The affiliates went just 2-4 on Sunday, blowing a bunch of late leads. But, in more important events, Brett Cecil dominated for the first time in Triple-A.
The Chiefs only managed two runs on four hits in this one. But thanks to Brett Cecil's best AAA start to date, it was more than enough. Syracuse scored both of their runs in the fifth when Pedro Lopez doubled home a Travis Snider walk and a Curtis Thigpen single. And, well, that was pretty much it. Snider finished 0-for-1 with two walks.
But enough of the offense. The real story today was Brett Cecil. Seeing Rochester for the second time in five days, Cecil dominated to the tune of seven innings pitched allowing just two hits and a walk while striking out six. The win evened Cecil's Triple-A record at 2-2 and lowered his ERA to 4.91. Jonah Bayliss worked the final two innings for his second save.
Oh, man, did the Cats ever blow this one. Up 4-1 in the ninth, Jason Burch, making just his fifth appearance for New Hampshire was called upon to close things out. Instead, he went and did the exact opposite, charged with four runs on four hits in just a third of an inng for a tidy game ERA of 108.00. The guy most likely pissed off was Jean Machi who went the first eight allowing just an unearned run on three hits while striking out six.
Offensively, the Fisher Cats banged out twelve hits, led by Chris Gutierrez's three hit effort. J.P. Arencibia managed two of his own including a double and an RBI. Brian Dopirak knocked in two of his own, as well.
Clearwater 5 Dunedin 2 (Game 1)
Tied at 2-2 heading into extra innings, the D-Jays gave up a three-spot to drop the first half of a doubleheader. Edward Rodriguez took the loss thanks to one awful inning in which he allowed three runs on four hits. A.J. Wideman started and was fine, I guess, going five and allowing a run on five hits while walking two.
At the plate, nobody did much of anything. Brad Emaus had a double, his 30th, yet oddly just his second during a day game. Maybe he's a vampire or something. Cory Patton had two hits while David Cooper went 1-for-4.
Clearwater 1 Dunedin 8 (Game 2)
The D-Jays got their revenge in the later-in-the-afternoon-cap thanks to Adam 'Ivan' Calderone and his two big flies, one of which was a Grand Slam. All in all, Calderone had 6 RBI, giving him 33 on the year. Cory Patton also went deep while Brad Emaus had two hits, including his 31st double on the year. David Cooper was 1-for-2 with a double, walk, and an RBI.
Adrian Martin was on the mound for Dunedin and allowed one run on five hits and seven strikeouts in 5.1 innings. Brian Pettway picked up his first professional save with 1.1 perfect innings.
In what appears to be a pattern for the affiliates on Sunday, Lansing blew a late 3-1 lead en route to a 4-3 loss. The Lugnuts managed just four hits on the day, two courtesy of Jonathan Jaspe who doubled and drove home two. Manny Rodriguez drove in Lansing's other run with a double of his own.
Luis Perez was on the mound for Lansing and worked six effective innings, allowing a run on six hits while striking out five. Then Michael Barbara came in and everything went to hell. Barbara allowed three runs in the seventh for his second blown save and fourth loss on the year.
Auburn spotted Batavia an early five-run cushion and then probably wished they hadn't when they could only muster three of their own. Adam Amar and Joel Collins homered for the Doubledays. Other than that, a few other guys had a hit.
Joel Carreno allowed five runs on seven hits in five innings for Lansing. Three relievers all threw a shutout inning each but the damage was already done.
GCL Blue Jays- Scheduled day off
Three Stars:
3rd Star: Jean Machi- 8 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 6 K
2nd Star: Adam Calderone- 3-for-6, 2 HR, 7 RBI (doubleheader)
1st Star: Brett Cecil- 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K
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