Complete Prospect Report: May 20

With the Las Vegas 51s playing a doubleheader yesterday, Jays affiliates played five games in total. It was a clean sweep for the affiliates yesterday, as every team won. There were quite a few notable mentions in the games, so here’s a rundown of everything that happened!

Wins/Losses: 24-18 | Streak: W4 | 2nd in PCL Pacific South (2.0 GB)

Game #1: Las Vegas 51s 12, Omaha Storm Chasers 5

In a close game early on that saw each team take the lead twice in the first five innings, the 51s, down 5-3 going into the final frame, emphatically got the win after scoring a whopping nine runs in the top of the ninth.

Hitting:

After scoring three runs in the first eight innings, the 51s erupted in the ninth, scoring nine runs, starting with a leadoff double by Jason Lane and a throwing error that allowed Adam Loewen to reach base. Chris Woodward then hit an RBI single to cut Omaha’s lead to 5-4, before Brian Jeroloman dropped a sacrifice bunt but actually reached base, eventually leading to Omaha manager Mike Jirschele getting ejected.

The 51s then hit three straight RBI singles to take a 7-5 lead before Snider hit a bases-clearing double following a pitching change to put the 51s up 10-5. He would later score on Jason Lane’s two-run home run that put the 51s up 12-5. In total, 12 Vegas batters stepped up to the plate in the inning!

Lane had a big day going 4-for-5 with a double, a home run and three RBIs, and Snider went 2-for-5 with a double, and three RBIs as well.

Pitching:

Starter Scott Richmond threw an acceptable start for the 51s, allowing five runs (four earned) on five hits while walking five and striking out two in 6.2 innings.  Despite getting the second out of the inning  in the seventh after Richmond’s one-out walk, Irving Falu, stole second base, Wil Ledezma came into the game to finish the inning and gave up a double that plated Falu, charging Richmond with the run.

Winston Abreu retired three straight in the eighth to keep the 51s in it, and Josh Roenicke pitched a scoreless ninth.

Notes:

• The 51s committed four errors in this one, including two throwing errors by Brett Lawrie, bringing his season total to nine
• Travis Snider stole his fifth base, tying Dewayne Wise
• The 51s went 9-for-17 with runners in scoring position

Game #2: Las Vegas 51s 6, Omaha Storm Chasers 1

Led by another impressive outing from lefty Brad Mills, the six runs on 12 hits that the 51s scored were more than enough offense to give them a doubleheader sweep of the Storm Chasers and improve their record to 24-18.

Hitting:

David Cooper led the charge with a 2-for-3 day including a walk and three RBIs, and DeWayne Wise finished a double short of the cycle with a 3-for-5 day, including a homer to lead off the game.

Brian Jeroloman went 1-for-3 with an RBI on a sac fly, and Canadians Brett Lawrie and Adam Loewen each had two hits including a double.

Pitching:

Starter Brad Mills was the story in this one, earning his fourth win of the season in fine fashion. He limited the Storm Chasers to just four hits over eight shutout innings, striking out five and walking three. He threw 65 of his 113 pitches for strikes, and lowered his season ERA to a tidy 2.34. Clint Everts came in for the ninth and allowed a solo home run to Clint Robinson.

Notes:

• Lawrie’s double in the third inning was his 15^th of the season, adding to his team-leading total of 27 extra base hits in 41 games so far this season
• Snider’s RBI groundout also in the third gives him 15 RBIs now in 20 games with the 51s
• Brian Jeroloman finally caught somebody stealing, only his fourth in 45 attempts on him so far this season

Wins/Losses: 26-14 | Streak: W4 | 1st in EAS Eastern (0.0 GB)

New Hampshire Fisher Cats 6, New Britain Rock Cats 2

Henderson Alvarez was impressive in his Double-A debut and the Fisher Cats scored early and often to back him with some runs as they topped the Rock Cats on the road to improve to 26-14 and 12 games over .500.

Hitting:

Cleanup hitter Mike McDade continued to tear up Double-A pitching with a 2-for-4 night and 2 RBIs, bringing his season total to 21, and Adeiny Hechavarria also added two hits.

Leadoff hitter Darin Mastroianni, catcher Travis d’Arnaud, and second baseman Johnny Tolisano each added a hit and drew a walk.

Pitching:

All eyes were on Alvarez in this one, and he didn’t disappoint. He limited the Rock Cats to just one earned run on four hits in six strong innings to get the win, walking only one and striking out six. Alvarez was promoted earlier in the day from Hi-A Dunedin.

Ronald Uviedo added effective relief yet again, allowing just one hit and striking out four in two scoreless innings of work. Alan Farina gave up an irrelevant solo home run in the ninth before closing out the game.

Notes:

• Not only were four of the Fisher Cats’ six runs knocked in with two outs, but six of their nine hits were doubles
• After working hard in Spring Training, left fielder Ricardo Nanita has quietly produced so far with New Hampshire with a .291/.345/.392 slash line in 25 games

Wins/Losses: 24-18 | Streak: W6 | 3rd in FSL North (6.0 GB)

Dunedin Blue Jays 11, Bradenton Marauders 10

In a crazy game that saw the lead change many times and saw the teams combine for 21 runs on 32 hits, the D-Jays were able to prevail after taking the lead once and for all in the eighth inning. The D-Jays went 7-for-25 with runners in scoring position, and you know it’s a crazy game any time a team gets 25 chances with RISP!

Hitting:

Every D-Jays managed a hit, and that was with arguably their best hitter, A.J. Jimenez, out of the lineup. Justin Jackson looked impressive in this one finishing a triple shy of the cycle on a 4-for-6 night, and Brad Glenn continued his torrid pace this season with a 3-for-6 showing and three RBIs. Jon Talley also had three hits and three RBIs including a pair of doubles, and Kevin Ahrens and Ryan Goins each added a pair of hits.

Pitching:

Starter Nestor Molina had his first unfortunate outing of the season, allowing six earned runs on seven hits in only four innings of work. He struck out six and walked only one, but five of the seven hits he gave up were for extra bases, including a two-run home run in the fourth inning.

Aaron Loup managed to get just one out and gave up three earned runs, while Matt Wright calmed the storm and allowed one earned run in 2.2. innings of work with five strikeouts to earn the win. Wes Etheridge pitched a perfect ninth to earn his 13th save of the season, and lowered his season ERA to 0.89.

Notes:

• Etheridge’s 0.64 WHIP and 0.89 ERA lead all D-Jays pitchers, and his 13 saves rank second in the entire Florida State League
• Over his last 10 games, Brad Glenn has absolutely clobbered the ball, with a .429 average and 1.347 OPS with five doubles, five home runs, and 15 RBIs

Wins/Losses: 23-17 | Streak: W1 | 2nd in MID Eastern (1.5 GB)

Lansing Lugnuts 5, Bowling Green Hot Rods 2

Behind a great showing from the bullpen, the Lugnuts were able to defeat the division-rival Hot Rods in the first of a four-game series to move into a tie for second place in the Eastern division.

Hitting:

Kevin Nolan led the way with a 3-for-4 night including a double and an RBI, Marcus Knecht hit an RBI triple, and Gustavo Pierre hit his second home run of the season in the seventh for an insurance run, extending the Lugnuts lead to 5-2.

Leadoff hitter Markus Brisker added a pair of singles and a pair of stolen bases, while Marisnick added an RBI double to bring him to 29 RBIs so far this season.

Pitching:

Starter Egan Smith had given up just two hits prior to coming out for the fifth inning before giving up a home run a double and being pulled from the game due to injury. Smith finished his outing with two earned runs charged on four hits, with one walk and three strikeouts in 4.2 innings.

Marcus Walden came in to relieve Smith and was lights out, allowing just one hit in 2.1 innings of work. In five outings for the Lugnuts so far this season, Walden has allowed just one earned run in 11.1 innings, and has limited opponents to a .175 average.

Danny Barnes picked up where Walden left off, also allowing just one hit in two innings of work to earn his third save of the season.

Notes:

• Since being demoted from Dunedin despite posting respectable numbers, Nolan didn’t manage a hit in his first game in a Lugnuts uniform, but has hit in four straight since
• Knecht’s triple was his first of the season, and he leads all Lugnuts regulars with a .312 average

-JM

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