If you start from the top, things don't look so good with both Las Vegas and New Hampshire losing. But the A-ball affiliates saved the day - especially after Lansing came from behind to score eight runs in the final two innings to defeat Fort Wayne.
Portland 9 Las Vegas 8
Fabio Castro started the game and pitched three shutout innings, but he walked three, allowed one hit and did not strike out a batter. Davis Romero, Brian Wolfe, Bill Murphy, and Jonah Bayliss were all hit around for a total of nine runs. Offensively, Buck Coats and Randy Ruiz each had three hits. All of Ruiz' hits went for doubles and he drove in two. Angel Sanchez had two hits. JP Arencibia was 1-for-5 with a double, RBI and two Ks. Jonathan Diaz was 1-for-3 with two runs scored.
Reading 3 New Hampshire 2
New Hampshire's bats continue to take a break and the club managed just five hits, which ruined another good pitching performance by Randy Boone. The right-hander allowed three runs (two earned) over eight innings. He gave up six hits and two walks, while striking out four batters. Edward Buzachero worked the final inning. Adam Calderone and Brian Dopirak each had two hits while batting 2-3 in the lineup. David Cooper and Brian Jeroloman both went 1-for-3 with three walks. Nick Gorneault had the other hit.
Dunedin 4 Palm Beach 2
It's too bad that the Jays-run affiliate does not have better media coverage because it's been the best club this season and with the most interesting prospects (especially in terms of volume). On this day, starter Ryan Page allowed two runs on eight hits and four walks over 6.2 innings of work. He managed just one strikeout. Tim Collins and Leon Boyd both worked in middle relief and struggled with their control; they each walked two batters. Zach Dials pitched a scoreless ninth for his second save. Darin Mastroianni continues to put together a nice (but quiet) season and he went 1-for-3 to keep his average above .300. He was caught stealing, though, and picked off. Jesus Gonzalez went 3-for-4 with two doubles. Adam Loewen went 1-for-3 with a double and two Ks. Justin Jackson was 0-for-3 with a walk.
Lansing 9 Fort Wayne 2
The Lugnuts scored four runs in the eighth and four runs in the ninth to come back to win against an older Fort Wayne club (San Diego drafts a lot of college players). Henderson Alvarez worked 4.1 innings and allowed just one run on three hits and two walks. He struck out just one batter. Ryan Koch worked 2.1 scoreless innings of relief. Jared Potts allowed one run in 1.1 innings. Chris Emanuele led the offensive attack with four hits. He also scored two runs and hit a homer. Justin McClanahan was 2-for-4 with a double, homer and two RBI. AJ Jimenez was 2-for-3 with a double, a run scored and an RBI. Michael McDade was 0-for-5 with two Ks. Tyler Pastornicky had one hit and stole his 20th base on the season.
*For those who are interested, the Dominican Summer League Jays have begun their season. After fielding two clubs in 2008, the organization is fielding only one team this season... for reasons unknown. Although, perhaps they're just sending more players than expected over to North America this season... The DSL Jays club is 2-4 on the young season. Here are the players' stats. Some of the known players coming to rookie ball in the US this season include catcher Carlos Perez, second baseman Oliver Dominguez, infielder Gustavo Pierre (recovering from Tommy John surgery) and infielder Garis Pena.
Three Stars:
3. Jesus Gonzalez for three hits and two doubles.
2. Randy Ruiz for three doubles
1. Chris Emanuele for four hits and a homer, which led to a Lansing win in the late innings.
https://www.battersbox.ca/article.php?story=20090606114506799