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One humiliating loss and a rainout in the Appalachian League was all that kept the Jays’ system from a clean sweep last night. Hmm, where have I heard that before…?

Buffalo 16 Syracuse 2

Box score

Game story

Ugly, ugly, ugly. The Skychiefs, weakened by promotions and injuries, ran into a buzzsaw in Buffalo, where the Bisons had won 20 of their last 24. Seventeen Buffalo hits, 7 Buffalo homers, and 4 Syracuse errors later, this one was a smouldering ruin. Chris Baker fell to 0-11 on the season, allowing 6 runs (only 3 earned, all in the 3rd inning) on 6 hits, a walk, a strikeout and 2 homers. Then things actually got worse: Talley Haines came in to throw batting practice, allowing 7 runs (only 5 earned) on 7 hits (including 3 more homers) in just 1 1/3 innings. Offensively, Russ Adams struck out to lead off the game and then left (thanks to Nick for the alert); there’s no report yet as to whether he left for injury or other reasons. Only Gabe Gross had a decent evening, with a single, double, run scored and RBI to bring his average to a tantalizing .299. Otherwise, there was no good news at all here. Gerry and Robert attended the game, and we’re looking forward to their account of the destruction.


New Hampshire 5 Norwich 1 (7 innings)

Box score

Game story


Gustavo Chacin shut down the Navigators, hurling 5 2/3 innings of 1-run ball on 4 hits, 1 walk and 5 strikeouts to run his record to a deceptively strong 8-2. Jamie Vermilyea came in to record his 3rd save by retiring all 4 batters he faced. For those keeping track, Vermilyea has now retired every one of the 39 batters who’ve come to the plate against him in New Hampshire (including his perfecto). That is, of course, a remarkable feat, but let’s not get carried away; it must and will end sooner rather than later, and Vermilyea was posting only decent numbers at Dunedin before his promotion. It sure is cool for the time being, though.

Mike Snyder and John-Ford Griffin were the hitting heroes on the night; Snyder’s 2-run homer in the 6th and Griffin’s 2-run double in the 7th provided the winning offence, complementing Tyrell Godwin’s RBI single in the first. Griffin finished with a walk, single and double, while Aaron Hill walked twice, stole a base and scored a run. Anton French walked, singled, stole 2 more bases and scored twice. Dominic Rich went 0-for-3.


Dunedin 5 Clearwater 1

Box score

Another terrific start for Shaun Marcum, who’s finding the Florida State League to be hardly any more of a challenge than the South Atlantic League. Marcum fired 6 innings of 1-run ball, allowing only 3 hits and 1 walk while striking out 8. The D-Jays didn’t score till late, however, so Tracy Thorpe picked up the win with 1 1/3 scoreless innings of relief in which he walked 2 batters. Bubbie Buzachero came in for the long 1 2/3-inning save, allowing 1 hit and 1 walk while whiffing 2.

On the offensive side of the ledger, Ron Davenport was the hitting star with 2 doubles, a single, 2 runs scored and an RBI. Raul Tablado also had a pair of doubles and a matching set of RBIs, while Scott Dragicevich contributed a double, single and walk. Two walks and a single for Big Vito, and a single and walk for Miguel Negron, must have made Ryan Roberts feel even worse about his golden sombrero: 0-for-4, 4 strikeouts. Despite Roberts’ bad night, this is a team on a roll; the D-Jays are an explosive team right now.


Charleston 7 Delmarva 4

Box score

Game story

Clint Johnston had the big bat Friday night for the Alley Cats, reaching base 5 times on a double, 2 singles and 2 walks, scoring twice and driving in a run. Mike Galloway walked, singled and cracked a 2-run triple, while David Smith and (for the second night in a row) Christian Snavely both drilled home runs. Jermy Acey singled twice and struck out twice

On the mound, Brad Mumma made his second Charleston start a more successful one, scattering 7 hits and 2 walks to allow 2 runs over 5 innings, striking out 3. Joaquin Canizal hit the first batter he faced with the bases loaded, but eventually settled down to provide an effective 3 innings of relief, giving up 2 runs on 3 hits, 0 walks and 5 Ks. Mark Sopko pitched a shutout 9th for his 3rd save. Tonight’s matchup is an intriguing one: Tom Mastny goes up against top Orioles prospect and Canadian Adam Loewen.


Auburn 5 Mahoning Valley 2 (12 innings)

Box score

It took 12 innings, but the Doubledays won yet again. Erik Kratz’s 2-run double in the top of the 12th, his 3rd hit of the game, drove in the decisive runs (a third run crossed the plate on a fielding error). The double made a winner out of reliever Kristian Bell, who had provided yeoman’s service with 3 2/3 innings of hitless relief, surrendering just 2 walks and whiffing 3 batters. Starter Mike MacDonald had scattered 6 hits over 6 shutout frames, walking nobody and striking out 5, lowering his ERA further to 0.60.

In addition of catcher Kratz’s heroics, shortstop Ryan Klosterman doubled, singled and scored, though he also struck out 3 times. But the real offensive star was left fielder Adam Lind, who reached base 5 times with 2 singles and 3 walks, scoring twice in the process. Aaron Mathews and Jarad Mangioni each went 0-for-5 with a walk.



Pulaski was rained out again.


Your Three-Star Selection:

The Third Star: Clint Johnston, 1B, Charleston, who reached base 5 times, scored twice and provided an RBI in the Alley Cats victory.

The Second Star:Ron Davenport, Dunedin, who doubled twice, singled, scored two runs and drove one in.

The First Star: Dunedin SP Shaun Marcum, who fired 6 innings of 1-run ball, allowing only 4 baserunners and striking out 8.

Honourable mention: Adam Lind, Joaquin Canizal, Mike Galloway.
Minor-League Update: July 3 | 15 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
Mike Green - Saturday, July 03 2004 @ 12:29 PM EDT (#54004) #
http://milb.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=minorbaseball&page=milb-east/scores/final/boxscore.aspx?GAMEID=10332
In the nightcap of New Hampshire's doubleheader, the F-Cats triumphed 7-2. There was good news galore. Brandon League started and threw 5 shutout innings, allowing 4 hits and 1 walk, while striking out 4. Aaron Hill had 3 hits, including a double, and drove in 3, while Justin Singleton went 4-4 with 2 doubles, and has his average up to .240 (after being around the Mendoza line in late May).
Mike Green - Saturday, July 03 2004 @ 12:30 PM EDT (#54005) #
http://milb.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=minorbaseball&page=milb-east/scores/final/boxscore.aspx?GAMEID=10332
Oops. COMN for the boxscore of the 2nd game.
Coach - Saturday, July 03 2004 @ 12:40 PM EDT (#54006) #
Gerry and Robert went to Buffalo to witness that spectacle; we can expect some pictures and interviews in the near future.

At Mike Green's suggestion and with help from Pistol, I've added a 2004 Draft link to the sidebar. It's a convenient index of all the great predraft articles, the draft day threads, and Jordan's two-part interview with the Jays' brain trust.

I've also updated the Depth Chart, so feel free to point out errors, omissions, broken links or whatever.
_Jordan - Saturday, July 03 2004 @ 12:43 PM EDT (#54007) #
Mike, thanks for catching my error -- I'm having massive computer problems here and missed the second Fisher Cats game. Technology bites.
robertdudek - Saturday, July 03 2004 @ 01:37 PM EDT (#54008) #
Skychiefs pitching was, for the most part, abominable. Baker was a bit unlucky in the third, as first baseman Tim Whittaker (normally a catcher) made a poor throw in trying to get the force at second. There was a potential double play there, but the end result was no outs. That opened the door to the second three-run blast of the inning, making it 6-0.

Talley Haines had nothing on the day. In the fifth, the Bisons had a string of 6 straight hard-hit balls before Haines was yanked. Mark Lukasiewicz threw his fastball in the 87 mph range; his off-speed stuff hung up there and was punished by the Bison hitters.

For the opponents, recently promoted Francisco Cruceta displayed a good assortment of pitches. He changed speeds exceptionally well during the first three innings. In his next three, his command deserted him somewhat, but the Skychiefs hit just enough at'em balls to limit the damage.

Gabe Gross had quality at bats throughout (he likes to pull the ball). Quiroz had a sharp single past the pitcher into centrefield. Glenn Williams struggled defensively at third base. With Pond not available, Clapp on the DL, Benard re-injured after a bunt attempt the night before and Adams leaving the game early, there were no position players left in reserve.

The Bisons had several players in the lineup who are good enough to be playing in the majors - Russ Branyan, Brandon Phillips, Jhonny Peralta and Raul Gonzalez. Add to that former big leaguers like Sandy Martinez, Brent Abernathy and rising prospect Grady Sizemore, and the end result speaks for itself: The Skychiefs were completely overmatched.

My thanks to the Bisons' PR department for being so accommodating. Dunn Tire Park (formerly Pilot Field) is an excellent place to watch a ballgame.
_Brian B. - Saturday, July 03 2004 @ 01:52 PM EDT (#54009) #
Does anybody have a running total on the Blue Jays 2004 draft picks that have and haven't been signed?
_Finn McCool - Saturday, July 03 2004 @ 02:32 PM EDT (#54010) #
http://www.baseballamerica.com/draftdb/xteam.php?team=TOR
All the names in bold have signed with the jays COMM
_Brian B. - Saturday, July 03 2004 @ 02:39 PM EDT (#54011) #
Thanks Finn.
_Moffatt - Saturday, July 03 2004 @ 02:40 PM EDT (#54012) #
The list is a bit out of date. 13th rounder Yates signed on Thursday, for instance.
_Sneeps - Saturday, July 03 2004 @ 06:35 PM EDT (#54013) #
GQ hits a 2-run shot in the top of the 1st for 'Cuse. 4-1 after an inning.
_Finn McCool - Saturday, July 03 2004 @ 06:36 PM EDT (#54014) #
Brian, it's a little late ( my computer craped out on me ) but your welcome, and ya I forgot about Yates signing.
_Finn McCool - Saturday, July 03 2004 @ 08:22 PM EDT (#54015) #
Wow Auburn won again, make that 13 wins and 1 lose in their last 14 games, and this is without their top 3 picks from this years draft.
_Finn McCool - Saturday, July 03 2004 @ 08:34 PM EDT (#54016) #
oohps, I loss :)
Gerry - Saturday, July 03 2004 @ 08:57 PM EDT (#54017) #
Robert summarized it well, the Bisons were very accomodating and Dun Tire park is a nice place to watch a game. Gross was the most impressive player of the night, and there is encouraging news on his elbow. He is almost finished a rehab program and he hopes to avoid surgery and get back to the field in a week. Marty Peavy, the Chiefs manager, gave us some time and we will have an interview with him in the next week.
_JohnnyS99 - Sunday, July 04 2004 @ 05:48 PM EDT (#54018) #
Why is Joey Metropolous in Auburn, he cleary needs to face some easier competition. This guy is just too raw for Advanced Rookie ball. If a guy hits 280 in college whats he going to do against better competition in pro ball?
Minor-League Update: July 3 | 15 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.