The Toronto affiliates received some outstanding pitching performances on Sunday, helping the clubs combine for a 4-0 record on the day and just five runs allowed - including two shutouts.
Las Vegas 5 Tacoma 2
Scotty Richmond did what so few pitchers can do in the PCL... He pitched well. The veteran right-hander struck out nine batters in 6.2 innings of work and allowed just three hits and two walks. Two runs scored on his watch. The bullpen trio of Andrew Carpenter, Ryota Igarashi and Chad Beck held Seattle's triple-A squad scoreless for the remainder of the game. On offense, Danny Perales - filling in for Travis Snider - had two hits and scored two runs. Yan Gomes went 1-for-3 with a double and just his third walk in 19 games (second in as many nights). Adeiny Hechavarria went 1-for-4 with a double, two strikeouts and two stolen bases. Moises Sierra was 0-for-4 with two Ks and Anthony Gose whiffed three times while going 0-for-4.
New Hampshire 4 Trenton 3
The Fisher Cats scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth to take the win. They loaded the bases with none out and A.J. Jimenez singled home the tying run followed by London's own Brad McElroy (who had come on earlier in the game as a pinch runner) singling home the winning run. Jimenez finished the game with two hits, including a homer, and 2 RBI. Ryan Goins was 1-for-3 with a solo homer, a walk and a K. Mike McDade was 1-for-3 with a walk. On the mound Chad Jenkins pitched just well enough to keep the club in the game. He allowed three runs in 6.0 innings of work while walking three and striking out just two. Clint Everts worked the final three (scoreless) frames for the win.
Dunedin 3 Tampa 0
The baby Jays' pitching staff allowed just three hits. Asher Wojciechowski received the start and worked two scoreless innings before leaving after taking a line drive off his wrist. It actually happened during the first batter of the second inning and he finished the frame by striking out the next two guys and was taken out as a precaution. Egan Smith, formerly a starter, picked him up and went five scoreless innings.Scott Gracey and Danny Barnes also pitched. At the plate the surprising Jake Murphy hit his third home run of the year. Oliver Dominguez and Kevin Nolan each had two hits. Jake Marisnick and Marcus Knecht each went hitless.
Lansing 4 Clinton 0
Once again the Justin Nicolino/Aaron Sanchez two-headed monster proved too much for the Lugnuts' opponents. Each pitcher worked three scoreless innings. The southpaw allowed two hits and one walk while striking out four. The right-hander gave up just one hit and no walks while striking out four and inducing six ground-ball outs (with none in the air). Tyler Ybarra went 2.1 innings with a hit, two walks and three Ks. Ajay Meyer finished out the game. At the plate Kevin Patterson went 2-for-2 with a home run and 2 RBI. Andrew Burns and Kellen Sweeney each went 1-for-3 with a double. Kevin Pillar and K.C. Hobson each whiffed twice.
The Three Stars:
3. Brad McElroy, game-winning, come-from-behind single in the ninth inning
2. Justin Nicolino/Aaron Sanchez, 6.0 scoreless innings
1. Egan Smith, 5.0 shutout innings
Las Vegas 5 Tacoma 2
Scotty Richmond did what so few pitchers can do in the PCL... He pitched well. The veteran right-hander struck out nine batters in 6.2 innings of work and allowed just three hits and two walks. Two runs scored on his watch. The bullpen trio of Andrew Carpenter, Ryota Igarashi and Chad Beck held Seattle's triple-A squad scoreless for the remainder of the game. On offense, Danny Perales - filling in for Travis Snider - had two hits and scored two runs. Yan Gomes went 1-for-3 with a double and just his third walk in 19 games (second in as many nights). Adeiny Hechavarria went 1-for-4 with a double, two strikeouts and two stolen bases. Moises Sierra was 0-for-4 with two Ks and Anthony Gose whiffed three times while going 0-for-4.
New Hampshire 4 Trenton 3
The Fisher Cats scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth to take the win. They loaded the bases with none out and A.J. Jimenez singled home the tying run followed by London's own Brad McElroy (who had come on earlier in the game as a pinch runner) singling home the winning run. Jimenez finished the game with two hits, including a homer, and 2 RBI. Ryan Goins was 1-for-3 with a solo homer, a walk and a K. Mike McDade was 1-for-3 with a walk. On the mound Chad Jenkins pitched just well enough to keep the club in the game. He allowed three runs in 6.0 innings of work while walking three and striking out just two. Clint Everts worked the final three (scoreless) frames for the win.
Dunedin 3 Tampa 0
The baby Jays' pitching staff allowed just three hits. Asher Wojciechowski received the start and worked two scoreless innings before leaving after taking a line drive off his wrist. It actually happened during the first batter of the second inning and he finished the frame by striking out the next two guys and was taken out as a precaution. Egan Smith, formerly a starter, picked him up and went five scoreless innings.Scott Gracey and Danny Barnes also pitched. At the plate the surprising Jake Murphy hit his third home run of the year. Oliver Dominguez and Kevin Nolan each had two hits. Jake Marisnick and Marcus Knecht each went hitless.
Lansing 4 Clinton 0
Once again the Justin Nicolino/Aaron Sanchez two-headed monster proved too much for the Lugnuts' opponents. Each pitcher worked three scoreless innings. The southpaw allowed two hits and one walk while striking out four. The right-hander gave up just one hit and no walks while striking out four and inducing six ground-ball outs (with none in the air). Tyler Ybarra went 2.1 innings with a hit, two walks and three Ks. Ajay Meyer finished out the game. At the plate Kevin Patterson went 2-for-2 with a home run and 2 RBI. Andrew Burns and Kellen Sweeney each went 1-for-3 with a double. Kevin Pillar and K.C. Hobson each whiffed twice.
The Three Stars:
3. Brad McElroy, game-winning, come-from-behind single in the ninth inning
2. Justin Nicolino/Aaron Sanchez, 6.0 scoreless innings
1. Egan Smith, 5.0 shutout innings
