Month: April 2008

You Don’t Have To Call Me Darling, Darling

Home plate umpire Gary Darling called a balk on SF Franchise righthander Tim Lincecum late in the game with the go-ahead run on 3rd base. His catcher stood up asking for time as Lincecum started his windup, Darling said, “time”, then he said, “that’s a balk”. The eventual winning run came walking home as the winningest foreign born skipper (from France) Bruce Bochy came out of the Giant dugout.

After a lengthy & heated exchange, Darling gave Bochy the heave-ho. Lincecum, in a bold move, said, he would take Gary Darling off his Christmas card list. While Bochy was seen taking Darling out of his Fave Five, as he exited stage left.

Illinois gets some pitching… but lose to SIU

Brandon Wikoff laying down a bunt

College baseball is a strange beast.  After a weekend against a Big Ten rival where we score 49 runs and give up 43 runs, they take on Southern Illinois and pitch their hearts out.  After a rough 3 innings giving up two runs, Illinois relievers were stingy and allowed only 2 hits and no earned runs for eight innings in an extra innings affair.  Alas, the one unearned run that was given up was the game breaker.  Southern Illinois went away winners 3-2.

Mike Sterk, who gave up one hit and just the one unearned run in two innings, was the hard luck loser.

Tuesday’s Starter Nick Chmielewski

There was controversy from the very start when the second SIU batter was awarded first base after being hit.  A lot of us didn’t see it including Coach Hartleb.  He came out and discussed it with the ump.  The batter was called back and showed his the part of his batting glove where he says it hit him.  The ump was satisfied so play continued.

Joe Bonadonna and Aaron Johnson continue their hot streaks.  Both had two hits for the night.

Dom Altobelli and Kyle Hudson are both nursing injuries

Kyle Hudson pulled a fast one on us.  He wasn’t suited up for pre-game wearing sweats so I didn’t expect him to play and instead to rest that ankle.  Somewhere around the second or third inning, I saw him return the dugout with regulation pants (still wearing the sweatshirt so I wasn’t sure).  Sure enough, Hudson came on to pinch hit for John Schlichter in the bottom of the 11th.  Unfortunately for us, he struck out.

It was my pleasure to finally meet (in person) Eric Loy.  I stopped by the media booth before the game and introduced myself.  I am occasionally a guest on his Sports Nite show on Fridays on WDWS 1400AM.

More photos are here.

This weekend:  Northwestern at home.  Come out to the ballpark!

Illinois Baseball retains third place

Thoughts on the Penn St series etc:

Boy, that was a rough and wild ride.  A total of 92 runs were scored by both teams for the four games.  A total of 49 were scored by the Illini.  The funny thing is that they did with only two homeruns (Hastings and Cappetta).

But the important thing is we came out of it with at least a split and the Illini maintained their third place spot in the Big Ten, precarious as that might be.  After Michigan and Purdue, one game separates four teams right now.

Casey McMurray came out the series with his first Big Ten Co-Player of the Week award.

Even after missing a couple games last week, Kyle Hudson is tied for second nationally in stolen bases and only one behind the top spot.

To say nothing of their hitting.  Their stats speak for themselves.  Keep it up, guys!

And on we go!

Next Game:

Game #42

Tues 4/29 6:05pm

Record: 25-16

11-9 Big Ten

vs Southern Illinois University

at Illinois Field, Champaign, IL

Assuming the rains don’t chase us away, we’ll be taking on the Salukis of Southern Illinois on Tuesday.  If I’m not mistaken, this is the only time that we play the same team on separate occasions.  Illinois took them on at their place on April Fool’s Day and won 5-2.

Opponent: Southern Illinois University
Nickname: Salukis
Conference: Missouri Valley Conference
Head Coach: Dan Callahan (14th year)
Hometown: Carbondale, IL
Current Record: 23-18 (6-9 MVC)
Baseball Program website: Link
Players to watch: C Mark Kelly leads the team with a .331 average, 35 rbis and 29 runs.  Tyler Bullock is hitting only .232 but leads the team with 6 homers.
Team Fact: SIU has outpitched their opponents with a 4.56 ERA (compared to their opponents’ 4.79 ERA).

Illini take Sunday’s game against Penn St to split

Illinois got their revenge for yesterday’s sweep and evened the weekend series up by blasting the Penn State Nittany Lions 17-6.  Casey McMurray continued to put up the big numbers as he went 4 for 4 with 3 runs.  Kyle Hudson (right) was 3 for 4 with 3 runs and 2 rbis.

For the weekend, McMurray was 11 for 15 with five rbis and seven runs.

Today, the big inning no doubt was the Illini 4th.  They batted around in the order and put together six hits plus a Lion error to score eight runs.

As for starter Billy Barrett, he was unhittable the first four innings.  Literally.  With two outs in the fifth, Barrett (left) had yet to give up a hit.  Once Rick Marlin hit a double to center, the floodgates opened.  Barrett walked two batters then a single by Wes Borden scored two.

The next inning, it was beginning to feel like  yesterday all over again.  Fortunately, the Illini had a 12-2 cushion.  Penn State “only” scored 4 runs with the help of Mike Stankiewicz who somehow got out of it with minimal damage all things considered.  Fortunately, those would be the last runs Penn State would score this weekend.

Final Score:  17-6

My daughter and I sat in front of Mike Sterk’s mom today.  I just knew she was a Illini mom from the way she cheered.  When she passed on the answer to the trivia question announced over PA to my daughter, I introduced myself.  Answer to today’s question:  Ben Reeser is the only Illini player with a twin.  The More You Know.

More photos from the game here.

Finishing Yesterday’s Business then the Slugfest continues… only it’s one-sided

Saturday, the Illini went 1-2. Not every day that’s going to happen.

My plan was to go the ballpark to see the Illini finish up Friday’s game with the Nittany Lions and play their regularly scheduled doubleheader and was pleasantly surprised to see my buddy Brando had shown up to root on the Illini. I was a bit late so he filled me in.

The Illini had made quick work of finishing up Friday’s game and even managed to score four runs to win 20-11. Daniel Webb wasn’t satisfied with four hits on Friday so he added one more to 5 for 6 (with 5 rbis). Final score 20-11.

(4/27 Update:) Freshman John Schlichter broke a Big Ten record for the Friday/Saturday game. His 3 triples are the most by a Big Ten batter in a conference game. (thanks to reader Joe Dirt… I missed this). He also managed 5 rbis.

And that was pretty much last good news of the day.

Illinois got off to a quick 1-0 lead when Kyle Hudson scored on a wild pitch in the first but that was squashed when PSU LF Scott Kelley hit a two-run homer over the right field wall. It was 4-1 when Cory Wine (remember Cory Wine from last night?) did the same thing in the fourth.

So with the score 4-1 in the top the fifth I had to go pick up my kids from the parking lot from my wife who was dropping them off. I found the car, got the kids, came back to where Brando and I were sitting, looked up at the scoreboard and… it was 10-1!!! What!!! I swear I was gone 5 minutes, eight minutes TOPS! Four singles, and homeruns by Cory Wine and Scott Kelley (again and again) will do much to alter the balance of reality.

Rough outing for Aaron Martin

Starter Aaron Martin suffered the brunt of the first five innings. Martin can be hot (he had a scoreless innings streak earlier this season. Then he has games like this. Things didn’t get a whole lot better when Wes Braun came in but the way Penn State was hitting today, I don’t know who could have stopped them.

highfive One highlight… Freshman Pete Cappetta (left), who is our backup shortstop, hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the seventh. That was his first career homerun. It may not have seemed to have meant much but it did give Illini fans something to cheer about in game which there was not much to cheer about. Thanks Pete!

Illini Numbers

Pete Cappetta: 1 for 2, HR, 3 rbis

Aaron Martin: 5 IP, 12 H, 12 ER, 2 BB, 3 K (L)

Final Score: Penn State 16 Illinois 5

The second game pretty much got off to same start as the first with the Nits getting off to an 10-4 lead by the top of the 7th inning. The Illini did make it interesting by scoring three runs in the bottom of 7th on two singles and two Penn State errors. But it was not enough and Penn State won again 10-7.

Illini Numbers

Aaron Johnson: 3 for 3, 2B, 2 runs

Ryan Hastings: 3 for 4, HR, 2 runs, 2 rbis

Well, the Penn State team that has hit 20 homeruns all year going into this weekend has suddenly found their stroke and has hit seven in three games. Not only that, the team that was second to last in Big 10 in runs scored has shown they can score 37 runs in the same three games. Is it conference motivation? The ever prevailing Illinois Field wind?

I have photos from the first game on Saturday. By the way, I noticed when uploading these pictures that I now have over 1000 photos of University of Illinois baseball dating back to last year (and including the 2007 Big Ten Tournament). If you’re a fan, take a minute and browse through them.

Game 4 today at 12:05 today. Get out there and cheer the Illini!!

MOMMA TOLD ME NOT TO COME

Rain was in the air as I boarded the Red Line early in an effort to stay dry. There was a forecast of rain about 8:00 PM for about 45 minutes, an hour window of dryness, then a little more rain, before total clearness. I could still hear Mom’s words ringing in my ears, “Why do you wanna go sit in the rain? The game’s on TV”. But Mark Buehrle was on the mound and he’s my man. Haven’t liked a White Sox lefty this much since Tommy John.

Seeing I was inside the ballpark an hour and a half before game time I decided to take advantage of my free time by visiting some friends at the Cell. My first stop was to see the woman who sells veggie hot dogs down the rightfield line. It was great seeing her smiling face, she’s always so happy, she’s going to visit her parents in Mexico on Tuesday for a couple weeks, and her youngest daughter turns 21 & graduates from college in May. Then I stopped by the Elotes stand, got some corn with lime & chilis, and washed it down with a Miller Chill. While munching on the golden kernels I talked with cameraman Dave Cialla, asked if Blackhawk defenseman James Wisnewski was gonna take his job, we had a good laugh. Then I caught up with Tammy, the Kosher Hot Dog lady in right, she’s a cutie & a good kid, even though she’s a Cub fan, thought there might be something there, but turns out she’s married, oh well.

Rain Cell Got to my place 34 rows behind home plate in time to see Buehrle retire the O’s on five pitches in the first. Baltimore’s pitcher faced only one batter before the skies opened up. Met Tade’s mom and his stepdad, they looked really young, and then I realized I’m one year older than Tade’s mom. They are really nice people, but what would you expect, because Tade’s so nice.

For the first time ever Nancy Faust came to a game as a fan. She had to stop by her booth, even though her seats were down the leftfield line. It was great seeing Nancy, when she had more time to visit. Nancy is always smiling! People always look better and younger with smiles on their faces. Nancy told me they were able to sell her mother’s house and her sister also sold her place, tough to do in this economy.

When it was still raining and the game was still in a delay at 9:30 PM, I got some inside information the game would be called if it was still raining at ten. I decided it was time to figure a way to get home. Guest Relations told me the Red Line wasn’t running between Grand & 35th. This was because a semi hit the escalator at the Chinatown stop (one stop north of Sox/35th). It was a terrible accident, two were confirmed dead, 21 injured, many critical. My brother even called from Wisconsin to find out if I was alive, but as I’d arrived early at the Park, I didn’t even know about the accident until I was at the Cell during the rain delay. Found out the L was running north, just not stopping at Chinatown, got home very wet about 10:30.

Before I left for home I wished Tade an early happy birthday (4/26). Even though I wanted to get back out there for a day/night doubleheader Saturday, decided to sit this one (or in this case, two) out. My intention was to see all seven home games, but the best laid of mice & men… I won’t be back out there until sometime after Memorial Day, looking for some better weather. I am officially a wimp!

Illinois-PSU a 16-11 slugfest… and it’s not done yet

When then wind is blowing out like this you’re going to expect a high scoring game.  In this case, it might contribute to bad weather.  In this case, rain which suspended that game in the eighth inning.  Friday’s game will be be picked up at 2pm Saturday to be followed by the regularly scheduled doubleheader.  It will be a loooong day for both teams.

The action so far

Daniel Webb rapping a 3-run double in the first

Up until the game was called, Penn State has rapped 15 hits and scored 11 runs.  Every Nittany Lion except one has scored a run and all but two has a rbi.

The funny thing is the Illini are still winning.  Through eight, Illinois 16 runs on 22 hits.  Six Illini have multi-hit games going.  The big stars of the game (so far) is DH Daniel Webb, Casey McMurray and John Schlichter.  Webb is 4 for 5 with two doubles and four rbis.  Freshman McMurray is 5 for 5 with 3 rbis.  Schlichter has hit two triples and a double and scored three times and drove in three runs.

Brandon Wikoff crossing home plate for a run.  Is PSU catcher Joe Blackburn really that tall?

I have to give Penn State (actually both teams) their due.  They were down 9-3 in the top of the sixth when their offense kicked in.  They managed to score three runs in the sixth and seventh and two in the eighth making it an interesting game again.  For Illinois’ part, sensing the urgency, responded by scoring three runs in the bottom of the sixth and four in the seventh.

Interestingly, with the wild wind blowing out, there has been only one homerun hit in the game so far.  That belongs to Lion Cory Wine, the coach’s kid, who knocked one in the second inning.

So as it stands in the bottom of the eighth, Illinois 16 Penn State 11

Meeting more people

It seems every home game I meet at least one more parent of an Illini parent.  This time it was Bill Wikoff, father of SS Brandon Wikoff.  I’ve seen Bill around plenty at home game shouting encouragements to the team but this is the first time I’ve gotten a chance to talk to him.

Gain One, Lose One

Hudson’s back!

One last note… the Illini uniform sure looked good on Kyle Hudson after seeing him not suit up because of the ankle injury the last few games.  So far, he’s 2 for 5 in this game.  His first at-bat was a grounder to the thirdbaseman which he tried to run out and definitely tested that ankle.

Unfortunately, Illinois will be without 3B Dom Altobelli for a while.  Dom injured himself late in the game against Western Illinois.  He said he got an MRI two days ago which shows a torn labrum.  He told me he just wants to get his strength back.  No real idea when he will get back but I’ll bet this will be a lot longer than a couple games.

Take care of that shoulder, Dom.

Photos of the game here.  I ran out of batteries midway through so I don’t have any after the sixth inning.  Sorry.

Go Illini!!!

TAKING THE LATE TRAIN HOME

ozzie-guillen.jpg

To recap the Sox/Yankee series thus far. Got home Tuesday night after midnite, Wednesday a little before, and last night it was well after one. And believe me, I need my beauty sleep! It was raining as I headed to the Cell last night, my enthusiasm for watching this series was fading quickly as the Bronx Bombers took the first two games. Off to a good start this season, the Sox bullpen was being exposed as suspect at best.

I decided it was time for drastic measures, as it seemed the times were indeed drastic. I called the beer man over and ordered up a frosty cold one, as I chatted with a baseball fan from North Carolina who decided to catch a ballgame after his business meeting. He was from Greensboro. I learned the local team there was called the Grasshoppers, or Hoppers, for short. The rain continued to fall onto the tarp as the opening pitch was delayed about 45 minutes.

Gavin Floyd looked great as he set the Yankees down easily in the first inning. I commented to nobody in particular, who is this guy? On the bump for the New Yorkers was tout boy Phil Hughes. As the rain continued to fall, Floyd began having trouble with the mound and the Yankees as well. The Yanks jumped out to a three to nothing lead as the heavens opened up.

The concessionaires would have a field day, the game would have a one hour rain delay. Caramel Corn Mike & his brother Scott’s crumblings mixed with rain off fans sneakers on the concourse as greenbacks were exchanged for gooey delights.

When the rain ceased Phil Hughes headed for the showers to be replaced by some bum whose name escapes me, perhaps it’s Bumlendorf, not really important to the story, if you’re interested or his mother, you can check the boxscore. Bumlendorf turned a 3-0 lead into a 6-3 deficit, with a little help from LaTroy Hawkins.

But Finicky Floyd with his obsession with a perfect mound couldn’t hold the it, Matt Thornton & Scott Linebrink helped a little in surrendering the lead, and soon the game was tied at six.

Joba Chamberlain reminded me of another cat named Chamberlain who made it look as if his opponents were nothing but little boys being toyed with as he went on to another victory. A three game broom sweep by at the hands of the Yankees and their obnoxious fans.

Not on this night, not after suffering lingering hours of frustration at the Cell. Fun at the Ole Ballpark, my eye, this was serious work, done by cheering serious fans. Bobby Jenks got Boone Logan out of a 9th inning jam and now it was our turn.

With one out, Carlos Quentin lined a hanging breaking ball into the left-centerfield gap for a two bagger. Up next was the number eight hitter in the order, probably some no-goodnick, but was Funny Man Manager Ozzie Guillen is a genius! He has the best clutch hitter in the Sox order Super Joe Crede batting eighth, just for a situation like this. Joba the Hut afraid he’d hang another yacker, fired a couple of 96 MPH seeds up there to put our hero into a hole. As luck would have it, Goliath, aka Chamberlain, decided to show some mercy by throwing another hanger that was promptly deposited to left for a game winning single. Funny Man Manager, genius, who’s laughing now?

The Birds of Baltimore invade the Cell for a four game set starting tonite. I’ll be out there and will happily provide you with a recap of the goings on at the Cell on the Southside of Chicago.

Illinois-Penn State Preview

Next Game:

Games #38-41
  • Fri April 25 6:05pm
  • Sat April 26 3:05pm (DH)
  • Sun April 27 12:05

Record: 23-14

Big Ten 9-7

vs Penn State

at Illinois Field, Champaign, IL

Yes, I say every Big Ten series is important but this one kind of is.  PSU is a game back in the standings and soooo much can happen in a four game set.  We found that out against Michigan.

Fortunately, the chances of something like that happening again don’t seem too likely.  We match up pretty well against Penn State.  As much as we play the small ball, I think we can say our power outmatches the Lions.  To date, they have only 14 homers and a .357 slugging percentage.  We’ve outscored them 269 to 190.

I probably shouldn’t even be talking like that though.  They ARE just one game back, right?  And they have won six in a row.  Well, let’s leave at this… The two teams’ pitching match up pretty evenly so as long as we give our hurlers some support, I think we’ll be ok.

And if you’re interested in getting news from the other perspective, check out Penn State baseball’s fan blog, Happy Valley Hardball.

Other News:

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Joe Bonadonna (right) keeps racking in the awards.  In addition to his Big Ten Co-Player of the Week honor, Joe has just been named to the National All-Star Lineup as selected by College Baseball Foundation and Diamond Sports.  Joe, of course proved it was no fluke by rapping out 5 hits last night against Western.  For the season, he is hitting .391.

Which reminds me… four Illini starters are hovering around .400 mark.  Daniel Webb (.402), Brandon Wikoff (.394), Kyle Hudson (.392) and Bonadonna have been hitting the cover off the ball lately.  Webb also leads the team in homeruns with six.

Pray for good weather this weekend.

And here’s the scoop on Penn State:

Opponent: Penn State University
Nickname: Nittany Lions
Conference: Big Ten
Head Coach: Robbie Wine (4th year)
Hometown: State College, PA
Current Record: 17-21(8-8 Big Ten)
Baseball Program website: Link
Players to watch: Catcher Joe Blackburn continues to be a force for State.  He’s hitting .342 and leads the team with 26 rbis.  Besides, he has a mean ‘do.
Team Fact: Head Coach Robbie Wine is son of former Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Bobby Wine.  Also, he coaches his son Cory who play first base for the Nittany Lions.
Assistant Volunteer Coach Sebastian Saraceno is son of Jon Saraceno, famous sports columnist.

See you at the ballpark!

Go Illini!!