Opening Week part 2

OK, so for the second home series, the Suns welcomed the Lakewood Blueclaws, affiliate of the World Champion Philadelphia Phillies. All of the technical difficulties associated with the beginning of the season are now under control and I was able to actually get into the games. As a Phillies fan, this series is a bit of a conflict of interest for me. The Blueclaws came into Hagerstown with a losing record, but that didn't stop them from having a loose attitude. Since I sit in leftfield, I usually get into a few conversations with the leftfielder between innings. Phillies 2008 2nd Round draft pick Anthony Gose came to town with one thing in mind. To steal. And so he did. He swiped 4 bags in the series giving him the league lead with 9. His goal is to lead the league and he is well on his way.



The most hilarious scene so far this year was when a group of Lakewood players did a dance in unison in the outfield during batting practice.






During this series is when I discovered that I should have gotten into better shape prior to the season as Anthony Gose got a laugh at my expense. He had to check on me a few times to make sure I was still alive. After a few innings rest I was able to ask him if he intended to nail a batting glove to the wall for each stolen base ala Willie Mays Hays, but he said it wasn't in his plans and that I should take a few more moments for rest.







This series did not go according to the Suns plans as Lakewood took the 1st 3 games of the series. The first game was another high scoring, extra inning affair as Lakewood scored 2 runs in the top of the 10th inning. Michael Guerrero earned the Cowbell while going 3 for 4 with 2 RBI's.




Game 2 saw Lakewood take the lead late and then hold off a Suns rally to win 5-4. Terrence Engles goes home with the Cowbell after sending 9 Lakewood batters to the pine in 5 innings of work while allowing 5 hits and 1 earned run and not allowing a base on balls.


Lakewood took the third game 6-4 as once again the Suns could not hold onto an early lead. Nick Arata swiped the Cowbell as the leadoff hitter going 2 for 4 and scoring 2 runs.


The Suns ended the homestand on a positive note by grabbing a the lead in the 8th and nailing the door shut on the Blueclaws comeback plans. Suns win 5-4. Once again newly appointed leadoff hitter Nick Arata takes the Cowbell and becomes the 1st repeat winner by going 3 for 3, scoring 1 run and driving in 4. He also swiped his second bag of the young season.



In recap the Hagerstown Suns Cowboy Cup standings are as follows:

1. Nick Arata 2



2. Marcos Frias 1



3. Derek Norris 1



4. Michael Guererro 1



5. Terrence Engles 1

For my first edition of "Where Are they Now?", I didn't have to look very far. In fact I only had to look into the visiting dugout as the Lakewood Pitching Coach is former Sun, Bob Milacki made his Professional Baseball debut with the Suns in 1984. He finished with 4 -5 record in 13 starts with a 3.36 ERA. Between A and AA ball, Milacki had 4 stints in Hagerstown. His career numbers in Hagerstown show a record of 14-12with an ERA of 3.47 in 196 innings. He made his Major League debut with the Baltimore Orioles in 1988 and enjoyed 8 years in the Majors. His career numbers (39W-47L, 4.38 ERA, 387 K) are split between time with Baltimore, Kansas City Royals, Cleveland Indians and Seattle Mariners. He even pitched in Japan in 1996. Bob retired in 200 after a successful year in the Independent League. He finished with 153 professional victories.

I think I'll get off of the proverbial soapbox at this time. If you have any suggestions for where are they now, please let me know. I hope to have a few other segments up my sleeve for my next blog, till next time.

The Suns host the Lake County Captains for a 3 game set April 27-30. Check the Suns official website for details.Hope to see you there.