It?s been a rollercoaster ride lately for Aberdeen.
The IronBirds, 19-13, have fallen a half-game out of first place behind Staten Island in the New York-Penn League?s McNamara Division after a week that included a three-game losing streak, a three-game winning streak and a two-game skid at home to the Tri-City ValleyCats.
Consistency at the plate has been one of manager Andy Etchebarren?s biggest concerns, as Aberdeen ? in the eight games before Monday?s off-day ? has been outscored, 39-26.
That 13-run difference is a result of the team?s season-long struggle to take advantage of runners on base. In those eight games, Aberdeen stranded 53 runners, 27 of whom were in scoring position.
First baseman Chris Vinyard has cooled off from his early-season hot streak, but still leads the team in batting average (.319) and RBI (23).
Catcher Brandon Snyder, after struggling in Delmarva and getting off to a slow start in Aberdeen, is second on the team in hitting with a .277 average.
Versatile infielder Miguel Abreu is right behind him at .275.
The IronBirds, however, are batting just .225 as a team, putting them ninth in the 14-team league.
Aberdeen?s strength has been on the mound.
The IronBirds? 2.77 ERA is second in the league behind Batavia. Aberdeen leads the league in strikeouts with 302, including 37 from Kyle Schmidt, who was promoted to Delmarva July 15.
Right-handers Josh Tamba and Jeff Moore each have 4-0 records for the IronBirds.
Tamba sports a 2.08 ERA through 30.1 innings, and Moore has a 0.48 ERA and 27 strikeouts through 37.2innings.
BY THE NUMBERS
» Left-handed pitchers Chad Thall and Nathan Nery each have three wins for the IronBirds.
» With the promotion of Schmidt, left-hander Wilfredo Perez leads the team with 28 strikeouts.
» Infielder Rob Marconi was released on Friday. Marconi had a 13-game hitting streak in 2005 but this season has batted .182.
