!! I actually started Phase 3 yesterday and things are really looking up.  No ill effects from the deep tissue massage and I the stretching was a piece of cake.  The strengthening is going well and the cardio is on par.  I can't wait to get back out there.  

The team headed to Harrisburg today after taking two of three from the Sea Dogs of Portland.  

UPDATE: We beat the Senators 9-3 to run our meager win streak to three games.

5/12: Series split and very little pain

After winning the first game against Bowie on Thursday, we won the next game on Friday to only go on and lose the next two on Saturday and Sunday to split the series 2-2.  The team has an off day today which I think they really need.  A few of the guys are getting some BP in and a little fielding but most of them are enjoying their off day.  I think they are also getting mentally prepared for upcoming three game series where we will host Portland.

As for me, I am still rehabbing the hammy and I will say that it is going great.  The therapist and the training staff are wonderful.  I'm hoping to finish up Phase 2 by this weekend and start Phase 3.  Phase 3, or the Final Stage, involves deep tissue massage along with strengthening, stretching and aerobic fitness.  If I can get that done, I should be ready for when this round on the DL expires on May 24th.  Wish me luck.

5/8: Another 15-day DL but it's all good

Ok, so yesterday I had a scare thinking that I may have had a setback with my rehab.  Today, I feel fine.  Walked into physical therapy without any problems.  After the ultrasound therapy, we did the massage and I had no issues to report.  We even started some light stretching and everything felt fine.  These are all good signs.  However, since I'm still not ready to go and have at least another week to 10 days, I have been placed on the 15-day disabled list again. 

Meanwhile, the guys took care of business tonight as they beat the Baysox 7-2 for our third straight win.  That's what I'm talking about guys!!!!

5/7: Small setback?

Today, after rehab, I was in the most pain I've been in since I began Phase 2.  The training staff is at a loss for words and if it continues tomorrow, I may have to go back for another MRI.  Damn it, I am ready for this to be over.

Meanwhile on the field, the boys took two of three from the Trenton Thunder.  After losing the series opener on Monday (5-2), they came back and won Tuesday (6-1) and Wednesday (3-1).  Next the team hits the road for a four game series against the Bowie Baysox.

5/4: End of the skid

So the guys managed to finally turn it around and ended the five game losing streak as they knocked of the Fisher Cats 2-1 in the final game of the series. Yeah, it wasn't pretty but we don't get runs for style or beauty. 

As for rehab, it's getting a little easier.  The massage isn't nearly as painful. When it first started, it told them I'd rather have a colonoscopy with a porcupine.  Now, not so much.  I'm still a couple of weeks away from Phase 3 though. 

5/2: Phase 2

The good news is I've officially begun Phase 2 of my rehab which is called the Sub-Acute Phase.  The bad news is that I am probably looking at two to three weeks of this so it looks like I will be out longer than my initial 15 days.  The therapist used the ultrasound on my hamstring today and I will admit that it felt great.  That is until she finished and moved on to the soft tissue massage.  That hurt like hell.  I don't know what was worse, the massage or the initial injury.  They say it's normal but I think they're just being masochists.  

We hosted New Hanpshire today and got beat 4-3 for our fourth straight loss.  C'mon guys, we have to turn this around.

5/1: Think I'm ready for Phase 2

Over the last few days the pain has greatly subsided.  Yesterday, I was practically pain free as I walked around and performed routine daily activities.  Today, there has been no pain what so ever.  I talked to the training staff and they said that I would start with Phase 2 tomorrow.  At least the team will be back tomorrow once they finish up this last game tonight against Harrisburg.  So far it hasn't gone well as they lost the first, won the second and then got beat badly in the third game.  Hopefully they will get the win tonight to split the series.  

Update:  We lost 5-1 and lost the series 3-1. Damn!