The theme of the evening was... well, I sort of already told you in the title, so I really don't need to elaborate here. But I have to write something, or else it won't let me post the story. So... blah blah blah, watermelon watermelon. Is that enough? Okay.
Fresno 8 at Las Vegas 9
It was a wild one in Vegas, as Fresno jumped out to an early 2-0 lead, only to see Vegas storm back for 5 runs over the first 5 innings. Fresno then scored a run in the 6th, followed by a 4-run outburst by the 51s to put this game seemingly out of reach - 9-3 at the time. The very next inning, Fresno hung a 5-spot on the 51s' bullpen, mostly Zach Stewart. But the shut-em-down 8-9 team of Buzzie Bubbachero, er, whatever, and Jeremy Accardo did exactly that, shut-em-down, to preserve the victory.
Fabio Castro started and was okay, allowing 3 runs (2 earned) over 5 1/3 on 10 base-runners. The offensive stars were Kevin Howard (4-4, 2 2B), Brian Dopirak (4-5, 2B), and J.P. Arencibia (1-5, HR).
Portland 4 at New Hampshire 1
Who's Sean Smith? I'm not sure, but he's now made 5 starts for New Hampshire and has been pretty darn good. Don't get your hopes up, though: he's 25 and has a 0.7 GO/AO ratio. Anyway, Sean "Chone" Smith pitched 7 masterful innings, allowing 5 hits and a walk while striking out 6 and not allowing a run. Unfortunately, Edgar Estanga did his best to blow the game, allowing 4 runs in his 2nd inning of work, and the Cats' offense, which up to that point had been enough, couldn't come from behind in the bottom of the 9th. Scott Campbell singled, doubled and walked, and Darin Mastroianni singled twice and stole his 36th base (for New Hampshire).
There weren't any games in high A yesterday.
Lansing 7 at Dayton 3
Once again, the opposition scored a bunch of runs in the 9th inning. This time, though, the good guys had built up enough of a lead to withstand the rally. Lansing got 7 runs courtesy of big days by Mike McDade (2-3, HR, 3 RBIs), Ryan Goins (2-run single) and Chris Emanuele (solo homer), and John Anderson pitched 5 shut-out innings to give the offense a chance to win the game.
Jamestown 4 at Auburn 0 (12 innings)
Even though the Doubledays only managed 1 hit and 1 walk off opposing starter Erick Carillo, they managed to extend this one to 12 innings on the strength of their own starting pitching. Matthew Wright was masterful over 5, allowing just 2 hits while striking out 9, and the bullpen held it until yet another late-game blow-up: Josh Wells allowed 4 runs in his second inning of work, the 12th. I'm not even going to single any hitters out, because nobody reached base more than once.
GCL Blue Jays 2 at GCL Pirates 1
Robert Ray got the start in a rehab appearance and, encouragingly, pitched a shut-out! In one inning. He also allowed 2 hits and struck out 2. It was a committee job out of the bullpen as nobody pitched more than 2 innings, but this proved effective, as the Baby Jays were able to shut down their opponents despite only scoring 2 runs. Carlos Perez was the only hitter of note, going 2-4 with a double.
Three Stars!
3. Kevin Howard, 4-4, 2B
2. John Anderson and Matthew Wright, 5 shutout innings apiece
1. Sean Smith, 7 shutout innings
Fresno 8 at Las Vegas 9
It was a wild one in Vegas, as Fresno jumped out to an early 2-0 lead, only to see Vegas storm back for 5 runs over the first 5 innings. Fresno then scored a run in the 6th, followed by a 4-run outburst by the 51s to put this game seemingly out of reach - 9-3 at the time. The very next inning, Fresno hung a 5-spot on the 51s' bullpen, mostly Zach Stewart. But the shut-em-down 8-9 team of Buzzie Bubbachero, er, whatever, and Jeremy Accardo did exactly that, shut-em-down, to preserve the victory.
Fabio Castro started and was okay, allowing 3 runs (2 earned) over 5 1/3 on 10 base-runners. The offensive stars were Kevin Howard (4-4, 2 2B), Brian Dopirak (4-5, 2B), and J.P. Arencibia (1-5, HR).
Portland 4 at New Hampshire 1
Who's Sean Smith? I'm not sure, but he's now made 5 starts for New Hampshire and has been pretty darn good. Don't get your hopes up, though: he's 25 and has a 0.7 GO/AO ratio. Anyway, Sean "Chone" Smith pitched 7 masterful innings, allowing 5 hits and a walk while striking out 6 and not allowing a run. Unfortunately, Edgar Estanga did his best to blow the game, allowing 4 runs in his 2nd inning of work, and the Cats' offense, which up to that point had been enough, couldn't come from behind in the bottom of the 9th. Scott Campbell singled, doubled and walked, and Darin Mastroianni singled twice and stole his 36th base (for New Hampshire).
There weren't any games in high A yesterday.
Lansing 7 at Dayton 3
Once again, the opposition scored a bunch of runs in the 9th inning. This time, though, the good guys had built up enough of a lead to withstand the rally. Lansing got 7 runs courtesy of big days by Mike McDade (2-3, HR, 3 RBIs), Ryan Goins (2-run single) and Chris Emanuele (solo homer), and John Anderson pitched 5 shut-out innings to give the offense a chance to win the game.
Jamestown 4 at Auburn 0 (12 innings)
Even though the Doubledays only managed 1 hit and 1 walk off opposing starter Erick Carillo, they managed to extend this one to 12 innings on the strength of their own starting pitching. Matthew Wright was masterful over 5, allowing just 2 hits while striking out 9, and the bullpen held it until yet another late-game blow-up: Josh Wells allowed 4 runs in his second inning of work, the 12th. I'm not even going to single any hitters out, because nobody reached base more than once.
GCL Blue Jays 2 at GCL Pirates 1
Robert Ray got the start in a rehab appearance and, encouragingly, pitched a shut-out! In one inning. He also allowed 2 hits and struck out 2. It was a committee job out of the bullpen as nobody pitched more than 2 innings, but this proved effective, as the Baby Jays were able to shut down their opponents despite only scoring 2 runs. Carlos Perez was the only hitter of note, going 2-4 with a double.
Three Stars!
3. Kevin Howard, 4-4, 2B
2. John Anderson and Matthew Wright, 5 shutout innings apiece
1. Sean Smith, 7 shutout innings
