Archive for the 'Seth McClung' Category

May 18

Down On The Farm: Hide The Children…Seth McClung Is Knocking On Rays Door

Evan Longoria, Fernando Perez, Gerry Hunsicker, Seth McClung, Wade Townsend 2 Comments »

Durham 11, Pawtucket 3. JP Howell had his best start of the season for the Bulls last night. He struck out 10 in 6 innings with only 2 hits and 1 run. He did walk three and hit a batter. Ruddy Lugo pitched 2 scoreless innings, but walked 3, and Seth McClung pitched yet another scoreless 9th inning. We are starting to get nervous. McClung has only allowed 1 run in his last 10 appearances, covering 16 innings with 21 strikeouts. He has an ERA of 1.54 with 28 Ks in 23.1 innings. We need to accept the realization that we will see Big Red again in Rays uniform and it could be sooner rather than later. Ohhh, the Agida…On a brighter note, the Bulls hit 5 home runs. Wes Bankston hit his 5th and drove in 4. Elliot Johnson hit his 6th and drove in 3. Justin Ruggiano hit his 3rd.

Montgomery 7, Birmingham 4. Chris Seddon gave up 4 runs on 8 hits and 1 walk in 6 innings. He struck out 3. Seddon was cruising through the first 5 innings and then in the top of the 6th he gave up 3 consecutive hits to lead off the inning, capped by a 3-run home run. Evan Longoria returned to the lineup and went 1-4. He is hitting .328. Reid Brignac was 0-3 with 2 walks and is now hitting .267. Brooks Badeaux cleared the bases with a double in the 8th inning that proved to be the game-winner.

Palm Beach 10, Vero Beach 7 (gm 1). The Rays needed a pitcher to start game 1 of the double-header and apparently they needed a pitcher to work a lot of innings and Jeff Kamrath was the sacrificial lamb. Kamrath made just his second start of the year and gave up 9 runs in 7 innings on 13 hits and 4 walks. Erold Andrus was 3-5 with his 2nd home run.

Palm Beach 2, Vero Beach 1 (gm 2). Mike Wlodarczyk struck out 6 in 6 innings with 8 hits and 2 runs allowed.

NOTES FROM DOWN ON THE FARM…

  • Fernando Perez who went on the DL with a minor knee injury will now have his return delayed another week due to a hip injury suffered during a recent workout.
  • Gerry Hunsicker was in Montgomery to most likely see Evan Longoria.
  • Columbus was rained out and will play a double-header today. Wade Townsend will come off the DL and pitch game 1.
Apr 02

The Hangover: Opening Day 2007

Jorge Cantu, Josh Hamilton, Rocco Baldelli, Seth McClung No Comments »

  • It’s Opening Day!
  • The Rays will field the youngest 25-man roster in baseball. Today, will mark Rocco Baldelli’s first opening day assignment since 2004. The Rays are actually 5-4 on opening day.
  • The Rays and the Yankees have markedly different expectations entering opening day.
  • Manny Stiles has posted his Devil Rays preview. He hasn’t been on board long, but he has done his homework.
  • The Rays defense should be much improved in 2007.
  • Jorge Cantu is threatening to not report to Durham.
  • Seth McClung blames his agent, Scott Boras for not informing McClung of the Rays unusual fourth option. The extra option allowed the Rays to demote McClung to Durham.
  • No surprise here, but it is now official, Josh Hamilton has made the Reds opening day roster. He still needs to remain on the active roster all season but that will not be a problem for Josh or the Reds.
  • Don’t forget to stop by later today for the first ever Devil Rays live game blog. We are now in the heart of the Belly of the Beast. We are in New York City, a stone’s throw from Yankee Stadium. We will be “broadcasting” from the comfort of a couch, a computer, a big TV, and a fridge stocked with beer. We really have no idea what we are doing, but we will give it a shot. We are still trying to figure out this world wide web thing. So whether you are stuck at work or at home, don’t forget to stop by as we will get started around 12:45, and follow along as the Devil Rays take their first step towards .500 and the 2010 World Series! We will also keep an eye on the Reds-Cubs game as Josh Hamilton will be making his major league debut.
Mar 31

The Hangover: Chad Orvella Never Had A Chance To Make Team

Bullpen still sucks, Carlos Pena, Chad Orvella, Dan Miceli, Joe Maddon, Realignment, Seth McClung No Comments »

  • Jae Seo came back down to earth a bit allowing 5 runs in the first inning of his final spring tune up. The Rays lost to the Reds 5-4. BJ Upton had 3 hits and 2 stolen bases.
  • That the Rays decided to send Seth McClung down to Durham doesn’t surprise us (25 base runners in 9.1 innings this spring), but Chad Orvella’s demotion has us shaking our heads. One day after the team released Dan Miceli based in large part on his performance, why in the world was Orvella sent down? 13 base runners in 10.1 innings is not bad, but 0.87 ERA is pretty darn good. Granted we were not there to see Orvella pitch everyday but the numbers indicate he did just about everything that was asked of him.
  • The seven members of the bullpen are now set, but they better not get too comfortable. In reality, there are about 12 members of the bullpen and JetBlue may want to schedule regular flights between Tampa and Durham.
  • Carlos Pena will decide in the next couple of days whether to accept a demotion to the minors or declare himself a free agent.
  • An interview with Joe Maddon. Nothing too revealing except Papa Joe states that he loves competing in the AL East and wouldn’t want to be in another division.
  • HERE is a geographical argument for having the Rays and Nationals switch divisions.
Mar 30

The Hangover: Cantu Or Gomes For Final Spot

Carl Crawford, Chad Orvella, Delmon Young, Dioner Navarro, JK Ryu, Josh Paul, Juan Salas, Rocco Baldelli, Seth McClung No Comments »

  • Two big notes from yesterday’s 3-3 tie with the Pink Sox. Edwin Jackson worked six innings and yielded only a single walk while striking out 5. Jackson has only had one start this spring in which his control betrayed him. If this keeps up, Jackson could be in for a big season. The second item is that B. J. Upton started at second and Jorge Cantu was the DH. We touched on this yesterday, but it is now looking more and more as if Upton’s role as super-utility may actually turn into a regular gig at second base, while Cantu and Jonny Gomes are now battling for the DH spot,with the loser being sent to Durham.
  • The final two spots in the pen will come down to Chad Orvella, Juan Salas, Seth McClung, and Jae Kuk Ryu. McClung has given up 25 baserunners in less than 10 IP this spring so he is a long shot at this point. With Brian Stokes and Gary Glover likely to make the team, there doesn’t appear to be a need for another long reliever, so Ryu is probably out. Ryu gave up two home runs yesterday. Orvella has been lights out this spring (o.87 ERA) and seems like a lock. Salas has also been strong.
  • All three of the Rays walking wounded saw action yesterday. Of the three, Rocco Baldelli, Dioner Navarro and Josh Paul, only Paul sounded confident that he would be ready for opening day.
  • Not Rays related, but Kenny Rogers was placed on the DL yesterday with a tired arm. Wouldn’t it be great if this worked in real life. Boss, I need to take 2 weeks off, with pay, because I have a tired head. Thanks.
  • Manny Stiles makes a long-winded case for the greatness of Delmon Young.
  • We have no idea how good Carl Crawford can be, but it sure is going to be fun finding out.
  • On Tuesday against the Jays, Carl Crawford forgot his jersey, so he was forced to wear #98. Apparently #98 was not as lucky as his usual #13. He went 0-3.
  • Lou Piniella is not the only former Rays manager in Chi-town. Remember Larry Rothschild? Seems forever ago.
Mar 13

The Hangover: The Devil Rays Only Love It When It Rains

Akinori Iwamura, Andy Sonnanstine, Evan Longoria, Jeff Niemann, Jeff Ridgway, Mitch Talbot, Reid Brignac, Seth McClung No Comments »

  • Another loss. Want a good reason to hate the Trop? Based on the Spring results so far (1 win came during rain-shortened game) and the inept bullpen, the Rays will go 162-0 if every game were to be shortened due to rain. Maybe they can force a leak in the roof?
  • Of all the bad signs so far, this one may be the most disturbing. Akinori Iwamura asked to be removed from the game yesterday after his first at bat because he was too tired from playing five straight games.
  • The proverbial axe has fallen on the first set of healthy players (Injured pitchers Shinji Mori and Doug Waechter were reassigned last week). In all 10 players were reassigned with the most prominent names being Jeff Niemann and Mitch Talbot who were optioned to Durham and Evan Longoria, Reid Brignac and Andy Sonnanstine who were assigned to minor league camp. No surprises here as none of this players have seen any playing time above AA.
  • We cringe whenever we see a story about the Rays in one of the New York City tabloids. They tend to be full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. Today, the New York Daily News lives up to the rep with a rather scathing article about the Rays which comes off as a very uninformed piece by a writer that does not know what he is talking about. For example, the writer suggests that Rays should have invested in a starting pitcher such as Steve Trachsel or John Thomson. Trachsel is 36 and has lost more than 15 games in a season as many times (1) as he has won more than 15 games in a season. Thomson won two games has won a combined 6 games the past two seasons. Those are not upgrades. Those are free agent signings for the sake of signing free agents.
  • Joe Maddon doesn’t feel the pressure to have a left hander in the ‘pen. Sorry Jeff Ridgway your stock just took a big hit.
  • Raise your hand if you want a Seth McClung bobblehead doll. Aren’t you listening. I SAID A SETH MCCLUNG BOBBLEHEAD! Don’t be shy…you know you want one. Well, if you do, head on over to Princeton, West Virginia on July 23, for the Princeton Rays Seth McClung bobblehead night.
Mar 12

The Hangover: Casey Fossum Makes First Start Before Next Injury

Casey Fossum, James Shields, Ruddy Lugo, Seth McClung No Comments »

  • Another day…another loss. James Shields was shaky in the first, but settled down and retired nine of the final ten he face. He struck out five in four innings.
  • Seth McClung had a rough outing and Joe Maddon made it clear that he has not decided who the closer is yet. If McClung continues to be inconsistent, Al Reyes is going to start getting some serious consideration.
  • Ruddy Lugo is blaming his rough start to Spring Training to rust from not pitching in winter ball during the off-season. Seven hits, one walk and four runs in four innings, is a lot of rust.
  • Oh boy! It’s the day we have all be waiting for. Today is like Christmas morning and what has Santa brought for us? Casey Fossum! Fossum returns to the mound today against the Tiggers. We are setting the over/under on his “hardest” pitch at 82 miles per hour. By “hardest” we of course mean “least soft”. Let’s face it, Fossum is the only major league pitcher whose arsenal does not include a fastball.
  • Papa Joe Maddon is having some t-shirts printed (for the players?) that will read “No regurgitation – Tell me what you think, not what you heard.” No regurgitation? Maybe he should have some printed for the fans. Only problem is they will tell you what they think and they will regurgitate (not necessarily in that order).
  • Just an interesting tidbit we picked up listening to yesterday’s game on WHNZ 1250. Yesterday’s opponent, the Houston Astros, are the only team the Rays have never faced during the regular season. We are too lazy to look it up, so we will take their word for it. Can anybody verify that for us? For example, have the Rays already faced all of the NL West teams during interleague play?
Mar 10

The Hangover: Seth McClung No Lock To Be Closer

Elliot Johnson, Josh Hamilton, Montgomery Biscuits, Paul Lukas, Seth McClung, Shawn Riggans No Comments »

  • Let’s just pretend that last night, and for that matter, the first week of Spring Training never happened.
  • 101 Reasons the Rays could win the World Series this year. Also known as, 101 reasons that Man-Ray’s elevator is not reaching the top floor. We are particularly fond of #60. Yo Man-Ram. You are not the first to predict the Rays will win Series. Aaron Goldstein did it last year, and he was actually serious.
  • Seth McClung was the Rays #2 starter last year at this time. This year he is the leading candidate to be closer, but Andrew Friedman says that is not guaranteed.
  • Uniform expert Paul Lukas of Uniwatch likes the new jersey patch the Rays will be wearing this season in honor of ten seasons of…well we are not sure what exactly they honoring. Maybe it is a memorial patch?
  • We have pretty much given up on ever seeing Josh Hamilton in a Rays uniform again, but until we see Josh on the Reds 25-man roster for game 162, we will hold out hope. Of all the potential twists to this story, our biggest fear is starting to happen. It is one thing for the Reds management to want Josh to make the team. At least then their decision is based on what they see. But now Josh is turning into the “feel-good story of the Spring“. Now the Reds fans and even baseball fans in general are rooting for him to make the team. That type of public pressure will almost assure Hamilton makes the Reds roster.
  • Apparently the local media have all latched on to Shawn Riggans as the Rays 2007 version of the “feel good, rookie fighting for a spot” guy.
  • Dioner Navarro will be out a week to 10 days. More time for the media to write feel-good stories about Shawn Riggans.
  • Of course there is another point of view as presented by Steve Phillips, that the Josh Hamilton story send the wrong message to the Reds other prospects.
  • Rays prospect Elliot Johnson once homered in four consecutive innings.
  • Would a Rays basketball team win more games than the baseball team? With Seth McClung banging bodies in the low post, what could possibly go wrong?
  • You get a ring if you win a Minor League Championship? Apparently the Montgomery Biscuits will.
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