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The Jays farmhands find themselves on the right end of a blowout in Buffalo, the wrong end of a close one in Norwich, and beat soundly in Sarasota. Lansing enjoys a well-deserved day off.


Syracuse 9 @ Buffalo 0

SS Aaron Hill led the charge as the Chiefs cranked out 14 hits along with 2 walks in routing the Bisons in Buffalo. Hill drove in 3 with his 2 doubles. CF Anton French rapped out 3 singles, while 2B Bryant Nelson was good for 2 safeties. 3B Jason Alfaro drove in the first two runs with a double in the fourth, and also drew a walk.

Chris Baker and Mike Nannini threw 8 innings of 4-hit shutout at Cleveland’s top affiliate, Baker striking out 3 and walking one, Nannini conceding 1 free pass. Jason Arnold kept the shutout intact with a 1-2-3 ninth.

#2JBrumfield provided us with all the play-by-play. Bauxites The_Beav and Gerry were at the game and provided some first-hand notes.

Boxscore - MinorLeagueBaseball.com. Recap - Post-Standard


Norwich 2 @ New Hampshire 0

The Fisher Cats matched the Navigator’s 8 base hits, but couldn’t equal their 2 runs. Shaun Marcum was the hard-luck loser as he tossed 6 excellent innings, allowing just the 2 runs on 6 hits and picking up where he left of last year by striking out 6 while walking not a one. Josue Matos and Steve Andrade were just as good in relief, allowing 2 hits while also striking out six and walking none.

LF Ron Davenport and 1B Vito Chiaravalloti each had two singles. 3B Rob Cosby had the Cats only extra-base hit, a double in the ninth which wasn’t quite enough to drive Davenport around from first and break up the shutout. The game ended with the two on base as C Eric Kratz struck out looking.

Stellers Jay and Mike Green provided the play-by-play for this game.

Boxscore - MinorLeagueBaseball.com.


Dunedin 1 @ Sarasota 5

It was feast or famine for lefty Davis Romero in Sarasota as he struck out seven but also allowed seven hits and was charged with 4 runs (3 earned) for his 4-2/3 innings of work. Ryan Prahm was ineffective in his inning of relief, allowing an inherited runner to score as well as a marker against his own record on the strength of two hits and two walks. Brad Mumma shut down the Reds for the final 2-1/3, but unfortunately the D-Jay bats had no comeback in them.

LF Adam Lind was the only Blue Jay to manage two base knocks, while RF Jason Waugh doubled in the only run for the visiting side.

Boxscore - MinorLeagueBaseball.com.


Lansing: Off Day

The Lugnuts welcome the South Bend Silver Hawks for a three-game set beginning with a 6:05 PM contest this evening.


Three-Star Selection!

The Third Star: Chris Baker , Syracuse. 5 innings of 2-hit shutout.

The Second Star: Shaun Marcum , New Hampshire. 6 Ks in 6 IP.

The First Star: Aaron Hill , Syracuse. 2 doubles and three ribbies.

Aerial Attack? Aaron Hill Attack! SkyChiefs Take Down Bisons | 42 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
Jordan - Tuesday, April 12 2005 @ 10:13 AM EDT (#110820) #
Maybe the weather's been cold down New Hampshire way, but the Fisher Cats bats are not off to a great start. With all the offence in Syracuse, there must be some temptation to share the wealth a little. Still, I think New Hampshire's bats will come around sooner rather than later.
Mike Green - Tuesday, April 12 2005 @ 10:41 AM EDT (#110822) #
It was cold with the wind blowing in yesterday in New Hampshire, Jordan. It cost the Cats a couple of runs at least.

Today's sked:

Syracuse (Downs) at Buffalo 1:05
Norwich at NH (Ramirez) 6:35
Dunedin (Purcey) at Sarasota 7:00
South Bend at Lansing (Janssen) 6:05
The_Beav - Tuesday, April 12 2005 @ 10:43 AM EDT (#110823) #
Same two teams again in Buffalo at 1pm today.

Scott Downs (0-1, 15.75) starts for Syracuse. Buffalo counters with youngster Francisco Cruceta, making his first start of the season.
Mike Green - Tuesday, April 12 2005 @ 10:46 AM EDT (#110824) #
Oh, and one more thing. Don't believe the milb boxscore for the NH game- "null" did not pitch for Norwich and get the win. It was David Aardsma, who was very, very good. Put 2 As together in the name and the beta version of "Minor League Boxscore 2.0" by MLB explodes. Don Aase and Henry Aaron watch out; your files may be gone from the records by tomorrow!
JC - Tuesday, April 12 2005 @ 10:51 AM EDT (#110825) #
What are the dates that Matos, Tablado and Reed are eligible to be activated?

If memory serves, the suspensions were 15 DAYS, not games. Also, were they not a carry-over from last season (Tablado specifically), meaning some of the days had already been served?

Does anybody have clarification?
deserthoosier - Tuesday, April 12 2005 @ 12:15 PM EDT (#110833) #
is it just me, or does Dunedin have the absolute worst website in all of minor league baseball! No player profiles, no stats up as of yet, and no multimedia options. Could it be anymore generic.....on the other hand, I really like Lansing's website, very inviting, and Syracuse and New Hampshire have decent ones too. I wish Dunedin would have a little pride in their team, it looks like they should have a good one this year.
Stellers Jay - Tuesday, April 12 2005 @ 12:39 PM EDT (#110834) #
A few random thoughts on the Fisher Cats game last night.

I know it was cold (42 degrees with the wind blowing it must have been around the freezing level) but NH really didn't hit at all last night. I was suprised to see how far down in the order Vito is hitting. I know people at this site are really high on him, but a big hitting 1B hitting 7th in AA has me questioning expectations of him.

Marcum was fantastic last night even though he took the loss. He pounded the strike zone and worked quickly. He had more than one 3 pitch strike out. He got himself in a jam in the sixth inning and worked his way out of it. Colour me impressed.

David Aardsma was filthy striking out 6 in three innings and a lot of the Fisher Cats looked silly facing him. I mentioned this in yesterday's game thread, but I wonder why he is in AA, when he pitched in AAA and for the Giants last year.

Why are NH carrying 13 pitchers? Their starting rotation is the strength of their team and will work consistently into the 6th or 7th inning, they won't need 8 relievers and can't possibly get everybody work. I know there was a roster "shuffle down effect" from AAA when Glynn and Miller reported. I wouldn't be suprised to see a couple more pitchers released between AA and AAA in the next couple of weeks barring injuries.
#2JBrumfield - Tuesday, April 12 2005 @ 01:42 PM EDT (#110854) #
Top 3rd - Syracuse 0 Buffalo 0 - Francisco Cruceta pitching for Buffalo.

* Aaron Hill flies out to right - 1 OUT
* Eric Crozier bloops a single to left
* Ken Huckaby flies out to right - 2 OUT
* Anton French fouls out to 1st - 3 OUT

0 runs, 1 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on base

After 2 1/2 innings - Syracuse 0 Buffalo 0
#2JBrumfield - Tuesday, April 12 2005 @ 01:53 PM EDT (#110857) #
Bottom 3rd - Syracuse 0 Buffalo 0 - Scott Downs pitching for Syracuse.

* Darnell McDonald strikes out swinging on a breaking ball - 1 OUT
* Jake Thrower, in his Bisons debut, doubles down the right-field corner on an inside fastball
* Brandon Phillips bloops a single to right field - Thrower advances to 3rd
* John Rodriguez fouls out to 3B Jason Alfaro - 2 OUT, Downs getting away with leaving a curve ball up
* Mike Kinkade strikes out swinging on a breaking ball - 3 OUT

Downs pitching around 82-88 MPH

0 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on base

After 3 innings - Syracuse 0 Buffalo 0
#2JBrumfield - Tuesday, April 12 2005 @ 02:03 PM EDT (#110858) #
Top 4th - Syracuse 0 Buffalo 0 - Francisco Cruceta pitching for Buffalo.

* Bryant Nelson draws a walk
* Nelson advances to 2nd on a balk by Cruceta
* Gabe Gross flies out to center field, Nelson holds at 2nd - 1 OUT
* Chad Mottola strikes out (don't know whether it was swinging or caught looking) - 2 OUT
* John-Ford Griffin called out on strikes - 3 OUT

0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on base

After 3 1/2 innings - Syracuse 0 Buffalo 0
Mike Green - Tuesday, April 12 2005 @ 02:10 PM EDT (#110860) #

Stellers Jay, I found this on Aardsma. Apparently, the Giants want to convert him to the starting role, a la Bush, Marcum et al (Aardsma was a college closer). Stretching him out to 4 innings yesterday would be a start to this process.

#2JBrumfield - Tuesday, April 12 2005 @ 02:21 PM EDT (#110862) #
Bottom 4th - Syracuse 0 Buffalo 0. Scott Downs pitching for Syracuse.

* Jeff Liefer flies out to LF Gabe Gross - 1 OUT
* Ryan Garko singles by lining one off the glove of CF Anton French
* Ernie Young lines a single to left on a 3-2 pitch, Garko advances to 2nd
* Andy Abad homers to right field - Garko SCORES, Young SCORES, Abad SCORES - Buffalo 3 Syracuse 0
* Darnell McDonald beats out an infield single to SS. Aaron Hill made a nice diving stop (Buffalo announcer surprised he even got to it) and Crozier made the nice scoop but McDonald beats it out on a headfirst slide.
* Jake Thrower doubles to right-center - McDonald SCORES - Buffalo 4 Syracuse 0

Downs relieved by Spike Lundberg.

* Brandon Phillips strikes out swinging on a breaking ball - 2 OUT
* John Rodriguez pops up to short - 3 OUT

4 runs, 5 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on base

After 4 innings - Buffalo 4 Syracuse 0

Stellers Jay - Tuesday, April 12 2005 @ 02:28 PM EDT (#110865) #
Thanks Mike, that explains why he is back in Double A. He seems like he's got great stuff and if he can keep that stuff as he gets stretched out he should be a good starter. I think he's major league ready as a middle reliever as is.
#2JBrumfield - Tuesday, April 12 2005 @ 02:35 PM EDT (#110866) #
Top 5th - Buffalo 4 Syracuse 0. Francisco Cruceta pitching for Buffalo.

* Jason Alfaro, first-pitching swinging, pops up to third behind the pitcher's mound - 1 OUT
* Aaron Hill lines a single to left-field
* Eric Crozier walks on a 3-2 pitch, Hill advances to 2nd
* Ken Huckaby bounces a single to left - Hill advances to 3rd, Crozier to 2nd
* Anton French strikes out swinging on a splitter - 2 OUT
* Bryant Nelson lines a single over the head of SS Brandon Phillips to left-center - Hill SCORES, Crozier SCORES - Huckaby advances to 3rd. Buffalo 4 Syracuse 2
* Gabe Gross singles to left on a 3-1 pitch - Huckaby SCORES, Nelson advances to 2nd - Buffalo 4 Syracuse 3.

Kenny Rayborne warming up in the Buffalo bullpen.

* Chad Mottola strikes out swinging - 7 K's for Cruceta.

3 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on base

After 4 1/2 innings - Buffalo 4 Syracuse 3

#2JBrumfield - Tuesday, April 12 2005 @ 02:43 PM EDT (#110867) #
Bottom 5th - Buffalo 4 Syracuse 3 - Spike Lundberg pitching for Syracuse.

* Kinkade strikes out swinging on a slider down and away - 1 OUT.
* Jeff Liefer doubles to left-centre
* Ryan Garko grounds to 1B Eric Crozier, who makes the unassisted put-out, Liefer advances to 3rd - 2 OUT.
* Ernie Young draws a walk on a 3-2 pitch
* Andy Abad flies out to center field - 3 OUT.

0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 left on base.

After 5 innings - Buffalo 4 Syracuse 3
#2JBrumfield - Tuesday, April 12 2005 @ 02:51 PM EDT (#110869) #
Top 6th - Buffalo 4 Syracuse 3 - Kenny Rayborn (correct spelling) pitching for Buffalo.

Buffalo 4R 9H 0E
Syracuse 3R 5H 0E

Cruceta's line 5IP, 5H, 3R, 3ER, 2BB, 7K

* John-Ford Griffin grounds out to 2nd on a 3-2 pitch - 1 OUT
* Jason Alfaro grounds out to 2nd on another 3-2 pitch - 2 OUT
* Aaron Hill grounds out to short - 3 OUT

0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on base

After 5 1/2 innings - Buffalo 4 Syracuse 3
Mike Green - Tuesday, April 12 2005 @ 02:52 PM EDT (#110870) #
Thanks again, #2JB.
#2JBrumfield - Tuesday, April 12 2005 @ 03:06 PM EDT (#110871) #
Bottom 6th - Buffalo 4 Syracuse 3 - Spike Lundberg on the mound for Syracuse.

* Darnell McDonald hit by a pitch, hit on the forearm, merely a scratch
* Jake Thrower pops up a bunt to 1B Eric Crozier - 1 OUT

WORK INTERRUPTION

Top 7th - Buffalo 4 Syracuse 3 - Kenny Rayborn

2 OUT

* Anton French grounds to 2nd - 3 OUT

Stretch time in Buffalo - Buffalo 4 Syracuse 3

Jordan - Tuesday, April 12 2005 @ 03:09 PM EDT (#110872) #
Spike is shortly going to get the attention of the front office, if he hasn't already.
#2JBrumfield - Tuesday, April 12 2005 @ 03:15 PM EDT (#110873) #
Bottom 7th - Buffalo 4 Syracuse 3 - Lefty Adrian Burnside now pitching for Syracuse.

Burnside's numbers to date..2G, 0-0, 0.00 3IP, 2H, 0BB, 3K

* Mike Kinkade hit by pitch
* Jeff Liefer lines out to deep center, French hauls it in - 1 OUT
* Ryan Garko lines out to short - 2 OUT
* Ernie Young flies out to right - 3 OUT

0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on base

After 7 innings - Buffalo 4 Syracuse 3
#2JBrumfield - Tuesday, April 12 2005 @ 03:23 PM EDT (#110876) #
Top 8th - Buffalo 4 Syracuse 3 - Andrew Brown now pitching for Buffalo.

Kenny Rayborn's line 2IP, 0H, 0R, 0ER, 0BB, 1K - 5 ground-outs

* Bryant Nelson grounds a ball off the outstretched glove of 2B Jake Thrower - ruled a single
* Gabe Gross fouls out to 3rd - 1 OUT
* Nelson picked off at 1st - 2 OUT, Syracuse manager Marty Pevey arguing a balk should've been called
* Chad Mottola grounds out to 3rd - 3 OUT

0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on base

After 7 1/2 innings - Buffalo 4 Syracuse 3
#2JBrumfield - Tuesday, April 12 2005 @ 03:36 PM EDT (#110877) #
Bottom 8th - Buffalo 4 Syracuse 3 - Matt Whiteside now pitching for Syracuse.

* Andy Abad 1 OUT - appears to have flied out to centre - WORK INTERRUPTION
* Darnell McDonald doubles down the left-field line - stand-up double
* Jake Thrower doubles down the right-field corner - McDonald SCORES - Buffalo 5 Syracuse 3
* Brandon Phillips strikes out swinging - 2 OUT
* John Rodriguez strikes out on a check-swing - 3 OUT

1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on base

After 8 innings - Buffalo 5 Syracuse 3

Stellers Jay - Tuesday, April 12 2005 @ 03:36 PM EDT (#110878) #
It will definitely be interesting to see which pitcher gets the first call when an injury hits the big club. There are a number of deserving options in Syracuse which is a plesant situation compared to years past. It's obviously going to depend a lot on the time of the injury and who has been throwing well recently. It could be a roster player like Rosario, Arnold, or Gaudin. But considering the Jays are only carrying 38 on the 40 man roster it could easily be a nonroster player like Spike, Nannini, or Whiteside (who got a long look in Spring training), or familiar names Glynn or Miller.

Speaking of Rosario, I was pleasantly surpised that he started the year in AAA. I was expecting him to head back to NH for around 10 starts before heading to Syracuse. I take this as a good sign that he is healthy and close to helping out Toronto. J.P. has talked in the past on this site that Rosario is guy who could help quickly once he got healthy and back throwing the way he was prior to the injury.
#2JBrumfield - Tuesday, April 12 2005 @ 03:46 PM EDT (#110880) #
Top 9th - Buffalo 5 Syracuse 3 - Andrew Brown pitching for Buffalo.

* John-Ford Griffin singles
* Jason Alfaro flies out to deep left field, Ernie Young makes the catch in front of the 371 sign in Dunn Tire Park - 1 OUT
* Aaron Hill strikes out swinging on a 3-2 fastball, 94MPH up in the zone - 2 OUT
* Eric Crozier strikes out swinging - 3 OUT

0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on base

Final Score - Buffalo 5 Syracuse 3



#2JBrumfield - Tuesday, April 12 2005 @ 03:53 PM EDT (#110883) #
Post Game Wrap-Up

Buffalo 5R 11H 0E 9LOB
Syracuse 3R 7H 0E 5LOB

WP - Francisco Cruceta
LP - Scott Downs
SV - Andrew Brown

HR - Andy Abad, BUF

Time 2:35
Paid Attendance - 5,407
R Billie - Tuesday, April 12 2005 @ 04:13 PM EDT (#110885) #
I have a feeling that guys like Lind and Thigpen might find their way to New Hampshire around mid-season. I think they'll be starving for offence.
Jordan - Tuesday, April 12 2005 @ 04:26 PM EDT (#110887) #
I also expect JP to pick up a couple of veteran minor-league bats to help out in the meantime -- the Jays helped out their farm teams a lot last year with mid-season trade or free-agent acquisitions. But of course, it's very early yet, and the bats they have will warm up.
Marc Hulet - Tuesday, April 12 2005 @ 04:31 PM EDT (#110888) #
Some hot hitters in Dunedin could be moved up too. There are a number of full-season ball deserving players stuck in extended spring training due to the numbers crunch so there are lots of in-house alternatives with some chain-reaction roster moves. But it IS early in the season.
Thomas - Tuesday, April 12 2005 @ 04:51 PM EDT (#110889) #
I also expect JP to pick up a couple of veteran minor-league bats to help out in the meantime

Speaking of which, whatever happened to Stubby Clapp?

Stellers Jay - Tuesday, April 12 2005 @ 05:06 PM EDT (#110890) #
I know it's early but Barker and Davenport are the only ones hitting in NH. Barker was picked up right at the end of spring training. That's part of the reason why I was so surprised to see Vito hitting 7th when let's face it if he's going to move forward it's going to be his bat carrying him and it's not like NH has a real deep lineup batting in front of him. I guess carrying 8 relievers doesn't leave a whole lot of other options with your lineup. They miss Tablado who has a good bat at a premium position.
Ryan01 - Tuesday, April 12 2005 @ 06:28 PM EDT (#110894) #
I believe Clapp will be playing independent league ball this summer with the Edmonton Cracker-Cats of the Northern League. The Mariners snatched up Bobby Madritsch out of the Northern League a couple years ago, IIRC.
R Billie - Tuesday, April 12 2005 @ 06:48 PM EDT (#110895) #
Erik Kratz is doing nicely in the early going for the Fishercats too. He's a bit old for AA at 25 but he's a catcher and if he can hit at all that's a good thing.
Stellers Jay - Tuesday, April 12 2005 @ 06:57 PM EDT (#110896) #
Quiroz must be do back in the next week or two for Syracuse. If everybody is healthy does that drop Dominique down to NH?
Brian W - Tuesday, April 12 2005 @ 06:57 PM EDT (#110897) #
Clapp also was part of Team Canada that just qualified for the IBAF World Cup. http://www.tsn.ca/mlb/news_story.asp?ID=121200
Gerry - Tuesday, April 12 2005 @ 08:11 PM EDT (#110901) #
New hampshire had a weak offense last year too, until they picked up Anton French and John Hattig. The problem with sending extra players to New Hampshire is that they want the players they have there to play, with the possible exception of catcher, all the other seven starters are prospects. So they need to sort it out and deliver.
Gerry - Tuesday, April 12 2005 @ 08:19 PM EDT (#110903) #
I was at the Buffalo game again today. The Chiefs had tghe one bad inning which cost them the game. Downs left one pitch in the middle of the plate and Abad parked it. Buffalo did have some good pitching Cruceta and Brown are BA ranked. Cruceta had one bad inning too, when the Jays scored three. Brown throws hard, 94-95 mph fastball.

Gabe Gross is still trying to get his good swing going, as is Eric Crozier. Aaron Hill had a very nice line drive hit and made two diving plays in the field, one to get an out, and one where the throw was late. Reports from observers suggest Hill's range is not as good as Adams, but his arm is much stronger.

Overall not as interesting a game as yesterday but Buffalo played and pitched better than yesterday.

If you have any specific questions fire away.
Maldoff - Tuesday, April 12 2005 @ 08:36 PM EDT (#110906) #
Just listening to the New Hampshire game, and the announcers seem to think that the Fisher Cats aren't hitting yet because of the cold weather. Also, they don't have Tablado in that lineup. But another New Hampshire questions: Why is Lee Gronkiewicz closing over DeJong and Buzacharo?
Gerry - Tuesday, April 12 2005 @ 09:12 PM EDT (#110908) #
New Hampshire win 1-0. Ramirez (6 IP); Vermilyea (2 IP) and Gronkiewicz were outstanding. The Cats bunched three hits to score their run.

Dunedin are winning 5-1, Purcey is pitching well again, 4 hits allowed in 6 IP. Lind and Arnold have doubles.

Lansing are in extra innings after Danny Hill blows his first save of the year. Casey Janssen pitched well again, allowing one unearned run to keep his ERA at 0.00.

The_Beav - Tuesday, April 12 2005 @ 09:26 PM EDT (#110909) #
Just like Gerry, I was in Buffalo again today. Another sparse afternoon gathering, probably 250-300 very quiet fans on a beautiful sunny day.

Spike Lundberg replaced Downs with 2.2 innings of shutout ball. I was impressed with his velocity and movement. I sat next to the Chiefs bullpen, and you could really hear the pop in Andy Dominique's glove as Spike warmed up.

I agree with Gerry about Hill's defense, especially the play when he dove to his left and threw out speedy Brandon Phillips from his knee. But it wasn't just that he threw him out, it was that he still got him by a couple of steps.

Non-Chiefs note: Brandon Phillips was one of Cleveland's last cuts, and it looks like it's affecting his play so far. He's 2-for-17 at the plate, and he has been very uninspired in the field. Fans were really getting on him for making half-hearted attempts on some ground balls that got past him.

Funny moment of the day: Chad Mottola runs out to RF in the first inning, only to find Gabe Gross already there playing catch with Anton French. Mottola goes back to the dugout to confirm his position, with Gross eventually shifting to left. Gross looked genuinely embarassed, as the Chiefs bullpen really let him have it. But three batters later Gross atoned for his brain cramp with a tremendous running catch in front of the wall on a rocket off the bat of Mike Kinkade.
Mike Forbes - Tuesday, April 12 2005 @ 09:44 PM EDT (#110910) #
Syracuse has some potential this year. But Scott Downs had better be careful, he could very well be relased if he keeps this up.
Mike Green - Tuesday, April 12 2005 @ 09:45 PM EDT (#110912) #
Sarasota rallied for 4 in the eighth, and Dunedin and Sarasota are tied at 5. Erik Rico surrendered a 2 run homer in the 11th, as the Lugnuts lost their first game of the season. It's been a bad night for the bullpens.

A couple of other notes. I listened to a few innings of the New Hampshire game. Ismael Ramirez had a typical efficient outing. David Purcey not only struck out 7 and walked 1 and allowed only 4 hits in his outing, but he picked off one and there was a CS. I guess the lefty's got a move, too.
Marc Hulet - Tuesday, April 12 2005 @ 11:00 PM EDT (#110968) #
Scott Downs has a few more lives left to say the least... He is a lefty who was the ERA leader last year in the league as an Expos' farmhand last year. He's earned his secured spot on the roster. Downs might be better off in the pen though, where he would likely be best suited in the majors.
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