The affiliates went 2-2 in about the least exciting way possible. Lansing was actually able to play, but apparently didn't get the memo until it was too late.
Las Vegas bookended seven scoreless innings with a four run first and two run ninth, giving them just enough to squeak by Sacremento. The 51s opened things up in the first, cashing a Darin Mastroianni leadoff single with two outs before David Cooper knocked in himself, Eric Thames and Ryan Shealy all by himself. Sactown chipped away at Ryan Boone and Mike Hinckley, scoring three (two unearned on a Brett Lawrie bases loaded error) and two in four and two innings respectively, to take back the lead. Things were quiet til the 9th, when Lawrie redeemed himself with a two run double to plate the tieing and winning runs. Rommie Lewis came in for the save and that was all she wrote.
For the 51s, Mastro had 2 hits, including a double, same for Lawrie, who also added a stolen base. Old friend Chris Woodward has two two-baggers, and Cooper walked in addition to the aforementioned dinger, while Eric Thames was held to a single in five plate appearances. The Jr. Jays were also shut down for two innings by the Vincredible Chulk.
After starting the season 3-1, the Cats pulled a Jays and have now lost three straight, getting swept by Reading in a three game set. The squadron could muster only a measley four hits, all singles, including one each from d'Arnaud, and Hechavarria, who also made a throwing error. Reidier Gonzalez started for New Hampshire and was sharp, allowing 2 runs in 6 innings, 7 hits, 1 walk, 3 strikeouts. Dumas Garcia got roughed up a bit in relief, allowing the other two runs, while Clint Everts was perfect in an inning. Phillipe Aumont picked up the save for the Phillies affiliate, retiring all four batters he faced.
Another 6-5 squeaker for the good guys, though this time they didn't have to wait until the ninth. Deck McGuire took the mound to start and was simply ok, going 4.2 innings and allowing 3 runs. He did strike out five, against 5 base hits and 2 walks. The rest of the pen was almost perfect save for Casey Beck, who was subjected to an error before walking the other two batters he faced after coming in with one out in the seven; two runs would count against him, 1 unearned. The bulk of the D-Jays scoring came in the 4-run 5th, as the Justin Jackson, Kenny Wilson, Ivan Contreras and AJ Jiminez had four consecutive extra base hits, double, double, triple, double. A wild pitch brought in the last one. They would strike again in the 7th and the 8th, on two singles and two throwing errors, and on a Brad Glenn home run. Wes Etheridge got three groundouts to end things in the ninth.
Kenny Wilson led the charge with two singles and a double, while Justin Jackson was 2/2 with a single, double and walk, and apparently was both picked off and caught stealing on the same play (in which he was safe at second on a throwing error, leading to the tieing run in the 7th.) Go figure, MILB. Jiminez, Ochinko and Glenn were held to solitary hits albeit all for extra bases.
This one was over before it started, as South Bend went up 3-0, then 4-0, then 9-0 before the Lugnuts started to play. Lansing scored their five runs in the fifth and sixth but were unable to muster anything beyond that, and thus took the loss. Daniel Webb was the victim in this one, allowing seven runs, all earned, in his 3 innings of work. He did strike out 3 against no walks, I suppose. Drew Permisson wasn't much better, although he only allowed 1 run and inning for his two frames. The Lugnut bats could muster only three hits all game - a Gustavo Pierre double, Bulbino Fuenmayor triple, and a Michael Crouse single.
Three Stars!
3rd Star! Justin Jackson - 2/2, 2B, BB, 2 R
2nd Star! Reidier Gonzalez - 6 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
1st Star! Kenny Wilson - 3/3, 2B, 1 R, 1 RBI
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