Down On The Farm: August 20

Statistically, Jeff Niemann's and Luke Scott's rehab appearances Sunday were at opposite ends of the spectrum.

AAA Durham Bulls (59-71)

After chasing Julio Teheran out of a game early for the thousandth time this season, Durham ended up losing a wild 13-10 11 inning game to Gwinnett. Even including the five scoreless innings against Durham in his second start of the year, Teheran's seven run, 2.2 inning performance Sunday raised his ERA to 9.89 in 23.2 innings against the Bulls in 2012. Unfortunately for Durham, the rehabbing Jeff Niemann was only a little better. Niemann allowed four runs on 12 hits in 4.1 innings as Gwinnett was eventually able to erase Durham's five run advantage. Despite the close score, Durham was outhit badly 23-14 by the G-Braves. Tim Beckham collected two of those hits, including his 4th homer of the season. Leslie Anderson was among the four other Bulls with multi-hit games with three of his own. In the 11th, Josh Lueke came on as the grand marshall of Gwinnett's hit parade as they used three singles and a double to take the three run lead that ultimately led to the final score.

AA Montgomery Biscuits (31-25)

Although they prevented Billy Hamilton from adding to his stolen base total, Montgomery was run over by Pensacola 9-2. Merrill Kelly allowed nine batters to reach base in just 4.1 innings of work, but he danced out of trouble for most of his outing. While Pensacola's bullpen threw four scoreless innings, Montgomery's wasn't as fortunate. Marquis Fleming, Chris Rearick and Scott Shuman allowed a combined four runs, with Shuman struggling the most. Derek Dietrich and Michael Sheridan each had a two hit, one RBI game for the Biscuits.

High-A Charlotte Stone Crabs (23-32)

After blowing a 4-0 lead they held after two innings, Charlotte won the game on a Kevin Kiermaier walkoff single to beat St. Lucie 5-4. Luke Bailey was intentionally walked to load the bases with one out in the 9th, and after the Mets made a pitching change, Kiermaier delivered the single to win the game. Chris Andujar got roughed up late in the game to waste a solid Albert Suarez start. Suarez threw five scoreless innings, striking out two and only allowing two baserunners before being removed from the game. Luke Scott's continuing rehab appearance led the Stone Crabs lineup with two hits including a double and two more walks as Charlotte's DH. Leadoff hitter Robby Price also reached base four times, and four other Stone Crabs reached multiple times.

Low-A Bowling Green Hot Rods (33-22)

Although they erased a 4-0 1st inning deficit, Bowling Green ultimately fell to South Bend 6-5. Bowling Green scored all five of their runs in the first four innings to force a 5-5 tie that lasted until the 8th. In his 3rd inning of work, Jake Partridge allowed a leadoff home run to Roidany Aguila that proved to be the winning run. After dominating at home the entire season, Ryan Carpenter allowed five runs in six innings for his second consecutive home start against the Silver Hawks. The top six hitters in the Hot Rods' lineup provided plenty of offense but still left 12 runners on base. Drew Vettleson had a three extra base hit game that included his 14th home run, and Jake Hager also homered, his 8th of the year. Matt Rice had four hits including a double and triple, and five other Hot Rods reached base multiple times.

Short Season-A Hudson Valley Renegades (39-20)

Back at Lowell, Hudson Valley won a tight pitcher's duel over the Spinners 2-1. Richie Shaffer's run scoring groundout in the 1st inning held up for a while, but Lowell tied the game up in the 7th. One inning later, Hudson Valley retook the lead for good without the benefit of a hit. Joel Caminero and Jake DePew each walked to lead off the inning, and after a wild pitch moved them into scoring position, Joey Rickard was intentionally walked to load the bases. Shockingly, Francisco Taveras did not suddenly start throwing strikes and walked Thomas Coyle to score the winning run. Sean Bierman struck out six in seven strong innings to earn his 4th win of the season.

Rookie Princeton Rays (30-29)

Princeton scored early and often in support of Eli Echarry in their 10-2 win at Johnson County. After three innings, the P-Rays were already up 8-0 even though they only accumulated nine hits throughout the game. Thanks to four walks, four errors and a balk, Princeton was able to quickly run up the score. The biggest hit of the night came after a William Argo run scoring double in the first. Ariel Soriano hit a two run homer to put Princeton up 3-0, and it was just the start of a great night for Soriano, who would later add another extra base hit and two steals. Although his ERA is still just a touch under 6.00, Echarry threw five scoreless innings for the 3rd time this season, and he now has 11 strikeouts in his last two starts.

Rookie Gulf Coast League Rays (25-28)

The GCL Rays were off.

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Star of the day- He's not really a prospect, but Ariel Soriano had a real productive day for Princeton.

Goat of the day- Jeff Niemann has not pitched well on rehab this summer.

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

Durham v. Charlotte 7:05 PM (MiLB.TV)
Cesar Ramos* (4-4, 3.53) v. Charles Shirek* (10-4, 3.53)

Montgomery @ Pensacola 8 PM
Kyle Lobstein* (7-6, 4.32) v. Tony Cingrani* (5-3, 1.81)

Charlotte is off

Bowling Green v. South Bend 7:35 PM
Trevor Shull (5-6, 4.97) v. Archie Bradley (10-5, 3.80)

Hudson Valley @ Lowell 7:05 PM
Eduar Quinonez (6-2, 3.59) v. Mike Augliera (0-2, 5.81)

Princeton v. Danville 7:05 PM
Alex Keudell (2-4, 2.64) v. Lucas Sims* (2-3, 2.95)

GCL Rays @ GCL Twins 12 PM
TBA v. TBA

*Listed as TBA on MiLB.com

Scouting the opposition

Charlotte Knights (White Sox)
76-54 (1st in IL South)
Offense: 578 R (7th) .717 OPS (8th)
Pitching: 3.19 ERA (1st) 1.25 WHIP (2nd)
Top 30 Prospects: RHP Jhan Martinez (6), LHP Charlie Leesman (14), C Josh Phegley (19), RHP Greg Infante (23), RHP Dylan Axelrod (24), OF Jordan Danks (29), RHP Deunte Heath (30), RHP Simon Castro

Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Cincinnati)
29-27 (2nd in SL South)
Offense: 491 R (10th) .693 OPS (8th)
Pitching: 3.73 ERA (3rd) 1.33 WHIP (3rd)
Top 30 Prospects: SS Billy Hamilton (2), RHP Daniel Corcino (6), OF Ryan LaMarre (14), RHP Tony Cingrani (15), C Tucker Barnhart (25), 3B David Vidal (26), RHP Kyle Lotzkar (30)

South Bend Silver Hawks (Arizona)
28-26 (5th in MWL East)
Offense: 592 R (4th) .695 OPS (9th)
Pitching: 4.19 ERA (14th) 1.40 WHIP (15th)
Top 30 Prospects: RHP Archie Bradley (2), RHP Tyler Green (25), RHP Jesse Darrah (26), RHP J.R. Bradley (27), LHP John Pedrotty (29)

Lowell Spinners (Boston)
28-31 (2nd in Stedler)
Offense: 241 R (8th) .642 OPS (11th)
Pitching: 3.67 ERA (9th) 1.30 WHIP (8th)
Top 30 Prospects: SS Deven Marrero, RHP Pat Light, LHP Brian Johnson

Danville Braves
33-22 (2nd in APP East)
Offense: 303 R (4th) .727 OPS (3rd)
Pitching: 3.89 ERA (4th) 1.31 WHIP (5th)
Top 30 Prospects: LHP Carlos Perez (25), RHP Lucas Sims, C Josh Elander

GCL Twins
28-26 (2nd in GCL South)
Offense: 208 R (8th) .652 OPS (9th)
Pitching: 2.96 ERA (2nd) 1.21 WHIP (3rd)
Top 30 Prospects: None