Fresno 7 at Las Vegas 8
It was a bit of a wild one out in the desert as the 51s and Grizzlies combined for 15 runs on 28 hits. Fresno struck first in the top of the first, as Reidier "Palindrome" Gonzalez whiffed the first two Grizzlies before giving up four straight hits, the third of which was a home run that put the home nine down three. The 51s responded in the bottom of the inning, getting two runs on a double by Jarrett Hoffpauir and a sac fly from Brian Dopirak. Hoffpauir and Dopirak would get in on the action again in the fifth, each hitting two run home runs to chase the vaunted and evidently struggling Madison Bumgarner from the game and put the 51s up 7-5. They'd tack on an insurance run the next inning on a Brett Wallace home run, his third, that would prove to be the difference as they hung on for the 8-7 victory after Rommie Lewis got himself into a bases loaded no out jam in the 9th before allowing only a solitary run to score. Gonzalez gave up 5 runs in 5 innings on 8 hits and 3 walks with 7 k's, while David Purcey pitched a scoreless inning. Jesus Merchan, Hoffpauir and Christian Colonel all had two hits, while Brett Wallace chipped in with three knocks, including the home run; his OPS is 1.145 after 7 games. Buster Posey had two hits for the Grizzlies.
New Hampshire 3 at Reading 8
Kyle Drabek's second start for the Fisher Cat's did not go as well as his first, as he gave up runs in each of the first, second and fourth innings. His line would have looked much better if not for the four unearned runs he allowed to cross in the sixth after the leadoff man reached on an error for the Phillies; four total runs would cross putting the game out of reach. Drabek's final line was 5.2 IP, 7 h 7 r 3 er with 2 bb and 2 k's. The Fisher Cat's offense didn't do much to speak of, totaling six hits, all singles, and five walks off Phillipe Aumont and the Phillies staff; Brian Jeroloman was the only Cat with two hits, while short stop Jonathan Diaz had a hit and two walks. Domonic Brown had two hits for Reading.
Dunedin 11 at Daytona 6
The D-Jays jumped out to an early 5-1 lead in this one and never looked back. Raul Barron, John Tolisano and Travis d'Arnaud all singled to lead off the game, and a strikeout, Michael McDade single and groundout later and Dunedin was up two runs. In the second they scored three more times on a walk and, yes, three more singles. The D-Jays plated two more in the sixth on a single by Tyler Pastronicky and doubles by Tolisano and d'Arnaud, and four more in the 8th on a walk, hit by pitch, single, and a walk followed by several run scoring fielder's choices. Andrew Liebel got the start for Dunedin in this one and was solid if unspectacular. He went 5 innings and allowed 6 hits and 2 walks while whiffing 3. Chad Beck, Frank Gailey and Alan Farina got knocked around a bit in relief but managed to hold on for the W. The offense was the hero today though. Travis d'Arnaud went 4 for 6 with 3 RBI, a 2B and a SB, while Tolisano, Brian Van Kirk and Tyler Pastronicky all chipped in with 2 hits apiece. The D-Jays got to 11 runs despite managing only three extra base hits, all doubles, to go with 10 singles and 6 walks.
Lake County 7 at Lansing 3
This one was over pretty much as it started, as Lake County jumped out to leads of 1-0, 4-0, 5-2 and then 7-2, and that was all she wrote for the Lugnuts. Matt Fields was the victim for much of this, though he was done in by some poor timing and bad luck. He retired the first two batters he faced before allowing a single, double and a wild pitch. In the second inning he had two down and a runner on first before the next three batters reached on a bunt single, an error and a single up the middle. He only lasted four innings giving up 10 hits, all singles, and whiffing 7 against no walks. Only two of the five runs he allowed were earned. Meanwhile the Lugnut offense did very little, as they could only muster 3 runs on 6 hits, 3 of which were by Bradley Glenn, the Jays 23rd round pick from the 2009 draft. Glenn is now hitting .379 with 5 XBH and 2 walks in 7 games after a rough 2009 in Rookie Ball. Oliver Dominguez and Mark Sobolewski both drew two walks for the Lugnuts.
Three Stars
3. Bradley Glenn, Lansing - 3-5, 2B, 2 RBI
2. Brett Wallace, Las Vegas - 3-5, HR, 2 R, RBI
1. Travis d'Arnaud, Dunedin - 4-6, 2B, SB, 3 RBI