Batter's Box Interactive Magazine - Summertime and the livin' is easy

The farm affiliates received shutout starts from Chris Baker, Jamie Vermilyea and Jesse Litsch as they went 4-2 on the evening. All three made it look easy.

Syracuse 7 Norfolk 0

Chris Baker, Justin Miller and Brandon League combined on a 7-hit shutout for the Sky Chiefs, while John-Ford Griffin's 3rd inning grand slam provided all the offence they would need. Chad Mottola's 7th inning 2 run shot was the icing on the cake. Baker gave up 6 hits and a walk, while striking out 5 in 6 innings of work. Miller pitched 2 perfect innings, and then League gave up a hit and nothing more in the ninth. Mottola had 3 hits.

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Altoona 0 New Hampshire 5

Jamie Vermilyea and Tracy Thorpe combined for a 4 hit shutout, and Erik Kratz's solo homer in the 2nd inning was all they needed. Vermilyea in his 2nd start in a row went 7 innings, allowing 4 hits and no walks while striking out 5. His seasonal ERA is now 2.05. Thorpe completed the shutout with 2 hitless innings, walking one and striking out 2. The Fisher Cats broke the game open with 3 runs in the fourth inning on 4 hits and a sacrifice fly and coasted home. Kratz added a double and walk later in the game, while Clint Johnston singled and walked in 4 trips.

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Dunedin 1 Clearwater 3

The D-Jays were overpowered by fine pitching through the eighth inning- 2 hits and 14 strikeouts tells a simple story. They rallied in the ninth on 3 singles, but left the tying runs at 2nd and 3rd to end the game. Kurt Isenberg started and pitched well, save for the sixth inning. A single and an error set up the deciding 2-out 3 run homer. Isenberg gave up 6 hits and no walks, while striking out 4. Brian Reed and Davis Romero finished up very nicely. Chip Cannon singled and walked in 4 trips.

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Lansing 6 Cedar Rapids 4

Yuber Rodriguez' 3 run homer blew open a tight game, and the Lugnuts hung on for the W. Rodriguez drew 2 walks to accompany his long ball, while Christian Snavely continued his hot hitting by going 3-4 with 2 doubles. Russ Savickas started and kept the Kernels to 2 earned runs on 7 hits and 1 walk with 4 strikeouts. Joey McLaughlin Jr. distinguished himself with 2 fine relief innings, allowing only 1 hit while striking out 2. Mark Sopko put the tying runs on base in the ninth, but got out of it for the save.

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Auburn 4 Mahoning Valley 5

A walk-off homer off Gabriel Alfaro with one out in the ninth broke a 4-4 tie. The Doubledays had rallied for 2 in the top of the eighth on a run-scoring single from Ryan Patterson and a wild pitch. Leadoff hitter Emmanuel Sena doubled and walked and scored twice, while Patterson reached base 3 times. Kristian Bell started and gave up 4 earned runs in 5 innings on 4 hits and 1 walk with 4 strikeouts. Aaron Tressler did a brilliant job holding the fort thereafter with 3 scoreless innings on 1 hit, no walks and 2 punch-outs.

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Pulaski 3 Johnson City 2

Jesse Litsch continued his fine pitching with 6 shutout innings to lead the P-Jays to victory. Litsch allowed 4 hits and no walks, while striking out 6. Hector Delgadilo finished the game, allowing 2 unearned runs and 3 baserunners in 3 innings, while striking out 5. Five Pulaski singles in the 1st inning resulted in 3 runs, and that was that. Leadoff hitter Zach Kalter mastered 1/2 his game by reaching base 4 times in 5 trips. The other half not so much- 1 stolen base, but caught stealing twice. Wes Stone had 2 hits, while Jacob Butler reached base 3 times in 4 trips.

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3 star selection

3rd star-John-Ford Griffin, grand slam for the Sky Chiefs
2nd star-Jesse Litsch, shutout pitching for Pulaski
1st star-Jamie Vermilyea, shutout pitching for the Fisher Cats

Bonus recipe- Green's off-to-camp mixed apple and berry pancakes:

Combine:
1 grated Granny Smith and 1 grated Gala apple
2 small containers of strawberry yoghurt
2 eggs
just under 1/2 pint of fresh blackberries
enough flour to make the consistency just right
(that will depend on the size of the apples-use your judgment)
Fry up.

Posted by Mike Green on Sunday, July 03 2005 @ 09:28 AM EDT.

Summertime and the livin' is easy | 18 comments | Create New Account

The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.

timpinder - Sunday, July 03 2005 @ 11:23 AM EDT (#121331) #

Can anyone tell me what Rosario's injury is and how long he is expected to be out?
I was also wondering if anyone could tell me if McGowan is throwing breaking balls yet.
I seem to have a hard time finding information on the minor league teams/players.
Thanks!

Rob - Sunday, July 03 2005 @ 11:42 AM EDT (#121332) #

Two interesting notes I saw in Kevin Gray's Sunday column:

Justin Verlander, who made his Double-A debut at Fisher Cats Ballpark last month, will pitch for the Tigers in a doubleheader tomorrow at Cleveland.

After further inspection, Verlander will return to AA after the game -- it's just a spot start in the Monday doubleheader. Still interesting, though. He started the year in the FSL, now he's in the majors.

The second interesting note? Lee Gronkiewicz isn't happy with not getting a promotion. He said of Dick Scott: "He's the mastermind behind it all. Why don't you ask him what I need to prove down here? Please do. Obviously, I don't know what's going on. Maybe you guys can find out more."

"Gronk" made the Eastern League All-Star Team (0.79 ERA, 24 straight saves, 41 K in 35.1 IP) but he's not entirely happy about it:

"I'd rather be in a Triple-A All-Star Game," he said.

Is it recipe weekend for the Minor League Updates?

Maldoff - Sunday, July 03 2005 @ 12:24 PM EDT (#121334) #

Who has Vermilyea replaced in the rotation at New Hampshire? Are the Jays thinking of making him a starter, because he seems to be responding well to it!

ds - Sunday, July 03 2005 @ 12:40 PM EDT (#121335) #

I have to agree with Gronkiewicz. What more does he have to prove? I would rather see the club promote him and move someone like Whiteside out of the way. Whiteside is what he is...a AAAA pitcher. Gronkiewicz should have the opportunity to move up until he can't handle the load. They've been overly agressive with some guys (ie. League), so why are they holding him back? At least let him know he'll be the next one moved up.....the last thing you want is him to think that his performance is unappreciated.

Mike Green - Sunday, July 03 2005 @ 12:49 PM EDT (#121336) #

I don't have news on Rosario's injury. One hopes that it's not his elbow giving him post-surgical trouble.

McGowan is apparently throwing all of his pitches. He pitched for New Hampshire on Wednesday, so you can listen for yourself in the next couple of days.

The recipe is a distant summer echo of the Hall Watch soup recipes of winter.

Rob - Sunday, July 03 2005 @ 01:16 PM EDT (#121340) #

My two cents on Gronk:

Sure, it would be nice to see him in Syracuse. But where do you put him in the bullpen? The SkyChiefs have the following players in the 'pen who are getting it done:

Whiteside (2.96 ERA, 24.1 IP, 28 K)
Duff (3.51, 25.2, 28)
Burnside (2.51, 32.1, 26)
Miller (2.17, 37.1, 37)

For all of Whiteside's failings in the majors, and the future he does not have with the organization, you can't release a contending team's closer in the middle of the season.

So Gronkiewicz would be fourth or fifth, at best, on the team's depth chart. And that's not counting Arnold or League. Hands up, who wants to take innings away from Brandon League for Lee Gronkiewicz?

Stellers Jay - Sunday, July 03 2005 @ 01:40 PM EDT (#121344) #

Speaking of promotions to Syracuse, what more does today's #1 star need to do? He's thrown over a 100 innings at AA over the last two years with a good success rate. I would like to see him in AAA for the last 3 months of the season as a tune up for next spring and see if he can't give Pete Walker a run for the long or swing man role in Toronto next year.

2004 New Hampshire
3-2, 5 Sv, 2.51, 20 G, 6 GS, 57.1 IP, 43 H, 12 BB, 39 K, 2 HR, 17.2% KBF

2005 New Hampshire

3-2, 1 Sv, 2.05, 26 G, 3 GS, 61.1 IP, 55 H, 16 BB, 48 K, 4 HR.

ds - Sunday, July 03 2005 @ 01:46 PM EDT (#121346) #

I understand the depth at AAA. That's why I added that they should at least let him know he's the next one in line for a promotion in case of injury or trade. You have to keep dangling that carrot in front of him.....

ds - Sunday, July 03 2005 @ 01:50 PM EDT (#121347) #

I forgot completely about Vermilyea. While his numbers are very good, they aren't quite as good as Gronkiewicz. But it is a nice problem for the organization to have. Much better than running the Jeff Tams of the world out there.

Stellers Jay - Sunday, July 03 2005 @ 01:57 PM EDT (#121350) #

"While his numbers are very good, they aren't quite as good as Gronkiewicz."

Yeah, but Vermilyea's a prospect. He's 3 years younger than Gronkiewicz and has the ability to work multiple innings and even spot start as last night indicates. Gronkiewicz is putting together a nice season and deserves to be in AAA, but the Jays have to promote their prospects ahead of organizational filler. Vermilyea will have to be protected on the 40 man roster in the off season if the Jays want to retain his services. If they have any plans for him, I wouldn't expose him as he would likely be taken.

ds - Sunday, July 03 2005 @ 02:49 PM EDT (#121355) #

To be honest, I would probably let Vermilyea stay in AA and bring him up as a September call up. I figure Arnold will get a look at the same time, to see whether it is worth protecting him. But I'll be shocked if Vermilyea isn't in the long term plans of the team.

Unless some of the relief pitchers are to be traded in the off season, I don't think we'll see any free agent RP signings this winter. They have too many arms to sort through as it is: Gaudin, Arnold, League, Rosario, Vermilyea, Miller, Marcum....and all to fill probably 2 spots at best. Nice to have that type of depth.

Maldoff - Sunday, July 03 2005 @ 04:09 PM EDT (#121356) #

Speaking of pitching, I have to say I'm getting worried about Jackson's performance in AA. He started off as a house of fire, but has been lit up in his past 4 or 5 starts. Anyone have any info/thoughts on this?

timpinder - Sunday, July 03 2005 @ 05:42 PM EDT (#121364) #

Regarding Jackson, I don't know if I'd say he's been getting "lit up". In AA in 6 GS he has 6 walks compared to 31 K's in 36IP, allowing 40 hits. If my math is correct that gives him a 1.27 WHIP to go along with his 3.75 ERA, I think that's pretty respectable for a young control pitcher who was promoted early. Jackson's the least of my worries. Even League doesn't worry me because he's only 22, he has time to come around.
I've been really disappointed with Rosario though. With his stuff I was hoping (and predicting) he'd be back to pre-TJ surgery form and storming into the big league scene by now. Now he's hurt.
Anyone have thoughts on Rosario?

Rob - Sunday, July 03 2005 @ 05:57 PM EDT (#121366) #

Some BBRadio for you all:

It's a one-run game here in the bottom of the 8th, as Lansing leads the Cedar Rapids Kernels 6-5. The Lugnuts have a bus ride tonight from Iowa to Dayton that will take more than nine hours. Isn't the Midwest League fun?

The pitching coach for the Kernels has the first name Kernan. That's just cool. Eric Munson is the trainer; I guess he got tired of Tampa Bay.

Ryan Klosterman missed some tag at second that puts runners on first and third with nobody out. They better fix this inning before Michael Collins comes up (he's due up third as of right now, hitting .335/.418/.523 on the inning), since I hear he's tired of being forgotten as the other member of the Apollo 11 crew.

And a sac fly brings in the tying run. A double play would be great right now, but Ken Joyce is ejected instead! I wonder what that's about, and I'll update anyone who's wondering in the next post. To be continued.

Rob - Sunday, July 03 2005 @ 06:02 PM EDT (#121367) #

There are only two umpires in the Midwest League, and it appears that the base umpire missed a call at first base on a pickoff attempt. Joyce thought this was so; he yelled at the umpire over it. The hitting coach for the Lugnuts continues the argument and he has to be restrained by the pitching coach. We're back to the game.

I should mention than Snavely is playing LF tonight, not third. He just made a catch (two outs) in the field and I was wondering, "Why is Snavely out there?" I wonder if this is a "new" position for him or just a one-game thing.

Scott Roy has now gone 1-2 on Collins, then the runner tries to steal second and an error by the second baseman sends him to third! Collins might have offered on the 1-2, which would have ended the inning. Instead, we have the go-ahead run on third. A fly out ends the inning, but it's still 6-all.

Thigpen-Nielsen-Hicks in the top of the ninth when we return.

Rob - Sunday, July 03 2005 @ 06:19 PM EDT (#121368) #

We have returned, and Thigpen-Nielsen-Hicks did nothing. Going to the bottom of the ninth, and out comes Jeremy Harper.

An infield chopper to Armstrong, and Drew Toussaint beats out the throw on what was "maybe a 35 foot" grounder. Richard Giannotti, who isn't hitting very well this year but has four hits today, is up.

They throw over to first and there's a balk called on Harper! Sounds like it was a Bronson Arroyo-type balk. The game-winning run is now at second, and Giannotti pops up the bunt attempt for the first out.

Warner Madrigal is intentionally walked, which is an okay move. Actually, it's a fine move, no problem. The next hitter (Jordan Renz) was hitting .191/.266/.282 before today's game, in which he is 0-for-3. He lines it to the first baseman Hicks, who almost got the runner doubled off the base.

Two outs, Tomas Duenas (who scored the tying run in the 8th), now batting. 1-1 count to the #9 hitter, so I'm told. Now it's 2-1. It's hit up the middle and the runner scores.

'Nuts lose! 'Nuts lose!

A 7-6, bottom of the ninth loss. I'm off to eat dinner, but I might be back for the Auburn game at 7:00. Well, make it 7:45 -- I'll listen after Wilner's show is over.

Mike Green - Sunday, July 03 2005 @ 09:35 PM EDT (#121399) #

Chip Cannon hit his 24th homer of the season today. He's slugging over .880 in a month in Dunedin.

Shaun Marcum has missed a turn in the rotation.

Marc Hulet - Monday, July 04 2005 @ 09:00 AM EDT (#121424) #

Reimers filled in for Marcum because he is battling blister problems.

Summertime and the livin' is easy | 18 comments | Create New Account

The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.