You take wins any way you can get ‘em. One way or another, each of the Jays four minor league teams in action scraped up wins in a perfect sweep for the organization. Charleston and Dunedin both cruised to victory behind strong pitching and timely hitting, Syracuse pulled out a 9th inning comeback and (although it’s still unknown which charity will receive the proceeds) a Walk-a-thon broke out in New Hampshire.
Syracuse 8 Charlotte 7
Starter Chris Baker struggled early but the bats roared back to tie up the game at 6 apiece when Baker left after the 5th. Russ Adams led the way for the offense with 4 hits including a pair of doubles and another pair of RBI’s. Veterans Glen Williams, Bobby Estalella, and Marvin Benard each hit long balls. Benard was the hero on the night as his 2 run shot in the 9th was the game winner.
Vinnie Chulk finished the Knights off with 2 perfect innings, 1 K, for the win. On the not so bright side, Alexis Rios was 0 for 5 on the night and Gabe Gross managed a triple and three strikeouts.
Box score -MinorLeagueBaseball.com
Game Story -Syracuse Post-Standard
Official Skychiefs home page
Norwich 5 New Hampshire 6
The Fisher Cats starter Gustavo Chacin struggled but the Navigators pitchers had a very rough night yielding an astounding 13 walks on the night. Six separate Fisher Cats drew 2 free passes including Aaron Hill who also added 2 singles.
Chacin got a little help from reliever Dan Jackson who came on with the bases loaded in the 6th and struck out two batters to end the threat. Brandon League pitched two shutout innings. Adam Peterson came on in the 9th and gave up a run on a walk and a double but held on for the save.
Box score -MinorLeagueBaseball.com
Game Story-Union Leader and New Hampshire Sunday Times
Official Fisher Cats home page
Dunedin 7 Brevard County 1
Jesse Harper continues to embarass FSL hitters, going 5 innings giving up 4 hits, 2BB’s and 5 K’s. The only real blemish on Harper’s night was a solo shot to Clyde Williams in the 6th. Once his pitch count is up to full strength there can't be much holding him back from a promotion in the near future.
Offense was a team effort as 8 different Baby Jays reached base twice highlighted by a solo shot by Vito Chiaravalloti. Tracy Thorpe and Tommy Ozuna pitched two strong innings each to finish things off.
Box score -MinorLeagueBaseball.com
Dunedin Blue Jays official site
Kannapolis 2 Charleston 8
Two nights after Ryan Roberts hit two homeruns against Lexington, he repeated the feat to drive in all the runs Charleston would need. Catcher Joey Wolfe returned to action with a 3 run shot of his own.
Shaun Marcum rebounded from a rough outing last time to post six and a third strong innings giving up only 2 runs on 4 hits, 2 walks and 7 strikeouts. Felix Romero and Marcos Sandoval mopped things up for the organizational sweep.
Box score-MinorLeagueBaseball.com
Game Story -Charleston Gazette
Alley-Cats official site
Your Three-Star Selection:
I don’t want to say I’m entirely responsible for the organizational sweep, but I’d like to think that my first night as a Batters Box author inspired the young Jays teams. If I weren’t so modest I think we all know who the first star would be. Anyways…
The 3rd Star Ryan Roberts: 2-4 with 2 HR.
The 2nd Star Jesse Harper: 5 innings of 1 run ball.
The 1st Star Russ Adams: 4-5 with 2 doubles to extend his very nice little hot streak
https://www.battersbox.ca/article.php?story=20040526091030999