Mariner Minors: 07/16/2006

Mariner Minors

Thursday, July 20, 2006

Promotions!

I haven't left quite yet.

Word is going around now (various places) that there are some positions that have been shuffled around a bit. Marcos Villezcas, as noted last night, is the new Aquasox second baseman, but Chris Minaker has been promoted to Wisconsin and Luis Valbuena has been shifted up to Inland Empire. It looks like Kevin Reynolds, who has been everywhere, is heading back to Wisconsin as well, and Juan Guzman will be moving up from Peoria as Ron Garth just went on the DL.

posted by Jay Y. @ 4:06 PM

Game Recaps (7/19/06)

I’m going to be gone for the next two days, taking my usual pseudo-vacation around this time of year to visit family and the like. I won’t be around any viable internet sources for that time, so the recaps will be back when I am, or probably a little later depending on what happens and how long it takes me to catch up on this and that. In the meantime, your reading material is scattered throughout here. Additionally, check out the Global Baseball Blog Jon Helfgott put up to chronicle his journey through the international side of the game. It’s something to keep your eyes on, and will be linked on the sidebar when I get back.

Las Vegas 6 (LA - 4), Tacoma 1
RHP Francisco Cruceta (4.21, L) cruised for much of the game, retiring fifteen in a row at one point, but ended up giving up four runs on six hits and three walks (two intentional) against seven Ks, and I’m placing the blame there on RHP Jon Huber (2.82), who let three of Cruceta’s runs score and two of his own on four hits in two-thirds of an inning. All the scoring came in the eighth, in other words. LHP Thom Oldham (5.54) got through the ninth without incident.
1B Bryan Lahair (R, .301) had two hits and a walk, scoring the only run for the Rainiers.

Frisco 0 (TEX - 6), San Antonio 11
I figured we had this one nailed, but it’s nice to see a beating like this anyway. LHP Ryan Feierabend (3.96, PO, W) gave up four hits and a walk and struck out five over the course of seven innings. LHP Jason Mackintosh (3.77) gave up a couple of hits and struck out three in the final two.
DH Jason Bourgeois (2 R, RBI, SB, .272) had three hits in the game, CF Sebastien Boucher (2B, R, 2 RBI, .252), SS Yung-chi Chen (2 R, .313), RF Wladimir Balentien (HR, 3 R, 3 RBI, .263), and 2B Jesus Guzman (3B, R, RBI, .246) had two, and LF Mike Wilson (2B, R, 2 RBI, .344) and C Guillermo Quiroz (2B, RBI, .200) both had doubles. Guzman walked twice, and Chen, Balentien, and Wilson each walked once. Quiroz is in town taking the spot of Justin Ruchti, who went on the DL with an injured ankle.

Jason has a scouting report on Feierabend over at Prospect Insider.

Inland Empire 1, Lake Elsinore 7 (SD + 7)
LHP Justin Thomas (5.68, L) let six runs (two earned) score on seven hits and four walks against six Ks in five innings of work. RHP Juan Done (8.76) gave up another run on two hits while striking out one in two innings of work, and then RHP Jon Lockwood (3.64) struck out one in the eighth.
DH Omar Falcon (HR, .254) had a home run, 2B Jack Arroyo (.324) and RF Casey Craig (2B, .378) both had two hits, and LF Josh Womack (.292) walked twice. That was about it.

Boise 10 (CHC + 2), Everett 14
A friendly reminder from your local minor league baseball team that football season is indeed on the way. RHP Andrew Fiorenza (1.00) got the start and gave up three hits, a wild pitch, and a walk while striking out one in three innings of work. RHP Justin Souza (5.40, W) gave up two hits and threw a wild pitch in the next two innings, and after that, the fun started. RHP Kameron Mickolio (4.05, E) gave up three runs in two innings on seven hits and a wild pitch against two Ks, and then LHP Jose Suriel (4.40) gave up seven runs (three earned) on eight hits, a walk, and a K in an inning and two-thirds. RHP Doug Fister (0.84, S) walked one before recording the final out to get the save.
CF Greg Halman (2B, 2 HR, 4 R, 3 RBI, .271) was dominant, going 3-for-4 with a walk and a plunk, which brings his season line up to .271/.301/.514, and believe me, sooner or later he’s going to be getting that OBP up there too. If you haven’t seen him yet, you’re missing out, he’s a beast. The four through six hitters of 1B Manelik Pimentel (HR, 3 R, 2 RBI, .270), C Curtis Ledbetter (2 2B, R, 3 RBI, .207), and 3B Leury Bonilla (2 HR, 4 RBI, E, .200) all had two hits (including some serious power), and SS Ogui Diaz (2B, .215) doubled. As for the on-base threats, 2B Marcos Villezcas (R, CS, .000) had two walks in his debut and DH Joe White (R, .288) had three.

Deanna wisely spent Tuesday evening at Everett Memorial rather than listen to the umpires blow a game for the M’s. She posted her thoughts here, which included another odd play by Bonilla, and I’ve observed a few of those myself.

Peoria Mariners 5, Phoenix Athletics 6 (- 3)
LHP Tony Butler (2.57) pitched four+ innings, giving up three runs on a hit, a wild pitch, three walks, and eight Ks, though RHP Marquis Pettis (2.40) was responsible for one of those scoring, as he gave up a hit in two innings of work. Even though this outing lacked in the run-prevention department, Butler is now striking out better than sixteen batters per nine innings. I’m expecting that at this rate he’ll make an Everett appearance at some point this season. RHP Haley Winter (10.93, BS, L) gave up three runs on six hits and a K in two innings of work.
3B Alex Liddi (R, RBI, SB, .301) kept battling out there and had another three hits today. 2B Michael Garciaparra (2B, SB, .385), CF T.J. Bohn (2B, R, SB, .167), SS Deybis Benitez (3B, 2 R, RBI, .222), and 1B Gerardo Avila (2B, RBI, .367) all had extra-base hits out of the one through four spots in the lineup.

The doubleheader in Venezuela was postponed. I think that’s two doubleheaders in a row now.

Today’s Starters:
Tacoma: RHP Cha Seung Baek, in Tacoma, @ 7:05 pm PDT
San Antonio: RHP Travis Chick, at Frisco, @ 5:05 pm PDT
Inland Empire: LHP Shawn Nottingham, at Lake Elsinore, @ 7:05 pm PDT
Wisconsin: RHP Marwin Vega, at Burlington, @ 5:05 pm PDT
Everett: RHP Michael Schilling, in Everett, @ 7:05 pm PDT
Peoria: TBA, in Peoria, @ 9:30 am PDT
Aguirre: TBA, at Pirates, @ 8:00 am PDT

Tacoma Rainiers: 52-43, .547, 4 GB in PCL Pacific North
San Antonio Missions: 16-10 (43-51), .615, (.457), 1st in TL South
Inland Empire 66ers: 12-12 (51-43), .500 (.543), 3.5 GB in CAL South
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers: 8-18 (35-61), .308 (.365), 9 GB in MWL Western
Everett Aquasox: 15-15, .500, 6 GB in NWL West
Peoria Mariners: 12-11, .522, 3.5 GB in AZL
Aguirre Mariners: 28-22-4, .556, 3 GB in VSL
Santo Domingo Mariners: 20-10, .667, 1st in Santo Domingo Norte
Organizational Record: 256-256-4, .500

posted by Jay Y. @ 1:54 AM

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Twelve International NDFA Signings

Official Release. I'll just add the blockquote here...

Director of International Operations Bob Engle announced today that the Seattle Mariners have signed 12 non-drafted free agents, including infielder Anthony Phillips from South Africa.

Seattle also signed outfielders Rey Lebron (Dominican Republic), Mario Martinez (Venezuela), L. Alejandro Garcia (Venezuela), L. Eduardo Garcia (Venezuela), Kalian Sams (Netherlands) and Jose Rivero (Venezuela), infielders Yidio Batista (Columbia), Roberto Velasquez (Venezuela), Ramon Morla (Dominican Republic) and Rudy Van Heydoorn (Dominican Republic) and left-handed pitcher Jose Rios (Mexico). All players are under contract for the 2007 season.

To add what I've found to this, Phillips seems like the big guy, which is a little unusual considering South African prospects don't always get that kind of hype. I tried to dig up some info on the tournament they mentioned seeing him in, but all the info I've been able to find has come in second hand from other groups talking about how their country's prospects did. To make matters worse, the International Baseball Federation hasn't updated their AA World Championships section since 2001, not that there was a lot of information there to begin with. One of the few things I did find was a PDF announcing the selections for the MLB's European Academy this summer (Alex Liddi was there last year), and both Phillips and Kalian Sams are slated to participate there (baseball is more popular in the Czech Republic than I would've anticipated).

Sams was another guy I found some info on, though he's a bit older than the other guys. He was slated to be the backup first baseman for ADO in the Dutch pro league this year after hitting .263 last year, but it looks like he had a breakout season, with a .341 average (ninth in the league) and a .545 slugging percentage (tops in the league, it seems). He was kind of the secret weapon the Dutch team busted out in the European Series against Italy, and it paid dividends as he came up with some big hits.

As for the other guys, the usual searches yielded nothing conclusive, except that searching for Rey Lebron will give you articles on Lebron James in Spanish. This isn't too surprising, as there are maybe two or three Latin American players that I can find anything about in any signing period, and that's during the good years. I couldn't even find anything on the Mexican pitcher, LHP Jose Rios, or the Colombian infielder, Yidio Batista, and that's usually where I'll get something. The only other thing is that the M's look like they've signed twin brothers in the Garcias, which is something that I can't recall happening before.

posted by Jay Y. @ 1:54 PM

Game Recaps (7/18/06)

Las Vegas 10 (LA - 5), Tacoma 4
Whatever LHP Cesar Jimenez (4.50, L) had, I guess he lost it last outing, because he gave up six runs on nine hits (2 HR!) and three walks against one K in four innings of this one. RHP Aaron Looper (6.60) gave up four runs (three earned) on five hits (HR), a walk, and a K in the next three innings, and RHP Mike Flannery (1.42) gave up a hit and struck out two in the final two innings.
CF Shin-soo Choo (2 R, RBI, SB, .329), LF Jon Nelson (R, .263), and SS Oswaldo Navarro (2 2B, R, .227) had two hits apiece, and 3B Scotty Baseball (2B, RBI, E, .242) doubled.

Frisco 4 (TEX - 5), San Antonio 5
A game where the run totals should probably be reversed, though the three outfield assists, one from each fielder, and four double plays couldn’t have hurt things… RHP Yorman Bazardo (3.20, W) let two runs score on nine hits, a hit batter, a walk, and five Ks in six innings of work. LHP Ryan Rowland-Smith (4.26) gave up two runs on three hits and a walk in the next third of an inning, and RHP Craig James (1.54) scored one of those, walking two in an inning’s worth of work. LHP Eric O’Flaherty (1.21, S) got the save, with two hits and three strikeouts over the final inning and two-thirds. With today’s performance, O’Flaherty now has over a K per inning at two different levels.
As for the Missions batters, they stuck it to Rangers pitching prospect Thomas Diamond and chased him after three and two-thirds innings. Good for them, as he had held opposing batters to a .561 OPS to this point in the month. 2B Yung-chi Chen (2B, R, RBI, SB, .302) had two hits, LF Mike Wilson (HR, A, .348) had a home run, and RF Wladimir Balentien (R, RBI, A, E, .260) had a hit and two walks. Wlad has thirteen walks to thirteen Ks thus far this month. I never thought I’d see the day when that happened for any length of time.

Inland Empire 3, Lake Elsinore 7 (SD + 6)
RHP Aaron Jensen (7.51, L) gave up five runs (four earned) on five hits, a hit batter, and four walks against two Ks. I’m guessing he’s probably still injured, or something. RHP Justin Jordan (5.10) gave up a run on four hits, a hit batter, and a walk, with two Ks in the next three innings, and then LHP Saydel Beltran (4.15) got the final three, allowing one more run to score on a solo shot. Beltran gave up one additional hit and a walk and struck out three.
DH Brent Johnson (2 SB, .288) and RF Josh Womack (2 2B, RBI, A, .295) both had two hits, 1B Andy Hargrove (HR, .268) had a home run, and LF Casey Craig (2B, R, .371) doubled.

Quad Cities 7 (STL + 2), Wisconsin 2
LHP Jose Escalona (3.73) let two runs score on four hits (HR), three walks, and three Ks in five innings of work. He doesn’t seem to be slowing even though he’s pitched more innings this year than he ever has previously. With another inning and a two-thirds, he’ll have surpassed his totals for 2004 and 2005, combined. LHP Harold Williams (3.44) gave up two runs on two hits (HR), two wild pitches, and two walks with one K in the next inning and two-thirds. RHP Edgar Guaramato (7.11) gave up three runs on a hit, a wild pitch, a hit batter, and two walks against a K in two-thirds of an inning, and while RHP Roman Martinez (4.07) scored one of those on a hit and a K in an inning and two-thirds after that, I’m starting to wonder if something might be wrong with Guar.
CF Michael Saunders (SB, .223), LF Kuo-hui Lo (R, A, .353), and SS Robby Hudson (2B, CS, E, .283) all had two hits.

Boise 8 (CHC + 3), Everett 5
RHP Ricky Orta (6.35, E, L) gave up four runs on five hits (HR), a wild pitch, a walk, and two Ks in two and two-thirds innings. RHP Stephen Richard (2.57) gave up a run on three hits, a hit batter, a walk, and two Ks in three and a third innings after that. LHP Greg Nesbit (3.80) let a couple unearned runs score on two hits, and RHP Aaron Solomon (1.04) finally gave up a run on two hits against three strikeouts in the final two innings.
CF Greg Halman (CS, .252), C Chao Kuan Wu (2 R, RBI, .233), and SS Ogui Diaz (RBI, E, .216) all had two hits in the game. 1B Joe White (R, .295) kept at it with a hit and another two walks.

Peoria Mariners 4, Phoenix Brewers 5 (- 3) (eleven innings)
RHP Nathan Adcock (3.00) gave up a run on a solo shot, walked one, and struck out three in two innings of work. RHP Juan Zapata (0.00) finally resurfaced and gave up a hit in the inning after that. RHP Jared Eichelberger (5.11) struck out three in two frames of work, and then RHP Robert Harmon (8.49) walked two and hit one in the next two innings. RHP Rocky Collis (4.30, BS) lost the lead and had to take it through the tenth, allowing three runs (two earned) to score on six hits and two walks against three Ks, but LHP Will Brown (9.53, L) lost the lead, giving up a run on a hit, a wild pitch, and a walk with one K, the only out he recorded.
C Juan Beltran (CS, .381) had a couple of hits, LF Wellington Dotel (HR, 2 RBI, .244) had a home run and a walk, and rehabber 2BMichael Garciaparra (2B, R, .444) had a double. CF T.J. Bohn (SB, .125) went 0-for-4 with a walk.

Aguirre Mariners 11, VSL Astros 10 (- 2) (eleven innings)
Every so often, I see something like this and my eyes kind of glaze over. If you didn’t think the M’s used enough pitchers yesterday, well, they certainly did today. RHP Miguel Marquez (2.18) gave up four runs on five hits, a hit batter, and two walks against a K in an inning and a third to start things out, and then LHP Kervin Montbrum (2.45) finished the second without incident. RHP Felix Correa (6.00) and RHP Yoervis Medina (4.50) both pitched two and a third innings after that, with Correa giving up three runs (two earned) on two hits, two wild pitches, two hit batters, and two Ks, and Medina making it through with two hits and a wild pitch. LHP Jose Jimenez (2.89) pitched two and two-thirds innings after that, with another run crossing the plate on a hit, two walks, and five strikeouts, but RHP Jesse Nava (3.04, W) let that run score on three hits, two walks, and a K in an inning and a third. RHP Carlos Sanchez (2.25, S) let two of Nava’s runs score on a hit, a walk, and a wild pitch before he could record the final out.
3B Edilio Colina (2 R, CS, 2 E, .271) had three hits in the game, C Israel Nunez (R, RBI, .324) had two, and SS Terry Serrano (2B, R, RBI, .207) and RF Mario Yepez (2B, R, RBI, .230) had doubles. All of the above had walks as well. DH Pablo Orfila (2 R, .262) and LF Rayon Lampe (2 R, RBI, .207) both had a hit and two walks.

Today’s Starters:
Tacoma: RHP Francisco Cruceta, in Tacoma, @ 12:05 pm PDT
San Antonio: LHP Ryan Feierabend (!), at Frisco, @ 5:05 pm PDT
Inland Empire: LHP Justin Thomas, at Lake Elsinore, @ 6:05 pm PDT
Wisconsin: Off day
Everett: RHP Bryan Ball, in Everett, @ 7:05 pm PDT
Peoria: TBA, at Phoenix, @ 9:30 am PDT
Aguirre: TBA, in Aguirre (doubleheader), @ 8:00 am PDT

Tacoma Rainiers: 52-42, .553, 3 GB in PCL Pacific North
San Antonio Missions: 15-10 (42-51), .600, (.452), T-1st in TL South
Inland Empire 66ers: 12-11 (51-42), .522 (.548), 2.5 GB in CAL South
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers: 8-18 (35-61), .308 (.365), 9 GB in MWL Western
Everett Aquasox: 14-15, .483, 6 GB in NWL West
Peoria Mariners: 12-10, .545, 3.5 GB in AZL
Aguirre Mariners: 28-22-4, .556, 3 GB in VSL
Santo Domingo Mariners: 20-10, .667, 1st in Santo Domingo Norte
Organizational Record: 254-253-4, .501

posted by Jay Y. @ 12:35 AM

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

Game Recaps (7/17/06)

Las Vegas 4 (LA - 6), Tacoma 6
RHP Rich Dorman (4.64, W) turned in one of his best starts this year, giving up a run on five hits, a wild pitch, and two walks while he struck out eight. RHP Justin Huisman (7.91) stuck out the side in the next inning, and then LHP Thom Oldham (6.00) gave up a couple of runs on two hits (HR) and two walks in a third of an inning before giving way to RHP Jon Huber (2.08, S), who let another run score on two hits and a K while he wrapped things up.
CF Shin-soo Choo (2B, R, .327) and C Jeff Clement (2B, R, 3 RBI, .243) each had a couple of hits, and LF (yes, LF) Rob Johnson (2B, R, RBI, .230) and 2B Ismael Castro (2B, R, .271) both doubled.

One of the few complaints I have about the way MiLB.com handles things is that they don’t list off days, only the scheduled games, so if I’m not really paying attention (i.e., last night) I’ll miss that a team has an off-day coming up. Midway through the day, I caught that the Sixers were off, but only now realized that the Missions were as well. My bad.

Quad Cities 1 (STL + 1), Wisconsin 2 (twelve innings)
LHP David Asher (3.38) let one run cross on five hits, a wild pitch, a hit batter, and two walks against four Ks through six innings of work. Not bad. RHP Juan Colon (0.00) had a hit, a hit batter, a walk, and a strikeout to show for the next three innings, and then LHP Lance Beus (1.57) walked two and struck out one in the next two. RHP Brian Kappel (7.20, E, W) got the win, giving up a hit and striking out two in the twelfth.
2B Luis Valbuena (CS, .290) had three hits and a walk, but RF Eddy Hernandez (RBI, .243) will get the nod with his two hits, as one of them drove in the walk-off run. DH Johan Limonta (SB, .227) had a couple of walks in the game.

Boise 4 (CHC + 2), Everett 0
RHP Natvidad Dilone (4.50, L) gave up four runs (two earned) on six hits (2 HR!), a walk, and two Ks through five and two-thirds innings of work. LHP Rollie Gibson (4.66) struck out two and hit one over the next four outs, and then RHP Kameron Mikolio (2.38) gave up a hit and struck out one in the eighth. RHP Doug Fister (0.86) gave up a pair of hits and punched out one in the ninth.
2B Dean Zorn (2B, .265) was the only real standout for the offense, as he had three of the Aquasox’ five hits. 1B Joe White (.293) had a hit and a walk and is maintaining that absurd OBP, which currently hovers around .450.

Surprise Royals 2 (+ 6), Peoria Mariners 4
RHP Jorge Campillo (0.00) made his first appearance of the season, giving up a hit in an inning of work. RHP Cory Koliscak (0.00) gave up a hit and a walk in the next inning, and then RHP Douglas Salinas (1.93, W) pitched three innings after that, giving up three hits and striking out two. The last four innings were split between RHP Kyle Parker (5.93) and RHP Haley Winter (10.50), with Parker giving up a hit, hitting a batter, walking one and striking out three, and Winter gave up two runs (one earned) on three hits, a wild pitch, and two Ks
Rehabber 2B Michael Garciaparra (2B, HR, 2 RBI, .750) and 3B Alex Liddi (2B, R, .293) both had three hits, SS Deybis Benitez (2B, RBI, E, .219) and DH Stan Posluszny (2B, RBI, .338) both had two hits, and rehabber CF T.J. Bohn (3B, R, .250) and RF Carlos Peguero (3B, .296) both had extra-base hits.

Cagua Reds 0 (+ 6), Aguirre Mariners 3
This is something I’ve only seen rarely in the VSL, if at all, but RHP Yovanny Olivero (1.85, PO, W) threw a nine-inning complete game, giving up six hits and three walks while striking out seven. Quite a crop of pitchers they have down there this year.
CF Terry Serrano (RBI, PO, .210) and DH Pablo Orfila (R, RBI, .259) both had two hits.

Today’s Starters:
Tacoma: LHP Cesar Jimenez, in Tacoma, @ 2:05 pm PDT
San Antonio: RHP Yorman Bazardo, at Frisco, @ 5:05 pm PDT
Inland Empire: RHP Aaron Jensen, at Lake Elsinore, @ 7:05 pm PDT
Wisconsin: LHP Jose Escalona, in Appleton, @ 5:00 pm PDT
Everett: RHP Ricky Orta, in Everett, @ 7:05 pm PDT
Peoria: TBA, at Phoenix, @ 9:30 am PDT
Aguirre: TBA, at Astros, @ 8:00 am PDT

Tacoma Rainiers: 52-41, .559, 2 GB in PCL Pacific North
San Antonio Missions: 14-10 (41-51), .583, (.446), 1 GB in TL South
Inland Empire 66ers: 12-10 (51-41), .545 (.554), 1.5 GB in CAL South
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers: 8-17 (35-60), .320 (.368), 8 GB in MWL Western
Everett Aquasox: 14-14, .500, 5 GB in NWL West
Peoria Mariners: 12-9, .571, 2.5 GB in AZL
Aguirre Mariners: 27-22-4, .547, 4GB in VSL
Santo Domingo Mariners: 20-10, .667, 1st in Santo Domingo Norte
Organizational Record: 252-248-4, .504

posted by Jay Y. @ 1:31 AM

Monday, July 17, 2006

Game Recaps (7/16/06)

Tacoma 3, Portland 4 (SD – 6)
LHP Bobby Livingston (4.70, L) gave up four runs on ten hits (HR) and two walks against five Ks. RHP Scott Atchison (3.51) pitched the final inning and two-thirds without incident.
3B Scotty Baseball (HR, 2 RBI, .240) and 2B Ismael Castro (HR, .273) both had home runs.

San Antonio 7, Springfield 0 (STL - 2)
LHP Travis Blackley (4.17, W) recovered from last outing and three seven innings, giving up four hits, a wild pitch, and two walks while punching out four. RHP Stephen Kahn (5.64) gave up a hit and walked two in the next inning, and then RHP Craig James (1.57) gave up a hit and struck out one in the ninth. James is having an insane year, much like last one. One of these days, we’ll look up and he’ll be warming up in the ‘pen down in Safeco.
CF Sebastien Boucher (R, RBI, SB, .250), RF Wladimir Balentien (HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, .258), and C Brian Schweiger (PO, .171) all had two hits, and 2B Yung-chi Chen (HR, .283) and DH Mike Wilson (HR, 3 RBI, .358) had home runs as well.

Lancaster 2 (ARI - 6), Inland Empire 7
RHP Cibney Bello (4.15, PO) pitched six innings and gave up two runs on four hits, two wild pitches, a hit batter, and three walks against five Ks. RHP Aaron Trolia (6.49, PO, W) went the next inning and two-thirds, allowing a hit and a walk while ringing up three, and then RHP Jose de la Cruz (2.90, S) struck out one of the final four batters he faced.
SS Jeff Dominguez (2 R, 2 RBI, .288) had three hits in the game, CF Casey Craig (3B, R, 4 RBI, .379) had two plus a walk, and 1B Reed Eastley (2B, RBI, .282) had a double and a walk.

Quad Cities 7 (STL + 2), Wisconsin 16
RHP Nick Allen (3.14, W) didn’t do so well, not that anyone’s going to notice in this one. He pitched five and two-thirds innings giving up seven runs on nine hits (2 HR!) and a walk against two Ks. RHP Roman Martinez (4.37) gave up a hit, walked one, and struck out two in the next inning, and RHP Austin Bibens-Dirkx (2.35) had similar results in his inning and a third. RHP Brian Kappel (9.00) had a perfect ninth.
As for the Quad Cities pitchers, well, they took a one-way trip to Beatdown Town. Yeah, I just said that, partially out of boredom (and floating the test balloon to see if anyone thinks I would seriously use that phrase), and partially because I feel it’s worth some kind of minor celebration whenever this offense really puts it together. 2B Luis Valbuena (HR, 3 R, 4 RBI, 2 SB, E, .284), 1B Johan Limonta (R, 3 RBI, .236), DH Adam Moore (R, RBI, .222), and C Travis Scott (2B, 2 R, 2 RBI, .184) all had three hits, and 3B Jeff Flaig (2B, R, 2 RBI, E, .218), LF Kuo-hui Lo (2B, 3 R, SB, .370), and RF Eddy Hernandez (3B, 3 R, RBI, .239) all had two hits apiece. Lo also walked twice, showing off that nice batting eye.

Everett 3, Spokane 7 (TEX - 3)
LHP Steve Uhlmansiek (3.12, L) lasted only three and a third innings, giving up three runs on four hits, a hit batter, and four walks against four Ks. RHP Andrew Fiorenza (1.50) gave up his first run on a hit, a wild pitch, a hit batter, three walks, and a K in and inning and a third, and RHP Joe Kantakevich (4.61) pitched two and a third innings after that, giving up a couple of runs on two hits, a hit batter, a walk, and two Ks. LHP Jose Suriel (2.84) gave up another run on two hits and struck out one in the ninth.
2B Chris Minaker (RBI, .291) and RF Bryan Sabatella (R, RBI, SB, A, .385) both had two hits, and C Jair Fernandez (2B, R, .189) and PH Curtis Ledbetter (2B, .188) both doubled.

Today’s Starters:
Tacoma: RHP Rich Dorman, in Tacoma, @ 7:05 pm PDT
San Antonio: RHP Yorman Bazardo, at Frisco, @ 5:05 pm PDT
Inland Empire: Off day
Wisconsin: LHP David Asher, in Appleton, @ 5:00 pm PDT
Everett: RHP Natividad Dilone, in Everett, @ 7:05 pm PDT
Peoria: TBA, in Peoria, @ 9:30 am PDT
Aguirre: TBA, in Aguirre, @ 8:00 am PDT

Tacoma Rainiers: 51-41, .554, 2 GB in PCL Pacific North
San Antonio Missions: 14-10 (41-51), .583, (.446), 1 GB in TL South
Inland Empire 66ers: 12-10 (51-41), .545 (.554), 1.5 GB in CAL South
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers: 7-17 (34-60), .292 (.362), 8 GB in MWL Western
Everett Aquasox: 14-13, .519, 4 GB in NWL West
Peoria Mariners: 11-9, .550, 3.5 GB in AZL
Aguirre Mariners: 26-22-4, .538, 4.5 GB in VSL
Santo Domingo Mariners: 20-10, .667, 1st in Santo Domingo Norte
Organizational Record: 248-247-4, .501

posted by Jay Y. @ 12:17 AM

Sunday, July 16, 2006

Game Recaps (7/15/06)

Tacoma 6, Portland 7 (SD – 7)
RHP Cha Seung Baek (3.02) had a fine outing wasted, as he went seven innings and gave up three runs on seven hits (2 HR!) against eight strikeouts. RHP Aaron Looper (6.42, BS) was the culprit, as he gave up three runs on four hits and a walk in two-thirds of an inning before RHP Mike Flannery (2.08, L) came in and gave up the final run on a solo shot, a walk, and a K in a third of an inning.
CF Shin-soo Choo (HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, .327) has wasted no time getting back into the swing of PCL life, with another four hits in this game. 3B Scott Youngbauer (2B, RBI, PO, .240), DH Jeff Clement (HR, .242), LF Jon Nelson (R, A, .265), and SS Oswaldo Navarro (2B, 2 R, .182) all had two hits.

San Antonio 2, Springfield 4 (STL - 1)
LHP Robert Rohrbaugh (2.73, L) gave up three runs on seven hits (HR) and four walks against four Ks through seven innings of work. RHP Chad Fillinger (2.56) pitched the eighth, giving up a run on three hits (HR).
The offense in this one was limited to two hits, so to recap those, SS-2B Yung-chi Chen (HR, 2 RBI, .286) had a home run and CF Seabstien Boucher (R, .247) had a hit and a walk.

Lancaster 7 (ARI - 5), Inland Empire 8
Another close game, though this one was pulled out at the very end. LHP Shawn Nottingham (3.90) gave up six runs (four earned) on ten hits (HR), two walks, and four Ks in six and a third innings. RHP Jon Lockwood (3.70) scored one of those along with one more in an inning and two-thirds+ on two hits and a walk. RHP Joe Woerman (3.00, W) scored that run on a hit and a K in the ninth, but took the win anyway after the Sixers rallied.
The ninth inning was key, again…

Inland Empire Bottom 9th
· Pitcher Change: Matt Elliott replaces Daniel Pohlman.
· Andrew Hargrove singles on a line drive to left fielder Jereme Milons.
· Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Jack Arroyo replaces Andrew Hargrove.
· Jeffrey Dominguez strikes out swinging.
· Brent Johnson singles on a ground ball to right fielder Jon Zeringue. Jack Arroyo to 2nd.
· Casey Craig walks. Jack Arroyo to 3rd. Brent Johnson to 2nd.
· Reed Eastley reaches on fielding error by second baseman Emilio Bonifacio. Jack Arroyo scores. Brent Johnson scores. Casey Craig to 3rd. Reed Eastley to 2nd. Throwing error by second baseman Emilio Bonifacio.
· Chris Colton walks.
· Luis Oliveros singles on a ground ball to pitcher Matt Elliott. Casey Craig scores. Reed Eastley to 3rd. Chris Colton to 2nd.

CF Brent Johnson (2B, 3 R, SB, E, .287) had three hits and a walk, 3B Reed Eastley (2B, 4 RBI, E, .281), 2B Matt Rogelstad (3B, R, .267), and 1B Andy Hargrove (R, .263) all had two hits, and DH Chris Colton (2B, .255) doubled and walked. Johnson certainly has rebounded after hitting .164/.292/.182 in April.

Quad Cities 12 (STL + 3), Wisconsin 2
Jekyll, Hyde, Jekyll, Hyde. LHP Paul Fagan (4.70, L) gave up seven runs on seven hits, two hit batters, and six walks against two Ks in four and two-thirds innings. RHP Edgar Guaramato (6.64) would then give up two runs on two hits, a walk, and a K in an inning and a third. LHP Harold Williams (3.26) gave up a couple of unearned runs on two hits and a walk against two Ks in the sixth, and then RHP Juan Colon (0.00) would walk two and strike out one in the eighth. LHP Lance Beus (1.71) gave up a solo home run in the ninth.
DH Eddy Hernandez (2B, RBI, .235) had three hits in this one, 3B Ron Garth (2B, E, .271) and 1B Jeff Flaig (2B, R, .212) both had two, and CF Alex Gary (HR, .193) hit his fifth home run.

Everett 4, Spokane 8 (TEX - 4)
RHP Michael Schilling (2.88, L) gave up five runs on seven hits (HR), a hit batter, and a couple of walks against three Ks in four and a third innings, and RHP Justin Souza (6.75) scored one of those plus three more on five hits (HR) and two walks in an inning and a third. RHP Aaron Solomon (0.00) walked one and struck out one over the next two and a third innings.
3B Manelik Pimentel (RBI, .269) and RF Jose Graterol (R, .171) both had two hits, and 2B Dean Zorn (2B, R, RBI, .234) had a double.

Phoenix Brewers 2 (- 5), Peoria Mariners 18
RHP Carlos Javier (4.79, E, W) pitched five innings, giving up three hits, hitting two batters, and walking two others while striking out three. RHP Marquis Pettis (2.77) struck out one in the sixth, and then RHP Rocky Collis (3.86, S) gave up two on five hits, a wild pitch, and a walk with three Ks in the final three frames.
Offense! 1B Gerardo Avila (2B, HR, 2 R, 5 RBI, .389) had three hits and a walk, and his fifth home run allowed him to take sole possession of first place in the league. 2B Marcos Villezcas (4 R, 2 RBI, .286), CF Wellington Dotel (R, RBI, .257), LF Stan Posluszny (R, 2 RBI, .328), and DH Danny Santin (2B HR, 2 R, 4 RBI, .333) all had two hits, with Villezcas walking twice. The Mariners had fourteen free passes overall, but four of them went to SS Deybis Benitez (4 R, 2 SB, E, .200) and three went to RF Carlos Peguero (R, RBI, .299), who still struck out in two of his other three plate appearances.

VSL Cardinals 7 (- 12), Aguirre Mariners 10
RHP Juan Ramirez (2.35) gave up four runs (two earned) on three hits, three hit batters, and three walks against three Ks in four and a third innings. RHP Carlos Sanchez (2.27) followed, letting one of Ramirez’ runs score on three hits, a wild pitch, a hit batter, a walk, and a K in two-thirds of an inning. RHP Yorjans Chourio (2.82, PO, W) let one score on two hits, a hit batter, two walks and three Ks in the next three innings, and then LHP Jose Jimenez (2.86) gave up a hit and rung up two in the ninth.
For the offense, 2B Jetsy Extrano (2B, R, .246), DH Pablo Orfila (2B, R, RBI, .244), and LF Greysom Berroteran (2B, 2 R, RBI, .200) all had two hits, Extrano also had a couple of walks, as did SS Terry Serrano (4 R, RBI, 2 SB, E, .196) and C Israel Nunez (R, RBI, .333). If I were looking for a textbook example of a VSL game, this might be it, except for the walk and run totals, which are a wee bit high.

Today’s Starters:
Tacoma: LHP Bobby Livingston, at Portland, @ 2:05 pm PDT
San Antonio: LHP Travis Blackley, at Springfield, @ 4:10 pm PDT
Inland Empire: RHP Cibney Bello, in San Bernardino, @ 6:11 pm PDT
Wisconsin: RHP Nick Allen, in Appleton, @ 11:00 am PDT
Everett: LHP Steve Uhlmansiek, at Spokane, @ 7:05 pm PDT
Peoria: Off day
Aguirre: Off day

Tacoma Rainiers: 51-40, .560, 2 GB in PCL Pacific North
San Antonio Missions: 13-10 (40-51), .565, (.440), 1.5 GB in TL South
Inland Empire 66ers: 11-10 (50-41), .524 (.549), 1.5 GB in CAL South
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers: 6-17 (33-60), .261 (.355), 8 GB in MWL Western
Everett Aquasox: 14-12, .538, 4 GB in NWL West
Peoria Mariners: 11-9, .550, 3.5 GB in AZL
Aguirre Mariners: 26-22-4, .538, 4.5 GB in VSL
Santo Domingo Mariners: 20-10, .667, 1st in Santo Domingo Norte
Organizational Record: 245-245-4, .500

posted by Jay Y. @ 2:48 AM