Re: The Montreal Expos 2002 - On The Brink
Projected Starters
May 2: Tony Armas vs Steve Trachsel
May 3: John Thomson vs Shawn Estes
May 4: Carl Pavano vs Jeff D'Amico
May 5: Bobby Jones vs Jason Roach
May 6: Javier Vasquez vs Ben Sheets
May 7: Tony Armas vs Jamey Wright
May 8: John Thomson vs Glendon Rusch
May 9: Carl Pavano vs Donovan Osbourne
May 10: Bobby Jones vs Matt Clement
May 11: Javier Vasquez vs Jason Bere
Game Recaps
May 2: Tony Armas went seven strong innings, the offense put together four runs against Steve Trachsel and Jaime Cerda, and Scott Stewart and Scott Strickland pitched a scoreless inning apiece in a solid win. Expos 4, Mets 2.
May 3: Neither Bobby Jones nor Jason Roach could get out of the sixth inning as both teams put on an offensive show. The game went to extra innings after the Expos scored two in the eighth to tie the game, and Todd Walker's RBI double in the top of the tenth was the game-winner. Expos 7, Mets 6.
May 4: The Expos romped all over Shawn Estes, led by Pedro Feliz' three-run blast. Javier Vasquez went seven innings to get the win, and Aaron Small, recently called up from AAA, hurled two scoreless frames to finish out the game. Expos 8, Mets 2.
May 5: The Mets avoided a sweep as both teams scored all their runs in the first three innings. A shaky Tony Armas, pitching on short rest, gave up all five runs in three innings. The bullpen kept the Expos in the game with five scoreless innings, but the offense couldn't get anything done and the game ended with the bases loaded in the ninth. Expos 4, Mets 5.
May 6: John Thomson took an undeserved loss as he was outduelled by Ben Diggins, who combined with the Milwaukee bullpen to throw a seven-hit shutout. Aaron Small gave up one hit over two more innings in long relief, but the offense stayed quiet. Expos 0, Brewers 1.
May 7: Vladimir Guerrero powered the Expos to a comeback win with two home runs, his fourth and fifth of the season. Michael Barrett also contributed an RBI double, and hopefully is showing signs of breaking out of his slump. Aaron Small contributed yet another shutout two innings to back up Carl Pavano's six innings. Chad Cordero got his fourth save of the season despite giving up a run in the ninth. Expos 6, Brewers 5.
May 8: Vladimir Guerrero and Michael Barrett again came through in a big way for the Expos, each hitting a home run in an 8-7 squeaker. Aaron Small finally got touched for two earned runs and may be showing signs of over-use, but the offense was able to bail him out. Chad Cordero got his fifth save. Expos 8, Brewers 7.
May 9: Javier Vasquez won his third straight start with a masterful eight innings of one-run ball. Henry Rodriguez, starting at first in place of the injured Ryan Howard, hit his first home run of the season. Cordero worked his third straight game and earned his third straight save. Expos 3, Cubs 1.
May 10: Ryan Howard came back with a bang, pounding out three hits in his return from the DL, including a pair of doubles. Tony Armas went eight innings and gave up three runs to get the win as the Expos scored three runs in the eighth to win the game. Expos 6, Cubs 4.
May 11: John Thomson topped his previous start with eight shutout innings, striking out seven, to earn the win. Chad Cordero preserved the shutout with a perfect ninth. Orlando Cabrera finally had a big game, having dropped to eighth in the order. Cabrera doubled and scored two runs. The win gave the Expos their first sweep of a three-game series, and put them one game out of first place. Expos 3, Cubs 0.
Expos News
Zach Day was activated from the 15-day DL, but started at AA because of the success of Montreal's stopgap starters, and to give Day a chance to work out some kinks.
The Expos are one game over .500 and only one game out of first!
Down on the Farm
AAA New Orleans: Reliever Britt Reames has started six of the nine games he's appeared in, posting a 2.89 ERA and a 10.285 K/9.
AA Harrisburg: Terrmel Sledge kept up his blistering pace, with a 1.235 OPS. He will probably be the first minor league callup in the event of an outfield injury.
A Potomac: Right-fielder Val Pascucci has hit three homers and has a .414 OBP after his promotion to Potomac.
R Savannah: Macier Izturis continues to mash, with a 1.352 OPS in 50 at-bats.
N.L. East Standings
1. Philadelphia Phillies (19-15)
3. Atlanta Braves (17-16)
3. Montreal Expos (18-17)
4. New York Mets (17-18)
5. Florida Marlins (13-21)
Division Leaders
AL East: Boston (25-10)
AL Central: Cleveland (18-16)
AL West: Anaheim (23-11)
AL Wild Card: Seattle (20-15)
NL East: Philadelphia (19-15)
NL Central: Houston (21-13)
NL West: Arizona (20-15) tied San Francisco (20-15)
NL Wild Card: Arizona (20-15) tied San Francisco (20-15)
League Leaders
Batting Average: NYM Jay Payton (.406)
Hits: BOS Johnny Damon (58)
Home Runs: CLE Russell Branyan (14)
ERA: SFG Kirk Reuter (2.09)
Wins: Three tied with 5
Strikeouts: MON Javier Vasquez (53) tied ARI Randy Johnson (53)
Saves: Three tied with 11
MLB News
Diamondbacks' Rick Helling K's 12 in 11-1 win over the Cardinals
Manny Ramirez is out for three months with a broken hip
TRADE: Tampa Bay sends CF Joey Gathright and 2B Russ Johnson to the Athletics for RP Mike Venafro and RP Mike Fyhrie
Re: The Montreal Expos 2002 - On The Brink
In another series of moves, Montreal's general manager Oscar Heller has sent elite pitching prospect Bill Bray and new second baseman Todd Walker to the New York Yankees for up-and-coming second baseman Alfonso Soriano. Reports indicate that a minor amount of cash was sent to the Yankees as well to offset Walker's salary.
On the same day, starting pitcher Bobby Jones, reserve Jamey Carroll and outfield prospect Brandon Watson were dealt to the Pirates for starter Dave Williams and cash considerations.
Montreal has put together quite the run recently, and Heller seems to be moving decisively to shore up the team's success. It's exciting and encouraging to finally have a GM who is not afraid to make some waves. Let's just hope it doesn't come too late for Montreal baseball!
Re: The Montreal Expos 2002 - On The Brink
May I ask how John Olerud is doing?
Re: The Montreal Expos 2002 - On The Brink
Re: The Montreal Expos 2002 - On The Brink
Sorry I haven't commented lately Meow. Life's been....eh.
You're doing well! 1.5 out is damned good!
Re: The Montreal Expos 2002 - On The Brink
Thanks, CatKnight, and looking even better recently. If only stupid Carl Pavano wasn't so injury-prone...
Re: The Montreal Expos 2002 - On The Brink
Under the steady hand of general manager Oscar Heller, the Montreal Expos have recovered from an eight-game losing streak starting the season and now sit in first place atop the National League East division. Heller has made a series of controversial but effective moves to guide the Expos to success. The team has become much younger and much cheaper under Heller's leadership, and apparently better as well. This feat is especially impressive when you consider the payrolls of the Expos' division rivals:
Montreal Expos: $22,826,600 payroll, first place.
Atlanta Braves: $55,500,400 payroll, third place.
Philadelphia Philles: $45,166,700 payroll, second place.
Florida Marlins: $31,138,700 payroll, fifth place.
New York Mets: $58,851,100 payroll, fourth place.
In other news, rumor becomes reality as insider sources reveal that Carl Pavano has finally been traded after his season-ending injury on Tuesday. Pavano was dealt, along with minor league third baseman Chris Truby, to the Baltimore Orioles for young starter Josh Towers. Towers will start at AA Harrisburg.
Two more deals have also materialized, with Montreal sending charismatic young pitcher Jay Bergmann to the Red Sox for veteran first baseman Brian Daubach and an unnamed amount of cash. In the second deal, Montreal sent prospect Gary Majewski to the Twins for veteran starter Eric Milton.
Following these deals, several of Montreal's best young players were optioned down to the minor leagues, in an apparent attempt to give them more time to develop. This is a different direction for Heller, who until now has been marketing Montreal's youth in an attempt to remain competitive. Hopefully it pays off. The roster moves were: C Michael Barrett optioned to AAA New Orleans, and 1B Ryan Howard, SP Zach Day and CF Ryan Church optioned to AA Harrisburg. The new line-up is as follows:
Starting lineup
CF Adrian Brown/CF Peter Bergeron (lefty/righty platoon)
LF Brad Wilkerson
2B Alfonso Soriano
RF Vladimir Guerrero
1B Brian Daubach
C Brian Schneider
3B Mike Mordecai (subbing for injured 3B Pedro Feliz, 6 days remaining)
SS Omar Quintanilla
Pitcher
Bench
C Brandon Harper
OF Peter Bergeron/Adrian Brown
3B Mike Mordecai/Pedro Feliz
OF Endy Chavez
LF Henry Rodriguez
IF Marco Scutaro
Starting Rotation
RHP Javier Vasquez
LHP Eric Milton
RHP Tony Armas
RHP John Thomson
LHP Dave Williams
Bullpen
SR Scott Stewart
SR Joey Eischen
MR Luis Ayala
LR Aaron Small
SU Scott Strickland
CL Chad Cordero
Re: The Montreal Expos 2002 - On The Brink
Projected Starters
May 23: Javier Vasquez vs John Smoltz
May 24: Tony Armas vs Damian Moss
May 25: Eric Milton vs Greg Maddux
May 27: John Thomson vs Vicente Padilla
May 28: Dave Williams vs Robert Person
May 29: Javier Vasquez vs Brett Myers
May 31: Kazuhisa Ishii vs Eric Milton
June 1: Robert Ellis vs Tony Armas
June 2: Hideo Nomo vs John Thomson
Game Recaps
May 23: Chad Cordero blew a two-run lead as he gave up a walk-off three run home run to Andruw Jones in the ninth inning, wasting a strong effort by Javier Vasquez. Expos 6, Braves 7.
May 24: The Expos bullpen blew another one as Scott Stewart gave up four runs in a five-run Braves seventh that put the game out of reach. The Braves' powerful offense hit three home runs to power them to the win. Expos 2, Braves 8.
May 25: The Expos could not solve Greg Maddux, wasting a strong effort by Eric Milton (4ER in 7IP) and a homer by Alfonso Soriano. The Expos were swept in a three-game series for the first time since the second series of the season. Expos 2, Braves 4.
May 27: John Thomson put Montreal back on track, going one out short of a complete-game shutout. The offense romped all over Vicente Padilla, led by Soriano's second home run in two games. Expos 7, Phillies 0.
May 28: Dave Williams was hit hard in his Expos debut and Robert Person was almost untouchable, as the Expos were held to just five hits. They scored their lone run on an Alfonso Soriano sacrifice fly in the eighth. Expos 1, Phillies 6.
May 29: Javier Vasquez was steady, but Brett Myers was steadier, and Rheal Cormier pitched a six-out save to nail the game down for the Phillies. The Expos scored two in the first on Alfonso Soriano's tenth homer of the season, a two-run blast, but were unable to muster anything more. Expos 2, Phillies 6.
May 31: Looking to turn things around, the Expos knocked out Kazuhisa Ishii in the third, and Eric Milton pitched a complete game in a blow-out. Vladimir Guerrero went 4 for 5 and was a triple short of the cycle. Dodgers 1, Expos 9.
June 1: The offense stayed hot, with six Expos hitting a two-bagger, and Soriano contributing yet another home run. Hideo Nomo was also unable to make it out of the third for the Dodgers. Dodgers 3, Expos 10.
June 2: Looking for the sweep, the Expos gave up three runs in the first - none earned, on FOUR errors. However, John Thomson kept it together and pitched five more shutout innings, and Vladimir Guerrero hit a three-run shot in the fifth to give the Expos the lead for good. Dodgers 3, Expos 5.
Expos News
Despite a sub-par stretch, the Expos remain in first by one game.
Down on the Farm
AAA New Orleans: Brandon Puffer has a 2.41 ERA in 52.1 innings pitched.
AA Harrisburg: Ryan Howard has been embarassing AA pitching with 14 home runs in 21 games, and a slugging percentage of 1.024.
A Potomac: Prospects Joe Horgan, Anthony Ferrari, and Santiago Ramirez have been lights-out for the Cannons. Horgan is the best of the bunch at the moment with a 1.55 ERA.
R Savannah: Maicer Izturis continues to leave his mark at Savannah.
N.L. East Standings
1. Montreal Expos (30-24)
3. Philadelphia Philles (28-25)
3. Atlanta Braves (27-26)
4. Florida Marlins (25-29)
5. New York Mets (22-32)
Division Leaders
AL East: Boston (32-21)
AL Central: Cleveland (29-24)
AL West: Anaheim (32-21)
AL Wild Card: Baltimore (29-24) tied Texas (29-24)
NL East: Montreal (30-24)
NL Central: Houston (31-22)
NL West: San Francisco (33-21)
NL Wild Card: St. Louis (31-23)
League Leaders
Batting Average: SFG Barry Bonds (.362)
Hits: BOS Johnny Damon (84)
Home Runs: CLE Russell Branyan (19)
ERA: FLA A.J. Burnett (1.91)
Wins: Three tied with 7
Strikeouts: MON Javier Vasquez (80)
Saves: SFG Robb Nen (17)
MLB News
Odalis Perez fans 10 Padres.
Angel Ramon Ortiz four-hits the Tigers.
Horacio Ramirez shuts out the Mets.
Re: The Montreal Expos 2002 - On The Brink
Well, except for Barry "Fount of All Evil" Bonds leading in batting, you're still doing well. Your team needs to snap out of this mediocre streak soon though - the NL East won't stay dead for long.
Re: The Montreal Expos 2002 - On The Brink
Re: The Montreal Expos 2002 - On The Brink
Nice! I am reading as well! :)
Re: The Montreal Expos 2002 - On The Brink
I'm reading this too, very intresting and detalic. I like it!
Re: The Montreal Expos 2002 - On The Brink
By the way, with it out that Barry was on steroids, how are they helping him in your dynasty?
