Batter's Box Interactive Magazine Batter's Box Interactive Magazine Batter's Box Interactive Magazine
The Jays front office might have had a sinking feeling yesterday, the big club lost in a controversial way, while it was a 1-6 day on the farm, with the only win coming in the last game of the day. There were few survivors from the disasters that befell the minor league affiliates yesterday. Syracuse led 5-4 after six innings and lost; Dunedin led 6-0, and 6-4 heading into the ninth and lost. New Hampshire led 2-1 going into the seventh when New Britain scored two and then the heavens opened to end the game. Lansing lost two games and managed to have a walk and three singles in an inning without scoring. Pulaski lost the first game on a late home run but salvaged the nightcap. Auburn were saved from a possible loss by fog and David Bush does not look ready to face major league hitters.

Norfolk 10 Syracuse 8

David Bush was hoping this would be his last AAA start but this start did not deliver a strong signal that he is ready. The first three batters of the game singled to load the bases and a bases loaded walk scored a run, but Bush struck out the next two hitters and escaped further damage. Bush gave up solo home runs in the third and fourth, a run on two hits in the sixth and two more runs on two hits and an error in the seventh. Bush's final line was 7 IP, 11 hits, 1 walk, 4 strikeouts, 6 runs, 5 earned.

The Chiefs hitters were doing some damage on their own account. John-Ford Griffin had a two run home run in the first, Chad Mottola homered in the fourth, followed by a Gabe Gross single and a Julius Matos double. In the sixth Gross and Matos again combined to score a run to give the Chiefs a 5-4 lead, but Bush allowed 2 runs in the seventh to make it 6-5 Norfolk and Spike Lundberg gave up four more in the eighth. Syracuse scored three more in the eighth and ninth but fell short.

Gross, Mottola and Matos had 3 hits each, Griffin had 2.

Box Score

New Hampshire 2 New Britain 3 - 7 innings - rain

The Fisher Cats held a 2-1 lead until New Britain scored two in the bottom of the seventh, whereupon the skies opened and the game was called once New Britain had taken their first lead of the game. The Fisher Cats scored in the first inning, Ryan Roberts tripled and scored on a sac fly by Clint Johnston. Alex Romero tied the game with a RBI single in the third off Josh Banks. The Fisher Cats took the lead again in the fourth on doubles by Roberts and Rob Cosby. Pitching and defense were the order of the day until Banks put runners on second and third with one out in the seventh. Banks was pulled with a typical start, 6.1 IP, 7 hits, zero walks, with 2 strikeouts. Brad Mumma came on to make his AA debut, with the infield in, and got two ground balls, to second and first, but in both cases the run scored on a fielders choice at home. New Hampshire had 3 hits in the game, Roberts was 2-3 with a double a triple, and scored both runs.

Box Score

Dunedin 6 Vero Beach 7 - 10 innings

David Purcey started and had a typical Purcey start. Purcey pitched 4.2 innings with the good being eight K's and only two walks, but Purcey allowed eight hits and four runs, two earned. Vero Beach scored two runs in the third on back to back doubles, following a two out error; and two more in the fifth on three hits.

Meanwhile Dunedin jumped out to an early 6-0 lead thanks to David Smith and Adam Lind. Smith hit a two run home run in the second, Lind hit his own two run shot in the third, followed by a two run double by Smith also in the third. The 6-4 score held until the bottom of the ninth when Brian Reed hit the lead off batter and then gave up a game tying home run. Milton Tavarez came on in the bottom of the tenth, hit a batter, walked a batter and allowed a single for the winning run.

Smith went 2-4 with four ribbies and Lind went 3-5 to get his batting average back over .300.

Box Score

Lansing 5 Fort Wayne 7 - completion of suspended game

Lansing 4 Fort Wayne 5

Game one was suspended Saturday in the third with Lansing trailing 4-3. Jordan Timm came into the game to replace yesterdays starter AJ Wideman and pitched well, 5.1 innings, three hits and one walk with three runs allowed but only one earned. The offense were held to eight hits and only one extra base hit. Eric Nielsen went 3-5 with 2 ribbies, Christian Snavely had two hits, scored two runs, and Ryan Klosterman also had two hits.

In the regularly scheduled game Po-Hsuan Keng had a shaky start, he walked the first two hitters, uncorked a wild pitch, allowed three hits and only got out of the inning thanks to a caught stealing. In the second inning Keng allowed another run on a walk and two singles and again Joey Reiman picked off a runner to end the inning. That was enough of that and Jordy Templet came on to start the third and pitched very well, four shutout innings with only two hits.

Offensively, in the third inning Lansing performed the unusual feat of having three singles and a walk but failing to score thanks to a double play. The Lugnuts scored a run in the first thanks to a single by Christian Snavely and a double from Charlie Anderson. Lansing added another in the second through a Ryan Klosterman double and a single by Eugenio Velez. Anderson homered in the fifth and Klosterman singled in the sixth and scored on an error. Snavely, Anderson and Klosterman each had two hits.

Box Score - suspended game
Box Score - scheduled game

Auburn 0 Brooklyn 3 - suspended after 4 innings due to fog

Eric Fowler started and gave up three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out five. Auburn were held off the board with three hits, two more by Ryan Patterson.

Box Score

Pulaski 1 Bristol 2 - game 1

Pulaski 6 Bristol 4 - game 2

In game 1 Dennis Bigley pitched four good innings only allowing one run on four hits and a walk. Jacob Butler homered in the top of the sixth to tie the game but Bristol homered off Hector Delgadillo in the bottom of the sixth to give them the win. Pulaski had five hits in the game.

Butler homered again in the second game, a 2 run shot in the third inning to tie the game at 2 but Pulaski trailed 3-2 going into the sixth. The Jays scored four in the sixth and it was a team effort as three singles and four walks contributed to the runs, not forgetting a ground out to score a run, something the Jays could have used yesterday. Connor Falkenbach picked up his first pro save. Reidier Gonzalez started for the P_Jays, pitching 5 innings with five hits, two walks and five K's. Wesley Stone led the Jays hitters going 3-4 to keep his batting average over .300, pretty good for a high school pick. Jacob Butler went 2-3 with the home run.

Box Score - game 1
Box Score - game 2

Your Three Star Selection

Third star - Jacob Butler 2 home runs

Second Star - Ryan Roberts, double, triple and scored both runs

First Star - David Smith, drove in four runs

Standings Update

Syracuse record is 48-47. The Chiefs are tied for third, six games back of Buffalo.

The Fisher Cats are 49-45, and are in second place, a half game back of Portland.

Dunedin are 15-8, good for first place, one and a half games ahead of Lakeland.

The Lugnuts are 10-12, and are fourth, two and a half games back of two teams.

Auburn are 12-12, tied for second place, a half games behind Jamestown.

Pulaski are 11-14, in third place, five games behind Danville.

A Titanic Day | 19 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
Marc Hulet - Monday, July 18 2005 @ 09:08 AM EDT (#123052) #
There seems to be some overwhelming feeling among fans that David Bush is the chosen one who shall rise from the minors to save the Jays' season. However, I agree with Gerry, Bush has been a shadow of his former self. He more or less cruised through triple-A in his previous go-around with Syracuse. He needs a lot of work to get back to where he was and bringing him back up to Toronto will not do anyone any good at this point.
Pistol - Monday, July 18 2005 @ 09:37 AM EDT (#123053) #
I don't think anyone is expecting Bush to become an All Star if he hits Toronto, I think it's just a matter of thinking that he's a better starting option than several other pitchers.

And last year he wasn't all that hot for Syracuse before being called up:

100 innings
108 hits
20 walks
88 Ks
7 HRs
4.06 ERA

And this year for Syracuse:
55 innings
65 hits
9 walks
40 Ks
6 HRs
4.42 ERA

For whatever reason he's not striking out as many as last year, and has given up a few more HRs.
Nick - Monday, July 18 2005 @ 11:03 AM EDT (#123056) #
For you Americans out there, ESPN is doing a promotion where they are having Sportscenter in all 50 states in 50 days. Today's show features New Hampshire where they will have a story on the F-Cats.
Pistol - Monday, July 18 2005 @ 11:14 AM EDT (#123057) #
And they'll be broadcasting from Fishercats Stadium.
Mike Forbes - Monday, July 18 2005 @ 12:40 PM EDT (#123066) #
"The Red Sox are actively seeking both a starter and a reliever. They like Brewers setup man Mike Wise, but Milwaukee reportedly is willing only to trade Ricky Bottalico. Miguel Batista of the Blue Jays is available, but Toronto general manager J.P. Ricciardi is believed to have asked for top prospect Hanley Ramirez in return, the same player Tampa Bay GM Chuck LaMar wants for closer Danys Baez." -- The Boston Globe

Good to see that JP is shooting high.. But I can't imagine the Sox giving up on Ramirez for someone like Batista or Baez.
timpinder - Monday, July 18 2005 @ 01:02 PM EDT (#123067) #
I don't think Bush is going to be an ace, ever, but he will come up and be a solid #4 or #5, maybe even a #3 one day. I pay a lot of attention to WHIP, and his WHIP has been a steady 1.28 - 1.30 through AAA and the majors last year, and the majors and AAA this year. That's a solid #4 pitcher WHIP, maybe even #3. Luck and defense can play a big part. I didn't see the game last night, but for all I know 7 of those 11 hits he allowed were grounders that just found a hole.

Anyway, as for the Jays trading Batista to the Red Sox, I wonder if they just got some hand now that Bellhorn is hurt. Maybe Batista AND Hudson to the Red Sox?
Marc Hulet - Monday, July 18 2005 @ 01:21 PM EDT (#123069) #
How about Kelly Shoppach and Kevin Youkilis for Miguel Batista and Chad Gaudin (or another near-ready reliever)? Boston really doesn't have places for either player and need pitching. Toronto could really use Shoppach and Youkilis could swing over to first base or DH. Hinkse and Huckaby get set to triple-A. The Cat could then be traded for a less expensive reliever. That is a significant amount to get back, but Boston is likely desperate with NY breathing down their necks and they don't lose anyone off their 25-man roster or their top prospect in Ramirez.
MatO - Monday, July 18 2005 @ 04:22 PM EDT (#123102) #
It appears that Auburn came back and won the suspended game in 10 innings 5-4. The line score is not updated yet but the boxscore is. Shoffit had 4 hits including 3 doubles and Patterson added 3 hits. Nice relief from Rodriguez and Alfaro. In the regular game Auburn leads 3-1 through 4.
Ducey - Monday, July 18 2005 @ 05:14 PM EDT (#123108) #
Marc,

Why Youkilis?

He doesn't have great AAA or MLB numbers, is not really toolsy, and the Jays have about 40 guys like him - Hinske, Koskie, Hillenbrand, Cat, Hill, Hattig (if he ever gets healthy) - ok, 6 guys like him.

Youkilis has some real nice OBP numbers at AA but not a lot of power. I don't see him as a big solution at 1B. Is he?
Marc Hulet - Monday, July 18 2005 @ 05:23 PM EDT (#123111) #
For one thing, Youkilis is sought after by at least a couple other teams, including Oakland. He could be flipped for something else more pressing at the trade deadline or in the off-season. But if he stays, he presents a much better option at first base in the short term, than Hinske does. Youkilis is an on base machine, but hasn't had a change to establish himself in the last two seasons because of a lack of consistent playing time in the majors.
Mike Green - Monday, July 18 2005 @ 05:30 PM EDT (#123113) #
Petagine is hitting .317/.440/.635 with a positive W/K ratio in triple A after hitting well in Japan, and has no place in Boston. I'd be interested in him for a middle reliever, but who knows if the Sox would be willing.
Lefty - Monday, July 18 2005 @ 05:49 PM EDT (#123114) #
I'm not completely opposed to a Peatgine deal for say a Vinny Chulk or Scott Downs preferably.

The only issue with him is age. He's just about eligible to collect OAP.

Short term for the stretch at best.
Mike Green - Monday, July 18 2005 @ 08:48 PM EDT (#123127) #
Here is some good news. Corey Koskie started for Syracuse tonight and doubled in his first plate trip. Guillermo Quiroz hit his first homer in Dunedin, but the D-Jays trail. Meanwhile, in New Hampshire, Vince Perkins and Bubbie Buzachero have combined on a 2 hitter through 7.
CeeBee - Monday, July 18 2005 @ 09:34 PM EDT (#123132) #
Any news is good news after the last 2 weeks. ;) :)
timpinder - Monday, July 18 2005 @ 09:52 PM EDT (#123134) #
I don't want to even talk about Youkilis at 1B. With $80 million to spend in each of the next 2 seasons, we can do A LOT better than that. Dumping Batista's $5 million per year and Catalanotto's $2.5 million per year (I think it's time Gross play full time)will provide even more funds. Konerko, Thomas and Walker are free agents and there's a lot of bats, like Kearns, Dunn, Soriano, etc... that could be had in a trade and converted to 1B or DH.

Marc may be on to something though. Remember Stewart-Kielty-Lilly? Maybe Ricciardi wants to pick up certain prospects that he can then flip to Billy Beane during the offseason for Barry Zito.

$30 million + more bucks a year can easily buy an ace, a slugging DH/1B, and a lefty for the pen (though I still stand firm that Chacin's ultimately headed there).

We shall see. I would think that Boston would be more interested in Hudson now than they were with Batista, given Bellhorn's injury. How long is he expected to be out?
Pistol - Monday, July 18 2005 @ 10:13 PM EDT (#123136) #
Manchester, NH- LHP Brad Mumma joins the Fisher Cats today from Single-A Dunedin. He takes the roster spot of RHP Casey Janssen, who was placed on the disabled list.

The 24-year-old Mumma joins the Double-A level for the first time. The 6’4” southpaw was 3-0 with 1 save and a 4.11 ERA in 32 appearances with Dunedin this season. He has 56 strikeouts and just 14 walks in 46.0 innings pitched. He was originally drafted by Toronto in the 32nd round of the 2003 draft out of Western Michigan.

The 23-year-old Janssen was placed on the DL after getting hit by a line drive on Saturday.
Maldoff - Monday, July 18 2005 @ 10:23 PM EDT (#123137) #
Has anyone noticed that for a pitcher with supposedly dominating stuff, Francisco Rosario does not really dominate hitters? He has a VERY good WHIP of 1.185, but a very low KBF of 15.36%. By comparison, even Chad Gaudin has a KBF of 19.66%

Any thoughts?
bobby_cola - Tuesday, July 19 2005 @ 01:02 PM EDT (#123186) #
Yea, I definitely don't see Youkalis being our regular first basemen.

Personally, I wouldn't ming seeing Koskie going to third, Hillenbrand at first, and Hill at DH. Obviously, I would like to see some trades here too, but I think that is what we should do until then.
Chill - Wednesday, July 20 2005 @ 01:20 AM EDT (#123252) #
I think seeing the O-Dog in a Red Sox uniform would make me sick to my stomach. I have resigned myself to the fact that there's a decent chance he'll be traded, but the Red Sox, that would hurt.

Not that I disagree with what you're saying timpinder.
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