Down On The Farm: April 24th

As Scott mentioned yesterday in his Milb recap, we are working with a new format that will offer extended coverage of how the minor league teams and top prospects performed. I will be taking the Tuesday slot.

It was not a good day down on the farm yesterday, as the Rays Milb teams compiled a 1-4 record. Chris Archer pitched like Chris Archer, Lobstein and Markel struggled, and Bowling Greeen dropped to 12-6. A full recap is after the jump.

AAA Durham Bulls (6-13)

The Durham Bulls lost the first game of their double header by a score of 2-0. The bats couldn't get it done in the seven inning game, combining for only three hits, no walks, and seven strikeouts. Pawtucket scored in the first inning, when, with two outs, they combined for a single, two consecutive walks, and then a single to plate a run off of Chris Archer. They scored the second and only other run of the game in the second inning, with a leadoff double followed by a single. The Bulls never really threatened, with no runner ever reaching third.

The Durham Bulls once again were defeated by Pawtucket, losing by the score of 7-1. Poor relief appearances by Lance Pendleton and Romulo Sanchez doomed the Bulls. Ryan Reid made the start for the Bulls, working three quality innings. The bats never really took off for the Bulls, even though they had eight hits during the seven innings of play.

AA Montgomery Biscuits (9-10)

The Biscuits lost on Monday night by the score of 10-4, dropping a game below .500. After six innings, the game was still close with a score of 4-3. However, the bullpen performed poorly for the Biscuits and they were unable to rally and overcome the significant deficit. Lobstein received the start and went four weak innings, giving up four runs while walking three and only striking out two. The offense for the Biscuits combined for only six hits and two walks. Hak-Ju Lee finally got a hit, raising his average to .171 (sigh).

High-A Charlotte Stone Crabs (8-9)

The Stone Crabs scored two runs in the top of the ninth inning to come away with a 8-6 victory over Palm Beach. The Palm Beach Cardinals rallied for three in the bottom if the eighth inning to tie the game up. However, the Stone Crabs persevered as Chris Rearick closed out the game. Enny Romero pitched the first five innings, giving up three earned runs while walking two and striking out five. However, Suero encountered troubles in the eighth inning, blowing the hold. On the offensive side, Charlotte scored in the second with help from a double by Mikie Mahtook. The Crabs scored another run in the fourth and then took the lead in the sixth, plating four runs, three of them coming on a homer by Acosta. In the ninth, the Crabs took the lead for good via a two run single by Wunderlich.

Low-A Bowling Green Hot Rods

The Hot Rods were blown out on Monday by Quad Cities by the score of 10-2. Quad Cities feasted on Hot Rod's pitching, collecting fourteen hits, two home runs, and five walks. Although Parker Markel started the year off strong, he struggled on Monday, pitching four innings and surrendering six earned runs with no strikeouts. The Hot Rods collected five hits, with Brett and Glaesmann hitting doubles and Rice launching a home run.

Star of the day- Hector Guevara, who had three hits, raising his season batting average to .340.

Goat of the day- Lance Pendleton, who blew the Bull's game open by allowing three runs in his one inning of relief work.

Today's Games (all probables courtesy of Milb.com)

Durham @ Norfolk, 7:15 PM, Cobb v. Tillman.

Montgomery v. Pensacola, 8:05 PM, Cruz v. Sulbaran.

Charlotte @ Palm Beach, 6:35 PM, Suarez v. Martinez.

Bowling Green v. Quad Cities, 11:35 AM, Carpenter v. Hernandez.

Notable Stat Lines from Monday...

• Brandon Guyer: 1-6, BB, K.
• Stephen Vogt: 2-6, 2 Ks.
• Reid Brignac: 1-4.
• Chris Archer: 5.1 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 Ks.
• Josh Lueke: .2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 Ks.
• Hak-Ju Lee: 1-4, K.
• Cole Figueroa: 0-3, BB, K.
• Kyeong Kang: 1-3.
• Kyle Lobstein: 4 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 2 Ks.
• Scott Shuman: 1 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 2 Ks.
• Ty Morrison: 1-5, K.
• Hector Guevara: 3-4.
• Derek Dietrich: 0-3, 2 BB.
• Mikie Mahtook: 2-5, 2B, 3B.
• Riccio Torrez: 0-3.
• Robby Price: 2-4.
• Cody Rogers: 0-3, BB
• Enny Romero: 5 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 Ks.
• Ryan Brett: 1-4, 2B.
• Drew Vettleson: 1-4, 2B, E.
• Todd Glaesmann: 1-4, 2B, K.
• Jeff Malm: 1-4.
• Cameron Seitzer: 0-4.
• Tyler Goeddel: 0-2, BB.
• Parker Markel: 4 IP, 8 H, 6 ER, 2 BB, 0 Ks, 2 HRs.

Thoughts and Discussion...

• Hak-Ju Lee has been off to a brutal start, struggling to hit while also striking out quite a bit. For a guy who relies on putting the ball in play and using his speed, the strikeouts are a concern. Lee has yet to show an ability to handle AA pitching, but it is unlikely he will be demoted. After all, he dominated the FSL and is still young for his level. At the point, we just need to wait and see how he performs.
• I would like to see Cameron Seitzer promoted to High-A. He is old for Low-A and has posted a .904 OPS so far, while walking more than he has struck out. Wunderlich isn't much of a prospect at Charlotte, and it would be nice to see how Setizer can do against more age appropriate competition. Besides, Malm likely doesn't have much of a future at the COF position, so the move would put him back at 1B full time.
• It is nice to see Enny Romero only walk two batters in his five innings of work. I hope to catch one of his games soon and will be sure to return with a report. If he can keep the walks at a reasonable level, he has terrific upside.