Mariner Minors
Game Recaps (8/12/05)
Salt Lake 3 (ANA + 9), Tacoma 2Though both these teams are at the top of the division, they just happen to have been ice cold of late, and end this game having both gone 2-8 in their last ten games. Something had to give… Both sides were no-hit through four innings and RHP Chris Buglovsky (4.63) continued the streak through five, but in the last three, he gave up three runs on five hits (2 HR!) and two walks with three strikeouts total over his stint. RHP Scott Atchison (9.00) walked two and struck out two in the ninth. If you haven’t gathered as much already, there wasn’t a whole lot of hitting to this one early on, though seven Rainiers finished with a hit. Out of that group, 2B Jose Lopez (2B, 2 RBI, .280) had a double.
San Antonio 3, Tulsa 5 (COL – 4)RHP Jon Huber (4.86, E) faced off against former M’s prospect RHP Enmanuel Ulloa and came out ahead, giving up two runs on eight hits, two hit batters, and five strikeouts in six and two-thirds innings of work. LHP Tim Rall (3.33) finished that inning quickly, but RHP Nate Mateo (7.20, E, L) lost control of the game and gave up three runs (two earned) on two home runs and a strikeout in his inning and a third of work. CF Jaime Bubela (HR, .295) and 1B Nate Espy (HR, .274) both had solo home runs, 1B Jesse Hoorelbeke (.261) had two hits, and C Brian Moon (2B, .237) had a double.
Lancaster 8 (ARI – 1), Inland Empire 5LHP Jason Mackintosh (4.30, L) went five+ innings and gave up eight runs (six earned) after eight hits (HR), a wild pitch, two free passes, and six strikeouts. RHP Aaron Trolia (4.70) followed him for three frames, allowing two hits (which scored an inherited runner) and striking out two before LHP Nick Bourgeois (3.38) walked one and struck out one in the ninth. 1B Bryan Lahair (2 R, .303) had four hits out of the five spot in the lineup and DH Bucky Jacobsen (2 R, RBI, .571) and RF Wladimir Balentien (2 RBI, E, .281) had two on either side of him. Bucky’s back in Tacoma tomorrow, so says ITP. LH Carlos Arroyo (2B, .326) added a double.
Wisconsin 4, West Michigan 1 (DET + 10)For a glorified band-aid on the rotation and a guy I’ve never thought much of, RHP Cibney Bello (3.92, W) hasn’t been doing too badly, and went five innings this time around giving up an unearned run on five hits, a hit batter, and three walks against five Ks. I’d still like it if he kept the ball down more (three groundouts to nine flyouts) and didn’t walk so many though. RHP Stephen Grasley (3.06) took the next inning and a third and gave up a couple hits, a hit batter, and a walk, and then LHP Eric O’Flaherty (4.00) struck out two of his last four outs. CF Chris Colton (HR, 2 RBI, .377),
reigning player of the week, had four hits, SS Matt Tuiasosopo (R, E, .289) had two and a walk, and C Jeff Clement (HR, 2 RBI, .219) hit his first pro home run in the sixth.
Everett 1, Eugene 0 (SD – 3)LHP Robert Rohrbaugh (3.68, W) was stellar through seven innings, giving up two hits and two walks while punching out six. LHP Jared Thomas (3.59) struck out another in the eighth, and RHP Stephen Kahn (4.50, S) had two walks and two strikeouts in the ninth. The home run by RF Alex Gary (2B, HR, .253) was the extent of the scoring for either team in this one.
Peoria Mariners 7, Mesa Cubs 1 (- 6)LHP Shawn Nottingham (0.00) made another brief appearance, going an inning and giving up a hit while striking out a pair. LHP Harold Williams (2.30, PO) went the next four innings, giving up four hits and striking out four, and then RHP Juan Zapata (3.67, W) was perfect over the next three frames, punching out three along the way. RHP Tyrone Lamont (5.40) was the only one who got into trouble, giving up a run on a hit and two walks in the ninth. 1B Andy Hargrove (3 R, .339) had four walks in the game, and that’s enough for me to bump him up to the top spot in the recaps. SS Jeff Dominguez (2B, R, .253) and CF Tim Auty (RBI, SB, .431) had three hits each, and 2B Ronald Garth (.370), C Kevin Gergel (HR, 2 RBI, .291), 3B Corby Heckman (2B, E, .333), and LF Greg Halman (2B, RBI, .250) had two apiece.
Today’s Games:
Tacoma: RHP Rich Dorman, at Tacoma @ 7:05 pm PT
San Antonio: RHP Juan Sandoval, at Tulsa, @ 5:05 pm PT
Inland Empire: RHP Mumba Rivera, at San Bernardino, @ 7:11 pm PT
Wisconsin: LHP Julio Santiago, at West Michigan, @ 4:00 pm PT
Everett: LHP Paul Fagan, at Everett, @ 7:05 pm PT
Peoria: TBA, at Peoria, @ 7:05 pm PT
Aguirre: Season Over (0-2 in playoffs against Venoco)
Tacoma Rainiers: 62-57, .521, 2 GB in PCL Pacific North
San Antonio Missions: 25-22 (63-54), .532 (.538), 0.5 GB in TL West
Inland Empire 66ers: 22-25 (50-66), .468 (.431), 3.5 GB in CAL South
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers: 27-21 (66-52), .563 (.559), 1 GB in MWL West
Everett Aquasox: 29-22, .569, 5 GB in NWL West
Peoria Mariners, 8-4 (17-22), .667 (.436), T-1st GB in AZL
Aguirre Mariners, 37-23-3, .617, 1st (1 GA) in VSL Valencia
Santo Domingo Mariners, 27-21-1, .563, 3.5 GB in DSL Santo Domingo Norte
Organizational Record: 352-317-4, .526
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Changes to the Draft?
Baseball America is reporting that Major League Baseball is considering
a number of changes to the current draft setup, as well as some of the short-season leagues.
Among these proposed changes we have...
* Shifting the draft to the end of June.
* Establishing a cutoff point for draft signings, possibly August 1st or 15th.
* Changing the rules for how long teams control the rights of junior college players (eliminating draft-and-follow?)
* Eliminating the Gulf Coast League and the Arizona League, both of which operate at team complexes in Florida and Arizona, respectively.
* Moving the short-season league opening day to May and the season end to August (which would affect the Aquasox).
* Bumping the Pioneer League up to a short-season level (currently, it's rookie, but this would give every affiliate a short-season team).
* Turning the Appalachian League into some sort of co-op league (i.e. multiple affiliates represented on the same team).
* "MLB-sponsored pre-draft scouting combine"
One of the major effects of these changes would be that players signed from any given draft would be sent to the instructional league and then debut the following season. This could mean less incentive for high school players to sign contracts until they have to, which would in turn bolster the ranks of college baseball. That could lead to more coverage of (and interest in) college-level baseball, which currently lags far behind college basketball and football.
The effort here is to speed up the player development process, plain and simple. With more players debuting in short-season leagues and the whole influx of players being transferred from Arizona (~ 32 active on the Peoria M’s roster, currently), AND the possibility of players making the jump from the DSL/VSL, teams could ill-afford to have a player repeat a level. This would mean more business for the independent leagues, which would likely have more scraps to pick up and more interest in their players long-term by affiliated clubs.
Overall, the proposals are intriguing. The complex leagues in Florida and Arizona, as they’re called, could be eliminated without much complaint, as it’s basically high school ball played in unsavory weather conditions and odd-shaped parks. With only the cream of the crop advancing from one level to the next, minor league baseball would be more competitive and judging individual performances might become easier as a result. On the other hand, individual players would suffer more, having to fight for a shrinking number of jobs or head to the independent leagues (though increased attendance in those leagues might lead to a pay increase, that’s not the point). The draft itself might have to be shortened as well, as there wouldn’t be as much room for incoming players.
Of course, all of these proposed changes are just that, and there’s been no official word from anyone in the MLB as to how far they’re willing to go with this…
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Game Recaps (8/11/05)
Tacoma 10, Oklahoma 12 (TEX + 6)Bad as it looks, LHP Bobby Livingston (7.42, L) caught the worst of it, giving up ten runs (nine earned) on nine hits, a walk, and a strikeout in an inning+ of work. LHP Chris Key (3.60) scored two of those runs and two more on five hits (HR), a wild pitch, a hit batter, and two strikeouts in the next four and two-thirds. RHP Sean Green (4.42) pitched final two and a third, giving up three hits and two walks while punching out two. LF Abraham Nunez (3 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI, .262) had three hits in this one, SS Ramon Santiago (2 R, .246), CF Jamal Strong (2 R, .294), and C Miguel Ojeda (HR, 5 RBI, .256) had two hits each, and 3B Hunter Brown (2B, R, E, .290) and 2B Jose Lopez (HR, E, .282) had extra-base hits (and errors).
Inland Empire 10, High Desert 3 (KC + 3)Bad as the Sixers were in the first half, they’ve been on fire of late and just swept the first-place team in their division. RHP Chad Fillinger (6.17, W) did well through six innings of work, giving up two runs on seven hits (HR) and three walks against three Ks, despite facing the league’s best offense. RHP Oliver Arias (6.43) gave up a run on a hit (HR), two wild pitches, and two walks against a strikeout in the next two frames, and RHP Nibaldo Acosta (5.48) finished up the ninth with a strikeout. CF Sebastien Boucher (4 R, RBI, SB, .347), 2B Michael Garciaparra (2B, 2 RBI, .302), and 1B Bryan Lahair (R, .297) had three hits apiece, LF Carlos Arroyo (4 RBI, .328) and DH Bucky Jacobsen (HR, .588) had two each, and SS Asdrubal Cabrera (2B, R, .283) had a double. Boucher, Bucky, and Asdrubal all walked twice as well.
Wisconsin 3, West Michigan 10 (DET + 11)RHP Aaron Jensen (5.59, 2 E, L) went five and one-third innings and allowed four runs to score on eleven hits (2 HR!) and three walks against a strikeout. RHP Jason Snyder (4.56) took over for the next two innings and gave up six runs (four earned) on five hits and a strikeout, though LHP Adam Brandt (11.17) let three of those score after a hit and two walks over the last two-thirds. DH Brent Johnson (2B, 2 R, SB, .304) had three hits, RF Mike Wilson (R, 2 RBI, SB, .279) and 2B Oswaldo Navarro (E, SB, .272) had two, and C Omar Falcon (CS, .267) was 1-for-2 with a couple of walks, but the gap was just too big to overcome.
Everett 9, Eugene 1 (SD – 2)RHP Joe Woerman (4.85) got a spot start, going three innings and giving up three hits, two hit batters, a wild pitch, and three walks against two Ks. LHP Lance Beus (4.28, W) took three after that, giving up a run on six hits and two walks against five Ks, and RHP Cory Koliscak (3.80, S) had the same walks and Ks as Beus over the final third of the game, but none of the hits and one wild pitch. The top three hitters in CF Trevor Heid (2B, 3B, HR, 3 R, 2 RBI, .330), 2B Luis Valbuena (2 2B, 2 R, RBI, .266), and 3B Reed Eastley (2 RBI, .314), had three hits each, and DH J.B. Tucker (R, 2 RBI, .264) had two as the four hitter. RF Mike Saunders (3B, RBI, .248) added a triple.
Tomorrow’s Games:
Tacoma: RHP Chris Buglovsky, at Tacoma @ 7:05 pm PT
San Antonio: RHP Jon Huber, at Tulsa, @ 5:05 pm PT
Inland Empire: LHP Jason Mackintosh, at San Bernardino, @ 7:11 pm PT
Wisconsin: RHP Cibney Bello, at West Michigan, @ 4:00 pm PT
Everett: RHP Jeff Gilmore (?), at Eugene, @ 7:05 pm PT
Peoria: TBA, at Scottsdale, @ 7:05 pm PT
Aguirre: Season Over (0-2 in playoffs against Venoco)
Tacoma Rainiers: 62-56, .525, 1 GB in PCL Pacific North
San Antonio Missions: 25-21 (63-53), .543 (.543), T-1st in TL West
Inland Empire 66ers: 22-24 (50-65), .478 (.435), 2.5 GB in CAL South
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers: 26-21 (65-52), .553 (.556), 2.5 GB in MWL West
Everett Aquasox: 28-22, .560, 5 GB in NWL West
Peoria Mariners, 7-4 (16-22), .636 (.421), 1 GB in AZL
Aguirre Mariners, 37-23-3, .617, 1st (1 GA) in VSL Valencia
Santo Domingo Mariners, 27-21-1, .563, 3.5 GB in DSL Santo Domingo Norte
Organizational Record: 349-314-4, .526
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Game Recaps (8/10/05)
Tacoma 1, Oklahoma 9 (TEX + 5)RHP Cha Seung Baek (6.60, L) went five+ innings and gave up six runs on nine hits, two wild pitches, and a walk against three strikeouts. I don’t really know what to say about the guy anymore, but I’ll bite my tongue for now and hold off until I do team recaps in the offseason. RHP Scott Atchison (13.50) struck out one in the next inning, and RHP Masao Kida (3.97) gave up three runs on six hits in the last two innings. 3B Greg Dobbs (.314) and 1B Aaron Rifkin (2B, RBI, .253) both had two hits, and SS Ramon Santiago (2B, .244) doubled.
Wichita 5 (KC + 1), San Antonio 7RHP Yorman Bazardo (2.08) went six innings this time around, giving up three runs on six hits (HR) and two walks against a strikeout. RHP Renee Cortez (4.34) gave up a couple runs on two hits (HR) and a wild pitch against a strikeout in the seventh, LHP Jared Thomas (5.25, W) punched out one in the eighth, and RHP Mike Flannery (2.08, S) gave up a hit and walked one in the ninth. SS Adam Jones (RBI, CS, .311), RF T.J. Bohn (SB. .312), 1B Jesse Hoorelbeke (HR, .258), LF Jon Nelson (HR, 2 R, .227), and C Luis Oliveros (R, RBI, .330) all had two hits. Jones also walked twice.
Inland Empire 3, High Desert 2 (KC + 4)Always nice to have the pitchers stop the league’s top offense. RHP Brandon Moorhead (4.59, E, W) picked up the win after he went seven and a third innings and gave up two runs on six hits and a wild pitch against eight strikeouts. RHP Craig James (0.59, S) struck out one in the last inning and two thirds. Aside from the hits that are coming more frequently now, James’ peripherals are starting to look quite like what they did in the Midwest League. The Balentien v. Lahair debates have temporarily stopped, as CF Wladimir Balentien (HR, .282) did had his twenty-second home run, but 1B Bryan Lahair (RBI, .295) could only manage going 1-for-3 with a walk. Lahair had another RBI though, and that’s 98 on the season, which might be the minor league lead (I’m pretty sure he had it coming into the game). 2B Michael Garciaparra (R, .298) had two hits, and DH Bucky Jacobsen (HR, .615) had a home run and two walks. It’s about time to move him up again…
Everett 5, Eugene 13 (SD – 1)Blarg. RHP Roman Martinez (5.57, L) went three and two-thirds innings, giving up five runs on six hits (2 HR!), a hit batter, and four walks against three strikeouts, and RHP Eric Carter (8.04) did even worse after that, giving up seven runs on nine hits (HR), two hit batters, and a walk against three strikeouts. Take out Carter’s first start of the season, and that ERA jumps to 9.78. By comparison, RHP Edgar Guaramato (5.49) looked decent, giving up one run on two hits and two walks against a strikeout in the last inning and a third. C J.B. Tucker (2B, HR, 2 R, .257) had two hits in the game, and LF Alex Gary (HR, 2 RBI, .244) had a two-run shot in his only plate appearance.
Mesa Angels 8 (- 2), Peoria Mariners 7RHP Chia-an Huang (7.71) went just one inning, giving up three runs on four hits and two wild pitches. RHP Miguel Marquez (8.74) went the next five innings, giving up five runs (four earned) on six hits, a wild pitch, and four walks against four strikeouts. RHP Toma Bonilla (4.26) went the last three, giving up three hits and punching out four. The offense did about as well as one could hope with three of the team’s top four batters out of the lineup (and the fourth not doing much of anything). LF Marquise Liverpool (R, RBI, SB, .319) had three hits, and 1B Andy Hargrove (3B, 2 R, .342) and C Nick Prosise (2B, R, E, .270) had extra-base hits. CF Donato Ruiz (3 RBI, .260) knocked three runs in.
Aguirre 0, Venoco #1 2 (HOU)As quickly as they got there, the Aguirre M’s are out of the playoffs. They were kind of lagging behind the past few games, and including the playoffs, they’ve now lost five straight, so I’m not surprised, just disappointed. RHP Alfredo Venagas went seven innings and gave up two runs on eight hits (HR) and a walk against four Ks. RHP Ronald Uviedo (0.00) took over after that, giving up a hit in the eighth. DH Pablo Orfila and C Franklin Tua both had hits. Yeah, that’s as much as I can note.
Tomorrow’s Games:
Tacoma: LHP Bobby Livingston, at Oklahoma, @ 5:05 PM
San Antonio: Off day
Inland Empire: RHP Chad Fillinger, at High Desert, @ 7:05 pm PT
Wisconsin: RHP Aaron Jensen, at West Michigan, @ 4:00 pm PT
Everett: RHP Jeff Gilmore, at Eugene, @ 7:05 pm PT
Peoria: TBA, at Mesa, @ 7:05 pm PT
Aguirre: Season Over (0-2 in playoffs against Venoco)
Tacoma Rainiers: 62-55, .530, 1GB in PCL Pacific North
San Antonio Missions: 25-21 (63-53), .543 (.543), T-1st in TL West
Inland Empire 66ers: 21-24 (49-65), .467 (.430), 3.5 GB in CAL South
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers: 26-20 (65-51), .565 (.560), 2 GB in MWL West
Everett Aquasox: 27-22, .551, 5 GB in NWL West
Peoria Mariners, 7-4 (16-22), .636 (.421), 1 GB in AZL
Aguirre Mariners, 37-23-3, .617, 1st (1 GA) in VSL Valencia
Santo Domingo Mariners, 27-21-1, .563, 3.5 GB in DSL Santo Domingo Norte
Organizational Record: 347-312-4, .526
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Felix Pitch Breakdown, from a Twins Fan
Seth Stohs of
Seth Speaks, one of the great Minnesota Twins blogs, did a
pitch breakdown of Felix's start against the Twins yesterday.
Among the more interesting things he found, is that Felix was solely using the fastball and the curve (and maybe a slider or two) through the first four innings, or through the lineup one and one-third times, before he started throwing the change-up in there.
I recommend checking it out, if you haven't already.
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Game Recaps (8/9/05)
Tacoma 7, Oklahoma 14 (TEX + 4)The pitching was just ugly tonight. LHP Damian Moss (4.29) gave up three runs on three hits (HR) and a walk against a couple of strikeout in two and two-thirds innings, and LHP Andrew Lorraine (4.76) went the same amount after that, giving up four runs on seven hits and two walks with two Ks. Crazy though it may sound, the Rainiers were actually ahead for a while at this point, but RHP Clint Nageotte (2.59, L) came in and gave up five runs on three hits (HR) and three walks against two Ks in the next inning and two-thirds. RHP Sean Green (4.73) would allow two unearned runs to score in the eighth on a hit, a hit batter, and a walk. 2B Jose Lopez (2 2B, 2 R, RBI, E, .284) had three hits in the game, which is good to see, and CF Jamal Strong (R, SB, .292) and 1B (yes 1B) Miguel Ojeda (R, RBI, .257) had two hits. C Rene Rivera (2B, RBI, .200) also had a double. DH Ryan Christianson (R, .248) got four at-bats as well, so if you were wondering how the roster would be managed with three catchers, there you go (consider me surprised that the score was as close as it was for so long).
Wichita 7 (KC + 2), San Antonio 6LHP Thom Oldham (3.66, L) only made it through four and two-thirds innings, giving up six runs (four earned) on five hits and four walks against six strikeouts. LHP Cesar Jimenez (3.21) gave up two of those on two walks in the next inning and a third, and then LHP Ryan Rowland-Smith (4.86) allowed a run to score in the last three innings on six hits, a wild pitch, and two walks against five strikeouts. CF Gary Harris (R, RBI, .278) and C Luis Oliveros (2B, RBI, .322), who likes hitting in the Texas League so much better, both had three hits in the game. RF T.J. Bohn (R, A, .311) and 1B Jesse Hoorelbeke (R, 2 RBI, .256) had two hits apiece as well, but even though the Missions had a hit from every player in the lineup, it just wasn’t enough.
Inland Empire 8, High Desert 2 (KC + 5)LHP Ryan Feierabend (3.75, W) pitched quite well through six innings, giving up five hits and two walks while striking out seven. LHP Troy Cate (3.23) struggled again in the next two, giving up two runs on three hits, two wild pitches, and three walks against three strikeouts, and RHP Craig James (0.66) gave up a hit in the ninth. Guess which two batters had home runs tonight? No, really, 1B Bryan Lahair (2B, HR, 2 R, 5 RBI, .294) and RF Wladimir Balentien (HR, 2 RBI, .282) continued their tradition of teeing off on the same night, though this time it was Wlad who had the system lead for four innings. SS Erick Monzon (R, .288) added three hits, and CF Sebastien Boucher (2B, RBI, .348) and 2B Michael Garciaparra (2 R, .294), with DH Carlos Arroyo (2 R, CS, .328) going 1-for-3 with two walks.
Cedar Rapids 5 (ANA – 6), Wisconsin 6 (eleven innings)After a delay of an hour and forty minutes, the T-Rats got in a game that went three hours and twenty-five minutes and into extra innings. Ouch. RHP Mark Lowe (5.47, E) went five innings and gave up an unearned run on four hits, a hit batter, and two walks against two Ks. RHP Jon Lockwood (3.60) went the next two+ innings, giving up four runs on three hits, a wild pitch, and three walks against a K. but LHP Eric O’Flaherty (4.09) score two of those on two hits and a wild pitch in the next two frames. RHP Stephen Grasley (3.13, W) picked up the win in extra innings, striking out one in two frames of work. He also has an 8-0 record, and if the season ended today, I’d give him strong consideration for the T-Rats pitcher of the year (partially because he’s been healthy and there all season long). Lots of position changes in this one, par exemple, RF-3B-LF Brent Johnson (SB, CS, A, .299) led the way, going 3-for-3 with a walk, 2B-3B Yung-chi Chen (2B, RBI, .297) and PH-DH Mike Wilson (R, .276) had two hits, and LF-CF Josh Womack (3B, R, RBI, .259) tripled. The only position to stay constant through all eleven innings was catcher, with Omar Falcon (R, .263) behind the dish for all of them, which is kind of odd, considering.
Eugene 0 (SD – 2), Everett 3RHP Nick Allen (3.69, W) went six innings and gave up four hits, a hit batter, and three walks, but no runs, and struck out four. As good as he was, LHP David Asher (2.91, S) was better, giving up just one hit in three innings and striking out five. He’s striking out 11.2 per nine right now, so why he isn’t in the rotation is a mystery to me, but this sometimes happens to guys in their first year. Justin Thomas was moved into the ‘pen for fear of overusing him, and that might be what’s happened with Kahn too. CF Trevor Heid (2B, R, .313) doubled and scored in his only plate appearance, and SS Robert Hudson (R, RBI, .286) had two hits.
Peoria Mariners 5, Phoenix Athletics 6 (+ 3)LHP Shawn Nottingham (0.00) finally resurfaced, if only for an inning, striking out a couple of batters in 1-2-3 inning. RHP Marwin Vega (6.75) went the next four, allowing four runs (three earned) to score on four hits, two wild pitches, and five walks against two strikeouts. RHP Ari Kafka (4.50, L) would take the loss, no thanks to the defense, after giving up two runs (one earned) on a couple of walks and a wild pitch in the next inning. LHP Jose Suriel (4.29) pitched the final two, striking out one and not allowing a batter to reach against him. CF Tim Auty (R, .418) and RF Eddy Hernandez (HR, 2 RBI, .381) both had two hits, as usual, including Eddy’s fourth home run. 1B Curtis Ledbetter (R, .312) and LF Greg Halman (.239) added two walks apiece, despite no hits from either. Also, 2B Corby Heckman (RBI, .250) made an appearance, going 1-for-4. He went on the DL some time ago in Everett, but I don’t think I ever figured out why.
Venoco #1 1 (HOU), Aguirre 0LHP Jose Escalona got through seven innings, giving up four hits and five walks while striking out five, but RHP Jorge Acosta took the loss after giving up a run on a hit, a hit batter, and a walk in the eighth. LHP Hugo Castro had an uneventful ninth. Nothing going on for the offense in the way of multi-hits or extra-base hits, but 3B Deybis Benitez was 1-for-2 with a walk.
Tomorrow’s Games:
Tacoma: RHP Cha Seung Baek, at Oklahoma, @ 5:05 PM
San Antonio: RHP Yorman Bazardo (!), at San Antonio, @ 5:05 pm PT
Inland Empire: RHP Brandon Moorhead, at High Desert, @ 7:05 pm PT
Wisconsin: Off day
Everett: RHP Roman Martinez, at Eugene, @ 7:05 pm PT
Peoria: Off day (Peoria actually played today…)
Aguirre: TBA, at Venoco, Game 2 of 3-game series
Tacoma Rainiers: 62-54, .534, 1GB in PCL Pacific North
San Antonio Missions: 24-21 (62-53), .533 (.539), T-1st in TL West
Inland Empire 66ers: 20-24 (48-65), .455 (.425), 4.5 GB in CAL South
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers: 26-20 (65-51), .565 (.560), 2 GB in MWL West
Everett Aquasox: 27-21, .563, 4 GB in NWL West
Peoria Mariners, 7-3 (16-21), .700 (.432), 1 GB in AZL
Aguirre Mariners, 37-23-3, .617, 1st (1 GA) in VSL Valencia
Santo Domingo Mariners, 27-21-1, .563, 3.5 GB in DSL Santo Domingo Norte
Organizational Record: 345-309-4, .527
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Game Recaps (8/8/05)
Tacoma 8, Oklahoma 9 (TEX + 3)RHP Rich Dorman (6.82, L) was brought back up from Peoria to start this one, but he might not have been quite ready, as he gave up six runs on five hits (HR) and two walks against two Ks. RHP Jeff Heaverlo (5.18) went the next three, giving up two runs on four hits (HR) and two walks against five strikeouts. LHP Chris Key (3.38) took the last three, and allowed another run on a solo shot against a couple of Ks. C Miguel Ojeda (2B, 2 HR, 3 R, 4 RBI, .243) led the charge with four hits, DH Hunter Brown (2B, R, .294) had three, and RF Abraham Nunez (R, RBI, .257) had two hits, but the ninth inning rally came up a run short.
In case you missed it, Dave at USSM said earlier today that Foppert’s absence is nothing more than a
sore neck…
Wichita 5 (KC ), San Antonio 8RHP Juan Sandoval (4.13, W) went five and a third innings in his start, and allowed two runs on three hits, a hit batter, and four walks with a couple of Ks. RHP Nate Mateo (4.91) finished up the inning with a hit and a wild pitch, but didn’t let any runs score. LHP Tim Rall (3.35) was the one who ended up getting hurt by inherited runners scoring, having an uneventful seventh, but loading the bases on a single and two walks in the eighth. RHP Michael Bumstead (5.81) let all three score on two hits and a walk in two-thirds of an inning, and RHP Mike Flannery (2.70, S) had to clean up, punching out two while going the rest of the way. The big hit was a three-run home run by DH Jon Nelson (HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, .223), but 2B Ismael Castro (2B, 2 R, .275) had a double as well.
Inland Empire 7, High Desert 14 (KC + 6)RHP Mumba Rivera (7.58, L) took a huge step back today, giving up seven runs on seven hits (HR), a wild pitch, and two walks with one strikeout in just two-thirds of an inning. Then again, he was facing the Cal League’s top hitting team. RHP Aaron Trolia (4.85) also got into trouble, giving up six runs on six hits and four walks against three Ks, though LHP Nick Bourgeois (3.24) scored three of those after a hit and two strikeouts in an inning and a third. RHP Jeff Mault (5.40) allowed a run on six hits and a walk with two Ks in the final three innings. C Rob Johnson (R, RBI, .333), DH Bucky Jacobsen (HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, .636), RF Wladimir Balentien (HR 2 RBI, .282), SS Erick Monzon (.282), and LF Michael Nesbit (2B, 3B, R, RBI, .288) each had two hits in the game. 1B Bryan Lahair (HR, .293) took over sole possession of the system lead with twenty home runs… for about five innings before Balentien tied him again. They just keep on doing that…
Cedar Rapids 7 (ANA – 5), Wisconsin 3RHP Ivan Blanco (6.71) lasted five and two-thirds innings, giving up six runs on nine hits (HR), a wild pitch, a hit batter, and three walks against five Ks. LHP Donny Langdon (4.50) took over after that, giving out two free passes and throwing a wild pitch in an inning and a third. RHP Jason Snyder (4.30) pitched the final two frames, giving up a run on two hits and three walks with three strikeouts. No multi-hit performances in this one, but CF Chris Colton (HR, .371) and 3B Yung-chi Chen (3B, R, .296) had extra-base hits.
Eugene 6 (SD – 1), Everett 4LHP Paul Fagan (3.53) had another good start, going six innings and giving up a couple runs on eight hits and a wild pitch while striking out six, but LHP Lance Beus (4.44, E, L) lost control of the game, giving up four runs (two earned) on four hits (2 HR!) against a strikeout in the next inning+. RHP Cory Koliscak (4.42) scored two of Beus’ runs, and had a balk, a wild pitch, a walk, and a strikeout in the final two. 2B Luis Valbuena (3B, 2 R, .262), DH Danny Santin (RBI, .319), and C J.B. Tucker (2B, HR, 2 RBI, .253) each had two hits, and LF Trevor Heid (3B, R, .305) had a triple.
Peoria Mariners 15, Phoenix Brewers 10 (0)LHP Steve Uhlmansiek (4.22, PO, E) went the first two innings, giving up an unearned run on two hits, a hit batter and a strikeout. Recently signed RHP Brian Kappel (0.00, E) made his debut next, giving up a hit and striking out one. Kappel was a college teammate of LHP Worth Lumry (7.23), who followed him in this game and gave up two runs on two hits and three walks. RHP Tyrone Lamont (5.25), who has kind of been struggling of late, gave up three runs (two earned) on three hits, a wild pitch, and a walk against two strikeouts in the next couple of frames. LHP Estelin Soto (6.75) also suffered from bad defense, giving up four runs, none of them earned, on three hits, two wild pitches, and a walk with one K in the next inning. RHP Juan Colon (2.16) would give up a hit and strike out one in the ninth. 2B Juan Guzman (3 R, RBI, E, .300) was the one with four hits this time around, and DH Curtis Ledbetter (HR, 5 RBI, .321) had three. The crowd of SS Dean Zorn (R, .262), 3B Ronald Garth (3B, R, E, .381), RF Jose Graterol (3 R, SB, .392), CF Donato Ruiz (HR, 3 RBI, .260), and LF Marquise Liverpool (2 R, 2 RBI, SB, .292) had two hits apiece. Liverpool had two walks and Graterol had three, as did 1B Andy Hargrove (HR, 3 R, 2 RBI, .346), who was 1-for-2 with a home run otherwise.
Game one of the Aguirre-Venoco playoff series was postponed due to rain.
Tomorrow’s Games:
Tacoma: LHP Damian Moss, at Oklahoma, @ 5:05 PM
San Antonio: LHP Thom Oldham, at San Antonio, @ 5:05 pm PT
Inland Empire: LHP Ryan Feierabend, at High Desert, @ 7:05 pm PT
Wisconsin: RHP Mark Lowe, at Appleton, @ 5:05 pm PT
Everett: RHP Nick Allen, at Everett, @ 7:05 pm PT
Peoria: TBA, at Peoria, @ 7:00 pm PT
Aguirre: TBA, at Aguirre, Game 1 of 3-game series
Tacoma Rainiers: 62-53, .539, 1.5 GB in PCL Pacific North
San Antonio Missions: 24-20 (62-52), .545 (.544), T-1st in TL West
Inland Empire 66ers: 19-24 (47-65), .442 (.420), 5.5 GB in CAL South
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers: 25-20 (64-51), .556 (.557), 1.5 GB in MWL West
Everett Aquasox: 26-21, .553, 4 GB in NWL West
Peoria Mariners, 7-2 (16-20), .778 (.444), T-1st in AZL
Aguirre Mariners, 37-23-3, .617, 1st (1 GA) in VSL Valencia
Santo Domingo Mariners, 27-21-1, .563, 3.5 GB in DSL Santo Domingo Norte
Organizational Record: 342-306-4, .528
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Game Recaps (8/7/05)
Tacoma 1, New Orleans 4 (WAS – 8)RHP Chris Buglovsky (4.76) went seven and a third innings, giving up all four of the Zephyrs’ runs on six hits and a hit batter against two Ks. RHP Sean Green (4.88) went the final two-thirds, walking two. CF Jamal Strong (2B, .290), RF Abraham Nunez (2B, R, .255), and LF Justin Leone (2B, .245) all had doubles, but there was only one other hit for the whole team.
Inland Empire 11, Rancho Cucamonga 3 (ANA + 1)LHP Jason Mackintosh (4.08, W) went six innings and gave up two runs on five hits, a hit batter, and five walks against three Ks. LHP Troy Cate (2.83), RHP Jeff Mault (6.43), and RHP Craig James (0.71) split the last three innings, with Cate giving up two hits and striking out one, Mault giving up a solo home run and striking out another, and James giving up a hit and a walk in the ninth. The Sixers’ offense was at it again, and LF Michael Nesbit (2B, R, 2 RBI, .286) and 3B Erick Monzon (3 2B, R, 2 RBI, SB, .280) each had four hits, while DH Bucky Jacobsen (2 2B, R, 4 RBI, .714) and CF Wladimir Balentien (2B, 2 R, RBI, SB, .280) had three apiece. 2B Michael Garciaparra (HR, E, .294) hit his fifth home run, but also made his eighteenth error. C Rob Johnson (2 R, .273) went 0-for-2, but walked three times. Both pinch hitters in PH-C Justin Ruchti (.216) and PH-DH Carlos Arroyo (.328) had singles in their appearances in the ninth.
Cedar Rapids 2 (ANA - 6), Wisconsin 4Give it up for LHP Julio Santiago (4.93, PO, W), who went seven and a third innings and gave up a run on four hits and two walks against eight Ks. Of course, he was facing one of the league’s worst offenses, but he has been doing better of late, the start against South Bend aside. RHP Justin Jordan (5.60) gave up that one run and one more on two hits against three strikeouts in an inning and two-thirds of work. CF Chris Colton (2B, HR, .375), 2B Yung-chi Chen (2 R, .296), and RF Mike Wilson (2B, HR, 3 RBI, .272) each had two hits and 3B Brandon Green (2B, 2 RBI, .226) doubled.
Eugene 0 (SD – 2), Everett 1LHP Robert Rohrbaugh (4.38) went six innings and gave up just two hits and two walks while striking out seven. LHP Justin Thomas (3.67) went the next two and a third and gave up a couple hits and a walk against two Ks, and RHP Stephen Kahn (5.40, S) nailed down his fifth save with a strikeout during the last two-thirds. 2B Luis Valbuena (HR, .254) gets the game ball for providing the only scoring in the game with his sixth home run.
Surprise Royals 2 (- 3), Peoria Mariners 5Saturday’s game (I may decide to recap the previous night’s game from here on out rather than try to update mid-day). LHP Harold Williams (2.51, PO, E, W) went five innings and gave up three hits and four walks while striking out two. RHP Juan Zapata (4.12) went next, giving up two unearned runs on three hits and a walk against four Ks, and RHP John Sullivan (2.89, S) went the final two, giving up three hits along the way. 2B Ronald Garth (2B, 2 3B, 2 R, E, .379) was a perfect 4-for-4, and CF Tim Auty (2 RBI, .413) had two more hits to boost his average even higher.
Tomorrow’s Games:
Tacoma: TBA (against Aaron Sele), at Oklahoma, @ 5:05 PM
San Antonio: RHP Juan Sandoval, at San Antonio, @ 5:05 pm PT
Inland Empire: RHP Mumba Rivera, at High Desert, @ 7:05 pm PT
Wisconsin: RHP Ivan Blanco, at Appleton, @ 5:05 pm PT
Everett: LHP Paul Fagan, at Everett, @ 7:05 pm PT
Peoria: TBA, at Phoenix, @ 7:00 pm PT
Aguirre: TBA, at Venoco, Game 1 of 3-game series
Tacoma Rainiers: 62-52, .544, 1 GB in PCL Pacific North
San Antonio Missions: 23-20 (61-52), .535 (.540), 1.5 GB in TL West
Inland Empire 66ers: 19-23 (47-64), .452 (.423), 4.5 GB in CAL South
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers: 25-19 (64-50), .568 (.561), 1 GB in MWL West
Everett Aquasox: 26-20, .565, 4 GB in NWL West
Peoria Mariners, 6-2 (15-20), .750 (.429), 1 GB in AZL
Aguirre Mariners, 37-23-3, .617, 1st (1 GA) in VSL Valencia
Santo Domingo Mariners, 27-21-1, .563, 3.5 GB in DSL Santo Domingo Norte
Organizational Record: 339-302-4, .529
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Game Recaps (8/6/05)
Tacoma 6, New Orleans 5 (WAS – 9)Nice come-from-behind win, though Kida almost blew it. LHP Bobby Livingston (4.56) went six and a one-third innings and gave up three runs on six hits and a walk against a K, struggling late in the game. RHP Clint Nageotte (0.79) came on after that, striking out two in an inning, then LHP Andrew Lorraine (4.56) got the final two outs of the eighth. RHP Masao Kida (3.69, S) gave up two runs on four hits, two wild pitches, and a strikeout in the ninth, but managed to preserve the win. 1B Aaron Rifkin (2B, HR, 2 R, RBI, .249) and 3B Hunter Brown (2B, R, RBI, E, .287) both had two hits, but the scoring in this game was a little weird, and there were a lot of collisions, players tripping over each other, and all sorts of other miscues that the Rainiers took advantage of late in the game. SS Ramon Santiago (HR, 2 R, SB, .249), who had been eating his Wheaties lately, hit his eighth home run to break his old single-season record.
Corpus Christi 8 (HOU + 1), San Antonio 3RHP Jon Huber (4.99, W) got the start (bad info from the SA Express-News last night), and went five innings giving up three runs on seven hits and a walk against six Ks. He was in line for a win, but RHP Nate Mateo (6.00, L) gave up two runs on two hits (HR) and a walk in the next third of an inning and started the downward momentum. LHP Cesar Jimenez (3.29) did fine in his inning, walking two and striking out two, but RHP Renee Cortez (4.09) gave up three runs on two hits (HR) and two walks against three Ks in the next inning and two-thirds to blow it open for the Hooks. LHP Ryan Rowland-Smith (4.91) struck out one in the ninth. 1B Nate Espy (HR, 3 RBI, .276) had a three-run shot in the fourth, and DH Nate Espy (R, RBI, .298) had two hits.
Inland Empire 3, Rancho Cucamonga 13 (ANA + 2)I’ve seen a lot of strange games in the years I’ve followed the minors, but this is among the worst. The Quakes hit seven home runs against Sixers pitching in this one, one shy of the league record (which was done on consecutive days in ’99), and just butchered the pitching after the third inning. RHP Chad Fillinger (6.64, L) gave up four of those bombs, all solo, and seven hits, a hit batter, and two walks overall through three and a third innings, while striking out three. RHP Nibaldo Acosta (5.56) served up two more, and would give up seven runs on seven hits and a walk against four strikeouts in the next three and a third. RHP Oliver Arias (6.75) gave up the last one and two runs on two hits and two strikeouts while being trudged out to finish the game. DH Bucky Jacobsen (.667), recently moved up, C Rob Johnson (2B, HR, 2 RBI, .333), and RF Sam Bradford Jr. (3B, RBI, .250) all had two hits, and CF Wladimir Balentein (2B, R, .276) doubled and scored, but six of the Sixers nine hits came prior to the fifth inning, as everything started to fall apart in the bottom of the seventh. Fun little note on Wlad’s power though… in the fifth inning, he hit a deep fly out… to the opposite field… and he broke his bat doing so…
Cedar Rapids 3 (ANA - 5), Wisconsin 7RHP Cibney Bello (4.25, W) has moved into the rotation with Randy Frye now on the DL (bad back), and Bello went six innings+, giving up three runs on four hits, a hit batter, and three walks against two Ks, which is surprisingly good for a spot start. RHP Stephen Grasley (3.21) scored one of Bello’s runs and went two innings after that, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out three. RHP Jason Snyder (4.38) sealed the win with a strikeout in the ninth. LF Brent Johnson (2B, HR, 3 R, A, .297) and DH Chris Colton (3B, HR, 2 R, 4 RBI, .371) both had three hits, including a home run for each. This was Brent’s first home run of the year, which is kind of surprising, but his power hasn’t been at the levels it was at last year and he’s been mostly an on-base guy this season. 3B Yung-chi Chen (RBI, SB .294) and SS Matt Tuiasosopo (R, E, .291) added two hits each, and C Jeff Clement (CS, .158) was 1-for-2 with a couple of walks.
Everett 11, Yakima 8 (ARI – 9)RHP Jeff Gilmore (2.28) went five innings and gave up three runs on eight hits (HR), a balk, two hit batters, and a walk against four strikeouts. LHP Rollie Gibson (4.50, E) followed for an inning+ and gave up three runs on four hits (HR) against two strikeouts, with RHP Edgar Guaramato (5.40) taking over for the next two-thirds, scoring two of Gibson’s runs and two more of his own on two hits and a wild pitch against two Ks. RHP Cory Koliscak (4.96, W) took charge after that, striking out one in an inning and a third, and RHP Stephen Kahn (6.23, S) had similar results in his one inning. C Danny Santin (R, RBI, .320), 3B Ron Prettyman (3B, R, RBI, .302), RF Mike Saunders (2B, 2 R, 2 RBI, SB, .261), and SS Robert Hudson (2 R, RBI, .284) each had two hits, and CF-LF Casey Craig (HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, .290) had his sixth home run. LF Bryan Sabatella (2B, RBI, A ,.269) also had a double and an assist. He’s been getting quite a few of those, despite being mostly and infielder in college.
Waiting on Peoria, yet again…
Today’s Games:
Tacoma: RHP Chris Buglovsky (?, Foppert is due), at New Orleans, @ 3:05 PM
San Antonio: Off day
Inland Empire: LHP Jason Mackintosh, at Rancho Cucamonga, @ 5:15 pm PT
Wisconsin: LHP Julio Santiago, at Appleton, @ 11:05 am PT
Everett: LHP Robert Rohrbaugh, at Everett, @ 4:05 pm PT
Peoria: TBA, at Phoenix, @ 7:00 pm PT
Aguirre: Season over, playoffs soon
Tacoma Rainiers: 62-51, .549, 1 GB in PCL Pacific North
San Antonio Missions: 23-20 (61-52), .535 (.540), 1.5 GB in TL West
Inland Empire 66ers: 18-23 (46-64), .439 (.418), 4.5 GB in CAL South
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers: 24-19 (63-50), .558 (.558), 1 GB in MWL West
Everett Aquasox: 25-20, .556, 4 GB in NWL West
Peoria Mariners, 5-2 (14-20), .714 (.412), 1 GB in AZL
Aguirre Mariners, 37-23-3, .617, 1st (1 GA) in VSL Valencia
Santo Domingo Mariners, 27-21-1, .563, 3.5 GB in DSL Santo Domingo Norte
Organizational Record: 335-301-4, .527
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