6/25/07

Well it's been a few days, other things take priority at times, but I am back. In those days, the Chiefs are 2-2, though are currently in the bottom of the 8th down 2-0 to the Scranton W/B Yankees. Things started off well in this timeframe, as Syracuse made a nice comeback to defeat the Braves and avoid the sweep on Thursday night.

Things, however, were not as pleasant most of the rest of the four days, as Friday night's loss to the Yankees (7 to 4) was yet another horrific start by Victor Zambrano. I look at the three pitching pickups from the offseason by Toronto, and find it hard to believe that they would release John Thomson, who pitched much better than Zambrano has even come close to in any start. Speaking of Thomson, I wish him luck in his debut tonight with the Kansas City Royals..I think he can make the Blue Jays regret their move. The bright side from that game was Chad Mottola's two home runs, accounting for three of their four runs.

Saturday, Jesse Litsch finally got to show Chiefs' fans how he can pitch, and I was impressed. Two runs in seven innings pitched, and got the win, even though Brandon League gave up two more in his one inning stint. Hopefully he can work out the kinks, so he can get back up to Toronto soon, but they aren't going to rush him, which is a good thing. Batting-wise, the Chiefs were brought on early by back-to-back homers by Mike Vento and John Ford Griffin. It was nice to see Lee Gronkiewicz back in a Chiefs uniform, getting his first save of the year Chiefs won 6-4.

Sunday, was a nightmare for Syracuse, as Chase Wright pummelled them, allowing only 3 hits in seven innings, and combining with reliever Ed Ramirez to pitch a shutout. Wayne Lydon had 2 of the team's four hits (a double and triple) but could not score after either of them. John Banks pitched alright, giving up 4 runs in 6 innings, while Jim Crowell gave up the other four runs, in one inning pitched, give the Yankees the 8-0 victory.

Finally, we come into tonight, and again the Chiefs are stymied, losing to the Yankees 4-0. The Chiefs had an opportunity in the top of the 8th, down 2-0. They were able to load the bases with one out, however Kevin Barker hit into the inning ending double play. Michael MacDonald gave up 2 runs in 5 2/3 innings getting the loss. Blaine Neal also allowed two runs in during his one inning of work, but even one run was enough, as the Chiefs could only muster four hits, being shutout for the second time in as many games.

Syracuse starts a four game homestand against Charlotte Tuesday, and it will be the last home games until mid-July, after the all-star break. In roster news, John Schneider was finally returned to the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, while John Hattig was placed on the 7-day DL.