Javelina Win 8-3, Assume First Place in Wes

In what may well have been their biggest series of the season to date, the Julian Javelina used an impressive late charge to defeat the North Texas Rangers 8-3 and take over first place in the Western Division. The Javelina pitchers led the way, winning 5/6 pitching categories, and were aided by enough of a weekend offensive run to win three offensive categories. The series was close through out, but the Javelina found a way to pull it out in the end.

The story of the week was the performance of the Julian starting rotation. Knowing full well they needed a strong week to keep pace with what had been a dominant Rangers' pitching staff, the Julian starters combined for staggering numbers. In eight starts the Julian starters went 5-0 (1.61 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 50 K), a run that included Jered Weaver and Yovani Gallardo allowing a total of two earned runs in 34 innings of work. The bullpen also chipped in with 11 strike outs, 4 holds and 3 saves.

"Our pitching has not met expectations in the early going," said GM Jamie Hoyle. "But we've seen some encouraging signs the last few weeks and it looks like Yo and Ryan in particular are rounding into form. We expect our pitching to be much improved for the remainder of the season."

Though definitely not explosive, the Julian offense proved gritty and was able to chip in with some timely hitting. The Julian lineup received a boost from Andrew McCutchen who, despite only hitting .250 for the week, showed signs of returning to form by contributing in every offensive category (HR, 3 R, 3 RBI, 2 SB, 3 BB). Matt Joyce and Andre Ethier also had nice weeks, combining for 2 HR, 5 RBI, 7 R and 5 BB.

"It was nice to see 'Cutch and Andre start to get it going a little," said Hoyle. "We need those guys to be productive, and they both look like they're starting to get comfortable. If that continues, it only means good things for us offensively."

In week 9 the first place Javelina (51-38-7, 2nd best record in eMLB) square off against the Atlantic Surge (37-51-8). Despite finding themselves in the cellar in the Eastern Division, the Surge are coming off of a big offensive week and field a respectable pitching staff. A mismatch on paper could evolve into a closely contested series if the Javelina bats don't start providing some run production.

Hits and Misses...

SP Yovani Gallardo has been nearly unhittable over his last five outings (5-0, 1.50 ERA, 34 K, 35 IP)....2B Kelly Johnson is hitting .400 over his previous eight starts (12/30, 3 HR, 3 2B, 9 R, 2 BB, 2 SB)....CF Andrew McCutchen is hitting .324 over his previous nine starts (12/37, 2 HR, 2 2B, 6 RBI, 8 R, 7 BB, 4 SB)....SP Gio Gonzalez has allowed two or fewer earned runs in his previous five starts (3-0, 2.49 ERA, 35 K, 32.1 IP).

Javelina Take 7-5 Bite Out of Swarm

The Julian Javelina entered week six in need of a divisional victory and ultimately used a solid, balanced attack to earn a 7-5 series win over the Arizona Desert Swarm. For really the first time since the first week of the season, the Javelina got very good production from both the offense and the pitching staff, and they needed every bit of it.

The offense was very good from start to finish despite losing Ike Davis to injury on Monday, hitting .333 as a group. The offensive onslaught was led in large part by newly acquired outfielder Matt Joyce, who hit an eye-popping .450 (9/20, 4 HR, 9 RBI, 6 R, 4 BB, 1 2B) to raise his season average to a league-leading .368. Alexei Ramirez and Paul Konerko chipped in with two home runs and three runs batted in apiece.

"Matty has been very good for us," said GM Jamie Hoyle. "He's stepped right in, provided some power and really looks like he's coming into his own. He carried us this week."

As has been the case since the start of the season, the Javelina pitching proved the difference between winning and losing. The pitching staff combined for a 3.38 ERA (4 W, 3 S), 1.22 WHIP, 51 K and 5 holds. Leading the way for the pitching staff was the newly acquired Jake Arrieta. Arrieta made the most of his first turn in the Javelina rotation by going 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 13 strike outs (12.0 IP). Yovani Gallardo and Ryan Dempster both continued their recent runs of good starts by going a combined 2-0 (3.00, 1.25 WHIP, 16 K, 12 IP).

"It's no secret our pitching has been a thorn in our sides," said Hoyle. "Based on what we've seen from Yo and Ryan the last ten days or so, I think things are about to get a lot better. Add Jake to that and I think we have a lot to look forward to."

The Javelina entered play Sunday morning trailing the series 7-5, but within reach in three crucial "swing" categories (R, HR, SV). The offense responded by hitting a combined .467 on Sunday (7/15, 2 HR, 4 R, 3 RBI). Alexei Ramirez went 3-4 with a HR and two runs scored, providing all the cushion the Javelina needed.

"Good teams find ways to win, and that's what we did," said team captain Ryan Zimmerman. "I think this team is just getting started."

Swings and Misses....

The Javelina currently lead the league in home runs and batting average despite McCutchen, Kelly Johnson, Choo, Soto and Ryan Zimmerman all either struggling or dealing with injuries...RHP Ryan Dempster appears to be rebounding from his rocky start to 2011, going 1-1 in his previous three starts (20IP, 2.50ERA, 20K, 3 BB)....OF Matt Joyce's 7th inning homer off Mike Gonzalez on Sunday was the first of his career off a LHP....RHP Jake Arrieta (5-1, 4.03, 46K) is 4-0 with 36K over his previous 36IP (6 starts)....RP Ryan Madson has converted all six save opportunities without allowing a run since being named the closer on April 20th (9IP, 4 H, 4 BB, 0 ER, 10K).