elrockinMT Posted July 15, 2003 Share Posted July 15, 2003 Tuesday, July 15, 2003 Mustangs take two of three By GEORGE GEISE Tribune Sports Editor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Don't look now, but the two-team battle for superiority in the Pioneer League's Northern Division has become a three-team skirmish. The Billings Mustangs shut down the Great Falls White Sox 5-2 Monday night at Legion Park to improve to 15-10, just three games behind the Helena Brewers (18-7) and two in back of Great Falls (17-8). And with the White Sox heading to Billings tonight to start a three-game series, the first-half pennant race is still anybody's ballgame. "Great Falls had those two rolls (7-game and 6-game winning streaks) to get out in front, but people forget we lost (four 1-run games) to Provo," said Billings manager Rick Burleson. "And Great Falls just killed Provo. "We've got Great Falls and Helena coming in, and they (White Sox) get Missoula after that, so it's still a race." The Mustangs managed to win on a night when the league's best pitcher and hitter both notched important statistical highlights. Great Falls right-hander Brandon McCarthy (4-1, 1.97 ERA) struck out 11 batters in six solid innings, giving him a league-high 53 strikeouts in 38 innings. Great Falls outfielder Ricardo Nanita (.412 average) extended his hitting streak to 24 games with a third-inning single. He needs to hit safely in his next three games to tie the league's all-time record. But the Mustangs didn't pay much attention to those statistics. They simply waited until McCarthy left the game with the score tied 2-2, then posted three runs in the seventh inning against reliever Paul Moviel. "McCarthy shut us down the first time in here (back in late June), and other than his last outing in Helena, he's dominated the league," said Burleson. "We got some hits (eight) against him tonight, but it was still a game in the seventh." The seventh started harmlessly enough for Moviel (0-1), as Rusty Beale flew out to center, then Luis Bolivar bounced weakly to third baseman Antoin Gray. But Gray made a poor throw to first, allowing Bolivar to reach safely. Habelito Hernandez blasted a double to left field -- his third extra-base hit of the night -- to make it 3-2. Joey Votto and Ben Himes followed with singles, and an error and passed ball moved up the runners. Miguel Perez hit a sacrifice fly to cap the 3-run rally. The White Sox scored single runs in the second and third against Billings starter James Paduch, but couldn't touch relievers Orlando Escorcha (2-0) and Brock Till, who allowed just two hits in four-plus innings, while striking out six. "Our relievers and our starters have been pretty solid," said Burleson. "Our offense has been inconsistent, but when we catch the ball we're pretty good. "Great Falls has a new organization, but they've got good hitters. To shut those guys down, we threw the ball well." The White Sox were limited to a seaosn-low five hits, all singles. Clinton King reached base three times on two singles and a walk. The Mustangs rapped out four doubles, a triple and six singles. Hernandez had two doubles and a triple, and Votto and Perez each had two hits. The White Sox plan to start Matt Nachreiner (2-2) against Billings' Camilo Vazquez (1-3) tonight at Cobb Field, with the first pitch set for 7. The White Sox are on the road for seven days and return home July 21 to face the Brewers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cali Posted July 15, 2003 Share Posted July 15, 2003 Does he have a ticket to Bristol yet? or even Kannapolis? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ishmookie Posted July 15, 2003 Share Posted July 15, 2003 its just rookie league Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elrockinMT Posted July 15, 2003 Author Share Posted July 15, 2003 its just rookie league That's where a great many of the real good pitchers had to start though. If opposing managers give players good reviews that means they see a talent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Fainter Posted July 15, 2003 Share Posted July 15, 2003 The other way to evaluate our pitchers is to see how many teams want to trade for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Hudler Posted July 15, 2003 Share Posted July 15, 2003 Elrockin see if you can dig up some info on Brian Anderson. He hasn't played the last 3-4 days. I heard his injury was minor, but can't recall what it was or hot he was injured. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elrockinMT Posted July 15, 2003 Author Share Posted July 15, 2003 Elrockin see if you can dig up some info on Brian Anderson. He hasn't played the last 3-4 days. I heard his injury was minor, but can't recall what it was or hot he was injured. I'll see what I can find out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dasox24 Posted July 15, 2003 Share Posted July 15, 2003 I really like Brandon McCarthy, and I'm glad to see him putting up such great numbers. I just wish Daniel Haigwood could be pitching too because I think both of them would be a really dominating 1-2 punch at the top of the pitching order. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Fainter Posted July 15, 2003 Share Posted July 15, 2003 What happened to Haigwood?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Hudler Posted July 15, 2003 Share Posted July 15, 2003 What happened to Haigwood?? Torn ACL, out for year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MnSoxFan Posted July 15, 2003 Share Posted July 15, 2003 Does he have a ticket to Bristol yet? or even Kannapolis? Bristol is below Great Falls in the pecking order. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elrockinMT Posted July 16, 2003 Author Share Posted July 16, 2003 Elrockin see if you can dig up some info on Brian Anderson. He hasn't played the last 3-4 days. I heard his injury was minor, but can't recall what it was or hot he was injured. I checked with knowledgable sources on Brian Anderson. The Sox organization said that he had what was described as a minor hand or wrist type injury and would be sitting out for a few games. The injury was supposedly an aggravation of an old college injury. The press has not made much of it since they were told it was minor and he would sit only afew games, but it doesn't appear to be getting any better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Hudler Posted July 16, 2003 Share Posted July 16, 2003 I checked with knowledgable sources on Brian Anderson. The Sox organization said that he had what was described as a minor hand or wrist type injury and would be sitting out for a few games. The injury was supposedly an aggravation of an old college injury. The press has not made much of it since they were told it was minor and he would sit only afew games, but it doesn't appear to be getting any better. Good work, Scoop! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elrockinMT Posted July 16, 2003 Author Share Posted July 16, 2003 Good work, Scoop! Further explanation from sources concerning Anderson is that he had surgery on his wrist during his junior year of college and he aggravated the old injury while sliding into base. Chris Cron, the Great Falls manager says the injury is minor, but they want to be safe and cautious with Anderson so he is riding the pine for now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cali Posted July 16, 2003 Share Posted July 16, 2003 Does he have a ticket to Bristol yet? or even Kannapolis? Bristol is below Great Falls in the pecking order. D'oh! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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