Ottawa Lynx homestand preview

Published on May 29, 2005 under International League (IL1)
Ottawa Lynx News Release


The Ottawa Lynx return home tomorrow, Monday, May 30th to start an eight-game homestand featuring four games with the Columbus Clippers (Triple-A Affiliate of the New York Yankees) and four games with the Durham Bulls (Triple-A Affiliate of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays). Joining the Bulls on their trip to Ottawa will be Gatineau native Pete Laforest.

Going into this afternoon's game in Norfolk, the Lynx sit at 26-20, good for second in the IL North Division only 3.0 games back of the Buffalo Bisons. After today's' game the Lynx make the 686 mile/1103 kilometer trip back to Ottawa for the homestand. After the completion of today's game the Lynx will have played 30 games on the road and 17 in Ottawa. The 17 home games played by the Lynx are the fewest of any team in the IL.

The game today will complete a stretch that saw Ottawa play 18 of their last 22 games on the road. The Lynx have fared well over that stretch, winning 11 of 20 (with one game postponed due to rain).

Ottawa's roster has had several changes over the last few days. 1B/DH Alejandro Freire (death in the family) was placed on the temporarily inactive list, while INF/OF Napoleon Calzado had his contract purchased by the Baltimore Orioles. To make room for Calzado on the 40-man roster, Lynx OF Tim Raines Jr. was designated for assignment. The one addition the Lynx have had is RHP Matt Bruback, who was promoted from Double-A Bowie. The 6'7'' Bruback, who was 4-0 with a 3.32 ERA at Bowie, is scheduled to start the series opener tomorrow in Ottawa against Columbus.

Ottawa Lynx News and Notes:

Fiore Leads Lynx: The Ottawa Lynx received another solid starting pitching performance, this time by Tony Fiore, as Ottawa nipped the Tides 3-1 Saturday night. Fiore gave up only one run (on a solo homer) on six hits in 6.2 innings picking up his second victory of the year. RHP Andy Mitchell, RHP Aaron Rakers and LHP Tim Byrdak recorded the last seven outs to secure the win for the Lynx, with Byrdak picking up his 9th save of the year. OF Keith Reed led the Lynx offense, going 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI in the winning effort, while 1B Kris Wilken drove in two of the three Lynx runs on a sac fly and an groundout. Notes: 2B Bernie Castro and C Eli Whiteside each had two hits for the Lynx in their 10-hit attack...The Lynx improved their record to 7-2 in games started by Tony Fiore....The win yesterday was Lynx manager Dave Trembley's 1,252nd in his managerial career...he sits third amongst active Minor League managers in wins... if the Lynx were to win 74 games this year, he would achieve the 1,300 win plateau.

The Byrdman Cometh: LHP Tim Byrdak continued his fabulous season last night by recording his 9th save...In 22 games this year Byrdak has posted a 2-0 record with a 1.17 ERA ( 3 ER in 23 innings) while holding opponents to a .177 batting average.... In his last eight appearances, Byrdak has not given up a run while collecting seven saves ...in those appearances, he has given up only five hits in 9.0 innings while striking out 11....RHP Andy Mitchell has joined Byrdak as being hot of late.. he has posted a 1-0 record with a 1.38 ERA in nine May appearances...the Lynx bullpen has combined to post a 14-3 record this year, highlighted by - Mitchell (4-0), Rakers (3-1), Rodney Ormond (2-0), Byrdak (2-0)

This and That: 2B Bernie Castro has his team-leading 19th multi-hit game of the year for Ottawa last night...Castro is 11-for-24 (.458) over his last six games and is 4th in the IL with a .341 average.. his 60 hits are three short of IL leader Jeff Keppinger's 63...CA Eli Whiteside is 4-for-10 in the three games against the Tides...Ottawa pitching has held opponents to fewer than 10 hits in 7 of their last 8 games.....Ottawa is 12-4 when scoring first this year.

10 Is Enough: The Lynx are tied for the IL lead in team batting average, at .279...The Lynx have won 11 straight games in which they have collect 10 or more hits and they are 16-3 when collecting 10 or more hits in a game this year.

Put it in play: In Lynx games this year, you'll see each batter put the ball in play more often than with any other team in the IL... The Lynx offense collected the fewest walks (114) and strikeouts (227) in the IL, while the Lynx pitching staff has walked the fewest ( 109) and have struck out the fewest ( 267) in the IL

Visiting Players: The Clippers roster has one former Lynx, INF Felix Escalona... The Bulls roster features Gatineau native Pete Laforest, who has hit .278 with 9 homers and 25 RBI in 38 games this year...Durham's roster also features former Lynx CA Tim Laker...Durham will bring one of the top prospects in all of baseball to Ottawa, when infielder B.J. Upton comes in with the Bulls.

Notes: Attached are the current rosters of the Lynx and the Clippers, as well as the season statistics for Ottawa as of Sunday, May 29th at 10:00 am EST.

Upcoming promotions at Lynx Stadium:

Wednesday, June 1st Cosmic Adventures Fun Zone Grand Opening! - Our new and improved Cosmic Adventures Fun Zone officially opens for the season! Be sure to come out to the park and be the first to try the inflatable bounce house, gigantic slide or test your throwing arm at our speed pitch machine. All are free except the pitching cage, which is $1 for 3 pitches with a chance to win a great prize!

Thursday, June 2nd Rogers Television 22 presents School Day #1 - A day where local schools come to the park to watch some great ball. There will be tons of entertainment and games for kids of all ages. Entertainment will consist of some of the following: face painters, the fun zone, Mad Science, and A Clown Around.

Friday, June 3rd Annual Scout Sleepover - Area scouts have the opportunity to sleep over on our field after the ball game. The scouts will enjoy an evening game and then settle in for movies in the outfield. Once the game is in the books, the kids will be directed to the picnic area where their gear will be stored for the game, to grab their things and they will head on down to the field. Breakfast will be served in the morning before they head home. $5 Jersey Friday - For children 14 & under, wear a team jersey to any Friday home game and get in for ONLY 5 BUCKS!

Saturday, June 4th Outstanding Student Day - This is the chance for schools to honour students who have excelled either academically or through school activities. Pre-game ceremony will be held on the field beginning at 5:00 pm. Students will be directed where to register when they enter the main entrance and from there will be directed on the field for the announcement of there names. Annual Food Drive: Fans are asked to bring in non-perishable food items to support those less fortunate when the Overbrook-Forbes Community Resource Centre holds their annual food drive at Lynx Stadium. Members of the Overbrook Forbes Community Resource Centre will be on hand outside the main gates to collect donations from fans.Little League clinic - A chance for kids to come out to the ballpark and learn the fundamentals of batting, infielding/oufielding, catching, pitching, and running from their favorite Lynx players. This takes place from 2-4 PM. A ticket to the game gets you into the clinic.

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International League Stories from May 29, 2005


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