Rays prospects and minor leagues: Lowe, Sanchez lead Charlotte to win

A few days into the season, I detailed Josh Lowe’s hot start compared to how he previously started seasons. That’s largely continued now that the season is more than a week old.

Jesus Sanchez did not have the same start. He was 2-for-20 in his first six games with eight strikeouts and no walks. In his last three, he has six hits, including Saturday’s three extra-base hits, and has only struck out once.

Triple-A Durham Bulls (4-5)

Durham was unable to hold a 3-0 lead in its 5-3 loss to Columbus. Jason Coats hit a two-run homer in the second, and Joe McCarthy doubled in a run in the fifth. However, he was the Bulls’ last baserunner of the game. Starter Vidal Nuno struck out six and allowed three runs in six innings, and Ryne Stanek gave up a walk-off home run.

SS Willy Adames: 1-for-4, 1 BB, 2 K
1B Jake Bauers: 1-for-3, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 SB
DH Christian Arroyo: 1-for-3
RF Justin Williams: 0-for-3, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K
CF Joe McCarthy: 1-for-3, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 2 K, 1 HBP

LHP Vidal Nuno: 6 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 6 K
LHP Jonny Venters: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Ryne Stanek: 1+ IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K

Double-A Montgomery Biscuits (2-6)

Montgomery’s game was postponed.

Class A-Advanced Charlotte Stone Crabs (3-7)

Charlotte snapped a five-game losing streak with a 7-4 win over Lakeland. Lucius Fox led off with a walk, stole a base, and scored in the first, and Josh Lowe capped a four-run second inning with a two-run homer. Jesus Sanchez followed with his first home run of the season in the third. Willy Ortiz was charged with all four Flying Tigers runs in five-plus innings.

SS Lucius Fox: 2-for-3, 2 R, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 2 BB, 1 K, 2 SB
CF Josh Lowe: 2-for-5, 1 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 SB
RF Jesus Sanchez: 3-for-4, 2 R, 2 2B, 1 HR, 1 RBI
DH Nathaniel Lowe: 0-for-5, 4 K
3B Kevin Padlo: 0-for-4, 3 K

RHP Willy Ortiz: 5+ IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
RHP Roel Ramirez: 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K

Charlotte’s site offers this recap.

Class-A Bowling Green Hot Rods (3-6)

Bowling Green’s game was postponed.

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Sunday’s games (probables courtesy of milb.com)

Durham @ Columbus 2:05 p.m. ET (MiLB.TV, radio stream)
Chih-Wei Hu (0-1, 6.00) vs. Alexi Ogando (0-0, 2.45)

Montgomery @ Birmingham 2:30 p.m. ET (MiLB.TV, radio stream) DOUBLEHEADER
Benton Moss (0-1, 7.36) vs. Ian Clarkin (1-0, 0.00)
TBA vs. TBA

Both games will be seven innings.

Charlotte @ Lakeland 1 p.m. ET
J.D. Busfield (0-1, 2.08) vs. Alfred Gutierrez (0-0, 3.86)

Bowling Green v. Fort Wayne 3:05 p.m. ET (radio stream) DOUBLEHEADER
Alex Valverde (0-0, 0.00) vs. Osvaldo Hernandez (0-1, 7.36)
Brendan McKay* (0-0, 0.00) vs. TBA

Both games will be seven innings.

*Listed as TBA on milb.com

Scouting the opposition

Columbus Clippers (Cleveland)
4-5 (3rd in IL West)
Offense: 24 R (T-6th) .684 OPS (5th)
Pitching: 5.58 ERA (14th) 1.68 WHIP (14th)
Top-30 prospects: C Francisco Mejia (1), SS Yu Chang (6), OF Greg Allen (8), RHP Julian Merryweather (17), C Eric Haase (31), LHP Jeff Beliveau, IF Michael Martinez, OF Richie Shaffer

Birmingham Barons (White Sox)
5-3 (2nd in SL North)
Offense: 15 R (7th) .605 OPS (8th)
Pitching: 2.31 ERA (3rd) 1.18 WHIP (2nd)
Top-30 prospects: OF Eloy Jimenez (1), C Zack Collins (6), RHP Spencer Adams (12), RHP A.J. Puckett (15), RHP Jordan Stephens (16), LHP Ian Clarkin (22), LHP Jordan Guerrero (25), OF Tito Polo (27), C Seby Zavala (29), OF Ryan Brett

Lakeland Flying Tigers
4-6 (T-2nd in FSL North)
Offense: 19 R (T-10th) .707 OPS (5th)
Pitching: 3.41 ERA (5th) 1.10 WHIP (3rd)
Top-30 prospects: RHP Alex Faedo (2), OF Daz Cameron (6), IF Isaac Paredes (7), LHP Gregory Soto (10), RHP Anthony Castro (19), RHP Jason Foley (23), LHP Austin Sodders (29)

Fort Wayne TinCaps (San Diego)
2-7 (8th in MWL East)
Offense: 29 R (9th) .648 OPS (11th)
Pitching: 7.43 ERA (16th) 1.96 WHIP (16th)
Top-30 prospects: LHP MacKenzie Gore (2), SS Gabriel Arias (10), 2B Esteury Ruiz (15), C Luis Campusano (20), OF Jeisson Rosario (22), RHP Mason Thompson (25), OF Tirso Ornelas (31)

Daily news and links

ESPN subscribers can read notes from Keith Law on some potential first-round draft picks in the upcoming draft.

Inclement weather foiled Bowling Green’s plan to honor Matt Moore and Kevin Kiermaier as the first members of the team’s Hall of Fame.

Daytona and Jupiter combined for 11 home runs, setting a single-game Florida State League record.