I’ve finally seen all eight Atlantic League teams after watching tonight’s game between Long Island and Newark. And it sure seems like seven of them are better than the Newark Bears.

Sean Tracey

Newly-signed Newark pitcher Sean Tracey had a nightmare of a debut. He faced seven batters, walked five, hit one and threw two wild pitches. The only out he recorded was a strikeout — Long Island first baseman Victor Rodriguez was over-eager and swung at pitches well out of the strike zone. Tim Raines brought Matt Melody back on two days’ rest to relieve Tracey, but Melody didn’t fare any better than he did in Camden.

The Bears surrendered eight runs on two hits before they even got to bat. Long Island outfielder Johnny Hernandez hit a two-run homer to add to the Ducks’ lead in the second inning.

Jacque Jones

Charlton Jimerson and Jacque Jones hit solo home runs off of Long Island starter Julio Manon, but they couldn’t mount any kind of sustained rally. Manon loaded the bases in the fifth inning on a pair of walks and a hit batsman, but Newark first baseman Brandon Buckman flew out to center to end the threat. It turned out to be the Bears’ last chance to really get back into the game.

Julio Manon

The bullpens kept the score at 10-2 until the ninth inning. Catcher Alberto Castillo, who was traded to Long Island this morning in exchange for future considerations, hit a solo home run against his former team. The Bears mounted a small rally in the ninth inning, scoring three runs off of newly acquired Long Island Duck Franklin Perez. Robert Paulk came on to strike out Bears shortstop Victor Mercedes to end the game.

Lew Ford

The bad baseball really wasn’t the big news of the evening, nor were the multiple player moves. Starting Friday, the Bears are changing their game times. Weeknight games are being pushed back an hour, from 6:05 to 7:05 starts. Saturday games are switching from 4:05 to 7:05, and Sunday games will move from 4:05 to 1:05 starts. My friend Bart was one of a number of irate fans, because the new start times don’t really fit his work schedule. I don’t understand how you can change start times like this after the season starts & you’ve been selling tickets based on the old start times, but the Newark Bears seem to find new ways to amaze me every week. At least the new start times should make it easier for me to get autographs.

Preston Wilson draws a walk

I was able to get to the park tonight and get a few autographs anyway tonight. Preston Wilson couldn’t have been nicer. He signed multiple cards for everyone who asked him and seemed very friendly.

During the game, the Bears have staff members throw old promotional items up into the stands. Wilson was walking back from the clubhouse when this was going on, so the Bears’ staffer offered him a “Lets Go Bears” sign. He took it and asked, “I can’t be a Bears fan?” Then he mugged a little and stuck it in his back pocket, “I have to go back in [the dugout] with those guys, so maybe I better hide this,” he said. It was a fun moment that helped make an otherwise dull game move a little more quickly.

Gary Carter and Lew Ford were also very friendly. I did not ask Carter to sign anything, but my friends all got autographs and we got to speak with him for a few moments. Next time the Ducks come in, I’ll get a copy of the photo of Carter from the Shea Goodbye ceremony and make a donation to the Gary Carter foundation to get it signed.

Both teams made a flurry of roster moves today. The Bears traded catcher Alberto Castillo to the Ducks for future considerations. Castillo cleaned out his locker and gave one of his old gloves to my friend Greg. Newark signed infielder Victor Mercedes, who last played for Chatanooga. At some point, they activated pitcher Sean Tracey, who last pitched for Norfolk. I think Tracey was signed at the same time Ramiro Mendoza was, but the move just wasn’t reported.

Newark GM Mark Skeels is still looking to upgrade his pitching staff, but things don’t look so good right now.

The Ducks placed catcher Robert Sandora on the inactive list; Carter said that he was injured and would be out for a while. They also acquired pitcher Franklin Perez from the Bridgeport Bluefish to complete an earlier trade involving Ron Davenport. To create a roster spot, the Ducks released pitcher Mike Hrynio.

Lines of the night

Dave LaPoint: “Did somebody get stuck in the turnstiles?” (a reaction to the tiny crowd at the ballpark tonight)

Tim Raines: “I wanted [Sean Tracey] to show me something, but I didn’t need to see that!”  (said while taking his spot in the third base coaching box before the bottom of the first inning)