Three affiliates, in fact, were doomed by big innings, as Las Vegas was the only club to land in the win column.
Las Vegas 4 Portland 3
David ' The Tease' Purcey was on the mound last night and threw a great game, allowing just two hits and three walks in seven innings of work. A run did not score against the big man. Bubbie Buzachero, though, was roughed up while making his triple-A season debut. The right-hander allowed three hits on two walks and one hit. Brian Wolfe worked 1.2 scoreless innings but was credited with a blown save for allowing three inherited runners to score. Jonah Bayliss worked a third of an inning for the save. The 51s offense faced former No. 1 draft pick Tim Stauffer, who has fallen on hard times. Russ Adams and Buck Coats, the 1-2 hitters, each had two hits. Aaron Mathews also had two hits, while the rehabbing Michael Barrett drove in two runs and had one hit.
Erie 4 New Hampshire 2
The Fisher Cats had the game in the bag, up 2-1, heading into the ninth but the Detroit affiliate scored three times off of Leon Boyd, who is back from high-A ball (maybe not for long). Veteran minor league Marty McLeary received the start, which was his first appearance of the season after battling a blood clot. He allowed just one run on one hit and two walks. He struck out five batters. Rommie Lewis worked 3.1 shutout innings and struck out four. A rehabbing Scott Campbell went 2-for-4 with two doubles. Brian Dopirak also had two hits, including a double, and drove in two runs. Brad Emaus' ugly June continued with an 0-for-4 (.108 in June).
Dunedin - Off Day
Great Lakes 10 Lansing 1
Chad Beck (the return for David Eckstein) had another ugly outing despite pitching well at high-A ball in the Arizona system last year. He allowed eight runs on nine hits and four walks over four innings of work. Jason Roenicke allowed one run on a solo homer in two innings and struck out two. Boomer Potts also allowed one run in two innings. Brian Van Kirk and Luis Fernandez each had two hits. Jon Talley was 1-for-4 with a double and and RBI.
Batavia 6 Auburn 1
It was a close game (1-1) until the seventh inning when the Philadelphia affiliate erutped for six runs. David Miller, one of the most experienced pitchers on the staff, failed to get an out and allowed three runs. Another experienced bullpen arm, Jamie Lehman, struggled while pitching 0.2 innings. Willi Mendez was brought in to stop the flood and he ended up working 1.1 scoreless innings. Joel Carreno, who is repeating short-season ball mainly because he was late reporting this season due to visa issues, allowed one run in four innings. He gave up four hits and walked three, while striking out six batters. Matt Wright, also repeating short-season ball (for reasons unknown and unapparent) worked two shutout innings and struck out four. At the top of the order, Eric Eiland and Markus Brisker (down from Lansing) each went 1-for-4. Eiland stole a base. Lance Durham and Jack Murphy each had one hit. Canadian free agent signee Randy Schwartz hit a solo home run in his first professional at-bat, which was the team's only run (He also made two errors at third base). Jonathan Fernandez went 0-for-2 with a walk and a strikeout.
Three Stars:
3. Joel Carreno for a nice season debut
2. Marty McLeary for making it back from a nasty medical condition and pitching well
1. David Purcey for seven shutout innings of two-hit ball
Las Vegas 4 Portland 3
David ' The Tease' Purcey was on the mound last night and threw a great game, allowing just two hits and three walks in seven innings of work. A run did not score against the big man. Bubbie Buzachero, though, was roughed up while making his triple-A season debut. The right-hander allowed three hits on two walks and one hit. Brian Wolfe worked 1.2 scoreless innings but was credited with a blown save for allowing three inherited runners to score. Jonah Bayliss worked a third of an inning for the save. The 51s offense faced former No. 1 draft pick Tim Stauffer, who has fallen on hard times. Russ Adams and Buck Coats, the 1-2 hitters, each had two hits. Aaron Mathews also had two hits, while the rehabbing Michael Barrett drove in two runs and had one hit.
Erie 4 New Hampshire 2
The Fisher Cats had the game in the bag, up 2-1, heading into the ninth but the Detroit affiliate scored three times off of Leon Boyd, who is back from high-A ball (maybe not for long). Veteran minor league Marty McLeary received the start, which was his first appearance of the season after battling a blood clot. He allowed just one run on one hit and two walks. He struck out five batters. Rommie Lewis worked 3.1 shutout innings and struck out four. A rehabbing Scott Campbell went 2-for-4 with two doubles. Brian Dopirak also had two hits, including a double, and drove in two runs. Brad Emaus' ugly June continued with an 0-for-4 (.108 in June).
Dunedin - Off Day
Great Lakes 10 Lansing 1
Chad Beck (the return for David Eckstein) had another ugly outing despite pitching well at high-A ball in the Arizona system last year. He allowed eight runs on nine hits and four walks over four innings of work. Jason Roenicke allowed one run on a solo homer in two innings and struck out two. Boomer Potts also allowed one run in two innings. Brian Van Kirk and Luis Fernandez each had two hits. Jon Talley was 1-for-4 with a double and and RBI.
Batavia 6 Auburn 1
It was a close game (1-1) until the seventh inning when the Philadelphia affiliate erutped for six runs. David Miller, one of the most experienced pitchers on the staff, failed to get an out and allowed three runs. Another experienced bullpen arm, Jamie Lehman, struggled while pitching 0.2 innings. Willi Mendez was brought in to stop the flood and he ended up working 1.1 scoreless innings. Joel Carreno, who is repeating short-season ball mainly because he was late reporting this season due to visa issues, allowed one run in four innings. He gave up four hits and walked three, while striking out six batters. Matt Wright, also repeating short-season ball (for reasons unknown and unapparent) worked two shutout innings and struck out four. At the top of the order, Eric Eiland and Markus Brisker (down from Lansing) each went 1-for-4. Eiland stole a base. Lance Durham and Jack Murphy each had one hit. Canadian free agent signee Randy Schwartz hit a solo home run in his first professional at-bat, which was the team's only run (He also made two errors at third base). Jonathan Fernandez went 0-for-2 with a walk and a strikeout.
Three Stars:
3. Joel Carreno for a nice season debut
2. Marty McLeary for making it back from a nasty medical condition and pitching well
1. David Purcey for seven shutout innings of two-hit ball
