Three out of four teams lost in Thursday's action, in a slate of games which featured some outcomes that one might not have expected at all.
Tales of the Unexpected
Las Vegas 0, Oklahoma City 1
The otherworldly results on the farm started in Las Vegas, where 34 year old former major leaguer ('05-'09) Tim Redding, who brought a horrendous 10.80 ERA into the game, reached back into the past and found enough to cruise through six innings while allowing only one run. Two relievers contributed a shutout inning apiece and the unusual effort was still not enough because the opposing pitchers were even better.
Offensively, Adeiny Hechavarria drove the bus, going 3 for 5 (and striking out in his other two AB). There were no XBH for the 51's in the game. Hech, by the way, has recovered from his slump and is hitting .400 over his last 7 games, with an OPS of .988
New Hampshire 2, Binghamton 9
Chad Jenkins got the nod for the F'Cat's tonight and as is his custom, through a competent unremarkable game. He gave up 2 earned runs over 5.2 IP and an unearned run that had the NH squad behind when he left the game. Arbitrary factoid: Take away his one horrific start on April 14 and Jenkins season ERA drops from 5.03 to 3.43
The game got away from them, though, in the ninth when journeyman reliever Clint Everts got pounded for five runs while recording only a single out.
Offensively the 'Cats recorded nine hits but only two of those went for extra bases. Ryan Goins, Mike McDade, and Jon Diaz got 2 hits apiece.
Dunedin 11, Ft. Myers 12
The yin to Redding's yank was Asher Wojchechowski. As much a prospect as Redding is a has-been, Wojo surely didn't pitch like it in this game. He ran his season ERA to 5.40 by yielding eight earned runs in only 2.1 innings. After giving up 3 in the first he had a shutout second inning but the wheels cam flying off in the third inning as 5 of the first 6 miracle hitters struck the ball hard and he left with three runs in and two runners on – which reliever Shawn Griffith took all of one batter to bring home.
In a crazy offensive game, though, the D'Jays were never out of the game. Jake Marisnick doubled and tripled in a 2 for 6 night, Kevin Nolan was 3/5 with 2 doubles, Jon Talley and Kevin Aherns were 2/4, the latter with a double to his credit. Oddly, though they scored 11 runs, the D'jays were only 3 for 13 w/RISP.
Lansing 13, Bowling Green 5
finally, the coda to our set of unexpected events was an event that had not happened previously this season – Sancalino was scored upon. Both Justin Nicolino and Aaron Sanchez reached the 4 inning mark for the second time this season, but there didn't seem to be a connection to the (relativity) scoring outburst – combined they gave up five runs while striking out 8 and walking 2 – in the case of Sachez at least. The two runs he allowed scored as he was going through the opposing order for the first time.
Offensively though, the sometimes sputtering Lugnut offense was running smoothly this time. The usual middle infield stole the show, as second baseman Jon Berti was 4 for 6 with a double and regular SS (playing 3B in this game) Andy Burns went 3 for 5 with a 2-run homer. KC Hobson and Marcus Brisker had a triple apiece. Chris Hawkins was 3 for 6 and picked up a couple of RBI. In contrast to their Dunedin brethren, the 'nuts were 9 for 25 w/RISP.
Third Star: Jake Marisnick – a home run short of the cycle
Second Star: John Berti – 4/6 with a double
First Star: Andy Burns: 3/5, two-run homer.
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