You want line drives, we got line drives. The farm affiliates'
bats finally woke up and the result was a 4-2 record on the evening.
Syracuse 11 @ Norfolk 1
Russ Adams had 4 hits to lead the Syracuse attack in support of Victor Zambrano as the Chiefs rolled over the Tides. Kevin Barker singled in two runs in the first inning to get Syracuse on the board. Wayne Lydon singled, stole second and came in on Adams' single in the second to put the Chiefs ahead 3-0. The score was 3-1 going into the sixth inning when the Chiefs started lining balls all over the park. Eight runs later, the game was for all intents and purposes over. Zambrano threw 6.1 innings and allowed 1 earned run on 8 hits and 1 walk with six strikeouts. This was his 2nd straight solid outing.
New Hampshire 13 @ Portland 3
The Fisher Cats continued the happy trend of 10-run victories, as they scored 5 runs in the first, led 8-1 after 3 innings, and coasted to victory behind a 21-hit barrage. Ryan Patterson's 3 run homer capped the first inning, and every member of the lineup had at least 2 hits. Dustin Majewski singled, doubled twice and walked twice in his five plate appearances, while Robinson Diaz and Aaron Mathews each pitched in with 3 hits. Juan Peralta belted his first homer of the season. Eric Fowler started and went 3.1 innings, allowing 1 earned run on 5 hits and 5 walks with 6 strikeouts. Jean Machi came on to shut the door for 2.2 hitless, scoreless innings and receipt for the win. New Hampshire's win, their fifth in a row, puts them 3 games ahead of Portland for the last playoff spot in the Northern Division of the Eastern League. Kyle Yates gets the start for the Cats tonight.
Dunedin 7 @ Sarasota 5
The D-Jays used the short game and the long ball to defeat the S-Reds. Jacob Butler's 6th inning homer broke a 2 -2 tie. After the Reds tied the game in their half of the frame, a timely double steal from Luke Hetherington and Eric Nielsen paved the way for the deciding runs, which scored on a passed ball and a Josh Kreuzer sacrifice fly. Butler also doubled, walked and stole his first base of the season. Jesus Gonzalez walked, singled and doubled in 4 plate trips. Russ Savickas went 6 innings for the win, allowing 4 earned runs on 7 hits and 2 walks with 5 strikeouts. Aaron Tressler and Daryl Harang finished up nicely.
Lansing 6 @ Great Lakes 7
Scott Campbell led off the game with a homer for the Lugnuts, but it turned out to be a false omen as the Lansing fell to the Loons. Travis Snider doubled in another run in the first, and the Luggies led 5-3 after 5 innings behind Kyle Ginley. In the sixth inning, the Loons scored 3 runs off Po-Hsuan Keng with errors by Campbell and third baseman Josh Bell figuring prominently. Campbell stroked his 4th hit of the game in the eighth inning and scored the tying run to atone for his error, but in the bottom of the frame, reliever Ben Harrison gave up a single and walk. A double steal off Ted Serro set the stage for an intentional walk and then an unintentional one to bring in the game-winner. Ginley went 5 innings, and gave up 3 earned runs on 6 hits and 1 walk with six strikeouts. Snider went 1-4 with a walk. Jon Baksh reached base 3 times. The Loons' batting order has a retro look with Mattingly and Van Slyke hitting back-to-back.
Mahoning Valley 2 @ Auburn 4
It is quite possible that the Scrappers have seen enough of Brett Cecil. This time, it was 4.1 shutout innings, allowing 4 hits and 1 walk while striking out 4. The lefty picked off one runner. Adam Calderone homered and walked and scored 2 runs, while J.P. Arencibia doubled and scored among his 3 plate appearances. Manny Rodriguez played first base and had 2 hits and drove in a run.
GCL Yankees 9 @ GCL Jays 5
The Rookie League Yankees and Jays played a sloppy affair in Dunedin. The Yanks banged out 14 hits and capitalized on three Jay errors for the victory. Justin Jackson went 0-3, while Kevin Ahrens went 1-4. John Tolisano walked twice, while Eric Eiland went 1-3. Balbino Fuenmayor came on late and had a hit.
3 stars
3rd star- Brett Cecil
2nd star- Russ Adams
1st star- Ryan Patterson
Syracuse 11 @ Norfolk 1
Russ Adams had 4 hits to lead the Syracuse attack in support of Victor Zambrano as the Chiefs rolled over the Tides. Kevin Barker singled in two runs in the first inning to get Syracuse on the board. Wayne Lydon singled, stole second and came in on Adams' single in the second to put the Chiefs ahead 3-0. The score was 3-1 going into the sixth inning when the Chiefs started lining balls all over the park. Eight runs later, the game was for all intents and purposes over. Zambrano threw 6.1 innings and allowed 1 earned run on 8 hits and 1 walk with six strikeouts. This was his 2nd straight solid outing.
New Hampshire 13 @ Portland 3
The Fisher Cats continued the happy trend of 10-run victories, as they scored 5 runs in the first, led 8-1 after 3 innings, and coasted to victory behind a 21-hit barrage. Ryan Patterson's 3 run homer capped the first inning, and every member of the lineup had at least 2 hits. Dustin Majewski singled, doubled twice and walked twice in his five plate appearances, while Robinson Diaz and Aaron Mathews each pitched in with 3 hits. Juan Peralta belted his first homer of the season. Eric Fowler started and went 3.1 innings, allowing 1 earned run on 5 hits and 5 walks with 6 strikeouts. Jean Machi came on to shut the door for 2.2 hitless, scoreless innings and receipt for the win. New Hampshire's win, their fifth in a row, puts them 3 games ahead of Portland for the last playoff spot in the Northern Division of the Eastern League. Kyle Yates gets the start for the Cats tonight.
Dunedin 7 @ Sarasota 5
The D-Jays used the short game and the long ball to defeat the S-Reds. Jacob Butler's 6th inning homer broke a 2 -2 tie. After the Reds tied the game in their half of the frame, a timely double steal from Luke Hetherington and Eric Nielsen paved the way for the deciding runs, which scored on a passed ball and a Josh Kreuzer sacrifice fly. Butler also doubled, walked and stole his first base of the season. Jesus Gonzalez walked, singled and doubled in 4 plate trips. Russ Savickas went 6 innings for the win, allowing 4 earned runs on 7 hits and 2 walks with 5 strikeouts. Aaron Tressler and Daryl Harang finished up nicely.
Lansing 6 @ Great Lakes 7
Scott Campbell led off the game with a homer for the Lugnuts, but it turned out to be a false omen as the Lansing fell to the Loons. Travis Snider doubled in another run in the first, and the Luggies led 5-3 after 5 innings behind Kyle Ginley. In the sixth inning, the Loons scored 3 runs off Po-Hsuan Keng with errors by Campbell and third baseman Josh Bell figuring prominently. Campbell stroked his 4th hit of the game in the eighth inning and scored the tying run to atone for his error, but in the bottom of the frame, reliever Ben Harrison gave up a single and walk. A double steal off Ted Serro set the stage for an intentional walk and then an unintentional one to bring in the game-winner. Ginley went 5 innings, and gave up 3 earned runs on 6 hits and 1 walk with six strikeouts. Snider went 1-4 with a walk. Jon Baksh reached base 3 times. The Loons' batting order has a retro look with Mattingly and Van Slyke hitting back-to-back.
Mahoning Valley 2 @ Auburn 4
It is quite possible that the Scrappers have seen enough of Brett Cecil. This time, it was 4.1 shutout innings, allowing 4 hits and 1 walk while striking out 4. The lefty picked off one runner. Adam Calderone homered and walked and scored 2 runs, while J.P. Arencibia doubled and scored among his 3 plate appearances. Manny Rodriguez played first base and had 2 hits and drove in a run.
GCL Yankees 9 @ GCL Jays 5
The Rookie League Yankees and Jays played a sloppy affair in Dunedin. The Yanks banged out 14 hits and capitalized on three Jay errors for the victory. Justin Jackson went 0-3, while Kevin Ahrens went 1-4. John Tolisano walked twice, while Eric Eiland went 1-3. Balbino Fuenmayor came on late and had a hit.
3 stars
3rd star- Brett Cecil
2nd star- Russ Adams
1st star- Ryan Patterson
