Minor League Wrap 8.19.2011

Toledo 2, Buffalo 4 (Mets)

Fu Te Ni had a tremendous start but did not factor in the decision: 7.2 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K. In 91 innings of work with Toledo, Ni has a 3.16 ERA, 32 BB, and 77 K with a 5-2 record. He’s started 9 games and appeared in 31. Enrique Gonzalez ruined the night for Ni as he allowed the deciding 3 runs in 2 innings on 5 hits and a walk.

Timo Perez and Ryan Strieby (1B) had 1 RBI each. Scott Thorman (DH) went 2-4 with a double.

Erie 2, Harrisburg 1 (Nationals)

Casey Crosby (LHP) went 8 innings and held Harrisburg scoreless. He allowed only 6 hits with no walks and 7 strikeouts. Crosby’s win improved his record to 8-5 with a 3.57 ERA. My primary criticism of Crosby has been his lack of control (70 walks in 118 innings). In his last 4 starts, covering 26 innings, he’s walked just 7 batters while striking out 25. If this trend continues, Crosby will be on his way to a successful career as a big league starter.

Audy Ciriaco (DH) and Shawn Roof (LF) had an RBI each. Rawley Bishop (1B) was 1-3 with a run scored and a walk.

Lakeland 0, Clearwater 1 (Phillies)

There’s something frustrating about writing a game recap in which you have to explain how your team’s minor league club managed to go 11 innings without scoring a run; unfortunately, that’s the situation. On the bright side, Lakeland pitching held Clearwater scoreless through 10.

Luke Putkonen (RHP), Zach Samuels (RHP), and Michael Morrison (RHP) combined to throw 9 scoreless innings with 3 walks and 14 strikeouts.  Kenny Faulk (LHP) continued that dominance over the final two innings as he struck out 3, walked no one, and gave up just one hit. Unfortunately, that hit was a solo homer which was the difference in the game and Faulk dropped to 2-4.

Jordan Lennerton (1B) went 2-5 from the plate. Fields and Rockett each went 2-4. Other than Plagman being HBP, no Lakeland batter drew a walk.

West Michigan 2, Fort Wayne 10 (Padres)

Kevin Eichhorn (RHP) ruined his streak of quality of 4 quality starts (and 7 out of his last 9) with a terrible outing: 3.1 IP, 11 H, 9 R, 8 ER, 1 BB, 2 K. Tyler Clark (RHP) gave up one more run and then Jade Todd (LHP) shut down Fort Wayne through 3 and a third.

Jeff Rowland (LF) and Dixon Machado (SS) produced an RBI apiece (Rowland’s coming off a solo homer). Nick Castellanos went 1-4 and is hitting .307 on the year.