A 2 for 4 night on the farm. The Skychiefs (3-3) and the Lugnuts (4-1) lose, but the Fisher Cats (3-3) and D'Jays (4-2) win.
Syracuse 3, Buffalo 5
One rough inning was all it took for the Skychiefs opening day starter to take his second straight loss as Scott Downs was yanked after 3 1/3, trailing 4-0. Downs was cruising fairly comfortably until the 4th inning when he gave up five consecutive hits including a three-run blast by Andy Abad. The Skychiefs loaded the bases the very next inning and plated three runs off consecutive singles from Bryant Nelson, and Gabe Gross. But that was all the Skychiefs could muster, and Bisons tacked on an insurance run in the 8th.
In the silver lining column, reliever Spike Lundberg came up with a big strikeout, pop-out combo to save Downs from further damage in the 4th. Spike then went on to pitch two strong innings after that as well. Gabe Gross picked up his first hit since returning to the Syracuse lineup.
Box score
Matt Michael’s Game story -including notes on could-have-been-a-Skychief Andy Abad
Norwich 0, New Hampshire 1
Ismael Ramirez bounced back from a rough debut last week, this time pitching 6 shutout innings on 2 hits, a walk and a strikeout. The Fisher Cats managed only four hits in the game but three of them came in the same inning off the bats of Rob Cosby,Eric Kratz, and Miguel Negron. That string resulted in the only run the Cats would need. Jamie Vermilyea threw a pair of perfect (as always) innings with 3 K’s for the hold while closer Lee Gronkiewicz accomplished his job in the 9th.
Box score
John Habib’s Game Story
Dunedin 6, Sarasota 5
David Purcey was on. He threw 6 innings giving up only 1 run with 7 strikeouts. He left the game leading 5 to 1. Danny Core however, was not on. Core gave up, in order, a walk, a homer, a single, a wild pitch and an RBI groundout before being relieved. Just incase the crowd hadn’t seen enough variety that inning, Jeremy Harper balked home the tying run.
But no worries, Dunedin fans. In the top of the 9th, Brian Patrick hit his fourth single of the game, advanced to third on an Adam Lind single, and scored on a groundball to short. Milton Tavarez shut down the Reds in the bottom half for his second save of the season.
South Bend 5, Lansing 3
The Lugnuts were handed their first loss but it took the Silver Hawks 11 innings to do so. Casey Janssen once again proved too much for the Midwest League to handle, but the bullpen couldn’t hold down the strong offense from South Bend. Janssen threw 6 innings giving up on an unearned run after Curtis Thigpen’s errant throw gave Mark Reynolds a steal and a free pass to 3rd base. Reynolds then scored on a sac fly. Juan Peralta hit a bases loaded single to score two in the second, while Christian Snavely had 3 hits and drove in the Nuts’ third run in the third.
Jordy Templet held the opposition at bay for 2 inning but closer Danny Hill blew his first save, tying the game at 3-3. In the two extra innings, Thigpen and Ryan Klosterman drew leadoff walks but mental errors on the basepaths, sent both of them back to the bench prematurely. The game was lost in the 11th when Eric Rico gave up a two run shot to Jereme Milons, whom the Dodgers traded for Elmer Dessens last year.
Box score
Mike Feather’s Game story
Three-Star Selection!
The 3rd Star Casey Janssen
The 2nd Star Ismael Ramirez
The 1st Star Brian Patrick
