It was a tough day for the organization. The big club, Syracuse, New Hampshire and Dunedin lost. Some of the Jays top pitching prospects had rough outings. It looked like it was going to be an organizational oh-fer until Charleston scored 6 runs in the top of the ninth to register the only win of the day. It is a somewhat abbreviated report today.
Rochester 6 Syracuse 5
It is always going to be a long day when you play Justin Morneau and the Rochester Red Wings. In seven games against Syracuse this season Mormeau has batted .481 with three home runs and eight RBI's. Jason Arnold started and held the Red Wings off the board through five. Dave Gassner started for the Red Wings and the Jays got to him in the fifth. A Simon Pond single scored Gabe Gross and Glenn Williams.
The Red Wings responded in the top of the sixth. Arnold allowed a solo home run to Morneau, and a two run home run to Michael Restovich to give Rochester a 3-2 lead. Mark Lukasiewicz relieved Arnold and gave up two more runs in the seventh. But the Chiefs fought back with a pair of runs of their own in the bottom of the seventh. A Guillermo Quiroz single scored Shawn Fagan and Alexis Rios.
Vinnie Chulk came on in the seventh. In the ninth he allowed a home run to Alex Prieto, a run that would be the eventual game winner. In the bottom of the ninth Gross singled and scored on a two out double by Jeff Guiel, but Russ Adams flew out to end the game.
Adams was the only Chief who did not reach base. Rios was 1-4; Quiroz was also 1-4. Gross had two hits and a walk to raise his average to .263.
Binghamton 10 New Hampshire 8
It was a big day in New Hampshire. Dustin McGowan was making his final AA start before his expected promotion to AAA. Keith Law and Dane Johnson, the Jays roving pitching instructor, were in town to witness the start. Maybe the pressure was too much, McGowan struggled and had his worst performance of the year.
Things looked good early in the game. Binghamton's starter, Jose Diaz, could not find the plate and he walked the first four hitters. An Aaron Hill sac fly made it 2-0 and back to back singles by Jose Umbria and Mikael Jova made it 4-0 after one.
The second inning continued like the first. Diaz walked two more, Matt Logan singled to drive in one and then John Ford Griffin hit a three run home run to make it 8-0 after two innings.
McGowan struggled some through the first two innings throwing 45 pitches but used only 16 for the third and fourth. The wheels came off in the fifth. McGowan allowed a double, a home run, three walks and a grand slam to Prentice Redman. The score was 8-6 and McGowan was done for the day. McGowan pitched 4.1 innings, having allowed five hits, six walks and four runs. After the game McGowan said he lost his concentration and did not have a feel for the ball. Lesson learned?
Jordan DeJong relived McGowan and pitched through the sixth. Brandon League came on to start the seventh and had the same problem as McGowan. The Mets scored four runs off League in two innings from four hits, three walks, and a hit batter.
Kevin Frederick pitched a scoreless ninth. The Mets bullpen shutout New Hampshire for 7 2/3 innings to seal the win.
Griffin was 2-5 with the home run; Aaron Hill went 2-4.
St. Lucie 6 Dunedin 4
After allowing twenty two runs on Saturday the Jays were looking for a strong performance from Neomar Flores. Unfortunately they did not get one. St. Lucie scored four in the first inning off Flores. St. Lucie added another in the third. Flores had to stick it out to give the bullpen a partial rest.
Dunedin got on the board in the bottom of the third with three runs to shrink the margin to 5-3. Dunedin added one in the sixth but Robert Nunley conceded an unearned run in the eighth.
Every Dunedin hitter had a hit except Carlo Cota. Manny Mayorson had two hits, and Ron Davenport drove in two with a double.
Rodney Medina is back off the DL. Vince Perkins has been placed on the DL.
Charleston 7 Delmarva 3
Justin James started and allowed two runs on five hits in 4.2 innings. The Alley Cats scored once in the fifth but went to the top of the ninth down 3-1. Four hits, two walks, a hit batter and three wild pitches allowed the Alley Cats to score six runs. Brian Reed pitched a perfect ninth for the save.
Ryan Roberts returned to form going 2-3 with two walks. Clint Johnston also had two hits including a double.
News Stories
Mart Pevey, the Syracuse manager, will be inducted into the Savannah hall of fame tonight.
The McGowan story.
Charleston game story.
Our Three-Star Selection
The 3rd Star: Ryan Roberts, 2-3 with two walks
The 2nd Star: Gabe Gross, 2-3 with a walk
The 1st Star: John Ford Griffin, 2-5 with a three run home run.
Standings
Syracuse were 3-4 on the week and their record now is 11-14. Syracuse are fifth in their division, four games behind Rochester
New Hampshire are 10-10 and are tied for third, two games behind Trenton. The Cats were 3-4 for the week.
Dunedin are in second place by one and a half games with a 14-11 record. Dunedin were 4-3 for the week.
Charleston are in first place by five and a half games with an 18-4 record. They were 4-2 for the week.
Combined the Jays minor league teams are 53-39, a .576 winning percentage.
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