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The affiliates went 3-2 on the May 2-4 Sunday. Southpaw John Anderson, who missed all of 2010 due to injury, put on a pitching clinic in Lansing during his first start since 2009.


Las Vegas 11 Omaha 7

Veteran minor league starter Mike Macdonald gave up seven hits but allowed just one run in 6.0 innings. Winston Abreu gave up one run in 2.0 innings of relief and Wil Ledezma was touched up for three runs in the ninth inning. DeWayne Wise was The Man with four hits, four runs scored and a stolen base in the lead-off spot. Brett Lawrie went yard twice and drove in four runs but he made two throwing errors. David Cooper, Danny Perales, and Chris Woodward each had two hits and two RBI.

New Britain 6 New Hampshire 5 (Game 1)

The Fisher Cats bullpen blew the lead in the final inning of the game. The magic appears to have worn off of Chad Beck. He gave up four runs on seven hits and two walks. He did strike out five batters in 5.1 innings. The usually solid Evan Crawford was touched up for two runs in the seventh inning. Travis d'Arnaud led the offense with a 3-for-3 night and two runs scored. He's hitting .483 in his last 10 games. Anthony Gose had two hits, including a double, but was thrown out trying to steal a base. Callix Crabbe went 1-for-2 with three RBI and a walk.

New Hampshire 4 New Britain 0 (Game 2)

If Joel Carreno ever learns some control, he could be unstoppable. He allowed just one hit in six innings but he walked five batters with two wild pitches and two hit batters. Perhaps batters are just afraid to stand in against him? Alan Farina finished off the game with a scoreless seventh inning (double-headers are 7.0 innings). Gose went 1-for-3 with a stolen base. Michael McDade went 1-for-3 with an RBI and two Ks. Darin Mastroianni also had a hit. John Tolisano and Yan Gomes both hit homers. After hitting an ugly .130 in April, Gomes is finally getting hot and is up to .323 in May thanks to taking three walks with just six Ks in 31 at-bats. In 46 April at-bats, he walked just once with 19 Ks.

Charlotte 5 Dunedin 3


Deck McGuire struggled with his control for the baby Jays. He walked four batters in 5.0 innings and gave up three runs. Aaron Loup worked two scoreless innings and Frank Gailey held Charlotte scoreless for another 2.2 innings, but Dumas Garcia and Chris Malone fell apart in the 11th inning as another minor league bullpen melted down. At the plate, Brad Glenn had another good day with three hits - including a double and a solo homer. Justin Jackson had two hits and stole a base. Ivan Contreras went 0-for-5.

Lansing 14 Bowling Green 1

John Anderson was in complete control despite making his first start since '09. He allowed one unearned run on three hits in 5.0 innings. He did not walk a batter, he struck out six and induced eight ground balls compared to just one fly-ball out. Misaul Diaz came on in relief and the move to the bullpen has suited him well. He allowed just one hit and a walk in 3.0 innings. Diaz struck out six batters. Over three relief outings, he's allowed eight hits in 8.2 innings but just three walks and 11 Ks. His ground-ball rate has also doubled. At the plate, Marcus Knecht led the way with three hits, a home run and four RBI. Michael Crouse also had three hits, including a triple (that just missed being a home run as it bounced off the top of the wall and came back into the field). He has his batting average up to .271. Kevin Nolan had two hits and a walk. Jack Murphy was the only starter who didn't get a hit. Markus Brisker has his batting average up to .286 despite 42 strikeouts in 28 games (98 at-bats). His strikeout rate is close to 50% but his BABIP is almost .500. Insane.

Bonus: John Anderson was an under-the-radar 28th round pick out of a small community college (Chabot College) in 2008. He showed respectable numbers in both '08 and '09 - topping out with high-A ball appearance - before getting hurt. According the Lansing's radio announcer, Anderson was firing his fastball in at 96-97 mph, which is significantly harder than he was throwing pre-injury. Either the injury sapped some of his ability or the radar gun was loaded. Or a bit of both. Even so, removing 2-3 mph off his heater and you still have plus fastball velo for a southpaw (90-94 mph). Anderson was also making the young hitters look silly on his curveball. It appears as though the pitching rich Jays organization might be getting richer.

Three Stars:
3. Brett Lawrie, two homers but two errors
2. John Anderson, Welcome Back!
1. Marcus Knecht, four RBI, three hits

Loaded Lumber in Las Vegas, Lansing | 18 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
Lugnut Fan - Sunday, May 22 2011 @ 09:52 PM EDT (#235312) #

I had a chance to see Anderson throw today and I was throughly impressed.  He does have a plus fastball, especially for a lefty, but I think the gun in Lansing can be deceiving at times.  I don't believe he was hitting as high as 97, but I would say he sat at 92 to 94 comfortably through his five innings of work.

I will say, I have been puzzled as to the Tampa Bay affiliates approach this season.  Egan Smith threw Friday and Anderson threw today which both pitchers are left handed.  The line up for Bowling Green in both games was stacked with left handed hitters however.  Five of the first six guys both days were left handed which I find odd, but there could be a focus in that organization on letting their LH hitters see some LH pitching.

jgadfly - Sunday, May 22 2011 @ 10:13 PM EDT (#235314) #
puzzled as to the Tampa Bay affiliates approach ...  doesn't it make great sense that they would expose their lefthanded batters to lefthanded pitching in Low A as opposed to protecting them once they reach major league level competition, especially since they have probably not faced that many good lefthanded pitching previously in their careers ... great enlightened approach by TB ... cudos
greenfrog - Sunday, May 22 2011 @ 10:18 PM EDT (#235315) #
Gose also threw out a baserunner at the plate in game 1.
Lugnut Fan - Sunday, May 22 2011 @ 10:31 PM EDT (#235316) #

Yes and no.  I agree that letting left handed hitters see left handed pitchers is important and I would understand if there were two or three in the line up.  This is a very important series in that these two teams are fighting for a playoff spot and I think playoff experience and making your guys learn how to play in must win situations are far more important.

It isn't like the LH guys BG is running out there right now are .300.  There are two that have played the last two days around .280 and it makes perfect sense for those guys to be in the line up against a left hander, but the balance are guys that are fighting to stay above .200.  I think the coaching staff has a greater obligation to get into the playoffs.  My philosophy is to get your team in the playoffs for the first half and then you can do whatever you want with the line up in the second half.  The MWL isn't like MLB.  The top two teams at the half way point qualify for the playoffs, and we are quickly approaching the half way point.

I do like that the LH pitchers are throwing to LH hitters though.  I think lefties at times throw to RH hitters so much that when you throw a LH hitter in there, it can throw them off of their game and affect the way they go about their business.

Ducey - Sunday, May 22 2011 @ 11:14 PM EDT (#235317) #
Did Anderson undergo TJ surgery?  Maybe he has the benefit of the Billy Koch result?
Marc Hulet - Sunday, May 22 2011 @ 11:20 PM EDT (#235318) #
It was Tommy John surgery.
TamRa - Monday, May 23 2011 @ 12:44 AM EDT (#235319) #
Maybe I missed it but - why hasn't Jake Marisnick played since Friday?



China fan - Monday, May 23 2011 @ 05:34 AM EDT (#235322) #
What's the story on Oliver Dominguez, age 22, promoted directly from Lansing to Las Vegas?  Is he just a temporary fill-in at Las Vegas, due to McCoy's absence or due to injuries?  Or do the Jays think he is capable of playing at AAA already?   If he's just a temporary replacement, why did they pick him, instead of someone at New Hampshire?  Is it a sign that they think highly of him?  Or is he just someone with good defensive skills who can avoid errors at 2B at Las Vegas?
China fan - Monday, May 23 2011 @ 05:43 AM EDT (#235323) #
Also, looking for slender signs of hope:  Travis Snider has hit 4 extra-base hits in his past 5 games, including 3 doubles and a home run.  In his previous 17 games, he was hitting almost exclusively singles.  So perhaps he's starting to find his slugging power again? 
Lugnut Fan - Monday, May 23 2011 @ 06:38 AM EDT (#235324) #
Not sure why Marisnick hasn't played the last two days. He is still on the active roster, and was coaching first yesterday, so it could just be a little nagging thing that they are just giving a couple days to heal.

As far as Dominguez, he is a temporary fill in. Why him and not somebody else is probably because they know he is only going to be there a few days and Lansing is the closest affiliate. It they may be transferring him some place else after this. This move isn't unheard of. I see guys moved from low A to AAA a couple times a year. They typically don't play outside of an emergency situation.
85bluejay - Monday, May 23 2011 @ 10:50 AM EDT (#235332) #

Thanks Lugnut Fan,

It's always great to get an in-person evaluation instead of just stats. - continuing the Jays good farm system year it's great if John Anderson can reach 92-94 this early back from TJ surgery and along with the promising return of Walden adds 2 more names to the mix - speaking of improvement, can you tell us anything regarding Markus Brisker season, even though he still has plate control issues he's hitting much better (Seemingly) and is another guy who may not be completely dead prospect wise.

Lugnut Fan - Monday, May 23 2011 @ 12:36 PM EDT (#235334) #
Brisker is just in the unfortuante position of being the fourth outfielder and Lansing has four outfielders right now that need every day playing time.  He has good speed and he does have some pop.  His home run yesterday was down the left field line, but he did hit it out of the ball park and into the road behind the left field screen, so it was a no doubt shot.  I think someone from the outfield is going to be moved at the mid season point and Brisker most likely will play every day in the second half.  Then maybe we will see what he can do on a daily basis.
Mylegacy - Monday, May 23 2011 @ 04:18 PM EDT (#235341) #
EVERYONE -

GET OVER to John Sickles' piece at minorleagueball.com about our new "superstar" Brett Lawrie.

As the German behind the shrub in Laugh In would say - "Very interesting!"
China fan - Monday, May 23 2011 @ 04:24 PM EDT (#235343) #
Thanks, MyLegacy, that's a great article.  Sickels witnessed the game on Sunday where Lawrie made two errors -- and he still praised Lawrie's defensive abilities, saying that Lawrie has "all the tools to be a good defensive third baseman."  From his description, one of Lawrie's official errors was actually a fine defensive play.
Gerry - Monday, May 23 2011 @ 09:45 PM EDT (#235354) #
Jake Marisnick and AJ Jimenez have both gone on the 7 day DL.
Gerry - Monday, May 23 2011 @ 10:49 PM EDT (#235359) #

Adam Loewen 4-5, 4 doubles.

Brett Lawrie 2 hits with a HR and a double.

Brett Cecil struggled through the first inning but then pitched well until he tired in the seventh.

TamRa - Tuesday, May 24 2011 @ 12:16 AM EDT (#235364) #
GET OVER to John Sickles' piece at minorleagueball.com about our new "superstar" Brett Lawrie.


I figured someone beat me to it. Re-posting here what i put on the other thread:

John Sickels takes a look at Brett Lawrie and likes what he sees:

Based on his track record, and what I saw Sunday afternoon, I am convinced that Brett Lawrie has everything needed to be a superstar. The only things that could get in the way are injuries or his own personality.

You can visit his page to read more but since we are all wondering about the D:

   My view of Lawrie's defense is this: he has more than enough range and athleticism for third base, has a quick release, and a strong enough arm. He just needs more experience.

Short version:

To summarize, I really believe in Lawrie's bat. He has the tools to be a good defensive third baseman with experience. He plays very hard on the field. You don't have to be a nice guy to be a great player. If he avoids injuries, grows up a bit and learns to channel his energy and intensity, he's going to be a monster.

Me likey!!

TamRa - Tuesday, May 24 2011 @ 03:01 AM EDT (#235367) #
Lawrie's last 10 days:

.415/.510/.927/.1.437



Also - 9 BB and 9 K in that span. He leads the PCL in total bases, he's tied for second in doubles, third in HR, first in runs and even in the top 10 in steals.

Loewen in May:

.342/.429/.726/1.155

Gose in the last 10 games:

.406/.513/.656/1.169 (6 BB/9 K)

d'Arnaud in May (12 games):

.500/.591/.750/1.341 (6 BB/4 K)

Jackson's OPS is 1.206 since he came out of his only slump (8 games)

Even after an 0/4 Brad Glenn's OPS in May 1.118

Carlos Perez might be heating up - he's 6 for his last 11 now.

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