5/25 Minor League game updates

[Danny Serafini]

Top of the third started with some serious scrappiness from Alex Sanchez, as he bunted for a hit and stole second. They managed to load the bases with one out, but Denorfia hit into a DP to end the threat. Cerrano was getting squeezed a bit by the ump, helping him run up a pitch count of 57 through 3.

Top 3RD B:0 S:0 O:0
Alex Sanchez singles on a bunt ground ball to second baseman Dustin Pedroia.

Top 3RD B:1 S:1 O:0
With Ryan Jorgensen batting, Alex Sanchez steals (1) 2nd base.

Top 3RD B:4 S:2 O:0
Ryan Jorgensen walks.

Top 3RD B:1 S:2 O:1
Norris Hopper bunt pops out to pitcher Jimmy Serrano.

Top 3RD B:4 S:2 O:1
Ray Olmedo walks. Alex Sanchez to 3rd. Ryan Jorgensen to 2nd.

Top 3RD B:1 S:2 O:3
Chris Denorfia grounds into double play, shortstop Alejandro Machado to second baseman Dustin Pedroia to first baseman Hee-Seop Choi. Ray Olmedo out at 2nd.

[dougdirt]

Cueto comes back for the 6th inning dealing with at least 8,9 and 1.
It is still raining.
Cueto starts out with a first pitch strike to the South Bend Catcher. High for ball 1. High and away for ball 2. Swing and a miss to even the count at 2-2. Strike 3 swinging. Cueto now has 4 strikeouts.
#9 hitter steps in 0-1 on the night and takes ball 1. Swing and a foul ball toward right, 1-1. Foul ball straight back, 1 ball and 2 strikes. A little high to even it up at 2-2. Swing and a miss on a fastball. make that 5 strikeouts for Cueto.
The leadoff hitter steps in for the SilverHawks. He is 0-2 with a ground out and pop up in his previous at bats. Pop up in the infield on the first pitch.
Cueto through 6, 1 hit, 0 walks and 5 strikeouts. Hes good.

[OnBaseMachine]

That should be the last inning for Cueto. This kid is the Reds best pitching prospect. I like Homer Bailey, I think he is a great pitcher right now, slightly inconsistent, but still a great pitcher. However, Cueto is better at this point. Not only in his stuff nearly as good as Bailey's, but he is consistently good in every start.

[Aronchis]

Originally Posted by OnBaseMachine

That should be the last inning for Cueto. This kid is the Reds best pitching prospect. I like Homer Bailey, I think he is a great pitcher right now, slightly inconsistent, but still a great pitcher. However, Cueto is better at this point. Not only in his stuff nearly as good as Bailey's, but he is consistently good in every start.

Cueto is the same age as Bailey playing on a lower level. He also is playing on a defensively superior ballclub. Move Cueto up to Sarasota, I bet he struggles.

[dougdirt]

Dragons turn to bat in the top of the 7th here. Dragons are up 2-0.
Habileto Hernandez bunts, but is thrown out by a step for the first out of the inning.
Eric Eymann looks at strike 1. Pop up on the infield to make the second out of the inning.
JD Reininger falls down 1-2 quickly. Takes ball 2. Curveball just misses to bring a full count. Ball four and Reininger trots down to first base.
Chris Denove bunts for a single, Reininger to second. Catcher bunts for a hit? never would have expected that one!
Josh Holden pops out to the right fielder to end the inning.
Dragons up 2-0 after 6 1/2.

[Danny Serafini]

Germano is really going good right now. He's set down everyone first time through the order.

Bottom 3RD B:1 S:3 O:1
Rodney Nye strikes out swinging.

Bottom 3RD B:1 S:3 O:2
Corky Miller strikes out swinging.

Bottom 3RD B:2 S:2 O:3
Alejandro Machado grounds out, second baseman William Bergolla to first baseman Earl Snyder.

[OnBaseMachine]

Originally Posted by Aronchis

Cueto is the same age as Bailey playing on a lower level. He also is playing on a defensively superior ballclub. Move Cueto up to Sarasota, I bet he struggles.

Cueto is also playing in a more hitter friendly league, IIRC. I'm not bashing on Homer Bailey, just praising Johnny Cueto.

The Reds have a nice collection of power arms in Single-A: Homer Bailey, Johnny Cueto, Travis Wood, Zach Ward. Camilo Vazquez could also be added to this list. Hopefully Morrow or one of the other power arm college starters can be added to this list.

[Danny Serafini]

Bats get their second hit, but can't push him home. 0-0, middle 4th.

Top 4TH B:0 S:0 O:1
Earl Snyder flies out to center fielder Adam Stern.

Top 4TH B:2 S:1 O:1
Andy Abad singles on a ground ball to second baseman Dustin Pedroia.

Top 4TH B:0 S:1 O:2
Jeff Bannon flies out to right fielder Ron Calloway.

Top 4TH B:2 S:1 O:3
William Bergolla flies out to right fielder Ron Calloway.

[dougdirt]

There is light rain going on still to start the bottom of the 7th inning.
Grounder to first baseman Habileto Hernandez and Hernandez cant get to the bag quick enough and its the second hit allowed by Johnny Cueto.
There is someone loosening in the Dragons bullpen.
Justin Upton is 0-3 after striking out again against Johnny Cueto. That is 6 on the night for Cueto.
Fastball misses outside to Byrne for ball 1. Swing and a miss for strike 1 to even the count up. Fastball misses outside for ball 2. Fastball goes right by Byrne for strike 2. Full count and Cueto strikes out Byrne, then Denove throws out the runner at second for a double play.
Cueto gets through 7, allowing 2 hits and 6 strikeouts. 0 walks. That has to be his last inning. Dragons up 2-0 through 7.

[Danny Serafini]

The perfect game goes away as Germano walks the leadoff batter in the 4th.

[Aronchis]

Originally Posted by dougdirt

There is light rain going on still to start the bottom of the 7th inning.
Grounder to first baseman Habileto Hernandez and Hernandez cant get to the bag quick enough and its the second hit allowed by Johnny Cueto.
There is someone loosening in the Dragons bullpen.
Justin Upton is 0-3 after striking out again against Johnny Cueto. That is 6 on the night for Cueto.
Fastball misses outside to Byrne for ball 1. Swing and a miss for strike 1 to even the count up. Fastball misses outside for ball 2. Fastball goes right by Byrne for strike 2. Full count and Cueto strikes out Byrne, then Denove throws out the runner at second for a double play.
Cueto gets through 7, allowing 2 hits and 6 strikeouts. 0 walks. That has to be his last inning. Dragons up 2-0 through 7.

My guess that was all done at about 90 pitches. Excellent control means more innings.

[traderumor]

Cueto, Cueto, Cueto!!!!!!!!

[Danny Serafini]

Fun fact of the night - Mike Hessman of the Toledo Mud Hens is second in the league with 9 home runs. He's also batting .112.

[dougdirt]

Wow....so all of his hits have been home runs?

[OnBaseMachine]

Hey Danny, I appreciate the updates. Those numbers on Hessman are eye popping. I don't think I've seen anything like that.