Mariners Minor League Wrap-Up for June 26

With nine teams to cover now, I'll try to do recaps when appropriate but generally expect these to move more quickly, and expect me to avoid recaps when there just isn't much to discuss, such as straightforward results in the rookie level games.

Also, tomorrow the Wrap-Up hibernates for the week as I head over to Mariner Central to take over the Farm Report for the next week. Format's similar, so go check it out.

VENEZUELA~! Rainy weather stopped the VSLMs game with the VSL Cards in the 2nd. The game will be resumed on July 10th, when the VSLMs are on the VSL Cards' field again. Unlike the DSL, the VSL teams actually play in separate locales.

Dominican: DSL Mariners 6, DSL Phillies 1
DSLMs: 18-6... DSL Phils: 10-14

Henry Perez: CG!, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 walks, 6 K, wild pitch, hit batter
Randy Perez: 1-5, R, RBI, 2 K
George Drullard: 2-2, R, RBI
Hector Mercedes: 1-2, double, R, RBI, K
Westlonder Marcelino: 2-3, double
Luis Matias: 1-4, RBI

The DSLMs scored five runs in the 9th, and Henry Perez finished off a TWO HITTER for the complete game. Supposedly, Henry's still on the island because his stuff isn't the best, but the 19 year old keeps getting his peers out in start after start.

Groundballs: 13
Flyballs: 5
Line Drives: 3
Pop Ups: 3
Walks: 2 (plus 1 hit batter)
Strikeouts: 6

AZL: Royals 5, Mariners 2
AZLMs: 2-3... AZL Royals: 3-2

Miguel Celestino: 4 IP, 7 H, 4 ER (HR), 2 walks, 3 K
Jorden Merry: 2.2 IP, 1 ER, 2 walks, 4 K, wild pitch, hit batter (Age 22, 40th round pick 2009)
Brian Cloud: 1.1 IP, 4 K (Age 23, Undrafted rookie)
Mark McGonigle: 2-4, 2 doubles, R (Age 23: 297/397/396 with GCL Mets)
Jetsy Extrano: 1-4, R, RBI
Hector Jacobo: 1-4, double, RBI, K

Rk+: Elizabethton 14, Pulaski 4
PMs: 0-4... Liz Twins: 4-0

Yao Wen Chang: 3.1 IP, 6 H, (7 R) 3 ER (HR), walk, K
Colin Buckborough: 1 IP, 3 H, (3 R) 2 ER, 2 walks, 2 wild pitches
Brandon Josselyn: 2.1 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, walk, 3 K
Eric Thomas: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 ER (HR), K
Dwight Britton: 2-5, 2 doubles, R, RBI, K
Fred Bello: 3-4, double, triple, R, 2 RBI, K
Tommy Johnson: 1-3, double, walk, K
Tim Morris: 1-4, RBI, 2 K

Thing was, Yao Wen Chang wasn't as horrid as the line indicates. Oh, he was still not too good, giving up a fair share of flyballs and four line drives in only 3.1 innings. But he got eaten up by a few ill timed errors in the 3rd, which certainly didn't help. Three line drives and a dropped flyout in the 4th finished him off.

Groundballs: 5 (plus 1 bunt)
Flyballs: 5 (1 HR)
Line Drives: 4
Pop Ups: 1
Walks: 1
Strikeouts: 1

Talking about the rest of this game is an exercise in masochism so we'll move along.

A-: Everett 5, Spokane 1
EVE: 4-3... SPO: 3-4

Nick Czyz: 5.1 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 3 walks, 6 K, wild pitch, hit batter
Christian Staehely: 1.2 IP, 2 K
Andrew Carraway: 2 IP, 1 H, 4 K (Age 22, 12th round pick 2009)
Hawkins Gebbers: 3-4, 2 run HR, 2 R
Mario Martinez: 3-4, triple, R, RBI
Guy Welsh: 2-3, 2 doubles, RBI, walk
Welington Dotel: 2-3, RBI
Jose Rivero: 0-4, 4 K: The Golden Sombrero

The Aquasox pounded home four runs in the 1st and that was all they needed. Hawkins Gebbers continued his hot start with a two run blast in the 1st and was followed by four straight line drive singles, the Northwest League equivalent of a gang beating.

Lefthander Nick Czyz had a decent six inning outing in Vancouver last Sunday and picked right up where he left off, pitching into the 6th while shaking off a shaky 4th where he allowed his only run of the night.

Groundballs: 9
Flyballs: 1
Line Drives: 3
Walks: 3 (plus 1 hit batter)
Strikeouts: 6

A: Clinton 4, Beloit 3
CLI: 2-0... BEL: 0-2

Maikel Cleto: 4.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 3 walks, 3 K
Ryan Moorer: two outs, 1 H, (1 R) 0 ER, K
Bobby LaFromboise: 2 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 2 walks, 3 K
Stephen Penney: 1 IP, 2 H, K
Ruben Flores: 1 IP, 1 H, K
Kris Sanchez: 2-3, walk, K
Steve Moss: 1-4, RBI, 2 K
Nate Tenbrink: 2-4, solo HR, K, SB
Denny Almonte: 2-3, solo HR, 2 R, K, SB
Jacob Shaffer: 1-3, RBI, K

The highly anticipated return of detained prospect Maikel Cleto came to Clinton, where it's presumed the top-end prospect will spend the rest of this season. After a rocky 2009 debut in Peoria, Cleto gave it his best go while pitching into the 5th inning.

1st: Strikeout, walk, flyout, flyout
2nd: Groundout, strikeout, infield single, (stolen base) walk, groundout
3rd: Strikeout, lined single, flyout, (caught stealing)
4th: Flyout, groundout, groundout
5th: Groundout, walk, end

Groundballs: 6
Flyballs: 4
Line Drives: 1
Walks: 3
Strikeouts: 3

The Lumberkings gave him some help. Denny Almonte led off the bottom 3rd with a solo homer, and though Ryan Moorer gave up two runs in the 5th after relieving Cleto, the Lumberkings picked him up again: Nate Tenbrink led off the bottom 5th with a solo HR, and Denny Almonte came around to score on a Jacob Shaffer single up the middle to make it 3-2 Lumberkings.

Curiously enough, Bobby LaFromboise, apparently displaced from the rotation by Cleto's arrival, came on to start the 6th and eventually gave up the tying run on a two out double from Nate Hanson. LaFromboise did finish the 6th otherwise unscathed and did go strikeout, flyout, groundout in the 7th, but walked the leadoff batter in the 8th and Stephen Penney somehow overcame loading the bases to get out of the 8th unharmed.

Snappers reliever Bruce Pugh did not escape the bottom 8th unharmed. Scott Savastano drew a two out walk, took 2nd on a wild pitch and scored on a lined single from Steve Moss to give Clinton the lead for good 4-3.

A+: High Desert 3, Bakersfield 1
Mavs: 1-1... Blaze: 1-1

Steven Hensley: 8 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, walk, 11 K
Steven Richard: 1 IP, 1 H, K
Edilio Colina: 1-3, RBI
Jamie McOwen: 1-4 (34 game hitting streak!)
Joe Dunigan: 1-4, double, 2 K
Carlos Peguero: 1-4, double, R, K
Jeff Dominguez: 3-3, 2 doubles, R, RBI

The Mavs didn't need much at the plate because Steven Hensley was DEALING.

1st: Groundout, strikeout, strikeout
2nd: Strikeout, strikeout, strikeout
3rd: Strikeout, strikeout, flyout
4th: Ground single, sac bunt, (caught stealing) strikeout
5th: Strikeout, pop out, strikeout
6th: Groundout, ground single, ground double play
7th: Groundout, strikeout, lined single, groundout
8th: Walk, groundout, lined double, groundout, flyout

Groundballs: 9 (plus 1 bunt)
Flyballs: 2
Line Drives: 2
Pop Ups: 1
Walks: 1
Strikeouts: 11

Jeff Dominguez's leadoff double in the 2nd eventually led to a run. Alex Liddi walked and scored on a wild pitch in the 7th before Dominguez struck again with an RBI double to score Carlos Peguero. And Jamie McOwen barely kept his hitting streak alive at 34 by getting a ball into right field in the 8th for his only hit.

AA: West Tenn 9, Mobile 3
WTN: 2-3... MOB: 3-2

Justin Souza: 5.2 IP, 3 H, 2 ER (HR), 2 walks, 2 K (88 pitches, 58 strikes)
Nick Hill: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 ER (HR), 3 K (29-16)
Anthony Varvaro: 1 IP, 1 H, 2 walks, 3 K (25-13)
Dan Christensen: 1 IP, walk, K (16-9)
Ezequiel Carrera: 1-4, R, RBI
Greg Halman: 2-5, double, R, 2 RBI, K
Marshall Hubbard: 2-5, 2 run HR, 2 K
Yamid Haad: 1-3, solo HR
Johan Limonta: 4-5, double, R
Oswaldo Navarro: 1-3, RBI, K
Mel Stocker: 1-4, double, R

Apparently Greg Halman's mental health holiday in Peoria is over after only three games, as he returned to the JAXX yesterday, hit a solo home run and had two hits today.

The JAXX quickly jumped out to a 4-0 lead with a two run rally in the 2nd sparked by a Johan Limonta double, and two more in the 3rd from a two run shot by Marshall Hubbard.

Justin Souza had himself another strong effort, pitching into the 6th inning. He tried to finish the 6th after responding to two baserunners with a double play, but a lined single to score a run and a walk ended his night.

Groundballs: 6
Flyballs: 6 (1 HR)
Line Drives: 3
Pop Ups: 2
Walks: 2
Strikeouts: 2

Military Man Nick Hill picked off Yunesky Sanchez at 2nd to get out of the frame. he gave up a solo homer to Sean Coughlin in the 7th to make it 4-3, but the JAXX got a solo homer from Yamid Haad in the 8th, watched Anthony Varvaro escape a bases loaded jam in the bottom 8th, then blew it open with four runs in the 9th, powered by a two run base hit down the middle from... Greg Halman.

AAA: Tacoma 8, Las Vegas 7
TAC: 36-38... LVS: 32-43

Doug FISTER: 6 IP, 11 H, (5 R) 4 ER (2 HR), 4 K (108 pitches, 77 strikes)
Jesus Delgado: 2 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, walk, 2 K, hit batter (43-25)
Eric Hull: 1 IP (10-7)
Michael Saunders: 2-5, double, R, K
Jeff Clement: 2-5, triple, 2 R, RBI, 2 K
Mike Morse: 2-4, solo HR, walk, K
Bryan LaHair: 3-5, R, RBI, 2 K
Jerry Owens: 1-3, R, 2 RBI, 2 K, SB #11

An old guy named David Dellucci took Doug FISTER deep in the 1st, and a Chris Shelton error sparked a 51's rally for another run in the 2nd.

Smallball and a few flukes helped the Rainiers plate three runs in the 2nd. Two of the runs came off a Jerry Owens wormburner to the right side that ricocheted off the glove of the 2B and a double steal produced a run later in the frame when 2B Joe Inglett missed the throw to get Callix Crabbe at 2nd. They added a 4th in the 3rd when Mike Morse of all people went yard solo.

Vegas got a run in the 4th on a hot grounder from some guy named Michael Barrett that Shelton couldn't glove, allowing JP Arencibia to make it 4-3. Dellucci struck again in the 5th, taking FISTER deep to tie the ballgame, and JP Arencibia's double led to the go-ahead run off a single from PCL veteran Kevin Howard.

Somehow, Doug FISTER finished the 6th inning and called it a night after a rather rough outing where the 51's just teed off on him, in line for the loss with a 5-4 deficit.

Groundballs: 9
Flyballs: 8 (2 HR)
Line Drives: 7
Pop Ups: 1
Walks: 0
Strikeouts: 4

More flukes in the 7th allowed the 51's to plate two runs and make it 7-4. Dellucci beat out a grounder to 2nd, Arencibia got plunked and Kevin Howard's grounder up the middle took a fortuitous deflection off Jesus Delgado to get past the infield into center to score a run before Aaron Mathews sac flied home another run.

The Rainiers did get help in the 7th when Jeff Clement tripled with two out and reliever Bryan Bullington (how the once mighty prospect has fallen) uncorked a wild pitch to let him in and make it 7-5.

But the Rainiers came up in the bottom 9th down 7-5. Prentice Redman led off with a walk and Michael Saunders doubled him to 3rd before Clement got a grounder into right to cash in Redman and make it 7-6. Then closer Brian Wolfe uncorked a wild pitch to let in Saunders and TIE THE BALLGAME at 7. Wolfe wasn't right and after walking Chris Shelton, he left the game with an injury. Mike Morse got a grounder into left to load the bases and Bryan LaHair got a grounder into right to seal the deal on the walkoff win.

Mariners Minor League Wrap-Up for June 24

VENEZUELA~! The VSLMs had today off.

Dominican: DSL Mariners 6, DSL Athletics 5

George Mieses: 5 IP, 4 H, (2 R) 0 ER, walk, 4 K, hit batter
Ariel Alcantara: 3.1 IP, 4 H, (3 R) 2 ER, 2 walks, 5 K, wild pitch, hit batter
Bruno Mercedes: two outs, K
Randy Perez: 2-5, double, R
George Drullard: 2-4, R, RBI, walk, 2 K
Jose Martinez: 1-3, R, RBI, walk, 2 K
Mario Flores: 2-4, K
Hector Mercedes: RBI single

AZL: Indians 6, Mariners 5

Cesar Jimenez: 1 IP, K
Anthony Fernandez: 5 IP, 4 H, (2 R) 1 ER, 2 walks, 3 K, wild pitch
Jose Valdivia: 1 IP, 2 H, 2 ER (HR), K
Kenta Suda: 1 IP, 1 H, 2 K
Richard Ortiz: two outs, 3 H, 2 ER, walk, K
Daniel Carroll: 0-4, R, walk, 4 K: The Golden Sombrero
Jetsy Extrano: 1-5, double, R, K
Hector Jacobo: 2-4, R, 2 RBI, walk
Greg Halman: 1-4, triple, R, walk, 2 K
Evan Sharpley: 2-5, double, R, RBI, K
Joel Mendez: 2-4, double, RBI, K, SB
Efrain Nuñez: 2-4, 2 K

Rk+: Danville 7, Pulaski 6

Brandon Maurer: 5 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 3 walks, 6 K, wild pitch, hit batter
Anthony Vasquez: 1.1 IP, 2 H, (2 R) 1 ER, 2 walks, K(Age 22, 18th round pick 2009)
Brandon Josselyn: 2.2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, walk, 3 K (Age 22, 25th round pick 2009)
Brandon Haveman: 3-4, double, RBI
Fred Bello: 1-4, RBI, walk, 3 K
Jharmidy De Jesus: 2-5, 2 RBI
Jarrett Burgess: 1-3, 2 R, 2 RBI, walk, K, SB

A-: Spokane 18, Everett 9

Taylor Stanton: 3.1 IP, 7 H, (8 R) 5 ER (3 HR), 3 walks, 4 K, 2 wild pitches
Eddy Hernandez: 1.2 IP, 2 H, (5 R) 2 ER (HR), 5 walks, 3 K
Jose Rios: 3 IP, 4 H, (5 R) 3 ER, walk, 3 K
Phillip Roy: 1 IP, K
Blake Trinkler: 1-3, RBI, K
Juan Fuentes: 1-4, R, 2 RBI, walk, 2 K
Welington Dotel: 2-5, R, 2 K
Ben Billingsley: 3-4, double, 2 R, RBI
Jose Rivero: 1-4, R, 3 RBI, K, SB

A: Clinton is off for the MWL All Star Break.

A+: High Desert is off for the Cal League All Star Break.

AA: Mobile 10, West Tenn 4

Luis Muñoz: 4 IP, 6 H, (4 R) 2 ER, 5 walks, hit batter (93 pitches, 55 strikes)
Nick Hill: 2 IP, 2 H, walk, hit batter (21-11)
Anthony Varvaro: 1.2 IP, 5 H, (6 R) 1 ER, walk , hit batter (42-25)
Dan Christensen: one out, 1 H, walk (5-1)
Ezequiel Carrera: 2-3, double, R, 2 walks, SBs #13 and 14
Marshall Hubbard: 2-4, R, walk
Colt Morton: 1-5, R, RBI, K
Matt Mangini: 1-4, RBI, K
Brent Johnson: 1-3, RBI
Oswaldo Navarro: 1-3, RBI, walk, K

AAA: Las Vegas 4, Tacoma 1

Chris Seddon: 6 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 3 walks, 3 K (97 pitches, 58 strikes)
Eric Hull: 2.1 IP, 1 ER, walk, 2 K (38-22)
Justin Thomas: two outs, 2 H, 1 ER, K (18-11)
Michael Saunders: 2-4, solo HR, 2 K
rest of Rainiers lineup: 2-27, 3 walks, 10 K

Mariners Minor League Wrap-Up for June 23

VENEZUELA~! VSL Mariners 3, VSL Mets 2

Erasmo Ramirez: 5 IP, 4 H, 4 K
Yoervis Medina: 2 IP, K, hit batter
Reynaldo Sabala: 1 IP, 1 H, K
Manuel Campos: 1 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, walk, K
Rafael Torrealba: 2-4, R
Felipe Burin: RBI double
Carlos Ramirez: 0-2, sac fly RBI, walk, K
Jorge Agudelo: 2-4

Dominican: DSL Mariners 2, DSL Phillies 1

Victor Duarte: 6 IP, 3 H, (1 R) 0 ER, 6 K
Fray Martinez: 1 IP, 2 K, hit batter
Bruno Mercedes: 1 IP, 1 H, K
Nelson Germocen: 1 IP, 1 H, 2 K
DSLMs lineup: 1-27, 2 walks, 10 K

Despite getting one hit, the DSLMs won after scoring both runs in the 5th on a wild, their lone single from Bryan Brito, a wild pitch and a horrid three base error by the Phils 2B to score both runs.

SEASON OPENER
Rk+: Danville 8, Pulaski 3

Opening Day Lineup (with ages and 2008 numbers, or draft position):

LF - Dwight Britton (Age 21: 253/312/424 in Pulaski)
2B - Cesar Fuentes (Age 22: 266/321/365 in AZL)
1B - Jharmidy De Jesus (Age 19: 309/376/530 in AZL and Everett)
DH - Tim Morris (11th round pick 2009)
3B - Vincent Catricala (Indians' 50th round pick 2006, no pro experience)
RF - Julio Morban (Age 17, International signee)
C - Brandon Bantz (Age 22, 30th round pick 2009)
SS - Gabriel Noriega (Age 18: 238/266/291 in Pulaski)
CF - Jarrett Burgess (Age 18: 227/297/293 in AZL)
SP - Nolan Diaz (Age 18: 59 IP, 0 HR, 4 BB, 39 K, 2.75 ERA in VSL)

Nolan Diaz: 5.1 IP, 6 H, 5 ER (HR), walk, 5 K, hit batter
Colin Buckborough: two outs, 3 H, 1 ER, hit batter
Jeroen de Haas: 1.1 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 2 K
Eric Thomas: 1.2 IP, 1 H, K, 2 hit batters (Age 22, 19th round pick 2009)
Brandon Haveman: pinch RBI single (Age 23, Undrafted rookie)
Cesar Fuentes: 1-5, double, 3 K
Tim Morris: 1-4, double, RBI, K
Julio Morban: 2-4, R, 2 K
Gabriel Noriega: 2-4, double, K

A-: Spokane 4, Everett 3, 10 innings

Chris Kirkland: 5 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 2 walks, 7 K, wild pitch, 2 hit batter
Christian Staehely: 2 IP, 1 H, 4 K
Daniel Cooper: 1 IP, 1 H, walk (Age 22: 21st round pick 2009)
Brad Reid: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER (HR), K
Brandon Pullen: two outs, K
Anthony Phillips: 1-4, RBI, walk, 2 K
Kalian Sams: 2-4, solo HR, solo HR, 2 K
Welington Dotel: 2-4, double, solo HR, 2 R, K

A: Clinton is off for the MWL All Star Break.

A+: High Desert is off for the Cal League All Star Break.

AA: Mobile 9, West Tenn 2

Kyle Parker: 3.2 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 4 walks, 2 K, hit batter (61 pitches, 33 strikes)
Mumba Rivera: 3 IP, 6 H, 5 ER, 3 walks, 2 K (70-45)
Patrick Ryan: one out, 1 H (6-6)
Josh Fields: 1 IP, K (10-7)
Mel Stocker: 2-2, R
Marshall Hubbard: 1-3, RBI, walk, 2 K
rest of JAXX lineup: 1-25, 4 walks, 8 K

AAA: Tacoma 14, Las Vegas 4

Ryan Rowland-Smith: 3.2 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 walks, 3 K, hit batter (63 pitches, 37 strikes)
Jesus Delgado: 3.1 IP, 3 H, 1 ER (HR), walk, K (48-28)
Denny Stark: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 ER (HR), walk (19-10)
Brodie Downs: 1 IP, K (8-6)
Prentice Redman: 1-5, double, RBI, K
Michael Saunders: 1-4, sac fly RBI
Kenji Johjima: 2-4, 2 R
Jeff Clement: 3-5, double, 2 run HR, 4 R, K
Chris Shelton: 2-3, 2 run HR, 3 R, 2 walks
Mike Morse: 1-4, double, R, 2 RBI, K
Bryan LaHair: 1-5, R, RBI, K
Erick Monzon: 2-3, 2 R, 3 RBI, K
Jerry Owens: 2-4, R, RBI

Mariners Minor League Wrap-Up for June 22

VENEZUELA~! The VSLMs game with the VSL Pirates was postponed due to rain and will get made up as part of a doubleheader on 6/29.

Dominican: DSL Mariners 18, DSL Cardinals 7

Ambioris Hidalgo: 4 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 3 walks, 3 K, wild pitch, balk, 2 hit batters
Richard Vargas: 3.1 IP, 1 H, walk, 3 K
Oscar Bravo: 1.2 IP, 4 H, 4 ER (HR), 2 walks, K
George Drullard: 0-4, 3 R, 3 walks, 2 K
Jose Martinez: 3-5, 3 R, RBI, walk, K, SB
Mario Flores: 4-6, triple, GRAND SLAM, 3 R, 7 RBI (!)
Hector Mercedes: 3-3, 3 R, RBI, 3 walks
Janelfry Zorrilla: 3-6, 3 R, 2 RBI
Robert Rodriguez: 2-6, 2 doubles, 5 RBI, K

AZL: Mariners 9, Rangers 2

Jeff Zimmerman: 2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, walk, 2 K
Luis Peña: 5 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 3 walks, 4 K, wild pitch
Leonardo Rodriguez: 2 IP, 2 H, 2 K
Jetsy Extrano: 2-4, double, 2 R, 2 RBI, K
Hector Jacobo: 2-4, 2 R, walk
Greg Halman: 1-4, 2 RBI, 3 K
Hassiel Jimenez: 1-3, double, R, 3 RBI, walk, K
Evan Sharpley: 2-4, double, R, RBI, K (50th round pick 2009)

A-: Vancouver 7, Everett 1

Luke Burnett: 5 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 3 K
Phillip Roy: 1.2 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, walk, 3 K, hit batter
Kyle Brown: 1 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 4 walks, K, wild pitch
Christian Staehely: one out, K
Kalian Sams: 1-3, double, walk, K, 2 SB
Hawkins Gebbers: 1-3, RBI, walk, K
rest of Aquasox lineup: 2-25, 5 walks, 7 K

A: Clinton is off for the MWL All Star Break.

A+: High Desert is off for the Cal League All Star Break.

AA: Mobile 7, West Tenn 6

Steve Bray: 5 IP, 8 H, 5 ER (HR), K (66 pitches, 54 strikes)
Patrick Ryan: 1 IP, 2 H, (1 R) 0 ER (16-10)
Ricky Orta: 2 IP, walk (30-18)
Phillippe Aumont: one out, 3 H, 1 ER (13-8)
Ezequiel Carrera: 3-4, solo HR, sac fly RBI
Mel Stocker: 1-5, double
Colt Morton: 1-4, solo HR, 2 K
Matt Mangini: 3-4, solo HR, 2 R, SB
David Espinosa: 1-3, solo HR, 2 R, walk, K
Brent Johnson: 1-4, RBI, K, SB #10

AAA: The Rainiers had today off.

Mariners Minor League Wrap-Up for June 21 (stats for now)

(This time you can blame not exhaustion, but my friend Kevin, who had tickets for great seats to the Mariners games on Tuesday and Wednesday. Otherwise, these would have been up earlier this week. I regret none of this. I will attempt to fill in with recaps and ball in play stats later. All posts are backdated.)

VENEZUELA~! VSL Rays 7, VSL Mariners 3

Yovanny Olivero: 4 IP, 6 H, 2 ER (HR), 2 walks, K
Jose Campos: 2 IP, 3 H, (4 R) 3 ER (2 HR), walk, wild pitch, hit batter
Oberth Guanire: 2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 K
Carlos Ramirez: 2-4, R, RBI
Jose Hernandez: 1-2, double, R, RBI
Roberto Velasquez: 1-3, RBI

Dominican: The DSLMs had today off.

SEASON OPENER
AZL: Dodgers 17, Mariners 3

Opening Day Roster (with age and 2008 numbers):
CF - Daniel Carroll (Age 20: 216/295/278 in AZL, Wisconsin and High Desert)
2B - Jetsy Extrano (Age 20: 279/359/433 in VSL)
RF - Jose Rivero (Age 19: 251/336/368 in Pulaski)
DH - Greg Halman (Age 21: 274/327/531 in High Desert, West Tenn and Kinheim)
C - Henry Contreras (Age 23: 323/369/406 in AZL and Everett)
LF - Efrain Nuñez (Age 18: 267/387/441 in DSL)
SS - Angel Zapata (Age 21: 230/299/242 in DSL)
3B - Blake Trinkler (Age 21: 206/320/313 in Pulaski)
1B - Rudy van Heydoorn (Age 20: 266/460/435 in DSL)
SP - Cesar Jimenez (Age 24: 38 IP, 3 HR, 8 BB, 47 K, 3.55 ERA in Tacoma)
SP - Maikel Cleto (Age 20: 135.2 IP, 8 HR, 34 BB, 81 K, 4.25 ERA in Savannah)

Cesar Jimenez: 1 IP, K, 2 hit batters
Maikel Cleto: two outs, 3 H, (6 R) 1 ER, walk, K, hit batter
Yao Wen Chang: 4.1 IP, 10 H, 10 ER (2 HR), 2 walks, 6 K, balk
Richard Ortiz: 2 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 4 walks, 3 K
Daniel Carroll: 1-5, double, RBI
Jetsy Extrano: 2-4, solo HR
Jose Rivero: 1-4, triple, K

A-: Vancouver 3, Everett 1

Nick Czyz: 6 IP, 4 H, (2 R) 1 ER, 3 walks, 6 K
Brandon Pullen: 2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, K
Anthony Phillips: 1-4, double, 2 K
Gerardo Avila: 3-4, double
Hawkins Gebbers: 2-4, K

A: Clinton 6, Cedar Rapids 4

Bobby LaFromboise: 5 IP, 8 H, 4 ER (HR), walk, K
Stephen Penney: 1.1 IP, 2 H, walk
Cheyne Hann: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 2 K
Ruben Flores: 1 IP
Luis Nuñez: 2-5, R
Steve Moss: 4-4, R, 2 RBI, walk
Denny Almonte: 2-5, 3 run HR, K
Mario Martinez: 1-4, double, K

A+: Inland Empire 6, High Desert 0

Jake Wild: 4.2 IP, 7 H, 6 ER (2 HR), 3 walks, 3 K
Steven Hensley: two outs, 1 H, 2 K
Natividad Dilone: 1 IP
Travis Mortimore: two outs, 1 H, walk, K
Joey Newby: 1 IP, walk, 2 K
Jamie McOwen: 2-4
Jose Yepez: 2-3, double
rest of Mavs lineup: 3-23, 3 walks, 9 K

AA: The JAXX had today off.

AAA: Reno 11, Tacoma 2

Andy Baldwin: 5 IP, 9 H, 5 ER, 5 K, 2 hit batters (93 pitches, 62 strikes)
Eric Hull: 1 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 2 walks, K, wild pitch (38-23)
Josh Hall: 2 IP, 5 H, (4 R) 3 ER, walk, 3 K (49-33)
Randy Messenger: 1 IP, 2 H, walk (21-13)
Chris Shelton: 1-4, solo HR
rest of Rainiers lineup: 3-27, 2 walks, 6 K

Mariners Minor League Wrap-Up for June 20

I'm back from my week covering the minors with Mariner Central! They're fun to work with and I invite you to check out one of the better hubs for Mariners info you'll find on the net.

At right is a familiar face catching for the Rainiers. More on this later.

VENEZUELA~! VSL Phillies 5, VSL Mariners 2
VSLMs: 15-14... VSL Phils: 11-18

Mayckol Guaipe: 2 IP, 3 H, (4 R) 3 ER, 2 walks, K, 3 hit batters
Jesus Pirela: 3 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, walk, 2 K
Ricardo Pereira: 2 IP, 1 H, 2 K
Manuel Campos: 1 IP
Kenny Hart: 2-3, 2 doubles
rest of VSLMs lineup: 2-28, 3 walks, 7 K

Dominican: DSL Mariners 1, DSL Athletics 0
DSLMs: 13-6... DSLAs: 6-13

Henry Perez: 5 IP, 3 H, 4 K
Enrique Rosario: 4 IP, 2 H, walk, 8 K
Randy Perez: 1-4, RBI, 2 K
George Drullard: 1-4, double, K
Bryan Brito: 1-3, triple, R, K

SEASON OPENER
A-: Everett 10, Vancouver 1
EVE: 1-0... VAN: 0-1

Opening Day Lineup (with age and 2008 numbers):

SS Anthony Phillips (Age 19, 186/283/251 in Pulaski, Everett & High Desert)
LF Ryan Royster (Age 23, 196/337/268 in Everett)
1B Gerardo Avila (Age 22, 238/279/338 in Wisconsin & High Desert)
CF Kalian Sams (Age 22, 204/295/528 in Pulaski)
C Guy Welsh (Age 24, 297/410/430 in Pulaski)
RF Welington Dotel (Age 23, 277/339/436 in Everett)
DH Ben Billingsley (Age 22, 227/308/381 in Everett)
3B Hawkins Gebbers (Age 22, 33rd round pick in 2009 draft)
2B Fred Bello (Age 21, 284/366/321 in Peoria & Pulaski)
SP Taylor Lewis (Age 21, 35.2 IP, 4 HR, 18 BB, 32 K, 4.54 ERA in Pulaski)

Taylor Lewis: 6 IP, 4 H, 1 ER (HR), 3 walks, 6 K, balk, hit batter
Brad Reid: 1 IP, 1 H, K
Jose Rios: 2 IP, 3 H, 3 K
Ryan Royster: 4-5, double, 2 R, 3 RBI
Gerardo Avila: 2-5, R
Kalian Sams: 3-5, 3 run HR, 3 R, K
Guy Welsh: 3-4, double, R, RBI, walk
Hawkins Gebbers: 2-5, RBI
Fred Bello: 2-3, 2 doubles, 3 R, 2 walks, K

You may not want to get attached to the current Aquasox lineup. As Jay Yencich has noted, visa concerns led Everett to scramble for anyone in the M's org who had valid documentation to make the trip north of the border into Vancouver, which led to some fish out of water. Once the Aquasox return stateside, look for some roster moves before Everett settles on their true 2009 lineup.

They may want to stick with this crew, though, because they kicked the Canadians' butts tonight.

A: Clinton 6, Cedar Rapids 0
CLI: 39-30... CDR: 40-29

Alfredo Venegas: 7 IP, 2 H, walk, 3 K
Blake Nation: 1 IP
Greg Moviel: 1 IP, walk, 2 K
Luis Nuñez: 1-3, double, 2 R, walk, K
Scott Savastano: 1-3, double, R, 2 RBI, walk
Steve Moss: 0-3, sac fly RBI
Denny Almonte: 0-3, sac fly RBI, 2 K
Ogui Diaz: 1-3, triple, R, walk

Scott Savastano doubled home a run in the 4th, Luis Nuñez's leadoff double in the 6th led to another, and Ogui Diaz's leadoff triple in the 7th set up yet another, as Alfredo Venegas had easily the best start he's had since getting demoted to the MWL, spearheading a 2 hit shutout, though he still gave up a ton of flyballs and got a ton of luck on those.

Groundballs: 6 (plus 1 bunt)
Flyballs: 13
Line Drives: 0
Walks: 1
Strikeouts: 3

A+: High Desert 15, Inland Empire 2
Mavs: 43-26... Empire: 31-38

Nathan Adcock: 8 IP, 2 H, 4 walks, 8 K, wild pitch, hit batter
Steven Richard: 1 IP, 2 H, (2 R) 0 ER, walk, K
Tyson Gillies: 1-3, R, 3 walks, SB #17
Jeff Dominguez: 1-4, 2 R, RBI, 2 walks, K
Jamie McOwen: 1-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, walk
Joe Dunigan: 3-5, GRAND SLAM, 2 R, walk
Alex Liddi: 3-6, 2 doubles, 3 R, 2 RBI
Carlos Peguero: 1-6, solo HR, 4 K: The Golden Sombrero
Travis Scott: 3-3, 2 doubles, 2 R, 3 RBI, 3 walks
Ian Bladergroen: 1-5, double, 2 RBI, 3 K

The entire lineup came to the plate for the Mavs in a four run 5th to give the Mavs a comfortable 6-0 cushion and Nathan Adcock pitched himself a fine game, no runs allowed, despite a few shaky moments.

Groundballs: 7
Flyballs: 8
Line Drives: 2
Walks: 4 (plus 1 hit batter)
Strikeouts: 8

But it went from a stomping to a full-out rout in the 9th, as four Mavs came to the plate twice and five Mavs had extra base hits in a nine run 9th inning to make the score 15-0. Joe Dunigan had the biggest hit of all, hitting a one out grand slam, though Carlos Peguero started the rally with a solo shot. Steven Richard gave up a couple runs to Empire in the 9th, presumably because he felt bad for them.

Not to be outdone, Ian Bladergroen reached base all six times he came to the plate.

AA: They played two in Jackson, because why not.

Game 1: Montgomery 4, West Tenn 3, 7 innings

Justin Souza: 4 IP, 4 H, (3 R) 2 ER, walk, K, 2 hit batters (76 pitches, 55 strikes)
Anthony Varvaro: 2 IP, walk, 2 K (35-20)
Phillippe Aumont: 1 IP, (1 R) 0 ER, K (9-6)
Ezequiel Carrera: 1-3, RBI
Colt Morton: 2-3, double, 2 run HR

In his 3rd game with the JAXX, Colt Morton had two hits, a double and 2 run HR, while starting behind the plate. After getting cut following 11 forgettable games with Lake Elsinore (and a forgettable 6.5 year career) in the Padres system, the M's picked him up and dispatched him to West Tenn to add some depth after Guillermo Quiroz skated off to join the M's.

Also notable in this game is the AA debut of Phillippe Aumont, who Jack Zduriencik's crew deemed fit for a promotion from High A. Correspondingly, the struggling Marwin Vega was sent back to High Desert.

Justin Souza had a curiously short outing, taking more pitches than he would have liked to struggle through four frames. he has struggled a bit lately after a hot stretch through much of May and June.

Groundballs: 6
Flyballs: 5
Line Drives: 3
Pop Ups: 2
Walks: 1 (plus 2 hit batters)
Strikeouts: 1

Game 2: West Tenn 2, Montgomery 1, 7 innings
WTN: 27-43... MON: 33-37

Steven Shell: 5 IP, 2 H, (1 R) 0 ER, 6 K (70 pitches, 50 strikes)
Nick Hill: 1 IP, 3 K (11-9)
Ricky Orta: 1 IP, K (7-5)
Marshall Hubbard: 1-3, double, R, K
Yamid Haad: 1-3, RBI
Oswaldo Navarro: 1-1, RBI, 2 walks, SB

Interesting are the three pitchers used in this 2-1 victory.

First of all, after being brought in as a dispatched reliever from the Nationals org, Steven Shell follows his demotion to AA by making a surprise start and giving the JAXX five surprisingly strong innings. Shell, 26, a 3rd round pick by the Angels in 2001, was a starter while working up the Angels system, but never quite cut the mustard in AAA and had moved to the bullpen when the Nats picked him up in 2008.

This was Shell's first start since he was last with the Angels in 2007. Could this be a return to the rotation for Shell? The JAXX, if they weren't seriously considering it before, may entertain it after this start.

Groundballs: 4
Flyballs: 4
Line Drives: 2
Pop Ups: 1 laughable bunt
Walks: 0
Strikeouts: 6

Secondly, his relief help was Nick Hill, the Military Man who originally was slated to serve with the military and left for that on May 26. However, he's back, and he returned to the active list (with Joey Newby getting sent to High Desert to open up the roster spot), striking out the side in the 6th. Welcome back, Military Man! The JAXX took the lead in the bottom 6th, netting Hill to win to boot.

And finally, Ricky Orta shut the game down in the 7th. Since returning from injury on June 5, the JAXX have used Orta as a reliever, but hadn't test driven him in a closer situation until tonight. Orta handled it, going flyout, pop out, strikeout to end the game.

AAA: Reno 2, Tacoma 1
TAC: 34-35... RENO: 34-36

Doug FISTER: 5 IP, 5 H, 2 ER (HR), walk, 4 K, hit batter (92 pitches, 61 strikes)
Denny Stark: 2.2 IP, 1 H, walk, 4 K (46-32)
Justin Thomas: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 2 walks, 2 K (26-13)
Mike Morse: 2-5, R, K
Bryan LaHair: 1-4, triple, RBI, K
Brad Nelson: 2-3

FISTER actually pitched himself a decent game, but just didn't get any run support, taking his first AAA loss of the season.

Groundballs: 8 (plus 1 bunt)
Flyballs: 8 (1 HR)
Line Drives: 0
Walks: 1 (plus 1 hit batter)
Strikeouts: 4

Never minding the Reno freaking Aces having Tacoma's number, notable in this game isn't Brad Nelson waking up and having another decent game, but Kenji Johjima seeing his first live action since breaking his toe, starting behind the plate and going five innings before ceding to Adam Moore. Joh singled on a groundball to left in the 2nd and flew out to right in the 4th.

Mariners Minor League Wrap-Up for June 10

VENEZUELA~! The VSLMs had Wednesday off.

Dominican: DSL Mariners 5, DSL Athletics 2
DSLMs: 7-3... DSLAs: 4-6

Ambioris Hidalgo: 5 IP, 4 H, walk, 9 K, wild pitch, 2 hit batters
Fello Yan: no outs recorded, 1 ER, walk, hit batter
Enrique Rosario: 3 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, walk, 3 K, wild pitch, hit batter
Nelson Germocen: 1 IP, 2 walks, 3 K
Randy Perez: 0-1, 3 walks, K
Janelfry Zorrilla: 1-3, double, walk, K
Miguel Sanchez: 1-4, 2 run HR, K

A 2 run homer and some bad pitching helped the DSLMs pour on three runs in the 2nd, and some bad pitching and defense helped the DSLMs add two more in the 3rd to put the game away. The DSLAs issued five walks and a wild pitch in those two frames, plus gave up a passed ball.

A: Clinton 5, Peoria 3
CLI: 32-27... PEO: 30-27

Alfredo Venegas: 6 IP, 6 H, 3 ER (2 HR), walk, 3 K
Stephen Penney: 1.2 IP, 2 H
Ruben Flores: 1.1 IP, 2 K
Luis Nuñez: 2-4, R, RBI, K
Kris Sanchez: 1-3, RBI, walk
Nate Tenbrink: 1-3, solo HR, walk
Blake Ochoa: 1-2, solo HR, walk, K
Ogui Diaz: 2-3, double, R, SB

Nate Tenbrink homered to lead off the 5th, and three consecutive one out singles in the 6th powered a two run frame.

These Alfredo Venegas starts are beginning to go better, but you've still got the same erratic flyball pitcher. Manager Scott Steinmann sent him back out for the 7th with a 3-1 lead and regretted it: After the leadoff batter snuck a grounder into right, Rebel Ridling took Venegas deep for a two run bomb to tie the ballgame and that was that for Venegas.

Groundballs: 4
Flyballs: 7 (2 HR)
Line Drives: 5
Pop Ups: 3
Walks: 1
Strikeouts: 3

The Lumberkings got their revenge in the bottom 7th. Blake Ochoa went deep and Ogui Diaz's follow up double eventually led to another run to make it 5-3.

A+: Visalia 9, High Desert 4
Mavs: 39-21... ROLLIN ROLLIN ROLLIN RAWHIDE: 37-23

Jake Wild: 4 IP, 7 H, (6 R) 1 ER (HR), walk, 4 K, wild pitch (HA GET IT)
Juan Zapata: 1 IP, (1 R) 0 ER, walk
Marwin Vega: 2 Ip, 2 H, 1 ER (HR), 3 K
Phillippe Aumont: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, walk
Tyson Gillies: 2-4, R, walk, SB #15
Edilio Colina: 1-5, double, 2 K
Jamie McOwen: 1-4, RBI
Alex Liddi: 3-4, double, solo HR
Jeff Dominguez: 2-4, R, K

Though the Mavs' undoing came in a 5 run 4th inning, Jake Wild just left too many pitches up in the zone in an unusually off performance, and the best team in the Cal League's more pitching friendly (read: no launchpads) division had more than enough runs to overcome shaky pitching on their own part.

Groundballs: 6
Flyballs: 9 (1 HR)
Line Drives: 0
Pop Ups: 1
Walks: 1
Strikeouts: 4

AA: The JAXX had Wednesday off.

AAA: Hey, the Rainiers also had Wednesday off.

Mariners Minor League Wrap-Up for June 9 (brief)

VENEZUELA~! VSL Mariners 6, VSL Mets 1
VSLMs: 12-8... VSL Mets: 9-10

Yovanny Olivero: 5 IP, 4 H, 5 K
Maykel Ynfantes: 2 IP, 1 H, (1 R) 0 ER, 2 walks
Mayckol Guaipe: 2 IP
Rafael Torrealba: 1-3, triple, R, SB
Ivan Ramirez: 1-4, double, R, 3 RBI
Carlos Ramirez: 2-4, 2 R, 2 K
Michael Acevedo: 2-4, double, 2 RBI, K
Roberto Velasquez: 0-3, sac fly RBI

Dominican: DSL Phillies 3, DSL Mariners 2
DSLMs: 6-3... DSL Phils: 4-5

Henry Perez: 5 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 6 K, hit batter
Richard Vargas: 3 IP, 1 H, K, hit batter
Bruno Mercedes: 1 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, walk, wild pitch
Randy Perez: 3-4, RBI, K
Jose Martinez: 0-4, 4 K: The Golden Sombrero
Mario Flores: 2-4, double, solo HR, 2 R, K

A: Quad Cities 7, Clinton 3
CLI: 31-27... QC: 26-31

Brett Lorin: 5 IP, 8 H, (4 R) 3 ER (2 HR), 4 K, hit batter
Greg Moviel: 2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 4 K
Andres Esquibel: 1 IP, 3 H, (2 R) 1 ER
Luis Nuñez: 1-5, double, RBI
Steve Moss: 2-4, 2 doubles, RBI, K
Nate Tenbrink: 1-4, double, R
Blake Ochoa: 3-3, R

Lorin:

Groundballs: 7
Flyballs: 8 (2 HR)
Line Drives: 3
Pop Ups: 2
Walks: 0 (but 1 hit batter)
Strikeouts: 4

A+: Visalia 6, High Desert 5

Nathan Adcock: 4.2 IP, 8 H, 5 ER (HR), 2 walks
Travis Mortimore: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 1 ER
Aaron Jensen: 1.2 IP, 2 K
Tyson Gillies: 2-4, R, RBI, walk, SB #14
Jamie McOwen: 1-5, RBI, 2 K
Joe Dunigan: 1-4, RBI, 2 K
Alex Liddi: 1-4, solo HR, K
Carlos Peguero: 1-4, solo HR, K
Ian Bladergroen: 1-3, double, R, walk

Groundballs: 5
Flyballs: 11 (1 HR)
Line Drives: 4
Pop Ups: 3
Walks: 2
Strikeouts: 0

AA: Huntsville 6, West Tenn 2

Justin Souza: 4 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, K (78 pitches, 52 strikes)
Matt Renfree: 2 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 2 K (39-28)
Aaron Cotter: 2 IP, walk (22-12)
Josh Fields: 1 IP (8-4)
Marshall Hubbard: 3-3, solo HR, walk
Oswaldo Navarro: 2-3, double, R, walk, K
rest of JAXX lineup: 5-26, 3 walks, 7 K

Souza:

Groundballs: 2
Flyballs: 5
Line Drives: 8
Pop Ups: 2
Walks: 0
Strikeouts: 1

AAA: Tacoma 6, Las Vegas 3

Doug FISTER: 7 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 4 K (99 pitches, 62 strikes)
Jared Wells: one out, 2 H, 1 ER (10-5)
Justin Thomas: two outs, 1 H (10-7)
Randy Messenger: 1 IP, K (10-9)
Prentice Redman: 2-4, double, 2 R, RBI
Michael Saunders: 2-3, R, RBI, 2 walks
Jeff Clement: 2-5, double, R, 3 RBI
Adam Moore: 1-3, RBI, walk, K

Doogie FISTER M.D.

Groundballs: 14
Flyballs: 7
Line Drives: 1
Walks: 0
Strikeouts: 4

Mariners Minor League Wrap-Up for June 8 (brief)

VENEZUELA~! VSL Pirates 7, VSL Mariners 0

Jose Campos: 2.1 IP, 4 H, (4 R) 3 ER, 3 walks, wild pitch
Edlando Seco: 1 IP, 1 H, 2 ER, 5 walks
Ricardo Pereira: 2.2 IP, 2 H, 2 walks, 2 K
Isliexel Gonzalez: 2 IP, 1 H, (1 R) 0 ER, 3 walks
Michael Acevedo: 2-4
rest of VSLMs lineup: 4-27, 5 walks, 5 K

Dominican: DSL Cardinals 9, DSL Mariners 7

Junior Nuñez: 3.2 IP, 7 H, (6 R) 4 ER, 2 walks, 3 K
Ariel Alcantara: 1.1 IP, walk, 4 K
Joan Vizcaino: 1 IP, 1 H, 2 ER, walk, wild pitch
Fray Martinez: 2 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 3 K, balk
Victor Ozuna: 1-4, double, 2 R, walk, 2 K
Jose Martinez: 2-5, double, R, 3 RBI, K
Mario Flores: 2-3
Augusto Marte: 1-3, double, RBI, walk

A: Clinton 16, Quad Cities 2

Aaron Pribanic: 5.1 IP, 3 H, (1 R) 0 ER, 3 K, hit batter
Blake Nation: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 2 K
Jose Jimenez: 2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER (HR), walk, 2 K
Jacob Shaffer: 1-4, 2 R, RBI, walk
Luis Nuñez: 2-6, R, K
Scott Savastano: 3-6, solo HR, 2 R, 3 RBI
Kris Sanchez: 3-6, double, solo HR, 3 R, K
Denny Almonte: 2-5, DENNY'S GRAND SLAM, 2 R, walk, 2 K
Nate Tenbrink: 3-4, double, 2 R, RBI, 2 walks
Blake Ochoa: 1-5, R, RBI
Mario Martinez: 2-5, 2 R, 2 RBI
Terry Serrano: 2-5, double, R, RBI

Pribanic:

Groundballs: 14 (plus 2 bunts)
Flyballs: 2
Line Drives: 0
Walks: 0 (but 1 hit batter)
Strikeouts: 3

A+: High Desert 5, Visalia 2

Donnie Hume: 7 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 2 walks, 3 K, 2 wild pitches
Christian Staehely: 2 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, walk, 2 K, balk
Juan Diaz: 2-4, double, R
Jamie McOwen: 1-3, sac fly RBI
Joe Dunigan: 1-4, RBI, K
Alex Liddi: 1-4, double, R, 2 K
Carlos Peguero: 2-4, solo HR
Guy Welsh: 1-4, 2 run HR
Jeff Dominguez: 1-4, double

Hume:

Groundballs: 6 (plus 2 bunts)
Flyballs: 10
Line Drives: 3
Pop Ups: 2
Walks: 2
Strikeouts: 3

AA: Huntsville 2, West Tenn 1

Dan Christensen: 5.2 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 4 walks, 4 K (96 pitches, 59 strikes)
Ricky Orta: 2.1 IP, 3 K (26-16)
Mumba Rivera: 1 IP, 1 H (16-9)
Johan Limonta: 2-2, 2 doubles
Yamid Haad: 3-4, solo HR, K
Erick Monzon: 2-4

Christensen:

Groundballs: 7
Flyballs: 4
Line Drives: 5
Pop Ups: 2
Walks: 4
Strikeouts: 4

AAA: Las Vegas 10, Tacoma 8

Josh Hall: 4.1 IP, 11 H, (8 R) 7 ER, 2 walks, 3 K (86 pitches, 52 strikes)
Jesus Delgado: 1.2 IP, 3 H (27-17)
Roy Corcoran: 1 IP, 1 H, (1 R) 0 ER, K (18-11)
Randy Messenger: 1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER (16-10)
Prentice Redman: 2-5, R, RBI, K
Michael Saunders: 1-4, solo HR, 2 R, K
Jeff Clement: 2-5, triple, R
Chris Shelton: 1-4, double, R, RBI, walk, K
Mike Carp: 3-5, 2 doubles, R, 3 RBI
Brad Nelson: 1-5, double, RBI, 2 K
Chris Woodward: 2-4, R
Fleming Baez: 2-4, double, R, K

Josh the Tomato Can:

Groundballs: 13
Flyballs: 2
Line Drives: 6
Walks: 2
Strikeouts: 3

Mariners Minor League Wrap-Up for June 7 (brief)

VENEZUELA~! VSL Mariners 6, VSL Rays 4

Reynaldo Sabala: 4.1 IP, 5 H, 3 ER (HR), walk, 3 K
Oberth Guanire: 3.2 IP, 3 H, (1 R) 0 ER, 4 K, wild pitch
Manuel Campos: 1 IP, 1 H, walk, K
Carlos Ramirez: 3-5, double, RBI
Rigoberto Rangel: 1-5, R, RBI, 2 K
Larry Gonzalez: 3-4, 3 run HR, K

The DSLMs had today off.

A: Clinton 4, Quad Cities 2, 10 innings

Kenn Kasparek: 6.1 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 8 K
Ryan Moorer: 1.2 IP, 2 walks, K
Andres Esquibel: 1 IP, 1 H
Ruben Flores: 1 IP, walk, K
Jacob Shaffer: 2-5, R
Scott Savastano: 2-5, RBI, K
Denny Almonte: 2-5, R, RBI, K
Kris Sanchez: 2-3, double, RBI, walk
Luis Nuñez: 3-4, 2 R, K

Kasparek:

Groundballs: 7
Flyballs: 7
Line Drives: 2
Walks: 0
Strikeouts: 8

A+: High Desert 7, Stockton 5

Juan Carlos Ramirez: 5 IP, 4 H, (2 R) 0 ER, 4 walks, 2 K
Brandon Pullen: two outs, 2 H, 2 ER (HR), 2 walks, K
Natividad Dilone: 2 IP, 2 H, (1 R) 0 ER, K
Phillippe Aumont: 1.1 IP, 2 K
Jamie McOwen: 3-3, R, 2 RBI, walk
Ian Bladergroen: 3-5, double, solo HR, 2 K
Joe Dunigan: 1-4, RBI, walk
Kuo Hui Lo: 2-4, double, 2 RBI, 2 K
Jeff Dominguez: 1-4, double, R, walk

JCR:

Groundballs: 6
Flyballs: 8
Line Drives: 2
Pop Ups: 1
Walks: 4
Strikeouts: 2

AA: They played two in Jackson.

Game 1: West Tenn 9, Huntsville 6, 7 innings

Kyle Parker: 6.2 IP, 9 H, 5 ER (HR), 3 walks, 3 K (97 pitches, 57 strikes)
Ricky Orta: one out, 1 H, 1 ER (HR) (3-2)
Mel Stocker: 1-3, triple, R, walk
Marshall Hubbard: 2-2, 2 R, sac fly RBI, walk, SB
Johan Limonta: 4-4, 2 triples, 2 R, 4 RBI
Leury Bonilla: 1-4, 2 run HR
Yamid Haad: 2-2, double, solo HR, sac fly RBI

Terrence:

Groundballs: 8 (plus 2 bunts)
Flyballs: 4
Line Drives: 9 (1 HR)
Pop Ups: 1
Walks: 3
Strikeouts: 3

Game 2: Huntsville 5, West Tenn 1, 10 innings

Luis Muñoz: 6 IP, 5 H, 1 ER (HR), 2 walks, 4 K (92 pitches, 60 strikes)
Anthony Varvaro: 2 IP, 2 walks (36-20)
Aaron Cotter: 2 IP, 3 H, 4 ER (2 HR), (intentional) walk, K (30-20)
Mel Stocker: 3-5, R
Marshall Hubbard: 1-3, sac fly RBI, 2 K
Brent Johnson: 1-4, double

Luis:

Groundballs: 5
Flyballs: 6
Line Drives: 3 (1 HR)
Pop Ups: 2
Walks: 2
Strikeouts: 4

AAA: Las Vegas 4, Tacoma 0

Gaby Hernandez: 6 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 2 walks, 3 K, wild pitch, hit batter (98 pitches, 60 strikes)
Justin Thomas: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 3 walks (35-16)
Eric Hull: one out, 2 H, 2 ER, 3 walks, 2 wild pitches (34-18)
Steven Shell: one out (1-1)
Prentice Redman: 2-4, double, K
Mike Morse: 1-3, double, 2 K
rest of Rainiers lineup: 2-24, 11 K

Gaby:

Groundballs: 5
Flyballs: 9
Line Drives: 2
Pop Ups: 5
Walks: 2
Strikeouts: 3

Mariners Minor League Wrap-Up for June 6 (brief)

VENEZUELA~! VSL Mariners 17, VSL Phillies 2

Erasmo Ramirez: 6 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 4 K
Jesus Pirela: 2 IP, 2 H
Cruz Pereira: 1 IP, 1 H, (1 R) 0 ER, K, wild pitch
Felipe Burin: 3-5, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 walks
Yidid Batista: 2-6, 3 run HR, walk, 2 K
Rigoberto Rangel: 3-6, double, 2 run HR, 3 R, walk
Ivan Ramirez: 3-6, double, R, 2 RBI
Carlos Ramirez: 4-5, double, 3 R, 2 RBI
Michael Acevedo: 1-6, double, R, 2 RBI, K
Eduardo Garcia: 0-4, R, sac fly RBI, 2 K
Kenny Hart: 2-4, 2 doubles, 2 R, RBI, walk

Dominican: DSL Athletics 5, DSL Mariners 0

George Mieses: 5 IP, 5 H, (3 R) 1 ER, walk, 5 K, 2 wild pitches, balk
Gregorio Aquino: 3 IP, 1 H, (2 R) 0 ER, 3 K
Bertin Sanon: 1-3, double, K
rest of DSLMs lineup: 0-25, 10 K

A: Clinton 10, Quad Cities 9, 14 innings

Bobby LaFromboise: 5 IP, 9 H, 6 ER, walk, 2 K
Blake Nation: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, K
Stephen Penney: 2.1 IP, 1 H, 2 K
Cheyne Hann: 2 IP, 1 H, walk, 2 K
Greg Moviel: 2 IP, 2 H, (2 R) 1 ER
Ruben Flores: 1 IP, 2 K
Scott Savastano: 5-6, R
Denny Almonte: 3-7, R, RBI, 2 K, SB
Kris Sanchez: 2-3, double, R, RBI, walk
Travis Howell: 2-6, R, 3 RBI, walk, K
Mario Martinez: 0-5, sac fly RBI, SB
Luis Nuñez: 5-7, R, K

LaFromboise:

Groundballs: 5
Flyballs: 5
Line Drives: 9 (!)
Pop Ups: 2
Walks: 1
Strikeouts: 2

A+: They completed the game suspended last night, and managed to complete today's scheduled game as well.

Conclusion of Friday's game: High Desert 8, Stockton 4

Jake Wild: 5.1 IP, 4 H, (1 R) 0 ER, 3 walks, 3 K
Travis Mortimore: 2.1 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 3 walks, 4 K, hit batter
Natividad Dilone: one out, K
Steven Richard: 1 IP, 1 H, 2 K, wild pitch, hit batter
Tyson Gillies: 3-4, 2 R, walk, K, SBs #11, 12 and 13
Edilio Colina: 1-5, double, RBI, K
Jamie McOwen: 1-5, R, RBI
Joe Dunigan: 1-4, RBI, walk, K
Carlos Peguero: 2-4, R
Gavin Dickey: 1-4, R, RBI
Jeff Dominguez: 1-4, GRAND SLAM, K

Wild:

Groundballs: 9
Flyballs: 5
Line Drives: 0
Pop Ups: 2
Walks: 3
Strikeouts: 3

Game 2: High Desert 7, Stockton 4

Steven Hensley: 7.2 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 walks, 5 K, hit batter
Marwin Vega: 1 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 3 walks, 2 K, wild pitch
Edward Paredes: one out, walk
Joe Dunigan: 1-3, 2 R, RBI, 2 walks, K
Alex Liddi: 0-2, sac fly RBI, 2 K
Carlos Peguero: 1-4, double, R, 2 RBI
Travis Scott: 1-4, 2 run HR, 2 K

Groundballs: 3 (plus 1 bunt)
Flyballs: 15
Line Drives: 1
Pop Ups: 2
Walks: 2 (plus 1 hit batter)
Strikeouts: 5

AA: Huntsville 7, West Tenn 5

Steve Bray: 5 IP, 7 H, 2 ER (HR), 2 walks, K (90 pitches, 60 strikes)
Mumba Rivera: 1 IP, 1 H, (1 R) 0 ER, walk, hit batter (27-12)
Josh Fields: 1 IP (17-12)
Joey Newby: two outs, 1 H, 4 ER, 4 walks, wild pitch (39-16)
Matt Renfree: 1.1 IP, 1 H (16-12)
Oswaldo Navarro: 2-3, 2 R, walk
Marshall Hubbard: 1-3, 2 run HR, 2 R
Brent Johnson: 1-3, RBI
Johan Limonta: 1-4, RBI, SB
Leury Bonilla: 1-3, RBI, walk

Bray:

Groundballs: 4
Flyballs: 7
Line Drives: 7 (1 HR)
Pop Ups: 1
Walks: 2
Strikeouts: 1

AAA: Tacoma 9, Las Vegas 2

Andrew Baldwin: 7 IP, 5 H, (2 R) 1 ER (HR), 2 walks, K, hit batter (70 pitches, 44 strikes)
Roy Corcoran: 1 IP, 1 H (16-12)
Jesus Delgado: 1 IP, 1 H (7-5)
Prentice Redman: 1-5, double, RBI, K
Michael Saunders: 1-4, 2 RBI, walk
Mike Morse: 3-5, 2 R
Bryan LaHair: 2-4, 2 run HR, sac fly RBI, 2 K
Adam Moore: 2-5, double, 2 R, K
Chris Woodward: 2-4, double, 2 R, 2 RBI, SB

PHAT ANDY 22:

Groundballs: 8
Flyballs: 4
Line Drives: 5 (1 HR)
Pop Ups: 4
Walks: 2 (plus 1 hit batter)
Strikeouts: 1

Mariners Minor League Wrap-Up for May 29

Again, we're going to keep this short and sweet due to backlog, though there are a couple items worth pointing out.

VENEZUELA~! VSL Mariners 13, VSL Cardinals 6
VSLMs: 5-5... VSL Cards: 7-3

Yovanny Olivero: 5 IP, 9 H, (4 R) 2 ER (HR), walk, 3 K
Mayckol Guaipe: 2 IP, 4 H, (1 R) 0 ER, walk
Manuel Campos: 2 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 3 K, wild pitch
Jorge Agudelo: 1-4, double, 3 R, 2 RBI, walk
Rigoberto Rangel: 2-4, double, 2 run HR, 2 R, sac fly RBI, walk
Michael Acevedo: 3-5, R, sac fly RBI
Ivan Ramirez: 5-6, double, solo HR
Kenny Hart: 2-5, solo HR, walk, K
Larry Gonzalez: 2-5, double, R, RBI
Reginald Lampe: 1-3, double, R, 2 walks

Olivero:

Groundballs: 7 (plus 1 bunt)
Flyballs: 7 (1 HR)
Line Drives: 4
Walks: 1
Strikeouts: 3

A: South Bend 4, Clinton 1
CLI: 25-23... SOU: 23-23

Brett Lorin: 5 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 3 walks, 5 K
Andres Esquibel: 1 IP, 2 walks, 2 K, wild pitch
Ryan Moorer: 2 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 2 walks, wild pitch, 2 hit batters
Jacob Shaffer: 1-4, double
Denny Almonte: 1-4, double, R
rest of Lumberkings lineup: 3-23, 3 walks, 5 K

Groundballs: 8
Flyballs: 2
Line Drives: 4
Pop Ups: 3
Walks: 3
Strikeouts: 5

A+: Lake Elsinore 7, High Desert 2
Mavs: 32-16... Lake: 27-21

Donnie Hume: 5 IP, 8 H, 5 ER (HR), walk, 3 K
Juan Zapata: 2 IP, 1 H, walk, K
Natividad Dilone: 1 IP, 1 H, (2 R) 0 ER, 2 walks
Aaron Jensen: 1 IP, 1 H, walk
Tyson Gillies: 2-4, 2 triples (!), 2 R, K
Edilio Colina: 1-3, 2 RBI
Carlos Peguero: 2-4, K

Hume:

Groundballs: 8
Flyballs: 10 (1 HR)
Line Drives: 1
Pop Ups: 2
Walks: 1
Strikeouts: 3

AA: They played two MORE in Jackson!

Game 1: Chattanooga 7, West Tenn 0, 7 innings

Dan Christensen: 4 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, 2 walks, 5 K, wild pitch (85 pitches, 53 strikes)
Marwin Vega: 2 IP, 4 H, 2 ER (HR), walk, K (47-28)
Matt Renfree: 1 IP, walk, K (13-8)
The DIAMOND JAXX were one hit: 1-23, 3 walks, 9 K

Christensen:

Groundballs: 5 (plus 1 bunt)
Flyballs: 2
Line Drives: 6
Walks: 2
Strikeouts: 5

Chattanooga's lefthander Scott Elbert (23 years old): 39.2 IP, 4 HR, 18 BB, 49 K, 3.63 ERA in AA. He's also made three miserable appearances for the Dodgers this season.

Groundballs: 5
Flyballs: 4
Line Drives: 2
Pop Ups: 1
Walks: 3 (plus 2 hit batters)
Strikeouts: 9 (six straight at one point)

Game 2: Chattanooga 2, West Tenn 0, 7 innings
WTN: 19-28... CHA: 20-28

Patrick Ryan: 5 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 3 walks, 6 K, wild pitch (93 pitches, 54 strikes)
Josh Newby: 2 IP, 2 H, (1 R) 0 ER, 2 walks, K (29-16)
Mel Stocker: 1-3, double, walk, SB #10
Marshall Hubbard: 1-2, double, walk, K
rest of JAXX lineup: 0-19, 4 walks, 8 K

Ryan:

Groundballs: 5
Flyballs: 2
Line Drives: 4
Walks: 3
Strikeouts: 6

After 8 runs in yesterday's doubleheader, the JAXX had three hits total in this doubleheader. Were they wore out? Perhaps, but wasn't Chattanooga worn out as well?

AAA: Colorado Springs 13, Tacoma 9
TAC: 26-22... CSP: 29-18

Doug FISTER: 5 IP, 9 H, 6 ER, walk, 4 K (101 pitches, 63 strikes)
Brodie Downs: 1 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, walk (24-11)
Tyler Johnson: one out, 3 H, 4 ER (HR), walk (21-10)
Jared Wells: 1.2 IP, 1 H, (intentional) walk, K (24-14)
Michael Saunders: 2-4, 2 R, RBI, walk
Jeff Clement: 1-4, double, 2 R, walk, K
Chris Shelton: 2-5, double, 3 run HR
Mike Morse: 2-4, RBI
Adam Moore: 3-4, R

Rather than post FISTER's balls in play numbers, I took a closer look at the 6th and 7th innings and found something that would indicate why pitchers for both sides got lit up today, and it has little to do with the high altitude in Colorado.

Mariners Minor League Wrap-Up for May 28

Apologies for the delay. In order to get back up to speed, we're going to mostly stick with just the numbers.

VENEZUELA~! VSL Mariners 13, VSL Rays 5

Jose Campos: 4 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, walk, K, wild pitch
Angel Raga: 2 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, walk
Oberth Guanire: 1.1 IP, 2 H, (2 R) 1 ER, walk, K
Ivan Julio: 1.2 IP, 2 walks, K, 2 wild pitches
Carlos Ramirez: 2-6, 2 doubles, R, RBI, K
Rigoberto Rangel: 1-2, 2 R, RBI, 2 walks
Michael Acevedo: 1-5, 3 run HR, walk
Ivan Ramirez: 0-4, 2 RBI (?), walk, K
Larry Gonzalez: 2-5, 2 run HR, 2 R
Ramon Coronel: 1-4, double, R, 2 RBI, K

Jose Campos:

Groundballs: 3
Flyballs: 7
Pop Ups: 5
Walks: 1
Strikeouts: 1

A: Clinton 8, Peoria 3

Blake Nation: 3.1 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, K
Jose Jimenez: 3 IP, 2 H, 1 ER (HR), 3 K
Stephen Penney: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, K, wild pitch
Greg Moviel: one out, walk, wild pitch
Ruben Flores: 1 IP, 1 H, 3 K
Jacob Shaffer: 3-5, 3 doubles (!), 3 R
Scott Savastano: 1-4, double, 2 R, K
Kris Sanchez: 2-5, double, RBI
Travis Howell: 1-3, double, R, 3 RBI, walk
Nate Tenbrink: 3-5, R, K
Maximo Mendez: 0-3, sac fly RBI
Luis Nuñez: 1-4, RBI

Nation:

1st: Flyout, flyout, flyout
2nd: Flyout, flyout, flyout
3rd: Groundout, fly single, pop out, groundout
4th: Strikeout, fly single, fly double, end

Jimenez:

4th: (in with one out) Flyout, strikeout
5th: Home run, fly single, strikeout, flyout, pop out
6th: Flyout, groundout, lineout
7th: Strikeout, end

A+: Lake Elsinore 1, High Desert 0

Juan Carlos Ramirez: 5 IP, 3 H, 4 walks, 4 K, hit batter
Jake Wild: 2 IP, 2 H, walk, K
Steven Richard: 1.1 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, walk, 2 K
Aaron Jensen: two outs
Jamie McOwen: 2-4, K
rest of Mavs lineup: 2-28, walk, 9 K

JCR:

Groundballs: 9
Flyballs: 5
Line Drives: 0
Walks: 4 (plus 1 hit batter)
Strikeouts: 4

AA: They played two in Jackson!

Game 1: West Tenn 5, Chattanooga 2, 7 innings

Steve Bray: 5 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 4 walks, 2 K (92 pitches, 61 strikes)
Mumba Rivera: 2 IP, 1 H, 2 walks, 2 K (44-24)
Mel Stocker: 1-3, triple, R, RBI
Greg Halman: 0-2, sac fly RBI, 2 K
Marshall Hubbard: 2-3, R
Johan Limonta: 1-3, triple, R, 2 RBI
Yamid Haad: sac fly RBI, walk, R

Bray:

Groundballs: 4
Flyballs: 9
Line Drives: 3
Walks: 4
Strikeouts: 2

Also, Mike Wilson is back! And still in AA due to the AAA logjam. Looks like Jack Zduriencik is going to make AA vets like Wilson and Marshall Hubbard earn their way up with spectacular performances, rather than give them an entitlement promotion that many prospects tend to get after a full year at a given level.

Game 2: West Tenn 3, Chattanooga 2

Kyle Parker: 6 IP, 4 H, 2 ER (2 HR), walk, 4 K (82 pitches, 48 strikes)
Josh Fields: 1 IP, 2 walks, K (19-7)
Mike Wilson: 3-4, R, RBI, K
Erick Monzon: 2-3, double, R
Johan Limonta: 2-3, 2 RBI
Jose Yepez: 1-3, double

Terrence:

Groundballs: 8
Flyballs: 3
Line Drives: 5 (2 HR)
Pop Ups: 1
Walks: 1
Strikeouts: 4

AAA: Tacoma 5, Nashville 3

Ryan Rowland-Smith: 5 IP, 3 H, walk, 3 K (81 pitches, 54 strikes)
Josh Hall: 2.1 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 2 walks, hit batter (47-26)
Jesus Delgado: two outs, 1 H, K (9-7)
Randy Messenger: 1 IP, 1 H, walk (16-7)
Jeff Clement: 2-4, K
Chris Shelton: 1-3, R, RBI, walk, K
Mike Morse: 0-3, sac fly RBI, K
Adam Moore: 2-3, 3 run HR

RRS:

Groundballs: 6 (plus 1 bunt)
Flyballs: 7
Line Drives: 0
Walks: 1
Strikeouts: 3

Mariners Minor League Wrap-Up for May 27

VENEZUELA~! The VSLMs had the day off, as it appears the VSL has switched their weekly day off from Sunday to Wednesday.

A: Peoria 3, Clinton 2
CLI: 24-22... PEO: 24-20

Kenn Kasparek: 6.1 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 4 K
Ryan Moorer: 1.1 IP, 1 H, (1 R) 0 ER, K
Ruben Flores: one out, (1 R) 0 ER, 2 walks, K, wild pitch
Kris Sanchez: 1-4, double, 2 RBI
Travis Howell: 2-3, walk, K
rest of Lumberkings lineup: 2-23, 3 walks, 10 K

The Lumberkings got two runs in the 3rd off a Kris Sanchez double down the RF line, and Kenn Kasparek pitched into the 7th with a 2-1 lead.

Groundballs: 11
Flyballs: 5
Line Drives: 1
Pop Ups: 3
Walks: 0
Strikeouts: 4

But Ryan Moorer left with a man on 3rd and two outs after a leadoff double, and Ruben Flores watched 3B Nate Tenbrink throw a groundball YIKES AND AWAY to let in the tying run and put the batter on 2nd. Flores intentionally passed the next batter, then unintentionally passed the next batter before uncorking a wild pitch to let in the go-ahead run.

A+: High Desert 6, Lake Elsinore 5
Mavs: 32-14... Lake: 25-21

Steven Hensley: 6 IP, 5 H, 3 ER (HR), 2 walks, 3 K
Edward Paredes: 1 IP, 2 H, 2 ER (HR), K
Travis Mortimore: 1 IP, 1 H, K
Phillippe Aumont: 1 IP, 2 K
Tyson Gillies: 1-3, triple, 2 R, RBI, walk, K
Edilio Colina: 2-4, double, R, RBI
Jamie McOwen: 2-3, R, walk, K
Alex Liddi: 1-4, R, 2 RBI
Travis Scott: 2-3, 2 doubles, walk
Juan Diaz: 2-4, double, R, RBI
Wind: 13 mph out to CF

The Mavs drew four walks in a four run 1st inning to stake Steven Hensley to a quick lead he had little trouble holding despite a two run homer allowed in the 3rd and another run in the 5th. He left with a 6-3 lead after walking the leadoff batter in the 7th.

Groundballs: 11
Flyballs: 5 (1 HR)
Line Drives: 2
Walks: 2
Strikeouts: 3

Lake made it interesting with a couple runs off the always-hittable Edward Paredes, but Travis Mortimore shook off a two out ground single to pitch a scoreless 8th, and Phillippe Aumont went strikeout, groundout, strikeout to throw a perfect 9th for his 8th save.

AA: More wet weather in Jackson, TN postponed the doubleheader for West Tenn against Chattanooga. They'll try to play a doubleheader Thursday and another one Friday.

AAA: Nashville 8, Tacoma 6
TAC: 25-21... NAS: 26-21

Gaby Hernandez: 6 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, walk, 2 K (94 pitches, 58 strikes)
Jared Wells: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 3 ER (HR), walk, K (27-14)
Justin Thomas: 1 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, walk, hit batter (24-13)
Eric Hull: two outs, 1 H, 1 ER (HR), K (10-7)
Jeff Clement: 1-2, double, R, 3 walks
Chris Shelton: 2-5, RBI
Brad Nelson: 1-4, R, 2 RBI, K
Mike Morse: 2-4, double, 2 RBI, walk, K
Jamie Burke: 2-4, double, R, 2 K
Chris Woodward: 2-4, double, R, 2 K, SB

Brad Nelson and Mike Morse knocked in runs during a three run 1st inning, and Gaby Hernandez did just fine over six strong innings despite a litany of flyballs, leaving with a 6-2 lead.

Groundballs: 3 (plus 1 bunt)
Flyballs: 12
Line Drives: 3
Pop Ups: 3
Walks: 1
Strikeouts: 2

Jared Wells pitched a 1-2-3 7th, but suffered severe run damage in the 8th, Adam Heether taking him deep for a two run shot in a three run frame to cut the lead to 6-5 before Justin Thomas came in and got out of that mess. However, in the 9th, Thomas himself put two men on before Eric Hull relieved him, got a flyout, then served up a backbreaking three run homer to Heether, his 2nd of the night after hitting one this entire season prior.

Jeff Clement and Mike Morse got on in the 9th, but Bryan LaHair's strikeout ended the game.

Mariners Minor League Wrap-Up for May 26

VENEZUELA~! VSL Mets 4, VSL Mariners 3
VSLMs: 3-5... VSL Mets: 3-4

Reynaldo Sabala: 4 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, walk, 5 K
Edlando Seco: 4 IP, 1 H, (1 R) 0 ER, walk, 5 K, balk
Rafael Torrealba: 2-3, R, walk, K
Jorge Agudelo: 1-4, RBI, 2 K
Reginald Lampe: 2-4, K
Felipe Burin: 1-3, double, R, K

The VSL Mets chipped away at Reynaldo Sabala, and once they got to reliever Edlando Seco and got a gift run, it was 4-2 VSL Mets and they wouldn't look back.

A: Clinton 9, Peoria 3
CLI: 24-21... PEO: 23-20

Bobby LaFromboise: 4 IP, 5 H, 2 ER (HR), walk, 5 K, wild pitch
Cheyne Hann: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, walk, 3 K
Stephen Penney: 1.2 IP, K
Greg Moviel: 1.2 IP
Jacob Shaffer: 1-6, R, RBI, 4 K: The Golden Sombrero
Denny Almonte: 1-4, R, 2 RBI, walk, 2 K
Kris Sanchez: 2-3, 3 R, 2 walks
Steve Moss: 3-5, 2 doubles, R, 2 RBI
Nate Tenbrink: 1-2, double, 3 RBI, K
Mario Martinez: 2-5
Blake Ochoa: 2-4, double, R, RBI, walk
Ogui Diaz: 2-5, R, K

This start for Bobby LaFRomboise didn't go as well, as he gave up a couple runs and didn't make it through the minimum, but the Lumberkings took the lead in the 5th off a Steve Moss single and a Nate Tenbrink sac fly to make it 4-2 before Spuds took a seat, and some smallball and a couple Chiefs errors helped them blow it open with a five run 6th to put the game out of reach.

Groundballs: 6 (plus 1 bunt)
Flyballs: 4 (1 HR)
Line Drives: 1
Pop Ups: 1
Walks: 1
Strikeouts: 5 (1 on an ill advised two strike bunt)

A+: The Mavs had today off, and after this past week, they need it.

AA: Rain postponed West Tenn's game with Chattanooga. They get to play a doubleheader tomorrow... weather permitting.

AAA: Tacoma 10, Nashville 7
TAC: 25-20... NAS: 25-21

Andrew Baldwin: 6 IP, 9 H, (6 R) 5 ER (HR), 6 K (95 pitches, 61 strikes)
Eric Hull: 1 IP, 1 H, 2 K (13-10)
Tyler Johnson: 1 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, wild pitch (13-8)
Randy Messenger: 1 IP, 1 H, 2 walks (20-10)
Prentice Redman: 3-5, 2 doubles, 2 R, RBI
Michael Saunders: 2-5, 2 R
Jeff Clement: 2-3, double, 3 R, 3 RBI, walk
Chris Shelton: 2-4, double, RBI, walk, K
Brad Nelson: 0-1, sac fly RBI, 2 walks, K
Mike Morse: 1-4, RBI
Bryan LaHair: 1-4, R, RBI

Both teams threw up three spots in the 1st. PHAT ANDY 22 still doesn't feel like rapping today, continuing to get hit and falling back to Earth after a solid 2008 in Tacoma. He had a bad 1st, strung together four scoreless frames as the Rainiers built a 5-3 lead, then gave it back in a three run 6th to give the Sounds a 6-5 lead before he called it a night.

Groundballs: 10 (plus 1 bunt)
Flyballs: 4 (1 HR)
Line Drives: 5
Pop Ups: 2
Walks: 0
Strikeouts: 6

An error and a wild pitch helped Bryan LaHair score in the bottom 6th to TIE THE BALLGAME. Despite putting a runner on 3rd with one out, the Sounds could not score in the 7th, and Jeff Clement's double with one on gave Tacoma the 7-6 lead! Mike Morse's single through the left side cashed in Clement to make it 8-6 and an E-4 grounder from Bryan LaHair allowed Jerry Owens to make it 9-6.

Tyler Johnson made his 2nd appearance in the 8th. After a pop out, Herman Iribarren got a grounder up the middle, then Tyler uncorked a wild pitch to move Iribarren to 2nd before a Cole Gillespie double cashed him in to make it 9-7. Carlos Corporan's lined single only got Gillespie to 3rd, and Jasob Bourgeois saved Tyler's bacon by grounding into the inning ending 6-4-3 double play.

Prentice Redman led off the bottom 8th with a double down the LF line, then eventually scored on a Jeff Clement sac fly to make it 10-7.

Randy Messenger came in to shut it down and things got interesting, as he walked the leadoff man and got two quick outs after that, but Brendan Katin's grounder got down the middle for a base hit and Messenger walked the next batter on what MiLB.com Gameday indicates were some questionable pitch calls by home plate umpire Cory Blaser. At least two of those balls looked like strikes. Thankfully, Herman Iribarren grounded the first pitch after that to Mike Morse at 2B and the game was over.

Mariners Minor League Wrap-Up for May 25

VENEZUELA~! VSL Pirates 8, VSL Mariners 2
VSLMs: 3-4... VSL Bucs: 6-1

Erasmo Ramirez: 5 IP, 4 H, (1 R) 0 ER, 10 K, hit batter
Isliexel Gonzalez: no outs recorded, 2 H, 4 ER, 2 walks
Mayckol Guaipe: 1 IP, 3 H, (3 R) 0 ER, walk, wild pitch
Ricardo Pereira: 2 IP, 2 H, walk, K
Carlos Ramirez: 2-4, K
Jorge Agudelo: 1-3, double, R, walk, K
Rigoberto Rangel: 1-3, solo HR, walk

Erasmo Ramirez owned the VSL Pirates (currently the best lineup in the VSL) with 10 Ks. The only problem was that Isliexel Gonzalez is the Cibney Bello of the VSL, notorious for crapping the bed during the few times he shows his face on the mound, and today was no exception in kicking off a 7 run inning for the VSL Bucs. In face, speaking of Cibney Bello, let's go ahead and award Isliexel Gonzalez with the Cibney Bello Memorial [COATHANGER] Award for his fine performance in putting four baserunners on the board without recording an out, with all four of those baserunners eventually scoring. In two appearances, Isliexel has faced 7 hitters, put them all on base and failed to record an out.



A: Great Lakes 8, Clinton 5
CLI: 23-21... GLK: 23-21

Alfredo Venegas: 4.2 IP, 8 H, (8 R) 3 ER, 2 walks, 2 K, balk
Blake Nation: 1.1 IP, 1 H, walk, K
Ryan Moorer: 1 IP, 1 H, K
Cheyne Hann: 1 IP
Andres Esquibel: 1 IP
Scott Savastano: 1-2, triple, walk
Steve Moss: 1-4, R, 2 RBI, 2 K
Nate Tenbrink: 1-4, R, RBI, walk, 2 K
Mario Martinez: 1-4, RBI, K

Venegas showed the Lumberkings some of that High Desert magic, getting tattooed for eight runs with some help from the defense and failing to finish the 5th inning.

Groundballs: 8
Flyballs: 8 (1 HR)
Line Drives: 3
Pop Ups: 2
Walks: 2
Strikeouts: 2

From there, half the bullpen finished the game and they did not allow another run over the last 4.1 IP. In fact, they allowed three players to reach base total. Maybe they should have started the game instead. All of them.

The Lumberkings actually had a serious chance to come in the bottom 9th, down 8-4, loading the bases with no outs. But after Steve Moss' sac fly plated a run, Nate Tenbrink and Travis Howell each struck out to put this game to bed.

A+: High Desert 12, Lancaster 11
Mavs: 31-14... Jethawks: 13-32

Adam Harben: two outs, 4 H, (7 R) 4 ER, 3 walks
Jake Wild: 3.1 IP, 2 H, walk, 3 K
Natividad Dilone: 2 IP, 3 K
Juan Zapata: no outs recorded, 3 H, (4 R) 3 ER (HR), walk
Aaron Jensen: 2.1 IP, 2 K
Steven Richard: two outs, 1 H, walk, 2 K
Tyson Gillies: 2-4, R, 2 RBI, walk, SB #10
Edilio Colina: 2-5, R
Ian Bladergroen: 2-4, 2 run HR, 4 RBI, walk
Carlos Peguero: 1-6, RBI, 3 K
Alex Liddi: 2-5, K
Travis Scott: 2-5, double, solo HR, K
Kuo Hui Lo: 3-5, double, triple, solo HR, 3 R, 2 K
Juan Diaz: 3-5, double, triple, 3 R, 2 RBI
Wind: 12 mph out to RF

Well, this was another one of those games. The Mavs got a gift run in the 1st off two passed balls by Roger Clemens' kid (Koby), but then Adam Harben got destroyed in the bottom half: Ground single, Ground E-1, walk, walk, pop out, ground single, lined double, groundout, ground single, (stolen base) walk, that's it. Harben did the right thing by getting groundballs, but also did the wrong thing by making a couple bad pitches and then walking guys. You cannot make mistakes in these conditions, because when you do you get run after recording two outs against ten batters.

Jake Wild got another ground single before catcher Travis Scott gunned down a runner trying to steal 3rd to end the disaster frame.

But believe it or not, Wild settled down quickly and got through the 4th inning without further damage. The Mavs got back to back jacks from Scott and Kuo Hui Lo to lead off the top 2nd, and more erraticism from the Jethawks helped the Mavs score two more runs to cut the lead to 7-5.

In the 3rd, the Mavs got back to back triples (!) from Kuo Hui Lo and Juan Diaz to cash in a run, and Tyson Gillies got a two out grounder into RF to cash in Diaz and TIE THE BALLGAME. No lead is safe in the Cal League!

The Mavs led off the top 5th with back to back doubles from Kuo Hui Lo and Juan Diaz to cash in a run and give themselves the 8-7 lead! A Tyson Gillies walk and a single down the middle from Edilio Colina set up another run on an Ian Bladergroen sac fly to make it 9-7.

Natividad Dilone took over in the 5th and went groundout, strikeout, pop out, then went strikeout, strikeout, groundout in the 6th. In the top 7th, Edilio Colina beat out a one out grounder to get aboard, took 2nd on a wild pitch, then scored on a Carlos Peguero wormburner into left to make it 10-7.

But trouble loomed for Juan Zapata as he took over in the 7th. Juan Diaz botched a leadoff groundball at SS to put the batter on, and Jonathan Gaston took Zapata deep to make it 10-9 Mavs. Jason Castro walked, Marcos Cabral got a grounder into LF and Koby Clemens' grounder got botched by Edilio Colina at 2B to load the bases before David Flores' grounder into LF cashed in two more runs and gave the Jethawks an 11-10 lead.

Zapata got the hook for his trouble, and Aaron Jensen got a 5-6 force at 3rd before getting a 5-4-3 double play to quickly escape the carnage.

Both teams went quietly in the 8th. Gavin Dickey led off the 9th by getting a grounder into LF, then took 2nd on a bad pickoff throw. Tyson Gillies bunted him to 3rd for one out, but Edilio Colina tapped back to the mound for two outs. Ian Bladergroen then lifted a flyball to right field, and you can guess what happened next... 12-11 Mavs!

After pitching last night, Phillippe Aumont wasn't pitching tonight. Jensen stayed in for the 9th, struck out the 1st batter and then left for Steven Richard, who walked the next batter and watched a grounder get up the middle to put runners at 1st and 2nd. But he promptly struck out the next two batters to seal the victory.

AA: Huntsville 5, West Tenn 2
WTN: 17-26... HUN: 21-19

Justin Souza: 3 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 3 walks, 2 hit batters (81 pitches, 43 strikes)
Patrick Ryan: 1 IP, 1 H, (1 R) 0 ER, 2 walks, K, wild pitch (24-13)
Nick Hill: 3 IP, 3 H, 2 ER (HR), walk, 5 K (51-35)
Josh Newby: 1 IP, 1 H, walk, K (16-9)
Greg Halman: 1-3, 2 RBI, 2 K
rest of DIAMOND JAXX lineup: 5-30, 3 walks, 5 K

Six singles were all the JAXX could manage against Huntsville's porous pitching and defense, which came into today allowing 4.95 runs per game, 3rd most in the Southern League. Justin Souza, meanwhile, had the turnstiles open and piled up enough pitches, hits, free passes and runs to call it a day after three frames. He actually looked okay through the 1st frame, simply having some bad luck on grounders, but then the flyballs, HBPs and walks came in spades and it all rolled downhill from there.

Groundballs: 4
Flyballs: 7
Line Drives: 0
Pop Ups: 1
Walks: 3 (plus 2 hit batters)
Strikeouts: 0

Patrick Ryan, who is a poor groundballer in a Sean White sort of way, now came out of the bullpen, a banishment that makes sense if you're sending someone down from Tacoma now that guys are getting healthy, or if you're about to call Orta, Rohrbaugh or Peña back from the JAXX 7 Day DL, but otherwise doesn't make sense unless Nick Hill's 51 pitches in relief were a test run for a possible stretch-out into a starting role (at least for now until the Army calls him away sometime this season). Ryan had sucked, so it's not like keeping him in the rotation was a high priority, but as thin as things are getting in West Tenn's rotation, they can only afford to banish guys if they have a fallback option in place.

Meanwhile, Hill himself wasn't particularly good, and the Stars stretched out to a 5-0 lead that held up.

AAA: Tacoma 12, Nashville 1
TAC: 24-20... NAS: 25-20

Chris Seddon: 5 IP, 1 H, 4 walks, 6 K, 2 wild pitches (89 pitches, 54 strikes)
Jesus Delgado: 2 IP, 1 H, 2 K (22-16)
Steven Shell: 1 IP, 1 H, (1 R) 0 ER (9-6)
Randy Messenger: 1 IP, 1 H (11-8)
Michael Saunders: 1-5, R, RBI
Jeff Clement: 3-5, 2 R, K
Chris Shelton: 2-5, 2 doubles, 2 RBI
Brad Nelson: 1-3, 2 R, RBI, 2 walks
Mike Morse: 3-5, 2 R, RBI, 2 K
Bryan LaHair: 4-5, 3 R, 2 RBI
Adam Moore: 2-4, double, R, RBI, walk, K

A blastoff five run 1st inning is what the doctor ordered for the Rainiers, as they built a 6-0 lead through two frames, allowing Chris Seddon room to work and throw a solid start he really needed to have after struggling off the DL. He was still somewhat off, as evidenced by the three walks and two wild pitches he threw in the 2nd, but he allowed only one hit over the minimum and pretty much gave the Sounds nothing after those first two shaky frames, harnessing his wildness and missing a ton of bats over five frames.

Groundballs: 2
Flyballs: 5
Line Drives: 1
Pop Ups: 2
Walks: 4
Strikeouts: 6

Two other guys responded with scoreless frames they really needed. Jesus Delgado rung up a couple K's in a scoreless 6th and 7th, and while Steven Shell still allowed a run in the 8th, it came off an error by Callix Crabbe and thus didn't count as earned. Randy Messenger's having a good year and didn't really need a great inning, but it was nice to ring one up.

The Rainiers bats, meanwhile, said what the heck and pounded in six more runs over the 6th, 7th and 8th innings to turn a big lead into a rout.

Mariners Minor League Wrap-Up for May 24

And we're back. I took an extra day at Mariner Central to cover the Farm Report on Saturday, as Lonnie was under the weather. Sunday's report comes now, a little late due to a long, bushwhacking day of my own.

VENEZUELA~! VSL Mariners 5, VSL Rays 4
VSLMs: 3-3... VSL Rays: 2-4

Yoervis Medina: 5 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 6 K
Maykel Ynfantes: 3 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 2 hit batters
Manuel Campos: 1 IP, 1 H
Rafael Torrealba: 2-4, double
Carlos Ramirez: 1-3, RBI, walk
Jose Hernandez: 2-4, K
Kenny Hart: 2-4, R, RBI, K
Larry Gonzalez: 3-4

The Rays actually took a lead off the young, erratic Maykel Ynfantes (which would typically get spelled Michael Infantes) in the 6th to take a 4-1 lead, but Ynfantes settled down, pitched into the 8th and RBI singles by Aruba's Kenny Hart and catcher Larry Gonzalez in the top 8th gave the VSLMs the lead for good.

Reliever Manuel Campos got some help with one out and a runner on 2nd in the top 9th: The Rays' Omar Narvarez lined right to Michael Acevedo in LF, who threw back to 2nd to double off the runner and end the game.

We're only about 6-7 games in, but why not throw out some defense efficiency and FIP data?

- League ERA: 3.78. It's always tempting to get excited about a Venezuelan teenager running an ERA in the 2's with great K/BB ratios, but keep in mind that most of his opposition are fellow teenagers that struggle to get the ball out of the infield and are easily fooled by any sort of offspeed or breaking pitch. Running such an ERA may not even get you noticed.

Ultimately it still comes down to tools catching the scout's eyes. Since the visa process is such a pain and uprooting a Venezuelan from his home and bring him north is such a culture shock, teams are very selective about who they bring up. You'll see VSL hitters and pitchers post great numbers, but stay in the league 2-3 years or never get the call to come north, while some unlikely pitchers get the call despite anonymous campaigns.

- The VSLMs have been a bit unlucky: Their 4.33 team ERA is below average, but their FIP is 3.58.

Meanwhile, the league leading VSL Mets (2.42 ERA) have an FIP of 4.19, good for 6th out of 7 teams in the VSL. They've been very lucky despite a league low 21 pitching strikeouts, a league high 11 hit batters and a league high 17 errors, so regression should hit them hard.

The VSL Cards have had the best FIP so far at 2.85, and their 3.40 ERA is 2nd overall.

- Notice I said seven teams, rather than eight. The Astros pulled their VSL team from the league and the VSL got a bit smaller. While there's a huge and growing talent base in the South American nation, the political situation in Venezuela always makes matters a bit difficult (Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez is not a big fan of the United States). With the recession forcing some clubs to tighten up, not as many teams may be willing to harvest talent, opting to sign young prospects on the spot and immediately bring them north instead.

- League defensive efficiency: 0.673. The VSLMs are right around average with a 0.678. The VSL Pirates lead the league with a 0.696 while the Phillies and Rays tie for the bottom at 0.647.

The Dominican Summer League begins play on Saturday, May 30. You'll be surprised how many walks young players in a nation known for free swinging hackers can draw. More on that once plays begins in the Caribbean.

A: Clinton 2, Great Lakes 1
CLI: 23-20... GLK: 22-21

Brett Lorin: 6 IP, 3 H, 1 ER (HR), walk, 7 K
Stephen Penney: 2 IP, 2 K
Ruben Flores: 1 IP, 1 H, 3 K
Nate Tenbrink: 3-3, R
Maximo Mendez: 1-3, RBI, K
rest of Lumberkings lineup: 2-22, walk, 7 K

The Lumberkings got all the offense they needed in a two run 2nd inning rally assisted with some good luck on groundballs getting through the infield of a so-so Loons defense.

From there, Brett Lorin cruised through six innings despite hanging a bunch of stuff and giving up almost nothing but flyballs with a 10 mph wind out to RF. The one ball that cleared the fence ultimately proved to be the only run he allowed. Great Lakes has themselves a decent offense (.753 team OPS, 3rd overall in the Midwest League) so I'm not exactly sure what happened here other than Lorin inducing poor contact: He did have seven strikeouts and Great Lakes' batters are 4th in the MWL with 353 K's.

Groundballs: 1
Flyballs: 10 (1 HR)
Line Drives: 2
Pop Ups: 1
Walks: 1
Strikeouts: 7

A+: High Desert 10, Lancaster 9
Mavs: 30-14... Jethawks: 13-31

Nathan Adcock: 6.1 IP, 7 H, (7 R) 5 ER, 3 walks, 3 K
Travis Mortimore: one out, 1 H, 2 ER (HR), walk, K
Steven Richard: 1.1 IP, 2 K
Phillippe Aumont: 1 IP, 1 H, 2 K
Tyson Gillies: 2-5, triple, R, 2 RBI, K
Ian Bladergroen: 2-5, 2 triples (!), 2 RBI
Carlos Peguero: 3-5, solo HR, solo HR, 3 R
Alex Liddi: 2-5, triple, R, RBI, K
Kuo Hui Lo: 0-4, sac fly RBI, K
Jose Yepez: 1-5, double, R
Jeff Dominguez: 2-3, 3 R, SB
Gavin Dickey: 2-4, 2 doubles, 2 RBI, K
Wind: 20 mph out to CF

There was absolutely no way Nathan Adcock was going to have a good game in Lancaster (whose park is probably more offense-flammable than High Desert's) with the wind gusting out to CF. Sure enough, a pair of two out doubles in the bottom 1st left the Mavs in the hole 2-0 after one.

But there was absolutely no way High Desert wasn't going to have a good day at the plate either. Alex Liddi tripled in Carlos Peguero to make it 2-1, and Kuo Hui Lo's flyball went through the glove of CF Nick Moresi to TIE THE BALLGAME at 2.

Somehow we got scoreless frames until the 4th, where Carlos Peguero went deep in the top half to make it 3-2 Mavs, and the Jethawks responded with a run of their own in the bottom half to tie it again at 3.

The Mavs got a pair of runs off TWO triples in the 5th, one from Tyson Gillies and a two out triple from Ian Bladergroen to make it 5-3 Mavs. The Jethawks came up empty in the bottom half, and the Mavs got a pair of two out doubles from Jose Yepez and Gavin Dickey to make it 7-3.

Adcock was doing okay, but a leadoff grounder by Roger Clemens' kid (Koby) (259/362/383) squirted from SS Juan Diaz to put him on, Adcock walked the next batter and David Flores (234/284/379) doubled home both runners to make it 7-5. A sac bunt and sac fly made it 7-6 before Adcock escaped.

Juan Diaz himself led off the top 7th by watching his grounder go E-6. Ian Bladergroen hit a SECOND triple to cash him in and make it 8-6 Mavs. But the party was over for Adcock in the bottom 7th, not that he didn't spend the party watching his friend puke up a wine cooler in the master bathroom. Adcock issued a one out walk and got out of there.

Groundballs: 10 (plus 1 bunt)
Flyballs: 10
Line Drives: 2
Pop Ups: 1
Walks: 3
Strikeouts: 3

Travis Mortimore walked the next batter, struck out the next, then assembled the three true outcome triforce by watching Marcos Cabral (278/354/424) take him deep to make it 9-8 Jethawks. Steven Richard took the ball and struck out the next batter to end the disaster inning.

Fortunately, no lead is safe in the Cal League, especially in offense-nuclear conditions like these. Jeff Dominguez singled with one out, stole 2nd with two outs, and Tyson Gillies beat out a grounder to 2nd to let Dominguez in and TIE THE BALLGAME.

Richard pitched a 1-2-3 8th, going groundout groundout strikeout, and Carlos Peguero lifted another pitch over the wall in the top 9th to give High Desert a 10-9 lead. Phillippe Aumont, struggling lately, came in to work the 9th and went flyout, strikeout, infield hit and strikeout to end the game.

AA: West Tenn 6, Huntsville 3
WTN: 17-25... HUN: 20-19

Dan Christensen: 7 IP, 6 H, 3 ER (HR), 2 walks, 3 K (94 pitches, 60 strikes)
Anthony Varvaro: 2 IP, walk, 3 K (35-20)
Mel Stocker: 1-5, R, RBI, K, SB
Marshall Hubbard: 1-2, double, R, RBI, 2 walks, K
Matt Mangini: 2-4, R, RBI
Yamid Haad: 1-3, double, R, RBI, walk
Oswaldo Navarro: 1-2, RBI

The JAXX spent this series getting rolled by the Stars and they were on their way to taking a 3-1 loss when the top 9th happened.

Facing an old friend, Juan Sandoval, Greg Halman blooped a single to lead off and took another base when it got by LF Vinny Rottino. Sandoval uncorked a wild pitch, then walked Marshall Hubbard. Matt Mangini singled to cash in Halman, and Sandoval uncorked anotehr wild pitch to bring in Hubbard and TIE THE BALLGAME at 3. Erick Monzon gave away an out to move Mangini to 3rd, and Sandoval got the hook for Robert Hinton.

Hinton intentionally put on Johan Limonta, then watched Yamid Haad double to left to bring in Mangini and make it 4-3 JAXX. Oswaldo Navarro dropped in a single to bring in Limonta and make it 5-3 JAXX. Mel Stocker's 4-3 groundout brought in Haad and made it 6-3 before Brent Johnson struck out to end the big rally.

AAA: Tacoma 6, Memphis 5
TAC: 23-20... MEM: 22-19

Doug FISTER: 6 IP, 9 H, 5 ER (2 HR), walk, 3 K (84 pitches, 59 strikes)
Tyler Johnson: 1 IP (9-5)
Brodie Downs: 2 IP, 1 H, walk (27-15)
Jerry Owens: 2-4, R, RBI, walk
Jeff Clement: 1-5, double, 3 RBI, 3 K
Mike Morse: 2-3, double, R, walk
Brad Nelson: 1-4, 2 run HR
Chris Woodward: 1-3, double, 2 R, walk, K

Doug FISTER did not have a good night. He let the weakest offense in the PCL tag him for five runs in six frames, including Jon Jay's first home run of the season (267/337/323). He left with a 5-2 deficit.

Groundballs: 7
Flyballs: 8 (2 HR)
Line Drives: 4
Pop Ups: 2
Walks: 1
Strikeouts: 3

The Rainiers' only runs to that point had come in the 4th off Brad Nelson's 1st Rainiers homer with a man on and one out. The Rainiers did capitalize on a one out Chris Woodward double in the 7th, as Jerry Owens got a grounder down the middle into CF to cash him in and make it 5-3.

The story of the 7th came in the top half, however, as Tyler Johnson made his 2009 debut after a long injury layoff, going flyout, groundout, groundout in 9 pitches. A few more of these easy outings and he may force a move in the Mariners bullpen in a couple weeks.

Brodie Downs made his 1st appearance in six days, working a scoreless 8th, then getting into trouble by loading the bases with one out in the top 9th. But he got a tapbacker to start a 1-2-3 double play, flipping to Adam Moore for one, who threw to Mike Carp at 1B for two to end the frame.

With two outs in the bottom 9th, however, and Chris Woodward coming up, it looked like the end of another flat loss. But Woodward drew a walk, Jerry Owens drew a walk (and if he had done more of that this spring, maybe he's still leading off for the ChiSox) and Prentice Redman struck out on a pitch off the plate to end the game.

Except strike three was WAY off the plate and past catcher Matt Pagnozzi to put Redman on and leave everybody safe. While that was a gift from reliever Josh Kinney, Redman had no business swinging at that crap and he is very lucky Kinney's pitch was that far off the mark.

Jeff Clement came up and paid everyone off with a double to right that cleared the bags, allowing Redman to ironically score the winning run.