On the first Minor League Update of my career, I almost gave you an update about the Syracuse SkyChiefs (if that's what they're still called). No joke. I looked at the box score and realized I had no idea what I had signed up for. Anyway...
Las Vegas 7 at Salt Lake 8
5 runs in 4 innings doesn't really give a clear picture on how Brett Cecil pitched. He was perfect through three, save for one batter reaching on an error by Angel Sanchez. In the 4th, another batter reached on an error - this time by Scott Campbell. Following this, Matthew Brown walked, and Brandon Wood reached on an infield single to first baseman Randy Ruiz, who promptly threw the ball away, allowing a run to score. Cecil then induced a double play ground ball to end the inning. Somehow, the infield didn't mess it up.
And believe it or not, we've only gone through half the errors the 51s made this night. That's right: 6, count 'em, SIX, errors. In addition to those previously mentioned, Scott Campbell made another one (remember, he's adjusting to a new position), Joe Inglett was another culprit, and Cecil himself threw a ball away in the 5th to hurt his cause. Cecil finished with 4 hits and 2 walks in 4+ innings, striking out 1 batter but inducing 8 ground ball outs.
The offense attempted to make up for the lackluster defense by blasting 7 runs. Randy Ruiz was the star, falling a triple short of the cycle and driving home 4 runs. Ruiz is a career .302/.375/.524 hitter in the minors, and could be a useful right-handed bench bat in upcoming years with lefties Travis Snider, Adam Lind and David Cooper in the fold. Then again, it doesn't look like he'd be a useful bench glove, so maybe he's destined to kind-of slug at AAA.
Scott Campbell and Brett Harper each went 1-3 with a walk and 2 runs, and Russ Adams drove in 2 with a double, but T.J. Beam and Brian Wolfe allowed 3 more runs to score over their 4 innings of work to give the Bees a narrow victory.
Connecticut 8 at New Hampshire 1
Marc Rzepczynski had a rough night, giving up 7 hits and 4 walks in just 3 innings, and allowing 5 runners to plate, and this one could not be chalked up to shoddy defense. The bullpen wasn't great either, giving up another 3 runs to seal the deal for the Defenders. David Cooper provided the only offense for the Cats, collecting 2 hits including a solo homer. Brian Dopirak and Chris Gutierrez had 2 hits apiece.
Clearwater 5 at Dunedin 2
Ryan Page got the start for the D-Jays, and put up a Scott Richmond-esque line of 5 1/3, 6 hits, 2 runs, 2 walks and 2 Ks. He actually didn't allow any runs to score while in the game, but left in the 6th with runners on 1st and 3rd, both of whom (plus a couple other guys) scored on a collection of walks, a wild pitch by Chad Beck, and a 2-run error by Moises Sierra. Then Tim Collins came in, struck out Freddy Galvis to end the inning, and struck out two more Threshers in the 7th. Same old, same old. Unfortunately, that was all Clearwater needed. Dunedin matched the Threshers with 8 hits, but maximize their hitficiency like their opponents. Justin Jackson had 2 singles, a walk and 2 strikeouts. Kevin Ahrens went 0-5 with 2 Ks.
Lansing at South Bend (postponed)
Three Stars!
3. Tim Collins for striking out 3 batters over 1 1/3 scoreless frames.
2. David Cooper for giving me something to write about under the New Hampshire offense column (2-4 with a HR).
1. Randy Ruiz for a 3-4, 7 TB, 4 RBI night.
Las Vegas 7 at Salt Lake 8
5 runs in 4 innings doesn't really give a clear picture on how Brett Cecil pitched. He was perfect through three, save for one batter reaching on an error by Angel Sanchez. In the 4th, another batter reached on an error - this time by Scott Campbell. Following this, Matthew Brown walked, and Brandon Wood reached on an infield single to first baseman Randy Ruiz, who promptly threw the ball away, allowing a run to score. Cecil then induced a double play ground ball to end the inning. Somehow, the infield didn't mess it up.
And believe it or not, we've only gone through half the errors the 51s made this night. That's right: 6, count 'em, SIX, errors. In addition to those previously mentioned, Scott Campbell made another one (remember, he's adjusting to a new position), Joe Inglett was another culprit, and Cecil himself threw a ball away in the 5th to hurt his cause. Cecil finished with 4 hits and 2 walks in 4+ innings, striking out 1 batter but inducing 8 ground ball outs.
The offense attempted to make up for the lackluster defense by blasting 7 runs. Randy Ruiz was the star, falling a triple short of the cycle and driving home 4 runs. Ruiz is a career .302/.375/.524 hitter in the minors, and could be a useful right-handed bench bat in upcoming years with lefties Travis Snider, Adam Lind and David Cooper in the fold. Then again, it doesn't look like he'd be a useful bench glove, so maybe he's destined to kind-of slug at AAA.
Scott Campbell and Brett Harper each went 1-3 with a walk and 2 runs, and Russ Adams drove in 2 with a double, but T.J. Beam and Brian Wolfe allowed 3 more runs to score over their 4 innings of work to give the Bees a narrow victory.
Connecticut 8 at New Hampshire 1
Marc Rzepczynski had a rough night, giving up 7 hits and 4 walks in just 3 innings, and allowing 5 runners to plate, and this one could not be chalked up to shoddy defense. The bullpen wasn't great either, giving up another 3 runs to seal the deal for the Defenders. David Cooper provided the only offense for the Cats, collecting 2 hits including a solo homer. Brian Dopirak and Chris Gutierrez had 2 hits apiece.
Clearwater 5 at Dunedin 2
Ryan Page got the start for the D-Jays, and put up a Scott Richmond-esque line of 5 1/3, 6 hits, 2 runs, 2 walks and 2 Ks. He actually didn't allow any runs to score while in the game, but left in the 6th with runners on 1st and 3rd, both of whom (plus a couple other guys) scored on a collection of walks, a wild pitch by Chad Beck, and a 2-run error by Moises Sierra. Then Tim Collins came in, struck out Freddy Galvis to end the inning, and struck out two more Threshers in the 7th. Same old, same old. Unfortunately, that was all Clearwater needed. Dunedin matched the Threshers with 8 hits, but maximize their hitficiency like their opponents. Justin Jackson had 2 singles, a walk and 2 strikeouts. Kevin Ahrens went 0-5 with 2 Ks.
Lansing at South Bend (postponed)
Three Stars!
3. Tim Collins for striking out 3 batters over 1 1/3 scoreless frames.
2. David Cooper for giving me something to write about under the New Hampshire offense column (2-4 with a HR).
1. Randy Ruiz for a 3-4, 7 TB, 4 RBI night.
