The good news about my night of drunken semi-debauchery (in which debauchery is 'sit and have a few drinks while surfing internet in lounge') is that a) I didn't have to watch another Mariners gag-job last and b) MiLB.com has uploaded updated stats, so the stats you'll see this morning are current.
Also, my temp assignment ended yesterday, and if chips fall correctly, I'll have another one by Monday, but as it stands, I have Friday free, and so you're getting a wrap-up!
Also, this took forever due to a weak wi-fi connection that keeps cutting in and out, which got on my nerves.
The good news is that several of our teams rebounded last night, and I'm not talking about Ben Wallace. Sure, some of them continue to get on our nerves, but it's not looking... oh wait, all the teams above rookie ball still didn't win? Oh.
On to the wrap-up!
VENEZUELA~! VSL Mariners 8, VSL Tigers 1
VSLM's: 42-20... VSL Cats: 32-31
Danny Cruz Ayala: 6.1 IP, 4 H, (1 R) 0 ER, 4 walks, 4 K, wild pitch
Carlos Sanchez: 2.2 IP, 4 H
Yidid Batista: 1-5, R, RBI, K (.311/.393/.363)
Jose Rivero: 2-3, R, RBI, walk (.293/.403/.481)
Cesar Fuentes: 2-3, 2 R, walk, K (.329/.419/.424)
Carlos Ramirez: 1-5, double, R, K (.255/.351/.348)
Larry Gonzalez: 1-3, RBI (.230/.313/.284)
The VSLM's looked more like one of the VSL's best, wining yesterday in more convincing fashion as Danny Cruz Ayala had another solid outing despite some wildness and the offense helped him out quickly with 2 runs in the 1st and another in the 3rd, before a 4 run 5th put the game away for good. Cruz Ayala pitched into the 7th and the only other pitcher whose services were required was Carlos Sanchez, who allowed four harmless hits while recording the final 8 outs.
Dominican: Mariners 10, Cardinals 3
DSLM's: 26-15... DSL Cards: 20-23
Walter Suriel: 5 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 4 K
Felix Bautista: 4 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 3 K
Amelis Carvajal: 1-2, solo HR, 2 R, 2 walks (.243/.448/.314)
Victor Ozuna: 1-5, 4 K: The Golden Sombrero
Augusto Marte: 1-5, double, 3 RBI, 3 K
Hector Mercedes: 2-4, 2 run HR, 3 R, walk, K (.261/.358/.348)
Mario Flores: 4-4, 2 run HR, 2 run HR (.296/.397/.556)
Nice, big, fat offensive explosion, like Jose Vidro in a bathroom stall after eating a gallon of Menudo. Much of the damage came in the later innings, with 6 runs coming in the 6th, 7th, and 8th innings to blow a competitive game open.
Arizona: The AZLM's had the day off. They play the AZL A's (12-16) tonight at 7 pm.
a: Spokane 8, Everett 4
EVE: 14-23... SPO: 16-20
Juan Carlos Ramirez: 5 IP, 3 H, (3 R) 1 ER, 3 walks, 7 K, 3 balks, hit batter
Aaron Brown: 1 IP, 1 H, 2 ER (HR), walk, K
Philip Roy: 2 IP, 2 H, 3 ER (HR), walk, 2 K
Greg Halman: 2-4, 2 doubles, K (.325/.400/.569)
Manelik Pimentel: 2-4, solo HR, 2 RBI, K (.253/.310/.462)
James Davenport: 2-4, double, R, K. First game in Everett after 11 gms in Peoria (where he posted .267/.353/.367)
Blake Ochoa: 1-4, RBI, 2 K. Picked up by M's org a little while back after being released by Marlins org following a foul performance in Single A Greensboro (.191/.255/.303)
InSp0 could probably tell you more about the Spokane Indians than I could, as he lives in Spotown and catches Indians games, but from what he has told me, the pitching staff blows. And well, their team 4.26 ERA actually isn't too bad, plus they've allowed the fewest HRs in the league (19), though relatively high walk totals has them in the peloton in baserunners per inning. Everett's team ERA is actually worse (4.44), plus the Aquasox lead the league in team walks (190). Spokane's hitting isn't much better: the team's .677 OPS is 6th out of 8 NWL teams. Of course, guess who's last with .648?
SO it's actually not a huge surprise that the Indians beat up on Everett yesterday. Juan Carlos Ramirez, save for a 3 run 3rd inning, three balks and four free passes, looked pretty good (LOL). Seven strikeouts indicates a guy who, when he could find the plate and hit his spots, was pretty tough to hit. Much be nice to have your own Daniel Cabrera for a day. Nonetheless, he took a seat with his team trailing 3-2, still close enough to make a comeback, plus his guys were kinda sorta hitting.
And then Aaron Brown got rocked by a 2 run HR in the 6th, and Philip Roy was Philip Roy, putting two guys aboard before getting taken deep by Ian Gac, who clearly had letters taken from his surname as some sort of rookie hazing gag, and Spokane had blown the game open.
Philip Roy may not be long for pro ball at the rate he's going, as after six games in short season A ball, the Everett reliever sports a lovely 12.34 ERA. He looked okay in two extended outings in Peoria, but he also walked 3 in 7 innings there, and once he came up to Everett, his control problems manifested themselves against more marginally capable hitters, as 7 walks and 20 hits, 2 for home runs, in 11.2 innings over 6 outings equals You're Boned. Must suck to have your own Jeff Weaver (April 07 Edition) in your bullpen for a season. His only outings that could be considered anything above horrible were a 2 inning day against Eugene on July 13th where he allowed a run on 3 hits and a walk but struck out 4... and a subsequent 4 inning outing against Boise on July 17th where he allowed only a hit and a walk while striking out 5. And then the wheels came off again 5 days later against Vancouver and awaaaaaay he went all over again.
A: Wisconsin's game with Great Lakes was suspended after 3 innings due to rain. They'll play as scheduled today, and will likely play a quasi-doubleheader on Saturday, the first game being the resumption of the suspended game. TWICE THE SUCK FOR THE COST OF ONE.
Meanwhile, from a T-Rats webpage poll, note the circled item:
It figures that the rally fries in Appleton would have shit all over them.
A+: Lancaster 12, High Desert 3
Mavs: 8-26... Lancaster: 22-12
Nathan Adcock: 3.2 IP, annihilated
Juan Zapata: 2 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 2 walks, 3 K
Jose Escalona: 1.1 IP, 1 H, walk, K
Ivan Blanco: 1 IP, annihilated, with a little help from his infield 'defense' (thanks, Travis Scott!)
Jesus Guzman: 1-2, double, R, 2 walks (.287/.355/.504)
Johan Limonta: 1-4, 2 run HR (.299/.367/.463)
Adam Moore: 2-4, 2 K (.284/.356/.544)
Jeff Frazier: 2-4 (.333/.390/.454)
Jeff Dominguez: 1-4, double, RBI, 2 K (.255/.308/.353)
Yep. Credit due, however, to Juan Zapata and Jose Escalona, who somehow managed to record multiple outs over multiple innings without getting shelled, and even looked like passable High A relievers in the process.
The Mavs offense, meanwhile, the one thing that could offset the bad pitching, has completely disappeared, despite the offense-friendly ballparks being a common denominator for everybody in the Cal League. This despite new addition Carlos Triunfel remaining consistent in making contact and getting on base (.325/.350/.390 in 18 games) and, as you noticed above, guys in key lineup spots are still producing. There must be some giant black hole that is sucking in all the offense the Mavs should be producing, and I bet the outlet for that hole is in the heart of the Lancaster Jethawks order, because their continued crazy production is flat out ridiculous even for them.
AA: Birmingham 6, West Tenn 3, 11 innings
WTN: 14-20... BIR: 14-20
Joe Woerman: 6.2 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 3 walks, 4 K
Craig James: 1.1 IP, 1 H, walk, 2 K
David Asher: two outs, 1 H, 1 ER
The Aircraft Carrier: 2.1 IP, 6 H, 3 ER (HR), walk, K
Marshall Hubbard: 0-2, 2 R, 3 walks, K (.246/.344/.394)
Charlton Jimerson: 1-5, double, R, 3 K, SB #30 (.280/.345/.578)
Prentice Redman: 1-4, double, RBI, 3 K (.263/.370/.431)
rest of DIAMOND JAXX lineup: 2-25, 10 K, snores in their sleep
Team batting stats: .242 (last in Southern League).326 (8th of 10... Birmingham 10th).365 (9th of 10... Birmingham 10th)... 690 OPS (9th of 10... Birmingham 10th)
These extra inning games from West Tenn are ridiculous. They've had so many of them this season. I mean, if you're gonna suck and get beat, then fine, but at least get it done in regulation. It's the Southern League and it's freaking hot and humid out there. No one wants to be outside any longer than they need to, especially to watch the punchless West Tennessee DIAMOND JAXX. Have Mumba Rivera or Craig James just walk in the requisite runs in the 9th if you must. Hell, nobody will notice the difference from their actual pitching. Just don't go and tie the game and then have the bats fall asleep in the extra frames, leaving the pitchers to punch themselves out before the requisite foregone conclusion 3-5 needless innings later like you did today, you bunch of boring assbags.
The Aircraft Carrier did what he could in the previous 2 frames, but finally put two aboard before Michael Myers shanked him with a 3 run HR blast in the 11th. No, I'm not kidding, it really was Michael Myers. It figures.
AAA: New Orleans 5, Tacoma 4
TAC: 46-60... NO: 56-49
Jake Woods: 6 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, 3 K, hit batter
Ryan Rowland-Smith: 2 IP, 2 H, 3 K. Welcome back!
Jeremy Reed: 2-5, double, R, K (.284/.341/.431)
Adam Jones: 1-4, R, K (.313/.381/.583)
Bryan LaHair: 1-2, sac fly RBI, walk (.269/.317/.408)
WLAD: 2-4, 2 run HR, 2 R (.312/.382/.564)
Mike Morse IS BACK: 1-4, double, RBI, K (.312/.379/.482)
This was one of those games where the Zephyrs took the lead in the 5th and, as we've done with many Mariner games, Rainiers fans said, 'Oh lord, we're gonna lose this game aren't we?' and nothing happens after that and everyone turns out to be right.
Also, the hot streak of Nick Green has expired. He went 0 for 5 with a K yesterday.