By Troy Juhn
The Utica Blue Sox sit at 18-15-1 after another week with a 4-2 record. The Blue Sox started strong with three straight wins over Boonville twice and Watertown. Boonville got revenge, winning the next two meetings on Thursday and Saturday, sandwiched between a Utica 2-1 win over Oneonta on friday.
The Blue Sox starting pitching staff has been on fire this entire month and continued this trend over the last 6 games. 29.2 IP total from starting pitching with only 12 earned runs allowed comes out to a 3.64 ERA. In 56.1 IP from the starters this entire month, they’ve only allowed 21 earned runs to the point of a 3.36 ERA. The Bullpen, which has struggled and cost the Sox some games this year, came up clutch on Friday, allowing 0 runs. But they struggled on Thursday, allowing 5 runs after starter Ryan King went 5 shutout innings. Overall, the Sox pen allowed 10 earned runs in 21.1 innings pitched to a 4.22 ERA, much better compared to an over 6 ERA the previous week.
Once again, the Offense was a strength, especially in the first two games, where Utica scored a total of 29 runs. But in the next four games, the Blue Sox averaged only 3 runs per game, despite winning 2 of those games. Only 3 Utica qualified hitters hit above the league average over the past week, but the team did draw 31 total walks to just 37 strikeouts. Kevin Denty continues to be one of the more well rounded hitters in the Sox lineup, hitting to a .313 AVG and getting on base at a .455 clip with a home run and 4 runs batted in. He was the most consistent bat all week and should continue this trend throughout the end of the season.
Utica was scheduled to play the Amsterdam Mohawks tonight, but the game has been postponed due to expected thunderstorms. The Blue Sox travel on the road tomorrow to take on the Oneonta Outlaws for the second time this season as the start of a three game road trip this week. The Blue Sox travel back up to Boonville on Wednesday before an off day Thursday. Utica will match up against Mohawk Valley on Friday before finally returning home on Saturday to play the DiamondDawgs once again. Be sure to get your tickets for Saturdays game at uticabluesox.net