Wednesday, December 28, 2011

SOMERSET HURLER BARELY MISSES PERFECT GAME IN AUSTRALIA; OTHERS AMONG LEAGUE LEADERS

As difficult it is for this writer to believe the Australian Baseball League's depth can match up with the Atlantic League, to get within two strikes of a perfect game is a wonderful feat.

That is exactly what happened recently for Nic Ungs (2-1, 3.25), who has reached Triple-A and went 4-7, 5.45 as a starter for the Somerset this past summer.

Ungs, a 32-year-old right-hander from Alpharetta, GA, missed out on the perfect game when Brisbane's Brad Dutton shot a drive into rightfield. It was barely out of the reach of Melbourne first baseman Justin Huber, ironically, a teammate of the pitcher at Somerset.

Ungs is said to have already pitched one no-hitter in his career, which includes more than 70 professional victories.

ATLANTIC LEAGUE HURLERS RANK 1-2 IN VENEZUELA

Former Atlantic League pitchers Eric Junge and Mike Parisi hold down the top two spots in the earned run average race in Venezuela this winter. Junge, at last report a free agent after working in the Los Angeles Angels farm system last summer, has a fancy 1.78 ERA and has won three of four decisions. He has played at both Lancaster and Bridgeport. Parisi, signed last season by the Los Angeles Dodgers after a stint at Long Island, is 1-3, 2.09.

John Rodriguez, who has been with Long Island the last two seasons, leads the Puerto Rican League with seven home runs, and shares fifth in RBI (17) with onetime Ducks catcher Robinson Cancel. The hefty Cancel, who has had several trips to the major leagues including a couple of games with Houston last season, also has played for Somerset and the traveling Road Warriors. Rodriguez banged 18 home runs and drove in 81 runs in only 82 games for the Ducks last season.

Subscription to the Insider only $48 from now through December, 2012.

REQUEST A FREE SAMPLE COPY OF THE INDEPENDENT BASEBALL INSIDER

No comments:

Post a Comment