The Lynx began week ten of the 2007 season by doing something which had eluded them for three games-they defeated the Durham Bulls. The first three games of this series had resulted in losses to the Bulls as Ottawa couldn’t get much going, couldn’t get or prevent the big play, (see Lynx report week nine). The final game of this home stand saw the Lynx finally put one in the win column, this time in a rain shortened six innings, 3-2. Jason Jaramillo continued to slowly drag himself out of his long hitting slump, driving in two runs in the fifth inning with a triple and giving Ottawa the lead for good. Charles Weatherby III, (1-0), and just transferred from Single A, allowed four hits and two runs in five innings in his Triple A debut. Joe Ennis , although allowing a hit and a walk, picked up his first save of the season in support of Weatherby, shutting out Durham in the sixth. Ottawa finished up the home stand 2-5, their home record dropping to 15-14.

Pawtucket was the next opponent for Ottawa, a quick four game trip before returning home for eight games. Lefthander Jon Lester, (1-2), would face Ottawa for the second time this season after allowing only one hit in four innings earlier in the season in Ottawa. This time Ottawa were able to get something going against Lester, scoring three runs on five hits and three walks in only 2.2 innings. Lynx starter Bubba Nelson, (1-1), went five innings and gave up only an unearned run in the Lynx 6-2 victory. Danny Sandoval went 3-5 and drove in three of the Ottawa runs, driving in one in the second inning and two in the third to give the Lynx an early lead. Three Ottawa relievers held Pawtucket to only one run the final four innings for the Lynx second win in a row.

Pawtucket took game two of this series, scoring five runs in the third inning, winning the game 6-3, all coming against Lynx starter Eude Brito, (1-3), three the result of a home run by PawSox outfielder Brandon Moss, his twelfth. Danny Sandoval rapped out three hits for the second night in a row, including a two run home run, but the Ottawa offense was held to only two runs over six innings by Pawtucket starter Kason Gabbard, (6-2).

Pawtucket took the third game of this series 6-5 with a dramatic, come from behind walk off one out three run home run in the ninth by outfielder George Kattaras. Ottawa reliever Brian Sanches, (1-2), entered the game in the ninth and gave up a lead off double to Brandon Moss. After retiring the next batter, Sanches walked Bobby Scales setting the stage for the Kattaras game winning home run. Joe Durbin was solid for Ottawa, pitching 6.1 innings allowing five hits, two runs and striking out seven. In getting the loss, Sanches was charged with only his first blown save of the season but saw his ERA climb to 5.59. Jason Jaramillo hit his fourth home run, (two RBI), and Dusty Wathan went 3-4 with a pair of runs driven in. Ottawa pitching have been bitten by the long ball over the last few games and this failure to keep the ball in the park has hurt them as the offense has been unable, for the most part, to reply in kind. This loss dropped the Lynx into last place in the Northern Division, one half game behind Pawtucket.

Ottawa went down to defeat once again to Pawtucket on Tuesday night, (June 12), this time by a score of 8-2. Zach Segovia, (1-8), had another ineffective start and is now winless since May 6 and has lost four games in a row. He lasted only five innings and gave up seven runs putting the Lynx well behind early in the game once again. This outing brought his ERA up to 5.45 and his WHIP is an even uglier 1.57. Segovia surrendered his seventh home run of the season, this one to Jeff Bailey, a two run shot. Although Ottawa managed eleven hits, they were able to score only single runs in the sixth and eighth innings as Pawtucket starter Devern Hansack, (2-6), went 7.1 innings to pick up the win. Jason Jaramillo continued his red hot hitting in June, going 3-4 with an RBI double. The loss dropped Ottawa, (27-34) deeper into last place, 1.5 games behind Pawtucket for fifth spot and 6.5 back of first place Buffalo.

After an off day June 13, the Lynx returned home for an eight game home stand with four each against Columbus and Toledo. Columbus outfielder Brandon Watson was chasing history as he came to town with a thirty nine game hit streak, a Columbus record and only three shy of the IL record of forty two set by Jack Lelivelt in 1912. Watson has been hitting .350 during his streak for the last place Western division Clippers. Thursday saw the return of lefty starter J.A. Happ, (1-2), activated from the disabled list after a two week absence. Ottawa lost this one 3-2 in a game which featured the continuation of Brandon Watson’s hitting streak, (now at 40 games-3-5), and the first home run of the season for Lynx first baseman Gary Burnham. Happ looked sharp for the first two innings despite giving up three hits and walking one as his four strikeouts kept Columbus off the scoreboard. In the third, he seemed to tire, his pitching becoming much more deliberate, and gave up three hits, two walks and two runs. Manager John Russell summoned Charles Weatherby to begin the fourth inning. Joe Ennis, (3-1), suffered his first loss of the season, pitching 1.1 innings, giving up three hits and one run.

“I would have liked to have gotten more out of Happ but he’s just coming off the DL and I didn’t want to go too far with him tonight,” explained Russell.

Ottawa scored one in the second and one in the fifth but couldn’t score after that as Columbus used four relievers to shut them down. Pedro Swann had another productive night, going 2-2 with a pair of walks and scoring a run. The Lynx scored only two runs despite getting ten hits and five walks. The reason-Ottawa left thirteen runners on base.

“We left thirteen runners on base, still the same thing,” explained Russell. “The pitching staff kept us in the game but we have to start stepping it up on offense.”

The Lynx are now 27-35, four losses in a row and sitting in last place, 6.5 games behind Buffalo. Their home record is now 15-15.

Lynx Notes: Pitcher Joe Bisenius was placed on the DL June 9 with a shoulder injury. Left handed reliever Matt Smith was also placed on the DL with a sore elbow, June 12.

Jim Rushford has an average of .409 over his last six games. Jason Jaramillo has hit .363 over the same period with six RBI. Chris Roberson has scored four runs.