Batter's Box Interactive Magazine Batter's Box Interactive Magazine Batter's Box Interactive Magazine
There was some decent pitching for the minor league affiliates on Sunday. Ryan Tepera (AA), Jesse Hernandez (A+) and Taylor Cole (SS) combined to allow just two hits in 14.1 combined innings of work.

Sacramento 12 Las Vegas 5

Scott Richmond is not enjoying his time back in the minors. He allowed eight runs in 1.1 innings of work. Clint Everts had the best day out of the bullpen by allowing just one run in 3.2 innings of relief. Bobby Korecky and Jerry Gil also pitched, while Chris Woodward closed out the game by allowing two runs. Paul Phillips, Yan Gomes, and Anthony Gose each had two hits. Gomes hit his 11th homer and Gose legged out his 10th triple. Travis Snider was 1-for-4 with a single and two strikeouts. Woodward went 0-for-4 at the plate.

New Hampshire 5 Portland 1

Ryan Tepera's first start after returning to double-A was a good one. The right-hander gave up just one hit (but walked three) in 5.1 innings of work. He struck out six batters and allowed just one fly-ball out on the day. Ron Uviedo, Michael Dubee and Trystan Magnuson also pitched. Mark Sobolewski led the offense with three hits, including a double. Jake Marisnick, Ryan Goins, and Brian Bocock each had two hits. Goins drove in three runs. John Tolisano was 1-for-3 with a walk.

Fort Myers 5 Dunedin 2

Jesse Hernandez also had a nice start and allowed just one hit and one walk in 6.0 innings of work. He struck out six batters. Alan Farina and Dustin Antolin also pitched, but not well. Antolin was particularly bad and allowed three runs in two-thirds of an inning. He recorded his fourth blown save and took the loss. At the plate, Kevin Ahrens went 2-for-3 with a walk. Jon Berti went 1-for-4 with a triple. Ryan Schimpf was also 1-for-4 with a double.

Lansing 6 Cedar Rapids 2

DeSclafani allowed two runs in 6.0 innings of work. However, he allowed seven hits and struck out just one batter. Brandon Berl worked two scoreless innings, while Ajay Meyer worked the final frame. Gustavo Pierre went 3-for-4 with two triples and three RBI. K.C. Hobson and Michael Crouse each had two hits. The latter player stole two bases. Chris Peters went 1-for-2 with two walks.

Vancouver 5 Boise 4

Taylor Cole returned to the mound after missing about a month. He did not allow a hit or a run in 3.0 innings. Marcus Stroman made his second appearance and was roughed up again. He allowed two runs on two hits and a walk and could not get out of the fourth inning. Kyle Anderson worked four innings and allowed two runs on five hits and a walk. Ian Kadish finished up the game for his second save. Jorge Flores continues to hit well and he had another two hits and stole a base. Matt Newman went deep twice and drove in a total of three runs. Danny Arcila had two singles and stole a base.

Bluefield Rained Out

Gulf Coast League Off Day

DSL Jays Off Day

The Three Stars:

3. Matt Newman, two home runs

2. Jesse Hernandez, one hit in 6.0 innings

1. Ryan Tepera, 1 hit in 5.1 innings

The Pitching Shines on Sunday | 11 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
Sano - Monday, July 16 2012 @ 03:56 PM EDT (#260427) #
Stroman's minor league career is not exactly off to the most encouraging of beginnings...
greenfrog - Monday, July 16 2012 @ 04:29 PM EDT (#260435) #
Off-topic, but there is no trade deadline thread at the moment...

Last summer (12 July 2011) I wrote: "I wonder whether Colby Rasmus would make sense as a potential acquisition. I know that Gose (and possibly Marisnick) are in line to take over in CF, but Rasmus could be a good stopgap solution, and could be flipped if a better internal option emerges. Rasmus is still young (24) and could be a good change-of-scenery guy. The Jays are starting to pile up the prospects and might be able to make the deal without severely denting the farm system."

So which deals might make the most sense this summer? One possibility: a semi-blockbuster with the Twins, in which the Jays pry away Liriano, Willingham and possibly a reliever. This would squarely address three of the Jays' biggest needs (SP, RP, LF) and give the team a better chance of contending this year. On the downside, Liriano would be a free agent after the season (leaving unaddressed the rotation questions for 2013), but this would presumably lessen the cost in prospects. Also, Willingham (who is under contract for a reasonable amount through 2014) apparently isn't much of a defender. The Jays could put him in LF, but he is probably better suited to DH (where Lind has been doing better of late). So the Jays might have to readdress LF all over again next year.

The price might be a bit steep (given the current market), but the Jays could probably put together a tempting package without going overboard. Too improbable? Too short-term?
ramone - Monday, July 16 2012 @ 04:44 PM EDT (#260436) #
I watched Stroman on milb.tv last night, he pitched better than his line. Control was spotty but hopefully that will come around he's had quite the layoff. The two hits were weak ground balls, the slider when located looked nasty. The announcer said he sits 92-94 and can get it up to 97. There was no gun readings on the broadcast so I'll have to take his word.
92-93 - Monday, July 16 2012 @ 04:55 PM EDT (#260438) #
Felix Hernandez. The lack of talk about him (and the GMs vote of confidence) makes me wonder if something is up. I said it in the offseason, and I'll say it again - it makes very little sense for Seattle to be paying market value to Hernandez when the rest of the team isn't ready to compete. I don't get why he isn't being moved for the best possible package with Seattle desperate for high-end offensive talent and with the strength of its farm system lying in its arms.
greenfrog - Monday, July 16 2012 @ 05:18 PM EDT (#260439) #
Wasn't Felix's velocity down earlier this year? He's having another great season, but he's also had a big workload over the last few years. As much as I would love to see the Jays add him, any potential trade (which would require a King Felix's ransom in prospects) would be tantamount to a huge bet on his health and continued dominance. I imagine Seattle would want Rasmus or Lawrie plus prospects.
Chuck - Monday, July 16 2012 @ 05:27 PM EDT (#260440) #

it makes very little sense for Seattle to be paying market value to Hernandez when the rest of the team isn't ready to compete.

On paper, this position seems reasonable. But wouldn't moving Hernandez be an obvious white flag? If you make overt gestures to tear down and rebuild, isn't there a risk of chasing off your fanbase and making yourself less attractive to free agents?

I would imagine that organizations have to give the illusion of attempting to compete even while rebuilding. And I imagine there's something to be said for branding in all this as well. It won't be very long before Ichiro is no longer the face of this franchise, given his ongoing demise as a player.

85bluejay - Monday, July 16 2012 @ 05:30 PM EDT (#260441) #
It was Escobar in 2010 - Rasmus in 2011 - it's exciting to think of whom AA might try to pry away this year - while pitching is obviously the Jays Achilles heel - with the scarcity & cost of pitching, I'm thinking the jays might get more value if they go in another direction - try to lengthen the lineup - taking on justin Morneau contract/health will lessen the cost and the vibe between Arizona/Upton gets worse, today he's dropped to the 5th spot- Thinking about Jean Segura /Nick Franklin for 2nd base next year. 
scottt - Monday, July 16 2012 @ 05:32 PM EDT (#260442) #
Felix sells tickets. I expect the Mariners to load up on free agents on his last year and make a push. With the second wild card, it shouldn't be that hard.
greenfrog - Monday, July 16 2012 @ 05:32 PM EDT (#260443) #
I agree. And if Seattle can demand just about as much for him in a trade a year from now, it would make sense for them to play it conservatively and hold on to him for the time being.
Mike Green - Monday, July 16 2012 @ 09:44 PM EDT (#260459) #
Eric Arce has 7 RBIs on 2 long-balls in the first 2 innings for Bluefield.  He's on pace for...
Hodgie - Monday, July 16 2012 @ 09:54 PM EDT (#260461) #
For those that haven't already seen it, MILB has video of Gose's homerun against Sacramento the other night here. Something to dream about as the injury nightmare spreads from the pitching staff.
The Pitching Shines on Sunday | 11 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.