Four wins out of five = a really nice night for the farm teams. The offense was especially impressive - as were the performances from two catchers.
Las Vegas 7 Portland 2
The offense was working again Friday night and JP Arencibia led the way with two homers and six RBI. The catcher has had a disappointing season, but he's ending the year strong with a .302 average in the last 10 games, as well as six homers and 14 RBI. He's even taken two walks! Howie Clark also had two hits along with two walks. Kyle Phillips went 1-for-3 with an RBI and a walk. On the bump, David Purcey allowed two runs in 5.1 innings of work, while giving up six hits and three walks. Zach Stewart struck out four in two shutout innings.
Portland 3 New Hampshire 2
New Hampshire lost its second straight extra-inning game. Nate Starner took the loss despite allowing just one run in 3.2 relief innings. He struck out five batters. Luis Perez received the start and allowed just one run on two hits in five innings. He struck out six batters but walked five. Darin Mastroianni led the offense with three hits and he stole a base, as well. Brad Emaus had two hits. Jonathan Diaz was 0-for-2 but he walked three times.
Dunedin 9 Lakeland 2
Eric Thames is finishing the year strong. He had three hits on Friday night, including a triple. The outfielder now has six hits in four games since returning from his rehab assignment. Catcher Jonathan Jaspe went 2-for-4 and drove in three runs. Brian Van Kirk went 1-for-3 with a solo homer. Raul Barron and Luis Sanchez each had two hits. Robert Ray received the start and he allowed just one hit in three shutout innings. Dumas Garcia worked 2.2 scoreless innings and allowed just one hit. Matt Daly finished off the game with a hitless frame.
Lansing 4 West Michigan 3
Chad Beck allowed three runs in seven innings. Dustin Antolin worked the final two and gave up just one hit for the win. AJ Jimenez went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI, but we're still waiting for him to take one more walk to end the year (The same for Balbino... come on, man, hit double digits in walks)! Welinton Ramirez went 1-for-3 with a double and a stolen base. Ryan Goins continued his late-season slide with an 0-for-5 night. Justin McClanahan (other player allergic to OBP and BBs) went 0-for-1 but walked three times. With so many low walk and OBP totals, you kind of have to wonder if there needs to be a coaching or philosophy change in Lansing... There has been little improvement in this area for multiple (talented) players.
Auburn 16 Batavia 7
Auburn is looking to end 2009 with a bang. Yan Gomes - keep your eye on him - went 4-for-5 with his 23 double and he also drove in seven runs. Brad Glenn hit two homers and drove in four runners. Kevin Nolan and Chris Hopkins each had three hits. Ryan Schimpf went 2-for-4 with two RBI. Lance Durham also had two hits. Markus Brisker went 1-for-3 and got his average up to .200. On the mound, Scott Gracey allowed three runs in five innings. Brian Justice allowed just one hit in two innings, but it came around to score.
Three Stars:
3. Darin Mastroianni for three hits and a stolen base
2. JP Arencibia for two homers and six RBI
1. Yan Gomes for slamming his league-leading 23rd double and driving in seven runs
Las Vegas 7 Portland 2
The offense was working again Friday night and JP Arencibia led the way with two homers and six RBI. The catcher has had a disappointing season, but he's ending the year strong with a .302 average in the last 10 games, as well as six homers and 14 RBI. He's even taken two walks! Howie Clark also had two hits along with two walks. Kyle Phillips went 1-for-3 with an RBI and a walk. On the bump, David Purcey allowed two runs in 5.1 innings of work, while giving up six hits and three walks. Zach Stewart struck out four in two shutout innings.
Portland 3 New Hampshire 2
New Hampshire lost its second straight extra-inning game. Nate Starner took the loss despite allowing just one run in 3.2 relief innings. He struck out five batters. Luis Perez received the start and allowed just one run on two hits in five innings. He struck out six batters but walked five. Darin Mastroianni led the offense with three hits and he stole a base, as well. Brad Emaus had two hits. Jonathan Diaz was 0-for-2 but he walked three times.
Dunedin 9 Lakeland 2
Eric Thames is finishing the year strong. He had three hits on Friday night, including a triple. The outfielder now has six hits in four games since returning from his rehab assignment. Catcher Jonathan Jaspe went 2-for-4 and drove in three runs. Brian Van Kirk went 1-for-3 with a solo homer. Raul Barron and Luis Sanchez each had two hits. Robert Ray received the start and he allowed just one hit in three shutout innings. Dumas Garcia worked 2.2 scoreless innings and allowed just one hit. Matt Daly finished off the game with a hitless frame.
Lansing 4 West Michigan 3
Chad Beck allowed three runs in seven innings. Dustin Antolin worked the final two and gave up just one hit for the win. AJ Jimenez went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI, but we're still waiting for him to take one more walk to end the year (The same for Balbino... come on, man, hit double digits in walks)! Welinton Ramirez went 1-for-3 with a double and a stolen base. Ryan Goins continued his late-season slide with an 0-for-5 night. Justin McClanahan (other player allergic to OBP and BBs) went 0-for-1 but walked three times. With so many low walk and OBP totals, you kind of have to wonder if there needs to be a coaching or philosophy change in Lansing... There has been little improvement in this area for multiple (talented) players.
Auburn 16 Batavia 7
Auburn is looking to end 2009 with a bang. Yan Gomes - keep your eye on him - went 4-for-5 with his 23 double and he also drove in seven runs. Brad Glenn hit two homers and drove in four runners. Kevin Nolan and Chris Hopkins each had three hits. Ryan Schimpf went 2-for-4 with two RBI. Lance Durham also had two hits. Markus Brisker went 1-for-3 and got his average up to .200. On the mound, Scott Gracey allowed three runs in five innings. Brian Justice allowed just one hit in two innings, but it came around to score.
Three Stars:
3. Darin Mastroianni for three hits and a stolen base
2. JP Arencibia for two homers and six RBI
1. Yan Gomes for slamming his league-leading 23rd double and driving in seven runs
