The farm affiliates went 2-4, and fell victim to the post-7th inning stretch letdown twice.
Toledo 4 @ Syracuse 7
The Sky Chiefs made it two in a row over the Mud Hens, by scoring one run in the first inning and then three runs in each of the second and third innings to coast to victory. Ryan Roberts doubled three times and drove in two, while John Hattig reached base in all four of his plate appearances, to lead the offence. Josh Banks started and went 5 innings for the win. He allowed all 4 runs on 6 hits (including a 3 run rip by Ryan Ludwick) and no walks with 4 strikeouts. Ryan Houston threw 2 scoreless innings of relief, and then Lee Gronkiewicz and Brandon League to pitch a scoreless inning with 2 strikeouts each. Mike Mahoney and Wayne Lydon stroked 2 hits each, while Kevin Barker knocked in two with a single.
New Hampshire 2 @ Portland 4
The Sea Dogs scored 2 unearned runs in the 7th inning to break a 2-2 tie. Kyle Yates started and went 6 innings, allowing 2 runs, 1 earned, on 3 hits and 3 walks with 5 strikeouts. After Brian Wolfe surrended the runs, Jim Bullard and Tracy Thorpe came on to close out the game without incident. Adam Lind went 1-3 with a walk, while Eric Arnold doubled, singled and walked in 4 plate trips. Chip Cannon and Curtis Thigpen each wore the collar.
Dunedin 2 @ Lakeland 5
Perhaps the farm affiliates need to work on their 7th inning stretch routine. The Tigers scored 3 runs, 1 unearned, in the 7th inning to break a 2-2 tie. Ricky Romero got the start and was solid, going 6 innings and allowing 2 earned runs on 5 hits (including a homer. He walked 2 and struck out 6. T.J. Gornati surrendered the runs in the 7th before Matt Duff came on in the eighth to shut the door. Ryan Patterson doubled, homered and walked in 4 plate trips. Robinson Diaz singled thrice.
Lansing 3 @ Beloit 4, 10 innings
Russ Savickas took a tough no-decision. Savickas gave up only 3 hits and 1 walk in 7 innings of work, but was touched for 3 runs, as the Snappers bunched a hit-by-pitch, a ground single, a double and a groundout for 3 runs in the 3rd inning. Joey Metropoulos homered, Brian Pettway doubled twice and Jesus Gonzalez singled and doubled as the Lugnuts came back to tie, before Beloit scored a run in the 10th inning off Derek Tate. The inability to bring home Pettway's leadoff double in the seventh proved costly for the Lugs.
Jamestown 11 @ Auburn 7
The Doubledays led 6-2 after 7 innings, before the Jammers put up a 6 spot in the eighth and that was that. Hector Delgadillo started and went 4 innings, allowing only 2 baserunners and striking out 2. Scott Byrnes followed with 3 solid innings before the roof caved in. Brian Hall doubled and singled in 5 appearances, while Kelly Swippenhiser had 3 singles in 4 appearances, but made 2 errors. Ben Zeskind singled thrice in 5 appearances
Elizabethton 3 @ Pulaski 14
Fernandez, SS. Now, that brings back memories. Luis went 3-5, as six P-Jays scored 2 runs each. Victor Santana carried the big bat stroking two longballs and driving in 5. Jonathan Jaspe and Paul Franko reached base 4 times each, as Pulaski banged out 13 hits and drew 9 walks on the way to an easy win. Michael Barbara, Jeff Gilmour and Edgar Estanga each threw 2 scoreless innings, and Alan Stidfole 1, while the P-Jays built up a 9-0 lead. Dennis Bigley surrendered 3 meaningless runs in the eighth inning, and the P-Jays tacked on 5 in the bottom of the frame to make it an official rout.
3 star selection
3rd star- Ryan Patterson
2nd star- Ryan Roberts
1st star- Victor Santana
Toledo 4 @ Syracuse 7
The Sky Chiefs made it two in a row over the Mud Hens, by scoring one run in the first inning and then three runs in each of the second and third innings to coast to victory. Ryan Roberts doubled three times and drove in two, while John Hattig reached base in all four of his plate appearances, to lead the offence. Josh Banks started and went 5 innings for the win. He allowed all 4 runs on 6 hits (including a 3 run rip by Ryan Ludwick) and no walks with 4 strikeouts. Ryan Houston threw 2 scoreless innings of relief, and then Lee Gronkiewicz and Brandon League to pitch a scoreless inning with 2 strikeouts each. Mike Mahoney and Wayne Lydon stroked 2 hits each, while Kevin Barker knocked in two with a single.
New Hampshire 2 @ Portland 4
The Sea Dogs scored 2 unearned runs in the 7th inning to break a 2-2 tie. Kyle Yates started and went 6 innings, allowing 2 runs, 1 earned, on 3 hits and 3 walks with 5 strikeouts. After Brian Wolfe surrended the runs, Jim Bullard and Tracy Thorpe came on to close out the game without incident. Adam Lind went 1-3 with a walk, while Eric Arnold doubled, singled and walked in 4 plate trips. Chip Cannon and Curtis Thigpen each wore the collar.
Dunedin 2 @ Lakeland 5
Perhaps the farm affiliates need to work on their 7th inning stretch routine. The Tigers scored 3 runs, 1 unearned, in the 7th inning to break a 2-2 tie. Ricky Romero got the start and was solid, going 6 innings and allowing 2 earned runs on 5 hits (including a homer. He walked 2 and struck out 6. T.J. Gornati surrendered the runs in the 7th before Matt Duff came on in the eighth to shut the door. Ryan Patterson doubled, homered and walked in 4 plate trips. Robinson Diaz singled thrice.
Lansing 3 @ Beloit 4, 10 innings
Russ Savickas took a tough no-decision. Savickas gave up only 3 hits and 1 walk in 7 innings of work, but was touched for 3 runs, as the Snappers bunched a hit-by-pitch, a ground single, a double and a groundout for 3 runs in the 3rd inning. Joey Metropoulos homered, Brian Pettway doubled twice and Jesus Gonzalez singled and doubled as the Lugnuts came back to tie, before Beloit scored a run in the 10th inning off Derek Tate. The inability to bring home Pettway's leadoff double in the seventh proved costly for the Lugs.
Jamestown 11 @ Auburn 7
The Doubledays led 6-2 after 7 innings, before the Jammers put up a 6 spot in the eighth and that was that. Hector Delgadillo started and went 4 innings, allowing only 2 baserunners and striking out 2. Scott Byrnes followed with 3 solid innings before the roof caved in. Brian Hall doubled and singled in 5 appearances, while Kelly Swippenhiser had 3 singles in 4 appearances, but made 2 errors. Ben Zeskind singled thrice in 5 appearances
Elizabethton 3 @ Pulaski 14
Fernandez, SS. Now, that brings back memories. Luis went 3-5, as six P-Jays scored 2 runs each. Victor Santana carried the big bat stroking two longballs and driving in 5. Jonathan Jaspe and Paul Franko reached base 4 times each, as Pulaski banged out 13 hits and drew 9 walks on the way to an easy win. Michael Barbara, Jeff Gilmour and Edgar Estanga each threw 2 scoreless innings, and Alan Stidfole 1, while the P-Jays built up a 9-0 lead. Dennis Bigley surrendered 3 meaningless runs in the eighth inning, and the P-Jays tacked on 5 in the bottom of the frame to make it an official rout.
3 star selection
3rd star- Ryan Patterson
2nd star- Ryan Roberts
1st star- Victor Santana
