Minors Pitching Staff Analysis, Part Two

 News and Notes  3 Responses »
Feb 132013
 

Usually, what makes the Syracuse staff tough to pick is trying to divine which pitchers will miss the big club but stick on. What makes the Harrisburg staff a challenge is figuring out who’s going to get promoted from Potomac and which of the minor-league FAs will be kept and assigned here.

So how did I do picking the 2012 Harrisburg Senators?

STARTERS SWINGMEN RELIEVERS
Danny Rosenbaum Evan Bronson Pat Lehman
Paul Demny Jimmy Barthmaier Hassan Pena
Sammy Solis Cory VanAllen
Tanner Roark Patrick McCoy
Adam Olbrychowski Hector Nelo
Josh Smoker
Marcos Frias
Joe Testa
Christian Garcia

Another 50-50 proposition (8/16). I might have done better if Solis hadn’t gone down with an injury and Bronson hadn’t retired. Josh Smoker seemed a viable candidate, even with a high walk rate, because he was living up to his surname with 95-97 m.p.h. heaters. Conversely, I broke even with Joe Testa and Jimmy Barthmaier, both of whom spent more time in High-A than AA.

So what about this year? Well, one might think that having watched Potomac all last summer gives me an advantage. As we saw above, not necessarily and especially not when the P-Nats had the Carolina League’s worst pitching (yes, even with Alex Meyer and Nathan Karns). Then it becomes a challenge of setting aside the frustration/disappointment as a fan and donning the detachment of a prospect-follower.

We’ll see how it goes this time around. Like Syracuse, I’m picking fewer pitchers overall:

STARTERS SWINGMEN RELIEVERS D.L.
Nathan Karns Adam Olbrychowski Paul Demny Sammy Solis
Trevor Holder Blake Treinen Marcos Frias  
Brian Broderick   Neil Holland  
Rob Gilliam   Rob Wort  
Tyler Herron   Cameron Selik  
Matt Grace      

I’m well aware that I may have picked the wrong strong finisher named Matt (Grace vs. Swynenberg). I could be misreading Olbrychowski’s late callup (reward vs. favor). About the only thing I’m reasonably sure of are the repeats of Demny, Frias, and Selik (who is listed lower due to his lat injury) — but I was probably equally confident that Pena and VanAllen would repeat last year, too.

Like Brad Meyers, Sammy Solis is probably destined to begin the season on the D.L., though the prognosis from the scribes at Lake Wobegon* sportswriters in Viera is, of course, sunny and upbeat.
*Where the playoff chances are strong, the players are good looking, and everyone is in the best shape of their lives.

Otherwise, I will understand if folks might be less than thrilled with this collection of arms. But if I’m right about the 2013 position players, these guys won’t have to nurse a 3-2 lead as often as they’ll try to hold a 5-4 lead.

Season Review: 2012 Harrisburg Senators

 News and Notes  No Responses »
Nov 052012
 

Going into the Eastern League All-Star Game, Harrisburg was 48-40 — good for second place in its division, having had an eight-game win streak broken with a 4-1 loss on July 9th.

It would be nearly a month before the Senators won back-to-back games again.

They went 16-38 in the second half, falling from second place to fifth place by the end of July for their worst finish (64-78) since the ghastly 2007 edition that went 55-86.

Injuries, as you might expect, were a factor. Twenty-nine-year-old Tim Pahuta led the team in games played with 121. Starters Destin Hood, Chris Rahl, and Jeff Kobernus — none of whom were promoted — played in 94, 92, and 82 games respectively. But as Geoff Morrow pointed out in his final of four segments on the team, the inability to hit when it mattered most is what truly killed the Senators in 2012:

The Senators’ .202 batting average with two outs and runners in scoring position wasn’t just dead last in the 12-team EL, it easily ranked last among all 30 Class AA teams (including the Southern and Texas League teams). Their .239 average with runners in scoring position was last in the EL and 28th overall.

Perhaps that might be enough said, but let’s do the dance anyway, starting with how Harrisburg’s team totals compared to the rest of the Eastern League:
HITTING

PITCHING

Not too hard to figure out what the problem was. The pitching wasn’t great, a notch below the league average. But the hitting was atrocious — 11th in runs, RBIs, walks, batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage. Take away the power from graybeards Pahuta and Jimmy Van Ostrand and the legs of Eury Perez and Kobernus, along with Rahl who provided both, and this team would have probably finished 11th or 12th in HRs and SBs, too (somehow, they finished dead-last in doubles).

Perhaps more disturbing is looking at the pitchers by age. As a group, the 24 and unders were 28-32 with two saves, but with a 4.92 ERA and 1.492 WHIP over 488⅓ innings. Contrast that to the 26+ group, and you get marks of 20-29 and 12, 4.13 and 1.335 over 468⅓ innings. The league average age was 24.5, so when you add in the 25-year-olds, those numbers improve to 44-49, 27 and 4.22 and 1.399 over 775 innings.

The problem is that those 25-year-olds were 16-17, 25 and 3.01 and 1.238 over 286⅔ innings. That’s pretty good, but look at who those pitchers are: Erik Davis, Ryan Perry, Hector Nelo, Trevor Holder and Brian Broderick. In other words, guys that for the most part either were or should have been in AAA. Maybe it’s just an anomaly, but it’s something I noticed that I thought was worth passing along.

Now, a look at the Top 14′s — my semi-arbitrary cutoff in order to capture the most notable — for the position players and pitchers. Full statistics for the team can be found here.
Were it not for the injuries, we might have seen a slight improvement in terms of more plate appearances going to age-appropriate players. Jeff Kobernus, for example, might have gotten the bump to Syracause that went to Zach Walters instead — he was hanging a .306/.355/.341 line in July after struggling for much of May and June. Destin Hood probably would have played the whole year for the Senators, but can we write off both the declines in power and patience to his being hurt?

As it was a year ago, the lack of walks is really striking. Without the likes of Derek Norris, Bill Rhinehart, and Josh Johnson, it’s especially noticeable. It’s a testament to Brian Goodwin that he led the above group with a 9.7% walk rate and an indictment on the several players that didn’t break 7.0%. With another wave of free swingers coming from Potomac (Matt Skole and Anthony Rendon excluded), it’s something to watch for in 2013 and beyond.
The story of 2012 for the Harrisburg pitchers was Danny Rosenbaum. His overall numbers aren’t so bad, but that’s a function of arithmetic. After eight starts, he was 5-0 with a 0.62 ERA with six walks, one home run allowed and two complete games, only one of which required more than 100 pitches (109). Halfway through the season (13 starts), he had fallen to 7-2, 1.94 with 13 walks and three HR allowed over 88 innings. After that, the wheels fell off the bus — 1-8 with a 6.54 ERA and a 1.693 WHIP in his final 13 starts.

How much of that is the league adjusting to Rosenbaum and him not adjusting back is up for debate. Pitching coach Paul Menhart offered a clue in this dispatch from Geoff Morrow’s Sunday column in early July, noting that a lot stemmed from frustration, which in turn led to pressing, which even the casual observer knows leads to grooved pitches. Morrow would continually note via Twitter during Rosenbaum’s starts about how much more hittable he’d become as the season progressed.

As noted above, other age-appropriate pitchers struggled. Paul Demny, who had made 98 starts between April 2009 and July 2012, was moved to the bullpen in August. Robert Gilliam was dropped down to Potomac after failing as both a starter and a reliever. Marcos Frias saw his usage cut in half while his ERA rose nearly two runs before and after the All-Star break — though some of the innings drop may be attributable to Ryan Tatusko, Pat McCoy and Davis, all repeating the level, excelling in middle relief and leaving Frias the odd man out.

OBLIGATORY TOP EIGHT LIST
As much as I hate combining lists, with just two pitchers to list, there’s not much else to be done.

On to the caveats… Hood still has time on his side (turns 23 in April), Kobernus doesn’t (turns 25 in June); but both are getting the benefit of the doubt due to injury… Rosenbaum is still left-handed, mechanically sound, and durable (76 starts, 6.19 IP per from ’10-’12)… There are reports that Demny has a lost a some m.p.h. off his fastball (high 80s vs. low-to-mid 90s) in the AFL, but those are likely to come back with a shift to the bullpen… Bloxom plays a position in which the organization is not deep and can switch-hit… Ryan Perry has already made 156 appearances as a major-leaguer (by definition, a prospect must also be a rookie)… and, of course, Brian Goodwin has already been picked (#1 position player for Hagerstown).

1. Eury Perez
2. Sandy Leon
3. Zach Walters
4. Destin Hood
5. Danny Rosenbuam
6. Paul Demny
7. Jeff Kobernus
8. Justin Bloxom

Tuesday’s News & Notes

 News and Notes  10 Responses »
Sep 042012
 
Team Yesterday Today Probable Pitchers
Syracuse Lost, 6-4 END OF SEASON N/A
Harrisburg Lost, 7-2 END OF SEASON N/A
Potomac Won, 3-0
(5½ inn.)		 END OF SEASON N/A
Hagerstown Lost, 3-2 END OF SEASON N/A
Auburn Won, 5-3 @ Williamsport,
7:05 p.m.		 Monar (2-3, 2.96) vs.
Joaquin (1-4, 4.14)

Rochester 6 Syracuse 4
• Maya (L, 11-10) 7⅓ IP, 11H, 6R, 6ER, 2BB, 2K, HR
• MacDougal ⅔ IP, 0H, 0R, 2BB, 2K
• Brown 2-4, R, HR(25), 2RBI
• Carroll 2-3, RBI

Rochester opened up a 4-0 lead early with a pair of runs in each of the first two innings and held off Syracuse late for a 6-4 win. Yunesky Maya gave up all six runs on 11 hits over seven and a 1/3rd innings, walking two and striking out two. Corey Brown smacked his 25th home run and drove in two (nos. 70, 71), both of which led the Chiefs in 2012. Syracuse finished the season 70-74, 14½ games off the pace in 5th place in the I.L. North.

Bowie 7 Harrisburg 2
• Olbrychowski (L, 0-1) 4⅔ IP, 5H, 3R, 3ER, 2BB, 5K
• Rendon 2-3, R, HR, RBI
• Bloxom 1-4, R, HR, RBI

The Baysox got three runs early off recently promoted Adam Olbrychowski and pounded the Sens late for a 7-2 win. Adam Olbrychowski allowed three runs on five hits and two walks and struck out five in his first career AA start, but suffered the loss. Anthony Rendon and Justin Bloxom hit back-to-back home runs with two out in the 9th to break up the shutout. Harrisburg dropped 36 of its last 52 games to fall from 1st to 5th, ending the season at 64-78 and 18½ games behind.

Potomac 3 Wilmington 0 (5frac12; inn.)
• Hill (W, 1-1) 5IP, 3H, 0R, BB, 6K
• Keyes 1-3, R, HR(21), 2RBI

Rain shortened this one to five and a 1/2 innings, with Potomac shutting out Wilmington for the second straight game, 3-0. Taylor Hill got the win in his third Carolina League start, allowing just one walk and three hits while striking out six. Kevin Keyes drove in two with his 21st HR in the 4th to lead the P-Nats offense. Potomac won six of its last ten but finished the second half 33-36 and went 64-75 overall.

Asheville 3 Hagerstown 2
• Jordan (L, 3-4) 4IP, 10H, 3R, 3ER, 0BB, 3K
• Holt 1IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 2K
• Newsome 3-4, 2R, 2-2B
• Dykstra 2-4, SB(32)
• Jimenez 2-4, 2-2B, RBI

Asheville peppered the field with ten hits over the first four innings, scoring three times en route to a 3-2 victory over Hagerstown in the regular-season finale for both playoff-bound teams. Taylor Jordan took the loss, giving up the aforementioned three on ten over four with no walks and three strikeouts. Brett Newsome led the 11-hit Suns attack with a single and two doubles, scoring both Suns runs. Hagerstown won the 2nd half with a 40-28 mark and went 82-55 overall, two games better than 1st-half champion Greensboro and third-best overall in the South Atlantic League.

Auburn 5 Batavia 3
• Lee (W, 3-1) 5⅓ IP, 6H, 2R, 1ER, 3BB, 5K
• Benincasa (H, 3) 2⅔ IP, 1H, 0R, 0BB, K, 2-1 IR-S
• Self (SV, 14) 1IP, 2H, R, ER, 0BB, 0K
• Pleffner 3-4, 2R, HR, BB, RBI
• Ramos 3-4, 2B, RBI

Home runs by Shawn Pleffner and Estarlin Martinez highlighted a three-run 6th, as Auburn stopped Batavia’s nine-game win streak with a 5-3 triumph to put themselves in the driver’s seat for the Pinckney Division title. The win gives the Doubledays the first division-title tiebreaker (head-to-head, 7-5), effectively lowering the magic number to clinch at one. Nick Lee earned the win with two runs allowed on six hits and three walks over five and a 1/3rd. Derek Self withstood a pair of two-out doubles to record his 14th save. Pleffner and Ramos both went 3-for-4 with an RBI to lead the 12-hit Auburn offense. The Doubledays wrap up their 10-game road trip (and the regular season) with a pair of games in Williamsport.

Monday’s News & Notes

 News and Notes, Transactions  5 Responses »
Sep 032012
 
Team Yesterday Today Probable Pitchers
Syracuse Won, 8-7 @ Rochester,
1:05 p.m.		 Maya (11-9, 3.72) vs.
Martis (3-3, 5.40)
Harrisburg Lost, 11-5 vs. Bowie,
2:00 p.m.		 Olbrychowski (1st AA start
of ’12) vs. TBD
Potomac Won, 4-0
(11 inn.)		 @ Wilmington,
1:35 p.m.		 Hill (0-1, 7.20) vs.
Ridings (6-1, 2.67)
Hagerstown Lost, 7-3 vs. Asheville,
1:05 p.m.		 Jordan (3-3, 3.75) vs.
Gagnon (0-0, 2.84)
Auburn Lost, 8-7 @ Batavia,
1:05 p.m.		 Lee (2-1, 3.97) vs.
O’Shea (3-2, 2.91)

Syracuse 8 Rochester 7
• Atkins 5IP, 7H, 6R, 6ER, 0BB, 5K, HR
• Davis (W, 1-0) 2IP, 2H, R, ER, 0BB, 2K, HR
• Garcia (SV, 14) 1IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 0K
• Valdez 2-4, R, HR, 2RBI
• Marrero 2-4, R, 2RBI
• Walters 2-4, R, RBI

The Chiefs rallied from a 6-0 deficit to win their home finale, 8-7 over the Red Wings. Erik Davis got the win in relief, his first in AAA, while Christian Garcia threw a 1-2-3 ninth for his 14th save. Every Syracuse batter hit safely with Jesus Valdez, Chris Marrero, and Zach Walters each going 2-for-4 with a run scored. Roster moves: LHP Zach Duke and RHP Christian Garcia recalled to Washington.

Harrisburg 11 Bowie 5
• Holder (W, 4-3) 7IP, 6H, R, ER, 0BB, K, HR
• Frias 2IP, 2H, 4R, 1ER, BB, 4K, HR
• Hood 3-5, 2R, RBI
• Lozada 2-3, 2R, 2B, HR, BB, 3RBI

The Senators filibustered for nine runs en route to an 11-5 win over the Baysox. Trevor Holder closed out 2012 with seven strong innings, giving up a run on six hits with no walks and one K for his fourth win. Destin Hood led the hit column with a 3-for-5 afternoon, scoring twice and driving in one. Roster moves: RHP Adam Olbrychowski promoted from Potomac; LHP Danny Rosenbaum placed on the 7-Day DL. Manager moves: Anthony Rendon was benched for not running out a fly ball.

Potomac 4 Wilmington 0 (11 inn.)
• Grace 8IP, 6H, 0R, BB, 2K
• Holland (W, 7-1) 2⅓ IP, 2H, 0R, 2BB, 2K
• Barrett (SV, 1) ⅔ IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, K, 3-0 IR-S
• Souza 1-5, R, HR, 4RBI, OF assist at HP

Steve Souza’s grand slam in the 11th broke up a 0-0 tie as the P-Nats finally won a game in Delaware with 4-0 shutout of the Blue Rocks. Matt Grace, Neil Holland and Aaron Barrett combined on the eight-hit shutout, with Holland earning his 7th win and Barrett earning his first Hi-A save.

Asheville 7 Hagerstown 3
• Estevez 4IP, 5H, 5R, 5ER, 6BB, 2K
• Meza 2IP, 0H, 0R, BB, 3K
• Burns 1-4, RBI, SB
• Ramsey 1-4, R, HR, RBI

Wirkin “For The Weekend” Estevez labored through four innings Last Night In Hagerstown.

Batavia 8 Auburn 7
• Encarnacion 3⅔ IP, 6H, 4R, 3ER, 2BB, 4K
• Medina 1IP, 3H, 3R, 3ER, 0BB, 0K, 2HR
• Kieboom 2-4, R, RBI
• Alvarez 1-3, R, 2RBI

The Doubledays couldn’t stop the hottest team in the minors, losing 8-7 to the Muckdogs — the 9th straight win by Batavia and 19th triumph in 21 games. Silvio Medina gave up two home runs in the 7th to turn a 6-5 lead into an 8-6 deficit. Auburn got the tying run to second with no outs in the 9th, but lined out and struck out twice to end it. The loss drops Auburn into a tie with Batavia for the Pinckney Division lead, and three-way tie with Brooklyn for the wild card. Brooklyn holds the tiebreakers with both Auburn and Batavia in the event of a tie for the wild card; Auburn holds a 6-5 advantage in head-to-head play going into today’s game but it’s not clear how that would be resolved in the event of a Batavia win today and tie at the end of the season.

Sunday’s News & Notes

 News and Notes, Transactions  8 Responses »
Sep 022012
 
Team Yesterday Today Probable Pitchers
Syracuse Lost, 8-4 vs. Rochester,
7:00 p.m.		 Duke (15-5, 3.51) vs.
Blackburn (3-1, 3.12)
Harrisburg Lost, 8-5;
Won, 4-0		 vs. Bowie,
2:00 p.m.		 Holder (3-3, 4.17)
vs. TBA
Potomac Lost, 5-1 @ Wilmington,
1:35 p.m.		 Grace (9-12, 5.13) vs.
Ferguson (4-2, 3.34)
Hagerstown Won, 2-1 vs. Asheville,
7:05 p.m.		 Jordan (3-3, 3.75) vs.
Winkler (10-10, 4.49)
Auburn Won, 11-3 @ Batavia,
5:05 p.m.		 Encarnacion (5-1, 4.01) vs.
Cuda (7-1, 3.97)

Rochester 8 Syracuse 4
• Roark 5⅔ IP, 5H, R, ER, 2BB, 3K
• Arnesen 2IP, 5H, 4R, 4ER, 0BB, K
• Valdez 2-3, R, BB, 2RBI
• Teahen 2-5, R, HR, RBI

A three-run 7th deleted an early 3-1 lead and a four-run 9th broke a 4-4 tie as Rochester doubled up Syracuse, 8-4, ending a modest four-game win streak. Erik Arnesen took the loss, giving up the four last-inning tallies on five hits after pitching a scoreless eighth. Starter Tanner Roark went the first five and 2/3rds and gave up five hits and two walks while striking out three. Jesus VAldez reached base three times on a pair of singles and a walk and drove in two to lead the Chiefs offense. Roster moves: LHP John Lannan, CF Eury Perez, C Sandy Leon recalled to Washington; C James Skelton promoted from Harrisburg, IF Manny Mayorson activated from 7-Day DL.

Bowie 8 Harrisburg 5 — GAME ONE
• Wang (L, 1-5) 2IP, 7H, 6R, 6ER, BB, 2K, 2HR
• Barthmaier 3IP, 1H, 1R, 1ER, 2BB, 1K
• Hood 2-4, R, RBI
• Nicol 2-2, 2B, BB, RBI

Chien-Ming Wang finished up his reign of error rehab tour by giving up six runs on seven hits—two of which can’t be blamed on the defense as they cleared the outfield wall—and a walk in an 8-5 loss to Bowie. Sean Nicol singled, doubled, and walked as the Senators racked up nine hits but struggled with RISP with a 4-for-15 mark and left eight runners on base.

Harrisburg 4 Bowie 0 — GAME TWO
• Tatusko (W, 4-5) 5IP, 5H, 0R, 2BB, 5K
• Zinicola 2IP, 2H, 0R, 0BB, K
• Van Ostrand 3-3, R, HR, 2RBI
• Bloxom 2-3
• Rendon 1-2, 2R, HR, RBI

Ryan Tatusko and Zech Zinicola combined on a seven-hit shutout to split the doubleheader as the Senators took the second game, 4-0. Tatusko tossed five scoreless innings, letting up five hits and two walks, but keeping the ball on the ground for nine of the 15 outs, including a pair of double play balls.
Jimmy Van Ostrand’s two-run home run and Anthony Rendon’s second AA home run powered the Harrisburg offense. Roster moves: C Jhonatan Solano optioned to Harrisburg from Washington following his activation from the MLB 15-Day DL.

Wilmington 5 Potomac 1
• Ray 5IP, 1H, 1R, 1ER, 4BB, 4K
• Testa (L, 1-1) 2IP, 4H, 4R, 4ER, 0BB, 3K, 2HR
• Skole 2-4, 2-2B, RBI
• Ramirez 1-3

Robbie Ray turned his string of rough outings around, but a four-run 6th sent the P-Nats to their eighth straight defeat in Wilmington, 5-1. Ray walked four and struck out four but gave up just one hit and one run over five innings. Joe Testa was taken deep twice in the 6th to take the loss. Potomac managed just three hits, with Matt Skole doubling twice in four at-bats and driving in the sole Potomac run.

Hagerstown 2 Asheville 1
• Anderson (W, 1-1) 5IP, 1H, 0R, 3BB, 6K
• Turnbull (H, 1) 3IP, 2H, 0R, BB, 3K
• Kreis (SV, 3) 1IP, 2H, R, ER, 0BB, 0K
• Dykstra 3-4, R
• Miller 2-4, 2B, 3B, 2RBI

Justin Miller’s RBI triple in the 1st and RBI double in the 8th supplied the offense while three Hagerstown pitchers stifled Asheville for a 2-1 win. Dixon Anderson won his first Sally League game with five scoreless frames, giving up just a hit and walking three while striking out six. Kylin Turnbull made his first Suns appearance since July 16 with three goose eggs, two hits allowed, a walk and three K’s. Alex Kreis weathered a pair of doubles in the 9th to record his third save. Cutter Dykstra led the hit column, collecting three of the Suns six hits.

Auburn 11 Mahoning Valley 3
• Mooneyham 6IP, 5H, 2R, 1ER, 2BB, 5K
• Henke (W, 6-1) 2IP, 2H, R, ER, 0BB, K
• Renda 3-6, R, RBI
• McQuillan 2-4, 3R, BB, 3RBI
• Ramos 2-3, R, HR, BB, 2RBI

Auburn scored nine unanswered runs in the final two innings to turn a 3-2 nailbiter into an 11-3 laugher over Mahoning Valley. The second-place Muckdogs racked up their eighth straight win to stay just one back and set up the chance to overtake the Doubledays as the two Pinckney Division rivals face off today and tomorrow in Batavia. Travis Henke won his sixth game in relief of Brett Mooneyham, who turned in a quality start with two runs allowed on five hits and two walks over the first six innings. Auburn pounded out 12 hits with leadoff man Mike McQuillan leading the way with three runs scored, three runs driven in, two singles and a walk.

Saturday’s News & Notes

 News and Notes, Transactions  2 Responses »
Sep 012012
 
Team Yesterday Today Probable Pitchers
Syracuse Won, 5-2 vs. Rochester,
7:00 p.m.		 Roark (6-17, 4.50) vs.
Vasquez (9-6, 2.78)
Harrisburg Lost, 9-2 vs. Bowie,
5:30 p.m.		 Wang (1-4, 5.82) and
Tatusko (3-5, 3.72) vs.
Bascom (6-6, 4.34) and
Loomis (0-0, 3.95)
Potomac Won, 3-0 @ Wilmington,
6:05 p.m.		 Ray (4-12, 6.79) vs.
Adam (6-12, 3.61)
Hagerstown Won, 4-3 vs. Asheville,
7:05 p.m.		 Anderson (0-1, 5.79) vs.
Gillingham
Auburn Won, 8-6 @ Mahoning Valley,
7:05 p.m.		 Mooneyham (2-2, 2.72) vs.
Aviles (0-2, 5.61)

Syracuse 5 Lehigh Valley 2
• Mandel (W, 6-5) 7IP, 7H, R, ER, BB, 6K, HR; 2-3, R, RBI
• Garcia (S, 13) 1IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 2K
• Brown 2-5, 2R
• Teahen 2-5, R, 2B, 3RBI

With five runs in the first two “ups” and seven strong innings from Jeff Mandel, the Syracuse Chiefs cruised to their fourth straight win with a 5-2 victory over the Lehigh IronPigs. Mandel also contributed to his own cause with a 2-for-3 night at the plate, including an RBI single. He allowed one run on a home run, walked one and struck out six. Christian Garcia struck out two in a scoreless ninth for his 13th save. Mark Teahen led the offense with a 2-for-5 night, driving in three.

Bowie 9 Harrisburg 2
• Pucetas (L, 7-6) 6⅓ IP, 9H, 6R, 6ER, 2BB, 5K
• Martin 1⅔ IP, 5H, 3R, 3ER, BB, 0K, 1-1 IR-S
• Hood 1-3, R, HR, RBI
• Bynum 1-2, R, HR, BB, RBI

A five-run seventh broke open a 3-2 game as Harrisburg dropped its third straight, 9-2. Kevin Pucetas took the loss, charged with six runs on nine hits and two walks and five K’s. Home runs by Destin Hood and Seth Bynum prevented the shutout as the Senators only managed one other hit, a single by Brian Goodwin, while striking out 13 times.

Potomac 3 Carolina 0
• Swynenberg (W, 7-5) 6IP, 4H, 0R, BB, 5K
• Carr (H, 3) 1IP, 0H, 0R, 2BB, 0K
• Wort (SV, 13) 2IP, 1H, 0R, 0BB, 2K
• Ramirez 3-4, R
• Sanchez 2-5, R

Three Potomac pitchers combined on a five-hit shutout of Carolina, 3-0. Matt Swynenberg got his seventh win with four hits and one walk allowed over the first six frames, striking out five. Adam Carr walked two in his inning of work but gave up no hits. Rob Wort earned his 13th save by throwing two scoreless innings, giving up a hit, walking none and fanning two. J.P. Ramirez went 3-for-4 to lead the eight-hit Potomac offense.

Hagerstown 4 Asheville 3
• Schwartz 6IP, 5H, R, ER, 0BB, 7K
• Holt (BS, 3; W, 5-2) 2IP, 2H, 2R, 2ER, BB, 0K
• Mirowski (SV, 3) 1IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 0K
• Higley 2-3, R, 2B, BB, RBI
• Miller 2-4, R, RBI, 2SB

After coughing up the lead in the top of the 7th, the Suns rallied for two in the bottom half and held on for a 4-3 win. A loss by Hickory dropped the MiLB.com-listed magic number to two, but with a lead of four in the loss column with three games to go, Hagerstown clinched the second-half Sally League Northern Division title. Greg Holt got the blown-save-win in relief of Blake Schwartz, who allowed just a run on five hits over six innings with no walks and seven strikeouts. J.R. Higley paced the Suns attack with single, double, and a walk while driving in one run and scoring another. Roster moves: RHP Leonard Hollins placed on the Temporary Inactive List; LHP Kylin Turnbull activated from the 7-Day DL.

Auburn 8 Mahoning Valley 6
• Fischer 4IP, 7H, 5R, 5ER, 2BB, K, HR
• Pena (W, 1-0) 3IP, 1H, 0R, 0BB, 2K
• Self (SV, 13) ⅓ IP, 1H, 0R, 0BB, 1K, 2-1 IR-S
• Martinez 2-4, R, BB, RBI
• Ramos 2-5, R, 2B, 2RBI

Auburn overcame an early 5-0 deficit, scoring eight runs across the 6th, 7th, and 8th innings and surviving a late charge by Mahoning Valley for an 8-6 win. Starter David Fischer was tattooed for five runs on seven hits and two walks over four innings, with all five runs coming in the the second. Ronald Pena picked him with three scoreless innings of relief to earn the win. The Doubledays pounded out 10 hits, with Estarlin Martinez (2-for-4) and Wander Ramos (2-for-5) leading the charge. Batavia, however, continues to breathe down Auburn’s neck, winning its seventh straight game to remain one game behind in the NYPL Pinckney Division. The two teams meet in Batavia for two games on Sunday and Monday.

Friday’s News & Notes

 News and Notes, Transactions  No Responses »
Aug 312012
 
Team Yesterday Today Probable Pitchers
Syracuse Won, 2-0 @ Lehigh Valley,
7:05 p.m.		 Mandel (5-5, 2.70) vs.
Brummett (4-5, 3.18)
Harrisburg Lost, 5-4 vs. Bowie,
7:00 p.m.		 Pucetas (7-5, 3.35) vs.
Pettit (10-3, 3.93)
Potomac Lost, 3-1 @ Carolina,
7:15 p.m.		 Swynenberg (6-5, 5.19) vs.
Suarez (0-0, 2.45)
Hagerstown Lost, 12-2 vs. Asheville,
7:05 p.m.		 Schwartz (1-1, 3.34) vs.
Jensen (12-3, 4.34)
Auburn Lost, 8-6 @ Mahoning Valley,
7:05 p.m.		 Fischer (3-3, 4.40) vs.
Morel (2-5, 4.85)

Syracuse 2 Charlotte 0
• Lannan 9IP, 8H, 0R, 0BB, 10K
• Hoffpauir 2-3, 2B, RBI
• Carroll 2-4, R, 2B

The reigning I.L. pitcher of the week is making a bid for a repeat honors, as John Lannan tossed an eight-hit shutout for a 2-0 Syracuse win, its third straight. The 27-y.o. southpaw gave up eight singles but no walks and struck out a season-high 10 batters in his final start for the Chiefs. Next stop: Washington. Jarrett Hoffpauir went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI to lead the Syracuse offense, despite getting ejected in the bottom of the 5th.

Richmond 5 Harrisburg 4
• Broderick (ND) 6IP, 6H, 3R, 2ER, 0BB, 2K, HR
• Frias 2IP, 1H, 0R, 0BB, 2K
• Nelo (BS, 4; L, 1-6) ⅓IP, 4H, 2R, 2ER, BB, 0K, HR
• Solano 2-4, R
• Bynum 1-3, R, 2B, BB, RBI

Make that 25 one-run losses as the Senators coughed up a walkoff loss in Richmond, 5-4. Hector Nelo blew his fourth save and took his sixth loss, giving up a leadoff homer in the 9th to achieve the former, then three singles and a walk with one out to earn the latter. The implosion handed a no-decision to Brian Broderick, who pitched six frames, gave up six hits and allowed three runs, no walks, and struck out two.

Carolina 3 Potomac 1
• Gilliam (L, 1-2) 7IP, 7H, 3R, 2ER, BB, 3K, HR
• McCatty 1IP, 1H, 0R, 0BB, K
• Souza 2-2, R, BB, SB
• Fernandez 1-3
• Hague 1-4, 2B

After making the playoffs in three of the last four seasons (2008, 2010, 2011), the Potomac Nationals will be going home after Labor Day, thanks to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of the Carolina Mudcats. Starter Rob Gilliam turned in quality start of three runs allowed over seven innings on seven hits and a walk. The offense, however, was held to just four hits and put just three runners into scoring position; the lone run coming in the 2nd on a Steve Souza Jr. leadoff single, a steal of second with an error on the throwout attempt to take 3rd, and a wild pitch to send P-Nat outfielder home.

Greensboro 12 Hagerstown 2
• Rauh (L, 3-3) 2IP, 7H, 5R, 5ER, 3BB, 0K
• Bates 2IP, 1H, 0R, 0BB, 3K
• Burns 3-4, R, SB
• Ramsey 2-3, 2B

With seven runs in the first four innings, first-half champs Greensboro made a 12-2 statement to Hagerstown, should the Suns survive the weekend. The Grasshoppers jumped all over starter Brian Rauh for five runs on seven hits and three walks over the first two innings to hand the 21-y.o. his third loss at Low-A. The bullpen fared no better as only Colin Bates emerged unscathed from the 12-run, 18-hit onslaught. Billy Burns (3-for-4) led the Suns offense with three singles and a stolen base. The loss, combined with a wins by Hickory and West Virginia, holds the magic number steady at four with four games to play. Hagerstown finishes up the regular season with a four-game set against playoff-bound Asheville starting tonight at Municipal Stadium.

Mahoning Valley 8 Auburn 6
• Pineyro 3⅔ IP, 6H, 4R, 4ER, 2BB, 3K, HR
• Harper (H, 3; L, 0-1) 1⅓ IP, 3H, 3R, 3ER, 0BB, 2K
• Medina (BS, 1) ⅔ IP 1H, R, ER, BB, 2K, 2-2 IR-S
• Martinez 3-5, R, 2B
• Schill 2-5, R
• Ramos 1-3, 2BB, 2RBI

That uneasy feeling isn’t that convenience-store hot dog you ate last night, it’s the realization by now that with Auburn’s 8-6 loss to Mahoning Valley, the Nationals farm just might get shut out of the postseason. The Scrappers rallied for four runs in the bottom of the 8th against relievers Bryan Harper (loss) and Silvio Medina (blown save). Starter Ivan Pineyro was touched for four runs on six hits, including a three-run home run in the 4th that erased an early 4-1 Doubledays lead. Estarlin Martinez led the 10-hit Auburn offense with a double and two singles and a run scored. Like the Suns, the Doubledays magic number remained unchanged at six, with the second-place Muckdogs winning for the sixth straight game. NYPL wild-card leader Brooklyn lost to stay tied with Auburn at 42-28. Roster moves: LHP Blake Monar placed on the 7-day DL, retroactive to Au. 28; RHP Ronald Pena has been recalled from the GCL Nationals.

Thursday’s News & Notes

 News and Notes, Transactions  No Responses »
Aug 302012
 
Team Yesterday Today Probable Pitchers
Syracuse Won, 3-2;
Won, 7-5		 @ Charlotte,
7:15 p.m.		 Lannan (8-11, 4.58) vs.
Carroll (3-6, 5.15)
Harrisburg Lost, 3-2 @ Richmond,
7:05 p.m.		 Broderick (2-0, 4.24) vs.
Fitzgerald (7-8, 3.20)
Potomac Lost, 6-2 @ Carolina,
7:15 p.m.		 Gilliam (1-1, 4.66) vs.
Cooper (8-7, 3.83)
Hagerstown Lost, 4-0 @ Greensboro,
7:00 p.m.		 Rauh (3-2, 3.93) vs.
Heaney (0-2, 5.79)
Auburn Won, 6-4 @ Mahoning Valley,
7:05 p.m.		 Pineyro (3-1, 3.21)
Merritt (3-4, 4.02)

Syracuse 3 Charlotte 2 — GAME ONE
• Duke (W, 15-5) 5⅔ IP, 7H, 2R, 2ER, 0BB, 4K, HR
• Garcia (SV, 12) 1IP, 1H, 0R, 0BB, 0K
• Walters 2-2
• Teahen 2-3, R, RBI

The Chiefs broke a 0-0 tie with two in the 5th and tacked on one in the 6th to take the first game, 3-2. Starter Zach Duke won his 15th game with both Knights runs allowed on seven hits with no walks and four K’s. Christian Garcia worked the last of the 7th and kept Charlotte off the board for his 12th AAA save. Zach Walters and Mark Teahen combined for four of the eight Syracuse hits, which included Eury Perez extending his hit streak to 16 games while stealing his 20th base as a Chief.

Syracuse 7 Charlotte 5 — GAME TWO
• Maya 4IP, 6H, 4R, 4ER, 2BB, 5K
• Arnesen (W, 3-3) 1IP, 1H, 0R, 0BB, 0K
• MacDougal (SV, 2) 1IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, K
• Brown 2-3, R, 3B, BB, RBI
• Valdez 2-4, 2R, 2B, HR, 2RBI

Syracuse scored seven times in the last three innings to overcome a 4-0 deficit and sweep the doubleheader with a 7-5 win. Starter Yunesky Maya got knocked around for four runs on six hits and two walks over four innings. Erik Arnesen got the win and Mike MacDougal the save as each tossed a scoreless inning in relief. The Chiefs racked up 11 hits, with Jesus Valdez homering and Mark Teahen driving in three. Eury Perez went 2-for-5 to push his streak to 17 games amd raise his average to .331 in 40 games with Syracuse.

Richmond 3 Harrisburg 2
• Perry 6IP, 5H, 2R, 2ER, 3BB, 6K
• McCoy (L, 7-3) ⅓ IP, 3H, R, ER, 0BB, 0K
• Tucker 2-3, R, BB
• Lozada 1-3, R

The sun rises in the east and sets in the west… and the Sens lose by one run. Might not be what you learned in school, but it sure seems that way as Harrisburg dropped a 3-2 ballgame in Richmond, losing by a single run for the 24th time in 2012. Pat McCoy took the loss by giving up a run on three hits in the 7th, a half-inning after Harrisburg tied the game at 2-2. Starter Ryan Perry gave up two runs on five hits and three walks while striking out six over six innings but got the no-decision. Jonny Tucker singled twice and walked once to lead the Harrisburg offense.

Carolina 6 Potomac 2
• Hill (L, 0-1) 6⅓ IP, 6H, 4R, 4ER, 0BB, 4K, HR
• Holland ⅔ IP, 1H, 0R, 0BB, 0K, 1-1 IR-S
• Sanchez 3-4, R, 2B, 2SB (24,25)
• Ramirez 1-3, R, 2B

A pair of two-run rallies by Carolina in the 7th and 8th innings was the difference as Potomac fell, 6-2. Taylor Hill fared much better in his second High-A start, pitching into the 7th inning but took the loss. He was charged with four runs on six hits but no walks and four strikeouts over six and a 1/3rd innings. Adrian Sanchez paced the P-Nats offense with two singles, a double, and two stolen bases. The loss combined with a Wilmington win lowered the tragic number to one, meaning the next Blue Rocks win or the next P-Nats loss will eliminate Potomac from the postseason for the first time since 2009.

Greensboro 4 Hagerstown 0
• Jordan (L, 3-3) 5IP, 7H, 4R, 4ER, 0BB, K, HR
• Kreis 1IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, K
• Miller 1-2
• Montilla 1-3

Hagerstown’s six-game win streak was stopped cold with a 4-0 shutout in Greensboro. The Suns were held to just four hits and three walks, two of which were drawn by veteran 1B Brett Newsome, the sole Hagerstown batter to reach base twice. Taylor Jordan took the loss, giving up all four Grasshopper runs on seven hits over five innings, walking none and striking out one. The magic number to clinch remains at four as second-place Hickory won while third-place West Virginia lost.

Auburn 6 State College 4
• Hudgins 1⅔ IP, 4H, 3R, 2ER, 2BB, K
• Davis (W, 4-1) 3⅓ IP, 3H, R, ER, 0BB, 2K, 3-0 IR-S
• Henke (H, 5) 3IP, 2H, 0R, BB, 6K
• Self (SV, 12) 1IP, 1H, 0R, 0BB, 1K
• McQuillan 3-4, 2R, 2B, 2-3B, BB, 2RBI
• Miller 1-3, 2B, 2BB

If there’s a tragedy to the NYPL this season, it’s that a very good team is going to be on the outside looking in when the postseason starts. For now, that’s the Batavia Muckdogs, which won its fifth straight and 40th overall (.580 W%) but remains two games behind the Auburn Doubledays, which won its fourth straight with a 6-4 win over the State College Spikes. Will Hudgins struggled in his first SS-A start, giving up three runs (two earned) on four hits and two walks over an inning and a 1/3rd. Cody Davis stranded the bases loaded in the 2nd and went three more frames to get the win. Leadoff man Mike McQuillan only stopped at first the two times he drew walks, doubling once and tripling twice to pace the Auburn offense, which scored only six runs after 28 in the previous two games. The Doubledays magic number is now six with seven games to play. In the event that Batavia overtakes Auburn, the Doubledays would need to finish ahead of current wild-card leader Brooklyn (which has the same 42-27 mark) to earn the fourth playoff spot, as the Cyclones hold the head-to-head tiebreaker with a series sweep earlier this month. Roster moves: LHP Andrew Wall placed on the 7-Day DL (strained calf); RHP Robert Benincasa activated from the 7-Day DL.

Wednesday’s News & Notes

 News and Notes  9 Responses »
Aug 292012
 
Team Yesterday Today Probable Pitchers
Syracuse Postponed @ Charlotte,
6:15 p.m. (DH)		 Duke (14-5, 3.52) and
Maya (11-9, 3.58) vs.
Leesman (12-9, 2.46) and
Zaleski (6-5, 3.77)
Harrisburg Won, 2-1 @ Richmond,
7:05 p.m.		 Perry (2-4, 2.82) vs.
Kickham (11-10, 2.91)
Potomac Won, 4-1 @ Carolina,
7:15 p.m.		 Hill (0-0, 9.82) vs.
Roberts (4-9, 5.91)
Hagerstown Won, 8-0 @ Greensboro,
7:00 p.m.		 Jordan (3-2, 3.19) vs.
Lyman (2-6, 6.46)
Auburn Won, 16-4 @ State College,
7:05 p.m.		 Hudgins (0-0, 0.00)
Sampson (0-1, 2.63)

Syracuse vs. Charlotte — PPD
Rain forced a postponement and created a doubleheader for the Chiefs and Knights tonight in Charlotte. Meanwhile, Carlos Rivero and Corey Brown were both named to the International League’s 2012 postseason All-Star team at 3B and in the OF, respectively.

Harrisburg 2 Richmond 1
• Holder 5IP, 7H, R, ER, 2BB, K
• Frias (W, 4-4) 1IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, K
• Tatusko (SV, 1) 2IP, 1H, 0R, 0BB, 4K
• Bloxom 2-4, RBI
• Rendon 1-3, R, 3B, BB

The tables turned on Harrisburg as a cheap run in the 8th proved to be difference in a 2-1 win over Richmond, ending a four-game losing streak. Jose Lozada reached on a forceout, stole second and came in on two wild pitches with two outs to score the gamewinner. Marcos Frias got the win with a scoreless 7th in relief of starter Trevor Holder, who scattered seven hits over five innings and allowed one run, walked two, and struck out two. Justin Bloxom was the sole Senator to collect multiple hits with a 2-for-4 effort.

Potomac 4 Carolina 1
• Grace (W, 9-12) 6IP, 6H, R, ER, 2BB, 6K, HR
• Barrett (H, 2) 2IP, 1H, 0R, 0BB, 4K
• Wort (SV, 12) 1IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 2K
• Keyes 2-4, R, 2B, HR(20), 2RBI
• Skole 2-4, R, 2B, 2RBI
• Sanchez 2-4, R, 2B

Potomac finally got a win in North Carolina, ending an 0-16 run with a 4-1 victory over Carolina. The Nos. 1-4 batters accounted for all seven hits, with Kevin Keyes leading the charge with a double (27), a home run (20), and two RBI (74, 75). Matt Grace finished up a strong August with one run on six hits (yep, a home run) with two walks and six strikeouts over six innings for his third win in his last four starts and an ERA of 3.00 for the month. Potomac’s elimination number fell to three with Wilmington’s 6-5 win over Myrtle Beach, making a sweep-or-go-home scenario in Delaware this weekend even more likely.

Hagerstown 8 Greensboro 0
• Estevez 4IP, 2H, 0R, BB, 4K, 2WP
• Holt (W, 4-2) 3IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, K
• Eusebio 2IP, 1H, 0R, BB, K
• Ortega 3-4, 3R, 2B, 3B, HR
• Dykstra 3-4, RBI

Three Hagerstown hurlers combined on a three-hit shutout as the Suns won their sixth straight game, 8-0. Wirkin “For The Weekend” Estevez got the start and went the first four, giving up a walk and two hits. Greg Holt got the win with three perfect innings of relief while Wilson Esuebio gave up a hit and a walk over the final two frames. Bryce Ortega doubled, tripled, homered, and drove in four to lead the Hagerstown offense, which pounded out 13 hits total. The win, combined with a loss by Hickory, lowered the Suns magic number to four with six games to play

Auburn 16 State College 4
• Lee (W, 2-1) 5IP, 4H, 3R, 3ER, 4BB, 5K
• Medina 2IP, 1H, 0R, 0BB, K
• Lopez 3-5, 4R, BB
• Kieboom 3-6, 2B, RBI

Auburn picked up where they left off last night and continued to pummel State College, 16-4, for a third straight win. Every starter had at least one hit, seven had two, and Carlos Lopez and Spencer Kieboom both had trifectas as the Doubledays skewered the Spikes moundsmen for 18 hits total. Nick Lee got the win with three runs allowed on four hits and four walks over five innings. He also struck out five. The win lowered Auburn’s magic number to seven with eight to play, including two against second-place Batavia, which swept a doubleheader to remain two behind.

Tuesday’s News & Notes

 News and Notes, Transactions  14 Responses »
Aug 282012
 
Team Yesterday Today Probable Pitchers
Syracuse Lost, 6-2 @ Charlotte,
7:15 p.m.		 Duke (14-5, 3.52) vs.
Leesman (12-9, 2.46)
Harrisburg Lost, 8-6 @ Richmond,
7:05 p.m.		 Holder (3-3, 4.46) vs.
Heston (9-6, 2.12)
Potomac OFF DAY @ Carolina,
7:15 p.m.		 Grace (8-12, 5.30) vs.
Jimenez (8-8, 5.19)
Hagerstown OFF DAY @ Greensboro,
7:00 p.m.		 Estevez (5-1, 5.79) vs.
Hodges (8-8, 3.60)
Auburn Won, 12-1 @ State College,
7:05 p.m.		 Lee (1-1, 3.83) vs.
Rodriguez (3-2, 3.32)

Charlotte 6 Syracuse 2
• Roark (L, 6-17) 6IP, 10H, 5R, 2ER, 0BB, 5K
• Severino 1IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 0K
• Leon 1-3, R, 2B, BB, RBI
• Marrero 1-3, R, BB

A three-run 3rd would prove to be enough as the Knights inflicted more than a flesh wound on the Chiefs, winning the game 6-2 and eliminating Syracuse from the I.L. playoffs. Starter Tanner Roark surrendered 10 hits for five runs (two earned) over six innings to lose his 17th game. He walked none and struck out five. Chris Marrero and Sandy Leon both went 1-for-3 with a walk while Eury Perez extended his hit streak to 15 with a bunt single in the 3rd.

Richmond 8 Harrisburg 6
• Wang 5IP, 9H, 6R, 6ER, BB, 3K, HR
• Demny (L, 6-8) ⅔IP, 2H, 2R, 2ER, BB, 2K
• Nicol 2-3, R, RBI
• Solano 2-4, R, RBI

After overcoming a five-run deficit courtesy of Chien-Ming Wang to take a 6-5 lead, the Harrisburg offense ground to a halt in the late innings and fell to Richmond, 8-6. Facing the worst offense in the Eastern League, Wang was hammered for six runs on nine hits and a walk over five innings and struck out three. He also gave up his fifth HR in eight starts with the Senators. Sean Nicol, who replaced Seth Bynum on defense during the middle of an at-bat in the 3rd inning, led the Senators offense with a 2-for-3 game, followed closely by Jhonatan Solano’s 2-for-4 effort. No explanation was given for Bynum’s replacement, according to Patriot-News beat writer Geoff Morrow.

POTOMAC NATIONALS — OFF DAY
With Wilmington’s win in the sole game in the Carolina League on Monday night, the tragic number for Potomac fell to four with seven games to play in the states of North Carolina and Delaware, where the P-Nats are a “perfect” 0-for-23 this season. The P-Nats trail the Blue Rocks by three games, the Keys by two games, and the Hillcats by a ½ game. Despite playing Wilmington in the final three games, Potomac does not control its own destiny, as Lynchburg can still win the second half title in addition to needing to surpass both Frederick and Wilmington in the standings if that happens. Also, with cancellations for both the Keys and P-Nats last Sunday, it’s possible for those two teams to tie atop the Carolina League North and finish a ½ game ahead of the Hillcats and Blue Rocks. Should that happen, there will be a one-game play-in game with Frederick hosting Potomac. Roster moves: RHP Alex Meyer placed on 7-Day DL, RHP Shane McCatty activated from 7-Day DL.

HAGERSTOWN SUNS — OFF DAY
Unlike Potomac or Auburn, Hagerstown is more comfortably positioned to make the playoffs with a four-game lead in loss column and a three-game lead in the Sally League’s Northern Division. The three top teams each have seven games left, but the two cancellations the Suns have had in August positions them to possibly win on percentage points with 68 maximum games in the second half to 70 for the Crawdads and Power.

Auburn 12 State College 1
• Encarnacion (W, 5-1) 6IP, 2H, R, ER, BB, 4K
• McGeary 2IP, 0H, 0R, 2BB, 3K
• Pleffner 3-5, 2R, BB, HR, RBI
• Lopez 3-4, R, 3RBI, E(13)

A seven-run top of the 1st made the outcome of this one a no-doubter as Auburn blasted State College, 12-1. Pedro Encarnacion won his fifth game with just two hits and a walk given up over six innings. The Doubledays pounded out 16 hits with every batter hitting safely and five collecting multiple hits, with Shawn Pleffner and Carlos Lopez both collecting three hits. Batavia was rained out, thus the Auburn lead is 2½ games and the magic number to win the division is down to eight.

 Older Entries  Newer Entries