The affiliates enjoyed a 3-1 night on the farm that featured steely resolve and a walk-off win so no one lost wages here.
Las Vegas, NV The 51s won this battle of Nevada as they scored once in the eighth and ninth for a come from behind win. They were down 5-1 after three innings but a three-run fourth jumped started the comeback.
Batting Adam Loewen had the big swing as he launched a three-run homer to get the 51s back in the ball game. That was among his two hits on the night. Scott Podsednik also had a two-hit night with a pair of triples. Travis Snider did not have a hit but he did draw three walks and scored a pair of runs. Jonathan Diaz also showed a sharp batting eye with three walks and a run batted in. Chris Woodward doubled, walked and drove in the winning run with a sacrifice fly while Brett Lawrie singled, walked and picked up an RBI. Eric Thames had a single and a walk. Brian Jeroloman drew a walk so put the BJBBM to 9! Dewayne Wise did not have a hit but did have a sac fly. In total, Las Vegas batters drew 10 walks and only struck out once (Loewen). I suppose that's acceptable!
Running Lawrie and Diaz each stole a base.
Pitching Scott Richmond was hit around in this one as he gave up two homers and six runs over five innings. He gave up eight hits, walked five and struck out just one batter. Of his 10 outs in play, six were on the ground. Lefty Sean Henn threw two shutout frames and struck out a pair while only walking one. Lefty Wil Ledezma gave up a couple of hits but also had a couple of strikeouts in his shutout inning while Danny Farquhar earned the victory with a clean ninth that included one K.
Defence Jeroloman threw one away and Ledezma mishandled one. Reno stole a couple of bases against the Jeroloman-Richmond battery. Wise threw out a runner at the plate from right field and one double play was turned.
Reading, PA The R-Phils took the lead with a run in the first and also scored in the sixth but the Fisher Cats pulled ahead for good with a trio of runs in the second and put the game away with three more in the ninth. Their other run came in the third.
Batting Yan Gomes belted a three-run homer to put the Fisher Cats on the board and added a double. Darin Mastroianni also had a two-hit night with a double and a single while Mike McDade singled, walked and drove in a run. Callix Crabbe also reached twice with a single and a hit by pitch and was the only Fisher Cat to avoid a strikeout. John Tolisano had a double and an RBI while Mark Sobolewski and Moises Sierra also added hits of the two-base variety. Anthony Gose had a single, which was one more than Adeiny Hechavarria but he did contribute a sac fly.
Running Mastroianni stole his first Double-A base of the season.
Pitching Chad Beck was a winner, baby! He killed the Phils by holding them down to two runs on four hits (including a homer) over six innings. He was 5-0 in the K-BB columns and 5-5 in groundout/flyout matters. Yohan Pino, Ronald Uviedo and lefty Evan Crawford provided two-thirds of an inning of scoreless relief. Pino gave up a walk, Uviedo was perfect and Crawford issued a walk. Matt Daly gave up a hit and plunked a batter but struck out a man to pitch a scoreless ninth.
Defence Gomes allowed a passed ball but I can let it pass (get it? Holy crap, that's doggone funny!) after his three-run homer.
Dunedin, FL Four runs in the first for the D-Jays was barely enough against the Brewers affiliate, who responded with a run in the sixth and two more in the ninth.
Batting Ryan Goins had it going (real creative there, huh?) with two doubles, a sac bunt and an RBI. Sean Ochinko had a sac fly and two walks. Kevin Ahrens singled and drove in a run while Chris Hopkins and A.J. Jimenez also found the hit column. Brad McElroy was plunked but Jon Talley, Justin Jackson and Kenny Wilson all went oh-fer.
Running McElroy stole a base for the third time this season.
Pitching Nestor Funky Cold/Jose Molina earned the win as he was nicked for just an unearned run on four hits through seven innings. He posted a K-BB total of 7-0 and a groundout/flyout ratio of 8-3. He faced just one batter over the minimum through the first five frames. Recently acquired Chris Mayday Malone, who came over from Denver in the blockbuster Brad Emaus deal, pitched a shutout inning by working around a pair of hits and striking out a batter. Wes Etheridge almost made Dunedin fans jump out a window. He gave up two runs on four hits, including a homer, but got the final three outs of the ball game to collect the save.
Defence Jackson mishandled one at second but was involved in turning two double plays.
Lansing, MI One run and one hit in inning one was not enough as the Indians affiliate score twice in the fifth to get the victory.
Batting K.C. Hobson had the lone hit, lone RBI and was the lone Lugnut to get aboard twice as he also drew a walk. Jonathan Jones drew a walk and scored and Joe Bowen drew a walk but did not score. Balbino Fuenmayor took one for the team. Oliver Dominguez, Jake Marisnick, Marcus Knecht, Michael Crouse and Gustavo Pierre thanks for coming out! Lugnut hitters struck out 11 times. Only Hobson avoided a K after his name but of course, his first initial is K. Make of that what you will.
Running Back to the dugout mostly. Probably a light jog, actually.
Pitching Lefty Egan Smith scattered seven hits and two walks over six innings, giving up an unearned run among his two total. He struck out five and nine of his 12 outs in play stayed on the ground. He also threw a wild pitch. Fellow lefty Sean not to be confused with former Maple Leaf bust Owen Nolin threw three shutout innings in relief as he allowed just a pair of hits and struck out a batter.
Defence The battery of Bowen and Smith each had a fielding error on back to back plays that led to the tying run. Smith did pick off runners at first and second and Fuenmayor was involved in 5-2 and 1-5 double plays at third base.
*** 3 Stars!!! ***
3. Adam Loewen, Las Vegas
2. Chad Beck, New Hampshire
1. Nestor Molina, Dunedin
