Cubs stay strong at home
June 2, 2006 - Florida State League (FSL1)
Daytona Tortugas News Release
The team returned home last night for the first of four with the Fort Myers Miracle and as usual the boys were spectacular at home! Behind seven shutout innings from starter Mark Holliman (3-3) Daytona defeated the Miracle 1-0. The only run came in the bottom of the eighth inning when outfielder Sam Fuld drove in Alan Rick. Adalberto Mendez shut the door in the ninth for his 11th save of the year and Jon Hunton picked up his first win as a member of the Daytona Cubs.
The Cubs are now 16-10 on the season at home, going 16-4 now after starting the year 0-6 at "The Jack." With only 17 games left in the first half Daytona is looking for some serious wins. The Cubs trail first-place St. Lucie by two and a half games, but also stand a game and a half back of the Brevard County Manatees who have defeated Daytona in seven of the two team's eight contests. The teams square off twice more before the all-star break.
Speaking of the all-star break, three Cubs were named to the 2006 Florida State League All-Star team. Catcher Jake Fox, first basemen Matt Craig and pitcher Sean Gallagher will all represent the East in Lakeland on June 17.
Fox, who has hit over .300 for much of the first half also, leads the FSL with 44 RBIs. His 11 home runs are second in the league and he leads the Cubs in both homers and RBIs. The defense for the Cubs catcher has also improved as the season grows. Fox is the first Daytona catcher selected since Geovany Soto was an All-Star in 2003.
Craig started off the season a little slow, but has battled back to raise his batting average by 70 points over the last month. During the month of May, the Cubs first basemen belted six home runs and drove in a league-leading 23 runs during the month. This marks Craig's second selection as an All-Star with the first coming two years ago in the Southern League when the slugger was with West Tennessee.
Gallagher will take a 4-0 record and 2.48 ERA to Lakeland. The Cubs starter has been the ace of the staff in 2006 and is third in the FSL in both wins and strikeouts. Gallagher was also selected as a Midwest League All-Star in 2005 when he started the game representing the Peoria Chiefs. He was also voted to last season's Post-Season All-Star Team in the Midwest League.
Sam Fuld is currently leading the FSL in hitting, batting .353 on the season and recently had a 17 game hit streak snapped against Brevard County. Adalberto Mendez continues his dominance with an ERA of 0.82 and a 1-0 record on the season. Mendez also leads the FSL in appearances.
The Cubs not going to the all-star game will get some much needed time off. The team has gotten a little banged up as of late with both Grant Johnson and Mike Phelps being placed on the disabled list this week. The good news is that Clint Brannon was activated today and could come in out of the bullpen as soon as tonight. The Cubs also got a new infielder, Andy Lane was sent to Daytona from extended spring training. Lane might get his first start this evening.
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Florida State League Stories from June 2, 2006
- Palm Beach Continues To Enjoy June - Palm Beach Cardinals
- Miracle Earn Franchises 1000th Victory With 11-6 Drubbing of Cubs - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
- Five Lakeland Tigers Named To All-Star Team - Lakeland Flying Tigers
- Cubs stay strong at home - Daytona Tortugas
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