Today, we only have one game on, which is Sibir Novosibirsk hosting Amur Khabarovsk. Alexei Murygin for Amur and Jeff Glass for Sibir are playing in goal. Novosibirsk opened in the first period with a power play goal by Nikita Zaitsev, powered by Jori Lehtera and Konstantin Glazachev. Sibir added on as Lehtera scored an unassisted power play goal. Khabarovsk got on the board in the second period on a Dmitry Tarasov goal, set up by Jakub Petruzalek. Amur tied the game when Petruzalek scored an unassisted goal. Novosibirsk took the lead back in the third period on another Lehtera goal, with Jonas Enlund getting the lone assist. This was good for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Lehtera, Petruzalek, and Glass (37 for 39 in saves).
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Saturday, November 17, 2012
How They Got Here: The Story of the 2012 San Francisco Giants Part 20
How They Got Here: The San Francisco Giants is a
one-by-one look at how each member of the 2012 World Series Champion San
Francisco Giants found their way to the squad. We'll look at all of the
players on the roster, as well as notable players who did not make the
postseason roster for whatever reason and the coaching staff and general
manager. Part twenty talks about the epic journey of pitcher Ryan Vogelsong.
Ryan Vogelsong was born on July 22, 1977, in Charlotte, North Carolina. His family moved to Pennsylvania as Vogelsong was growing up, and he graduated from Octorara High School in Atglen, Pennsylvania. He went on to play college baseball from 1996-1998 at Kutztown University in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, where he was drafted in his third year by the San Francisco Giants in the fifth round of the 1998 draft. Vogelsong's professional carer began in the Class A Short-Season Northwest League with the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes of Keizer, Oregon. He excelled in ten starts here, pitching to a 1.77 earned run average, with sixty-six strikeouts in fifty-six innings. He was promoted to the Class A Advanced California League to make four starts near the end of the season, but he struggled mightily in those appearances. He stayed with San Jose for the 1999 season, and improved his statistics to a 2.45 earned run average with eighty-six strikeouts in sixty-nine and two-thirds innings pitched. This earned him a promotion to the Class AA Texas League to play with the Shreveport Captains of Shreveport, Louisiana. Again, in the short stint with a new team, Vogelsong struggled, but he was able to right the ship in 2000 by staying with the Captains. In the next season, he pitched to 4.23 earned run average, with 147 strikeouts in 155 and 1/3 innings, before getting his first major league call up, making his debut on September 7th. He appeared with San Francisco in a relief role, pitching in four games for six innings without allowing a run. Vogelsong was assigned to the Class AAA Fresno Grizzlies in 2001, where he pitched a portion of the season with a 2.79 earned run average, as well as fifty-three strikeouts in fifty-eight innings. Vogelsong returned to San Francisco in late May, and pitched there until he was traded on July 30th with Armando Rios to the Pittsburgh Pirates, in exchange for Jason Schmidt and John Vander Wal. He made two horrendous appearance with the Pirates in September, working out of the bullpen after posting a 3.98 earned run average with thirty-three strikeouts in thirty-one and two-thirds innings with the Class AAA Nashville Sounds of the Pacific Coast League. He suffered an arm injury in his second major league appearance with Pittsburgh, and underwent Tommy John ligament replacement surgery, which cause him to sit out most of the 2002 season. He made rehabilitation appearances in 2002 with the Class A Advanced Lynchburg Hillcats of Lynchburg, Viriginia in the Carolina League, before moving along to the Class AA Altoona Curve in Altoona Pennsylvania, playing in the eastern League. For the year, he had statistics of a 6.22 earned run average, with fifty-five strikeouts in fifty-nine and one-third innings. He returned to play with the Nashville Sounds in 2003 for most of the season, posting a 4.29 earned run average, 146 strikeouts, and 149 innings of work. He also made six major league appearances for Pittsburgh, which were either really good or really bad. He worked in a number of roles with the Pirates, and stuck with them for the entire 2004 season, pitching mostly as a starter. This backfired, and he had a 6-13 record with seven no-decisions and five relief appearances in which he produced a 6.50 earned run average, ninety-two strikeouts, and 133 innings pitched. The Pirates shifted Vogelsong to the bullpen for 2005, where he pitched in forty-four games. He worked mostly in a long relief role, and he accumulated a 4.43 earned run average as well as fifty-two strikeouts in eighty-one and one-third innings. Vogelsong continued to work from the bullpen in 2006, appearing in twenty games. He posted a 6.39 earned run average and twenty-seven strikeouts over thirty-eight innings, and was logically sent down after June 22nd to pitch with the new Class AAA Pirates affiliate in the International League, the Indianapolis Indians. While experiencing modest success as a starter with the Indians by posting a 2.66 earned run average while striking out forty-three over sixty-seven and two-thirds innings, Vogelsong elected for free agency at the end of the season. No one offered a contract, so Vogelsong began his overseas journey. He found himself pitching with the Hanshin Tigers in Nishinomiya, Japan of Nippon Professional Baseball's Japan Central League in 2007. He made twenty starts, accumulating a 4.13 earned run average in 106 and 2/3 innings, while striking out ninety-one. He hit his first home run at any level on April 12, 2007. He pitched with Hanshin again in 2008, making twelve starts with a 3.99 earned run average, fifty strikeouts, and sixty-five and one-third innings. The 2009 season saw another change for Vogelsong, as he pitched with the Orix Buffaloes of Osaka, Japan in the Japan Pacific League. Here, he was used as a reliever in thirty games, pitching to a 4.54 earned run average and fifty-six strikeouts in forty-one and two-thirds innings. On January 7, 2010, Vogelsong was signed as a free agent by the Philadelphia Phillies. He was assigned to their Class AAA affiliate in Allentown, Pennsylvania, pitching for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs in the International League. He made twenty-five appearance (seven starts), pitching to a 4.91 earned run average with seventy-three strikeouts in fifty-eight and two-thirds innings, before being released by the Phillies on July 15th. On July 27th, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim signed Vogelsong and assigned him to the Class AAA Salt Lake City Bees of Salt Lake City, Utah in the Pacific Coast League. He made seven starts and one relief appearance here, with a line of a 4.66 earned run average, with thirty-seven strikeouts in thirty-six and two-thirds innings pitched. Vogelsong was granted free agency at the end of the season, and he was discovered by the organization that drafted him, the San Francisco Giants. He spent the winter pitching in the Venezuelan Winter League, which he later said had a huge effect on his future performance. The Giants placed him with Fresno again, but an early season injury to Barry Zito gave Vogelsong a chance to return to the major leagues for the first time in five years. He stepped into Zito's fifth slot in the rotation, and excelled in the role for the Giants. He was selected by his own manager, Bruce Bochy, for the 2011 All-Star Game, although he did not make an appearance in the game itself. He experienced a second half regression, but maintained his spot in the rotation, and ended the year as arguably the best starter on a San Francisco staff that presumably had three other aces in Matt Cain, Tim Lincecum, and Madison Bumgarner. He ended the year with a 2.71 earned run average, as well as 139 strikeouts in 179 and 2/3 innings, although his 13-7 record was deceiving. Five of his losses came during a power outage for the Giants offense. He was named the 2011 Willie Mac Award winner for his demonstration of spirit and leadership that the award's namesake, Willie McCovey, frequently showed for the Giants, as well as being named Giants breakout player of the year. Vogelsong began 2012 on the disabled list, and returned after two more rehabilitation starts in Fresno to pitch with the Giants. While his numbers were not as good as the year before, he held a 14-9 record with eight no-decisions, while posting a 3.37 earned run average and 158 strikeouts in 189 and 2/3 innings. He was snubbed for the All-Star Game despite having the lowest earned run average in the National League midway through the season, but he did not let it deter him from a team-first philosophy. Vogelsong was a vital part of the Giants postseason rotation as well, with a 3-0 record as well as one no-decision. He saved the San Francisco on a handful of occasions, beginning a three-game win streak against the Cincinnati Reds in the National League Division Series to avoid a first round elimination. While he did not get the win in that game, the team won in the tenth inning. Vogelsong also had two wins against the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Championship Series, evening the seven-game set in both Game 2 for a 1-1 series tie and then by forcing a decisive Game 7 after defeating the Cardinals again at home in Game 6. His postseason finale was five and two-thirds shutout innings in Game 3 against the Detroit Tigers in the World Series, which placed the Tigers in a stranglehold they failed to escape the next day when Matt Cain clinched a San Francisco World Series Championship. His postseason numbers were a 1.09 earned run average and twenty-one strikeouts in twenty-four and two-thirds innings pitched. Vogelsong's long and winding journey tells us a lot about our own lives as well, showing that determination, perseverance, and second chances can put us on top of the world. Originally though of as a castoff, Vogelsong did whatever was necessary to return to Major League Baseball, and was rewarded by the Giants. He in turn helped them to a championship, so far the pinnacle for a thirty-five year old who hopes to continue his newfound success in the years ahead.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Ryan Vogelsong was born on July 22, 1977, in Charlotte, North Carolina. His family moved to Pennsylvania as Vogelsong was growing up, and he graduated from Octorara High School in Atglen, Pennsylvania. He went on to play college baseball from 1996-1998 at Kutztown University in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, where he was drafted in his third year by the San Francisco Giants in the fifth round of the 1998 draft. Vogelsong's professional carer began in the Class A Short-Season Northwest League with the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes of Keizer, Oregon. He excelled in ten starts here, pitching to a 1.77 earned run average, with sixty-six strikeouts in fifty-six innings. He was promoted to the Class A Advanced California League to make four starts near the end of the season, but he struggled mightily in those appearances. He stayed with San Jose for the 1999 season, and improved his statistics to a 2.45 earned run average with eighty-six strikeouts in sixty-nine and two-thirds innings pitched. This earned him a promotion to the Class AA Texas League to play with the Shreveport Captains of Shreveport, Louisiana. Again, in the short stint with a new team, Vogelsong struggled, but he was able to right the ship in 2000 by staying with the Captains. In the next season, he pitched to 4.23 earned run average, with 147 strikeouts in 155 and 1/3 innings, before getting his first major league call up, making his debut on September 7th. He appeared with San Francisco in a relief role, pitching in four games for six innings without allowing a run. Vogelsong was assigned to the Class AAA Fresno Grizzlies in 2001, where he pitched a portion of the season with a 2.79 earned run average, as well as fifty-three strikeouts in fifty-eight innings. Vogelsong returned to San Francisco in late May, and pitched there until he was traded on July 30th with Armando Rios to the Pittsburgh Pirates, in exchange for Jason Schmidt and John Vander Wal. He made two horrendous appearance with the Pirates in September, working out of the bullpen after posting a 3.98 earned run average with thirty-three strikeouts in thirty-one and two-thirds innings with the Class AAA Nashville Sounds of the Pacific Coast League. He suffered an arm injury in his second major league appearance with Pittsburgh, and underwent Tommy John ligament replacement surgery, which cause him to sit out most of the 2002 season. He made rehabilitation appearances in 2002 with the Class A Advanced Lynchburg Hillcats of Lynchburg, Viriginia in the Carolina League, before moving along to the Class AA Altoona Curve in Altoona Pennsylvania, playing in the eastern League. For the year, he had statistics of a 6.22 earned run average, with fifty-five strikeouts in fifty-nine and one-third innings. He returned to play with the Nashville Sounds in 2003 for most of the season, posting a 4.29 earned run average, 146 strikeouts, and 149 innings of work. He also made six major league appearances for Pittsburgh, which were either really good or really bad. He worked in a number of roles with the Pirates, and stuck with them for the entire 2004 season, pitching mostly as a starter. This backfired, and he had a 6-13 record with seven no-decisions and five relief appearances in which he produced a 6.50 earned run average, ninety-two strikeouts, and 133 innings pitched. The Pirates shifted Vogelsong to the bullpen for 2005, where he pitched in forty-four games. He worked mostly in a long relief role, and he accumulated a 4.43 earned run average as well as fifty-two strikeouts in eighty-one and one-third innings. Vogelsong continued to work from the bullpen in 2006, appearing in twenty games. He posted a 6.39 earned run average and twenty-seven strikeouts over thirty-eight innings, and was logically sent down after June 22nd to pitch with the new Class AAA Pirates affiliate in the International League, the Indianapolis Indians. While experiencing modest success as a starter with the Indians by posting a 2.66 earned run average while striking out forty-three over sixty-seven and two-thirds innings, Vogelsong elected for free agency at the end of the season. No one offered a contract, so Vogelsong began his overseas journey. He found himself pitching with the Hanshin Tigers in Nishinomiya, Japan of Nippon Professional Baseball's Japan Central League in 2007. He made twenty starts, accumulating a 4.13 earned run average in 106 and 2/3 innings, while striking out ninety-one. He hit his first home run at any level on April 12, 2007. He pitched with Hanshin again in 2008, making twelve starts with a 3.99 earned run average, fifty strikeouts, and sixty-five and one-third innings. The 2009 season saw another change for Vogelsong, as he pitched with the Orix Buffaloes of Osaka, Japan in the Japan Pacific League. Here, he was used as a reliever in thirty games, pitching to a 4.54 earned run average and fifty-six strikeouts in forty-one and two-thirds innings. On January 7, 2010, Vogelsong was signed as a free agent by the Philadelphia Phillies. He was assigned to their Class AAA affiliate in Allentown, Pennsylvania, pitching for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs in the International League. He made twenty-five appearance (seven starts), pitching to a 4.91 earned run average with seventy-three strikeouts in fifty-eight and two-thirds innings, before being released by the Phillies on July 15th. On July 27th, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim signed Vogelsong and assigned him to the Class AAA Salt Lake City Bees of Salt Lake City, Utah in the Pacific Coast League. He made seven starts and one relief appearance here, with a line of a 4.66 earned run average, with thirty-seven strikeouts in thirty-six and two-thirds innings pitched. Vogelsong was granted free agency at the end of the season, and he was discovered by the organization that drafted him, the San Francisco Giants. He spent the winter pitching in the Venezuelan Winter League, which he later said had a huge effect on his future performance. The Giants placed him with Fresno again, but an early season injury to Barry Zito gave Vogelsong a chance to return to the major leagues for the first time in five years. He stepped into Zito's fifth slot in the rotation, and excelled in the role for the Giants. He was selected by his own manager, Bruce Bochy, for the 2011 All-Star Game, although he did not make an appearance in the game itself. He experienced a second half regression, but maintained his spot in the rotation, and ended the year as arguably the best starter on a San Francisco staff that presumably had three other aces in Matt Cain, Tim Lincecum, and Madison Bumgarner. He ended the year with a 2.71 earned run average, as well as 139 strikeouts in 179 and 2/3 innings, although his 13-7 record was deceiving. Five of his losses came during a power outage for the Giants offense. He was named the 2011 Willie Mac Award winner for his demonstration of spirit and leadership that the award's namesake, Willie McCovey, frequently showed for the Giants, as well as being named Giants breakout player of the year. Vogelsong began 2012 on the disabled list, and returned after two more rehabilitation starts in Fresno to pitch with the Giants. While his numbers were not as good as the year before, he held a 14-9 record with eight no-decisions, while posting a 3.37 earned run average and 158 strikeouts in 189 and 2/3 innings. He was snubbed for the All-Star Game despite having the lowest earned run average in the National League midway through the season, but he did not let it deter him from a team-first philosophy. Vogelsong was a vital part of the Giants postseason rotation as well, with a 3-0 record as well as one no-decision. He saved the San Francisco on a handful of occasions, beginning a three-game win streak against the Cincinnati Reds in the National League Division Series to avoid a first round elimination. While he did not get the win in that game, the team won in the tenth inning. Vogelsong also had two wins against the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Championship Series, evening the seven-game set in both Game 2 for a 1-1 series tie and then by forcing a decisive Game 7 after defeating the Cardinals again at home in Game 6. His postseason finale was five and two-thirds shutout innings in Game 3 against the Detroit Tigers in the World Series, which placed the Tigers in a stranglehold they failed to escape the next day when Matt Cain clinched a San Francisco World Series Championship. His postseason numbers were a 1.09 earned run average and twenty-one strikeouts in twenty-four and two-thirds innings pitched. Vogelsong's long and winding journey tells us a lot about our own lives as well, showing that determination, perseverance, and second chances can put us on top of the world. Originally though of as a castoff, Vogelsong did whatever was necessary to return to Major League Baseball, and was rewarded by the Giants. He in turn helped them to a championship, so far the pinnacle for a thirty-five year old who hopes to continue his newfound success in the years ahead.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Friday, November 16, 2012
KHL November 16th 2012
Another eleven games on the schedule in the KHL, starting with...
Avangard Omsk hosting Traktor Chelyabinsk. Andrei Mezin of Traktor and Karri Ramo of Avangard are set to start. Omsk led off in the first period as Georgijs Pujacs scored with the help of Sergei Kalinin. Chelyabinsk tied it with a Jan Bulis goal, with a lone assist by Evgeny Kuznetsov on the power play. Traktor took the lead in the second period as Vladimir Antipov scored, and Yegor Dugin was credited with the assist. Avangard retied the game on a Dmitry Syomin goal, courtesy of Sergei Kostitsyn. Chelyabinsk pulled back ahead as Konstantin Panov scored, assisted by Dugin and Antipov. Omsk retied it in the third period with another goal by Syomin, fueled by Nikita Pivtsakin on the power play. The game required a shootout to determine the winner, which was Traktor by a 4-3 margin after shootout tallies from Panov and Kuznetsov. The three stars were Kuznetsov, Syomin, and Panov, while Dugin and Antipov get the honorable mentions.
To the north, as Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk hosts Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Georgy Gelashvili for Metallurg and Edgards Masalskis for Yugra are the masked men. Khanty-Mansiysk was first on the board with a first period goal from Rinat Ibragimov, assisted by Igor Magogin and Igor Skorokhodov. Magnitogorsk tied it on a power play goal by Sergei Mozyakin, powered by Viktor Antipin. Yugra retook the lead in the second period as Artyom Bulyansky put away an unassisted goal. Khanty-Mansiysk extended the lead in the third period when Marek Troncinsky scored, via Stanislav Bocharov and Anton Krysanov. Metallurg got one back with Denis Platonov scoring, thanks to Mozyakin. They failed to tie the game, leaving the 3-2 win with Yugra, with the three stars being Mozyakin, Troncinsky, and Bulyansky.
South into Kazakhstan, as Barys Astana welcomes Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Evgeny Lobanov for Avtomobilist and Teemu Lassila for Barys are in the blue paint. Astana quickly scored in the first period as Roman Starchenko scored, with the help of Konstantin Rudenko and Victor Hedman. Barys added on with an Alexei Litvinenko power play goal, powered by Talgat Zhailauov and Andrei Gavrilin. Astana struck again when Nigel Dawes potted the puck, with a lone assist credited to Dustin Boyd. Avtomobilist pulled Lobanov at this time in favor of Christopher Holt. Yekaterinburg got on the board with an unassisted power play goal by Sergei Gusev. Barys answered in the second period on a Mikhail Rakhanov goal, fueled by Vitaly Novopashin and Dawes. Avtomobilist replied as Fyodor Malykhin netted the puck, and Nikita Tryamkin and Evgeny Lapenkov were credited with the assists on the power play goal. Astana scored again in the third period on an unassisted Litvinenko power play goal. Barys padded the lead as Brandon Bochenski recorded a goal, guided in by Novopashin and Hedman. Astana finished the scoring at 7-2 when Dmitry Upper scored a goal, made possible by Rudenko. The three stars belong to Litvinenko, Dawes, and Novopashin, while Hedman and Rudenko get the honorable mentions.
Way to the west, we land in Yaroslavl, as Lokomotiv hosts Lev Praha. Jakub Stepanek for Lev and Curtis Sanford for Lokomotiv are in between the pipes. Praha got going in the second period as Nathan Oystrick scored an unassisted goal. Yaroslavl tied it in the third period when Alexander Chernikov potted the puck, thanks to Yury Petrov and Yegor Averin. Lokomotiv won it 2-1 in overtime as Staffan Kronwall scored, with a lone assist from Sergei Plotnikov. Kronwall, Sanford (34 for 35 in saves), and Chernikov earn the three stars.
Northeast and back in Russia, Severstal Cherepovets host Dynamo Moscow. Alexei Volkov for Dynamo and Vasily Koshechkin for Severstal receive the starting nods. Cherepovets began in the first period as Alexander Fedoseyev scored, with guidance from Teemu Laasko. Severstal extended the lead in the second period on an Ignat Zemchenko goal, fueled by Nikolai Kazakovtsev and Alexei Medvedev. Moscow got on the board as Richard Gynge potted the puck, thanks to Nicklas Backstrom and Alexander Ovechkin. Dynamo tied the game in the third period when Dominik Granak scored, with the help of Denis Kokarev and Alexei Tsvetkov. Cherepovets regained the lead on a Evgeny Ketov goal, made possible by Gennady Stolyarov and Vadim Shipachyov. Severstal made it 4-2 after Backstrom was called for hooking on the breakaway, which resulted in a successful penalty shot by Zemchenko. This was a final, with the three stars going to Zemchenko, Ketov, and Koshechkin (33 for 35 in saves).
A little to the east, as Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod brings in CSKA Moscow. Rastislav Stana for CSKA and Vitaly Koval for Torpedo are wearing the pads. Moscow was first on the board in the first period as Alexander Radulov scored a power play goal with a lone assist by Pavel Datsyuk. Radulov added on to CSKA lead later with his second goal of the game, assisted by Yakov Rylov and Datsyuk, also on the power play. Nizhny Novgorod got on the board as Mikhail Varnakov scored, with the help of Alexander Syomin. Moscow shot back as Patrick Davis netted the puck, thanks to Janis Sprukts. CSKA extended the lead in the second period as Niklas Persson scored, guided in by Ilya Zubov. Moscow kept going in the third period when Vladimir Zharkov struck with a power play goal, powered by Persson and Maxim Kondratyev. CSKA put the game away at 6-1 with a Mikhail Grabovsky goal, set up by Datsyuk, who got the three-assist sock trick, and Rylov. The three stars belong to Radulov, Datsyuk, and Persson, with an honorable mention for Rylov and Stana (26 for 27 in saves).
Speaking of Moscow, we head southwest to there as Spartak hosts Ak Bars Kazan. Konstantin Barulin for Ak Bars and Sergei Borisov of Spartak are in the creases. Kazan struck first in the first period as Ilya Nikulin scored, thanks to Artyom Lukoyanov. Ak Bars extended the lead as Denis Kulyash potted the puck, with the help of Evgeny Skachkov and Lukoyanov. Moscow got on the board in the second period when Andrei Shefer scored, fueled by Oleg Petrov and Alexander Suglobov. Kazan answered in the third period on a Lauris Darzins goal, made possible by Denis Golubev and Evgeny Medvedev. This produced the 3-1 final, with the three stars being Lukoyanov, Kulyash, and Barulin (39 for 40 in saves).
Staying in the oblast, we head north to Mytishchi as Atlant Moscow Oblast hosts Slovan Bratislava. Jaroslav Janus for Slovan and Stanislav Galimov for Atlant are the designated goalies. Bratislava opened in the first period on a Peter Olvecky goal, courtesy of Andrej Sekera. Slovan extended the lead in the second period as Mario Bliznak scored, thanks to Martin Stajnoch and Lubomir Visnovsky. This was all they needed for a 2-0 win, and the three stars went to Janus (28 save shutout), Olvecky, and Bliznak.
To the south, Vityaz Chekhov welcomes SKA St. Petersburg. Sergei Bobrovsky for SKA and Ivan Kasutin for Vityaz tend the twines. Chekhov led off in the first period as Alexei Badyukov scored, with a lone assist from Nikita Dvurechensky. Vityaz added on as Brian Fahey scored, thanks to Vyacheslav Kulyomin. St. Petersburg got on the board with a Maxim Afinogenov goal, made possible by Tony Martensson and Alexei Semenov. SKA tied it in the third period as Martensson scored, with the help of Maxim Chudinov. St. Petersburg took the lead late on an Ilya Kovalchuk goal, set up by Vladimir Tarasenko and Alexander Kucheryavenko with just forty-two seconds remaining. They held on for the win, and the three stars were given to Martensson, Kovalchuk, and Badyukov.
Further south, Donbass Donetsk brings in Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Vadim Tarasov for Salavat Yulaev and Jan Laco for Donbass guard the cages. Ufa was first on the board with a first period goal by Alexander Stepanov, fueled by Oleg Saprykin and Sergei Yemelin. Donetsk tied it in the second period as Evgeny Belukhin scored, thanks to Denis Kochetkov and Tomas Matousek. Donbass took the lead on an Alexei Ponikarovsky goal, set up by Ruslan Fedotenko. Donetsk extended the lead in the third period on a Tuomas Kiiskenen goal, assisted by Evgeny Dadonov. Donbass iced the game at 4-1 when Kochetkov scored, and the helpers came from Belukhin and Matousek. This was a final, with the three stars going to Belukhin, Kochetkov, and Laco (28 for 29 in saves), while Matousek gets an honorable mention.
Finally, we end in Nizhnekamsk, as Neftekhimik hosts Dinamo Riga. Mikael Tellqvist for Dinamo and Maxim Sokolov for Neftekhimik are in net. Riga began with a first period power play goal by Kaspars Daugavins, powered by Aleksandrs Nizivijs and Paul Szczechura. Nizhnekamsk replied with a Maxim Pestushko power play goal, made possible by Renat Mamashev and Alexander Seluyanov. Dinamo retook the lead as Alexandre Giroux scored, thanks to Nizivijs. Riga padded the lead with a Miks Andrasis goal, courtesy of Jamie Johnson. Neftekhimik got one back as Stanislav Alshevsky potted the puck, with the help of Yaroslav Alshevsky and Pyotr Khokhryakov. Dinamo responded in the second period as Maris Bicevskis scored a goal, helped along by Guntis Galvins and Raitis Ivanans. Riga struck again with a Gints Meija goal, pushed in by Daugavins and Bicevskis. Nizhnekamsk got one back as Pestushko scored, via Petr Koukal and Mamashev. Neftekhimik pulled closer with an unassisted goal by Tomas Netik. Dinamo answered on a Martins Karsums goal, guided in by Johnson and Arvids Rekis. The third period stood in stark contrast to the other two, with no scoring leaving the final as a 6-4 Dinamo win. The three stars are given to Daugavins, Pestushko, and Bicevskis, while the honorable mentions go to Nizivijs, Mamashev, and Johnson.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Avangard Omsk hosting Traktor Chelyabinsk. Andrei Mezin of Traktor and Karri Ramo of Avangard are set to start. Omsk led off in the first period as Georgijs Pujacs scored with the help of Sergei Kalinin. Chelyabinsk tied it with a Jan Bulis goal, with a lone assist by Evgeny Kuznetsov on the power play. Traktor took the lead in the second period as Vladimir Antipov scored, and Yegor Dugin was credited with the assist. Avangard retied the game on a Dmitry Syomin goal, courtesy of Sergei Kostitsyn. Chelyabinsk pulled back ahead as Konstantin Panov scored, assisted by Dugin and Antipov. Omsk retied it in the third period with another goal by Syomin, fueled by Nikita Pivtsakin on the power play. The game required a shootout to determine the winner, which was Traktor by a 4-3 margin after shootout tallies from Panov and Kuznetsov. The three stars were Kuznetsov, Syomin, and Panov, while Dugin and Antipov get the honorable mentions.
To the north, as Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk hosts Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Georgy Gelashvili for Metallurg and Edgards Masalskis for Yugra are the masked men. Khanty-Mansiysk was first on the board with a first period goal from Rinat Ibragimov, assisted by Igor Magogin and Igor Skorokhodov. Magnitogorsk tied it on a power play goal by Sergei Mozyakin, powered by Viktor Antipin. Yugra retook the lead in the second period as Artyom Bulyansky put away an unassisted goal. Khanty-Mansiysk extended the lead in the third period when Marek Troncinsky scored, via Stanislav Bocharov and Anton Krysanov. Metallurg got one back with Denis Platonov scoring, thanks to Mozyakin. They failed to tie the game, leaving the 3-2 win with Yugra, with the three stars being Mozyakin, Troncinsky, and Bulyansky.
South into Kazakhstan, as Barys Astana welcomes Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Evgeny Lobanov for Avtomobilist and Teemu Lassila for Barys are in the blue paint. Astana quickly scored in the first period as Roman Starchenko scored, with the help of Konstantin Rudenko and Victor Hedman. Barys added on with an Alexei Litvinenko power play goal, powered by Talgat Zhailauov and Andrei Gavrilin. Astana struck again when Nigel Dawes potted the puck, with a lone assist credited to Dustin Boyd. Avtomobilist pulled Lobanov at this time in favor of Christopher Holt. Yekaterinburg got on the board with an unassisted power play goal by Sergei Gusev. Barys answered in the second period on a Mikhail Rakhanov goal, fueled by Vitaly Novopashin and Dawes. Avtomobilist replied as Fyodor Malykhin netted the puck, and Nikita Tryamkin and Evgeny Lapenkov were credited with the assists on the power play goal. Astana scored again in the third period on an unassisted Litvinenko power play goal. Barys padded the lead as Brandon Bochenski recorded a goal, guided in by Novopashin and Hedman. Astana finished the scoring at 7-2 when Dmitry Upper scored a goal, made possible by Rudenko. The three stars belong to Litvinenko, Dawes, and Novopashin, while Hedman and Rudenko get the honorable mentions.
Way to the west, we land in Yaroslavl, as Lokomotiv hosts Lev Praha. Jakub Stepanek for Lev and Curtis Sanford for Lokomotiv are in between the pipes. Praha got going in the second period as Nathan Oystrick scored an unassisted goal. Yaroslavl tied it in the third period when Alexander Chernikov potted the puck, thanks to Yury Petrov and Yegor Averin. Lokomotiv won it 2-1 in overtime as Staffan Kronwall scored, with a lone assist from Sergei Plotnikov. Kronwall, Sanford (34 for 35 in saves), and Chernikov earn the three stars.
Northeast and back in Russia, Severstal Cherepovets host Dynamo Moscow. Alexei Volkov for Dynamo and Vasily Koshechkin for Severstal receive the starting nods. Cherepovets began in the first period as Alexander Fedoseyev scored, with guidance from Teemu Laasko. Severstal extended the lead in the second period on an Ignat Zemchenko goal, fueled by Nikolai Kazakovtsev and Alexei Medvedev. Moscow got on the board as Richard Gynge potted the puck, thanks to Nicklas Backstrom and Alexander Ovechkin. Dynamo tied the game in the third period when Dominik Granak scored, with the help of Denis Kokarev and Alexei Tsvetkov. Cherepovets regained the lead on a Evgeny Ketov goal, made possible by Gennady Stolyarov and Vadim Shipachyov. Severstal made it 4-2 after Backstrom was called for hooking on the breakaway, which resulted in a successful penalty shot by Zemchenko. This was a final, with the three stars going to Zemchenko, Ketov, and Koshechkin (33 for 35 in saves).
A little to the east, as Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod brings in CSKA Moscow. Rastislav Stana for CSKA and Vitaly Koval for Torpedo are wearing the pads. Moscow was first on the board in the first period as Alexander Radulov scored a power play goal with a lone assist by Pavel Datsyuk. Radulov added on to CSKA lead later with his second goal of the game, assisted by Yakov Rylov and Datsyuk, also on the power play. Nizhny Novgorod got on the board as Mikhail Varnakov scored, with the help of Alexander Syomin. Moscow shot back as Patrick Davis netted the puck, thanks to Janis Sprukts. CSKA extended the lead in the second period as Niklas Persson scored, guided in by Ilya Zubov. Moscow kept going in the third period when Vladimir Zharkov struck with a power play goal, powered by Persson and Maxim Kondratyev. CSKA put the game away at 6-1 with a Mikhail Grabovsky goal, set up by Datsyuk, who got the three-assist sock trick, and Rylov. The three stars belong to Radulov, Datsyuk, and Persson, with an honorable mention for Rylov and Stana (26 for 27 in saves).
Speaking of Moscow, we head southwest to there as Spartak hosts Ak Bars Kazan. Konstantin Barulin for Ak Bars and Sergei Borisov of Spartak are in the creases. Kazan struck first in the first period as Ilya Nikulin scored, thanks to Artyom Lukoyanov. Ak Bars extended the lead as Denis Kulyash potted the puck, with the help of Evgeny Skachkov and Lukoyanov. Moscow got on the board in the second period when Andrei Shefer scored, fueled by Oleg Petrov and Alexander Suglobov. Kazan answered in the third period on a Lauris Darzins goal, made possible by Denis Golubev and Evgeny Medvedev. This produced the 3-1 final, with the three stars being Lukoyanov, Kulyash, and Barulin (39 for 40 in saves).
Staying in the oblast, we head north to Mytishchi as Atlant Moscow Oblast hosts Slovan Bratislava. Jaroslav Janus for Slovan and Stanislav Galimov for Atlant are the designated goalies. Bratislava opened in the first period on a Peter Olvecky goal, courtesy of Andrej Sekera. Slovan extended the lead in the second period as Mario Bliznak scored, thanks to Martin Stajnoch and Lubomir Visnovsky. This was all they needed for a 2-0 win, and the three stars went to Janus (28 save shutout), Olvecky, and Bliznak.
To the south, Vityaz Chekhov welcomes SKA St. Petersburg. Sergei Bobrovsky for SKA and Ivan Kasutin for Vityaz tend the twines. Chekhov led off in the first period as Alexei Badyukov scored, with a lone assist from Nikita Dvurechensky. Vityaz added on as Brian Fahey scored, thanks to Vyacheslav Kulyomin. St. Petersburg got on the board with a Maxim Afinogenov goal, made possible by Tony Martensson and Alexei Semenov. SKA tied it in the third period as Martensson scored, with the help of Maxim Chudinov. St. Petersburg took the lead late on an Ilya Kovalchuk goal, set up by Vladimir Tarasenko and Alexander Kucheryavenko with just forty-two seconds remaining. They held on for the win, and the three stars were given to Martensson, Kovalchuk, and Badyukov.
Further south, Donbass Donetsk brings in Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Vadim Tarasov for Salavat Yulaev and Jan Laco for Donbass guard the cages. Ufa was first on the board with a first period goal by Alexander Stepanov, fueled by Oleg Saprykin and Sergei Yemelin. Donetsk tied it in the second period as Evgeny Belukhin scored, thanks to Denis Kochetkov and Tomas Matousek. Donbass took the lead on an Alexei Ponikarovsky goal, set up by Ruslan Fedotenko. Donetsk extended the lead in the third period on a Tuomas Kiiskenen goal, assisted by Evgeny Dadonov. Donbass iced the game at 4-1 when Kochetkov scored, and the helpers came from Belukhin and Matousek. This was a final, with the three stars going to Belukhin, Kochetkov, and Laco (28 for 29 in saves), while Matousek gets an honorable mention.
Finally, we end in Nizhnekamsk, as Neftekhimik hosts Dinamo Riga. Mikael Tellqvist for Dinamo and Maxim Sokolov for Neftekhimik are in net. Riga began with a first period power play goal by Kaspars Daugavins, powered by Aleksandrs Nizivijs and Paul Szczechura. Nizhnekamsk replied with a Maxim Pestushko power play goal, made possible by Renat Mamashev and Alexander Seluyanov. Dinamo retook the lead as Alexandre Giroux scored, thanks to Nizivijs. Riga padded the lead with a Miks Andrasis goal, courtesy of Jamie Johnson. Neftekhimik got one back as Stanislav Alshevsky potted the puck, with the help of Yaroslav Alshevsky and Pyotr Khokhryakov. Dinamo responded in the second period as Maris Bicevskis scored a goal, helped along by Guntis Galvins and Raitis Ivanans. Riga struck again with a Gints Meija goal, pushed in by Daugavins and Bicevskis. Nizhnekamsk got one back as Pestushko scored, via Petr Koukal and Mamashev. Neftekhimik pulled closer with an unassisted goal by Tomas Netik. Dinamo answered on a Martins Karsums goal, guided in by Johnson and Arvids Rekis. The third period stood in stark contrast to the other two, with no scoring leaving the final as a 6-4 Dinamo win. The three stars are given to Daugavins, Pestushko, and Bicevskis, while the honorable mentions go to Nizivijs, Mamashev, and Johnson.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
How They Got Here: The Story of the 2012 San Francisco Giants Part 19
How They Got Here: The San Francisco Giants is a
one-by-one look at how each member of the 2012 World Series Champion San
Francisco Giants found their way to the squad. We'll look at all of the
players on the roster, as well as notable players who did not make the
postseason roster for whatever reason and the coaching staff and general
manager. Part nineteen is about eccentric reliever Brian Wilson.
Brian Wilson was born on March 16, 1982, in Winchester, Massachusetts. He grew up in Londonderry, New Hampshire, and attended Londonderry High School there as well. During his teen years, Wilson matured quickly due to his father's five-year battle with cancer, which he, tragically, ultimately lost. This developed a rough edge for Wilson, and led him to challenge authority on occasion, but his fiery personality did not deter the Cleveland Indians from drafting him out of high school in the 2000 draft. Wilson, a thirtieth round selection, opted not to sign, and went to college at Louisiana State University. He was in his junior year of college, where he was excelling at baseball, when he suffered an elbow injury that required Tommy John ligament replacement surgery. Despite the extensive rehabilitation ahead, Wilson was a twenty-fourth round pick of the San Francisco Giants. He finally made a professional debut in 2004, pitching with the Hagerstown Suns of Hagerstown, Maryland, in the South Atlantic League at the Class A level. In twenty-three appearances (three starts; he opted to become a reliever after a lack of success starting) he pitched to a 5.34 earned run average with forty-one strikeouts in fifty-seven and one-third innings. He worked his way through the ranks in 2005, beginning with San Francisco's new Class A affiliate, the Augusta Greenjackets of Augusta, Georgia, in the South Atlanta League first, where he pitched in twenty-six games, over half of his total for the season. Notably, he worked in a closer role for part of the season, throwing thirteen saves while posting a 0.82 earned run average with thirty strikeouts in thirty-three innings. He stepped up to the Class AA Norwich Navigators of Norwich, Connecticut in the Eastern League next, where his numbers read 0.57 for earned run average, eight saves, twenty-two strikeouts, fifteen and two-thirds innings of work, all over fifteen games. He made a late season stint with the Class AAA Fresno Grizzlies of the Pacific Coast League, where he threw a 3.97 earned run average in eleven and one-third innings with thirteen strikeouts. Wilson bounced around a bit in 2006, starting with the Grizzlies but earning a major league call up, where he made his major league debut on April 23, 2006. While it wasn't known when he was pitching, he injured himself in the first of two innings he pitched, and he was placed on the disabled list after that. He made his rehabilitation appearance with the San Jose Giants of the Class A Advanced California League. Wilson appeared in five games before returning to Fresno, where he stayed for nearly a month before rejoining the major league Giants. Overall, the back-and-forth season saw Wilson pitch to a 2.89 earned run average in Fresno and a 5.40 in San Francisco. He totaled fifty-three strikeouts for the year as well as fifty-nine innings. Wilson was the designated closer for San Francisco in the 2007 spring training, but struggled in the role and was sent down to the Grizzlies for most of the year. Here, he had a line of a 2.10 earned run average, eleven saves, thirty-seven strikeouts, and thirty-four and one-third innings. He returned to the majors on August 11th, and closed out six games while posting a 2.28 earned run average with eighteen strikeouts in twenty-three and two-thirds innings. Wilson was named the full-time closer ahead of the 2008 season, and finally had his breakthrough season, earning an All-Star bid midway through the season. While his overall numbers of a 4.62 earned run average with sixty-seven strikeouts in sixty-two and one-third innings were unimpressive to many, his forty-one saves in forty-seven chances spoke well of progress. Wilson kept the closer role in 2009, and rewarded the team's faith in him with thirty-eight saves in forty-five chances, while holding a 2.74 earned run average, nearly two runs lower than the previous season. He also struck out eighty-three batters in seventy-two and one-third innings in one of his heaviest professional workloads. He also became a local star through his Life of Brian reality show. The media attention and strong pitching both continued in 2010, as he earned his second All-Star nomination en route to a dominant 1.81 earned run average, ninety-three strikeouts, and seventy-four and two-thirds innings. Additionally, Wilson led the National League in saves with forty-eight, and blew just three save chances all season. With stability in pitching across the board, the Giants made a postseason appearance, with Wilson making ten appearance against the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, and Texas Rangers in the playoffs. His first playoff appearance could be attributed to butterflies (although with the cool and calm Wilson, this is not a solid assumption), as he blew a save by allowing an unearned run against the Braves in two innings of work. Over the next nine and two-thirds innings, Wilson was virtually unhittable, allowing nine baserunners while striking out sixteen batters, and throughout the time he posted a perfect 0.00 earned run average. Wilson capped the run off with a Game 5 strikeout in the World Series against the Rangers, allowing the Giants to claim a World Series title that Wilson had a very big role in making happen. His predominant jet-black beard gained a fair amount of TV time throughout the run, and the Fear the Beard campaign that Wilson and teammate Sergio Romo put together got widespread attention. The attention did not subside in 2011, and Wilson didn't either. He remained an elite closer, while pitching to a 3.11 earned run average with fifty-four strikeouts in fifty-five innings, while also turning thirty-six saves. He also pitched in his third All-Star Game, recording the save as the National League won, under the watchful eye of his manager Bruce Bochy. However, Wilson and the Giants appeared to have a bit of a championship hangover, and failed to make the playoffs. The 2012 season was sour for Wilson as well, as he pitched in only two games before suffering another arm injury requiring Tommy John surgery on April 12th. The surgery was on April 19th, and Wilson remained upbeat in the dugout, supporting his Giants teammates as he was left a spectator for their second World Series Championship in three years. While the list of players to be successful after two Tommy John surgeries is short, Wilson likely hopes he can return to an elite level and help San Francisco defend their title in 2013.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Brian Wilson was born on March 16, 1982, in Winchester, Massachusetts. He grew up in Londonderry, New Hampshire, and attended Londonderry High School there as well. During his teen years, Wilson matured quickly due to his father's five-year battle with cancer, which he, tragically, ultimately lost. This developed a rough edge for Wilson, and led him to challenge authority on occasion, but his fiery personality did not deter the Cleveland Indians from drafting him out of high school in the 2000 draft. Wilson, a thirtieth round selection, opted not to sign, and went to college at Louisiana State University. He was in his junior year of college, where he was excelling at baseball, when he suffered an elbow injury that required Tommy John ligament replacement surgery. Despite the extensive rehabilitation ahead, Wilson was a twenty-fourth round pick of the San Francisco Giants. He finally made a professional debut in 2004, pitching with the Hagerstown Suns of Hagerstown, Maryland, in the South Atlantic League at the Class A level. In twenty-three appearances (three starts; he opted to become a reliever after a lack of success starting) he pitched to a 5.34 earned run average with forty-one strikeouts in fifty-seven and one-third innings. He worked his way through the ranks in 2005, beginning with San Francisco's new Class A affiliate, the Augusta Greenjackets of Augusta, Georgia, in the South Atlanta League first, where he pitched in twenty-six games, over half of his total for the season. Notably, he worked in a closer role for part of the season, throwing thirteen saves while posting a 0.82 earned run average with thirty strikeouts in thirty-three innings. He stepped up to the Class AA Norwich Navigators of Norwich, Connecticut in the Eastern League next, where his numbers read 0.57 for earned run average, eight saves, twenty-two strikeouts, fifteen and two-thirds innings of work, all over fifteen games. He made a late season stint with the Class AAA Fresno Grizzlies of the Pacific Coast League, where he threw a 3.97 earned run average in eleven and one-third innings with thirteen strikeouts. Wilson bounced around a bit in 2006, starting with the Grizzlies but earning a major league call up, where he made his major league debut on April 23, 2006. While it wasn't known when he was pitching, he injured himself in the first of two innings he pitched, and he was placed on the disabled list after that. He made his rehabilitation appearance with the San Jose Giants of the Class A Advanced California League. Wilson appeared in five games before returning to Fresno, where he stayed for nearly a month before rejoining the major league Giants. Overall, the back-and-forth season saw Wilson pitch to a 2.89 earned run average in Fresno and a 5.40 in San Francisco. He totaled fifty-three strikeouts for the year as well as fifty-nine innings. Wilson was the designated closer for San Francisco in the 2007 spring training, but struggled in the role and was sent down to the Grizzlies for most of the year. Here, he had a line of a 2.10 earned run average, eleven saves, thirty-seven strikeouts, and thirty-four and one-third innings. He returned to the majors on August 11th, and closed out six games while posting a 2.28 earned run average with eighteen strikeouts in twenty-three and two-thirds innings. Wilson was named the full-time closer ahead of the 2008 season, and finally had his breakthrough season, earning an All-Star bid midway through the season. While his overall numbers of a 4.62 earned run average with sixty-seven strikeouts in sixty-two and one-third innings were unimpressive to many, his forty-one saves in forty-seven chances spoke well of progress. Wilson kept the closer role in 2009, and rewarded the team's faith in him with thirty-eight saves in forty-five chances, while holding a 2.74 earned run average, nearly two runs lower than the previous season. He also struck out eighty-three batters in seventy-two and one-third innings in one of his heaviest professional workloads. He also became a local star through his Life of Brian reality show. The media attention and strong pitching both continued in 2010, as he earned his second All-Star nomination en route to a dominant 1.81 earned run average, ninety-three strikeouts, and seventy-four and two-thirds innings. Additionally, Wilson led the National League in saves with forty-eight, and blew just three save chances all season. With stability in pitching across the board, the Giants made a postseason appearance, with Wilson making ten appearance against the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, and Texas Rangers in the playoffs. His first playoff appearance could be attributed to butterflies (although with the cool and calm Wilson, this is not a solid assumption), as he blew a save by allowing an unearned run against the Braves in two innings of work. Over the next nine and two-thirds innings, Wilson was virtually unhittable, allowing nine baserunners while striking out sixteen batters, and throughout the time he posted a perfect 0.00 earned run average. Wilson capped the run off with a Game 5 strikeout in the World Series against the Rangers, allowing the Giants to claim a World Series title that Wilson had a very big role in making happen. His predominant jet-black beard gained a fair amount of TV time throughout the run, and the Fear the Beard campaign that Wilson and teammate Sergio Romo put together got widespread attention. The attention did not subside in 2011, and Wilson didn't either. He remained an elite closer, while pitching to a 3.11 earned run average with fifty-four strikeouts in fifty-five innings, while also turning thirty-six saves. He also pitched in his third All-Star Game, recording the save as the National League won, under the watchful eye of his manager Bruce Bochy. However, Wilson and the Giants appeared to have a bit of a championship hangover, and failed to make the playoffs. The 2012 season was sour for Wilson as well, as he pitched in only two games before suffering another arm injury requiring Tommy John surgery on April 12th. The surgery was on April 19th, and Wilson remained upbeat in the dugout, supporting his Giants teammates as he was left a spectator for their second World Series Championship in three years. While the list of players to be successful after two Tommy John surgeries is short, Wilson likely hopes he can return to an elite level and help San Francisco defend their title in 2013.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Thursday Night Football Week 11 2012
Thursday Night Football headlines the last of the bye weeks (and therefore the last of my partial-workload weeks as well). Tonight's games is a battle between AFC East... cellar dwellers, as the Buffalo Bills host the Miami Dolphins. Buffalo began with a 79 yard punt return by Leodis McKelvin for a touchdown, and Rian Lindell made the extra point. The Bills added on as Lindell booted a 32 yard field goal. Miami replied on the ensuing kickoff with a 96 yard return for a touchdown by Marcus Thigpen, and Dan Carpenter handled the extra point. Buffalo replied with a 34 yard field goal. The Bills continued in the second quarter as Lindell was true on a 42 yard field goal. Buffalo got some more as Lindell knocked in a 19 yard field goal. The Dolphins pulled back a bit in the fourth quarter as Ryan Tannehill passed 2 yards to Davone Bess for a touchdown, and Carpenter made the PAT. They failed to tie the game, losing 19-14, with both teams now at 4-6.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
KHL November 15th 2012
It was brought to my attention (by myself of all people) that I had the hosting and visiting teams backwards so far in my KHL posts. I apologize for the confusion, and hope that my North American behavior in reading box scores causes no further trouble. Anyway, today's game is actually being played in Novokuznetsk, with Metallurg hosting Amur Khabarovsk. Alexei Murygin for Amur and Alexander Lazushin for Metallurg are the masked men. The scoring didn't start until the third period, when Novokuznetsk led off with a power play goal by Dmitry Kagarlitsky, courtesy of Randy Robitaille. Metallurg extended the lead with a Dmitry Megalinsky power play goal, powered by Kagarlinsky. Novokuznetsk padded the lead as Alexei Yefimov scored, with the help of Alexander Mereskin. Khabarovsk got on the board as Andrei Stepanov scored a power play, assisted by Vladimir Loginov and Alexander Loginov. Amur got closer as Juha-Pekka Hytonen scored an unassisted goal. Metallurg iced the game at 4-2 with an empty net goal by Anton Lazarev, set up by Kagarlitsky. The three stars of the game belong to Kagarlitsky, Lazushin (35 for 37 in saves), and Yefimov.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
How They Got Here: The Story of the 2012 San Francisco Giants Part 18
How They Got Here: The San Francisco Giants is a
one-by-one look at how each member of the 2012 World Series Champion San
Francisco Giants found their way to the squad. We'll look at all of the
players on the roster, as well as notable players who did not make the
postseason roster for whatever reason and the coaching staff and general
manager. Part eighteen is about speedy outfielder Gregor Blanco.
Gregor Blanco was born on December 12, 1983, in Caracas, Venezuela. He attended Ignacio Martin Burk High School in Valera, Venezuela, and was signed by the Atlanta Braves at the age of sixteen on July 4, 2000 after going undrafted. He finished his schooling in Venezuela, and moved along to play with the Class A Macon Braves of Macon, Georgia in 2002. While with Macon in the South Atlantic League, Blanco hit to a .271 batting average, as well as nine triples and forty stolen bases. This early speedster reputation is still with Blanco to this day. He advanced to the Class A Advanced Carolina League in 2003 and 2004, playing both seasons in full with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans in South Carolina. Over the two seasons, he hit to a .269 batting average, while amassing sixteen triples and fifty-nine stolen bases. Throughout his first three years in the minors, he also accumulated twenty home runs and 113 runs batted in. His defense early on was the weakest part of his game, but he looked like a decent prospect in most regards. In 2005, Blanco continued his slow progression through the minors, moving on to the Class AA Mississippi Braves of Jackson, Mississippi. He also played about a half of a season in 2006 here, and over the one and a half season, he hit .265 with fifteen triples and six home runs, as well as forty-six runs batted in and forty-five stolen bases. More importantly, he reduced the number of errors he made while playing all positions in the outfield, primarily center field. For the rest of 2006 and all of 2007, Blanco was assigned to play in the Class AAA International League with the Richmond Braves of Richmond, Virginia. Closing out 2006, he improved his numbers to a .294 batting average, with a triple and fourteen stolen bases, although he failed to hit a home run. The next year, he played the entire season, amassing a .282 batting average with five triples, three home runs, thirty-five runs batted in and twenty-three stolen bases. The performance was enough for Blanco to play the entire season with the Braves in Atlanta in 2008. He made his major league debut on March 30, 2008, and worked primarily as a pinch hitter before taking over the starting job in center field from Jordan Schafer. His role was further solidified after May 26th saw Mark Kotsay get injured. Blanco ended the season hitting .251 with four triples, one home run (his first major league home run was hit on May 27th), thirty-eight runs batted in, and thirteen stolen bases. While he was slowing down on the basepaths, his fielding was greatly improved, and he only made two errors all season, both in left field. He struggled to repeat the modest success he achieved for the 2009 season, being sent down to the new Atlanta Braves Class AAA affiliate, the Gwinnett Braves of Lawrenceville, Georgia. His numbers there for the season were a .228 batting average, one triple, two home runs, thirty runs batted in, and ten stolen bases. In the majors, his statistics were worse, as he posted a miniscule .186 average with one triple, one run batted in, and two stolen bases. He rebounded in 2010, starting the year in Gwinnett and hitting .286 over forty-four games, with one home run, eleven runs batted in, and nine stolen bases, earning a late May call up. He was not sent back down, staying in Atlanta until he was traded with Jesse Chavez and Tim Collins to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for Rick Ankiel and Kyle Farnsworth. for the whole season, he hit to a .283 batting average with four triples, one home run, fourteen runs batted in and eleven stolen bases. Blanco was a disappointment to the Royals, who had him playing with the Class AAA Syracuse Chiefs of Syracuse, New York in the International League for 2011. His numbers suffered here, as he only hit .203 with two triples, three home runs, ten runs batted in, and fifteen stolen bases before being traded to the Washington Nationals on May 8, 2011. He was promptly assigned to Omaha Storm Chasers of Omaha, Nebraska of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League, and he stayed there for the entire season, hitting .196 with just four runs batted in and nine stolen bases in a very limited role. Blanco was a free agent after the season, but the San Francisco Giants signed Blanco to a minor league contract with a spring training invitation on November 19, 2011. Blanco made the team out of spring training, again working in a fourth outfielder role for the first half of the season. On the highlight reel, Blanco's defense came into prominence as he once again robbed Jordan Schafer, now of the Houston Astros, during Matt Cain's perfect game by making a spectacular diving catch on the warning track to preserve the historic bid. Blanco made further headlines when the news of Melky Cabrera's suspension for performance-enhancing drugs came out, and after August 15, 2012, he had the starting left field role. He ended the regular season hitting .244 with five triples and home runs apiece, as well as producing thirty-four runs batted in, and he also saw a speed resurgence with twenty-six stolen bases. He was on the postseason roster, playing in every playoff game for the Giants. He knocked in five runners over the postseason with just three specific hits (two triples and a double), and his postseason highlight would be World Series Game 3 triple that gave the Giants a second inning lead, en route to their sixth straight victory and the eventual title of World Series Champions. As well as that key hit, Blanco also maintained strong defense, a critical component of the Giants' championship character.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Gregor Blanco was born on December 12, 1983, in Caracas, Venezuela. He attended Ignacio Martin Burk High School in Valera, Venezuela, and was signed by the Atlanta Braves at the age of sixteen on July 4, 2000 after going undrafted. He finished his schooling in Venezuela, and moved along to play with the Class A Macon Braves of Macon, Georgia in 2002. While with Macon in the South Atlantic League, Blanco hit to a .271 batting average, as well as nine triples and forty stolen bases. This early speedster reputation is still with Blanco to this day. He advanced to the Class A Advanced Carolina League in 2003 and 2004, playing both seasons in full with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans in South Carolina. Over the two seasons, he hit to a .269 batting average, while amassing sixteen triples and fifty-nine stolen bases. Throughout his first three years in the minors, he also accumulated twenty home runs and 113 runs batted in. His defense early on was the weakest part of his game, but he looked like a decent prospect in most regards. In 2005, Blanco continued his slow progression through the minors, moving on to the Class AA Mississippi Braves of Jackson, Mississippi. He also played about a half of a season in 2006 here, and over the one and a half season, he hit .265 with fifteen triples and six home runs, as well as forty-six runs batted in and forty-five stolen bases. More importantly, he reduced the number of errors he made while playing all positions in the outfield, primarily center field. For the rest of 2006 and all of 2007, Blanco was assigned to play in the Class AAA International League with the Richmond Braves of Richmond, Virginia. Closing out 2006, he improved his numbers to a .294 batting average, with a triple and fourteen stolen bases, although he failed to hit a home run. The next year, he played the entire season, amassing a .282 batting average with five triples, three home runs, thirty-five runs batted in and twenty-three stolen bases. The performance was enough for Blanco to play the entire season with the Braves in Atlanta in 2008. He made his major league debut on March 30, 2008, and worked primarily as a pinch hitter before taking over the starting job in center field from Jordan Schafer. His role was further solidified after May 26th saw Mark Kotsay get injured. Blanco ended the season hitting .251 with four triples, one home run (his first major league home run was hit on May 27th), thirty-eight runs batted in, and thirteen stolen bases. While he was slowing down on the basepaths, his fielding was greatly improved, and he only made two errors all season, both in left field. He struggled to repeat the modest success he achieved for the 2009 season, being sent down to the new Atlanta Braves Class AAA affiliate, the Gwinnett Braves of Lawrenceville, Georgia. His numbers there for the season were a .228 batting average, one triple, two home runs, thirty runs batted in, and ten stolen bases. In the majors, his statistics were worse, as he posted a miniscule .186 average with one triple, one run batted in, and two stolen bases. He rebounded in 2010, starting the year in Gwinnett and hitting .286 over forty-four games, with one home run, eleven runs batted in, and nine stolen bases, earning a late May call up. He was not sent back down, staying in Atlanta until he was traded with Jesse Chavez and Tim Collins to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for Rick Ankiel and Kyle Farnsworth. for the whole season, he hit to a .283 batting average with four triples, one home run, fourteen runs batted in and eleven stolen bases. Blanco was a disappointment to the Royals, who had him playing with the Class AAA Syracuse Chiefs of Syracuse, New York in the International League for 2011. His numbers suffered here, as he only hit .203 with two triples, three home runs, ten runs batted in, and fifteen stolen bases before being traded to the Washington Nationals on May 8, 2011. He was promptly assigned to Omaha Storm Chasers of Omaha, Nebraska of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League, and he stayed there for the entire season, hitting .196 with just four runs batted in and nine stolen bases in a very limited role. Blanco was a free agent after the season, but the San Francisco Giants signed Blanco to a minor league contract with a spring training invitation on November 19, 2011. Blanco made the team out of spring training, again working in a fourth outfielder role for the first half of the season. On the highlight reel, Blanco's defense came into prominence as he once again robbed Jordan Schafer, now of the Houston Astros, during Matt Cain's perfect game by making a spectacular diving catch on the warning track to preserve the historic bid. Blanco made further headlines when the news of Melky Cabrera's suspension for performance-enhancing drugs came out, and after August 15, 2012, he had the starting left field role. He ended the regular season hitting .244 with five triples and home runs apiece, as well as producing thirty-four runs batted in, and he also saw a speed resurgence with twenty-six stolen bases. He was on the postseason roster, playing in every playoff game for the Giants. He knocked in five runners over the postseason with just three specific hits (two triples and a double), and his postseason highlight would be World Series Game 3 triple that gave the Giants a second inning lead, en route to their sixth straight victory and the eventual title of World Series Champions. As well as that key hit, Blanco also maintained strong defense, a critical component of the Giants' championship character.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Subscribe to:
Posts
(
Atom
)