AAA – Iowa 10, Round Rock 3
Player of the Game - I don’t know if we’ve mentioned him all season, but So Taguchi played really well last night. He was in RF and went 2-for-3 with a double, 2 BB, 2 Runs, and 3 RBI. I mentioned early in the season that I didn’t see why we’re wasting a roster spot for him, and I’ll stand by that. He hasn’t seen an incredible amount of time this year and I can only assume he’s holding down Tyler Colvin’s spot and keeping it warm on the roster for him once he makes it to AAA this year, because I’m confident he will.
Worth Noting: Two rehab starts in the game with Aaron Miles in the lineup again at 3B and Rich Harden taking the mound as the starter. For Miles, and 0-for-5 night at the plate brought him to 3-for-12 in his three rehab starts and I am filled with confidence for his return (note the sarcasm). Harden threw 70 pitches and went 4.2 IP, which has to imply a pitch count or they probably would have let him get the last out needed to get the win. Final line: 4.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R (only 1 ER), 2 BB, 6 K. Sam Fuld hit his league-leading eighth triple of the season and finished the night 2-for-5
AA – Tennessee 3, Chattanooga 2
Tied at two in the bottom of the ninth Monday evening, the Tennessee Smokies had the Chattanooga Lookouts on the ropes with runners on second and third. Marquez Smith’s deep fly to left with two outs looked to be the game-winner, but Lookouts LF Adam Godwin made an unbelievable diving catch to deny Smith and the Smokies, sending the game into extra innings.
The Smokies would not let the opportunity pass a second time. Blake Lalli’s sacrifice fly to right with the bases loaded in the 10th brought home teammate Tony Thomas and gave the Smokies a thrilling 3-2 win over the Lookouts in front of 2,974 fans at Smokies Park. The victory is Tennessee’s fourth in a row and puts them at 25-34 on the year.
Player of the Game - It’s rare that the bullpen gets noticed, but I’m going to give the nod to Alessandro Maestri who tossed 3 scoreless, hitless innings of relief of Jeremy Papelbon. The bullpen as a whole tossed 6 scoreless. Well done, men.
Worth Noting: Since transitioning to the rotation, Jeremy Papelbon has made three starts with an ERA of 2.61. He doesn’t have a win yet, as he’s still stretching the endurance out, but it’s a lot better than his 5.14 bullpen ERA.
Blake Lalli and team after Lalli’s game-winning RBI tonight (Photo: Rennie Leon)
High A – Daytona 3, Jupiter 1 & Daytona 1, Jupiter 3
Quicksand on dvd Donnie Brasco full Player of the Game - In the second game, Jovan Rosa went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI
Worth Noting: David Cales got his sixth save of the season.
, Kane County 5
Low A – Peoria 4
The Peoria Chiefs led by three after a half inning but eventually fell to the Kane County Cougars 5-4 on Monday night. The loss puts the Chiefs four games out of first place and two out of the Wild Card race with 14 games left in the half.
Player of the Game – Rebel Ridling singled in the first and eighth while also driving in a run and drawing a walk. The Chiefs first baseman has a ten game hit streak and leads the Chiefs with 38 RBI.
Worth Noting: Unfortunately, Michael Brenly’s hit streak ended at nine with a 0-for-4 night
This kid has the stuff, and he is just learning to pitch. He was a position player first, and just closed in college because he had sick movement on his fastball and just threw hard.
Does he have any secondary pitches????