Batter's Box Interactive Magazine - Saturday Night on the Farm: L's Beat the W's

Saturday Night on the Farm: L's Beat the W's

Great pitching and productive hitting won the evening for New Hampshire. Ditto for Lansing. Not Ditto for the other outfits on the farm.

Las Vegas 1 Sacramento 4

The 51s managed to tie Sacramento with 8 hits, but the could only muster a single run in front of an impressive crowd of 11,891 in California’s capital city. Losing pitcher Marc Rzepczynki (5-4) was tagged for 2 earned runs and 5 hits, including a homer. Rep did throw 6 Ks in his 6.2 IP. Jarrett Hoffpauir teamed up with recently arrived 1B Mike Jacobs on a double play.

Jacobs (2 for 3, BB, RBI) batted in the 51s lone run. Aaron Mathews (3 for 4) was the other 51 with a multi-hit game. Brad Emaus (1 for 3), Jason Lane (1 for 3, BB), and Mike McCoy (1 for 4) all added singles.

New Hampshire 6 Trenton 1

B.J. LaMura and Danny Farquhar gave 7,761 Trenton fans a pitching exhibition on Saturday night. LaMura (5-3) was brutal, allowing only three hits (singles) and striking out 7 to get the win. And Farquar was brilliant, getting the save by striking out 4, retiring 11 Trenton batters in a row for 3 innings of no hit- no run- perfect hurling. The Fisher Cats double play machine of Adeiny Hechavarria – Jonathan Diaz – David Cooper added yet another in the 6th inning.

Sometime member of the Double Play machine, 3B Shawn Bowman (1 for 4, HR, 3 RBIs), took his bows in the dugout for his wows at the plate. The pride of BC mashed the 6th inning long ball after A-Hech walked and Eric Thames (2 for 4, RBI) singled. The NH 5-run 6th inning was rounded out with an RBI single by Diaz, plating Matt Luizza (0 for 2, BB) who was HBP and a double by Brian Jeroloman (1 for 4, 2B, RBI) which scored David Cooper (0 for 3, BB) who had walked. Darin Mastroianni (1 for 5, SB) singled, stole second base and scored on a single by Thames.

Dunedin 1 Charlotte 4

5,911, a huge crowd in the Florida State League, saw hometown Charlotte batters best D-Jays pitching with 11 hits. Losing pitcher Chad Jenkins (2-3) had 5IP with 5 hits and 2 runs. Ryan Goins booted one for his 3rd error at Dunedin.

The D-Jays did manage 5 hits, but spaced them out. Yan Gomes (1 for 3, HR, RBI) had a solo HR, producing Dunedin’s only run for evening. Travis d’Arnaud (2 for 2, 2B) belted a double and a single for another multi-hit game. Justin McClanahan (1 for 3, 2B) added a double for good measure. John Talley, pitch hitting for d’Arnaud, punched a single into center field in the 6th inning.

Lansing 11 Bowling Green 5

The Luggies were monsters at the plate out-hitting Bowling Green 11 to 9 in front of BG’s 4,471 home field fans. Earning the win, Matt Fields (3-6) spaced out nine hits from his opponents while striking out 2. A.J. Jimenez committed a throwing error, his 5th miscue in 2010.

Kevin Ahrens flexed his lumber muscle going 3 for 5 with a double, a home run and 4 RBIs. The other multi-hit Luggie was Kevin Nolan who went 2 for 5 with a pair of singles. Ryan Schimpf (1 for 3) plated two runners, and Eric Eiland (1 for 3, RBI),Chris Hopkins (1 for 5), Kenny Wilson(1 for 3, RBI), Jimenez (1 for 2, RBI) and Sean Ochinko (1 for 5) all added singles.

Auburn 1 State College 2

Two throwing errors by pitcher Zach Outman and 2B Matt Johnson allowed the winning runs to cross the plate in the State College 8th inning. Owing to his miscue, Outman (0-2) was charged with the loss.

Disappointing 1,610 home fans, Auburn’s only offensive bluster was a single run burst in the 5th inning on an RBI single by Markus Brisker (1 for 2, BB, RBI). The only other Doubleday to hit was Matt Johnson (2 for 4, 2B) who added a double in the Auburn 2nd.

GCL Jays 0 GCL Tigers 2

The littlest Jays mustered only 3 spaced out hits as Misual Diaz (0-3) suffered his third loss despite a strong outing (5.1IP, 1ER, 7 Ks). Sean Shoffit and Alesone Excalante each had 2 Ks in no run relief. In the field, catcher Cody Lassley suffered a throwing error, his first.

Kellin Sweeny (1 for 2, 1BB), Michael Crouse (1 for 3, 1BB), and Gari Pena(1 for 3) were the only bright spots at the plate, each putting a single in the Box Score.

Three Stars:

1st Star Kevin Ahrens (3 for 5, 2B, HR, 4 RBIs)

2nd Star Shawn Bowman (1 for 4, HR, 3 RBIs)

3rd Star(s) B.J. LaMura (6IP, 3H, 1R, 7Ks) & Danny Farquhar (3IP, 0H, 0R, 4Ks)

Posted by mamboon on Sunday, August 01 2010 @ 07:35 AM EDT.

Saturday Night on the Farm: L's Beat the W's | 26 comments | Create New Account

The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.

Kelekin - Sunday, August 01 2010 @ 08:24 AM EDT (#219637) #

Ahrens has had a good July, and at least that is a good sign to him adjusting to hitting from only one side. If he finishes the year with a .710 OPS or so, I'd be happy considering how bad his season has been. Next year is Ahrens' true test, as he may end up in Dunedin again and if he fails there again he's done.

Shane Opitz has been assigned to the GCL team, so it's likely we could see him within a couple days.

Mylegacy - Sunday, August 01 2010 @ 11:51 AM EDT (#219639) #

Speaking of baby Jays - AA during his Wilner interview talking about "high end prospects" said one of our scouts had see Aaron Sanchez (the 1st of our supplemental 1st round picks this year - 34th overall) pitch in the GCL and the scout was very impressed saying, "he's better than Carpenter." IF he means former Jay Chris Carpenter - isn't that a nice little bundle of Baby Jay Joy.

bcool - Sunday, August 01 2010 @ 12:08 PM EDT (#219640) #

That "scout" was Mel Queen, former pitching coach of the Jays.

Mylegacy - Sunday, August 01 2010 @ 12:23 PM EDT (#219642) #

Well - Mel was the KEY guy for Carpenter and Halladay. I thought Mel was retired... shows what I know. Without question Mel Queen was the KING of Jays minor league pitchers development - for decades. IF - Mel is that high on him - we truly have ourselves a nice little catch!

Bob Elliott in the Toronto Sun has an excellent interview with Luis Rivera about Hechevarria's improvement at AA - also mentions JP, Mastroianni, Sobolewski, Carreno, Thames and a few others.

TamRa - Sunday, August 01 2010 @ 12:54 PM EDT (#219643) #

I had a bit of a crush on Sanchez before (putting him in my top 15 prospects the day he signed) - I'm even more a-flutter about him now.

jgadfly - Sunday, August 01 2010 @ 01:54 PM EDT (#219646) #

It was interesting to see that in July Ahrens led the Lugnuts with QAB ( quality at bats ) which meant he either had worked the pitcher into long counts or made very solid contact . Also of hopeful news, Eric Eiland was number two. I think Eiland has also taken as many walks this month than he has in entire previous seasons . During April through June in 202 AB's Eiland walked 21 times . In July with 66 AB's he walked 17 times for an OBP of .398 . Reclaimation project #2 seems to be working as well .... Keep your fingers crossed .

Mylegacy - Sunday, August 01 2010 @ 02:17 PM EDT (#219647) #

...and Wojciechowski, Syndergaard, Dyson and maybe Murphy, Nolin and McGuire - plus others.

Beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Everywhere you go
In our minor league teams - at least.

Kasi - Sunday, August 01 2010 @ 02:47 PM EDT (#219648) #

The sooner we can get Tallet off our team the better.

And sad to say that Litsch might join him, although I'm willing to give Jesse more time. It's just that every start of his is like a bomb ticking, you never know when he's going to explode.

Kasi - Sunday, August 01 2010 @ 04:51 PM EDT (#219649) #

Interesting stuff going on in the Houston game today.

Wallace comes up in the 7th with the bases loaded. A lefty is in there (which is what he does well against). They pull him for a pinch hitter who promptly hits a grand slam. Just odd to see how little confidence they have in him. It's not like Houston is going anywhere this season so might as well let the new guy hit. Especially in a matchup that favors him.

Flex - Sunday, August 01 2010 @ 05:10 PM EDT (#219650) #

Well the manager looks like a genius for that move, but it's certainly not the Cito way.

Mylegacy - Sunday, August 01 2010 @ 06:33 PM EDT (#219651) #

Wanna make some money?

The Jays are going to take at least the first two games starting tomorrow against the Yanks. Morrow is going to beat Burnett and Romero is going to beat Moseley. Why am I so sure? Travis Snider is why. Travis' at bats today were wonderful - the kid looks zoned in and ready to rumble. Oh, an' we got this kid named Bautista - he ain't so worse himself.

Mike Green - Sunday, August 01 2010 @ 07:01 PM EDT (#219652) #

Jake Marisnick is making his Midwest League debut in centerfield for the Luggies this evening. He singled to drive in a run in his first at-bat. It's a big prospect day with Drabek and Alvarez getting starts.

TamRa - Sunday, August 01 2010 @ 07:51 PM EDT (#219653) #

redundant to keep saying it, i know, but I hate giving away outs.

far be it for me to over-rate my baseball management ability but i just don't get it.

Joshua - Sunday, August 01 2010 @ 08:41 PM EDT (#219654) #

Anthony Gose just hit his first Homerun as a bluejay today. He went 3 for 5 for the day

Dave Till - Sunday, August 01 2010 @ 09:52 PM EDT (#219655) #

I just have to say this somewhere: has a baseball ever travelled faster than the one that Bautista hit out of the park today? He didn't so much hit it as obliterate it. That is all.

Mike Forbes - Sunday, August 01 2010 @ 10:02 PM EDT (#219656) #

Drabek had yet another solid start tonight. Six innings, three hits, one run allowed and only one walk. I kind of have this hunch that the Jays may skip Drabek straight to the majors in September. Las Vegas doesnt seem like a great place to send top pitching prospects for confidence reasons. Hopefully the Jays can get a hold of a different AAA affiliate next season.

Spifficus - Sunday, August 01 2010 @ 10:32 PM EDT (#219657) #

I just have to say this somewhere: has a baseball ever travelled faster than the one that Bautista hit out of the park today? He didn't so much hit it as obliterate it. That is all.

There's one this year that I can think of - the bullet Snider hit in Cleveland off Talbot in May. I think I'm still amazed, and it's been 3 months.

I'll be intrigued to see how the Bautista one compares (hittrackeronline.com is only up to 7/30). The Snider missile was the 4th fastest off the bat (119.7 mph), the 3rd lowest elevation angle (17.4), and the 3rd lowest apex (39 ft). Overall, he's averaging 110.4 mph over his 6 homers this year. Bautista's doing none-too-shabby for himself, either, at 107.1 mph... both well above the 103.3 ML average.

greenfrog - Sunday, August 01 2010 @ 11:45 PM EDT (#219658) #

Excellent games for both Gose and Drabek. The Jays could have an interesting logjam in the rotation as early as next season: Marcum, Romero, Cecil, Morrow, Rzep, Drabek, Stewart, Litsch (with Mills and Ray providing additional depth). As they say, it's nice to have options.

TamRa - Monday, August 02 2010 @ 01:16 AM EDT (#219659) #

Drabek had yet another solid start tonight. Six innings, three hits, one run allowed and only one walk. I kind of have this hunch that the Jays may skip Drabek straight to the majors in September.

Drabek will hit his innings ceiling before the AA season ends. He won't pitch anywhere in September.

TamRa - Monday, August 02 2010 @ 01:32 AM EDT (#219660) #

Next time there's an interview someone needs to ask the approriate person what the heck happened to Henderson Alvarez

I can accept that the first six weeks or so wasn't his true level but since then - YIKES.

looks like he's destined to repeat Dunedin next year.

DaveB - Monday, August 02 2010 @ 02:58 AM EDT (#219661) #

First-time poster to this excellent blog. I've been a regular reader for a few weeks, a lifetime Expos and Jays fan (attended the Jays franchise opening series in the snow at Exhibition Stadium and a frequent tennant of "Jonesville" in Jarry Park) and decided to join and offer a few comments from time to time.

This was an interesting day in regards to the Roy Halladay trade. Drabek was outstanding. A short vid clip of him getting out a Trenton batter can be found here http://thunderbaseball.wordpress.com/ ... a three-pitch weak groundout to first base, a microcosm of the location-oriented, ground-ball pitcher Drabek will have to be at the ML level. There's also a nice observation from the Trenton Thunder blogger about Drabek "putting on a clinic" while still hitting 94mph. He had only three strikeouts today but two were swinging strikeouts in the sixth inning, his last. He came out after 72 pitches as the team manages his innings to get him through the season. In his last six games he has a 1.89 ERA over 38 IPs, 22 hits and 10 walks, 26 Ks. Opposing teams are hitting something around .170 against him in that time and for the season only .218. He might get a start for the Jays in September but I wouldn't be surprised if they shut him down after New Hampshire's playoffs.

Another part of that trade was Michael Taylor turned into Brett Wallace turned into Anthony Gose. There's good reason to believe Alex Anthopoulos acquired a better asset with each move. On Sunday, Taylor was still in the PCL playing for Sacramento and losing to Las Vegas; Wallace got his first ML hit for the Astros; and the not-yet 20-year-old Gose went 3-for-5 and hit his first home run for Dunedin. I don't pretend to be an expert on Gose but after looking at video of his swing for a couple days and researching his background, scouting reports, scouts' and managers' comments about him at all levels I see why AA made the deal. There's no reason not to believe his claim that Gose was the guy he originally wanted from Philly. Gose is an outstanding prospect who is holding his own against older players, with the "potential" to contribute much more at the Major League level than a decent hitting but probably limited 1B/DH. It's a well-calculated gamble that demonstrates a lot of nerve by the Jays GM and confidence in his staff, and that's something that brings an organization together.

brent - Monday, August 02 2010 @ 05:11 AM EDT (#219662) #

DaveB, welcome to the comments section! Everyone will be glad to have you here I'm sure.

Other lurkers out there- comment and make yourselves known to join the conversation. The more people commenting and opinionating, the better it is.

Alex Obal - Monday, August 02 2010 @ 05:21 AM EDT (#219663) #

Welcome aboard, Dave. I completely agree that AA's courage, non-risk-aversion and faith in his staff are a welcome change.

If Drabek can hit his spots with breaking pitches like that all the time, he's going to be pretty good.

Dave Till - Monday, August 02 2010 @ 07:15 AM EDT (#219664) #

There's one this year that I can think of - the bullet Snider hit in Cleveland off Talbot in May. I think I'm still amazed, and it's been 3 months.

I remember that one now. That ball exited the park as if it was jet-propelled.

TamRa - Monday, August 02 2010 @ 01:42 PM EDT (#219669) #

It's been published in a few places that Drabek would be shut down at about 160 IP

See this from Jeff Blair (July 25):

NOTES Blue Jays fans might not get to see top pitching prospect Kyle Drabek at all this season. Drabek has already racked up 124 innings at Double-A New Hampshire and the Blue Jays want to keep him between 150-160, and manager Cito Gaston said this weekend that even plans to let him get his feet wet in the bullpen in September will likely be shelved. “There’s a chance he’ll just go home after the [minor league] season,” said Gaston. Drabek does not need to be added to the 40-man roster this off-season, so there are service time advantages to the approach, too. …

If that is in fact the case, he won't even make it into the NH playoffs unless they skip a couple of turns in August.

As of right now, his regular turn in August would produce 6 more starts before the end of the season - and he has logged 136 IP so far.So that would mean he wouldn't finish the season even

BUT

it appears he 158 innings last year so i don't know what's behind the 160 innings report - by the +30 rule he should be good for up to 190.

I wish someone would confirm with the jays what exactly the target is and the reasoning behind it. is it possible our man in NH could get some info from rivera on this?

In any case - given both the innings issue and the roster manipulation and service time factors - I'd be pretty shocked if Drabek pitched for the Jays in September.

On top of all this, they need to find work for Zep and Mills in September.

If my calculations are correct, Cecil will need to shut down one or two starts early, and Morrow as many as four starts early (IF they apply the +30 rule to him even though he's 25)

Plus, Bastian has said several times they will go to a 6 man rotation in September.

so if the six are the current five plus Zep....and Morrow's spot goes to Mills....then someone, Shawn Hill maybe? ...plugs in for Cecil, or they revert to the five man.

cybercavalier - Monday, August 02 2010 @ 02:38 PM EDT (#219675) #

Dave, welcome aboard. I totally agree with the notion of AA's faith in his staffs and scouts. To the credit of AA and the Jays staff, Scutaro

Result achieved:
1) from Halladay to Taylor to Gose
2) from Scutaro to Gonzalez plus draft pick to Escobar

Result to be seen:
3) claiming some former first round draftees and past-prospects from waivers and trades, and then attempting to turn them into players (Chris Lubanski, Shawn Bowman, Adam Loewen)
4) flipping some AAA veterans for past-prospects, and then attempting to turn them into players (Clint Everts)

Saturday Night on the Farm: L's Beat the W's | 26 comments | Create New Account

The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.