The phonetically similar first-rounders Ahrens and Arencibia had
similar debuts, and Ricky Romero had a (reasonably successful) rehab start in Dunedin last
night. The farm affiliates went 2-5.
Richmond 7 @ Syracuse 3
Richmond 8 @ Syracuse 4
In the completion of the suspended game, the Chiefs trailed 1-0 after 1 and 1/2 as the game was resumed. Ismael Ramirez came on and gave up 4 runs over the next 4 innings when the Chief offence began to stir. In the bottom of the sixth, the Chiefs loaded the bases on a Wayne Lydon single, followed by walks to Ryan Roberts and Chad Mottola. John-ford Griffin delivered a two-run single to put Syracuse on the board. Brandon League came on and gave up two unearned runs in the 7th on his own throwing error, but did emerge unscathed in the eighth. The Chiefs were unable to get the tying run anywhere close to home plate in the late going. League gave up 1 hit and 2 walks in his 2 innings of work, while recording no strikeouts. In his second inning of work, he did induce two ground-balls.
In the scheduled game, the Chiefs scored 3 in the first inning on a 2 run single by Mike Vento and a run-scoring single from John-ford Griffin, and they led 4-2 after 4 innings behind starter-for-a-day Jim Crowell. Ryan Houston came on in the 5th and the roof fell in. Five earned runs later, the game was over for all intents and purposes. Vento added a solo homer, while Griffin doubled later in the game.
New Hampshire 8 @ New Britain 9
New Hampshire 2 @ New Britain 1
It was a real catfight in the opener. New Hampshire scored 4 in the top of the second on five singles and a walk. The Rock Cats answered back with six runs of their own off Russ Savickas in the bottom of the frame. Seth Overbey came on for the Fishers and threw 3.2 scoreless innings, while a Ryan Klosterman RBI double brought them to within a run. Tracy Thorpe gave up a run in the seventh on a triple and a wild pitch to set the stage for the dramatic ninth. Manny Mayorson walked and Robinson Diaz singled to set the stage for Sergio Santos. Santos blasted his 14th homer of the season to give the Fisher Cats an 8-7 lead. Matt Roney came on for the save and induced six ground balls. Unfortunately four of them went through the infield, including three to centerfield and New Britain emerged victorious.
The Fisher Cats got their revenge in the nightcap. Jo Matumoto came out of the bullpen to make the start and pitched brilliantly going 5.2 innings. New Hampshire broke out on top with a run in the first on two out walks to Cosby and Santos, followed by an Aaron Mathews' RBI single. Matumoto made it stand up through 5 innings before tiring a bit and giving up a solo homer to Trevor Plouffe with one out in the 6 innings Matumoto's final line was 5.2 innings, 4 hits, no walks and 5 strikeouts. The game remained tied at 1 through 8 innings. In the top of the ninth, Aaron Mathews singled with two out and then scooted home on Chip Cannon's double. Tracy Thorpe allowed a walk and nothing more in the bottom of the inning and the victory was New Hampshire's. Thorpe threw 2 hitless innings in total, walking 1 and striking out 2.
Lakeland 4 @ Dunedin 6
Ricky Romero returned to action and held his own, allowing 2 earned runs on 4 hits and 1 walk with 2 strikeouts in 4.2 innings of work. Robert Ray finished up and earned the win. The game was tied at 3 at the 7th inning stretch. Chris Gutierrez broke the tie with a 2 run double, his second two-bagger of the game. Kyle Phillips doubled and homered, while Josh Kreuzer reached base 3 times in 4 trips. In a rare meeting of 1st round picks in the fourth inning, Cameron Maybin drew a walk off Romero, but Ricky didn't lose his number and picked him off.
Auburn 0 @ Batavia 7
First round pick J.P. Arencibia made his pro debut, and went 1-3 last night. The Doubledays could muster only 4 hits on the evening, while Wilfreddy Aguirre and three relievers took their lumps. Aguirre went 4 innings and allowed 3 earned runs on 5 hits and 3 walks, while striking out 3.
GCL Jays 2 @ GCL Yankees 7
First round pick Kevin Ahrens made his pro debut, and went 1-3 last night. Balbino Fuenmayor and Yohermyn Chavez each had 2 hits for the Jays, while Eric Eiland struck out 4 times. Chris House caught for the Jays. Green favourite Joel Collins has not yet been sighted. The Jays did field the "dream infield" of Fuenmayor, Ahrens, John Tolisano and Mike McDade.
3 stars
3rd star- Aaron Mathews
2nd star- Chris Gutierrez
1st star- Jo Matumoto
Richmond 7 @ Syracuse 3
Richmond 8 @ Syracuse 4
In the completion of the suspended game, the Chiefs trailed 1-0 after 1 and 1/2 as the game was resumed. Ismael Ramirez came on and gave up 4 runs over the next 4 innings when the Chief offence began to stir. In the bottom of the sixth, the Chiefs loaded the bases on a Wayne Lydon single, followed by walks to Ryan Roberts and Chad Mottola. John-ford Griffin delivered a two-run single to put Syracuse on the board. Brandon League came on and gave up two unearned runs in the 7th on his own throwing error, but did emerge unscathed in the eighth. The Chiefs were unable to get the tying run anywhere close to home plate in the late going. League gave up 1 hit and 2 walks in his 2 innings of work, while recording no strikeouts. In his second inning of work, he did induce two ground-balls.
In the scheduled game, the Chiefs scored 3 in the first inning on a 2 run single by Mike Vento and a run-scoring single from John-ford Griffin, and they led 4-2 after 4 innings behind starter-for-a-day Jim Crowell. Ryan Houston came on in the 5th and the roof fell in. Five earned runs later, the game was over for all intents and purposes. Vento added a solo homer, while Griffin doubled later in the game.
New Hampshire 8 @ New Britain 9
New Hampshire 2 @ New Britain 1
It was a real catfight in the opener. New Hampshire scored 4 in the top of the second on five singles and a walk. The Rock Cats answered back with six runs of their own off Russ Savickas in the bottom of the frame. Seth Overbey came on for the Fishers and threw 3.2 scoreless innings, while a Ryan Klosterman RBI double brought them to within a run. Tracy Thorpe gave up a run in the seventh on a triple and a wild pitch to set the stage for the dramatic ninth. Manny Mayorson walked and Robinson Diaz singled to set the stage for Sergio Santos. Santos blasted his 14th homer of the season to give the Fisher Cats an 8-7 lead. Matt Roney came on for the save and induced six ground balls. Unfortunately four of them went through the infield, including three to centerfield and New Britain emerged victorious.
The Fisher Cats got their revenge in the nightcap. Jo Matumoto came out of the bullpen to make the start and pitched brilliantly going 5.2 innings. New Hampshire broke out on top with a run in the first on two out walks to Cosby and Santos, followed by an Aaron Mathews' RBI single. Matumoto made it stand up through 5 innings before tiring a bit and giving up a solo homer to Trevor Plouffe with one out in the 6 innings Matumoto's final line was 5.2 innings, 4 hits, no walks and 5 strikeouts. The game remained tied at 1 through 8 innings. In the top of the ninth, Aaron Mathews singled with two out and then scooted home on Chip Cannon's double. Tracy Thorpe allowed a walk and nothing more in the bottom of the inning and the victory was New Hampshire's. Thorpe threw 2 hitless innings in total, walking 1 and striking out 2.
Lakeland 4 @ Dunedin 6
Ricky Romero returned to action and held his own, allowing 2 earned runs on 4 hits and 1 walk with 2 strikeouts in 4.2 innings of work. Robert Ray finished up and earned the win. The game was tied at 3 at the 7th inning stretch. Chris Gutierrez broke the tie with a 2 run double, his second two-bagger of the game. Kyle Phillips doubled and homered, while Josh Kreuzer reached base 3 times in 4 trips. In a rare meeting of 1st round picks in the fourth inning, Cameron Maybin drew a walk off Romero, but Ricky didn't lose his number and picked him off.
Auburn 0 @ Batavia 7
First round pick J.P. Arencibia made his pro debut, and went 1-3 last night. The Doubledays could muster only 4 hits on the evening, while Wilfreddy Aguirre and three relievers took their lumps. Aguirre went 4 innings and allowed 3 earned runs on 5 hits and 3 walks, while striking out 3.
GCL Jays 2 @ GCL Yankees 7
First round pick Kevin Ahrens made his pro debut, and went 1-3 last night. Balbino Fuenmayor and Yohermyn Chavez each had 2 hits for the Jays, while Eric Eiland struck out 4 times. Chris House caught for the Jays. Green favourite Joel Collins has not yet been sighted. The Jays did field the "dream infield" of Fuenmayor, Ahrens, John Tolisano and Mike McDade.
3 stars
3rd star- Aaron Mathews
2nd star- Chris Gutierrez
1st star- Jo Matumoto
