Big Train go into final week on fire

Bethesda has won 31 games now this season tying their all time high, by beating the Nationals twice. The Big Train have clinched 1st place, and are trying to break their wins record tonight in Silver Spring.
Saturday, the Big Train put on another talent show by lighting up all of the 4 Nationals pitchers for 11 runs and shutting out the Nationals and only allowing 3 hits. Martin Agosta pitched 6 solid innings with 9 strikeouts, no walks, and only 3 hits. Mike Frank pitched the last 3 perfect, recording 3 k's. Daryl Norris hit a sac fly in the 2nd to start the scoring.  Brenden Kalfus doubled in the 3rd scoring Adam Barry. Mike Aldrete hit a 2-run homer plating Daryl Norris. The scoring held off until the 7th when Bethesda scored 4 runs on 3 hits including a homer from Brenden Kalfus scoring Adam Barry and Hunter Renfroe. And in the 8th, 5 straight hits added 3 more runs. Hits from Middleton, Hudak, Barry, Tobin (PH for Renfroe), and Kalfus.
Player of the game : Brenden Kalfus (4-5, 5 RBI, 2 Runs, 3-run HR, 2B)

Monday, Bethesda went to Waldorf to play the Nationals again were they were down after the first inning 2-1. But they fought back in the 4th with 3 runs all with 2 outs with Mississippi State's Daryl Norris starting the rally with a double, followed by a double from Brennan Middleton to tie it. Drew Farber walked. The a balk by the pitcher moved both runners into scoring position for Matt Bowman as he hit a single that scored 1 run. Another unearned run by the Nationals in the 5th but the only 1 run behind, but they were shut down the rest of the game by Cameron Love and Mike Kent. Love went 7 long innings facing 29 batters and striking out 6. Only 1 run against him was earned due to errors by Adam Barry (3B) and Drew Farber (C). Bethesda got an insurance run in the 7th on Brenden Kalfus' RBI single, but it didn't matter as Bethesda won by 2.
Player of the game : Daryl Norris (2-4, with a double and a run, and he triggered the rally in the 4th inning to lead the Big Train to victory.)

The Big Train is back on track

After Bethesda's hitting slump, they finally got off to a good start against Herndon Sunday, scoring a first inning run against Herndon's Chris Franzese. Ryan Garton made his Big Train debut on Sunday, allowing only 1 run in 4 innings. Bethesda added a couple runs in the 3rd on 2 hits by Mike Aldrete, who hit a double, and Adam Barry who scored Aldrete on a single and later scored. Herndon scored only 1 run in the 4th and 7th. Only 1 run was earned because of a fielders choice in the 7th inning. Mike Frank and Victor Diaz also made Big Train pitching debuts, combining to pitch the 5,6,7, and 8th innings. Mike Frank ran into trouble with the bases loaded in the 7th, but Victor Diaz shut the Braves down until Matt Bowman came on to finish the game in the 9th. The top of the order came through offensively for Bethesda as Michael Bass, Mike Aldrete, Adam Barry, and Hunter Renfroe combined for 8 hits, 4 runs, 6 RBI, and 3 extra base hits.
In the previous few games, the Big Train were saving all of their hits for yesterday when they slaughtered Alexandria. Bethesda got 18 hits, hitting against all 5 Aces pitchers. Alexandria lead after the first inning 1-0, but starter Cameron Love was solid from there on until he was relieved in the 8th inning. He recorded 9 strikeouts. Almost everyone hit for Bethesda and they had 5 pinch hitters/fielders, including Victor Diaz who played LF adding to the hits with a RBI single in the 8th. Hunter Renfroe and Alex Hudak both homered yesterday at 4 mile run park. Renfroe hit a 3 run homer while Hudak hit a solo homer to lead off the 3rd inning. John Barrett (Frostburg State) hit a homer for Alexandria in the 8th inning off of Martin Agosta who pitched the 8th with 2 strikeouts. Mike Aldrete pitched the 9th inning 3 up, 3 down on strikes. The Big Train look like a new team in the last 2 games, they will face the worst pitching team, the Thunderbolts in a doubleheader Wednesday at 5 and 7:30. Silver Spring's offense is lead by league leader in batting average Bill Gerstenslager who had 4 hits, including a homerun and 2 doubles against Bethesda last time we played them.

Puerto Rico 8-5

I will be going to the Orioles game soon so I wanted to post early. New Feature: E-Mail updates, get posts right to to your inbox. Let me know if you want them. I will post tonights scores up here after the O's sweep the Angels. :) Also check out the new MiLB Players page up ^ there. Thanks
UPDATE:

I called that! O's swept LA.

From CRSCBL.ORG
At Estadio Jose Pepito Bonano in Guaynabo, the Ripken League Stars played to a 4-4 tie after ten innings with the Juncos, a team of college, junior college, and Puerto Rican Double-A ballplayers. Down 1-0, Alex Frederick (Redbirds) doubled home Stuart MacInnes (Express), who tripled with two outs in the second inning, to tie the game. After falling behind again, Frederick walked, stole second, and scored on an error to re-tie the game in the fifth. Down again in the eighth (this time by two), Austin Harclerode (Big Train) reached on an error and scored on a single by Nick Vickerson (Big Train). Two more singles --- by Frank Florio (Redbirds) and Will Davis (Aces) --- plated Vickerson. The Ripken League stranded a lead-off triple by Jarrod Parks (Big Train) in the ninth. On the mound, Jordan Beistline (Big Train) started and went four innings, allowing two runs (one unearned) on six hits with three strikeouts. Josh Schneider (Big Train) followed with three innings, allowing two runs on two hits and two walks with three strikeouts. Pat Devlin (Braves) pitched a perfect eighth with one strikeout, and Bryan Hamilton (Big Train) tossed the last two, allowing one hit and striking out four.

Puerto Rico 8-4

The Ripken league lost the lead in the 9th but Matt Marquis (Maryland-Bolts) scored the game winning run in the bottom of the 9th. Frank Florio got another RBI single. Also, thanks for the record setting pageviews. I got 64 today. For some reason the day ends/starts at 8 PM. One more thing for todays post. If anyone has any questions for Drew Permison (Orioles/Big Train/Auburn Doubledays) or Scott Schneider (Big Train/Palm Beach Cardinals) I will include them in the letters I send to them Friday.

Puerto Rico 8-3

(8-3 8:29) Cameron Love has struck out 10 batters in 4 innings.
(8-3 8:29) Ripken League Losing 2-1 after leaving bases loaded in 3rd and 4th
(8-3 9:03) Redbirds Frank Florio from Tulane gets a 2-RBI single to give the Ripken league a 3-2 lead
(8-3 9:22) Seth Williams got another single! And the Ripken League is winning 5-2!
(8-3 11:22) Ripken League won Bryan Hamilton got the save

Worst game ever!

Did you know the league actually did a home run derby? It was on Friday July 30th. The Baltimore Redbirds faced off against the Bethesda Big Train in the championship game after the Redbirds creamed the Orioles. REALLY BAD.
Thanks to whoever did the live game tracker. Actually whoever didnt do the game tracker because now i have no stats. Something is suspicious but i dont want to post it here. Apperantley the game is in the 6th inning. http://crcbl.bbstats.pointstreak.com/flash/index.html?gameid=22387. But the Big Train did get crushed and early too as the Redbirds got their 2nd 7 run inning of the day in the 3rd inning. They scored 3 runs the inning before to give them a 10-0 lead going into the bottom of the 3rd. The Redbirds also by then had 3 home runs off the bats of Seth Baldwin, Frank Florio, and Nate Woods. But Danny Stienstra had an answer to those 3 home runs.

The Big Train scored 1 run the next inning and 2 in the 5th. But the Redbirds added 2 more runs to hold up a 6 run victory. Since the Redbirds played a doubleheader they would be tired for the championship game #2.

2nd best game ever!

1st baseman Glynn Davis makes an unassisted out
For the 2nd game in a row the game started of with a bang. At least for the visitors. Glynn Davis hit a home run to left field to give the O's a lead without even an out. They ended up stranding Chris Cook on 2nd after his double which came after the home run. Ryan Collins scored in the 2nd but the O's answered back scoring 2 more of their own in the bottom of the 2nd. But in the 3rd the lead changed again but for the last time. The Big Train scored 4 runs in the 3rd all unearned to pitcher Chris O Grady. The first run came from Ryan Collins who singled with runners on 2nd and 3rd to score Connor Bernatz. Austin Harclerode walked to load the bases for Mason Morioka who launched a ball to center field over the center fielders head for a bases clearing double. Connor Bernatz scored again in the 4th. Austin Harclerode in the 5th. And Jarrod Parks and Austin Harclerode in the 6th. And going into the 6th it was 9 to 3. Hugh Adams came in to relieve Cameron Love and allowed his first 2 earned runs of the 2010 year. He ended up throwing 4 innings allowing 5 hits, 2 runs, 3 walks while striking out 3. Austin Harclerode in the 8th hit the longest home run yet this season as it cleared the scoreboard in left-center by about 5 feet. Mason Morioka later scored that inning. The ball game ended 11-5 in favor of the Big Train.
3 Star selection:

#1 Austin Harclerode
4 AB 4 runs 3 hits 2 RBIs 2 walks 1 HR

#2 Mason Morioka
5 AB 1 run 3 hits 4 RBIs 1 walk

#3 Nick Schneeberger
4 AB 3 hits

Best game ever!

The Baltimore Redbirds beat the Big Train 4 out of 6 times in the regular season. With the a 10-game winning streak earlier in the season the took 2 seed. The game started off with a bang. After 5 pitches there was a man on 3rd. Ben Winter hit a triple on a 2-2 count. It was the only extra base hit of the whole game! He ended up to be the only run of the inning. Alex Fredrick scored a run in the 2nd to give Baltimore a 2-0 lead. Turns out that those were the only runs they would score as Cody Allen, David Wayne Russo, and Bryan Hamilton shut the door after the 2nd. Nothing barely happened until the 7th when Connor Bernatz sacrificed to score Nick Scheeberger who singled, advanced on a wild pitch and then advanced on a ground out to first. The score was 2-1 after the 7th and nobody had any ideas to leave at that point. And for a good reason. In the top of the 8th Danny Stienstra lead off and drew a walk. Jarrod Parks sacrificed to move him to 2nd base with 1 out. Then the right fielder Ryan Collins tied the game with a base hit to score Danny Stienstra. Austin Harclerode walked and Ryan Collins advanced on a wild pitch earlier in the at-bat. The Redbirds changed pitchers then Mason Morioka walked to load the bases. Nick Schneeberger grounded the ball to 2nd where Cory Jensen made the play got Morioka at 2nd but couldn't get the hustling Schneeberger at 1st. So the Big Train had the lead for the 1st time in the playoffs. Then Matt Bowman lined out to Jensen to end the 8th. The Redbirds left a runner on 1st in the bottom half of the 8th. Then the Big Train loaded the bases again in the 9th with no outs. But Jarrod Parks struck out and Ryan Collins did this:

In the bottom of the 9th Bryan Hamilton came on to protect a 1 run lead. And he delivered as he struck out the first 2 batters. And with 2 strikes he was 1 strike away from striking out the side, but Nate Woods had other plans.

And with the league leader in home runs up to bat this could only mean 1 thing:

-

-

-

STRIKEOUT BABY!!!!!!!!

Tonight's 3 Stars:

#1 David Wayne Russo

4 Innings Pitched, 0 runs, 3 hits, 1 walk, 5 strikeouts.

#2 Ryan Collins

2 for 5 with the game winning run and the game tying RBI

#3 Bryan Hamilton

1 Inning Pitched, 3 strikeouts, 1 hit, save

Other notes:

The Big Train won the game on 4 hits, the Redbirds had 8.

The Redbirds made 4 errors

UP NEXT: Youse's Orioles

Big Train come back in last 2 innings beat T-Bolts again

After losing their first match up against the T-Bolts the Big Train won 4 straight and Friday they made it 5. After 6 lead changes the Big Train had the lead 6-5 in the ninth. In the 8th Danny Stienstra knocked in Mason Morioka who pinch ran for Seth Williams who singled. And Mason Morioka scored Ryan Collins in the 9th after a single. Ryan Collins had an amazing night with 2 doubles, 2 singles, 2 runs, and an RBI. Austin Harclerode had an expensive one, breaking 2 bats. Danny Stienstra had 3 hits a run and 2 RBIs. But who wins player of the game when Silver Springs designated hitter Fran Whitten had 2 doubles, 2 singles (just like Ryan Collins), 1 run, and 2 RBIs? The answer is Ryan Collins not just because he is a Big Train player but the time where he delivered his hits. He scored 2 of Bethesda's 6 runs and scored the go ahead run in the 9th after singling to lead off the inning.

Cam goes 8 innings, Big Train score one run to win

OF #6 Markus Melgosa caught stealing

5 hits was enough for Bethesda to pull away with the win on Thursday. Drew Farber had the only run of the ball game and a stolen base in his 4th game played on the season. The Aces had 7 hits and the Big Train made 2 errors. [N.Vickerson (14), T. Covington (1)] Markus Melgosa had 2 hits to raise hit batting average to .268. Cameron Love pitched 8 innings allowing only 6 hits and 2 walks. He also struck out 6. Bryan Hamilton got the save. Max Knowles pitched the last 2 outs of the 8th inning allowing nothing.

3 run 6th wins it for Herndon

The 3 unearned runs scored against starting pitcher Cody Allen were the only runs the Braves scored the whole game. The Big Train had their only run back in the 4th were Austin Harclerode singled in Nick Vickerson. Vickerson also had 2 walks and 2 hits.

Ryan Collins had the other multi-hit night with 2 hits. Seth Williams also had a hit and was hit by a pitch.

Bryan Hamilton threw another scoreless inning but didnt have a strikeout this time. Connor Bernatz went 0-5.

Big Train fall to Redbirds

Matt Bowman gave up 5 runs in the 2nd inning to add up to 7 runs in 5 innings. Only 2 runs were earned.

Bryan Hamilton and Patrick Keane play catch before Tuesday's game

The standings have tightened again as the Big Train lose and the Redbirds win. The 5 spot that the Redbirds put up in the 2nd inning held the Redbirds to victory as they won by 5 9-4. Ben Winter went 4-5 with 2 runs and 3 RBIs for the Redbirds. Danny Stienstra got another hit extending his on base streak to 15 games. Jarrod Parks and Austin Harclerode each doubled and scored. Nick Vickerson walked twice, was hit by a pitch, stole 2 bases, and struck out. (Video Below) The Big Train will play the Braves tomorrow. One of the 2 teams fighting to get the 4th and final spot in the playoffs. The Braves have the worst pitching staff in the league posting a 4.34 ERA and allowed 15 home runs.

Big Train, Orioles, Redbirds all win again

The race is way too close too call. All teams are within 4 games of each other with only week to go! The Orioles are in first place with a record of 26-10 and have won 9 in a row. The Big Train are in 2nd with a record of 24-12. The Redbirds are in 3rd with a record of 22-14.

Tonight's game:
The Nationals jumped on to a quick 2-0 lead after the 1st inning. But David Wayne Russo only allowed 1 more run in the 6th inning. He was done after 5.1 innings. He allowed 6 hits, 3 runs, 3 walks, and got 3 strikeouts. Mike Kent pitched 2.2 innings allowing an unearned run. Bryan Hamilton closed out the game and got 2 strikeouts. Bethesda's 1,2,3,and 4 batters all had 3 at-bats and scored 1 run. Jarrod Parks did it all. He had 1 hit, 1 run, 1 RBI, 1 walk, and 1 strikeout, The only thing he didn't do was homer, but he got a triple. The 2 Nicks each doubled. Austin Harclerode and Nick Schneeberger each had 2 hits. Danny Stienstra ended his 6 game hitting streak but continued his 13 game on base streak. He has now reached base safely in 14 straight games. Seth Williams also had a hit and a run in only his 2nd game starting. Carl Travers had 3 hits and 3 RBIs but didn't score for the Nationals.

T-Bolts come back falls short

#23 Nick Vickerson tags out a runner who was called safe for a triple in Sunday Nights game.

When the Big Train had a 7-1 lead in the 5th it seemed like it was over until the T-Bolts scored 2 runs in the 6th to knock Jordan Beistline out of the game. He allowed 9 hits and 3 runs over 6 innings while striking out 3. The T-Bolts scored only 1 more run in the 9th and they left 5 on base between the 7th and 9th, 2 in scoring position. Hugh Adams gave up the run in the 9th but just like Bryan Hamilton the day before it was unearned so his ERA stands at 0.00. Austin Harclerode had a pair of doubles to raise his total to 8 on the season. He also had a single, an RBI, and a run. Danny Stienstra continues his on base streak as he has reached base safely in 13 straight games. He has a 6 game hitting streak. He walked in between his 2 6 game hitting streaks. Stienstra is now batting 315. on the season. The T-Bolts came down about a half hour after the game ended in a massive thunderstorm that only hit in the Rockville-Bethesda area.

Big Train split doubleheader with Express

#9 Brennan Middleton throws out an Express runner in game 2 of the doubleheader.



Game 1:

The Big Train dropped the first game in the 9th inning when Kasey Culverson hit a sac fly with no outs and the bases loaded to win the game. Bryan Hamilton was pitching at the time but the run was unearned so he still hasn't allowed 1 earned run this whole season. He pitched 1 inning and struck out 1 batter. Connor Bernatz had a good night with a double, single, and a run. Only Danny Stienstra, Mason Morioka, Austin Harclerode, and Nick Schneeberger got hits. (one each) No Big Train players got any RBIs in the game either. Jose Velasquez allowed 2 hits and 0 runs over 3 innings pitched.


Game 2:

The Big Train started the scoring early in the first with 2 runs, and continued scoring until the 6th when Carl Gorman came on in relief of Joe Hasse who allowed 7 runs (3 earned) over 5 innings. On the other hand, Patrick Keane pitched 5 innings striking out 8 batters and only allowing 4 base runners and none of them scored. Mike Kent and Jimmy Reid each pitched an inning allowing 1 hit and no runs. Ryan Collins lead the offense for another night with 3 hits, one being a triple, 2 RBIs, and a run. The Orioles and Redbirds both won.

Knowles shuts down Big Train

Max Knowles continues dominating getting another win, 7 strikeouts, and lowering his ERA to 1.40 by allowing only 1 run in 7 innings. Cameron Love got the loss allowing only 2 runs in 6 innings. Bryan Hamilton and Hugh Adams kept their ERA at 0 combining the last 3 innings. It was a quiet night for the Big Train on offense. The only RBI came from Danny Stienstra who had the only multi-hit night. The Orioles beat the Redbirds 3-2. Tonight was Cody Freeman's last game with the Big Train.

1+1+1=2?

An error on the league website says Cody Freeman has 2 homeruns on the season and shows that on his game log. But explain this:

#1
http://crcbl.bbstats.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=16552&teamid=6768
#2
http://crcbl.bbstats.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=16585&teamid=6768
#2 again ?
http://crcbl.bbstats.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=16663
Here is his profile:
http://crcbl.bbstats.pointstreak.com/player.html?playerid=57733&seasonid=353

Thanks to Rebecca Crowley for finding this error and making me look smarter! :)

All-Star Game is canceled

The CRCBL vs. VBL game and Home Run Derby scheduled for tonight has been canceled due to rain. It rained for 2 days and barely stopped at all. The game will be played on Tuesday July 27th.