The six North American based teams gave up fifty six runs in seven games. The only team to win was Las Vegas who could out muscle their opponent. Bright spots were a 17 year old pitcher in the DSL who pitched five hitless innings; Jesse Carlson pitched well; Brian Jeroloman hit a home run; Ryan Goins got some hits; Carlos Perez hit a home run; Jake Marisnick got another couple of hits.
The highlights were Las Vegas' plate discipline, a Dunedin shutout and an Auburn explosion with the bats. The low lights were an extra innings loss and a doubleheader sweep.
Great pitching and productive hitting won the evening for New Hampshire. Ditto for Lansing. Not Ditto for the other outfits on the farm.
Both Las Vegas and New Hampshire had bat-around innings, both teams scored in double figures, both teams won. Dunedin rode good pitching from Chuck Huggins and a strong game by Yan Gomes to win. Lansing had to come from behind to get a walk off win, Sean Ochinko and Kevin Nolan led the way with the bats. Auburn lost another tough game. The GCL Jays won thanks to Canadians Nick Purdy and Michael Crouse.
The affiliates evidently could not stomach the loss of compadre Brett Wallace, as no one without a "League" in their name could muster a W. Apologies for brevity, but some of us have to get away for the Simcoe Long Weekend. Woooo!
Whew, it was not pretty. Despite the farm clubs only scoring 7 runs in 6 games, New Hampshire, Dunedin and GCL Blue Jays managed to put wins on the board.
Two players involved one way or the other in the Roy Halladay deal had nice nights to highlight a 2-4 night on the farm.
Overall the farm was not bad on Saturday. 2 losses and 5 wins with an outstanding day by third baseman Mark Sobolewski – 5 for 7, 2 doubles, two home runs and 7 RBIs. The long ball blessed the 51s with Arencibia and Wallace each belting one, and producing 6 RBIs.
Pitching was the name of the game Friday, the Jays pitchers had a one hitter, a two hitter and a three hitter as the affiliates recorded four wins in five games. Four Lansing pitchers combined on a one hitter. Lansing themselves had only four hits but two of them were round trippers. The GCL Jays had three pitchers combine on a two hitter. The Jays had only five hits but one of them was a three run home run by Michael Crouse. Three Fisher Cat hurlers combined on a three hitter and the hitters took it from there. Auburn won a slug fest while Las Vegas lost despite a big night from Brett Wallace.
Dunedin and the DSL Jays were rained out.