Mariner Minors: 08/21/2005

Mariner Minors

Saturday, August 27, 2005

Game Recaps (8/27/05)

Tacoma 15, Tucson 6 (ARI- 7)
LHP Bobby Livingston (5.24, W) went six innings and let two runs score on seven hits (HR) and a walk while ringing up two. RHP Mike Bumstead (4.87) went next, giving up a hit in the seventh, and then RHP Mike Flannery (6.75) gave up two runs on three hits and a walk against two Ks in the eighth. RHP Jeff Heaverlo (4.56) allowed two more runs (one earned) to score in the ninth on four hits and two Ks. The top three hitters, LF Shin-soo Choo (2 R, .271), 2B Jose Lopez (2B, 2 R, RBI, .328), and RF Abraham Nunez (2B, R, .267), had three hits each. 1B Aaron Rifkin (2B, 2 R, RBI, .263), 3B Justin Leone (2B, HR, 3 R, 2 RBI, .247), SS Ramon Santiago (2B, 3B, 5 RBI, E, .252), and CF T.J. Bohn (HR, 2 R, .289) all had two apiece, and C Wiki Gonzalez (2B, R, 3 RBI, E, .306).

Frisco 6 (TEX - 8), San Antonio 4
In the Missions’ defense, they did have to go out there against John Danks. RHP Yorman Bazardo (3.90) gave up five runs on eight hits (HR), a balk, and a walk against eight strikeouts through six innings. Those added Ks accompanied by some struggles may indicate that they’re trying to change his approach a bit (or it may not). RHP Nate Mateo (4.50) settled down and went the next two innings allowing just a hit and two walks while striking out four. But LHP Jared Thomas (4.43) got into some trouble after that, giving up run on two hits and two walks in a third of an inning, though LHP Tim Rall (4.27) struck out the final two batters to get out of the bases loaded jam. SS Adam Jones (2B, 2 RBI, .292) and 2B Ismael Castro (.269) both had two hits, and DH Nate Espy (3B, RBI, .275) tripled.

Visalia 4 (TB – 11), Inland Empire 3 (eleven innings)
Nothing stings quite like an extra-innings loss. RHP Chad Fillinger (5.59) went seven innings and gave up three runs on four hits (HR) and three walks against six Ks. It was really only the sixth inning where they got him (single, walk, HR), one mistake pitch, and that’s all. LHP Nick Bourgeois (3.45) was perfect going into extra innings, striking out four, but RHP Aaron Troila (4.75, E, L) gave up a run on three hits against two strikeouts in the final two innings to get the loss. LF Sebastien Boucher (R, SB, E, .348), 1B Bryan Lahair (2B, R, RBI, .308), CF Wladimir Balentien (2B, RBI, .288), and C Rob Johnson (2B, R, .302) all had two hits apiece. Boucher and Johnson also walked, and Boucher’s ISO OBP is almost .100, which is just crazy.

Fort Wayne 4 (SD – 12), Wisconsin 7
Prior to the rain delay, it was LHP Shawn Nottingham (4.03, PO) taking the hill for four innings and allowing a run on a hit, two wild pitches, a hit batter, and four walks against four Ks, and RHP Jon Lockwood (2.66) following it up with an inning where he allowed a run on a hit and a hit batter while striking out two. RHP Justin Jordan (5.02, W) got the win as he went two and two-thirds innings the next day, giving up a couple runs on three hits while striking out two. LHP Donny Langdon (5.40) finished the inning, and then LHP Eric O’Flaherty (3.88, S) gave up a hit in the ninth, notching his eleventh save. 3B Brent Johnson (2B, R, .313), 2B Yung-chi Chen (R, RBI, .291), and C Jeff Clement (R, RBI, .333) had two hits each, and 1B Marshall Hubbard (2B, R, 2 RBI, .289) had a double.

Fort Wayne 7 (- 11), Wisconsin 5
RHP Mark Lowe (5.49, 2 E) went five innings in the game after that and gave up five runs (three earned) on eight hits (HR), a hit batter, and two walks against four Ks. RHP Jason Snyder (4.54, L) pitched two and two-thirds after that and allowed a pair of runs to score on four hits, a walk, and a strikeout, and RHP Stephen Grasley (3.60) was perfect through the final four outs. DH Jeff Clement (HR, .342) and 1B Marshall Hubbard (R, RBI, E, .292) had two hits each, and CF Chris Colton (3B, R, 2 RBI, .339) and C Omar Falcon (2B, .271) had extra-base hits.

Everett 3, Vancouver Canadians 2 (fourteen innings)
I got to the computer in time to hear the final out of this one. Four+ hours earlier, LHP Harold Williams (5.00) had taken the mound to start the game, and went five innings, giving up two hits, a wild pitch, and three walks while punching out seven. Seems like the extended rest didn’t hurt him too much. RHP Edgar Guaramato (3.69) went the next three innings, walking one, hitting one, and striking out one, and LHP Lance Beus (3.86) pitched two perfect frames after that, striking out one. RHP Stephen Kahn (4.85) gave up a couple of runs to tie the game again in the eleventh, 2-2. Kahn’s line in two innings of work reads two runs on two hits and two walks against three Ks. LHP David Asher (3.98, W) finally got his first pro win, going the final two innings, allowing one hit, and hitting a batter. 3B Ron Prettyman (R, .274) and DH Reed Eastley (.333) had two hits each, and 1B Jeff Flaig (2B, RBI, E, .263) had a double. The deciding run for the Sox came in the fourteen when C J.B. Tucker (2B, .252) doubled and was replaced by PR Bryan Sabatella (R, .253), who moved over on a Flaig sacrifice and scored on a single by RF Michael Saunders (RBI, .268). Saunders would also catch the final out of the game.

Peoria Mariners 9, Mesa Cubs 6 (- 8)
RHP Miguel Marquez (7.38, W) went five innings and allowed three runs (two earned) to score after six hits, two wild pitches, and two walks, while he struck out seven. Marquez is currently the team leader (by a good margin) in innings pitched (50) as well as strikeouts (49). RHP Tyrone Lamont (4.80) came in after that and gave up an unearned run while striking out two in two innings. LHP Worth Lumry (6.93) gave up a hit in the eighth, and LHP Estelin Soto (7.53) let a couple runs score on three hits, a hit batter, a walk, and two strikeouts in the ninth. 2B Juan Guzman (R, 3 RBI, SB, .315), RF Eddy Hernandez (2B, 2 R, RBI, .375), and 3B Leury Bonilla (2B, 2 R, RBI, .261) each had three hits. SS Dean Zorn (RBI, .264) added two, and CF Donato Ruiz (HR, A, E, .259), 1B Andy Hargrove (2B, R, RBI, .323), and LF Marquise Liverpool (2B, R, RBI, .295) flashed some power. Liverpool was also plunked twice, bringing his total up to six on the season, though Ronald Garth and Hargrove share the team lead at eight. With this victory, the M’s have taken over as the league leaders in the second half.

Tomorrow’s Games:
Tacoma: RHP Jesse Foppert, at Tucson, @ 6:00 pm PT
San Antonio: LHP Thom Oldham, at San Antonio, @ 4:05 pm PT
Inland Empire: LHP Jason Mackintosh, at San Bernardino, @ 6:11 pm PT
Wisconsin: RHP Aaron Jensen, at Appleton, @ 11:05 am PT
Everett: LHP Robert Rohrbaugh (?), at Vancouver, @ 1:05 pm PT
Peoria: TBA, at Scottsdale (doubleheader), @ 7:00 pm PT
Aguirre: Season Over (0-2 in playoffs against Venoco #1)

Tacoma Rainiers: 75-60, .556, 1st (5 GA) in PCL Pacific North
San Antonio Missions: 33-29 (71-61), .532 (.538), 1 GB in TL West
Inland Empire 66ers: 26-35 (54-76), .426 (.415), 10.5 GB in CAL South
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers: 33-28 (72-59), .541 (.550), 1 GB in MWL West
Everett Aquasox: 37-28, .569, 2 GB in NWL West
Peoria Mariners, 16-8 (25-26), .667 (.490), 1st (0.5 GA) in AZL
Aguirre Mariners, 37-23-3, .617, 1st (1 GA) in VSL Valencia
Santo Domingo Mariners, 32-24-1, .570, 2 GB in DSL Santo Domingo Norte
Organizational Record: 403-357-4, .530

posted by Jay Y. @ 11:27 PM

Game Recaps (8/26/05)

I have a new article up over at ITP on the Dominican and Venezuelan Summer League teams.

Also, the M’s claimed RHP Francisco Cruceta off waivers from the Indians earlier today. Not a bad pickup on the whole, there are certainly worse guys we’ve found on waivers, but I don’t have a full report on him just yet. I think he might be out of options though, so ST could be interesting…

Tacoma 5, Tucson 3 (ARI – 6)
Two milestones recently, as manager Dan Rohn passed Dave Myers with his 367th victory as the Rainiers’ manager, putting him as the current leader on the all-time list. That happened on Thursday, and today, LHP Andrew Lorraine (4.60, W) earned his 100th career triple-A victory, giving up three runs on five hits, a hit batter, a wild pitch, and four walks against five strikeouts in five innings of work. RHP Sean Green (3.83) gave up a hit, threw a wild pitch, and struck out one in the next two innings, and RHP Scott Atchison (2.70) rung up one in the eighth. RHP Masao Kida (4.16, S) notched his 21st save on the season by giving up a hit and striking out two in the ninth. 1B Aaron Rifkin (2B, R, .261) had three hits in the game, LF Shin-soo Choo (2B, R, .268), 3B Justin Leone (.244), SS Ramon Santiago (.251) had two hits each, and RF Abraham Nunez (HR, .264) had a solo home run.

San Antonio 5, Midland 0 (OAK + 7)
RHP Rich Dorman (0.00) pitched seven innings and gave up just three hits and two walks while punching out seven. This, of course, coming against the division leaders and the top-hitting team in the league. Free Rich Dorman. LHP Ryan Rowland-Smith (4.47) followed that act with a hit, a walk, and three strikeouts in the final two innings. LF Jaime Bubela (2 RBI, .293) and DH Jesse Hoorelbeke (HR, .260) had two hits, and SS Adam Jones (HR, .289), 1B Nate Espy (2B, .275), and RF Jon Nelson (HR, .230) provided some power.

Visalia 4 (TB- 12), Inland Empire 6
RHP Brandon Moorhead (5.13) pitched six innings and gave up four runs on eight hits, a hit batter, and a walk against five strikeouts. LHP Troy Cate (2.66, W) took the next two and one-third innings, allowing a couple hits and a walk while he punched out five. RHP Craig James (1.64) had a hit, a hit batter, and a strikeout in the last two-thirds of an inning. DH Wladimir Balentien (2B, R, RBI, SB, .287) had three hits (and just one strikeout!) in this one, LF Carlos Arroyo (2B, 3B, 2 R, .313) and 1B Bryan Lahair (2 2B, R, 2 RBI, PO, .307) had two, and CF Sebastien Boucher (2B, RBI, .346) and C Justin Ruchti (2B, RBI, .226) had doubles.

Wisconsin’s game was suspended due to rain, tied 2-2. I could write up a partial recap…. Nah….

Salem-Keizer 10 (SF + 8), Everett 4
RHP Nick Allen (4.87, L) only lasted one third of an inning and gave up five runs on six hits and a hit batter. Long reliever RHP Randy Frye (1.69) was able to come in after that, and minimize the damage somewhat, giving up a run on four hits, a wild pitch, and three walks against three Ks, and LHP Rollie Gibson (4.05) also did a fine job, giving up two hits and punching out four over the next two frames. But after that, things started to get shaky again, and RHP Cory Koliscak (5.47) was tagged with two more runs in a third of an inning on two hits (HR) and a hit batter. RHP Eric Carter (8.19) scored one of those and allowed two of his own runs to score on four hits and a wild pitch while he finished up the inning. RHP Joe Woerman (4.76) walked one and struck out two in the ninth. SS Reed Eastley (2 2B, R, RBI, .333) had three hits in this one, CF Casey Craig (.293) and 3B Ron Prettyman (R, .272) had two each, and LF Bryan Sabatella (HR, .253) had a solo home run. Prettyman also walked twice.

Today’s Games:
Tacoma: LHP Bobby Livingston, at Tucson, @ 7:00 pm PT
San Antonio: RHP Yorman Bazardo (!), at San Antonio, @ 5:00 pm PT
Inland Empire: RHP Chad Fillinger, at San Bernardino, @ 7:11 pm PT
Wisconsin: Completion of suspended game, at Appleton, @ 3:05 pm PT
Second Game: RHP Mark Lowe
Everett: LHP Harold Williams (!), at Vancouver, @ 7:05 pm PT
Peoria: TBA, at Peoria, @ 7:00 pm PT
Aguirre: Season Over (0-2 in playoffs against Venoco #1)

Tacoma Rainiers: 74-60, .552, 1st (4 GA) in PCL Pacific North
San Antonio Missions: 33-28 (71-60), .541 (.542), 1 GB in TL West
Inland Empire 66ers: 26-34 (54-75), .433 (.419), 9.5 GB in CAL South
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers: 32-27 (71-58), .542 (.550), 0.5 GB in MWL West
Everett Aquasox: 36-28, .563, 3 GB in NWL West
Peoria Mariners, 15-8 (24-26), .652 (.480), 1 GB in AZL
Aguirre Mariners, 37-23-3, .617, 1st (1 GA) in VSL Valencia
Santo Domingo Mariners, 32-24-1, .570, 2 GB in DSL Santo Domingo Norte
Organizational Record: 399-354-4, .530

posted by Jay Y. @ 1:40 AM

Thursday, August 25, 2005

Game Recaps (8/25/06)

Tacoma 1, Tucson 5 (ARI – 4) (seven innings)
RHP Chris Buglovsky (4.71) pitched five innings in the opener and gave up all five runs (three earned) on eight hits, a hit batter, and two walks against three Ks. RHP Emiliano Fruto (12.91) gave up a hit in the sixth. 3B Hunter Brown (2B, R, .286) had a double in this one, and LF Justin Leone (RBI, E, .242) had a single and a walk.

Tacoma 1, Tucson 0 (- 5) (seven innings)
LHP Damian Moss (3.80, W) pitched the whole thing, going the full seven innings and giving up eight hits while striking out two. As for the offense, well, they did more with three hits than Tucson could muster with their eight. LF Shin-soo Choo (2B, R, .266) doubled and scored to open the game, and 1B Aaron Rifkin (3B, .255) had a triple later on.

San Antonio 6, Midland 5 (OAK + 8)
Wooo! RHP Juan Sandoval (4.08, W) went five and one-third innings, giving up three runs (one earned) on five hits and three walks against five strikeouts. LHP Cesar Jimenez (2.92) went the next inning and a third and gave up a couple runs (one earned) on two hits, two walks, and a K, though both scored after RHP Nate Mateo (3.48, E) came in, made an error, then struck out the last batter of the inning. LHP Chris Key (2.09) had a hit and two strikeouts in his inning of work, and RHP Renee Cortez (4.01, S) had a hit and one strikeout. C Luis Oliveros (RBI, .303) had two hits, and SS Adam Jones (3B, R, 2 RBI, .290) and 1B Jesse Hoorelbeke (2B, E, .257) added extra-base knocks.

Former Missions LHP Bobby Livingston and RF T.J. Bohn were named to the league’s post-season all-star team. Nifty.

Inland Empire 5, Lake Elsinore 2 (SD – 13)
LHP Ryan Feierabend (3.83, PO, W) went six innings and gave up two runs (one earned) on seven hits and three walks with four strikeouts. LHP Nick Bourgeois (3.51) took the next two and two-thirds, giving up one hit, walking three, and striking out one, and then RHP Craig James (1.69, W) got the final flyout. CF Sebastien Boucher (3B, 2 R, .354), C Rob Johnson (R, SB, A, PB, .283), and 2B Michael Garciaparra (SB, CS, .299) had two hits apiece, and LF Carlos Arroyo (2B, RBI, .311) and 3B Matt Rogelstad (2B, R, E, .305) had doubles.

Fort Wayne 0 (SD – 11), Wisconsin 5
LHP Julio Santiago (4.34, W) cruised through eight and one-third innings, giving up six hits and striking out eight, which is exactly what he should be doing to a team like that. RHP Ivan Blanco (6.63) came back from the DL and pitched the final two-thirds, giving up a hit and striking out one. Since no corresponding move was made when SS Matt Tuiasosopo went on the DL, Blanco takes his spot. 1B Marshall Hubbard (R, CS, .290) had two hits and CF Chris Colton (HR, .344), SS Oswaldo Navarro (2B, .271), and LF Josh Womack (2B, R, .266) had extra-base hits.

Salem-Keizer 8 (SF + 7), Everett 12
Two blown saves and the Sox still came out on top. RHP Jeff Gilmore (4.84) went five and one-third innings, allowing six runs to score on seven hits (HR), a wild pitch, a hit batter, and three walks against seven Ks. LHP Justin Thomas (3.91) scored two of Gilmore’s runs and blew the first save up, with two unearned runs on two hits and four walks against three strikeouts in two frames of work. RHP Edgar Guaramato (4.33, W), in turn, let two of Thomas’ runs score (error and a ground out) and struck out four in an inning and two-thirds of work. Guaramato’s still recovering ERA-wise from an ugly start to the season, but he’s now striking out ten per nine, which is about what one could expect from him, given the level of competition. The big punch for the Aquasox was a five-run eighth that put them on top to stay, and it went like this…

Everett Bottom 8th
· Pitcher Change: Wayne Foltin replaces David Quinowski.
· Bryan Sabatella grounds out, second baseman Mark Minicozzi to first baseman Chris Stanton.
· Robert Hudson flies out to right fielder Michael Mooney.
· Casey Craig singles on a fly ball to right fielder Michael Mooney.
· Ronald Prettyman walks. Casey Craig to 2nd.
· Reed Eastley doubles (8) on a fly ball to center fielder Benj Copeland. Casey Craig scores. Ronald Prettyman scores.
· Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Jeffrey Flaig replaces Reed Eastley.
· Wayne Foltin intentionally walks Daniel Santin.
· Alex Gary homers (5) on a line drive to left field. Jeffrey Flaig scores. Daniel Santin scores.
· Michael Saunders walks.
· Luis Valbuena grounds into a force out, fielded by second baseman Mark Minicozzi. Michael Saunders out at 2nd.

In terms of the individual contributors, CF Casey Craig (3 R, RBI, SB, .290) had four hits, RF Mike Saunders (2B, 3B,RBI, .270) came up a homer short of the cycle, 1B Reed Eastley (2B, R, 4 RBI, .325) and LF Alex Gary (HR, 2 R, 4 RBI, CS, E, .252) had two hits, and 3B Ron Prettyman (2 R, .265) had three walks.

Phoenix Brewers 4 (- 4), Peoria Mariners 7
RHP Marwin Vega (4.94, W) pitched five innings against Arizona’s Brew Crew and gave up three runs on six hits, a wild pitch, a hit batter, and a walk against eight strikeouts, which is about what he should be doing, minus a hit or two and maybe a run. RHP Brian Kappel (0.00) and RHP John Sullivan (3.18) split the next two, with Kappel giving up a hit and ringing up two, and Sullivan giving up two base hits. Continuing the trend of recent grand slams (which Ichiro has now joined, so you know it’s cool), LF Jose Graterol (HR, 4 RBI, .356) hit one out of the park today, his second home run on the season. C Nick Prosise (2B, 2 RBI, .253) added a double to the mix.

Tomorrow’s Games:
Tacoma: LHP Andrew Lorraine, at Tucson, @ 7:00 pm PT
San Antonio: RHP Rich Dorman, at Midland, @ 5:00 pm PT
Inland Empire: RHP Brandon Moorhead, at Lake Elsinore, @ 7:15 pm PT
Wisconsin: LHP Shawn Nottingham, at Appleton, @ 5:05 pm PT
Everett: RHP Nick Allen, at Everett, @ 7:05 pm PT
Peoria: TBA, at Mesa, @ 7:00 pm PT
Aguirre: Season Over (0-2 in playoffs against Venoco #1)

Tacoma Rainiers: 73-60, .549, 1st (3 GA) in PCL Pacific North
San Antonio Missions: 32-28 (70-60), .533 (.538), 2 GB in TL West
Inland Empire 66ers: 25-34 (53-75), .424 (.414), 9 GB in CAL South
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers: 32-27 (71-58), .542 (.550), 0.5 GB in MWL West
Everett Aquasox: 36-27, .571, 2 GB in NWL West
Peoria Mariners, 15-8 (24-26), .652 (.480), 1 GB in AZL
Aguirre Mariners, 37-23-3, .617, 1st (1 GA) in VSL Valencia
Santo Domingo Mariners, 32-24-1, .570, 2 GB in DSL Santo Domingo Norte
Organizational Record: 396-353-4, .529

posted by Jay Y. @ 11:09 PM

Arizona Fall League Rosters Announced

The Peoria Javelinas roster has been announced for this year's Arizona Fall League. If you previously thought that these teams had no one worth watching, you'll be surprised to find SS Yuniesky Beatncourt, C Jeff Clement, RHP Clint Nageotte, and OF (yes, OF) Adam Jones listed on the squad (along with RHPs Chris Buglovsky and Mike Flannery). But, if you still take issue with the level of competition and the surroundings, well, I can't help you. It will be nice to see some of these guys get some extra playing time, though.

Apparently, the rules regarding AFL rosters have been switched around this year...

This year is the league implemented two changes in regard to which players are eligible to play: A player must have no more than one year active major league service time prior to Aug. 31, or the player has had no more than two years of major league service time in full.

That might fix the level of competition problem...

posted by Jay Y. @ 12:52 PM

Game Recaps (8/24/05)

Tacoma’s game was postponed due to wet grounds. Yes, it happens even in Tucson.

San Antonio 1, Midland 3 (OAK + 9)
It wouldn’t be so bad if the Missions weren’t facing these guys in the first round of the playoffs (or are scheduled to, provided Corpus Christi doesn’t overtake them). RHP Jon Huber (4.83, L) took the loss as he gave up three runs on five hits, three walks, and three Ks through seven innings of work. LHP Ryan Rowland-Smith (4.55) pitched the eighth and punched out one. CF Gary Harris (2B, RBI, .287) had a couple of hits, but there were only three hits outside of his.

Inland Empire 6, Lake Elsinore 9 (SD – 12)
RHP Mumba Rivera (7.49, L) only lasted three and one-third innings, giving up six runs on six hits (HR), a wild pitch, and five walks with just one K. I wonder at times if he won’t be in a relief role next season. RHP Aaron Trolia (5.40) scored one of those and one more after that on two hits, a hit batter, two walks, and two strikeouts in an inning and two-thirds. RHP Oliver Arias (7.27) gave up a run on two hits and a walk in the next inning, and RHP Jeff Mault (3.52) pitched the final two with a hit, a walk, and a strikeout to show for it. 1B Bryan Lahair (R, .306) had three hits in this one, and LF Sebastien Boucher (2 RBI, .347), CF Wladimir Balentien (R, RBI, .283), and 2B Matt Rogelstad (2B, R, 2 RBI, .305) had two each. SS Asdrubal Cabrera (2B, R, RBI, .300) and RF Trevor Heid (2B, R, .091) both doubled.

Salem-Keizer 6 (SF + 8), Everett 8
LHP Paul Fagan (3.38, PO) carried the Aquasox through eight innings, giving up four runs on five hits (2 HR!), two wild pitches, three walks, and three Ks. RHP Stephen Kahn (4.09, W) blew the save, giving up a couple of runs (one earned) on three hits, a walk, and a strikeout, but ended up getting the win as LF Alex Gary (HR, 2 RBI, .243) hit a walk-off, two-run home run in his only at-bat (oddly enough, he was replacing Jeff Flaig (.264), who went 0-for-4 and struck out three times). Beyond that 1B Reed Eastley (HR, 4 RBI, .322) and 2B Luis Valbuena (HR, SB, E, .278) had two hits apiece, with one leaving the park for each of them. Eastley’s homer was a grand slam, and we’ve been having quite a few of those of late. SS Robert Hudson (R, SB, .262) also gets some props for going 1-for-2 with two walks.

Peoria Mariners 8, Surprise Rangers 1 (+ 1)
Very impressive pitching all around in this one. RHP Juan Zapata (3.16, W) started it out with five innings of work in which he gave up two hits and struck out three, and LHP Jose Suriel (3.81) followed him with two innings, and an unearned run on one hit to go with two strikeouts. RHP Ari Kafka (3.27) had a hit, a walk, and three Ks to show for the final two innings. 2B Ronald Garth (3B, R, .378) and C Curtis Ledbetter (R, 2 RBI, E, .327) had two hits, and RF Donato Ruiz (HR, 4 RBI, ,257) and LF Greg Halman (HR, E, .247) both had home runs. Ruiz’ shot was a grand slam.

Today’s Games:
Tacoma: RHP Chris Buglovsky, at Tucson, @ 7:00 pm PT
San Antonio: RHP Juan Sandoval, at Midland, @ 5:00 pm PT
Inland Empire: LHP Ryan Feierabend, at Lake Elsinore, @ 7:15 pm PT
Wisconsin: LHP Julio Santiago, at Appleton, @ 5:05 pm PT
Everett: RHP Jeff Gilmore, at Everett, @ 7:05 pm PT
Peoria: Off day
Aguirre: Season Over (0-2 in playoffs against Venoco #1)

Tacoma Rainiers: 72-59, .550, 1st (2 GA) in PCL Pacific North
San Antonio Missions: 31-28 (69-60), .525 (.535), 3 GB in TL West
Inland Empire 66ers: 24-34 (52-75), .414 (.409), 10.5 GB in CAL South
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers: 31-27 (70-58), .534 (.547), 1.5 GB in MWL West
Everett Aquasox: 35-27, .565, 3 GB in NWL West
Peoria Mariners, 14-8 (23-26), .636 (.469), 1.5 GB in AZL
Aguirre Mariners, 37-23-3, .617, 1st (1 GA) in VSL Valencia
Santo Domingo Mariners, 32-24-1, .570, 2 GB in DSL Santo Domingo Norte
Organizational Record: 390-352-4, .525

posted by Jay Y. @ 12:28 AM

Tuesday, August 23, 2005

Game Recaps (8/23/05)

Fresno 9 (SF – 4), Tacoma 4 (thirteen innings)
RHP Jesse Foppert (4.09) was perfect through three innings and struck out two. Jason from ITP is reporting that he was mostly 90-93, hitting 94 once. RHP Scott Atchison (3.00) went next, giving up a hit and striking out a pair in the next two innings, but then RHP Emiliano Fruto (14.85) gave up four runs on four hits and a walk against two Ks in the next three innings. RHP Masao Kida (4.22) held the game in place for the next two innings, giving up a couple hits, walking one, and striking out one. Things fell apart big time in the thirteenth, as LHP Andrew Lorraine (4.57), who gave up two hits and two walks with one strikeout in two and one-third innings, had two runs come around to score under the watch of RHP Mike Flannery (6.20), who gave up three more runs of his own on three hits, a walk, and a strikeout while finishing up that inning. SS Ramon Santiago (2B, RBI, .249) had three hits, 2B Jose Lopez (RBI, .338) had two, and 1B Aaron Rifkin (2B, 2 R, .256) had a double and two walks.

San Antonio 6, Midland 9 (OAK + 8)
Not that it makes it any more bearable, but Midland has had San Antonio’s number all season. LHP Thom Oldham (3.68) did his part, going five innings and allowing four runs on eight hits (HR), a wild pitch, and a walk while striking out five, but it was mostly downhill from there. LHP Tim Rall (4.33) got one out and walked two, both of which would come in to score unearned after RHP Nate Mateo (5.40) came in and gave up two hits and a walk, all of which would score as unearned runs as well, before he struck out the last two batters of the inning. LHP Jared Thomas (4.05) had two hits and two walks over the final two frames. For the offense, 3B Jesus Guzman (3B, 2 R, E, .261) had two hits, and LF Jaime Bubela (2B, R, RBI, .292) and 2B Ismael Castro (2B, .271) doubled.

Inland Empire 11, Lake Elsinore 6 (SD – 14)
LHP Jason Mackintosh (4.26, W) gave up five runs (one earned) on ten hits, a walk, and three strikeouts in six innings of work. RHP Nibaldo Acosta (5.62, S) went the last three, and let a run score on two hits, two wild pitches, and a walk with two Ks. Might’ve been an ugly one, but DH Sebastien Boucher (R, RBI, 2 SB, .346), SS Asdrubal Cabrera (2B, 2 R, RBI, .300), CF Wladimir Balentien (3B, R, RBI, .282), and 3B Erick Monzon (2B, HR, 2 R, 4 RBI, SB, .289) all had two hits. Monzon’s home run was a grand slam and he also walked twice.

Everett 2, Tri City 4 (COL – 5)
LHP Robert Rohrbaugh (3.49) had to see his outing go to waste after he went five and two-thirds innings and gave up a run on three hits, two wild pitches, and four walks while he punched out ten. LHP David Asher (4.25, E, L) would get another loss, as he went the next inning and two-thirds and gave up three runs on four hits, a wild pitch, and a walk while striking out two. RHP Randy Frye (0.00), in his first Everett appearance of the season, threw a wild pitch and struck out one over the final two-thirds. RF Mike Saunders (2 2B, .263) led the charge with three hits and a walk in four plate appearances, and his average is starting to get up to more respectable levels.

Peoria Mariners 3, Mesa Angels 4 (- 6) (eight innings)
RHP Chia-an Huang (7.16) went four innings in the start, giving up a couple runs on three hits and two walks against five Ks. I’m hoping his strikeouts are starting to get back up to the levels they should be at. LHP Worth Lumry (7.23, L) gave up a couple runs on four hits and two walks with one strikeout in the next two frames, and LHP Estelin Soto (7.16) was perfect through his two innings, ringing up five batters and grounding out the other. Same principle applies with Soto; he was dominating the DSL batters last year, so we should be seeing this more often. 2B Juan Guzman (.306) and 1B Kevin Gergel (2B, .339) both had two hits, and C Nick Prosise (2B, RBI, .250) and RF Jose Graterol (3B, .360) added some that went for extra bases.

Tomorrow’s Games:
Tacoma: RHP Chris Buglovsky, at Tucson, @ 7:00 pm PT
San Antonio: RHP Jon Huber, at Midland, @ 5:05 pm PT
Inland Empire: RHP Mumba Rivera, at Lake Elsinore, @ 6:00 pm PT
Wisconsin: Off day (yes, two in a row)
Everett: LHP Paul Fagan, at Everett, @ 7:05 pm PT
Peoria: TBA, at Peoria, @ 7:00 pm PT
Aguirre: Season Over (0-2 in playoffs against Venoco #1)

Tacoma Rainiers: 72-59, .550, 1st (2 GA) in PCL Pacific North
San Antonio Missions: 31-27 (69-59), .534 (.539), 2 GB in TL West
Inland Empire 66ers: 24-33 (52-74), .421 (.413), 9 GB in CAL South
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers: 31-27 (70-58), .534 (.547), 1.5 GB in MWL West
Everett Aquasox: 34-27, .557, 4 GB in NWL West
Peoria Mariners, 13-8 (22-26), .619 (.458), 1.5 GB in AZL
Aguirre Mariners, 37-23-3, .617, 1st (1 GA) in VSL Valencia
Santo Domingo Mariners, 32-24-1, .570, 2 GB in DSL Santo Domingo Norte
Organizational Record: 388-350-4, .526

posted by Jay Y. @ 10:45 PM

News Around the Minors (8/23/05)

Another short update, but don't worry, I'll try to make it a good one.

First off, the proposed changes to the player development system, which I commented on earlier, have passed through the general managers by a vote of 23-7 and have now moved on to the owners, who have postponed the vote for the time being, though they may decide to vote by mail in the coming weeks (holding off any puns regarding absentee ballots, recounts, etc).

As I expected, among the teams that voted “yes” were the Athletics, the Blue Jays, the Rangers, and the Cardinals, all of whom lean more towards college players, and among those voting no were the Braves (!), the Twins (!), and the Cubs, which isn’t really all that surprising, but it is valid criticism considering all of them have strong farm systems. No word on how the M’s voted in this one.

Next (and last), I have some news regarding the upcoming baseball world cup (Sept. 2-17). The guy who runs the Taiwan Baseball Blog had informed me earlier that Mariners prospects IF Yung-chi Chen and OF Kuo-hui Lo would be playing for the Taiwan team, but I just got an e-mail stating that C Rob Johnson will be leaving Inland Empire soon to play for the US team. There’s a chance that Jeff Clement might get that promotion to the Cal League to fill in, but the T-Rats may still need him come playoff time. As for the World Cup itself, well, I’m going to try to cover as much of the action as I can, but the press on the whole thing hasn’t been too great and I haven’t even been able to find any of the rosters, as of yet.

posted by Jay Y. @ 1:33 PM

Monday, August 22, 2005

Game Recaps (8/22/05)

Fresno 4 (SF – 5), Tacoma 6
LHP Bobby Livingston (5.59, W) got through five innings, giving up a couple runs on five hits, a wild pitch, and a walk against four Ks. RHP Mike Flannery (5.03) took the next two innings, giving up a hit and a walk while punching out two, and LHP Andrew Lorraine (4.51) followed with a frame where he allowed a hit and a walk and struck out one. RHP Masao Kida (4.33) has struggled lately, and gave up another two runs on a walk followed by a home run while recording one out in the ninth (K), but RHP Jeff Heaverlo (4.50, S) came in and induced a groundout and a strikeout to end the game. 2B Jose Lopez (2B, R, RBI, .338) had another couple of hits, and RF Abraham Nunez (HR, 3 RBI, .269) and 1B Aaron Rifkin (2B, .257) added extra-base hits.

Inland Empire 5, Lake Elsinore 6 (SD – 13)
RHP Chad Fillinger (4.49) gave up four runs on six hits and a hit batter against five strikeouts in six and two-thirds innings. LHP Troy Cate (2.82) scored one of those after a couple of hits and a wild pitch, and also struck out two in the next inning and a third. RHP Craig James (1.71, L), surprisingly, would take the loss in the ninth after giving up two runs on two hits and two walks against a K. I don’t think I ever established any kind of official bet as to whether James would end the season with a combined sub-1.00 ERA, but he’d need to go another eleven and two-thirds innings without a run scoring, and he has fourteen games to do it. CF Sebastien Boucher (2B, 2 R, .344) had three hits in the game, and 3B Erick Monzon (2B, 2 R, E, .285) had two. RF Wladimir Balentien (2B, SB, .280) returned to the lineup and had a double, a walk, a stolen base, and a strikeout.

Lansing 10 (TOR – 8), Wisconsin 1
I can’t figure out why Lansing has been completely dominating the T-Rats this series. RHP Cibney Bello (5.12) went five+ innings and gave up six runs on seven hits (HR), a hit batter, and five walks against three Ks. RHP Stephen Grasley (3.66) would score two of those and three more over the next inning on four hits, a walk, and a strikeout. RHP Justin Jordan (4.85) gave up an unearned run on two hits and two Ks in the next inning and LHP Eric O’Flaherty (3.93) walked one in the final two frames. Just like last night, there was one major contributor with three hits, including a solo home run, and this time, it was C Jeff Clement (HR, .324) earning that distinction.

Everett 5, Tri City 4 (COL - 6)
RHP Joe Woerman (5.06) pitched only three innings in this one, giving up two runs on three hits, three wild pitches, and three walks against two Ks. LHP Justin Thomas (4.07) stepped in for the next four and two-thirds innings, giving up a run on two hits, a wild pitch, and two walks against five Ks. That run scored, but not when RHP Edgar Guaramato (4.62) was on the mound, because he hit a batter and was immediately ejected, and RHP Stephen Kahn (3.60, W) was called into service. He gave up a hit and two walks, scoring both the run against Thomas and the run against Guaramato, but he did strike out one and got a win when the Sox pulled off a ninth-inning rally. Which is good, because it seemed like all the recent ninth-inning rallies in the system had been going against us. LF Casey Craig (3B, 2 R, .278) had two hits and a walk, and C J.B. Tucker (HR, .269), DH Danny Santin (2B, .304), and 1B Jeff Flaig (2B, R, .270) had extra-base hits.

Peoria Padres 4 (- 7), Peoria Mariners 11
Rebounding? RHP Miguel Marquez (7.80, W) faced a Padres team which, despite their record, is not too poor offensively, and went five innings, giving up four runs (one earned) on six hits and a walk while striking out nine. RHP Toma Bonilla (4.88) gave up a hit and a walk and punch out three over the next three frames, and RHP Tyrone Lamont (5.14) gave up one hit in the ninth. SS Jeff Dominguez (2 R, .264) had three hits in the game, and 2B Ronald Garth (2B, R, RBI, E, .376) and 1B Kevin Gergel (HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, .333) had two each. I’ve talked a little bit about Ledbetter and Hargrove before, but what about Gergel, who came out of some little no-name conference and was hitting .330/.393/.547 coming into the game? C Kent Dixon (2B, R, 2 RBI, PB, E, .237) added a double, and DH Erwin Jacobo (R, RBI, .204) walked three times.

Tomorrow’s Games:
Tacoma: RHP Jesse Foppert, at Tacoma @ 12:35 pm PT
San Antonio: TBA, at Midland, @ 5:05 pm PT
Inland Empire: LHP Jason Mackintosh, at Lake Elsinore, @ 7:05 pm PT
Wisconsin: Off day
Everett: LHP Harold Williams (?), at Pasco, @ 7:15 pm PT
Peoria: TBA, at Surprise, @ 7:00 pm PT
Aguirre: Season Over (0-2 in playoffs against Venoco #1)

Tacoma Rainiers: 72-58, .554, 1st (2 GA) in PCL Pacific North
San Antonio Missions: 31-26 (69-58), .544 (.543), 1 GB in TL West
Inland Empire 66ers: 23-33 (51-74), .411 (.408), 10.5 GB in CAL South
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers: 31-27 (70-58), .534 (.547), 1.5 GB in MWL West
Everett Aquasox: 34-26, .567, 4 GB in NWL West
Peoria Mariners, 13-7 (22-25), .650 (.468), 0.5 GB in AZL
Aguirre Mariners, 37-23-3, .617, 1st (1 GA) in VSL Valencia
Santo Domingo Mariners, 32-24-1, .570, 2 GB in DSL Santo Domingo Norte
Organizational Record: 387-346-4, .528

posted by Jay Y. @ 11:07 PM

Sunday, August 21, 2005

Weekend Game Recaps (8/20 and 8/21/05)

Fresno 0 (SF - 2), Tacoma 5
LHP Damian Moss (4.01, W) went six innings and gave up just the six hits and three walks against four Ks. RHP Scott Atchison (3.86) pitched the next inning, giving up two hits and ringing up three, and RHP Emiliano Fruto (17.18) did the same over the final two, plus a walk. RF Abraham Nunez (HR, 2 R, A, .268), 1B Aaron Rifkin (HR, 2 RBI, E, .256), and CF T.J. Bohn (!) (R, SB, .190) had two hits each, which covered most of the offense for the Rainiers.

Fresno 9 (- 3), Tacoma 14
RHP Cha Seung Baek (6.51) only made it through an inning and two-thirds this time around, giving up seven runs (five earned), eight hits (HR), a wild pitch, and a walk against a K. Luckily, the bullpen was there to pick it up (along with the bats), and RHP Sean Green (4.02), gave up one run on three hits, a hit batter, and a walk against three Ks. RHP Rafael Soriano (0.00, W) would get the win, going the next inning and two-thirds and walking one while punching out two, and RHP Jeff Heaverlo (4.54) gave up an unearned run on three hits and struck out two over the final two and one-third innings. 2B Jose Lopez (2B, 2 R, 2 RBI, E, .333) and CF T.J. Bohn (!!) (3 R, 2 RBI, E, .280) both had three hits, and LF Shin-soo Choo (2B, R, 2 RBI, .269) and DH Bucky Jacobsen (2 2B, 3 R, 3 RBI, .208) had two. 1B Aaron Rifkin (2B, R, 2 RBI, .256) and C Ryan Christianson (2B, .237) both doubled.

Tulsa 1 (COL – 4), San Antonio 2 (ten innings)
RHP Nate Mateo (3.53) was surprisingly solid in his spot start, going three innings and striking out six without letting a runner reach against him. LHP Ryan Rowland-Smith (4.59) hit one, was called for a balk, and walked three while striking out just one over the next two innings, and then LHP Jared Thomas (4.50) gave up a run on three hits and a walk against a strikeout. LHP Cesar Jimenez (2.83, W) eventually got the win, giving up one hit and punching out three over the final three innings. DH Nate Espy (HR, .274) had a solo home run in the seventh, and RF Jon Nelson (3B, R, A, .231) tripled and scored in the tenth.

Tulsa 3 (- 5), San Antonio 5
RHP Yorman Bazardo (3.00, W) maintain his ERA of exactly three at the level, going six innings and giving up two runs on five hits, a balk, and three walks against six Ks. The walks are a little out of the ordinary for him, but I like the strikeouts. LHP Chris Key (2.14) went the next inning and two-thirds, allowing an unearned run to score on two hits and a walk against a K. RHP Renee Cortez (4.07, S) gave up a hit, threw a wild pitch, and struck out all four of his outs. CF Adam Jones (HR, .297) had another start off of a short, and had a home run and a walk. DH Nate Espy (2B, R, RBI, .276) and RF Gary Harris (2 R, RBI, SB, .284) had two hits each.

Inland Empire 3, Visalia 5 (TB – 13)
LHP Ryan Feierabend (3.93, PO, L) gave up five runs on eleven hits (HR) and a hit batter against three Ks through four innings of work. RHP Aaron Trolia (4.66) and RHP Jeff Mault (4.05) had it a bit easier, splitting the last four innings and no-hitting Visalia, though Troila had four walks against two Ks and Mault had two against one. SS Asdrubal Cabrera (.295) had three hits, 2B Michael Garciaparra (RBI, .297) and C Justin Ruchti (RBI, .225) had two, and CF Sebastien Boucher (2 R, 2 SB, .335) had a hit and two walks. DH Wladimir Balentien (.280) struck out all four times he was at the plate, which got him the night off tonight.

Inland Empire 4, Visalia 5 (- 12)
RHP Brandon Moorhead (5.09) went six innings in this one, giving up three runs (one earned) on five hits (HR), a hit batter, and two walks against four Ks. LHP Nick Bourgeois (3.76, L) got the loss as he gave up two runs over the final two innings on two hits and a walk with one strikeout. LF Carlos Arroyo (R, RBI, .319) and SS Asdrubal Cabrera (.299) had two hits each, and 2B Michael Garciaparra (2B, R, .297), 1B Bryan Lahair (2B, RBI, .305), and 3B Matt Rogelstad (3B, 2 RBI, E, .308) had extra-base knocks.

Lansing 9 (TOR – 10), Wisconsin 4
RHP Mark Lowe (5.50, E) went five innings and gave up four runs on eight hits and four walks against two Ks. LHP Donny Langdon (5.48) let four runs (three earned) score on five hits, a balk, a hit batter, and two walks against two Ks in the next two innings, and LHP Adam Brandt (9.22) allowed a run to score on two hits and a walk in the two after that. 3B Brent Johnson (R, .314) had another three hits, DH Josh Womack (R, SB, .267) had two, and C Jeff Clement (HR, 2 RBI, PB, .300) hit his third home run and walked. Defense still needs work though.

Lansing 12 (TOR – 9), Wisconsin 1
RHP Aaron Jensen (5.79) went four+ innings and gave up ten runs on eleven hits (3 HR!!) and a walk, though he did strike out five. There were also four errors in the game, three of them coming while Jensen was on the mound. RHP Justin Jordan (5.04) went the next inning and two-thirds, giving up two runs on two hits, a hit batter, and a walk against a K, and while RHP Jason Snyder (4.49) did let two of those score after a hit and a hit batter in the next three and one-third innings, he did strike out three. SS Oswaldo Navarro (HR, E, .270) had three hits and the only run for the T-Rats.

Everett 5, Tri City 8 (COL – 6)
RHP Jeff Gilmore (4.12, L) took his first loss of the season, going four and two-thirds innings and giving up seven runs on six hits (2 HR!), a wild pitch, and three walks against four Ks. RHP Roman Martinez (6.75) gave up a couple runs on two hits (HR) in the next inning and a third, and then RHP Eric Carter (7.76) and RHP Edgar Guaramato (4.26) both had strikeouts while splitting the last two. CF Casey Craig (R, 2 RBI, .279), SS Reed Eastley (RBI, .338), 2B Luis Valbuena (R, SB, .280), and LF Michael Saunders (2B, 2 R, .258) each had two hits, and 3B Ron Prettyman (3B, R, 2 RBI, E, .279) added a triple.

Everett 0, Tri City 4 (- 5)
RHP Nick Allen (4.15) only got through two innings before being pulled, giving up four runs (three earned) on five hits and a hit batter. LHP Lance Beus (4.08), on the other hand, was just brilliant through the next four, giving up just one hit and one walk while striking out eight. RHP Cory Koliscak (4.81) gave up two hits and struck out one over the final two innings. C Danny Santin (2B, .305) had two hits in this one, but as you can tell from the line, there wasn’t much in the way of hitting.

Scottsdale Giants 5 (+ 4), Peoria Mariners 7 (seven innings)
Okay, I take it back, M’s just swept one of the better teams in a double header. RHP Marwin Vega (4.84, E, W) was on the mound for five innings, giving up a run on four hits and four walks against five Ks. RHP John Sullivan (3.32) went the last two, letting four runs (two earned) score after three hits and a walk against a K. 2B Ronald Garth (2B, HR, 2 R, .375) and DH Kevin Gergel (2 R, RBI, .337) had three hits each, 1B Curtis Ledbetter (2 2B, R, RBI, E, .324) had a couple of doubles, and C Nick Prosise (2B, RBI, .250) had one double.

Socttsdale Giants 4 (+ 3), Peoria Mariners 5 (seven innings)
RHP Juan Zapata (3.66, W) went five in this one and gave up a couple runs on four hits, a wild pitch, a walk, and five Ks. It seems like Peoria’s finally developing a starting rotation. RHP Juan Colon (4.38, S) went the last two, giving up a couple runs on two hits, a wild pitch, two hit batters, a walk, and a strikeout. CF Tim Auty (2B, R, 2 RBI, .412) and 3B Leury Bonilla (2B, .250) both had doubles and walks.

Tomorrow’s Games:
Tacoma: LHP Bobby Livingston, at Tacoma @ 7:05 pm PT
San Antonio: Off day
Inland Empire: RHP Chad Fillinger, at San Bernardino, @ 7:11 pm PT
Wisconsin: RHP Cibney Bello, at Appleton, @ 5:05 pm PT
Everett: TBA, at Pasco, @ 7:15 pm PT
Peoria: TBA, at Mesa, @ 7:00 pm PT
Aguirre: Season Over (0-2 in playoffs against Venoco #1)

Tacoma Rainiers: 71-58, .550, 1st (1 GA) in PCL Pacific North
San Antonio Missions: 31-26 (69-58), .544 (.543), 1 GB in TL West
Inland Empire 66ers: 23-32 (51-73), .418 (.411), 9.5 GB in CAL South
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers: 31-26 (70-57), .544 (.551), 1 GB in MWL West
Everett Aquasox: 33-26, .559, 4 GB in NWL West
Peoria Mariners, 12-7 (21-25), .632 (.457), 1 GB in AZL
Aguirre Mariners, 37-23-3, .617, 1st (1 GA) in VSL Valencia
Santo Domingo Mariners, 32-24-1, .570, 2 GB in DSL Santo Domingo Norte
Organizational Record: 384-344-4, .527

posted by Jay Y. @ 11:41 PM