AAA Louisville Bats

This week: 3-3.
Overall: 41-32, second place, 8.5 games behind Columbus (CLE) . Down two from last week.

6/15: Off.

6/16: Rehabbin’ Homer Bailey gave up eleven (!) hits over 4.1 innings and 83 pitches, although Toledo (DET) got just three runs off him (0 BB, 2 K, 1 HR, 55 strikes). Mud Hens take it, 3-1. SS Zack Cozart’s seventh homer provided the Bats’ only run.

6/17: CF Dave Sappelt singled home 2B Chris Valaika - who’d led off with a double- in the bottom of the tenth to push Louisville past Toledo 2-1. Sappelt’s 2-for-5 put him at .361 for the season. RF Jeremy Hermida’s own 2-for-4 placed him at .354. Daryl Thompson fired six strong innings (2.40, 6 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 9 K, 94 pitches/60 strikes). David Johnson retired six straight (4.58, 3 K) and Jerry Gil picked up the final two for the duke (W 3-3, 4.68, 2 H, 2 K).

6/18: Scott Carroll made it five quality starts in seven, needing just 67 pitches to work six innings (W 6-2, 4.29, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K) of the Bats’ 3-1 win. Rehabbin’ Sam LeCure took care of the final three for the long save (#1, 1.35, 3 H, 3 K). 1B Danny Dorn launched a two-run homer, #10, and added a double (.286).

6/19: The Bats take the game, 4-2, and the series, 3-1. Dontrelle Willis had his best outing since returning from injury, permitting just three hits over seven (W 4-2, 2.51, 1 ER, 0 BB, 7 K, 100 pitches/66 strikes). Nick Christiani gave up a solo homer in the ninth but still notched save #4 (6.43). Valaika was 2-for-3 with a run scored and RBI (.241). Cozart had a RBI double, although his average continues to drop (.317).

6/20: The Bats’ homestand continues with a visit from Pawtucket (BOS). The PawSox got three in the eighth off Chad Reineke (L 5-4, BS #1, 3.14, 3 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K) with the help of errors from both Cozart as well as 3B Juan Francisco. They win, 7-4. Crafty Tom Cochran overcame serving up a bomb to the first batter of the game to last five (3.83, 5 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 7 K, 2 HR). Cozart did manage two hits and steal #8 (.318) and both 1B Todd Frazier (#12) and Dorn (#11) homered.

6/21: The PawSox again win, this time 6-3, with three runs in the eighth. Again defense contributed, as Sappelt’s error in CF allowed one run to score directly. Justin Lehr took the loss (1-2, 5.27, 0.1 IP, 1 H, 2 ER, 1 BB) and Johnson wasn’t much help (0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 1-1 IRS). Steven Jackson left the bases loaded (5.59, 1.2 IP, 1 K, 0-3 IRS) but the last six Bats batters went down in order. Rehabbin’ Homer gave up just eight hits this time (6 IP, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 103 pitches/71 strikes). Aroldis Chapman retired the PawSox in order in the seventh on 13 pitches (7 strikes), catching one batter looking. Francisco hammered a pair of solo homers (#6 and #7, .295). Cozart was 2-for-5 with a double and run scored (.320).

Transactnotes: 6/21: LHR Aroldis Chapman added on rehab.

Around the league: Boston optioned INF Drew Sutton to Triple-A. The Dodgers outrighted INF Juan Castro to Triple-A. Milwaukee DL’d SS Anderson Machado. The Yankees optioned OF Chris Dickerson to Triple-A. Chris has gotten into 21 games with the Bombers this season, but collected just 16 at-bats (.313). Tampa outrighted INF Felipe Lopez to Triple-A after demoting him a second time for general asshattery.

AA Carolina Mudcats

This week: 4-1!
Overall: 23-47, last place, 20 games behind Tennessee (CHC) Smokies are the first-half SL champions.

6/15: A new series with a new team, the Jackson Generals (SEA). And Carolina walked into their ballpark and smacked them around, 7-0. Six runs in the second allowed Matt Klinker to do some cruising (W 3-4, 3.60, 6 IP, 3 H, 3 BB, 1 K) after Rehabbin’ Aroldis Chapman started the game with a hitless inning (1 BB, 2 K, 28 pitches/18 strikes). CF Quintin Berry, not known for his power, smacked a three-run homer (#1). Also in the second, 1B Neftali Soto (#5) and DH Eric Campbell (#1) also homered. RF Felix Perez was 2-for-4 (.229) and LF Denis Phipps 2-for-3 with a double (.241). Donnie Joseph turned in a 1-2-3 ninth, giving him 7.2 consecutive scoreless innings (8.16).

6/16: Game two of the series was suspended in the third inning with Carolina leading 2-0. So it was picked up…

6/17: … the next day. MAKEUP MADNESS? Pedro Villareal (5.50, 2 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K) was replaced by Kyle McCulloch, who fired six innings of five-hit, one-run ball (W 2-3, 5.31, 1 BB, 3 K) as the Mudcats picked up two more runs in the fifth and five in the seventh to rout the Generals 9-3! 2B Henry Rodriguez was 3-for-5 with a run scored (.269) and Campbell hit a two-run homer (#2). Perez had two more hits, two runs scored, and steal #6 (.233).

For the night’s originally-scheduled game, the Generals picked up the game’s only run in the bottom of the seventh and final frame off All-Star Brad Boxberger (L 0-2, 1.48, 0.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER) to nip the Mudcats 1-0. Carolina was held to one hit, a Jose Castro single, by Jackson starter Andrew Carraway (who ran his record to 5-0 and his ERA to 2.41). Starter Travis Webb worked four scoreless (5.60, 2 H, 4 K, 1.29 ERA and 29 K over his last ten appearances spanning 21 IP).

6/18: MAKEUP MADNESS AGAIN! SERIES WIN! SERIES WIN! Carolina whipped Jackson in both ends of a makeup doubleheader, 5-1 and 8-4, to win its first series since the end of last July! Rehabbin’ Aroldis Chapman was credited with the W in game one after pitching two perfect innings in relief of James Avery (4.89, 4 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K). Joseph again went 1-2-3 to get his ERA to below 8. Phipps was 2-for-2 with a walk and stolen base (#8) and scored each time he was on base. He was also 3-for-5 in game two, raising his average to .259. Rodriguez added three more hits and steal #2 in game two (.289), as the Mudcats got at least one safety from everyone in the lineup- 16 hits in a seven-inning game. Tim Gustafson worked five innings in the nightcap for the win (2-6, 5.37, 5 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K).

6/19: All-Star break.

6/20: All-Star Game! The North All-Stars scored four runs in the first off starter Matt Moore (TB) and beat the South, 6-3. The Mudcats’ lone representative, Brad Boxberger, closed out the victory by working two-thirds of an inning. He walked a batter and struck out one, throwing fourteen pitches.

6/21: All-Star break. Play resumes on the 23rd against Huntsville (MIL) at home.

Transactnotes: 6/16: INF Jose Castro activated from the DL. INF Jake Kahauleilo sent to Bakersfield. 6/18: RHR Derrik Lutz, out since May 2009 with arm issues, activated and sent to Billings for what I’m guessing is rehab.

High-A Bakersfield Blaze

This week: 2-3.
Overall: 35-35, third place, 15.5 games behind San Jose (SF). The Giants cruised to the first-half title with a 50-19 record (!) A new half shall commence.

6/15: San Jose (SF) gets another sweep, winning 4-1. Mark Serrano pitched well (L 1-1, 3.80, 7 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 2 K) but was outdueled. CF Ryan LaMarre was 2-for-4 with a triple and run scored and steal #19 (.270).

6/16: The Blaze kicked off a four-game set in Visalia (ARI). Three runs in the first gave Bakersfield the momentum it needed to win game one, 5-3. SS Didi Gregorius did his leadoff job well (1-for-3, 2B, 2 BB, 2 R, steal #5, .309). C Mark Fleury was 2-for-4 (.262) and 2B Brodie Greene drove in two (.282, 2B, steal #13). Curtis Partch worked eight four-hit innings (W 4-6, 5.68, 2 ER, 2 BB, 8 K). Doug Salinas gave up a homer but still managed save #6 (6.85).

6/17: The Rawhide evened things up at one, getting two in the bottom of the eighth to wipe out the 4-4 tie C Yasmani Grandal had created with his tenth homer (.292, 40 RBI) and take it 6-4. Visalia got just four total hits, three of them homers. Two of those came off JC Sulbaran (5.18, 5 IP, 3 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 9 K). The third came off losing pitcher Mace Thurman (2-2, 3.41, 1 IP, 1 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 0 K). Greene was 2-for-3 with a run scored (.286, R) and LF Josh Fellhauer poked a pair of hits (.310).

6/18: Bakersfield blew a 6-0 lead early, then piled on four more in the fifth and made it stand up, winning game three 11-6. Lance Janke was chased after three (6.91, 7 H, 6 R, 5 ER) but Clayton Shunick picked up the slack for the win (3-1, 1.60, 4 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 6 K). Scott Gaffney retired six straight to finish (6.07, 2 K). 1B Stephen Hunt was 3-for-4 with a double and two RBI (.344); he may not be doing videogame numbers any more, but an OPS in the 950 range is nothing to sneeze at. Grandal was 2-for-4 with a double, three runs scored, and a walk (.296). Greene hit homer #2, a two-run blast. RF Andrew Means, banished to the bottom of the lineup with the return of Gregorius, was 2-for-4 with two RBI and steal #27 (.261).

6/19: Tim Crabbe has some tough luck; yet again he enters a game, dominates for several innings, then ends up with the loss. Visalia got him for the winning run in the bottom of the ninth, earning a series split with a 3-2 win. Crabbe fell to 1-3 (3.58, 3.2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K) despite pitching very well. Starter Josh Ravin worked five (4.13, 3 H, 2 ER, 4 BB, 7 K, 1 HR). Greene continued his tear, going 2-for-4 with a run scored and two more steals (.288, 17). LaMarre (.271) and Means (.266) were each 2-for-3 and LaMarre got steal #21. (He was also picked off once for CS #5.) A frustrating game, as Bakersfield outhit the Rawhide 11-6 but stranded 13 runners and went 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position.

6/20: All-Star break.

6/21: All-Star game! The California League whipped the Carolina League, 6-1. LF Josh Fellhauer entered mid-game and was 1-for-2 with a single. He also threw out a runner at home plate. C Yasmani Grandal did not play. 2B Henry Rodriguez was selected, but his promotion to Double-A precluded his participation. Play resumes 6/23.

Transactnotes: 6/16: RHR Tyree Hayes placed on the 7-day DL. INF Jake Kahauleilo down from Carolina.

Low-A Dayton Dragons

This week: 2-3.
Overall: 35-35, fourth place, 6 games behind Bowling Green (TB). Hot Rods win the first half. Down 1.5 games from last week.

6/15: Tough loss in game three of this series with Fort Wayne (SD), as Daniel Corcino ripped through six scoreless (3 H, 0 BB, 5 K, 2.53) but the TinCaps got the game’s only run off Chad Rogers (L 1-3, 3.90) in the bottom of the eighth. 2B Devin Lohman was 2-for-4 (.204) and 1B Donald Lutz the same (.243). SS Billy Hamilton was 0-for-3 (.233) but stole base #53.

6/16: The Dragons win the series 3-1 by whomping FW for eighteen hits and fourteen runs in a 14-4 rout. 3B David Vidal hammered two homers (#7 and #8) and drove in seven (.276, 3-for-4, 2 R). Stalin Gerson is ticketed to head back to Billings for the beginning of the Pioneer League season but pitched very well in his two Dragons starts (W 1-0, 5 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K; 1 ER in 11 IP overall). 1B Dominic D’Anna collected four hits (.282). Lutz was 3-for-5 with three RBI (.251). Lohman had two more hits and two runs scored (.208) but will also be reassigned to the Mustangs for the beginning of the PL season.

6/17: The Dragons outslug second-place Lansing (TOR), 15-11. Four homers for Dayton: LF Juan Duran (#5, 3 RBI, 2-for-4, 2 R, .252); DH Donald Lutz (#9, 2 RBI, 3-for-4, 4 R, .260); RF Yorman Rodriguez (#4, 2 RBI, 2-for-4, 2 R, .234); and 3B David Vidal (#9, 3-for-5, 3 R, .283). Dan Renken was hit hard (4.30, 4 IP, 10 H, 7 ER, 3 BB, 7 K, 2 HR). but Jamie Walczak picked up the win in relief (2-0, 2.30, 2.1 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K). Drew Hayes got the final two outs for save #8 (1.24). Hamilton got two hits and drove in two, but did not attempt a steal (still .233). Very strange.

6/18: Lansing whomped Tanner Robles (L 3-6, 7.09, 3.1 IP, 7 H, 7 ER, 4 BB, 4 K) and the Dragons, 8-4. 2B Ronald Torreyes’ 2011 debut was aces, though- he had two hits and two stolen bases. Hamilton tripled in two of the Dayton runs… but again did not attempt a stolen base.

6/19: Lugnuts take the three-game series with an 8-2 victory. Kyle Lotzkar was hit hard after a solid first start (L 0-1, 10.13, 4 IP, 6 H, 7 ER, 2 BB, 0 K, 3 HR). Rodriguez did hit homer #5 and go 2-for-4 (.239), while Torreyes had two more hits.

6/20: All-Star break.

6/21: MWL All-Star Game! The East lost to the West, 8-3. 1B Dominic D’Anna flew out as a pinch-hitter, then played the last couple of innings at first base. RHS Daniel Corcino pitched the fourth inning and allowed two hits, one a solo home run. For this he was tagged with the loss. RHS Josh Smith actually started the game for the East, working a 1-2-3 first with two strikeouts.

Transactnotes: 6/18: RHS Stalin Gerson and INF Devin Lohman assigned to Billings. LHS Tanner Robles returned from Billings. INF Ronald Torreyes activated! Torreyes is just 18 years old (two weeks younger than Yorman Rodriguez!) but the diminutive middle infielder turned some heads in spring training this year. Torreyes also hit .390 in the Venezuelan Summer League last year as well as .349 in eighteen AZL games and .240 in six Low-A games in 2010.

The Dragons are about to set a US sports record for consecutive home sellouts! Check it.

Rookie-Pioneer Billings Mustangs

This week: 1-1.
Overall: 1-1.

Roster

6/20: The Mustangs kicked off their 38th season as a Cincinnati affiliate with a 9-4 loss to Great Falls (CHW). Starter Wes Mugarian (5th round, 2010)pitched decently (5 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 7 K, 2 HR) but was undone by his defense. Seven of the Voyagers’ runs were unearned. DH Drew Poulk, who played a few games in Dayton earlier this year, homered. LF Dayne Read was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and a stolen base (2010: .257/.328/.389, 44 games with Billings). C Yovan Gonzalez (30th-round, 2009) doubled in two runs. 1B Robert Maddox (18th-round, 2010) was 2-for-4 with a stolen base and RBI. Maddox hit .283/.330/.525 with seven homers and 46 RBI in the AZL last year. Righty El’Hajj Muhammad (49th-round, 2010) struck out four over 2.1 scoreless relief innings. Muhammad was great last year (1.38 in 14 G in AZL with 44 K in 32.1 IP). Finally, 26-year-old righty Derrik Lutz (19th-round, 2006) made his first pro appearance since early 2009 by pitching one inning. Lutz had a 1.99 ERA in Double-A two seasons ago before undergoing arm surgery and missing almost two years.

6/21: Wow. Billings trampled the Voyagers without mercy, 17-1. Stalin Gerson, fresh off two strong starts in Dayton, shut Great Falls down on four hits and no walks (W 1-0, 6 IP, 5 K). Gonzalez hit a three-run homer and drove in five total (2-for-3, 2 BB, 3 R). SS Devin Lohman, demoted back to his 2010 home after struggling in the MWL (.208/.269/.256, 62 G) had three hits including a solo bomb. DH Juan Silva (8th-round, 2009) was 3-for-5 with a walk and RBI. He hit .280/.372/.462 in 2009 and .230/.322/.371 in 2010, both in the complex leagues. RF Kyle Waldrop, signed away from football for big cash in the 12th-round last year, was 2-for-5 with a triple and two RBI. 3B Junior Arias, 19- who was one of the breakout players on last year’s AZL runners-up (hit .287 with a .482 SLG)- was 0-for-6 but somehow scored three runs. He’s 1-for-his-first-10 in the Pioneer League.

Transactnotes: 6/20: RHPs Ryan Smith, Kevin Arico, and Jesus Adames and LHP Luca Panerati (rehab) down to the AZL Reds.

Rookie-Arizona AZL Reds

This week: 1-1.
Overall: 1-1.

Roster

6/20: The Reds don’t do so hot in game one, losing to the Indians 4-0. The Reds got just two hits and made four errors. Lefty Luca Panerati, 21- who missed most of 2010 after starting all season for Billings in 2009- pitched six solid innings (8 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K).

6/21: The Reds even their record at 1-1, bouncing back to beat the Mariners 11-7. The good guys came back from a 6-1 deficit to score five in the sixth and four more in the eighth. 2B Brandon Dailey (34th-round, 2010) was 3-for-5 with two runs scored. 1B Carlos Sanchez (NDFA, 2009) homered and drove in four. DH Juan Perez (26th-round, 2011) singled, doubled, and tripled and drove in two. CF Brennan May hit a two-run homer. Starter Lucas O’Rear (the basketball guy) worked 3.2 innings (5 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 1 K). Lefty Joel Bender, a Cincinnati native (27th-round, 2010), went the next four to earn the win (4.1 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K).

Transactnotes: See above.