April 2006 Highlights

Highlights of April 2006

Mark Sweeney (LOU) and Tino Martinez (STL) are the surprise one two in batting after the opening month, at .424 and .421 respectively. Derek Jeter (POR) of the 2005 NABL champion Portland Posse, was only a point behind at .420. Tony Clark (BAL) hit a NABL leading 11 homeruns and drove in a league third best 23 runs. Russell Branyon (BOS), Jim Edmonds (PIK), and Richie Sexson (MIL) were doing their part for the pitcher, striking out a league leading 25 times a piece.

Speaking of the pitchers, Mark Mulder (SJ) led all pitchers with 4 wins during April. Aaron Heilman (KC) led the NABL in ERA with a sparkling 0.64 over his four April starts. His 25 strikeouts, was good for fifth place, four off of the pace set by Ben Sheets (CAL). Jeff Harris (ANA) was the surprising runner up in ERA, posting a microscopic 1.06 during April. Steve Trachsel (STL) turned a third best 1.62 ERA into a 3-0 April start.

There were no grand slams, or three run homers during the month, and only five two run
home runs otherwise. Strange.

The longest hitting streak of the month was shared by Jason Lane (ANA), Emil Brown (STL), and Coco Crisp (KC), with 14. Crisp’s streak was still active at the end of the month.

Scott Posednik (NY) stole a base in 4 consecutive games, from April 25 – April 28.

Bobby Abreu (WAS), Jhonny Peralta (PHI), Jason Kendall (ORL), and Miguel Cabrera (BOS) all had 4 game winning RBIs, tied for the lead in the category.

No players hit for they cycle.

Games of Note

Tim Wakefield (CHI) took a no-hitter into the eighth against the Baltimore Bayards, only to have the no-hitter broken up by a home run by Cliff Floyd, that led to a come from behind 3-2 win for the Bayards, on April 28, at Camden Yards.

John Lackey (KC) struck out 14 Milwaukee Mustangs on April 17, at Shea Stadium, the home of the Mustangs, in 8 innings. However, the Mustangs had the last laugh, winning in the bottom of the 13^th on a bases loaded walk to Jose Vidro (MIL) by Derrick Turnbow (KC).

Jeremy Bonderman (BAL) threw 140 pitches over 9 scoreless innings against the Minnesota Storm, on April 24, at Minute Maid Park, the home of the Storm. Her struck out 7, and walked 5, on way to his first victory of the season.

Jason Repko (CLE) stole home in a losing effort to the Boston Braves on April 23, at Dolphins Stadium, home of the Bulldogs.

Standings

The Anaheim Dukes lead the American League with a 12-5 record, and lead the AL West by 2 games over the San Diego Blaze. The KC Monarchs (12-7) and NY Knights (11-8) lead the AL Central, and AL East, by 2 and 1 games respectively.

The St. Louis Ten lead the National League with a 14-5 record, and lead the NL Central by 5 over the Minnesota Storm. The Orlando Renegades (13-6) lead the NL East by 4, while the defending champion Portland Posse shares the NL West lead with the Arizona Stingers, with records of 10-7.