When It Rains....

...Baseball games get postponed.

The seemingly near-constant rain in Princeton has forced a postponement of tonight's game between the P-Rays and the Pulaski Mariners. It's the second straight day bad weather has prevented play at Hunnicutt Field.

Tonight's game will be made up as part of a 7-inning doubleheader tomorrow, Saturday 1 August, at Calfee Park in Pulaski. Game one will start at 6:00 pm EDT.

We'll bring you both games on Classic Rock 102 The River (WMTD 102.3 FM) and at theriver102.com. Our broadcast begins at 5:30 pm with the P-Rays Pre-Game Show.
Weather permitting, of course.

No Baseball Today

The Princeton Rays game against the Bluefield Orioles tonight, 30 July 2009, is postponed because of wet grounds.

It will be made up as part of a 7-inning doubleheader on Thursday 13 August, at 5:30 pm EDT.

The "Mercer County Nights of Hope" game originally scheduled for tonight will be held instead on Friday 14 August.

Tomorrow, the P-Rays open a series with the Pulaski Mariners. We'll bring it to you starting at 6:30 pm EDT on Classic Rock 102 The River (WMTD 102.3 FM) and at theriver102.com.

Wednesday 29 July: Princeton 7, at Bluefield 6 (11 innings)

Depending on how the rest of this season plays out, we may look back at this as a pretty important win for Princeton.
On a rainy night in Bluefield (bad weather delayed the start of the game by 19 minutes), the P-Rays overcame a sloppy start and a 6-2 deficit to grab yet another victory over their Mercer Cup rivals.

Ryan Wiegand (4-6) tied the game with a two-out, two-run single in the 7th, and Cody Rogers broke the tie with a solo home run in the top of the 11th. It was Rogers' third home run in as many games in this series, and he did it in front of family visiting from Texas.

Starting pitcher Trevor Shull had a rough outing but the bullpen excelled. Jeff Cinadr and Alex Koronis combined for 6 1/3 innings of shutout relief, with Koronis getting his first win of the season.

Here's the boxscore:
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?gid=2009_07_29_prirok_blurok_1&t=g_box&did=milb

And the recap:
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2009_07_29_prirok_blurok_1


Princeton has won four in a row and 12 of their last 16 and remains 2 1/2 games behind Danville for first place in the Appy League East. The P-Rays are 4-1 in extra-inning games this season.
Bluefield has lost three straight, all to the P-Rays, after sweeping three games from Danville last weekend.

The P-Rays and Baby Birds conclude their four-game series tomorrow night, with the venue moving to Hunnicutt Field. We'll bring you the game starting with the P-Rays Pre-Game Show at 6:30 pm EDT; first pitch is at 7:00. Tune into Classic Rock 102 The River (WMTD 102.3 FM) or listen on-line at theriver102.com.

Tomorrow will be the second in the "Mercer County Nights of Hope" series. The players on both teams will wear pink caps, and the caps will be up for bids in a silent auction during the game. After the game, the winning bidders will be announced and the players will autograph their hats.
All proceeds go directly to the American Cancer Society.

Tuesday 28 July: Princeton 8, at Bluefield 2

The P-Rays got the bats going again (16 hits) and got a solid outing from starting pitcher Zac Rosscup.

Julio Cedeno went 4-5 with 2 RBIs; Cody Rogers finished 3-5 with a home run, three runs scored and a stolen base.

Rosscup allowed only three hits and two unearned runs in five innings. Joey Callendar and Jairo De La Rosa combined to give up just one hit in four innings of relief.

Here's the boxscore:
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?gid=2009_07_28_prirok_blurok_1&t=g_box&did=milb

And the recap:
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2009_07_28_prirok_blurok_1

Princeton is now a season-high six games over .500 but still trails Danville by 2 1/2 games in the Appy League East.
The P-Rays lead the 2009 Mercer Cup Series four games to one.

The P-Rays and Baby Birds meet in game three of their current four-game series Wednesday night. We'll have the P-Rays Pre-Game Show at 6:30 pm EDT, with game time at 7:00.

Tomorrow night is the first in the "Mercer County Nights of Hope Baseball Series." The series is dedicated to raising money and awareness for the fight against breast cancer.
Each team will wear pink caps for the "Nights of Hope," and the caps will be auctioned off after each game. All the proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society.

Monday 27 July: Princeton 3, at Bluefield 0

Princeton gets its second straight shutout. Wilking Rodriguez was superb as the starting pitcher, and Kirby Yates was solid in relief.
Cody Rogers provided the big blow on offense -- a two-run home run to cap off the P-Rays' three-run rally in the top of the 3rd.
The win keeps Princeton 2 1/2 games behind Danville for first place in the Appy League East.

Here's the boxscore:
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?gid=2009_07_27_prirok_blurok_1&t=g_box&did=milb

And the recap:
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2009_07_27_prirok_blurok_1


Game two of this four-game series is tomorrow night, Tuesday 28 July, at Bowen Field.
You can hear it on Classic Rock 102 The River (WMTD 102.3 FM) and at theriver102.com.
Our broadcast begins with the P-Rays Pre-Game Show at 6:30 pm EDT. The game will start at 7:00.

===================================================

A reminder: The games between Princeton and Bluefield this Wednesday and Thursday are the "Mercer County Nights of Hope Baseball Series." The "Nights of Hope" are aimed at raising money and awareness in the fight against cancer.
There are many special features and events associated with the "Nights of Hope." To find out more, call the Princeton Rays at (304) 487-2000, the Bluefield Orioles at (276) 326-1326, or the local chapter of the American Cancer Society at (304) 327-8770.

Sunday 26 July: P-Rays Rained Out

Bad weather keeps getting in the way of baseball in Princeton.

Lightning and rain forced last night's game between the P-Rays and the Johnson City Cardinals to be suspended after four innings, with the scored tied 2-2.

The rain never really stopped since Saturday night, which means today's schedule is washed out.

The lost games will be made up when Princeton visits Johnson City next month. Weather permitting, of course.

Here's the tentative schedule for that series at Cardinal Park:
Thursday 27 August: Completion of the suspended game of July 25, followed by a seven-inning game. The start time is 6:00 pm EDT.
Friday 28 August: A doubleheader of seven-inning games, starting at Noon EDT. Note the early start time.
Saturday 29 August: A single, normal, nine-inning game, starting at 6:00 pm EDT.

The P-Rays return to play tomorrow, with the opener of a Mercer Cup series at Bluefield. We'll have it for you starting at 6:30 pm EDT, on Classic Rock 102 The River (WMTD 102.3 FM) and theriver102.com.

Friday 24 July: at Princeton 12, Johnson City 0

The P-Rays set a season-high in runs scored on the same night the pitching staff earned its first shutout of 2009.
Joey Dettrich bounced back from a rough outing last Sunday against Pulaski and was stellar: 6 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K.
Ryan Wiegand went 4-4 with two doubles and 3 RBIs. Cody Rogers was 2-5 with a pair of doubles and 3 RBIs. Geno Glynn reached base four times; he wound up 2-4 with a double, two RBIs and four runs scored.
It was Johnson City's fourth consecutive loss and the first time they've been shut out this season.

Here's the boxscore:
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?gid=2009_07_24_jcyrok_prirok_1&t=g_box&did=milb

And the recap:
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2009_07_24_jcyrok_prirok_1

Princeton has moved to within 3 1/2 games of first-place Danville in the Appy League East.

Game two of the series is Saturday night. Deivis Mavares makes his first start of the season for the P-Rays, while Johnson City counters with Jesse Simpson (1-0, 1.35 ERA).

We'll start our broadcast with the P-Rays Pre-Game Show at 6:30 pm EDT. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 at Hunnicutt Field. Hear the game on Classic Rock 102 The River (WMTD 102.3 FM) and at theriver102.com.

• Saturday night's game is "Team Picture Night" at Hunnicutt Field. The first 500 fans get a free, full-color photograph of the 2009 Princeton Rays.

Thursday 23 July: at Elizabethon 8, Princeton 5

The heavy-hitting E-Twins hit three home runs in denying the P-Rays their first series sweep of 2009.

Here's the boxscore:
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?gid=2009_07_23_prirok_elirok_1&t=g_box&did=milb

And the recap:
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2009_07_23_prirok_elirok_1


After taking two out of three from the first place team in the Appy League West, the P-Rays go against the second-place team starting Friday.
The Johnson City Cardinals visit Hunnicutt Field, and you'll hear the game on Classic Rock 102 The River (WMTD 102.3 FM) and theriver102.com
Air-time is 6:30 pm EDT. Game time is at 7:00.

Wednesday 22 July: Princeton 11, at Elizabethton 8

The P-Rays put up a season-best in runs and hits tonight and needed all of them. Princeton led 8-1 before Elizabethton rallied to make it close at the end.

Here's the boxscore:
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?gid=2009_07_22_prirok_elirok_1&t=g_box&did=milb
And the recap:
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2009_07_22_prirok_elirok_1


The P-Rays and E-Twins meet for the last time in the regular season on Thursday. Should Princeton win, it would be the first series sweep of the season.
We'll bring the game to you on Classic Rock 102 The River (WMTD 102.3 FM) and at theriver102.com. Air-time is 6:30 pm EDT; game time is 7:00 pm.

Tuesday 21 July: Princeton 3, at Danville 2

Big win for the P-Rays tonight over the team with the best record in the Appalachian League.
Princeton and Elizabethton have split the four games they've played against one another this seson, with three of those games decided by one run.

Princeton's pitching was solid all night. Starter Wilking Rodriguez kept the league's leading offense in check. The only real mistake was the home run allowed by reliever Deivis Mavares, but he recovered to get the win. Jairo De La Rosa overcame a stumble by the defense in the bottom of the 9th to earn his first professional save.

Here's tonight's boxscore:
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?gid=2009_07_21_prirok_elirok_1&t=g_box&did=milb

And the recap:
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2009_07_21_prirok_elirok_1

Game two of the three-game series is Wednesday 22 July at O'Brien Field. Our broadcast starts with the P-Rays Pre-Game Show at 6:30 pm EDT, followed by the game at 7:00.

Monday 20 July: Pulaski 6, at Princeton 4 (12 innings)

Princeton ran out of miracles tonight.
The P-Rays forged another rally in the bottom of the 9th to force extra innings, but couldn't replicate it in the 12th -- despite putting runners on second and third with one out.
Ouch.

Here's the boxscore:
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?gid=2009_07_20_pulrok_prirok_1&t=g_box&did=milb
And the recap:
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2009_07_20_pulrok_prirok_1

This is beginning to sound like old news, but ... Pulaski continues to get the measure of Princeton. The Mariners' record is 50-45 since the return of professional baseball to Pulaski in 2008; they're 12-3 against Princeton, and 38-42 against everybody else.

The P-Rays now face the challenge of bouncing back from Monday night's tough loss by visiting Elizabethton. The Twins, at 21-6, have the Appy League's best record and are 2-1 against Princeton this season.
We'll bring the game to you on the air on Classic Rock 102 The New River (WMTD 102.3 FM) and online at theriver102.com.
Air-time is 6:30 EDT.

Sunday 19 July: at Princeton 10, Pulaski 9

Roller-coaster ride for the P-Rays today. They put up six runs on eight hits in the first three innings to lead 6-3, then watched as Pulaski's bullpen retired 17 Princeton hitters in a row.
But, down 9-6 in the bottom of the 9th, the P-Rays put together a logic-defying rally to nab the victory.
Against those darn Pulaski Mariners, any win is alright.

Here's the boxscore:
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?gid=2009_07_19_pulrok_prirok_1&t=g_box&did=milb
And the recap:
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2009_07_19_pulrok_prirok_1
(The "Princeton Bottom 9th" section makes for particularly good reading.)

The finale of the series and the homestand is Monday night, July 20. You can hear it on Classic Rock 102 The New River (WMTD 102.3 FM) and at theriver102.com, starting at 6:30 pm EDT. First pitch is set for 7:00 at Hunnicutt Field.

P-Rays Doubleheader vs Pulaski, 18 July

Princeton splits with the Mariners.
The P-Rays rally for a 7-6 win in a goofy first game, then the bats go flat in a 5-1 loss in game two.

Here's the game one boxscore:
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?gid=2009_07_18_pulrok_prirok_1&t=g_box&did=milb
And the recap:
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2009_07_18_pulrok_prirok_1

Game two boxscore:
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?gid=2009_07_18_pulrok_prirok_2&t=g_box&did=milb
And the recap:
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2009_07_18_pulrok_prirok_2


The third game of the four-game series is set for Sunday, July 19, at Hunnicutt Field. Air-time is 3:30 pm EDT, with game time at 4:00, on Classic Rock 102 The New River (WMTD 102.3 FM) and theriver102.com

• Pulaski is 11-2 against the Princeton Rays since the start of the 2008 season.

Thursday 16 July: at Princeton 12, Kingsport 9

The bad news: This one got a little ugly.
The good news: The P-Rays set a season-high for runs for the second straight night.
The better news: It's Princeton's third consecutive win, and the fourth in their last five games.

Here's the boxscore:
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?gid=2009_07_16_kptrok_prirok_1&t=g_box&did=milb
And the recap:
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2009_07_16_kptrok_prirok_1

Princeton tries for its first series sweep of the season with the finale against Kingsport Friday night. Tune in to Classic Rock 102 The New River (WMTD 102.3 FM) or listen on-line at theriver102.com.
Our broadcast begins with the P-Rays Pre-Game Show at 6:30 pm EDT. Game time is at 7:00 at Hunnicutt Field.

July 15: at Princeton 10, Kingsport 4

The P-Rays kept the offense going, totaling 12 hits and scoring double-digit runs for the first time this season.
With the victory, Princeton moves past Bluefield into second place in the Appy League East, 2 1/2 games behind Danville. (The Braves had their five-game winning streak ended by Elizabethton Wednesday night, 4-2.)
Cody Rogers led the P-Rays at the plate, going 4-4 with 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored. Ryan Wiegand went 2-5 with a double and 2 RBIs. Julio Cedeno wound up 2-3 with a two-run home run, his first HR of the season.
Starting pitcher Omar Bencomo cruised through the first five innings, allowing only a bloop single on 44 pitches. The P-Rays defense faltered behind him in the 6th, when Kingsport benefited from three Princeton errors to score all four of their runs.
But Bencomo got plenty of run support in getting the win, improving his record to 2-0.

Here's the boxscore:
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?gid=2009_07_15_kptrok_prirok_1&t=g_box&did=milb

And the recap:
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2009_07_15_kptrok_prirok_1

• The Princeton offense, which has struggled through the early part of the season, has scored 25 runs on 45 hits in the last four games.
• Over that same stretch, the P-Rays' pitching staff has allowed six earned runs on 24 hits.
  

The second game of the three-game series with Kingsport is Thursday night. Air-time is 6:30 and first pitch at 7:00 pm EDT on Classic Rock 102 The New River and theriver102.com.


(My apologies on not posting the results from Monday's 6-1 win at Bluefield. There was a server error at Bowen Field -- reminding us that while the internet is everywhere, it's not always reliable.)

P-Rays Results From Sunday July 12

Mixed news today.

Princeton wins the first game of its series against Bluefield, 8-1:
(box score)
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?gid=2009_07_11_prirok_blurok_1&t=g_box&did=milb
(recap)
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2009_07_11_prirok_blurok_1

But the P-Rays drop a tough one in the second game, 2-1:
(box score)
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?gid=2009_07_12_prirok_blurok_1&t=g_box&did=milb
(recap)
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2009_07_12_prirok_blurok_1

The game two loss prevented Princeton from moving past Bluefield in the second place in the Appy League East. But the P-Rays can grab that spot with a win in the series finale Monday night.
Of course, you'll hear that game on Classic Rock 102 The New River (WMTD 102.3 FM) and at theriver102.com. Air-time is 6:30 pm EDT, with first pitch at 7:00, from Bowen Field.

P-Rays Postponed

The Princeton Rays game against the Pulaski Mariners tonight (July 9) at Hunnicutt Field is postponed due to rain.

The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader in Princeton on Saturday, July 18. The first game starts at 5:30 pm EDT, with our broadcast on Classic Rock 102 The River and theriver102.com to begin at 5:00 pm.

The P-Rays and Mariners conclude their split series tomorrow night in Pulaski. We'll have it for you on Classic Rock 102 The River and theriver102.com starting with the P-Rays Pre-Game Show at 6:30 pm EDT. Game time is scheduled for 7:00 pm.
Wilking Rodriguez was tonight's scheduled starting pitcher for Princeton. Don't be surprised if he gets the start tomorrow at Calfee Park.

The Rays will try to recover from last night's 3-0 loss, the second time Princeton has been shut out this season. Here's the boxscore:
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?gid=2009_07_08_pulrok_prirok_1&t=g_box&did=milb

And here's the recap:
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2009_07_08_pulrok_prirok_1

• The P-Rays have lost nine of their last ten meetings with Pulaski.

P-Rays Results From Monday July 6

(I've been a little negligent getting these posted. My apologies.)

The P-Rays split a doubleheader with Elizabethton Monday night.
Game One: Elizabethton 5, Princeton 2.
Game Two: Princeton 5, Elizabethon 4.
The Rays' win in the nightcap was just the second loss of the season for the E-Twins, who boast the league's best record.

Here's the box score from the first game:
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?gid=2009_07_06_elirok_prirok_1&t=g_box&did=milb
Here's the recap:
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2009_07_06_elirok_prirok_1

The game two box score is here:
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?gid=2009_07_06_elirok_prirok_2&t=g_box&did=milb
And here's the nightcap recap:
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2009_07_06_elirok_prirok_2

The third and final game of the series is Tuesday night. Broadcast time is 6:30 pm EDT, with game time at 7:00 pm EDT on Classic Rock 102 The New River and at theriver102.com.

Princeton Rays Result: Thursday July 2

Tough one tonight. Here's the box score from the Appy League website:
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?gid=2009_07_02_prirok_dnvrok_1&t=g_box&did=milb

Here's the recap:
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2009_07_02_prirok_dnvrok_1

Sometimes, one bad inning makes all the difference.

The second game of the series is Friday at 5:30 pm EDT, on the air on Classic Rock 102.3 FM The New River, and online at theriver 102.com.