GCL Jays Ruin the Pattern

Tuesday, August 25 2009 @ 10:07 AM EDT

Contributed by: Dave Rutt

If it wasn't for the second game in a GCL double-header, the affiliates would have scored progressively fewer runs as you descend the minor league ladder. So what I'm saying is, stop reading after Dunedin.

Las Vegas 9 at Salt Lake 8

The 51s did a pretty good job of scoring throughout the game, and yet they were behind from the bottom of the 1st until the top of the 8th when they broke through for 3 runs and finally re-captured the lead they had first taken in the top of the 1st. The offense was fairly evenly distributed, with only Brian Dopirak not reaching base. Buck Coats drove in 3 on a triple and a single, and Aaron Mathews had 2 singles and 2 walks. T.J. Beam didn't have a great start, but the trio of Zach Stewart, Brian Wolfe and Jeremy Accardo picked him up nicely, allowing 1 run over the final 4 2/3.

New Hampshire 8 at Trenton 5

Scoring almost as many runs as you have hits is generally a good way to win a game. New Hampshire was more efficient than their opponents, scoring 8 runs on 9 hits while Trenton banged out 12 hits, but could only convert those runners into 5 runs. Nick Gorneault swung the big bat for the Cats, with 3 RBIs on a single and a homer. David Cooper doubled and walked twice. The pitching was nothing to write home about, or anything to write Batter's Box about, really.

Moises Sierra 4 at Clearwater 2

Dunedin got out-hit 11-8 in this contest, but they had the big hit that counted: a grand slam by Moises Sierra. Clearwater did a poor job cashing in their runners, as they went 2-11 with RISP. Charles Huggins was good on the mound, allowing an earned run on 7 hits in 5 innings, and striking out 8.

 West Michigan 5 at Lansing 4

Lansing put up a good fight in this one; they had 9 hits including homers by Mike McDade and Balbino Fuenmayor, and got a quality start out of Chase Lirette, who allowed 3 runs in 6 innings. It just wasn't quite enough, as Jason Roenicke allowed the tying and go-ahead run to score in his 3 innings of work. Johermyn Chavez had a double in 4 trips, while Welinton Ramirez singled and stole a base.

Mahoning Valley 12 at Auburn 1

There is absolutely nothing that happened in this game that I care to mention.

GCL Blue Jays 1 at GCL Braves 3 (7 innings)

Wow, take a look at that box score. Actually, don't, it's bleak. The GCL Jays managed just 3 hits and 1 walk. Bryson Namba was the hero, homering in half of his at bats, but even though he wasn't pinch-hit or pinch-run for or anything, he only managed 2 at bats. Gustavo Pierre had a single and a steal, and there was some solid work out of the bullpen.

GCL Braves 3 at GCL Jays 4 (7 innings)

That's a little better. Eric Thames and Jony Fernandez each doubled and walked, and John Roberts smacked a solo homer to give the Baby Jays just enough offense to even up the doubleheader. Someone named Lance Loftin' pitched 2 perfect innings out of the bullpen, but should probably switch to hitting with a name like that.

Three Stars
3. Moises Sierra - grand slam
2. Buck Coats - 2-4, 3B, 3 RBI
1. Nick Gorneault - 2-4, HR, 3 RBI

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