Weather and scheduling meant the farm only played three games last night (plus the DSL). Vegas did its best Blue Jays impression, winning on the strength of a huge inning, and Auburn did its best Edwin Encarnacion impression, losing because of a crapload of errors. Also: now that the deadline is passed and John Buck is still in Toronto, is it time to resurrect the old FREE ARENCIBIA!?
Las Vegas 13 at Sacramento 5
This was a fairly low-scoring game.... except in the 5th inning. Vegas outdid the big club by putting up a 9-spot, while Sacramento scored 80% of their 5 runs in the inning. LV's runs came courtesy of 10 hits and an incredible 11 walks. The biggest thumpers and walkers were J.P. Arencibia, who homered, singled and walked twice, and Brad Emaus, who singled, SFed, and walked twice. Brad Mills was typically effective, allowing four runs in seven innings on eight baserunners while striking out four.
New Hampshire - scheduled off-day
Dunedin - suspended. This game was suspended in the fourth inning with Dunedin up 2-0 on the strength of a Welinton Ramirez home run, off Rays uber-prospect Matt Moore no less. Joel Carreno had thrown 3 2/3 of 2-hit shutout.
Lansing 10 at Bowling Green 9
What a game! Tied 3-3 after five innings, the Lugnuts took control with 2-spots in both the 6th and 7th, giving them a commanding 7-3 lead with just two frames to play, only to see Bowling Green storm back with six runs in the bottom of the eighth. Eric Eiland struck out and Sean Ochinko popped out, and Lansing was down to its last out, down by two and with the bases empty. Of course, you know what's coming… Brad Glenn homered to cut the deficit in half, A.J. Jimenez singled, and Kevin Ahrens connected for his fifth homer to give Lansing the lead. Nestor Molina, who had blown the save in the eighth, came back out and shut the door for the win.
Dave Sever began and delivered a Quality Start™, going six innings and allowing three runs, while striking out five. Offensively, Ochinko was the star, going 4-5 with a double and a homer and driving in five. Justin Jackson went 2-3 with a homer and a walk.
Auburn 2 at Williamsport 6
On earned runs, this was a close game; unfortunately, Auburn's FIVE errors - by Gustavo Pierre, Andy Fermin and THREE by Joseph Bowen - caused the game to get a little out of hand. Fermin at least made up for his defensive prowesslessness by banging out half of Auburn's six hits and driving in both runs, but he wasn't helped much by his bat-wielding teammates.
Sean Nolin got the start and lasted 2 2/3, though he only gave up one run. Sam Strickland took over and pitched four moderately effective innings, allowing two runs on eight baserunners.
GCL Jays - postponed
DSL Jays 0 at DSL Tigers 1
Alex Ramirez was fantastic, pitching six innings of shutout ball and striking out eight.
Three Stars!
3. Brad Mills - Quality Start™ + 1 - 7 IP, 4 ER
2. J.P. Arencibia - 2-4, 2 BBs, HR
1. Sean Ochinko - 4-5, 2B, HR, 5 RBI
Links
Hitters and Pitchers of the Week are up on milb.com. Congrats to Fisher Cat B.J. LaMura, Eastern League Pitcher of the Week.
https://www.battersbox.ca/article.php?story=20100803110653114