The Thunder rains on the Cats parade

After taking three of four games against Portland, the boys headed to Trenton to take on the Thunder.  After losing the series opener 4-2, the Cats bounced back for a 10-3 win in a game that was never in doubt from the beginning.  Today was the rubber game and unfortunately the Thunder bounced back for a 7-6 win to take the series 2-1.

Now the boys come back home to host the Erie Seawolves for a four-game homestand so make sure to come out to the park and see us.  I am hoping that this will be the last series I will miss and I will be able to take the field against Akron. 

Rain, cats, dogs and a doubleheader

Thursday saw the Portland Sea Dogs come to New Britain and we were looking to take it to them early and often. We jumped out to three early runs in the 1st inning and it looked like we were on the right track.  That is until the Sea Dogs shut us down for the rest of the game.  After scoring three in the first, we never crossed the plate again and barely got anyone on base.  We only got three more hits and each of those was in separate innings.  Meanwhile, Portland woke up and tied the game in the fifth before taking a one run lead in the 7th.  They went on to a 6-3 lead in the 8th and that turned out to be the final score.  

Friday's game saw a rain out as a pretty bad storm system blew through New Britain.  After holding out for a couple of hours, it was decided we weren't playing and that the game would be made up Saturday in day night double header.  

Saturday morning rolled around and there were hardly any signs of the storms from the night before.  The sun was shining, a cool breeze blowing across the field and a buzz in the air as people filed into the stadium.  It was perfect baseball weather and everyone seemed to know it.  In the early game, the Cats jumped out to another quick 3-run lead in the 2nd inning and managed to hold on 3-1 with some great defense and very stingy defense. The late game started out the same way with the Cats scoring three in the 2nd on their way to another 3-1 win.  So after taking both games on Saturday, we had a 2-1 series lead and were looking for a series win on Sunday.  

Sunday's game didn't start out well for us as we gave up two in the 1st and two more in the 2nd.  Then we gave one more in the 3rd inning to trail 5-0.  But that's when everyone came alive and we started putting the ball in play.  Playing small ball, we scored one in the 4th, two in the 5th, three in the sixth, two in the 7th and our final run in the 8th as we went on to win the game 9-5 and the series 3-1. 

An update on the ankle, I passed my first real test Thursday.  I was taking some infield practice and went to try and roll two but all I rolled was the damn ankle.  I hit the ground quick thinking that I had really screwed it up but it turned out to be okay.  Just rolled it and had a little swelling but nothing unusual. By game time Thursday night, it was nearly a distant memory.  

Right the ship guys!!!

I previously posted about the post all-star game slump the Cats seemed to be in and hoping that the homestand would do them good.  Apparently I forgot to tell the rest of the guys this as Altoona came to town and took the first two of a three game series 4-3 and 9-3 respectively.  We did bounce back to take the final game 2-1 but this was not the turnaround that we were looking for at all.

On the injury front, I am feeling pretty confident now in my recovery.  I have been rehabbing and conditioning pretty hard and the ankle is feeling fine.  I can't wait to actually get back out there with the fellas.

All-Star letdown?

Bad news? It seems that the Rock Cats may be having just a little trouble getting back into the swing of things after the all-star break.  The boys traveled to Reading for another four-game series against the Fightin' Phils.  They lost the opener 8-6  but it appeared they were bouncing back into form on Friday as they won 8-5.  But then Saturday delivered a 5-0 loss and Sunday wasn't much better, as we loss 8-5.  Not exactly the way we wanted to start off the second half of the season, with a 3-1 series loss.  Hopefully, when we get back home for a nice little homestand, we can get it turned around. 

Good news? I'm getting better everyday and getting closer to being released.  I'm starting to do light running and I am pain free so far.  I still have a little over two weeks before I can be taken off the DL, but I plan on being ready that first game.

We won - we won!!!! Uh.....hmmmm...they won?

Yeah, I sort of got confused there in the post title.  I am talking about the Eastern League All-Star Game that I was selected to play in but as you know I couldn't because of the bum wheel.  It was a hard fought game but the Eastern Division managed to squeeze out a 3-1 victory.  With three of the top six home run hitters in the lineup, including Home Run Derby champion Mickey O'Sullivan of the Erie, you would expect it to be an offensive explosion.  But quite to the contrary, it was small ball that won the game.  Thanks to a couple of walks, two stolen bases and a well placed bunt, the Eastern team were able to overcome the solo homer from Bowie's Michael Christian for the Western team.  I wonder what I would have done had I been able to play?

As for the New Britain Rock Cats? Most of the guys enjoyed their off day and are now on their way to Reading for another four-game series with the Fightin' Phils.  What is it with these damn four-game series with them?

Two for you - two for me

Well, the Fightin' Phils came to town for another four-game series as we head into the all-star break.  Things started out well on Friday as we managed to win a pitching duel 1-0.  Saturday was a quick turn around as we had an early start but still managed to win 3-0.  With back-to-back shutouts, we looked for the three-peat on Sunday afternoon but Reading had other ideas.  They lit us up for 5 runs in the first and we never really recovered.  The Phils went on to win handily 8-4.  Monday started out in similar fashion as the Phils scored four in the first to take the early lead.  We managed to come back and take a 5-4 lead in the 7th, only to watch Reading take a 6-5 lead in the 8th.  After loading the bases with one out in the bottom of the ninth, our rally fell short with a game-ending double play.  So we had to settle for a series split and now everyone gets a much needed two days rest thanks to the all-star game. 

On the health update front, I am off my crutches but still in the boot.  The docs say that I am healing well, better than expected actually.  They are extremely optimistic that I will be ready around the first of August.  I am hoping they are right because I am going absolutely out of mind not being able to play the game I love.  Ok, I'm getting depressed now so I am out of here.  Peace!

Clean up in aisle three? Hey, you're an all-star!!!

Aisle three? Oh, aisle three is in New Hampshire.  You know, where my Cats managed to sweep another four-game series.  It started off with a 10-5 win on Monday followed by 4-3 win on Tuesday.  We survived a late surge on Wednesday to hold on 6-4 then closed it out on Thursday with a narrow 4-3 victory.  The boys head home for a four-game series with Reading before everyone takes a couple of days for the all-star break.

Speaking of all-stars, I got notified today that I was selected to play in the 2014 Eastern League All-Star Game in Altoona on July 16th. I was also supposed to compete in the Home Run Derby. Too bad I can't go with this damn ankle.  It would have been fun to play with the best in the league.  Oh well, there is plenty of years left.  I'm sure this won't be my only selection.  At least I hope not. 

Former Dore Mike Yastrzemski hits for cycle

Mike Yastrzemski is one of two Minor Leaguers with double digits in homers, triples, doubles and steals.
(Tracy Proffitt/MiLB.com)

Former Vanderbilt Commodore Mike Yastrzemski managed to hit for the cycle Saturday night going five for six at the plate with a single, two doubles, a triple and a solo home run.  The home run came at the expense of former Vanderbilt pitcher Navery Moore.  You can read the whole story here.

Series catch-up and a series lost

As my Walking Dead marathon came to a conclusion, I managed to catch up on a couple of other series that I've been following (gotta love a DVR).

First, I caught up on the new HBO series The Leftovers.  Still not sure if I like it or not.  I watched the premiere on the DVR then caught the second show tonight.  It is different, that's for sure.  Its about a small town in New York dealing with the disappearance of part of the people three years ago.  It seems that 2% of the population just vanished from the face of the earth.  Like I said, different. 

Of course, since it's Sunday, I had to watch True Blood.  Couldn't believe that Alcide got killed but hey, they killed Tara in the first episode this season.  I guess, since it's the final season, anything goes.  

Now it is time to catch up on AMC's new series Halt and Catch Fire.  If you haven't checked this one out, you should.  Especially if you are a nerd like me. 

Oh yeah, the team didn't fare well in Portland losing the series 2-1. After squeezing out a 2-1 win on Independence Day, my Cats lost Saturday 7-3 and Sunday 6-4.  Now they are headed to New Hampshire for another four-game series.  Let's hope we sweep them like we did last time.  I'll let you know. 

I'm gonna try a marathon

Ok, not that sort of marathon.  Especially since I'm nursing this broken ankle (which is doing well, by the way) and I'm still wearing this protective boot.  But I did find the marathon for me.  It's the Dead, White and Blue Weekend on AMC.  That's right!!! It is The Walking Dead marathon.  Every episode of all four seasons back-to-back-to-back-to-back.....you get the picture. Wish me luck!!!!!!

Happy 4th of July!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just wanted to take a moment to wish everyone a Happy 4th and tell everyone to be careful out there.  Don't party too much and don't drink and drive.  As for me? Since I'm still in this damn boot and on the DL, I'm gonna stay at the apartment and try to find something to watch on TV.  Netflix here I come!!!!! 

Well, what happen was.....

We got beat. By the Fightin' Phils.  Not just one game either but the series.  It wasn't a sweep but we did get beat three out of four.  After losing 4-3 in the first game on Monday, we bounced back for a close 2-1 win on Tuesday.  Looking to take a two to one series lead on Wednesday backfired on us as we fell 4-2.  Then on Thursday as we looked for a series tie, we scored four runs in the bottom of the 8th to take a 6-5 lead only to watch Binghamton score two in the top of the 9th. In the bottom of the 9th, we had the meat of the order up but they barely made a whimper as they went down in order.  The boys took it pretty hard but didn't have too much time to dwell on it as they had to hop the bus and head to Portland where they have a three-game series versus the Sea Dogs.