The newest Skychief gets a rude welcome to AAA, and the hits just keep on coming for the New Haven Lumber Company. Here's the latest farm system news.
Norfolk 10, Syracuse 5
Jason Arnold's final line score -- 5 IP, 7 H, 5 ER, 4 BB, 2 K -- wasn't quite as bad as it looked. He served up a first-inning solo shot to Marco Scutaro, who ought to be playing second base for the Mets if Steve Phillips had an ounce of sense. Arnold then posted three shutout innings before being touched for two more runs in the top of the fifth. By the top of the 6th, the Chiefs had a 5-3 lead, but Arnold tired, and reliever Dan Reichert couldn't hold the fort, giving up a bases-loaded double to Scutaro again. It certainly wasn't a good outing for Toronto's top pitching prospect, but it wasn't disastrous either. Howie Clark had three hits for the Chiefs, boosting his line to .250/.300/.450 in 80 AB (7 2B, 3 HR, 7 BB, 5 K); he's coming back from an injury and could still figure in the Jays' plans this year.
New Haven 13, Harrisburg 8
Arnold's former AA teammates kept on pounding the ball. A double, 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored for Alexis Rios; two homers and three RBIs for first baseman Shawn Fagan during his second go-round in the Eastern League; 2-for-2 with an HBP for John-Ford Griffin. Gabe Gross had the night off, and Guillermo Quiroz took the collar with an 0-for-5 night. The remarkable Dave Gassner got the win, though it was a little messy: 5 H and 4 BB in 6 IP, but just 2 ER and 4 Ks. Gas is now 1-1, 1.91, 28 IP, 27 H, 10 BB, 25 K, 20% K/BF. Not outstanding numbers if he wants a career above Triple-A, but nice to see all the same.
Dunedin 7, Daytona 3
Tyrell Godwin had two hits and scored two runs, bumping his season's totals to .313/.375/.366 in 131 AB. His power is non-existent at this point -- just 7 2B -- but he has a 10/9 BB/K rate, which isn't bad. Godwin's old for the league, but he could be a late bloomer yet. Third baseman Lee Delfino cracked his first home run, but he's scuffling at .209. Neomar Flores started, but didn't get through the 4th, surrendering 2 runs on 4 hits and 2 walks; his ERA is now 6.48. Andres Torres relieved and got the win with 3 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing just one hits and K'ing 2, but walking 4. That's a little out of character: his season's totals are now 22 IP, 15 H, 4 BB, 20 K, 24% K/BF. However, he's also 25 years old, so don't go looking for him on any prospect lists. Flores, by comparison, is barely 21.
Charleston 4, Capital City and Tony Bennett 1
Finally,a bright spot in a dark season for DJ Hanson. The star-crossed right-hander has had a miserable campaign so far, but last night he threw 6 2/3 solid innings, allowing just one run on 6 hits and a walk, striking out 9. That performance brings him up to 2-5, 4.50, 40 IP, 37 H, 21 BB, 37 K, 21% K/BF. Two more hits and a run scored for the surprising Miguel Negron. Generally considered Toronto's worst first-round pick, Negron has struggled his whole professional career, but his line now stands at .324/.338/.459. He still has a long way to go, though, as 1 walk in 74 at-bats will testify.
https://www.battersbox.ca/article.php?story=20030514093835999