Brett Cecil had a rough first start in AAA although Robinzon Diaz might not be on Cecil's christmas card list. In the first inning Diaz, playing third, botted a ball allowing the lead-off hitter to reach. After an out two ground ball singles to centre scored a run. The lead-off hitter in the second doubled and then Diaz booted another one but Cecil worked out of it. In the third Cecil allowed a lead-off walk followed by a home run. Cecil got san out but then two ground ball hits, with an error by Russ Adams, scored another run to make it 4-0. Cecil then gave up a walk, followed by two more ground ball singles and it was 5-0. Sean Stidfole came on in relief and wild pitched in a run, followed by an error, a bases loaded walk, then a couple of hits and it was 10-0.
Cecil's line was eight runs allowed, five earned, on eight hits and two walks. Seven of the eight hits were of the ground ball variety. Cecil threw 69 pitches but only 39 strikes. It might have been nerves but Cecil will have to tune his location before his next start.
Syracuse scored four runs in the third, Buck Coats hit a three run home run and Russ Adams a solo shot.
After 13 runs in the third the game calmed down and the teams exchanged one run each.
Jean Machi returned to the starting line-up and pitched five strong innings allowing one run. New Hampshire scored four runs in the fourth inning, Eric Kratz hit a two run home run and later in the inning a bases loaded walk and a sac fly scored two more. In the fifth David Smith hit a solo run home run to make it 5-1. Seth Overbey replaced Machi and pitched three perfect innings.
Jacob Butler was the only Fisher Cat with two hits.
Dunedin got going quickly when Brian Dopirak hit a three run home run in the first inning. Adrian Martin started and pitched six innings, allowing one run. Dunedin scored two more in the seventh, one on a botched pick-off play and another on a double play. Celson Polanco allowed two in the eighth but Dunedin got one back, Luis Sanchez doubled and scored on a sac fly. Sanchez had three hits in the game.
Luis Perez pitched very well, one run and two hits allowed in six innings. Moises Sierra doubled in two runs in the second inning to give Lansing the early lead. The Lugnuts scored an insurance run in the eighth, Manny Rodriguez singled in Jon Jaspe who had earlier singled. Tim Collins picked up his tenth save with a perfect inning. Jaspe, Rodriguez and Sierra had two hits each.
Marcus Walden surrendered three runs in the second inning but otherwise held Williamsport off the scoreboard through five innings. Auburn scored a run in the fourth with consecutive singles from Robert Sobolewski, Jon DelCampo and Brian Van Kirk. In the fifth Bartolo Nicolas doubled and Adam Amar singled him home. In the sixth Williamsport added an insurance run off the Auburn bullpen. But the Auburn hitters could not get a hit off the Williamsport bullpen.
DelCampo had two hits.
GCL Jays and GCL Yankees - game postponed
The teams were to complete Thursday's suspended game and play Friday's game but both were rained-out.
3 star selection
3rd star - Brian Dopirak
2nd star - Adrian Martin
1st star - Luis Perez
