Game 85: Portland @ Trenton

Game 85 – Portland Sea Dogs @ Trenton Thunder
July 3, 2008
Waterfront Park – Trenton, NJ

Pitching Matchup: TRE Jason Jones (8-3, 2.45) vs. POR Adam Mills (AA Debut)

Starting Lineups:

Portland

1 – Bell
2 – Granadillo
3 – Corsaletti
4 – Bates
5 – Daeges
6 – Otness
7 – Jimenez
8 – Khoury
9 – Suarez

Trenton

1 – Pena
2 – Curtis
3 – Jackson
4 - Malec
5 – Cooper
6 – Pilittere
7 – Ehlers
8 – Gonzalez
9 – Corona

Pre-Game Notes: Tony Franklin had a bit of a bombshell before the game.

“It seems to be a fairly severe injury,” said Franklin of Jose Tabata’s hamstring injury.

He did not give a timetable on Tabata’s return. 

“He’s not going to be rushed back.  It takes a little time to come back from those injuries, it’s a very sensitive and delicate area.”

I asked him what led him to believe it was a severe injury, and he wasn’t very specific about it.

“I know he had an MRI, and I don’t know what he had, but it should be significant enough to send him (to Tampa).”

Tony suggested that I try to “corner the trainer” and ask him about it.

So, I did.

“Can’t tell,” said trainer Tim Lentych.

Obviously, that was the expected answer since I know that they can’t really talk about injuries.  It didn’t sit well with some people that I even asked, but what else am I going to do?  Still have to ask.

I asked Kevin Whelan again about his injury, and he was specific.  He said it is a strain of the flexor tendons in his forearm.  He showed me where it was, and…if you hold out your arm with your palm facing up, it’s right around where the top of your arm meets the bottom, kind of on top of the elbow.  He said it IS NOT his elbow, he WILL NOT need surgery and that he hopes to be back in about 10 days.

Kevin Russo said he will not be returning this month for sure, but hopefully shortly thereafter.

The “Getting To Know” feature with Jason Jones runs after the game tonight.  Really, really pleased with how it came out.

Do you remember this guy?  Quite a fall…

Radio Links: Click here for the links to each team’s broadcast.

Live Box Score: The MILB.com direct link is here.

Around the Eastern League: For scores from around the EL, go here.

All-Star rosters announced…

Northern Division All-Stars

P Salvador Aguilar Binghamton Mets
P Michael Bowden Portland Sea Dogs
P Brett Cecil N.H. Fisher Cats
P Zach Dials N.H. Fisher Cats
P Justin Hedrick Connecticut Defenders
P Jason Jones Trenton Thunder
P Ben Julianel New Britain Rock Cats
P Joseph Martinez Connecticut Defenders
P Ryan Mullins New Britain Rock Cats
P Robert Parnell Binghamton Mets

C Brian Jeroloman N.H. Fisher Cats
C P.J. Pilittere Trenton Thunder

INF Scott Campbell N.H. Fisher Cats
INF Mike Carp Binghamton Mets
INF Nick Evans Binghamton Mets
INF Kyle Haines Connecticut Defenders
INF Luke Hughes New Britain Rock Cats
INF Chris Malec Trenton Thunder
INF Olmo Rosario Connecticut Defenders
INF Steven Tolleson New Britain Rock Cats

OF Bubba Bell Portland Sea Dogs
OF Jeff Corsaletti Portland Sea Dogs
OF Austin Jackson Trenton Thunder
OF Travis Snider N.H. Fisher Cats

Southern Division All-Stars

P Bradley Bergesen Bowie Baysox
P Pat Bresnehan Altoona Curve
P Bobby Brownlie Harrisburg Senators
P Carlos Carrasco Reading Phillies
P Casey Fien Erie SeaWolves
P Yoslan Herrera Altoona Curve
P J.D. Martin Akron Aeros
P Randy Newsom Akron Aeros
P Chris Tillman Bowie Baysox
P Jordan Zimmermann Harrisburg Senators

C Lou Marson Reading Phillies
C Dusty Ryan Erie SeaWolves

INF Jason Delaney Altoona Curve
INF Jason Donald Reading Phillies
INF Shelby Ford Altoona Curve
INF Wes Hodges Akron Aeros
INF Jeff Nettles Bowie Baysox
INF Ryan Roberson Erie SeaWolves
INF Josh Rodriguez Akron Aeros

OF Mike Daniel Harrisburg Senators
OF Greg Golson Reading Phillies
OF Luis Montanez Bowie Baysox
OF Wilkin Ramirez Erie SeaWolves
OF Jeremy Slayden Reading Phillies

In-Game Updates (LIVE from the ballpark): 1-0, Thunder.  B1.  Malec doubled home A-Jack.

2-0, Thunder now, T2.  Cooper singled home Malec, but got nailed it second trying to stretch it.

Austin Jackson is as locked in as I’ve seen him this season.  2-for-2 so far, and he’s just barreling the crap out of the ball.

2-0, B4.

Jason Jones is dealing after six innings of work.  Only two hits allowed, and seven K’s so far.  I look forward to him telling me how he had to battle out there tonight…because it sure as hell doesn’t look like that’s actually the case.

Real strong outing from Jones.  Melancon came in for the eighth and gave up a hit, but looked good.

4-0, Thunder, T9.

In-Game Photo Gallery:

Anthony Claggett and Zach Kroenke

James Cooper

Reegie Corona

Colin Curtis

Cody Ehlers

Michael Gardner

Edwar Gonzalez

Austin Jackson

Jason Jones

Jones tries to pick off a runner at first, throwing to Cody Ehlers

Chris Malec

Mark Melancon

Joe Muich

Ramiro Pena

Oneli Perez…

…and his six-finger fastball

P.J. Pilittere

Jose Valdez

Chase Wright

Adam Mills

Mark Melancon

In-Game YouTube Videos: Jason Jones VIDEO, Adam Mills VIDEO, Mark Melancon VIDEO, Mark Melancon VIDEO 2, Mark Melancon VIDEO 3, Daniel Haigwood VIDEO, Jorge Jimenez VIDEO

Final Score: 4-0, Thunder.

Post-Game Notes: Where was this for the whole series?  Really, really solid job by JJ and Melancon tonight.  Much needed.

Thunder Thoughts: I updated the right side of the page with links to the videos I’ve recently uploaded — all of which you’ve probably already seen in the game threads. However, I did dump some videos on there that I never got around to uploading at various points earlier in the season that I’ve never linked to here.

The whole point of the videos is to show you a guy’s delivery or swing…so unless I’m going for something specific (i.e. the Tabata vs. Masterson video) the length of them is never going to be too long.

I recorded my GTKY with Austin Jackson, so I’m sure that’ll pop up in about a week or so.

Mike Ashmore, mashmore98 AT gmail.com