With the Blue Jays' rotation in shambles, persistent underdog Scott Richmond again stated his case for consideration in Las Vegas Thursday night. Richmond gave up a single hit (and 4 walks) over 6.1 shutout innings while striking out 6. Sadly for the 32 year old right-hander, his declarations of this sort are two infrequent to constitute a compelling case, the last one coming almost a month ago. Evan Crawford followed with 1.2 innings in which he likewise held the opposition without a run (indeed, without a baserunner) and the Padres' only two runs were charged to Jerry Gil in the 9th.
Offensively, Anthony Gose chose to celebrate his selection to the Futures game in style, recording a 3 hits in 4 official at bats, one of which was a double, to go with a walk, and RBI and two stolen bases. The other prospect headed to Kansas City for the Futures Game is Travis d'Arnaud, who observed the occasion in a more subdued fashion (i.e., he went hitless).
The Snider-Watch continues, with yet another homer in a 2 for 5 night. Since being recalled from the DL, Snider has played in five games, recorded 20 AB, and posted a .400 BA and a 1.328 OPS, homering in the last three consecutive games. Small sample size noted but he was hardly struggling even before the injury. Someone mentioned in another thread that it's time to install Snider in LF in Toronto and forget him for the rest of the season.
I concur.
I know I wasn't the only one who was thrilled with John Stilson's AA debut five days ago. Tonight we got a collective reality check as the Reading Phillies experienced much success with him on the mound. In 2 innings of work Stilson allowed 5 runs, all earned. His successor, Trystan Magnuson, was equally unimpressive, being charged with 4 runs in 1.2 innings. One has to wonder what's going on with Magnuson this year.
At the plate it was an equally underwhelming game. Mike McDade, Brian Van Kirk and rehabbing Ben Francisco had 2 hits each, the later two including a double. John Tolisano also doubled.
Egan Smith has his usual workman-like outing, allowing only 1 run over 5 innings while only striking out 1. The game went south, however, when the bullpen got involved. Re-habbing Alan Farina was touched for 2 runs in his two-thirds of an inning, and he was followed by another pitcher coming off TJ surgery, Randy Boone, who compounded the problem by allowing 3 runs in his one inning of work.
Jake Marisnick was the only hitter with more than one hit and the only one with an XBH (a double). Nothing else remarkable happened at the plate.
Lansing is on the last day of their All-Star break.
While it's true that the Canadians got short shrift when it came time for the Blue Jays to pass out the prospect candy, don't tell that to 2011 29th rounder Tyler Cole. The 22 year old RHP tossed six quality innings giving up a single run Thursday night and two relievers held the opposition scoreless after he left.
On offense, everyone's favorite sleeper Dalton Pompey had 2 hits, as did unheralded SS Matt Johnson. The big blow was Balbino Fuenmayor's eighth inning 2 run double which broke up the previously tied contest.
Bluefield played a double header...
Game 1: Bluefield 6, Bristol 8
Kevin Comer had originally been scheduled for a tandem start with Kevin Robson but given the unusual turn of events, they each got their own start today. In the early game, Comer gave up 2 runs in 4 innings of work, allowing 2 hits and noe walks while striking out 2. He watched that reasonably good outing go to waste, however, as Devy Estrada was torched for 6 runs, 4 of them earned, in 1.2 innings.
Even though the offense successfully plated six runs, the individual stats don't show any outstanding performances. Five hitters recorded a single hit, and only Art Charles' 2 run homer was noteable among them. Charles also drew two walks.
Game 2: Bluefield 0, Bristol 5
Robson did not fare as well, giving up 4 runs, 3 earned, in his 4 innings. The good news is that he struck out 4 while walking none, and that Griffin Murphy gave up a single run in 2 innings of relief.
The lineup was entirely hitless with the exception of Alex Azor, who was 2 for 4.
The name you are interested in among Thursday's pitchers for the GCL squad is Jario Labourt, and he did well. He threw 3 shutout innings walking one, striking out 2. Brando Kaye was the goat for the bullpen, allowing 2 runs in 2.2 IP however, he did strike out 6 while walking none – that's not nothin'.
At the plate, Jesus Gonzalez had an all or nothing night – one homer and three strikeouts. That was the only XBH among the three hits recorded by the team. Question for those who know the system: What is the significance of Gabe Cenas playing 1B while some guy of seemingly little import playing third? One has to assume this is a sign his future is set at first, does one not?
Third Star: Taylor Cole – 6 one-run innings on a night when the guys considered prospects had difficulty.
Second Star: Scott Richmond – doesn't do it often but gotta give props.
First Star: Anthony Gose – Just being Ant'ny, letting his legs do the talking.
