On Friday, the farm clubs batted in a total of 27 runs on 37 hits including 6 round trippers.
After a nearly 2 hour rain delay, the 51s hauled out their long balls to give Tacoma a batting exposition and a sound whipping, 14 to 3. The 4th straight win brings the 51s to within 1 game of .500 with a 14-15 record this season. With 5,966 looking on, starter and winning pitcher Brett Cecil (2-1) showed ‘em how to pitch as well with 6 IP,4 H, R, 2 BB, and no less than 6 Ks. Chad Cordero and Willie Collazo provided 2 run relief in a combined 3 IP. Chris Woodward (3 for 5, 2 R, 2B, RBI) made a throwing error, his 4th on the year.
Jonathan Diaz (4 for 5, 2 R, 2B, HR, 4 RBIs), who ended the evening only a 3B hit from batting for the cycle, capped off the Las Vegas 5 run 7th inning with a Grand Slam to left scoring Eric Thames (1 for 4, 2 R, BB, RBI) , Woodward, and Ryan Shealy (1 for 4, 2 R, HR, 4 RBIs). It was the first Grand Slam dinger for the 51s this year. Shealy and Brett Lawrie (2 for 6, 2 R, 2B, HR, 3 RBIs) combined for 7 RBIs and a pair of dingers, while Ryan Budde (1 for 5, R, 2B, HR, RBI) added the 4th Las Vegas round tripper of the night. The only LV hitter to miss the hit parade was Adam Loewen (0 for 5, BB, 3 Ks).
The Fisher Cats outhit Binghamton 11 to 2 and hung on to third place tie in the Eastern Division in the Eastern League. Riding a 5 game winning streak, New Hampshire advanced their record to 16-9 on the season. Striking out 8, starter Joel Carreno turned in a 2 hit performance allowing 4 BB and 3 runs. Bobby Korecky (1-0) inked his first win, facing only 4 batters in the Binghamton 8th. Ronald Uveido, Mike Hinkley and Matt Daly all provided no run relief.
Everyone hit for New Hampshire except Moises Sierra (0 for 5, K). Multiple RBI producers included Adeiny Hechavarria (1 for 4, K, 2 RBIs), and Anthony Gose (2 for 3, 3B, 2 RBIs). Daren Mastroianni (2 for 4, R, HR, RBI) also batted in a pair on a single and solo homer in the 6th. Callix Crabbe (2 for 4, 2B, K, RBI) pushed one across on a single in the 5 run 8th inning. John Tolisano (1 for 3, 2R, BB, K) also had an extra base hit, a double leading off in the 7th. Mike McDade (1 for 4), Mark Sobolewski (1 for 4, 2 Ks) and Yan Gomes (1 for 3, R, BB, K) each added a single.
The D-Jays moved into a share of third place in the North Division of the Florida State league with nearby rival Clearwater. 6,261 home fans saw visiting Dunedin extend their win streak to 4, squeezing by Clearwater 2 to 1, despite striking out 14 times and managing only 4 hits in the face of strong Thresher pitching. Dunedin pitching wasn’t so bad either, led by winning pitcher Matt Wright (2-1) (3 IP, 3 Ks) who relieved starter Chad Jenkins (5.0 IP, 4 H, R, 3 Ks). Wes Etheridge collected his 9th save with 1 IP, and 1 H. Rehabbing Aaron Hill (0 for 3, BB) missed a catch at second and was charged with an error.
Dunedin didn’t score until the 7th when A.J. Jimenez (1 for 3, 2B, R, BB, K) doubled and scored on a single by Ryan Goins (1 for 3, 2 Ks, BB, RBI). In the 8th inning Kevin Ahrens (2 for 3, RBI, 2 Ks) produced a run on a single plating Ivan Contreras who pitch ran for Hill who had walked.
The Luggies lost a tough one, delighting the 6,154 hometown fans looking on. Misaul Diaz had one bad inning, two walks, a single, a hit batter and a sac fly gave Fort Wayne their two runs. In his other four innings Diaz allowed just one walk. Sean Nolin came on for the 6th inning and pitched three shutout innings.
The Luggies only had four hits, Marcus Brisker had the only extra base hit with a double.
Three Stars: 3rd Star Brett Lawrie - 2 for 6, 2 R, 2B, HR, 3 RBIs 2nd Star Ryan Shealy - 1 for 4, 2 R, HR, 4 RBIs 1st Star Jonathan Diaz - 4 for 5, 2 R, 2B, HR, 4 RBIs
