The minor league season is winding down. There have been pleasures and disappointments. One thing is sure; when the season is over, I will miss it. The farm affiliates went 4-1.
Syracuse 1 Rochester 5
Shaun Marcum pitched a typical game for him, 7 innings, 6 hits, 0 walks and 6 strikeouts. That sounds quite good, but among the 6 hits were a 2 run homer and a 3 run homer. If he can keep the ball in the park, he will be a fine pitcher. The Chiefs could manage only 3 hits, with Julius Matos garnering 2 of 'em.
New Hampshire 9 Norwich 1
David Purcey pitched 7 fine innings, allowing only a solitary unearned run, while striking out 7 and walking 2. Steve Andrade and Jesse Carlson each pitched a fine inning of relief. Chip Cannon, Miguel Negron and Ron Davenport went yard for the Fisher Cats, and Curtis Thigpen reached base 4 times and scored on each occasion. Davenport and Rob Cosby joined Thigpen in the 3-hit club.
Dunedin 9 Clearwater 4
Ricky Romero had the longest outing of his pro career, going 5 innings, and allowing 2 earned runs on 7 hits with 5 strikeouts, but the story was Eric Arnold. Arnold doubled thrice and hit a homer to lead the D-Jay offence. Joey Reiman contributed 3 hits of his own. Brian Reed and Danny Hill each pitched 2 serviceable innings of relief, allowing 3 hits apiece.
West Michigan 1 Lansing 5
Juan Perez started and went 5 innings and allowing only 1 earned run on 6 hits and 2 walks with 6 strikeouts. Benjamin Harrison was equally impressive in closing out the game without giving up a score and earned the long save in his debut. Ryan Klosterman doubled and homered, and Christian Snavely drove in 2 to lead the Lugnut offence.
Mahoning Valley 4 Auburn 5
The fine debut in Auburn belonged to young shortstop Jesus Gonzalez, who went 3-4 and scored the tying and go-ahead runs in the 7th and 9th innings respectively. Earlier, Jacob Butler and Matt Cooksey had homered for the Doubledays. Orlando Trias started and deserved better, going 5 innings and allowing 1 earned run on 4 hits and 1 walk with 7 strikeouts. Billy Carnline coughed up the lead left to him, before Sean Stidfole went 2.2 scoreless innings, albeit with 2 walks. Edward Rodriguez followed up with a scoreless ninth and garnered the win.
3 star selection
3rd star-Jesus Gonzalez, a fine Auburn debut
2nd star-Juan Perez, a fine Lansing debut
1st star-Eric Arnold and David Purcey, great performances for Dunedin and New Hampshire