The lower level teams each played a doubleheader on Monday, going 3-1. New Hampshire got rained out for the second straight day, and Lansing had the day off for the second straight day, while Marc Rzepczynski continued his fine season for Las Vegas.
Sacramento 2 at Las Vegas 4
Last week, Marc Rzepczynski made his Vegas debut in fine fashion, going 5 2/3 shutout innings, striking out 9. This time, he had, um, almost the exact same outing, going 5 2/3, allowing 1 run and striking out 7. He also allowed 5 hits, a walk, and had 7 ground balls to only 3 flies. It's safe to say the promotion has been going well, though the pitch counts are a little high (103 tonight). It could be the case that he's afraid to pitch to contact, not ununderstandable in minor league ball.
Just like in tonight's lower level games, the offense wasn't great but it was good enough. Joe Inglett had 3 singles and Brett Harper went 2-3 with a walk to lead the 51s.
Portland at New Hampshire - postponed
St. Lucie 5 at Dunedin 2
St. Lucie got to starter Kenny Rodriguez early, scoring 3 runs in the top of the first inning on a double steal of 2nd and home (is there a better term for that? delayed steal?) and a 2 run homer. Though K-Rod struck out the side in the first, that was all the Mets needed. Rodriguez actually pitched very well after the first; from innings 2-7, he allowed 4 hits and a walk, and didn't allow a run. He got a bit tired in the 7th and Trystan Magnuson let his 2 inherited runners score, but K-Rod probably deserved better than his line of 7 1/3 innings, 5 ER. Kenny struck out 11, and had 7 ground outs to only 3 fly outs, a very good ratio.
Despite the fact that the offense managed 9 hits and 7 walks, they could only muster 2 runs. The team was 1-11 with RISP, and left 12 men on base. Moises Sierra had the best night, going 3-4 with a walk, and his seasonal line is up to 319/395/450/844.
Lansing - scheduled day off
Jamestown 9 at Auburn 0 (game 1)
This was an ugly one, so I won't write much about it. The offense ran into Royals' prospect Mike Montgomery, and only managed 2 hits and 2 walks. No hitter reached base more than once (remembering, of course, that it was a 7 inning game). The pitching was no better, giving up 14 hits and a couple of walks in the 9-0 defeat. Starter Egan Smith bore most of the brunt.
Jamestown 1 at Auburn 5 (game 2)
That's better. The story of this game was pitcher David Sever, who pitched 5 innings of relief, allowing a run on 2 hits and a walk while striking out 9. Starter James Lehman wasn't too shabby either, pitching 2 shutout innings while allowing a hit, 2 walks, and striking out 3.
Bradley Glenn led the offense by going 2-3 with a double, 2 runs scored and an RBI. Eric Eiland reached base twice.
GCL Blue Jays 3 at GCL Tigers 0 (game 1)
The GCL Jays continued the trend of fine pitching, as starter Carlos Pina went 5 strong, not allowing a run, to lead the short seasoners to victory. The offense provided enough, led by 18 year old catcher Carlos Perez, who went a perfect 2-2, including a double, 2 runs, and a HBP. By the way, the GCL Tigers' starter was named Ramon Lebron. Guess he shoulda stuck to basketball.
GCL Tigers 2 at GCL Blue Jays 3 (game 2)
This time, the game was a little closer, but once again 3 runs proved to be enough for the young'uns as the GCL Jays swept the home and home doubleheader against their Tiger counterparts. Of note, Kenny Wilson played in this game and went 1-3, and Gustavo Pierre was the offensive star, going 2-3 with a triple.
Three Stars!
3. Carlos Pina, GCL Blue Jays - 5 shutout innings
2. Marc Rzepczynski, Las Vegas - 5.2 IP, 5H, 1BB, 1ER, 7K
1. David Sever, Auburn - 5 IP, 2H, 1BB, 9K
https://www.battersbox.ca/article.php?story=20090629233148373