Sanchez, Vasquez Released

The Riversharks announced today they have released pitchers Humberto Sanchez and Carlos Vasquez.

Sanchez was sidelined with an elbow injury and made only three starts in 2012, last pitching on May 10th against the 'Stormers. His ERA was a bloated 14.40 with 4 k's and 9 walks.

Vasquez was supposed to be part of the Venezuelan contingent that brought Eddy Camacho and Raul Padron to Camden, but never materialized.

Sanchez To The DL, Camacho Set To Return

Riversharks manager Jeff Scott has announced that Humberto Sanchez is most likely headed to the disabled list. Sanchez lasted an inning an two-thirds in his start on Wednesday, allowing five walks and giving up a monster home run before getting yanked for Kevin Reese.

In an interview before Game 2 of their day/night double header with the Bridgeport Bluefish, Scott said Sanchez complained of "soreness in his bicep" which contributed to his control problems.

When asked if this move would leave a hole in the 'Sharks starting rotation, Scott said he expects lefty Eddy Camacho to join the team at the beginning of the week. Camacho is finished his obligations to a team in Puerto Rico, and would slide right in to Sanchez's spot in the order.

I Don't Know How To Put This, But Brian Burgamy Is (Still) Kind Of A Big Deal. People Know Him.

The Camden Riversharks weren't having the greatest night.

Starter Humberto Sanchez was yanked after just an inning and two-thirds of work. The 'Sharks scored first, when a Lloyd Turner double scored Billy Rice to make it 1-0. But the 'Stormers took advantage of Sanchez' early control issues when right fielder Fehlandt Lentini crushed a three run homer to right to take a 3-1 lead.

Out of the bullpen, Kevin Reese pitched remarkably well, scattering four hits over five and one-third innings, striking out one, and more importantly keeping the 'Stormers from pulling too far ahead (see: last night's game).

Meanwhile, Camden slowly crept back into it. Scoring once in the fifth when Brian Burgamy singled in Rice to make it 3-2, and once more in the seventh when an error by "Stormers first baseman Tommy Everidge again allowed Rice to score, the game was knotted up at three going into the top of the ninth.

Then 'Stormers left fielder Blake Gailen absolutely murdered a fastball from John Lujan over the wall in left center (it actually hit the Wawa sign with an extremely loud, echoing THUD). Lancaster led 4-3, and all looked bleak for the Mudville Nine.

But the 'Sharks had apparently saved their best for last. In the ninth, Lloyd Turner led off with a single. Felix Pie seemed destined to hit into a double play but "Stormers shortstop Jesus Merchan, who had such an amazing game last night, couldn't field the ball cleanly. Lancaster wound up only getting Turner, Pie was safe on a fielder's choice.

Pie came up limping after his run to first, and after getting checked out by trainers and coaches, walked off the field under his own power, seemingly alright.

Patty Matera pinch runs for Pie, with Brian Burgamy due up. It's at this point that I yelled: "Hey Brian!! You're going to have to hit it to the f#cking moon if you want Matera to score from first!!"

He must've heard me.

Burgamy took 'Stormers reliever Jeff Bennett's 1-0 fastball deep to straight away center.

Home run. Ballgame. 'Sharks win in walk-off, wild fashion 5-3.

Miracle Late-Inning Rally Propels Sharks To Victory

Things looked bleak early on for the Riversharks.

The Lancaster Barnstormers batted around in the second inning, scoring 6 runs on 5 hits to take an 8-2 lead and knock starter Humberto Sanchez out of the game. It looked like Sharks fans were in for a long night.

But Camden slowly chipped away. Single runs in the 4th and 5th, and two more in the 6th made it 8-6, Lancaster. No longer a blowout, it seemed the momentum had shifted. Stormers starter John Halama exited after 6, having surrendered 6 runs on 11 hits.


Meanwhile Zac Cline, on in relief of Sanchez, was cruising. Over 5 innings of work, Cline allowed just one run on four hits. He was relieved by Santos Hernandez, who struck out 3 Stormers in an inning an a third of work, allowing only one hit.

Lancaster made it 9-6 in the 7th when an Iggy Suarez single scored Travis Metcalf, and it seemed like the Sharks rally was squashed.

But Jonel Pacheco lead off the top of the 9th with a solo homer to right off reliever Jonah Bayliss, and suddenly the rally was on again.

Toby Hall singled. Juan Francia reached on an error. Lloyd Turner singled. With the bases loaded and no outs, Noah Hall grounded into a fielder's choice that scored one run. Next, Alvin Colina, who earlier had blasted his 14th home run of the 2011 season over the centerfield wall, smoked a double down the left field line that scored two more runs. The Sharks lead 10-9 going into the home half of the 9th.

Enter Fernando Hernandez, who retired the Stormers 1-2-3 in the bottom of the frame to pick up his first save and seal an incredible comeback victory for the Camden Riversharks.

Both teams gave up a combined total of 27 hits. The game took nearly four hours to complete.

The Hernandii combine for the win (Santos) and the save (Fernando).

Jake Eigsti blasted a 2 run dinger in the 6th and came up with two huge defensive stops at second later in the inning.

Brian Burgamy Is Kind Of A Big Deal. People Know Him.

Brian Burgamy's 2 out, 2 run double in the bottom of the sixth was the difference tonight, as the Riversharks beat the York Revolution 2-1 at Campbell's Field. Burgamy went 2 for 2 at the plate, and earlier in the sixth made a spectacular sliding catch to rob Jose Herrera of a base hit.

A hot streak from Burgamy is long overdue, he's been struggling at the plate for most of the season. It also couldn't come at a better time for the Sharks, who are only a few games behind the Bridgeport Bluefish for the Liberty Division lead.

Starter Humberto Sanchez 1 hit the Revs over six innings while striking out three. He's got some control issues (as does any pitcher still on an Indy League roster in September, says Adam) but he got the job done. Also, he's kind of built like this guy. He's all shoulders and torso, which make his legs look skinny by comparison. The program has him at 6'6" and 230lbs, but I don't buy it. EDIT: I forgot to mention, he's got an absolutely filthy changeup.

Anyway he pitched effectively, and then Von left it to the bullpen. Sean Jarrett breezed through an inning in relief, allowing no hits and only one baserunner, thanks to a fielding error by shortstop Juan Francia.

Then it was Mike Koplove's turn. He let the first two Revs reach, but thanks to a heads up play by third baseman Danny Richar and an inning ending 4-6-3 double play, the Sharks managed to preserve the 2-0 lead.

John Bale came on in the 9th to try for his 4th save. After getting Herrera to fly out to center, he gave up a double to first baseman Chris Nowak. Left fielder James Shanks hit a ball to the left in the infield, and Bale, trying to get the lead runner, threw wide of second base. Everybody was safe. The Revs scored when second baseman Bryant Nelson hit into a fielder's choice that plated Nowak. The inning and the game ended one batter later, when Bale got Vince Harrison to ground out to short.