Detroit DFAs Dontrelle Willis

Huh. He's given up a lot of walks (29 in 43 innings) but was striking out hitters at a decent 6.85/9 and his hits/innings ratio (49/43) definitely isn't catastrophic. You've got to think someone will be interested.

Game #47: OKC 7-5, Top 8

The pesky Redhawks pushed a run across against newcomer Kyle Gunderson in the 8th on a FC, which was an attempted double play. Mr.Z is listening on the radio, but Swoboda was scolding the middle infielders, saying over and over, "That was never going to be a double play."

Zs are going to Doolittle for the second straight night out of the pen.

Game #47: LoMo! LoMo! LoMo! LoMo! LoMo!

OKC 6-5, Bottom 7

RBI double with two outs in the seventh against a lefty! He pulled it down the right-field line. Improbably, the Zs have a shot at tying this right now with a hit by Luna.

Game #47: Zs Trying To Rally

Bottom 7 and the Zs are making noise. Runners are on 2nd and 3rd against new pitcher Zach Phillips. Inexplicably, Mattison was trying to bunt, apparently on his own, since there didn't appear to be a squeeze play -- the Zs romance with bunting is a coaching problem that should be addressed. With two runners in scoring position, a hitter hits.

Halladay Perfect Against Marlins, Morales Breaks Leg, Buchholz vs. Greinke

Up in the show, Mike Lamb has flied out deep to the track, Wes Helms whiffed, and Ronnie Paulino grounded to third in the 9th to seal Halladay's perfecto, the second of the season in MLB. Roy Halladay is the best pitcher of this generation.

In other MLB news, LAAAAAAAAA 1B Kendry Morales hit a walkoff grand slam against Seattle and broke his leg jumping onto the plate amid the pile. He's probably going to be out until August or so. Incredibl(y dubious and embarrassing)e.

Buchholz is winning the duel between two electric young righties in Boston, besting Greinke so far in Boston. It's 1-0 in the bottom of the 9th.

EDIT: Papelbon just closed it. Sox win Sox win.

Game #47: OKC 6-3, Top 7

Who Halladay?

Boggs (single) brought around Petit (double) against Sinkbeil and we've got a tie game in Metairie.

In other news, Roy Halladay is about to go for a perfect game in the bottom of the 9th against the Marlins.

EDIT: Chris Davis popped a three-run HR against Sink and the Zs find themselves losing late again against the division leaders.

Game #47: 2-1 Zs, Bottom 1

LoMo singled hard into right off a tough lefty to drive in Mattison and Luna hit a deep sac fly to bring Guzman home and advance LoMo to second. Last night excepted, Zs have been doing a lot of early scoring lately.

Javier Guzman Is Hitting .700 For the Zs

Which is slightly above his career average.

Game #47: 1-0 Redhawks

This has begun inauspiciously for Stone. First of all, it's a good thing the wind is blowing hard, in. German led off with a double and two long sacrifice flies backed Mattison up to the track. Boggs's sac fly brought German home and it's 1-0 The OC. Both Petit and Boggs's flies were drilled and might have been extra-base hits on a still night. Hopefully Stone settles down.

Brian Lawrence On The Air With Ron Swoboda

Saying he's been throwing a palmball that has slider action... but slower. Subversion of the sub-slider bat speed? The aging hangers-on will do what they have to.

Whoa, says he expects tonight to be the "travel-day fiasco" that didn't happen last night due to adrenaline. Weird.

I think Swoboda just said "stick a solid one" pertaining to something... maybe the game last night. Needless to say, that's what she said.

Game #47: Lineups

Zs

1. Mattison CF
2. Guzman SS
3. Morrison 1B
4. Luna 3B
5. Murphy DH
6. Lane RF
7. Richar 2B
8. Davis C
9. Mitchell LF

Stone P

Redhawks

1. German 2B
2. Petit SS
3. Boggs CF
4. Garko DH
5. Davis 3B
6. Moreland RF
7. Tracy 1B
8. Iribarren LF
9. Richardson C

Kirkman P

Looks like Saltalamacchia has the night off.

Game #47: Preview

Mr.Z is sure something is happening here. Since What The Zeph? triumphantly debuted way back on May 23, the Zs have refused to lose. We're at five and counting. As he spoke into the winds last night at Zephyr Field, "I can feel it coming in the air tonight." With Donnie Murphy's walk-off shot, it came. Tonight's game is the second of four against division-leading Oklahoma City, and it would be nice to see the Zs stay hot against a winning team.

The Teams:
May 29, 6:00 CT
New Orleans Zephyrs: 22-24, third in the PCL South
Oklahoma City Redhawks: 26-21, first in the PCL South

The Pitching Matchup:
Brad Stone (3.20 ERA) vs. Michael Kirkman (2.59 ERA)

The Stoner's ERA coming into his last start was 4.42, but after seven shutdown innings in Portland which netted him that night's HUGE Z, he's now sporting a tidy 3.20. In a string of excellent recent starts by Zs starting pitchers, his might have been the best.









Michael Kirkman is one of those guys who just looks like a lefty. He's a legitimate prospect as a left-handed pitcher and has pitched damn well this year in 9 starts: just 36 hits over 48 innings with 45 Ks. Walks are a bit high at 31, but he's getting away with it by simply not giving up many hits. Lefties are hopeless against him (.125 BA), so watch for how LoMo handles him.









In-game updates beginning at 6.

Bonifacio, Scott, and Klosterman Hit the DL

No word yet on who is replacing them for the time being. Both Bonifacio and Klosterman stood in as first base coaches last night.

Game #46: 3-2 Zs, Five Straight Wins

Mr.Z has been partying hard all night after returning from Zephyr Field, where not only was it Fireworks Night (doubling with the ever-ambiguous "80s Night"), the Zephyrs won their 5th straight game. Don't look now, but the Zs have vaulted Round Rock in the standings and sit a half-game back of Albuquerque, just 3.5 behind the division leaders, Oklahoma City.

Last night was the first of four with the Texas Rangers affiliate OKC, and it ended dramatically. The Zs offense looked like a team that had played a 12-inning game in Portland, OR the night before: sluggish. They pushed a runner to second base in the 4th, 5th, and 6th innings and failed to capitalize. The OC's Omar Beltre fanned 5 and the Zephs seemed to struggle with his three-quarter arm angle. But Brian Lawrence was characteristically bend-but-don't-break, surviving six innings while surrendering two solo HRs, by Brandon Boggs and Jarrod Saltalamacchia, whose bat looks clearly major-league ready. (The throwing thing... that's a different story.)

Truth be told, the Zs should have taken control in the 8th. After loading the bases with no outs, Luna singled in two runs before Murphy, Mitchell, and Davis each whiffed feebly. But Adelberto Mendez was huge, throwing up donuts in the 8th, 9th, and 10th, and Murphy redeemed a couple failed at bats with men in scoring position earlier in the game by lacing an opposite-field liner to right that just cleared the fence. With respect to clutch bullpen hurling by Mendez, the Huge Z for Game #46 is D-Murphs.

For the record, Saltalamacchia had no Mackey Sasserish throws back to the pitcher.

Sosa Called Up; Dan Meyer DFAd

Florida DFAd lefty reliever Dan Meyer last night after a 5BB "performance" against Atlanta. He had been terrible this year and in a bullpen "meyered" (irresistible) with trouble, getting lefties out was tops on the list. Meyer had been torched by lefties and it only got worse against righties. It's hard to think he won't pass through waivers and end up with the Zs but someone might take a flier on him as a LOOGY.

Jorge Sosa is leaving New Orleans and joining Florida's pen after his solid start against Portland in game two of the sweep (sounds nice). This will be his seventh major league jersey since debuting for Tampa Bay in 2002.

This leaves Tankersley as Florida's sole bullpen lefty and means he'll be sipping that cup of coffee at least until Reynel Pinto is back from the DL.

Game #45: Zs win 3-1 in 12

The Zs completed a sweep deep into the eve last night with a 3-1, 12 inning win.

Jones gave the Zs another outstanding start, going six scoreless innings. It remained scoreless into the 9th until LoMo cranked his first homer since rejoining the Zs. It was the only extra-base hit of the game. Sinkbeil had breezed through the 7th and 8th and it was Olenberger who got the call to save it. And he blew it, allowing a single to Anthony Contreras with two strikes and two outs, inflating his ERA to 9.13 this year. He gave up three singles in the inning and was lucky to escape giving up only one run. Why is Sinkbeil not the Zs closer at this point?

Richar was the hero again, slapping a two-out, two-run single in the 12, and Veras shut the door. Brooms all around.

Most importantly, the Zs have gotten four straight quality starts, the easiest way to make a club look much healthier.

Game #45: Huh?

Bottom 1, 0-0

Petersen was pulled between innings. Unless he hurt himself running the bases, this is a mystery. Hunter Mense has replaced him. Mr.Z will bring you news when he has it.

Game #45: Early Optimism

The new guys Petersen and Guzman led off with back to back singles and LoMo looms with no outs. And naturally he grounds into a double play as my cursor hovers over the "Post" button. Luna up with Petersen on third.

Game #45: Lineups

The Zs gun for a climactic sweep in Portland.

Zs:
1. Petersen RF
2. Guzman SS
3. Morrison 1B
4. Luna 3B
5. Lane LF
6. Mitchell 2B
7. Wilson C
8. Mattison CF
9. Jones P

Beavers:
1. Kazmar SS
2. Barfield 2B
3. Baxter RF
4. Cooper 1B
5. Cunningham LF
6. Stansberry 3B
7. Stewart C
8. Chalk CF
9. Ramos P

PSSSSSSSSSSST...

(whisper voice...) This would be the Zs sweep of a series more than two games since they've been affiliated with Florida.

Game #44: Zs win 2-1

And the great pitching just keeps on coming. Both teams got terrific seven-inning complete game, three-hit starts (seven-inning games for AAA double headers); the Richar homer in the second was the difference in another crisp game by the Zephs, who have really been playing ball in Portland.

Game #44: Zs 2-0

Danny Richar just knocked a two-run job into the left-field bullpen in the second. The Zs have jumped ahead early in each of the games in this series and the starters have just cruised. Let's see what VandenHurk does with a lead.

Game #44: Lineups

Sorry, rainout chaos. Jones and Greer will be going in game two later on, as opposed to Mr.Z's previous post. It's the aforementioned VandenHurk/Inman matchup in game one.

Lineups:

Zs
1. Mattison CF
2. Petersen RF
3. Morrison 1B
4. Luna 3B
5. Murphy SS
6. Davis C
7. Richar 2B
8. Mitchell LF
9. VandenHurk P

Beavers:
1. Baxter RF
2. Kazmar SS
3. Cooper CF
4. Munson 1B
5. Cunningham LF
6. Contreras 3B
7. Ryan C
8. Barfield 2B
9. Inman P

More New Players

Kevin Mattison
Is leading off and playing center field tonight. The numbers weren't overwhelming this year in AA (.233/0/7), though last year in A ball he showed a little pop, with 15 HRs.

Hunter Mense
This is Mense's second stint with New Orleans this year, though he's also been in both A and AA. A lefty slap hitter.

Todd Doolittle
Doolittle is a righty bullpen arm who was having a nice season with AA Jacksonville. His ERA was 3.32 and he was as effective against lefties as righties.

Javier Guzman
A switch-hitting shortstop who had spent time at both A Jupiter and AA Jacksonville this season. Doesn't project to be much with the bat.

Buente, Tankersley, and Lamb Up; Peterson & Badenhop Down

Some shakeup action by the big club, a night after the bullpen blew a nice Nate Robertson start against Atlanta. Badenhop was the prime culprit in the meltdown -- the sinker hasn't been sinking -- and he's coming back to New Orleans to work on it. It's disappointing for him to have regressed like this after being a good piece of Florida's pen last year. His ERA was over 10 in May.

It'll be good to have Peterson back; he wasn't seeing much action in Florida and was 1 for 16, usually pinch hitting. Give the guy a break. Pinch hitting is hard.

Mr.Z is pleased for both Buente and Lamb. Buente's 2.70 ERA this year has earned him a shot in the show, where he's got a shot at solidifying himself as a legitimate big league bullpen arm. Lamb was born to pinch hit and gets another crack at being Florida's #1 lefty bat off the bench; the Lenny Websters, Ross Gloads, and Mike Lambs of the baseball world (old guys) tend to make for better pinch hitters than the Bryan Petersons or Emilio Bonifacios (young guys).

Tankersley certainly hasn't been overwhelming in New Orleans, but he's held lefties to a .143 BAA, Fredi Gonzalez loves a LOOGY, Florida just put Reynel Pinto on the DL, and Dan Meyer stinks. If you, reader, are left handed, younger than 40, and certain astrological phenomena align, you too might have a career in baseball.

Game #44: Double-Header Game 1 Preview

The word from Portland is that Hunter Jones is making the start for the Zs in Game 1, opposed by John Geer. This probably means that the VandenHurk-Inman matchup originally scheduled for yesterday will take place in the second game. The first game is officially the make up of yesterday rainout.

Pitching Matchup
Hunter Jones (3.77) vs. Josh Geer (5.98)

Along with Jose Alvarez, the Marlins organization received Jones in the Jeremy Hermida trade with Boston. It felt like Florida was somewhat hosed in that deal, even though Jones has become a solid AAA starter and potential insurance to the big club in case of a Nate Robertson meltdown. His tailing fastball has generated almost double the amount of grounders to fly balls. Still, comparing his stats to his good years like 2008 in Boston's system, his walks are significantly up now that he's starting and the strikeouts are down. It could be his conscious reinvention as a ground-ball pitcher, or simply evidence of a AAAA guy in slow decline.

In eight starts this year, Geer has given up 67 hits in 49 innings (9 of them homers) and a .327 batting average against. Lefties crush him. His numbers are somewhat artificially inflated by a disastrous relief outing in which he went three innings and gave up six earned, but still, this is a guy a hot Zs team should make hay against.

Game #44: PPD, Double-header tomorrow

Game off today in Portland. The Zephs will double-dip tomorrow, with the first game beginning at 4:30 PM. The second game is scheduled for 9. This probably isn't the worst thing in the world. With the early start today, these guys would have been at the ballpark forever if the delay went much longer. See you tomorrow for two.

Game #44: Lineups

We're in a rain delay. Check back at 1:30.

This will be a defensively challenged Zephyrs team today. Several of the players are out of position as a result of being shorthanded. Nice to see Mike Lamb starting today after offensive heroics in a pinch-hitting role each of the last two nights. Ride the westerly winds.

Zs:
1. Bonifacio SS
2. Richar 2B
3. Morrison 1B
4. Luna LF
5. Lamb 3B
6. Lane CF
7. Mitchell RF
8. Wilson C
9. VandenHurk P

Beavers:
1. Baxter RF
2. Kazmar SS
3. Zawadzki 3B
4. Cooper CF
5. Munson 1B
6. Cunningham LF
7. Ryan C
8. Barfield 2B
9. Inman P

Game #44: Pre-Game Updates

Lorenzo Scott likely to the DL with a thumb strain.

Klostermann unavailable with a thumb sprain.

Logan Morrison was to play the outfield, but he's back at first base and Luna, Lane, and Mitchell are the in the outfield.

Sound like a rain delay is imminent again today. More news when I've got it.

Game #44: Preview

Game three of the Zs thus far successful series in Portland, where they're proving that they just may be better than someone else in the Pacific Coast League. The Zs have easily swept the first two, and they'll try to keep it up during an 11 AM local time game today, Patriots Day style. Intermittent showers are in the forecast; in Portland, it remains what Lorenzo Scott called "football weather" yesterday.

The Teams:
May 26, 1:05 CT
New Orleans Zephyrs: 19-24, last in the PCL South (but only a game back of Round Rock!)
Portland Beavers: 18-27, last in the PCL North

The Pitching Matchup:
Rick VandenHurk (4.06 ERA) vs. Will Inman (3.53 ERA)
The Dutchman Henricus VandenHurk is no Bert Blyleven, but he's had four straight solid starts, including a seven-inning, two-hit performance May 16 against Sacramento where he induced ground balls and struck out seven batters, matching his season-high (equaled in his most recent start against Tacoma). VandenHurk has tasted the show in each of the last three seasons, and if he's planning on getting back to Florida (perhaps to steal Nate Roberton's spot?), he needs to prove that he's consistently better than AAA hitters.

Before last year's promotion to Portland, righty Will Inman had put up nice numbers in the lower minors and at AA San Antonio. Last year in Portland, he gave up 20 HRs and his strikeout totals decreased sharply, suggesting that AAA hitters weren't biting at his offspeed stuff off the plate. Also, uh, he has a blog.

In-game updates beginning at 1.

Game #42: Another Win, And the Huge Z Goes To...

It's over: Zs 7-3

Is it too early to wonder aloud whether the grand opening of What The Zeph? on the world wide web just may have something to do with the Zs recent string of sharp play? After limiting Portland to three hits last night, tonight Sosa, Buente, and Houser surrendered just four hits, two of which were Munson homers. Sosa went five, giving up all three and the two relievers each went two.

Lorenzo Scott is being interviewed on the radio. Saying the Zs are "playing more aggressive... pitchers are pitching good... football weather in Portland but doesn't see it as an issue..." Strings together platitudes like a big leaguer already.

Hector Luna continues to rap. His three-run dong in the first set the tone, and he later singled and walked twice. Luna wins tonight's HUGE Z.

Tomorrow is a 1 PM start and Mr.Z will be blogging.

Game #42: Zs Get Another

Bottom 7, Zs 7-3

I have good news and bad news.

The good: The Zs strung together three straight singles by LoMo, Luna, and Davis in the inning to score a run.

The bad: Those were the first three batters of the inning, after which Lane struck out and Mitchell promptly went 5-4-3. Still Buente for the Portland 7th.

Game #42: Wow Mike Lamb Wow

Top 6, Zs 6-3

Mike Lamb emerges from the bench with another huge pinch hit, his second in two nights. This one was a two-out RBI single off of Cesar Ramos, fresh off a cup of coffee with the Pads earlier this year. A few hitters before, Mitchell had drilled an RBI triple to right. Finally the Zs are producing with men on base and getting decent pitching in the same game. Let's see if the pen holds. Buente is coming in to face the middle of Portland's order in the 6th.

EDIT: Buente strikes out the side.

Game #42: Munson Goes Deep Again

Top 5: Zs 4-3

Eric Munson just hit his second HR of the night, this time a two-run shot off Sosa, who had only given up one HR all season pre-Munson. Sosa has actually only given up three hits, but two were lost and all three have scored.

DeMark is in for Portland. He's a recent call-up from AA San Antonio where he was dominating hitters with a .60 ERA and a .173 BA against in an admittedly small sample size of 15 innings.

That fourth Zephyr run was Lorenzo Scott's second HR this year.

Game #42: Sosa Surrenders a HR

Bottom 2, Zs 3-1

About 15 seconds after I learned you about Jorge Sosa, Eric Munson hit one of his 90 MPH fastballs out.

Game #42: Learning About Jorge Sosa

Jorge was originally an outfielder.

Jorge was a Rule-5 player claimed by Milwaukee from Seattle in 2001.

In spring training of 2002, the Rays plucked him off waivers. They traded him in 2005 for... former Red Sox great Nick Green!

Has been released by the Mets, Astros, Nationals, and Red Sox.

His most similar pitchers (addictively fun tool on the Baseball Reference website) are lots of other fungible pitchers, including some greats from recent history like Rich DeLucia, Albie Lopez, Kent Bottenfield, Willie Banks, and Tanyon Sturtzue, one of the infamous Yankees to be "Proctored" by Joe Torre (other notables: Paul Quantrill, Tom Gordon, Scott Proctor).

Game #42: It's On

Top 1: Zephyrs 3-0

It's Matt Bauschmann instead of Liz tonight for the Beavers after a half-hour rain delay before the game. Probably just to spite my preview.

Luna was angry about this also, and tattooed a three-run job after Bauschmann had acted extremely distracted by LoMo on first base after he had walked. Bonifacio was the lead runner, after reaching on yet another bunt attempt. Someone's got to pull this guy aside and remind him he's not a pitcher.

EDIT: Liz had a "little tender arm" and was scratched, according to the elegant and entertaining Zs radio guy Tim Grubbs.

Game #42: Delayed

We're delayed by a half hour or so in Portland. True Oldies deftly plays "Oye Como Va," which everyone knows is Santana for "sit tight."

Game #42 Preview

Game two of an epic four-gamer against the Portland Beavers, who are actually worse than the Zs. New Orleans was sharp last night, riding the winds of Brad Stone sinkers en route to a tidy shutout of the impotent Beavers. And that's what she said.

The Teams:
May 25, 9:05 CT
New Orleans Zephyrs: 18-24, last in the PCL South
Portland Beavers: 18-26, last in the PCL North

The Pitching Matchup:
Jorge Sosa (3.49 ERA) vs. Rahdames Liz (3.19 ERA)
Sosa has been okay for the Zephs in six starts, scattering hits and managing a .303 opponents BA into an unlikely 3.62 ERA as a starter. But his walk-to-strikeout ratio has been great: 5/25. Liz has been a cup-of-coffee type for a few years but hasn't stuck in the show and is trying to prove that he can be a useful piece for San Diego. The righty has been excellent in eight starts this year for Portland and, interestingly, has stifled left-handed hitters this year, who are hitting a meager .189 with only one HR. He's also amassed more Ks than innings: 40 in 36.2. Might be a small-ball kind of night.

In-game updates beginning at 9.

About That Mike Stanton...

Alden Gonzalez published speculation on MLB.com that OF power-hitting superprospect Mike Stanton, currently at AA Jacksonville, might get the call to Florida soonish.

From Mr.Z's point of view, this doesn't compute.

So the kid rakes. He's got 17 HRs, a .451 OBP, and an OPS just under 1.200. This is Pujols territory, or Pete Incaviglia in his prime. But he's also striking out in 28% of his ABs and is 20 years old. Florida's outfield is occupied by Cody Ross, who is playing decently, and Cameron Maybin and Chris Coughlan, neither of whom have been great, but each possessing too much upside to just quit on. Unless an outfielder or 2B Dan Uggla is traded (enabling Coughlan to shift to the infield), this feels like a cart before the horse situation.

Mr.Z predicts: Stanton is in New Orleans in three weeks, and Florida in the fall.

Game #41: Zs Win

It's over. The Zs have prevailed, 5-0.

Mike Lamb's late homer put it out of reach and ensured a Brad Stone victory. Stone, by the way, turned in maybe the Zs best start of the year, breezing through seven innings with a ho-hum 0 R, 3 H, 2 K, 1 BB line. There were essentially no real threats and the guy even had a few sac bunts. Mr.Z awards The Stoner tonight's Huge Z.

Game #41: Giant Lamb Attack

Top 8: Zs 5-0

Ye olde Mike Lamb homers to right with a man on, the Zs radio guy has an aneurysm because of it, and the good guys have a nifty 5-0 lead. Sinkbeil is in, and he's been nails lately: no runs in the last 10 games over 11.2 innings with 12 Ks.

EDIT: And he cruises through the 8th and we're going to the 9th.

Game #41: A Revelation

The Zs radio announcer just did everyone the favor of conjuring a timeless memory: in 1991, at this very PGE Park in Portland, outfielder Rodney McCray caught a long drive in center on the run... and ran through a wall. I'm sure we can find that video.

EDIT, got it:
Guy Runs Through Wall

Game #41: Passing The Stone

Top 5: Zephyrs 3-0

Brad Stone is coasting. Twirling. Dealing. Canceling Christmas. He's retired 10 straight Beavers and hasn't given up a hit since Baxter's leadoff single in the Portland first. He's at 48 pitches through four and has only ran one deep count.

Game #41: Tacking on

Top 3: 3-0 Zephs.

The Zephs made a little more noise against Carillo. Luna smacked a single and Klosterman (hitting for Murphy) dropped a bunt that Carillo threw wildly to second on. Brad Davis brought them both in with a double.

Game #41: Murphy Intrigue

Bottom 2:

Murphy was just pulled before the beginning of the inning. No apparent injury. Er... Hanley? Hard to believe that a player as talented as him would be run out of town under any but the most dire circumstances; Mr.Z promises you'll be the first on the internet to know what's up.

EDIT: Murphy "tweaked" something.

Game #41: Zs Do A Little Something

Top 1:

Zephs roaring like an angry westerly wind in the first with infield singles by Richar and LoMo. Hey, a rally's a rally.

Contreras just bobbled a Luna grounder and everyone's safe. Murphy raps a ringing single on the next pitch and we've got ourselves a lead.

1-0 Zephs and they leave 'em loaded as Lane whiffs and Davis grounds out.

Game #41: Gametime

Zephs lineup:

1. Bonifacio
2. Richar
3. Morrison
4. Luna
5. Murphy
6. Lane
7. Davis
8. Scott
9. Stone

Beavers lineup:

1. Baxter
2. Kazmar
3. Zawadzki
4. Cooper
5. Munson
6. Contreras
7. Ryan
8. Shaw (just called up today)
9. Carillo

Zephs vs. Portland Game #41 Preview

The Zephs open a four-game set tonight in Portland against the Beavers, AAA affiliate of San Diego. In sum:

The Teams:
May 24, 9:05 CT
New Orleans Zephyrs: 17-24, last in the PCL South
Portland Beavers: 18-25, last in the PCL North

The series pits perhaps the two worst teams in the PCL against each other, so someone is going to win some games. The Zs are 9-11 in May and have lost four straight and six out of eight. Portland is an atrocious 8-15 in May.

The Pitching Matchup:
Brad Stone (4.42 ERA) vs. Cesar Carillo (3.22 ERA)
Stone had a couple solid starts early in the month, but has been knocked around in his last two appearances, the most recent in relief. Carillo is a fringey prospect; he's a 2005 first-round pick of the Pads who labored through 150 innings of 4.5 ERA ball last season with Portland and San Antonio. This year he's been quite good, really only having one bad outing on April 27 against Fresno. He's only given up one HR this year.

FYI:
Portland's bullpen ace Ernesto Frieri has been neigh unhittable. His opponents' batting average is .103 and he has limited righthanded hitters to one hit total.

Check back later with Mr.Z for in-game updates.

Eyeing the Deadline

The trade deadline is Christmas for baseball people. Remember Jon Rausch for Emilio Bonifacio? Or Josh Willingham and Scott Olsen (who just hit the DL) for Emilio Bonifacio? Major memories.

Today, MLB Trade Rumors has a nice synopsis of who is a likely buyer and who could be available this year. You just know Oswalt will end up a Yankee.

Logan Morrison Is Back

BREAKING NEWS
*****************
The New Orleans Zephyrs have recalled first baseman Logan Morrison from the class A Jupiter Hammerheads today. No word on whether he'll be in tonight's lineup against Portland (9 PM CT start), but Mr.Z is on it.

EDIT: He's in, playing first base and batting third.

Opening Ceremonies

Greetings, and welcome to What The Zeph? Consider Mr.Z the now-definitive source for New Orleans Zephyrs "news." He's blasting the national anthem from a shotgun in Mid-City and typing furiously. Three words on the Zs at this point: whither Mike Stanton?