SL1 Jackson Generals

West Tenn Diamond Jaxx newsletter

Published on June 21, 2005 under Southern League (SL1)
Jackson Generals News Release


Your first place West Tenn Diamond Jaxx will open the second half of the 2005 season with a four game homestand against the Jacksonville Suns starting tonight, Tuesday, June 21st through Friday, June 24th. The series pits the Southern League first half North and South Division Champions against each other.

On Tuesday, June 21st, the Diamond Jaxx will be celebrating the First Day of Summer at Pringles Park (KOOL 103). It is also 2 for Tuesday so Diamond Jaxx fans can receive two (2) tickets, popcorns, or hot dogs for the price of one (1). Fans may also bring in any two (2) empty Pepperidge Farm hot dog or hamburger bun packages and receive one (1) FREE general admission ticket at the Pringles Park Box Office. Game time is 7:05 CST.

Wednesday, June 22nd, is Super Splash Day at Pringles Park. Youngsters of all ages are invited to come out to the Big Chip to beat the summer heat. Super Splash Day will feature a variety of different activities all sharing the same goal - to make sure that no one leaves the ballpark dry! In addition, Pringles Park will be hosting the PBS ZOOM Bash. ZOOM Bash is an interactive, educational program for kids. Wrigley Wednesday and the Business Person Special will also be in effect. Wear visible Chicago Cubs apparel or bring your business card to the Diamond Jaxx box office and you will receive a FREE general admission ticket. And since Pringles Park has wireless internet capabilities, business persons are encouraged to bring their laptops so they can work while enjoying the game. (Presented by Newstalk 101.5 FM)

Thursday, June 23rd, is another Community Night at Pringles Park. On Community Nights, your group (businesses, churches, employee groups, service clubs, sports teams, schools, reunions, conventions or any group of friends and family) can take part in the action at Pringles Park at our lowest group rates! Call 731-988-5299 for more details. In addition to the Community Night, because it will be Thirsty Thursday, Diamond Jaxx fans who purchase one (1) 20-oz. Pepsi or one (1) 16-oz. beer, will receive another one (1) at no extra cost.

To wrap up the series on Friday, June 24th, the first 1,000 fans to enter the gates at Pringles Park will receive a FREE Diamond Jaxx camouflage cap courtesy of the Tennessee Army National Guard. There will also be a pre-game concert by the Steven Whitson Band and a drawing to win a year of shoes courtesy of Rack Room Shoes.

Great seats are still available for all of the Diamond Jaxx home games. Tickets can be ordered by calling the Pringles Park box office at (731) 988-5299. Season tickets, Family Four Packs, and Flex 10-Game Mini-Plans are also still available for the 2005 season. Please call (731) 988-5299 or log on to our website at www.diamondjaxx.com for more information.

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*Diamond Jaxx Secure Sweet Spot in the Playoffs after the First Half Championship*

Your first place West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx won the first half Northern Division title of the Southern League during a doubleheader against the Mississippi Braves in Pearl, Mississippi. In the first game of the night on Thursday, June 16, Diamond Jaxx infielder Matt Craig hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning to tie the game at five. The Diamond Jaxx then rallied to score four runs in the eighth inning for a 9-5 win over the Braves. Jaxx pitcher Talley Haines pitched two scoreless innings to secure the win. In the second game of the night, former San Francisco Giants pitcher David Aardsma pitched five shutout innings, striking out a total of seven for the Diamond Jaxx. Brandon Sing and Matt Murt on scored two runs for the Jaxx in game two of the doubleheader. Sing had a RBI double in the fourth and Buck Coats singled in Murton for a run in the sixth, winning the game 2-1.

Since the Diamond Jaxx won the Southern League's Northern Division in the first half of the season, the first two games of the Southern League Divisional Playoff Series will be played at Pringles Park on Thursday, September 8th and Friday, September 9th. Information on playoff tickets will be released on a later date. Your first place Diamond Jaxx return home to Pringles Park on Tuesday, June 21st to begin a four game series against the Jacksonville Suns. This will be the first time the Diamond Jaxx have faced the Suns in the 2005 season.

For more information, call the Diamond Jaxx box office at (731) 988-5299 or log onto our website at www.diamondjaxx.com.

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*Don't Miss Your Last Chance to Register for the Diamond Jaxx Baseball Camp*

This week is the last week to sign your child up to attend the 2005 Diamond Jaxx Baseball Camp where youth ages 7-15 can receive fundamental instruction from the future stars of the Chicago Cubs.

The Baseball Camp will be held on Thursday, June 23rd and will begin at 9:00 a.m. and conclude at 12:00 p.m. The cost for each camper is only $50.00 (plus tax) and that price includes a Diamond Jaxx Kid's Camp T-shirt, Two (2) General Admission tickets to that night's Diamond Jaxx game, a Group Photo, an Autograph Lunch Session with the Diamond Jaxx in the First Tennessee Picnic Pavilion, and more!

There are limited spots available so reserve your spot today! To sign up, call (731) 988-5299.

For more information, please call (731) 988-5299 or log on to our website at www.diamondjaxx.com.

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*Diamond Jaxx Shuffle Roster*

The first half Northern Division Champion West Tenn Diamond Jaxx have trimmed their roster to twenty-one by sending RHP Federico Baez and LHP Yorkin Ferreras back to High-A Daytona.

Baez had a 4-2 record with 2 saves and a 3.06 ERA in twenty-nine appearances, all out of the bullpen. Baez pitched in 35.1 innings, giving up twelve runs (all of them earned) on thirty-four hits. Baez walked twenty and struckout twenty-two.

Ferreras compiled a 2-4 record with two saves and a 5.52 ERA in thirty appearances, all out of the bullpen. Ferreras worked in 29.1 innings. He gave up twenty-six runs (eighteen earned) on forty-three hits. Ferreras walked six and struckout thirty-one.

RHP Ricky Nolasco has also been activated from the seven day DL. The 22 year old Rialto, CA native is among the Southern league leaders in wins, ERA and strikeouts.

To make room on the roster, the Diamond Jaxx have placed OF Felix Pie on the seven day DL with a sprained right ankle. Pie sprained the ankle sliding into third base during the first game of the doubleheader against Mississippi on June 16th. Pie has appeared in fifty-nine games with the Diamond Jaxx. He is hitting .304 with eleven homers and twenty-five RBI's. He has also stolen thirteen bases.

In additional roster moves prior to the start of the second half of the 2005 Southern League season, RHP Talley Haines and LHP Carmen Pignatiello are leaving the first half Northern Division champion Diamond Jaxx for Triple-A Iowa. The Diamond Jaxx are getting RHP Thomas Atlee, RHP Carlos Marmol and LHP Sean Marshall from High-A Daytona.

Haines leaves a big hole to fill in the closer role. Haines went 4-2 with thirteen saves and a 1.78 ERA. In twenty-three appearances out of the bullpen, Haines gave up seven runs (five earned) on twenty-four hits in 25.1 innings of work. He walked two and struckout twenty.

Pignatiello leaves as one of the best left-handed starters in the Southern League. Pignatiello compiled 5-4 record with a 2.68 ERA. In ten starts (sixteen appearances overall), Pignatiello gave up twenty-six runs (twenty-four earned) on sixty-seven hits in 80.2 innings of work. He walked twenty-eight and struckout seventy-seven.

Atlee compiled a 1-3 record with eight saves and a 2.61 ERA in Daytona. He allowed eleven runs (six earned) on eighteen hits in 20.2 innings of work. Atlee walked eight and struckout fifteen.

Marmol went 6-2 with a 2.99 ERA in Daytona. He allowed thirty runs (twenty-four earned) on sixty hits in 72.1 innings of work. Marmol walked thirty-seven and struckout seventy-one.

Marshall leaves Daytona with a 4-4 record and a 2.74 ERA. He worked in sixty-nine innings, allowing twenty-four runs (twenty-one earned) on sixty-three hits. Marshall walked twenty-six and struckout sixty-one. This will be Marshall's second stint with the Diamond Jaxx. Last season, he compiled a 2-2 record with a 5.90 ERA in six starts.

To keep up with the latest transactions, log on to our website at www.diamondjaxx.com.

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*Diamond Jaxx Finish First Half in First Place*

The post season bound Diamond Jaxx returned to Pringles Park on June 9th for a weekend series with the Mississippi Braves. The Diamond Jaxx won 9-4 before a crowd of 1,329 fans at Pringles Park. Diamond Jaxx third baseman Casey McGehee missed hitting for the cycle by a triple as the Fresno, California native went 4-4 with a homer and two RBI's in the win. Ryan Theriot had three hits while Matt Craig and Jose Reyes had two hits each to highlight a thirteen hit attack. Reyes also drove in a pair of runs. Richard Lewis chipped in with a triple and three runs batted in on the night. After spotting Mississippi a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning, the offense put the game away by scoring four runs. Renyel Pinto was the beneficiary of the offensive explosion. Pinto pitched five innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits with three walks and six strikeouts.

On June 10th, the Braves erased a 5-3 deficit with a six run 7th inning as they went on to defeat the Diamond Jaxx 11-8 before a crowd of 1,696 fans at Pringles Park. Ryan Basner pitched four shutout innings, allowing just two hits in relief of starter Chuck James to pick up the win. Jae-kuk Ryu had two hits and two RBI's, while Felix Pie and Ryan Theriot had two hits to pace a Diamond Jaxx ten hit attack. Adam Greenberg smacked a two run triple in the bottom of the eighth to chip in the eight run night.

On June 11th, the Diamond Jaxx picked up a rain-shortened 2-1 win over the Braves. The game was called in the bottom of the eighth inning after a lengthy rain delay. Diamond Jaxx left-hander Jon Connolly was brilliant. Connolly worked 6 2/3 innings, allowing no runs on just one hit. The Oneonta, New York native walked two and struckout nine. The Diamond Jaxx took a 2-0 lead off starter and losing pitcher Brian O'Connor in the bottom of the third inning. Adam Greenberg walked to begin the inning. Casey Kopitzke got an infield single to put runners at first and second. Connolly laid down a bunt in front of O'Connor, who tried unsuccessfully to get the force at third base. With the bases loaded, Dwaine Bacon stepped to the plate and gave the Diamond Jaxx a 1-0 lead when he was hit by a pitch, forcing in a run. Ryan Theriot drove in the second run with a sacrifice fly, scoring Kopitzke. Talley Haines came on to get the final out, notching his eleventh save of the season.

On June 12th, the game scheduled at Pringles Park between the Diamond Jaxx and Braves was postponed due to rain. The game was rescheduled for June 16 when the Diamond Jaxx play the Braves at Trustmark Park.

On June 13th, the Diamond Jaxx began a road trip by defeating the Huntsville Stars 4-2. Carmen Pignatiello silenced the Huntsville bats, giving up just one run on five hits with two walks and four strikeouts over 6 1/3 innings of work. Pignatiello began the game by retiring the first eleven batters in a row. While Pignatiello was dealing goose eggs through six innings, the offense gave the left-hander four runs to work with. Felix Pie led off the ballgame with a single to right, took second on a sacrifice bunt by Adam Greenberg, went to third on a infield groundout by Matt Murton and scored on a wild pitch. The Jaxx made it 3-0 in the third on a two-run homer by Casey McGehee. Richard Lewis led off the fourth inning with a home run, giving the Diamond Jaxx a 4-0 lead. With two on and two out, Jaxx closer, Tally Haines, struckout Vinny Rottino to end the game, giving Haines his 12th save of the season.

On June 14th, the Diamond Jaxx came through with an exciting 2-1 win over the Huntsville Stars. This game was completely dominated by great starting pitching from Jaxx left-hander Renyel Pinto and Huntsville southpaw Ryan Costello. Pinto picked up the win as the Miranda, Venezuela native worked six shutout innings, allowing five hits and two walks while fanning six batters. The Diamond Jaxx took a 1-0 lead in the first when Ryan Theriot scored on a infield grounder hit by Brandon Sing. Sing would reach on a throwing error by SS Enrique Cruz. The two teams would not get another run until the eighth inning when Ryan Theriot led off the inning with a solo homer just inside the left field foul pole, giving the Diamond Jaxx a 2-0 lead. Huntsville came back with a run of their own in the bottom of the eighth on a RBI double by Nelson Cruz. Talley Haines struckout the first two Stars batters in the ninth inning and induced Guildar Rodriguez to hit a flyball to left-center but Felix Pie dropped the ball, sending the tying run to second. Haines kept cool and calm as he fanned Tony Zuniga to nail down his thirteenth save of the season. On June 15th, the Stars produced a 6-1 victory over the Diamond Jaxx. Huntsville took a 2-0 lead in the first on a home run by Nelson Cruz, his 13th. The only run for the Diamond Jaxx came in the fourth on a single by Matthew Craig, plating Matthew Murton, who had walked and swiped second for his team-leading 14th stolen base.

On June 16th, the Diamond Jaxx officially qualified for the Southern League Playoffs. The Diamond Jaxx, with a Carolina loss to Tennessee, swept the Mississippi Braves 9-5 in eight innings and 2-1 to win the first half Northern Division championship. In the opener, Matt Craig hit a two out, two-run homer in the seventh inning to tie the game at five. The Diamond Jaxx went on to score four runs in the eighth inning to pick up a 9-5 win. Talley Haines pitched two scoreless innings to pick up the win. In the nightcap, David Aardsma pitched five shutout innings to lift the Jaxx to the title clinching win. As great as Aardsma pitched, the game wasn't over until the Diamond Jaxx threw two runners out at the plate in the bottom of the seventh. Carlos Duran slapped a one out single to center. Ray Serrano came within a foot of winning the game as he hit a double high off the left-field wall. Duran got held at third but the relay throw from Murton went over Ryan Theriot's head. Duran tried to score but Matt Craig picked up the ball and fired to Jose Reyes as Reyes put the tag on Duran for the second out of the inning. Serrano went to second base on the play. Jon Schuerholz pinch-hit for Casey DeHart and dumped a single to right. Brandon Sing fired the ball home as Reyes blocked the plate, tagging out Serrano to end the game, clinching the Diamond Jaxx their first taste of post-season play since 2002.

On June 17th,The Diamond Jaxxx lost it in the bottom of the 15th inning 2-1 in fifteen innings. Talley Haines struckout pitcher Glen Tucker leading off the 15th inning then gave up back-to-back singles by Schuerholz and Joshua Arteaga. With runners at first and second, Gregor Blanco reached on a fielders choice as Arteaga was erased at second. Onil Joseph came up with two outs and runners at first and third. Joseph hit a ground ball that went off the heel of Craig's glove. Ryan Theriot, backing up Craig on the play, grabbed the ball but his throw to Craig at first wasn't in time as Schuerholz scored the winning run. Tucker picked up the win for the Braves as he pitched a scoreless inning in relief. Each team had fifteen hits in the game with the Diamond Jaxx stranding thirteen men on the basepaths. The Braves stranded eighteen men on base.

On June 18th, the Mississippi Braves got great pitching from left-hander Chuck James and righty Matt Wright as they held the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx to just six hits enroute to a 2-1 win over the Diamond Jaxx. James went the first five innings, allowing a run on five hits with no walks and nine strikeouts. Wright pitched the final four innings for his first save of the year. He allowed no runs on just one hit. Wright also walked one and fanned four. Jeff Francoeur provided the offense for the Braves with a two run homer in the first inning off Jaxx starter Carmen Pignatiello. Pignatiello allowed the two runs on ten hits in seven innings of work. He walked three and struckout seven. Casey McGehee's RBI single in the third inning was the only run the Diamond Jaxx could muster.

Iker Franco's eighth-inning single gave the Braves the edge over West Tenn in a 2-1 pitchers' duel on Sunday in Pearl, Miss. The Braves scored the game-tying run off Diamond Jaxx reliever Randy Wells on Josh Arteaga's sacrifice fly. Franco then hit a line drive off Wells' body, allowing Jeff Francoeur to score the go-ahead run from third. Mississippi starter Anthony Lerew was effective in holding the Diamond Jaxx to just four hits and a walk through five innings, fanning seven in the process. Casey DeHart maintained a perfect record out of the bullpen by throwing 1 1/3 scoreless innings and giving up just a pair of hits and a walk. Paul Bush allowed a hit, but closed the door on West Tenn in the ninth for his first save. Mississippi struggled for scoring opportunities before the eighth inning as West Tenn starter Renyel Pinto pitched six shutout frames, allowing just three hits and three walks while striking out eight and forcing a key inning-ending double play in the fourth. Jose Reyes, who finished 2-for-4, drove in West Tenn's lone run on a one-out single in the fifth for his 22nd RBI.

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Southern League Stories from June 21, 2005


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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