MiLB Recap June 24th 2016 (Vlads 1st Dinger + GCL Opening Day)

[King]

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When the news came down earlier this week that Wade LeBlanc would now be pitching for the Seattle Mariners, manager Gary Allenson said he hoped his other starters would be able to step up and fill the void.

 

Scott Diamond did exactly that at Victory Field Friday evening, as his seven innings of shutout ball were enough for the Bisons to edge the Indians, 1-0.

 

The Guelph, Ontario native allowed just four hits and a walk, spreading them out effectively enough that only one Indian was able to get into scoring position while he was on the hill. With LeBlanc out of the mix, Diamond takes over the lead in the Herd's rotation with his ninth quality start.

 

Buffalo also struggled to get a runner past second base but managed to do so in the third to plate its only run. Jio Mier led off the inning with a walk and moved up a bag as Alexi Casilla bunted his way aboard. Two batters later, Jesus Montero came through with the RBI single on a liner into left field.

 

Ryan Tepera took over for Diamond to begin the eighth, looking for the six-out save. Although he managed to get the job done, the hard-throwing closer needed a little help from his friends.

 

Willy Garcia welcomed Tepera to the tight contest with a line-drive single. However, he was erased a batter later on a strike-him-out, throw-him-out double play. Tepera got Danny Ortiz to swing over top of a 3-2 pitch and A.J. Jimenez made a perfect throw to Mier for the bonus out to end the threat.

 

Then in the ninth, Indianapolis got to Buffalo's closer again, but once more the defense was there for the Herd.

 

With one out and the bases loaded, Josh Bell, the International League's second-best RBI man, lined a ball straight over second but Jio Mier had Bell played perfectly, making the grab while stepping on second base to complete the double play and end the game.

 

Other than the lone run surrendered in the third inning, Indians' starter Frank Duncan was on cruise control for most of the night. The 24-year-old righty gave up four hits, hit a pair of batters, issued one walk and punched out seven batters across six innings of work.

 

The Herd has now won four straight games and eight of their last 11, moving seven games above .500 for the first time this year.

 

BISONS NOTES:

Earlier in the day, Junior Lake was recalled to the Blue Jays. Over his last nine games Lake had 10 walks and 12 hits, including two doubles and a triple on Thursday…Darrell Ceciliani was optioned back to the Bisons in return…A.J. Jimenez leads all International League catchers by thwarting 16 stolen base attempts…Jesus Montero has seven hits and six RBI in the last three games...Ryan Tepera has successfully converted all 11 of his save opportunities.

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MANCHESTER - The New Hampshire Fisher Cats staged a thrilling ninth-inning comeback Friday night, riding a Jason Leblebijian walk-off double with the bases loaded to a 3-2 victory over the Harrisburg Senators at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium.

 

The FisherCats (32-40) didn't score until the ninth inning, having been held in check offensively over the majority of the game. Harrisburg (39-33) suffered their eighth blown save of the season, with their two leaders in saves (Bryan Harper and Koda Glover) now playing at Triple-A Syracuse. It was just the third walk-off win of the season for New Hampshire, and their first since May 3 against the Reading Fightin Phils.

 

Harrisburg started the scoring in the top of the second inning against New Hampshire starting pitcher Luis Santos (ND). Neftali Soto reached to lead off the frame on an error by third baseman Matt Dean. With one away, Kevin Keyes pounded a hanging slider over the left-field fence for a two-run homer, putting Harrisburg out in front 1-0.

 

The Fisher Cats were held silent for the ensuing innings before staging their thrilling ninth-inning comeback. With one out, Derrick Loveless pounded a solo homer way over the right field wall against lefty reliever Nick Lee, trimming the Harrisburg lead to 2-1. Christian Lopes singled through the middle, and moved to second on a ground-out to short by pinch hitter Wilkin Castillo. Pinch hitter Rowdy Tellez drew an intentional walk from new reliever Derek Self (L, 2-2) before he was replaced by pinch runner Ian Parmley, and Roemon Fields worked his own walk to load the bases. Leblebijian smashed a first-pitch double to deep center over Rafael Bautista's head, scoring Lopes and Parmley to touch off the celebration.

 

Santos threw five strong innings, surrendering two runs (one earned) on four hits while whiffing five. John Stilson threw two shutout frames with one hit and one strikeout. Matt Dermody was perfect over 1.1 innings, striking out two. Wil Browning (W, 2-2) gave up a hit and a walk, but retired two batters and recorded the win.

 

The Fisher Cats will look for their second win in a row on Saturday night, with Casey Lawrence starting for New Hampshire against Harrisburg righty Reynaldo Lopez. First pitch from Northeast Delta Dental Stadium is at 7:05 p.m., and Ben Gellman has the call starting at 6:45 p.m. on the Fisher Cats Radio Network.

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TAMPA, Fla. - Abiatal Avelino drove in a run and scored three more, helping the Tampa Yankees (1-1, 43-28) defeat the Dunedin Blue Jays (1-1, 34-37), 5-3, on Friday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

 

The Yankees took three separate leads throughout the game.

 

In the first, Thairo Estrada grounded a two-out single up the middle and scored as Austin Aune tripled off the base of the wall in dead-centerfield. In the fourth, Avelino yanked a leadoff home run to left, giving the Yankees a 2-0 advantage.

 

LHP Ian Clarkin made his 14th start and took a shutout into the sixth before leaving the game with two on and two out. RHP Joey Maher entered in relief and surrendered a game-tying, two-run double to Gunnar Heidt.

 

Clarkin got tagged for two earned runs on four hits in five and two-third innings, walking three while tallying seven strikeouts. The southpaw threw 57 of his 98 pitches for strikes.

 

Tampa regained the lead in the bottom of the sixth off Dunedin starter Francisco Rios. Avelino sliced a triple into the right field corner and Connor Spencer singled to center, giving the Yankees a 3-2 lead.

 

Rios notched a quality start, allowing three earned runs on six hits in six innings. The right-hander walked a pair, struck out none and threw 49 of 82 pitches for strikes.

 

Matt Marsh took the hill for Tampa in the eighth and Emilio Guerrero greeted the righty with a game-tying, leadoff home run to left.

 

The T-Yanks took back the lead in the eighth. Avelino collected his third hit with a one-out single off RHP Adonys Cardona (L, 1-1). After a walk by Spencer, RHP Conor Fisk entered in relief. Zack Zehner walked, loading the bases, and Connor Oliver singled to right, scoring Avelino. Wes Wilson added insurance with an RBI sacrifice fly.

 

Marsh (W, 5-1) (BS, 4) struck out the final six batters he faced, earning the win in relief.

 

Avelino (3-for-4, HR, 3B, RBI, 3R, SB) hit his fifth home run and finished the game a double shy of the cycle. Aune (1-for-4, 3B, RBI) tallied his second triple and 31st RBI. Oliver (1-for-4, RBI) recorded his first RBI since joining Tampa. Wilson (1-for-3, RBI, SF) tallied his seventh RBI.

 

The series wraps up on Saturday at 6:00 p.m. with RHP Will Carter (0-2, 7.62 ERA) on the mound for the Yankees against RHP Justin Shafer (0-4, 6.85 ERA) for the Blue Jays.

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LANSING, Mich. - The Lansing Lugnuts (2-0, 38-34) continued their hold on the West Michigan Whitecaps (0-2, 39-30) with a wild 12-7 victory before a Friday night crowd of 8,184 at Cooley Law School Stadium.

 

The Lugnuts won their fourth straight game against the Whitecaps, though it took a grueling three hours and 26 minutes and required 217 total pitches.

 

Neither starter made it out of the early going. West Michigan left-hander Eudis Idrogo was knocked out by a four-run Lugnuts second inning; Lansing right-handerJordan Romanodeparted during a game-tying four-run Whitecaps third inning (though all four runs were unearned).

 

The Lugnuts responded against reliever Jordan Smith (Loss, 4-4) with two runs in the third and home runs from Max Pentecost and Connor Panas in the fourth and fifth innings, building an 8-4 lead.

 

The Whitecaps cut the score to 8-7 with a three-run sixth-inning against Tom Robson, but that was as close as the visitors would come.

 

Robson combined with Josh DeGraaf to set down the final 11 'Caps batters, and the Lugnuts put the game away with four-run seventh-inning rally keyed by a Justin Atkinson three-run double.

 

Atkinson, the ninth-place batter in the Lugnuts' order, went 1-for-2 with five RBIs in the game, adding a pair of sacrifice flies. He was aided by the efforts of sixth- and seventh-place batters Josh Almonte and Panas, each of whom scored three runs. Eighth-place batter Ryan Metzler added his own strong offensive showing, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored, a double, RBI and a walk.

 

Lugnuts designated hitter Pentecost was 2-for-4 with a walk and two RBIs in addition to his home run, reaching base for the 19th straight game.

 

Lansing reliever Nate Abel (Win, 1-0) pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings in immediate relief of starter Romano, earning his first decision of the season.

 

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Sounds like we will be able to watch some Canadians games on TV this summer:

 

Rob Fai ‏@RobFaiNation 14h14 hours ago

Excited to broadcast our 1st of six televised games tomorrow with Shaw TV. Coverage all the way into Ontario...

 

 

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(Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium - Vancouver, B.C.) - A four-run top of the 1st inning set the tone for the afternoon as the Hillsboro Hops offense broke out for 12 runs pulling away from Friday's Scotiabank 'Nooner at The Nat with a 12-2 victory over the Canadians.

 

Vancouver starter LHP Juliandry Higuera couldn't escape the 3rd inning as Hillsboro managed to take advantage of a pair of defensive miscues that tagged the lefty with his first loss of the season. Despite allowing six runs, Higuera was only charged with two earned runs on the afternoon.

 

Offensively, the Canadians did have its chances with LF Jake Anderson going 2-for-3 on the day to bump his average to .385 through the first eight games of the season. Vancouver would leave five runners on-base between the 4th and 5th innings which prevented any pressure being put onto Hillsboro who eventually pulled away for the lopsided victory.

 

With the loss, Vancouver falls back to .500 at 4-4, while Hillsboro, after a slow start to the summer, improves to 3-5.

 

The Canadians and the Hops play game three of this five-game series on Saturday, June 25th at 7:05pm with RHP Pat Murphy getting the start on the mound for Vancouver. This game, and Sunday's A&W Family Fun Sunday set for 1:05pm, are both SOLD OUT. Tickets remain for Monday's series finale at 7:05pm.

 

Tickets to Vancouver Canadians Baseball can be purchased by calling 604.872.5232 or by visiting the Nat Bailey Stadium Box Office at 4601 Ontario Street, Vancouver, B.C.

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This game was suspended on Thursday due to rain and continued on Friday.

 

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Rain put the highly anticipated professional debut of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on hold on Thursday night as Rookie-level Bluefield's season opener against Bristol was suspended after three innings. The weather couldn't stop the 17-year-old on Friday, however, as the Blue Jays' No. 5 prospect recorded his first pro hit and, later, his first home run.

 

On Thursday, Guerrero Jr., the son of former American League MVP and nine-time Major League All-Star Vladimir Guerrero, grounded out to shortstop with two outs in the bottom of the first in his only trip to the plate before the skies opened up.

 

When the game resumed Friday evening, Guerrero Jr., playing with his father in attendance for a second straight night, grounded out twice more before connecting on his first pro knock in the bottom of the seventh inning, when he hit a two-run single to right field. All together, Bluefield scored seven times in the frame en route to defeating Bristol, 9-4.

 

"I felt no pressure after yesterday's game and was able to stay focused today," Guerrero Jr. told MLB.com via his translator following the completion of Bluefield's second game. "[staying focused] was something I watched my dad do growing up, so I was ready for the challenge.

 

"I always talk to my dad before and after games, even when he's not there watching me. We talked before today and he really didn't have any specific advice. He just encouraged me, mostly," added Guerrero Jr.

 

Yet, whatever his father might have said paid huge dividends for Guerrero Jr. in the nightcap between Bluefield and Bristol -- which followed the completion of Thursday's suspended game -- as he connected on his first pro homer.

 

"It was a moment I've been dreaming of," said Guerrero Jr. about his home run, a go-ahead two-run shot to left field with two outs in the bottom of the third inning. "I got that first one out of the way and hope many more will come. With my dad's help I feel like I can accomplish that."

 

And even though he had yet to speak with his father in the wake his impressive debut, Guerrero Jr. said that he could sense his father's joy from the stands as he circled the bases and, ultimately, crossed the plate.

 

"He was really excited for me after I hit the home run," he said, reflecting on the moment. "We'll meet up soon and I'm sure he'll congratulate me."

 

Guerrero Jr. finished the second game 1-for-3 at the plate as Bluefield fell to Bristol, 4-2, in seven innings. For the day, he was 2-for-7 with four RBIs.

 

Guerrero Jr. was one of the more sought-after talents available during the 2015 international signing period, ranking seventh on MLBPipeline.com's list of the Top 30 prospects. The Blue Jays invested heavily in the then-16-year-old, giving him a $3.9 million bonus -- the second highest in franchise history -- on July 2.

 

Like Guerrero Sr., who hit .318 with 449 home runs over 16 seasons, Guerrero Jr. stands out for his huge offensive ceiling. He's a physically strong right-handed hitter who possesses the innate contact skills needed to hit for average and plus raw power that's suited for the middle of a lineup.

 

While many scouts expected Guerrero Jr. to play left field after signing, the Blue Jays opted to deploy him at third base last fall during instructional league, and he's continued to man the hot corner to begin his career. On Friday, Guerrero Jr., who is listed at 6-foot-1, 200 pounds, committed a pair of errors (one throwing, the other fielding) in the first game but played errorless ball in the nightcap.

 

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GCL Blue Jays Roster

 

Chris King ‏@StatsKing 13h13 hours ago

Bo Bichette with his first professional hit and RBI with a hard hit ground ball past the SS.

 

Chris King ‏@StatsKing 13h13 hours ago

#BlueJays LHP Wilfri Aleton has been impressive today. FB 91-94 T96 with late run. Pounding the zone. FB has life and he commanded the hell out of it. Secondaries still need work but it was an impressive first outing. Threw an upper 70's slider that wasn't consistent and a hard straight CH in the 85-87 range.

 

Chris King ‏@StatsKing 10h10 hours ago

#BlueJays Kevin Vicuna was solid with the bat today. Very lean frame but he gets the head out and works gap to gap.

 

 

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Kings 3 Stars of the Night

1) Vlad Jr: Lil Vlad went 1/3 in the 2nd game with his first professional home run. No video.. right now.

 

2) Wilfri Aleton: Aleton was a machine on Friday in the GCL opener, striking out 10 over 5 innings.

 

3) Emilio Guerrero: Guerrero had a great day at the plate going 3/4 with a home run and a double.

 

Lots of choices today, Vicuna, Pentecost, Bichette, Silva etc. all had great days. Nice day for the farm!

 

Kings Platinum Arencibia

 

1) Ryan Hissey: The Lugnuts had a great offensive night with everyone in the lineup getting a hit, 13 in total.. except for Hissey, who went 0/5.

 

Honourable mention to Alford, who continues to struggle. Nightmare season.

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[Spanky99]

Call up Diamond hurrrrrrr........

[STLJaysFan]

Call up Roberto Hernandez, a "diamond" in the rough...NOT!

[BigBounceyBlueBalls]

VLAD " THE IMPALER" Long Stick

Goes Boom!!!!

[Jonn]

So what's the deal with Pompey?

[King]

So what's the deal with Pompey?

 

Concussion, ran into another wall or something