...it doesn't matter what his name is, Brett Cecil can pitch. The
farm affiliates went 4-2.
Charlotte 2 @ Syracuse 7
Victor Zambrano threw 7 innings of 2 hit ball to lead the Chiefs to victory. Zambrano surrendered a 2 run homer to Ryan Sweeney in the top of the first inning, but the Chiefs bounced back to score 4 runs in the bottom of the frame to set him on his way. Mike Vento's 2 run single was the big blow. Kevin Barker and John-ford Griffin added solo shots in the second and third innings respectively to give Zambrano some breathing space. Zambrano threw 7 innings, allowing 2 runs on 2 hits and 3 walks with 8 strikeouts. Lee Gronkiewicz and Blaine Neal each pitched a scoreless inning of relief.
New Britain 12 @ New Hampshire 1
Pain all the way around. Starter Eric Fowler was more foul than fair. The Fisher Cats had a homer, three doubles, six singles, and four walks and managed to score but one run. If it had been a close game, Manager Bill Masse might have blown a gasket. Sergio Santos and Chip Cannon each contributed 2 hits and a walk, while David Smith smacked a solo homer. The Rock Cats scored six runs in the first off Fowler, and the outcome was never in doubt with New Britain starter Kyle Waldrop shutting New Hampshire down.
Daytona 5 @ Dunedin 6
The D-Jays rallied to overcome a 3-0 deficit with 2 runs in the seventh inning and 4 in the eighth inning for the victory. Josh Kreuzer opened the decisive frame with a solo homer. Eric Nielsen followed with a single and Cory Patton doubled him home. Jacob Butler and Brian Jeroloman followed with singles to give Dunedin the lead. A Jesus Gonzalez groundout gave the Jays the insurance run, which turned out to be important. Russ Savickas threw 4.2 innings, allowing 2 earned runs on 5 hits and 2 walks. Aaron Tressler followed and was nicked for a couple of runs and 7 baserunners in 3.1 innings, but earned the win. Paul Phillips gave up a run in the nervous ninth, but got the save anyway. Anthony Hatch and Jacob Butler each reached base 3 times.
Lansing 1 @ West Michigan 4
Matthew Lane's 2nd inning solo homer staked the Lugnuts to the early lead, but the Whitecaps bounced back with 3 runs in the bottom of the inning. The Lugnuts had threats going in the sixth and ninth innings, but went wanting for the big hit. Kyle Ginley started and went 4 innings, and allowed 3 earned runs on 3 hits and 3 walks with 4 strikeouts. Chris Reddout and Po-Hsuan Keng pitched well in relief. Travis Snider went 0-3 with a walk and a strikeout. Leadoff hitter Scott Campbell reached base 3 times in 4 tries.
Auburn 5 @ Mahoning Valley 0
Brett Cecil made the move to the rotation a successful one, with J.P. Arencibia catching him. This is a battery that we may see in person in Toronto in a few years. Cecil went 4 innings, gave up 1 hit and no walks, while striking out 5. Joe Wice and Ron Lowe threw three and two solid innings respectively to complete the shutout. Arencibia singled and doubled in four plate trips, while hot-hitting second baseman Manny Rodriguez struck his 2nd homer in the 9th inning to put the game on ice.
GCL Blue Jays 4 @ GCL Indians 0
James Dougher, Frank Gailey and Jason Monti combined on a 3 hit shutout for the Jays, while rightfielder Moises Sierra (now there's a perfect name for an outfielder) hit a 2 run rip to power the offence. Balbino Fuenmayor and Yohermyn Chavez each pitched in with a couple of hits, while first round pick Kevin Ahrens singled and walked in four plate trips.
3 stars
3rd star- Manny Rodriguez
2nd star- Victor Zambrano
1st star- Brett Cecil
Charlotte 2 @ Syracuse 7
Victor Zambrano threw 7 innings of 2 hit ball to lead the Chiefs to victory. Zambrano surrendered a 2 run homer to Ryan Sweeney in the top of the first inning, but the Chiefs bounced back to score 4 runs in the bottom of the frame to set him on his way. Mike Vento's 2 run single was the big blow. Kevin Barker and John-ford Griffin added solo shots in the second and third innings respectively to give Zambrano some breathing space. Zambrano threw 7 innings, allowing 2 runs on 2 hits and 3 walks with 8 strikeouts. Lee Gronkiewicz and Blaine Neal each pitched a scoreless inning of relief.
New Britain 12 @ New Hampshire 1
Pain all the way around. Starter Eric Fowler was more foul than fair. The Fisher Cats had a homer, three doubles, six singles, and four walks and managed to score but one run. If it had been a close game, Manager Bill Masse might have blown a gasket. Sergio Santos and Chip Cannon each contributed 2 hits and a walk, while David Smith smacked a solo homer. The Rock Cats scored six runs in the first off Fowler, and the outcome was never in doubt with New Britain starter Kyle Waldrop shutting New Hampshire down.
Daytona 5 @ Dunedin 6
The D-Jays rallied to overcome a 3-0 deficit with 2 runs in the seventh inning and 4 in the eighth inning for the victory. Josh Kreuzer opened the decisive frame with a solo homer. Eric Nielsen followed with a single and Cory Patton doubled him home. Jacob Butler and Brian Jeroloman followed with singles to give Dunedin the lead. A Jesus Gonzalez groundout gave the Jays the insurance run, which turned out to be important. Russ Savickas threw 4.2 innings, allowing 2 earned runs on 5 hits and 2 walks. Aaron Tressler followed and was nicked for a couple of runs and 7 baserunners in 3.1 innings, but earned the win. Paul Phillips gave up a run in the nervous ninth, but got the save anyway. Anthony Hatch and Jacob Butler each reached base 3 times.
Lansing 1 @ West Michigan 4
Matthew Lane's 2nd inning solo homer staked the Lugnuts to the early lead, but the Whitecaps bounced back with 3 runs in the bottom of the inning. The Lugnuts had threats going in the sixth and ninth innings, but went wanting for the big hit. Kyle Ginley started and went 4 innings, and allowed 3 earned runs on 3 hits and 3 walks with 4 strikeouts. Chris Reddout and Po-Hsuan Keng pitched well in relief. Travis Snider went 0-3 with a walk and a strikeout. Leadoff hitter Scott Campbell reached base 3 times in 4 tries.
Auburn 5 @ Mahoning Valley 0
Brett Cecil made the move to the rotation a successful one, with J.P. Arencibia catching him. This is a battery that we may see in person in Toronto in a few years. Cecil went 4 innings, gave up 1 hit and no walks, while striking out 5. Joe Wice and Ron Lowe threw three and two solid innings respectively to complete the shutout. Arencibia singled and doubled in four plate trips, while hot-hitting second baseman Manny Rodriguez struck his 2nd homer in the 9th inning to put the game on ice.
GCL Blue Jays 4 @ GCL Indians 0
James Dougher, Frank Gailey and Jason Monti combined on a 3 hit shutout for the Jays, while rightfielder Moises Sierra (now there's a perfect name for an outfielder) hit a 2 run rip to power the offence. Balbino Fuenmayor and Yohermyn Chavez each pitched in with a couple of hits, while first round pick Kevin Ahrens singled and walked in four plate trips.
3 stars
3rd star- Manny Rodriguez
2nd star- Victor Zambrano
1st star- Brett Cecil
