Ottto Kemp, image- Jay Floyd With an extra-inning victory over first-half division champions Hudson Valley on Sunday, the Class A Advanced Jersey Shore BlueClaws clinched the team's first playoff appearance since 2018, winning the second-half division title. Key performers in the BlueClaws' clincher were righty hurler Jason Ruffcorn, who threw three innings of relief to earn the victory and third baseman Otto Kemp, notched three hits, a walk, two stolen bases and plated the game winning run in the 11th inning on a sacrifice fly. On top of that, Kemp, who turned 24-years-old on Saturday, made an absolute game-saving defensive play to help the club hold their lead in the bottom of the 11th frame. One of Jersey Shore's most consistent performers all season long has been right-handed reliever Cam Wynne. The Phillies' 20th round draft pick in 2021 out of Nebraska. In 34 appearances, one start, the 24-year-old tallied a 1-1 record with one save, a 2.44 ERA and a .190 batti
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As for the Myers/Hamels main event, Ken Rosenthau claimed to be 5 feet away, heard the whole thing, and indeed it was just the two busting on each other. I'm buying into that. Hamels will start Game 7 but on a very short leash.
A lot of talk up here about how the Yankees own Pedro, and how they "got to him" in Game 2.
Let's look at his Game 2 start:
6IP, 6H, 3R, 3ER, 2BB, 8K, 2HR, 2.08 ERA.
Compare to CC in Games 1 & 4:
7IP/6.2IP, 4H/7 H, 2R/3 R, 2ER/3ER, 3BB/3 BB, 6K/6K, 2HR/1 HR, 1.52ERA/1.98 ERA
Pedro's numbers in Game 2 were nearly identical to CC's in Game 4, not that far off his numbers in Game 1. Granted, this will be his 2nd start against them, and there's going to be an adjustment, but someone as experienced and crafty as Pedro should make adjustments as well. Petitte will show up, I expect the two to go at it for at least six innings.
If Charlie gives the ball to Lidge with less than two outs again in this series, I may show up with an automatic weapon. Expect a ninth innings combo of Eyre, Meyers, Durbin or Lidge. Madson is possibly the best 8th inning man in the game, but does not have the mental stuff of a closer. 6th-7th innings belong to Park and Durbin. I have faith in all of them but Lidge. I would say the entire roster feels that way.
I have to say I am no fan of hip hop music. Maybe I am just too old.
But, I also have to say NeeKo and Jay Z's lyrics are like day and night.
1,000,000 times better, NeeKo's version, and nobody would have to "sanitize" it for a national audience.
We have a piece lauding NeeKo's lyrics - I enjoyed very much the historical and landmark references in addition to some of Philly's sports heros. He got in all four teams, too.
I understand Neeko's song is quite popular in Philly, which proves you don't have to rap about garbage to get some attention.
Good luck to NeeKo.