New Jersey Cardinals Weekly Report

Published on August 26, 2004 under New York-Penn League (NYPL)
New Jersey Cardinals News Release


WEEKLY WRAP-UP: The Cards went 5-5 last week, dropping a doubleheader to Williamsport (Pittsburgh Pirates) on August 18, splitting another doubleheader with the Crosscutters on the 19th and then taking the series finale on Friday, winning 2 out of 3 against Brooklyn (New York Mets) and then splitting the opening games of a 3-game set on the road at Lowell (Boston Red Sox). They are now 35-30 on the season and in 2nd place of the McNamara Division of the New York – Penn League, 1.0 game behind division leading Brooklyn.

PLAYOFF PUSH: The Cards currently lead the wild card race by 0.5 games over Hudson Valley (Tampa Bay Devil Rays) and Mahoning Valley (Cleveland Indians). New Jersey travels to Hudson Valley on Friday to open a pivotal 3-game set that could have major playoff implications. Then, after playing the Renegades, the Cards and Vermont Expos (Montreal Expos) hook up in a 3-game series at Skylands Park beginning Monday at 7:15 pm. Hudson Valley and the Brooklyn Cyclones close the season with a 3-game series beginning on Thursday, September 2. Listed below are the full wild card standings, with Brooklyn sitting 1.0 game ahead of New Jersey in the division standings.

Team W L PCT GB
New Jersey 35 30 .538 ---
Hudson Valley 33 29 .532 0.5
Mahoning Valley 35 31 .530 0.5
Oneonta 32 31 .508 2.0
Vermont 30 31 .492 3.0

BIRDS WITH BATS: The Cardinals are batting .248 as a team, 8th in the league. 2B Chris Patrick currently ranks 3rd in the league with a .328 batting average. Since returning to the lineup from injury on July 22, he is batting .358 (43-for-120) and has hit safely in 23 of his 32 games. IF Tim Cantu went 3-for-3 with 2 RBI to lead the Cards to victory over Brooklyn on August 21. SS Matt Shepherd snapped a 5-game hitting streak last night. He went 6-for-17 (.353) over that stretch. 1B Levi Webber hit a home run in each game of a doubleheader on August 18 against Williamsport. Since August 5, Webber has hit each of his team-high 5 home runs and batted .303 (20-for-66).

CARDINALS HURLERS: The Cardinals pitching staff has a 3.57 team ERA, 7th in the league. RHP Miguel Aguero is 9th in the league with a 2.90 ERA, 6th with 68 strikeouts and 3rd with 77.2 innings pitched. Aguero has turned in a quality start (at least 6.0 innings pitched, 3 or fewer runs allowed) in each of his last 6 starts. Over his last 7 outings, the Cardinals workhorse is 3-2 with a 1.66 ERA (43.1 IP, 8 ER). RHP Michael Doyne recorded his 9th save of the season on August 23 against Brooklyn. He has not allowed a run in his last 12 outings, a streak which spans 13.0 innings pitched. During that time, Doyne has allowed just 9 base runners (5 hits, 4 walks) and struck out 19 batters. RHP Mike Gross has yet to allow an earned run for the Cardinals, running his streak to 9 games and 12.1 innings pitched. LHP Eric Haberer became the first left-hander to start for the Cardinals this season when he went 7.0 innings, allowing 2 runs on 7 hits while striking out 5 in his Cards debut in a win over Brooklyn on August 21. In his last two outings, RHP Donnie Smith is 1-0 with a 1.59 ERA (11.1 IP, 2 ER).

THE WEEK AHEAD: Tonight the Cardinals close a 3-game set at Lowell and then travel to Hudson Valley tomorrow. Saturday night they return home to Skylands Park for a 5:00 pm contest against the Renegades. Sunday, the Cards play their final road game of the year at Hudson Valley and then return home on Monday for their final six games of the season. Vermont visits for a 3-game series beginning on Monday, and Aberdeen comes to town on Thursday as the Cards close out the 2004 regular season with a 3-game set against the Ironbirds. Saturday night is Ronetco Shop Rite Tony Torre Bobblehead giveaway day, "Kids Eat Free" on Monday courtesy of KFC and the New Jersey Herald, September 2 there is Phil's Ford New Jersey Cardinals baseball giveaway, Friday, September 3, is fireworks night thanks to the New Jersey Herald, and Saturday, September 4, is Rally Cow Bobblehead night.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



New York-Penn League Stories from August 26, 2004


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.

OurSports Central