So the Jays didn't manage to pull off that much-anticipated Escobar-Cash for Foppert-Willams trade that was all but a certainty in the minds of many insane people. Big deal -- there were some excellent pitching performances in the minor leagues last night.
Syracuse 3 Buffalo 1
Suddenly, the Jays' various off-season NRI starters are tearing up the International League. Last night it was Evan Thomas's turn, allowing just 1 run over 7 innings on 4 hits, 2 walks and 4 Ks. It's too late to help the Jays, of course, and Thomas's ERA sank all the way to 4.90, but better late than never, I guess. Bob File threw another scoreless inning; start pencilling him into your plans for next year's Toronto bullpen. Simon Pond singled and doubled, driving in 1, while Gabe Gross singled and tripled, scoring once.
New Haven 9 Erie 0
What a night for Dustin McGowan: 7 shutout innings, 3 hits, zero walks, 8 strikeouts. The leap from Double-A to Triple-A can be treacherous -- just ask Jason Arnold -- but McGowan could make it as early as next spring. The Ravens nitpicked Erie to death: 11 singles, 2 doubles, 6 walks and 2 hit batsmen (both named Dominic Rich). Russ Adams had three singles and stole his 5th base, while Lexi Rios singled, doubled and stole his 8th. A double, single, run and RBI for Guillermo Quiroz, too. And a 27-year-old Kiwi may have solved an ancient Greek physics riddle. Great night all around in New Haven.
St. Lucie 4 Dunedin 3
Not a good outing, however, for Brandon League, who went only 3 innings and surrendered all 4 runs on 5 hits and 2 BBs, whiffing only 1. Happily, Jamie Vermilyea picked him up with 3 scoreless innings, allowing 2 hits and striking out 2. The Florida State League hasn't overmatched the 2003 draftee yet. Another hit and run scored for Jason Waugh, another double (his 13th) for Tim Whittaker.
Rome 10 Charleston 4
Playing the part of the Christians in the Roman Coliseum last night, the Alley-Cats were mauled again. DJ Hanson allowed 9 hits and 2 walks in 6 innings (4 Ks), resulting in 4 runs, although none of them were earned. His defence may have let him down, but it still was far from a good performance. The real damage, though, came courtesy of still-recovering Tracy Thorpe, who was sandblasted for 6 runs in just 1 1/3 IP. Various batters scored and whatnot, but there are really no interesting hitters at Charleston right now, so on we go.
Auburn 10 Jamestown 6
Beating up again on the '62 Mets of the NY-Penn League, Auburn had another big night. Josh Banks threw 5 excellent innings, allowing 0 earned runs on 3 hits and a walk, striking out 8. Third baseman Ryan Roberts had 3 hits, including his 6th homer, while AJ Porfirio also homered, and even struggling left fielder Jarad Mangione had two hits and drove in 3.
Syracuse 3 Buffalo 1
Suddenly, the Jays' various off-season NRI starters are tearing up the International League. Last night it was Evan Thomas's turn, allowing just 1 run over 7 innings on 4 hits, 2 walks and 4 Ks. It's too late to help the Jays, of course, and Thomas's ERA sank all the way to 4.90, but better late than never, I guess. Bob File threw another scoreless inning; start pencilling him into your plans for next year's Toronto bullpen. Simon Pond singled and doubled, driving in 1, while Gabe Gross singled and tripled, scoring once.
New Haven 9 Erie 0
What a night for Dustin McGowan: 7 shutout innings, 3 hits, zero walks, 8 strikeouts. The leap from Double-A to Triple-A can be treacherous -- just ask Jason Arnold -- but McGowan could make it as early as next spring. The Ravens nitpicked Erie to death: 11 singles, 2 doubles, 6 walks and 2 hit batsmen (both named Dominic Rich). Russ Adams had three singles and stole his 5th base, while Lexi Rios singled, doubled and stole his 8th. A double, single, run and RBI for Guillermo Quiroz, too. And a 27-year-old Kiwi may have solved an ancient Greek physics riddle. Great night all around in New Haven.
St. Lucie 4 Dunedin 3
Not a good outing, however, for Brandon League, who went only 3 innings and surrendered all 4 runs on 5 hits and 2 BBs, whiffing only 1. Happily, Jamie Vermilyea picked him up with 3 scoreless innings, allowing 2 hits and striking out 2. The Florida State League hasn't overmatched the 2003 draftee yet. Another hit and run scored for Jason Waugh, another double (his 13th) for Tim Whittaker.
Rome 10 Charleston 4
Playing the part of the Christians in the Roman Coliseum last night, the Alley-Cats were mauled again. DJ Hanson allowed 9 hits and 2 walks in 6 innings (4 Ks), resulting in 4 runs, although none of them were earned. His defence may have let him down, but it still was far from a good performance. The real damage, though, came courtesy of still-recovering Tracy Thorpe, who was sandblasted for 6 runs in just 1 1/3 IP. Various batters scored and whatnot, but there are really no interesting hitters at Charleston right now, so on we go.
Auburn 10 Jamestown 6
Beating up again on the '62 Mets of the NY-Penn League, Auburn had another big night. Josh Banks threw 5 excellent innings, allowing 0 earned runs on 3 hits and a walk, striking out 8. Third baseman Ryan Roberts had 3 hits, including his 6th homer, while AJ Porfirio also homered, and even struggling left fielder Jarad Mangione had two hits and drove in 3.
