Syracuse pisses one away, New Hampshire does the same and Auburn loses in OT. However, Dunedin and Lansing got the pitching and the W's while the boys from the Gulf Coast ended their year on a winning note, thanks in small part to a rehabbing Brandon League. Total it all up and that gives the affiliates a saw-off at 3-3.
Lansing were outhit 17-8 but still won. Syracuse too were outhit, and made nine errors in regulation, but managed to force extra innings. They finished with ten errors and the loss. New Hampshire and Auburn won big games to keep them in playoff contention, Dunedin lost two but still lead their division.
The minor league season has eight games to go, a little more for Auburn, just one game for the GCL Jays. If the season ended today four Jays affiliates would be in the playoffs. The Midwest league has the most generous allocation of playoff spots, eight in total, and Lansing are in the playoffs. Dunedin and Auburn lead their divisions by 2 and 5 games respectively. New Hampshire are one game up in the hunt for a playoff berth.
Toronto’s affiliates played not one, but two, double-headers last night to give fans an eight-game menu to appease their palate. The teams split both twin billings and Toronto’s other four affiliates went 3-1 on the evening. The multitude of games means there were many outstanding performers yesterday, from Triple-A players hoping to make it back to the big leagues to high-round GCL prospects.
The number 10 was a key theme in last night's action. Among the highlights were a no-hit bid, an overtime thriller and a long losing streak finally coming to an end as the affiliates went 4-0 on the night. Lansing and Auburn were washed out.
Three wins and two losses as New Hampshire score fifteen runs, not that Ricky Romero needed them. Dunedin and Auburn each earned ninth inning wins. Syracuse futility streak has reached ten games.
The minor league season has just over two weeks to go, a little more for Auburn, a little less for the GCL Jays. If the season ended today three Jays affiliates would be in the playoffs. Dunedin and Auburn lead their divisions by 2 and 3 games respectively. The Midwest league has the most generous allocation of playoff spots, eight in total, and Lansing are looking good to be one of them. New Hampshire are two games out of a playoff berth. Syracuse and the GCL Jays have no hope of a playoff spot.
Toronto’s highest and lowest level affiliates lost, but the four teams in between all won Friday night. On a night of no jaw-dropping performances or outstanding pitching lines it was a mixture of solid and well-timed hits and strong relief pitching that were the main factors in many of the victories.