Mike Potter ·
5 Jul 2009, 12:58 AM ·
Comment
At least it’s over.
USA Baseball’s National Team finished a four-game sweep of Guatemala on Saturday night with an 18-1 victory that wasn’t a bit out of context.
Arkansas’ Andy Wilkins (pictured) hit a 435-foot grand slam while Sonny Gray of Vanderbilt was the winning pitcher as the home team rocked the Quetzals for a fourth straight night in front of a full house at Durham Bulls Athletic Park on the city’s traditional July 4 fireworks night. Team USA players all wore No. 4 jerseys saluting Lou Gehrig on a night Major League Baseball used to promote awareness of ALS.
While Wilkins’ slam in the fifth inning was certainly a big hit and an exciting hit, it certainly wasn’t a key hit.
In the National Team’s four wins over Guatemala in Kannapolis, Cary and Durham, the USA scored a total of 61 runs to the visitors’ two. That score would make for a very, very miserable football game. Continue reading »
Baseball, Durham Bulls, USA Baseball Al Yevoli, ALS, Andy Wilkins, Arkansas Razorbacks, Cary, Chinese Taipei, Coastal Carolina, Cody Wheeler, Cuba, Eastern League, embargo, Guatemala, High Point Panthers, Japan, Kannapolis, Lou Gehrig, Major League Baseball, Manchester, Manuel Hernandez, Marlon Claveria, NECBL, New Hampshire Fisher Cats, Portland Sea Dogs, Republic of China, Rick Jones, Sonny Gray, South Korea, Taiwan, Tulane, Vanderbilt, World Baseball Classic
Mike Potter ·
4 Jul 2009, 11:52 PM ·
Comment
FIVE COUNTY STADIUM/ZEBULON Back at the Carolina Mudcats’ game again, seeing if they can right the ship after a 3-8 start in the second half.
Game 1 of their four-game set with the Tennessee Smokies is a sellout and the signs outside the parking lot clearly say “STANDING ROOM ONLY,” but it’s a happy crowd here anticipating the July 4 fireworks show.
At least it’s not ridiculously hot. Grab a pregame Italian sausage and it’s time to go.
The teams are wearing patches saluting Lou Gehrig’s New York Yankees No. 4 number in a promotion about ALS awareness.
The RTP General Assembly Chorus presents the National Anthem, and as always those guys - there are about 30 “barber shop” singers with an average age I’d think over 60 - knock it out of the park. I’m sure in less than a minute, too. If you didn’t hear the word “Grammy” in the intro, any time it goes longer than that can be a big waste of everyone’s time.
Congressman Brad Miller fires the “ceremonial first pitch” and it’s time to play ball.
The Smokies have one local connection, as right-handed reliever Jake Muyco is an alumnus of N.C. State.
And speaking of pitchers, it’s a fine pitchers’ duel from the start. But it all ends up in tears for the home fans, as a ninth-inning rally comes up short in a 7-4 loss in front of a season-best SRO crowd of 8,596. Continue reading »
Baseball, Carolina Mudcats, N.C. State Add new tag, Albert Pujols, Andrew Cashner, Brad Miller, Brian Peterson, Camilo Vazquez, Carson Kainer, Casey Coleman, Chicago Cubs, Chris Heisey, Cincinnati Reds, David Bell, Eric Eymann, Jake Muyco, Jerry Gil, Jose Castro, Lou Gehrig, Marquez Smith, New York Yankees, Phillippe Valiquette, Ramon Geronimo, RTP General Assembly Chorus, Russ Canzler, Southern League, Tennessee Smokies, Todd Frazier, Tom Cochran, Ty Wright, West Tenn Diamond Jaxx, Zack Cozart
