I logged on this morning to check out the Minor League Update. When it wasn't there I realized it was because Sunday's my day to report. Whoops.
In any event, one of two things happened to each affiliate yesterday: They either didn't play or they scored five runs and won. If the anticipation of knowing who did what is killing you, just click 'more'.
Syracuse @ Scranton/WB- Postponed
Rain, I presume. Imagine if the Jays had an affiliate playing in an open air field in Southern Ontario? They wouldn't have played for the past month.
New Hampshire 5 Binghamton 4- 10 innings
The Fisher Cats carried a 3-1 lead into the 8th, thanks in part to Ryan Patterson's sixteenth homer. But with two out and two on, Seth Overbey was called upon and immediately gave up a three-run shot. Oops. No worries, though. J.P. Arencibia, who had until that point had the day off, pinch-hit with one out in the ninth. A situation like that would be a perfect time for his third walk in 48 games. You know, to get a rally started. But J.P. doesn't think that way. He knows chicks dig the long ball. Especially chicks in Binghamton. So he launched one into the beautiful late-afternoon Binghamton sky to knot the game 4-4. An inning later, David Smith did the same. Game, New Hampshire. Imagine if one day the Jays could hit three homers in a game? That would be awesome.
Oh, and Marty Lee McLeary started for the Fisher Cats. He successfully lowered his ERA from 14.73 to 7.27 with five innings of one run, seven strikeout ball. At 33 years-old, the Jays will want to be patient with McLeary. But more efforts like this and you may yet see him in Toronto in oh, say, 2011.
The D-Jays easily dispatched of Dontrelle Willis and the Lakeland Tigers thanks in part to Brad Emaus's two hits, two walks, and two runs scored. Willis didn't actually pitch that badly, giving up four runs in 7.1 and striking out six. But I'm sure he'd rather be doing that in Detroit, not trying to salvage his career in A-ball.
Chris Emanuele homered for Dunedin, his seventh. Emanuele, a Toronto native, sports a haircut that suggests he'd much rather be playing hockey.
Kenny Rodriguez started for Dunedin and was every bit as good as he usually is in High-A ball. It's when he hits Double-A that problems occur. K-Rod went six innings and struck out eight while walking three and allowing a run on three hits. Jeremy Accardo provided an inning of relief in which he allowed a run. Connor Falkenbach then picked up his 26th save with a perfect ninth.
Oh, and David Cooper went 0-for-4. Back to Lansing for him.
Speaking of Lansing, they too played and won thanks to a three-run bottom of the ninth rally. With runners on first and second with nobody out, Justin Jackson was called upon to bunt. He did so, just not well in popping out to third. Raul Barron didn't let that bother him though and doubled home a run. A walk later and the bases were loaded for Jonathan Jaspe who singled in the tying run. Kevin Ahrens then sent everbody into a frenzy (I'm assuming) with a walk-off single.
Most everyone contributed for Lansing, led by Ahrens's two hit, two RBI effort. Chi-Hung Cheng started for Lansing and wasn't all that good in going four and allowing four (three earned) on five hits, three walks and only two strikeouts. Frank Gailey picked up the win with a scoreless ninth and also lowered his ERA to 1.59 in 22.2 innings work.
Auburn @ Vermont- Postponed
GCL Blue Jays- Scheduled Day Off. These guys never play on Sunday. I'm sure there's a reason but it leaves me very unfamiliar with them.
Three Stars:
3rd Star: J.P. Arencibia- 1-for-1, HR (26)
2nd Star: Kevin Ahrens- 2-for-4, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB (game winning hit)
1st Star: Kenny Rodriguez- 6 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 8 K. (W)
