A slightly abbreviated roundup summarizes another eventful day for Toronto's minor league affiliates:
Syracuse 4, Ottawa 2
Justin Miller had seven strikeouts over seven innings, giving up just four hits, and no walks, to lead the Chiefs past the Lynx yesterday. The only blemish on his night were the two solo homers he gave up, to Eddy Garabito in the third, and to Carlos Mendez in the seventh inning. Syracuse's offense was led by prospects Alex Rios (2-4, HR, RBI, K), Gabe Gross (2-4, RBI, K), and Russ Adams (1-3, 2B, SF, RBI, BB), and was complimented by Shawn Fagan, who reached base in each of his four plate appearances (2-2, 2 BB). Vinny Chulk pitched an impressive two innings (1 H, 4 SO, 1 BB, 0 ER) for his first save of the year.
Boxscore
Game Story by Matt Michael, Syracuse Post-Standard
New Hampshire 3, Norwich 2 (10 innings)
Dustin McGowan lacked the pinpoint contol he had exhibited in almost every one of his Eastern League starts since getting the call to New Haven last summer. Despite the un-McGowanesque peripherals last night (5 BB, 2 SO) Dusty still managed to allow only one run on four hits, before being replaced by Dan Jackson with one out in the sixth inning, leaving his Fisher Cat teammates, as usual, in position to win the game. That result would not come until a dramatic tenth inning single by Dominic Rich, plating Tyrell Godwin for the winning run. Rich (2-5, RBI, K) extended his season-long hit streak to ten games, while Adam Peterson (2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO) blew his first save of the year. Peterson still managed to shut Norwich down in the tenth to pick up the victory, a victory that Jackson and Kevin Frederick (1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 3 SO) had worked to preserve for Mr. McGowan.
Boxscore
Game Story by Kevin Gray, New Hampshire Union-Leader
Lakeland 14, Dunedin 3
The D-Jays were pummelled by Detroit's High-A affiliate last night. Lakeland outhit Dunedin 21-11, battering around starter Ismael Ramirez (4.1 IP, 9 H, 4 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO) and relievers Chad Pleiness (1.1 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 0 ER) and Tommi Ozuna (1.1 IP, 5 H, 5 ER), while D-Jays hitters simply couldn't match the offensive output. Vito Chiaravalotti's two hits (2-4, 2 2B, SF, K, RBI), were matched by Jason Waugh (2-5), Miguel Negron (2-4, HBP, 2 RBI), and Brad Hassey (2-3, BB, SB). Dunedin's record fell to 9-4.
Boxscore
Game Log
Charleston-WV 4, Greensboro 2
Righthander Danny Core pitched a brilliant six innings (1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 8 SO, HP) to keep his Fighting Cats within clawslengths of a lead. Local hero David Smith was clutch once again, with a three-run home run in the seventh, sending the Sally League juggnernauts to their fifth consecutive victory. Brian Patrick (2-3, R) inspired with great baserunning, and Brian Reed (1 IP, 0 BB, 2 SO) sealed the deal, for his third save.
Boxscore
Game Story by Tom Aluise, Charleston Daily-Mail
Game Story by Matt Whiteford, Charleston Gazette
Links of the day
1. Kevin Goldstein kicked off the 2004 Prospect Hot Sheet for Baseball America. No Jays in the Top 20, but Banks, League, and McGowan receive honourable mention. For BA's purposes, Vito's probably not a prospect until he's putting up the same numbers against AA or AAA pitching.
2. If you missed it yesterday, Jonathan Mayo (MLB.com) updates concerned Jason Arnold followers on the righty's progress in AAA, under Brad Arnsberg's tutelage.
3. Kevin Gray, Union-Leader, has another excellent Fisher Cat feature story, on hot-hitting second base prospect Dominic Rich.
Three-Star Selection!
Our Third Star: David Smith, Charleston (clutch three-run HR powered Cats offense)
Our Second Star: Dominic Rich, New Hampshire (extended hit streak to ten, drove in winning run in 10th inning)
Our First Star: Danny Core, Charleston (2003 7th-round draft choice, with his best pro start to date)
Honourbale Mention: Justin Miller, Alex Rios
Today's Games
Ottawa (BAL) at Syracuse, 6:00 pm (Jason Arnold vs. Sean Bergman)
Norwich (SF) at New Hampshire, 12:05 pm (Gustavo Chacin vs. Brad Hennessey)
Lakeland (DET) at Dunedin, 7:00 pm (Kurt Isenberg vs. TBA)
Greensboro (FLO) at Charleston, 6:05 pm (Justin James vs. Gabriel Benitez)
https://www.battersbox.ca/article.php?story=20040421120627999