Article on the Mustangs and other news and notes

Ponies pitching leads way while home runs increase

By MIKE SCHERTING
Of The Gazette Staff

As the Billings Mustangs were closing in on their first-half title in the Pioneer League's North Division, pitching coach Doug Bair was asked about his pitching staff, which was leading the league in earned run average at the time.

"Quite frankly, I have really not looked at a stat sheet in a concentrated effort to see how we stand," Bair responded at the time. "It's not that I don't care, it's just that I haven't done it. Obviously, we've won a lot of ball games, so we're doing something right.

"Whatever happens, happens and I'll try my very best to be the teacher who gets them to pitch at their very best ability. If we don't have very many walks, if we have the lowest ERA in the league, if we have more wins, more saves, etc., etc., then obviously that's not only going to make the team better, but individual players better. Hopefully, I've done my job."

Bair apparently is doing his job, whether he checks the stat sheet or not. Nearly three weeks later, as the Mustangs begin a seven-game homestand with a game tonight against the Orem Owlz, Bair's staff still tops the charts.

Entering Tuesday's games, the Mustangs' ERA was a league-best 3.67. Anytime a team's ERA is under 4.00 in the Pioneer League, things are going well. Last year, Orem led the league with a 4.16 ERA.

"We do preach pitching ahead (in the count), like any organization," Bair said. "That's the method of success, is just throwing strikes early in the count and getting the hitters to hit your pitch or swing at the pitch that you want them to hit. Obviously, that doesn't happen all the time, you don't expect that to happen all the time. Nobody's perfect. But we're going to strive for perfection, cut our walks down, get ahead of hitters and see what happens after that."

Bair is in his first season as a professional coach. After a major league career that saw him go 55-43 with 81 saves and a 3.63 ERA, he worked with high school teams and at the college level before joining the Cincinnati Reds organization this season. So far, he's having a great time.

"I love it," said Bair, who's playing career included stints with seven teams - including the Reds - and ended in 1990. "I'm really enjoying myself and enjoying the game."

Mustangs on home run tear for last month

Remember when we used this very space to point out the Mustangs' lack of home runs?

Well, that's all changed. As of July 17, the Mustangs had hit just eight home runs and ranked dead last in the eight-team league. Going into Tuesday night's game, the team had 38 home runs, which put them right in the middle of the pack.

Over the course of their last 27 games, the Mustangs have pounded 28 homers. That's quite a pace.

The team's longest drought since the barrage started with a two-homer game on July 18 has been four games. Conversely, the longest homer streak came from Aug. 6 through Aug. 11 when the team hit eight home runs over the span of six consecutive games.

Justin Turner hit three home runs in 32 at-bats last week and was named the Pioneer League player of the week.

Chris Valaika is the team's leader with eight home runs.

The article was written by Mike Scherting of the Billings Gazette

John Fay wrote this in his Reds Notebook for today

HOMER UPDATE: As well as Homer Bailey has pitched, there's a possibility his season will be coming to an end shortly.

He has thrown 123 innings this year. That's near the limit the Reds want for a 20-year-old.

"We're cognizant of it," general manager Wayne Krivsky said. "You've got to be careful about it. What you always want is 30 innings more than the year before."

Bailey threw 1032/3 innings at Single-A Dayton last year.

SEPTEMBER CALL-UPS: Krivsky hasn't decided how many players will be called up when rosters expand Sept. 1.

"When you're in the race, you bring up more," he said. "You never know when a pinch runner could help you win a game. I can tell you cost won't be a factor."

The Reds will get an influx of arms around Sept. 1 as players come off the disabled list. Right-handers Gary Majewski, Jason Standridge and Matt Belisle all should be ready by then.

Outfielder Chris Denorfia is pretty much assured of a call-up.

Other players on the 40-man roster who would be candidates: infielders Ray Olmedo and Joey Votto, outfielder Brandon Watson, left-handers Michael Gosling and Phil Dumatrait and right-handers Ramirez and Mike Burns.

FARM REPORT: Billings shortstop Chris Valaika extended his hitting streak to 22 games in the Mustangs' 6-4 win at Helena Monday. Valaika, a third-round draft choice this year, was hitting .363 with four home runs and 31 RBI during the streak.

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