Flintoff & Dunn's
LATEST NEWS ARCHIVE

  

It is intended that this page will maintain a historical record of previous news published on this site. From time to time we will archive old or outdated news on our "WHAT'S NEW" & "AUSSIES IN THE US LEAGUES" pages. It may interest some people to read the developments in chronological order right here.

** BOOKMARK this page NOW (and REFRESH) as it will be changed periodically.

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LATEST ARCHIVED NEWS BEGINS BELOW:

  13 MAY 2013 - BALFOUR SAVES 6TH - BLACKLEY ALSO CLOSES!
Here is an update of what some Aussies and former AMLB imports have been doing in the US major leagues:

Grant Balfour

 


Travis Blackley

 Big hearted Aussie closer GRANT BALFOUR mixed a couple of strike outs with a couple of base runners, yet he still emerged with a clean slate and his sixth save of the season.
He pitched 1.0ip 1h 0er 1bb 2k (1.88ERA) to lock down the Oakland Athletics 4-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners. Grant struck out Dustin Ackley for a positive start before Kelly Shoppach milked a full count walk. Another strike out of Robert Andino came before Michael Saunders singled into left to push the tying run into scoring position with two out. Having worked the count to 3-0 Kyle Seager looked at a strike, then he grounded out to the second baseman for the final out of the game. Balfour celebrated yet another save!

Aussie TRAVIS BLACKLEY was the last man to take the ball for the Houston Astros at the end of a 2-4 defeat by state rivals Texas Rangers. Travis took over with a runner on third and two out in the top of the eighth and he did his job by ending the inning with Mitch Moreland flying out to left field. Back to pitch the top of the ninth his third pitch saw David Murphy thump a leadoff homer deep over centre field. Giovanni Soto grounded out to third on his first pitch ahead of a full count walk worked by Craig Gentry. There was no further damage when Ian Kinsler flied out to left field and Elvis Andrus grounded into a fielder's choice to the third baseman. It left Blackley with the pitching line of 1.1ip 1h 1er 1bb 0k (4.38ERA).

As we have said often enough on this page, rumours about the demise of ABL import "old timer" VERNON WELLS (Sydney Storm 1999) are proving premature. Wells was again a key performer for the New York Yankees with his fifth inning homer obviously decisive in their 3-2 win over the Kansas City Royals. He batted 1-4 (.281) with the game winning two RBIs coming via his eighth "jack" of the season.

Our most recent import to reach the majors, DONALD LUTZ (Canberra Cavalry 2011) pinch hit with 1-1 (.313) to help the Cincinnati Reds to edge the Milwaukee Brewers 4-3.
Vernon Wells

 


 Donald Lutz
  10 MAY 2013 - BLACKLEY GOOD IN ASTROS LOSS!
Here is an update of what some Aussies and former AMLB imports have been doing in the US major leagues:

Travis Blackley

 


Vernon Wells

 Seasoned Aussie middle-reliever TRAVIS BLACKLEY did pretty much all that he could with 0.2ip 0h 0er 1bb 0k (4.09ERA) for the undermanned Houston Astros during their skinny 5-6 defeat by the Los Angeles Angels. Travis came into the game at the most critical time just as the meat of the 'Halos' lineup had rallied to tie the game at 5-5 in the bottom of the eighth. He took over with runners on second and third and none out, immediately after Mark Trumbo's two run double had plated the tying runs. Blackley got powerhouse Josh Hamilton to ground out to the short stop before he was required to intentionally walk Howie Kendrick to load the bags. Unfortunately he could not prevent the go-ahead run when Alberto Callaspo lifted a sacrifice fly to centre field. As we said, you could hardly blame the Aussie who kept his team in the game when things could have easily got completely out of hand. His Houston team mate BRANDON BARNES (Sydney Blue Sox 2012) batted 1-3 (.327) with a run batted in.

The oldest of the former ABL imports still active in the big leagues, VERNON WELLS (Sydney Storm 1999), continues to keep his batting average at a high level since joining the New York Yankees this season. Vernon batted 2-4 (.294) with a RBI to help the Yanks to top the Colorado Rockies 3-1.

DIDI GREGORIUS (Canberra Cavalry 2011) continues to run hot with the bat for the Arizona Diamondbacks with his latest 2-3 (.422) plus a walk helping them to edge the Philadelphia Phillies 2-1.
Brandon Barnes

 


 Didi Gregorius
  9 MAY 2013 - VERNON WELLS WALLOPS SEVENTH HOMER!
Here is an update of what some Aussies and former AMLB imports have been doing in the US major leagues:

Vernon Wells		 After being a little quiet recently, former ABL import veteran VERNON WELLS (Sydney Storm 1999) roared back into the limelight with a mighty 3-4 (.287) as a match winning contribution to his New York Yankees narrow 3-2 win over the Colorado Rockies. Wells' first inning two run homer, his seventh of the season, proved to be the difference maker in a one run result.

The latest of our ABL imports to reach the major leagues, DONALD LUTZ (Canberra Cavalry 2011), batted 1-4 (.267) for the Cincinnati Reds who fell 2-7 to the Atlanta Braves.
 
Donald Lutz
  8 MAY 2013 - BLACKLEY TAKES HIS 4TH HOLD!
Here is an update of what some Aussies and former AMLB imports have been doing in the US major leagues:

Travis Blackley


 Brandon Barnes

 Australian lefty TRAVIS BLACKLEY didn't exactly dominate on this occasion, yet he still recorded his fourth hold of the season with his most recent brief outing. 'Trav' pitched 0.1ip 1h 1er 0bb 1k (4.35ERA) for the Houston Astros who hung on to beat the slumping Los Angeles Angels 7-6. Coming in later than he has for some time with one on and two out in the top of the eighth, Blackley saw his second pitch to Alberto Callaspo disappear over the left field fence. With Houston's lead in the game shrunk to the final 7-6 scoreline he then fought back from a 3-0 count on Hank Conger to strike him out on three successive pitches. Blackley's team mate BRANDON BARNES (Sydney Blue Sox 2012) also contributed by batting 1-3 (.327) as the starting centre fielder.

In what turned out to be a one run result, ABL import DONALD LUTZ (Canberra Cavalry 2011) played an important role as a pinch hitter. His clutch RBI single in the bottom of the fifth proved to be a decisive run as he batted 1-1 (.273) for the Cincinnati Reds who squeezed past the Atlanta Braves 5-4 with two runs in the bottom of the ninth. The previous day Lutz batted 1-2 when he pinch hit during the Reds 4-7 defeat by the Atlanta Braves.

An import team mate of Lutz in the ABL, DIDI GREGORIUS (Canberra Cavalry 2011), is also prospering in the major leagues currently as the regular short stop for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Didi batted 3-4 (.436) as a key contribution to the 'Snakes' 5-3 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Gregorius also batted 1-5 in Arizona's 9-2 trouncing of the Dodgers one day earlier.
Donald Lutz


 Didi Gregorius
  6 MAY 2013 - BALFOUR SAVES 5TH - BLACKLEY ALSO SOLID!
Here is an update of what some Aussies and former AMLB imports have been doing in the US major leagues:

Grant Balfour

 


Travis Blackley

 Animated Aussie closer GRANT BALFOUR was at his pumped-up best when he finished off an exciting and narrow 5-4 win for the Oakland Athletics over the New York Yankees at New Yankee Stadium. Grant earned his fifth save of the 2013 season with a nerve jangling 1.0ip 1h 0er 1bb 2k (2.03ERA). Pitching the bottom of the ninth he was quickly in control with Chris Nelson lining out to right and pinch hitter Brennan Boesch struck out swinging. The Yanks then threatened when speedy Brett Gardner singled up the middle and he advanced on a wild pitch. This drew an obvious reaction when he was asked to issue an intentional walk to superstar Robinson Cano, thus taking advantage of the open base at first. 'Balf' sealed the deal after battling former ABL import veteran VERNON WELLS (Sydney Storm 1999) for seven pitches when he had him struck out swinging at a high heater. Wells batted 1-5 (.280) while also striking out twice during the game.

Australian reliever TRAVIS BLACKLEY kept his sheet clean again with a solid 0.2ip 1h 0er 0bb 0k (3.60ERA) for the lowly Houston Astros who were shut out 0-9 by the tough Detroit Tigers. Blackley was summoned with one on and one out in the top of the eighth and he created a bit more pressure for himself when Andy Dirks singled into right field. However, 'Trav' then called upon the pitcher's best friend when he got reigning MVP and "Triple Crown" powerhouse Miguel Cabrera to ground into an inning ending double play to the third baseman.

Veteran backup catcher DAVID ROSS (MLB All-Stars 2001) did his level best to help the Boston Red Sox by batting 1-2 (.243) with his fourth home run of the season and two walks, but it was not enough as they were squeaked 3-4 by the Texas Rangers.

DIDI GREGORIUS (Canberra Cavalry 2011) picked up where he left off before a recent stint on the disabled list by returning to the starting short stop position and clocking his third home run of the season. Gregorius batted a very useful 2-3 (.433) with the only RBI of the game for the Arizona Diamondbacks who were beaten 1-5 by the San Diego Padres.

Recent ABL import DONALD LUTZ (Canberra Cavalry 2011) did his job after coming into the game to take over at left field for the Cincinnati Reds during their 7-4 win over the Chicago Cubs. Lutz batted 1-2 (.125) with a valuable run batted in.
David Ross

 


 Didi Gregorius


 Donald Lutz
  4 MAY 2013 - TRAVIS BLACKLEY EFFICIENT FOR HOLD No.2!
Here is an update of what some Aussies and former AMLB imports have been doing in the US major leagues:

Travis Blackley		 Popular Aussie TRAVIS BLACKLEY continues to lower his ERA while enjoying his current role as a middle reliever for the Houston Astros. He pitched a most efficient 1.1ip 0h 0er 0bb 2k (4.00ERA) while throwing ten of only 13 pitches for strikes during their 3-7 defeat at the hands of the tough Detroit Tigers. Entering the game for the top of the sixth, he had Victor Martinez fly out to centre field, Andy Dirks ground out to the first baseman and Jhonny Peralta struck out swinging. Back with the ball to start the seventh, Blackley fanned Alex Avila on three pitches to bring a decisive end to his day. It earned him his second hold of the young season. His team mate BRANDON BARNES (Sydney Blue Sox 2012) shuffled back and forth from right field to centre field on defence while batting a barren 0-5 (.333) including three strike outs.
Brandon Barnes
  3 MAY 2013 - SEVERAL ABL IMPORTS IN MLB ACTION!
Here is an update of what some Aussies and former AMLB imports have been doing in the US major leagues:

Nick Green		 Journeyman infielder NICK GREEN (IBLA Internationals 2001) continues to consolidate his starting role as the short stop for the Miami Marlins with his latest 2-4 (.321) during their narrow 6-7 defeat by the New York Mets.

After coming off the bench for his major league debut earlier this week, recent ABL import DONALD LUTZ (Canberra Cavalry 2011) made his debut start at left field for the Cincinnati Reds. He batted 0-4 (.000) in their 2-4 loss to the St.Louis Cardinals.

Old-time ABL import VERNON WELLS (Sydney Storm 1999) batted 1-4 (.298) to help the New York Yankees to sneak past the Houston Astros 5-4. On the losing side BRANDON BARNES (Sydney Blue Sox 2012) batted 1-3 (.372) with a run batted in for the 'Stros.
Donald Lutz

 
  1 MAY 2013 - GRANT BALFOUR SCORELESS v ANGELS!
Here is an update of what some Aussies and former AMLB imports have been doing in the US major leagues:

Grant Balfour		 After pitching a couple of innings in the incredible 19-inning game the previous night, and early the same morning, Australia's GRANT BALFOUR answered the call to take the ball again for the depleted Oakland Athletics who toppled the Los Angeles Angels again 10-6. Balfour locked down the top of the ninth in a non-save situation with 1.0ip 0h 0er 1bb 0k (2.25ERA). After issuing a five pitch walk to young star Mike Trout, he worked through the power section of the 'Halos' lineup. He had Albert Pujols fly out to centre field, Mark Trumbo ground out to second and Josh Hamilton fly out to right field.

In the New York Yankees latest 7-4 win over the visiting Houston Astros, both VERNON WELLS (Sydney Storm 1999) and BRANDON BARNES (Sydney Blue Sox 2012) were hitless for New York and Houston respectively.

 


If anyone takes the trouble to contact us with any reasonably substantiated news of interest to AMLB supporters, we will publish this news on this site! Click these to contact Adrian Dunn or Peter Flintoff.