Minor League Highlights 5/20

AAA Durham Bulls L 4-0

Durham Bulls meet Max Scherzer. Durham mustered three base runners on a Rashad Eldridge double, a Elliot Johnson single, and a Dan Johnson walk in this forgettable game. This was a Heath Phillips start, so let's move on.

AA Montgomery Biscuits W 3-0

Jeremy Hall gave Montgomery seven shutout innings of seven-hit ball with no walks and three strikeouts. Hall generated 5 whiffs on 92 pitches. Nevin Ashley led the offense going 2-4 with his 2nd steal, while also gunning down an opposing base stealer. Matt Sweeney was 1-3 with a walk.

Cody Cipriano was activated from the disabled list.

A+ Charlotte Stone Crabs W 11-8

The Crab offense bailed out Frank De Los Santos in a big way. De Los Santos allowed 7 runs on 9 hits and a walk in 3.1 innings. De Los Santos allowed 2 home runs and struck out a pair. Henry Wrigley continues to do his part to ensure Still The Devil Rays has the last laugh going 5-5 with two doubles (10) and his 8th home run. Wrigley also stole his 3rd base. Matt Joyce was 2-5 with a home run, and Tim Beckham was 2-5 with his 2nd double and two strikeouts. Leslie Anderson was hitless in 4 at-bats with a walk. Zach Quate slammed the door shut with a pair of strikeouts in the ninth to earn his 5th save. Quate has a 0.44 ERA, and 32 strikeouts to 4 walks in 20.2 innings.

A Bowling Green Hot Rods L 7-5

Jason McEachern allowed four runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out seven in a six-inning start. Chris Murrill had a huge game reaching safely in all five plate appearances with three singles and a pair of walks. He also swiped a pair of bags giving him 14 on the season. Tyler Bortnick went 1-3 with his 11th double, a sac fly,  and a base on balls.  Ty Morrison added his third triple.

Other Notes:

-According to BA, the Rays signed Ricky Orta who was released from the Mariners 40-man roster on May 3. Orta, the M's 2006 4th roudn pick, recently underwent Tommy John surgery. Orta worked mostly out of the pen in 2009 for the first time in his career and posted a 2.98 FIP in AA. Obviously, Orta has a long road to recovery ahead.

-Raysprospects.com has been following the Andrew Bellatti case. The 2009 12th round pick entered pleas of not guilty related to the fatal car crash in December. He is facing charges of gross vehicular manslaughter and several wreckless driving charges as well. Bellatti faces up to 7.5 years in prison if convicted. He is currently participating in Extended Spring Training.