New 1BJW Fisher Cats Exclusives

Below, you will find video footage of Double A New Hampshire Fisher Cats pitchers BJ LaMura and Joel Carreno warming up prior to their recent starts in Trenton against the Yankees affiliate Thunder.

LaMura is a 30-year-old minor league veteran who was originally drafted in the 5th round by the Chicago White Sox in 2002. Previously with the Dodgers, LaMura joined the Blue Jays organization last season. LaMura's fastball was clocked at 91 MPH throughout his start in Trenton.

Carreno, a 24-year-old Dominican Republic native, is on the Toronto 40-man Major League roster. In his 5th pro season, Carreno is off to a slow start this year with the Fisher Cats, having posted a 0-3 record with a 6.56 ERA in 4 games. In his outing in Trenton, Carreno regularly hit 91-92 MPH with his fastball.




As a bonus, here's my exclusive interview with New Hampshire manager and former big league catcher Sal Fasano, that was featured today on my other internet homes, PhoulBallz.com and PhilliesNation.com.



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Fisher Cats Fall Again in Trenton

With a packed house on fireworks night at Trenton's Waterfront Park, the Double A New Hampshire Fisher Cats dropped their third straight game, as the division rival Thunder (Yankees affiliate) took down the club from New Hampshire by a score of 4-1.

Right-handed Fisher Cats starter Joel Carreno, a 24-year-old from the Dominican Republic, surrendered 4 earned runs over 6 2/3 innings and took the loss.

The Thunder got the scoring started in the 2nd inning, when Bradley Suttle led off with a single, advanced to second base on a wild pitch then came around to score on a Corban Joseph single.

New Hampshire tied things up in the 4th inning when Thunder starter Manny Banuelos uncorked a wild pitch that allowed center fielder Anthony Gose to score.

Suttle, Trenton's third baseman, grabbed the lead back quickly in the bottom of the frame when he drove a ball to deep right field, out of the park and into the Delaware River to put the Thunder up by a score of 2-1.

Trenton wrapped up the scoring in the 5th inning when 9 hole hitter Addison Maruszak mashed a two-run homerun to deep left field.

Lefty Kei Igawa, who came on in relief of Thunder starter Manny Banuelos earned the win. The Fisher Cats now have a record of 11-9, while the Thunder improves to 10-12. The two teams go back at it on Sunday in the series finale when Cats right-hander Zach Stewart takes on Thunder lefty Shaeffer Hall.

Gose, the New Hampshire center fielder, had 3 of the team's 5 hits in the loss. He also stole 2 bases for the losing squad. Listen to exclusive postgame audio from Gose in the media player below.



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Fisher Cats Drop Series Opener, LaMura Interview

In the series opener in Trenton on Friday night, the Fisher Cats fell to their Eastern Division rivals, the Yankees affiliate Thunder.

Righty starter BJ LaMura took the loss for New Hampshire, going 5 innings and allowing 3 runs (2 earned) while striking out 6 and walking 2 batters.

Trenton seemed to be primed to really blow out the Cats early, when they sent 8 batters to the plate in the first inning. A lead-off walk to left fielder Austin Krum to start the game and a double by catcher Austin Romine set up an RBI single for Corban Joseph, Trenton's second baseman. A bases loaded walk to shortstop Jose Pirela gave Trenton a 2-0 lead.

LaMura settled down in the 2nd, putting up a 1-2-3 inning. In the 3rd, Romine scored on a Joseph sacrifice fly after an error by NH third baseman Mark Sobolewski put Romine in position to do so. Trenton went up 3-0 at that point and it was all they would need.

Second baseman Craig Stansberry drove in two runs for the Fisher Cats, including one on a solo homer, a shot to deep left field that exited Waterfront Park.

Right-hander Clint Everts struggled in 1 1/3 innings of relief, allowing 3 earned runs in the bottom of the 7th inning.

The final score on Friday saw Trenton defeat New Hampshire by a 6-2 margin.

The 30-year-old LaMura spoke with 1BlueJaysWay.com's Jay Floyd after the game. Check out the media player below to listen to that interview.



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Interview with Gustavo Pierre

Our boy Jesse is back at it with another interview from chilly Lansing. This time around it's with SS Gustavo Pierre. For some more detailed info on Gustavo head over to the team at Jays Journal. They got you covered.

What we can add is that this player works his tail off. He is the quintessential definition of a raw player, both with the stick and the glove. His error total in a full season of Minor League ball might reach eye popping totals but we are completely confident if he keeps working hard the skills are there to one day play in the Big Leagues.

Jesse offers some additional insight and an encouraging comp:

He’s tall, but an Edgar Renteria type with great range. The stick is like his glove – it shows great potential but has a ways to go. Looks like he could be good for 15-20 homers in the Majors.

In the interview Gustavo talks about being signed as a 16 year old out of the Dominican and mentions that the Rangers and Phillies were in on him prior to deciding to sign with the Blue Jays. He also mentions that playing baseball in the cold sucks.

Check it:

Curveball, bats are afraid

After some careful consideration and healthy debate it has been decided that Travis Snider is in fact Pedro Cerrano.