The day started well (New Hampshire) and ended well (Las Vegas) but the middle was kind of ugly - especially in Florida. When the dust settled, the affiliates shared a record of 2-2.
Las Vegas 3 Col. Springs 2
The 51s managed to edge the talented Colorado affiliate thanks in part to a respectable pitching performance by Brad Mills. The southpaw allowed eight hits and two walks in 5.2 innings, but he allowed just two runs and struck out four batters. Bryan Bullington, adjusting to life in the pen, allowed just one hit in 1.2 innings of work and struck out four. Jeremy Accardo finished off the game with a scoreless innings that included a hit, walk and strikeout. Offensively, veterans Brett Harper and Howie Clark led the way with two hits each. Fellow veteran Randy Ruiz (.400 avg) continued his hot-hitting with a solo homer.
New Hampshire 11 New Britain 1
I guess Randy Boone is feeling OK. The right-hander came off the DL yesterday and held the Twins affiliate to just one unearned run in six innings. Boone allowed six hits and no walks to go along with two strikeouts. He induced a whopping 12 ground ball outs and just two fly balls. Nate Starner and Rommie Lewis also contributed out of the pen. Brad Emaus was the offensive star with three hits, three runs scored and two RBI. Brian Dopirak's bat has woken up as he added three hits, including a double, and drove in two runs. Brian Jeroloman had two hits, including a double and homer, and he drove in four runs. Chris Gutierrez had two hits.
Brevard County 12 Dunedin 3
Starting pitcher Marcus Walden continued to struggle with the two-level jump to High-A ball in 2009. He allowed nine runs in 2.2 innings of work. Trystan Magnuson continued his disappointing pitching by allowing two runs on five hits and a walk in 2.1 innings. Cody Crowell worked three innings and allowed just one run with five strikeouts. Justin Jackson continued his struggle with making contact by K-ing four times in five at-bats. Eric Thames was 2-for-5 with two strikeouts. Moises Sierra also had two hits, including a double, as well as two Ks. Raul Barron was 2-for-4. Darin Mastroianni stole his eighth base. The Jays were sloppy in the field with four errors.
West Michigan 4 Lansing 3 (10 innings)
Charles Huggins began the game with five scoreless innings and struck out four batters with five hits allowed and no walks. Yorman Mayora battled with his command and allowed three runs in one inning. Hunter Moody then worked two scoreless innings to allow the Lugnuts back in the game. Matt Daly, though, then allowed the winning run in the 10th inning, during his second frame. Offensively, the first six hitters in the line-up had a hit. Consistent contact continues to be an issue with the young line-up as the batters combined for 14 strikeouts. Markus Brisker has started the season off 0-for-17. Balbino Fuenmayor is 1-for-20.
Three Stars:
3. Charles Huggins for five shutout innings with five Ks
2. Brad Emaus for three hits and three RBI
1. Randy Boone for six shutout innings and 12 ground-ball outs
Las Vegas 3 Col. Springs 2
The 51s managed to edge the talented Colorado affiliate thanks in part to a respectable pitching performance by Brad Mills. The southpaw allowed eight hits and two walks in 5.2 innings, but he allowed just two runs and struck out four batters. Bryan Bullington, adjusting to life in the pen, allowed just one hit in 1.2 innings of work and struck out four. Jeremy Accardo finished off the game with a scoreless innings that included a hit, walk and strikeout. Offensively, veterans Brett Harper and Howie Clark led the way with two hits each. Fellow veteran Randy Ruiz (.400 avg) continued his hot-hitting with a solo homer.
New Hampshire 11 New Britain 1
I guess Randy Boone is feeling OK. The right-hander came off the DL yesterday and held the Twins affiliate to just one unearned run in six innings. Boone allowed six hits and no walks to go along with two strikeouts. He induced a whopping 12 ground ball outs and just two fly balls. Nate Starner and Rommie Lewis also contributed out of the pen. Brad Emaus was the offensive star with three hits, three runs scored and two RBI. Brian Dopirak's bat has woken up as he added three hits, including a double, and drove in two runs. Brian Jeroloman had two hits, including a double and homer, and he drove in four runs. Chris Gutierrez had two hits.
Brevard County 12 Dunedin 3
Starting pitcher Marcus Walden continued to struggle with the two-level jump to High-A ball in 2009. He allowed nine runs in 2.2 innings of work. Trystan Magnuson continued his disappointing pitching by allowing two runs on five hits and a walk in 2.1 innings. Cody Crowell worked three innings and allowed just one run with five strikeouts. Justin Jackson continued his struggle with making contact by K-ing four times in five at-bats. Eric Thames was 2-for-5 with two strikeouts. Moises Sierra also had two hits, including a double, as well as two Ks. Raul Barron was 2-for-4. Darin Mastroianni stole his eighth base. The Jays were sloppy in the field with four errors.
West Michigan 4 Lansing 3 (10 innings)
Charles Huggins began the game with five scoreless innings and struck out four batters with five hits allowed and no walks. Yorman Mayora battled with his command and allowed three runs in one inning. Hunter Moody then worked two scoreless innings to allow the Lugnuts back in the game. Matt Daly, though, then allowed the winning run in the 10th inning, during his second frame. Offensively, the first six hitters in the line-up had a hit. Consistent contact continues to be an issue with the young line-up as the batters combined for 14 strikeouts. Markus Brisker has started the season off 0-for-17. Balbino Fuenmayor is 1-for-20.
Three Stars:
3. Charles Huggins for five shutout innings with five Ks
2. Brad Emaus for three hits and three RBI
1. Randy Boone for six shutout innings and 12 ground-ball outs
