Results tagged ‘ Josh Banks ’

Church, Baseball and some warm weather

Well Sunday got off to a great start as the chilly Florida weather changed for the better as temperatures warmed up to the mid 70′s by game time.

But before the day began we had the chance to attend church at Mary Queen of the Universe in Orlando, FL.  The reason I’m telling you this is because there were over 3000 people in attendance for the 9:30 mass.  That to me is incredible. Almost the entire group was from out of town all on vacation, and they decided to go to church – in Florida.  Maybe there is hope after all.
Anyways back to baseball, the Nats played on the road in St. Lucie against the Mets and lost again, but Mike Morse hit another home run and Ian Desmond tallied two hits.  Jason Marquis did not fair well in his first start giving up 5-runs, while lefty Matt Chico tossed two scoreless innings after missing much of 2008 and 2009 with arm trouble.
We decided to visit the Braves game in Orlando and hook up with former Chiefs manager Bobby Cox who is managing his final season with Atlanta.  Nothing has changed with one of the greatest managers in the game.  Still the same Bobby Cox who called Syracuse home for four years from 1973-76 as a manager and 1970 as a player.
Also ran into former Chiefs pitcher Mike Pazik who tossed the last nine inning no-hitter in team history back in 1971 vs Rochester.  Mike is scouting for the White Sox and will return to Syracuse this summer.
Another former Chiefs pitcher, Mark Wiley who pitched the 1979 Chiefs to the Governors Cup Finals said hello.  Mark is now with Colorado also as a scout after serving as their pitching coach last season.
Hall of Famer Peter Gammons asked how the Nationals affiliation is working out, while former Blue Jays scout Ted Lekas, now with the Orioles told me he likes the Nationals young arms.
-The Braves played the Astros and former Chiefs infielder Matt Galante was on hand as a special instructor for Houston.
–Former Chiefs in Astros uniforms included Kevin Cash, Josh Banks and Brandon Lyon.
–Former Blue Jays Director of Player Development Dick Scott is now doing similar work with Houston.

CHIEFS ROSTER ANNOUNCED

The Syracuse Chiefs announced their 24-man roster for the start of the 2008 baseball season today.  They include:

Lefthanded Pitchers:  David Purcey, Bill Murphy, John Parrish, Jesse Carlson, Mike Gosling and Davis Romero.  Righthanded Pitchers:  Josh Banks, Kane Davis, Shawn Camp, Jordan DeJong, Bubba Nelson and Tracy Thorpe.

Catchers:  Curtis Thigpen and Robinzon Diaz (Kevin Nelson will be placed on the disabled list).

Infielders:  Chip Cannon (1B), Joe Inglett, Hector Luna, Sergio Santos (3B), and Pedro Lopez.

Outfielders:  Russ Adams, Adam Lind, Wayne Lydon, David Smith, Matt Watson.

Coaching Staff:  Doug Davis, Mgr, Rick Langford, Pitching Coach, Al LeBoeuf, Hitting Coach, Charlie Poe, Coach, Robert Helmick, Strength Coach, Jon Woodworth, Trainer.

 

 

 

CHIEFS CRUSH DURHAM 18-4

The Syracuse Chiefs crushed the Durham Bulls today 18-4 behind a 24 hit attack that saw seven players record two or more hits. 

The Chiefs line-up today consisted of Joe Inglett 2B, Wayne Lydon CF, Russ Adams LF, Curtis Thigpen 1B, Adam Lind DH, Sergio Santos 3B, Robinzon Diaz C, Marcus Cabral, Fortier RF.

Three Chiefs players slugged home runs, Santos, Cabral, and Lind, while Russ Adams had three doubles among his 4-hits.  Robinzon Diaz went 5 for 6 with a double and three RBI and scored 4-runs.  Joe Inglett had two hits including a double and 4 RBI, while Wayne Lydon had four hits. 

On the pitching mound, Armando Benitez pitched one scoreless inning with 2-K’s, Shawn Camp tossed a scoreless inning before Brian Wolfe surrendered 2-runs in one inning of work.  Kane Davis pitched 4-innings and gave up 1-run on 4-hits and struck out 4.  Bubba Nelson pitched a scoreless inning with 2-K’s and Tracy Thorpe pitched 2-innings giving up 1-run, but struck out 4 of the seven batters he faced.

At the AA-game, more big league pitchers needing innings work as Randy Wells pitched 2-innings giving up 2-runs, but struck out 4, Josh Banks went 4-innings giving up 10-hits, 5-runs with 6-strikeouts.  Lefties Mike Gallo and John Parrish both pitched two scoreless innings to finish the game.

The Chiefs are now 6-5-1 and take on the Lehigh Valley iron Pigs on Wednesday in Dunedin

IRON PIGS BEAT CHIEFS AGAIN

The Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs who lost to the Syracuse Chiefs 10-0 last week in the first spring training game, defeated the Chiefs for the third straight day on Sunday 9-1.

The Chiefs line-up consisted of Wayne Lydon, Adam Lind, Curtis Thigpen, Russ Adams, Robinzon Diaz, Chip Cannon, Joe Inglett, Sergio Santos and Pedro Lopez.

The Chiefs did bang our eight hits, two apiece by Adam Lind (RBI double) and Curtis Thigpen with Diaz, Cannon, Inglett and Santos also notching a single.

On the pitching mound there was good, Josh Banks three shutout innings and Kane Davis allowing only one run in 3 innings pitched with 5 strikeouts.

The bad Gustavo Chacin pitched 2 innings giving up 6 hits and 4 runs, while Lefty Joey Matumuto two innings, 3 hits and 3 runs and Tracey Thorpe 1 inning 1 run.

The AA-New Hampshire Fisher Cats also lost yesterday with two Chiefs pitchers on the mound.  Lefties Mike Gosling pitched two innings giving up 1-run, while fellow lefty Ryan Ketchner gave up 4-runs (3 unearned) in two innings.

The Chiefs take on the Scranton Yankees today in Dunedin.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK (8/27 – 9/2)

BATTER OF THE WEEK: Picking up a base hit in every game he’s played the past week has not only earned Kevin Barker a seven game hit streak but also the Chiefs Batter of the Week award. Barker has batted .407 (11-27) with three doubles, a triple and three home runs. The Virginia Tech product has scored four runs and driven in six more. Barker has four multi-hit games in the past seven games.

HONORABLE MENTION: Ryan Roberts ranks second behind Barker with 10 base hits in the past week. Roberts went 10-for-28 (.357). The native Texan drove in six runs with three doubles and a home run. Roberts has a base hit in every game to run his hitting streak to 10 games. Also, Wayne Lydon has hit successfully in every game. Lydon has two stolen bases while batting .303 (10-for-33).

PITCHER OF THE WEEK: RHP Lee Gronkiewicz made one of the best relief appearances August 30th tossing four perfect innings in support of Jeremy Cummings. Gronkiewicz faced 12 batters and dismissed them all with four strikeouts. He also made one other appearance throwing two more shutout innings. For the week, the University of South Carolina product threw 6.0 innings without giving up a run on two hits while striking out five.

HONORABLE MENTION: RHP Josh Banks finished his 2007 year with the Chiefs on a positive note. Banks made two starts picking up a win (1-0) while throwing 13.2 innings and giving up just four runs (2.63ERA). Banks added nine strikeouts to his Chiefs high total.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK (7/30 – 8/5)

BATTER OF THE WEEK: C Robinzon Diaz began the week in style with a breakout 3-for-4 night at the dish August 1st versus Rochester. Diaz picked up his first two extra-base hits in Triple-A (a double and a homer) while driving in four. For the whole week, Diaz batted .400 (8-for-20) with five runs batted in and three runs scored.

HONORABLE MENTION: OF Chad Mottola continued to climb closer to becoming the second Chief in the history of the club to have 100 career home runs in a Syracuse uniform. Mottola drilled his 97th homer for the Chiefs (his 14th of the year) during a 7-for-25 week (.280). Mottola scored five runs and drove in three for the Chiefs.

PITCHER OF THE WEEK:  During a historic week for Josh Banks he was outshined by RHP Jeremy Cummings. Cummings made two starts compiling a 1-0 record with a 1.54 earned run average allowing two runs in 11.2 innings. Cummings threw 5.2 shutout innings in Ottawa on August 4th.

HONORABLE MENTION: Banks does earn an honorable mention bid picking up a win in his only start of the week. Banks throws seven solid innings August 1st versus Rochester for his 10th win of the season. The victory made Banks the first Chiefs pitcher since Doug Linton from 1990 to 1992 to put together consecutive ten or more win seasons. Banks went 10-11 a year ago.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK (7/23 – 7/29)

BATTER OF THE WEEK: 3B John Hattig put together the best week for the Chiefs going 8-for-20 (.400) with three doubles and three runs batted in. Hattig tied a Chiefs’ season-high with two doubles Friday in Rochester.

Honorable Mention: 2B Russ Adams hit  .304 over the past seven days (7-for-23) with a triple, a home run and four runs driven in. Adams has also scored four runs and stole a bag. Meanwhile, 1B Kevin Barker has continued his hot-hitting July. Barker hit .308 in the last week (8-for-26) with a home run and two runs driven in.

PITCHER OF THE WEEK: RHP Justin James made three appearances for the Chiefs in the last week and in all three James did not allow a run. The reliever has run his string of scoreless appearances to four straight. James tossed 8.0 shutout innings over three relief appearances giving up five hits and no runs while striking out four with no walks.

Honorable Mention: RHP Josh Banks continued to throw well. Banks earned his ninth victory of the season with 6.1 strong innings Friday in Rochester. Banks gave up seven hits and two runs on his way to the W. Elsewhere in the starting rotation, RHP Jeremy Cummings had his best start since coming over to the Chiefs. Cummings began the year with Rochester before signing with Toronto and being assigned to Syracuse July 5th. Cummings gave up only three hits and one run in eight innings against his former mates the Red Wings earning his first win with the Chiefs.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK (7/16 – 7/22)

BATTER OF THE WEEK: OF Adam Lind is picking up where he left off when he was promoted to Toronto in April. Lind went 7-for-21 (.333) this week with two doubles and triple. Also tack on three runs batted in for the University of South Alabama product. Lind fell a home run short of the cycle with a 4-for-4 night on the 19th against Rochester.

Honorable Mention: SS Ray Olmedo had a higher batting average over the last week than Lind (.375) going 6-for-16 with a double, five runs scored and two runs batted in. Meanwhile OF Wayne Lydon set a season-high with two stolen bases yesterday. Lydon put together an 8-for-25 (.320) week with a pair of doubles and four runs scored.

PITCHER OF THE WEEK: Pretty much a no-brainer after the week RHP Josh Banks had. Banks made two starts going 1-1 with a 1.29 ERA. In 14.0 innings Banks gave up ten hits and two runs with one walk against five strikeouts. Banks lost on the 17th against Rochester but pitched 8.0 innings giving up three hits and one run. The lone run came against the first batter of the game who homered. Banks settled down to retire the final 10 batters he faced. He picked up where he left off tossing 6.0 innings against Buffalo Sunday yielding one run while scattering seven hits.

HONORABLE MENTION: RHP Blaine Neal picked up two saves and a win over the past seven days. Neal threw 3.2 innings in relief not giving up a run. He earned a win on the 18th and a save on each the 16th and 22nd.

CHIEFS PLAYERS OF THE WEEK (6/25 – 7/1)

BATTER OF THE WEEK: 2B Russ Adams put together a solid week hitting .440 (11-for-25). Adams picked up three doubles as well as drove in two runs. The University of North Carolina product had four multi-hit games including a three-hit night at Norfolk June 30th.

Honorable Mention: OF John-Ford Griffin hit four home runs and drove in six runs for the Chiefs. Also, Griffin learned he’d be representing the Chiefs on the field at the Triple-A All-Star Game.

PITCHER OF THE WEEK: RHP Victor Zambrano earned the knod over a slew of great starting pitching performances for the Chiefs. Zambrano made one start throwing 7.0 innings giving up just two hits and two runs against Charlotte. The righty earned the win while walking three and striking out a season-high eight batters. The former Met and Devil Ray retired the final 14 batters he faced.

Honorable Mention: RHP Mike MacDonald was a tough luck loser twice this week. In total MacDonald went 12.2 innings giving up eleven hits walking just one batter and striking out seven in two starts. He was 0-2 with a 2.84 earned run average. And RHP Josh Banks was 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA in one start against Charlotte. Banks struck out nine and walked none for his seventh win of the season.

FINAL ROSTER DECISIONS MADE

The Toronto Blue Jays made their final few decisions and the result caused a ripple effect on their minor league system.  The Blue Jays decided to send down to the Chiefs pitchers Geremi Gonzalez and Brian Tallet, catcher Sal Fasano and designate pitcher Francisco Rosario for assignment.

The Chiefs roster currently looks like this with still a few decisions to be made:
STARTING ROTATION:  Four kids and a veteran.  Dustin McGowan, Josh Banks, Ty Taubenheim and Ismael Ramirez made 60 AAA-starts in 2006.  They all should be improved in their second season.  Gonzalez a veteran will anchor the staff with Jamie Vermilyea and Jason Scobie also available for long relief or spot staring.

BULLPEN:  Tallet is the lone lefty and will be used in situational roles, while newcomer Blaine Neal assumes the closer role.  Set-up men include former Red Wing Beau Kemp, who helped Rochester to the I.L. Governors Cup Finals, Matt Roney who recorded an ERA under 3.00 with Sacramento last season, Ryan Houston who pitched exceptional from April-June last year before a terrible month of July balooned his ERA and newcomer Brain Wolfe, who was acquired in the Corey Koskie trade last season and bounced around from A-Dunedin and AA-New Hampshire in 2006.  Wolfe could be the sleeper in this group.

CATCHING:  Veteran Sal Fasano backs up big league catching prospect Curtis Thigpen.  A major improvement over last seasons defensively challenged duo of Mike Mahoney and Jason Phillips.

INFIELDERS:    Kevin Barker returns for his third season at 1B, Russ Adams returns to Syracuse this time to play second base, Slick fielding Ray Olmedo takes over at shortstop while John Hattig returns for his third season at 3B.  Ryan Roberts will man the utility role and is very good at all three positions 2B, SS and 3B.   The Chiefs should be very much improved up the middle with Olmedo and Adams, both have played in the major leagues, while Barker is very good around the bag at first.  Hattig’s range is average at best, but should make up for it with his bat (.277 with 30 doubles last season).  Roberts had a great spring and will see plenty of action.

OUTFIELDERS:  Three spots with five quality players.  Jeff Duncan will see most of the action in center field and can play defence.  His speed on the turf at home should make him a .300 hitter.  Super prospect Adam Lind will play left field while veterans Mike Vento (AAA All-Star at Columbus two years ago) and Chiefs Fan Favorite Chad Mottola share time in rightfield.  2005 MVP John-Ford Griffin is healthy and will get most of the DH at bats.

The Chiefs still need to drop one pitcher and will add Francisco Rosario and Brandon League at some point in early April with more changes yet to be made.

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