Batter's Box Interactive Magazine Batter's Box Interactive Magazine Batter's Box Interactive Magazine
Only one win as the Jays affiliates struggled to score runs. Auburn was rained out and Charleston had the night off.

Syracuse 5, Scranton-WB 2

The Skychiefs were able to capitalize on the Red Barons mistakes while Mike Smith was able to negate his own. A two out error by the Barons was followed up by three singles from the ‘Chiefs that led to three unearned runs in the third for Syracuse. A bases loaded wild throw from the 3rd baseman handed the Skychiefs two more unearned runs in the 8th. The offense was led by newcomer Eric Crozier who had two hits, a walk and was hit by a pitch. Howie Clark had 3 hits but Russ Adams went 0 for 5.

Mike Smith wasn’t exactly “on” last night, giving up 6 hits and 5 walks in five innings but managed to get the big strikeout or groundout when he needed it. The Red Barons finally touched Smith for two runs, 1 unearned after an Adams error, in his fifth and final inning. Dave Maurer, Talley Haines, Jason Kershner and Bob File all managed to throw scoreless innings to complete the game. File's effort earned him his 7th save of the year.

Box score
Game Story


Altoona 6, New Hampshire 2

The Altoona Curve were showcasing their new prized prospect Matt Peterson who was recently acquired in the Kris Benson deal. He did not disappoint throwing 6 strong innings, though he was taken deep by Dominic Rich. Aaron Hill had a more than adequate night (just kidding) with 2 hits, a walk, was hit by a pitch and drove in the other Fisher Cats run.

Chris Baker pitched 7.2 innings striking out 6 while walking none but was slammed for 3 homeruns and 6 runs in total. Travis Thompson struck out two in a perfect inning.

Box score
Game Story


Dunedin 1, Sarasota 4

Jason Arnold made his second rehab appearance at Dunedin and pitched 2 solid innings. Unfortunately there was also a not so solid inning sandwiched in between those 2 innings. A bases loaded triple gave Sarasota 3 runs in the second off of Arnold who finished his 3 innings trailing 3-0 with 3 strikeouts and no walks.

The baby Jays were sans Vito and struggled at the plate. Jayce Tingler managed a pair of hits while Raul Tablado had a double and a walk. Rough night for Ryan Roberts who went 0 for 4 with a pair of strikeouts and an error to boot.

Box score


Batavia @ Auburn - suspended due to rain

Congrats to Chip Cannon for being named the NYPL player of the week last week!


Pulaski 0, Danville 3

It just wasn’t a good night offensively for any team named the Blue Jays. Chris Vines shut down the normally explosive P-Jays offense, allowing only 4 hits. P-Jays starter Russell Savickas pitched a solid 7 innings but yielded all three Danville runs.

Congrats also go out to Jordan Timm for being named the Appalachian League pitcher of the week last week!

Box score


Three-Star Selection!

The 3rd Star Mike Smith: He's had a rough year but got the outs when he needed them last night.

The 2nd Star Aaron Hill: 2 hits, walk, HBP, RBI.

The 1st Star Eric Crozier: 2 hits, walk, HBP, RBI, run scored
Minor League Update: August 11 | 69 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
Craig B - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 09:58 AM EDT (#42838) #
I did the "Top 10" update for the short-season affiliates a few days ago; I will do the same today for the A-ball affiliates.

Charleston

Runs : Clinton Johnson 6th.
Doubles : Clinton Johnson 4th.
Walks : Clinton Johnson 1st; Ryan Roberts T-5th.

Wins : Felix Romero T-7th.
Win % : Felix Romero 7th; Shaun Marcum T-10th.
ERA : Tom Mastny 3rd.
WHIP : Tom Mastny 7th.
Strikeouts : Tom Mastny 9th.

Dunedin

Batting : Carlo Cota T-10th.
Runs : Carlo Cota 3rd; Jayce Tingler 5th.
Hits : Carlo Cota T-6th; Vito Chiaravalloti 8th.
Doubles : Ron Davenport 1st; Vito Chiaravalloti T-2nd; Carlo Cota T-2nd; Raul Tablado T-10th.
Home Runs : Raul Tablado T-3rd; Ron Davenport T-9th.
RBI : Ron Davenport 2nd; Vito Chiaravalloti T-5th; Raul Tablado 7th.
Walks : Jayce Tingler 2nd; Vito Chiaravalloti 4th.
OBP : Vito Chiaravalloti T-4th; Jayce Tingler T-4th.
Slugging : Ron Davenport 4th; Vito Chiaravalloti 8th.

Wins : Ismael Ramirez 1st; Josh Banks T-9th.
Win % : Ismael Ramirez 2nd.
ERA : Ismael Ramirez 3rd.
WHIP : Ismael Ramirez 1st.
Strikeouts : Ismael Ramirez T-10th.

I'll do the AA and AAA teams next week.
Mike Green - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 10:18 AM EDT (#42839) #
Craig, I guess Tablado didn't have enough PAs to make the slugging% list. Right now, he'd be the league leader.
_Loveshack - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 10:29 AM EDT (#42840) #
Interesting, what's the report on Ismael Ramirez? I know he's a little older for A ball (23 I think) but his numbers sure look good. Does he have any chance of moving higher in the organization or any future in the big leagues? Or is he just good enough and has the experience to be dominant in A-ball?
_Jordan - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 10:40 AM EDT (#42841) #
Loveshack, Ramirez has always been right on the edge of interesting. His stuff isn't overpowering, but he has tremendous control of his pitches and rarely allows home runs, which has allowed him to keep his ERAs down for the last couple of seasons. However, he also gives up a bunch of hits, and his K/IP ratios have never been very impressive. Up until the last couple of months, that is, when his K/IP rates approached 1/1 and batters couldn't get anything off him.

You're right that he still needs to prove himself at higher levels against tougher competition. I'd like to see him start 2005 in New Hampshire to see what he can do. If he maintains good strikeout rates there, the Jays could be on to something. I still think his eventual role is in the bullpen, and moving there might even add some mph to his fastball a la Vinny Chulk. He's worth keeping an eye on.
_Marc - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 10:44 AM EDT (#42842) #
I know he's a little older for A ball (23 I think) but his numbers sure look good.

As Craig said in the minor league thread yesterday, 23 is the average age for the Florida league. I think Ramirez has a chance to be a solid middle reliever.
_Loveshack - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 11:01 AM EDT (#42843) #
As Craig said in the minor league thread yesterday, 23 is the average age for the Florida league

Sorry must have missed that thread. Didnt mean to suggest that he was too old or anything of that nature, just that experience can sometimes inflate a players numbers slightly at lower levels. I certainly hope he has a chance to do something in the majors and I'll be looking for his name from now on.

23 may be the average age but how many of those are career minor league players as opposed to legitimate prospects? I would think that might skew the average a little bit.
_Jordan - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 11:10 AM EDT (#42844) #
how many of those are career minor league players as opposed to legitimate prospects?

It's a reasonable question. My sense is that "organizational soldiers," to borrow the Oracle's phrase, are much less common in the lower minors. The pay is poor, the conditions worse (I don't think you could pay me to ride a bus to Fort Myers in the middle of August), and the prospects for a big-league appearance mighty slim. In the International League, where the average age is 27, I think you see a lot more of these veteran hangers-on, waiting for a chance call-up or simply putting off the inevitable getting on with their lives.

The other aspect to consider is that the overall skill disribution in such leagues is -- very roughly -- the same regardless of age. IOW, you'll probably have the same difficulty facing a 21-year-old phenom with a blistering fastball but little else, and a less talented but far more savvy 25-year-old who's getting by on guile. Essentially, I think it balances out. If the Jays' Dunedin prospects were mostly in the 24 range, I'd be more concerned; but at 23, I think they're doing just fine.
robertdudek - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 11:55 AM EDT (#42845) #
It seems to me that a lot of college players that have a tough time getting past high A ball. They might make it to AA by age 25 or 26 or 27. These are marginal prospects, but there are a lot of them.
_R Billie - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 11:55 AM EDT (#42846) #
Ramirez was a free agent out of Venezuela and has been moved along slowly.

Age 18: Venezuelan Summer League
19: VSL and Dominican Summer League
20: Rookie ball
21: Rookie ball, Short Season A ball, and low A ball
22: Low A ball
23: High A ball

Strikeouts have not been his strength in the past nor has opponent's batting average. He's had solid control for the most part. He had a big problem with the long ball, especially at age 20 when he gave up 12 in just 74 innings at the Rookie level which is very unusual. He's been much better about that lately though giving up just 6 in almost 120 innings in Charleston last year and in the FSL this year has given up only three in 136 innings.

His K-rate still isn't tremendous but it's adequate and his control has become pretty amazing this year with just 23 walks and an almost 5:1 k/bb ratio. He has to be considered a significant prospect I think, especially if he does the same thing in AA next year.
Craig B - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 12:42 PM EDT (#42847) #
http://www.hardballtimes.com/daily/article/hardball-questions-andy-baldwin/
Aaron Gleeman's interviewee today at Hardball Times, Andy Baldwin, has some nice words to say about his college teammate, Auburn's Aaron Mathews.
_Anthony - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 01:01 PM EDT (#42848) #
Also for top 10 Stats for Dunedin:

HBP: Jayce Tingler 1st; Vito Chiaravalloti 4th.

Interesting that Banks is still tied for 9th in Wins and hasn't been on the team for quite some time. He is tied with 15 others at 7 wins.
_Emerald - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 03:54 PM EDT (#42849) #
I'm wondering if J.P and co. still consider Jason Arnold a starting pitching prospect. With the young arms coming through the system and Arnold's injuries and setbacks, his future might be as a reliever.
Mike Green - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 04:26 PM EDT (#42850) #
Two lefties who are worth watching go tonight-Chacin for NH and Derek Tate for Auburn (on the road, so it'll be on the internet). I'll be doing some BBRadio starting between 8:30 and 8:45. If anybody can start one of the games, that'd be great.

For new correspondent broadcasters, the link to the New Hampshire game is here. The link to the Auburn game is here.
_My Names not Ry - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 05:04 PM EDT (#42851) #
A lot of people viewed Arnold as a closer to begin with, maybe now he does go into the bullpen.
_Ryan Lind - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 05:10 PM EDT (#42852) #
Thanks for the links, Mike.

I might try the start of the New Hampshire game since I haven't been very good luck for Syracuse (0-3, heh.)

Unless someone else shows up, anyways. I'm just a backup.
_Rob - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 05:30 PM EDT (#42853) #
I'll take some of the New Hampshire game, if there are any innings left for me to call. ;)

What is the verb to use for this? "Doing play-by-play" is too cumbersome. Is it just "calling the game?" It doesn't make sense; frantically typing "Solano grounds out to third" doesn't mean that I'm calling a minor league game. Jerry Howarth calls a game, and does a fine job. I type out updates every half inning.

We need our own phrase to describe what we do during a BBRadio game. Any ideas?
_Jonny German - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 05:44 PM EDT (#42854) #
It ain't catchy, but I'd say you're transcribing the game.

Good to see not everybody has completely given up on Arnold. He's got a tough road ahead of him, both in terms of his own performance and the other arms also looking to reach the show.
_Ryan Lind - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 05:57 PM EDT (#42855) #
Rob, you can do the start of New Hampshire if you wish. I'll stick with Syracuse.

Transcribing the game sounds about right to me.
_Rob - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 06:03 PM EDT (#42856) #
Actually, I might not be able to do anything. I leave on my trip tomorrow (the same one that will eventually bring me to Rochester for a AAA game) and I haven't packed yet. I won't start until the Jays game is over, so I probably won't be able to do any BBRadio tonight.

I forgot I hadn't packed yet. *sheepish shrug*

Nevertheless, I'll try and finish in time to do some transcribing. (Thanks Jonny, that's the word I was trying to remember.)
_Ryan Lind - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 06:52 PM EDT (#42857) #
Okay then.

With the Toronto game on TSN, this is the perfect time to have that game muted on TV while transcribing for BBRadio.

I'll do the start of the F-Cats game and just take it until Rob or Mike Green can take over.
_manager - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 07:00 PM EDT (#42858) #

We need our own phrase to describe what we do during a BBRadio game. Any ideas?


Needing a life?

:-)
_Ryan Lind - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 07:02 PM EDT (#42859) #
Do you feel better about yourself now?
_manager - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 07:05 PM EDT (#42860) #
It was a joke Ryan #5 of 10.
Hence the little face at the bottom.

And yes, I do feel better about myself now.
_Ryan Lind - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 07:08 PM EDT (#42861) #
Sorry, I just hate it when people say that sort of thing. Pet Peeve I guess.
_Ryan Lind - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 07:13 PM EDT (#42862) #
Top of the 1st.

Chacin gets ahead of the Curve's first batter and induces a groundball to John Hattig for the first out.

FisherCat-killer Shawn Skrehot is the second batter for Altoona. He is hitting over .500 against New Hampshire this season, but in this bat he grounds out pretty meekly.

The third batter (Doumit?) flies out to Justin Singlton on a 1-2 pitch to end the inning.

Three-up, three-down for Gustavo Chacin.
_manager - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 07:15 PM EDT (#42863) #
All apologies for petting your peeve.

(eww, that sounds like something nasty)

Transcribe Away!!
_Ryan Lind - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 07:20 PM EDT (#42864) #
Zach Duke starts this game for the division-leading Curve. The announcers tell us that Duke has not allowed more than 2 earned runs in any start at any level so far this seasn. So far in AA, he's pitched 24 innings, has a 1.13 ERA, has struck out 19 and has walked 3. Not bad.

And he strikes out the first FisherCat batter to start the game.

I believe it was Dominic Rich batting second, but I was busy looking at Duke's stats so I missed it. Anyway, he grounded out for out#2.

Aaron Hill comes up next, and smacks one into the outfield. It takes a HIGH hop of the turf and gets all the way to the wall. Hill scoots around to third base for his first triple of the season.

J-F Griffin comes up, takes the first pitch for a ball, and then hits a hard chopper to 3B. He's thrown out to end the inning.

Hill is stranded at third, 0-0 after 1.
_Ryan Lind - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 07:27 PM EDT (#42865) #
I lost the feed, and by the time I got it back, the Curve had runners on 1st and 2nd with nobody out.

So Chacin's 20-inning scoreless streak is in jeopardy for sure. Chacin gets ahead 0-2 to Scott Sheldon. Sheldin swings at the third pitch and grounds it. Hattig scoops it up, and starts off the 5-4-3 double play.

So just like that, Chacin's streak is no longer in that much jeopardy; he's got two outs and is now facing a poor hitter in Jorge Cortes. Somehow, Chacin falls behind Cortes 3-0, but even more strange, Cortes swings at the 3-0 pitch and ground it to Aaron Hill at short. Hill tosses him out, and the half-inning is over.
_Ryan Lind - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 07:32 PM EDT (#42866) #
John Hattig leads off the bottom of the second for the Fishercats. Hattig takes a ball, and then fouls a couple off to make the count 1-2. Hattig swings and misses at the fourth pitch. Second K for Duke. I'm smelling a 1-0 game today.

Justin Singleton steps in and swings at the first pitch, lacing it into the outfield for a basehit.

Runner on for the struggling Paul Chiaffredo. Chiaffredo also swings at the first pitch, but it doesn't work as well for him. He grounds into a tailor-made 6-4-3 double play.

Quick inning for Duke.
_Ryan Lind - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 07:38 PM EDT (#42867) #
To the top of the third we go...

Gustavo Chacin starts off the inning with a called strike to Donaldo Mendez. He misses with a couple balls, but fools Mendez with an off-speed pitch to even the count. Mendez pops the next pitch up in foul territory for the first out.

The announcers want to know what Chacin has to do to get called up to AAA. The PBP guy says he should be called up "Next year, please." Hehe.

Alttona's catcher Chris Snusz, is the second batter of the inning, and he quickly grounds out for the second out.

The third guy grounds out so quickly that I missed his name.

Quick inning for Chacin.
_Ryan Lind - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 07:45 PM EDT (#42868) #
Brad Hassey leads off the bottom of the third for the FisherCats. He gets ahead 3-0 and then takes a strike all the way. On the 3-1 pitch, he pops it up to third for the ... second out?

I must have missed a batter, these guys are getting out so quickly!

Tyrell Godwin steps in now, and Duke falls behind him as well, 3-1. Godwin takes the fourth ball outside and trots down to first.

Dominc Rich steps in with a runner on. Duke seems concerned that Godwin is going to run. Both him and Snusz are watching him closely. They both keep throwing to first, and eventually it works. Godwin gets picked off by Duke to end the inning.
_Finn McCool - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 07:52 PM EDT (#42869) #
Dunedin has won the first game of a double header today 3-1. Ismael Ramirez won the game, his 13th giving 5 hits and 1 run while striking out 6 and walking none in 6 innings. Raul Tablado was the hitting star with a home run and 2 RBI,s
_Ryan Lind - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 07:53 PM EDT (#42870) #
Shaun Skrehot comes in for his second at-bat against Chacin and works the count full before fouling a couple off. Chacin wins the battle though as he induces a groundball to Hill for the first out.

Mike Mclouth steps up to the plate, swings at the first pitch, and grounds it back to the mound. Chacin tosses it to first for the second out. This is just a guess, but I think Chacin is a groundball pitcher. :-)

Tom Evans tries his luck against Gustavo Chacin. He smacks one into the outfield for Altoona's 3rd hit of the game. It doesn't matter though, as Chacin has him picked off to end....er, wait. 1B Mike Snyder drops the ball. Weird play, but somehow Evans scoots over to second and no error is given on the play. "Stolen Base" to Evans.

No matter, Chacin strikes out Brad Eldred to end the inning.
_Finn McCool - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 07:58 PM EDT (#42871) #
Raul Tablado has now played 68 games for Dunedin this year and has 65 RBI's with the two he got tonight in game 1 of a double header, not to shabby!
_Ryan Lind - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 08:06 PM EDT (#42872) #
Bottom of the fourth.

Dominic Rich was at the plate when Godwin was picked off in the last inning, so he gets a fresh, new at-bat here. Rich works the count full before shooting one into the gap in centerfield. A leadoff single for Rich with all the rihgt batters coming up.

Aaron Hill comes in looking to at least put a man in scoring position. He takes a pitch for a ball, and then fouls one off. On the third pitch he flies out to RF for the first out. Dominic Rich stays at first.

J-F Griffin tries his luck against Zach Duke. Griffin takes the first pitch for a ball, and then swing at the second pitch and lines it into RF for another basehit. Two runners on now for John Hattig. Hattig hits a routine ground ball to 3B Tom Evans, but Evans' throw to 2B is WAY low, and Sheldon drops it. Everyone is safe on the error charged to Evans.

So, bases loaded with one out for Justin Singleton. Singleton gets ahead 2-1, but gets caught by a great curveball for strike two. However, he takes ball three inside. Payoff pitch ... and Singleton hits a weak groundball to the right side. The only play for Altoona is to first though, so the Cats stay out of a double play and a run scores.

1-0 Fishercats now, runners on 2nd and 3rd for Paul Chiaffredo. Chiaffredo falls behind 0-2 to start the at-bat. He takes a pitch for a ball, and then smashes one to centerfield. The ball goes way back, but is caught at the wall.
Mike Green - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 08:12 PM EDT (#42873) #
I'm here now, but I'd like to see how Derek Tate is doing for an inning or two. Auburn at Batavia.

Bottom of 3.

The score is 1-1. Derek Tate just picked off a runner at second, and now there's a runner on first with two outs. Holmberg was tossed earlier in the game. Shimer grounds out to Tate.

Ryan Lind, when you've got to go, let me know, and I'll switch.
_Ryan Lind - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 08:14 PM EDT (#42874) #
Top of five.

Chacin still in to face Scott Sheldon. He gets ahead of Sheldon, and gets Sheldon to sky one near J-F Griffin. Griffin either loses the ball in the lights or just flat-out misplays it, but either way Sheldon gets all the way around to second. A Two-base error charged to Griffin and the Curve have a man in scoring position.

I had to leave shortly, so I don't know what happened while I was gone, but I know Chacin got two outs and Sheldon has not scored but is standing at third.

Chacin is facing the weak-hitting Snusz and gets ahead 0-2, trying to extend his record shutout streak. Chacin misses with a pitch, but then gets Snusz swinging to end the inning.
_Ryan Lind - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 08:21 PM EDT (#42875) #
Mike Snyder steps in against Duke to start the bottom of the fifth. He's 2 for his last 29. Make it 30. Snyder strikes out for the first out.

Brad Hassey tries to see if he can fare any better. He gets ahead 3-0. Duke comes back though, filling up the count before getting Snyder to ground out to short for the second out.

Godwin is the third batter, and he grounds out to end the inning.

Great pitchers duel so far. 1-0 Fisher Cats after five innings.
_Ryan Lind - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 08:21 PM EDT (#42876) #
Great timing, Mike!

I'm heading out now, so the NH game is there if you want it.
Mike Green - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 08:24 PM EDT (#42877) #
Top of 4 in Batavia

Aaron Gleeman interviewee Andy Baldwin pitching for Batavia.

Vinny Esposito (0-1) gets ahead 3-0 and on the 3-1 grounds out to second. Curtis Thigpen (HBP previously)gets ahead 3-1 and walks. Adam Lind lines the first pitch into left for a single, Thigpen to second. Lind's 2-2. Eric Nielsen on the 2-0 count hits a shot right at the shortstop and it's booted. Bases loaded, one out. Chip Cannon takes 4 straight balls, Thigpen scores and the bases are still loaded. The Batavia pitching coach Warren Brewster makes a visit to the mound. Joey Metropoulos takes 2 strikes and then Big City Joey grounds into a 6-4-3 DP.

2-1 Auburn after 3 and 1/2.
_Ryan Lind - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 08:29 PM EDT (#42878) #
Well, actaully, I stayed around for one more half inning.

Chacin struck out the first two batters, and got the third batter to flyout to end the inning.

Chacin sounds great.

His line so far (unofficially) : 6IP, 3H, 0R, 0BB, 6K, 74 pitches.
Mike Green - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 08:32 PM EDT (#42879) #
All right, I'll do one more 1/2 inning for Derek Tate, and then off to New Hampshire.

Bottom of 4.

Tate strikes out Frith on 3 pitches (Tate's 4th K). Tate runs the count to 1-2 on lefty Isaacson who then hits a seeing-eye single in the hole to right. Carl Galloway grounds a ball into the hole and shortstop Ryan Klosterman throws him out. Tate gets ahead of the next hitter Shimer 1-2 who flies out to Aaron Matthews in center. Tate seems to have a very effective change (in that inning, he had about 5 called strikes on change-ups, apparently at 65-70).

2-1 Auburn after 4 and we're off to New Hampshire.
Mike Green - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 08:40 PM EDT (#42880) #
Top of 7 AA

1-0 New Hampshire.

Chacin works to Tom Evans. Jamie Vermilyea warming up. Evans takes 2 balls, and then takes a called strike, grounds a ball up the middle, Hassey makes a nice play to throw him out. Eldred fouls off the first pitch, swings and misses on the second and third pitches, Chacin's 5th K. Scott Shelton swings and misses on the first and second pitches, takes a pitch low, fouls one off and then flies out to JF Griffin. Chacin has got staying power.

1-0 F-Cats at the stretch.
Mike Green - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 08:51 PM EDT (#42881) #
Bottom of 7 AA

Neal McDade on to pitch for Altoona.

Justin Singleton hits the first pitch out of the park but just foul down the left field line. He runs the count to 2-2 and then lines the ball up the middle for the single. Paul Chiaffreddo squares a few times, runs the count to 2-1. Singleton starts and Chiaffreddo hits the ball up the middle, the shortstop dives to make the stop and gets up and throws Chiaffreddo out; Singleton to second. Mike Snyder bloops a single to left, Singleton scores. On a failed hit and run, Chiaffreddo is thrown out. Brad Hassey grounds out to second.

2-0 New Hampshire after 7 innings.
Mike Green - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 08:57 PM EDT (#42882) #
Top of 8 AA:

Chacin still pitching. Cortez grounds out to Aaron Hill on the first pitch. Mendez pops up to Aaron Hill on the second pitch. Snusz takes two balls and a strike, fouls off two, takes a ball just outside, fouls another one off and grounds out to Aaron Hill. Chacin's thrown 96 pitches.

2-0 New Hampshire after 7 and 1/2.
Mike Green - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 09:10 PM EDT (#42883) #
Bottom of 8 AA

Godwin walks. McDade makes an errant throw on a pickoff attempt. The ball goes down the right-field line and Godwin hits second, third and puts on the brakes a few steps beyond. Rich strikes out swinging on the 3-2 pitch. Aaron Hill up and on the first pitch hits a ball to deep left centre..which just clears the wall for Hill's 9th homer. Griffin grounds out to second. Hattig flies out to left.

4-0 Fisher Cats after 8 innings.
Mike Green - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 09:17 PM EDT (#42884) #
Top of 9 AA:

Jamie (Firpo) Vermilyea on to pitch for Gustavo (Gaucho) Chacin.

Sadler grounds the first pitch through the hole into left. Skrehot runs the count to 3-1, takes a strike, and then grounds into a 4-6-3 double play. Nate McLouth takes 3 balls and a strike, foul tips the next pitch, grounds the ball up the middle and Hill makes a nice play to scoop it up and throw him out.

4-0 F-Cats final. Chacin's 14-2.
_Rob - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 09:28 PM EDT (#42885) #
Good transcribing, all, and hooray for the F-Cats.

I'm finished packing and I'll finish off the Syracuse game while I'm here. Nakamura is pitching, no clue as to the inning yet.
_Rob - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 09:29 PM EDT (#42886) #
Bottom 8th - AAA:

Smith grounds out to Matos at third. Inning over (1-2-3 for Nakamura).
Sorry, missed the score.
_Rob - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 09:30 PM EDT (#42887) #
Well, it was 9-1 through 7 according to milb.com and Scranton did not score in the bottom of the 8th.

It's Syracuse 9+, Scranton 1 going to the ninth.
_Rob - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 09:36 PM EDT (#42888) #
Top 9th - AAA:
This announcer has a lot of pauses between...everything. I keep thinking I disconnected by mistake.

Dan Giese pitching for Scranton.
Crozier (2 K's today): called strike, ball, strike, foul, groundout 3-1.
WowieHowie Clark (2-4) steps up. Two quick strikes, then a couple of balls. The 2-2 is ripped to third and Wooten (remember him?) makes a great catch. Two outs.
Sanders grounds out on the first pitch. That was fast.

Last call in Scranton, 'Cuse up 9-1.
_Ryan Lind - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 09:41 PM EDT (#42889) #
This announcer has a lot of pauses between...everything. I keep thinking I disconnected by mistake.

Hahaha, yeah I know. It's even worse because the station usually blocks out the commercials between innings. So I kept going "The inning's over? How did that happen?" Only to have him start talking again.
_Rob - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 09:53 PM EDT (#42890) #
Peterson to pitch the ninth. It's a rare 8-run save. ;)

Batters hitting .317 off Peterson.
Nakamura struck out four, two in the 8th.

Bottom 9th - AAA:

The 1-0 pitch to the first batter is...95 MPH for a ball, then a groundout to Russ Adams.
Roberge the batter. Hit to Adams'seses left, and he can't get to it. A Jeter-like base hit to centre. One on, one out.
Now three quick balls to Hernandez. He fouls off some pitches. The 2-2 is grounded to the *same* place. Another base hit, and this one wasn't hit as hard as the first two. (See note at bottom*).

Buzz Hanahan takes a ball and a strike. "A nice breaking ball" makes it 1-2. "Nice pitch by Peterson", says the radio guy. Same breaking ball (84 MPH) strikes Buzz out. Two gone and two on.

Budzinski up now. Two quick strikes on a fastball and offspeed, along with a changeup for a ball. Then a single. Roberge scores from the 2-bag and it's 9-2. Three hits in the inning off Peterson.

Ozuna takes a strike. Then another one, then two balls. 2-2 pitch is fouled off, so is the next one. The seventh pitch of the AB is hit up the middle for *another* hit. It's now nine to three. Four hits, two runs against Peterson. There has to be something going on with him.

Shawn Wooten slams it to the right field corner. A two run double for Syracuse. It's now 9-5! What am I, some kind of reverse good luck charm?

Arnsberg is coming out to talk to Peterson. Terrible job so far with four runs on five hits. I'll be back after the pitching coach discussion.

* The first three plays were all up the middle. Adams made the first one and missed the second and third balls.

(I may double-post this, my browser has been acting up. Just a warning.)
_Rob - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 09:54 PM EDT (#42891) #
Peterson strikes out the last batter.

9-5 final. Phew.
_Rob - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 09:56 PM EDT (#42892) #
It's even worse because the station usually blocks out the commercials between innings. So I kept going "The inning's over? How did that happen?" Only to have him start talking again.

This is my first time using the Syracuse broadcast; it's never worked before for me. So that was a bit of a shock, not hearing the ads like I was used to on the AA feed. (Cahoots' Sports Bar and Grill in Manchester sounds like a nice place.)
_Rob - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 09:58 PM EDT (#42893) #
Well, it was only seven outs, but the last three told me a lot about Adam Peterson's problems.
Mike Green - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 10:02 PM EDT (#42894) #
If Auburn can hold a big late lead, it'll be an organizational sweep tonight.
_Rob - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 10:05 PM EDT (#42895) #
How fitting that the minor leagues could win all their games but the Jays don't win their game.

Anyhoo, (I will never say that word again, I promise) I'm off to bed. The next time you hear from Rob, he will be reporting on the Syracuse-Rochester game, which is one week tomorrow.

This is Rob signing off on the Batter's Box Radio Network.
_Sneeps - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 10:17 PM EDT (#42896) #
Adam Peterson, where art thou?
_JohnnyS99 - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 10:53 PM EDT (#42897) #
A caller on the fan, asked what happend to Joshphang Bernharndt!!
Craig B - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 10:57 PM EDT (#42898) #
Aaron Hill is on fire.
_Ryan Lind - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 11:04 PM EDT (#42899) #
Even moreso is Gustavo Chacin. 8 more shutous innings tonight to bring his scoreless streak to (I believe) 27 consecutive innings. Good stuff.
_Sneeps - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 11:33 PM EDT (#42900) #
All Hail Gus. He's turnin' some heads.
_R Billie - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 11:37 PM EDT (#42901) #
Speaking of on fire, Thigpen, Lind, and Cannon have been burning this week. In tonight's game Thigpen (.291) went 1 for 2 with a triple, 2 walks, and a strikeout. Lind (.326) was 2 for 4 with a double and a walk. Cannon (.291) was 1 for 3 with a double, 2 walks, and 4 runs driven in. Auburn thumped the competition 9-1 behind a strong outing from Derek "Picked Late" Tate.

Ismael Ramirez pitches another fine game for Dunedin (6 5 1 1 0 6 0) to go to 13-5, 2.78. Tablado hit his 19th FSL homerun and drove in two to give him 65 rbi on the year as Dunedin wins 3-1 in 7 innings.

Just to be different they blew out Lakeland 11-4 in the second game but it wasn't much fun for Justin James who is still struggling to get anything going in the FSL. 7 hits and 3 walks against 4 strikeouts in 5 innings today. Maybe Felix Romero stole his mojo as he struck out 5 hitters without a walk over the final two. Meanwhile, Tablado continued his big day with two hits including a double and 3 more RBI. This 4th round pick from the Wilken days is really asserting himself this season.

And the fire doesn't stop at AA with Chacin pitching 8 more scoreless innings, allowing only 3 hits and 1 walk. Aaron Hill hearing the request for more power produced a homerun (his 9th) and triple in four trips. He bumps his average to .285 and added 2 RBI to give him 67. This is infinitely better than what Gabe Gross did in his first full season at AA, also at age 22. Add the fact that Hill is a middle infielder and complaints about his progression aren't really founded. No-one's saying he'll be Paul Molitor but so far he's looking like the good Chuck Knoublach with consistent double digit homer power. That's why I ranked him above Gross in my top 10 Jays prospects last year.

Meanwhile in Syracuse, Adams continues to hold his own with two hits including a triple. Crozier was held to a double in 4 trips including a couple of strikeouts and a walk. Mike Nakamura continues to build the case for the existence of AAAA players as he strikes out 4 in two innings.
_Ducey - Wednesday, August 11 2004 @ 11:38 PM EDT (#42902) #
Nice job gentlemen!
_R Billie - Thursday, August 12 2004 @ 12:34 AM EDT (#42903) #
One thing I hadn't thought of, maybe Chacin is a candidate for a September callup. He's scorching AA right now and he's a 40-man consideration anyway so why not see if he's worth keeping with a brief audition in the majors?
_Amused - Thursday, August 12 2004 @ 11:04 AM EDT (#42904) #
JFG from the Fishercats must have the scorekeeper on his side. Two nights ago he was given a throwing error (along with another catching error at first base), then the next day it was changed to the catcher's error. Last night (see above game replay posts) he was given a two-base error when he couldn't catch a fly ball in left field. This morning they changed it and gave the Altoona hitter a double. I guess they want to keep his errors down. Pretty funny. At this level, he should be able to field a position.
_Chris H - Thursday, August 12 2004 @ 12:28 PM EDT (#42905) #
Intersting information about contract negotiations with Jeremy Sowers...got this from www.attheplate.com/rookies.htm

" ... The Indians are interested in Cuban defector Kendry Morales and could use the $2.2 million they've offered No. 1 pick Jeremy Sowers to try and sign him ... Negotiations, meanwhile, between the Indians and Sowers, a left-handed pitcher, are stalled. If Sowers doesn't sign, he can return to Vanderbilt for his senior year. The Indians would lose control of him as soon as he starts classes. John Mirabelli, Indians director of scouting, talked with Sowers and members of his family last week. "Unfortunately, there has been no progress," Mirabelli said ... Mirabelli saw Morales in Panama last year during the Olympic qualifying tournament. "We've contacted his agent and we're going to take a look at him," Mirabelli said. Morales, 22, is a switch-hitter who can play first and third base, and left and right field." (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

Perhaps someone the Jays will go after in 2005 (selected 6th overall in 2004)?

C.
_R Billie - Thursday, August 12 2004 @ 02:40 PM EDT (#42906) #
I don't know what Sowers is thinking turning that kind of money down. He had a great year in college and what are the chances that he will be able to duplicate let alone improve on it? So many things can go wrong. I think he's getting bad advice in holding out for whatever few hundred thousand instead of getting his career started in an organisation that would move him quickly.

Frankly, if the Jays end up with the 6th pick and have to spend that kind of signing bonus, I hope they get someone with a higher ceiling than Sowers. And if they're picking that high they have a real shot at some of the better known high school players so they shouldn't pass up a chance to pick a Vernon Wells or Eric Chavez if one becomes available.
Minor League Update: August 11 | 69 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.