Rays DOTF 4/28: Patrick Leonard really wants a call up

24 year old 3B Patrick Leonard went a career-best 5-5 with a home run and a double to help the AAA Durham Bulls continue their winning ways. At this rate he’s going to be with a major league club very soon. The Rays may not have room right now, but they could either get someone for Leonard in a trade while his value is at its peak, or make room for him on the Rays active roster. Either way, a decision will need to be made this year as he will surely be taken in the Rule 5 draft come November.

Triple-A Durham Bulls (14-6)

The Durham Bulls bats came alive in a 13-3 bruising of the Syracuse Chiefs Thursday night. Leonard’s 5-5 effort led the way, but everyone chipped in as the entire lineup scored at least one hit and most went for more than that. On the pitching side, bullpen day was successful as a whole, giving up 3 runs on 8 hits. Justin Marks pitched 3 scoreless innings and earned the win for his efforts.

Double-A Montgomery Biscuits (11-9)

Starting RHP Greg Harris gave up 2 runs in the third inning and the Biscuits couldn’t recover as they ended up losing to the Birmingham Barons 5-3. Harris had a 1.00 ERA coming into the game, but that ballooned to 1.88 after giving up 4 (3 earned) over 6 innings. Rehabbing Colby Rasmus went 0-3 with 2 strike outs and a sac fly RBI. Nathan Lukes logged his first triple and stolen base of the season. Justin Williams notched his 5th double of the season.

Class A-Advanced Port Charlotte Stone Crabs (8-12)

Port Charlotte appeared to be in line for a win until the 9th inning when Roel Ramirez and Bryan Bonnell combined to give up 5 runs in a tough 8-7 loss to the Dunedin Blue Jays. Jake Cronenworth went 1-4 with a single but it was enough to bring his hit streak to 21 straight games. Ryan Boldt appears to be heating up as he went 3-4 with a triple, a walk and an outfield assist.

Class A Bowling Green Hot Rods (10-10)

Starting LHP Travis Ott gave up two runs in the first inning and then cruised until giving up another in the 6th, but the Bowling Green offense couldn’t help him out as they fell to the Lansing Lugnuts 5-1. The young Hot Rods put the ball in play all night as the struck out only four times on the night as a whole. Unfortunately, those balls fell in for only four hits. The Lansing pitchers induced ground balls and pop ups all night. More growing pains for the young guns.

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Triple-A

LF Jake Bauers: 2-5, 2B (2)

SS Willy Adames: 1-5, K

1B Casey Gillaspie: 2-4, HR (2), BB, K

3B Patrick Leonard: 5-5, HR (2), 2B (6)

DH Curt Casali: 2-5, 3 RBI

RF Dayron Varona: 2-5, 2B (2), K

CF Granden Goetzman: 3-5, 2B (3)

LHP Justin Marks: 3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K

Double-A

RF Justin Williams: 1-4, 2B, fielding error

C JOC: 1-4, K, SB, pickoff error

LF Nathan Lukes: 1-4, 3B (1), SB (1)

2B Riley Unroe: 1-3, BB, K

RHP Greg Harris: 6.0 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 2 HRA

Class A-Advanced

SS Jake Cronenworth: 1-4, K

LF Ryan Boldt: 3-4, 3B (1), BB, OF assist

3B Kevin Padlo: 1-5, 2 K

CF Angel Moreno: 3-4, 2B (2), SAC, K

RF Manny Sanchez: 3-4, 2 R

RHP Genesis Cabrera: 6.0 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 2 HRA

Class-A

3B Adrian Rondon: 1-4, 3B (1), K

CF Josh Lowe: 2-3, 2B (2), SB (4), K