Down On The Farm: May 28

It was a nice day for starting pitching throughout the system Sunday, but offense? Not so much.

AAA Durham Bulls (22-29)

Durham's entire staff was sharp in their 10 inning, 3-1 win over Norfolk. Lance Pendelton had his best start as a Bull, only allowing one run in 6.1 innings on three hits and three walks while striking out six. Josh Lueke, Dane De La Rosa and Bryan Augenstein combined to throw 3.2 scoreless innings to finish the game. The Bulls couldn't solve Jason Berken in seven scoreless innings, but it didn't take long for them to get to the bullpen. Reid Brignac led off the 8th with a single against Zach Phillips, and Jeff Salazar immediately followed with a double to bring him home. Brignac and Salazar teamed up again in the 10th to put the game away for Durham. After Henry Wrigley reached second on an error by Miguel Tejada, Brignac and Salazar followed with singles to make it a 3-1 game. Hideki Matsui was 1/4 with a strikeout, and Jose Lobaton caught and went 1/3 with a double and two strikeouts.

AA Montgomery Biscuits (26-24)

Despite putting the tying runs on base with no outs in the 9th, Montgomery couldn't get the rally they needed in their 4-2 loss against Jackson. Mariners prospect Taijuan Walker wasn't at his best, allowing two runs in five innings and striking out only three. Kyle Lobstein was up to the task of taking Walker on and equaled him, allowing two runs in five innings but striking out four. The Biscuits ran into problems as soon as Lobstein was removed however, as Marquis Fleming came on and allowed two runs in an inning of work. Fleming has now allowed runs in four of his seven appearances since being demoted. With two runners in scoring position and one out, Emeel Salem struck out. After Hak-Ju Lee walked to load the bases, a Ty Morrison strikeout ended the game. Omar Luna collected four singles. Ryan Garko caught for the first time since 2006 today.

High-A Charlotte Stone Crabs (22-26)

St. Lucie continued steamrolling the Florida State League with their 2-1 win over Charlotte. Erik Goeddel, older brother of Rays prospect Tyler Goeddel, walked four in five innings, but he limited the Stone Crabs to just one run. Braulio Lara's control was also far from sharp, walking four in 5.2 innings. Lara left the game with the lead, but Eliazer Suero allowed an inherited runner to score and was eventually charged with the loss. Brandon Allen was 2/4 with a double in his rehab appearance, and he combined with Steven Tinoco for five of Charlotte's seven hits. Mikie Mahtook drove in the only run on a groundout, and he also walked twice. Robby Price reached base three times batting leadoff with a hit and pair of walks.

Low-A Bowling Green Hot Rods (26-24)

Jeff Malm's 9th inning home run wasn't enough to rally Bowling Green in their 3-2 loss at Fort Wayne. Roberto Gomez was sharp, pitching a career high seven innings and only allowing one run on five hits and no walks. Unfortunately, Charlie Cononie wasn't as good and allowed two runs in an inning of work that put Bowling Green behind for good. The Hot Rods could muster only three hits, including Ryan Brett's triple to lead off the game. He came around to score on a Malm groundout, and they would not score again until Malm's solo home run in the 9th. Former Rays draft pick Kyle Gaedele had three hits himself for Fort Wayne. TinCaps starter Matthew Wisler allowed one run over six innings.

CLICK HERE FOR ALL BOX SCORES

Star of the day- Roberto Gomez pitched a career high seven innings. He's having a very good season, but he's an older guy and isn't striking out many batters.

Goat of the day- Ty Morrison stole a base and scored once, but he had a chance late to tie the game for Montgomery and couldn't come through.

Today's games (probables courtesy of milb.com)

Durham @ Indianapolis 6:05 PM (MiLB.TV)
Jim Paduch (2-2, 3.00) v. Daniel Cabrera (1-1, 3.14)

Montgomery @ Mississippi 8 PM (MiLB.TV)
Joe Cruz* (2-5, 6.05) v. Zeke Spruill* (4-4, 3.86)

Charlotte is off

Bowling Green @ Fort Wayne 3:05 PM
Jake Floethe (5-1, 3.04) v. Frank Garces (1-3, 3.00)

Scouting the opposition

Indianapolis Indians (Pittsburgh)
28-21 (1st in IL West)
Offense: 192 R (9th) .647 OPS (14th)
Pitching: 2.87 ERA (1st) 1.16 WHIP (1st)
Top 30 Prospects: OF Starling Marte (4), LHP Jeff Locke (10), RHP Bryan Morris (12), LHP Rudy Owens (16), LHP Justin Wilson (17)

Mississippi Braves
22-7, 5th in SL South
Offense: 185 R (10th) .663 OPS (9th)
Pitching: 3.44 ERA (3rd) 1.28 WHIP (2nd)
Top 30 Prospects: SS Andrelton Simmons (4), LHP Sean Gilmartin (5), C Christian Bethancourt (8), RHP Zeke Spruill (9), OF Todd Cunningham (16), RHP David Hale (21), RHP Billy Bullock (24), C Evan Gattis (27), 2B Phil Gosselin (30)

Fort Wayne TinCaps (San Diego)
24-26 (6th in MWL East)
Offense: 219 R (9th) .668 OPS (12th)
Pitching: 3.42 ERA (4th) 1.28 WHIP (7th)
Top 30 Prospects: C Austin Hedges (5), RHP Joe Ross (9), SS Jace Peterson (17), OF Donavan Tate (22), RHP Adys Portillo (26)