Minor League Wrap 4.22.2011

Toledo 7, Indianapolis 1 (Pirates)

Timo Perez (LF) led the way for the Mud Hens going 3-4 with a double and 2 runs scored. Other notable offensive performers were Ryan Strieby (2-3, 2 RBI, 1 BB) and Danny Worth (2-3, 2 R, 1 BB). Although Sizemore only went 1-5 on the night, he picked up 2 RBI.

Duane Below (LHP) went 6 1/3 and allowed 1 ER on 6 hits and 2 walks. Below also  K’ed 6. Below has made improvements after each start so far this season. On 4/10 he gave up 4 ER over 4 IP, 4/16 – 3 ER in 5 IP, and last night only 1 ER on a solo shot. His ERA is down to 4.70 on the season and seems to be on a drastically downward spiral.

Erie, Bowie PPD: rain

Lakeland 1, Daytona 3 (Cubs)

Trevor Feeney (RHP) produced a quality start (6 1/3 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K) but still took the loss on a night where the Flying Tigers could only muster one run from a Julio Rodriguez double in the 6th inning. Ryan Robowski (LHP) threw an inning and two-thirds and gave up one ER on 2 hits and a walk. Kenny Faulk (LHP struck out the side in the 9th.

Only three Flying Tigers were able to get hits (Nunez, Wyatt, and Rodriguez).

West Michigan 1, Lansing 4 (Blue Jays)

Kyle Ryan (LHP) gave up 12 hits, 4 runs (3 ER) over 6 innings to take the loss. Steve Crnkovich (RHP) pitched a scoreless 7th.

Dixon Machado (SS) went 2-4 with a run scored. Castillo, Castellanos, Enos, and Gulliver each recorded a hit apiece for the Whitecaps. The only Whitecaps run came in the bottom of the 1st when Dixon Machado scored on a double-play ball hit by Robert Brantly.

West Michigan 1, Lansing 5 (Blue Jays)

Kevin “Finkle is Eichhorn, Eichhorn is Finkle” Eichhorn (RHP) took the loss after pitching 4 2/3 innings and allowing 5 runs (4 earned) on 7 hits. What impressed me about his start is that, although he did get hit, he didn’t walk a batter and struck out 6. Command of the strike zone is an integral, and difficult, part of a successful big league pitchers skill set. Nonetheless, Mr. Eichhorn has some work to do regarding the elusiveness of his stuff.

Richard Zumaya came on in relief and did not allow a run in 1.1 innings. Zumaya has not yet allowed an earned run this season while tallying 6 K’s. Zumaya 2.0 has walked 5, however, and it appears he’ll be in Lakeland until he can figure out his control.

Hernan Perez (SS normally, 2B for this game) went 2-2 with a run scored and a walk. The only RBI of the day for the Whitecaps belonged to Nick Castellanos (3B) who hit a bases-loaded ground out that scored Perez from 3rd.