Extra Innings
By Tom Reisenweber Erie Times-News staff blogger
From spring training to the first pitch of opening day to the final out of the season, Tom Reisenweber chronicles the Erie SeaWolves with in-depth coverage you won't find anywhere else.   Read more about this blog.
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Archive for the ‘Erie SeaWolves’ category
Posted: May 16th, 2013

Posted in: Erie SeaWolves
Posted: May 16th, 2013

Posted in: Erie SeaWolves
Posted: May 15th, 2013

Eastern League
Erie 3, Reading 1
Reading 7, Erie 6
Richmond 7, Harrisburg 6
Trenton 6, Altoona 4
Binghamton 9, Akron 4
New Hampshire 5, Portland 4
Bowie 10, New Britain 3

International League
Toledo 12, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre 11

Florida State League
Lakeland 5, Palm Beach 1

Midwest League
West Michigan 11, Dayton 3

Venezuelan League
Tigers 11, Rays 7

–Tom Reisenweber

Posted: May 15th, 2013

Postgame: Make sure to check out video interviews with Erie manager Chris Cron and starting pitcher Warwick Saupold. … Despite a split on Tuesday, the Erie SeaWolves lost some of their lead in the western division. Richmond won to cut Erie’s lead to 5 games. … The SeaWolves have 12 wins at Jerry Uht Park and 12 wins on the road. The 12 road wins lead the Eastern League, while 12 home wins is second behind the Trenton Thunder (13). … Erie has the best record in the Eastern League by 1 1/2 games on Portland, which has lost six of its past 10 games. … James McCann finished Tuesday’s doubleheader 5-for-7 and upped his batting average to .323, which ranks fifth in the Eastern League. He has the second-highest average for a catcher. New Britain’s Josmil Pinto is third at .329. … Hernan Perez stole his 14th base this afternoon, which is second in the Eastern League behind Jose Ramirez of Akron (15). … Jamie Johnson’s on-base percentage is up to .405, which is fifth in the league. … Tyler Collins is carrying a .553 slugging percentage and .913 OPS. He ranks fifth in OPS in the Eastern League and fourth in slugging percentage. … Erie is second in the Eastern League with a .274 batting average, while Bowie is first at .277. … The SeaWolves are third with 36 stolen bases but also second with 19 times caught stealing. … Erie is up to 82 doubles this season, which is only two behind league-leader Bowie.

Reading Fightin Phils (14-23) at Erie SeaWolves (24-13)
Game 1 – Erie 3, Reading 1
Game 2 – Reading 7, Erie 6

SEVENTH INNING
Michael Morrison gets two strikeouts and works around two baserunners to keep the deficit at one run heading into the bottom of the seventh inning.

Jamie Johnson starts with a walk and Eugenio Suarez gets his fifth walk. Hernan Perez’s bunt is booted and the bases load for Daniel Fields. Fields’ grounder was played at home to get an out. Bases remained loaded for Tyler Collins. Collins strikes out and James McCann grounds out to end the game.

SIXTH INNING
Reading is all over the Erie bullpen with four runs on four hits. Reading takes a 7-6 lead by scoring two runs off Tyler Stohr and two off Will Startup.

Erie gets two on with one out but can’t score either runner. Corey Jones had a nice line drive to right with two outs but the right fielder made a “graceful” catch over his head to save two runs. 7-6 Reading

FIFTH INNING
Matt Crouse with a strong inning, including a solid double play by Hernan Perez.

Erie rallies for four runs on several Reading mistakes. Daniel Fields crushed a 2-2 pitch to right to tie the game before Tyler Collins doubled to right. James McCann followed with an RBI single to center to chase Seth Rosin and make it 4-3 Erie. Luis Castillo singled to score another run and Eugenio Suarez drew his fourth walk to drive in another run. Erie leads 6-3.

FOURTH INNING
Derrick Mitchell’s innocent pop up in the infield was misplayed by Hernan Perez to start the fourth. Jim Murphy made the SeaWolves pay by launching a homer to right-center. Murphy’s fly ball appeared to be short of the wall but the ball is carrying well today. Cameron Rupp and Zach Collier each struck out before Sebastian Valle doubled. Miguel Abreu almost gave Reading another run but his liner was snagged by Eugenio Suarez at short.

James Robbins lifted a double to the base of the left field wall. Derrick Mitchell had a glove on it but it was too much of a reach to haul it in. Luis Castillo and Corey Jones each ground out to second to move Robbins to third and score. Erie almost tacked on another run as Jamie Johnson reached on a two-base error with his grounder to short being thrown away. Eugenio Suarez walked but Hernan Perez flew out to center to end the threat. Reading 3, Erie 2

THIRD INNING
Matt Crouse with three up and three down again. He has retired 9 in a row since allowing a home run and a single to start the game.

Erie manufactures a run by keeping the pressure on Reading. Eugenio Suarez drew a one-out walk but was forced at second on a Hernan Perez flyball that dropped in shallow right. It appeared the second baseman had a read on it before he lost it in the sun. Perez stole second, his league-leading 14th stolen base, before coming around on a Daniel Fields single. Perez was out by about 15 feet at home but he knocked the ball loose from the catcher to score. 1-1

SECOND INNING
Matt Crouse goes 1-2-3, including two more strikeouts to give him four in a row. He has settled down since that first-pitch homer.

Seth Rosin cruises in the second with a 1-2-3 inning, including a strikeout.

FIRST INNING
Before the second-game crowd could settle in, Albert Cartwright launched the first pitch of the game off the Erie Insurance Arena. Troy Hanzawa followed with a single but Matt Crouse settled down to get out of the jam.

Eugenio Suarez led off the bottom of the first with a walk. He went to second on a groundout and was in motion or otherwise it would have been a double play. Suarez then took third on a deep flyout to left but was stranded on third as James McCann grounded into a fielder’s choice. 1-0 Reading

Game 2 lineups
Reading – 2B Albert Cartwright, SS Troy Hanzawa, CF Derrick Mitchell, 1B Jim Murphy, DH Cameron Rupp, CF Zach Collier, C Sebastian Valle, 3B Miguel Abreu, RF Anthony Hewitt
Erie – SS Eugenio Suarez, 2B Hernan Perez, CF Daniel Fields, LF Tyler Collins, C James McCann, 1B James Robbins, DH Luis Castillo, 3B Corey Jones, RF Jamie Johnson

Starting pitchers
Reading RH Seth Rosin (1-3, 3.20) vs. Erie LH Matt Crouse (3-2, 4.30)

SEVENTH INNING
Justin Souza comes in to pick up his seventh save and the SeaWolves win 3-1.

SIXTH INNING
A very quick 1-2-3 inning for Warwick Saupold and he is three outs from his first career complete game in the United States. Reading popped another bunt up in the inning, the second one of the game.

Jesse Biddle works around a one-out single to James McCann, who finishes 3-for-3. Still 3-1 Erie.

FIFTH INNING
Reading finally breaks through against Warwick Saupold, but like most of this game, he has recovered. Anthony Hewitt led off with a single to left before Tyson Gillies drew a walk, which was Saupold’s third of the game. Edgar Duran singled to right to drive in Reading’s first run and cut the lead to 3-1. Albert Cartwright popped a bunt attempt up to the pitcher before Jim Murphy flew out to right and Cameron Rupp popped out to shallow right.

Jesse Biddle goes 1-2-3. This game could be scoreless if he had just some consistency each inning instead of leaving some pitches in the middle of the plate. 3-1 SeaWolves

FOURTH INNING
A strong inning for Warwick Saupold as he goes 1-2-3. He has retired four in a row and aside from the first inning, we have quite a pitcher’s duel going.

Birthday boy Luis Castillo rips an RBI double off the left field wall with one out to give Erie a 3-0 lead. He followed James McCann, who doubled with one out, and a Wade Gaynor walk. Jesse Biddle then tossed back-to-back strikeouts to end the inning.

THIRD INNING
Warwick Saupold is really buckling down when he gets in trouble. After a leadoff double to Tyson Gillies, he allows a soft single to Edgar Duran to put runners on first and third. Zach Maggard helps his pitcher out by throwing a laser to second base to catch Duran trying to steal second. Saupold then struck out Albert Cartwright, walked Jim Murphy and then induced a groundball from Cameron Rupp to end the inning.

Jesse Biddle is hit hard with two line drive outs but he strikes out Daniel Fields with a great pitch to go 1-2-3. He has retired seven in a row since a rough first inning. 2-0 Erie

SECOND INNING
Warwick Saupold has a few problems with a one-out walk and a two-out hit batter to load the bases after Jim Murphy led off with a single. Saupold induced an easy groundball from Anthony Hewitt to end the threat.

Jesse Biddle makes quick work of the SeaWolves in the second going 1-2-3 with one strikeout. 2-0 Erie after 2.

FIRST INNING
Warwick Saupold dominates the top of the order with a 1-2-3 inning, including a strikeout swinging on No. 3 hitter Albert Cartwright.

Eugenio worked an easy leadoff walk before Hernan Perez dropped a perfect bunt down the first base line. The first baseman fielded it but no one covered first base to give Perez an infield single. Daniel Fields followed with a chopper to first and Reading recorded an out at second, but once again no one covered first. Fields took advantage of the missed double play by stealing second right away. With runners on second and third, Tyler Collins, who hadn’t played since Sunday, fought off several tough pitches to ground out to first. His groundball brought in Suarez to give Erie a 1-0 lead. James McCann followed with a two-out single to left to bring in Perez. 2-0 SeaWolves

Game 1 lineups
Reading – CF Tyson GIllies, SS Edgar Duran, 2B Albert Cartwright, 1B Jim Murphy, C Cameron Rupp, LF Zach Collier, 3B Tommy Mendonca, RF Derrick Mitchell, DH Anthony Hewitt
Erie – SS Eugenio Suarez, 2B Hernan Perez, CF Daniel Fields, LF Tyler Collins, DH James McCann, 1B Wade Gaynor, RF Luis Castillo, 3B Marcus Lemon, C Zach Maggard

Starting pitchers
Reading LH Jesse Biddle (2-2, 2.70) vs. Erie RH Warwick Saupold (2-1, 2.11)

–Tom Reisenweber

Posted in: Erie SeaWolves
Posted: May 15th, 2013

Eastern League
Reading at Erie ppd.
Altoona 5, Trenton 3
Binghamton 7, Akron 3
New Hampshire 3, Portland 0
Harrisburg 8, Richmond 1
Bowie 8, New Britain 2

International League
Toledo 10, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre 2

Florida State League
Lakeland 6, Palm Beach 1

Midwest League
Dayton 6, West Michigan 2

Venezuelan League
Phillies 7, Tigers 3

–Tom Reisenweber

Posted: May 14th, 2013

Game is postponed. Tomorrow doubleheader beginning at 11:05 a.m.

Reading Fightin Phils (14-22) at Erie SeaWolves (23-13)
6:35 p.m., Jerry Uht Park

Breaking: Robbie Weinhardt is headed back out to Toledo. He was promoted right before gametime tonight.

Starting lineups
Reading – CF Tyson Gillies, SS Edgar Duran, 2B Albert Cartwright, 1B Jim Murphy, C Cameron Rupp, LF Zach Collier, 3B Tommy Mendonca, RF Derrick Mitchell, DH Anthony Hewitt
Erie – LF Jamie Johnson, SS Eugenio Suarez, 2B Hernan Perez, CF Daniel Fields, DH James McCann, 1B Wade Gaynor, RF Luis Castillo, 3B Marcus Lemon, C Zach Maggard

Pitching matchup
Reading LH Jesse Biddle (2-2, 2.70 ERA) vs. Erie RH Warwick Saupold (2-1, 2.11 ERA)

Pregame: Hang on Erie fans, Tyler Collins did not head to Triple-A Toledo to replace Avisail Garcia. Collins is getting a second day off and is in uniform. Collins has become the topic of speculation for a promotion through his recent hot play, but it appears Toledo will stick with a 24-man roster until Danny Worth comes off the disabled list. … If there’s a faster top of a batting order 1 through 4 than in Erie, I’d love to see it. Jamie Johnson is leading off followed by Eugenio Suarez, Hernan Perez and Daniel Fields. All four can steal bases and the pressure they can put on pitchers was evident in the eighth inning last night. Suarez beat out an infield single and went first-to-third on a Perez single. Fields worked a crucial two-out walk with relief pitcher Mauricio Robles constantly checking on the runners. James McCann made Robles pay with a three-run double to the right-center gap. … In case you missed them, here are links to the postgame video, the game story from last night and last night’s in-game blog. … Jesse Biddle comes in as the No. 1 prospect in the Philadelphia Phillies organization. He has 45 strikeouts to only 18 walks this season, including 16 strikeouts in a win over Harrisburg on April 22. He also had 10 against New Hampshire on April 28. … Warwick Saupold has been solid as well. The Aussie has allowed two runs in the past three starts and 34 strikeouts to 17 walks this season. His 2.11 ERA ranks fourth in the Eastern League. Opposing hitters have a .187 batting average against Saupold. That ranks fourth in the EL among starters. The top pitcher on that list? Biddle by holding hitters to a .128 average. … Erie is second in the Eastern League with a team batting average of .275 behind Bowie at .276. The SeaWolves have fallen into second place in team ERA at 3.63 behind Richmond (3.59). … Joba Chamberlain is on the comeback trail from an injury. He is set to start for Scranton/Wilkes Barre tonight against Toledo. The Mud Hen’s lineup is full of former Erie SeaWolves players tonight, including catcher Ramon Cabrera (second) and second baseman Brandon Douglas (ninth). Both started in Erie this season.

No batting practice outside before the game but the SeaWolves finally made use of their new hitting cage. Coaches and instructors did have to wear coats as the cage does not have any temperature control.

No batting practice outside today.

No batting practice outside today.

The new batting cage is being used.

The new batting cage is being used.

Rain should be gone by game time according to weather.com

Rain should be gone by game time according to weather.com

–Tom Reisenweber

Posted in: Erie SeaWolves
Posted: May 13th, 2013

Posted in: Erie SeaWolves, video
Posted: May 13th, 2013

Eastern League
Erie 5, Reading 4
Binghamton 5, Akron 2
Richmond 4, Harrisburg 0

International League
Toledo 6, Indianapolis 3

Florida State League
Palm Beach 7, Lakeland 0

Midwest League
South Bend 6, West Michigan 2

Venezuelan Summer League
Mariners 7, Tigers 1

–Tom Reisenweber

Posted: May 13th, 2013

Postgame: Another exciting win for the Erie SeaWolves. They are 11-2 in their past 13 games, all in May. … Here is a link to postgame video interviews with manager Chris Cron and catcher James McCann. … The Erie SeaWolves are 10 games over .500 for the first time since August 11, 2009. … Akron lost to Binghamton 5-2 to bolster Erie’s division lead to five games. … Erie is second in the Eastern League with a .275 batting average. Bowie is first at .276. … Bowie leads the Eastern League with 82 doubles. Erie is in second with 78, including two from McCann on Monday. … Wade Gaynor was 1-for-17 with runners in scoring position and two outs coming into tonight’s game. He had a two-out RBI single in the seventh inning to cut Reading’s lead to 4-2. … Tyler Stohr threw two scoreless relief innings. He has allowed one run in his past four appearances. During that stretch he has allowed three hits in six innings, including two strikeouts. … Justin Souza picked up his sixth save with a 1-2-3 ninth inning. He is tied for third in the Eastern League in saves.

Here is information, pregame, in-game and postgame, on the Erie SeaWolves’ May 13 game against the Reading Fightin Phils. Check back throughout the night for more on the game and the SeaWolves in general.

Reading Fightin Phils (14-21) at Erie SeaWolves (22-13)
6:35 p.m., Jerry Uht Park

NINTH INNING
Justin Souza works a 1-2-3 inning to record his sixth save. Erie with a thrilling comeback to win 5-4. More to come later on.

EIGHTH INNING
Another double play started by Eugenio Suarez to Hernan Perez. That will probably be a common phrase used in Toledo and Detroit down the road.

Mike Nesseth replaced David Buchanan and allowed two hits before Mauricio Robles came in. Despite having the second-worst ERA in the Eastern League, Buchanan finished 7 IP 5 H 2 ER 0 BB 4 K and is in line for the win. After a Daniel Fields two-out walk, James McCann crushed a 1-2 pitch into right-center to drive in three runs. Erie 5, Reading 4

SEVENTH INNING
Tyler Stohr relieves Patrick Cooper and retires Reading 1-2-3. Cooper finished 6 IP 10 H 4 R 3 ER 0 BB 3 Ks and is in line for the loss.

Hernan Perez and Daniel Fields each singled to left to start the seventh. Two line drives for the SeaWolves that finally found some grass. James McCann and James Robbins each struck out but Wade Gaynor came through with a single to center to drive in Perez. Luis Castillo grounded out to end the inning. 4-2 Reading

SIXTH INNING
Jim Murphy led off the sixth with a double to the right-center gap but Daniel Fields made a diving catch to retire Tommy Mendonca. Murphy moved to third on the play. Zach Collier followed with a slow grounder to third base for an infield single. Murphy wasn’t able to score on the play in front of him. Derrick Mitchell and Sebastian Valley strike out with runners on first and third to end the threat. Great work by Patrick Cooper to not allow one run to score.

Things aren’t going Erie’s way tonight. Two straight line drives by Marcus Lemon and Jamie Johnson to second base were snagged. The SeaWolves have two hits through six innings. Their season low is five for one game.

FIFTH INNING
Reading keeps pouring it on. Sebastian Valle with a soft single to right. Anthony Hewitt follows with a double to left with Valle running on the pitch, enabling him to score. Hewitt moved to third as Eugenio Suarez with a high throw home to try and get Valle. Hewitt then came home on a sac fly from Tyson Gillies. Edgar Duran was hit by a pitch but out on the basepaths as he tried to advance to second on a ball that got away from James McCann. It didn’t get far enough away as McCann fired a throw to second, making Duran stop in his tracks. He was tagged out going back to first.

James McCann lofted a bloop double to left for Erie. The inbetweener found the grass as neither the left fielder or shortstop could make the play. McCann went to third on a groundout before Wade Gaynor lifted a sac fly to left to cut the Reading lead to 4-1. Erie has only two hits against Buchanan, both are doubles. Erie has 77 doubles this season, which is second behind Bowie (82).

FOURTH INNING
Albert Cartwright leads off with a triple to deep center and Daniel Fields almost made a diving catch. Jim Murphy followed with a deep drive to right to score Cartwright. Buchanan follows on the mound with another 1-2-3 inning. He has retired six straight for Reading. 2-0 Fightin Phils.

THIRD INNING
Erie didn’t convert a 1-6-3 double play but gets a 4-6-3 on the next batter. The SeaWolves get a leadoff double from Wade Gaynor but strand him on third after popping up a bunt and two shallow fly balls. 1-0 Reading after three.

SECOND INNING
Copper retired three in a row before a two-out double from Derrick Mitchell. He appeared to strike out on a 2-2 pitch but the first baseman umpire said he didn’t swing. Sebastian Valle then flew out to end the inning. Erie went down 1-2-3 again and Reading leads 1-0 after two.

FIRST INNING
Tyson Gillies takes the second pitch of the game into the right-center gap for a double for Reading. He moved over to third on a groundout and Erie brought the infield in with one out. Albert Cartwright singled softly to left that might have been caught by Eugenio Suarez if he was in his normal position. It would have been close but either way, Reading took a 1-0 lead. David Buchanan worked a 1-2-3 inning for Reading in the bottom of the first.

Starting lineups
Reading – CF Tyson Gillies, SS Edgar Duran, 2B Albert Cartwright, 1B Jim Murhpy, 3B Tommy Mendonca, LF Zach Collier, DH Derrick Mitchell, C Sebastian Valle, RF Anthony Hewitt
Erie – DH Jamie Johnson, SS Eugenio Suarez, 2B Hernan Perez, CF Daniel Fields, C James McCann, 1B James Robbins, 3B Wade Gaynor, RF Luis Castillo, LF Marcus Lemon

Pregame notes: Tyler Collins has a standard day off today and will be available to pinch hit if manager Chris Cron needs him. … Former Erie SeaWolves OF Avisail Garcia was promoted from Triple-A Toledo to Detroit. He will fill in for Austin Jackson, who was placed on the disabled list with a hamstring injury. … Erie has won 10 of its past 12 games, while Reading is 2-8 in its past 10 games. … The SeaWolves are in town for three games before heading back to Akron for three on Friday. … Hernan Perez is hitting .317 against right-handed pitchers this season and Jamie Johnson has a .304 batting average against righties. Erie will face right-hander David Buchanan (1-4, 6.46 ERA). … Robbie Weinhardt is back in Erie, meaning Matt Crouse will stay in the rotation as the fifth starter for the SeaWolves.

–Tom Reisenweber

Posted in: Erie SeaWolves
Posted: May 13th, 2013

Former Erie SeaWolves outfielder Avisail Garcia is on his way to Detroit.

The Tigers placed Austin Jackson on the DL Monday with a bad hammy and recalled Garcia from Triple-A Toledo.

Garcia was hitting .432 with one homer and four RBIs in eight games for the Mud Hens.

Garcia hit .312 with six home runs and 22 RBIs for Erie last season. He played in 12 postseason games and had 23 at-bats with the Tigers in the playoffs last season.

– Rick Green

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