The 51s could only manage six hits, four of them in the 6th, resulting in their only three runs. Needless to say, it was not enough, as the Iowa Cubs got to Brad Mills for 4 runs on 11 hits in only 5 innings. Still, Mills managed to strike out 6 against 0 walks, and get 5/7 outs on the ground. Clint Everts and Winston Abreu gave up 1 and 2 runs in 2 and 1 innings of relief, respectively. At the plate it was a pretty meagre day for Vegas. Mike McCoy, Danny Perales, David Cooper and Adam Loewen all doubled, with Cooper and Travis Snider accounting for the last two singles. Brett Lawrie went hitless and made an error.
This one was a dandy, folks. Henderson Alvarez was sharp in his second AA start, scattering 6 hits in 6 innings and allowing Portland's solitary run. He walked 2 and only struck out 2, but got 10 groundball outs to 1 flyout. New Hampshire would take the lead for good in the 7th, as Mike McDade and Moises Sierra singled, and Mark Sobolewski would eventually single with two outs to cash McDade for the winning run. Moises Sierra and Anthony Gose were the only Cats to reach base at least twice. Gose had a pair of walks to go with a pair of stolen bases, while Sierra rapped out three singles; he's now hitting .289/.341/.454. Yohan Pino, Bobby Korecky and Alan Farina were perfect in an inning of relief apiece, striking out four in total.
The DJays tried their best to blow this one, they really did. They scored a rouge in the first to go with a converted touchdown in the second, cruising to an 8-0 lead. Nestor Molina continued his phenomenal run, giving up a solitary run in the 6th. He did walk a batter to lower his 45/4 K/BB ratio, however he made up for it by striking out 10 Stone Crabs. On 3 hits. So yeah, pretty good. He's allowed 14 runs in 46.2 innings, and allowed 1 run or fewer in 7 of 9 starts. After he left is when things started getting ugly. Aaron Loup gave up a home run, a double, then walked and hit a batter, then another bases clearing double. Frank Gailey got the team out of trouble and pitched a scoreless 8th, but in the 9th Matt Wright could only get one out to go with three singles, then Wes Etheridge promptly gave up a triple which would also score. Charlotte had runners on first and second with one out before Etheridge managed to close the door for good. Better late than never.
Meanwhile Dunedin knocked out 13 hits, and were assisted by 3 Charlotte errors. Ryan Goins had 3 of those hits, all doubles, and also walked. Brian van Kirk singled twice, Jon Talley homered and Justin Jackson and Kenny Wilson both singled and walked.
Fort Wayne 5 at Lansing 1 (6 Innings)
This one only went 6, I'm assuming because of rain, as half of the Midwest League was rained out yesterday. Markus Brisker, Marcus Knecht and Lance Durham all doubled and K.C. Hobson had the only other Lugnut hit, a single. Meanwhile Daniel Webb gave up all 5 runs in 5.2, although 2 were unearned. Guess who? It was his 28th, a throwing error. He also walked three and struck out 3.
Three Stars!
3rd Star! Henderson Alvarez - 6 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2K, 10/1 GB/FB
2nd Star! Ryan Goins - 3/4, BB, 3 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI
1st Star! Nestor Molina - 6 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 10K, 6/1 GB/FB
