SIBLINGS SWING "CHALLENGE" TRADE

Headley: ecstatic to be in Massachusets

The only pair of siblings to both win a BARB championship, Eric (2004) and Matt (2010) Caskey once again find themselves in a heated race for playoff spots. After “a matter of seconds” of discussion, the brothers came to an agreement that would benefit both teams this season and in the future.

Younger brother Matt, whose Worcester squad finds themselves in second place in both the East and the wild card, had been searching for a new leadoff hitter. Mark Teixeira, while still imposing, had lost some of his luster and was hitting below .250 from the top spot in the order. “As it seems, teams are reluctant to trade anyone (who) resembles a leadoff hitter” Matt said.

Enter older sibling Eric and East-leading Brooklyn, who had been looking to make a trade for some time. “Of several of the unlikeliest partners, the sibling rivalry” was the one that came to a quick, easy agreement on the trade, according to the elder Caskey.

So in just a few seconds, the Caskey brothers agreed on a deal. Third-sacker Chase Headley, an early-season free agent pickup, went to Worcester along with slick-fielding shortstop Jose Iglesias. In return, young third baseman Mike Moustakas and a player to be named (rumored to be a VERY highly-regarded prospect) were sent packing to Brooklyn.

“We feel we acquired a talent that could be successful at getting on base down the stretch. With an already potent lineup, Chase and his switching abilities should mesh nicely,” Matt Caskey said. “Additionally, he provides interesting roster possibilities for the future.”

In his statement, Eric Caskey gushed about the players Brooklyn received and already staked his claim to victory in the trade.

The organization will miss the versatility and upside of Chase Headley, especially when considering injuries and matchups on a day-to-day. However, to gain the true offensive upside, hustle, defense and contract flexibility of Mike Moustakas is a great boon for the organization. He will report to Brooklyn and split some time at 3B and DH while Beltre will gather some Abs without having to play 3B all days. Additionally, the organization couldn’t be happier with the potential of the player to be named at the end of the season. He offers great depth creating perhaps on the of the deepest, youngest and most powerful collections of arms in BARB. Overall Brooklyn came out ahead on this deal even if the immediate dividends aren’t as noticeable.

In a small transaction, St. Francis cut hapless veteran Mark Reynolds (.180 average, 13 HR, 56 K in 133 AB) and signed tall righty Jon Rauch.

On the diamond:

BROOKLYN 2, LOS ANGELES 1

WP: Yovani Gallardo (6-7, 4.02)

LP:  Matt Garza (4-12, 4.90)

SV: Street (9)

The closest match of a three-game Brooklyn home sweep over BARB’s worst team saw Yovani Gallardo strike out nine over eight innings to earn the win. Jimmy Rollins drove in a run with a second-inning single and two innings later Adrian Beltre launched his 25^th homer of the year. Despite a good start, Matt Garza lost his league-leading 12^th game of the year as his Isotopes could only scrape together one run.

NEW ENGLAND 9, RIVERSIDE 6

WP: Evan Meek (7-1, 4.70)

LP: Bud Norris (1-4, 8.23)

SV: Papelbon (24)

Another three-game set…another division leader sweeps away a cellar-dweller. In the first game, the teams combined for seven homers—each by a different player. Yankee Stomper bats went off first in the third inning. With a 2-0 lead, Miguel Cabrera hit a solo home run, Carlos Beltran singled, Corey Hart hit a two-run bomb and J.J. Hardy sent another solo shot. A David Freese bottom-of-the-third solo bomb and Yadier Molina two-run pole-hugger in the fourth brought the Rum Runners back within three, and then they tied it up in the fifth on back-to-back shots by Josh Hamilton (two-run homer) and Mark Trumbo. Michael Bourn’s sixth-inning, two-RBI triple, however, put the visitors back on top to stay as Evan Meek, John Axford and Jonathon Papelbon shut the door.

CASSELTON 3, FROSTBITE FALLS 1

WP: Cliff Lee (8-4, 3.24)

LP: Tim Lincecum (6-10, 5.31)

“The Freak” had one of his best starts of the season, striking out 12 in eight innings and allowing just three hits and a walk. But two of the hits were solo home runs, which was enough of a cushion for Cliff Lee’s dominating seven-inning, three-hit, one-earned run victory. Visiting Casselton also had a homer off Frostbite reliever Eric O’Flaherty in the ninth.

YUMA 19, CENTRAL CA 10

WP: Clay Buchholz (5-1, 4.89)

LP: Mike Leake (3-8, 6.07)

Neither starting pitcher (David Price/Hiroki Kuroda) made it out of the second inning, but the ball sure made it out of the ballpark easily in this slugfest. Visiting Yuma scored five in both the second and third innings and didn’t look back. Ben Zobrist homered leading off both frames, while Yunel Escobar added a solo shot in the third. On the side of the .45s, Adam Jones launched a two-run bomb and solo shot, while Matt Holliday and Freddie Freeman added solo home runs. Out of the nine pitchers used (combined), only one didn’t allow a run—Yuma righty Rafael Soriano, who pitched a scoreless ninth.

POTTSYLVANIA 16, SIN CITY 5

WP: C.C. Sabathia (7-8, 4.33)

LP: Anibal Sanchez (10-6, 3.50)

In another game with home runs galore, Pottsylvania wrapped up a series win at Sin City to move up in both the Central division and wild card races. Josh Reddick (3-for-5, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 4 runs) and Paul Konerko (2-for-3, HR, 2B, 4 RBI, 2 runs, 2 BB) were the hitting stars for the Creepers, with Lance Berkman adding a home run and three RBI. C.C. Sabathia allowed four runs (two homers) and pitched into the seventh while striking out 11 to earn the victory, while Doug Fister (eight pitches thrown to five batters, 1/3 IP, four ER) and Jesse Crain (1 2/3 IP, five ER) saw their ERAs skyrocket.

WORCESTER 5, ST. FRANCIS 4

WP: Josh Johnson (10-2, 3.06)

LP: Clayton Richard (1-5, 4.38)

Worcester snapped up the final game of the three-contest tilt to take the series, as new acquisition Headley dumped a humpback liner to center to score Billy Butler and break a 4-4 tie in the sixth inning. Headley finished his first series in an Elims uniform with seven hits in 12 at-bats, two doubles and two runs from the leadoff spot. In the process, he raised his season average nearly 30 points.