Offense! . . .And Defense!

In the three games I saw this week leading up to tonight, I saw the Redhawks score in only three innings. In game 1 of the May 3oth double header, the Hawks won 1-0. In the second game, they, again, could only manage one run. But they gave up two runs in the seventh inning (of a seven inning game - double header games are shortened in AAA) to lose 2-1, and the Hawks one run came in an inning in which the Hawks did not get a hit. On May 31, they managed three runs (one in the fifth, two in the sixth), and on June first, the Hawks scored two runs in the seventh. On June 2, things looked like they were off to a good start when the Hawks scored four runs in the first inning, three on a home run by Emerson Frostad. But that would be the last inning in which they would score and they would ultimately lose 8-4.

So, in five games, the Redhawks scored in only six innings. Just as the Redhawks had begun to clean up their defense, it seemed that they had totally forgotten how to score runs. Then yesterday, the Hawks put on a slug fest (while I was passing out fliers for a church event) and won 10-4.

And that brings us to today. Tonight's game might be the best that they have played so far this year. The Hawks defense continues to improve. Esteban German, especially, flashed some leather tonight, stealing a bloop base hit with a Willy Mays catch in short right from Greene in the first at bat of the game. He dove for catches and turned double plays all night. The Redhawks are improving all around defensively, turning a couple double plays on an error-less night.

More impressively, they are finally beginning to scatter hits. Redhawks hitters hit safely in six of the eight innings in which they came to bat tonight. Frostad went three for three with two RBIs and scored a run. Three of their ten hits were for extra bases. The Hawks are learning to play pepper, stringing together hits (the four runs in the fourth came on four straight hits - three of them singles).

. . . . . . . . .

I read something in the game notes that puts this all in perspective. This season, the Redhawks have had eleven players make their AAA debut. This is a completely different type of team than the team that won the division last year. That team played most of the season with Nelson Cruz, Marlon Byrd, Jerrod Saltalamacchia, Taylor Teagarden, Chris Davis, and Brandon Boggs - all of which are now playing with the Rangers who sit in first place in the AL West. Last year's team was a team full of players who were ready for the big show. This year's team, on the other hand, is a team of young prospects who still need a good deal of developing. So this will be a year, not to count wins and think of the playoffs, but to watch a team of young players grow. This will be a year to watch Bobby Jones coach, and watch players as they learn to play solid and consistent defense, and as they learn to hit when the hits count.

So buckle up and enjoy the ride.