26 October 2008

BayDogs Stumble Out of Gate in Season 10

The Baltimore BayDogs are off to a slow start with a 13-21 record in the early going of Hunter League's tenth season. Hoping to build off of last seasons 80-82 record, the best in BayDogs history, the club made a number of changes over the winter. Justin Granger, was one of two free agent signings and is playing 3rd base. Last years 3rd baseman, Rich Peterson has moved to centerfield to replace veteran Ed Shelby who was traded to New Britain for hard hitting left fielder Andrew Wright. The other major change to the line-up is rookie Fernando Beltre, promoted from AAA where he was noted for his handling of the pitching staff, platooning behind the plate with James Hardy.

Offensively, the Dogs are off to a good start led by veteran first baseman Rich Peters (14 HR, 33 RBI and a .363 average) and right fielder Jack Henderson (9 HR, 26 RBI and a .321 batting average). Pitching though is another matter. The starting rotation is off to very rough start with only Roy Riley pitching to a semi-decent 4.96 ERA. No starter has more than 1 victory. The BayDogs will go nowhere in the tough NL East unless Felipe Andujar, Jose Vallarta, Don Sedlacek and Harry Guevara can get things turned around.

Most of the changes to the pitching staff are found in the bullpen where free agent Damian Wolcott is currently assuming a long relief role but may join the starting rotation sooner than planned if problems with the Big 5 continue. Rookie Gregg Murratore is excelling in the set-up role after a very successful minor league career for the BayDogs. He is joined by veterans Glenn Patterson and Ricky Spoljaric in the effort to turn the game over to 3rd year closer James Sinclair who is already 3-0 with 5 saves.

Baltimore management is hopeful that the veteran starting rotation will find its stride and begin to perform to expectations. Without a quick turn-around it could be a long season for BayDog fans.

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