Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, and sometimes it rains. Three wins, three losses, and two rainouts for the minor league affiliates last night.
Pawtucket 9 Syracuse 7 (10 innings)
Aquilino Lopez took the loss for the SkyChiefs as his struggles continued. Admittedly, he was left out for a long time; the three-run PawSox 10th was his third inning of work. Cam Reimers started and pitched five unspectacular innings. The hitters were led by Simon Pond (3-for-5 including a two-run homer) and Gabe Gross (2-for-4 with a walk). The game's key plays happened in the top of the 8th; with two out and the game freshly tied, Henri Stanley hit a pop foul that resulted in a classic "E-10" as Pond and Guillermo Quiroz let it drop down between them. Immediately after, Shawn Fagan bobbled a grounder at first base that allowed Cesar Crespo to score, giving Pawtucket the lead. The SkyChiefs managed to tie it in the bottom of the inning, but could do no more than that; in the bottom of the 10th, with two runners in scoring position and Syracuse down two, Chad Hermansen grounded out to end the game.
Box score
Game story - Marty Pevey is not pleased with his team's performance.
Bonus story - We missed this yesterday; Josue Matos wants to return to the SkyChiefs next season.
New Hampshire 6, New Britain 5
Another win for the Fisher Cats as Jamie Vermilyea is the hero. He earned his fourth save in true he-man style, keeping a one-run lead alive for three innings of work. Brandon League started and struggled in his return to the rotation, allowing four runs in 3 2/3 innings. Ryan Houston pitched well in relief of League for the win. The big blow on offense was struck by Maikel Jova, a 3-run triple in the first; Aaron Hill paced the offense with a 3-for-5 night.
Box score
Game story - New Britain have seen enough of Vermilyea; last night came on top of his perfect game against them exactly one month before.
Dunedin 13 Vero Beach 0
The night beforewas an "Ugly night in Dunedin" according to the Minor League Report; this one was a thing of beauty by comparison. The D-Jays exploded for two big innings and Ismael Ramirez pitched a brilliant three-hit shutout over eight innings with ten strikeouts. Ramirez allowed just four baserunners (he hit one batter). Meanwhile, the bats ground out 12 runs in the fifth and sixth innings to break the game wide open. Carlo Cota, Ron Davenport, and Vito Chiaravalloti had three RBI apiece and Jayce Tingler scored three runs after being on base four times. Only one D-Jay (Ryan Roberts) went hitless and Dunedin took advantage of five wild pitches by Vero Beach.
Box score
Game story
Lakewood 4 Charleston 2
The Alley Cats couldn't find their bats when it counted, and were doubled by the Blueclaws. Danny Core started for Charleston and pitched quite well, allowing three rns (two earned) in seven innings of work. But Charleston couldn't manage to draw any walks off the Lakewood duo of Erick Arteaga and Kyle Parcus, and their eight hits (all singles) were mostly scattered. Leadoff man Juan Peralta paced the team with two hits and a sacrifice fly.
Charleston have lost five in a row. They are guaranteed a playoff spot after winning the first-half title.
Box score
Game story
Auburn vs. Jamestown Doubleheader - Rained Out
A rainout for the second consecutive night, on a night where tickets at Falcon Park (for a doubleheader, no less) were free! (The Community Night will be rescheduled for August 14).
Pulaski 11 Bluefield 1 (7 innings)
Bluefield 4 Pulaski 3 (7 innings)
The phrase "save some for the nightcap" rang true as the P-Jays piled on eleven in the first game but couldn't squeeze out an extra run in the second game when it was needed against the Orioles.
Draft-and-follow Adrian Martin continued pitch well, winning the first game on six innings of three-hit ball, allowing one run and striking out four. The P-Jays reached base 18 times in the seven-inning contest, led by Yuber Rodriguez (3-for-5), Brian Bormaster (2-for-5, 3 RBI) and a pinch-hit three-run homer from Junior Chourio.
In the second game, Pulaski managed only five hits (two, including a homer, by David Hicks) and Jordan Timm got the start and allowed three runs in 5.1 innings. Aaron Tressler took the loss in the bottom of the seventh and final inning on a bases-loaded single.
Box score - Game 1
Box score - Game 2
Today's Three Star Selection
3rd Star : David Hicks, 3-for-6, 3 runs, 2 RBI, a walk and a home run over two games.
2nd Star : Jamie Vermilyea, a very tough three-inning save, allowing just two hits.
1st Star : Ismael Ramirez, a brilliant pitching line of 8 3 0 0 0 10.
Pawtucket 9 Syracuse 7 (10 innings)
Aquilino Lopez took the loss for the SkyChiefs as his struggles continued. Admittedly, he was left out for a long time; the three-run PawSox 10th was his third inning of work. Cam Reimers started and pitched five unspectacular innings. The hitters were led by Simon Pond (3-for-5 including a two-run homer) and Gabe Gross (2-for-4 with a walk). The game's key plays happened in the top of the 8th; with two out and the game freshly tied, Henri Stanley hit a pop foul that resulted in a classic "E-10" as Pond and Guillermo Quiroz let it drop down between them. Immediately after, Shawn Fagan bobbled a grounder at first base that allowed Cesar Crespo to score, giving Pawtucket the lead. The SkyChiefs managed to tie it in the bottom of the inning, but could do no more than that; in the bottom of the 10th, with two runners in scoring position and Syracuse down two, Chad Hermansen grounded out to end the game.
Box score
Game story - Marty Pevey is not pleased with his team's performance.
Bonus story - We missed this yesterday; Josue Matos wants to return to the SkyChiefs next season.
New Hampshire 6, New Britain 5
Another win for the Fisher Cats as Jamie Vermilyea is the hero. He earned his fourth save in true he-man style, keeping a one-run lead alive for three innings of work. Brandon League started and struggled in his return to the rotation, allowing four runs in 3 2/3 innings. Ryan Houston pitched well in relief of League for the win. The big blow on offense was struck by Maikel Jova, a 3-run triple in the first; Aaron Hill paced the offense with a 3-for-5 night.
Box score
Game story - New Britain have seen enough of Vermilyea; last night came on top of his perfect game against them exactly one month before.
Dunedin 13 Vero Beach 0
The night beforewas an "Ugly night in Dunedin" according to the Minor League Report; this one was a thing of beauty by comparison. The D-Jays exploded for two big innings and Ismael Ramirez pitched a brilliant three-hit shutout over eight innings with ten strikeouts. Ramirez allowed just four baserunners (he hit one batter). Meanwhile, the bats ground out 12 runs in the fifth and sixth innings to break the game wide open. Carlo Cota, Ron Davenport, and Vito Chiaravalloti had three RBI apiece and Jayce Tingler scored three runs after being on base four times. Only one D-Jay (Ryan Roberts) went hitless and Dunedin took advantage of five wild pitches by Vero Beach.
Box score
Game story
Lakewood 4 Charleston 2
The Alley Cats couldn't find their bats when it counted, and were doubled by the Blueclaws. Danny Core started for Charleston and pitched quite well, allowing three rns (two earned) in seven innings of work. But Charleston couldn't manage to draw any walks off the Lakewood duo of Erick Arteaga and Kyle Parcus, and their eight hits (all singles) were mostly scattered. Leadoff man Juan Peralta paced the team with two hits and a sacrifice fly.
Charleston have lost five in a row. They are guaranteed a playoff spot after winning the first-half title.
Box score
Game story
Auburn vs. Jamestown Doubleheader - Rained Out
A rainout for the second consecutive night, on a night where tickets at Falcon Park (for a doubleheader, no less) were free! (The Community Night will be rescheduled for August 14).
Pulaski 11 Bluefield 1 (7 innings)
Bluefield 4 Pulaski 3 (7 innings)
The phrase "save some for the nightcap" rang true as the P-Jays piled on eleven in the first game but couldn't squeeze out an extra run in the second game when it was needed against the Orioles.
Draft-and-follow Adrian Martin continued pitch well, winning the first game on six innings of three-hit ball, allowing one run and striking out four. The P-Jays reached base 18 times in the seven-inning contest, led by Yuber Rodriguez (3-for-5), Brian Bormaster (2-for-5, 3 RBI) and a pinch-hit three-run homer from Junior Chourio.
In the second game, Pulaski managed only five hits (two, including a homer, by David Hicks) and Jordan Timm got the start and allowed three runs in 5.1 innings. Aaron Tressler took the loss in the bottom of the seventh and final inning on a bases-loaded single.
Box score - Game 1
Box score - Game 2
Today's Three Star Selection
3rd Star : David Hicks, 3-for-6, 3 runs, 2 RBI, a walk and a home run over two games.
2nd Star : Jamie Vermilyea, a very tough three-inning save, allowing just two hits.
1st Star : Ismael Ramirez, a brilliant pitching line of 8 3 0 0 0 10.
