Kazmir struggles, Zazueta goes deep

After a masterfully pitched game 1 by Jason Lane, Scott Kazmir got his chance against the Somerset Patriots' Derell McCall in game 2 of the series

Lane dominates for the win

The Skeeters welcomed the Somerset Patriots to Constellation Field and put Jason Lane on the mound to face off against Roy Merritt for the Patriots. Just 1 game separates these 2 teams in the division, Skeeters in 1st place at 9-8, Patriots in 4th place at 8-9...so to say we needed to win is an understatement!

Series split with Camden

The hopes of a series win were high for the Skeeters tonight in the final game against Camden. Heath Phillips threw in his normal rotation spot against Keith Weiser for Camden.

Comeback = 1st place in division!

Game 3 of this 4 game series against the Camden Riversharks took all 9 innings...plus 1 to figure out the winner. Kelvin Villa got the start for the Skeeters while Eddy Camacho tossed for the Riversharks.

"Lights out" for Skeeters

After a strong showing with a comeback win last night, the Skeeters hoped they would not have to repeat that performance in Friday's game. Michael Nix took the mound for Sugar Land while Bryan Corey threw for Camden.

3 home runs = 1 win!

The Skeeters started the 4 game series against the Camden Riversharks with Scott Kazmir looking to continue his success from the last game he pitched. The Riversharks sent Kevin Reese to the mound to face the Skeeters.

Skeeters pull it out in 9th

Headed into the final game of the series, the Skeeters had the chance to pull within a 1/2 game of Lancaster, as they lost earlier in the day. Jason Lane took the mound for the Skeeters and faced off against Roy Merritt for the Patriots.

Skeeters drop 2 games in 1 day

Well, as the old saying goes...All good things must come to an end. And in the Skeeters' case, that was the 3-game winning streak they had going, as they dropped both games of a double header against Somerset.

7th inning comeback seals win

Riding a 2-game win streak over the Long Island Ducks, the Skeeters looked to keep it going in the first game against the Somerset Patriots. The Skeeters sent ace-pitcher Bobby Livingston to the mound to face off against Doug Arguello for the Patriots.

Skeeters win game 11-7...series 2-1

With series wins needed to stay in the hunt for the 2nd half playoff spot, the Skeeters needed to win the rubber match to take the series. Michael Nix got the call for the Skeeters and faced off against Chris Flinn for the Ducks. Up to this point, the Skeeters pitching has held the Ducks to just 9 hits in the series...8 singles and 1 double, and just 2 total runs.

Kazmir pitches gem in no-decision

With Lancaster losing earlier, the Skeeters had a chance to gain some ground. They also had the chance to put some distance between themselves, Somerset, & York as they lost as well. Scott Kazmir got the start for the Skeeters and faced off against Mike Loree for the Ducks,

Majewski blows it in the 9th

The Sugar Land Skeeters sent Jason Lane to the mound to face off against Jason Monti for the Long Island Ducks. 

Skeeters making moves in July

July 3, 2012.
Sugar Land Skeeters: INF Luis Figueroa traded to the Bridgeport Bluefish for future considerations

July 6, 2012.
Sugar Land Skeeters: P Jusef Frias signed and activated
Sugar Land Skeeters: RHP Eric Krebs and LHP Dustin Richardson placed on disabled list
Sugar Land Skeeters: RHP Roberto Giron signed and activated

July 8, 2012.
Sugar Land Skeeters: LHP Scott Kazmir signed and activated
Sugar Land Skeeters: OF Miguel Negron placed on disabled list
Sugar Land Skeeters: RHP Jeff Farnsworth received in a trade from the Camden Riversharks for future considerations

July 13, 2012.
Sugar Land Skeeters: INF Amadeo Zazueta signed and activated
Sugar Land Skeeters: LHP Derrick Gordon placed on inactive list

July 17, 2012.

Sugar Land Skeeters: OF Aaron Bates signed and activated
Sugar Land Skeeters: OF Ryde Rodriguez released
Sugar Land Skeeters: RHP Eric Krebs activated
Sugar Land Skeeters: RHP Eric Krebs released

July 18, 2012.

Sugar Land Skeeters: LHP Derrick Gordon sent to York Revolution to complete a previous trade

Skeeters squeeze out a win

Looking to even the series at 3 games apiece, Sean Morgan got his first start of the season. His opponent was Dan Reichert for the Blue Crabs.

Skeeters pinched in 9th inning

After an amazing come back last night, the Skeeters were poised to take the 3-2 series lead by sending Bobby Livingston to the mound to face-off against David Jones.

There's no QUIT here!

After getting shut-out last night, the Skeeters hoped things went much better tonight. Michael Nix got the start for Sugar Land and faced Deinys Suarez for Southern Maryland.

Turn-about is Fair-play

After a dominating 9-inning, 3 hit shutout by Jason Lane, the mound belonged to former major league All-Star Scott Kazmir. He would face-off against Nick Green for the Blue Crabs. Hopefully things would fair batter for Kazmir in his 2nd start.

ALPB Playoff System Explained

PLAYOFFS

The Atlantic League plays a split season format in which the first half and second half winners of each division will play in a best-of-five Divisional Series, with winners advancing to a best-of-five Atlantic League Championship Series. If two teams in one division tie for the Second Half Championship (one of whom is the first half winner), then the other shall be declared the Second Half Champion and will play the first half winner for the Division Championship.

In the event a club should win both halves of their division, their opponent for the best-of-five divisional playoff shall be the club, regardless of division, designated as the WILD CARD, that has achieved the best overall record for the entire season.

DOUBLE WILD CARD

In the event the same clubs win both halves of their respective divisions there are two scenarios:

l. If the two Designated Wild Card entrants (teams with next best overall record) are in separate divisions, they shall play the Division Champion in their respective division (regardless of record) in order to ensure each division having a representative in the Championship Series.

2. If the two Designated Wild Cards are from the same division, then and only then would a seeding system come into play, by won loss record with one playing four and two playing three with all ties decided by the tie breakers system described above.

Lane fires complete game shutout

After dropping game 1 of the series, the Skeeters looked to Jason Lane to get them back on track against the Blue Crabs.

Extra innings = another 1 run loss

70 games left in the season and the second half of the season starts with a 6-game home stand against the worst team in the Liberty Division, the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (30-40). Heath Phillips got the call for the Skeeters while Dan Reichert, 3rd time versus Sugar Land, threw for the Blue Crabs.

In order for the Skeeters to make the post season, the best case scenario would be for them to DOMINATE the second half and come back to win the division...but, being down 16 games to Lancaster, the reality of the situation is that their best bet is to get several lengthy win streaks together and come in 2nd place in the division, assuming that the Lancaster Barnstormers will continue their domination and wins the division. 

Ex-Skeeters Players Update

Well, with the league at rest until Friday, I thought it was time to update what the players that have been called up are with their new teams.

These stats are up-to-date as of 7/12/2012.

2012 ALPB All-Star Game

With this being the first year of the Sugar Land Skeeters existence, they were well represented at the All-Star game held in Camden, NJ. Bubba Bell, Ofilio Castro, Octavio Martinez & Pedro Liriano were voted into the game by the fans and Ofilio Castro got the start at 1st base while Octavio Martinez got the start behind the plate. Pedro Liriano came in to pitch the 6th inning and Bubba Bell came in to bat in the 7th inning and played left field for the 7th & 8th innings.

This All-Star game is the 15th for the Atlantic League but just the 5th between the Freedom Division & Liberty Division which were formed in 2008. The new All-Star series is tied at 2-2 so this, in a sense, is the rubber match of the series between the 2 divisions.

LIVE Video Feed of 2012 ALPB All-Star Game

If you would like to watch the 2012 ALPB All-Star game tonight, just click the link below and it will magically transport you to the website that is hosting the event. Happy watching and be sure to cheer for Bubba Bell, Octavio Martinez, Ofilio Castro & Pedro Liriano!!

The game has a 6:05pm local time scheduled start time.

http://meridix.com/everywhere.php?liveid=RiversharksRadio

ALPB First-half Standings & Attendance Records

Freedom Division	W	L	PCT	GB
Lancaster Barnstormers	45	25	0.643	-
York Revolution	36	34	0.514	9
Somerset Patriots	35	35	0.5	10
Sugar Land Skeeters	29	41	0.414	16
Liberty Division	W	L	PCT	GB
Long Island Ducks	39	30	0.565	-
Camden Riversharks	34	35	0.493	5
Bridgeport Bluefish	31	39	0.443	8.5
So. Maryland Blue Crabs	30	40	0.429	9.5

The Lancaster Barnstormers get the 1st Freedom Division play-off spot while the Long Island Ducks get the 1st Liberty Division play-off spot.

All teams get back to work on the 2nd half of the season this Friday.

Team	Yesterday	Total	Openings	Average
Sugar Land Skeeters	-	231,616	34	6,812
Long Island Ducks	-	180,863	33	5,481
Somerset Patriots	-	166,232	32	5,195
Lancaster Barnstormers	-	159,669	35	4,562
York Revolution	-	143,706	35	4,106
Camden Riversharks	-	108,075	30	3,603
Southern Maryland Blue Crabs	-	130,760	38	3,441
Bridgeport Bluefish	-	71,247	35	2,036
TOTALS:	0	1,192,168	272	4,383

Bridgeport exterminates the Skeeters

There is not much good that happened tonight so this report will be fairly short...after I let you know that the Skeeters lost 16-6! Thank God the first half of the season is finished!!

Two-Time MLB All-Star, Houstonian Joins Sugar Land 

(As reported on the Skeeters website) The Sugar Land Skeeters have announced today former Major League All-Star and Cypress Falls product Scott Kazmir was in uniform for the Skeeters Saturday night. Kazmir is expected to pitch in Sunday's game (July 8, 6:05 p.m.) against the Bridgeport Bluefish. Limited tickets are available for Sunday's game and can be purchase online at www.SugarLandSkeeters.com or by phone beginning at 11 a.m. at 240.281.4487.

Skeeters hook Bluefish...win 6-2

On a night that looked like it would not happen due to weather, the Skeeters took the field against the Bluefish in game 3 of the series. Bobby Livingston got the start for the Skeeters and Chris Hayes threw for the Bluefish.

Bluefish complete comeback...win 5-4

The night started with 7,250 of your closest friends whooping it up...as it was Aggie Alumni night at Constellation Field. The pregame festivities included a visit from Reveille & the first pitch was thrown out by Kevin Sumlin, the new Aggie football head-coach. GIG 'EM AGGIES!!

Skeeters land a win against Bluefish

In this, the first game of a 4-game series, the Skeeters sent Michael Nix to the mound to face off against Jonah Bayliss for the Bluefish. Earlier in the day, the Skeeters and their fans learned that Bubba Bell, Octavio Martinez, Ofilio Castro, & Pedro Liriano would be going to Camden to play in the All-star game next Wednesday, July 11th at 6:05pm local time.

2012 All-stars announced...Skeeters send 4 

The Skeeters will send outfielder Bubba Bell, catcher Octavio Martinez, and infielder Ofilio Castro. They will also send pitcher Pedro Liriano.

Here is the link to the official announcement...

http://www.atlanticleague.com/cgi-bin/dist/news.cgi?id=1341519884

Skeeters drop heart-breaker in 13th inning

In a game that turned out to be the longest game, both in the number of innings played and length of time, the Bridgeport Bluefish walked-off with the win in the bottom of the 13th inning over the Skeeters.

Bluefish get the win...3-1

Heath Phillips went 5 innings, gave up 2 runs on 7 hits with 2 walks and 3 strike outs...and got credit for the loss. He now has a 1-5 record with a 3.86 ERA.

The lone Skeeters' run came in the 3rd inning when Jason Lane doubled, scoring Iggy Suarez who also doubled. That is all the Skeeters could get across the plate despite recording 7 hits in the game.

The Bluefish scored 1 run in 3 consecutive innings...4th, 5th, & 6th...to get the win in the 2nd game of the 3-game series.

Hitting Streaks:

Jason Lane (3)

Bubba Bell (2)

Dominic Ramos (2)

Iggy Suarez (2)

My MVP of the game is Jason Lane since he went 2-4 with 2 doubles, giving him 12 doubles for the season, and accounted for the only run of the game with his RBI.

The rubber game is scheduled for 1:05pm local time on July 4th. Be sure to tune in while you grub on those burgers!!

Skeeters double-up Bluefish...win 8-4

With the elusive "W" getting harder and harder to reach, Sugar Land relied on their ace, Bobby Livingston to nab one for them. Livingston took the mound against Bridgeport's Chris Hayes in the first of 3 games.

Another 2-1 score...another loss

The Skeeters needed a win desperately in this series against the Ducks. The final chance was tonight...and the next pitcher in the rotation was Dustin Richardson (1-0, 3.55 ERA). He would face off against Dan Meyer (2-4, 4.13 ERA) for the Ducks.