elrockinMT

Zambrano is a good pitcher even though he has fits of wildness now and then. Colon seems to be stepping up and battling well today. CG probably unlikely though. Bullpen is rested after the off day.

That's my point also. 14 pitches to one batter can take it out of a pitcher. Colon gave up his single and then another one before settling in the groove again.

Just logged on MLB game day and Colon strikes out the side after a couple singles. I see that Jose's little brother really hung in there with Colon. Lots of fouls until he singled. Bartolo came back too and didn't give up anything.

Friday, July 4, 2003 McCarthy on the mark By GEORGE GEISE Tribune Sports Editor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chris Cron wasn't going to break the rules, not even for his star pitcher. Brandon McCarthy, the ace right-hander for the Great Falls White Sox, held the Ogden Raptors hitless for seven innings Thursday at Legion Park, and it looked like the 19-year-old could go on throwing strikes all night. But Cron, the manager, knew better -- and so did McCarthy. The Chicago White Sox baseball organization has strict pitch-count limits for its young prospects, and McCarthy was nearing that number. So Cron lifted his hurler in the eighth inning, and the White Sox held on to beat the Raptors 3-1 to give McCarthy his fourth victory against no defeats. "I know the rules, and I didn't have a tough decision at all," said Cron. "His limit is 90 (pitches), and he had thrown 85. If he couldn't finish the game, there was no reason to send him back out there (in the eighth). He had done all he could do." McCarthy wanted to continue -- who wouldn't want to finish off a no-hitter? -- but he understands the nature of Rookie League baseball. "If this were the big leagues, it would be a different story," said the 6-foor-7 McCarthy, who dazzled the Raptors with an assortment of fastballs, sharp-breaking curves and changeups. "But it's the minor leagues, and they have their rules. "I had one no-hitter in high school and a couple 1-hitters. Maybe I'll get my chance again someday." If he pitches like he did Thursday -- or the way he has the first three weeks of the Pioneer League season -- an official no-hitter is certainly within McCarthy's grasp. He struck out 12 Raptors and walked just one, and no batter came close to getting a base hit. His earned run average dropped below 1.50, best in the Pioneer League. "Brandon has certainly opened some eyes in this organization," said Cron. "He's doing exactly what he was sent here to do -- throw strikes and get better." If he gets much better, of course, the Chicago front office will be sending him up the minor-league ladder, which isn't good news for Great Falls fans. "He's what, 19 years old?" said Cron. "He did almost the same thing the last time out (beating Ogden last week). He threw 88 pitches in that game, but it was a seven-inning game and we let him finish." Even with McCarthy's splendid performance, the 2,468 fans at Legion Park had to sweat out a tense finish. John Russ relieved McCarthy in the eighth and retired the side without a hit, giving the crowd hope for a combined no-hitter. But Simon Ferrer led off the ninth with a grounder through the hole between first and second for a single. A fielder's choice and walk preceded a run-scoring double by Ryan Carter, then Taylor Slimak walked to load the bases. That's when Cron summoned closer Fernando Hernandez, who coaxed Michael Lynch into bouncing out to the first baseman to end the game. It was the third save of the season for Hernandez. The White Sox scored all three of their runs in the second inning off Ogden starter Edgar Ahumada (0-2). Brandon Bounds and Charlie Lisk singled with one out, then Chris Kelly ripped a two-run double to left-center. Kelly eventually scored on the tail end of an attempted double-steal. Great Falls managed just eight hits against three Ogden hurlers. The White Sox improved to 11-4, leading the Northern Division, while Ogden fell to 6-10. The Raptors -- who played in Great Falls last summer as the Dodgers -- lost six of seven games to the Sox this season; they won't play again unless they meet in the playoffs. Sean Thompson (0-0) starts tonight for Great Falls against the Provo Angels on a Fourth of July feature. A crowd of at least 4,000 is expected for the game and a big fireworks celebration that follows. The first pitch is slated for 7 p.m.

Kenny Williams is making the trades, there is nothing wrong with Paul Konerko's hips and Jerry manuel won't be fired.

Haven't heard a thing and I have watched ESPN BBTN twice tonight. I don't want to be getting the likes of Tejada, Everett and Alomar for just 3 months either. If we terade for them then sign them and that even includes Colon. We are giving up a lot of prospects for rent-a-players otherwise. I wouldn't bet on tejada nayway and besides Valentin is doing the job and I think Alomar is going to make him better.

NOTE: Aaron Miles started at Third? Trying to get him comfortable playing multiple in-field spots? The Knights lost one pitcher but added one on Monday. Right-handed pitcher Jon Rauch (4-1, 4.26 ERA) was placed on the disabled list with a right shoulder problem. Left-handed pitcher Josh Stewart, who has been on the DL since May 17 with a circulation problem, was activated to replace Rauch. • NOTES: Knights center fielder Joe Borchard is struggling with the bat. The switch-hitter is batting only .115 (3-for-26) with 10 strikeouts in his past seven games. His average is down to .223. • Infielder Aaron Miles made his first appearance of the season at third base for the Knights on Monday. Miles, who has played primarily second base this year, played only one time at third base in 129 games with Double-A Birmingham last season. • Three Knights have consecutive-game hitting streaks of at least seven games. Catcher Jamie Burke has a seven-game streak, Miles eight games and first baseman Ross Gload nine. • Several members of the parent Chicago White Sox organization have been or are currently in town. Bob Fontaine Jr., director of player development, has visited during the current homestand. Minor League Hitting Coordinator Mike Lum and Minor League Catching Coord-inator Tommy Thompson are currently in town. • White Sox left-handed pitcher Kelly Wunsch is scheduled to make a couple of rehabilitation appearances this week for the Knights. Wunsch, who appeared in 10 games with the Knights last season, is recuperating from a back strain

Magglio Ordonez on 4 July.

Everyone who has posted has had good ideas about any possible acquisitions. Crede is young at third and contrary to the Marlins statements (ESPN BBTN Gammons called them liars) Lowell could be traded. Carlos Delgado, wow, but the Blue Jays are in the hunt. A big name pitcher? Possibly and I think the Mets might give up Glavine. A catcher like Pudge Rodriguez from the Marlins? What happens to Sandy Alomar or Miguel Olivo. I think we want to develop Olivo and use Sabdy to help, but Olivo is not tearing it up with the bat and has defensive lapses from time to time. A catcher would be possible. I am inclined to think it will be pitching and could be either a starter or reliever maybe both!

Thursday, July 3, 2003 Anderson unloads Sox star hits for cycle in victory By MIKE TOWNE Tribune Sports Writer -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What a difference 24 hours can make. Center fielder Brian Anderson hit for the cycle, going 4-for-5 with three RBIs, and the White Sox got solid pitching and defense as Great Falls rebounded from a subpar outing with a 10-2 shellacking of the Ogden Raptors Wednesday night at Legion Park. Anderson, the No. 1 draft pick of the Chicago White Sox in the recent amateur draft, collected a single, double, triple and home run to help Great Falls bounce back from Tuesday's 14-8 loss to the Raptors. He completed the cycle with a double down the right field line in the eighth inning. "A few of my teammates let me know, but I just wanted to get on base," said Anderson of his last at bat. "It ended up working out for me." Anderson, who increased his batting average to a sizzling .542 (13-for-25), couldn't recall another game in which he has hit for the cycle. Great Falls first baseman Brandon Bounds, a 32nd-round draft pick in 2000, came up a home run short of the cycle. He had a single, double and triple in four at bats. Designated hitter Charlie Lisk also had a big night at the plate, going 2-for-4 with three RBIs. He hit his second home run in as many nights, a booming shot over the right-center field wall that gave the White Sox a 4-0 lead in the fourth inning. Righthander Sean Tracey earned his third win of the season, allowing no runs on three hits in five complete innings. He struck out eight and walked one. Starter Thomas Jacquez, a southpaw, limited Ogden to three hits over the first three innings. He struck out two and didn't walk a batter. The Raptors broke up the shut out bid in the ninth inning, as Luis Castillo plated two runners with a single off Fernando Hernandez. Great Falls played errorless defense until the ninth, when the Sox made two fielding miscues. The defensive effort up until then included four double plays. Anderson said the White Sox were determined to bounce back from Tuesday's disappointing performance effort before a packed house. "We're so talented. We take it hard when lose," he said. "We understand that you're going to have a bad game now and then, but we don't like to lose." "We would have liked to had the shutout, but it's still a good win," Great Falls manager Chris Cron said. "I'm happy with a lot of things. We had outstanding pitching and played solid defense until the ninth. "It was nice to bounce back after one of our worst performances." NOTES: The final game of the scheduled three-game set is on tap tonight, starting at 7. The Provo Angels hit town Friday to begin a four-game interdivision series at Legion Park ... It will be Blockbuster Video night at the park tonight. The first 500 fans will receive a coupon for a video. Fireworks/Pierce Superstores/KRTV night is set for Friday, the Fourth of July ... Ogden will start lefthander Edgar Ahumada (0-1, 5.14) on the mound tonight. Righthander Brandon McCarthy (3-0, 1.89) is scheduled to start for Great Falls ... After 13 games, the White Sox were averaging 7.1 runs and 10.8 hits per game. Their opponents were averaging 6.1 runs and 10.0 hits. OGDEN GREAT FALLS ab r h bi ab r h bi Milons lf 4 0 0 0 Gray 2b 3 2 0 0 Paul cf 2 0 2 0 Nanita rf 3 2 1 0 De Aza cf 1 0 0 0 Anderson cf 5 1 4 3 Martin c 4 0 1 0 Kelly 3b 4 0 1 2 Carter dh 2 0 1 0 Bounds 1b 4 2 3 0 Slimak dh 0 1 0 0 Lisk dh 4 2 2 3 Comfort 1b 4 1 1 0 Haggerty dh 1 0 0 0 Castillo 3b 4 0 2 1 King lf 2 0 1 0 Cardona rf 4 0 0 0 Deuchler c 4 0 1 1 Hu ss 4 0 1 0 Myers ss 2 1 0 0 Crissotomo 2b 3 0 0 0 Totals 32 2 8 1 Totals 32 10 13 9 Ogden 000 000 002 -- 2 Great Falls 101 500 21x -- 10 IP H R ER BB SO Ogden Cuen L, 0-2 4 8 7 7 4 5 Dumesnil 3 4 2 2 2 2 Parker 1 1 1 1 1 0 Great Falls Jacquez 3 3 0 0 0 2 Tracey W, 3-1 5 3 0 0 1 8 Hernandez 1 2 2 1 1 1

FRANK THE BIG HURT THOMAS IS THE MOST AWESOME HITTER I HAVE EVER SEEN! SOX WINNNNNERRRRR!!!

nICE AT BAT FOR rOBBIE aLOMAR TO GET THE bb.

ALL IS RIGHT WITH THE WORLD!! KOCH GETS THEM IN THE 12TH. LET'S GO SOX. WE NEED OFFESNE NOW. PAULIE IS STILL MY HERO. HE MUST BE WALKING ON AIR RIGHT NOW.

THAT'S HOW YOU HAVE TO TALK TO KOCH PEOPLE!!!

IT'S TIME FOR KOCH TO STEP UP LIKE THE RELIEF PITCHER WE THOUGHT WE TRADED FOR. ONCE AGAIN, FIRST BATTER GETS A HIT.

LET'S GO SOX. IF KOCH IS STILL IN THE DUDE BETTER BEAR DOWN.

PAUL KONERKO JUST HIT A HOME RUN TO TIE THE GAME WITH TWO OUT!!! OH MY GOODNESS KARMANIZE SOME MORE. YOUR BACK PAULIE!!

Koch is the man with the ball in his hand and needs to shut down the Twinkies. It's just like Marte giving up the hit to let in the tie run. You have to put them down 1-2-3 if you are the closer in a tight game. I am karmanizing now for a comeback.

Why is it this guy can't put em down when needed? Giving up a triple to a weak sister like Rivas and then completely blowing it with the next guy after he gets two strikeouts.

Gordon can do it, but these guys have a hard time going more than two. I am going to try and get on CBS sportsline. MLB Game Day is still froze on top of the tenth with Hunter up.

That sucks! If all you have to do is get in the air, what's up Maggs? I think these other managers must figure it's 50/50 with him.

YESSSS!!! Go Magglio!!!

I wish I could see this game. Go Big Hurt!

That's the Tony we love

GO TONY!