Another 3 of 4 for the Blue Jay farm as starting pitching (mostly) rules the day.
Scranton 1 @ Syracuse 4
Chad Gaudin pitched 7 excellent scoreless innings and the SkyChiefs rallied for 3 runs in the 7th to shoot down the Red Barons. Along the way Gaudin struck out 7 while surrendering 4 hits (all singles) and two walks. Matt Whiteside chalked up his 3rd save of the campaign with a spotless 9th.
Anton French sparked the rally, drawing a walk with one out and stealing second. Bryant Nelson then tripled him home, and after a Gabe Gross fielder’s choice Chad Mottola drove home the two insurance runs with a dinger to left.
John-Ford Griffin joined Nelson and Mottola as each tallied 2 hit. Catcher Andy Dominique slapped 3 singles in scoring and driving in a run. SS Aaron Hill finally cooled down a little, taking an oh-fer.
Boxscore - MinorLeagueBaseball.com. Recap - Post-Standard
Top prospect Josh Banks took to the hill in Harrisburg and didn’t disappoint, delivering 6-2/3 strong innings. Banks struck out 6 Senators, allowing a solo homer and 2 singles, walking 2. Bubbie Buzachero stranded 2 Banks runners, while Lee Gronkiewicz was touched for a meaningless run in a 3-hit 9th.
With Banks shutting down Harrisburg, the Cat hitters got their business done early, scoring 3 runs in the first 2 innings. It was a balanced attack, with no player scoring or driving in more than one run and only LF Ron Davenport not contributing to the 13-hit 4-walk offensive showing. 2B Carlo Cota, DH Kevin Barker, RF Mikael Jova, and C Eric Kratz all stroked doubles, while SS Raul Tablado showed signs of rounding nicely into form with his 2 singles and 2 free passes. Big Vito Chiaravalloti settled for just a single in 5 trips this night. Remember all that concern about New Hampshire's lack of offence? After scoring 14 runs in their first 7 games, the Cats have now run up 24 in their last 5.
Boxscore - MinorLeagueBaseball.com. Recap - Union-Leader
The pitching prospect parade continued in Dunedin, but unfortunately for the Jays it was 2004 #2 overall Justin Verlander that was dominant, not their own #16 Dave Purcey. Though charged with just 1 run on 3 hits, it was a forgettable outing for the big lefty as he lasted only 4 innings and walked 5 Tigers, striking out 3. Justin James didn’t walk anyone in his 3 innings of relief, but he did allow a homer among 4 base hits as Lakeland plated 4. Another 2 Tiger runs were charged to Brad Mumma in the 8th, while Adrian Martin pitched a scoreless 9th.
Meanwhile, Verlander was striking out 9 D-Jays over 7 innings. Adam Lind seemed to have him figured out, driving in the Dunedin run with one of his two doubles off the former Old Dominion star. CF Jayce Tingler and C Robinzon Diaz both managed two singles in the game, while 1B Clint Johnson went 1-for-3 with a walk. Nobody else reached base, including twin ugly lines of 0-for-4, 3K for 2B Ryan Roberts and RF David Smith.
Boxscore - MinorLeagueBaseball.com.
2B Juan Peralta, 3B Jason Armstrong, and LF Cory Patton each drove in 2 runs as the Lugnuts held off Beloit to maintain their hold on first place in the Eastern Division of the Midwest League. Peralta did it with 4 singles, and stole a base as well; Armstrong with 2 doubles and a single; and the General, most efficient of all, did his bit with a home run. Curtis Thigpen, DHing and hitting second, smacked a double in 5 plate appearances.
Aaron Wideman was solid for 6 innings, 3 earned on 5 hits including a homer. He whiffed 4 and walked 1 in earning his first Lugnut W. Jordy Templet was hit around for 3 runs in his inning, but Joey McLaughlin Jr. finished up with 2 scoreless frames for a well-deserved Save.
Boxscore - MinorLeagueBaseball.com. Recap - Lansing State Journal
The Third Star: Adam Lind , 4 bases off an otherwise dominant pitcher.
The Second Star: Josh Banks , New Hampshire, 6-2/3, 6-2 K/BB, 3 hits.
The First Star: Chad Gaudin , Syracuse. 7 shutout innings, 7 Ks.
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