In 2005, no pitching combo was as unassuming, yet totally important, for the Vancouver Canadians
as Joe Newby (left) and Joe Piekarz. The combo known as the ‘Steaming
Cup of Joe’, as we like to call it at Notes From The Nat, was not
expected to do much of anything in its debut season, based purely on
the fact that neither pitcher was drafted in the first 50 rounds.

But Oakland has a knack for spotting peanuts in the poop left over once
the other teams have moved on, and Piekarz and Newby turned out to be a
couple of cashews of the highest order.

Sure, there were games that Newby got smoked. Yeah, there were times
that Piekarz looked shaky. But when the bonus babies got kicked
upstairs, or blew shoulders, or just plain old blew chunks, it was
Newby and the Pike that were entrusted to steer the ship to a playoff
birth. And that they did.

Despite the fact that the Steaming Cup of Joe did a great job for
Vancouver last year, the fact remains that when the big team has
nothing invested in you, there’s always going to be talk that you’ll be
among the first cuts made the following season - especially if your
blow a lead or two - so the pressure is right on Piekarz and Newby, and
will pretty much remain on them for the duration of their minor league
careers. Throw hard and true, and there’ll be a spot. But get roughed
up one too many times, and the door will swing closed faster than you
can say "Shawn Martinez."

So today, in the second rubber of the Kane County Cougars double-header
against the Clinton Lumberkings, all eyes were on Joe Piekarz as he was
sent out to start, and the Piker did not disappoint, throwing four
innings of 3-hit, 1-run ball to help the Cougs to a handy 5-1 lead.
That allowed Newby to tag in for the 5th and 6th, which he cruised
through, not surrendering a hit and K’ing one batter.

Piekarz is 2-1 with a 3.12 ERA so far this season, while Newby opens his account with a 1-0, 0.00 line.

Newby has been lighting it up in spring training, having added a few
mph to his fastball, and is confident he’ll have a huge season, but he
had to negotiate a minor injury first. With that now out of the way, he
could be one of those guys, like Dallas Braden a season earlier, who
could come out of nowhere to make a career for himself this season.
Watch this space.