The affiliates withstood another ugly night as only the Chiefs could pull out a win.
Syracuse took a win against the perennially-strong Buffalo Bisons thanks to solid pitching by starter Bill Murphy, who was obtained this spring from the Diamondbacks organization. Murphy went six innings, allowed five hits and three walks. He struck out four. Reliever Jordan DeJong was roughed up and allowed three runs on three hits over 1.2 innings. Tracy Thorpe also had a rough day and allowed two hits and a run in 0.1 innings. Veteran right-hander Shawn Camp received his fourth save of the day for a scoreless ninth. Offensively, the No. 1 and 2 hitters Wayne Lydon and Buck Coats each drove in two runs and scored a run. Shortstop Jorge Velandia was 3-for-3 with two runs scored, two RBI and a double. Second baseman Pedro Lopez was 2-for-4. Russ Adams was 1-for-3 with a run scored as the designated hitter. First baseman Chip Cannon slugged his first Triple-A home run off former Jay farmhand Bubbie Buzachero.
Ricky Romero had a tough end to his night after starting off with three scoreless innings. Over 5.2 innings he allowed eight hits and five runs to fall to 0-2 on the year. Reliever Kyle Yates did not have any better luck as he allowed five hits and three runs over 1.1 innings of work. Jo Matumoto pitched a scoreless eighth. Offensively, New Hampshire managed only seven hits – all of them singles. Aaron Mathews continued his hot hitting and was 2-for-5 with a run scored and an RBI. Scott Campbell was 1-for-2 with three walks. Anthony Hatch was 3-for-4 but that raised his average to only .184.
Tampa pitchers held Dunedin batters to only six hits and one run. Al Quintana, playing third base, was 2-for-3 with a run scored. He also committed an error, stole a base and was caught stealing. Chris Emanuele was 1-for-4 with an RBI. Travis Snider was 1-for-4 with a strikeout. Cory Patton was 1-for-2 with a double and two walks. Cuban pitcher Kenny Rodriguez struggled for Dunedin after starting the game with three scoreless innings. He allowed five runs over the next two innings. In total, he allowed seven hits over 4.1 innings. Rodriguez walked two and struck out five. Chad Blackwell went 3.2 innings and allowed two runs on four hits. He also walked one and struck out four. Celson Polanco pitched a scoreless, hitless inning.
The oldest team in the league (22.6 average age) beat up the fourth youngest team (21.4) in the league. Starting southpaw Brad Mills was inconsistent and struggled with his command. He gave up four runs on seven hits through five innings. Brian Pettway went two innings and ran out of gas in his second inning of work and allowed two runs. Edgar Estanga came in and was sharp – going two scoreless innings. He has pitched 11 innings this year without allowing a run. Opponents have only four hits against him. Canadian Jamie Richmond, obtained from Atlanta in the Mark Kotsay off-season deal, went four innings and allowed two runs on six hits. Justin Jackson followed up his four hit day from yesterday with another two hits in the leadoff spot. He scored a run and drove in a run. Yohermyn (pronounced: Yo-‘er-men… for those who were wondering) Chavez went 2-for-4 with a run scored, RBI and a double. Kevin Ahrens broke out of a 1-for-16 slump with a triple. Manny Rodriguez hit his league-leading eighth double in the losing effort.
Three Stars
3. Anthony Hatch, for a 3-for-4 night
2. Shawn Camp, for his fourth save, and no runs allowed in
2008
1. Jorge Velandia, 3-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBI
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