Taking a note from the book of the parent organization, every affiliate but Peoria lost today, from Tacoma, straight down to the Dominican. Seven losses total, and if this losing streak only gets that far, I’ll consider it a good thing. Coincidentally, I’m listening to Loser by Beck right now, but I’ll be watching Thornton’s start tomorrow anyway.

Fresno 5 (SF), Tacoma 2
RHP Gustavo Martinez (4.56, E, L) was mostly victimized by his own shoddy defense, giving up two unearned runs in the first with five runs overall on eight hits, three hit batters (actually, the same batter hit three times), a walk, and three strikeouts in seven innings. The repeatedly hit batter eventually got Martinez and bench coach Terry Pollreisz ejected. Dan Rohn, the regular manager, was ejected earlier for arguing with the umpire over Zapp being called out on a check swing. LHP Tim Christman (5.02) went the final two innings and had a walk, a wild pitch, and two punchouts. On offense, LF Greg Jacobs (.240) and C Brian Moon (2B, .333) both had two hits, while 2B Luis Ugueto (2B, R, .264) and SS Ramon Santiago (2B, R, RBI, .174) had doubles while batting one-two in the order. RHP Clint Nageotte tomorrow!

El Paso 3 (ARI), San Antonio 2
I’ll give RHP Juan Done (5.42, L) some credit for keeping it scoreless through eight and two-thirds, but he gave up a three-run bomb instead of getting an out in the end. Over the course of the game, he gave up seven hits, hit a batter, walked another, and struck out four. RHP Aaron Taylor (3.27) got the final out for the Missions. Similarly, I think I’d do better to just cover the ninth-inning attempted comeback by the offense. DH John Lindsey (R, .289) walked to lead it off, then advanced on a wild pitch before 1B Ryan Christianson (.252) struck out swinging. SS Michael Morse (R, .208) singled through the right side, then CF T.J. Bohn (3B, RBI, .353) punched one through the left, moving Morse to third and scoring Lindsey. C Luis Oliveros (.232) grounded out to second, then Bohn advanced to second and Morse scored on a wild pitch to 2B Eddie Menchaca (..209), who would strike out swinging to end the game. LHP Phil Devey tomorrow.

Lancaster 10 (ARI), Inland Empire 8
LHP Bobby Livingston (3.51, E) had another below-average start, going six and a third innings and giving up four earned runs on nine hits and two walks with six strikeouts. RHP Darwin Soto (3.68) followed and had more trouble with his defense, giving up four unearned runs and losing the game because of it, with three hits, three walks, and a strikeout in two and a third innings. LHP Miguel Martinez (6.21) gave up a hit, and then struck out a batter for the final out of the game. 3B Jesus Guzman (2 2B, 3 R, .311/.399/.450) and DH Matt Rogelstad (3B, 2 RBI, .247) both had three hits on the night. Guzman has heated up again of late, and is now twelfth on the batting average list, though it’s more like eighth after all the recent player movements, and is thirteenth (eleventh) in doubles. Garciaparra and Gonzalez collectively went 0-8 (Gonzo had two walks) and made four errors. RHP Tanner Watson tomorrow.

Wisconsin 4, Cedar Rapids 9 (ANA)
So maybe it was just one error that did most of the damage, but LHP Jason Mackintosh (3.63, L) did give up four earned runs on seven hits (3 HR!!) and a walk with one strikeout in just an inning and two-thirds. RHP Kenly Chang (4.63) went the next four and a third innings and was pretty solid, giving up only one run on a home run and striking out another batter. Of course, that was a three-run home run to score two of Mackintosh’s runners in the second inning, when most of the damage happened. RHP Ruben Castillo (12.27) went the final two innings and gave up two hits while striking out one. The offense had an okay showing, scoring a run in each of the first four innings. 2B Nick Orlandos (.386) and C Chris Collins (R, .247) both had three hits, none of which did much, but LF Michael Nesbit (2B, 2 R, .315) and 1B Bryan Lahair (2 2B, .304) compensated by getting a little more distance on their two hits apiece. SS Adam Jones (2 RBI, .260) also drove in two. RHP Nibaldo Acosta tomorrow.

Everett 4, Tri City 5 (COL)
LHP Kendall Bergdall (3.70) would have been great if not for the errors behind him, going six innings and giving up only an earned run on three hits, a hit batter, and three walks against a couple of strikeouts. RHP Mumba Rivera (1.59, L) would go the final two innings, giving up the winning run on a solo shot and striking out a batter. Rivera’s still looking pretty good overall, and will only get better. No multiple hits tonight, but there were some decent performances by 2B Asdrubal Cabrera (2B, 2 R, RBI, .364), DH Thomas Hubbard (SB, 2 RBI, .260), and LF Trevor Heid (2B, E, .244). RHP Ivan Blanco tomorrow…

Peoria Mariners 10, Arizona Royals 8
I have no idea who started today, but whoever Shyoen (4.50) is, I’m fairly impressed, as he went four innings, gave up two runs on five hits and a walk, and struck out eight, which is pretty impressive for a debut. RHP Roman Martinez (14.85, W) went the next two innings and gave up two earned on four hits with two strikeouts. LHP Michael Ciccotelli (10.50) went the next innings, giving up a run on two hits with a strikeout, before passing the ball to RHP Eric Carter (1.04), who went two innings and gave up two unearned on two hits and a walk against three strikeouts. On offense, RF Reynaldo Cruz (2B, 2 R, 3 RBI, .344) was four-for-five and may have finally found his bat. The same could be said for SS Jeffery Dominguez (2 RBI, .244), who had three hits. Also notable was DH Jaime Bubela (2B, R, .375), who had two hits and should be ready soon, and 1B Luis Soto (2B, 2 R, RBI, .333) who had another double. RHP Oliver Arias tomorrow.

Universidad 13 (FLA/SD), Aguirre 8
RHP Jorge Acosta (5.40) continued his string of sub-performances by allowing four runs in five innings on eight hits with four strikeouts. RHP Alfredo Venega (3.16) went the next couple of innings, giving up three runs on three hits and a hit batter with a couple of strikeouts. RHP Diomny Gaetano (4.34, L) got the loss and gave up five earned runs (and two inherited runners from Venega) on six hits, a hit batter, and a walk with three strikeouts. Then again, I suppose it’s only natural, since he’s being used as both a starter and a closer right now. In an odd note, the Aguirre pitchers gave up three triples to the same batter in this game. With the bats, LF Dwight Britton (HR, 2 R, SB, .234) had three hits, but everyone else was one-for or oh-for, though CF Edzul Robles (2B, R, RBI, .216), 3B/2B Luis Valbuena (2 R, SB, .387), RF Jose Graterol (2B, R, 2 RBI, SB, .355), and 2B/3B Humberto Espinoza (3 RBI, CS, .234) had some fairly notable contributions.

In the Dominican, near as I can figure, RHP Carlos Colon got the loss, but he now has as many strikeouts as Eddy Fernandez in an inning and a third less, though Fernandez is the superior prospect due to his younger age.

Tacoma Rainiers: 48-37, .565, 1st in PCL North
San Antonio Missions: 41-45, (11-5, 2nd half) .477 (.688), 1st in TL West
Inland Empire 66ers: 47-38 (8-7), .553 (.533), 2.5 GB CAL South
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers: 36-48 (5-10), .429 (.333), 5.5 GB in MWL Western
Everett Aquasox: 14-8, .636, 1st in NWL West
Peoria Mariners: 10-5, .643, 1st in AZL
Seattle Mariners (VSL Aguirre): 22-20-1, .523 3.5 GB in VSL Valencia
Seattle Mariners (DSL Santo Domingo): 20-6, .769, 1st in Santo Domingo Norte
Organizational Record: 238-207-1, .535 |

posted by Jay Y. @ 1:07 AM

  This recap contains notes from game on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively.

Tacoma 5, Salt Lake 4 (ANA)
RHP Gil Meche (3.73) is still getting there, going six and two-thirds innings last night and giving up three earned runs on eight hits (HR) and four walks as he struck out seven. RHP Scott Atchison (3.86) got the final out of that inning, before giving way to LHP Randy Williams (3.21, W), who had a strikeout in his inning of work. LHP George Sherrill (2.37, S) would pick up his thirteenth save with an uneventful ninth. On offense, CF Jeremy Reed (R, .357) was off and hitting again, going three-for-four with a walk. Three others, RF Elpidio Guzman (RBI, .294), LF Raul Ibanez (R, RBI, .235), and 3B Greg Dobbs (3B, R, .338), had two hits each. DH Bucky Jacobsen (2B, R, RBI, .321) also added a double. 1B A.J. Zapp (RBI, .304) also drove in the winning run in the ninth on a bases-loaded walk.

Fresno 7 (SF), Tacoma 4
LHP Bobby Madritsch (3.92, L) isn’t quite working his way onto the list of possible call-ups just yet. He went three and two-thirds of an inning tonight, giving up four earned on nine hits and two walks with three punchouts. RHP Scott Atchison (3.94) went the next three and a third innings, giving up two runs of his own on eight hits with three strikeouts but, despite all those hits, he didn’t score any of the inherited runners from Madritsch. RHP Jared Hoerman (5.65) went an inning and gave up a walk and strikeout before RHP Andy Shibilo (9.58) took over in the ninth, gave up a hit, and struck out the side. If you think Shibilo’s performance was a little odd, then I might add that SS Ramon Santiago (R, .172) was two-for-two with a walk. There were also some more typical shows power from CF Jeremy Reed (2B, R, .344) and DH Bucky Jacobsen (HR, .323), who also walked twice, but also another odd note in the homer by C Jim Horner (HR, .171). RHP Gustavo Martinez tomorrow.

El Paso 2 (ARI), San Antonio 4
In last night’s game, RHP Rich Dorman (4.19, W) started and had one of his more brilliant outings, going seven innings, giving up two runs on seven hits and a walk, and striking out ten. RHP Renee Cortez (6.12) followed for a couple of outs, then LHP Tim Rall (3.92) got the final out of the eighth on a strikeout. RHP Rick Guttormson (3.98, S) closed it out and had a strikeout in the ninth. Just enough offense, apparently, as LF Dustin Delucchi (2B, R, .308) and 1B John Lindsey (2B, R, 2 RBI, .289) had the only two extra-base hits out of just four hits total. Of course, there were also five walks and hit batter mixed in there.

El Paso 0 (ARI), San Antonio 1
RHP Chris Buglovsky (2.71) is up to his old tricks again, going seven innings tonight and giving up five hits and three walks while striking out four. LHP Jared Thomas (1.17, W) worked the next inning and a third, getting a walk and strikeout, before passing the ball to RHP Rick Guttormson (3.92, S), who got a strikeout during the final two outs of the game. DH John Lindsey (2B, .292) got two hits on the night and LF Dustin Delucchi (2B, .307) provided the other extra-base knock, but it was CF T.J. Bohn (RBI, .323) who drove in the only run on a bases-loaded walk in the eighth. Bohn went 1-2 with two walks on the night. RHP Juan Done tomorrow.

Lake Elsinore 3 (SD), Inland Empire 5
RHP Juan Sandoval (4.24, W) had one of his better outings, going eight innings and giving up just a run on five hits (HR), a hit batter, and a walk with six strikeouts. RHP Mike Steele (9.00), who I still don’t think was quite ready to come back, went the final inning and gave up two runs on two hits and two walks. DH Josh Ellison (2B, R, 2 RBI, .625) led the offense with a three-for-three night, while SS Juan Gonzalez (R, RBI, .294) and C Rene Rivera (R, .264) were both two-for-four. 3B Jesus Guzman (2B, 2 RBI, .306) had the only other extra-base hit for the Sixers, but he made it count, as that two-run double was the difference in the game after the ninth-inning debacle.

Lancaster 4 (ARI), Inland Empire 6
RHP T.A. Fulmer (5.48) went six innings and gave up four runs on seven hits, a wild pitch, and two walks against seven strikeouts, not exactly good, but bearable. LHP Melvin Pizarro (3.38, S) got the three-inning save, though it would have been a save with just one, giving up a hit and a walk and ringing up two. Everyone in the lineup had at least one hit, RF Carlos Arroyo (R, 2 SB, .343) getting two. In terms of power, there was a cycle and then some between CF Gary Harris (2B, RBI, .266), LF Jon Nelson (HR, .296), C Rene Rivera (3B, R, RBI, .265), and 1B Matt Hagen (2B, R, SB, .212). You wouldn’t think that Hagen and Arroyo would have the same number of stolen bases (six), but they do. LHP Bobby Livingston tomorrow.

Wisconsin 2, Kane County 3 (OAK) (ten innings)
Take out the control issues and RHP Brandon Moorhead (3.86) did pretty well, going six innings and allowing a run on two hits, a hit batter, and six walks as he struck out seven. RHP Austin Bilke (6.75) gets the same assessment, as he went an inning and two-thirds, gave up a hit, hit a batter, and walked two while striking out one. LHP Casey Abrams (10.22) came in and allowed a runner to reach on an error by Jones, then they passed the ball to RHP Bryan Stitt (4.64, L), which hasn’t been the best idea of late as he went an inning and two-thirds before giving up two runs to lose the game on three hits overall, striking out two in the process. Offense really wasn’t doing much, and the only thing of note was 2B Michael Cox (HR, .243) giving the T-Rats a temporary lead in the tenth.

Wisconsin 2, Cedar Rapids 5 (ANA)
LHP Thom Oldham (3.01, 2 E, L) was partially victimized by his own defense, going six and two-thirds innings overall and giving up two earned on seven hits (HR) and two walks with six strikeouts. RHP Brad Rose (14.63) didn’t fare so well either, going two-thirds and giving up a hit and a walk, both of which would score under the watch of RHP Mike Hrynio (4.21), who gave up a hit and a walk while striking out two for his only outs. Basically, the offense tonight was RF Chris Colton (3B, R, RBI, .245), who had three hits in the losing effort. LHP Jason Mackintosh tomorrow.

Everett 16, Tri City 4 (COL)
Northwest League hitters, beware of LHP Shawn Nottingham (0.36, W). Nottingham went six innings last night giving up only three hits and three walks while striking out seven. RHP Mumba Rivera (0.96) had an uneventful seventh, before LHP Vance Hall (8.49, E) went the next two innings, giving up three earned runs on five hits, a plunked batter, and two walks with only one strikeout. Of course, by that time, the offense had already put the game far out of reach. 3B Brent Johnson (2B, 4 R, E, .316) and C Omar Falcon (2B, 3 R, RBI, .280) both had three hits, while LF Casey Craig (3B, R, 2 RBI, E, .260), 1B Brain Schweiger (RBI, .500), RF Thomas Hubbard (2B, R, 2 RBI, .250), 2B Yung-Chi Chen (2 2B, 2 R, RBI, SB, .346), and CF Mike Wilson (2B, 2 R, RBI, .299) all had two hits.

Everett 2, Tri City 6 (COL)
RHP Aaron Jensen (2.92, L) didn’t pitch too well tonight, going four innings and giving up an earned run on five hits (HR), two hit batters, and two walks, though the six strikeouts were promising. RHP Cibney Bello (8.31) followed with two and a third innings of work where he gave up two runs on two hits, a hit batter, and a walk. LHP Brandon Perry (4.35) doesn’t seem to be faring much better in Everett, as he gave up one of Bello’s runs and two of his own on three hits and a walk against two punchouts in the final inning and two-thirds. DH Brandon Green (SB, CS, .311) had three hits on the night, SS Oswaldo Navarro (2B, R, .262) and CF Mike Wilson (2B, RBI, 2 SB, .314) had two hits, and that was pretty much the extent of the offense. LHP Kendall Berdall tomorrow.

Pheonix Athletics 4, Peoria Mariners 8
Thanks to reader Paul Covert for showing me where I could find the archived box score. RHP Cha Seung Baek (1.29), in his second rehab start (I was right last time when they had been listing him as Back), went four innings and gave up an earned run on three hits and a wild pitch with two strikeouts. Tacoma’s going to need him back soon, but I think it’s possible that he’ll get one or two more rehab starts before getting called up again. LHP Julio Santiago (1.80, W) went the next four innings and gave up his first runs of the season, two of them, after three hits, a hit batter, and a walk against a couple of strikeouts. LHP Adam Brandt (0.00) made his system debut after starting out (and not being used in) Everett, going an inning and striking out one. Few offensive forces in the league have compared to what C Danny Santin (2B, 2 R, RBI, SB, .484/.529/.806) had been doing, getting another three hits last night. Also making notable contributions were the one-for performances of LF Jaime Bubela (2B, R, .359) and DH Jeff Flaig (2B, 3 R, SB, .208). The only guys on the team without hits on the night were 3B Pedro Ozoria (E, .238), RF Reynaldo Cruz (.222), who had a walk, and 1B Rayon Lampe (R, .308), who had two walks.

Mesa Cubs 14, Peoria Mariners 9
In his first Rookie League start, RHP Jon Lockwood (15.00) got absolutely hammered, giving up nine runs on eight hits, a hit batter, a wild pitch, and two walks in just three innings. RHP Tyrone Lamont (5.73) went the next two innings and gave up a couple of runs without even being hit, though he did hit a batter, throw two wild pitches, and walk two while striking out one. RHP Donald Clement (2.45) pitched the next two innings, giving up a run on three hits and a wild pitch with a couple of strikeouts, then RHP Terry Forbes (0.00) did his thing in the eighth with a hit and a walk, but still no runs. RHP Tim Dorn (7.36) pitched the ninth and gave up a couple of runs on a hit, two hit batters, two wild pitches, and a walk against two strikeouts. On the more positive end of things, RF David Hall (2 RBI, SB, .316) had three hits, and 3B Pedro Ozoria (2B, HR, 3 R, .267), LF Jaime Bubela (HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, .272), and 1B Luis Soto (2B, 2 R, RBI, .500), having been sent down from Everett, all had two hits each. Other things of note included 2B Rayon Lampe (HR, .300) hitting a solo home run and CF Jermaine Brock (R, .379) being pulled after one at bat, probably due to being hit, and was replaced by PH/CF John-Austin Emmons (.273), who went 1-3.

Aguirre 1, Ciudad Alianza 3 (BOS)
RHP Edgar Guaramato (2.97, L) started what I believe to be a rain-shortened game, going six innings and giving up three runs on five hits and a walk with three strikeouts. On offense, the only thing really of note was DH Juan Fuentes (.327) going two-for-four. Other than there, there wasn’t any extra-base hits or anything.

In the latest DSL news, the Santo Domingo Mariners have lost two straight, which is highly unusual. Batting average standings still have Ronald Garth (.347) at the top, and third in hits with twenty-six, with Manelik Pimentel (.315) at six and Leury Bonilla (.298) and Jairo Hernandez (.284) representing nine and ten. Garth and Pimentel are also second and fourth in runs with seventeen and sixteen. Leury Bonilla and Donato Ruiz have similar arrangement in RBIs, only with fifteen and fourteen. Bonilla is also second in stolen bases with twelve. Eddy Fernandez (0.95) has moved up to second on the ERA list, and is tied for third in strikeouts with thirty-three. Fernandez is also tied for the league lead in wins with four.

Tacoma Rainiers: 48-36, .571, 1st in PCL North
San Antonio Missions: 41-44, (11-4, 2nd half) .482 (.733), 1st in TL West
Inland Empire 66ers: 47-37 (8-6), .560 (.571), 2 GB CAL South
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers: 36-47 (5-9), .434 (.357), 4.5 GB in MWL Western
Everett Aquasox: 14-7, .667, 1st in NWL West
Peoria Mariners: 9-5, .643, T-1st in AZL
Seattle Mariners (VSL Aguirre): 22-19-1, .549 3 GB in VSL Valencia
Seattle Mariners (DSL Santo Domingo): 20-5, .800, 1st in Santo Domingo Norte
Organizational Record: 237-200-1, .542 |

posted by Jay Y. @ 1:54 AM

 

News around the minors...

My player of the month article is now up at ITP. Congratulations to Jacobsen, Balentien, Blackley, Hernandez, and Oldham, with honorable mentions abound.

Also, John Sickels answered some questions about Jose Lopez in his recent mailbag...

Dan asks: Hi John, I was wondering what you thought about Mariners SS/3B/2B prospect Jose Lopez. He's having a good year in AAA Tacoma and is only 20. Surely he is one of the best middle infield prospects in baseball?

Lopez was having a fine season at Triple-A Tacoma, hitting .279/.331/.502 through 59 games, with 11 homers. Unfortunately, he sprained his left knee a couple of weeks ago, and may be out until mid August. Fortunately, surgery was not required, so his long-term potential should remain undiminished.

Lopez doesn't turn 21 until November, so he's quite young for Triple-A. Although he hit just .258 last year in the Texas League, he hit 13 homers and was just 19 years old. The point here is that he's been very young for his leagues, and age-relative-to-league is a crucial factor in prospect analysis.

From Venezuela, Lopez is rated as an excellent defensive infielder, with plus range, a strong arm, and quick hands. He needs time to develop consistency, and it would help if the Mariners would settle on a position for him. He's spent time at second, third, and short this year. At the plate, he has line drive power and has good pop for a thin 6-2, 170 pound guy. He makes contact, but could use better plate discipline, though he isn't a completely helpless with the strike zone. He runs well, but may not be a big stealer in the long run.

I love Lopez's long-term potential, but it's unclear whether he'll develop into Edgar Renteria or Deivi Cruz. Either path is possible.

Please, please be Renteria....

Speaking of which, Wait 'Til Next Year has a midseason top 40 prospects ranking up...

4. Felix Hernandez- Seattle Mariners- SP

King Felix made great impressions in a brief stint as a 17-year-old last season, and nothing has changed this year. Seattle thought moving Hernandez to high-A would be a challenge, similar to what Bill Bavasi had done with players like Greg Miller in Los Angeles, but Hernandez was more than enough for California League hitters. Hernandez struck out 114 batters in just 92 innings, while only allowing 85 hits, five home runs and 26 walks. His first start in the Texas League was impressive, but the Mariners might think about shutting Hernandez down the closer he gets to 150 innings. Waiting until mid-2005 for his debut would be a smart move.

24. Jeremy Reed- Seattle Mariners- OF

The aforementioned Reed has slowed down this year, and the fact that scouts have yet to buy into the sabermatrician’s dream led to Reed’s trade from the Chicago White Sox organization. Mariner bloggers have been more than pleased to land Reed, who has 38 walks against 34 strikeouts so far this year. Reed’s contact skills have diminished a bit this year, though I look for his average to pick up a bit in the Pacific Coast League. Reed’s power numbers have increased this year, giving more hope that he’ll be able to have the numbers that corner outfielders should have. Next year Seattle will put Raul Ibanez at first base, and Reed will have every opportunity in the world to take over in left field.

25. Travis Blackley- Seattle Mariners- SP

The back-to-back Mariners may be the most advanced players on this list, seeing as though Reed’s eye is as disciplined as they come, and Blackley is more than ready for the Major Leagues. So ready, in fact, that he was moved up to the Majors this week, beating out the July 1 deadline that I set when making this list. Blackley should be up in Seattle for the rest of the year, and while his K/9 and K/BB numbers aren’t the greatest, his pitchability and curveball are both great attributes. To get back in their rightful spot on top of the AL West, Bill Bavasi is going to have to start from the beginning. They’re off to a good start.

Good start indeed. |

posted by Jay Y. @ 1:45 PM

  Tacoma 5, Salt Lake 8 (ANA)
I suppose this shouldn’t come as a surprise, considering LHP Craig Anderson (6.11, L) has a 0-7 record. He went five innings tonight and gave up four earned on nine hits (HR) and a wild pitch with one strikeout. RHP Jeff Harris (5.71) went the next three innings and gave up two runs on three hits (HR), a hit batter, and two strikeouts. RF Elpidio Guzman (R, RBI, SB, .290) led the team with three hits on the night, but more interesting was 1B Bucky Jacobsen (HR, 3 RBI, E, .324) hitting another home run and walking twice. 2B Mickey Lopez (2B, E, .274) also had an extra-base hit. DH Raul Ibanez (.167) was 1-4. RHP Gil Meche tomorrow.

El Paso 4 (ARI), San Antonio 5 (ten innings)
In his second Double-A start, RHP Felix Hernandez (2.08, 2 E) went seven innings and gave up two earned runs on four hits (HR), a wild pitch, and two walks with only four strikeouts. RHP Aaron Taylor (3.38) went the next inning and two-thirds, giving up a hit and striking out two, before LHP Jared Thomas (1.25, W) came in for the next inning and a third, allowing two hits and striking out one. The star of the offense was 1B Hunter Brown (2 2B, R, 3 RBI, SB, 2 E, .292), who had three hits and drove in the walk-off run on a sacrifice fly. LF Dustin Delucchi (R, SB, .309) and RF Shin-Soo Choo (R, .294) had two hits each, while DH John Lindsey (2B, RBI, .289) and 3B Rob Gandolfo (2B, E, .223) provided some power to the offense. RHP Rich Dorman tomorrow.

Lake Elsinore 5 (SD), Inland Empire 1
LHP Ryan Rowland-Smith (3.59, L) started this one and went six innings, giving up three runs on six hits and four walks with seven punchouts. LHP Miguel Martinez (6.27) followed for two innings and gave up two runs on four hits while striking out three. RHP David Viane (3.51) finished the game with a non-descript ninth. Not much to speak of, when the offense is two-hit. LF Jon Nelson (R, SB, .301) and DH Matt Rogelstad (RBI, .239) provided those. RHP Juan Sandoval tomorrow.

Wisconsin 7, Kane County 8 (OAK)
LHP Ryan Feierabend (3.28) didn’t get much help from his defense tonight, as only one of the four runs he gave up was earned. He went five and two-thirds innings, giving up six hits and four walks against four strikeouts. RHP Mike Hrynio (4.29) stepped in after that and struggled a bit, giving up two runs on two hits (HR), a balk, and two walks with one strikeout. RHP Kenly Chang (4.91) had similar success in the bottom of the eighth when he gave up a run on two hits and a walk with a strikeout counting for his only out. RHP Brad Rose (13.50, L) bailed him out of trouble for the rest of the inning, but couldn’t help himself out in the ninth, allowing the walk-off run on three hits in his inning and a third. Rose also struck out two. The offense kept this one close until the bitter end; it’s just a shame about all the errors. 1B Bryan Lahair (2B 2 R, CS, .333) and CF Michael Nesbitt (R, RBI, .338) both had three hits, while 2B Nick Orlandos (SB, CS, .400), C Chris Collins (2 2B, R, 2 RBI, .237), and LF Wladimir Balentien (R, .283) had two. RHP Michael Moorhead tomorrow, or maybe an early return of LHP Thom Oldham.

Vancouver 12 (OAK), Everett 3
The pitching performance of RHP Ruben Flores (5.30, L) tonight was nothing short of horrible. In just an inning and two-thirds, Flores gave up eight runs on eight hits and two walks. RHP Chad Fillinger (5.79) got the ball after that and gave up a run on four hits (HR), two wild pitches, and a walk with five strikeouts over the course of three and a third innings. RHP Phil Cullen (2.89) pitched the final four frames, giving up an earned run on three hits (HR), a wild pitch, and two walks against three strikeouts. Not much to say in terms of the offense; C Brian Schweiger (2B, R, .429) doubled and scored in his only at bat, and SS Asdrubal Cabrera (.373) and PR/1B Luis Soto (2 RBI, E, .259) were both 1-2, the latter replacing the former in the lineup for reasons that aren’t immediately apparent (Soto replaced Cabrera at first after the next batter flew out). Overall, it was the six errors by the defense that did the Sox in. In addition to Soto, Chen made two errors, and Green, Cruz, and Heid made one each. For the most part, it was a horrible night for defense throughout the system. LHP Shawn Nottingham tomorrow!

Aguirre 6, San Joaquin 0 (PIT)
LHP Hugo Castro (1.64, W) had a terrific start, going six innings and giving up just three hits, a wild pitch, and a walk while striking out nine. Castro’s a little old for the league, but he may pitch his way into the low minors next year anyway. RHP Alejandro Gutierrez (2.76) went the next two innings and had two walks and two strikeouts, before RHP Kelvin Alarcon (2.84) took over in the ninth, striking out a batter. Today, the offense was lead by DH Juan Fuentes (2B, 2 R, 2 RBI, .314), who had four hits and has really heated up since returning. RF Jose Graterol (R, RBI, 2 SB, CS, .360) was the only one with three hits, but CF Edzul Robles (R, .210) and C Jair Fernandez (2B, R, .305) had two each. It’s been hard to put Fuentes at catcher with Fernandez swinging the bat so well. PH/LF/2B Terry Serrano (SB, .333) also had a hit in his only at-bat. Just because it doesn’t feel like an Aguirre recap without mentioning him, 2B/C Luis Valbuena (RBI, .396) was 1-3 with a walk and a sacrifice, and yes, he did catch the bottom of the ninth. I’m beginning to wonder if there’s much he can’t do.

Tacoma Rainiers: 47-35, .573, 1st in PCL North
San Antonio Missions: 39-44, (9-4, 2nd half) .470 (.692), 1st in TL West
Inland Empire 66ers: 45-37 (6-6), .549 (.500), 3.5 GB CAL South
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers: 36-45 (5-7), .444 (.417), 3.5 GB in MWL Western
Everett Aquasox: 13-6, .684, 1st in NWL West
Peoria Mariners: 8-4, .667, T-1st in AZL
Seattle Mariners (VSL Aguirre): 22-18-1, .549 2.5 GB in VSL Valencia
Seattle Mariners (DSL Santo Domingo): 20-3, .870, 1st in Santo Domingo Norte
Organizational Record: 230-192-1, .545 |

posted by Jay Y. @ 2:00 AM

  Tacoma 4, Salt Lake 7 (ANA)
RHP Clint Nageotte (5.13, L) didn’t exactly get an easy landing back into the PCL, giving up six earned on twelve hits (HR) and two walks with four strikeouts in just six innings. RHP Jared Hoerman (5.86) followed with an inning of work that saw two hits and a walk, while RHP Andy Shibilo (10.07) went the ninth and struck out a batter. Never thought they’d be pitching better than Nags. On offense, RF Elpidio Guzman (SB, .283) and 1B A.J. Zapp (3B, R, .304) had two hits, while DH Bucky Jacobsen (2B, 2 RBI, .324), 2B Mickey Lopez (2B, R, E, .274), and 3B Luis Ugueto (3B, R, .275) provided some power. Rehabbing LF Raul Ibanez (.125) was 0-3 before being lifted for LF Greg Jacobs (.239), who struck out in his only plate appearance. LHP Craig Anderson tomorrow.

Arkansas 7 (ANA), San Antonio 2
LHP Phil Devey (3.00) was pretty good in his start, going six innings and allowing two runs on five hits (HR) and a walk as he struck out nine. Unfortunately, RHP Renee Cortez (6.29) gave up four earned runs in just an inning and a third of work, with five hits and a walk overall. RHP Emiliano Fruto (5.89) would allow one of those runs to score after two hits, but there was no trouble after that and Fruto pitched the rest of the game with only two strikeouts worth any note. CF Dustin Delucchi (R, SB, .307) and 3B Hunter Brown (RBI, .284) had two hits each, Brown getting two walks as well, and LF Shin-Soo Choo (2B, SB, RBI, .292) had the only extra-base hit for the Missions. RHP Felix Hernandez tomorrow!

Lake Elsinore 3 (SD), Inland Empire 5
RHP Tanner Watson (5.21) continued his rotation duties with six and a third innings pitched tonight with three earned runs on five hits, a hit batter, and three walks against three strikeouts. LHP Cesar Jimenez (2.49, W) allowed one of those runs to score on a single, and then struck out the next two batters to end the inning. After another inning and another hit, Jimenez had to leave the game with a pain in his side, though he was able to walk off the field under his own power. RHP Darwin Soto (3.93, S) finished up the game and had a strikeout to earn his fourth save. With the bats, 3B Jesus Guzman (R, .312/.406/.448) had another two hits, but between 2B Juan Gonzalez (2B, R, .291), CF Gary Harris (3B, R, .272), LF Jon Nelson (HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, .300), and RF Carlos Arroyo (2B, RBI, .347), there was a cycle and then some. LHP Ryan Rowland-Smith tomorrow.

Wisconsin 4, Kane County 5 (OAK)
RHP Nibaldo Acosta (4.46, L) had one of his bad starts, giving five runs on ten hits and a walk against four strikeouts in just five and a third innings. RHP Ruben Castillo (27.00) would relieve him with two-thirds of an inning that saw a hit and a strikeout, though no inherited runners scored on Castillo’s watch. LHP Casey Abrams (10.22) went the next inning and a third, giving up two hits and a walk while striking out one, then handed the ball to RHP Bryan Stitt (4.39), who pitched the final two-thirds and had a strikeout. Instead of the usual offense recap, I’ll just cover the four-run attempted comeback in the ninth. 3B Eric Blakeley (R, .SB, 307) reached on a single to center, then took second on a wild pitch. CF Michael Nesbit (.314) struck out for the first out, then DH Jeremy Dutton (.200) walked and a new pitcher came in. RF Wladimir Balentien (R, .278) would reach on a fielder’s choice that got Dutton out, then C Justin Ruchti (2B, R, 2 RBI, .184) doubled both in for the first two runs. LF Josh Womack (3B, R, RBI, .276) would triple Ruchti in, then after another pitching change, 2B Nick Orlandos (RBI, .394) would drive Womack in on a single. SS Adam Jones (.262) flew out to end the game. LHP Ryan Feierabend pitches tomorrow.

Vancouver 8 (OAK), Everett 9
For the second straight night, each team hit the other’s pitching hard. RHP Ivan Blanco (11.05) got through five innings and allowed five runs on five hits (HR) and five walks with five strikeouts. Yes, I’m serious about that line. RHP Mark Lowe (4.22) went the next three and two-thirds, giving up three runs on four hits (HR) and a hit batter with four strikeouts. RHP Aaron Trolia (3.86) got an easy win by recording the final out of the ninth. 2B Yung-Chi Chen (2 R, RBI, 2 SB, .361) was the hero on offense after three hits and driving in the winning run, but 3B/1B Brandon Green (HR, 3 R, 3 RBI, 2 SB, .311), RF Mike Wilson (2B, R, 2 RBI, .293), CF Trevor Heid (2B, RBI, SB, .243) also had significant contributions with their two hits apiece. RHP Ruben Flores tomorrow.

Peoria Mariners 5, Peoria Padres 3
In the classic intra-complex rivalry, RHP Greg Wear (2.57) started and went four innings, hitting a batter and striking out one. Also, to alleviate any previous confusion, it seems as if it was Wear, and not Ware, pitching last time around. Makes more sense. RHP Matthew Sundstrom (0.00, W) went the next inning and struck out two. LHP Robert Fagan (3.86, S) picked up a save, technically, after giving up three runs on three hits (HR), a balk, and three walks against five strikeouts in the final four innings. On offense, 2B Francisco Gerez (.415) and SS Jeffery Dominguez (SB, 2 E, .219) had two hits, while CF Jermaine Brock (2B, R, RBI, .435), C Danny Santin (HR, 2 RBI, .444), and 3B Pedro Ozoria (HR, 2 E, .263), and RF David Hall (2B, .273) provided the power. Peoria has the day off tomorrow.

Venoco #1 8 (HOU), Aguirre 6
RHP Diomny Gaetano (3.00, L) ran into some problems with his defense during his five and a third innings of work, giving up four earned on ten hits with five strikeouts. RHP Irvin Rodriguez (2.51, E) had some similar issues in his inning and two-thirds, giving up one unearned on two hits and a walk against a couple of strikeouts and allowing one of Gaetano’s runs to score. The story was pretty much the same for RHP Danilo Barker (13.50), an unearned run after two walks and a wild pitch with three strikeouts in the final two innings. 3B Luis Valbuena (R, RBI, .397) had three hits, but that’s no real shocker. CF Edzul Robles (2B, 2 R, RBI, .197), RF Jose Graterol (R, 2 RBI, .351), and C Jair Fernandez (PB, .300) had two hits each. PH/1B Manuel Pinto (2B, R, RBI, .250) contributed some additional offense on a pinch-hit double. Odd, that there were four errors overall, but Serrano didn’t even take the field. Curiouser and curiouser.

Tacoma Rainiers: 47-34, .580, 1st in PCL North
San Antonio Missions: 38-44, (8-4, 2nd half) .463 (.667), 1st in TL West
Inland Empire 66ers: 45-36 (6-5), .556 (.545), 2.5 GB CAL South
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers: 36-43 (5-6), .455 (.455), 2.5 GB in MWL Western
Everett Aquasox: 13-5, .722, 1st in NWL West
Peoria Mariners: 8-4, .667, T-1st in AZL
Seattle Mariners (VSL Aguirre): 21-18-1, .538 3 GB in VSL Valencia
Seattle Mariners (DSL Santo Domingo): 20-3, .870, 1st in Santo Domingo Norte
Organizational Record: 228-187-1, .549 |

posted by Jay Y. @ 2:53 AM

  Tacoma 6, Salt Lake 5 (ANA) (ten innings)
RHP Gustavo Martinez (4.69) started this one out and was on that fine line between bad and good, giving up four runs on six hits (HR) and a wild pitch with four strikeouts over seven innings. LHP Tim Christman (5.84) followed him for an inning’s worth of work where he struck out two. Things got a little complicated in the ninth when LHP George Sherrill (2.42, W) gave up the tying run on two hits, but he shut the Stingers down in the tenth to pick up the win, with one strikeout overall. It’s hard to find a place to start here, as ever Rainier had at least one hit, but RF Elpidio Guzman (HR, .280) was the only one with two. The other extra-base hits worth noting were doubles by CF Jeremy Reed (2B, R, RBI, .333) and rehabbing DH Raul Ibanez (2B, R, .200), who also struck out three times, and the game-winning home run by LF Greg Jacobs (HR, .242), who had now homered in three consecutive games and this one apparently left the park entirely. RHP Clint Nageotte makes his first start since being sent down tonight.

Arkansas 2 (ANA), San Antonio 16
RHP Juan Done (5.66, W) got more than enough run support and managed to pitch rather effectively, going seven frames and allowing two runs on six hits (solo HR), a hit batter, a wild pitch, and three walks against a couple of strikeouts. LHP Chris Key (5.02) and RHP Emiliano Fruto (6.12) followed him and went an inning each, Key walking a batter, and Fruto allowing two hits, though no runs came to the plate for either of them. Again, in this game, every starter had at least one hit and most of them had more than that, logging eight extra-base hits overall. C Ryan Christianson (2B, 3 R, .277) and CF T.J. Bohn (2B, HR, 3 R, 4 RBI, .474) had four hits apiece, RF Shin-Soo Choo (3B, HR, 4 RBI, .294) had three, and LF Dustin Delucchi (2B, 2 R, RBI, .304), 1B John Lindsey (R, .291), and DH Vince Faison (2B, 2 R, .288) had two. SS Michael Morse (2 R, 2 RBI, .200) was 1-5 with a strikeout in his Missions debut. In an added note, I was reading the papers and, though Choo came a double short of cycling, if he had the chance for another triple, common opinion was that he would take that over the double because the team totals matter more than the individual achievement. That tells you something right there. Not a bad follow-up to his player of the week performance last week. LHP Phil Devey tonight.

Lake Elsinore 4 (SD), Inland Empire 2
It wasn’t exactly vintage LHP Bobby Livingston (3.38, L) last night, but he went six innings and allowed three earned runs on nine hits and a walk with five strikeouts. LHP Melvin Pizarro (3.63) went the next two innings and gave up a hit, hit a batter, and struck out three. RHP Mike Steele (4.50) pitched the ninth and walked a batter. On offense, 3B Jesus Guzman (2B, 3B, .309/.405/.447) had three hits, though for some reason, none of them netted any runs. CF Gary Harris (2B, 3B, R, .271), RF Carlos Arroyo (R, .349), and LF Josh Ellison (RBI, .400) had two each. On a positive note, the Sixers did score all of their runs late in the game. I really don’t know who will be pitching tonight, but I’ll throw out a guess of RHP Tanner Watson.

Wisconsin 2, Kane County 5 (OAK)
LHP Jason Mackintosh (3.22, L) was all right in his seven innings, allowing three runs on five hits, two hit batters, and two walks as he struck out eight. RHP Austin Bilke (18.00), that guy we got from Anaheim in exchange for Cristian Guerrero, went an inning in his debut and gave up two runs on four hits (HR) and struck out two. On offense, DH Nick Orlandos (RBI, SB, .394) managed to get four hits, LF Michael Nesbit (2 2B, R, .328) had three, and CF Wladimir Balentien (HR, .279) had two, while taking sole possession of the team home run lead, seventh in the league overall. Not bad, for a guy who missed half a month. RHP Nibaldo Acosta is pitching… right now, actually.

Vancouver 13 (OAK), Everett 14
Define slugfest, and you’ll probably come up with something like this. It looks like LHP Kendall Bergdall (4.42) won’t be winning pitcher of the week this week, as he gave up four runs on five hits (2 HR!), a hit batter, and six walks against five strikeouts in just four innings. RHP Vance Hall (7.45) didn’t make it any better when he gave up three runs on four hits, a wild pitch, a walk, and strikeout in two and a third innings. Just to throw some gas on the fire, the Aquasox sent in RHP Kenny Falconer (16.20), who gave up three runs on two hits (HR) and a walk while allowing one of Hall’s runs to score. RHP Cibney Bello (8.53, W) would come in after that home run and give up one of his own and strike out four over the course of two innings to get the win. Of course, it wouldn’t have been a win without considerable offense, and the Aquasox can do that. C Rob Johnson (3B, 3 R, .407), SS Asdrubal Cabrera (2B, R, 4 RBI, .378), LF Marshall Hubbard (2B, 3B, R, 2 RBI, .290), and 3B/2B Yung-Chi Chen (2B, 3B, R, 2 RBI, .338) had three hits each. 2B Oswaldo Navarro (2 R, SB, .260) and 1B Luis Soto (2B, 2 R, RBI, SB, .240) would have two each. RHP Ivan Blanco starts tonight, and I’m cautiously optimistic about that, but I won’t be making it to the game because there’s a player of the month article that needs writing.

Arizona Rangers 8, Peoria Mariners 7
RHP Oliver Arias (3.86) would get the start and go four innings and allow three runs over the course of four hits (HR) and a walk with five strikeouts. RHP Tim Dorn (3.38) went the next inning and had a run on a hit and two walks against two strikeouts, before things got messy and RHP Roman Martinez (17.36) gave up three runs on three hits with another two walks and two strikeouts over the course of an inning and two-thirds. Ordinarily, I like to give guys a chance, but checking out his historical numbers and I’m tempted to suggest he’ll be released fairly soon. RHP Eric Carter (1.35, L) turned out the best pitching performance of any of them, but still got the loss, going two and a third innings and giving up a run on four hits and a walk with four strikeouts. It wasn’t as if the offense wasn’t trying, though. CF Jermaine Brock (2B, R, .474), 2B Rayon Lampe (R, RBI, CS, E, .333), and 1B Chao Kuan Wu (HR, 4 RBI, .242) had three hits each, while 3B Francisco Gerez (R, CS, .405), LF Jaime Bubela (R, RBI, .433), and RF Reynaldo Cruz (2 R, .250) had two. In an odd note, DH Jeff Flaig (RBI, .200) was 0-1, but walked twice and was hit by two pitches. RHP Greg Wear reappears for the start today.

Aguirre 1, Venoco #1 5 (HOU)
RHP Jorge Acosta (5.06, E, L) has worked his way off my list of guys to watch, as he went four innings and gave up two earned runs on seven hits, two wild pitches, and two walks against two strikeouts. RHP Felix Correa (1.55) pitched the final four innings, giving up two unearned on three hits and a walk with four strikeouts. CF Edzul Robles (RBI, .183) was 2-3, but more notable was 2B Luis Valbuena (SB, .390) going 1-2 with two walks, and RF Jose Graterol (2B, .346) getting yet another extra-base hit.

The Dominican team has won two games since the most recent update and things are pretty much the same as always. Ronald Garth still leads the division in batting average and should probably be playing in Peoria or Everett, but there isn’t really room for him in either place. Eddy Fernandez continues to dominate and has a 3-0 record with a 0.95 ERA (fifth in the division), and thirty-three strikeouts (third in the division) while holding batters to a .163 average and leading the team with twenty-eight and a third innings pitched. Carlos Colon also seems to have started another game, which he won, and he has now struck out twenty-nine in twenty-three innings.

Tacoma Rainiers: 47-33, .588, 1st in PCL North
San Antonio Missions: 38-43, (8-3, 2nd half) .469 (.727), 1st in TL West
Inland Empire 66ers: 44-36 (5-5), .550 (.500), 3 GB CAL South
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers: 36-42 (5-5), .462 (.500), 2 GB in MWL Western
Everett Aquasox: 12-5, .706, 1st in NWL West
Peoria Mariners: 7-4, .636, 1 GB in AZL
Seattle Mariners (VSL Aguirre): 21-17-1, .551 2.5 GB in VSL Valencia
Seattle Mariners (DSL Santo Domingo): 20-3, .870, 1st in Santo Domingo Norte
Organizational Record: 225-183-1, .554 |

posted by Jay Y. @ 1:28 PM

  Originally, I noted that DH Bucky Jacobsen and RHP Felix Hernandez were players of the week in their respective leagues, but that's only part of the story. San Antonio's OF Shin-Soo Choo was also a player of the week, after hitting .533 with an .800 slugging percentage, as was Everett's LHP Kendall Begdall, who was 2-0 with an 0.82 ERA and had six hits, one earned run, four walks, and seven strikeouts in eleven innings. Congratulations are in order for those guys as well.

Also, the Arizona League recap from yesterday has been up for a while, for those curious. |

posted by Jay Y. @ 5:36 PM

  Portland 3 (SD), Tacoma 4
LHP Bobby Madritsch (3.52, W) is slowly working his way back to speed and looks like he might be able to figure into the M’s plans this year. Mads went five innings tonight and gave up two runs on three hits, a hit batter, a wild pitch, and four walks against three strikeouts. LHP Randy Williams (3.28) followed and had a hit and a strikeout in his two innings, then RHP Scott Atchison (3.88) came in, gave up a solo shot, walked a batter, the runner stole second, then Atchison finally recorded an out on a deep fly, which advanced said runner to third. With the tying run ninety feet away, LHP George Sherrill (2.33, S) shut it down and only walked a batter in the final inning and two-thirds. For the offense, DH Buck Jacobsen (2 RBI, .325) had two hits, but the displays of power from 2B Mickey Lopez (2B, R, .277), 3B Greg Dobbs (2B, .328) and LF Greg Jacobs (HR, 2 RBI, .241) were easily just as significant. I think that Jacobs is beginning to put it together in Triple-A. Meanwhile, new (relatively) CF Jeremy Reed (R, .400) finally dipped below .500, but was 0-2 with two walks. RHP Gustavo Martinez tomorrow.

Arkansas 3 (ANA), San Antonio 4
RHP Chris Buglovsky (3.03) gave up a three-spot in the first and things weren’t looking too well for the Missions, but he got things under control after that, going six and a third innings overall, giving up eight hits and striking out three. RHP Aaron Taylor (4.00) went an inning and two-thirds after that, giving up a hit and striking out one. As a minor transaction note, Taylor WAS on a rehab assignment, but now he’s officially on the roster, which meant that the Missions released RHP David Gil, who had a 6.35 ERA anyway. Apparently, major league rehab assignments don’t count against a team’s roster, which only makes sense. RHP Rick Guttormson (4.07, S) picked up the save after a hit and two strikeouts in the ninth. Yes, RF Shin-Soo Choo (2 RBI, .288) and C Luis Oliveros (R, .253) also had two hits, Oliveros going 2-2 with a sacrifice, but the real two-hit story was the return of LF Dustin Delucchi (2 R, RBI, SB, .302), who got himself back above .300 in the process. CF T.J. Bohn (R, .357) remained at his newfound position and was 1-3 again, but it’s not certain whether or not he’ll remain there, now that Delucchi is back. RHP Juan Done tomorrow?

Inland Empire 3, Rancho Cucamonga 11 (ANA)
I bet you’re looking at those numbers and thinking that those numbers are pretty crooked for a Livingston start. Well, you’re right; RHP T.A. Fulmer (5.43, L) was welcomed back to the California League with nine runs on ten hits and two walks against a lone strikeout in just two and a third innings. All of those runs were Fulmer’s doing, and had nothing to do with LHP Miguel Martinez (6.10), who gave up two runs of his own after two hits, two walks, and five strikeouts in his three innings. RHP David Viane (3.65) was perfect with a strikeout through the final two and two-thirds, but by then it was a little late. LF Jon Nelson (2B, HR, 2 R, .302) was 2-3 with a walk, and SS Erick Monzon (2B, R, .182) had his first double with the Sixers, but nothing else from the offense, really. LHP Bobby Livingston tomorrow.

The Wisconsin game was suspended due to rain after three and a third innings. There was no score at the time, but the game will be finished, then followed by a normal nine-inning game on July 15th. Oldham struck out two before the game was called, and LHP Jason Mackintosh pitches tomorrow. The paper also noted yesterday that since Monday, the starters have gone 4-0 with a 0.50 ERA and fifty-three strikeouts in thirty-six innings pitched. Wow.

Everett 5, Vancouver 1 (OAK)
RHP Aaron Jensen (3.05, W) did pretty well in his six innings, giving up a run on five hits and three walks with a couple of strikeouts. RHP Joseph Woerman (7.36, S) finished it up with a three-inning save where he punched out three. The Everett offense is still struggling, by their standards, but 3B Yung-Chi Chen (R, RBI, SB, .317) had two hits and RF Elvis Cruz (2B, SB, .265) had a double. DH Rob Johnson (2R, RBI, SB, .364) wasn’t behind the plate tonight, but I’ve been hearing good things about him from those that have seen him there, so I’ll have to check it out one of these days. LHP Kendall Bergdall tomorrow!

Peoria Mariners 3, Scottsdale Giants 2
RHP Jason Snyder (1.00, E) got the start in this one, going four innings and giving up a run on a hit, a hit batter, a wild pitch, and a walk with three strikeouts. RHP Tyrone Lamont (5.00, W) picked up his first professional win after a two inning where he struck out two, and I'll bet that there are some people on the other side of the Atlantic that are feeling proud of his efforts right about now. RHP Terry Forbes (0.00) went the next inning without allowing anything of note. I think that Forbes could be a candidate to move up to Everett pretty soon, seeing as how their bullpen is a little short after sending down Lockwood and Brandt. LHP Michael Ciccotelli (10.80, S) picked up the save, just barely, after two innings where he gave up a run on three hits and a walk while striking out another. The bats were out in force tonight, as CF Jermaine Brock (RBI, .429), 3B Pedro Ozoria (2B, R, .265), DH Jaime Bubela (RBI, .423), C Danny Santin (.458), 2B Rayon Lampe (R, E, .263), and SS Jefferey Dominguez (3B, R, RBI, .200) all had two hits each. Santin also caught a runner trying to steal, and I still think he's going to be a good asset to the system. RHP Oliver Arias tomorrow.

Venoco #2 0 (BAL), Aguirre 7
LHP Jose Escalona (2.33, W) was pretty good this time out, going five innings for the win and allowing three hits, two walks, and striking out three. RHP Carlos Figueroa (5.29) went the next two frames, with two walks and two strikeouts, before the ball went to RHP Alfredo Venaga (2.45), who went two innings facing the minimum and striking out one. The notables on offense were 3B Deybis Benitez (R, E, .261), 1B Gerardo Avila (2B, R, .279), and C Juan Fuentes (R, 2 RBI, .282), who all had two hits, and 2B Luis Valbuena (3B, R, 2 RBI, .388), who just seems to do the same thing day in and day out. I’m thinking that Fuentes may see some more time behind the plate now that he’s back; BA listed his signing in their transactions section, and they normally don’t list VSL signings, so I think he may be something good.

Tacoma Rainiers: 46-33, .582, 1st in PCL North
San Antonio Missions: 37-43, (7-3, 2nd half) .463 (.700), 1st in TL West
Inland Empire 66ers: 44-35 (5-4), .557 (.556), 2 GB CAL South
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers: 36-42 (5-4), .462 (.556), 1 GB in MWL Western
Everett Aquasox: 11-5, .688, 1st in NWL West
Peoria Mariners: 7-3, .700, T-1st GB in AZL
Seattle Mariners (VSL Aguirre): 21-16-1, .566 2 GB in VSL Valencia
Seattle Mariners (DSL Santo Domingo): 18-3, .857, 1st in Santo Domingo Norte
Organizational Record: 219-179-1, .549 |

posted by Jay Y. @ 2:24 AM