Tuesday, June 6, 2017

Diamonds In The Rough, Series Notes -- June 6


DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH – JUNE 6
Abbreviated two-game series opens with San Rafael

Starting Pitchers:
⚾Tuesday, 7 p.m., Albert Park, San Rafael
The Diamonds acquired pitcher Kevin Hammon during the off day and would like to have him start Tuesday night’s game. However, at press time, insurance issues were still up in the air and that could keep Hammon from playing before Friday. If Hammon is not available, Diamonds’ manager Aaron Miles says it will be a “bullpen game.”

It will be a very familiar face on the mound for the Pacifics in the series opener. Patrick Conroy – who has pitched for San Rafael the last three seasons – will be on the mound for his first start of the year. Conroy was named Pitcher of the Year in the Pacific Association in 2014 and 2016.

⚾Thursday, 7 p.m., Albert Park, San Rafael     
         The Diamonds will have Michael Gunn on the mound fresh off an impressive performance in the season opener. Gunn pitched seven innings, gave up two runs and collected eight strikeouts in a no decision.

            The Pacifics will counter with Nick DeBarr who has also been in San Rafael for three seasons. The 33-year-old DeBarr is one of the oldest players in the Pacific Association. Last season he was 3-8 with a 5.34 ERA.

            ***The game scheduled for Wednesday has been postponed and will be played as part of a doubleheader on July 2.  Wednesday’s contest conflicted with the third game of the NBA Finals featuring the Golden State Warriors.

Home Sweet Home – Tonight is the home opener for the Pacifics after they started the season going 1-2 at Vallejo against the Admirals. Because the opening night festivities are expected to delay the first pitch, tonight’s internet broadcast (available through www.DiamondsProBall.com) will begin with “Runs!Hits!Aaron!” – the Diamonds pre-game show with manager Aaron Miles – at 7 p.m.  Thursday night’s broadcast will begin at 6:45 p.m.

Yeah, But You Should See the Other Guy! – The pitching staffs for both teams got roughed up over the opening weekend. Despite surrendering 13 runs in Sunday’s game completing Sonoma’s series sweep, Pittsburg’s pitching staff comes into this second series with a better earned run average than the Pacifics’ staff. The Diamonds are at 5.90, San Rafael’s staff ERA is 7.89.

Painful, but not even close to a record – The 13 runs surrendered by the Diamonds on Sunday hurt, but fell far short of the club’s record. A review of scores from the last two seasons indicated 18 runs is the low point of all-time for Pittsburg.

New Extra Inning Rule Has Whack-A-Mole Feeling – The Pacific Association has adopted international rules designed to bring a quicker end to extra-innings games. The Diamonds experienced the new rule the very first game this season and it is somewhat like the game where you smack a rodent into the ground but the darn things just keep popping back up. At the start of each extra inning the last two batters from the previous inning are placed on first and second base. So, players you just got past in the batting order re-appear on the base paths and immediately the pitcher is in a high stakes jam. The first three innings Friday night resulted in two-runs scored which kept the extra-innings going. Finally, Sonoma held Pittsburg scoreless in the 11th and the Stompers won 7-5.

Visit to San Rafael is June Road Trip Rarity – The Diamonds 2017 schedule is heavily front-loaded with home games. Pittsburg returns to Winter Chevrolet Stadium on Friday, June 9 for the start of a nine game homestand. That weekend series will bring the Vallejo Admirals to town. Tickets are available at www.DiamondsProBall.com.


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