Mariner Minors
Friday, July 16, 2004
 
Tacoma 4, Fresno 9 (SF)
This should put an end to some of the rumors for a while; RHP Gil Meche (5.20, L) went four innings tonight and gave up nine runs on seven hits (3 HR!!), a hit batter, a walk, and a couple of strikeouts.  In other words, every batter that reached base scored.  RHP Jeff Harris (6.40) and RHP Jared Hoerman (5.40) split the last four innings, Harris hitting a batter and striking out one, Hoerman walking another.  Everyone but Reed had at least one hit tonight, 1B A.J. Zapp (R, RBI, .301), LF Jim Horner (HR, .209), and 3B Greg Dobbs (R, .344) getting two hits. DH Jamal Strong (RBI, SB, .303) also made his return tonight.
 
San Antonio 7, Midland 5 (OAK) (eleven innings)
The box score is a little goofy on this one, so bear with me.  RHP Rich Dorman (4.25) started and went five and two-thirds innings, giving up three runs on five hits, two wild pitches, and three walks with ten strikeouts.  LHP Tim Rall (3.74) finished up that inning and went another after that, giving up just one hit and striking out three.  RHP Aaron Taylor (3.00) pitched the eighth inning and walked a batter.  The three innings that followed were all LHP Jared Thomas (1.98, W), who gave up the two runs to tie it, then won it when the Missions rallied later.  Overall, Thomas gave up two hits and three walks while striking out two.  1B Ryan Christianson (2B, R, RBI, SB, .270) led the offensive attack with three hits, while 3B/1B Hunter Brown (2 R, E, .285), DH John Lindsey (2b, R, RBI, .301), RF T.J. Bohn (3B, R, RBI, .348), and 2B Eddie Menchaca (.214) had two hits.  Christianson, Bohn, and C Luis Oliveros (2 RBI, .232) were all instrumental in the comeback.
 
San Antonio 0, Midland 7 (OAK)
RHP Chris Buglovsky (3.18, L) went four and a third innings, giving up five earned on nine hits, a hit batter, and a walk against a couple of strikeouts.  LHP Chris Key (4.92) gave up one of Bugs’ runs and one of his own over the next two and a third innings, with five hits, a hit batter, a walk and a strikeout overall.  RHP Emiliano Fruto (6.27) took care of the last four outs, giving up a hit and a walk.  3B Hunter Brown (.293) was 3-3 with a walk, but that was it for the offense.  Christianson and Morse both made errors.
 
Round Rock 4 (HOU), San Antonio 7
RHP Juan Done (5.42, W) did his thing, which equates to going six and two-thirds while giving up four runs on six hits (3 HR!!) with five strikeouts.  LHP Tim Rall (3.57) went the next two innings, giving up a hit and striking out three, before passing the ball to RHP Rick Guttormson (3.80, S) for the final out.  In the three-hit club for the night were 3B Hunter Brown (RBI, SB, .300) and RF Shin-Soo Choo (2B, 2 R, RBI, SB, .294).  C Ryan Christianson (2B, R, E, .277), SS Michael Morse (2 RBI, CS, .273), and CF T.J. Bohn (2 RBI, .340) all had two hits.
 
Round Rock 2 (HOU), San Antonio 1
LHP Phil Devey (3.21, L) had a pretty strong outing, going seven innings and only giving up an earned run on a homer, with five additional hits and one walk against eight strikeouts.  RHP Renee Cortez (5.65) went the final two innings, walking one and punching out three.  RF Shin-Soo Choo (R, CS, .297) and C Luis Oliveros (2 2B, .240) both had two hits, those two doubles giving Oliveros the team lead.  RHP Felix Hernandez tomorrow!
 
Inland Empire 3, Lake Elsinore 9 (SD)
RHP T.A. Fulmer (5.58, L) got the start and the loss, going five and a third innings and giving up four earned on six hits (HR) and a walk with seven strikeouts.  RHP Darwin Soto (3.76) followed for an inning and a third and gave up a run on three hits with a strikeout.  The final inning went to RHP Mike Steele (9.00), who would give up two earned on three hits and two each of walks and strikeouts.  Notables on offense were RF Carlos Arroyo (RBI, .329), who had three hits, and LF Jon Nelson (2B, R, RBI, .295), who had two.
 
Inland Empire 3, Lake Elsinore 5 (SD)
LHP Bobby Livingston (3.69, L) had another sub-par start, going six innings and giving up all five runs over the course of seven hits (HR), three walks, and a strikeout.  LHP Melvin Pizarro (3.15) went the final two innings, allowed a hit, and struck out one.  DH Jon Nelson (RBI, SB, .298) had a couple of hits, and CF Gary Harris (HR, .263) knocked out his fourth.
 
Inland Empire 2, Lake Elsinore 3 (SD)
RHP Greg Wear (4.15) looks like he could be taking one of the spots in the rotation, going three innings tonight and giving up nothing earned on five hits and three walks against four strikeouts.  Its former owner, RHP Tanner Watson (5.24, L), followed with four innings of relief where he gave up a couple of runs on five hits, a hit batter, a wild pitch, and a walk with three strikeouts along the way.  LHP Miguel Martinez (6.03) had a couple of strikeouts in the eighth.  SS Juan Gonzalez (2B, R, CS, .286) and 3B Jesus Guzman (2B, RBI, .315/.406/.453) both had a couple of hits, Guzman also taking a walk as he has done in many games recently.  Guzman is batting third in the lineup now, trading spots with CF Gary Harris (.315).  LHP Ryan Rowland-Smith tomorrow.
 
Cedar Rapids 5 (ANA), Wisconsin 1
RHP Brandon Moorhead (4.03, L) started after a two-day break and gave up four runs on eight hits, a wild pitch, and two walks against four strikeouts over six innings.  RHP Brad Rose (13.50) followed for an inning and a third and gave up a run on three hits, a pair of walks, and a strikeout, before giving way to RHP Ruben Castillo (8.44), who went an inning and a third, gave up a hit, and struck out two.  On offense, 3B Eric Blakeley (2 2B, R, .313) had three hits and DH Hyung Cho (RBI, .300) had two, but other than that, and LF Josh Womack’s (.263) two walks, not much was happening.
 
Cedar Rapids 2 (ANA), Wisconsin 9
This is what ought to happen more often for the T-Rats.  LHP Thom Oldham (2.83, E, W) went the complete nine innings, giving up an earned run on five hits (HR) and two walks while he struck out eight.  LF Josh Womack (3B, R, .265), CF Michael Nesbit (3 R, .337), and CF Wladimir Balentien (HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, .276) all had a couple of hits, and C Justin Ruchti (2B, 3 RBI, .194) drove in three.
 
Cedar Rapids 3 (ANA), Wisconsin 4 (seven innings)
RHP Austin Bilke (7.94) started the game and went only two innings, giving up all three runs on five hits (HR) and a walk with one strikeout.  RHP Mike Hrynio (3.67, W) went the four innings after that and allowed two hits and a walk while striking out five.  The save would go to RHP Bryan Stitt (4.43, S), who gave up a hit and struck out the side.  CF Michael Nesbit (RBI, .353) had another three hits, and 1B Bryan Lahair (2B, R, .297) and C Chris Collins (2 2B, 2 RBI, .253) both had two hits.  LHP Ryan Feierabend tonight. 
 
Yakima 5 (ARI), Everett 1
This is the one where I tried to interview Miguel Olivo.  LHP Shawn Nottingham (1.17, E, L) didn’t really have his good stuff for this one, giving up three runs on five hits (HR) and a walk with only one strikeout over six innings.  RHP Mumba Rivera (2.70) followed for two innings and gave up two runs on two hits, a hit batter, and a walk with a couple of strikeouts.  I was there, and the hit batter pretty much led to the rally, but those of us watching in the stadium were all fairly certain that Rivera hit the bat, and not the guy holding it.  RHP Joe Woerman (8.64) pitched the final inning and gave up a hit.  CF Brent Johnson (RBI, .314) had two hits on 91 and 90-mph fastballs, respectively, but that was pretty much it for the offense.
 
Yakima 5 (ARI), Everett 6
RHP Aaron Jensen (3.64) didn’t have his stuff either, giving up four runs in five innings of work with six hits (2 HR!), a hit batter, three walks, and five strikeouts.  RHP Cibeny Bello (7.36, W) went two and a third innings after that and gave up a run on, surprise, a solo home run with another walk and a couple of strikeouts.  RHP Chad Fillinger (4.85) wrapped up that inning, then RHP Aaron Trolia (6.75, S) pitched the ninth and struck out a batter.  SS Asdrubal Cabrera (2B, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, .362) had three hits and looks like he could take the Jose Lopez career path, while RF Mike Wilson (2B, R, .302) logged another two hits. 
 
Yakima 14 (ARI), Everett 4
I guess it goes without saying to note that the pitchers weren’t so hot tonight.  LHP Kendall Bergdall (5.02) went four an third innings and gave up six runs on eight hits (2 HR!), two wild pitches, three walks, and six strikeouts.  RHP Phil Cullen (2.45) was perfect through an inning and a third, but RHP Kenny Falconer (18.00) couldn’t get an out in the seventh, giving up an earned run and walking two, before LHP Brandon Perry (4.63) finished the inning and allowed an earned run on three hits with a strikeout.  LHP Vance Hall (8.56) pitched the final two innings and allowed two runs on three hits (HR) with a walk and three strikeouts.  3B Brent Johnson (2B, RBI, .CS, 321) had three hits and walk, SS Oswaldo Navarro (2B, .259) and 1B Thomas Hubbard (R, .254) both had two.  RHP Mark Lowe tomorrow.

I’ll wrap up the rest of the past three days by editing this post tomorrow.   Also... I'm not terribly fond of the new blogger interface...  
 
Tacoma Rainiers: 48-40, .545, 1st in PCL North
San Antonio Missions: 45-49, (14-8, 2nd half) .479 (.636), 1st in TL West
Inland Empire 66ers: 49-42 (10-11), .538 (.476), 3.5 GB CAL South
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers: 39-50 (8-12), .438 (.400), 5 GB in MWL Western
Everett Aquasox: 16-11, .593, 1st in NWL West
Peoria Mariners: 12-8, .600, 1 GB in AZL
Seattle Mariners (VSL Aguirre): 28-21-1, .570 1 GB in VSL Valencia
Seattle Mariners (DSL Santo Domingo): 26-8, .765, 1st in Santo Domingo Norte
Organizational Record: 263-229-1, .534
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Tuesday, July 13, 2004
 
My advice to all aspiring baseball journalists out there?

LEARN SPANISH.

I'm very serious about that.
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News around the minors...



Under normal circumstances, Tacoma comes first on these lists, but the bigger news for today will be C Miguel Olivo, recently acquired in the Freddy Garcia trade, who will be rehabbing up north in Everett today and tomorrow. I’m being sent up there to cover it for ITP and will be watching the game from the box, then joining the hordes of news reporters trying to get some words in with him before and after the game.

Joe: Try to look professional when you go up there.
Me: Got it, no band t-shirts...
Joe: Right... The Clash should stay in the 80’s. No "rocking the casbah" up at Everett Memorial Stadium.
Me: I don’t think that would go over so well with the crowd anyway.

He knows me too well.

Bucky Jacobsen beat out Minnesota's Justin Morneau in the Triple-A Home Run Derby yesterday, 8-3. Morneau and Jacobsen hit twelve and eleven home runs respectively in the first round to advance.

Meanwhile, those who were watching the Futures Game had the privilege of seeing RHP Felix Hernandez tear through a few of the best prospects in baseball with a curve that was nothing short of unfair. I talked to the ITP Missions Beat Writer, Joe Ruiz, about Felix and he said that the reason we haven't seen his sinker or slider yet is because the M's want him to focus on perfecting his three current pitches before adding more. Still, the mere idea of 91 mph slider has me more than interested, and I'm eager to see it in use. Also, on the Felix note, the M's are either going to use him for a few more starts and then shut him down at 150 innings pitched, or use him out of the bullpen for the rest of the season. I prefer the former method, but that's just me. Hernandez is looking to be a better all-around version of Bartolo Colon. As for Shin-Soo Choo, I've heard that it was nerves and Choo can be a bit of a perfectionist at times.

The San Bernadino County Sun has a story out on last year's closer and current Sixer RHP Mike Steele. Steele tore his labrum last August, effectively ending a season where he was leading the league in saves. At 25, he isn't exactly a prospect anymore, but he has an incredible arm, when he's healthy.

The Everett Herald is running a feature on OF Casey Craig. Craig is considered a star in the making for his developing power, hitting for average, and patient eye at the plate, though he apparently hates to take walks, not that he isn’t good at that too. On a side note, the article lists Craig "generously" as being 6'1, and let me say, I’m 6'1, and Craig is a bit shorter than me.

On a final note, Sid brought it to my attention earlier that it's been a long time since I've gotten around to running through a transaction update. Sorry about that, guys, there are some transactions that I need to be going through both prominent and on the fringes, but I've been busy of late and have had some trouble getting around to that (also why I haven’t finished responding to your e-mail, Sid). I'm setting a goal of getting that done tomorrow or Thursday.
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The San Antonio game was suspended in the eighth inning with the Missions leading 5-3. The lights in Midland weren't functioning properly and after the third time they shut down, they just gave up on the game. It will be finished tomorrow morning, then RHP Chris Buglovsky gets his regularly scheduled start.

Inland Empire 2, Lake Elsinore 1 (SD)
RHP Juan Sandoval (4.05, W) had one of those good outings, going seven innings and giving up just one run on four hits and three walks with a couple of strikeouts. LHP Cesar Jimenez (2.39, S) went the final two innings and gave up a couple of hits while striking out another. In the two-hit club, once again, was 3B Jesus Guzman (2B, R, RBI, .310/.399/.449) and SS Erick Monzon (2B, R, .263), who seems to do this rather infrequently. LF Jon Nelson (2B, RBI, .293) also had another double. RHP T.A. Fulmer tomorrow.

San Joaquin 5 (PIT), Aguirre 6
RHP Felix Correa (1.54, W) started this one out solidly, going six innings and giving up just one run on three hits and three walks. After that, RHP Carlos Figueroa (6.88) couldn’t get an out in the seventh, giving up three runs over a hit and two walks. RHP Irvin Rodriguez (1.89, S), who, despite appearances, has been a disaster in relief lately, gave up two of Figueroa’s runs and an unearned of his own after three hits, two walks, and two strikeouts spread across three frames. 2B Luis Valbuena (2B, RBI, SB, .395) continued to mock the VSL with another two hits and a walk, while CF Edzul Robles (2B, R, 2 RBI, E, .228), 3B Deybis Benitez (2B, .253), and 3B/LF Pablo Orfila (HR, 2 R, .264) all showed some pop.

Peoria Padres 6, Peoria Mariners 4
LHP Robert Fagan (3.15) went six innings today, giving up a run on five hits with four walks and four strikeouts. RHP Terry Forbes (0.00) followed for an inning and two-thirds, giving up four unearned runs on four hits and a hit batter with a couple of strikeouts. RHP Donald Clement (2.79) finished the game, giving up a run on another four hits. The offense was led by 3B Pedro Ozoria (2B, R, RBI, E, .276) and RF Reynaldo Cruz (R, RBI, .359), who has just been on fire of late. Both had two hits and a walk. SS Jose Lopez (.000) stopped by on the beginnings of a rehab stint, and had two at-bats before giving way to SS Matt Tuiasosopo (E, .333), who was 1-2. C Danny Santin (R, E, .410) was 0-4, but his average is still that high, which is scary. RHP Eric Carter tomorrow.

Tacoma Rainiers: 48-39, .552, 1st in PCL North
San Antonio Missions: 42-47, (12-6, 2nd half) .472 (.667), 1st in TL West
Inland Empire 66ers: 49-39 (10-8), .557 (.556), 2 GB CAL South
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers: 37-49 (6-11), .430 (.353), 5GB in MWL Western
Everett Aquasox: 15-9, .625, 1st in NWL West
Peoria Mariners: 10-7, .588, T-1st in AZL
Seattle Mariners (VSL Aguirre): 25-20-1, .554 0.5 GB in VSL Valencia
Seattle Mariners (DSL Santo Domingo): 22-6, .786, 1st in Santo Domingo Norte
Organizational Record: 248-215-1, .536
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Monday, July 12, 2004
 
Fresno 8 (SF), Tacoma 6
LHP Craig Anderson (6.65, L) still can’t even buy a win, going four and a third innings tonight and giving up seven runs on ten hits (3 HR!!), a wild pitch, and three walks against four strikeouts. RHP Jared Hoerman (5.76) had nothing to do with any of Anderson’s runs scoring, but he went an inning and gave up a run of his own on a couple of hits and a walk. LHP Tim Christman (4.50) allowed that particular run by giving up a walk, with the bases loaded, while allowing a meaningless hit and striking out a batter over the course of his inning and two-thirds. RHP Scott Atchison (3.88) went the eighth inning and struck out two, while LHP George Sherrill (2.32) did the same basic thing in the ninth, plus three hits. 3B Greg Dobbs (R, .337) and C Brian Moon (HR, 6 RBI) both had two hits, Moon somehow managing to drive in all of Tacoma’s runs, doubling his year-to-date RBI total. RF Greg Jacobs (2B, 2 R, .248) was also 1-3 with a walk and DH Bucky Jacobsen (2 R, .312) was 0-2 with two walks. The Rainiers are on break too, so don’t expect any recaps for a few days.

San Antonio 5, Midland 6 (OAK) (ten innings)
In a surprise move, RHP Cha Seung Baek (0.00) is back in the Texas League, and went five innings, allowing just two hits and striking out five. He’s just stopping in to fill Felix’s spot, and will be on the way to Tacoma after this. RHP Emiliano Fruto (6.46) went the next inning and two-thirds and gave up four runs on four hits and a walk, which sadly, isn’t unusual for him. I know Fruto just turned twenty over a month ago and is all the way to Double-A, but I would like to see him string together some good outings and run with one of the roles given to him. LHP Jared Thomas (1.48) had his hits catch up to him (and Fruto, for a couple of runs), giving up five hits total and having those turn into a run over an inning and a third while striking out one. RHP Renee Cortez (6.08, L) went the final inning and a third before giving up the winning run, with four hits, two walks, and two strikeouts total. DH Michael Morse (2B, R, RBI, CS, .290) was 3-4 getting plunked once, while CF Dustin Delucchi (2 SB, .300) and 1B John Lindsey (2 R , .299) both had a couple of singles. RF T.J. Bohn (3 RBI, .333) was again putting his on-base skills to work, going 1-4 with a walk and driving in most of the Missions’ runs. RHP Rich Dorman tomorrow.

Lancaster 3 (ARI), Inland Empire 4
LHP Ryan Rowland-Smith (3.67) logged six innings in his start, giving up three runs on seven hits, a hit batter, and two walks against three strikeouts. LHP Troy Cate (0.00, W) resurfaced to pitch two shutout innings with a hit, a walk, and a strikeout, but I don’t know if this is a temporary or permanent move. LHP Melvin Pizarro (3.30, S) picked up the save with a strikeout in the ninth. SS Juan Gonzalez (2 RBI, .290) was the only Sixer with two hits, while 1B Matt Hagen (2B, 2 R, .216) had the only double, going 1-1 with a walk and reaching on catcher’s interference. RHP Juan Sandoval tomorrow.

Wisconsin 4, Cedar Rapids 6 (ANA)
LHP Ryan Feierabend (3.59, L) went six and two-thirds innings and gave up six runs on nine hits (2 HR!), a wild pitch, and two walks with six strikeouts. RHP Mike Hrynio (4.06) pitched the last inning and a third, giving up a hit and a walk and striking out the side in the ninth. DH Nick Orlandos (R, RBI, .402) was at it again, with another three hits tonight. CF Michael Nesbit (R, SB, .326) had two hits, while LF Josh Womack (3B, R, .265), 2B Michael Cox (2B, R, .249), and 3B Eric Blakeley (2B, 2 RBI, .300) showed some power. The entire Midwest League has the next two days off.

Everett 2, Tri City 3 (COL)
RHP Ruben Flores (3.71) went eight innings without giving up an earned run, with five hits, two walk pitches, and a walk against five strikeout overall. RHP Joe Woerman (9.82, L) wouldn’t get an out in the ninth, giving up two hits and a walk before LHP Brandon Perry (4.22) came in, got an out, then gave up a hit to drive in two and lose the game. The offense basically consisted of CF Brent Johnson (2 RBI, .303) and 2B Oswaldo Navarro (.274) both going 1-3 with a walk. Day off tomorrow, then LHP Shawn Nottingham!

Tronconero #1 6 (PHI), Aguirre 7
LHP Jose Escalona (1.97, E) was pretty stellar in his outing, going five innings and allowing an unearned run on a hit and three walks with four strikeouts. RHP Ronald Uviedo (5.46), however, ran into some trouble in his two innings, giving up four runs on EIGHT hits, though it’s worth noting that RHP Kelvin Alarcon (2.70) gave up two of those runs and an unearned of his own on a hit and a walk in his inning. RHP Daniel Yerovi (1.93, W) faced the minimum in the ninth to pick up the win. On offense, 2B Luis Valbuena (2B, R, RBI, .393/.455/.626) and 3B Pablo Orfila (.262) both had three hits, while CF Edzul Robles (2B, R, RBI, .224), LF/1B William Ortiz (RBI, .230), C Jair Fernandez (RBI, .295), and SS Terry Serrano (R, RBI, SB, E, .333) all had two hits apiece. RF Jose Graterol (2B, R, .351) also had a double.

Tacoma Rainiers: 48-39, .552, 1st in PCL North
San Antonio Missions: 42-47, (12-6, 2nd half) .472 (.667), 1st in TL West
Inland Empire 66ers: 48-39 (9-8), .552 (.529), 2.5 GB CAL South
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers: 37-49 (6-11), .430 (.353), 5GB in MWL Western
Everett Aquasox: 15-9, .625, 1st in NWL West
Peoria Mariners: 10-6, .625, T-1st in AZL
Seattle Mariners (VSL Aguirre): 24-20-1, .544 1.5 GB in VSL Valencia
Seattle Mariners (DSL Santo Domingo): 22-6, .786, 1st in Santo Domingo Norte
Organizational Record: 246-214-1, .535
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Sunday, July 11, 2004
 
The Futures Game is on ESPN2 right now. You should be watching.
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Fresno 8 (SF), Tacoma 0
RHP Clint Nageotte (5.22, L) still isn’t doing so well down in Triple-A, giving up four runs on seven hits, a hit batter, a wild pitch, and two walks against eight strikeouts over the course of six innings. RHP Jeff Harris (6.82) outdid him by giving up the same amount of runs in just a third of an inning, three hits and a walk, but LHP Randy Williams (3.17) allowed two of those runs to score as he gave up two hits and a walk while striking out two as he finished up the inning. RHP Andy Shibilo (8.74) went the last two innings, gave up two hits and two walks, hit a batter, and struck out four. I’m hoping he finally figured out what he had been doing wrong. On what little offense there was, 3B Greg Dobbs (.329) had a couple of hits and took what I believe to be his first walk in Triple-A. Good for him. RF Greg Jacobs (.245) was also one-for-two with a walk and a plunk, and C Jim Horner (.184) was one-for-three with a walk. As you can tell, I’m really digging here, and on that note, LF Francisco Gerez (.000) made his Triple-A debut in the spot of Jeremy Reed, who has left for the futures game. Gerez took this opportunity to admit that he’s actually twenty-four and not nineteen, which explains why he tore through the AZL like a wet paper bag. As I originally reported at ITP (based on a call from Jason Churchill), and the Tacoma News Tribune is now confirming at the end of their recap, RHP Gil Meche left Cheney Stadium last night in the fourth inning under undisclosed circumstances. LHP Craig Anderson tomorrow.

San Antonio 7, Midland 4 (OAK)
LHP Phil Devey (3.60, W) was less than stellar, but managed to win anyway, going five innings and allowing four runs on seven hits and three walks with five strikeouts. LHP Chris Key (4.86) went the next couple of innings, giving up two hits, before passing the ball to RHP Renee Cortez (6.04), who got an out and walked a batter, then gave way to LHP Tim Rall (3.86), who finished the inning and gave up a walk and struck out another. RHP Rick Guttormson (3.83, S) had a curious ninth, giving up three hits, but no runs, and striking out the side. 1B John Lindsey (2 2B, HR, 3 R, 2 RBI, CS, .297) did a large part of the damage with his four hits on the night. C Ryan Christianson (2B, RBI, .259) had two hits and caught a batter stealing, while CF T.J. Bohn (2B, R, .342) had another solid night with a double as his only hit. SS Michael Morse (R, RBI, 2 E, .222) committed two of three Missions errors, but was 1-3 with a walk in his plate appearances. DH Josh Ellison (RBI, .500), who is replacing Shin-Soo Choo’s spot on the roster while Choo is at the Futures’ Game (tomorrow at 1 pm Pacific on ESPN2), was 2-4. Speaking of which, RHP Felix Hernandez would have started tomorrow, but he’ll be otherwise occupied, so I have no idea who will be taking the spot, aside from suggesting that RHP Rich Dorman may move up a day.

Lancaster 4 (ARI), Inland Empire 1
RHP Tanner Watson (5.30, L) took all the damage tonight, going six innings and giving up four runs on eight hits (HR), a hit batter, and two walks with six strikeouts. The last three innings went one each with one strikeout to RHP Greg Wear (5.40), who was just called back up from Peoria, RHP Mike Steele (6.75), and LHP Cesar Jimenez (2.44). Wear is replacing RHP David Viane, who was released. On offense, C Rene Rivera (.263) was oh-for-two with a couple of walks and 2B Michael Garciaparra (RBI, .143) drove in the Sixers’ only run. LHP Ryan Rowland-Smith tomorrow.

Wisconsin 16, Cedar Rapids 2 (ANA)
This is one perfectly acceptable to get RHP Nibaldo Acosta (4.21, W) a win. Acosta went six innings, allowing just two hits, hitting a batter, cranking out a wild pitch, and giving out four free passes while striking out three. RHP Austin Bilke (4.91) went the next inning and struck out a batter, while LHP Casey Abrams (9.45) gave up a couple of unearned runs on two walks with a strikeout in the eighth. RHP Bryan Stitt (4.53) had two strikeouts in the ninth. Every starter had a hit tonight, and the members of the two-hit mob included 2B Nick Orlandos (2 R, 2 RBI, .391), DH Chris Collins (HR, 3 R, 3 RBI, .250), 3B Michael Cox (HR, 5 RBI, E, .248), who hit a grand slam, CF Wladimir Balentien (R, RBI, .276), and C Justin Ruchti (2 2B, R, .195). Notables among the others were 1B Bryan Lahair (2B, 3 R, .306), who was 1-3 with two walks, RF Chris Colton (3B, R, 3 RBI, .240), and PH/1B Jeremy Dutton (HR, .201), who hit a solo shot in his only at-bat. LHP Ryan Feierabend tomorrow.

Everett 9, Tri City 5 (COL)
RHP Ivan Blanco looks like he pitched himself out of the rotation (at least I hope they aren’t sending him to San Antonio for tomorrow), so RHP Mark Lowe (3.68) started and went four innings, giving up a run on six hits, a wild pitch, and a walk against four strikeouts. RHP Chad Fillinger (5.11) went the next three frames and gave up a run of his own on four hits, a hit batter, a wild pitch, and a walk with three strikeouts. Things got a little interesting for RHP Aaron Trolia (8.31) in the ninth, as he gave up runs on three hits and yet another wild pitch with two strikeouts. On offense, 3B Yung-Chi Chen (2 R, .333), SS Oswaldo Navarro (2B, R, CS, .271), and LF Casey Craig (R, RBI, .276) had two hits, but SS Asdrubal Cabrera (2B, 4 RBI, .356) had a bases-clearing triple in the seventh. 1B Brandon Green (3B, R, RBI, .309) and RF Mike Wilson (2B, R, .295) also had some extra-base knocks for the Aquasox. RHP Ruben Flores tomorrow.

Scottsdale Giants 20, Peoria Mariners 6
As you can plainly tell, this was a bit of a massacre. RHP Oliver Arias (6.38, L) started this one out and went four and a third innings, giving up seven runs on seven hits (HR), a wild pitch, and four walks against five strikeouts. RHP Matt Sundstrom (0.00) went the next two-thirds and gave up an unearned run on a hit and two walks with a strikeout, and I assume he had something to do with Arias’ runs scoring. LHP Adam Brant (18.00) also caught the wrath of the Giants’ bats, as he gave up four earned on five hits and a hit batter with a couple of strikeouts in his inning. Since every other pitcher seemed to be spared, RHP Donald Clement (2.16) had an uneventful seventh, but RHP Stephen Grasley (6.43) went the next two frames and gave up four earned on seven hits (HR) and a hit batter with a couple of punchouts. Most notable on the offense was the debut of SS Matt Tuiasosopo (HR, .250), who wasted no time with a solo home run to dead center in the second. Also of note was C Danny Santin (2B, R, .457) hitting his fifth double and RF Reynaldo Cruz (3B, R, RBI, .333) getting his first triple. Peoria gets the day off tomorrow.

Aguirre 9, Tronconero #2 2 (NYM)
RHP Marwin Vega (3.98, W) had a fine start, going six and a third innings giving up two runs on three hits, a hit batter, and a walk against eight strikeouts. One of those runs was allowed to score by RHP Irvin Rodriguez (2.25), who went an inning and two-thirds and gave up a hit, hit a batter, and walked two. RHP Daniel Yerovi (2.04) went the final inning and allowed a hit while striking out two. C William Ortiz (2B, 3 R, RBI, PB, .219) had two hits, and 3B Pablo Orfila (3B, 2 R, 3 RBI, .237) was one-for-three with a walk and comprised most of the offense.

Down in the Dominican, Ronald Garth (.341) has finally been trumped for the top spot on the batting average list. Meanwhile, the Santo Domingo M’s won on starts by Jael Luna (3.48) and Eddy Fernandez (1.02), who are now one and two on the strikeout list with thirty-seven and thirty-six, respectively.

Tacoma Rainiers: 48-38, .558, 1st in PCL North
San Antonio Missions: 42-45, (12-5, 2nd half) .483 (.706), 1st in TL West
Inland Empire 66ers: 47-39 (8-8), .547 (.500), 3.5 GB CAL South
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers: 37-48 (6-10), .435 (.375), 5GB in MWL Western
Everett Aquasox: 15-8, .652, 1st in NWL West
Peoria Mariners: 10-6, .625, T-1st in AZL
Seattle Mariners (VSL Aguirre): 23-20-1, .534 2.5 GB in VSL Valencia
Seattle Mariners (DSL Santo Domingo): 22-6, .786, 1st in Santo Domingo Norte
Organizational Record: 244-210-1, .537
|

A closer look at the minor league system of the Seattle Mariners baseball club.

Contact me: marinerminors"at"hotmail.com
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2006 Minor League Splits
2006 Organization Stats
2006 Runs Created and SECA
2005 M's Minor League Review

Top Prospect Lists:
MLB.com's Mariners System Review
InsideThePark's 41-50 Mariners Prospects
Baseball America's Top 10 Mariners Prospects
John Sickels' Top 20 Mariners Prospects
Diamond Futures' Top 10 Mariners Prospects
Rotoworld's Top 10 Mariners Prospects
Sportsblurb's Top 10 Mariners Prospects
Creative Sports' Top 10 Mariners Prospects

Charts and Data:
2004 Minor League Hitting Review
2004 Minor League Pitching Review


Around the Minors:

General
SeattleHardball (it's dead, Jim)
ProspectInsider Blog
FanHome Mariners Forum
Global Baseball Blog
Sportspot Minor League Forum
Tacoma Rainiers (AAA):
Official Website
Current team stats
Schedule
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Listen online
West Tenn Diamond Jaxx (AA):
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Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (A):
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Schedule
Roster
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Broadcaster Blog
Everett Aquasox (SS-A):
Official Website
Current team stats
Schedule
Roster
Recent news
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Peoria Mariners (R):
Current team stats
Roster
Aguirre (VSL):
Current team stats
Schedule
Roster
Santo Domingo (DSL):
Current team stats
Schedule

Recent Blogosphere Updates:
Blogosphere Links:

U.S.S. Mariner
An essential Mariners blog
Lookout Landing
Formerly Leone for Third
Detect-O-Vision
Mad baseball science, without all the nasty chemicals
Rain Delay
M's and Braves coverage from not-so-sunny Oregon
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Self-described fine line between stupid and clever
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Because 2001 took many by surprise too...
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M's coverage + NPB coverage
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A weekly column... oh, and revolution.
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Balanced optimistic perspectives
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From the guy who brought us Mariner Bullpen
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Fortunately, not the illegitimate child of Sodo Mojo and Yoko Ono
Grand Salami Blog
From the people who bring you the magazine
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Sports. Bremertonians. 'Nuff said
From Basketball to Baseball...
M's and Zags content
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Articles and angry fans galore
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Formerly the Mariners Top MLB forum
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JDM's Rookie Reports (Minors)
Tireless reporting on the minors and winter legaues
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General minor league reports and news
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News from all around the indy leagues
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Self-explanatory
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More focus on the Far East part of the game
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A high standard to live up to
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Fans from three different regions discuss sports
Rooftop Report (ChC)
Cubbies equivilant of Mariner Musings, Wheelhouse, etc
Athletics Minors (OAK)
Texan's perspective on A's and their minor leagues
Baseballblogs.org
All the blogs that have an RSS feed hooked up
Baseball Almanac
The complete history of baseball, abridged
MLB Center
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2003 Prospect Lists:
Rotoworld Top 100 Prospects
Rotoworld Top 10 Mariners Prospects
The Minors First Top 100 Prospects
Inside The Park's 21-30 Mariners Prospects
On Deck Baseball's Mariners Prospect Rankings
On Deck Baseball's Future 500
On Deck Baseball's Future 500 (AL Only)
Wait Til Next Year's Top 50 Prospects
Wait Til Next Year's 51-90 Prospects
The Sports Network's Top 10 Mariners Prospects
Creative Sports' Top 10 Mariners Prospects
CBS Sportsline's Top AL West Prospects
FoxSports.com's Top 10 Mariners Prospects
MLB.com's Top 50 Prospects
Seattle PI's Top 15 Mariners Prospects
2003 Runs Created (Current system players)
2003 Runs Created (New acquisitions)
2003 Secondary Avg. (Current system players)
2003 Secondary Avg. (New acquisitions)
2003 WHIP Charts (Current system players)
2003 WHIP Charts (New acquisitions)
2003 K/BB Charts (Current system players)
2003 K/BB Charts (New acquisitions)

Free Web Counters
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