The Blue Jays farm system made us proud on Friday night, sweeping every opponent. From Las Vegas to Lansing (except Dunedin) pitching was great for the good guys. Batting was run productive for everybody, led by Dunedin, who needed to put 11 on the board to best Bradenton.
Brad Mills (4-2) inked his fourth win with a brilliant no run, 4 hit, 5 K performance in 8.0 IP. Clint Everts came on in the 9th to throw just 13 pitches. Ten of those were strikes, but he gave up a solo homer that spoiled a shut out for the 51s. Las Vegas had a no error night in the field, a turnaround from Thursday’s sloppy suckage in the glove (thowing) department. In fact, the game ended on a sparkling play by Travis Snider (1 for 5, R, RBI) as he dove to his right to bring in a sharp line drive to left field.
Mike McCoy didn’t play because he was on his way back to Toronto, according to the league transactions posted late Friday and reported to Bauxites real early today by Alex Obal.
At the plate, the 51s delivered a dozen hits, led by Dwayne Wise (3 for 5, 2 R, 3B, Hr, RBI) posting an impressive 8 TB on the evening. The RBI parade was won by David Cooper (2 for 3, 2B, 3 RBIs) highlighted by an 8th inning two-run double that scored Bret Lawrie (2 for 5, 2R, 2B) and Snider. The pride of Vancouver, Adam Loewen (2 for 4, 2B), turned another multi-hit effort. Brian Jeroloman (1 for 3, RBI)and Jason Lane (1 for 3, BB) each put a hit on the board as well.
5,890 saw visiting New Hampshire hand hometown New Britain their 15th loss, thereby giving sole first place honors to the Fisher Cats who are now 26-14 in the Easter Division of the Eastern League. Henderson Alvarez (1-0) picked up his first win, throwing 6.0 innings of four-hit, one-run baseball while striking out 6. Ronald Uviedo and Alan Farina turned in solid performances in relief with a combined 5 Ks in 3.0 IP.
On the plate side of the game, the Fisher Cats turned in a total of 9 hits, led by Adeiny Hechavarria (2 for 5, 2 R, 2B, RBI) and Big Mike McDade (2 for 4, 2B, BB, 2 RBIs). Travis d’Arnaud (1 for 3, R, 2B, RBI, BB), Ricardo Nanita (1 for 4, 2B, RBI), Mark Sobolewski (1 for 4, R, 2B) and John Tolisano (1 for 3, 2B, BB) all added two-baggers in the winning effort.
Friday’s high scoring contest was played an hour south of Dunedin under clear skies on a humid 89 degree (f) gulf coast evening in Bradenton. Despite giving up 13 hits and 10 runs, Baby Jays pitchers struck out 12. The third of five Dunedin pitchers, Matt Wright (3-1) threw just 2.2 innings allowing a run on 2 hits while striking out 5. In 4.0 IP, starter Nestor Molina was tagged for 7 hits, including a homer and gave up 6 runs while striking out 6.
Dunedin bats were blazing with a total of 19 hits on the night. Justin Jackson (4 for 5, 2B, HR, RBI) led all sluggers with four hits a double and an RBI. RBI champs on the evening were Brad Glenn (3 for 6, R, 2B, 3 RBIs) and Jon Talley (3 for 5, 2 2B, BB, 3 RBIs). Kevin Ahrens (2 for 5, 3 R, 2 2B, BB, 2 RBIs) drove in a pair of runs. Kenny Wilson (2 for 5, R, 2B, RBI) added a run batted in, while Ivan Contreras (1 for 5) and Brad McElroy (1 for 4, R, 2B) and Sean Ochinko (1 for 5, R) each added a hit.
On a balmy 76 degree (f) Michigan evening, 5,916 Lugnuts’ faithful saw their home boys best Bowling Green and move into 2nd place in the eastern division of the Midwest league by a scant .004 pct. Winning pitcher Marcus Walden (1-0) picked up his first W with 2.1 IP, a pair of Ks and just a single hit and a BB. Starter Egan Smith stuck out three, allowed 4 hits and a pair of runs in 4.2 IP. Danny Barnes logged his third save, pitching 2 innings striking out 1, and giving up just a single hit.
Luggies sluggers were led by Kevin Nolan (3 for 4, 2 R, 2B, RBI). Struggling Gustav Pierre (1 for 3, HR, RBI) showed some strength and slammed his 2nd round tripper, a solo blast, in the 7th inning. Other RBIs were turned in by Jake Marisnick (1 for 4, 2B, RBI) and Marcus Knecht (1 for 4, R, 3B, RBI).
Three Stars:
3rd Star Dwayne Wise (3-5, 2 R, 3B, HR, RBI)
2nd Star Tie: David Cooper (2-3,2B, 3RBIs), Brad Glenn (3-6,2B,3RBIs),
Jon Talley (3-5,22b,3RBIs)
1st Star Henderson Alvarez (6.0 IP, 4 H, R, 6 Ks)
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