Mariner Minors: 05/07/2006

Mariner Minors

Saturday, May 13, 2006

Game Recaps (5/13/06)

Albuquerque 5 (FLA + 9), Tacoma 4
Blarg. RHP Francisco Cruceta (4.94) set ‘em up and knocked ‘em down through seven, giving up a run on seven hits and a walk while striking out eight. After that, RHP Renee Cortez (3.18, L) kind of imploded, after I thought he wouldn’t, giving up five hits (HR) that turned into three runs. Guess kinds of things can still happen. RHP Mike Nannini (18.00) gave up a run on a hit and a walk against two strikeouts in the ninth, which hurt, because the Rainiers came up a run short in the ninth…

Tacoma Bottom 9th
· Pitcher Change: Brad Clontz replaces Joe Horgan.
· Asdrubal Cabrera hit by pitch.
· Rob Johnson singles on a line drive to left fielder Mike Kinkade. Asdrubal Cabrera to 2nd.
· Scott Youngbauer singles on a ground ball to center fielder James Shanks. Asdrubal Cabrera to 3rd. Rob Johnson to 2nd.
· Coaching visit to mound.
· Shin-Soo Choo out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder James Shanks. Asdrubal Cabrera scores. Rob Johnson to 3rd.
· Adam Jones singles on a fly ball to left fielder Mike Kinkade. Rob Johnson scores. Scott Youngbauer to 2nd.
· Pitcher Change: Chris Resop replaces Brad Clontz.
· Chris Snelling flies out to left fielder Mike Kinkade.
· T. J. Bohn singles on a line drive to right fielder Mark Little. Scott Youngbauer scores. Adam Jones to 3rd.
· With Todd Sears batting, T. J. Bohn steals (6) 2nd base.
· Todd Sears walks.
· Hunter Brown lines out to shortstop Robert Andino.

Five hitters, CF Adam Jones (RBI, SB, A, .258), DH Chris Snelling (R, .500), LF T.J. Bohn (RBI, SB, .252), 1B Todd Sears (RBI, .293), and C Rob Johnson (R, SB, .289) all had two hits, but the lineup was filled by twelve singles. SS Asdrubal Cabrera (R, .277) reached twice without a hit by getting plunked and walking.

Frisco 3 (TEX + 0), San Antonio 6
So long, five-game losing streak, don’t let the door hit you on the way out. LHP Jason Mackintosh (5.14, W) was solid through six, giving up one run on five hits and a wild pitch while striking out four. RHP Mike Flannery (7.53), eh, not so much, as he gave up two runs (one earned) on two hits and two walks while striking out one in the next two frames, but RHP Jon Huber (3.14, S) still got his sixth save in the ninth.
1B Bryan Lahair (2B, .339), 2B Ismael Castro (R, RBI, SB, .500), and C Brian Schweiger (2B, R, 2 RBI, PB, E, .250) had two hits apiece. Yes, that’s right, Castro’s back in Wolff Stadium. CF Sebastien Boucher (3B, R, 2 RBI, CS, .188) added a triple, but he’s been less than impressive thus far and, oddly enough, seems to be struggling more against righties than lefties.

Doc is currently running a POTD on Bryan Lahair, if you are so interested. While I’m at the switchboard, Jason over at Prospect Insider has a GREAT piece on LHP Travis Blackley.

Inland Empire 9, Stockton 8 (OAK - 4)
RHP Justin Jordan (5.48, W) took a step back after taking a few steps forward, but did line himself up for the win, going five innings and allowing five runs (four earned) to score on seven hits and three walks with just one strikeout. RHP Jon Lockwood (4.00, E) pitched the next two frames, giving up two hits and a walk while striking out one, and then RHP Jose de la Cruz (3.78) struck out the side in the eighth. RHP Stephen Kahn (2.45) nearly blew it in the ninth, giving up three runs on three hits and three walks with just one strikeout. It seems as if he’s been struggling a little of late…
There was a hit from every spot in the lineup in this game. CF Josh Womack (R, RBI, CS, .304), RF Mike Wilson (2B, 3 RBI, CS, .284), and LF Chris Colton (2B, 2 R, .236) had two each, and 2B Yung-chi Chen (2B, 2 R, RBI, .352) had a double. Womack added two walks in the leadoff spot, and has twelve walks to nineteen strikeouts on the season. SS Erick Monzon (R, .292) and C Omar Falcon (R, 2 RBI, PB, .214) both had one hit and one walk.

Dayton 6 (CIN - 1), Wisconsin 9 (seven innings)
This was a pretty wild game. With rain and winds to start it off, it almost didn’t look like they’d make it through and, as it turned out, they couldn’t finish the second seven-inning game. LHP Harold Williams (2.19) gave up six runs (four earned) on five hits, a hit batter, and three walks against three KS through four and one-third innings. RHP Jeff Gilmore (3.12, PO, W) scored two of those on a hit and a walk while finishing up the fifth, but RHP Joe Woerman (2.45, S) managed to nail it down in the final two frames, hitting one and allowing a hit to another while striking out four.
As for the scoring, I’ll highlight the six-run fifth…

Wisconsin Bottom 5th
· Jeffrey Dominguez strikes out swinging.
· Luis Valbuena walks.
· Ronald Garth doubles (5) on a line drive to left fielder Michael Griffin. Luis Valbuena to 3rd.
· J. B. TuckerIII doubles (6) on a fly ball to right fielder Gerardo Cabrera. Luis Valbuena scores. Ronald Garth scores.
· Michael Saunders lines out to pitcher Philippe-Alexandre Valiquette. J. B. TuckerIII advances to 3rd, on throwing error by pitcher Philippe-Alexandre Valiquette.
· Bryan Sabatella walks.
· Pitcher Change: Wayne Lundgren replaces Philippe-Alexandre Valiquette.
· Eddy Hernandez reaches on fielding error by third baseman Jarrett Reininger. J. B. TuckerIII scores. Bryan Sabatella to 2nd.
· Jairo Hernandez singles on a line drive to right fielder Gerardo Cabrera. Bryan Sabatella scores. Eddy Hernandez to 3rd.
· Robert Hudson singles on a line drive to right fielder Gerardo Cabrera. Eddy Hernandez scores. Jairo Hernandez to 2nd.
· Jeffrey Dominguez singles on a ground ball to right fielder Gerardo Cabrera. Jairo Hernandez scores. Robert Hudson to 2nd.
· Luis Valbuena grounds out, first baseman Bobby Mosby to pitcher Wayne Lundgren.

The T-Rats had two hits each from SS Jeff Dominguez (R, RBI, E, .325), C J.B. Tucker (2B, R, 3 RBI, PO .287), and LF Jairo Hernandez (R, RBI, .128), and doubles from 2B Luis Valbuena (2B, 2 R, RBI, .227), 3B Ron Garth (2B, 2 R, E, .260), and CF Mike Saunders (2B, .261). There were also a lot of walks in this one, with Valbuena, Garth, and Saunders drawing one apiece, and 1B Bryan Sabatella (R, RBI, .165) drawing two.

Dayton 6 (CIN 0), Wisconsin 0
RHP Ruben Flores (5.31, L) lasted three innings, giving up two unearned runs after three hits, a wild pitch, and three walks, though he did strike out six. As he recovers from the surgery, we should expect him to cut down the walks more so he’s not giving out one per inning. LHP Rollie Gibson (4.34) got himself into trouble in the fourth, giving up four runs on four hits (HR) and two walks, though he did end up striking out the side and seems to be one of those guys this year who will do something like that. RHP Nick Allen (4.74) gave up one hit in the fifth.
I’m hard-pressed to even cover the offense. They were no-hit through five and struck out eight times against a killer pitcher in Johnny Cueto, who’s only flaw seems to be his tendency for the longball. Wasn’t happening tonight, and only SS Jeff Dominguez (.322) and CF Mike Saunders (.259) managed to work him for walks.

Tomorrow’s Starters:
Tacoma: RHP Kevin Appier (?), in Tacoma, @ 1:35 pm PDT
San Antonio: LHP Ryan Feierabend, in San Antonio, @ 2:05 pm PDT
Inland Empire: RHP Ivan Blanco, at Stockton, @ 1:05 pm PDT
Wisconsin: LHP Jose Escalona, in Appleton, @ 11:05 am PDT

Tacoma Rainiers: 19-15, .559, 2.5 GB in PCL Pacific North
San Antonio Missions: 12-20, .375, 8 GB in TL South
Inland Empire 66ers: 20-15, .571, T-1st in CAL South
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers: 16-19, .457, 3.5 GB in MWL Western
Organizational Record: 67-69, .493

posted by Jay Y. @ 10:59 PM

Game Recaps (5/12/06)

Round Rock 2 (HOU + 7), Tacoma 8
If it’s wrong for me to want to gloat about ending Round Rock’s eleven-game win streak and putting them on a three-game (thus far) losing one, hell, I don’t want to be right. RHP Clint Nageotte (4.84, W) was back in the business of kicking butt, and business was booming, as he went seven innings and held the Express to one run on three hits, a hit batter, and a walk while he punched out six. After giving up a triple to open the game, Nags retired sixteen batters in a row. The same good juju rubbed off on RHP Rich Dorman (3.44), who was perfect in his two innings and punched out four.
The Rainiers offense also did some nice work, including a five-run outburst in the fifth that included three hits, a walk, and a couple of costly errors on the part of the Express. 1B Mike Morse (2 RBI, .218) was the only batter with two hits and C Rob Johnson (2B, .275) was the only one with an extra-base knock, but LF Shin-soo Choo (R, SB, .302), RF T.J. Bohn (R, SB, .246), DH Guillermo Quiroz (R, RBI, .311), 2B Hunter Brown (R, RBI, SB, .280), and Johnson all had walks in addition to their hits. That adds up in the end.

Frisco 6 (TEX + 1), San Antonio 3
RHP Yorman Bazardo (2.83) went six and two-thirds innings tonight, giving up three unearned runs on four hits and three walks against four Ks. RHP Nate Mateo (6.75, L) would take the loss as he struck out the final batter of the seventh, but gave up three straight hits to open the eighth, all of which would come around to score. One of those came under his watch, but RHP Craig James (3.32) would score the two others while giving up three hits and striking out one in the final two frames of work. James seemed like one of the more exciting relievers in the system last year, but he’s yet to really find his touch this year and his numbers have been poor by comparison. Not that one can expect to run an ERA right around one every year.
Not too much going on for the Missions offense tonight. 1B Bryan Lahair (E, .330) had a couple of hits and a walk, but made one of the four errors on the field. LF Jon Nelson (2B, R, 2 RBI, .254) doubled and drove in two in the seventh. RF Wladimir Balentien (R, .252) was 0-for-2 with a K, but he did reach base twice by getting hit and drawing a walk. Wlad’s still among the top 15 in walks for the Texas League, even with that slump, so yes, it is important.

There’s a tryout camp coming up on June 8th for players 15 to 23, so says the San Antonio Express-News.

Inland Empire 6, Stockton 1 (OAK - 3)
Well, Lance, here’s your answer… LHP Lance Beus (3.38) was called up into a spot start, going two and two-thirds innings and giving up a run on four hits, a wild pitch, and two walks against four Ks. RHP Mumba Rivera (2.13, W) followed for three and two-thirds innings after that, giving up one hit and striking out three. Mumba seems to have put last year’s demons behind him, as he’s running a sub-1.00 WHIP and striking out about seven per nine. Me, I just want the opportunity to chant “Mumba! Mumba!” at a major league game. LHP Eric O’Flaherty (3.79) gave up a hit and a walk and punched out two over the next inning and two-thirds, and then RHP Mike Hrynio (0.00) walked one in the ninth. I’m pretty sure Beus is taking the place of Julio Santiago, but I’ve yet to figure out how Hrynio got down there.
The top four in the order were doing a large chunk of the damage tonight, with CF Brent Johnson (2B, R, .238), 2B Yung-chi Chen (2 R, 2 SB, .356), and RF Mike Wilson (RBI, .275) each had two hits, with Wilson and Chen walking twice, and 3B Reed Eastley (3 RBI, .281) had three RBI batting third in the order. Chen was fifth in the batting average race coming into the game and he may have taken over the top spot with this one. In the lower half, C Jair Fernandez (2B, R, .105) had a double, his first of the season. Jair should be overmatched in the Cal League, but he should turn out to be a decent batter in a level more his speed.

So, Wisconsin has two rainouts in a row now. Doubleheader tomorrow folks, have fun with that.

Today’s Starters:
Tacoma: RHP Francisco Cruceta, in Tacoma, @ 4:05 pm PDT
San Antonio: LHP Jason Mackintosh, in San Antonio, @ 5:05 pm PDT
Inland Empire: RHP Ivan Blanco, at Stockton, @ 6:05 pm PDT
Wisconsin: LHP Harold Williams, in Appleton, @ 3:05 pm PDT
Second Game: TBA (perhaps LHP Jose Escalona)

Tacoma Rainiers: 19-14, .576, 1.5 GB in PCL Pacific North
San Antonio Missions: 11-20, .355, 8 GB in TL South
Inland Empire 66ers: 19-15, .559, T-1st in CAL South
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers: 15-18, .455, 3 GB in MWL Western
Organizational Record: 64-67, .489

posted by Jay Y. @ 1:57 AM

Thursday, May 11, 2006

Game Recaps (5/11/06)

Round Rock 3 (HOU + 8), Tacoma 7
RHP Cha Seung Baek (3.16, W) had another good start, going six innings and giving up a run on four hits and two walks against two Ks. RHP Aaron Looper (4.96) followed him, giving up a run on three hits and striking out one in the seventh, and then RHP Jesse Foppret (4.15) finally made an appearance and gave up a run on two hits in the eighth. RHP Emiliano Fruto (3.20) hit a batter in the ninth, but that was it.
Though everyone in the lineup had a hit tonight, the story was again DH Chris Snelling (R, RBI, .600), who reached base all four times he was up by getting plunked, hitting a single, and drawing two free passes. LF Shin-soo Choo (R, RBI, .304) and C Rob Johnson (HR, .273) both had two hits in the game, including the second home run this year by Johnson, and 3B Mike Morse (2B, 2 RBI, .209) and RF Adam Jones (HR, .261) provided some additional power with their hits. Jones is already up to seven home runs. The double play duo of SS Asdrubal Cabrera (R, SB, .288) and 2B Scott Youngbauer (R, CS, .190) were both 1-for-3 with a walk.

There’s a new Adam Jones journal up at MiLB.com.

Inland Empire 4, Modesto 7 (COL + 3)
Ah yes, well, my favorite pitcher, RHP Cibney Bello (5.68), went five innings and gave up four runs on eight hits (2 HR!), a wild pitch, a hit batter, and two walks against four Ks. Not bad, enough to keep them in it, but RHP Aaron Trolia (5.40) gave up three runs (two earned) on four hits, a wild pitch, and two walks against four Ks.
2B Yung-chi Chen (R, SB, .351) had another two hits and a walk, but unfortunately got thrown out at the plate back in the third. It was one of two hits by SS Erick Monzon (RBI, E, .294) that resulted in the play on Chen, but Monzon had his share of trouble in the field, including an error in the eighth and a few balls in the same inning that seemed just out of his reach. For a while there, it sounded like he might’ve hurt himself on one of the plays, but he managed to stay in it. Now I’m wondering where Tui’s gone off to, but with the limited coverage…

Wisconsin was rained out today. Game to be made up sometime in mid-June.

Tomorrow’s Starters:
Tacoma: RHP Clint Nageotte, in Tacoma, @ 6:05 pm PDT
San Antonio: RHP Yorman Bazardo, in San Antonio, @ 5:05 pm PDT
Inland Empire: Mystery Pitcher or maybe LHP Julio Santiago, at Modesto, @ 7:05 pm PDT
Wisconsin: LHP Harold Williams (?), in Appleton, @ 4:35 pm PDT

Tacoma Rainiers: 18-14, .563, 2.5 GB in PCL Pacific North
San Antonio Missions: 11-19, .367, 7 GB in TL South
Inland Empire 66ers: 18-15, .545, 1 GB in CAL South
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers: 15-18, .455, 3 GB in MWL Western
Organizational Record: 62-66, .484

posted by Jay Y. @ 11:49 PM

Myers Named Aquasox Manager

I just got an e-mail this morning from Aquasox broadcaster Pat Dillon stating that Dave Myers has been named the manager of the 2006 Everett Aquasox. Joining him will be hitting coach Mike Tosar, pitching coach Juan Alvarez, and trainer Spyder Webb.

This isn't Myers' first time managing in the NWL, as he led the Bellingham Mariners to title back in 1992.

The move isn't really surprising, with Steinmann out for the season and Horner moving up in the world, but at least we know who's at the helm now.

posted by Jay Y. @ 3:26 PM

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Game Recaps (5/10/06)

If you’re looking for minor league splits, check this new site out from the Brewer’s affiliate of the SportsBlog staff. Thanks to Jeff Sullivan and others for passing this along to me.

Round Rock 1 (HOU + 9), Tacoma 2 (ten innings)
LHP Cesar Jimenez (6.53) held one of the better hitting teams in the league to one run on four hits, a wild pitch, and three walks against five Ks over the course of seven innings. RHP Renee Cortez (2.08, W) took it to extra innings, walking only one and striking out two, and seems to have gotten over his issue of allowing too many baserunners for what his ERA is.
I’ve kind of gleaned over the pitching because I know that, as good as it was, it wasn’t the story in the game nor is it the story that anyone is looking for in this. No, the story is DH Chris Snelling (R, RBI, .500) getting two hits and a walk, with one of those hits driving in PR Jack Arroyo (R, .000) to score the winning run for the Rainiers in the bottom of the tenth, snapping the Express’ eleven-game winning streak. That’s the kind of thing that legends are made of. I guess I might as well blockquote the whole tenth…

Tacoma Bottom 10th
· Guillermo Quiroz singles on a ground ball to right fielder Brian Gordon.
· Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Jack Arroyo replaces Guillermo Quiroz.
· Scott Youngbauer out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Travis Driskill to second baseman Brooks Conrad. Jack Arroyo to 2nd.
· Travis Driskill intentionally walks Shin-Soo Choo.
· T. J. Bohn singles on a line drive to center fielder Charlton Jimerson. Jack Arroyo to 3rd. Shin-Soo Choo to 2nd.
· Coaching visit to mound.
· Pitcher Change: Steve Kent replaces Travis Driskill.
· Chris Snelling singles on a fly ball to right fielder Brian Gordon. Jack Arroyo scores. Shin-Soo Choo to 3rd. T. Bohn to 2nd.

Not much else to note (2B Scott Youngbauer (2B, .184) doubled, hooray), but it’s worth noting that 3B Hunter Brown (.278), manager Dave Brundage, AND hitting coach Terry Pollreisz were ejected in the ninth while arguing balls and strikes after Hunter K’ed. I know I’ve said this before, but minor league umps: come back soon.
The game between Springfield and San Antonio was cancelled due to wet field conditions. I think this is the second game that the Missions have cancelled outright this year.

Inland Empire 4, Modesto 6 (COL + 2) (twelve innings)
LHP Shawn Nottingham (4.72) got the start and turned in one of his best ones yet this season, going five innings with four hits, a wild pitch, and three walks against eight Ks. RHP Justin Jordan (5.00) did make an appearance in the next inning, giving up an unearned run on one hit and striking out one. I’m not too sure about this, because with Julio Santiago’s health in question, it doesn’t seem like they’d want to pull a starter out and put them in the ‘pen. Of course, I have to admit, the coverage of Inland is pretty much the worst of any team outside of the rookie leagues, so I may just have to resort to the ol’ “mystery starter” routine every once in a while. RHP Jon Lockwood (4.32) went an inning and a third after that, giving up two runs on a hit, two hit batters, and two walks against a pair of Ks, and LHP Eric O’Flaherty (4.15) finished up that inning allowing one run to score while walking one. RHP Stephen Kahn (1.29, BS) blew the save op in the ninth, with an unearned run on a hit, two intentional walks, and a strikeout, and then RHP Jose de la Cruz (4.02, L) gave up two more runs over the next two and a third innings on two hits (HR) and a hit batter against three Ks to get saddled with the loss. Stupid walk-off home runs.
2B Yung-chi Chen (2B, RBI, SB, CS, .345) and DH Reed Eastley (CS, .284) both had two hits and a walk, and RF Mike Wilson (3B, 2 R, .279) and SS Ron Prettyman (2B, RBI, CS, .333) added extra-base hits. C Omar Falcon (R, .205) had a hit and two walks. The offense wasn’t bad on the whole, but the Sixers were caught stealing four times and made three errors on the field, and it’s hard to overcome stuff like that.

Quad Cities 6 (STL - 3), Wisconsin 2
LHP Paul Fagan (5.66, L) pitched all right, going five innings and giving up three runs on six hits (HR), a hit batter, and two walks against five Ks. LHP Rollie Gibson (2.55, PO) took the next three innings and gave up a hit and three walks, but then RHP Edgar Guaramato (2.45) gave up three runs on three hits (HR) and a walk while running a 1/2 ground/fly in the ninth. That’s a little more concerning to me, because it’s one of two times this season I haven’t been able to say “Guar rules”. He should also be getting more groundballs, but what’s one inning? Weird note: former T-Rat Bryan Stitt got the save for the Swing.
RF Eddy Hernandez (R, RBI, .229) had a couple of hits, and 2B Luis Valbuena (R, 3 SB, .224) reached base three times, getting a hit, getting hit, and drawing a walk, and stole second every time he was on.

Tomorrow’s Starters:
Tacoma: RHP Cha Seung Baek, in Tacoma, @ 6:05 pm PDT
San Antonio: Off day
Inland Empire: RHP Cibney Bello (?), at Modesto, @ 7:05 pm PDT
Wisconsin: LHP Harold Williams (?), in Appleton, @ 4:35 pm PDT

Tacoma Rainiers: 17-14, .548, 2.5 GB in PCL Pacific North
San Antonio Missions: 11-19, .367, 7 GB in TL South
Inland Empire 66ers: 18-14, .563, 1 GB in CAL South
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers: 15-18, .455, 3 GB in MWL Western
Organizational Record: 61-65, .484

posted by Jay Y. @ 9:36 PM

Game recaps (5/9/06)

Round Rock 11 (HOU + 10), Tacoma 3
The magic wore off for RHP Kevin Appier (3.27, L), as he gave up five runs in four innings on seven hits, a balk, and five walks against five Ks. RHP Mike Nannini (22.50), just signed today, had a rude welcome to triple-A, as he gave up five runs on four hits (3 HR!!) and a walk against three Ks. Nannini had been with the Reds earlier in the year, and this is seventh organization in the past five after being a first-round pick by Houston back in ’98. LHP David Asher (5.79) walked two and struck out two in the next two innings, and then RHP Emiliano Fruto (3.38) gave up a run on three hits and wild pitch while striking out the side in the ninth.
LF Shin-soo Choo (3B, R, .310), CF Adam Jones (RBI, .272), and 2B Scott Youngbauer (HR, .178) all has two hits, and RF T.J. Bohn (2B, RBI, .248) doubled and walked.

San Antonio 1, Springfield 2 (STL + 9) (ten innings)
LHP Travis Blackley (3.96, E) may be back in business, as he no-hit the Cardinals through six complete and went seven overall, giving up a run on two hits and a walk while striking out seven. Tacoma could be in his future soon. RHP Jon Huber (3.38, L) went the final two and two-thirds before giving up the walk-off run, allowing four hits and striking out five in his outing.
2B-SS Michael Garciaparra (.307), RF Wladimir Balentien (2B, R, .257), and LF Gary Harris (.275) all had two hits, and SS Oswaldo Navarro (2B, CS, .287) and 3B Jesus Guzman (2B, RBI, .255) both doubled. Oz and Wlad both walked, but Oz got himself ejected for arguing balls and strikes in the ninth. C Brian Schweiger (.000) was 0-for-2 with a couple of walks and a strikeout.

Inland Empire 2, Modesto 0 (COL + 1)
RHP Ivan Blanco (2.97, W) retired the first seven batters to open the game and went six innings overall, one-hitting Modesto while handing out three free passes and striking out two. Without the high Ks, I don’t want to get too excited, but…. RHP Mumba Rivera (2.49) went the next inning and two-thirds, giving up one hit and a walk, and RHP Stephen Kahn (1.35, S) gave up one hit over the final four outs.
SS Ron Prettyman (2B, .339) showed some defensive versatility and had two hits in the game, while 2B Yung-chi Chen (2B, R, SB, .343) and 3B Erick Monzon (3B, R, .287) had extra-base hits. That’s the third triple for Monzon already, and the eleventh double by Prettyman. C Jair Fernandez (RBI, .083) finally got his first stateside hit, going 1-for-4.

Quad Cities 2 (STL - 4), Wisconsin 4
LHP Justin Thomas (2.13, W) gave up two runs in the first two innings, but neither was earned and he went six overall, with three hits, two wild pitches, two hit batters, four walks, and six Ks to show for it. RHP Joe Woerman (2.76) gave up one hit and struck out four over the next two, and then RHP Edgar Guaramato (0.66, S) turned in a defense-assisted perfect ninth (one grounder, two flies) for his sixth save. Woerman is currently K’ing almost fifteen batters per nine, while running a WHIP of 1.22.
The heart of the order produced rather nicely tonight, with extra-base hits for CF Michael Saunders (HR, .259), LF Casey Craig (2B, R, A, .280), RF Eddy Hernandez (2B, R, RBi, .218), and 1B Bryan Sabatella (HR 2 RBI, .174). Those home runs by Saunders and Sabatella were their first of the season. I’d also like to thank MiLB.com for finally listing an initial, so I didn’t have to look up whether Eddy or Jairo hit the double. Eddy also walked, as did 3B Robby Hudson (SB, CS, .293), twice.

Today’s Starters:
Tacoma: LHP Cesar Jimenez, in Tacoma, @ 11:35 am PDT
San Antonio: RHP Yorman Bazardo, at Springfield, @ 10:10 am PDT
Inland Empire: RHP Justin Jordan, at Modesto, @ 11:05 am PDT
Wisconsin: LHP Paul Fagan, in Appleton, @ 9:35 am PDT

Tacoma Rainiers: 16-14, .533, 3.5 GB in PCL Pacific North
San Antonio Missions: 11-19, .367, 7 GB in TL South
Inland Empire 66ers: 18-13, .581, T-1st in CAL South
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers: 15-17, .469, 3 GB in MWL Western
Organizational Record: 60-63, .488

posted by Jay Y. @ 12:40 AM

Tuesday, May 09, 2006

Game Recaps (5/8/06)

Interesting story in the Hardball Times today as to whether or not the replacement umps are biased. In case you missed it, they didn’t agree to deal after all, and the minors continue to suffer.

Tacoma 7, Salt Lake 9 (ANA + 8)
Cripes. RHP Francisco Cruceta (6.00, L) only lasted an inning+, giving up nine runs on four hits, a wild pitch, and five walks against one K. RHP Rich Dorman (3.86) let one of those runs score, but was otherwise good in his four innings of work, giving up one hit, throwing a wild pitch, walking three, and punching out four. I’m liking the return of the Ks, but please, fewer walks. RHP Juan Zapata (6.00) got through another two innings intact, giving up one hit and striking out three, and then RHP Renee Cortez (2.41) struck out one in the ninth.
SS Mike Morse (2 2B, RBI, .206) led the charge today by going 3-for-4. No, really. 2B Hunter Brown (2 R, .280) also did a nice job, going 1-for-2 with two walks, but when he struck out in the seventh, he got himself ejected for arguing the call. LF Shin-soo Choo (2B, R, 3 RBI, .304), DH Guillermo Quiroz (HR, 2 RBI, .308), and C Rob Johnson (3B, R, RBI, .275) all had productive extra-base hits. Choo and Quiroz also walked, as did CF Adam Jones (R, .263), who was 1-for-3.

San Antonio 2, Springfield 4 (STL + 8)
Hmm, not really what I expected. RHP Brandon Moorhead (7.77) started on extra rest (I had forgotten that he had kind of been skipped) and went four and two-thirds innings, giving up two runs on five hits, a wild pitch, four walks and two Ks. RHP Chad Fillinger (2.16) went the next two and two-thirds and gave up two hits and a walk while striking out one, but LHP Adam Pettyjohn (2.29, L) gave up a couple runs on two hits (HR) and a walk against a strikeout in the final two-thirds. Bad outing aside for Pettyjohn, both guys are some of the better relievers in the Missions ‘pen thus far, running WHIPs around one, despite not having huge strikeout numbers.
RF Wladimir Balentien (HR, .248) hit his sixth home run of the season, which I think takes over as the system lead. At least the box score says it’s the sixth, while BA lists him at four coming into the game. Eh. 1B Bryan Lahair (.333) had two more hits and LF Gary Harris (2B, R, CS, .267) doubled and walked. SS Oswaldo Navarro (CS, .289) had another hit and another walk in the nine spot.

Quad Cities 7 (STL - 3), Wisconsin 2
RHP Jason Snyder (5.00) went six innings this time around, giving up four runs on eight hits (HR), two wild pitchers, a hit batter, and four walks against two Ks. I’ve been waiting all season for him to pitch to his ability, but… RHP Nick Allen (5.00) followed him for two and two-thirds and gave up three more runs on three hits (HR), a wild pitch, a hit batter, and two walks while he struck out two, though RHP Jeff Gilmore (3.24) scored two of those runs on two his before recording the final out for the T-Rats pitchers.
C J.B. Tucker (RBI, SB, .291) had three hits in the game, and 3B Ron Garth (2B, R, .278) and DH Michael Saunders (2B, RBI, .260) both had doubles, but there wasn’t much offense outside of that. CF Casey Craig (R, .278) had another hit and another walk out of the leadoff spot. PH Julian Henson (.000) struck out in his first pro at-bat, pinch-hitting for Sabatella in the ninth.

Today’s Starters:
Tacoma: RHP Kevin Appier, in Tacoma, @ 6:05 pm PDT
San Antonio: LHP Travis Blackley, at Springfield, @ 5:10 pm PDT
Inland Empire: RHP Justin Jordan, at Modesto, @ 7:05 pm PDT
Wisconsin: LHP Justin Thomas, at Cedar Rapids, @ 4:35 pm PDT

Tacoma Rainiers: 16-13, .552, 2.5 GB in PCL Pacific North
San Antonio Missions: 11-18, .379, 6 GB in TL South
Inland Empire 66ers: 17-13, .567, T-1st in CAL South
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers: 14-17, .452, 4 GB in MWL Western
Organizational Record: 58-61, .487

posted by Jay Y. @ 12:23 AM

Sunday, May 07, 2006

Game Recaps (5/7/06)

Tacoma 2, Salt Lake 8 (ANA + 7)
I tuned in just in time to hear Curto comment on how RHP Clint Nageotte (5.40, L) wasn’t fooling anyone tonight, though in his defense, I think I also heard Curto say that with the home plate umpire tonight, you could throw a ball that split the plate in two and have it be called a ball. Nags went six innings and gave up seven runs on nine hits (2 HR!), a wild pitch, and two walks against three Ks (with nine grounders to five flies). Both those homers went to Dallas McPherson. RHP Rich Dorman (5.11) had a hit and a strikeout to show for the seventh inning, and then LHP David Asher (10.12) gave up a run on three hits in the eighth, while striking out the side.
The home run by 1B Todd Sears (HR, .299) was about all the excitement the lineup managed in this one. RF T.J. Bohn (R, A, .260) also added two hits and nailed a runner at the plate.

San Antonio 1, Springfield 3 (STL + 7)
Now here was an interesting pitching match-up, as both teams collectively went through sixteen batters before anyone reached base safely, and only two of those balls left the infield, but overall, LHP Ryan Feierabend (3.74, L) got tagged with the tough loss as he ran out of gas first, giving up three runs on seven hits (HR) while striking out seven in six and a third innings. RHP Craig James (3.71) let one of those runs score, despite not letting a man reach and striking out one (suicide squeeze, if you were wondering). RHP Jon Huber (3.38) struck out one in the eighth.
RF Wladimir Balentien (HR, .245) gets the nod as the star for putting Feier in line for the win for about five minutes with a solo shot in the seventh, his fifth home run of the season. SS Oswaldo Navarro (2B, .284) added two hits. Seems like Ozzie can hit a bit after all, though that double was only his third extra-base hit of the season (and they’re all doubles).

San Jose 10 (SF + 9), Inland Empire 4
For reasons I’ve yet to see explanation for, LHP Julio Santiago (2.89) face three batters, with a hit, a hit batter, and a groundout to show for it before he was pulled. I tried tuning into the game, but alas, I had forgotten that KVCR doesn’t always broadcast Sunday games. LHP Eric O’Flaherty (4.32, L) was called in for the next two and two-thirds innings and gave up five runs on six hits and two hit batters while striking out two. RHP Aaron Trolia (5.28) ended up in a similar predicament, giving up five runs as well on five hits, a hit batter, and a walk against a lone K in the same span of time. RHP Jon Lockwood (3.80) let three of those runs score on a bases-clearing double, but only had runners reach via one free pass and one batter plunked for the rest of his two and a third innings. Lockwood also struck out one. RHP Jose de la Cruz (3.38) rang up a perfect ninth, and seems to have adjusted after some serious issues in the early part of the season.
All of the eleven hits by the Sixers were singles, so it was a little hard to string some runs together (hmm… that sounds… familiar… somehow…). LF Josh Womack (R, SB, E, .299) was 3-for-3 with a walk batting ninth, and 2B Yung-chi Chen (RBI, .347), 1B Reed Eastley (R, .288), and SS Erick Monzon (RBI, PO, .289) were all 2-for. CF Brent Johnson (R, .247) had two more walks in the leadoff spot to bring his K/BB to an even 15/15 for the year, though he was 0-for-2 overall.

Wisconsin 5, Cedar Rapids 6 (ANA - 2)
LHP Jose Escalona (3.00, L) had what seems to be his worst start thus far, giving up five runs (four earned) on six hits (HR) and two walks against two Ks over the course of five innings. LHP Rollie Gibson (3.07) pitched the next three and allowed one more run to score on four hits and a walk while he struck out four. Gibson’s K’ing a little better than a batter per inning, but that’s getting lost with the strikeout dominance of Lowe and Kahn in Inland and Williams and Woerman in Wisconsin. Of course, Gibson needs to walk fewer batters as well, and that’s the kicker thus far (nine in 14.2 IP).
3B Ron Garth (2B, HR, 3 R, .279) had another productive night with three hits. He’s not really a third baseman, or doesn’t project well as such, but he is tied for second on the team in home runs with three now. C J.B. Tucker (RBI, .267), the home run leader, RF Eddy Hernandez (2 RBI, .211), and LF Casey Craig (2B, 3B, R, .277) each had two hits. Craig has the second highest slugging on the team (behind Tucker, again).

Tomorrow’s Starters:
Tacoma: RHP Francisco Cruceta, at Salt Lake City, @ 5:30 pm PDT
San Antonio: LHP Travis Blackley, at Springfield, @ 5:10 pm PDT
Inland Empire: Off day
Wisconsin: RHP Jason Snyder, at Cedar Rapids, @ 4:35 pm PDT

Tacoma Rainiers: 16-12, .571, 1.5 GB in PCL Pacific North
San Antonio Missions: 11-17, .393, 6 GB in TL South
Inland Empire 66ers: 17-13, .567, T-1st in CAL South
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers: 14-16, .467, 3 GB in MWL Western
Organizational Record: 58-58, .500

posted by Jay Y. @ 8:36 PM

Trying to Fix the Visa Situation

I meant to post this as part of the recaps last night, but there was an article on the baseball work visa situation that I came across yesterday, and is worth taking a look at...

Federal immigration rules govern who is allowed to enter the United States to work legally. For athletes, there are two types of work permits.

The P-1 visa is reserved for what the law calls "internationally recognized" artists, entertainers and athletes, the best of their profession, whether they are Russian violinists or Dominican infielders. Major League Baseball and NHL players automatically qualify for this visa, and the government does not cap the number of such visas given out each year.

Then there is the H-2B visa, which was intended for seasonal agricultural workers and service industry employees but also includes minor-league athletes from foreign countries who work in the United States for set sports seasons.

These visas allow American teams to bring up players from the leagues they sponsor in Venezuela and the Dominican Republic, as well as Canadian high schoolers drafted in June.

"Our sports are affected by these rules because our sports need minor leagues to nurture players into the majors," said Lucy Calautti, the senior Washington lobbyist for Major League Baseball. "This is one of the biggest issues for us."

The system seemingly worked well until two years ago, when, in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the government lowered the ceiling on the number of H-2B visas from more than 120,000 per year to 66,000.

The crunch took baseball teams by surprise, because the government had always worked closely with the teams to process players' immigration papers.

That's what happened a couple of years back, which caught the system in a weird sort of crunch where players couldn't be promoted from the summer leagues as easily.

Of course, being a system reliant on some level of international players, you have quotes from Benny Looper in there for effect. Getting this sort of thing resolved would be quite beneficial for the M's, who have occassionally had to make tough decisions a bit sooner than they might've liked to.

posted by Jay Y. @ 3:31 PM