Charlotte Stone Crabs and Dunedin Blue Jays postponed due to wet field

The Game: A heavy rainstorm over Dunedin Stadium prior to game time left the field unfit for play and forced officials to postpone Friday night’s game between the Charlotte Stone Crabs and Dunedin Blue Jays. The game will be made up tomorrow as a doubleheader.

What Went Right: n/a

What Went Wrong: n/a

A Look Ahead: The Stone Crabs and Blue Jays will play doubleheader tomorrow beginning at 5:00 at Dunedin Stadium. Game one will feature David Newmann (3-3) against Vince Bongiovanni (3-3). Jeremy Hall (8-4) and Ryan Page (3-7) are the probable starters for game two.

Jake McGee Returns

[Update] As per Stacy Long, Jake McGee was on a 20-pitch limit.

Jake McGee was on the mound for the GCL Rays, but was pulled after just three hitters:


GCL Orioles Bottom 1st

• Moises Ciriaco singles on a ground ball to right fielder Alexander Diaz.
• Anderson Childers singles on a line drive to right fielder Alexander Diaz. Moises Ciriaco to 3rd.
• With Jaynnertt Melenciano batting, wild pitch by Jake McGee, Moises Ciriaco scores. Anderson Childers to 3rd.
• Jaynnertt Melenciano reaches on fielding error by shortstop Cristian Vasquez. Anderson Childers scores.
• Pitcher Change: Bradley Furdal replaces Jake McGee.

Hopefully he didn't feel any pain in his arm.

Friday Roundup

The staff at Around The Majors and a couple of guests each listed their All-Star game ballots. Here is who I chose:

A.L. Starters:
C: Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins
1B: Victor Martinez, Cleveland Indians
2B: Ian Kinsler, Texas Rangers
SS: Jason Bartlett, Tampa Bay Rays
3B: Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays
LF: Jason Bay, Boston Red Sox
CF: Adam Jones, Baltimore Orioles
RF: Shin-Soo Choo, Cleveland Indians

A.L. Reserves:
C: Kurt Suzuki, Oakland Athletics
1B: Justin Morneau, Minnesota Twins
2B: Aaron Hill, Toronto Blue Jays
SS: Marco Scutaro, Toronto Blue Jays
3B: Chone Figgins, Los Angeles Angels
LF: Ben Zobrist, Tampa Bay Rays
CF: Curtis Granderson, Detroit Tigers
RF: Torii Hunter, Los Angeles Angels

N.L. Starters:
C: Brian McCann, Atlanta Braves
1B: Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals
2B: Chase Utley, Philadelphia Phillies
SS: Hanley Ramirez, Florida Marlins
3B: David Wright, New York Mets
LF: Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers
CF: Carlos Beltran, New York Mets
RF: Justin Upton, Arizona Diamondbacks

N.L. Reserves:
C: Yadier Molina, St. Louis Cardinals
1B: Prince Fielder, Milwaukee Brewers
2B: Freddy Sanchez, Pittsburgh Pirates
SS: Yunel Esobar, Atlanta Braves
3B: Chipper Jones, Atlanta Braves
LF: Adam Dunn, Washington Nationals
CF: Hunter Pence, Houston Astros
RF: Raul Ibanez, Philadelphia Phillies

Note: Starting OF's had to play the position they were picked at, but reserve OF's could play any OF position, so for ex. you could pick 3 LF's as reserves.

So how did I do?

To see all the ballots, including the ATM staff (Jake Cohen, John Connelly, Tyler Hissey, and Jake Russ) and Sarah Green of UmpBump.com, click here.

It's almost time for a mid-season review of our Top Prospects lists. We'll have a big post with each prospect, a quote from our original writeup, stats so far this season, and a discussion of whether they've moved up, moved down, or stayed about the same. For today I just wanted to hear your opinions on our pitching prospects list.

Pitchers:
1. David Price
2. Wade Davis
3. Jeremy Hellickson
4. Jeff Niemann
5. Mitch Talbot
6. Nick Barnese
7. Matt Moore
8. Heath Rollins
9. Jake McGee
10. Alex Cobb
11. James Houser
12. Kyle Lobstein
13. Joseph Cruz
14. Albert Suarez
15. Ryan Reid
Honorable Mentions (Shane Dyer, Austin Hinkle, Justin Garcia, Chris Mason, Alexander Colome, Matt Gorgen, Will Kline, David Newmann, and Jason McEachern)

So who's moved up, moved down, stayed the same, dropped off, needs to be added?

John Sickels is taking a look back at players he picked as "Sleepers" before the season. Here is what he has to say about Joseph Cruz:

20 years old, 2-3, 3.22 with a 52/12 K/BB in 45 innings for Class A Bowling Green, 49 hits allowed. Hittable, but shows good control and has a strong K/IP ratio. I like him so far, just need to see the hits come down a bit.

And Matt Moore:

20 years old, 3.41 ERA with an 86/40 K/BB in 58 innings for Class A Bowling Green, just 35 hits allowed. Exceptional K/IP and H/IP marks show terrific dominance potential. He needs to get the walks down, but a power arm like his from the left side needs to be closely tracked. I think the Rays have another top pitching prospect on their hands.

Minor Moves: Rollins, Baker, Eldridge, Powell

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

The Tampa Bay Rays have made the following moves affecting the roster of Double-A Montgomery prior to their game tonight against Tennessee (Chicago Cubs):

RHP Brian Baker added from Hudson Valley (Short-A) roster, OF Rashad Eldridge returned from Durham (AAA), RHP Heath Rollins transferred to Hudson Valley (Short-A) roster, OF Pedro Powell transferred to Hudson Valley (Short-A) roster [24 + 1].

Baker is activated and will make his scheduled start for the Biscuits tonight against the Smokies. Eldridge returns to the Biscuits after spending 25 days with the Bulls after being promoted on May 31st. He batted .301 with three home runs and nine RBIs with Durham in 21 games.

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

6/26: Today's Games

Durham Bulls at Toledo MudHens 7:00 EDT
Starting for Durham: LHP James Houser 3-4 5.79
Notes: Last game of a 4-game series...

Montgomery Biscuits vs. Tennessee Smokies 8:05 EDT
Starting for Montgomery:
Notes: Not sure who'll start since Brian Baker isn't there...

Charlotte Stone Crabs at Dunedin Blue Jays 7:00 EDT
Starting for Charlotte: LHP David Newmann 3-3 3.39
Notes: MiLB.com says Newmann is starting, so I guess he's off the DL...

Bowling Green Hot Rods doubleheader at Lexington Legends 5:05 EDT
Starting for Bowling Green: RHP Frank De Los Santos 3-5 4.08 & RHP Nick Barnese 1-1 1.59
Notes: Both will be 7-inning games...

Hudson Valley Renegades at Staten Island Yankees 7:00 EDT
Starting for Hudson Valley: LHP Kyle Lobstein 0-1 8.31
Notes:

Princeton Rays at Bristol Sox 7:00 EDT
Starting for Princeton:
Notes: Candidates to start(ie haven't appeared out of the bullpen in 2009): Julius Dettrich, Trevor Shull, Jake Sullivan, and Kirby Yates...

GCL Rays at GCL Orioles 12:00 EDT
Starting for the GCL Rays:
Notes:

Durham Bulls Lose 4-2 To Toledo Mud Hens

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

Jon Weber hit his league-leading 24th double to give Durham a 1-0 first-inning lead, but it was short-lived on Thursday in a 4-2 loss to Toledo.

Weber’s RBI double came shortly after an hour and 38-minute rain delay against starter Scot Drucker (5-2).

After allowing one baserunner over the first two innings, Carlos Hernandez (4-4) walked the leadoff batter in the third after he was ahead 0-2 on number eight hitter Mike Hessman, the IL MVP in 2007. Dane Sardinha then hit a 3-1 pitch that barely cleared the wall in left and hit the foul pole for his first homer of the year and a 2-1 lead.

The Mud Hens then scored a pair of two-out runs in the fifth against Hernandez on a double by Clete Thomas and a Brent Clevlen single. The inning was set up by a leadoff walk to Sardinha.

Durham did battle back though, as the bullpen combination of Calvin Medlock and Dewon Day threw three scoreless innings to keep the contest close. The Bulls scored a run on three hits in the seventh and had the tying runs at the corners with one out. Matt Joyce was called on a questionable 3-2 pitch against Clay Rapada. Then Justin Ruggiano flew out to right against Casey Fien to end the threat. Durham had the tying runs on base in the eighth but Fien induced the third 6-4-3 double-play ball of the night.

Durham (40-34) had just six hits, and was unable to take advantage of five walks and three hit batters. The Bulls, now 1-2 on an eight-game road trip, remain just a game out of first in the South Division.

Jason Cromer starts for Durham on Friday as the Bulls wrap up the series with Toledo. Coverage on 99.9 the Fan begins at 6:55 with first pitch at 7.

Montgomery Biscuits Beat Tennessee Smokies 8-4

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

The Biscuits plated eight unanswered runs and came from behind to upend the Tennessee Smokies, 8-4, on Thursday night at Riverwalk Stadium.

Biscuits’ starter Aneury Rodriguez found trouble immediately in the first inning as Jonathan Mota led off the game with a double. Rodriguez retired the next two batters, but walked Doug Deeds to put two aboard. Marquez Smith followed with an RBI single to left field, scoring Mota with the game's first run. Joe Gaetti attempted to cut down Mota at the plate and as his throw got away, both remaining runners moved up a base. Tyler Colvin followed with an RBI single and Ty Wright made it 3-0 with an RBI single. An error on Matt Fields allowed a fourth run to score and the Smokies led 4-0 after a half-inning.

The Biscuits signaled things to come as they came right back in the bottom of the inning off of Smokies’ starter Hung-Wen Chen. Brandon Chaves started the rally with a single and Fernando Cortez ripped a triple down the right field-line to score him. Fields then grounded out to third, and Cortez came in on the play to cut the lead to 4-2.

Pedro Powell singled hom J.T. Hall in the fifth inning as the Biscuits go to within a run. Montgomery finally pulled ahead and chased Chen in the sixth. With one out, Chen walked Fields and Cesar Suarez cranked a two-run home run to left-center field for a 5-4 lead. Chen (3-6) departed and ultimately took the loss. Jayson Ruhlman relieved him and conceded three more hits and two more runs in the inning, including an RBI double to Matt Spring and an RBI single to Drew Anderson.

The rally made a winner out of Rodriguez (4-8), who recovered to work six innings. He allowed just one hit after the first inning and won for the second time in his last three starts.

Spring capped the scoring with a solo-home run off of Brian Schlitter in the eight inning. Spring finished the night 2-for-4 with two extra-base hits, two RBIs and two runs scored.

Rayner Oliveros worked two scoreless innings and Mike Wlodarczyk and Paul Phillips teamed up to finish the ballgame with a scoreless ninth.

Game five of the series is scheduled for 7:05 PM on Friday night at Riverwalk Stadium. RHP Brian Baker (3-1, 3.33) will make the start for Montgomery against LHP Casey Lambert (4-5, 3.65) for Tennessee.

Bowling Green Hot Rods Rained Out, Doubleheader Friday

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

After late afternoon thunder storms rolled through Lexington, the Hot Rods were rained out in their second-half opener against the Legends on Thursday night. The teams will try to begin the second half of the season on Friday night with a doubleheader beginning at 4:05 PM CDT. The doubleheader will consist of two seven inning games.

In game one the Hot Rods will throw LHP Frank De Los Santos (3-5, 4.08) followed by RHP Nick Barnese (1-1, 1.59). Lexington will counter with RHP Kyle Greenwalt (4-7, 3.87) in game one followed by RHP Jordan Lyles (4-6, 3.09) in game two.

You can follow the action with Tom Gauthier on 1340 AM WBGN and www.bghotrods.com. Coverage begins at 3:50 PM CDT with first pitch coming at 4:05 PM CDT.

The Hot Rods begin their next home stand against the Augusta GreenJackets on July 4 with postgame fireworks presented by WBKO. For tickets and a complete list of promotions, visit www.bghotrods.com or stop by the Hot Rods ticket office at Bowling Green Ballpark.

6/26: The Rundown

Toledo MudHens 4, Durham Bulls 2
Box | Recap
Notes: Durham fell to 40-34... Carlos Hernandez allowed 6 hits and walked 4 in 5 innings, allowing all of Toledo's runs... Calvin Medlock and Dewon Day combined for three scoreless relief innings... Reid Brignac was 1-5 with an RBI... John Jaso and Matt Joyce each walked twice...

Montgomery Biscuits 8, Tennessee Smokies 4
Box | Recap
Notes: Montgomery improved to 2-2... The Biscuits offense finally broke out, picking up 10 hits including homeruns from Matt Spring and Cesar Suarez... Aneury Rodriguez got the win, allowing 3 earned runs in 5 innings... Desmond Jennings had the night off... Spring, Pedro Powell, and J.T. Hall each had two hits...

Dunedin Blue Jays 6, Charlotte Stone Crabs 3
Box | Recap
Notes: Charlotte starts the second half 0-1... A 6th-inning error by Omar Luna led to all of Dunedin's runs, unearned off starter Scott Downs. Downs struck out 10 in 5.2 innings... Tommy Rafferty held Dunedin scoreless the remaining 2.1 innings... All nine of Charlotte's hits were singles... Shawn O'Malley and Emeel Salem had two apiece...

Bowling Green rained out
Notes: Bowling Green and Lexington will play two today...

Hudson Valley Renegades 3, Staten Island Yankees 1
Box | Recap
Notes: Hudson Valley improved to 3-3... Albert Suarez started and went 4.2 innings, allowing the lone run. He struck out 2... Kyle Ayers got the win in relief, tossing 2.1 scoreless innings... Richard De Los Santos registered the 2-inning save... Eli Sonoqui drove in two runs in the third inning... Chris Murrill was 2-3 with an RBI and a walk...

Princeton Rays 4, Burling Royals 3 (12 innings)
Box | Recap
Notes: Princeton improved to 2-1... Infielder Geno Glynn pitched a scoreless 12th inning(including a strikeout) and got the win when Princeton pushed across a run in the bottom half of the inning... Ryan Wiegand was 2-5 with a double; he scored the winning run... Julio Cedeno went 3-6... Brian Bryles was 2-5 with a walk... Ty Morrison went 1-5 with a walk... Omar Bencomo allowed three earned runs in 6 innings. He struck out 6 and didn't walk a batter... Matt Stabelfeld and Deivis Mavares threw 5 shutout innings out of the bullpen...

GCL Rays 2, GCL Red Sox 0
Box | Recap
Notes: The GCL Rays improved to 1-1... Eliazer Suero, Enny Romero, and Elvin Perez combined on the 6-hit shutout with Romero earning the win... Ruben Contreras and Gerardo Olivares each had an RBI... Rehabbing infielder Elliot Johnson was 1-2 with a double...

Up
Durham Bulls - C John Jaso: Continued a strong month of June, reaching base three times(1 for 2 with a walk)

Montgomery Biscuits - C Matt Spring: 2-4 with a double and homerun.

Charlotte Stone Crabs - LHP Darin Downs: Caught a bad break with the unearned runs, but struck out 10 and didn't walk anyone in 5.2 innings.

Hudson Valley Renegades - RHP Kyle Ayers: He's been great in relief so far for HV, throwing 5.1 scoreless innings.

Princeton Rays - OF Brian Bryles: Reached base three times and is off to a great start in 2009.

GCL Rays - Pitching: 9 innings, 6 hits, 0 runs, 4 walks, and 6 strikeouts.

Down
Durham Bulls - LHP Carlos Hernandez: Allowed four runs and 10 baserunners in 5 innings

Montgomery Biscuits - OF Joe Gaetti: 0-4.

Charlotte Stone Crabs - C Ian Paxton: 0-4.

Hudson Valley Renegades - 3B Burt Reynolds: Went 0-4 with three strikeouts.

Princeton Rays - 2B Seth Henry: The only Rays starter without a hit.

GCL Rays - OF Alexander Diaz: Went 0-4.

Stone Crabs begin second half of season with loss to Dunedin

The Game: The Charlotte Stone Crabs fell to the Dunedin Blue Jays 6-3 at Dunedin Stadium. The Stone Crabs took an early lead in the first on an RBI single by Greg Sexton to score Shawn O’Malley and give the Stone Crabs a 1-0 lead.

The Stone Crabs extended they lead in the fifth when Omar Luna singled to center score Reid Fronk. They added another in the sixth when Cody Cipriano crossed the plate on a grounder by Ian Paxton to put the Stone Crabs ahead 3-0.

But it all changed in the bottom of the sixth as Dunedin put up a big inning, striking for six runs to take the lead. Kevin Ahrens drove in the first run of the inning on an single to left scoring Moises Sierra. Adam Loewen the drove home Eric Thames. Followed by Justin Jackson driving home Ahrens to tie the game. The tie didn’t last long as Sean Shoffit followed with a three run homer to put the Blue Jays ahead 6-3, which they held to the end.

Darin Downs was charged with the loss, pitching 5 2/3 innings and surrendering 6 runs on 10 hits while striking out 10. Tommy Rafferty threw the final 2 1/3 innings, not allowing a hit striking out 2 and walking 1. Dumas Garcia was the winner for Dunedin.

What Went Right: Tommy Rafferty; 2 1/3 no-hit innings in relief.

What Went Wrong: Darin Downs; surrendered 6 runs in the sixth inning.

A Look Ahead: The Stone Crabs and Blue Jays do it again Friday night at Dunedin Stadium. David Newmann (3-3) will start for the Stone Crabs and will face Vince Bongiovanni (3-3).

Charlotte Stone Crabs Week in Review: 6/18-6/24

This week marked the end of the first half of the 2009 Florida State League season. The Stone Crabs finished in second place with a record of 37-31 leaving them 5 1/2 games behind Fort Myers.

The Stone Crabs were 3-3 on the week which saw the Stone Crabs play five games against St. Lucie in a three day span. The week was highlighted by the All-Star game in Fort Myers. Greg Sexton represented the Stone Crabs well by going 2 for 2 with an RBI. Cody Cipriano was 1 for 5. Darin Downs and Matt Gorgen both pitched a shut-out inning for the South Division All-Stars.

Hitting Leaders: Cody Cipriano is still leading the team in hitting .309 average that is tied for fourth in the league and a slugging percentage of .495 that is fifth in the league. The Stone Crabs have two players in the top ten of the league in steals with Shawn O’Malley in fourth with 25 and Emeel Salem tied for seventh with 16.

Pitching Leaders: The Stone Crabs pitchers are in the top of the standings in all of the league pitching categories. Jeremy Hall leads the league in wins with 8 and Darin Downs is tied for second with 7. Downs is ranked fourth among the FSL starters with an ERA of 2.41. Alex Cobb is just outside the top 10 in eleventh place with an ERA of 3.28. The Stone Crabs also hold down three of the top ten leaders in strikeouts. Cobb in fourth with 68, Downs and Newmann are tied for sixth with 65. Matt Gorgen still has an ERA under 1 currently sitting at 0.78 and is second in the league with 10 saves.

Team Stats: The Stone Crabs offense is ninth in the league with a batting average of .244 on the year and are ranked second in the league in triples with 23. Despite the number of Stone Crabs among the leaders in the pitching categories, the team ERA is 3.60 which is sixth in the league. The Stone Crabs have surrendered 279 runs off 577 hits so far this season. They are second in the league in strikeouts with 521 and have issued the second fewest walks with 156.

Transactions: Scott Kazmir promoted to Durham (6/18/09). Joey Callender transferred to Hudson Valley (6/24/09). Deivis Mavares transferred to Hudson Valley (6/24/09).

Injuries: Stephen Vogt (shoulder)

The Week Ahead: 6/25/09-6/28/09: at Dunedin Blue Jays. 6/29/09-7/1/09: vs Brevard County Manatees.

More From The Biscuits On Jennings To Futures Game

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

Biscuits outfielder Desmond Jennings has been chosen to represent the Tampa Bay Rays in the prestigious XM All-Star Futures Game on Sunday, July 12th. Jennings, 22, was named to the roster of the U.S. team, which will face the World Team in the showcase event.

Jennings will take part in the game as part of Major League Baseball's All-Star Weekend in St. Louis at the New Busch Stadium. The 11th annual Futures Game is scheduled at 1 PM, and can be seen live on MLB.TV, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD.

Now in its 11th season, the XM All-Star Futures Game has been an indicator of big league stardom for many prospects. 39 Major League All-Stars have appeared in the first 10 games, which have produced well over 200 eventual big leaguers.

Jennings is currently batting .318 on the season, sixth in the Southern League. He leads the league with six triples, and is currently tied for the circuit-lead in stolen bases with 26. He is also second in the league in total hits with 87, fourth in extra-base hits with 30 and also fourth in runs scored with 46.

He becomes the fourth Biscuit selected to participate in the Futures Game, joining Delmon Young (2005) and Evan Longoria (2007) who were selected to the U.S. team and current Biscuit Eddie Morlan who was chosen to the World team in 2008.

Outfielder Kyeong Kang, currently of the Low-A Bowling Green Hot Rods, will join Jennings in representing the Rays in St. Louis.

Major League Baseball, in conjunction with the Major League Baseball Scouting Bureau, MLB.com, Baseball America, USA Baseball and the 30 Major League Clubs, selected the 25-man rosters for both the U.S. and World teams. Players from all full-season Minor Leagues were eligible to participate.

Jennings will be joined in St. Louis by five other Southern League representatives. RHP Jarrod Parker (Mobile - Arizona), C Tyler Flowers (Birmingham - Chicago White Sox), OF Chris Heisey (Carolina - Cincinnati) and OF Mike Stanton (Jacksonville - Florida) join Jennings on the U.S. roster. 3B Dayan Viciedo (Birmingham - Chicago White Sox) was chosen for the World team.

A native of the Birmingham, AL, area, Jennings is currently rated as the #5 overall prospect in the Tampa Bay system by Baseball America. A 10th round selection of the Rays in the 2006 draft, he is currently in his fourth professional season.

GCL Rays top Red Sox 2-0

The Game: Eliazer Suero got the start for the Rays, his stateside debut. He did not disappoint, throwing 5 innings of shutout baseball, allowing just 4 hits and one walk, and striking out two. Despite a great effort by Suero, the bullpen again had to work hard and they had their second straight outstanding game.

Enny Romero pitched 3 innings in relief, allowing only one hit and struck out three while only walking one.

Elvin Perez came in to get the 9th inning save and although he struggled through the frame, earned his first save of the season. Perez allowed a walk that was wiped off by a double play immediately after, but then gave up a walk and two singles before striking out the pinch hitter, Seth Schwindenhammer, to end it.

Although the offense wasn't red hot against the Sox, they got the job done on just five hits. Juan Cuello, Elliot Johnson, Gerardo Olivares, Hector Gomez, and Felix Johnson collected the hits for the Rays. Olivares drove in the winning run in the bottom of the 6th against Kyle Stroup, singling home Ruben Contreras. Ruben Contreras helped add some insurance runs, pulling off a successful suicide squeeze to bring home Felix Gonzalez. However, they were just 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position.

What Went Right: Eli Suero and Enny Romero pitched 8 innings of shutout baseball in their stateside debuts against a talented Red Sox club. Ruben Contreras was 0-2 but provided a walk, a run, and an RBI.

What Went Wrong: Alex Diaz went 0-4 and is hitting .125 to start the season, although his sample size is small. Elvin Perez struggled, giving up 2 hits and 2 walks before finally closing it.

The Road Ahead: The Rays head to Sarasota to take on the GCL Orioles in a 12:00 PM game from Twin Lakes Park.

2009 Futures Game: Jennings, Kang

Baseball America says two players from the Rays organization have been named to the rosters of the 2009 Futures Game. Desmond Jennings of the Montgomery Biscuits is on the U.S. roster and Kyeong Kang of the Bowling Green Hot Rods is on the World roster.

See the link for the complete rosters of both teams.

6/25: Today's Games

Durham Bulls at Toledo MudHens 7:00 EDT
Starting for Durham: LHP Carlos Hernandez 4-3 3.34
Notes: Third game of a 4-game series... Ruddy Lugo, former Devil Ray and Bull, starts for Toledo...

Montgomery Biscuits vs. Tennessee Smokies 8:05 EDT
Starting for Montgomery: RHP Aneury Rodriguez 3-8 6.44
Notes:

Charlotte Stone Crabs at Dunedin Blue Jays 7:00 EDT
Starting for Charlotte:
Notes: Still not sure how the rotation is shaping up...

Bowling Green Hot Rods at Lexington Legends 7:05 EDT
Starting for Bowling Green: LHP Matt Moore 3-3 3.41
Notes: The Hot Rods could re-structure their rotation after the All-Star break, but it should be Moore tonight...

Hudson Valley Renegades at Staten Island Yankees 7:00 EDT
Starting for Hudson Valley: RHP Albert Suarez 1-0 3.60
Notes:

Princeton Rays vs. Burlington Royals 7:00 EDT
Starting for Princeton: RHP Omar Bencomo 0-0 0.00
Notes: Bencomo had a 55 to 3 strikeout to walk rate in the VSL in 2008...

GCL Rays vs. GCL Red Sox 12:00 EDT
Starting for the GCL Rays:
Notes:

6/25: The Rundown

Durham Bulls 4, Toledo MudHens 2
Box | Recap
Notes: Durham improved to 40-33... Wade Davis turned in another strong start, allowing just one earned run in 6 innings. He struck out 6 and walked 2... Chad Bradford got the win in relief and Dale Thayer closed it out... Matt Joyce and Justin Ruggiano each homered... Reid Brignac had the day off... Rhyne Hughes went 2-4 with a double...

Tennessee Smokies 6, Montgomery Biscuits 0
Box | Recap
Notes: Montgomery fell to 1-2... Heath Rollins was tagged with the loss, allowing 5 runs(4 earned) in 6 innings... The Biscuits had just 5 hits... Desmond Jennings was 0-4... Matt Fields made two errors...

Charlotte Stone Crabs 3, St. Lucie Mets 0 (7 innings)
St. Lucie Mets 8, Charlotte Stone Crabs 4 (7 innings)
Box 1 | Box 2
Notes: Charlotte finishes the first half 37-31... Jesse Darcy went all 7 innings in game one, allowing just five hits... Jose Mejias started game two and took the loss, allowing five earned runs in 3 innings... Shawn O'Malley was 2-4... Omar Luna went 3-3 in game two...

Bowling Green on All-Star Break
Notes: Bowling Green returns to action today in Lexington...

Brooklyn Cyclones 10, Hudson Valley Renegades 3
Box | Recap
Notes: Hudson Valley fell to 2-3... Aaron Dott struck out 5 and didn't walk anyone in 3.1 innings, but he surrendered 6 runs(4 earned) on 5 hits... Doug Salinas and Kevin Chavez allowed the other four... Tyler Bortnick was 2-3 with a double, a triple, and a walk...

Burlington Royals 4, Princeton Rays 3
Box | Recap
Notes: Princeton falls to 1-1... Wilking Rodriguez shut out Burlington for 4 innings. Jairo De La Rosa got the loss despite both of the runs charged to him being unearned... Ty Morrison and Seth Henry each got two hits, including a homerun from Henry... Brian Bryles tripled for the second straight game, but struck out in the 9th with the tying run on 3rd... The teams combined for seven errors...

GCL Rays off
Notes: The GCL Rays return today...

Up
Durham Bulls - RHP Wade Davis: 2.03 ERA in five starts in June.

Montgomery Biscuits - 3B Fernando Cortez: 2-4 with a triple.

Charlotte Stone Crabs - RHP Jesse Darcy: Hasn't been a great season for Darcy, but he was outstanding yesterday, throwing a 7-inning shutout.

Hudson Valley Renegades - SS Tyler Bortnick: 2-3 with a walk, double, and triple.

Princeton Rays - 2B Seth Henry: The undrafted free agent hit Princeton's first homerun of the year, part of a 2-3 night.

Down
Durham Bulls - Henry Mateo and Ray Olmedo hit 1-2 in the order and combined to go 0-7.

Montgomery Biscuits - Offense: In three games so far, the Biscuits have just 1 run on 13 hits.

Charlotte Stone Crabs - OF Emeel Salem: Combined 0-6 in the two games.

Hudson Valley Renegades - Brett Nommensen and Mark Thomas combined for 0-8 in the third and fourth spots in the order.

Princeton Rays - Defense: Three errors committed: Cedeno, Bryles, and Spraker.

Charlotte Stone Crabs fall to St. Lucie in game two of doubleheader

The Game: St. Lucie went deep three times as the Charlotte Stone Crabs fell to the St. Lucie Mets 8-4 in game two of Wednesday’s doubleheader at Tradition Field. Jose Mejias struggled early in his first game back from the disabled list, allowing five runs in the first inning. Reese Havens got the scoring started with an RBI double to score Hector Pellot. Then the Mets loaded the bases for Carlos Guzman who delivered a grand slam to give the Mets a 5-0 lead.

The Stone Crabs posted a run in the top of the second on an RBI single by Matt Hall to score Omar Luna. But the Mets matched the run by scoring one of their own when Zach Lutz hit a solo home run to left field.

The Mets struck again in the fifth inning but pushing two more runs across the plate. The inning got started off a solo home run by Reese Havens. Then Zach Lutz singled, Carlos Guzman doubled and Brahiam Maldonado drew a walk to load the bases with no outs. Richard Pena followed with a single to right to score Lutz for the second run of the inning. Austin Hinkle battled back to retire the next three batters and leave the bases loaded prevent further runs from scoring.

The Stone Crabs started a rally in the sixth inning. Reid Fronk, John Matulia and Christian Lopez picked up RBI’s in the inning as the Stone Crabs pushed across three runs in the inning. But it was too little to late and the Stone Crabs took the loss to the Mets 8-4.

Jose Mejias had another tough outing surrendering 6 runs (5 earned) on 6 hits while striking out 2 and walking 1 in 3 innings of work. Austin Hinkle pitched 2 innings of relief and allowed 2 runs off 4 hits with 2 strikeouts and 1 walk. Justin Garcia threw the final frame only allowing 1 hit. Nicholas Waechter was the winning pitcher for St. Lucie.


What Went Right: Omar Luna; 3 for 3 with a run scored.

What Went Wrong: Jose Mejias; rocked for his second consecutive game allowing a combined 11 earned runs in process (5 tonight and 6 against Dunedin on 6/13).

A Look Ahead: The Stone Crabs travel to Dunedin to play a four game series against the Dunedin Blue Jays (0-0). This marks the beginning of the second half of the FSL season and all teams start over with a clean slate. Darin Downs is scheduled to pitch against Dunedin.

Stone Crabs shut-out St. Lucie 3-0 in game one of doubleheader

The Game: Jesse Darcy threw a seven inning complete game shut-out as the Charlotte Stone Crabs defeated the St. Lucie Mets 3-0 in game one of Wednesday’s doubleheader at Tradition Field. The Stone Crabs jumped out to an early lead as they scored two runs in the first inning. Shawn O’Malley led off for the Stone Crabs with a single to center. Cody Cipriano drew a walk to give the Stone Crabs runners at first and second. Ryan Royster followed with an RBI to right to score O’Malley. Cipriano later scored on a wild pitch to give the Stone Crabs a 2-0 lead. The Stone Crabs got another run in the sixth on an RBI single by Matt Hall to score Ian Paxton for the third run of the game.

The Mets managed to get five hits off Jesse Darcy. Of the five hits, they only put runners in scoring position three times. But strong defense and commanding pitching kept the runners from crossing the plate.

Jesse Darcy earned his second win of the season by throwing a 7 inning shut-out, striking out 2 and walking 1. Angel Calero was the losing pitcher for St. Lucie.

What Went Right: Jesse Darcy; 7 inning shutout enroute to his second win of the season.

What Went Wrong: Shawn Williams and Emeel Salem; combined 0-6 in the game.

A Look Ahead: The Stone Crabs and Mets will play the second game of the doubleheader and complete the series and first half of the 2009 season. Jose Mejias (1-1, 5.68) will pitch against Nick Waechter (2-0, 5.75).

Durham Bulls Beat Toledo Mud Hens 4-2

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

Justin Ruggiano's two-out homer in the 8th propelled Durham to a 4-2 win over Toledo on Wednesday afternoon.

Ruggiano's 10th homer, a blast to center off Matt Rusch (2-2), broke a 2-2 tie. Rashad Eldridge added an insurance run in the ninth with a single that scored Rhyne Hughes, who had doubled. Ruggiano, Eldridge and Hughes each had two of Durham's eight hits.

Durham pitching retired 16 of the final 17 Toledo hitters. Chad Bradford, pitching on back to back days as part of his rehab assignment, got the win with a scoreless seventh. Dale Thayer earned his 10th save by retiring all six hitters he faced. Wade Davis worked around three errors, allowing two runs in the first, one earned. Davis retired his last seven. Durham's Matt Joyce hit a two-run homer in the first, his sixth, for a 2-0 lead before the Mud Hens tied it up.

Durham (40-33) now has won two of three after dropping eight in a row. The Bulls bounced back from a 13-inning loss just 12 hours prior to improve to 1-1 on an eight-game road trip.

The Bulls meet Toledo on Thursday night at 7, with airtime at 6:40 on 99.9 the Fan's HD2. LHP Carlos Hernandez (4-3) starts for Durham.

6/24: Today's Games

Durham Bulls at Toledo MudHens 12:00 EDT
Starting for Durham: RHP Wade Davis 6-4 3.00
Notes: Second game of a 4-game series...

Montgomery Biscuits vs. Tennessee Smokies 8:05 EDT
Starting for Montgomery: RHP Heath Rollins 6-5 3.74
Notes:

Charlotte Stone Crabs doubleheader at St. Lucie Mets 5:00 EDT
Starting for Charlotte:
Notes: The All-Star break and the doubleheaders have Charlotte forming its rotation on the fly...

Bowling Green Hot Rods on All-Star break
Notes: The Hot Rods return to action Thursday in Lexington...

Hudson Valley Renegades vs Brooklyn Cyclones 6:35 EDT
Starting for Hudson Valley: LHP Aaron Dott 0-0 0.00
Notes: Dott was the Rays 31st round selection in 2009...

Princeton Rays vs. Burlington Royals 7:00 EDT
Starting for Princeton: RHP Wilking Rodriguez 0-0 0.00
Notes:

GCL Rays off
Notes: The GCL Rays return to action tomorrow...