AAA Durham Bulls W 5-4

Jeremy Hellickson was hit around a bit allowing three runs on nine hits including a homer, while striking out four and walking none in five innings. Hellickson induced 14 swinging strikes on his 95 pitches. Darin Downs picked up the win striking out two in a perfect 10th frame. Justin Ruggiano led the offense in a 3-5 effort with his 14th double.  Dan Johnson and Chris Richard each went 2-4 with a walk, with Richard belting his 23rd double.

Adam Sobsey has his usual detailed recap of Hellickson's pitching performance and also speculates on bullpen reshuffling with Carlos Hernandez returning tonight and the retuns of Jason Cromer and Dale Thayer on the horizon. Adam also has a great read on currently unemployed former Bull Jason Childers as he faces the prospect of retirement. My favorite excerpt:

"What's vivid in my head now is my first big-league strikeout. We were in Toronto," and Childers was facing the Blue Jays' All-Star slugger, Troy Glaus. Childers got two strikes on Glaus. "I wanted to throw him a curveball." But his catcher wouldn't signal for it, "so I kept shaking, kept shaking. Called time, he goes over the signs again, he still won't put down a curveball."

The catcher came to the mound. "He goes, 'Look, I know you want your curveball.' 'Yeah, I'm feeling it.' He goes, 'Yeah, but I know this guy hitting. Throw your changeup.' I said, 'You sure?' 'Yeah, throw your changeup.' So I throw my changeup and Glaus swings right through it and I get my first big-league strikeout."

AA Montgomery Biscuits Postponed

A+ Charlotte Stone Crabs L 2-1

Frank De Los Santos had a strong effort go to waste as he allowed one run on seven hits while striking out two and walking one. 12 of 16 batted outs came by way of the ground. Offensively Reid Fronk led the way with a 3-5 night including his 17th double. Isaias Velasquez contributed three singles, whiel Stephen Vogt went 3-6. Tim Beckham was 0-5 with two strikeouts.

A Bowling Green Hot Rods W 2-0

Alex Colome hurled six shutout innings allowing four hits and three walks while striking out six in 6.2 innings. The offense mustered just four hits between Gabe Cohen, Julio Cedeno, and Robi Estrada. Ty Morrison did draw a walk and steal his 26th base.