Minor League Discussion & Boxes 7-22-05

[NCCubFan]

Looks like Aunt Florence was busy tonight. :D

[Chris]

Looks like Aunt Florence was busy tonight. :D

 

Ron said that she had been opening a lot of windows!

[sporrer17]

All 6 of Monty's hits so far in AA have been for extra bases (5 2bs, 1 HR)

 

Good for a .231 AVG, but a .538 SLG. Hopefully he continues to improve his game as he moves through the system. It's not too late for him.

[Chris]

From Bo:

 

CUBS, MANATEES SPLIT DOUBLE-DIP AT SPACE COAST

Both Games Went Into Extra Frames, As Daytona Ran Away With the First Contest And Brevard County Outlasted The Cubs In the Back End Of The Twin Bill

 

By Bo Fulginiti

 

VIERA, Fla—The Brevard County Manatees must get paid time-and-a-half for working overtime, because their knack for playing extra-inning games is slowly reaching legendary status.

 

For the 13th and 14th times this season, it took extra innings in a Manatees game to decide a winner, as Brevard County and Daytona split a pair of extra-inning affairs at Space Coast Stadium in the second and third games of a four-game set on Friday night.

 

In a classic Eastern Division duel it was the Cubs who made the early statement as they raced to the finish line in the tenth inning of the first contest to win by a score of 8-0, followed by Manatee revenge in the second game as they edged Daytona in the 11th frame by a final of 2-1.

 

The first contest was a continuation of Game 2 on Thursday when the action was halted in the bottom half of the sixth inning with the game tied at 0-0 when a light tower malfunctioned and caused the game to be postponed.

 

The Cubs sent righty Lee Gwaltney to the hill to carry the torch that starter Randy Wells had lit the night before, and Gwaltney was every bit as dominant as he struck out four in two unblemished innings of work. Daytona relievers Clay Rapada (1-2) and Nate Sevier then came in to quiet the Manatees attack for three scoreless innings down the stretch while Daytona got the bats going at the plate.

 

The boys in blue banged out eight runs on eight hits off of Manatees reliever Darwin Soto (0-1) in the 10th inning, highlighted by back-to-back RBI doubles from catcher Jake Fox and outfielder Jeff Culpepper, as the Cubs cruised past Brevard County for the victory to even the series at 1-1.

 

The Manatees refused to end the night quietly however as pitching once again took center stage in the back end of the double-header between the two rivals.

 

Brevard County starter Carlos Villanueva tossed seven innings and surrendered just one run on four hits while he struck out 10 Cubs in the no-decision, while Cubs lefty Yorkin Ferreras got the nod and also was stellar in six innings of work as he gave up just one run on five hits before giving way to the Daytona ‘pen.

 

The Manatees finally ended a streak of 21 straight scoreless innings at the plate in the series as a single from left fielder Drew Anderson in the sixth inning scored right fielder Travis Ezi to tie the game at 1-1.

Then Brevard County administered the crushing blow in the 11th when centerfielder Steve Moss singled to left field to plate Anderson with game-winning run as he secured the win and gave the Manatees a 2-1 series advantage.

 

Cubs southpaw Jordan Gerk (2-4) was charged with the loss after giving up the winning run, and Manatees reliever Jeremy Lewis (5-5) was credited with the win after pitching a scoreless 11th to keep Daytona in check.

 

With the split, the Cubs are now 9-18 on the second half as Brevard County kept their place atop the East with a record of 17-10.

 

The two teams will finish up their four-game set as they head up I-95 to Jackie Robinson Ballpark for the finale on Saturday night. The Cubs will send righty Juan Mateo (7-4, 4.22 ERA) to the mound to face Manatees righty Luis Pena (2-6, 4.77 ERA).

 

First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. EST.

[Outshined_One]

Thanks for covering for me guys!

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Is Darin Downs ever going to do anything? So much was thought of him when he was drafted, but hes been kinda quiet ever since...

 

Downs bombed in two starts with Peoria earlier this year, but I think it's time to give him another shot at it. So far, he has been outstanding at Boise. He's still just 20 so there isn't too much of a rush.

 

I’d love to see Darin called up to Peoria again soon. Darin’s line at Boise: 33.1 IP, 2.16 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 33 K, 8 BB, .206 BAA

 

Two other guys who intrigue me:

 

Daytona RHP Randy Wells: 60.2 IP, 3.26 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 67 K, 12 BB, .254 BAA (held his own in 7 IP at AA)

 

Mesa OF Deryck Lewis (25th rounder): 89 ABs - .348/.400/.506/.906, 6 2Bs, 4 3Bs, 0 HRs, 8 BB, 4 Ks - granted, it is Mesa

Edited July 23, 2005 by CaliforniaRaisin

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Also of note, Cliff Bartosh hasn’t given up an ER in 12 innings down at Iowa.

[rawaction]

What the heck has happened to Jon Leicester?

[Jon]

What the heck has happened to Jon Leicester?

I'd imagine that if his shoulder was still hurting him, he wouldn't be pitching right now.

 

46 IP, 7.24 ERA, 64 hits, 37 ER, 10 HRs, 22 walks, 34 strikeouts.

 

Ouch.

[Brian]

The Iceman is a perplexing case, he was one of the more reliable relievers last year and now he can't get out minor leaguers.

[T2E]

Is Darin Downs ever going to do anything? So much was thought of him when he was drafted, but hes been kinda quiet ever since...

 

Downs bombed in two starts with Peoria earlier this year, but I think it's time to give him another shot at it. So far, he has been outstanding at Boise. He's still just 20 so there isn't too much of a rush.

 

I’d love to see Darin called up to Peoria again soon. Darin’s line at Boise: 33.1 IP, 2.16 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 33 K, 8 BB, .206 BAA

 

Two other guys who intrigue me:

 

Daytona RHP Randy Wells: 60.2 IP, 3.26 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 67 K, 12 BB, .254 BAA (held his own in 7 IP at AA)

 

Mesa OF Deryck Lewis (25th rounder): 89 ABs - .348/.400/.506/.906, 6 2Bs, 4 3Bs, 0 HRs, 8 BB, 4 Ks - granted, it is Mesa

 

Wells has been very solid so far, and he's still 22 so it's not an age thing. AA will be a true test thought.

 

I wrote highly of Lewis in my draft analysis especially of his power potential. Although he hasn't hit any home runs yet, it's good to see him with a lot of extra base hits. However, I'm most impressed with the low strikeouts numbers. I'd like to see what he can do in Boise.

[Flames24Rulz]

Also of note, Cliff Bartosh hasn’t given up an ER in 12 innings down at Iowa.

 

interesting. lets hope he has turned the corner.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

What the heck has happened to Jon Leicester?

I'd imagine that if his shoulder was still hurting him, he wouldn't be pitching right now.

 

46 IP, 7.24 ERA, 64 hits, 37 ER, 10 HRs, 22 walks, 34 strikeouts.

 

Ouch.

 

Ugh, .317 BAA + control problems. :( It's what did in Renyel Pinto at AAA earlier this year.