The farm went 2-2 and even went 25-25 in terms of runs on Monday night. The evening featured more of the same stuff we've come to expect from the farm: offense from Las Vegas and errors from Gustavo Pierre.
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There's a young pitcher in North Texas who is starting to cement front-rumner status for 2011 AL Rookie of the Year -- except I'm not sure if Alexi Ogando is eligible, after pitching 41.2 innings out of the bullpen last year.
When Neftali Feliz was temporarily moved to the Ranger starting rotation during Spring Training, the club felt they could make the move in part because Ogando was around as a dominant setup man who could close for a pennant-defending squad in Arlington.
Then, the Rangers re-thought that move, left the '10-dominant Feliz in the closer's role, and moved Ogando to the rotation instead. Monday night in Arlington, Ogando tossed a five-hit shutout against the White Sox to move to 5-0 with a 1.81 ERA and a 43/14 K/BB ratio over 59.2 innings in eight starts.
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When I was in Lansing I took some shots of Garis Pena showing how to play shortstop. I added in a shot of Scott Gracey to congratulate him on his promotion. Finally I link to videos of Drew Hutchison; Sean Nolin; Egan Smith; and Misaul Diaz with two of the plate appearances ending in fly balls to Jake Marisnick in centre-field.
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The affiliates went 3-2 on the May 2-4 Sunday. Southpaw John Anderson, who missed all of 2010 due to injury, put on a pitching clinic in Lansing during his first start since 2009.
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Another day, another sweep for the scorching affiliates. And for good measure, all three won in comeback fashion.
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ESPN New York has reported that the greatest catcher in the history of MLB in Canada, former Montreal Expo Gary "The Kid" Carter, was diagnosed today with four small brain tumors.
The Blue Jays farm system made us proud on Friday night, sweeping every opponent. From Las Vegas to Lansing (except Dunedin) pitching was great for the good guys. Batting was run productive for everybody, led by Dunedin, who needed to put 11 on the board to best Bradenton.
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The Blue Jays have placed Jesse Litsch on the 15-day DL with right shoulder impingement, retroactive to May 19. He'll miss two turns in the rotation. Carlos Villanueva will spot start Monday at Yankee Stadium, and if he makes it through five innings there I will be hugely impressed. And rejoice, for the eight-man bullpen is in remission: Mike McCoy has been called up to take Litsch's place. McCoy should be on the Jays' bench today.
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Several runs in the ninth inning helped Las Vegas to a comeback probable victory in a suspended game and one run in the ninth led to Dunedin’s win. Meanwhile, Reider Gonzalez improved to 5-1 with a fine performance in front of the Fisher Cats fans. The Lugnuts lost behind an average effort by Drew Hutchison
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I was at the RC tonight for the Jays win, thanks to a JP Arencibia bomb. I had excellent seats, thak you vendor, and I had a great view of BJ Upton's ninth inning shot to the wall. From behind the plate it looked like his earlier home run, I thought it was gone and we were looking at a tied game. It was a relief to see Davis cruising to the wall watching the ball into his glove. Upton's hit came after Nix and Arencibia botched a foul pop-up. Normally that would be Nix's ball but Arencibia was right under it and pulled off at the last minute.
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The affiliates swept in convincing fashion, winning 29-9. Somebody even hit a home run! You'll have to keep reading to find out who (hint: it was Anthony Gose. And like 3 other guys.)
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Here is the second batch of photos of the Lansing Lugnuts in action May 9.
Holy Mackinaw! A Joe Bowen sighting. He crouches behind the plate in the Lugnuts bullpen.
Holy Mackinaw! A Joe Bowen sighting. He crouches behind the plate in the Lugnuts bullpen.
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I was in Lansing May 9 to catch the finale of a homestand against Lake County, the Cleveland Indians affiliate in the Midwest League. Here is the first batch of photos and random observations of some of the Lugnuts who played that night.
Jake Marisnick grounds out to second during first inning action. However, it was evident from that groundout alone that he can run a little.
Jake Marisnick grounds out to second during first inning action. However, it was evident from that groundout alone that he can run a little.
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Litsch and Romero lead the world-beating Jays into a two-game home series against the first-place Rays.
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