Game 41: Miners vs. Bucs, 2:00 p.m.

This afternoon the Mat-Su Miners close the 2011 Alaska Baseball League season by playing the Anchorage Bucs. The Miners enter the contest, perhaps playing their best baseball of the season, and have won five straight. Last night, the Miners used a six-run sixth-inning to come from behind to beat the Bucs, 10-7. The win mark the Miners seventh of the season against the Bucs, and helped the Miners reach 20 ABL wins for the season.

Today the Miners hand the baseball to Co-Pitching MVP, David Gibson (Jr./Bluefield). Gibson, who opened the season for the Miners by starting the season-opener on June 8th, will make his ninth start in a Miners uniform. The Williamsburg, Va.-native, who will transfer to Southern Poly in Georgia this fall, enters the game with a 3-1 record and an earned run average of 2.58. Gibson pitched on Tuesday night, throwing two-scoreless frames against the Peninsula Oilers. Gibson has the opportunity to set the mark for innings pitched by a Miner this season, trailing Jeff Gonzales by 6 1/3 innings. The left-hander's 30 strike-outs lead the Green and Gold.

Alaska Baseball League Standings (W-L-GB)

1. Oilers 23-12 --
2. Miners 20-15 3
3. Pilots 17-18 6
4. Bucs 16-19 7
5. Fire 12-24 11.5

Today's Game: Miners (20-15) vs. Bucs (16-19)

First-pitch: 2:00 p.m. from Hermon Brothers Field in Palmer. It is MTA Fan Appreciation Day at the ball-park. All fans will be granted admission free of charge.

Media: Matt Dudas and Michael Broskowski have the call, beginning at 1:40 p.m. with the Mat-Su Miners Pre-Game Show. Fans can listen to the broadcast locally on Q99.7, and worldwide on www.matsuminers.org.

Pre-Game Guests: Michael Broskowski will talk with Miners pitcher Ryan Dull (Jr./UNC-Asheville), while Matt Dudas will sit down with Miners manager Brian Yocke.

-Matt Dudas

Miners win 5th straight

The Miners were able to continue their hot streak on Saturday night in Anchorage at Mulcahy Stadium with a come from behind 10-7 win over the Bucs.

Jeff Gonzales (Fr,/Washington) made his eighth start of the season for the Miners, but struggled giving up 4 earned runs on 3 hits walking 6. The Miners fell behind early in the bottom of the first inning when Bucs right fielder Boomer Collins (Jr./Dallas Baptist) belted a 2 run home run over the left field wall to give the Bucs a 2-0 advantage.

Gonzales struggled with control in his 2 inning outing and walked the first 2 hitters he faced in the second inning setting up a Landon Anderson RBI single to extend the Bucs lead to 3-0.

The offense for the Miners wouldn't stay quite for long as they where finally able to get to Bucs starter Collin Snow (Fr./Georgia Southern) who retired the first 7 Miners he faced. Mason Guymon (Jr./Carson Newman) ripped his first double of the season to left field. Guymon later scored on a throwing error following a Tim Zier (Fr./San Diego St.) single. The Miners weren't done yet as they added another run off of a Cam Kneeland (Jr./UMASS-Lowell) groundout that scored Zier pulling the Miners within 1 3-2.

The Bucs would add another run in the third on a Ryan Palermo (Jr./UC Santa Barbara) RBI single. Brandon Hedrick (Jr./Union) would come on from the bullpen and throw 3.2 innings allowing 2 runs on 3 hits, 4 walks and 3 strikeouts earning his second win of the season (2-1).

The Miners offense would stay quite until the 5th inning when they would pull within 1 (4-3) on a Stephen Branca (Jr./Tennessee Wesleyan) double down the left field line scoring Ryan Ford (So./Middle Tennessee St.).  The Miner weren't done however as they would go on to add 6 runs in the sixth inning highlighted by Stephen Branca's first homerun of the season, a grand slam over the left field wall to give the Miners a comfortable lead of 9-4. Branca went 2 for 5 with 5 runs driven in and a run scored.

The game was far from over though as the Bucs made a game of it when they scored 2 runs in the bottom of the sixth inning on  Jake Valdez (Fr./San Jose St.) and Boomer Collins RBI singles to cut the deficit to 9-6.

In the 7th inning Mason Guymon would continue his hot hitting lining a RBI single into right center to scoring Michael Suiter (Sr./Punahou High School) to add an insurance run making it a 10-7 Miners lead. Guymon ended the night going 3 for 4 with a double, a pair of singles and a walk.

The Bucs would again pull within three runs again adding a run in the eighth inning on a Boomer Collins double, his second extra base hit of the night, scoring Landon Anderson.

Miners reliever Brendan Lobban (Jr./St. Johns) would shut the door on the Bucs going 3.1 innings allowing an unearned run on 2 hits, 2 walks, and struck out 1. Lobban earned his second save of the year.

Collin Snow took the loss his first of the year (1-1) going 5.1 innings allowing 6 runs 5 earned on 7 hits. Snow walked 3 struck out 4.

The win improved the Miners record to 20-15. The Miners return to Hermon Brothers field tomorrow for the final game of the 2011 Alaska Baseball League season against the Anchorage Bucs. Game time is 2:00pm gates opening a 1:00pm. It is MTA Fan Appreciation Day which means free admission to all fans.

Game 40: Miners at Bucs, 7:00 p.m.

Tonight, the Mat-Su Miners meet the Anchorage Bucs in game three of a four-game set. Last night the Miners defeated the Bucs for the sixth time in seven tries this season, when Mark Anderson (So./BYU) threw a complete-game shut-out. Anderson picked up his fifth win of the season in the process, and helped the Miners lock-up second place in the ABL in 2011.

Tonight, the Miners will send Jeff Gonzales to the mound. Gonzales last threw on Monday night, going seven innings against the Bucs. The Bellevue, Washington-native holds a 1-2 record on the season, and an earned run average of 4.01. Gonzales leads the Miners with 42.2 innings pitched.

Tonight's Game: Miners (19-15) at Bucs (16-18)
First-pitch: 7:00 p.m. at Mulcahy Stadium in Anchorage.
Media: Matt Dudas and Michael Broskowski have the call, beginning at 6:50 p.m. with the Mat-Su Miners Pre-Game Show. Fans can listen to the broadcast worldwide on www.matsuminers.org.
Pre-Game Guest: Matt Dudas will talk to Miners pitcher Brandon Hedrick.
Next-Up: The Miners close the 2011 season on Sunday against the Bucs at 2:00 p.m. It is MTA's Fan Appreciation Day. All fans get into the game free of charge.

-Matt Dudas

Game 39: Miners vs. Bucs, 6:00 p.m.

Tonight, the Mat-Su Miners look to win their fourth straight, when they play host to the Anchorage Bucs. The Miners last night defeated the Bucs, 2-1. Ben Graff (Fr./San Francisco), who made his first start of the ABL season, fired seven scoreless innings on way to picking up his second win of the summer. The Bucs were able to push across a run in the ninth inning, but Brendan Lobban (Jr./St. John's) was still able to pick up his first save of the season.

The Alaska Baseball League season is in to it's homestretch in 2011. The Oilers currently sit in first place, and still have four games remaining. Two of those games will take place this afternoon in Kenai, with the Oilers taking on the AIA Fire in a doubleheader. The Oilers magic number is down to one after last night's 9-3 victory over the Fire.

The ABL championship race is down to just the Miners and the Oilers. With last night's Miners victory, the  Bucs are eliminated from the race. The Miners and Bucs meet three more times, to close the 2011 regular season.

Alaska Baseball League (W-L-GB)

1. Oilers 20-12 --
2. Miners 18-15 2.5
3. Pilots 17-18 4.5
4. Bucs 16-17 4.5
5. Fire 12-21 8.5

Tonight the Miners send lefty Mark Anderson (So./BYU) to the mound against the Bucs. Anderson comes into the game with a 1.80 earned run average, giving him one of the best in the ABL. Anderson leads the Miners in wins, and brings a 4-1 record into tonight's contest. The Moreno Valley, Cal.-native last worked on Tuesday, allowing a ninth inning run against the Oilers. The left-hander's last start came on Saturday against the Bucs, when Anderson hurled six scoreless innings. In 11 innings this season against the Bucs, Anderson has allowed no runs on six hits. 

Tonight's Game: Miners (18-15) vs. Bucs (16-17)

First-pitch: 6:00 p.m. from Hermon Brothers Field in Palmer. It's NAPA Alaska Day at the ball-park. NAPA is the official sponsor of Mat-Su Miners Internet Broadcasts.

Media: Matt Dudas and Michael Broskowski have the call, beginning at 5:50 p.m. with the Mat-Su Miners Pre-Game Show. Fans can listen to the game locally on Q99.7, and worldwide on www.matsuminers.org.

Pre-Game Guest: TBD

Next-Up: The Miners visit the Bucs, tomorrow at 7:00 p.m.

-Matt Dudas

Miners fend off Bucs

Miners relief pitcher Ben Graff (Fr./San Fransisco) made a spot start on Thursday night against the Anchorage Bucs at Mulcahy Stadium. Graff went 7 shutout innings holding the Bucs to only 3 hits, walking 2 striking out 6 to pick up his second win of the season (2-3).

Miners second baseman Tim Zier (Fr./San Diego St.) continued his hot hitting going 2 for 3 with a run batted in. Zier drove in the Miners first run in the top of the third inning with a ground ball through the left side of the infield on a hit and run to score Michael Suiter (Sr./Punahou School) from second base to make it a 1-0 Miners lead.

The Miners would grab a huge insurance run in the eighth inning when Dominck Francia (Fr./Louisiana Lafayette) led off the inning with a bunt single. Francia stole second base to add to his lead league with his 19th swipe of the season and then moved over to third on a Tim Zier single. With runners on the corners with 1 out Ryan Ford sent a ground ball to the shortstop Logan Davis (Fr./Hofstra) who tried to turn a double play but Ford beat the relay throw scoring Dominick Francia putting the Miners up 2-0.

After Neal Dennison worked a scoreless bottom of the eighth inning, the Miners brought in Brendan Lobban (Jr./St. Johns) to work the ninth. The Bucs would put together a two out rally when Bucs catcher Joe Winterburn (Fr./UC Santa Barbara) doubled over the head Dominick Francia in left. Bucs leading hitter Matthew Harjung (So./Missouri Baptist) dumped a single in to shallow left to score Winterburn. Lobban would get out of the jam with no further damage when he got Dylan Wisthoff (Fr./Rollins) to ground out to first. Lobban picked up his fist save of the season. The loss went to Bucs starter Ryan Goodbrand (So./UC San Diego) who fell to 1-1 on the season.

The Miners return home tomorrow with a 6pm game against the Anchorage Bucs with gates opening at 5pm.

Game 38: Miners at Bucs, 7:00 p.m.

Tonight, the Mat-Su Miners will look to continue their late-season resurgence and stay in the ABL pennant chase when they visit the Anchorage Bucs. The Miners come into the game winners of five of their last seven, and sit 2.5 games behind the first-place Peninsula Oilers. The Miners have just four games remaining in the ABL in 2011, with all four of them being against the Bucs. The Miners now sit in second-place in the ABL, and a game up on the third-place Bucs. The Miners hold a 4-1 edge on the season-series over the Bucs.

The Miners last played on Tuesday night, using five different pitchers to defeat the Peninsula Oilers 5-2. David Gibson (Jr./Bluefield) and Ben Graff (Fr./San Francisco) each pitched two scoreless frames to begin the game. In the fifth, with the Miners leading it 1-0, Colin Cloud (Anchorage, AK) made his first appearance of the season. Cloud sat down the Oilers 2-3-4 hitters, and finished the inning by striking out Oilers first-baseman Troy Channing (Jr./St. Mary's).

The Oilers tied in the sixth, but it didn't stay that way very long. With the bases loaded, Oilers starter Jordan Mills (Fr./St. Mary's) plunked the Miners Adam Martin (Fr./Western Carolina), to bring home Ryan Ford (So./MTSU) to break the tie. A batter later, Michael Gerlach (So./Cabrillo) singled down the third-base line to score Stephen Branca (Jr./Tennessee Wesleyan) and Wesley Jones (Jr./Milligan). The hit gave Gerlach a three-RBI night, and put the Miners up 4-1.

The Miners took a 5-1 lead into the ninth, when the Oilers were able to score and bring the tying run to the plate. Mark Anderson (So./BYU), who came on to pitch the inning, forced a fly out to end the game, and gave the Miners their third victory over the Oilers this season.

Tonight, the Miners will again try and inch closer towards first-place when they give left-hander Ben Graff his second start of the season. Graff, who has not made a start since the exhibition season, comes into the game with a 1-3 record in ABL play, and an earned run average of 1.77. Tuesday, Graff worked the third and fourth innings, and scattered two hits, two walks, and didn't allow a run. The Miners are expected to again try to use several different arms, in an effort to save pitching for the remaining games of the regular season. The Miners are down to just eight available arms entering tonight's game.

Alaska Baseball League Standings (W-L-GB)

1. Oilers 19-12 --
2. Miners 17-15 2.5
3. Bucs 16-16 3.5
4. Pilots 17-18 4
5. Fire 12-20 7.5

Elsewhere in the ABL tonight, the Fire meet the Oilers in game two of their five game series. The first-pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. at Coral Seymour Park in Kenai.

Tonight's Game: Miners (17-15) at Bucs (16-16)
First-pitch: 7:00 p.m. at Mulcahy Stadium in Anchorage.
Media: Matt Dudas and Michael Broskowski have the call, beginning at 6:50 p.m. with the Mat-Su Miners Pre-Game Show. Fans can listen to the game worldwide on www.matsuminers.org.
Pre-Game Guest: Matt Dudas talks with Miners pitcher Mark Anderson.
Next-up: The Miners return home for a 6:00 p.m. contest with the Bucs on Friday.

-Matt Dudas

Game 37: Miners vs. Oilers, 6:00 p.m.

Tonight the Mat-Su Miners close out their season series with the Peninsula Oilers. The Oilers have taken the last five match-ups from the Miners, including a 7-5 decision on Sunday night in Palmer. The Miners fell behind in the game 7-1, but battled back. The Miners scored four times in the seventh inning, before leaving the bases loaded in the inning, and leaving them loaded again in the eighth. Reese McGraw (Jr./Creighton) closed the game out for the Oilers, after coming on to pitch in the eighth.

The Miners, while not yet mathematically eliminated, sit four games behind the Oilers with just five games remaining. The second-place Anchorage Bucs remain 3 1/2 games behind the Oilers in the race to become Alaska Baseball League Champions in 2011.

The Oilers have been able to take control of first-place in the month of July, largely in part to their starting pitching. The rotation of Jon Maciel (Fr./Long Beach St.), Gabriel Asakura (Jr./Cal St. LA), Jordan Mills (Fr./St. Mary's), and Ben Griset (Fr./St. Mary's) all hold earned run averages of 3.20 and below, with Mills and Maciel holding marks of 1.00 or below.

To make matters worse for opposing teams, the back end of the Oilers bull-pen has been lights out. Cameron McVey (Jr./Biola), a 22nd round selection by the San Francisco Giants in this years draft, has struck out 12 in 11 2/3 innings. McGraw has an earned run average of under one, and has saved four games for the Oilers.

For the Miners, the offense has certainly turned around of late. After being marred by struggles with the bats for the better part of the season, the Miners have had seven or more hits in each of the last six games. Adam Martin (Fr./Western Carolina) has led the turn around going 9-for-24 during that stretch. Martin, who battled offensive difficulties for the better part of the season, has now raised his batting average above .200 for the season. Wesley Jones (Jr./Milligan) has also been red-hot, going 13 for his last 29 at the dish, and has raised his average to a team best .357 mark.

Tonight, the Miners will look to make it two-straight as they will send David Gibson (Jr./Bluefield) to the mound. Gibson has been one of the teams staff-aces, and brings in a 2.72 earned run average and a record of 3-1. The Williamsburg, Va.-native was impressive in his last start on July 21st, when he went six-scoreless innings against the Glacier Pilots. The left-hander will be looking to avenge a start against the Oilers from July 10th. Gibson lasted just three innings, and took a no-decision after allowing four runs on four hits.

Alaska Baseball League (W-L-GB)

1. Oilers 19-10 --
2. Bucs 16-14 3.5
3. Miners 16-15 4
4. Pilots 16-18 5.5
5. Fire 10-20 9.5

Tonight's Game: Miners (16-15) vs. Oilers (19-10)

First-pitch: 6:00 p.m. from Hermon Brothers Field in Palmer. It is Baseball Card Giveaway Night at the ball-park.

Media: Matt Dudas and Michael Broskowski have the call beginning at 5:50 p.m. with the Mat-Su Miners Pre-Game Show. Fans can listen to the game locally on Q99.7, and worldwide on www.matsuminers.org.

Pre-Game Guest: TBD

Up Next: The Miners begin a four-game series against the Bucs on Thursday in Anchorage.

-Matt Dudas 

Miners get back to winning ways

After losing for the fifth straight time to the Peninsula Oilers on Sunday night, the Miners would continue their dominance over the Anchorage Bucs with a 8-4 win on Monday night at Hermon Brothers Field.

Jeff Gonzales (Fr./Washington) went 7 strong innings for the Miners allowing 2 runs all earned on 7 hits with 3 walks and 4 strikeouts. Gonzales earned his first win of the season (1-2).

The Miners offense got started early on Monday night with a four run first inning. With one out Miners first baseman Cam Kneeland (Jr./Umass Lowell) smacked his 6th  double of the season into the left field gap. Stephen Branca (Jr./Tennessee Wesleyan) who went 2 for 2 with 2 runs scored and a RBI, would then single up the middle to score Kneeland and give the Miners a 1-0 lead. With Branca on at first with 1 out Miners centerfielder Wesley Jones (Jr./Milligan) singled through the left side to extend his hitting streak to 8 games. After Miners leftfielder Adam Martin (Fr./Western Carolina) was hit by a pitch, Michael Gerlach (So./Cabrillo CC) would draw bases loaded walk to drive in his 4th run of the season and make it a 2-0 Miners lead. The Miners werent done yet as Kevin Lum (Jr./Oklahoma St.) reached on a fielding error by Bucs second baseman Jake Valdez (Fr./San Jose St.) scoring Jones. The Miners would get their 4th and final run of the inning when catcher Mason Guymon (Jr./Carson Newman) laid a sacrafice bunt down the first base line to score Martin giving the Miners a 4 spot in the bottom of the first inning.

The Miners would add another run in the third inning when Adam Martin doubled to right center to lead off. A batter later Martin was singled in by Kevin Lum to extend the Miners lead to 5-0.

The Miners werent done how ever as they would put up a 3 spot in the fourth inning. Tim Zier (Fr./San Diego St.) led off the bottom half of the fourth with single to the third baseman Ryan Palermo (Jr./UC Santa Barbara).Zier ended the night going 2 for 4. After a Ryan Ford (So./Middle Tennessee St.) fielders choice and a Cam Kneeland foul out, Stephen Branca singled to left field. With runners on first and second Wesley Jones doubled to left field to score Ford and put the Miners up 6-0. A batter later Adam Martin singled up the middle to score Branca and Jones and it was 8-0 Miners.

The Anchorage Bucs would not go with out a fight. The Bucs scored their first run in the fifth when Jake Valdez singled in Matthew Harjung (So./Missouri Baptist) to cut the Miners lead down to 8-1. Harjung, who went 2 for 3 with 2 runs scored and a RBI, would start another run producing inning in the seventh leading off with a double. Harjung would score the Bucs second run of the game on a Braden Shipley (Fr./Nevada) single to center.

Anchorage would go on to add two more runs in the eighth when Boomer Collins (Jr./Dallas Baptist) tripled to lead the inning off. Collins scored on a Ryan Palermo single. After a Matthew Harjung sacrafice fly the score was 8-4. Thats would be the final score of the ball game as Neal Dennison (So./Georgetown) shut down the Bucs in the ninth.

The loss went the Bradley Drust (So./Southern Illinois) who went 4 innings allowing 8 runs all earned on 9 hits. Drust falls to 0-4. With the win the Miners improve their record to 16-15 while the Bucs fall to 16-14.

The Miners will be in action at Hermon Brothers field Tuesday night when they meet the Peninsula Oilers for the last time this season. The game is scheduled for 6:00pm with gates opening at 5:00pm for baseball card day

Oilers to much to handle for Miners

Entering Sunday night's match up with the Peninsula Oilers the Mat-Su Miners where on a two game winning streak but had lost their last four against the Oilers. The Oilers would once again get the best of the Miners for the fifth straight time, this time by the score of 7-5.

Brandon Hedrick (Jr./Union) made his second start of the season going 3 innings allowing 7 runs 5 earned on 6 hits. Hedrick walked 5 striking out 3 while picking up his second loss of the season falling to 1-2 for the summer. The Miners bats where baffled early on by Oilers starter Ben Griset (Fr./St. Marys) who pitched 5 innings of 1 hit baseball allowing 1 run. Griset earned his 3rd win of the year.

The Oilers jumped on Hedrick early in the top of the first. After giving up 3 straight singles to start the game, Hedrick delivered a fastball in the dirt that skipped to the backstop to score the games first run. After a walk to Tanner Rust (Fr./New Mexico St) the Oilers would get their second run this time on a passed ball making the score 2-0. With the bases loaded again Oilers outfielder Greg Anderson (Sr,/Mesa St.) lined a 2 out single into left to score to runs and extend the Oilers lead to 4-0. 

The Oilers would go on to add another run in second when Troy Channing (So./St. Marys) who was 3 for 4 with 2 runs batted in, singled in college teammate Patrick Wisdom (So./St. Marys) from second with 2 outs to increase their lead to 5-0. 

The Miners would get on the board in the bottom of the second inning when Adam Martin (Fr./Western Carolina) smacked his 4th doubled of the season to straight away center to lead off the inning. After a sacrifice bunt from Michael Gerlach (So./Cabrillo CC), Kevin Lum (Jr./Oklahoma St.) grounded out to second to score Martin and cut the Miner deficit to four at 5-1. 

In the fifth inning the Oilers would score two more highlighted by a sac fly by Troy Channing for his second RBI of the evening. The game would remain scoreless until the bottom of the seventh when the Miners would score four runs. The rally was started by a Michael Gerlach double down the right field line. Tim Zier (Fr./San Diego St.) singled down the right field line to score Gerlach. The Miners would add three more with help from a double smacked into the left center gap by Miners shortstop Ryan Ford (So./Middle Tennessee St.) who went 2 for 4 with an RBI, a run scored, and a walk. 

Oilers relief pitcher Reese McGraw (Fr./Creighton) shut down the Miners over 1.2 innings after coming into the game in the eighth with the bases loaded to earn his 4th save of the season. 

Miners center fielder Wesley Jones (Jr./Milligan) extended his hitting streak to seven games going 1 for 3 with an RBI and 2 walks. Miners relief pitchers Ben Graff (Fr./San Francisco) and Brandon Lobban (Jr./St. Johns) combined to throw six scoreless innings. 

With the loss the Miners fall to 15-15 in Alaska Baseball League play while the Oilers improve their record to a league best 19-9. The Miners are back home tomorrow night to take on the Anchorage Bucs at 6:00pm at Hermon Brothers Field. 

 

Game 35: Miners vs. Oilers, 6:00 p.m.

Tonight the Mat-Su Miners meet the Peninsula Oilers, in a a crucial late-season match-up. The Miners and Oilers last met on July 12th in Kenai, with the Oilers finishing up a four-game sweep of the Miners. The Oilers lead the season series 5-2. The Oilers enter tonight with a three-game lead over the Bucs, for first-place in the Alaska Baseball League.

Last night, the Miners defeated the Bucs 5-1. Mark Anderson (So./BYU) hurled six shut-out innings, to extend his scoreless streak against the Bucs to eleven innings. The Miners had ten hits last night, giving them double-digits in that category for three straight games. Cam Kneeland (Jr./Mass.-Lowell) hit his first homer of the season in game, as he continued his late season resurgence. Kneeland now has three extra-base hits in the last two games, and has raised his batting average to .257 in ABL play. Left-hander Brendan Lobban (Jr./St. John's) came on in relief to get the final two outs in the game.

Tonight the Miners send Brandon Hedrick (Jr./Union College) to the mound. Hedrick has made one start this season, and it came back on July 12th against the Oilers. The Corbin, Ky.-native lasted just 2 2/3 innings, yielding seven runs. Hedrick battled control issues in the game, issuing seven free passes in the game. Hedrick has been used for the most part as a closer for the Miners, leading the club with three saves this season. The NAIA All-American selection comes into the game with a 1-1 record, and an earned run average of 5.54.

Alaska Baseball League (W-L-GB)

1. Oilers 18-9 --
2. Bucs 16-13 3
3. Miners 15-14 4
4. Pilots 15-18 6
5. Fire 10-20 9.5

Tonight's Game: Miners (15-14) vs. Oilers (18-9)

First-pitch: 6:00 p.m. from Hermon Brothers Field in Palmer. It's City of Palmer day at the ball-park.

Media: Matt Dudas and Michael Broskowski have the call, beginning at 5:50 p.m. with the Mat-Su Miners Pre-Game Show. Fans can hear the game locally on Q99.7, and worldwide on www.matsuminers.org.

Pre-Game Guest: Michael Broskowski will talk to Miner-reliever Neal Dennison (So./Georgetown).

Next Up: The Miners face the Bucs tomorrow at 6:00 p.m. in Palmer.

-Matt Dudas

Game 34: Miners vs. Bucs, 6:00 p.m.

Tonight the Mat-Su Miners take on the Anchorage Bucs in game four of the nine-game season series. The Miners and Bucs will meet six times between now and the end of the regular season on July 31st. The Miners last faced the Bucs on Monday night at Hermon Brothers Field, with the Miners winning the game 5-3. Adam Martin's (Fr./Western Carolina) first home-run of the season gave the Miners a 4-3 lead in the sixth inning, and Stephen Branca's (Jr./Tennessee Wesleyan) RBI-single gave the Miners a late insurance run. The Miners have taken two of the three meetings between the clubs this season.

Last night, the Miners defeated the Athletes In Action Fire 10-1. Brock Simon (So./Santa Clara) made his first start of the season, throwing the first nine-inning complete game by a Miner-pitcher this season. Simon allowed just one unearned run, that came with the outcome all but decided in the ninth-inning.

The Miner offense however, again came up big. The Miners broke the game open using a six-run, seven-hit, sixth-inning. The first nine in the inning reached base, with Cam Kneeland (Jr./Mass.-Lowell), Wesley Jones (Jr./Milligan), and Adam Martin going for extra-bases. In all, the Miners had seven hits in the inning, and were able to chase Fire left-hander Taylor Aikenhead (Fr./Bakersfield College) from the ball-game.

Aikenhead, who had only allowed eight earned runs all season, matched his season total with eight allowed last night.

The Miners would add two more in the eighth inning off reliever Reveriano Perez (Tec De Monterey). Branca had an RBI-single, giving him three RBI-singles for the game.

The Miners received some help after the game, when they learned of the Pilots victory in Kenai over the Oilers. The Pilots used a two-run ninth inning to upend the Oilers.

Tonight the Miners will look to keep it going when they send left-hander Mark Anderson (So./BYU) to the mound. Anderson comes into the game with a 2.25 earned run average, and a record of 3-1. The Moreno Valley, Cal.-native faced the Bucs on June 17th in Anchorage, working five-scoreless innings while only allowing two hits. Anderson last pitched on July 9th against the Oilers, taking a hard-luck loss after going seven solid innings, and allowing just two runs.

Alaska Baseball League Standings (W-L-GB)

1. Oilers 17-9 --
2. Bucs 16-12 2
3. Miners 14-14 4
4. Pilots 15-17 5
5. Fire 10-20 9

Tonight's Game: Miners (14-14) vs. Bucs (16-12)

First-pitch: 6:00 p.m. from Hermon Brothers Field in Palmer. It is Alaska Club Day at the ball-park.

Media: Matt Dudas and Michael Broskowski have the call, beginning at 5:50 p.m. with the Mat-Su Miners Pre-Game Show. Fans can listen to the game locally on Q99.7, and worldwide on www.matsuminers.org.

Pre-Game Guest: Matt Dudas will talk with Miners outfielder Wesley Jones.

Next Up: The Miners meet the Oilers on Sunday night at 6:00 p.m. in Palmer.

-Matt Dudas

Game 33: Miners vs. Fire, 6:00 p.m.

Tonight, the Mat-Su Miners conclude their season-series against the Athletes In Action Fire. The teams most recently met during a five-game series at the start of the month, with the Fire taking three of the five games. In the most recent match-up, Matt Applegate (Jr./Kansas St.) threw a complete-game shut-out, as he took just 70 pitches to complete the seven-inning contest.

Last night, the Miners dropped a heart-breaker to the Anchorage Glacier Pilots. Starting-pitcher David Gibson (Jr./Bluefield) turned in one of his best performances of the season in the game, throwing six shut-out innings before leaving the game ahead 3-0.

The Miners offense got on the board in the third on an RBI-single from Ryan Ford (So./MTSU) that scored Tim Zier (Fr./San Diego St.). The Green and Gold kept things going in the fourth, when Wesley Jones (Jr./Milligan) scored with two outs on a Pilots fielding-error. The Miners continued in the sixth inning. After the first two hitters were retired to begin the inning, Michael Gerlach (So./Cabrillo) blooped a single into right-field to keep the inning alive. Kevin Lum (Jr./Oklahoma St.) then stepped up, ripping a double down the right-field line, that was able to score Gerlach all the way from first.

After Gibso exited, the Miners would again keep the lumber going as catcher Adam Martin's (Fr./Western Carolina) resurgence continued. The Marietta, Ga.-native ripped a single to center, the plated two more and the Miners appeared to be on cruise control.

That's when the Pilots offense came alive. Maxx Garrett (Jr./Gonzaga) took a Neal Dennison (So./Georgetown) offering over the left-field fence, for a two-run homer and his first long ball of the season.

In the eighth the Miners would again score a run, as Tim Zier came home on a sacrifice fly from Cam Kneeland (Jr./Mass.-Lowell). The Pilots continued to be resilient however, as Kavin Keyes (Fr./Oregon St.) made up for his two fielding errors by clearing the bases on a three-run double to center.

With the Miners leading now by just a run, they called on lefty Ben Graff (Fr./San Francisco) to try and get them out of the jam in the inning. After Keyes reached third on a sacrifice bunt, Graff was able to get an infield pop-up to Kneeland. The next batter rolled a ground ball that Zier was able to make a sliding stop on a second to end the inning, with the Miners clinging to a one-run lead.

In the ninth the Miners were able to get an insurance run for Graff, when Lum singled home Martin for his second RBI of the night.

In the bottom half of the inning, the Pilots again proved to be too tough on this night. The first three reached in the inning, with two of them climbing aboard on bunt-singles. After Graff was able to get Cael Brockmeyer (Fr./Cal St.-Bakersfield) to foul out to Kneeland, Aaron Judge (Fr./Fresno St.) ripped an RBI-single to left. The hit pulled the Pilots within a run, with still just one out in the inning. That brought Keyes up again with the bases loaded, and chance from a personal level to complete a night filled with ups and downs.

Keyes took Graff's pitch, and hit it off the chalk line in left field, to score two runs and win the game for the Pilots, 8-7.

The Miners now sit five games behind the first-place Oilers with nine game still remaining here in 2011. The Miners play seven of their final nine games at home, with four straight at home beginning tonight.

The Miners will turn to right-hander Brock Simon (So./Santa Clara). Simon enters the game with an 0-2 record, and an earned run average of four. He last pitched on Saturday night, taking an extra-inning loss, while throwing in relief against the Bucs. The El Dorado Hills, Cal.-native will be making his first start of the season with the Miners tonight.

Alaska Baseball League Standings (W-L-GB)

1. Oilers 17-8 --
2. Bucs 16-12 2.5
3. Miners 13-14 5
4. Pilots 14-17 6
5. Fire 10-19 9

Tonight's Game: Miners (13-14) vs. Fire (10-19)

First-pitch: 6:00 p.m. from Hermon Brothers Field in Palmer. Tonight is Ellen Hermann-State Farm and Summit Oral Surgery Day at the ball-park.

Media: Matt Dudas and Michael Broskowski have the call, beginning at 5:50 p.m. with the Mat-Su Miners Pre-Game Show. Fans can listen to the game locally on Q99.7 and worldwide on www.matsuminers.org.

Pre-Game Guest: Michael Broskowski will talk with Miners outfielder Michael Gerlach.

Next Up: The Miners meet the Bucs Saturday at 6:00 p.m. It will be Alaska Club Day here at the park.

-Matt Dudas

Game 32: Miners at Pilots, 7:00 p.m.

Tonight the Mat-Su Miners complete their season-series with the Anchorage Glacier Pilots. Over the course of the last two-months, the teams have met twelve times with the Miners taking seven of the games. The Pilots however, have won the last two, including a 5-4 defeat of the Miners last Friday in Anchorage. The Miners come into the game fresh off a win that snapped a six-game losing streak. The month of July has been a tough one on the Miners, as they have fallen out of first place and currently sit in third.

On Monday night, the Miners defeated the Bucs 5-3. A day after winning the State Farm Home-Run Derby, Adam Martin (Fr./Western Carolina) slugged his first home-run of the season. The two-run homer, which was hit to left-center, gave the Miners their first lead of the game.

Late in the game the Miners managed their way through the Bucs batting order, by going to the bullpen in several situational match-ups. Ben Graff (Fr./San Francisco), who picked up his first win of the season in the game, relieved Jeff Gonzales (Fr./Washington). Following Graff, the Miners used Neal Dennison (So./Georgetown) to get two right-handed hitters out. After that, the Miners called on Brendan Lobban (Jr./St. John's) to face two left-handed hitters.

Lobban, who had not pitched in ten days, was making just his second relief appearance of the season. He was able to retire the two hitters he faced, setting up a save situation for Brandon Hedrick (Jr./Union) in the ninth. Hedrick again made things interesting, issuing a walk and allowing a hit, but was able to escape the jam by inducing a fly-out to left-fielder Michael Suiter (HS Sr./Kansas).

The Miners and Pilots last played on Friday in Anchorage, in the third game of the Major League Baseball Showcase. The Miners fell behind early 5-0, as starter Matt Applegate (Jr./Kansas St.) was chased quickly from the ball-game. The Miners battled back however, scoring twice in the sixth and twice more in the seventh, before falling by a run. Wesley Jones (Jr./Milligan) went 3-for-3 in the game, including an RBI-double to right-center field in the final inning.

The Green and Gold will look to make it two-straight when they send left-hander David Gibson (Jr./Bluefield) to the mound. Gibson last pitched on July 10th against the Oilers. The Williamsburg, Virginia-native lasted just three innings, while allowing four runs. Gibson took a no-decision in the game. The lefty brings a 3-1 record and an earned run average of 3.26 into the game. In 30 1/3 innings this season, Gibson has struck out 28 batters.

Following the victory on Monday night, the Miners made two transactions. The club will finish the season without the services of right-hand pitcher Jacob Brewer (Fr./Ball St.) and outfielder Nick Rosso (Fr./St. Mary's).

Alaska Baseball League Standings (W-L-GB)

1. Peninsula Oilers 17-8 --
2. Anchorage Bucs 15-12 3
3. Mat-Su Miners 13-13 4.5
4. Anchorage Pilots 13-17 6.5
5. AIA Fire 10-18 8.5

Tonight's Game: Miners (13-13) at Pilots (13-17)
First-pitch: 7:00 p.m. from Mulcahy Stadium in Anchorage.
Media: Matt Dudas and Michael Broskowski have the call, beginning at 6:50 p.m. with the Mat-Su Miners Pre-Game Show. Fans can listen to the broadcast worldwide on www.matsuminers.org.
Pre-Game Guest: Matt Dudas will talk with Miners manager Brian Yocke.
Next Up: The Miners return home Friday night to take on the AIA Fire at 6:00 p.m.

-Matt Dudas

Miners sink Bucs, end losing streak



The Miners looked to get off the snide on Monday night hosting the Anchorage Bucs at Hermon Brothers Field. They would need another solid start from starter Jeff Gonzales (FR/Washington) and an offense that has struggled as of late to produce. The Miners got the combination just right in their 5-3 win over the Anchorage Bucs on Monday night.

Gonzales worked 5.2 innings striking out seven, allowing just two earned runs on five hits, walking four earning a no decision. Gonzales started out the ball game retiring the first nine hitters he faced.Gonzales ran into trouble in the top of the fourth inning walking the lead off hitter Landon Anderson (JR/Dallas Baptist). Ryan Palermo (SO/UC-Santa Barbara) advanced Anderson to second with a sacrifice bunt. After a fly out by Boomer Collins (JR/Dallas Baptist), Ryan Palermo (SO/UC Santa Barbara) drew a two out walk. Jake Valdez would step to the plate. After falling behind 0-2 Valdez would line a single into right center to score Anderson from second to give the bucs a 1-0 lead. The next batter Logan Davis (FR/Hofstra) would single up the middle scoring Palermo to extend the Bucs lead to 2-0.

The Miners answered in the bottom of the fifth inning when Kevin Lum (JR/Oklahoma State) doubled to the wall in left center to lead of the inning. After a Tim Zier (FR/San Diego State) infield single, Zier stole second, Lum made a break for home plate while the throw from second baseman Valdez was sent to the back stop. With Zier on third with one out Michael Suiter (SR/Punahou High School) grounded a single up the middle into center field to tie the ballgame at two a piece.

The Bucs would come back to take the lead in the top of the sixth when Brian Santy (JR/Washington) doubled to right field to score Valdez and make it 3-2 Bucs. It wouldn't take the Miners long to answer however. Fresh off of winning the 2011 Alaska Baseball league Home Run Derby, would belt a two run home run over the right center field wall to give the Miners a 4-3 lead. The Miners would add an insurance run in the seventh and hang on to win 5-3.

Ben Graff picked up his first win working a scoreless inning. Graff improved his record to (1-2), while the loss goes to Bucs starter Bradley Drust (SO/Southern Illinois)who falls to (0-5). Brandon Hedrick (JR/Union) picked up his third save of the season.

Adam Martin went 2 for 4 with a run scored and 2 runs batted in, while teammate Cam Kneeland (JR/UMASS Lowell) had a successful night going 2 for 4 with a run scored.

The Miners will have two days off before returning to action on Thursday in Anchorage against the Glacier Pilots at Mulcahy Field. Game time is 7:00pm pregame show will begin at 6:50pm on Matsuminers.org

Game 31: Miners vs. Bucs, 6:00 p.m.

Tonight the Mat-Su Miners will look to end a six-game losing streak, when the meet the Anchorage Bucs. The streak began back on July 9th in Kenai, when the Miners dropped a 3-2 decision. During the streak the Miners have dropped four of the games by one run, including Saturday night when the Miners fell to the Bucs 2-1 in extra innings. After sitting atop the ABL Standings to begin the month of July, the Miners have since gone 3-11. The Green and Gold enter the game tonight in third place.

Tonight will be the third meeting of the season for the Miners and Bucs. Down the stretch of the season the teams will certainly get familiar with each other, as the Miners play eighth out of their final twelve games against the Black and Yellow. In the first meeting back in June, the Miners beat the Bucs 6-0 behind five scoreless innings from lefty Mark Anderson (So./BYU). On Saturday, the Bucs came from behind to beat the Miners in extra innings. Matthew Harjung (So./Missouri Baptist) hit a ball down the left field line that scored Jake Valdez (Fr./San Jose St.) to give the Bucs their second win of the day. Earlier in the day the Bucs had beaten the AIA Fire.

Tonight the Miners send righty Jeff Gonzales (Fr./Washington) to the mound to attempt to end the losing streak. Gonzales had been solid for the Miners all season before being roughed up in his last outing against the Oilers, which came a week ago tonight. Gonzales allowed seven runs in just 2 1/3 innings pitched. Gonzales, who has yet to face the Bucs this season, brings a record of 0-2 and an earned run average of 4.34 into the contest.

Alaska Baseball League Standings (W-L-GB)

1. Peninsula Oilers 15-7 --
2. Anchorage Bucs 13-11 3
3. Mat-Su Miners 12-13 4.5
4. Anchorage Pilots 12-15 5.5
5. AIA Fire 10-16 7

Tonight's Game: Miners (12-13) vs. Bucs (13-11)
First-pitch: 6:00 p.m. from Hermon Brothers Field in Palmer. It is Mat-Su Regional Medical Center Day at the Park.
Media: Matt Dudas and Michael Broskowski call the action beginning at 5:50 p.m. with the Mat-Su Miners Pre-Game Show. Fans can listen to the broadcast locally on Q99.7 and worldwide on www.matsuminers.org.
Pre-Game Guest: Michael Broskowski talks with State Farm Home-Run Derby Winner Adam Martin (Fr./Western Carolina).
Next Up: The Miners are off Tuesday and Wednesday before playing the Pilots on Thursday night in Anchorage.

-Matt Dudas

Eight Miners Make ABL All Star Game

Eight Mat-Su Miners have been announced as competitors in the first ever Alaska Baseball League All Star game taking place Sunday at Mulcahy Stadium in Anchorage. It will feature the best and brightest stars in the Alaska Baseball League as Blue will play Gold. The Miners received eight spots on the All Start rosters four position players and four pitchers.

The position players include, Miners shortstop Ryan Ford (SO/Middle Tennessee State) who will be the only Miner on the Gold team, is hitting .279 in 22 games and has driven in 7 runs. Ford also holds a fielding percentage of .979. Ford will be joined in the all-star game by his  double play partner second baseman Kevin Lum (JR/Oklahoma State). Lum is leading the Miners in hitting with .293 clip with 3 doubles, 1 triple, and 4 runs batted in. A third infielder will make an appearance in the all star game for the Miners. Third baseman Stephen Branca (JR/Tennessee Wesleyan) is currently hitting .273 with 10 runs driven in, Branca leads the Miners with 5 doubles. The fourth and final position player for the Miners is outfielder Dominick Francia (FR/UL Lafayette) who is hitting .243 and leads the Alaska Baseball League in stolen bases with 15.

Four Miners pitchers where named all stars. Starter Mark Anderson (SO/BYU) is 2-1 this season with a minuscule 1.42 ERA good for second on the team. Anderson has appeared in 5 games starting 3 of them. Ben Graff (FR/San Francisco) has been one of the Miners top bullpen arms this summer. Graff is 0-2 with a 0.69 ERA in 13 inning over 8 appearances. Opponents are hitting .163 Graff. Miners starter David Gibson (JR/Bluefield) is 3-1 3.24 ERA this season 5 games all of them starts. Gibson leads the Miners in strikeouts with 23. Ryan Dull (JR/UNC Asheville) has performed well for the Miners out of the pen and as a starter. Dull is 1-1 with 1.65 ERA in 8 outings 1 start. Dull has only walked 6 batters in 17 innings. Dull and Gibson will not pitch in the all-star game.

The inaugural Alaska Baseball League will start at 4:00pm at Mulcahy Stadium and will be preceded by the State Farm Home Run Derby. Two Mat-Su Miners will swing for the fences at 2:00pm. Adam Martin (FR/Western Carolina) and Stephen Branca will try to take home the home run derby title. The days events will kick off with fan fest begining at noon.

Miners Skid Reaches Six

Ryan Dull made his first start of the summer.

The Miners entered Saturday's contest with the Anchorage Bucs looking to end a season high five game losing streak. The game was part of the MLB Showcase and was a scheduled 7 inning game. Ryan Dull (JR/UNC Asheville) made his first start of the season tossing 5 shutout innings surrendering only 3 hits and walking 3 while striking out 2, but would receive a no decision.

The Miners would start the scoring early in the ballgame when in the top of the first inning Miners lead off hitter Ryan Ford (SO/Middle Tennessee State) was hit on the brim of the helmet by a Collin Snow (JR/Georgia Southern) pitch. After a fly out to center field by Cam Kneeland (JR/UMASS Lowell) Miners third baseman Stephen Branca (JR/Tennessee Wesleyan) laced his 5th double of the season down the left field line moving Ford from first to third. Wesley Jones (JR/Milligan) grounded out to the shortstop to score Ford from third giving the Miners a 1-0 lead.

It would stay a 1-0 ballgame until the 7th inning when the Bucs would comeback to tie the ballgame. Brandon Hedrick (JR/Union) was on for his second inning looking to complete a two inning save. Logan Davis (FR/Hofstra) lined a single back up the middle. After a strikeout, Joe Winterburn (FR/UC Santa Barbara) singled moving Davis to second. Landon Anderson (JR/Dallas Baptist) tapped a one hopper back to the mound which was gloved by Hedrick who tried to turn a double play but sent the throw into center field scoring Logan Davis to send the game to extra innings.

The Miners brought on Brock Simon (JR/Santa Clara) in the eighth inning. Jake Valdez (FR/San Jose State) singled to right to lead off which was fallowed by a sacrifice bunt by Bucs third baseman Ryan Palermo (JR/UC Santa Barbara). After an intentional walk to Logan Davis, Matthew Harjung (SO/Missouri Baptist) smacked a walk-off single down the left field line to give the Bucs a 2-1 victory.

The win went to Bucs relief pitcher Connor Kendrick (FR/Georgia Tech) who pitched a scoreless eighth inning scattering two hits walking one and striking out one. Kendrick improved his record for the summer to 3-0.

The loss went to Miners relief pitcher Brock Simon who pitched the eighth inning allowing one run on two hits and one walk. Simon fell to 0-2 this summer.

The Miners offense was able to gather five hits in the game three of which where for extra bases with doubles from Michael Suiter (SR/Punahou High School), Stephen Branca, and Cam Kneeland.The other two hits where collected by Wesley Jones and Michael Gerlach (SO/Cabrillo CC).

The Miners fall to 12-13 in Alaska Baseball League play while the Bucs improved their record to 12-11. The Miners along with the rest of the league will have tomorrow off for the first ever Alaska Baseball League Homerun Derby and All Star Game. The Miners will resume play on Monday with a home game at Hermon Brothers Field against the Anchorage Bucs at 6:00pm for Mat-Su Regional Medical Center day at the ballpark. The gates will open at 5:00pm.

Game 30: Miners at Bucs, 7:00 p.m.

Tonight the Mat-Su Miners conclude a brief two-game trip to Anchorage for the Major League Baseball Showcase. Last night the Miners fell behind early 5-0, as starting pitcher Matt Applegate (Jr./Kansas St.) allowed his first earned runs of the 2011 season. The Pilots used a four-run, six-hit third inning to chase Applegate from the game, and effectively break the game open. The Miners had chances throughout the game, including a bases-loaded no-out situation in the fourth, but failed to score until the late innings.

In the sixth, the Miners got to Pilots reliever Cody Brown (RS Fr./Neb.-Omaha). The Green and Gold scored two runs in the inning, and got on the board when Adam Martin (Fr./Western Carolina) scored Kevin Lum (Jr./Oklahoma St.) by hitting his second double of the season. The Miners scored one more run in the inning on a fielding error.

In the seventh the Miners were able to get some sparks from their bench. Dominick Francia (Fr./Louis.-Lafayette) pinch-hit to begin the inning, and walked on five pitches. Wesley Jones (Jr./Milligan) smashed a double to right-center, that scored Francia and pulled the Miners within three. Michael Suiter (HS Sr./Kansas) pinch-hit, and dumped a single to left.

With the Miners threatening, the Pilots were able to get a huge double-play groundout from Lum that went 4-6-3. That took a lot of wind out of the sails of the Miners rally, but they again continued to battle. With the score 5-4 and the bases empty, Martin kept the game alive by singling to center. Nick Rosso (Fr./St. Mary's) would pinch-hit and worked a big walk to keep the game alive.

The Pilots finally were able to put the Miners thoughts of a comeback to rest, when Tim Zier (Fr./San Diego St.) grounded into a fielder's choice at short to end the game.

It was the Pilots second victory of the day, as they beat the Fire earlier in the day by a run. The Pilots now enter play today in fourth place in the ABL.

For the Miners, things are getting desperate. The Oilers defeated the Bucs in eleven innings yesterday, and now hold a 4 1/2 game edge on the Miners in the ABL. The Miners must get back on-track in a big way, beginning this evening against the Bucs. The Miners are expected to send lefty Mark Anderson (So./BYU) to the mound. Anderson pitched in the Miners only match-up this season against the Bucs, working five innings of shutout baseball while only allowing two hits. Anderson last pitched a week ago in Kenai, taking a hard-luck loss vs. the Oilers. Anderson went seven innings and battled his way to only allowing two-runs, despite allowing nine hits. Anderson brings a 3-1 record and an earned run average of 2.25 in 24 innings this season.

ABL Standings (W-L-GB)

1. Peninsula Oilers 15-6 --
2. Mat-Su Miners 12-12 4.5
3. Anchorage Bucs 11-11 4.5
4. Anchorage Pilots 11-15 6.5
5. AIA Fire 10-15 7

Tonight's Game: Miners (12-12) at Bucs (11-11)
First-pitch: Approximately 7:00 p.m. from Mulcahy Stadium in Anchorage. It is the third game of a triple-header at Mulcahy Stadium on Saturday. The Bucs also play in the second game of the day at 4:00 p.m. against the Fire. Tonight's game is scheduled to be a seven-inning contest.
Media: Matt Dudas and Michael Broskowski have the call, beginning at 6:50 p.m. with the Mat-Su Miners Pre-Game Show. Fans can listen to game worldwide on http://www.matsuminers.org/.
Pre-Game Guest: Michael Broskowski talks with pitcher Jeff Gonzales.
Next up: The Miners participate in the first annual ABL All-Star Game and Home-Run Derby on Sunday in Anchorage. The HR Derby begins at 2:00 p.m., with the All-Star Game scheduled for 4:00 p.m.

-Matt Dudas

Game 29: Miners at Pilots, 7:00 p.m.

The Mat-Su Miners will look to put the memories of a four-game sweep in Kenai behind them, when the take the field Friday evening in Anchorage. The Miners play the Pilots for the twelfth time this season tonight, and in many ways it will be the Miners most important game of the season thus far. The Miners have now slipped 3.5 games behind the Oilers in the ABL and sit in 3rd place behind the Bucs. It is also the Miners first of two games in the Major League Baseball Showcase. The Showcase marks the annual opportunity for players in the ABL to put their skills on display infront of scouts from all thirty big league organizations.

Tuesday in Kenai, the Miners gave Brandon Hedrick (Jr./Union College) his first start of the summer. Hedrick had succeeded as the Miners closer this summer, but with few arms available and the Miners in a must-win situation, they put the baseball in his hands.

Unfortunately, Hedrick battled control issues from the outset of the ball-game. Hedrick in the first inning walked the bases loaded, before surrendering a two-run single to Troy Channing (Jr./St. Mary's). With that the Oilers were on the board, but Hedrick continued to battle control issues. The Oilers were able to get Hedrick out of the game early, and scored seven runs in less than three complete innings off of the Miners starter.

The third inning was where the wheels completely fell off for the Miners and Hedrick. He was able to retire the first two in order, and worked an 0-2 count Jeff Yamaguchi (Fr./Long Beach St.) but hit Yamaguchi to allow the inning to continue.The next three would reach base, and Hedrick's night was done.

Jacob Brewer (Fr./Ball St.) didn't fair much better. Brewer walked the first two he faced, to allow two more runs to score. Brewer was only able to get one batter out, while walking four in the process.

Things got interesting in the third inning, as Brewer was pitching to Patrick Wisdom (So./St. Mary's). Brewer threw a pitch that appeared to be down the middle of the plate. Home-plate umpire Dave Reeves called the pitch a ball. That led catcher Mason Guymon (Jr./Carson-Newman) to question where the pitch was. As that unfolded, manager Brian Yocke came out to join the discussion. Yocke was promplty ejected for the second time this season, both of which have come at the hands of an umpiring crew that included Reeves, and shortly thereafter Guymon was also tossed.

Adam Martin (Fr./Western Carolina) would take over the catching duties, with Chris Gordon leading the Miners as acting manager.

Things didn't improve for the Miners, as they would see the margin of defeat grow to nine, as Wisdom homered for the second time in as many days.

The Oilers completed the sweep of the Miners trip to Kenai, winning the game 11-2. The Oilers have continued playing hot-baseball, and defeated the Bucs last night in Anchorage 12-2.

The Miners will look to avenge that trip to the Peninsula, and begin their climb back up the ABL Standings Friday night. The Miners are expected to send Matt Applegate (Jr./Kansas St.) to the mound. The right-hander has been excellent for the Miners since joining the team in mid-June. Applegate has a 3-0 record and has yet to allow a run during the 11 2/3 innings he has pitched. In his last outing, Applegate hurled a seven- inning complete-game shut-out against the AIA Fire. Applegate used just 70 pitches in the game to notch the victory.

ABL Standing (W-L-GB)

1. Peninsula Oilers 14-6 --
2. Anchorage Bucs 11-10 3.5
3. Mat-Su Miners 12-11 3.5
4. AIA Fire 10-14 6
5. Anchorage Pilots 9-15 7

Tonight's Game: Mat-Su Miners (12-11) at Anchorage Glacier Pilots (9-15).
First-pitch: 7:00 p.m. from Mulcahy Field in Anchorage. It is the third game of a triple-header from Mulcahy today. In game two the Pilots face the Fire at 4:00 p.m.
Media: Matt Dudas and Michael Broskowski have the call, beginning at 6:50 p.m. with the Mat-Su Miners Pre-Game Show. Fans can listen to the broadcast worldwide on http://www.matsuminers.org/.
Pre-Game Guest: TBD
Next Up: The Miners face the Bucs, Saturday at 7:00 p.m. in Anchorage.

Game 28: Miners at Oilers, 7:00 p.m.

Tonight the Mat-Su Miners conclude a four-game series against the Peninsula Oilers in Kenai. The series thus far has not been kind to the Green and Gold, as they have lost the first three games on the series. The Oilers have now taken control of first-place in the Alaska Baseball League, as they enter tonight leading the Miners and Bucs by two-games each.

Last night, the Miners started quickly. Ryan Ford (So./MTSU) began the game with a lead-off single. Cam Kneeland (Jr./Mass.-Lowell) followed with a double down the right field line, and with that the Miners were in business. However, after an RBI ground-out by Stephen Branca (Jr./Tennessee Wesleyan) the Oilers were able to get out the inning with a strikeout and an infield pop-up.

The Oilers didn't waste much time erasing the early deficit, by getting a double and a single to open their offensive night. Patrick Wisdom (So./St. Mary's) hit a sacrifice fly to tie the game.

An inning later the offense continued. Ryan McChesney (Jr./Florida Tech) broke out of his season-long struggles in a big way, ripping a double off of the right-field fence to score Tanner Rust (Fr./New Mexico St.).

In the third, the Oilers kept on ripping the baseball around the park. Patrick Wisdom took an offering from Miners starter Jeff Gonzales (Fr./Washington) over the left field fence, for a three-run homer. The Oilers took complete control of the game in third. After the Wisdom home-run, they again loaded the bases and chased Gonzales from the ball-game. Brock Simon (Jr./Santa Clara) came on in relief and pitched well, but allowed two inherited runners to come home, as the Oilers would score five times in the inning.

The Miners would rally late, but the deficit was too much to overcome. Tim Zier scored Michael Gerlach on a fielders-choice in the seventh, and in the eighth Adam Martin worked a bases-loaded walk to score Cam Kneeland.

However, Cameron McVey (Jr./Biola) would stop things there, as he retired the games final five batters.

A bright spot for the Miners last night was the play of Kneeland. After struggling for the bulk of the season, Kneeland had three-hits in the game last night. Kneeland batted second last night for the first time all season, and will again hit in the two-hole this season.

Tonight the Miners send their usual closer to the mound to start the ball-game, when they hand the baseball to right-hander Brandon Hedrick. Hedrick, a two-time NAIA All-America selection, will start his first ball-game for the Miners this evening. This season Hedrick has appeared in six games, and brings a 1-0 record, and an earned run average of 1.23 into the game tonight. He also has picked up two saves with the Miners, since joining the team in the middle of June.

Tonight's Lineup

1. Ryan Ford, ss
2. Cam Kneeland, 1b
3. Stephen Branca, 3b
4. Wesley Jones, cf
5. Michael Gerlach, rf
6. Kevin Lum, 2b
7. Nick Rosso, dh
8. Mason Guymon, c
9. Dominick Francia, lf

ABL Standings (W-L-GB)

1. Peninsula Oilers 12-6 --
2. Anchorage Bucs 10-8 2
3. Mat-Su Miners 12-10 2
4. Anchorage Pilots 9-14 5.5
5. AIA Fire 8-13 5.5

Tonight's Game: Miners (12-10) at Oilers (12-6)
First-pitch: 7:00 p.m. from Coral Seymour Park in Kenai.
Media: Matt Dudas and Michael Broskowski have the call, beginning at 6:50 p.m. for the Mat-Su Miners Pre-Game Show. Fans can listen to the broadcast worldwide, on www.matsuminers.org.
Pre-Game Guest: Matt Dudas talks with Miners pitching coach Chris Gordon.
Next up: The Miners return to action Friday night in Anchorage against the Bucs, as part of MLB Showcase Weekend at Mulcahy Stadium.

-Matt Dudas

Game 27: Miners at Oilers, 7:00 p.m.

Tonight the Mat-Su Miners play a pivotal game three of a four-game series against the Peninsula Oilers. The Miners have dropped the first two games of the series, with each game finishing with the Oilers winning by a run.

In game-two of the series, the Oilers were led by second baseman Chris Mallory (Jr./Fresno St.). Mallory began the game hitting a first-inning solo-homer against Miners starter David Gibson (Jr./Bluefield). The Miners answered back by plating three runs in the second inning. Tim Zier (Fr./San Diego St.) hit a two-run single to open the scoring, to get the Miners on the board.

The Miners added another run in the third inning on a Kevin Lum (Jr./Oklahoma St.) RBI-single, that plated Stephen Branca (Jr./Tennessee Wesleyan). A few batter before that the Miners chased Oilers starter Justin Haley (So./Fresno St.). That turned things over to the bullpen, and reliever J.D. Salles (RS Fr./Fresno St.).

In the bottom of the third the Oilers climbed right back into the game, when Chris Mallory again came up big for the home team. Mallory sent a ball to the fence in left-center, that cleared the bases and tied the game. Mallory was thrown out at third, trying to stretch a double into a triple. The Miners though, went to the 'pen following the inning.

Ben Graff (Fr./San Francisco) was again strong in relief, but in the fifth inning the Oilers were able to capitalize on a Miners error. Again it was Mallory coming up big, lining a single to left-center to drive in his fifth-run of the game and give the Oilers the lead once again.

The Oilers bullpen silenced Miners bats in the late innings as Reese McGraw (Jr./Creighton) would pick up his second save, as he worked the final seven outs of the game.

The Miners now sit in second place in the ABL, behind the Oilers. Right behind the Green and Gold are the Bucs, who have come on of late.

ABL Standings (W-L-GB)

1. Peninsula Oilers 11-6 --
2. Mat-Su Miners 12-9 1
3. Anchorage Bucs 10-8 1.5
4. AIA Fire 8-11 4
5. Anchorage Pilots 7-14 6

This evening the Miners turn to righty Jeff Gonzales (Fr./Washington) to right the ship. Gonzales has been excellent for the Miners this season. He brings in a 2.36 earned run average into the contest, but comes in following his first losing-decision as a Miner. In his last outing, Gonzales worked five-shutout innings during his last start on Tuesday against the AIA Fire. In the sixth-inning Gonzales gave gave up a two-run double, and went on to receive the loss in the game.

Today's Game: Miners (12-9) at Oilers (11-6)

First-pitch: 7:00 p.m. from Coral Seymour Park in Kenai.

Media: Matt Dudas and Michael Broskowski have the call, beginning at 6:50 p.m. with the Mat-Su Miners Pre-Game Show. Fans can listen to the game worldwide on www.matsuminers.org, www.1430hometownradio.com, and www.istreamak.com.

Pre-Game Guest: Michael Broskowski talks with Miners RHP Brock Simon.

-Matt Dudas

Game 26: Miners at Oilers, 1:00 p.m.

This afternoon the Mat-Su Miners look to get back on track in game two of their four-game series against the Peninsula Oilers. In game one the Oilers defeated the Miners, despite a strong effort from LHP Mark Anderson (So./BYU) who took the loss. The Oilers were able to have nine hits against Anderson, but his defense picked him up in some critical times including Michael Gerlach (So./Cabrillo) throwing two runners out trying to score at home plate.

Offensively, the Miners were able to tie the game in the third inning when Dominick Francia (Fr./Louis. Laf.) was able to work a two out walk. The was followed by Stephen Branca (Jr./Tennessee Wesleyan) singling to right field. Clean-up hitter Wesley Jones (Jr./Milligan) continued his hot hitting singling back up the middle, scoring Francia to tie the game.

The Oilers would answer back quickly with a run in the third inning. Ninth-place hitter Nate Ring (So./Cal St. Northridge) singled, and one pitch later Mike Miller hit a double. The hit scored Ring from first, and that was all Oilers starter Joe Macial (Fr./Long Beach St.) would need. Macial exited the game following a Kevin Lum double in the 7th, giving way to the Oilers 'pen. Brandon Kizer (Jr./Seattle) would come on to retire the side in the seventh, and work an easy eighth to keep the Oilers ahead.

In the home eighth, the Oilers were able to get to Miners reliever Jacob Brewer (Fr./Ball St.). After back-to-back singles from Chris Mallory (Jr./Fresno St.) and Patrick Wisdom (So./St. Mary's) to begin the inning the Oilers would then get a wild-pitch to have second and third and no outs. A sacrifice fly from Manny Acosta (Fr./Cal St. LA) three batters later gave the Oilers a critical insurance run heading to the ninth.

With former-professional pitcher Tyler Blum (Iowa) on to try to pick up the final three outs, the Miners were able to make things interesting. Jones led the inning off reaching on an error by Wisdom, and Cam Kneeland (Jr./Mass.-Lowell) followed that up by working a walk. After a fielders choice, Tim Zier (Fr./San Diego St.) singled down the third base line, to score Jones to make it a one-run game. After another fielder's choice, the Miners had Ryan Ford (So./Mid. Ten. St.) up as their final hope before he hit into a fielder's choice to shortstop Mike Miller (RS Jr./Cal Poly SLO).

The Miners will look to get back into the win column today, as they'll send southpaw David Gibson (Jr./Bluefield) to the mound. Gibson worked six scoreless innings in his last outing, which came in game one of a doubleheader on Tuesday. The Miners defeated the Fire in the contest, 4-0. Gibson comes into the game with a 3-0 and a 2.30 earned run average. Gibson faced the Oilers back on June 29th. In the game he went five innings, allowed two runs on three hits, while striking out four. Gibson was the winning pitcher in the game.

ABL Standings (W-L-GB)

1. Peninsula Oilers 10-6 --
2. Mat-Su Miners 12-8 --
3. Anchorage Bucs 10-8 1
4. AIA Fire 8-11 3.5
5. Anchorage Pilots 7-14 5.5

Today's Game: Miners (12-8) at Oilers (10-6)

First-pitch: 1:00 p.m. from Coral Seymour Park in Kenai.

Media: Matt Dudas and Michael Broskowski have the call, beginning at 12:50 p.m. with the Mat-Su Miners Pre-Game Show. Fans can listen to the broadcast worldwide on www.matsuminers.org, www.1430hometownradio.com, and www.istreamak.com.

Pre-Game Guest: Matt Dudas will talk with Miners reliever Ben Graff.

Tomorrow: The Miners play game-three of the series at 7:00 p.m. against the Oilers.

-Matt Dudas

Game 25: Miners at Oilers, 7:00 p.m.

Tonight, the Mat-Su Miners begin a four-game series in Kenai against the Peninsula Oilers. The Miners enter the series sitting atop the Alaska Baseball League standings. The two teams met just a little over a week ago during a three-game series in Palmer. The Miners took two of three in the series.

The Miners enter coming off of a great pitching performance by Matt Applegate (Jr./Kansas St.) in game two of yesterday's doubleheader. Applegate retired the first ten Fire batters he faced, and only allowed two hits in the contest. Even more impressive was how efficient Applegate was, using only 70 pitches to go the distance in the seven-inning contest. The win moved Applegate to 3-0 on the season.

Applegate's performance, coupled with some strong Miner-offense, helped the Green and Gold snap a two-game losing streak. It was just the Miners second losing streak of the season. The Miners jumped out early, as Stephen Branca (Jr./Tennessee Wesleyan) tripled to centerfield, to score Michael Gerlach (So./Cabrillo).

An inning later, the wheels came off for Fire starter David Hayes (Jr./UAB). Hayes battled control issues early, and allowed four different Miners to drive runs home in the second inning. Hayes was able to retire just one hitter before giving way to the bullpen.

The Miners were able to pound out eight hits in the contest, with Ryan Ford (So./Mid. Ten. St.) and Michael Suiter (HS Sr./Punahou HS) each having multiple hits.

Game one was not as kind to the Miners. After racing out to an early 3-0 lead, the Miners watched the Fire tie and take the lead. In the 3rd, the Fire scored three times against starting pitcher Brendan Lobban (Jr./St. John's). Lobban would exit the game following the inning, turning things over to the bullpen. Ben Graff (Fr./San Francisco) was excellent in relief. The 6'6'', 260 lbs. lefty retired eight straight before allowing Marshall McDonald (Jr./Montreat College) to reach on a strikeout wild-pitch, that also included an error.

That would prove costly, as the following hitter would walk. That set the stage for a struggling Jerrod Eigsti (Jr./Bradley), who would help his team cash in by hitting a double into the left-center gap. The hit trickled all the way to the fence after another error, and scored two runs. In the seventh the Miners went in order, dropping the game 5-3.

The Oilers enter winners of their last two. Thursday night the Oilers dropped the first half of a doubleheader against the Bucs 4-2 in 10 innings. Game two of the doubleheader again went extra innings, but with the Oilers breaking a scoreless tie to win 1-0.

Last night the Oilers held off the Bucs 3-2, after the Bucs plated two ninth-inning runs. Jordan Mills (Fr./St. Mary's) picked up the victory, working 5 2/3 innings of shutout baseball. The Oilers finished with 11 hits in the game, including three from Mike Miller (RS Jr./Cal Poly SLO). Tanner Rust (Fr./New Mexico St.) went 1-for-2 with a double and two-runs scored in the game.

The Miners are expected to start lefty Mark Anderson (So./BYU) in game one. Anderson last pitched on Sunday against the Fire, leaving the game after four innings and allowing just one run. Anderson went on to take a no-decision in the contest, as the Miners would lose the game 6-5. Anderson enters the game with an ERA of 2.12 and is tied for the team lead in wins with three. This season in ABL play Anderson has allowed just one earned run in 12 innings pitched.

ABL Standings

1. Mat-Su Miners 12-7 --
2. Anchorage Bucs 10-8 1
3. Peninsula Oilers 9-6 1.5
4. AIA Fire 8-11 4
5. Anchorage Pilots 7-14 6

Tonight's Game: Miners (12-7) at Oilers (9-6)

First-pitch: 7:00 p.m. from Coral Seymour Park in Kenai.

Media: Matt Dudas and Michael Broskowski have the call, beginning at 6:50 p.m. with the Mat-Su Miners Pre-Game Show. Fans can listen to the broadcast on www.matsuminers.org and www.1430hometownradio.com.

Pre-Game Guest: Michael Broskowski will talk to Miners' left-hander David Gibson.

Tomorrow's Game: The Miners and Oilers meet in game two of the series at 1:00 p.m.

-Matt Dudas

Game 23/24: Miners vs. Fire (DH), 4:00 p.m.

The Mat-Su Miners begin another busy stretch this afternoon, when they close out a five-game series against the Athletes In Action Fire. Following today's action, the Miners hit the road for a crucial four-game series in Kenai against the Peninsula Oilers.

The Fire began the series on Sunday, beating the Miners in come from behind fashion 6-5. After a rainout on Monday, the Miners and Fire split a doubleheader. In game one on Tuesday, David Gibson (Jr./Bluefield) led the Miners by pitching six scoreless innings. Cam Kneeland knocked in the games first run on a sacrifice fly, to score Michael Gerlach (So./Cabrillo) in the first innings. The game also marked the Miners-debut for Wesley Jones (Jr./Milligan). Jones didn't wait long to make an impact, going 3-for-3 in the game, including an RBI-single in the third.

In the seventh the Miners called on reliever Jacob Brewer (Fr./Ball St.) to get the final three outs. After allowing a lead-off single, Brewer was able to protect the shutout largely because of an outfield assist by Michael Gerlach. With Tyler Shyrock (Fr./Cal. State Bakersfield) trying to score on a fly-ball, Gerlach gunned down Shryock at the plate for the games final out.

In game two, the Fire scored three sixth inning runs to defeat the Miners, 3-1. Lost in the mess of a game that included ejections to each member of the Fire coaching staff in the sixth inning, was that Miners righty Jeff Gonzales (Fr./Washington) was able to turn in yet another impressive start. Gonzales began the game with five scoreless innings, before hitting trouble in the sixth. The Fire were able to match Gonzales efforts, by countering with lefty Taylor Aikenhead (Fr./Bakersfield). Aikenhead pitched seven innings, allowing just one hit. The only Miners hit was a broken-bat single from Cam Kneeland (Jr./Mass.-Lowell) in the second inning.

The Miners and Fire enter today's doubleheader with the season series knotted at three games a piece. In June the Miners took two-of-three in a series against the Fire.

While the Miners have been idle each of the last two nights, the Fire have been playing the Glacier Pilots. The Fire dropped a pair of one-run decisions to the Glacier Pilots, to fall to 7-10 in the ABL this season.

Elsewhere in the ABL, the Peninsula Oilers and Anchorage Bucs split a doubleheader on Thursday. Each contest on Thursday went extra innings. In game one, the Bucs defeated the Oilers 4-2 in ten innings. Game two, saw the Oilers break a scoreless tie in the eighth inning to pick up the 1-0 victory.

ABL Standings

1. Mat-Su Miners 11-6 --
2. Anchorage Bucs 10-7 1
3. Peninsula Oilers 8-6 1.5
4. AIA Fire 7-10 4
5. Anchorage Pilots 7-14 6

Today the Miners are expected to send Matt Applegate (Jr./Kansas St.) and Brendan Lobban (Jr./St. John's) to the mound. Applegate made the start on Monday afternoon before the rains came, forcing the cancellation of the ball game. Applegate brings a 2-0 record into the game with no ERA. He has pitched 4 2/3 innings this year. Lobban last pitched last Friday against the Glacier Pilots. In the game Lobban went 6 IP, and allowed just one earned run. He took a no-decision in the contest, as the Miners went on to win the game in 10 innings. Lobban made one start this season against the Fire back on June 16th, receiving a loss despite pitching five innings and allowing two earned runs.


Today's Games: Miners (11-6) vs. Fire (7-10), Doubleheader.
First-pitch: Game-one will begin at 4:00 p.m. from Hermon Brothers Field. Game-two will follow 35 minutes after the completion of game one. It is Q99.7, 700 AM KBYR, and Charter College Day at the park. It is also Christmas in July and the special Santa Fundraiser, sponsored by Q99.7 and 700 AM KBYR. Fans that bring an unwrapped toy to the park receive free admission, plus a free hotdog for the donation.
Media: Matt Dudas and Michael Broskowski call the action, beginning at 3:50 p.m. with the Mat-Su Miners Pre-Game Show. Fans can listen locally on Q99.7 and worldwide on www.matsuminers.org.
Pre-Game Guest: TBA
Tomorrow: The Miners hit the road, with a four-game series against the Oilers in Kenai. Saturday's game begins at 7:00 p.m. from Coral Seymour Park.

ABL Round-Up for July 7th and Some Ejections

After a hectic last week, the Mat-Su Miners finally were able to enjoy an off day. The Miners just completed one of their busiest stretches of the season. It included eight games in eight day, and was capped off with a doubleheader on Tuesday afternoon. The Miners began the stretch last week, taking two of three from the second-place Peninsula Oilers. The week continued with the Miners splitting two games in Anchorage against the Glacier Pilots. It was then finished with the Miners dropping two of three (at least for now) against AIA Fire.

The Miners played the final inning on Tuesday under protest, in what turned out to be one of the most bizarre games your going to ever find. After winning game one 4-0, the Miners held a 1-0 lead in game two into the sixth inning. That's when the Fire finally were able to get to Miners right-hander Jeff Gonzales (Fr./Washington). Gonzales, who was sharp for the first five innings, allowed the Fire to take the lead by scoring three times.

That's when Fire Designated Hitter Marc Schoch (Jr./LaSalle) chopped a ball down the third baseline to Stephen Branca (Jr./Tennessee Wesleyan). Branca made the play, firing the baseball across the diamond to Cam Kneeland (Jr./Mass.-Lowell). After the out was recorded, members of the Fire coaching staff began questioning whether it was in-fact a fair ball.

Things would then escalate rather quickly, when words were exchanged between a Fire player and base umpire, Matt Rya. Fire first-base coach Milt Flow came charging across the infield, and after voicing his opinion Rya ejected Flow. Fire Manager Bret Butler would than join the fray, trying to separate Flow and also exchange pleasantries with Rya. Rya was not very interested, and quickly sent the Fire skipper to the showers. As Butler was tossed, Assistant Coach, General Manager, and ABL Vice President, Chris Beck jogged out to try to gain an understanding of what exactly was going on. Beck appeared to signal for a time out, but was quickly thrown out by home plate umpire Dave Reeves.

That's right, all three Fire coaches were ejected from a game that they were three outs away from winning in a span of about five minutes. Obviously it is a circumstance not seen very often, and because of that the umpires were forced to confer in their dressing room about whether the Fire could continue without a coach.

After about ten minutes of waiting around, the umpires returned to rule that the Fire could appoint a player-coach to run the ball-club. That's when Miners Manager Brian Yocke came out and argued that the game should be a forfeit. The Alaska Baseball League is played under American League rules. The game is still being reviewed, but it currently stands as a Fire 3-1 victory.

The Miners continue to sit atop the Alaska Baseball League Standings, despite the loss. The Miners return to action on Friday for a 4:00 p.m. doubleheader against the Fire.

Elsewhere in the Alaska Baseball League Wednesday night, the Peninsula Oilers were kept to just one hit by the Anchorage Bucs. The Bucs were victorious, winning the game 3-0. The win moved the Bucs infront of the Oilers in the standings by a half game. In Anchorage, the Glacier Pilots defeated the Fire by a score of 4-3. The Pilots have now won four of six games, but remain in last place.

ABL Standings (W-L-GB)

1. Mat-Su Miners 11-6 --
2. Anchorage Bucs 9-6 1
3. Peninsula Oilers 7-5 1.5
4. AIA Fire 7-9 3.5
5. Anchorage Pilots 6-14 6.5

Game 20: Miners at Fire, 2:00 p.m. (at Hermon Brothers)

This afternoon, the Mat-Su Miners begin a five-game series against the Athletes in Action Fire. While all five games of the series will take place at Hermon Brothers Field, the Miners will be the visiting team on the scoreboard for the first four games. The Fire is traveling for the season, after previously calling Growden Park in Fairbanks home.

The Miners enter the series on the heels of a disappointing 5-0 defeat Saturday night to the Anchorage Glacier Pilots. The Miners were shutout for the fourth time this season in the game. Each of the Miners four ABL losses has come with the Miners being shutout.

Pilots starting pitcher Chris Belleque (Fr./Fresno St.) scattered four hits, with only one leaving the infield, as he went all nine innings. Jacob Brewer (Fr./Ball St.) pitched the first four innings for the Miners, allowing three earned runs.

Matt Vinson (So./Arkansas) provided all the offense the Pilots would need. Vinson had a two-out RBI single in the second, and later hit an inside the park two-run homer in the fourth, when Dominick Francia (Fr./Louisiana-Lafayette) came up empty on a diving attempt.

The Miners and Fire have met three times this season. Those meetings came at the start of the ABL season, when the Miners took two out of three games. With pitching from Steven Bruce (Fr./Oklahoma) and Ryan Kemp (Jr./St. Joe’s), the Miners struck out the Fire in the series opener. Each of those pitchers however, is no longer with the ball club. Kemp signed professionally with the Cincinnati Reds, while Bruce is injured. The second game of the series was a rain-shortened affair, which the Miners pulled out in five innings. The Fire shutout the Miners in the final game of the series.

The Miners enter the game sitting atop the ABL Standings. Last week the Miners went 3-2, beating the Oilers twice to take the lead in the Alaska Baseball League. The Fire has spent the weekend in Fairbanks, taking on the Goldpanners. The Panners swept the Fire, winning the finale 13-5.

Today the Miners send lefty Mark Anderson (So./BYU) to the hill. Anderson brings a consecutive scoreless innings streak of nine into the game. He last allowed a run, while pitching in relief in an exhibition game against the Pilots on June 11^th. Anderson’s last start came on June 17^th against the Bucs in Anchorage, when he worked 5 innings and scattered two hits. Anderson brings a record of 3-0 and an earned run average of 2.08 into the game.

ABL Standings (W-L-GB)

1.    Mat-Su Miners 10-4 –

2.     Peninsula Oilers 7-4 1.5

3.     Anchorage Bucs 6-4 2

4.    AIA Fire 5-7 4

5.     Anchorage Pilots 3-12 7.5

Today’s Game: Miners (10-4) at Fire (5-7)

First-pitch: 2:00 p.m. from Hermon Brothers Field. The Miners are the designated visiting team.

Media: Matt Dudas and Michael Broskowski have the call, beginning at 1:50 p.m. with the Mat-Su Miners Pre-Game Show. The game can be heard locally on Q99.7 and worldwide on www.matsuminers.org.

Pre-Game Guest: Matt Dudas will talk to Miners’ pitcher Jacob Brewer.

Tomorrow: The Miners play a Fourth of July doubleheader against the Fire, beginning at 4:00 p.m. from Hermon Brothers Field.  

Game 19: Miners at Pilots, 7:10 p.m.

Tonight the Mat-Su Miners look to sweep the Anchorage Glacier Pilots in game two of a brief two-game set. Last night, the Miners picked up a gutsy 3-2 victory in ten innings. The Miners trailed into the late innings, despite a strong six-inning effort from lefty Brendan Lobban (Jr./St. John’s).  The first seven innings of the game the Miners failed to score, despite several great opportunities. A combination of timely pitching and poor base running kept the Miners off of the scoreboard.

That all changed when the Miners were finally able to chase Pilots’ starter Andy Grunewald (So./Elgin CC). Reliever Trevor Bayless (Fr./San Diego) first would face Miners’ third baseman Stephen Branca (Jr./Tennessee Wesleyan). Branca greeted him rudely, smacking a two-run double that not only put the Green and Gold on the board, but the hit also gave the Miners the lead.  After Neal Dennison (So./Georgetown) exited the game working a strong inning and a third, closer Brandon Hedrick (Jr./Union College) would come on to try and record the final five-out. The Pilots would have other plans, as Aaron Judge singled and later scored on a single from Clayton Eslick (So./Gonzaga).

After each team went scoreless in the ninth, the game shifted to extra innings. In the tenth, Ryan Ford (Jr./Middle Tennessee St.) hit a ground ball between the legs of first baseman Cael Brockmeyer (Fr./Cal St. Bakersfield), to reach base with one out. Dominick Francia’s (Fr./Louis.-Laf.) sacrifice bunt gave the Miners a runner in scoring position with two-outs. Tim Zier  (Fr./San Diego St.) followed, hitting a ball into the left center gap, that was out of the reach of a diving Keenyn Walker (So./Cen. Az.). The hit scored Ford, and the Miners had the lead. Hedrick would come back out in the tenth, and silenced the Pilots’ bats, to give the Miners the 3-2 win.

Walker was forced into action in the 8^th inning, when base umpire Brian Martin ejected Pilots’ centerfielder Kevin Hall (RS Jr./Wichita St.) for arguing a call at first base in the bottom of the seventh. Following the half-inning Pilots’ skipper Yogi Cox was also tossed for arguing the call.

The game marked Walker’s final appearance as a Pilot. Walker, the 47^th overall selection in last month’s MLB Draft by the Chicago White Sox, came to terms with the club on a contract. He is expected to leave today for Montana to begin playing rookie-ball.

The Miners received more good news following the game, when the Anchorage Bucs defeated the Kenai Peninsula Oilers in thirteen innings. The Miners win, coupled with an Oilers loss, extended Mat-Su’s lead in the ABL to two-games.

ABL Standings (W-L-GB)

1.    Mat-Su Miners 10-3 –

2.     Peninsula Oilers 7-4 2

3.     Anchorage Bucs 6-4 2.5

4.     AIA Fire 5-7 4.5

5.    Anchorage Pilots 2-12 8.5

Tonight, the Miners continue the nine-game in eight-day stretch. The Miners will hand the baseball to right-hander Jacob Brewer (Fr./Ball St.) for a spot start. Brewer has yet to make a start this season, but in seven relief appearances he has an earned run average of two. He last pitched Tuesday against the Oilers, going two innings, while scattering two hits, and striking out five. The South Judson, Indiana-native brings a 1-0 record into the contest.

Tonight’s Game: Miners (10-3) at Pilots (2-12)

First-pitch: The game is scheduled to begin at 7:10 p.m. at Mulcahy Stadium in Anchorage.

Media: Matt Dudas and Michael Broskowski call the action, beginning at 7:00 p.m. with the Mat-Su Miners Pre-Game Show. The game can be heard on www.matsuminers.org and www.1430hometownradio.com.

Pre-Game Guest: Michael Broskowski will catch up with manager Brian Yocke.

Tomorrow: The Miners return home Sunday as the visiting team against the AIA Fire. The game is the first of what will be a five-game series between Sunday and Friday. The game is scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m.

-Matt Dudas

Game 18: Miners at Pilots, 7:00 p.m.

Tonight the Miners hit the road to begin a brief two-game series against the Anchorage Glacier Pilots. The Miners enter winners of two-straight, thanks to last nights 3-1 victory over the Kenai Peninsula Oilers. The Miners and Oilers were tied entering the home half of the eighth, when Miners' first baseman Cam Kneeland (Jr./Mass.-Lowell) ripped a two-run single to left field. Kneeland had three hits on the evening, and drove in all three Miners runs. The Green and Gold enter tonight's contest sitting atop the ABL Standings by a game over the Oilers.

On the other side, the Pilots enter scuffling. They have played competitive baseball of late, however. Wednesday night the Pilots dropped a twelve inning contest against the arch-rival Bucs. Keenyn Walker (So./Cen. Az.) evened the score with a single in the 9th, and put the Pilots ahead by a run on his solo-homer in the twelfth. That's when the Pilots ran into some trouble, and gave up two-runs to fall by a score of 4-3. Last night the Pilots were again on the wrong side of the score, losing 8-3.

To further complicate things, the Pilots have lost outfielder Keenyn Walker who has decided to sign professionally with the White Sox. The Southsiders selected Walker 47th overall in last month's draft. Walker's time as a Pilots was short, as he only played in eight games since arriving back on June 21st.

However, the Pilots now have added Kavin Keyes (Fr./Oregon St.). Keyes was expected earlier here in Alaska, but after sustaining a hand-injury in the NCAA Super Regionals against Vanderbilt, Keyes was forced to miss the first-half of the season. Keyes lead the Beavers in hitting most of the year, before closing his campaign hitting a solid .302. Keyes last month was named to the Louisville Slugger All-America team.

Tonight the Miners turn to lefty Brendan Lobban (Jr./St. John's). Lobban last appeared on the mound on June 24th against these same Pilots. Lobban struggled however, last just four plus innings and gave up five runs. The Miners would erase a four-run deficit, and go on to win the game, 6-5.

This year, including exhibition contests, the Miners are 6-2-1 against the Pilots. The Miners last trip to Mulcahy Stadium came on June 18th, with the Miners pulling out an 11-9 victory in the Summer Solstice Showdown. In the game, the Miners got a huge two-run homer from Michael Suiter (HS Sr./Punahou HS, Hawaii) that proved to be the difference.

Tonight's Game: Miners (9-3) vs. Pilots (2-11)
First-pitch: 7:00 p.m. from Mulcahy Stadium in Anchorage, Alaska.
Media: Matt Dudas and Michael Broskowski call the action beginning with the Mat-Su Miners Pre-Game Show at 6:50 p.m. Listen live on www.matsuminers.org.
Pre-Game Guest: Matt Dudas will talk to Miners' second baseman Tim Zier.
Tomorrow: The Miners conclude the brief two-game series against the Pilots at 7:00 p.m. at Mulcahy Stadium.

-Matt Dudas