Just a couple wins on the farm last night, as the bats felt silent most everywhere. But there was a few decent pitching performances mixed in, so let’s have a look:
Buffalo 2, Pawtucket 0 (Fenway Park)
Collin McHugh continues to pitch well at AAA, throwing 7 scoreless innings, giving up just 5 hits with no walks. Rob Carson, Elvin Ramirez, and Fernando Cabrera combined for the final 6 outs. Josh Rodriguez homered. Zach Lutz and Matt Tuisasosopo both contributed a double. Matt Den Dekker and Lucas Duda were both 1 for 4.
Richmond 4, Binghamton 0
Cory Mazzoni struck out 7 in 7 innings with no walks, but he gave up 3 runs and got no offensive support. The B-Mets accumulated just 3 hits, one by Mazzoni himself. Reese Havens returned to the lineup after a few days off with back problems and struck out 3 times.
Charlotte 9, St. Lucie 8
Jacob DeGrom lasted just 3 innings before mysteriously being taken out. The Lucies looked like they would win until Adam Kolarek let up 3 in the 8th to tie the game. St. Lucie scored a run in the 9th to retake the lead, but Hamilton Bennett let up 2 runs in the bottom of the 9th to give the game away. Alonzo Harris homered and scored 3 runs. T.J. Rivera doubled and drove in 2 runs. Richard Lucas was 3 for 4 with a double and 2 RBI’s.
Hickory 12, Savannah 5
A demotion didn’t help Yohan Almonte, who gave up 6 runs in 3.1 innings. Randy Fontanez gave up 5 more, putting the game out of reach. Brian Harrison and Greg Pron both homered.
Vermont 4, Brooklyn 1
Luis Mateo lasted 5 innings, giving up 2 runs while striking out 4. Paul Sewald gave up 2 runs, his first of the season. He also struck out 3 in 2 innings of work. Five singles was the entire Cyclones offense. Brandon Nimmo was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.
Kingsport 8, Elizabethton 4
The K-Mets bullpen pitched 4.2 scoreless innings to help get the win. Akeel Morris threw 3 scoreless frames, allowing just 2 base runners and striking out 5. The difference between Morris’ numbers as a starter and reliever are incredible. Whatever he changed when he moved to the bullpen, it’s working. Yeixon Ruiz, Maikis De La Cruz, and Jorge Rivero all had multi-hit games. All but one starter had at least one hit, including Gavin Cecchini, who continues to play DH and has not played shortstop since coming back from injury.
9 comments
srt
8/19/2012-10:07am at 10:07 am (UTC -4)
McHugh…..looking like a serviceable back end of the rotation starter that could have success up here?
Bryan
8/19/2012-10:22am at 10:22 am (UTC -4)
From what I’ve read, scouts think he’s definitely a ML pitcher, but some think his home will be in the bullpen. If they can find room on the 40 man roster, I have to think he’ll get called up in September, since he’ll be put there in the off season anyway to protect him from rule 5, but with the roster jammed up and Nitkowski possibly being added that may be difficult to do unless some guys get DFA (think Nickeas, Johnson, Lutz, Havens).
As for next year, I see McHugh being either the 6th or 7th guy in the rotation, providing depth at AAA, or possibly earning a bullpen spot in ST and being the long man. I would prefer the latter, cause I think he’s the kind of guy who can adjust to that role and then provide a spot start when necessary.
Trs86
8/19/2012-10:31am at 10:31 am (UTC -4)
Lol, not the great Havens who is again battling injury… Sore back this time. What is this kid, 110?
Bryan
8/19/2012-10:48am at 10:48 am (UTC -4)
He’ll be 26 in October, he still hasn’t seen AAA, and he’s slugging 85 points less than he did last year. Even his post all-star slugging is 40 below what he did last year, and his strikeout rate is higher.
srt
8/19/2012-12:48pm at 12:48 pm (UTC -4)
I’d have no problem removing Havens from the 40 man in favor of a prospect who is younger and shows some promise.
It’s a shame about Reese, but I think that ship has sailed. Even if he gets healthy enough to finally play long term, not sure he’ll ever be the starting prospect he once was.
Stick
8/19/2012-1:27pm at 1:27 pm (UTC -4)
I think it is inevitable that he will be a roster casualty, but I also think he will eventually surface with another team and have a decent run in the MLs. one of those guys that finally does something when he is about 30, then has a few productive years.
actually, since he can play SS and 2B already, if he can handle the glove at a few other positions he could be a useful utility guy at some point.
Bryan
8/19/2012-3:33pm at 3:33 pm (UTC -4)
I agree that he’ll be a 40-man casualty, possibly this off season. I think that unless there’s some trade interest in Murphy and his value is high, they’ll be content to stick with him at 2B at least for another year or two, so there’s little reason to hang onto Havens.
Trs86
8/19/2012-10:42am at 10:42 am (UTC -4)
An idea who is pitching today for the Gnats? I am headed to watch them play the local team. It looks like Fiulmer should be on schedule.
Bryan
8/19/2012-10:51am at 10:51 am (UTC -4)
It should be Fulmer.