AppleSox News and Notes
July 29, 2013 - West Coast League (WCL)
Wenatchee AppleSox News Release
Division on The Line in Series Between AppleSox and Sweets
The race is on for the top spot in the WCL's North division, and it's anybody's guess as to who will sift to the top. Entering today (7/29), only a game and a half separate the top 3 teams in the North and 4th place Victoria will still have a say in who moves on even at 4.5 games off the pace. Currently, Bellingham is atop the division and in control of their own destiny, but with such a slim lead even a blink from the Bells could be their undoing.
Both Walla Walla and Wenatchee have been treading water late in this season almost playing a waiting game for one or the other to make a move at the top, but with only 9 league games remaining that critical juncture has come. For quite a while both the Sweets and AppleSox were tied atop the division with Walla Walla holding the tie breaker after taking 2 of 3 from Wenatchee earlier this season. In order for the AppleSox to regain the tie breaker they would have to sweep the Sweets.
Truth be told it is not the end of the line for the Wenatchee 9 if they don't finish in first place, as the top 2 teams in each division will advance to the playoffs. For Wenatchee nailing down the top spot is very much the priority considering the team's dismal road record of 8-15. The AppleSox have only won 2 series on the road this season and are yet to have a road trip with a win percentage above .500.
The good news for Wenatchee is that 6 of the remaining 9 league games will be contested at Paul Thomas Sr. Field against relevant North Division contenders. The final 3 games of the season will be played in Kelowna against the last place Falcons who have proven well suited for the role of a spoiler.
July 30th vs. Walla Walla at 7:05pm. Meet the new WCL President!
July 31st vs. Walla Walla at 7:05pm Salvation Army Food Drive
Sponsor: Cherry Creek Radio
August 1st vs. Walla Walla at 7:05pm Columbia River Steel/ Moses Lake Steel Night
Sponsor: Columbia River Steel
Barr Prepared to Set WCL Doubles Mark Portland Star Could set Record in Wenatchee
Last night (7/28) Ryan Barr (Portland) bashed 2 doubles leaving him on the doorstep of WCL history. Barr has already set the AppleSox single season record for doubles with his 17 2-baggers. The Previous record was set by Zach Mandelblatt in 2007 with 14 doubles. Now Barr is chasing Bend's Tyler Christian who knocked out 18 in 2011. Interestingly enough, Barr will have the opportunity to tie the record in Bend tonight. Ryan Barr will not be playing beyond the team's final home series with Victoria taking away 3 additional chances to break the record.
Ames Gets The Call
Former âSox Star's Dream Comes True
Former AppleSox RHP Steve Ames has realized his childhood dream of playing in the big leagues. Ames played for Wenatchee in 2008 by way of Gonzaga. The former Bulldog standout started the season in Double-A Albuquerque with the Isotopes as a member of the Dodgers farm system. The Dodgers drafted Ames in the 17th round of the 2009 draft. However Ames was traded earlier in the season and was playing for the Triple-A New Orleans Zephyrs: a farm team in the Miami Marlins organization. The Zephyrs manager Ron Hassey decided to play a prank on Ames when he broke the good news on Sunday morning. Hassey told Ames that he was being sent down to Double-A. A dejected Ames was almost out of ear shot when Hassey shouted out to him that he had just been called up to the Marlins. Ames becomes the 5th former AppleSox player to reach the big leagues. Congratulations to Steve Ames on an honor well deserved.
Event Details
When: July 30th - August 1st At 7:05pm
Where: Paul Thomas Sr. Field
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West Coast League Stories from July 29, 2013
- Elks outhit AppleSox 13-3, earn 3 game sweep with 5-1 victory - Bend Elks
- AppleSox News and Notes - Wenatchee AppleSox
- Gem's Buckles Bugs BlueJackets With Complete Game Win, 5-1 - Klamath Falls Gems
- Special Online Camo Jersey Offer - Corvallis Knights
- Kelowna Falcons Lose on Sunday - Kelowna Falcons
- Bozett Goes Deep as Sweets Collect Sixth Non-WCL Victory - Walla Walla Sweets
- Pitching from Cole complements offensive outburst in 11-4 Bells win - Bellingham Bells
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