Down On The Farm: August 1st

Today begins the final full month of the minor league season.

AAA Durham Bulls (52-60)

Cesar Ramos continued to pitch well in Durham's rotation in their 1-0 win over Norfolk. Ramos had almost exclusively been a starter while with the San Diego organization, but this was only his third with the Rays since coming over a couple offseasons ago. Tuesday, Ramos struck out three in 5.2 scoreless innings, only allowing two hits and two walks. Durham scored their only run of the game in the 3rd when Chris Gimenez singled home Rich Thompson after Thompson led off the inning with a single, stole second and advanced to third on a groundout. Gimenez was the key player for the Bulls, reaching base three times including his 10th double of the season.

AA Montgomery Biscuits (22-16)

The runs came early and often for Mississippi in Montgomery's 10-4 loss to the Braves. Jake Thompson was charged with eight of those runs in 5.2 innings, but only three of them were earned due to a trio of errors by Montgomery's middle infield, Hak-Ju Lee and Derek Dietrich. On the plus side for Lee, he did extend his on-base streak to 43 with a one hit and two walk night, and he's seven games away from tying MiLB's longest on-base streak this season (as far as I know), 50 set by Jurickson Profar. Dietrich, Ty Morrison and Michael Sheridan each had two hit games for the Biscuits.

High-A Charlotte Stone Crabs (15-23)

Charlotte dropped a tight one in their 6-4, 11 inning loss to Tampa. The Stone Crabs held a 4-2 lead for most of the game, but when Lenny Linsky entered the game in the 8th inheriting a pair of baserunners from Theron Geith, he promptly allowed a game tying two run double to Kyle Higashioka. In the 12th inning, George Jensen allowed back to back singles with a runner in scoring position with two outs to give the Yankees their 6-4 lead. The bullpen blew a solid start from Victor Mateo who allowed two runs (one earned) in 6.2 innings without a strikeout. Despite three strikeouts, Luke Bailey had a productive night with two hits and two RBI, and Riccio Torrez hit his 7th home run of the season, a two run shot in the 2nd inning.

Low-A Bowling Green Hot Rods (24-13)

Parker Markel topped off a very good month of July with an outstanding effort in Bowling Green's 5-0 win over Great Lakes. Markel struck out eight in seven scoreless innings, both tying season highs. He only allowed three hits and walked none. He finishes July with a 2.55 ERA and 0.96 WHIP in 35.1 innings with 34 strikeouts. Josh Sale and Juniel Querecuto led the Hot Rods with two hits apiece, and they each drove in a run. Ryan Brett stole three bases, giving him 39 on the season.

Short Season-A Hudson Valley Renegades (27-15)

Hudson Valley was off.

Rookie Princeton Rays (21-19)

Princeton slowed down Burlington's powerful offense in their 1-0 shutout win. Kevin Brandt and Jacob Faria were the driving forces in the win with each pitcher throwing four scoreless innings. Brandt struck out six batters, and Faria struck out three while only allowing two baserunners. The lone run in the game came in the 5th inning when Ariel Soriano and Reid Redman hit back to back doubles. The P-Rays had four doubles on the game, one belonging to Andrew Toles who stole another base and had another two hit game. Zach Butler pitched the 9th and picked up a save.

Rookie Gulf Coast League Rays (17-21)

A big 3rd inning provided more than enough offense for the GCL Twins in their 6-1 win over the GCL Rays. In that inning, five Twins reached base and two runs scored before the Rays were able to get the first out. Five runs would eventually score, and the Twins would cruise to their win. Luis Cabrera was charged with all five runs in that inning and was relieved after the 3rd. On the flipside, Kyle Gibson struck out seven in three innings in his rehab appearance for the Twins. Wilmer Dominguez drove in the lone run for the Rays, and Spencer Edwards and Yoel Araujo each had two hits.

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Star of the day- Parker Markel's stock is back on the rise with a strong July.

Goat of the day- The injury is likely affecting his performance, but Lenny Linsky has not been good so far this year.

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

Durham is off

Montgomery v. Mississippi 8:05 PM
Matt Buschmann (4-6, 4.17) v. Gary Moran (4-8, 3.08)

Charlotte v. Tampa 6:30 PM
C.J. Riefenhauser* (7-7, 4.68) v. Nik Turley (6-3, 2.83)

Bowling Green v. Great Lakes 8:05 PM
Jake Floethe (9-2, 3.43) v. Arismendy Ozoria (6-6, 4.75)

Hudson Valley @ State College 7:05 PM
Taylor Guerrieri* (0-2, 1.50) v. Clay Holmes (4-1, 0.80)

Princeton @ Pulaski 7 PM
Blake Snell (3-1, 2.04) v. Blake Holovach (0-1, 1.19)

GCL Rays @ GCL Red Sox 12 PM
TBA v. TBA

*Listed as TBA on MiLB.com

Scouting the opposition

Mississippi Braves
17-20 (4th in SL South)
Offense: 440 R (8th) .668 OPS (10th)
Pitching: 3.84 ERA (4th) 1.30 WHIP (1st)
Top 30 Prospects: C Christian Bethancourt (8), RHP Zeke Spruill (9), 1B Joey Terdoslavich (11), RHP J.R. Graham (13), OF Todd Cunningham (16), RHP David Hale (21), RHP Billy Bullock (24), C Evan Gattis (27), 2B Phil Gosselin (30)

Tampa Yankees
24-15 (1st in FSL North)
Offense: 436 R (10th) .696 OPS (6th)
Pitching: 3.66 ERA (4th) 1.35 WHIP (7th)
Top 30 Prospects: C Gary Sanchez (4), OF Mason Williams (5), OF Slade Heathcott (10), OF Ramon Flores (13), OF Tyler Austin (20), RHP Zach Nudie (22), LHP Nik Turley (27), RHP Branden Pinder (30)

Great Lakes Loons (Los Angeles)
16-21 (7th in MWL East)
Offense: 464 R (14th) .660 OPS (16th)
Pitching: 4.18 ERA (13th) 1.40 WHIP (13th)
Top 30 Prospects: OF James Baldwin (11), C Pratt Maynard (25), 1B O'Koyea Dickson (29)

State College Spikes (Pittsburgh)
23-19 (3rd in Pinckney)
Offense: 174 R (9th) .639 OPS (13th)
Pitching: 3.26 ERA (4th) 1.22 WHIP (5th)
Top 30 Prospects: RHP Luis Heredia (5), RHP Clay Holmes (15)

Pulaski Mariners
13-24 (5th in APP East)
Offense: 161 R (7th) .644 OPS (9th)
Pitching: 4.38 ERA (7th) 1.45 WHIP (8th)
Top 30 Prospects: OF Phillips Castillo (10), C Tyler Marlette (18)

GCL Red Sox
21-17 (2nd in GCL South)
Offense: 176 R (3rd) .658 OPS (8th)
Pitching: 3.13 ERA (4th) 1.21 WHIP (5th)
Top 30 Prospects: None