Terry Is Sorry, Baby...

[The following is what I imagine the conversation was like in the clubhouse upon Lancaster Barnstormers third baseman Terry Tiffee's return to the club, after being cut by the AAA Scranton/Wilkes Barre Yankees earlier this week]

by Terry Tiffee

Hey. How you doin? Uh...look, this is tough for me to say. So I'm just gonna say it.

Terry is sorry, baby.

I didn't mean to say all those things. You know that. I'm not like that.

I know. I know. I hurt you. I'm sorry. I was excited. I was going to THE SHOW!! It was going to be great!! I was finally getting out of this shitty town!! I was...

Wait.

Wait...you know I didn't mean that. I mean to say, I was finally going to realize my dream of playing for an MLB club. Of course I love it here. I do. You guys...you guys are like family.

Everidge, you fat fuck, c'mere!! I love you, man. Believe it. Terry LOVES you. Family!! I would never knowingly hurt my family. Even if they are a bunch of no-talent has beens like you, Suarez. Ha-ha! Noogie!!! (Tiffee gives Lancaster shortstop Iggy Suarez a "noogie")

Wait...where are you going? Come back!! WAIT!!

Look, I'm really sorry. Terry is so, sooo sorry, baby. I said some awful things. I just want you to forgive me. I promise this won't EVER happen again. Please. I'm begging you. I've got nowhere else to go. Seriously. After I got the call from the Yankees, I called my wife and said, "Pack your bags, honey, I just hit the jackpot!!" When she asked whether she should pack for warm or cold weather, I said "I don't give a fuck, just be out of the house when I get home!!"

She didn't take that too well. She changed the locks. So seriously, I've got nowhere else to go.

HEY!! Is that my old locker? AWESOME. I've got all my stuff here, so I can move right in!!

I'm so glad to be back, guys. You have no idea.

So...we're cool, right? No harm, no foul?

Guys?

OMG, GI(4)DP WTF? FML...

Starter Wilkin De La Rosa battled control issues, and the Riversharks just couldn't plate enough runs to overcome the Lancaster Barnstormers early onslaught. The Stormers piled on the runs early and held on to beat the Sharks 7-5.

Lancaster batted around in the 2nd, but tallied just three hits, in what was really a nightmare inning for De La Rosa. A combination of walks, errors and timely hits, including a bases clearing RBI double from Lancaster first baseman Tommy Everidge eventually plated six runs for the Stormers.

The Sharks got one run back in the bottom of the frame when designated hitter Alvin Colina absolutely CRUSHED a J.D. Durbin fastball over the left field wall.

Camden cut the deficit to 6-4 in the 3rd, but caught a really bad break in the process. With the bases loaded and no outs, first baseman Willis Otanez grounded into a 4-6-3 double play that scored shortstop Juan Francia. Next, Colina singled in Lloyd Turner, and finally a Danny Richar triple scored Colina. The inning ended when left fielder Brian Burgamy struck out swinging.

In the 4th, Wayne Lydon scored on a double from left fielder M Watson to make it 7-4, and the Sharks added one more in the 9th to again cut the deficit to 2, but Otanez grounded into another 4-6-3 double play, and two batters later Richar lined one right to shortstop Iggy Suarez to end the game.


The Sharks outhit the Stormers 17-7, yet they scored only 5 runs. Part of the problem was Otanez grounding into THREE rally killing double plays (combined the Sharks grounded into four. FOUR. IN ONE NIGHT), and Burgamy narrowly avoiding the titanium sombrero, going 0 for 3 with three K's.

If you want to look for a silver lining in all of this, look no further than the Sharks bullpen. In four innings of relief, the combination of Zach Hammes, Fernando Hernandez and Mike Koplove allowed just two hits and no runs, while striking out five.

Also Colina, who apparently was so thrilled he didn't have to squat for 3 hours he went 4 for 5 with a homer and two RBI's.

Best. Story. Ever. "My First Day with the Yankees" by Matthew McGough

Turns Out, John Bale Is Human After All...

Ramon Castro hit a two-out, walk-off home run in the bottom of the 9th inning as the York Revolution finished off a three-game sweep over the Camden Riversharks with a dramatic 7-5 win. The Riversharks finished the season winless in nine tries at Sovereign Bank Stadium

With the team leading 5-4 in the bottom of the 9th, ‘Sharks reliever John Bale had the first two outs of the inning before Scott Grimes and Chris Walker reached base. Ramon Castro stepped to the plate next and hit the walk-off, three-run home run.

York scored twice in the first inning against J.R. Mathes thanks to RBI hits by Chris Nowak and Bryant Nelson.

Mathes finished the evening allowing four runs (three earned) on eight hits in six innings of action.

Trailing 3-0 in the top of the 6th, Camden rallied with four runs in the inning to take the lead. The ‘Sharks hit four RBI singles in the inning highlighted by back-to-back two-out, RBI singles by Toby Hall and Juan Francia to take a 4-3 lead.

Riversharks Still Winless At York

The Camden Riversharks were swept in a doubleheader by the York Revolution and fell to 0-8 at Sovereign Bank Stadium this season. Camden has now lost four games in a row.

In Game 1, Corey Thurman (11-3) pitched the first five innings giving up two runs for the victory.

Eddy Camacho (6-5) took the loss after giving up ten hits and five runs in 4.1 innings.

Chris Nowak was 2-for-2 with an RBI on the game.

Game 2 saw the Riversharks get shutout for just the fourth time this season. Lorenzo Barcelo (3-0) went the distance allowing just three hits without walking a batter for the win.

Carlos Vasquez (10-4) pitched well but suffered the loss surrendering three runs (one earned) in five innings.

Songs I Have Permanently Burned Into My Brain Thanks To The Riversharks

Lloyd - How We Do It (Around My Way) ft Ludacris (Lloyd Turner's walkup music)




The Black Keys - Your Touch (Brian Burgamy's old walkup music)




The Red Hot Chili Peppers - Snow (Hey Oh) (Drew Macias' walkup music)




Krayzie Bone - I Strive (Pedro Feliz' walkup music)




Don Omar ft Lucenzo - Danza Kuduro (Raul Padron/Willis Otanez walkup music)




Arcade Fire - No Cars Go (Brian Burgamy's new walkup music)




Miley Cyrus - Party In The USA (Campbell's Field pregame music)




Kid Rock - All Summer Long (Campbell's Field pregame music)




The Young Werewolves - Rise Or Fall (Riversharks Official Song 2011)

Today's Game Postponed

Sunday's game has been postponed due to travel restrictions on Camden. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Monday, beginning at 5 p.m.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes...

Here's what the Riversharks lineup looked like on Opening Day this season.


Shortstop Melvin Dorta and pitcher Chris Mason are now playing for the Road Warriors. First baseman Mike Lamb and centerfielder Drew Macias have both been picked up by MLB clubs. Third baseman Andy Jenkins and rightfielder Jamar Hill were released in May and June, respectively.

The Long Island Ducks lineup, however, has changed very little. Right fielder Josh Peterson retired in early May, and pitcher Lenny DiNardo's contract was purchased by the Oakland Athletics.

Sharks Game Cancelled, So Let's Watch A Movie Instead

Today's Riversharks v. Patriots game scheduled for 12:00pm has been postponed and re-scheduled for September 16th, as part of a double-header starting at 4:30pm.

Reason #4,256 We Love Willis Otáñez

His awesome walkup music.

Sharks Drop Second Straight

Joe Holden had four hits and scored twice as the Somerset Patriots defeated the Camden Riversharks for the second straight night by the count of 7-4. The Riversharks have now lost two in a row for the first time since August 6-7.

Pulsipher (3-5) pitched the first five innings allowing just one run as he picked up his second win this season against the Riversharks.

Humberto Sanchez (1-1) had a tough outing and took the loss allowing four runs on five hits and four walks.

Somerset scored in the 1st inning for the second consecutive night. Elliot Ayala brought home the game’s first run with a sacrifice fly and later in the inning Michael Hernandez drew a bases-loaded walk to give the Patriots a 2-0 lead.

Alvin Colina cut the deficit in half in the bottom of the 1st with an RBI double that plated Lloyd Turner.

Joe Holden pushed the Pats lead back to two runs in the 2nd inning with an RBI single that scored Daniel DeGeorge.

Alvin Colina brought Camden within a run once again in the 6th inning when he launched a two-run home run, his 10th of the year, to make it 4-3.

The Patriots came up with two huge insurance runs in the top of the 8th highlighted by a two-out, RBI single by Jeff Nettles that extended the lead to 6-3.

Saturday's Game Time Changed to 12:00pm

POSTED: 8/26/2011 by Megan McLaughlin

Due to the forecasted weather conditions caused by Hurricane Irene, Saturday’s Atlantic League game between the Camden Riversharks and the Somerset Patriots has been moved to 12:00pm. Gates will open at 11:00am at Campbell’s Field.

“We want to thank our fans for their patience and understanding,” said Adam Lorber, General Manager of the Camden Riversharks. “The safety of our fans, players, and coaches is our top priority.”

Tickets to Saturday’s August 27th game will be honored at the gates for the new start time and no exchanges will be necessary for previously purchased tickets. Saturday’s Dog Days of Summer promotion presented by Subaru as well as our postgame Kids Run the Bases promotion presented by Extended Stay Hotels will go on as scheduled. However, due to the earlier start time, Saturday’s fireworks have been cancelled. In response, all tickets for Saturday’s game will be honored for an additional Riversharks home game, including one of our seven remaining fireworks nights in September. Ticket stubs and unused game tickets for Saturday August 27th can be exchanged at the box office for one remaining Riversharks home game this season.

Sharks Win Streak Snapped

Chris Oxspring pitched a dominant seven innings as the Somerset Patriots ended their four-game losing streak with a 2-1 victory over the Camden Riversharks. The loss snaps the Riversharks seven-game winning streak and drops them two games back in the Liberty Division standings.

The game was interrupted after the end of the 7th inning due to a 48 minute rain delay.

Oxspring (3-7) was fantastic as he went the first seven innings giving up one run on five hits with eight strikeouts.

Wilkin De la Rosa was the hard-luck loser allowing just two runs in seven innings while striking out a season-high six batters.

Matt Hagen gave the Patriots the lead in the top of the 1st with a sacrifice fly that scored Joe Holden.

Noah Hall wasted no time tying up the score with an RBI single in the bottom of the 1st that plated Ruddy Yan.

Norris Hopper gave the Patriots the lead back in the 5th inning with an infield single that scored Yusuf Carter.

Burgamy's Monster Home Run Immediately Reminded Me Of This:

Plucky Pack Of Pitchers Produce Patchwork Paydirt

A total of six pitchers took the mound for the Riversharks tonight, but together Sean Jarrett, Zach Hammes, Fernando Hernandez, Mumba Rivera, Mike Koplove and Jay Marshall held the Road Warriors to 2 runs on 4 hits en route to a 5-2 victory.

Camden struck first when a Lloyd Turner double scored Ruddy Yan to make it 1-0 in the 1st. Yan went 0 for 3 at the plate tonight but drew 2 walks and stole 2 bases.

The Warriors tied the game in the 3rd when a wild pitch from Zach Hammes scored Adrian Ortiz, and took the lead when a Carlos Guzman ground out scored Victor Gutierrez.


The Sharks came back with 2 unearned runs in the 5th. An error by 3rd baseman Joe Jianetti found Willis Otanez safe at first and scored Turner, and Warriors reliever Kyle Asleton uncorked a wild pitch of his own to score Noah Hall and make it 3-2 Sharks.

Brian Burgamy had been having a miserable night, committing two fielding errors and getting gunned down at home plate on an 8-2 putout in the 6th. But all that changed in the 7th when Burgamy crushed an Eddy Ramos fastball over the centerfield fence for a 2 run dinger that put the Sharks up 5-2. Longest home run I've seen this season at Campbell's, it was a no doubter off the bat.

Jay Marshall retired the Warriors 1-2-3 in the 9th to pick up his 9th save of the year.

The Sharks sweep their second straight series, win their 7th straight game, and narrow the gap between them and the 1st place Long Island Ducks to ONE GAME. The Ducks lost to the Southern Maryland BlueCrabs tonight 7-4.

High Hopes

The Southern Maryland BlueCrabs held on to beat the Long Island Ducks tonight 13-10. With the Ducks loss and Camden's win, the RiverSharks move to within two games of first place in the Liberty Division. The Sharks are 12-7 in August and have won six straight!

Coming into the home stretch of the 2011 season, every game becomes crucial. I honestly believe the Sharks have a legitimate chance to with their division, they're playing better than they have all year. MLB pickups have hurt the lineup, but Von Hayes, Jeff Scott and Kevin Wilson have done a fantastic job making the best of what they've got. It ought to be an interesting finish.

Sharks Win, Move To Within Two Games Of 1st Place

JR Mathes pitched 7 strong innings, and DH Willis Otanez went 3 for 4 with a walk and 2 RBI as the Riversharks extended their winning streak to 6 tonight, beating the Road Warriors 7-3.

Camden got the scoring started early, when Juan Francia singled in Brian Burgamy in the bottom of the 2nd to make it 1-0.

The Sharks scored again in the 3rd, when Otanez singled in Lloyd Turner and Noah Hall, and Alvin Colina's double plated Otanez to make it 4-0.

Meanwhile, Mathes was cruising, allowing only one baserunner in his first three innings of work.

The Warriors finally got on the board when Luis Nieblas launched a solo homer in the 4th to make it 4-1. But the Riversharks answered right back in the bottom of the inning without getting a hit. After Warriors starter Kevin Villa walked 3 to load the bases, Colina's sac fly to right made it 5-1.

Two more runs were tacked on in the 5th, when Jonel Pacheco scored on an error by right fielder Carlos Guzman, and Toby Hall (playing 1st base tonight) score on a Turner sac fly to left.


The Warriors managed a few more runs in the 7th when catcher Josh Johnson took Mathes deep for a 2 run dinger, but the combination of Fernando Hernandez and John Bale came on in relief to shut the door.

Seriously, Who The Hell Is This Guy?

Saw this new Rivershark at today's game wearing Drew Macias' #4 jersey. Please note the "I just grabbed this from the team store" sticker on his hat.

EDIT: Goddamn it, Google. This is either Santos Hernandez, or Santo Hernandez.

Vasquez Wins 10th Game

Carlos Vasquez pitched seven scoreless innings as the Riversharks pushed their winning streak to five games with a 3-1 victory over the Road Warriors. Jay Marshall pitched the 9th inning and picked up his 8th save of the season.

Vasquez (10-3) allowed just four hits and three walks in his seven innings of action and became the first Riversharks pitcher to reach the ten win plateau. He has now thrown 14 straight shutout innings.

Miguel Martinez (5-11) took the loss despite a strong performance throwing a complete game allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits.

Alvin Colina gave the Riversharks a 2-0 lead in the 4th inning with a two-run home run, his 9th of the season.

Toby Hall provided Camden with an insurance run in the 7th inning with a sacrifice fly that scored Jonel Pacheco and pushed the lead to 3-0.

Riversharks Within Three Games of First Place

Eddy Camacho threw seven strong innings as the Riversharks finished off a three-game sweep over the Long Island Ducks with a 5-3 victory. Camden is now just three games back of the Ducks for first place.

Camacho (6-4) gave up two runs on eight hits in his seven innings of work as he picked up his first win since July 22nd.

Dave Williams (1-2) took the loss surrendering five runs on eight hits and four walks in six innings of action.

Camden jumped on the board first in the bottom of the 1st inning when Brian Burgamy drew a bases-loaded walk that scored Ruddy Yan.

The Riversharks boosted their lead to 5-0 in the 3rd inning against Dave Williams. Noah Hall connected with his 13th home run of the season, a solo shot, to make it 2-0. With the score 3-0, Juan Francia hit a two-out, two-run single to extend Camden’s lead to 5-0.

Long Island got back into the game with two solo home runs late by Matt Padgett and Javier Colina, but couldn’t get closer than two runs.

Joy In Mudville: Sharks Sweep Doubleheader With First Place Ducks

The Riversharks got back into the Liberty Division race as they swept their doubleheader against the Long Island Ducks. With the two victories, Camden is now just four games back of the Ducks for first place.

In Game 1, the Riversharks tied their season-high for runs in an inning with seven in the bottom of the 2nd and that was enough as they defeated the Ducks 8-5.

Long Island hit three straight two-out, RBI singles in the 1st inning off Wilkin De la Rosa to give Long Island a 3-0 advantage.

Camden responded with seven runs in the bottom of the 2nd against Joselo Diaz as the first seven batters of the inning reached base.

Jonel Pacheco scored twice and launched a solo home run, his 4th of the season in the 3rd inning.

In Game 2, Humberto Sanchez pitched effectively into the 6th inning as Camden jumped out to an early lead and won 6-2.

Sanchez (1-0) allowed two runs in 5.1 innings in his first start for the Riversharks.

Camden scored the first runs of the game in the 2nd inning courtesy of a two-run error by shortstop Dan Lyons that made it 2-0 Riversharks.

The Riversharks added three more runs in the 4th inning as five straight batters reached highlighted by an RBI triple by Ruddy Yan to extend the lead to 5-0.

Sharks Win in Extras

The Riversharks scored two runs in the 11th inning to outlast the Bridgeport Bluefish by the final score of 7-5. Camden is now 5-1 in extra-inning games this season.

Lloyd Turner doubled home the go-ahead run in the top of the 11th and Noah Hall provided an insurance run with an RBI single to break the tie score.

Noah Hall put the Riversharks on top in the opening half inning with an RBI single that scored Lloyd Turner to give the ‘Sharks a 1-0 lead.

Bridgeport responded in the bottom of the 1st with three home runs off of Federico Baez. Andres Perez and Steve Moss hit back-to-back solo home runs and three batters later, Prentice Redman launched a two-run homer to up the Bluefish lead to 4-1.

Trailing 4-2 in the 3rd inning, new Rivershark Willis Otanez connected with a solo home run, his first with the team, to cut the deficit to 4-3.

Camden grabbed the lead in the 5th inning with two runs. Otanez hit his second home run of the night to tie the ballgame and Alvin Colina gave the Riversharks a 5-4 lead with an RBI double.

The lead did not last long as Wes Bankston hit an RBI double in the bottom of the 6th to tie the game at 5-5.

Sharks Shuffle The Deck, Again.

The Riversharks have shuffled the lineup deck once again.

Right handed pitcher Yorman Bazardo was released this week. Bazardo had been used sparingly since being signed by the Sharks earlier in the month. In six innings of work, Bazardo allowed 5 runs on 8 hits, while walking 4 batters and striking out 3, for an impressively gaudy 7.50 ERA.

Meanwhile, Camden has inked deals with two new pitchers: Sean Jarrett and Fernando Hernandez.

The 28 year old Jarrett was originally drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 20th round of the 2006 MLB June Amateur Draft. He last pitched for the AA Tulsa Drillers of the Texas League.


27 year old Fernando Hernandez actually has an MLB win, with the Oakland Athletics in 2008. Yet in three games with the A's, he somehow compiled an awful ERA of 18.00. Hernandez was drafted in the 49th round of the 2002 amateur draft by the Chicago White Sox. He last pitched for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees of the International League.

Sharks Fall in Bridgeport

Paul Oseguera threw seven strong innings as the Bridgeport Bluefish defeated the Camden Riversharks by the final score of 6-4. The loss drops the Riversharks six games back of the Long Island Ducks for first place in the Liberty Division.

Oseguera (9-3) allowed two runs in his seven innings while striking out ten batters for the victory.

J.R. Mathes (4-5) suffered the loss giving up four earned runs in six innings of action. Mathes gave up three runs in the first inning snapping his 17 straight scoreless innings streak.

Steve Moss double home two runs in the first inning to give the Bluefish a 2-0 advantage. Wes Bankston followed that up with an RBI double to make it 3-0 Bridgeport.

Moss finished the game 3-for-5 with three RBIs.

With a 4-2 lead in the 6th inning, Luis Rodriguez singled home Brock Peterson to extend the lead to three runs. Angel Chavez added to the lead with an RBI double to give the Bluefish a 6-2 lead.

Vasquez Shuts Out Bluefish

Carlos Vasquez threw seven shutout innings as the Riversharks won a key Liberty Division battle over the Bridgeport Bluefish 4-0. The shutout marks the third time this season Camden has shutout an opponent.

The victory brings the Riversharks within a half game of Bridgeport for second place in the Liberty Division. Long Island remains five games ahead of Camden.

Vasquez (9-3) surrendered just six hits and three walks in his seven shutout innings while striking out four batters.

Matt Pike (8-4) was the hard-luck loser allowing just two runs on eight hits in eight innings of work.

Danny Richar gave the Riversharks a 2-0 lead in the 2nd inning with a two-run home run, his 11th of the season.

Camden added two insurance runs in the 9th inning of the unearned variety. Ruddy Yan and Juan Francia scored on fielder’s choices to up the ‘Sharks lead to 4-0.

Feliz Goes Yard In AAA Debut

In his first game with the AAA Tuscon Padres of the Pacific Coast League, former Riversharks third baseman Pedro Feliz went 2 for 4 with a double and a home run. Former Shark outfielder Drew Macias also homered, as the Padres beat the Memphis Redbirds 8-2.

Late Inning Rally Not Enough To Beat Crabs

A three run home run in the eighth from Toby Hall, his second of the season, was not enough to power the Riversharks past the Blue Crabs who scored seven runs off the Sharks, five on losing pitcher Eddie Camacho.

Things got off to a rough start for the ‘Sharks in the bottom of the first after Eddie Camacho loaded the bases and allowed a run before recording an out. An error by first baseman Brian Burgamy made way for an unearned run putting the Sharks at a 2-0 deficit going in to the second.

The Riversharks bats answered back with RBI singles from both Burgamy (52) and Toby Hall in the bottom of the second, but the Sharks would not score again until the seventh.

Camacho (5-4) suffered the loss allowing five runs and eight hits over 5.1 innings, and striking out three.

Schlact (6-3) allowed only two runs over six innings pitched, allowed eight hits and struck out one.

Mumba Rivera replaced Camacho in the sixth and allowed an additional run, an RBI single from Casey Benjamin, to score.

An RBI single from Lloyd Turner in the seventh started a late inning rally that continued when Toby Hall belted a three run homer in the eighth to make the score 7-6. However, the ‘Sharks could not continue their rally into the ninth and Jim Ed Warden got the save, his 22nd of the season.

Sharks Comeback To Win Rubber Match With Revs

Camden scored two runs in the bottom of the 8th inning to overtake the York Revolution en route to a 2-1 victory at Campbell’s Field. The victory marked just the 5th win in 49 tries this season when trailing after seven innings.

After Jonel Pacheco doubled off the wall in right field, Lloyd Turner hit an RBI triple off Revs’ reliever Geoff Geary to tie the game at 1-1 in the 8th inning. Noah Hall followed that up with a sacrifice fly to give Camden a 2-1 advantage.

Mumba Rivera (2-2) pitched a scoreless top of the 8th to pick up the win.

Geoff Geary (3-2) took the loss surrendering two runs in just a third of an inning.

Corey Thurman matched his longest outing of the season for the Revs going seven strong innings allowing just three hits and two walks.

Riversharks’ starter Wilkin De la Rosa, in his first outing with the team, went the first three innings of the ballgame allowing one hit and three walks while striking out two batters.

Chris Nowak broke the scoreless tie in the 7th inning with a solo home run, his 16th of the season, to give the Revs a 1-0 lead.

Sharks Replace Old Infielder With Even Older Infielder

The Riversharks need infielders. In the past few weeks they've lost a first baseman, a third baseman and a catcher to MLB callups. When I spoke to bench coach Kevin Wilson about the Sharks amazing lack of depth, he rolled his eyes.

"Yes. Absolutely." Wilson said, "But what can you do?"

Meaning, the Atlantic League is all about making the best out of what you have. What the Riversharks have, at the moment, is absolutely zero guys on the bench. (Shea Harris doesn't count, all he does is stall for Toby/Alvin between innings, and hit home runs) So it was with great relief that I noticed the Sharks signed infielder Willis Otáñez today.

The 38 year old Otáñez was playing for the Broncos de Reynosa in the Mexican League. Otáñez was originally signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers as an amateur free agent in 1990.

Why Independent League Baseball??

This sums it up nicely:

"Like a lot of people, I'm a fan of the underdog. When it comes to baseball, indy players are the underdogs. The leagues are also filled with people who love baseball—to play or coach in indy ball ensures lots of long hours for little pay—so the people who do it are people who love the game. And beyond that, indy ball is a very pure form of minor league baseball. A manager/GM put together a team to the best of their ability and then try to win a title, which makes for a fun brand of baseball."

-J.J. Cooper, BaseballAmerica.com

Revolution Rock Sharks

York's Shaun Garceau pitched 8 1/3 strong innings, giving up 6 hits and striking out 5 in the Revs 4-1 victory tonight over the Riversharks. Garceau retired the first 7 batters he faced on his way to his 3rd win of the season.

York got on the board first, in a sloppy, error filled 3rd. Sharks starter Federico Baez plunked Revs catcher Octavio Martinez. Former Rivershark Chris Walker singled Martinez in after two throwing errors by the Sharks defense. Carlos Guzman singled, and Walker advanced to 3rd after Baez uncorked a wild pitch. A Ramon Castro sac fly to center scored Walker, and one batter later, a James Shanks single scored Castro to make it 3-0 Revs.


The Revs added one more in the 8th when first baseman Chris Nowak launched a Mumba Rivera fastball over the Wawa sign in left.

The Sharks offense just couldn't get going, and despite threatening in the bottom of the 9th when a Brian Burgamy double scored Noah Hall, Revs reliever Ricardo Gomez retired the next two batters to seal the victory.

SWEET MERCIFUL CHRIST, LOOK WHAT JAY MARSHALL DID!!!!!

Sharks Add To Depleted Pitching Staff

In the past few weeks, the Riversharks pitching staff has endured injuries, retirements, and MLB call-ups. And yet the Sharks have put together quite a successful second half so far. With a record of 16-9, they sit in 3rd place in the Liberty Division, just 2 games behind the red-hot Long Island Ducks. Still, this lineup has turned over more times than a 7-11 hot dog.

Relief comes, literally, in the form of two newly acquired pitchers: Wilkin De La Rosa and Humberto Sanchez.

De La Rosa, a 26 year old lefty from the Dominican Republic, has seen time in the minors with the New York Yankees and LA Dodgers. He last pitched for the AA Chattanooga Lookouts of the Southern League. More on De La Rosa here.

Sanchez, a 28 year old righty also from the Dominican Republic, was drafted by the LA Dodgers in the 9th round of the 2000 MLB June Amateur Draft, and the Detroit Tigers in the 31st round of the 2001 MLB June Amateur Draft. He last pitched for the AAA Sultanes de Monterrey in the Mexican League. And uuuh...you might want to read this.

Look What's Happenin' On The Street: Sharks Stop The Revolution

J.R. Mathes pitched a complete game 5 hit shutout, and Lloyd Turner and Brian Burgamy both homered as the Sharks open their series with the York Revolution with a 5-0 win tonight at Campbell's Field.

Mathes struck out 6 and never let a Revs player get past second base to pick up his 4th win of the season, and his first shutout as a Rivershark. Lloyd Turner


After a 1 hour rain delay, Camden got the scoring started early. In the bottom of the first, Noah Hall singled in Jonel Pacheco and Lloyd Turner to give the Sharks a 2-0 lead.

Turner added to that tally when he homered off Revs starter Dumas Garcia to lead off the 3rd. Garcia only lasted 4 innings, giving up 4 runs, all earned, on 9 hits.



The Sharks got one more in the 4th, when Jonel Pacheco's single scored Toby Hall to make it 4-0.

In the 5th, Burgamy got a hold of a fastballl from Revs reliever Jack Spradlin and absolutely crushed it over the left field wall to make it 5-0 Sharks.

Adiós, Señor Happy: Feliz Signs With Padres

Riversharks 3rd baseman Pedro Feliz has signed with the San Diego Padres of the National League. The 36 year-old veteran, a member of the World Series Champion 2008 Philadelphia Phillies, had been the everyday 3rd baseman for the Sharks since he joined the team in May. In 72 games this season, Feliz batted .298 with 11 home runs and 45 RBI. His OPS was a best on the team .842.

Feliz is the fifth Riversharks player to be signed by an MLB club since the season began. He'll be reunited with former Sharks outfielder Drew Macias when he suits up later this week for the AAA Tuscon Padres.

Sharks Snap Losing Streak

Carlos Vasquez pitched into the 9th inning as the Riversharks ended their three-game losing streak with a 5-2 victory over the Road Warriors. Jay Marshall came on in the 9th inning for the final out of the game and picked up his 4th save of the season.

Vasquez (8-3) allowed two runs on eight hits while striking out six in 8.2 innings, his longest outing of the season.

Omar Javier (0-2), in his first start, took the loss allowing four runs on five hits in four innings of work.

The Road Warriors got on the board in the top of the 1st without recording a base hit. After Adrian Ortiz was hit by a pitch, he stole second and third base before scoring on Melvin Dorta’s groundout.

Camden tied the game up at 1-1 in the bottom of the 1st as Danny Richar drew a bases loaded walk that scored Lloyd Turner.

The Riversharks took the lead in the bottom of the 3rd inning with two runs. Pedro Feliz drove home Lloyd Turner with an RBI single and Danny Richar followed that up with an RBI triple to give Camden a 3-1 lead.

Jonel Pacheco added to the ‘Sharks lead in the 4th with a solo home run down the right field line, his 3rd of the season, to increase the lead to 4-1.

Lloyd Turner continued his strong night in the 6th inning with an RBI single that scored Jonel Pacheco to make it 5-1 Camden.

Turner was 2-for-3 on the night and scored twice.

After Indie League, Triple-A Looks Much Better To Macias

From: Arizona Daily Star | Posted: Saturday, August 6, 2011

Drew Macias didn't have a favorable view of Triple-A baseball before this season.

"I remember being down here before and thinking, 'Oh man, I'm in Triple-A again,' " Macias said Friday before Tucson's 3-2, 10-inning win over New Orleans. "Now, it's like, this is heaven. After what I've been through, I'll be here every day with a smile on my face."

That's what independent baseball will do to a player.

Macias first played Triple-A ball in the Pacific Coast League in 2007 with Portland and played with the Beavers again in 2009. Last season, the 28-year-old outfielder was a part-time player with the Reno Aces and hit .255 in just 274 at-bats in 102 games.

After the season, Macias was a free agent and wasn't sure what was next.

"I got to the point where I didn't have any offers," he said. "There was some interest and a few teams called and said they'd call me the next week or whatever, but then the rosters filled up and that was it."

He wasn't ready to stop playing and eventually hooked up with the Camden (N.J.) Riversharks of the independent Atlantic League. He struggled and started wondering if his career, which included 69 games with San Diego over three seasons, was over.

"I'm not someone who quits, but realistically, I was thinking to myself, 'I'm in indie ball, I'm not doing great, this may be it,'" Macias said.

"Mentally, it was tough. You're just wondering if your career is almost done."

The outfielder picked it up after "rebooting" during the All-Star break and played better in the second half of the season and got his average up to a respectable .267. He was finding his swing and his confidence and hoped good news was around the corner.

It was.

When he arrived in Waldorf, Md., with his Riversharks teammates to play Southern Maryland on Wednesday, he was called into his manager's office and told the Padres had re-signed him and he needed to report to Tucson right away.

"I was pumped," said Macias, who is predominately a center fielder, but can play all three outfield spots. "I'm a positive guy and I've always kind of pictured what a great story it would be if I ever got back to the big leagues."

His road back got off to a good start Thursday in his first game with Tucson. He had a sacrifice fly in his first plate appearance and contributed a two-run double in the sixth with the Padres trailing 3-1.

For Tucson manager Terry Kennedy, who was Macias' hitting coach in 2008 with Double-A San Antonio, it was a welcome sight.

"That was beautiful," Kennedy said. "That double could not have come at a better time. He was very excited to be back here and out of independent ball. I was really happy for him."

Kennedy made sure to have some fun with Macias when he arrived in the clubhouse.

"I asked him if he was making more here or in indy ball and he said, 'I would have paid you to come back here,'" Kennedy said. "That just shows you how much he wants to get another shot. He's a great guy."

Atlantic League Likely Won’t Add Second Team On Long Island

Posted by John Walk on Aug 2, 2011 in Atlantic League | 0 comments

The Atlantic League will only have one team in Long Island for now.

In a referendum ballot vote held in Nassau County on Monday, voters defeated a plan that would have allowed the county to borrow $400 million to fund a project that would have included a new minor league baseball stadium, a new indoor arena for the New York Islanders, a hotel and retail and residential facilities.

With the baseball stadium, the league was looking to add a team in Nassau County, which is located on Long Island. About $25-$30 million of the funding would have been earmarked for the baseball stadium.

Of the approximate 160,000 ballots that were cast, 57 percent of voters voted against the plan.

Nassau County residents pay some of the highest property taxes in the country, and although supporters of the referendum claimed tax increases would average $14 to $58 a year, most voters opted against spending public money to benefit privately held sports franchises.

The county is currently under the thumb of a state-appointed fiscal watchdog after citing a budget deficit of more than $100 million earlier this year. In late June, 128 county workers were laid off in a budget-cutting measure.

League founder and chief executive officer Frank Boulton said Tuesday he was disappointed with the outcome.

“I am disappointed and I’m a little surprised by the mandate of the amount of people who voted ‘no.’ The ballpark was $25 to $30 million of a $400 million deal. But I understand that people voted against the overall project,” Boulton said.

Boulton had said last month that having a team in Nassau County would be a logical fit because it is the neighbor of Suffolk County, which is home to the Long Island Ducks — a team that Boulton owns. The two Long Island teams would have had a natural rivalry.

Going forward, Boulton said the league has no plans at this point to entertain a discussion with the county about a project that would only involve the baseball stadium.

“If (Nassau County) is serious about Atlantic League baseball in their county, I’d be happy to sit down and talk to them,” Boulton said.

Despite the news with Nassau County, Boulton said the league is looking forward to meeting with officials in Woodland, Texas, to have discussions about adding a team there.

Woodland would be a rival for a team in Sugarland, Texas, that is expected to join the league in 2012.

“It would be a new team. We have Sugarland there and we want to get a sister city. We’re going to be setting up meetings likely late this season or sometime in the fall,” he said.

Including the Road Warriors, the Atlantic League currently has eight teams in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Maryland, including the York Revolution.

With the addition of Sugarland in 2012, it’s likely the Road Warriors will be scrapped next season. It’s unclear how the divisions will be impacted when Sugarland comes on board.

And in 2013, the Loudon (Va.) Hounds are expected to join the league. That team was originally scheduled to be ready by next season, but setbacks on its new stadium have pushed back its debut.

Sigh. These Are The Sharks I Remember.

The Road Warriors scored two runs in the 6th inning to take the lead and held on to beat the Camden Riversharks by the final score of 3-2. Camden has now lost three straight and six of their last nine games.

Kelvin Villa (4-0) picked up the victory going the first five innings surrendering two runs on five hits.

Adam Thomas came on in the 9th inning to pick up his 13th save and second in as many games.

Eddy Camacho (5-3) took the loss for his second consecutive start as he allowed three runs on eight hits.

Camden took a 2-0 lead in the 1st inning thanks to back-to-back sacrifice flies by Noah Hall and Pedro Feliz.

Kenny Kelly put the Road Warriors on the board in the 3rd inning with his 2nd home run of the season, a solo shot, to cut the ‘Sharks lead to 2-1.

Kelly was 3-for-4 on the ballgame and was a triple short of the cycle.

The Road Warriors took the lead in the 6th inning as five straight hitters reached with one out in the inning. Danny Gonzalez and Josh Johnson delivered back-to-back RBI singles to give the Warriors a 3-2 lead.

Sharks Drop Second Straight

Miguel Martinez pitched effectively into the 7th inning as the Road Warriors knocked off the Camden Riversharks by the final count of 8-3. Camden has now dropped two straight and five of their last eight.

Martinez (5-8) gave up two runs (one earned) on just four hits in 6.1 innings to pick up his first win since May 26th.

Danny Gonzalez gave the Road Warriors a 2-0 lead in the opening frame with a two-run home run, his 2nd of the season.

Alvin Colina cut the ‘Sharks deficit in half in the 2nd inning as he launched his 7th home run of the season, a solo shot, to make it 2-1.

The Road Warriors added three more runs in the top of the 4th against Towers to increase their lead to 5-1. After Alberto Cruz hit a two-run home run, Marcos Cabral lined a two-out, RBI single to plate Adrian Ortiz and give the Road Warriors a four-run lead.

Towers (5-6) allowed six earned runs on ten hits in just five innings of work as he took his first loss since July 17th.

In other notable news from tonight’s game, Pedro Feliz had his season-long 15-game hitting streak snapped as he was 0-for-3 with a walk.

Josh Towers Retires

Riversharks RHP Josh Towers announced his retirement today, saying he'd like to focus on a coaching career. The 34 year old was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 15th round of the 1996 amateur draft. He has pitched professionally for the O's, Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees. In 13 games with the 2011 Riversharks, he was 5-6 with a 6.15 ERA.

Joe D'Allesandro Is No Longer The FNG In The Sharks Bullpen

The Camden Riversharks signed RHP Frank Mata today, after he was released from the Florida Marlins earlier this week. The 27 year old Mata was originally signed by the Minnesota Twins in 2002, where he bounced around in the minors until finally being dealt to the Baltimore Orioles in 2010. He made his MLB debut that year for the O's. Mata was most recently pitching for the New Orleans Zephyrs in the Pacific Coast League, where he tallied a less than impressive record of 1-6 with an ERA of 5.24.

Mata will hopefully fill a bullpen hole left with the departure of Sharks closer Brian Stokes.

Blue Crabs Rally Sinks Sharks

The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs erased a 5-0 deficit and scored the last six runs of the ballgame, including a ninth-inning game-winning RBI single from third baseman Travis Garcia, as the Blue Crabs defeated the Camden Riversharks 6-5 on Friday evening at Regency Furniture Stadium in front of 5,427 fans.

Camden got things rolling in the first as a three-run homer by leftfielder Noah Hall gave the Riversharks a 3-0 lead in what turned out to be a 46-pitch first inning for Blue Crabs starter Brian Slocum. Designated hitter Alvin Colina followed Hall’s blast with a two-run homer of his own in the fourth to push the Riversharks lead to 5-0. It was Colina’s second homer of the season.

The Blue Crabs got a couple of runs in the third to get back into the game on sac-flies from second baseman Brandon Pinckney and first baseman Casey Benjamin to draw to within 5-2. Southern Maryland continued their sac-fly fest with another one by Garcia in the fifth to make the score 5-3.

Southern Maryland completed their comeback in the sixth inning as centerfielder Jeremy Owens belted a two-run homer over the leftfield wall off of Camden reliever Mumba Rivera to tie the game at five apiece.

Things would stay that way until the bottom of the ninth when designated hitter Brian Barton led off the inning with a double down the right field line. He would move to third on a wild pitch from Camden reliever Zach Hammes, before scoring the game-winning run on a single past a drawn-in infield by Garcia to give the Blue Crabs the 6-5 win.

Southern Maryland got two hits apiece from Garcia, Barton and centerfielder Adam Godwin. Garcia drove in two runs and stole a base, while Carton scored twice and stole two bases of his own. Godwin also scored a run to aid the Blue Crabs’ cause.

Camden got two hits apiece from Hall, right fielder Ruddy Yan, and centerfielder Jonel Pacheco with each scoring one run.

Southern Maryland reliever Steve Palazzolo (7-2) got the win after firing two innings of shutout relief. The loss fell to Hammes (0-2).

Macias Signs With Padres, Makes Immediate Impact

Riversharks rightfielder Drew Macias signed with the San Diego Padres yesterday, and was assigned to the AAA Tuscon Padres in the Pacific Coast League. Macias started in centerfield for Tuscon's game tonight against the New Orleans Zephyrs. He didn't disappoint, going 2 for 3 with a double and 3 RBI in a 7-4 win.

In 74 games with the Sharks this year, Macias batted .267, with 8 homers and 31 RBI. In one of the last games I saw him play in a Sharks uni, Macias went 3 for 4 with 2 homers and a double. He was a huge factor in the Sharks recent 8 game winning streak, and his clutch hits and quality fielding contributed immensely to the team's great 2nd half start. He will be sorely missed.

I was lucky enough to grab a souvenir from Macias' monster 2 home run game against the Lancaster Barnstormers:

Mathes Dazzles as 'Sharks Win Second Straight

J.R. Mathes threw eight shutout innings as the Riversharks won their second straight game over the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs by the final score of 2-0. It’s the first time this season that the Riversharks have shutout an opponent.

Mathes (3-4) allowed just six hits in his eight shutout innings without walking a batter and striking out three.

Virgil Vasquez (6-6) took the loss despite going the complete game for the Blue Crabs and surrendering only two runs on six hits.

Jay Marshall pitched the 9th inning and picked up the save for the second straight night.

Camden got on the board in the top of the 1st as Jonel Pacheco scored on Virgil Vasquez’s wild pitch to make it 1-0.

Danny Richar doubled the ‘Sharks lead in the top of the 4th inning with a solo home run, his 10th of the season, to give Camden a 2-0 lead.

The Barnstormers Actually Played This Clip During A Sharks Mound Visit.

Riversharks Win In Extras

Danny Richar hit a go-ahead solo home run in the 10th inning as the Riversharks knocked off the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs 5-4 in ten innings. Jay Marshall came on in the bottom of the 10th to pick up his second save of the season.

Mumba Rivera (1-2) pitched a scoreless bottom of the ninth to pick up the victory for the Riversharks.

Jim Ed Warden (1-3) suffered the loss allowing one run, Richar’s home run, in 1.2 innings.

Camden took a 3-0 lead in the top of the 2nd thanks to a three-run home run by Alvin Colina, his 5th as a Rivershark.

Southern Maryland answered back with three runs of their own in the bottom of the 4th to tie the game thanks to a three-run home run by Tanner Townsend.

Noah Hall gave the ‘Sharks the lead back in the 5th inning at 4-3 with an RBI single that plated Jonel Pacheco.

Tanner Townsend tied up the ballgame once again in the bottom of the 6th with his second home run of the game, a solo shot.

Catching Up With: Raul Padron

Raul Padron, the former Sharks power-hitting catcher is now playing for the AA Akron Aeros of the Eastern League. We had the opportunity to see him in action again, when the Aeros came to Trenton to play the Thunder. In 27 games with the Aeros, Padron is batting .250 with 12 RBIs. He's splitting his time, just as he did on the Riversharks, between playing first and catching. Raul is a hell of a nice guy, and we wish him nothing but success in the future!!

Stokes Signs With D-Backs

Riversharks closer Brian Stokes' contract has been purchased by the Arizona Diamondbacks of the National League. Stokes had notched 11 saves so far this season, and along with relievers John Bale and Jay Marshall, had made the Sharks bullpen one of the best in the Atlantic League. He will join the AAA Reno Aces in the Pacific Coast League.

Eight Run Inning Dooms Sharks

The Lancaster Barnstormers scored eight runs in the second inning and went on to defeat the Camden Riversharks by the final count of 11-6. With the loss, Camden falls out of first place and now sits in third place behind Long Island and Bridgeport.

Cesar Carrillo (3-8) picked up the victory allowing four runs on seven hits in five innings of work.

Eddy Camacho (5-2) took the loss surrendering eight runs (one earned) in just 1.2 innings, his shortest outing of the season.

Camden struck first with two runs in the opening inning after a fifty-five minute rain delay. Pedro Feliz hit a two-run home run, his 11th of the season, to give the ‘Sharks a 2-0 lead. Feliz now has a 12-game hitting streak.

Aaron Herr brought the Barnstormers back within a run in the bottom of the 1st with an RBI single that scored Gilberto Mejia.

Lancaster broke it open in the 2nd inning with eight runs against Eddy Camacho. Camden committed three errors in the frame as Lancaster sent twelve batters to the plate and took a 9-2 lead in the process. The Barnstormers also had five hits in the inning highlighted by a two-run double from Wayne Lydon.

The Riversharks fought back with three runs in the top of the 5th to cut the deficit to 9-5. Brian Burgamy hit a two-run single off the right field wall and two batters later Alvin Colina drove in a run with a sacrifice fly.

Wayne Lydon hit his first home run in a Barnstormers uniform in the 6th inning, a solo shot off Mike Koplove, to extend the lead to 10-5.