Don your RaysHawk: Rays and Yankees Square Off In Two Minor League Championships

by FreeZorilla on Sep 14, 2009 11:51 AM EDT

With a starting pitcher who began the year as a reliever in A+ ball taking the hill in a deciding game 5, Durham Bulls fans could not help but feel a little uneasy about their team's chances. However, "Precious" Paul Phillips would not be deterred as he continued his storybook season in the Rays farm system. The 25-year-old right hander went five strong innings allowing 2 runs on 4 hits, while striking out 6 and walking 1. Phillips who led the post-Hellickson AA Montgomery Biscuits in swinging strike % generated 9 whiffs over 68 pitches for a healthy 13.2%. The Bulls emerged victorious over the Louisville Bats by a score of 5-3. Sean Rodriguez led the offense going 2-3 with a walk and a stolen base. Justin Ruggiano went 3-4 including a double. Matt Joyce also chipped in with 2 hits including a triple. This will be the Bulls third consecutive trip to the Governors' Cup Finals, which begins tomorrow night with Jeremy "Narwhal" Hellickson taking the hill versus the Scranton/Wilkes Barre Yankees. Who says the Rays-Yankees are not meeting in the post-season as both the A+ and AAA affiliates of each club are meeting in their respective finals. Be sure to bring your swinging strike counters for the Narwhal.

In other farm news, the Charlotte Stone Crabs emerged from the weekend knotted up at one-a-piece with the Tampa Yankees. This is not a bad place to be with Alex Cobb and David Newmann starts on the horizon and the series heading to Charlotte. Game three is tonight at 7:05.

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Comments

Newman has really emerged

I realize he’s a bit old for A+ coming off the injury, but will be anxious to see him possibly at AAA by this time next year

by sternfan1 on Sep 14, 2009 11:55 AM EDT reply actions

StB!

Lead singer, songwriter, and caterer for the band Suicide Phoenix. We play sitar-based anthems on real estate law. Available for weddings, birthdays (13+, please), and LAN parties.

by PlayOnWords on Sep 14, 2009 11:55 AM EDT reply actions

OT but no thread:

Kazmir velcoity talk in Anaheim is overblown

8/9 in Seatlle with Rays vs 9/2 in Sea with ANA
Four Seam FB Avg 92.08 vs 92.7
Slider Avg: 82.31 vs . 81.38
Two Seam Avg: 89.75 vs 90.3

I am no fan of Hickey’s but fair is fair. Talk around town is a 3-4 MPH difference

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by FreeZorilla on Sep 14, 2009 12:26 PM EDT reply actions

At least reduced Speed Kazmir

doesn’t drive you crazy with a million walks. He doesn’t need the 3-4mph back to be good.

And speaking of walks, listening to the radio during the 2nd DH game, they mentioned that they talked with Sonny & Shields about giving up walks, was wondering if this may have had an impact on them as their walks have shot up.

by Transplanted on Sep 14, 2009 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Good work Zo

by RaysTheRoof on Sep 14, 2009 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions

I want the Bulls to win SOOOO BAD

I do not want another SWB Yankees championship. I refuse

"Doesn't Manny Ramirez look like the monster from Predator??" - Will Farrell as Harry Carey

by Gone Phishing on Sep 14, 2009 2:19 PM EDT reply actions

What's a RaysHawk?

Don’t really know how much the AAA series means – both teams a bit stripped by callups. But hey, makes for interesting watching. I know I am.

What’s the thinking here on whether DJ gets a call after this series? It’s been a long season for him I imagine, and the Rays do watch service time closely. But it seems to me a cup of coffee with some significant PT would be a good idea to see if that can impact the CC trade option. Same with Joyce, though moving Gross for him seems likely. DJ’s situation seems similar to the Brignac / Bartlett equation.

I wonder the same about A. Jackson for NY – not that any here care. But NY’s 40 is full so that’s a bit trickier. Not sure where the Rays are in that regard.

by nyyfaninlaaland on Sep 16, 2009 1:36 AM EDT reply actions