All 5 remaining teams were in action and they scored scored 5 wins and 2 losses with a doubleheader and the continuation of a suspended game.
Syracuse 2, Buffalo 3
Mike Smith shut down the best offense (by quite a large margin) in the International League for 7 and 2/3 innings and left the game with a 2-0 lead and a pair of runners on. Mike Nakamura came on to try to shut the door on the prospect laden Indians affiliate but instead allowed one inherited runner to score on a balk and another came around on an RBI double by Brandon Phillips. Former Skychief Brent Abernathy finished the game with a 2-out RBI single off of Nakamura in the bottom of the ninth.
Eric Crozier was the offensive standout as he went 3 for 3 with 2 walks against his former teammates but his new teammates were unable to drive him in. Glenn Williams scored both runs after reaching base on an error and a walk.
Box score
Ed Gonser tells the full story in the Post-Standard
Norwich 0, New Hampshire 2 - Game 1
Norwich 1, New Hampshire 2 - Game 2
New Hampshire saw some good signs for the playoffs as they got some very solid performances from some of it's top pitchers. Josh Banks shutout the Navigators for 5.1 innings striking out four and walking none in the opener. More importantly, he kept the ball in the park as all 6 hits against him were singles. Jamie Vermilyea pitched the final 1.2 for the save. John Hattig and Paul Chiaffredo provided all the offense necessary with solo home runs.
The bottom half featured another pitcher's duel between top prospects Brandon League and Merkin Valdez. League allowed one run through seven innings but left with the game still tied at one apiece. Ryan Houston struck out the side in the first extra frame setting the stage for a dramatic win. Valdez stayed on to retire two batters in the eigth but Ty Godwin singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch in the process. Aaron Hill came to the plate, already 2 for 3 with a homerun accounting for the only Fisher Cats run. Thus the Navigators pulled Valdez in favour of reliever Billy Sadler. The move backfired when Hill lined a hit into the outfield scoring Godwin for the walk-off win.
Box score 1, Box score 2
Kevin Gray has some interesting tidbits in today's game story
Dunedin 4, Tampa 2
Vince Perkins continued his slow comeback pitching 4 solid innings allowing only 1 run on 2 hits and a walk. Ron Davenport drove in 2 runs with a single and a double as the D-Jays pulled away early. Andy Torres and Brian Reed teamed up to throw 4 innings in relief allowing only 1 run with 4 K's. The final inning was rained out.
Box score
Lexington 3, Charleston 4
Starter Kurt Iseberg went six strong innings allowing 1 run on 2 hits, 1 walk and 1 strikeout. Jermy Acey, David Smith and William Rivera had three hits apiece while catcher Robinzon Diaz scored twice on a walk and a single. Brad Mumma earned his 7th save with a perfect ninth.
Box score
Auburn 7, Oneonta 6 - Game 1
Auburn 5, Oneonta 6 - Game 2
The first game took more than 24 hours to complete as it had been rained out in the 8th the previous night. The Doubledays trailed 5-6 but picked up two more runs to take the win on run scoring hits from Chip Cannon and David Corrente. Danny Hill pitched the final two scoreless innings for the unconventional save.
In the bottom half of the doubleheader, fortunes were reversed as the Doubledays took an early lead but Oneonta battled back for the win. Zach Jackson started out well but ran into trouble in the third allowing 3 walks, 3 singles, and as a result 3 runs. He did strike out 5 in his four innings though. Adam Lind ended up 0 for 8 on the day.
Box score 1, Box score 2
Three-Star Selection!
The 3rd Star Brandon League and Josh Banks: Solid pitching performances to sweep the doubleheader.
The 2nd Star Aaron Hill: 3 hits including a home run and a game winning hit.
The 1st Star Mike Smith: He didn't get the win but he deserves something for his outstanding effort.
Syracuse 2, Buffalo 3
Mike Smith shut down the best offense (by quite a large margin) in the International League for 7 and 2/3 innings and left the game with a 2-0 lead and a pair of runners on. Mike Nakamura came on to try to shut the door on the prospect laden Indians affiliate but instead allowed one inherited runner to score on a balk and another came around on an RBI double by Brandon Phillips. Former Skychief Brent Abernathy finished the game with a 2-out RBI single off of Nakamura in the bottom of the ninth.
Eric Crozier was the offensive standout as he went 3 for 3 with 2 walks against his former teammates but his new teammates were unable to drive him in. Glenn Williams scored both runs after reaching base on an error and a walk.
Box score
Ed Gonser tells the full story in the Post-Standard
Norwich 0, New Hampshire 2 - Game 1
Norwich 1, New Hampshire 2 - Game 2
New Hampshire saw some good signs for the playoffs as they got some very solid performances from some of it's top pitchers. Josh Banks shutout the Navigators for 5.1 innings striking out four and walking none in the opener. More importantly, he kept the ball in the park as all 6 hits against him were singles. Jamie Vermilyea pitched the final 1.2 for the save. John Hattig and Paul Chiaffredo provided all the offense necessary with solo home runs.
The bottom half featured another pitcher's duel between top prospects Brandon League and Merkin Valdez. League allowed one run through seven innings but left with the game still tied at one apiece. Ryan Houston struck out the side in the first extra frame setting the stage for a dramatic win. Valdez stayed on to retire two batters in the eigth but Ty Godwin singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch in the process. Aaron Hill came to the plate, already 2 for 3 with a homerun accounting for the only Fisher Cats run. Thus the Navigators pulled Valdez in favour of reliever Billy Sadler. The move backfired when Hill lined a hit into the outfield scoring Godwin for the walk-off win.
Box score 1, Box score 2
Kevin Gray has some interesting tidbits in today's game story
Dunedin 4, Tampa 2
Vince Perkins continued his slow comeback pitching 4 solid innings allowing only 1 run on 2 hits and a walk. Ron Davenport drove in 2 runs with a single and a double as the D-Jays pulled away early. Andy Torres and Brian Reed teamed up to throw 4 innings in relief allowing only 1 run with 4 K's. The final inning was rained out.
Box score
Lexington 3, Charleston 4
Starter Kurt Iseberg went six strong innings allowing 1 run on 2 hits, 1 walk and 1 strikeout. Jermy Acey, David Smith and William Rivera had three hits apiece while catcher Robinzon Diaz scored twice on a walk and a single. Brad Mumma earned his 7th save with a perfect ninth.
Box score
Auburn 7, Oneonta 6 - Game 1
Auburn 5, Oneonta 6 - Game 2
The first game took more than 24 hours to complete as it had been rained out in the 8th the previous night. The Doubledays trailed 5-6 but picked up two more runs to take the win on run scoring hits from Chip Cannon and David Corrente. Danny Hill pitched the final two scoreless innings for the unconventional save.
In the bottom half of the doubleheader, fortunes were reversed as the Doubledays took an early lead but Oneonta battled back for the win. Zach Jackson started out well but ran into trouble in the third allowing 3 walks, 3 singles, and as a result 3 runs. He did strike out 5 in his four innings though. Adam Lind ended up 0 for 8 on the day.
Box score 1, Box score 2
Three-Star Selection!
The 3rd Star Brandon League and Josh Banks: Solid pitching performances to sweep the doubleheader.
The 2nd Star Aaron Hill: 3 hits including a home run and a game winning hit.
The 1st Star Mike Smith: He didn't get the win but he deserves something for his outstanding effort.
