Friday, July 31, 2009

Desmond Jennings Promoted To Durham

Stacy Long has it:
Biscuits center fielder Desmond Jennings was promoted to Triple-A Durham after tonight's game.

Jennings was Montgomery's brightest star this season and one of the Southern League's top players. He had a .316 average (third in the league entering Friday), 37 stolen bases (first) and 69 runs scored (second). Jennings also ranked among the league leaders with a .395 on-base percentage and 41 extra-base hits.

Definitely deserved it.

Charlotte Stone Crabs snap skid with 8-3 win over Daytona Cubs

Charlotte Stone CrabsThe Game: The Charlotte Stone Crabs snapped their five game losing streak with a big win over the Daytona Cubs by the score of 8-3 on Friday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. The Stone Crabs struck first blood by picking up two runs in the first inning. Shawn O’Malley was hit by a pitch to start the inning. John Matulia followed with a single to left field. Ryan Royster drove them both home with a double to left that put the Stone Crabs ahead 2-0.

Charlotte added two more runs to their lead in the third inning. John Matulia led off the inning with a double, his sixteenth two bagger of the year. Matulia then stole third while Drew Anderson followed with a walk to give the Stone Crabs runners on the corners. Reid Fronk singled on a bunt to score Matulia and Ryan Royster drove home Anderson to put the Stone Crabs up by 4.

The Stone Crabs added another run in the sixth inning. Omar Luna got it going with a single to center and then advanced to second on a ground ball by Matt Hall. Shawn O’Malley was then hit by a pitch for the second time on the night to load the bases. John Matulia hit a ground ball to first, but Luna was out at the plate. Drew Anderson followed with a single to right to score Hall. The Stone Crabs stranded the remaining runners but still held an 5-0 lead.

The Cubs broke up the shutout in the bottom half of the sixth inning thanks to back to back doubles. Robinson Chirinos got it started with a double to right field. Marwin Gonzalez followed with an RBI double to left to put the Cubs on the scoreboard. The Stone Crabs answered back by posting a run of their own on a solo home run by Michael McCormick, the Stone Crabs led 6-1.

Both clubs exchanged run in the ninth inning as each team added two runs to their totals. The Stone Crabs started off with a walk issued to Shawn Williams. Followed by back to back doubles, first by Michael McCormick and then an RBI double by Omar Luna to score Williams. Shawn O’Malley plated the second run of the inning on a single that scored McCormick and increased the Stone Crabs lead to 8-1.

Daytona matched with two runs of their own in the bottom of the ninth. Their inning also began with a walk, this time it was Robinson Chirinos getting the free pass. Marwin Gonzalez singled to right and then Jake Opitz singled to load the bases. John Contreras followed with a single to score Chirinos and leave the bases loaded with no outs. Then Tommy Rafferty walked across the second run of the inning by walking Jonathan Wyatt with the bases loaded to score Gonzalez. The Stone Crabs made a call to the bullpen and Justin Garcia came on and retired the next three consecutive batters nail down the 8-3 win.

Darin Downs picked up his twelfth win of the season by pitching 6 innings and allowing 1 run on 5 hits while striking out 6 and walking 1. Tommy Rafferty pitched 2 innings and allowed 2 runs on 5 hits while striking out 1 and walking 2. Justin Garcia earned the save, pitching a no hit ninth inning with a strike out. Ryan Searle was the losing pitcher for Daytona.

What Went Right: Michael McCormick; 2 for 5 with a double, home run, an RBI and 2 runs scored.

What Went Wrong: Tommy Rafferty; gave up 2 runs on 5 hits while only facing 11 hitters.

A Look Ahead: The Stone Crabs and Cubs play game three of the series on Saturday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. David Newmann (5-6) and Rafael Dolis (2-5) are the scheduled starters.

Durham Bulls Beat Scranton 3-1

Durham Bulls[Via email from the Durham Bulls' broadcaster Neil Solondz.]

Jason Childers nailed down his fifth save in as many outings, as the Bulls won three of four at defending IL Champion Scranton, taking a 3-1 decision on Friday night.

Childers entered the game in the eighth with the bases full and one out, and got Juan Miranda (15 HR 59 RBI) to pop out, and then Yurendell DeCaster, who had hit in 14 straight games, grounded into a fielder's choice.

Childers then allowed singles to the first two hitters in the ninth, but struck out Eric Duncan. Ray Sadler then made a diving grab on Doug Bernier's soft line drive to shallow center, and Ramiro Pena bounced to second to end the game.

That made a winner out of Carlos Hernandez (7-6), who allowed just a run on two hits over five innings.

Durham scored single tallies in the fourth, fifth and sixth. Rhyne Hughes drove in the tying run with a two-out single in the fourth. Matt Joyce's fifth inning groundout gave Durham the lead, and Ray Olmedo's single in the sixth added insurance.

Hughes, Olmedo and Elliot Johnson each had two hits. Durham is 61-46, and heads home in first place in the South Division after playing 15 of its last 20 on the road.

Durham hosts Indianapolis on Saturday, the first of eight straight at home. LHP Jason Cromer starts against RHP Jose Ascanio, just acquired from the Cubs at the deadline. Coverage on 99.9 the Fan ESPN Radio begins at 6:45 with first pitch at 7:05. Tickets are available at www.durhambulls.com.

GCL Rays 0, GCL Orioles 13

Rather than give you the full blow-by-blow, let's just take a look at the pitching, which gave up 13 runs on 18 hits:

Pitcher              IP   H  R  ER  BB  SO  HR    ERA 
Townsend, Wade 0.1 3 4 4 3 0 1 13.50
Mercedes, Aneuris 1.2 2 2 1 0 2 0 3.65
Romero, Enny 4.0 3 1 1 2 0 0 4.91
Bellatti, Andrew 3.0 10 6 6 0 0 1 5.52
Loss: Townsend, 0-1.
WP: Townsend.
HBP: Bellatti.
Groundouts-flyouts: Townsend 1-0, Mercedes 3-1, Romero 6-5, Bellatti 5-4.
Batters faced: Townsend 7, Mercedes 8, Romero 16, Bellatti 20.
Inherited runners-scored: Mercedes 2-0.

Princeton Rays Postponed... Again

Princeton RaysToday's game between the Princeton Rays and the Pulaski Mariners at Princeton's Hunnicutt Field has been postponed due to wet grounds.

The game will be made up as part of a 6:00 p.m. doubleheader in Pulaski on Saturday, August 1st, since the Mariners will not visit Princeton again this season.

Game Slideshow Links

For those of you who enjoy the game pictures that Jim and Nick post, we've added links to all of the past slideshows on the sidebar. It's in the section titled 'Game Photographs', just below the DSL Rays section. We will add additional links as new slideshows are posted. Here is a list of the games we have so far:

Charlotte Stone Crabs:
July 29th vs. Tampa Yankees
July 26th vs. Tampa Yankees
July 24th vs. Clearwater Threshers
July 17th vs. Jupiter Hammerheads
July 11th at Sarasota Reds
July 5th vs. Sarasota Reds
July 4th vs. Fort Myers Miracle
July 2nd vs. Brevard County Manatees
June 17th vs. Lakeland Flying Tigers
June 13th vs. Dunedin Blue Jays
June 12th vs. Dunedin Blue Jays
June 6th vs. Daytona Cubs
May 24th vs. Fort Myers Miracle
May 24th vs. Fort Myers Miracle
May 22nd vs. Palm Beach Cardinals
May 9th vs. Palm Beach Cardinals
May 8th vs. Palm Beach Cardinals
May 1st vs. Fort Myers Miracle
April 26th vs. St. Lucie Mets
April 25th vs. St. Lucie Mets
April 24th vs. St. Lucie Mets
April 22nd vs. Sarasota Reds
April 11th vs. Fort Myers Miracle
April 9th vs. Fort Myers Miracle

Gulf Coast League Rays:
July 11th vs. GCL Orioles
June 28th vs. GCL Twins

Spring Training/Extended ST:
June 14th - Extended ST
March 15th vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
March 14th at Cincinnati Reds
February 25th vs. Cincinnati Reds

Making The Switch

Joey CallenderJoey Callender won a championship, back in 2007 with the Columbus Catfish in the Sally League.

"That season will be a season that I will never forget," he says. "The feeling was truly amazing."

So what was he doing back in rookie ball?

He was a second baseman for that Catfish squad, and had been throughout college.

So what was he doing on the mound?

"It was the organizations idea," Callender, the Rays 21st round selection from Texas Tech in 2006, said. "I came into spring training as an infielder and I didnt quite do as well as I would have liked and they told me that they didnt really have a spot for me in Double A.

"They asked me if I would seriously consider pitching," he said. "It was a tough decision to make but they gave me a day or two to think about it and then I went into [Director of Minor League Operations] Mitch [Lukevics]' office and I said 'Lets do this, why not'?"

The Rays have converted players into pitchers before, most notably Juan Salas, a former third baseman who went on to throw over 50 innings in the majors. They did it with another infielder this year, Jairo De La Rosa. But Callender isn't the typical case of molding a raw arm into a pitcher.

"I remember playing catch with my dad as a kid and he would throw a ball that doesn't spin," he said. "I was little at the time and my hands weren't big enough but I still tried to throw it. Over the years I just kept throwing it when I would play catch and it got pretty good."

It was with the Catfish in 2007 that he was first able to use the knuckleball in a game.

"One day I was throwing it and our manager said if we ever need a pitcher he would put me in," Callender said. "We had a game that got out of hand and he put me in to throw an inning, and then I kept getting opportunities to throw it the next couple of years."

Before his conversion, Callender made five appearances on the mound between Columbus and Vero Beach, allowing three runs over six innings of work. This year, he got his first taste of extended spring training, and after a cameo scoreless outing with the Charlotte Stone Crabs, was assigned to rookie-level Princeton, where the conversion is still a work in progress.

"I just want to get used to pitching and get my mechanics and everything right and be as consistent as I can be," he said. "It takes a little time to learn all the little things that might seem simple to most pitchers."

The knuckleball is his primary pitch, but he also throws a fastball and curveball.

"I throw about 50 to 60 percent knuckleballs," he said. "My fastball is in the mid to upper 80's so I throw it a lot more than someone like Tim Wakefield does."

The toughest part of making the switch, he says, was in terms of preparation.

"I'm used to getting ready to play a game everyday and now I throw every 3 to 5 days," he said. "It was hard to get used to but I'm really starting to like this conversion a lot."

It's tough not to like the results so far: Between two starts and seven relief outings, he's surrendered ten earned runs in 29 innings, good for a 3.03 ERA. Callender isn't sure how the organization intends to move him along, but that's not really on his mind much.

"I'm having a lot of fun learning and I hope to continue doing well," he said. "And we'll see what happens."

Minor Moves: Lobaton, Ashley, Percival

Montgomery Biscuits[Via email from the Montgomery Biscuits' broadcaster Jon Laaser.]

The Tampa Bay Rays have made the following roster moves affecting Double-A Montgomery prior to their series finale with Huntsville:

C Jose Lobaton claimed off waivers from the San Diego Padres by the Tampa Bay Rays and assigned to Montgomery, C Nevin Ashley reassigned to Charlotte (A+) [24 + 1].

Lobaton, a newly acquired member of the Rays’ 40-man roster, made his Major League debut earlier this season with San Diego (NL). He appeared in seven games with the Padres, hitting .176 (3-17). He also appeared in 39 games with Triple-A Portland in the Padres’ system, hitting .241 with three home runs and eight RBIs. The 24-year old was rated as the best defensive catcher in the San Diego chain prior to the season by Baseball America.

To make room for Lobaton on the 40-man roster, the Rays have transferred RHP Troy Percival (shoulder) from the 15-day Disabled List to the 60-day Disabled List.

The corresponding moves keep the Biscuits at the Southern League maximum of 24 active players. One player (Jason Perry) is currently on the Disabled List.

Lobaton will be assigned a uniform number upon his arrival in Montgomery for Friday night’s series finale with Huntsville.

Charlotte Stone Crabs lose to Daytona Cubs in extra innings

Charlotte Stone CrabsThe Game: The Charlotte Stone Crabs continue to struggle as they lost their fifth game in a row Thursday night. The Stone Crabs fell to the Daytona Cubs 2-1 in extra innings at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

The Stone Crabs broke the scoreless tie in the sixth inning. Shawn O’Malley led off the inning with a single and advanced to third on a single by Reid Fronk. O’Malley charged home on a ground ball by Shawn Williams but was called out at the plate by the home plate umpire. John Matulia then drove home Fronk as the result of a error by Daytona shortstop Starlin Castro and the Stone Crabs took a 1-0 lead.

The Cubs tied the game in the eighth with the assist of Stone Crabs pitching putting two runners aboard. Luis Flores got the first free by drawing a walk and Jericho Jones followed by getting hit by a pitch to give the Cubs runners at first and second. Jonathan Wyatt advanced the runners along the base path with a sac bunt, putting both runners in scoring position. Tony Campana drove home the tying run with a ground ball to second that scored Flores and ties the game at 1.

The tie held strong until the bottom of the twelfth inning. Jonathan Wyatt singled to start the inning and then advanced to second on a sac bunt by Tony Campana and to third on a ground out by Starlin Castro. Then it was Brandon Guyer’s single to right that scored Wyatt and gave the Cubs a 2-1 extra inning victory.

Jake McGee started for the Stone Crabs, pitching 3 scoreless innings and allowed 1 hit while striking out 2. Brian Flores came on in relief, throwing 4 2/3 innings and allowing 1 run on 4 hits while striking out 3 and walking 1. Austin Hinkle suffered the loss by going 4 innings and allowing 1 run on 4 hits while striking out and walking 4. Henry Williamson was the winning pitcher for the Cubs.

What Went Right: Shawn O’Malley; 2 for 5 with a walk, only Stone Crab with multiple hits.

What Went Wrong: Ryan Royster; 0 for 5 with 4 K’s.

A Look Ahead: The Stone Crabs and Cubs face off for game two of the series on Friday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. Darin Downs (11-4) is scheduled to pitch against Ryan Searle (6-7).

Hudson Valley Renegades fall to Aberdeen Ironbirds 3-1

The Game: The Hudson Valley Renegades fell to the Aberdeen Ironbirds 3-1 on Thursday night at Ripken Stadium. Hudson Valley struck first, putting their only run on the scoreboard in the second inning. Brett Nommensen drew a walk and then later scored on an double to left by Mayobanex Acosta, giving the Renegades a 1-0 lead.

Aberdeen came back to tie the game in the fourth inning. Tom Baxter led off the inning with a double to right. Tyler Kelly grounded into a fielders choice with Baxter out at third and Kelly remaining on first. Levi Carolus followed with an RBI double to score Kelly and tie the game.

The Ironbirds took the lead in the fifth inning. Justin Dalles doubled to start the inning. Michael Gioioso followed with a single to short, advancing Dalles to third and giving the Ironbirds runners on the corners. Arthur Bonevacia drove home the go ahead run with a single to right that scored Dalles. The Ironbirds picked up an insurance run on a sac fly by Tom Baxter to score Gioioso and give Aberdeen the 3-1 margin of victory.

Jason McEachern got a no decision in the start, pitching 4 innings and allowing 1 run on 3 hits while striking out 6. Angel Chapa was charged with the loss, giving up 2 runs on 3 hits while striking out 1 in an inning of service. Glenn Gibson pitched 3 shut out innings to finish the game, allowing 1 hit and walking 1. Kenny Moreland was the winner for Aberdeen.

What Went Right: Mayobanex Acosta; 2 for 4 with an RBI, only Renegade with multiple hits.

What Went Wrong: Dustin Biell; 0 for 5 with 2 K’s.

A Look Ahead: The Renegades and Ironbirds do it all over again on Friday night in game three of the series at Ripken Stadium. Kevin Chavez (0-0) with pitch against Nick Haughian (3-2).

Princeton Rays game postponed

The Game: Thursday nights game between the Princeton Rays and Bluefield Orioles was postponed due to wet field conditions at Hunnicutt Field. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on August 13.

What Went Right: n/a

What Went Wrong: n/a

A Look Ahead: The Rays will kick off a three game series against the Pulaski Mariners on Friday night at Hunnicutt Field. Game one will be played at home with games two and three on the road.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Montgomery Biscuits Beat Huntsville Stars 2-1

Montgomery Biscuits[Via email from the Montgomery Biscuits' broadcaster Jon Laaser.]

Brandon Chaves delivered the game-winning single as the Biscuits claimed a walk-off win, 2-1, over the Huntsville Stars on Thursday night at Riverwalk Stadium.

With the game tied, 1-1, entering the bottom of the ninth inning, reliever Robert Hinton retired the first two Biscuits to leave the bases empty with two down. Matt Spring sparked the game-winning rally with an infield-single and was replaced by pinch-runner Pedro Powell. Powell stole second base just ahead of the throw and scored the winning run on Chaves' single to right field. Hinton (0-5) was tagged with the loss.

The Stars rallied with two outs against Biscuits' starter Rayner Oliveros in the first inning to take the game's first lead. After retiring the first two batters, Oliveros walked Drew Anderson, who promptly stole second base. Jonathan Lucroy floated an RBI single to right-center field to score Anderson and give Huntsville a 1-0 lead.

The Biscuits got even without a hit in the fifth inning. Stars' starter Mark Holliman had kept the Biscuits at bay until he walked Chaves to start the inning. With Desmond Jennings at the plate, Chaves advanced all the way to third on a wild pitch. Jennings struck out, but with Fernando Cortez batting, Holliman was wild again to the backstop, allowing Chaves to come in and tie the game, 1-1.

Oliveros departed after six strong innings, but did not factor in the decision. He allowed just the lone run on four hits, walking two and striking out two.

Holliman was also lifted after six innings, and also didn't register a decision. He conceded just a lone run on four hits, walking three and striking out four.

Montgomery's bullpen was sensational in the win, with Neal Frontz working two perfect innings of relief, before Matt Gorgen retired the Stars in order in the ninth. Gorgen (1-1) earned the win, as Biscuits' hurlers retired the final 11 Stars in the ballgame.

The series finale is scheduled for 7:05 PM on Friday night at Riverwalk Stadium. LHP Brandon Mann (5-7, 4.55) will make the start for Montgomery against LHP David Welch (5-7, 4.74) for Huntsville.

Durham Bulls Lose 8-2 To Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees In Game 2

Durham Bulls[Via email from the Durham Bulls' broadcaster Neil Solondz.]

Jeremy Hellickson pitched six shutout innings in game one, as the Bulls won 6-2 at Scranton on Thursday, but the Bulls settled for a split with an 8-2 loss in the nightcap.

In the nightcap, Scranton (57-45) took control in the first inning against former Yankees farmhand Matt DeSalvo (0-4). Scranton scored four runs, the last three with two out. Former Bull John Rodriguez capped the rally with a two-run homer to right.

Scranton added a run in the second on an Eric Duncan double, and that proved to be to much to overcome. James Houser and John Meloan each gave Durham a scoreless inning out of the bullpen, before Scranton tacked on three two-out runs in the sixth.

Durham collected single runs in the third and seventh, and got two hits apiece from Craig Albernaz and Elliot Johnson.

The loss snapped a four-game win streak for the Bulls (60-46). Durham plays the final game of four against Scranton with a chance to win the series on Friday.

Lefty Carlos Hernandez (6-6) starts against righty Anthony Claggett (4-5). Coverage on 99.9 the Fan ESPN Radio begins at 6:55 with first pitch at 7:05.

Stone Crabs Week in Review: 7/23 to 7/29

Charlotte Stone CrabsThe Stone Crabs managed to hold on to a one game lead of the Florida State League South Division after a rough week. The Stone Crabs were 2-5 on the week which included being swept during a four game series against the Tampa Yankees. The Stone Crabs were dealt another blow as Henry Wrigley went on the DL with a hamstring injury on Saturday.

Hitting Leaders: Ian Paxton is the active leader in terms of batting average. Paxton is hitting .277 on the year (newly added Drew Anderson is .500 but has only appeared in 2 games, Henry Wrigley was hitting .292 before hitting the DL). John Matulia leads the club in doubles with 15. The top four home run hitters of the club have either been promoted (Fields, Cipriano) or are on the disabled list (Wrigley and Sexton) leaving Ryan Royster and Reid Fronk tied for the team lead with 3 home runs. Shawn O’Malley’s 34 stolen bases is third in the league.

Pitching Leaders: As in previous weeks, the Stone Crabs pitchers continue to lead the FSL. Darin Downs is now ranked first in the league with an 2.07 ERA and 100 strikeouts. Alex Cobb is seventh in the league with an ERA of 3.14 and just outside the top 10 in strikeouts with 85 (11th). Jeremy Hall and Downs are 1 & 2 in the league in wins with 12 and 11 respectively.

Team Stats: The team offense fell to .245 which is tenth in the league. The Stone Crabs improved to eighth in the league in doubles with 149 and still hold second place in stolen bases with 123. The pitching held steady with a 3.72 ERA which is eighth in the league. They improved to second in the league in strikeouts with 741.

Transaction: Drew Anderson added to roster from Montgomery (7/27/09). Shawn Riggans completed MLB rehab assignment (7/29/09).

Injuries: Disabled List; Stephen Vogt (shoulder), Jesse Darcy (elbow), Greg Sexton (foot) Henry Wrigley (hamstring). Day-to-Day; Emeel Salem (hamstring).

The Week Ahead: 7/30/09-8/2/09: at Daytona Cubs (15-16). 8/3/09: Day Off. 8/4/09-8/5/09: at/vs Fort Myers Miracle (16-17).

Durham Bulls Beat Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees 6-2 In Game 1

Durham Bulls[Via email from the Durham Bulls' broadcaster Neil Solondz.]

Jeremy Hellickson pitched six shutout innings, as Durham won 6-2 at Scranton in game one of a doubleheader on Thursday.

Hellickson pitched out of a jam in the first, but then didn't allow a runner past first in the next five innings, improving to 2-0 at the Triple-A level, with wins in his first two starts.

Durham got all it needed in the third. Reid Brignac delivered a two-run double with the bases loaded against Ivan Nova (1-2) and Matt Joyce added a sac fly.

Brignac had two hits, as did Ray Olmedo, who hit his sixth homer. Durham (60-45) plays game two shortly against Scranton (56-45). Matt DeSalvo (0-3) starts against Romulo Sanchez (3-2).

Princeton Rays defeat Bluefield Orioles 7-6 in extra innings

The Game: The Princeton Rays battled back from a four run deficit to defeat the Bluefield Orioles 7-6 in extra innings at Bowen Field on Wednesday night. Bluefield took the lead in the first inning. Gary Helmick led off with a double to left and then advanced to third on a ground out by Luis Ramirez. Joel Polanco followed with a ground ball to third to score Helmick and give the Orioles a 1-0 lead.

The Rays battled back to take the lead in the second inning. Julio Cedeno drew a walk and Seth Henry was hit by a pitch to give Princeton runners on first and second. Cedeno then broke for third on a steal and came home after a throwing error by Bluefield’s catcher Joel Polanco, Henry advanced to third on the play. Tomas Francisco singled to center scoring Henry and giving Princeton a 2-1 lead.

Bluefield answered in the bottom of the third off a solo home run by Gary Helmick to once again tie the game. The tie held until the bottom of the fifth when Bluefield struck for four runs. Luis Ramirez tripled to center to get things going. Joel Polanco then singled to center to score Ramirez. Michael Flacco cleared the bases with a two run home run. The Orioles got their fourth run of the inning off an RBI double by Corey Thomas that scored Jose Kianes and put Bluefield on top 6-2.

The Rays cut into Bluefield’s lead in the sixth inning. Ryan Wiegand singled to center to start the inning. Julio Cedeno was hit by a pitch for the second Princeton base runner. Seth Henry drove home Wiegand thanks in part to a fielding error by Bluefield’s Gary Helmick. Tomas Francisco followed with an RBI single to score Cedeno and pull the Rays to within two runs of the lead.

The rally continued into the seventh inning as Daniel Rhault led off the inning with a single. Ty Morrison followed by drawing a walk. Ryan Wiegand drove home both runners with a single to right to tie the game.

The game stayed tied at six runs a piece until the top of the eleventh inning when Cody Rogers belted a solo home run to right to give the Rays a one run advantage. The Rays kept the Orioles off the scoreboard in the bottom of the eleventh, holding on for the 7-6 win.

Trevor Shull started for Princeton and surrendered 6 runs (5 earned) on 8 hits while striking out 3 and walking 2 in 4 2/3 innings of work. Jeffrey Cinadr followed with 3 1/3 scoreless innings allowing 2 hits and striking out 5. Alex Koronis earned the win, pitching 3 scoreless frames and giving up 2 hits while striking out 6 and walking 2. Thomas Phelps was the losing pitcher for Bluefield.

What Went Right: The Bullpen; combined for 6 1/3 shutout innings while striking out 11 batters. Ryan Wiegand; 4 for 6 with 2 RBI’s and a run scored.

What Went Wrong: Ty Morrison; 0 for 5 with 4 K’s in the leadoff spot.

A Look Ahead: The Rays will try and clinch the Mercer Cup with a win Thursday night against Bluefield at Hunnicutt Field.

Hudson Valley Renegades shut-out Aberdeen Ironbirds 2-0

The Game: The Hudson Valley Renegades used a three hour rain delay to their advantage as they shut-out the Aberdeen Ironbirds 2-0 in a rain shortened game on Wednesday night at Ripken Stadium.

The Renegades wasted no time in jumping out to an early lead by posting two runs in the first inning. Dustin Biell led off the game with a single on a bunt and later advanced to second on a ground out by Tyler Bortnick. Eli Sonoqui later followed with an RBI double to score Bortnick. Elias Otero drove home the second run of the inning with a line drive to right that scored Eli Sonoqui.

Alexander Colome was lights out the whole game, throwing a complete game shut-out. Colome allowed three hits while striking out 9 batters on the night. Tyler Sexton was the losing pitcher for Aberdeen.

What Went Right: Alexander Colome; improved to 4-1 on the year with a 7 inning shut-out with 9 K’s.

What Went Wrong: n/a

A Look Ahead: The Renegades will play the Ironbirds in game two of the four game series on Thursday night at Ripken Stadium. Jason McEachern (0-2) will start for Hudson Valley against Aberdeen’s Kenny Moreland (5-1).

Game Pictures from 7/29: Stone Crabs vs Yankees

Montgomery Biscuits Take Two From Huntsville Stars

Montgomery Biscuits[Via email from the Montgomery Biscuits' broadcaster Jon Laaser.]

The Biscuits snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 5-1 win over the Huntsville Stars in game one of a doubleheader, then completed a doubleheader sweep with a 10-0 romp in game two on Wednesday night at Riverwalk Stadium.

The Biscuits got on the board first in the second inning of game one against Stars' starter Donovan Hand. Hand had retired the first five Biscuits in the ballgame before Matt Fields launched a solo-home run well over the wall in left field for a 1-0 lead. Following Fields' blast, Cody Strait stepped in and homered in his first at-bat as a Biscuit. Strait's home run to right field gave the Biscuits a 2-0 lead, and marked the first time this season they had hit back-to-back home runs.

Biscuits' starter Heath Rollins worked scoreless through the fifth inning, but conceded back-to-back singles to Shane Justis and Drew Anderson to start the sixth. He was lifted in favor of closer Paul Phillips, who promptly struck out Jonathan Lucroy. Phillips then induced a fly-ball to right field from Taylor Green for the second out of the inning. Lorenzo Cain then singled in the first run of the ballgame for Huntsville to slice the Biscuits lead to 2-1.

The run was charged to Rollins (9-9), the only blemish on his evening. He earned his second home win of the season over five-plus innings, allowing seven hits, walking none and striking out three.

The Biscuits insured the game one victory with three runs in the sixth inning. Hand started the inning, but departed after allowing a one-out single to Rashad Eldridge. Eldridge stole second base and advanced to third on a throwing error by catcher J.R. Hopf. Chris Nowak brought him in with an RBI single. After a walk to Cody Cipriano, Fields delivered an RBI single and Strait capped the scoring at 5-1 with a sacrifice fly to right field.

Hand (8-4) was tagged with the loss, allowing three earned runs on five hits over 5 1/3 innings. Wes Littleton, who entered for Hand in the sixth, was charged with the remaining two runs.

Phillips struck out five Stars over two innings of scoreless inning to earn his fifth save of the season as the Biscuits snapped a franchise-record seven-game losing streak with the game one win.

A sloppy first inning set the tone and doomed the Stars in game two, as the Biscuits posted three runs against Huntsville starter Brandon Kintzler. Three errors in the inning, including a throwing error on Kintzler led the Biscuits to a 3-0 lead.

Kintzler didn't survive the second inning, as the floodgates opened for Montgomery. The Biscuits enjoyed their most productive inning of the season, plating seven earned runs and capping the scoring, 10-0. Matt Spring led off the inning with a solo-home run, and later recorded an RBI single off of reliever Josh Wahpepah to conclude the onslaught. In between, Desmond Jennings, Nowak and Fields all recorded RBI singles and Strait ripped a two-run double.

Kintzler (0-1) was hit with the loss in his Double-A debut, allowing seven runs, five earned in just an 1 1/3. Wahpepah was charged with the final three runs -- all earned -- for Huntsville.

Lost amidst the offense was sensational performance from Biscuits' starter Aneury Rodriguez. Rodriguez (6-10) turned in a complete-game shutout, winning for the sixth time as he turned in the first complete-game of the season for Montgomery. The right-hander has not allowed an earned run over his last three starts (19 2/3 innings).

The doubleheader sweep is the third of the season for the Biscuits, who now boast a record of 7-1 in doubleheader games.

Game four of the series is scheduled for 7:05 PM on Thursday night at Riverwalk Stadium. RHP Rayner Oliveros (3-1, 3.96) will make the start for Montgomery against RHP Mark Holliman (7-5, 5.17) for Huntsville.

Durham Bulls Postponed, Doubleheader Thursday

Durham Bulls[Via email from the Durham Bulls' broadcaster Neil Solondz.]

Mother Nature didn't cooperate with Jeremy Hellickson and the Bulls on Wednesday. The two teams will play a double header on Thursday at 1:05 instead.

Durham (59-45) started the night two games ahead of Gwinnett and 3.5 in front of Norfolk in the South Division. Durham has won five of six. Scranton is 56-44, 3.5 in front of Syracuse in the North Division.

This was the 12th Scranton home game postponed because of rain or poor field conditions this year.

Durham won the first game of the series 4-2 on Tuesday, as Elliot Johnson became the first Bulls switch hitter at the Triple-A level to homer from each side of the plate in the same game.

The righty Hellickson and lefty Carlos Hernandez are expected to be on the mound in the double header for the Bulls. Coverage of game one is expected to begin at 12:55 on 99.9 the Fan ESPN Radio. Game two can be heard on 99.9 the Fan's HD2, as well as www.durhambulls.com.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Charlotte Stone Crabs shut-out by Tampa Yankees

Charlotte Stone CrabsThe Game: The Charlotte Stone Crabs were swept by the Tampa Yankees after being shut-out 7-0 on Wednesday night at Charlotte Sports Park. The Yankees posted their first run in the second inning as Seth Fortenberry led off with a triple to left. Luis Nunez followed with a sac fly to drive home Fortenberry and give the Yankees a 1-0 lead.

The Yankees struck for two more in the third. Daniel Brewer and Matt Cusick got it going with back to back singles with both runners advancing into scoring position on a throwing error by Omar Luna. David Adams then drove home the first run of the inning with a sac fly to score Brewer. Damon Sublett drew a walk to put runners at first and second. Cusick and Sublett then pulled a double steal with Cusick later scoring on a wild pitch by Alex Cobb to put Tampa ahead 3-0.

The Yankees then got another run in the sixth off a sac fly by Walter Ibarra to score Luis Nunez. The Tampa offense kept producing into the seventh inning as they struck for three more runs. An RBI triple by Damon Sublett to score David Adams produced the first run of the inning. Then Sublett scored on a wild pitch by Kevin Boggan for the second run. The third run came off an RBI single by Jose Gil to put the Yankees ahead 7-0, a lead they held to the end.

Alex Cobb was tagged for 4 runs of hits while striking out 4 and walking 4 in 5 2/3 innings while being charged with the loss. Kevin Boggan pitched 2 1/3 innings and surrendered 3 runs on 3 hits while walking 1. Shawn Williams switched from first base to the mound and pitched the ninth inning, allowing no runs on 2 hits and striking out 1 in his second appearance as a pitcher this season. David Phelps was the wining pitcher for Tampa.

What Went Right: Drew Anderson; the only player on the Stone Crabs to record multiple hits by going 2 for 4 with a double.

What Went Wrong: The Offense; unable to produce, only 3 hits on the night in the shut-out.

A Look Ahead: The Stone Crabs hit the road and head to Daytona for a four game series against the Daytona Cubs (15-16). Jack McGee (0-1) is scheduled to start for the Stone Crabs.

Minor Moves: Riggans

The Rays have returned C Shawn Riggans from his rehabilitation assignment and optioned him to the Durham Bulls. Riggans had been shelved since April 10th with right shoulder tendinitis.

Bowling Green Hot Rods Beat Lake County Captains 10-4

Bowling Green Hot Rods[Via email from the Bowling Green Hot Rods' broadcaster Tom Gauthier.]

Anthony Scelfo wrapped up a terrific home stand with another home run and a three-hit game on Wednesday afternoon, leading the Hot Rods to a 10-4 rout of Lake County at Bowling Green Ballpark. Scelfo’s big day helped the Hot Rods salvage a split with the Captains to wrap up their four-game series. The win gave the Hot Rods a 3-5 mark on their eight-game home stand, leaving them in third place heading into their road trip to Savannah and Asheville beginning on Friday night.

Scelfo, the Koch Air Hottest Hitter, began his day with a single in the third before he was retired in a double play. In the fifth he had a lead-off single in front of Tim Beckham. On the first pitch to Beckham, Scelfo stole second and advanced to third when the throw went into center field. The center fielder Donnie Webb threw to third base to try and nab Scelfo, but his throw bounced off the third baseman and skidded into foul territory to allow Scelfo to run the final 90 feet for a run.

An inning later Scelfo made his biggest statement of the day after lead-off walks to Jason Tweedy and Justin Reynolds. Facing relief pitcher Ryan Miller Scelfo homered over the center field wall into the batter’s eye to break the game open and give the Hot Rods an 8-1 lead at the time. The home was Anthony’s fourth of this home stand, capping off a big week at Bowling Green Ballpark. He finished the stand 10-30 (.333) with four dingers and nine RBI while scoring another six runs. He raised his average to .251 heading on the road trip.

Scelfo and the rest of the Hot Rods made it an easy day for Nick Barnese (5-4). The right-hander snapped a three-game personal losing streak by throwing six innings of one run ball. He gave up just two hits and a walk, allowing only two runners to reach second base and beyond. He added three more strikeouts while holding the Captains hitless in two at-bats with runners in scoring position.

Barnese was given an early lead in the first inning thanks to a one-out ground-rule double by Tim Beckham, his 24th two-bagger of the season. Two batters later Beckham scored on a single by Mike Sheridan to make it 1-0.

They added a run in the third inning when Justin Reynolds laid down a bunt single to begin the frame. He advanced to second on Scelfo’s first hit before taking third when Beckham grounded into a double play. Reynolds scored a few pitches later when starter Danny Salazar (3-4) threw a wild pitch to make it 2-0.

After the Captains scored on Barnese in the fourth the Hot Rods got the run right back in their half of the inning. With one out, Isaias Velasquez walked before being retired on force out from Kyeong Kang. John Mollicone followed with a walk to put runners at first and second for Jason Tweedy. The second baseman delivered with an RBI singled to right field to bump the lead back to 3-1. The base hit extended Tweedy’s hitting streak to a season-best five games while giving him an RBI in three straight.

Bowling Green added two more runs in the fifth when Scelfo scored on his stolen base-two error trip around the bases. Two batters later Jake Jefferies followed with his seventh home run of the season, a solo shot to right field to make the score 5-1. After Scelfo’s three-run homer in the sixth, the Hot Rods capped off their scoring with two more in the eighth courtesy of Tweedy’s second RBI (coming on fielder’s choice) followed by a run-scoring double from Justin Reynolds.

The Hot Rods finished the game with 13 hits, their highest total on the home stand. Each member of the offense was on base while eight of nine hitters recorded a base knock. Scelfo, Jefferies, Velasquez, and Reynolds all had multiple hit games. Scelfo was joined by Tweedy as the only players to drive in multiple runs as well.

The Hot Rods now have Thursday off to board the bus and head to Savannah, GA, to begin an eight game road trip with the Sand Gnats and the Asheville Tourists. Game one with Savannah begins at 5:30 PM CDT on Friday night with LHP Matt Moore (6-4, 2.85) facing RHP Kyle Allen (7-6, 3.98). Pre-game coverage begins on 1340 WBGN and www.bghotrods.com with Tom Gauthier at 5:15 PM CDT.

The Hot Rods return home to begin an eight-game home stand on Saturday, August 8 at 7:05 PM. The first 1,000 fans into that night’s game against Greenville (Boston Red Sox) will received a replica of Bowling Green Ballpark courtesy of BB&T. For tickets, visit www.bghotrods.com or head to the Hot Rods ticket office at the corner of 8th Avenue and Center Street at Bowling Green Ballpark.

Minor Moves: Ruggiano, Wrigley

The Durham Bulls have placed OF Justin Ruggiano on the temporarily inactive list.

The Charlotte Stone Crabs have placed 1B Henry Wrigley on the 7-day disabled list.

Top Fives: Batting

Batting Average:        On Base %:              Slugging %:
1. A. Segovia .343 1. A. Rosa .421 1. R. Salas .632
2. R. Wiegand .342 2. J.Lafontaines.417 2. E. Dorville .611
3. R. Salas .337 3. A. Segovia .414 3. T. Bortnick .549
4. O. Narvaez .324 4. R. Salas .407 4. A. Segovia .535
5. D. Jennings .323 5. J. Morillo .404 5. R. Hughes .534
OPS:                    At Bats:                Runs Scored:
1. R. Salas 1.039 1. R. Hughes 388 1. D. Jennings 68
2. E. Dorville .986 2. D. Jennings 372 2. S. O’Malley 60
3. A. Segovia .949 3. M. Fields 360 3. R. Hughes 56
4. T. Bortnick .949 4. J. Ruggiano 358 4. J. Ruggiano 54
5. D. Jennings .898 5. Two Tied 345 5. M. Joyce 53
Hits:                   Doubles:                Triples:
1. D. Jennings 120 1. J. Weber 35 1. D. Jennings 8
2. R. Hughes 109 2. M. Joyce 29 2. J. Bowers 7
3. J. Weber 99 3. R. Hughes 28 3T. E. Salem 6
4T. T. Beckham 94 4. H. Wrigley 26 3T. E. Dorville 6
4T. R. Eldridge 94 5. R. Brignac 25 3T. I. Velasquez 6
Home Runs:              RBI:                    Total Bases:
1. R. Hughes 22 1. R. Hughes 67 1. R. Hughes 207
2. C. Richard 18 2. M. Fields 65 2. D. Jennings 184
3T. J. Ruggiano 13 3T. T. Beckham 54 3. J. Weber 161
3T. R. Sadler 13 3T. J. Ruggiano 54 4. M. Joyce 149
5. Four Tied 12 5. Four Tied 51 5. M. Fields 148
Stolen Bases:           Caught Stealing:        Grounded Into DP:
1. D. Jennings 37 1. S. O’Malley 14 1. N. Ashley 13
2. S. O’Malley 34 2. A. Scelfo 10 2T. J. Bowers 10
3. E. Salem 23 3. W. Rosario 9 2T. J. Ruggiano 10
4. Three Tied 19 4T. T. Beckham 8 4. C. Nowak 9
4T. B. Chaves 8 5. Three Tied 8
Walks:                  Strikeouts:             Hit By Pitch:
1. D. Jennings 48 1. R. Hughes 131 1T. R. Fronk 12
2T. S. O’Malley 45 2. J. Ruggiano 114 1T. S. O’Malley 12
2T. M. Joyce 45 3. M. Fields 102 3T. M. Fields 10
4T. B. Chaves 44 4. M. McCormick 88 3T. A. Segovia 10
4T. J. Weber 44 5. R. Sadler 84 3T. S. Williams 10
Sacrifice Hits:         Sacrifice Flies:        Intentional Walks:
1. B. Chaves 10 1T. G. Sexton 7 1. R. Hughes 3
2. P. Powell 9 1T. M. Sheridan 7 2. Eleven Tied 2
3. R. Olmedo 7 3. A. Scelfo 6
4T. M. Hall 6 4. Six Tied 5
4T. S. O’Malley 6
Lowest Batting:         Lowest OBP:             Lowest Slugging %:
1. C. Albernaz .169 1. J. Corder .228 1. B. Guzman .216
2. J. Corder .170 2. O. Luna .230 2. E. Otero .230
3. M. McCormick .173 3. C. Lopez .234 3. C. Albernaz .234
4. C. Lopez .177 4. I. Paxton .248 4. O. Luna .238
5. M. Spring .186 5. B. Reynolds .248 5. B. Nommensen .238
Lowest OPS:             Games Played:           Plate Appearances:
1. O. Luna .467 1. R. Hughes 100 1. R. Hughes 434
2. C. Lopez .482 2. D. Jennings 97 2. D. Jennings 429
3. E. Otero .486 3. J. Ruggiano 94 3. J. Ruggiano 407
4. C. Albernaz .487 4. M. Fields 92 4. J. Weber 397
5. J. Corder .511 5. A. Scelfo 91 5. M. Fields 391
Notes: Includes players from all nine Rays minor league affiliates. Minimum 100 plate appearances for rate stats (BA, OBP, SLG, OPS).

Durham Bulls Beat Scranton Yankees 4-2

Durham Bulls[Via email from the Durham Bulls' broadcaster Neil Solondz.]

Elliot Johnson homered from both sides of the plate, the last breaking a 2-2 tie in the eighth, as Durham beat Scranton 4-2 on Monday night.

Johnson's homer to left off rehabbing MLB lefty Damoso Marte (0-1) was a quick answer after Scranton had tied the game with a two-run seventh. Matt Joyce then followed two batters later with a long homer to right, his 12th, for a 4-2 advantage.

Andy Sonnanstine (3-0) followed with a scoreless eighth, allowing just an infield hit. Sonnanstine went eight innings, his longest outing since coming down from Tampa Bay. He gave up eight hits, but didn't walk a batter, and struck out five. Aside from the seventh inning, in only one other inning did he allow another runner to advance past first base. Jason Childers followed up with a 10-pitch ninth for his fourth save in five days.

Durham had taken a 2-0 lead against Josh Towers before Scranton tied it in the seventh. John Jaso followed a second-inning single and a Rhyne Hughes double with an RBI groundout. In the third, Johnson homered from the left side for a 2-0 advantage.

Durham collected 10 hits, three from Johnson, and two from Joyce.

Durham (59-45) has won five of six, taking the first of four against the defending Governors' Cup champs in battle of division leaders. Game two of four against Scranton (56-44) is at 7:05 on Wednesday. Coverage on 99.9 the Fan ESPN Radio begins at 6:55.

Montgomery Biscuits Postponed, Doubleheader On Wednesday

Montgomery Biscuits[Via email from the Montgomery Biscuits' broadcaster Jon Laaser.]

Tuesday night's scheduled game two between the Biscuits and Huntsville Stars has been postponed due to rain and an ominous forecast for the rest of the evening. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader consisting of two seven-inning games on Wednesday night beginning at 6:05 PM.

Fans holding tickets for Tuesday night's postponed game can redeem them at the Riverwalk Stadium box office for tickets to any remaining 2009 Biscuits home regular season game.

RHP Heath Rollins (8-9, 3.90) will make the start for Montgomery in game one of Wednesday's doubleheader against RHP Donovan Hand (8-3, 3.46) for Huntsville. The Biscuits will send RHP Aneury Rodriguez (5-10, 5.23) in game two against RHP Brandon Kintzler (0-0, ---) for the Stars.

Bowling Green Hot Rods Lose To Lake County Captains 5-4

Bowling Green Hot Rods[Via email from the Bowling Green Hot Rods' broadcaster Tom Gauthier.]

Isaias Velasquez picked up two more doubles on Tuesday night, moving him into the team-lead lead with 23, but the Hot Rods couldn’t hold a late lead, losing to the Lake County Captains 5-4 at Bowling Green Ballpark. The loss drops the Hot Rods to 17-14 in the second half, leaving them in fourth place in the Division after a win by Savannah and postponements of Asheville and Augusta.

The winning rally began in the top of the ninth with the Hot Rods holding a 4-2 lead thanks to an RBI triple from Jason Tweedy the previous inning. Facing Marquis Fleming (1-6), John Allman began the rally with a one-out walk. He advanced to second on a ground ball in front of home plate for the second out of the inning. With two down, pinch-hitter Karexon Sanchez hit a wall-ball double to left field to plate Allman to make it a one-run game at 4-3. The very next batter, Mark Thompson, then put the Captains into the lead for the first time in the game with a home run into the grass berm for a 5-4 Captains edge.

For Fleming, the loss was his sixth of the season and his third in the last two weeks. He has now blown his last three save chances as well, watching his ERA rise from 1.15 to 2.45.

The blown save took away a win from Frank De Los Santos, who threw five shutout innings on just two hits. The lefty capped off a terrific month of July with a 1-0 record and an ERA of 2.36. He managed just one win against five no-decisions.

The Hot Rods managed to score first in the game against Lake County starter T.J. House (ND). With one down in the first inning, Isaias Velasquez double to right field before Jake Jefferies drew a walk to put runners at first and second. That’s when Mike Sheridan laced a single into left-center field to score Velasquez for the first run of the game. Jefferies would up at third on the single but would score on the very next pitch thanks to a double to left field by Jason Corder, giving the Hot Rods a 2-0 lead.

While the Hot Rods wouldn’t score again that inning, they did add another run in the second. Again with one out Robi Estrada doubled to left field to extend his hitting streak to four games. He came around to score when Velasquez roped a double to the wall in right-center to give the Hot Rods a 3-0 lead. The double was Velasquez’s second of the game and tied him with Tim Beckham for the team lead with 23. He also earned Koch Air Hottest Hitter of the Game honors, going 2-5 with an RBI and a run scored.

The series comes to an end on Wednesday afternoon at Bowling Green Ballpark. RHP Nick Barnese (4-4, 2.40) faces Lake County’s RHP Danny Salazar (3-3, 4.48) in the team’s fourth and final meeting of 2009. First pitch is at a special start time of 12:05 PM. Gates open at 5:30 PM for season ticket holders and 4 PM for the general public. For tickets, visit www.bghotrods.com or head to the Hot Rods ticket office at the corner of 8th Avenue and Center Street at Bowling Green Ballpark. You can also follow the game on the radio with Tom Gauthier at 1340 WBGN and www.bghotrods.com. Pre-game coverage begins at 11:50 AM CDT.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Charlotte Stone Crabs give up lead and lose to Tampa Yankees in extra innings

Charlotte Stone CrabsThe Game: The Charlotte Stone Crabs gave up a four run lead in an 8-5 extra innings loss to the Tampa Yankees at Charlotte Sports Park. Tampa took an early lead in the second inning as Damon Sublett led off the inning with a triple to right. David Adams doubled to left to score Sublett and give the Yankees a 1-0 lead.

The Stone Crabs tied the game in the third. Michael McCormick doubled to left then advanced to third on a sac bunt by Matt Hall. Drew Anderson followed with a double to right that scored McCormick to tie the game at one run a piece.

Charlotte posted two more runs to the scoreboard to take the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. Matt Hall singled to short to start the inning. Then Drew Anderson cleared the bases with a two run home run to put the Stone Crabs on top 3-1.

The Stone Crabs posted two more insurance runs in the seventh. Drew Anderson and Omar Luna had back to back singles to start the inning. Shawn Riggans hit into a fielders choice to short allowing Anderson to score with the assist of an error by Tampa catcher Austin Romine. Luna then scored on a wild pitch by Adam Oibrychowski for the second run of the inning, The Stone Crabs now led 5-1.

But it began to fall apart for the Stone Crabs in the eighth inning. Matthew Cusick got it started with a double to center and later advanced to third on a wild pitch by Tommy Rafferty. Austin Romine then drove Cusick home with a sac fly to right. Damon Sublett then drew a walk and later scored on an RBI triple by David Adams to pull the Yankees to within two runs of the lead.

The Yankees kept the momentum going into the ninth. Mitch Hilligoss and Walter Ibarra got things going with back to back singles. Daniel Brewer then advanced runners with a ground out to short. Matt Cusick then drove home two runs with a single to right to tie the game at five and force extra innings.

Both clubs dueled in a tie until the top of the twelfth when the Yankees struck for three runs aided by three errors by the Stone Crabs. Walter Ibarra led off the inning with a double and then advanced to third on a fielding error by Ryan Royster. Daniel Brewer then singled home Ibarra for the first run of the inning. Brewer advanced to second on the play due to a throwing error by Royster. Austin Romine then hit an RBI triple to score Brewer. Romine later scored on a throwing error by Omar Luna. The Yankees then retired all three Stone Crabs in order in the bottom of the inning to pick up the victory 8-5.

Jeremy Hall pitched 6 innings and allowed 1 run on 5 hits while striking out 5 and walking 2 in the no decision. Tommy Rafferty pitched 1 2/3 innings in relief and allowed 2 runs on 3 hits with 2 strikeouts and a walk. Richard De Los Santos was changed with a bad save in 2 1/3 innings of work, allowing 2 runs on 3 hits with 2 strikeouts. Justin Garcia was the losing pitcher giving up 3 runs (2 earned) of 3 hits in 2 innings while striking out 1. Brad Rulon was the winning pitcher for Tampa.

What Went Right: Drew Anderson; fell a triple shy of the cycle in his debut for the Stone Crabs by going 3 for 6 with a double, home run, 3 RBI’s and 2 runs scored. Shawn Williams; 4 for 5 with a double.

What Went Wrong: The bullpen; gave up a total of 7 runs to allow the Yankees to comeback from a 4 run deficit. Errors; 3 errors on the night accounting for the runs that broke the tie in extra innings.

A Look Ahead: The Stone Crabs try to avoid the sweep as they finish off the series with the Yankees on Wednesday night at Charlotte Sports Park. Alex Cobb (6-4) will get the start for Charlotte and will be pitching against David Phelps (0-0) for Tampa.

Draft Debut Updates

Here are the stats of the 2009 draftees who have signed so far. Stats are entering play on 7/28. Hitters first:
Rd Team Pos Player            AVG   OBP   SLG   OPS  2B  3B  HR  BB  SO  SB  CS
8 HV OF Brett Nommensen .204 .296 .245 .541 1 0 1 9 23 9 4
16 HV SS Tyler Bortnick .300 .397 .560 .957 10 2 4 15 21 6 4
29 HV OF Gabe Cohen .219 .265 .313 .577 3 0 1 4 10 3 1
35 HV OF Chris Murrill .299 .378 .391 .768 4 2 0 9 25 15 2
42 HV 2B Bennett Davis .209 .280 .269 .549 2 1 0 4 13 2 1
Rd Team Pos Player AVG OBP SLG OPS 2B 3B HR BB SO SB CS
7 PRI OF Cody Rogers .337 .398 .518 .916 2 2 3 9 24 8 0
24 PRI 1B Ryan Wiegand .336 .387 .464 .850 11 0 1 9 15 1 0
26 PRI SS Dan Rhault .173 .287 .240 .527 5 0 0 12 19 0 0
34 PRI SS Kyle Spraker .268 .362 .378 .740 4 1 1 5 13 4 3
43 PRI IF Geno Glynn .290 .371 .452 .823 3 1 0 4 4 1 0
47 PRI OF Jason Patton .284 .322 .432 .754 4 4 0 4 17 3 1
50 PRI C David Wendt .292 .320 .417 .737 3 0 0 0 6 0 0
Rd Team Pos Player AVG OBP SLG OPS 2B 3B HR BB SO SB CS
17 GCL OF Alexander Diaz .149 .160 .162 .322 1 0 0 1 21 2 1

And pitchers:
Rd Team Pos Player ERA WHIP IP SO/9 BB/9 BAA W L S GO/AO
6 HV RHP Devin Fuller 4.60 1.47 15.2 8.0 3.4 .293 1 1 0 1.00
13 * RHP Hunter Hill 5.56 1.53 11.1 10.5 2.4 .311 1 0 1 1.63
14 HV RHP Zach Quate 0.00 0.82 13.1 10.1 1.4 .200 1 0 6 0.92
31 HV LHP Aaron Dott 5.06 1.54 26.2 6.1 3.4 .284 1 4 0 1.40
Rd Team Pos Player ERA WHIP IP SO/9 BB/9 BAA W L S GO/AO
11 PRI RHP Alex Koronis 4.32 1.08 8.1 11.9 2.2 .210 0 2 3 0.44
19 PRI RHP Scott Shuman 0.00 1.11 9.0 10.0 2.0 .242 0 0 1 1.13
22 PRI LHP Jake Sullivan (Only has one appearance; allowed 3 ER in 0.2 IP)
27 PRI LHP Zachary Rosscup 5.14 1.86 7.0 2.6 2.6 .393 0 1 0 1.57
36 * RHP Jeffrey Cinadr 9.28 1.87 10.2 8.4 3.4 .327 1 0 0 1.00
41 PRI LHP Matt Stabelfeld 4.82 1.93 9.1 11.6 7.7 .278 1 0 0 3.00
Rd Team Pos Player ERA WHIP IP SO/9 BB/9 BAA W L S GO/AO
12 GCL RHP Andrew Bellatti 2.31 1.11 11.2 7.7 3.9 .190 0 0 0 0.50
18 GCL LHP Jacob Partridge 0.93 0.62 9.2 9.3 0.0 .182 0 0 0 2.40
21 GCL RHP Matthew Swilley 1.80 1.60 5.0 10.8 5.4 .278 1 0 0 1.00
*stats are combined from Princeton and Hudson Valley

Durham Bulls Beat Norfolk Tides 7-5

Durham Bulls[Via email from the Durham Bulls Director of Media Relations Matt DeMargel.]

Trailing 2-1, the Bulls batted around while plating five runs in the bottom of the fifth inning as Durham went on to win, 7-5 over the Norfolk Tides on Monday night at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. The Bulls maintain their one-game lead over Gwinnett while the Tides fall to 2.5 back in the South Division.

Elliot Johnson homered in the third inning to get the Bulls on the scoreboard, then led off the fifth with a double beginning the rally. Reid Brignac followed with a double scoring Johnson to tie the game at two apiece. Matt Joyce walked and Justin Ruggiano singled, then Tides pitcher David Pauley walked Chris Richard forcing in the go-ahead run. Jon Weber and Henry Mateo chipped in with RBI-groundouts before Craig Albernaz singled to center scoring Richard to make it a 6-2 game. Mateo’s RBI-single in the seventh inning gave the Bulls a 7-2 lead.

Norfolk would rally for three in the eighth inning, but Joe Bateman shut the door in the ninth inning to seal the victory. Wade Davis (9-6) picked up the win for the Bulls pitching six innings allowing two runs on five hits while striking out three. Pauley (7-9) took the loss allowing six runs on nine hits in four and two-thirds innings.

The Bulls head to Scranton Wilkes-Barre to take on the Yankees on Tuesday night at 7:05 PM. Catch all the action with Neil Solondz on www.durhambulls.com.

Montgomery Biscuits Lose 8-3 To Huntsville Stars

Montgomery Biscuits[Via email from the Montgomery Biscuits' broadcaster Jon Laaser.]

The Huntsville Stars handed the Biscuits their seventh straight loss, 8-3, claiming the opener of a five-game series on Monday night at Riverwalk Stadium. Montgomery's current losing-streak is now a franchise record.

The Biscuits struck first against Stars' starter Mike Jones in the second inning. Chris Nowak started the inning with a clean-single and Cody Cipriano moved him to second with a single. Matt Fields then brought home the first run of the game with an RBI single to put the Biscuits out in front, 1-0.

Huntsville snared the lead with a three-run fourth inning, with all the damage coming against Biscuits' starter Brian Baker with two outs. Baker had retired nine consecutive batters before he walked Jonathan Lucroy with two out in the inning. Taylor Green brought Lucroy around from first with a double on one hop off the right-center field wall. After Lucroy tied the ballgame, Lorenzo Cain gave the Stars a 3-1 lead with a two-run home run to left field.

Montgomery got one of the runs back off Jones in the bottom of the inning. Nevin Ashley doubled with one out and a batter later, Pedro Powell shaved the Huntsville lead to a lone run with an RBI single back up the middle.

Baker (5-3) departed after five innings, having conceded three earned runs on five hits. He walked two and struck out three, while losing a second straight start.

Eddie Morlan entered in the sixth and was greeted rudely as Green led off the inning with a towering-home run to right field, allowing Huntsville to regain their two-run lead, 4-2.

Again the Biscuits climbed back within a run in the bottom of the inning. Fields doubled off the center field wall with one out and scored a batter later when Jason Bowers tripled to the alley in left-center field.

Rain began to fall as the Biscuits batted in the sixth inning, leading to a delay following the inning. After a delay of an hour and eighteen minutes, the game resumed in the top of the seventh inning. Matt Gorgen came on in relief to start the seventh inning and walked Adam Stern with one out. Shane Justis then belted a two-run home run to left field, putting Huntsville on top, 6-3.

Jones (3-3) earned the victory, throwing six innings before departing when the rains came. He allowed three earned runs, while scattering nine hits. He walked just one and struck out two.

Mike McClendon kept the Biscuits at bay over the final three innings of the ballgame and earned his second save of the season. The Stars capped the scoring with two runs off of reliever Mike Wlodarczyk in the ninth inning.

Game two of the series is scheduled for 7:05 PM on Tuesday night at Riverwalk Stadium. RHP Heath Rollins (8-9, 3.90) will make the start for Montgomery against RHP Brandon Kintzler (0-0, ---) for Huntsville.

Bowling Green Hot Rods Beat Lake County Captains 3-2

Bowling Green Hot Rods[Via email from the Bowling Green Hot Rods' broadcaster Tom Gauthier.]

In a back-and-forth game at Bowling Green Ballpark, the Hot Rods walked off winners thanks to a Robi Estrada bunt single in the ninth inning against the Lake County Captains on Monday night. The 3-2 victory snapped a three-game losing streak for Bowling Green (17-13, 51-49), their longest skid of the second half of the season. They remain one game behind Asheville in third place in the Southern Division standings.

The winning rally started with a one-out walk to Kyeong Kang from relief pitcher Kaimi Mead (2-3) in the bottom of the ninth inning. Jason Tweedy stepped up next, ripping an RBI single to right field to move Kang to third. That’s when Estrada laid down a perfect bunt down the first base line to score Tweedy for the game-winning run. The single was Estrada’s second hit of the game, giving him three straight multiple-hit games.

The Hot Rods had taken the lead in the bottom of the seventh after Jamie Bagley stranded the bases loaded in the top half of the inning. After the stretch, Sheridan and Mollicone singled and reached after being hit by a pitch, respectively, to start the 7th. Kyeong Kang reached on a fielder’s choice, forcing Sheridan to third while Mollicone was cut down at second base. That’s when Jason Tweedy stepped up and laid down a bunt back to the mound. The pitcher, reliever Tyler Turek, threw the ball home but it skipped through the catcher’s legs, allowing Sheridan to score and make it a 2-1 Hot Rods lead.

In the top of the eighth, however, the Captains tied it right back up against Josh Satow. With one out lefty Nate Recknagel lifted his 11th home run of the season into the Hot Rods bullpen to tie the game at 2-2. The homer was the first allowed by Satow in his career while he picked up his fourth blown save of the season. He would end up earning his 4th win of the season (4-0) by recording the final five outs of the game.

For just the second time in the home stand, the Hot Rods opened the scoring. In the top of the second, Lake County starter T.J. McFarland walked Mike Sheridan with one out. John Mollicone singled Sheridan to second before Kyeong Kang singled to load the bases. Tweedy stepped in and hit a slow ground ball to second base for a potential double-play. Lake County second baseman Mark Thompson picked up the ball but Kang stopped running, forcing Thompson to throw to first to retire Tweedy. That allowed Sheridan to score before the Captains complete the unorthodox double-play by retiring Kang at second base after the run came in.

Lake County tied the game in their half of the fifth inning against Hot Rods starter Joe Cruz. Adam Abraham hit a one-out double, advanced to third on a fly ball to center field, and then scored on a two-out single by Delvi Cid. The run would be the only blemish on a solid line from Cruz. The right-hander went five strong innings, allowing one run on just four hits. He struck out four and walked just one, throwing 72 pitches in a no-decision.

Lake County’s McFarland was as good as Cruz, matching him with five innings of one run ball. The lefty surrendered five hits and one walk while striking out three in his no-decision.

The series continues on Tuesday night at Bowling Green Ballpark. LHP Frank De Los Santos (4-6, 3.77) faces Lake County’s LHP T.J. House (2-8, 2.71) in the third game of the series. First pitch is at 7:05 PM. Gates open at 5:30 PM for season ticket holders and 4 PM for the general public.

Tuesday night is Joe Blanton Bobblehead night presented by Bank of Edmonson County. The first 1,000 fans into Bowling Green Ballpark will receive a bobblehead of the Edmonson County native. Fans are encourage to arrive early as supplies are limited. For tickets, visit www.bghotrods.com or head to the Hot Rods ticket office at the corner of 8th Avenue and Center Street at Bowling Green Ballpark. You can also follow the game on the radio with Tom Gauthier at 1340 WBGN and www.bghotrods.com. Pre-game coverage begins at 4:50 PM CDT.

Charlotte Stone Crabs shut out by Tampa Yankees

Charlotte Stone CrabsThe Game: The Charlotte Stone Crabs were shut-out by the Tampa Yankees 9-0 on Monday night at Charlotte Sports Park. Tampa jumped out to an early lead in the second inning and never looked back. Kevin Smith started off the second with a double to left. Jack Rye drew a walk and Walter Ibarra singled to load the bases for the Yankees. Luis Nunez then drove in two runs with a double to left. Austin Romine followed with a two run triple to give Tampa a 4-0 advantage.

Tampa added a run in the sixth on a solo home run by Kevin Smith. Then two more in the seventh. Daniel Brewer singled to right and Austin Romine was hit by a pitch to put runners on the base path for the Yankees. Damon Sublett singled to score Brewer and Brandon Laird drove home Romine to increase the Yankees lead to 7-0.

But the Yankees offense was not finished, posting a pair of runs in the eight and ninth innings. David Adams delivered a solo home run in the eight. The Kevin Smith singled to start the ninth and advanced to second on a wild pitch by Brian Flores. Jack Rye then hit an RBI single to right that scored Adams. The pitching staff combined to keep the Stone Crabs off the scoreboard and Tampa took the win 9-0.

David Newman suffered the loss by giving up 4 runs off 5 hits in 4 innings, striking out 2 and walking 3. Jose Mejias pitched 4 innings and allowed both home runs, surrendering 4 runs on 6 hits while striking out 4 and hitting 2 batters. Brian Flores pitched the final inning, allowing 1 run on 2 hits while striking out 2 and walking 1. Lance Pendleton was the winning pitcher for Tampa.

What Went Right: Shawn Williams; 2 for 2 and drew a walk, one of only two Stone Crabs to record multiple hits in the game (Omar Luna was the other 2 for 4).

What Went Wrong: Pitching; staff combined to allow 9 runs on 13 hits and allowing 2 home runs.

A Look Ahead: The Stone Crabs and Yankees do it again in game three of the series Tuesday night at Charlotte Sports Park. Jeremy Hall (12-4) is scheduled to pitch against Craig Heyer (3-3).

Monday, July 27, 2009

Game Pictures from 7/26: Stone Crabs vs Yankees

Minor Moves: Shouse, Thayer

The Rays have reinstated LHRP Brian Shouse from the 15-day DL. To make room on the roster the Rays have optioned RHRP Dale Thayer to the Durham Bulls. Shouse, 40, was placed on the DL with a left elbow strain on May 25th and missed 53 games.

Minor Moves: Cromer, DeSalvo, Dyer, Santana, Andujar

LHP Jason Cromer has been assigned to the Durham Bulls from the Hudson Valley Renegades.

To make room for Cromer, RHSP Matt DeSalvo has been assigned to Hudson Valley from the Bulls.

The Bowling Green Hot Rods have activated RHSP Shane Dyer from the 7-day disabled list.

RHRP Juan Santana has been assigned to the Bowling Green Hot Rods from the Hudson Valley Renegades.

RHP Chris Andujar has been assigned to Hudson Valley from Bowling Green.

Minor Moves: Anderson, Strait

Montgomery Biscuits[Via email from the Montgomery Biscuits' broadcaster Jon Laaser.]

The Tampa Bay Rays have made the following roster moves affecting Double-A Montgomery prior to their series opener against Huntsville on Monday night:

INF Drew Anderson reassigned to Charlotte (A+), OF Cody Strait acquired by Tampa Bay and assigned to Montgomery [24 + 1].

The corresponding moves keep the Biscuits at the Southern League roster maximum of 24 active players. One player (Jason Perry) is currently on the Disabled List.

Strait will be assigned a uniform number upon his arrival in Montgomery.

Rays Acquire Cody Strait

Stacy Long:
Cody Strait, an outfielder with Double-A Northwest Arkansas in the Kansas City organization, has been traded to the Rays for cash considerations and will report to Montgomery, the Royals announced today.

Strait was the Reds' 12th round selection out of Evansville in 2004. He was hitting .278/.340/.391 with Northwest Arkansas and has a career .256/.321/.422 line. He's not a prospect(he's 26 years old), but Montgomery was short on outfielders and Strait will almost definitely hit better than recently-released Joe Gaetti.

Durham Bulls Beat Norfolk Tides 5-3

Durham Bulls[Via email from the Durham Bulls Director of Media Relations Matt DeMargel.]

Behind the red-hot bat of first basemen Rhyne Hughes, the Bulls overcame a three-run deficit to win 5-3 over Norfolk Sunday at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

Hughes went 3-4 with a single, a double, a homer and two RBI including the go-ahead run in the sixth. The 25-year-old, who made his Triple-A debut in early June, has now gone 9 for his last 15 at bats including four doubles. Hughes is the lone Bull batting over .300 with a .310 average.

Norfolk jumped ahead first in the second inning with an RBI-single from catcher Chad Moeller off of Bulls starter Jason Cromer for an early 1-0 lead. The Tides added two more in the fourth with two, RBI-doubles making the score 3-0.

That would be all Cromer (4-2) would allow as he kept Norfolk scoreless over the next three frames ending the day with seven total innings of work under his belt. He allowed three runs (two earned) on 11 hits with no walks and four strikeouts to pick up the win.

The Bulls began their comeback in the bottom of the fourth inning with an RBI-single from Jon Weber to make the score 3-1.

Durham tied it up in the fifth at 3-3 with Hughes’s solo shot to deep right to began the inning and a sacrifice fly RBI from Matt Joyce, scoring Ray Olmedo from third. Joyce ended the day 2-3, with two doubles and two RBI.

The Bulls then took the lead in the sixth with Hughes’ double to right-center driving in John Jaso from second. They then added an insurance run in the seventh with back-to-back doubles from Reid Brignac and Joyce with the latter scoring Brignac from second making the score 5-3.

Durham’s bullpen shutout Norfolk in the final two frames. Jorge Julio came on in the sixth and after allowing a hit to start the inning, he proceeded to retire the next three batters faced. Jason Childers came in to close the game in the ninth and retired the side in order to pick up his third save in as many days.

With the win, the Bulls increased their lead over Norfolk to one and a half games in the IL South Division. Gwinnett overtook Norfolk for second place in the division with a 5-1 victory over Lehigh Valley and are now a half game behind Durham.

The Bulls close out their five-game, four-day series with Norfolk tomorrow with right-handed pitcher Wade Davis (8-6) taking the mound against Norfolk’s righty David Pauley (7-8). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

Bowling Green Hot Rods Lose 8-2 To Lake County Captains

Bowling Green Hot Rods[Via email from the Bowling Green Hot Rods' broadcaster Tom Gauthier.]

On the day the Hot Rods hosted IGA Kids Fest at Bowling Green Ballpark, the Hot Rods were treated like kids by the Lake County Captains, forced to spend nine innings in ‘time-out’ in an 8-2 loss on Sunday afternoon. The loss is the third straight for Bowling Green, their longest skid of the second half. But, they remain in third place in the Southern Division’s second-half standings thanks to loss by Asheville and Augusta.

The Captains broke the scoreless tie thanks to lead-off walks to begin the top of the second inning. Starting pitcher Chris Andujar (9-3) walked John Allman and Karexon Sanchez before getting a fly-ball out from Chris Nash, which moved Allman to third. The Captain then tried a double-steal, resulting in Sanchez being caught and tagged out in a run down as Allman scored to make it a 1-0 Captains lead.

Two innings later the Captains broke the game wide open against Andujar. With one down, Allman doubled and then scored on a triple by Sanchez. The shortstop would score himself when Nash hit a sacrifice fly to center field to bump the lead to 3-0. After a two-out walk, the Captains strung together three straight hits, including an RBI single by Mark Thompson and a two-run double from Delvi Cid to push the lead to 6-0.

Andujar came out for the fifth and struck out the side after a lead-off single by Donnie Webb. He left the game after that inning, working a total of five frames. He allowed season-highs in runs (six) and walks (4) while allowing six hits. He ended the game with four strikeouts, raising his season total to 50. The loss is his first since April 30, snapping a team-high seven-game winning streak.

While the Captains offense was getting after Andujar, the Hot Rods had a tough time with Lake County’s Chris Jones (W; 4-2). The left-hander was dominating through six innings, allowing just four hits and one walk with six strikeouts. He allowed multiple base runners in just one inning, the fourth, and allowed just one runner to reach second base.

After Lake County tacked on two more runs in the seventh against Neil Schenk, Bowling Green tried to make a comeback in the ninth inning. Mike Sheridan doubled with one out and then took third base on a wild pitch from reliever Matt Langwell. John Mollicone worked before Jason Corder picked up an RBI single to make it an 8-1 game. After Justin Reynolds flew out, Robi Estrada picked up his third base hit to load the bases for Anthony Scelfo. The Hot Rods centerfielder, 0-4 to that point, delivered an RBI single to cut the lead to 8-2 while extending his hitting streak to a career-best nine games. The rally ended there, however, as Tim Beckham grounded into a fielder’s choice to end the game with an 8-2 final.

Estrada was named Koch Air Hottest Hitter, going 3-4 on the afternoon. He had a good weekend for the Hot Rods, going 5-9 between Saturday and Sunday, picking up his 10th and 11th multi-hit games of the season.

The series continues on Monday night at Bowling Green Ballpark. RHP Joe Cruz (4-5, 3.62) faces Lake County’s LHP T.J. McFarland (6-4, 4.05) in the second game of the series. First pitch is at 7:05 PM. Gates open at 5:30 PM for season ticket holders and 4 PM for the general public.

Monday night is a MinitMart Monday at the ballpark. If you purchase an O’Deli’s sub at MinitMart, you’ll receive a coupon for a free child’s ticket with the purchase of a full-price adult box seat, good for Monday games at Bowling Green Ballpark. For tickets, visit www.bghotrods.com or head to the Hot Rods ticket office at the corner of 8th Avenue and Center Street at Bowling Green Ballpark. You can also follow the game on the radio with Tom Gauthier at 1340 WBGN and www.bghotrods.com. Pre-game coverage begins at 4:50 PM CDT.