It's a bit surprising that the 51's actually won this game. Scott Richmond, inexplicably pitching on three days rest, was pounded for six earned runs in 1.1 innings for the second straight game. He has to be in fear for his job and the rest of the team has to be loathing his results. Four relievers combined to pitch a nice little game after he left though.
Travis Snider, before boarding his flight to Boston, connected for a solo home run. His third in the last two games. Mike McCoy had three hits. David Cooper, Eric Thames, Paul Phillips and Danny Perales each had two – one a homer for Perales. Every hitter who started the game had at least one.
Chad Jenkins jumped in the wayback machine and found a bit of whatever it was he left behind in 2011 on Thursday. He threw 7 strong innings, giving up a single earned run on three hits and three walks. Sam Dyson pitched the final two innings, allowing two unearned runs.
Jake Marisnick went 3 for his first 22 in AA. In the eight games since, he's had two hits SIX times, hitting .400 over that span. One of those games was this one, and John Tolisano joined him n the feat.
After a shaky start, Marcus Walden, too, is liking his new level. He gave up one run in 6.1 IP on Thursday and that lowers his ERA for the last four starts to 1.80. Danny Barnes returned from his unpleasant 3 day jaunt to New Hampshire to pick up his 23rd save.
Speaking of liking his new digs, check out Kevin Pillar. First game, zero hits; second game, one hit; third game – two; fourth game, on Thursday? Four hits. Be sure and tune in for his eight-hit performance on Friday! Those 4 hits included a double and a triple and four of the teams five RBI. Jon Berti was the only other D-Jay with 2 hits.
It's said going on more than five days rest, but not completely skipping a turn, throws off a pitcher's routine and leads to poor results. I have no idea of that accounts for Aaron Sanchez's mediocre start (3 runs in 3 IP) but it's as good an explanation as any.
Pitching better might not have helped anyway, as the batters were 2-hit by Benoit pitching. Aaron Munoz singled and KC Hobson doubled and everyone else was shut out.
One of these games was the make-up for yesterday's rain-out, I have no idea which was the first game. Blake McFarland was okay, going 4.2 innings and allowing two runs. (both games were six inning affairs)
Offensively Carlos Perez had a pair of hits, one of which was a double. Kevin Patterson also doubled and Gus Pierre tripled (and walked!) - he has a respectable, especially for his history, OPS in July of .792
Ben White started and was mediocre (3 earned runs in 5 IP) and was followed by three mostly ordinary guys, although 23 year old reliever Ian Kadish is racking up a nice stat line.
Jorge Flores was 2 for 4 with a double and a triple for the biggest night among the hitters.
Bluefield – rainout
Jario labourt and Yeyfry Del Rosario combined to pitch a fine game Seven innings, three runs, and one walk against nine strikeouts.
The offensive explosion was a nice
change of pace for what had been a mostly light-hitting squad.
Amazingly, they scored those 14 runs with only two extra base hits
(catcher Jorge Saez doubled twice, driving in four). Four hitters had
2 hits apiece. Also, four hitters walked twice.
Third star: Marcus Walden - one run in six and a third.
Second Star: Chad Jenkins - one run in 7 innings.
First Star: Kevin Pillar, 4 for 4 double, triple, 4 RBI
Also: I checked the transaction pages for player movement that might result from today's trades, Vegas has only 10 position players and only one catcher among them. Koby Clemens was promoted to NH before the deal so my guess is Galarraga is going to Vegas and Keenen Bailli (who's 27) might be moving up as well. There doesn't seem a more obvious move among the real prospects at that level.
Joe Musgrove hasn't pitched in almost 4 weeks and Dave Rollins was on the DL. Still, there's room for a promotion to Dunedin to replace Wojo (unless they fill it with an org player) and if so, a corresponding promotion from SS ball to Lansing. Also, someone will need to be promoted for Perez, quite likely Dan Klien. We shall see.
