I never realized how much these reports rely on boxscores until I noticed who apparently started for Syracuse yesterday. Then I saw who finished the game for New Hampshire. Needless to say, they were names I didn't expect to see.
Syracuse 1 @ Columbus 5
When Terrence Long takes you deep, it probably wasn't meant to be your day. So who was this unlucky pitcher? Well, according to the boxscore...Russell Savickas?!? (Cue Jon Stewart over-the-top-reaction-with-palms-pressed-into-his-eyes.) That can't be right. It's more likely that my name would show up in a Triple-A boxscore at this time. The Lansing State Journal says it happened, and he's on the Syracuse roster...but still...that makes no sense. Chad Mottola drove in the only run, but let's move on to New Hampshire, where things are easier to understand...
Portland 14 @ New Hampshire 7
...even if they have the backup catcher pitch the ninth inning. Before that happened, though, Ron Davenport hit two homers and drove in three; Adam Lind had two doubles and a home run of his own -- he's got a nine-game hitting streak. Kurt Isenberg started, but 10 hits and six runs later, he was done. Eric Kratz came in for his third career relief appearance when it was 10-7 in the ninth, and promptly got two quick outs. Hey, maybe this could work! Then a walk. A single. Another single. Two more singles. Then a strikeout (it sure sucks to be Brandon Moss right about now).
That's it -- the All-Star Break in the FSL was this weekend and Lansing was rained out. In fact, the Lugnuts don't play again until Thursday.
Three-Star Selection
3. Chad Mottola
2. Adam Lind
1. Ron Davenport
Standings
Syracuse: 30-40, 13 games back of Rochester, last place in their division.
New Hampshire: 31-36, ten games behind Portland, fourth of out six teams.
Dunedin: 38-29, finishing the first half in first place.
Lansing: 40-27, one game behind West Michigan. They clinched a wildcard playoff spot.
https://www.battersbox.ca/article.php?story=20060618233824893