May 18
Durham 8, Charlotte 4. Jeremy Cummings won his 2nd game in 2 starts. He gave up 2 runs in 5 innings. Fernando Perez, Justin Ruggiano and Chris Richard sparked the offense with 3 hits each. Richard had 2 home runs and srove in 5.
Montgomery 2, Tennessee 1. Rhyne Hughes scored the game-winner in the 9th on an error. James Houser started for the Biscuits and only allowed 1 run in 6 innings, despite walking 4.
Vero Beach 11, Palm Beach 3. Brandon Mann improved to 2-3 despite being roughed up for 10 hits and a walk in 6 inning. 3 runs scored. Chuck Tiffany pitched 1 inning and didn’t allow a run, but did surrender a hit and 2 walks. Garret Groce, Ryan Royster and Nevin Ashley each added 3 hits. Royster drove in 3.
Augusta 2, Columbus 1 (10 inn.). Augusta took the win on a wild pitch by Travis Barnett in the 10th…Alex Cobb started and worked 6 innings, allowing 1 run, striking out 3. Mike McCormick went 2-4 to raise his average to .221.
NOTES FROM DOWN ON THE FARM…
- John Sickels ranks the Top 30 prospects available in this year’s draft. He has Buster Posey #1 and Tim Beckham #2. [Minor League Ball]
May 14
Durham 5, Toledo 3. Jeremy Cummings picked up the win in his first start for the Bulls, throwing 6 shutout innings. He stuck out 4 and walked 4…Grant Balfour earned his 6th save, striking out 4 in 2 innings…Justin Ruggiano was 2-3 with a 3-run home run, his 4th…Dan Johnson was 4-4 and is now hitting .317.
Mississippi 2, Montgomery 1. Richard de los Santos only gave up 3 hits and 2 walks in 7 innings, but picked up the loss…Sergio Pedroza was the only Biscuit with more than 1 hit. He was 2-2 with a walk.
Vero Beach 1, St. Lucie 0. Heath Rollins finally picked up his 2nd win, throwing 7 shutout innings, on 2 hits and 1 walk. He struck out 6…Joey Callender drove on the only run with a sac fly.
Hickory 7, Columbus 5. Glenn Gibson dropped to 1-5 after allowing 3 runs in 5 innings on 7 hits and 3 walks…Emeel Salem was 2-5 with his 24th stolen base…Maiko Loyola was 2-5 with his 18th steal…Greg Sexton was 2-5 with an RBI.
NOTES FROM DOWN ON THE FARM…
- Potential #1 pick by the Rays in the June draft, Buster Posey, played all 9 positions in a 7 inning game…No offense. Wait. Yes, take offense. This is friggin’ ridiculous. The just screams, “Look at *me* do something ridunculous against a weak Savannah State squad. This is NOT the type of player the Rays want in their system. And this has only a little to do with DRG’s anti-FSU bias. This is really a little league/Bush league move, unless of course the Rays draft this kid, in which case it was friggin’ awesome! [Biscuits Batter]
- OK. It has been a while since we ragged on Bill Chastain, so we will keep this minor. But to say “David Price is close to resuming his season” is kinda ridiculous, no? We mean, doesn’t “resume” mean it had already started once. And in fact, Price will not only be making his 2008 debut but his professional debut. Of course, there is the little fact that the team is still not ready to schedule the #1 pick for his debut, saying only that he will make another extended spring training start later this week. Oh, Bill, where have you been? We missed you. [MLB]
- Jeremy Cummings got the win last night for Durham after starting the week in China. [Durham Herald-Sun]
May 13
Durham 9, Syracuse 1. Ben Hendrickson improved to 3-2 with 5 shutout innings. He allowed 2 hits and 2 walks and struck out 2…Juan Salas relieved Hendrickson and pitched 2 scoreless innings…Reid Brignac was 3-4 with his 10th double and 2 RBI. He is now hitting .258. He also stole his 2nd base…The Bulls hit 3 home runs, including dingers from Hector Gimenez (2), Elliot Johnson (1), who also had 4 RBI and Jeremy Owens (2).
Mississippi 5, Montgomery 4. Steve Andrade blew a 4-2 lead in the 9th inning, giving up 3 runs after losing his grasp of the strike zone. With 1st and 3rd and 2 outs, Andrade balked home the first run. He then intentionally walked one batter and then hit the next to load the bases. He then walked in the tying and go-ahead runs…James Houser started and had his own control issues. In 5 innings he walked 4 but only allowed 1 run. He gave up 3 hits and struck out 3…Rhyne Hughes was 2-4 with 2 RBI and his first steal of the year.
Vero Beach 1, St. Lucie 0 (13). Neil Walton singled with the bases loaded and no outs to break a 0-0 tie in the bottom of the 13th. He finished 2-6…Brandon Mann had his best start of the season, throwing 7 shutout innings, with only 3 hits and no walks. He struck out 5…Garrett Groce was 0-5 with 4 strike outs…Chase Fontaine added 2 singles in 3 at bats.
Columbus 6, Hickory 4. Alex Cobb picked up his 6th win on the young season, his 4th straight W. He struck out 5 and walked 3, allowing 2 runs in 5 innings on 4 hits…Greg Sexton hit his 2nd home run, a 2-run shot. He now has 24 RBI…Reid Fronk went 3-4, while Maiko Loyola added 2 hits in 3 at bats and his 17th steal…Emeel Salem was 1-4.
NOTES FROM DOWN ON THE FARM…
- Sounds like Rule 5 draftee Evan Meek will be returned to the Rays. The Pirates have been trying to work out a trade with the Rays after removing Meek from their active roster, but the Pirates GM does not sound optimistic about getting a deal done. [MLB]
- One website is tracking several MLB mock drafts. The most common pick for the Rays to date is Tim Beckham, who is the choice for the #1 pick in 5 of the 11 mocks. Buster Posey is the pick in 2 drafts and a total of 5 different players are represnted in the mock drafts. [DC Pro Sports Report]
