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(AP)
The mighty Snappers go 6-1 by sweeping New Orleans and taking three of four from Miami to move back into the top spot in the PR. Not to be outdone the Racers go 6-1 with a sweep of Maine and taking three of four from Pittsburgh. Syracuse now has a 7.5 game lead in the Ale while Indianapolis has climbed back to within four from Santo Domingo in the Lager. Other big week were Carolina who went 5-1 while Washington, Wilmington, Toronto and Denver all went 5-2. Meanwhile Pawtucket went 0-7 and has now lost 22 straight, a new BLB record.
Power Rankings
1) Syracuse Snappers (141.6, +)
2) Santo Domingo Rum Runners (128.2, o)
3) California Kodiaks (127.6, -)
4) Baltimore Bulldogs (120.4, +)
5) Indianapolis Racers (116.2, ++)
6) Batavia Red Jackets (112.4, -)
7) Carolina Tobs (107.2, ++)
8) New York Knights (101.3, ++)
9) Hartford Whalers (96.0, +)
10) Pittsburgh Millers (95.9, -)
11) Seattle Pilots (95.3, --)
12) Los Angeles Dinos (92.7, --)
13) Wilmington Clowns (91.3, ++)
14) Washington Bats (91.0, ++)
15) New Orleans Dukes (90.5, --)
16) Toronto Canadians (90.0, o)
17) Miami Sharks (81.5, ++)
18) Phoenix Roadrunners (71.1, ++)
19) Windy City Blues (70.8, --)
20) Denver BC (70.1, ++)
21) Maine Guides (63.3, --)
22) Montreal Exports (61.6, --)
23) Philadelphia Freedom (44.8, -)
24) Pawtucket Patriots (-13.1, o)
Performance of the Week
CF Rory Elia - The 22 year old, who also happens to be the best player in the BLB, went off against Windy City on May 13th. In three at bats he had two home runs, drove in five, and scored twice in a 16-3 victory. His grand slam in the 6th put the Tobs up 11-3 and all but guaranteed victory. On the season he's hitting .354/.406/.702 with 13 HR's and 39 RBI's in 37 games.
Injury of the Week
CF Bailey Handy - Playing a backup role for the Tobs this potential starter on most other clubs went down with a broken finger on May 14th after getting beaned in the 8th by Camden Christiansen. The 26 year old is projected to be out a month. In 16 games this season he's hitting .319/.377/.596 with 3 HR's and 13 RBI's.
Prospect of the Week
LF Grant Hockensmith - Might as well turn this into a Carolina affair as Hockensmith is another potential star outfielder in the Tobs system. Currently the #21 overall prospect he was drafted by Carolina with the 7th overall pick of last years draft. He's currently in AA where he hit .319/.494/.698 with 13 HR's and 32 RBI's on the season.
Five Things We Think We Think
1. Is the Stout the scariest division in baseball? Batavia is young and talented with the best offense in the league. Baltimore has been to the playoffs 14 of the last 16 season and never rebuilds. Carolina is young and talented (sounds familiar). New York is always around, currently 20-17, and even though they have missed the playoffs the last two years previously they went five straight seasons and won the 2029 Brewmasters. Washington is the most successful franchise in league history and has been to the playoffs 34 of the last 36 years! Philly is under new management and if past seasons success are a future prediction they will be relevant in no time.
2. Guess who leads the DL in home runs and stolen bases...Seth Blankenship. He'd lead the entire league in both categories but Bulldogs CF Zack Jackson swiped 16 bases on the season before going down with a back injury on May 14th. Blankenship is on pace for 61 HR's and 51 stolen bases and also leads the league in RBI's after hitting five home runs, driving in 13, and stealing two bases this past week.
3. The 'feeder leagues' are in full playoff mode. The CCBL is currently in the Cape Cup as Hyannis and Chatham are tied 1-1 in the best of three. The NCAA is in the Regionals as Pacific, Cal, and Oregon state have moved on to the Super Regionals and await the winner of Clemon/Rice. In High School the Cathedral High Devil Dogs have a 1-0 lead on Notre Dame while American Heritage has a 1-0 lead on Carroll. The winners of those series will meet for the HS championship.
4. Interleague is upon us this week as some of the best in the BLB prepare to meet. Syracuse travels to California, Pittsburgh travels to Washington, Indy travels to Seattle, and Santo Domingo travels to Baltimore and then Carolina.
5. Congrats to Ron 'Vampire' Hutchison who smashed his 300th home run of his career on May 17th against Toronto. The 28 year old is 13th on the active list of players with 301 total home runs and could move into the top ten before the season is over. On the all-time leaderboard he recently broke into the top 100 and currently sits 87th.
Stat of the Week
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| Most 20 HR/20 SB Seasons (Top 25 Players) |
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