With about 20 games played in the 2011 season, two Blue Jays farm club teams are in the cellar in their respective league divisions, one in second place and one on top. Las Vegas, suffering a current nine game losing streak is at the foot of the Pacific Coast League Pacific South Division with a 9 – 13 record. Likewise, Dunedin, riding a 1 game winning streak, but hurting from a weak start of the season, is 8 – 13, and at the bottom of the Florida State League North Division.
On brighter notes, Lansing is tops in the Eastern Division of the Midwest League with a 14 – 7 record and a three game winning streak. And at 11 – 8 New Hampshire started out strong and are in second place in the Eastern League Eastern Division, despite a two game losing streak.
With 12 hits combined on the evening, it was a pitchers duel for 5,486 fans at Cashman Field. Starter Brad Mills hung tough in 6.0 IP, allowing 4 hits, striking out 9 and shutting out Sacremento. But the only frame where the River Cats got on the board, was when Winston Abreu (L 1-2) presided over a series of a single, a double, a sac fly, a walk, a wild pitch, and a ground out RBI. Result: 2 runs scored. Rommie Lewis did come on in the 9th to blank Sacremento, but the 51s couldn’t rally their way back.
But, the 2 run 7th scoring was too much for the anemic 51s bats to overcome. Only four Las Vegas hits came in the game. 2 hits resulted in a lone run in the 2nd when recently returned Chris Woodward (1 for 4, 2B, 2K) doubled on a lazy fly ball and was plated by a single from Adam Loewen (1 for 3, RBI, K). The other 2 hits on the evening came from a single by Dwayne Wise (1 for 4) and DH Daren Mastroianni (1 for 3). There we goose eggs from the rest of the 51s.
To the delight of 5,441 Thunder home fans who saw 13 Ks from Fisher Cats Bats and unearned run producing errors from John Tolisano (2,fielding) and Mark Sobolewski who booted one, his 5th on the season. Of the Thunder’s 6 runs, only 2 were earned. B.J. Lamura (L, 1-1) took the loss while striking out 6 and allowing 3 runs on 4 hits in 5.0 IP. Clint Everts came on in the 6th and allowed a Trenton three-run 7th inning before Evan Crawford came on, getting 3 Ks from Trenton in his 1.2 IP.
In additon to our NH boys being victims of 13 Ks from Thunder hurlers, they could only get 7 hits and managed a just run each in the 6th and 8th innings. Craig Stansberry (1 for 3, HR, 2 RBIs), who had just returned from Las Vegas, Sobolewski (2 for 4, 2B), and Man Mountain Mike McDade (2 for 5, R, 2K) provide the lion’s share what little offence the Fisher Cats could muster.
The D-Jays smacked 7 hits on the evening and edged past Brevard with 2 runs in the 8th inning. Dunedin pitching, allowed 9 hits including a home run and produced 4 Ks and 4 BBs. Starter Ryan Tepera went 5.0 IP with 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 Ks and allowing 3 H including the Brevard homer. Reliever Dumas Garcia (1-0) notched his first win in only 1.1 IP. Frank Gailey relieved Terpa in the 6th and Wes Etheridge got his 5th save after coming on in the 9th. Kevin Nolan (1 for 4, BB, K) booted a ground ball in the 5th.
In the 8th, after a walk by Nolan, Justin Jackson (2 for 3, 3B, RBI) started the go ahead rally with a triple, plating Nolan who had moved to 2nd on a WP. The go ahead run came on a single from Chris Hopkins (1 for 3, 2Ks, RBI) scoring Jackson. John Talley (1 for 4, 2B, BB,K), Ryan Goins (1 for 3, 2B, BB) and Ivan Contreras (1 for 3, 2B, RBI, K) added the other extra base hits.
Long ball Lansing bats were on fire, putting on a 12 hit, 12 run offence exposition for 3,245 faithful at Lake Michigan. Starter Daniel Webb (W, 2-1) took the win, threw 3 Ks, but gave up 10 hits and 6 earned runs in 5.2 IP. Relievers Alex Pepe and Steve Turnbill pitched a combined 3.1 IP on no decision no run baseball. Jake Marisnick committed a throwing error, his first of the year.
RBI king for the evening was Oliver Dominguez (1 for 4, HR, 4 RBIs, K), including a 3 run shot in the Dunedin 5 run second inning. Joseph Bowen (3 for 5, 2B, 3 RBIs, K) batted in 1 each in the 2nd, 5th, and 9th innings. Marisnick (2 for 6, HR, 2 RBI, 2 Ks) homered in a pair in the four-run 5th inning. Michael Crouse (1 for 5, HR, RBI) also went all the way around on a solo homer to left in the 5th. Lance Durham (2 for 4, 2B, RBI, K) added a run with a single.
Three Stars:
3rd Star Craig Stansberry (1 for 3, HR, 2 RBIs)
2nd Star Joseph Bowen (3 for 5, 2B, 3 RBIs)
1st Star Oliver Dominguez (1 for 4, HR, 4 RBIs)
