A forgettable day as the Blue Jays affiliates went 2-4, with the Dominican Summer League entry picking up one of the wins. The six teams combined to score just 15 runs and no team could score more than four.
The good news is that four of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats have been selected as Eastern League All-Stars. Starters Todd Ozias and Cam Reimers and the double-play combination of Aaron Hill and Dominic Rich will play in the July 14th classic in Bowie, MD. Congratulations, all!
Columbus 9 Syracuse 1
Game Story
Boxscore
The last thing a struggling teams needs is to run into a pitcher of the quality of Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez, but that's what happened to the SkyChiefs last night. The Clippers steamrollered them 9-1 behind the hot hitting of Robinson Cano, who is being showcased (along with Dioner Navarro) for a potential trade. Mike Smith started for Syracuse and got rocked, giving up eight runs in 4.1 innings as his control deserted him. Russ Adams, with a hit and a walk, was the only Syracuse player to reach twice.
New Britain 4 New Hampshire 1
Game Story
Boxscore
Once again Gill Stadium proves tough on hitters as the Fisher Cats lose. A fine pitching performance from NB's Henry Bonilla, going eight innings with just the one run. Cam Reimers took the loss to take some of the shine of his nomination as an Eastern League All-Star. He still had a quality start as he went seven and gave up just three runs. Justin Singleton scored the lone run for the Fisher Cats.
Lakeland 6 Dunedin 4
Boxscore
Noticing a pattern? Anyway, a rehabbing Carlos Delgado joined Dunedin but couldn't bring any luck as the D-Jays lost to Lakeland 6-4 in the late innings after holding a 4-0 lead after the first. Ismael Ramirez started for Dunedin and pitched wonderfully, striking out eight in six innings, walking none and allowing only one earned run. He staked the D-Jays to a 4-2 lead but they couldn't hold it, thanks to a two-run homer off Tracy Thorpe. Tommi Ozuna and Brian Reed then combined to lose the game for Dunedin. Carlo Cota was the offensive star with two doubles in his five at-bats, but also made two errors. Delgado went 0-for-5 and grounded into a double play.
Charleston are on a midseason break
Auburn 4 Mahoning Valley 3
Boxscore
The Doubledays managed to reverse the losing trend by scraping (and I mean scraping) a 4-3 win over Mahoning Valley. Auburn won despite gathering only three hits and seven baserunners. Casey Mackenzie went five innings and gave up three runs (including two homers) for the win, but the pitching stars came from the Doubledays bullpen as Matthew Dalton and Chris Leonard each pitched two scoreless innings with a one-run lead. Leonard was especially effective, striking out three and not allowing a single hitter to reach base in the 8th and 9th. The offensive stars were Aaron Mathews and Vinny Esposito, each with a double; Mathews scored two runs and Esposito drove in a pair.
Burlington 4 Pulaski 2
Boxscore
All good things, including the P-Jays' 9-0 start, must come to an end. Burlington ended the winning streak last night behind a fine pitching performance from non-drafted free agent Garrett Alwert, as he went five innings striking out seven Pulaski hitters, allowing only one run and no walks. Meanwhile, Pulaski starter Edward Rodriguez gave up four runs in his three innings of work, and despite six fine innings of relief from Cory Hahn, Derek Tate and Daryl Harang, the offense couldn't score enough off the Burlington bullpen. Tate was particularly fine, striking out four and only allowing one hit in his three innings of work. On the offensive side, Nick Thomas went 2-for-3 with a walk, and figured in both runs (scoring one and driving in Mike Macaluso for the other).
Pringamosa Blue Jays 3 La Romana Angels 1
Boxes or details of the game are unavailable. The Jays outhit the Angels 6-3 and played errorless ball; Rafael Perez had the win and Felix Rincon the save. Updated statistics from the Dominican Summer League are here. The Blue Jays are 16-6 and lead the Angels in the San Pedro de Macoris division by 2.5 games.
Three Stars
For the first time since the short-season affiliates opened, pickings are very slim for the three stars. It's three pitchers tonight:
3rd star : Pulaski LH reliever Derek Tate, pitching three scoreless innings of relief with just one hit, no walks and four strikeouts.
2nd star : Dunedin RH starter Ismael Ramirez, with a very fine performance despite a no-decision; a pitching line of 6 5 2 1 0 8.
1st star : Auburn LH reliever Chris Leonard, a very fine performance, pitching a perfect eighth and ninth to preserve a one-run lead for the Doubledays. Leonard's line was 2 0 0 0 0 3 and he notched his third save of the campaign.
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