Batter's Box Interactive Magazine Batter's Box Interactive Magazine Batter's Box Interactive Magazine
For a change the Jays top tier teams were victorious, while "THE ALLEY CATS LOSE". Did we ever think we would see this day?

Syracuse 3 Scranton 2

David Bush started for Syracuse hoping for more run support than the Chiefs supplied on Wednesday. The Chiefs scored one run in Wednesday's doubleheader, extending their losing streak to seven games. He did get more run support, thanks in part to the Scranton defence who made five errors on the night, leading to two unearned runs.

Scranton scored first on three hits in the second inning. Shawn Fagan reached on an error by the third baseman to lead off the third. Alexis Rios singled and Glenn Williams walked to load the bases. Jeff Guiel singled to tie the game but the go-ahead run was cut down at the plate to end the inning. Bush had a runner on third with two out in the third inning, and another on third with one out in the fourth inning, but each time he escaped.

An error at second base put Fagan on second with one out in the fifth. Simon Pond doubled him home to give the Chiefs a 2-1 lead. Bush cruised through the fifth and sixth but the first two hitters in the seventh singled. Bush retired the next three hitters to escape another jam and end his night. Bush allowed seven hits and no walks, and had eleven K's on the night. It is good that Bush had several jams to work through. That experience will benefit him when he gets to the "Show". The Chiefs scored an insurance run in the ninth and again an error figured in. With two out, Jorge Sequea singled with two out and went to second on the error. Russ Adams doubled him home.

Aquilino Lopez pitched the ninth looking for the save. A single and a double put the tying run at second with no-one out. Lopez induced a ground ball to second for an out, but the runner from third scored. A strikeout and a ground out preserved the win for the Chiefs.

Simon Pond was the only Chief hitter with two hits on the night. Quote of the night from Chiefs manager Marty Peavy "I wish I had five David Bushes."

Game Story
The Scranton game story focused on David Bush.


Binghamton 1 New Hampshire 6

New Hampshire were glad to be back home after a 1-4 road trip. The Fisher Cats needed a strong start and Todd Ozias was up to the challenge. Ozias had pitched four innings in each of his previous two starts, but on Thursday Ozias pitched six strong innings, facing only 19 hitters. Wayne Lydon doubled in the first and was out trying to steal third. Lydon singled again in the fourth and was erased on a double play ball hit by David Wright. A sixth inning home run was the only blemish on his record. Ozias allowed three hits and no walks over his six innings. Binghamton registered a total of six hits on the night, three by Lydon, and each time he was out on the bases. In the seventh he singled off Brandon League and was erased on a second double play ball hit by David Wright. Wright was featured this week in a Baseball America piece, but on this night he failed to reach base in a game for the first time this season. First there was the SI jinx, now it is the BA jinx.

Manager Mike Basso juggled his lineup to try to change the Cat's fortunes. Aaron Hill dropped from third to sixth in the lineup and Danny Solano was elevated from ninth to second. The new lineup paid off in the second inning. John Ford Griffin walked and Hill singled. An error by the Binghamton second baseman loaded the bases and put Paul Chiaffredo at first. Mikael Jova came through with the big hit to score two and put the Cats on top.

The Cats added to their lead in the third. Solano singled and went to third on a hit by Dominic Rich. Matt Logan doubled to score both runners and make it a 4-0 lead. In the sixth Griffin was hit by a pitch, Chiaffredo singled and Jova came through with a double to score both and give the Cats a 6-1 lead.

Brandon League, recovered from the snow in Akron, pitched the seventh and eighth allowing one hit in each inning. Adam Peterson came in for the save and gave up a single to the first batter. The next two hitters struck out and a fly ball to right field gave the Fisher Cats a much needed win.

Kevin Gray has the game story.
The Union Leader has a story on managers Mike Basso's managing style.


Jupiter 5 Dunedin 3

On April 19th Francisco Rosario left the game with a tight bicep. He skipped a turn and returned to the rotation last night to the relief of Jays fans everywhere. Rosario was rusty. He allowed a two run home run in the first and another hit in the second. Rosario left after two innings and nine hitters. I assume this was a precautionary move by the Jays to give him forty pitches and reassess before his next start.

On Wednesday the Jays tallied 17 hits and they were hoping there were some left for this game. The Jays answered in the bottom of the first. Jayce Tingler walked and Carlo Cota doubled him home to make it 2-1.

Vince Perkins started the third in relief of Rosario. Perkins retired four hitters before allowing a walk. Tommie Ozuna immediately got the call to replace Perkins. The move did not pay off as two singles scored the walk and gave Jupiter a 3-1 lead. The Jays answered in the bottom of the fourth. Jason Waugh led off with a single and later scored on a hit by Manny Mayerson. The runs kept on coming as Jupiter restored their two run lead in the top of the fifth and the Jays got that run back in the bottom of the fifth. Miguel Negron singled to lead off the inning and later scored on a sac fly by Jose yepez.

Jamie Vermilyea pitched a scoreless sixth and seventh but allowed a home run to lead off the eighth. That was it for the scoring.

Cota had three hits on the night, and Waugh and Mayerson had two hits each.


Charleston 1 Delmarva 3

Charleston took their twelve game hit streak on the road to Delmarva. Delmarva are one of two teams to have beaten Charleston this year, and now the only team to have beaten them twice.

Tom Mastny started and cruised through the first two innings. In the third a walk, a stolen base, and a single gave Delmarva the lead. Mastny allowed three straight hits, and a run, to start the fourth but managed to escape with a 2-0 deficit. Charleston got one run back in the fifth. Juan Peralta walked and Robinson Diaz doubled him home.

Delmarva had runners at first and third in the eighth. The old double steal worked like a charm to give Delmarva an insurance run. Charleston fought back in the ninth. David Smith walked and with one out Mike Galloway doubled to put the tying run at second. But Brian Patrick popped up and Eric Arnold struck out to end the winning streak at twelve games.

Mastnypiched five innings, allowing two runs on five hits, one walk, and seven strikeouts. Diaz went 3-4 and Ryan Roberts was 0-2 with two walks.

Our Three-Star Selection

The 3rd Star: Mikael Jova, 2-4 with four RBI's
The 2nd Star: Todd Ozias, faced one hitter over the minimum in six innings
The 1st Star: David Bush, seven strong innings with eleven K's


Minor League Update: April 30 | 33 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
_Christopher - Friday, April 30 2004 @ 10:22 AM EDT (#68436) #
I also wish Syracuse had 5 David Bushes.
_Tim - Friday, April 30 2004 @ 10:48 AM EDT (#68437) #
Toronto could do with a couple David Bushes as well!
Pistol - Friday, April 30 2004 @ 10:59 AM EDT (#68438) #
New Hampshire were glad to be back home after a 1-4 road trip.

I don't doubt that it's correct grammar, but it always reads funny to me when the team's city (or state) is written as plural.
robertdudek - Friday, April 30 2004 @ 11:37 AM EDT (#68439) #
The Hardball Times has posted my account of the Erie roadtrip.
_goatboy - Friday, April 30 2004 @ 11:40 AM EDT (#68440) #
What's up with Francisco Rosario, he only lasted 2 innings last
night giving up 3 hits and 2 runs. He missed the start prior to
this one, and the one before that he only lasted 1 2/3 innings,
after which they said he was pulled because of muscle sorness.
Rosario's to valuable an arm to lose, lets hope it is nothing
more serious than muscle sorness.
_jim854 - Friday, April 30 2004 @ 11:43 AM EDT (#68441) #
Gerry,

I love these minor league reports - very informative! I wonder what is happening to 'big Vito'. I watched him play 3 games in April and he seemed to be well ahead of the pitchers in the league and destined for a quick move up the ladder to the Fisher Cats. It seems he has leveled out a bit.

Keep up the grweat work, Jerry.

Jim
_Matt - Friday, April 30 2004 @ 12:41 PM EDT (#68442) #
did Dustin make the AAA jump yet???
I'm sooo uninformed... :(
Gerry - Friday, April 30 2004 @ 01:40 PM EDT (#68443) #
Dunedin is the least covered of our minor league teams, there is no local newspaper coverage.

As I stated in my report, Rosario faced 9 hitters. I assume he threw about 40 pitches. After the layoff and the soreness Rosario would have been on a low pitch count to make sure the injury did not come back. Last time he was removed in the middle of an inning. This time he completed the inning which is a good sign.

Vito has leveled off after his hot start. Progression in the minors is all about adjustments. Vito is looking to make the adjustment and get the hot hand to elevate him to New Hampshire. Vito is still hitting .300 and leading the league in doubles, he is just not dominating.

McGowan is still in New Hampshire.
_Steve Z - Friday, April 30 2004 @ 01:46 PM EDT (#68444) #
First off, I want to commend Robert on the amazing roadtrip write-up for HT. I'm eagerly awaiting the In the Box interviews. I can't wait to take my first baseball roadtrip this summer, but haven't figured out any of the logistics yet.
---

Here are some additional links:

1. As pointed out by Box reader Chris H, Kevin Gray has confirmed the McGowan promotion. (New Hampshire Union-Leader)

2. Jim Fennell has 'Business as usual for Basso'.(Union-Leader)

3. Chris Kline has the goods on Josh Banks' impressive FSL debut. Kline also notes that former Jays prospect Rich Thompson was reacquired by the Pirates. Will the man ever find a home? (Baseball America).

4. Doug Smock has the story on the most offensive Alley Cat team in years. (Charleston Gazette-Mail)

No former Alley Cats play for the Toronto Blue Jays, but it will happen...

Well technically, Mike Smith was the first. Now who will be the second (Rios, Quiroz, McGowan, ...)?
Mike Green - Friday, April 30 2004 @ 01:57 PM EDT (#68445) #
Banks is throwing the four-seamer, the split, a curve, a slider and a change (which he is working on). I'm guessing that it'll narrow to fastball, split and change when he arrives in the Show (as a September callup in 2005?)
_MatO - Friday, April 30 2004 @ 01:57 PM EDT (#68446) #
Banks has been more impressive in Denedin to this point than either Bush or McGowan were last year. He's four months younger than McGowan and significantly younger than Bush so age is not a factor.
_JohnnyS99 - Friday, April 30 2004 @ 02:28 PM EDT (#68447) #
I say keep Banks at Dunedin at least for another 5 starts. They need to have Perkins and Plieness starting, Plieness played quite well the first half last year.
_Brian J - Friday, April 30 2004 @ 02:38 PM EDT (#68448) #
http://www.canoe.ca/Slam040430/mlb_tor3-sun.html
So, with McGowan being promoted and Towers clearing waivers (COMN) and being outrighted to Syracuse, who is on the chopping block in AAA? Isn't the roster overflowing as it is?
_JohnnyS99 - Friday, April 30 2004 @ 02:53 PM EDT (#68449) #
Sean Douglas? Bruce Chen? They could move one of them to the pen and demote someone to New Hampshire?
_R Billie - Friday, April 30 2004 @ 03:02 PM EDT (#68450) #
You're probably right Johnny. The New Hampshire paper was speculating that Josh Banks might get the quick call to AA to replace McGowan but given the crowded AAA roster it might be that someone has to come down. And if the Dunedin pitching coach is still working on his changeup then Josh might benefit from another three or four weeks to see if he can improve it.

Mike, I think Josh will keep one of his curve or slider in order to maintain a wrinkle to throw at righthanders or even down and in to lefties. All of the other pitches (fastball, split, change) will tend to move towards the right side of the plate so it's a good idea to have one pitch that moves in the other direction. Josh looks like he has great mechanics and command so keeping four pitches as Bush does probably won't be an issue for him.
_JohnnyS99 - Friday, April 30 2004 @ 03:10 PM EDT (#68451) #
Well looks like they have a tight pitch count on him, even more of a sign they still might hold off on a promotion, espcially with Jesse Harper ready for AA soon as well, makes things even more crowded.
_Christopher - Friday, April 30 2004 @ 03:10 PM EDT (#68452) #
Is there any point to keeping Bruce Chen at AAA? Is there any reason to think he can become the pitcher some thought he'd be after his 2000 campaign?
_Nigel - Friday, April 30 2004 @ 03:12 PM EDT (#68453) #
With Miller promoted I think that the Syracuse starters right now are Arnold, Bush, Douglass, Chen and Baker. With Towers and McGowan arriving, I think its safe to say that Bush and McGowan are the only sure things. This might (and I emphasize might) be the time to try Arnold in the pen. I don't favour that just yet but Arnold is nearing a full year of unispired AAA performance as a starter. It's something they have to think about. If I had a vote my rotation would be Bush, McGowan, Towers, Douglass and Arnold. Chen really has done nothing to warrant holding onto a starting spot this year or in the last few years. While Baker had two great starts at the beginning of this year, he projects as the least likely to be a major leaguer as either a starter or in the pen. His age really works against him. It would be defensible to swap Douglass and Baker in the rotation as it appears that the only role Douglass is likely to have with the Jays is in the pen.
_JohnnyS99 - Friday, April 30 2004 @ 03:17 PM EDT (#68454) #
True, We need Plieness and Perkins to be starting in Dunedin. Plieness obviously got tired the second half of last year, but its too early to give up on his carreer as a starter
Mike Green - Friday, April 30 2004 @ 03:23 PM EDT (#68455) #
I agree with those suggesting another five starts or so for Banks in Dunedin. Then, all going well, half a season in New Hampshire. Once he turns 22 in July, they might increase his pitch count by 5-10.

R. Billie, I also agree that a fourth pitch might be a good idea, but all five seems a little much. I guess they'll pick the better of the slider and curve and go with it.

Mastny's performance last night was again excellent by DIPS measures, 5 IP, 1 walk, 7 Ks, 0 HRs. Marcum and Mastny are too good and too old to be in the Sally league for long. To clear a spot for one of them in Dunedin, perhaps Neomar Flores will get the call to NH to replace Lee.

So many pitchers, so few rotation spots!
_JohnnyS99 - Friday, April 30 2004 @ 03:24 PM EDT (#68456) #
Bush was promoted after 13 or 14 starts last year, maybe thats a number they are looking for.
_Ducey - Friday, April 30 2004 @ 03:29 PM EDT (#68457) #
I think Syracuse has 4 guys that are not pulling their weight: Lukaswicz, Maurer, Chen and Douglass. 3 are lefties. I expect Chen and his 140 lbs will be penned (he should be Loogy material) and maybe one of the other lefties dumped? Douglass didn't cost them anything so...
_goatboy - Friday, April 30 2004 @ 04:00 PM EDT (#68458) #
I agree I would like to see Perkins starting again so well
he has just as much ability as anyone on the Dunedin staff,
with the exception of Banks. It just goes to show you what
the lack of command will do for you in this organization.
_Maneesh - Friday, April 30 2004 @ 04:37 PM EDT (#68459) #
New Hampshire were glad to be back home after a 1-4 road trip.



In the sentence, "New Hampshire" is short for "The New Hampshire Fisher Cats baseball team" (which is a singular noun). "were" is the wrong verb.
_JohnnyS99 - Friday, April 30 2004 @ 04:49 PM EDT (#68460) #
Baseball America live chat going on now, if anyone wants to submit any questions?
robertdudek - Friday, April 30 2004 @ 07:00 PM EDT (#68461) #
In the sentence, "New Hampshire" is short for "The New Hampshire Fisher Cats baseball team" (which is a singular noun). "were" is the wrong verb.

That depends on which country you are in.
_johnnnyS99 - Friday, April 30 2004 @ 09:35 PM EDT (#68462) #
http://milb.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=minorbaseball&page=milb-fs/scores/final/boxscore.aspx?GAMEID=18248
Robert Nunley is back, But in Dunedin? Torres and Nunley would be in AA among any other ball club. Baseball America had Nunley pegged as possible pick in the major league portion of the Rule 5 draft .
_johnnnyS99 - Friday, April 30 2004 @ 09:35 PM EDT (#68463) #
http://milb.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=minorbaseball&page=milb-fs/scores/final/boxscore.aspx?GAMEID=18248
Robert Nunley is back, But in Dunedin? Torres and Nunley would be in AA among any other ball club. Baseball America had Nunley pegged as possible pick in the major league portion of the Rule 5 draft .
Craig B - Friday, April 30 2004 @ 09:43 PM EDT (#68464) #
Robert is correct. My edition of Fowler's English Usage states:

"agreement (grammar)

"5 Collective nouns ...in BrE [British English], collective nouns may be followed by either a singular or a plural verb: ...Let us hope that the Ministry of Defence are on our side this time.

"In AmE (American English) it is customary for a singular verb to be used with collective nouns..."

Those of you who recall my defense of colloquial English in earlier threads will hoot derisively at my reference to Fowler's, but I find it indispensable.
Mike Green - Friday, April 30 2004 @ 10:02 PM EDT (#68465) #
Three wins and one extra inning game on the farm. Rios went 2-4 with a walk, and Glenn Williams hit his 8th homer, as the Sky Chiefs overcame a Bruce Chen start. The Alley-Cats started another winning streak behind Mora and Felix Romero (6 Ks in 3.2 innings). Dunedin got back on track, with Vito out of the lineup.
_Dr No - Sunday, May 02 2004 @ 07:21 AM EDT (#68466) #
http://wakeforestsports.collegesports.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/042302aab.html
test
_Dr No - Sunday, May 02 2004 @ 07:23 AM EDT (#68467) #
http://wakeforestsports.collegesports.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/042302aab.html
Test 2

COMM
Gerry - Sunday, May 02 2004 @ 03:34 PM EDT (#68468) #
Thanks Dr. No
Minor League Update: April 30 | 33 comments | Create New Account
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