Flintoff & Dunn's AUSTRALIAN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

Flintoff & Dunn's NEWS ARCHIVE
AUGUST 2006

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 From time to time we will archive old or outdated news on our "WHAT'S NEW" & "AUSSIES IN THE US LEAGUES" pages.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.

ARCHIVED NEWS FROM AUGUST 2006 BEGINS BELOW:

ARCHIVE
AUG 2006

To make things easier for our loyal suscribers we will adopt a new format of
providing news involving AUSTRALIAN Players in yellow text, while
news about former AMLB IMPORT Players will be in white text.

30 AUG 2006 - CHRIS SNELLING HITS DOUBLE BOMBS!

Here is an update of what some Aussies and former AMLB imports have been doing in the US major leagues:

Chris Snelling

Kevin Millwood

Geoff Blum

BANG! CRASH! Australia's CHRIS SNELLING continues to cut a swathe through major league pitching since his recent return to the 'bigs', but he has never made quite so much noise about it as he did today with TWO HOME RUNS from the first four innings of the Seattle Mariners' comfortable 6-4 home win over the Los Angeles Angels. And, to make this more impressive, he did so from the daunting pitching of young Angels' "phenom" Jared Weaver. Snelling homered to right field in both the first innings, when he went back-to-back with homers after leadoff superstar Ichiro Suzuki, and again in the fourth. In between he struck out swinging in the second frame. Chris then grounded out to second in both the fifth and seventh inning... off J.C. Romero in the fifth and Hector Carrasco in the seventh.
In Seattle's 2-0 win over the Angels yesterday, Snelling batted 0-4 off the very tough Kelvim Escobar as what turned out to be the calm before the storm.

SHEA HILLENBRAND (Gold Coast Cougars 1998) also went deep again today with his 18th long ball coming amid a hot 4-5 (.292) performance with three RBI's and three runs scored. But, it was not enough to save his San Francisco Giants from a 8-13 defeat by the Atlanta Braves. For the Braves, CHAD PARONTO (Perth Heat 1998) recorded his sixth hold of the year with 0.1ip 0h 0er 0bb 1k (3.22ERA) and RYAN LANGERHANS (IBLA Internationals 2001) batted 1-3 (.240) with a RBI and two walks.

GEOFF BLUM (Hunter Eagles 1995) also reminded a few people that he has some "pop" with his third home run of the year headlining a neat 2-5 (.267) game with three RBI's certainly helping the San Diego Padres to smack the Arizona Diamondbacks 8-3.

Texas Rangers starter KEVIN MILLWOOD (Melbourne Monarchs 1997) collected his 13th win of the year with a virtuoso complete game victory of 9.0ip 8h 3er 0bb 8k ensuring that they beat the Baltimore Orioles 9-4. 'Big Kev's' record improved to 13-9, 4.64ERA.

... and from yesterday's other major league games:

There is more than one reason why the New York Mets are setting such a hot pace this season, but one of those is surely the arrival of highly competitive catcher PAUL LoDUCA (Adelaide Giants 1995) who again batted 2-4 (.317) with two RBI's to help the Mets to dump the Philadelphia Phillies 8-3.

Shea Hillenbrand

Chad Paronto

Preston Wilson

28 AUG 2006 - CHRIS SNELLING SINKS BOSTON!

Here is an update of what some Aussies and former AMLB imports have been doing in the US major leagues:

Chris Snelling

Vernon Wells

Jason Phillips

Aussie outfielder CHRIS SNELLING is doing everything he can to make up for lost time with another multi-hit game today after having a day off yesterday. Chris batted 2-4 (.417) to help his Seattle Mariners to complete a home series sweep over the slumping Boston Red Sox. In fact with incomplete details from the MLB web site, we're not sure if it shouldn't be 2-3? Snelling opened with a first innings single, then added a sacrifice fly to centrefield in the second inning, followed by a fifth inning double hit sharply to right field... all from Boston's struggling starter Kyle Snyder. He finished his day with a ground out to second base off impressive young 'Bosox' reliever Danny Delcarmen.

SHEA HILLENBRAND (Gold Coast Cougars 1998) has finally found his bat heating up again since joining the San Francisco Giants, batting 3-5 (.286) with two RBI's today to help the Giants to shutout the Cincinnati Reds 8-0. In this game DAVID ROSS (MLB All-Stars 2001) batted 0-3 (.280) for the Reds. In yesterday's game both players left the yard with Hillenbrand nailing his 17th home run of the season in a 2-4 game and the streaking Ross smacking his 18th while batting 1-3.

Also going deep again for his 30th 'jack' was Toronto Blue Jays slugger VERNON WELLS (Sydney Storm 1999) who batted 3-5 (.320) which was not enough to save Toronto from a 6-10 loss to the Kansas City Royals. Also back in hot hitting form after playing sparingly this year is former catcher JASON PHILLIPS (Hunter Eagles 1998) who batted 3-3 (.287) for the 'Jays while patrolling first base.

... and from yesterday's other major league games:

PAUL LoDUCA (Adelaide Giants 1995) batted 2-5 (.315) to help the New York Mets to trample the Philadelphia Phillies 11-5.

Each providing an uneventful inning of relief pitching were MATT HERGES (Adelaide Giants 1999) and RON MAHAY (Gold Coast Cougars 1996). Herges pitched 1.0ip 1h 0er 0bb 1k (3.59ERA) for the Florida Marlins in their 7-2 win over the Milwaukee Brewers. Mahay pitched 1.0ip 0h 0er 1bb 0k (3.51ERA) for the Texas Rangers in their 3-5 loss to the Oakland Athletics.

David Ross

Shea Hillenbrand

26 AUG 2006 - CHRIS SNELLING BACK TO .400!

Here is an update of what some Aussies and former AMLB imports have been doing in the US major leagues:

Chris Snelling

Ryan Langerhans

Australia's only current big league player CHRIS SNELLING continues to secure his starting position in the outfield with the Seattle Mariners. Snelling lifted his average back up to a glittering .400 today when he batted 2-4 and scored twice to be a major contributor to the M's 6-0 shutout win over the Boston Red Sox at Safeco Field. He started strongly again with a single to centrefield off 'Bosox' veteran great Curt Schilling in the first frame. Chris then struck out swinging in the third and struck out on a foul tip in the fifth. He finished his day on another positive note with a lashing double to right field off little-known Brian Corey before scoring again in the seventh inning.
In yesterday's game Chris batted 1-3 and scored a run against the ageing superstar Randy 'Big Unit' Johnson to help the Mariners upset the New York Yankees 4-2. For some reason batting in the ninth hole, Snelling punched a double into left-field in the third inning to start his night on a good note. Then he was a little impatient, flying out to right field in the fourth and again in the seventh innings.

RYAN LANGERHANS (IBLA Internationals 2001) nailed his seventh 'dinger' of the season today while batting 1-1 (.242) with two RBI's as a pinch-hitter for the Atlanta Braves in their heart-breaking 6-7 loss to the Washington Nationals. Taking the loss again for the Braves after a pretty good season was reliever CHAD PARONTO (Perth Heat 1998) who pitched a horrible 0.0ip 3h 3er 0bb 0k for his updated 1-2, 3.25ERA record.

New York Mets reliable catcher PAUL LoDUCA (Adelaide Giants 1995) batted 2-4 (.314)again today in the Mets' 3-4 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies. This follows his 2-4 game yesterday with a RBI in the Mets' 6-2 win over the St.Louis Cardinals. PRESTON WILSON (Hunter Eagles 1997) batted 0-4 (.285) for the 'Cards' in that game.

... and from other major league games on Friday:

DAVID ROSS (MLB All-Stars 2001) continued his red-hot power surge with his 17th 'jack' of the season coming while batting 2-4 (.284) to help the Cincinnati Reds to overpower the San Francisco Giants 6-3. SHEA HILLENBRAND (Gold Coast Cougars 1998) batted 1-4 (.278) for the Giants.

Toronto Blue Jays slugger VERNON WELLS (Sydney Storm 1999) batted 2-4 (.319) to contribute to their 6-3 defeat of the hapless Kansas City Royals.

David Ross

Paul LoDuca

24 AUG 2006 - CHRIS SNELLING STILL HITTING!

Here is an update of what some Aussies and former AMLB imports have been doing in the US major leagues:

Chris Snelling

Preston Wilson

Vernon Wells

Still earning his salt since his return to the major leagues is Australian CHRIS SNELLING who delivered a hit in each of his past two games. On Wednesday Chris batted 1-3 with a walk and two runs scored for the Seattle Mariners in their 6-5 win over the New York Yankees. Facing little-known Yankees' youngster Jeff Karstens, Chris worked a full-count walk in the first innings and he scored when team mate Adrian Beltre homered in the next at bat. Snelling then struck out on a foul tip in each of the second and fifth innings before driving a double into the right-field gap off usual Yankee starter Jaret Wright. He was then substituted for T.J Bohn in the eighth inning.
In today's game Snelling again started and batted in the two-slot during Seattle's 2-9 loss to the Yankees. This time he started the game with a full-count single to right-field off New York starter Chien-Ming Wang. He then flied out to left-field in the fourth and struck out swinging in the sixth before again being replaced by Bohn in the eighth. He batted 1-3 again to find his average plummeting down to .385!

PRESTON WILSON (Hunter Eagles 1997) went deep for his new club the St.Louis Cardinals, belting his 11th home run of the season while batting 2-4 (.268) in the 'Cards' 8-10 loss to the New York Mets. In this game PAUL LoDUCA (Adelaide Giants 1995) batted 1-5 (.310) for the Mets. The previous day LoDuca batted 3-5 and Wilson went 0-3 in New York's 8-7 victory.

Perhaps not quite equalling his World Series home run for the White Sox last season but having one of his finest ever games was GEOFF BLUM (Hunter Eagles 1995) who batted 4-4 (.263) with three RBI's for the San Diego Padres in their 7-2 win over the LA Dodgers.

KEVIN MILLWOOD (Melbourne Monarchs 1997) took his ninth loss of the season when he pitched 6.1ip 8h 6er 4bb 7k for the Texas Rangers in their 3-7 defeat by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Millwood's record slumped to a mediocre 12-9, 4.73ERA.

... and from other major league games on Wednesday:

DAVID ROSS (MLB All-Stars 2001) slammed his 16th home run of the season as part of a 2-4 (.284) game for the Cincinnati Reds in their 14-0 massacre of the Houston Astros.

Also "going yard" for the 29th time was Toronto Blue Jays All-Star slugger VERNON WELLS (Sydney Storm 1999) who batted 1-4 (.321) in a 4-3 win over the Oakland A's.

David Ross

Geoff Blum

21 AUG 2006 - CHRIS SNELLING BATTING .429!

Here is an update of what some Aussies and former AMLB imports have been doing in the US major leagues:

Chris Snelling

Ron Mahay

Even better news than just making his long-awaited return to the major leagues is the news that talented Australian CHRIS SNELLING is certainly making his presence felt for the Seattle Mariners. In today's game, lost 2-3 to the Los Angeles Angels, Snelling made the start at right field and he delivered with 1-2 (.429), including two walks. Chris struck out swinging at an 0-2 pitch from Angels' starter Ervin Santana in the second inning, but that was to be his only "non-productive" at bat for the game. He drew a two-out full-count walk in the fourth and a leadoff full-count walk again in the seventh to take maximum pitches from Santana. He then kept the Mariners alive in the game in the ninth frame when he used his hustle to beat-out a slow roller to short stop for a base hit off experienced reliever Brendan Donnelly. The previous day Snelling pinch hit in the Mariners' tough 7-9 loss to the Angels after he replaced Adam Jones in the top of the eighth inning and then took over at right field. He started with a stinging triple to right field off Hector Carrasco in the eighth, but found himself left on base due to an innings ending double-play. Chris then made the last out for Seattle in the ninth when he was called out on strikes with the tying runs in scoring position, facing Francisco Rodriguez.

RON MAHAY (Gold Coast Cougars 1996) collected his eighth and ninth holds of the year over the past couple of days. He pitched 1.0ip 0h 0er 1bb 0k (3.47ERA) in today's 7-6 win over the Detroit Tigers and 0.1ip 0h 0er 0bb 1k in their 3-1 win over the Tigers on Saturday. In today's game team mate GARY MATTHEWS JNR. (Brisbane Bandits 1997) batted 2-5 (.313) with a RBI triple, while VANCE WILSON (Melbourne Monarchs 1996) batted 1-4 (.273) with a RBI for the Tigers.

Enjoying some rare playing time for the San Diego Padres in journeyman GEOFF BLUM (Hunter Eagles 1995) who batted 1-4 (.248) after starting at short stop in their 2-1 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. On Saturday he batted 1-3 with two RBI's in the Padres' 3-5 defeat by the 'Snakes'.

... and from other major league games on Saturday:

DAVID ROSS (MLB All-Stars 2001) hammered his 15th home run of the year as part of a great batting day for the Cincinnati Reds in their 14-7 thrashing of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Ross batted a stunning 3-4 (.282) with FIVE RBI's and three runs scored.

Atlanta Braves reliever CHAD PARONTO (Perth Heat 1998) also recorded his fifth hold of the season after pitching 1.0ip 1h 1er 1bb 1k (2.55ERA) in the 5-3 win over the Marlins.

David Ross

Geoff Blum

19 AUG 2006 - TRISTAN LOETZSCH A NEW ROYAL!

Tristan Loetzsch

'Flintoff & Dunn' congratulate Australia's recent professional baseball signing, 20yo Queensland RH pitcher TRISTAN LOETZSCH who is the latest to sign a professional contract with the Kansas City Royals organisation.

Obviously we wish him every success in his professional journey.
The following story was transposed incomplete from the BJS web site:

In January this year the Royals GM at the time, Allard Baird, came to Geelong to attend the National U18's with Justin who had himself been signed out of the 2000 U18's in Perth by the Mets.

As a result of that visit the Royals appointed former ABL star and head coach of the VIS Baseball, Matthew Sheldon-Collins, as their Australian scout.

This week the Royals signed 20yr old Queensland Claxton Shield Pitcher Tristan Loetzsch. Tristan was attending the MLB's Academy as a non-scholarship holder, staying at his sister's home on the Gold Coast and driving each day to Palm Meadows. His performances at the Claxton Shield and especially at the U23's in Sydney at Easter gave his agent all the ammunition he needed to seek his acceptance into the Academy. "He would have liked to have received a full live-in scholarship but to get the chance to show how much he had improved was the main aim," said Trevor Jarrett.

"Tristan is a classic late bloomer," said Sheldon-Collins. "He's got good command of 3 pitches and his velocity is steadily rising." The 6'1" right hander has a late 80's -90 fast ball, and a number of effective off speed pitchers. "This is our first signing in Australia so it was very important to us that we selected a talented and hard working player who would not be easily distracted from the task at hand."

Whilst Tristan has been playing baseball since he was 4yrs old he didn't really start to take the game seriously until he was 17 when in succession he was selected in the QLD U18 team [his first state team had been the Schoolboys the previous year]]; made the Australian Youth team competing in the Oceania Series; was sent to the MLB Academy for the first time and finally received an invitation to Extended Spring Training with the Seattle Mariners.

TRISTAN LOETZSCH is managed by Australia's No.1 Player Agents
BJS Player Management.
Click their icon at left to visit their Web Site

19 AUG 2006 - CHRIS SNELLING BACK IN THE BIGS!

Here is an update of what some Aussies and former AMLB imports have been doing in the US major leagues:

Chris Snelling

Shea Hillenbrand

What tremendous news for Australian baseball to see one of our genuine "blue chip" players CHRIS SNELLING making his long awaited return to the major leagues. The 15th Aussie to play in the majors, Snelling has somehow managed to rise above a spate of injuries over recent years to return to the highest level of baseball. His comeback was completed yesterday when he was asked to pinch hit for the Seattle Mariners in the ninth inning of their 2-5 loss to the Anaheim Angels, at Angels Stadium. Chris struck out swinging at Angles young ace closer Francisco Rodriguez... but at least he was BACK! Snelling got the start today at right field and later moved to centrefield where he saw plenty of action as the ball seemed to follow him around. Chris also had a decent day in the batter's box taking a full-count walk in the third inning and hitting a leadoff single in the sixth, both off LA Angels "phenom" Jared Weaver. Snelling then flied out to left-field off Angels nasty reliever Scot Shields in the eighth frame to complete a 1-2 (.333) day for the Seattle Mariners who were blanked 0-3 by the Los Angeles Angels.

VERNON WELLS (Sydney Storm 1999) smacked his 28th home run of the year today, batting 1-4 (.319) for the Toronto Blue Jays in their 2-7 loss to the Baltimore Orioles.

Earning his 12th win of the season was Texas Rangers starter KEVIN MILLWOOD (Melbourne Monarchs 1997) who pitched a splendid 7.0ip 3h 1er 0bb 4k to improve his record to 12-8, 4.58ERA. His team mate GARY MATTHEWS JNR. (Brisbane Bandits 1997) batted 1-4 (.315) to also help Texas to beat the high-rolling Detroit Tigers 2-1.

PRESTON WILSON (Hunter Eagles 1997) also made an impact for his new team when he launched his 10th 'jack' of the season in a St.Louis Cardinals uniform. His 2-5 (.271) helped the 'Cards' to smash the hapless Chicago Cubs 11-3.

Also doing a fine job towards the end of a frustrating season was MATT HERGES (Adelaide Giants 1999) who pitched 2.0ip 1h 0er 0bb 0k (3.65ERA) for the Florida marlins in their 1-6 defeat at the hands of the Atlanta Braves.

SHEA HILLENBRAND (Gold Coast Cougars 1998) banged his 15th home run of the season and made himself a new hero with Giants fans batting 3-4 (.289) with two RBI's to help them to swamp the traditional enemy Los Angeles Dodgers 7-3. Yesterday Hillenbrand batted 1-3 (.284) with two big RBI's to help the San Francisco Giants to double the San Diego Padres 8-4. GEOFF BLUM (Hunter Eagles 1995) batted 1-1 (.240) in an effective job for the Padres.

... and from the previous couple of days in the US major leagues:

Having identical performances for the Atlanta Braves against the Washington Nationals was CHAD PARONTO (Perth Heat 1998) who pitched 1.0ip 1h 0er 0bb 0k (2.40ERA) in the Braves 5-0 win yesterday and their 6-9 loss the day before. RYAN LANGERHANS (IBLA Internationals 2001) batted 1-4 (.241) in the first game and then has the amazing stats of 0-0 with FOUR walks and two runs scored in the second!

RON MAHAY (Gold Coast Cougars 1996) neatly closed another losing cause for the Texas Rangers today with 1.0ip 0h 0er 0bb 2k (3.65ERA) in their 2-4 loss to the Detroit Tigers.

Vernon Wells

Preston Wilson

Kevin Millwood

16 AUG 2006 - VERNON WELLS STILL STRONG!

Here is an update of what some Aussies and former AMLB imports have been doing in the US major leagues:

Vernon Wells

Hardly missing a beat this season for the Toronto Blue Jays and starring again in their 4-3 win over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays is VERNON WELLS (Sydney Storm 1999) who batted 3-5 (.323) as a major offensive contributor once again!

Wells' former team mate SHEA HILLENBRAND (Gold Coast Cougars 1998) also found his stroke today for the San Francisco Giants, batting 2-3 (.287) with a RBI to help them to squeak past the San Diego Padres 3-2

RON MAHAY (Gold Coast Cougars 1996) pitched an effective inning to close a losing cause for the Texas Rangers today with 1.0ip 0h 0er 0bb 0k (3.65ERA) coming too late to prevent their 7-9 loss to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Another former ABL import pitcher MATT HERGES (Adelaide Giants 1999) did a solid job for the Florida Marlins, pitching 1.1ip 1h 0er 1bb 0k (3.79ERA) as the 'Fish' were blanked 0-4 by the streaking Los Angeles Dodgers.

... and from yesterday in the US major leagues:

Still doing a sterling job as backup catcher for the high-rolling Detroit Tigers is VANCE WILSON (Melbourne Monarchs 1996) who batted 1-4 (.276) with two huge RBI's to help his team overcome the stumbling Boston Red Sox 7-4.

CHAD PARONTO (Perth Heat 1998) continues to be one of Bobby Cox's best relief options for the Atlanta Braves this year, pitching a most effective 1.0ip 0h 0er 0bb 2k (2.52ERA) in their 10-4 win over the dangerous Washington Nationals.

Vance Wilson

14 AUG 2006 - MATTHEWS & LoDUCA LEAVE YARD!

Here is an update of what some Aussies and former AMLB imports have been doing in the US major leagues:

Chad Paronto

CHAD PARONTO (Perth Heat 1998) has been far from the worst pitcher in the Atlanta Braves bullpen this year, but he was certainly fortunate to collect his first win of the season to date, pitching at just the right time with 0.1ip 0h 0er 0bb 0k for his 1-0, 2.58ERA record as his Atlanta Braves topped the Milwaukee Brewers 7-4. In yesterday's 5-8 loss to Milwaukee, Paronto pitched 1.2ip 1h 0er 0bb 0k.

... and also from yesterday in the US major leagues:

Apologies if we've mentioned former ABL import GARY MATTHEWS JNR. (Brisbane Bandits 1997) too often this season, but it really is remarkable how a player, long regarded as a "fringe journeyman" of the major leagues, can suddenly emerge as a genuine star at around 32yo! The son of former major league great 'Sarge' Matthews has not only produced a "highlight reel" in the outfield, but his hitting is way ahead of his career standard in 2006. To continue this theme Gary batted 2-4 (.321) yesterday with a RBI coming via his sixth home run of the year, helping his Texas Rangers to sneak past the Seattle Mariners 5-4. The previous day he batted a meagre 3-4 with three RBI's in Texas' 14-7 romp over the Mariners. In this game RON MAHAY (Gold Coast Cougars 1996) pitched 1.0ip 1h 0er 0bb 1k (3.74ERA) in relief for the cruising Rangers.

MATT HERGES (Adelaide Giants 1999) pitched 2.0ip 1h 0er 0bb 1k (3.88ERA) but it was not enough to save his Florida Marlins from a 3-6 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

... and from Saturday's MLB games:

Still running hot for the equally hot New York Mets is catcher PAUL LoDUCA (Adelaide Giants 1995) who produced the only run of the game for New York via his fourth home run of the season. 'Paulie' batted 1-4 (.319) in the Mets' 1-2 loss to Washington.

Gary Matthews

Paul LoDuca

11 AUG 2006 - ROSS HITS GAME WINNING HOMER!

Here is an update of what some Aussies and former AMLB imports have been doing in the US major leagues:

David Ross

GARY MATTHEWS JNR. (Brisbane Bandits 1997) proved that you don't need to hit the long ball, or to hit at all, to contribute offensively in baseball. After hsi home run yesterday, he batted 0-3 today but he walked twice and scored on both occasions to help his Texas Rangers to top the Seattle Mariners 8-2.

From yesterday's MLB games:

There are not too many better feelings in baseball than hitting a walkoff, game winning, home run at the end of a tight contest. This is exactly what "suprise packet" catcher DAVID ROSS (MLB All-Stars 2001) did for the Cincinnati Reds in the ninth inning to give them a pulsating 8-7 win over their rivals St.Louis Cardinals. Ross batted 1-2 (.295) as a pinch-hitter in this game with his two decisive RBI's a career memory he will cherish!

GARY MATTHEWS JNR. (Brisbane Bandits 1997) also went deep for the 12th time this season to continue his first really consistent season, batting 2-6 (.317) for the Texas Rangers in their 14-0 shutout smashing of the Oakland Athletics. His team mate RON MAHAY (Gold Coast Cougars 1996) pitched 2.0ip 1h 0er 0bb 2k (3.83ERA).

Also having a big day against one of his previous clubs was SHEA HILLENBRAND (Gold Coast Cougars 1998) who batted 3-4 (.293) for the San Francisco Giants in their 3-5 defeat by the Arizona Diamondbacks.

VERNON WELLS (Sydney Storm 1999) batted 2-4 (.325) for the Toronto Blue Jays, helping them to a 4-3 win over the Baltimore Orioles.

Helping his Washington Nationals to beat the Florida Marlins 5-2 with his 5th hold of the season was reliever MICAH BOWIE (Melbourne Monarchs 1998) who pitched 0.1ip 0h 0er 1bb 0k (1.37ERA). While for the 'Fish' MATT HERGES (Adelaide Giants 1999) pitched 0.2ip 0h 0er 1bb 0k (4.03ERA).

Gary Matthews

Shea Hillenbrand

9 AUG 2006 - GEOFF BLUM HOMERS FOR PADRES!

Here is an update of what some Aussies and former AMLB imports have been doing in the US major leagues:

Geoff Blum

GEOFF BLUM (Hunter Eagles 1995) went deep for only the second time this season while batting 1-3 (.250) for the San Diego Padres, but his two RBI were the only runs scored in their 2-3 defeat by the New York Mets. PAUL LoDUCA (Adelaide Giants 1995) batted 1-4 (.321) as a consistent star for the front-running New Yorkers.

In the Texas Rangers tight 6-7 loss to the Oakland Athletics, Texas starter KEVIN MILLWOOD (Melbourne Monarchs 1997) wasn't at his best pitching 6.0ip 6h 5er 4bb 4k and taking the loss to see his record slump to 10-8, 4.74ERA. His team mate GARY MATTHEWS JNR. (Brisbane Bandits 1997) batted 1-4 (.317).

PRESTON WILSON (Hunter Eagles 1997) batted 1-4 (.269) with a RBI to help the Houston Astros to roll past the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-1.

... and from Tuesday's MLB action:

VERNON WELLS (Sydney Storm 1999) "went yard" for the 27th time this season with yet another stellar 3-5 (.325) game with three big RBI's for the Toronto Blue Jays, helping them to smack the scuttling Baltimore Orioles 8-1.

Well's former Toronto team mate SHEA HILLENBRAND (Gold Coast Cougars 1998) also put one out with his 14th home run of the season while batting 1-4 (.291) for the San Francisco Giants in their 8-4 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

CHAD PARONTO (Perth Heat 1998) pitched 1.0ip 1h 0er 0bb 0k (2.72) to close a losing cause for the Atlanta Braves who fell 6-9 to the streaking Philadelphia Phillies.

Vernon Wells

Shea Hillenbrand

7 AUG 2006 - PAUL LoDUCA STILL HOT IN NEW YORK!

Here is an update of what some Aussies and former AMLB imports have been doing in the US major leagues:

Paul LoDuca

Vernon Wells

PAUL LoDUCA (Adelaide Giants 1995) shows few signs of "cooling off" this year as he has in the past, batting 3-4 (.322) for the New York Mets in their 8-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies. This follows his 2-4 effort in yesterday's 3-5 loss to the "Phils'.

Having an adventurous outing was Texas Rangers reliever RON MAHAY (Gold Coast Cougars 1996) who pitched 2.2ip 3h 0er 1bb 4k (4.02ERA) in his team's 1-9 thrashing at the hands of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

VERNON WELLS (Sydney Storm 1999) batted 2-4 (.321) for the Toronto Blue Jays with two RBI's certainly helping them to top the Chicago White Sox 7-3. Wells also batted 2-4 in yesterday's 4-6 loss to the White Sox.

Taking his first loss in a fine comeback season was MICAH BOWIE (Melbourne Monarchs 1998) who pitched 2.0ip 3h 1er 0bb 1k for his Washington Nationals who were beaten late in a tight game 2-3 to the San Diego Padres. It took his record to 0-1, 1.40ERA. In yesterday's game, won 6-2 by the Nationals, Bowie pitched 1.2ip 1h 0er 0bb 0k, while GEOFF BLUM (Hunter Eagles 1995) batted 1-3 (.256) for San Diego.

... and from other weekend ML action:

SHEA HILLENBRAND (Gold Coast Cougars 1998) batted 2-3 (.292) for the San Francisco Giants in their 2-5 loss to the Colorado Rockies.

Still struggling at times this year is reliever MATT HERGES (Adelaide Giants 1999) who pitched 0.2ip 3h 2er 1bb 0k (4.11ERA) for the Florida Marlins in their 2-6 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

GARY MATTHEWS JNR. (Brisbane Bandits 1997) batted 2-4 (.324) with a RBI for the Texas Rangers in their 3-10 loss to the Los Angeles Angels.

Not able to save their Atlanta Braves from a narrow 4-5 defeat by the Cincinnati Reds were RYAN LANGERHANS (IBLA Internationals 2001) who batted 1-2 (.247) or CHAD PARONTO (Perth Heat 1998) who pitched 0.2ip 2h 0er 0bb 0k (.280). The previous day Paronto pitched 1.0ip 0h 0er 2bb 1k in Atlanta's 6-8 loss to the Reds.

PRESTON WILSON (Hunter Eagles 1997) batted 1-4 (.269) with a RBI to help the Houston Astros to stomp on the San Diego Padres 7-1.

Micah Bowie

Ron Mahay

4 AUG 2006 - HILLENBRAND HOMERS FOR No.13!

Here is an update of what some Aussies and former AMLB imports have been doing in the US major leagues:

Gary Matthews

Kevin Millwood

Determined to finish his finest season in the 'bigs' is GARY MATTHEWS JNR. (Brisbane Bandits 1997) who batted 3-6 (.324) to help push his Texas Rangers past the Los Angeles Angels 7-6 after 12 innings. Perhaps unlucky not to get another win in this game was Texas starter KEVIN MILLWOOD (Melbourne Monarchs 1997) who was consigned to a no-decision after pitching a solid 7.2ip 7h 4er 2bb 5k (4.63ERA).

GEOFF BLUM (Hunter Eagles 1995) proved again his value as a utility player batting 1-2 (.254) with a run scored as a pinch-hitter for the San Diego Padres in their 5-2 win over the Houston Astros.

Doing little wrong for the Atlanta Braves in their 2-3 defeat by the Pittsburgh Pirates was reliever CHAD PARONTO (Perth Heat 1998) who pitched 1.0ip 1h 0er 0bb 0k (2.94ERA).

... and from yesterday's ML action:

SHEA HILLENBRAND (Gold Coast Cougars 1998) made his first big impact since joining the San Francisco Giants with his 13th home run of the year while batting 1-4 (.289) in the Giants' 8-6 win over the Washington Nationals.

In sizzling form is New York Mets is catcher PAUL LoDUCA (Adelaide Giants 1995) who batted 3-5 (.319) with a RBI as a key contributor in their 6-5 win over the Florida Marlins.

VERNON WELLS (Sydney Storm 1999) continues to play his part for the slumping Toronto Blue Jays batting 2-4 (.324) in their 2-7 loss to the revitalised New York Yankees.

Helping the Texas Rangers to get some revenge 10-2 over the streaking Minnesota Twins were GARY MATTHEWS JNR. (Brisbane Bandits 1997) who batted 2-6 (.321) and reliever RON MAHAY (Gold Coast Cougars 1996) who pitched an eventful 0.2ip 0h 1er 1bb 1k (4.06ERA).

PRESTON WILSON (Hunter Eagles 1997) batted 1-4 (.269) with a RBI to help the Houston Astros to stomp on the San Diego Padres 7-1.

Shea Hillenbrand

Geoff Blum

2 AUG 2006 - DAVID ROSS HITS 13th BIG FLY!

Here is an update of what some Aussies and former AMLB imports have been doing in the US major leagues:

David Ross

DAVID ROSS (MLB All-Stars 2001) continues his "breakout season" by launching his 13th home run of the year while batting 2-3 (.313) with two RBI's for the Cincinnati Reds who were manhandled 4-10 by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Still running hot for the New York Mets is catcher PAUL LoDUCA (Adelaide Giants 1995) who batted 3-5 (.314) with a RBI in today's 5-6 loss to the Florida Marlins. Pitching at the end of the game to collect the unlikely win was MATT HERGES (Adelaide Giants 1999) who pitched 1.0ip 1h 0er 0bb 1k to improve his record to 1-2, 3.81ERA.

... and from yesterday's ML action:

GARY MATTHEWS JNR. (Brisbane Bandits 1997) batted 1-3 (.319) for the Texas Rangers who were smashed 2-15 by the white-hot Minnesota Twins. His team mate RON MAHAY (Gold Coast Cougars 1996) was just one of the Texas pitchers to feel the brunt of the 'Twinkies' barrage, pitching 3.0ip 5h 2er 0bb 1k (3.89ERA).

New San Francisco Giant SHEA HILLENBRAND (Gold Coast Cougars 1998) batted 1-4 (.293) in the Giants 7-10 defeat by the Washington Nationals.

Paul LoDuca

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