Archive for the 'Craig Albernaz' Category

Sep 10

[DOWN ON THE FARM] Bulls Rally, But Blow Lead In 9th; Lose Game 1

Craig Albernaz, Gabriel Martinez, Jeff Niemann, Michel Hernandez, Mitch Talbot, Rashad Eldridge, Victor Zambrano, Wade Davis Cork Gaines No Comments »

Scranton/WB 8, Durham 7 (Scranton leads 1-0). Scott Dohmann blew a 1-run lead in the bottom of the 9th, allowing the winning run on a 2-out single…David Price worked 6 innings, but left trailing 4-2. He gave up 3 runs in the first inning, with the big blow being a 2-run home run. Price cruised through the middle innings before giving up one more run in the 6th. He was pulled after 6, striking out 9 and walking just 1…Elliot Johnson drove in 2 with a double in the 3rd…The Bulls rallied to take the lead with 5 in the 7th. Rashad Eldridge who was added just prior to the game, drove home 2 in the inning with a double.

NOTES FROM DOWN ON THE FARM…

  • In case you missed it late last night, David Price was named USA Today’s Minor League Player of the Year…And with his season complete, if Price is going to be called up, it could happen as early as tonight. [Rays Index]
  • If you missed it yesterday, Michel Hernandez and Dan Johnson were promoted to the Rays. Rashad Eldridge and Craig Albernaz were promoted from Montgomery to fill the roster spots. [Rays Index]
  • Gaby Martinez will also join the Bulls but will not be activated unless needed. [Biscuits' Batter]
  • Whomever wrote the press release for the above moves may have been a tad upset at the Rays. According to Stacy Long, the release original seemed to take a slight shot at the Rays for taking key members of the Bulls just prior to the Championship series. The press release was subsequently changed and now includes less vitriolic language. [Biscuits' Batter]

The Original Release: Hours before the first pitch of Game One of the Governors’ Cup Playoffs, the Tampa Bay Rays have taken three of Durham’s key position players.

  • The Bulls have set their rotation for the Governor’s Cup Finals. Mitch Talbot will go in game 2 and will be followed by Jeff Niemann and Wade Davis. Of an interesting note is the Yankees game 5 starter…Victor Zambrano. Great googly moogly. [Durham Bulls]
Sep 09

[HAPPY HOUR] Johnson And Hernandez Called Up; Guzman DFA’d

Craig Albernaz, Dan Johnson, Joel Guzman, John Jaso, Michel Hernandez, Mike DiFelice, Rashad Eldridge Cork Gaines 1 Comment »

Marc Topkin is reporting that Dan Johnson and Michel Hernandez have been added to the 40-man roster and will report to the Rays. To make room on the 40-man roster, Joel Guzman has been designated for assignment.

Johnson will start tonight in left field, with Eric Hinske in right and Gabe Gross in center. Sweet Fancy Moses. That might be the worst defensive range ever for a major league outfield.

Johnson was originally added to the Rays’ roster in April, when he was claimed off of waivers from the A’s, but was with the Rays for less than a week, appearing in only 1 game. He was designated for assignment and assigned to Durham. At Durham, Johnson led the IL in OBP (.424) and OPS (.980), hitting 25 home runs. Johnson also expanded his defensive range. Prior to this season, Johnson had only played first base as a pro, but has seen time at third base and the outfield in Durham.

Hernandez is a journeyman minor leaguer who has only appeared in 5 major league games (with the Yankees in 2003) in 11 professional seasons. He was only recently acquired by the Rays to fill the void on the Durham roster after the promotion of John Jaso and release of Mike DiFelice.

Guzman, the Dodgers’ former top prospect, was originally acquired (with Sergio Pedroza) for Julio Lugo. The former shortstop flashed a good glove at several positions and immense power, but never was able to command the strikezone. This season Guzman had 103 strikeouts and only 19 walks in 116 games.

With the Durham Bulls playing game 1 of the IL championship series tonight, Craig Albernaz and Rashad Eldridge have been added to the active roster. Both players were most recently with double-A Montgomery.

C Hernandez, INF/OF Johnson called up [The Heater]

Aug 14

[DOWN ON THE FARM] Price Shaky In AAA Debut; Rollins Solid In AA Debut

Craig Albernaz, David Price, Heath Rollins Cork Gaines 2 Comments »

Norfolk 7, Durham 6. David Price made his triple-A debut and picked up his first professional loss. In 4 innings, he struck out 6 and walked none, but did allow 3 runs on 7 hits (6 singles and a double). For a more detailed recap of Price’s performance, see the first bullett below…John Jaso drove in 4 with a pair of doubles. He also stole a base and threw out a base stealer…Joel Guzman also had 2 doubles in 4 at bats…Jonny Gomes was 0-4 with 3 strike outs and Fernando Perez was 0-5.

Jacksonville 3, Montgomery 2. Heath Rollins double-A debut was overshadowed by the triple-A debut of David Price. But Rollins did not disappoint, striking out 9 and walking none in 7 innings of 1-run ball. He gave up 4 hits. The only blemish was a first inning, solo home run. He retired the final 8 batters he faced…Eddie Morlan blew the save, giving up a 2-run home run in the 8th…Gaby Martinez provided all the offense with a 2-run home run, his 20th, in the 1st inning…Rashad Eldridge was 1-3 with 2 walks and his 21st stolen base. Eldridge is quietly posting a solid season, with a .301/.397/.402 line. Eldridge is 26, in his 9th minor league season and his 5th organization.

Jupiter 7, Vero Beach 5 (11). Jupiter scored 4 in the top of the 11th and held on for the win…Ryan Morse allowed only 2 unearned runs in 5 innings. He struck out 5 and walked 2…Ryan Royster was 2-4 with a walk and his 9th home run. He drove in 2 and scored twice.

Lake Co. 4, Columbus 1 (gm 1). Brian Flores allowed 4 runs and was pulled before the end of the 4th.

Lake Co. 5, Columbus 1 (gm 2). Jeremy Hall held Lake County to 1 run in 5 innings, but did walk 4 batters and hit a 5th. He struck out 4…Henry Wrigley was 2-3.

Hudson Valley 5, Jamestown 4.

Burlington 3, Princeton 0. Tim Beckham was 1-3 with a single, walk and a strike out.

NOTES FROM DOWN ON THE FARM…

  • The Immaculate Inning was on hand last night for David Price’s triple-A debut and wrote a detailed account. [The Immaculate Inning]
  • Montgomery catcher Craig Albernaz has overcome all the doubters to make it 2 stops from the majors. [The Herald News]