Rays DOTF 6/26: Much offense, many runs

There were plenty of hitting performances to like in the organization on Sunday, including a Kean Wong grand slam, a 5 RBI night from Brett Sullivan, and a trio of 4-hit nights.

Triple-A Durham Bulls (46-29)

Every player in the Durham Bulls lineup contributed at least one hit in their 10-6 win over the Charlotte Knights. Ryan Yarbrough cruised through 5 scoreless innings, then allowed two base runners in the 6th before leaving the game after being hit by a come backer. Our pal Neil Solondz confirmed he is okay and the move was more precautionary than anything else. Neil Wagner stranded the runners to keep the shutout intact, but Jeff Ames had trouble getting anyone out and gave up 6 runs in the 8th inning. Good thing the Bulls already had a ten spot on the board. Kean Wong launched a no-doubt grand slam in the 2nd inning for just his 10th career home run. Casey Gillaspie added his 4th multi-hit game in 5 days after being cold at the plate for nearly the entire season. It looks like he’s figuring things out.

Johnny Field 2-5, hitting .263

Kean Wong 2-5, HR (2), K, hitting .268

Willy Adames 3-5, 3B (5), K, hitting .280

Patrick Leonard 2-5, 2B (18), 2 K, hitting .284

Casey Gillaspie 2-5, 2B (12), K, hitting .228

Ryan Yarbrough 5.1 IP, 5 H, 0 R/ER, 2 BB, 8 K, 4.10 ERA

Ryne Stanek 1.1 IP, 1 H, 2 K, 1.90 ERA

Double-A Montgomery Biscuits (39-35)

Montgomery could never catch up to the Birmingham Barons in their 5-4 loss Sunday. Base running may have been the difference maker in this one as the Barons stole 3 bases on the Fernando Baez / Nick Ciuffo battery, while the Biscuits were caught twice by pitcher Spender Adams and catcher Alfredo Gonzalez. Joe McCarthy got a rare start in right field, and contributed probably his 900th extra-base-hit of the season.

Joe McCarthy 1-4, 2B (21), K, hitting .304

Justin O'Conner 0-2, 2 BB, K, hitting .246

Nick Ciuffo 0-3, BB, K, hitting .227

Mac James 1-4, 2B (4), K, hitting .277

Nathan Lukes 1-3, 3B (4), hitting .256

Kyle Bird 2.2 IP, 1 H, B, 4 K, 3.60 ERA

Class A-Advanced Port Charlotte Stone Crabs (34-38)

The Stone Crabs dropped a baker’s dozen on the St. Lucie Mets in their 13-10 slugfest on Sunday. The Murderers’ Row at the top of the lineup contributed almost all of the damage, accounting for 12 hits and 11 RBI in the top 4 spots. Brandon Lowe probably should have been in Montgomery a month ago. David Rodriguez flashed the arm behind the plate with a caught runner and a pick off.

Jake Cronenworth 3-5, BB, K, SB (10), hitting .281

Peter Maris 4-6, K, hitting .321

Brandon Lowe 2-5, 2 2B (25), 2 K, hitting .345

Brett Sullivan 3-5, K, hitting .312

Dalton Kelly 1-4, 2 BB, K, hitting .305

Class A Bowling Green Hot Rods (32-39)

The Hot Rods finished a game from two days ago and then played another, but dropped them both to the Fort Wayne TinCaps. Neither performances were anything to write home about.

Robbie Tenerowicz 1-3, 2B (12), 2 K, hitting .292

Jesus Sanchez 1-2, BB, hitting .291

Eleardo Cabrera 2-3, K, hitting .278

Garrett Whitley 1-3, 2B (7), 2 K, hitting .253

J.D. Busfield 6.0 IP, 8 H, 5 R/ER, 0 BB, 10 K, 3 HRA, 2.85 ERA

Class A Short Season Hudson Valley Renegades (4-2)

The Renegades are doing well early in their season as they grabbed another win in Brooklyn 5-3. 19 year old Resly Linares pitched into the 5th inning in his first start of the season, striking out 6 and allowing just 1 run on 2 hits. Deion Tansel and Oscar Rojas are turning out to be a tough 1-2 punch at the top of the lineup as they combined for 5 hits, 3 of them going for extra bases. Converted catcher Zacrey Law contributed a double and 2 RBI from the 3 hole.

Deion Tansel 2-5, 2B (4), hitting .364

Oscar Rojas 3-4, 2B (2), 3B (2), hitting .429

Zacrey Law 1-5, 2B (1), hitting .143

Resly Linares 4.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R/ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 1.42 ERA

Class A Short Season Princeton Rays (0-4)

The Princeton Rays went 11 innings but couldn’t pick up their first win of the season, losing 6-7 to the Danville Braves. Last year’s 4th round draft pick Easton McGee pitched into the 4th inning in his first start of the season, collecting 4 strikeouts while allowing 1 run on 6 hits. This year’s 12th round pick Carl Chester led off and now has 2 hits in all 3 of his career pro games. Devin Davis and Ronaldo Hernandez each had 4 hits on the night and are off to great starts on the year.

Carl Chester 2-5, 2B (1), 3B (1), hitting .429

Ronaldo Hernandez 4-6, 2B (2), hitting .556

Devin Davis 4-5, 2B (1), K, hitting .438

Easton McGee 3.2 IP, 6 H, 1 R/ER, 0 BB, 4 K, 2.45 ERA

Short Season DSL Rays

Both DSL Rays teams were off.

Go to this MLBfarm page for all of yesterday’s Rays organization box scores, and then this milb page to check out today’s match ups. It looks like the GCL Rays will kick off their season today, and there isn’t a single regularly scheduled starting pitcher listed for any of the affiliates, though Durham will be facing off against one of the best pitching prospects in baseball in Tyler Glasnow.