On any other night Wander Franco (Princeton) going 2-for-5 with a homer, three walks, and a hit by pitch would likely be the best performance down on the farm, but yesterday was an impressive day on the farm. Ronaldo Hernandez (Bowling Green) hit his 20th homer of the year. Carl Chester (Port Charlotte) hit his first A+ homer in his second game since his promotion as part of a four hit night.
Vidal Brujan (Port Charlotte) stole the show as he continued to wreck havoc on the Florida State League. Brujan went 3-for-3 with two homers, walked twice, scored four runs, drove in five, and stole three bases. It might be the best performance in a single game this season likely competing with Franco’s night he hit for the cycle with a second homer.
Triple-A Durham Bulls (71-57)
The Durham Bulls shutout the Gwinnett Stripers 5-0 in game one of a doubleheader. Jose Mujica held the Stripers scoreless through five innings in his return to AAA after being sent to the disabled list in the middle of May. Austin Meadows continued his extra base binge since being traded to the Rays with his ninth double in his first 70 plate appearances in Durham. Nathaniel Lowe and Rob Refsnyder collected two hits a piece including a double.
2B Kean Wong: 1-for-3, R
DH Rob Refsnyder: 2-for-2, 2B (9), R, 2 RBI, BB
CF Austin Meadows: 1-for-3, 2B (22), R, RBI
1B Nathaniel Lowe: 2-for-3, 2B (4), RBI
LF Joe McCarthy: 0-for-3, 2 BB
C Nick Ciuffo: 1-for-3, R
RHP Jose Mujica (W, 5-1): 5.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 2 K, 0 BB
RHP Andrew Kittredge: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 2 K, 0 BB
In game two the Durham Bulls fell to the Gwinnett Stripers 8-2. The Stripers sprinted out to a 7-0 lead in the first two innings against Zach Lee. Nathaniel Lowe drove in both runs with a two-run double in the sixth. Austin Meadows collected two hits.
RF Rob Refsnyder: 1-for-3, R
CF Austin Meadows: 2-for-3, R
1B Nathaniel Lowe: 1-for-3, 2B (5), 2 RBI, K
SS Andrew Velazquez: 1-for-3, K
RHP Zach Lee (L, 3-5): 2.0 IP, 7 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 2 K, 0 BB, 1 HRA, 1 HBP
RHP Mike Franco: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 2 K, 0 BB
LHP Kyle Bird: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 2 K, 0 BB
LHP Hoby Milner: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 K, 0 BB
Double-A Montgomery Biscuits (71-58)
The Montgomery Biscuits rallied for a 3-2 victory over the Chattanooga Lookouts. Benton Moss allowed a two run homer to Jaylin Davis in the first inning, but went on to throw eight solid innings with seven strikeouts allowing only the two first inning runs. In the eighth inning the Biscuits tied the game on a sacrifice bunt by Nathan Lukes that the opposing pitcher, Tyler Jay, threw into right field. The Lookouts threw out Lucius Fox trying to score on the play for the go ahead run, but Lukes came around to score on a wild pitch. Brett Sullivan picked up two hits.
2B Jake Cronenworth: 1-for-3, R, BB
SS Lucius Fox: 0-for-3, K, HBP
CF Nathan Lukes: 1-for-3, R, K
C Brett Sullivan: 2-for-4
RF Jesus Sanchez: 1-for-3, 2B (4), R, BB
LF Miles Mastrobuoni: 1-for-3, RBI
RHP Benton Moss (W, 7-5): 8.0 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 7 K, 0 BB, 1 HRA, 1 HBP
RHP Yoel Espinal (S, 8): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 K, 1 BB
Port Charlotte Stone Crabs (68-56)
The Port Charlotte Stone Crabs defeated the Bradenton Marauders 8-3. Carl Chester hit his first A+ homer after being promoted prior to Tuesday’s game. However, Vidal Brujan stole the show. Brujan hit two homers (third in A+, eighth overall) as part of a three hit night and two walks saw him on base in all five plate appearances. Brujan drove in five runs and scored four. Brujan also stole three bases.
"With the two home runs, five RBIs, three stolen bases, heck, that's a good week," -- @StoneCrabs hitting coach Joe Szekely was impressed with Vidal Brujan's big night. @RaysBaseball
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) August 23, 2018
: https://t.co/Nm6XQxp2ey pic.twitter.com/K8IK6yXvMt
Please take a moment to admire the line that #Rays No. 12 prospect Vidal Brujan posted for @StoneCrabs tonight:
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) August 23, 2018
3-3, 4 R, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 2 BB, 3 SB
For context: No player IN @MLB HISTORY has had 3 H, 4 R, 2 HR, 5 RBI & 3 SB in a game, nevermind the 2 BB.https://t.co/Z0sA8oIBkE pic.twitter.com/5f6PN2TbI6
2B Vidal Brujan: 3-for-3, 2 HR (3), 4 R, 5 RBI, 2 BB, 3 SB
CF Jake Fraley: 1-for-4, 2B (16), RBI
LF Carl Chester: 4-for-4, HR (1), 3 R, RBI
RHP Brian Shaffer (W, 2-1): 6.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 1 K, 1 BB, 1 HRA
RHP Jhonleider Salinas (S, 1): 3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 K, 1 BB
Class A Bowling Green Hot Rods (82-46)
The Bowling Green Hot Rods defeated the Lansing Lugnuts 8-5. In the fourth inning the Hot Rods scored seven runs before one out was on the board. Back-to-back homers by Trey Hair and Ronaldo Hernandez ended the rally. Moises Gomez led the way with three hits including two doubles.
SS Taylor Walls: 3-for-5, 2B (26), 2 R, 2 RBI, K, SB (29)
LF Moises Gomez: 3-for-5, 2 2B (30), R, 3 RBI, 2 K
DH Trey Hair: 2-for-4, HR (3), R, 2 RBI, K, BB
C Ronaldo Hernandez: 2-for-3, HR (20), R, RBI, 2 BB, CS (4)
2B Justin Bridgman: 2-for-3, R, BB, SB (3)
RHP Tobias Myers: 4.0 IP, 7 H, 5 ER, 3 K, 2 BB, 1 HRA
RHP Justin Marsden (W, 1-0): 3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 4 K, 1 BB, 1 HBP
RHP Tyler Zombro (S, 6): 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 3 K, 0 BB
Rookie Hudson Valley Renegades (37-26)
The Hudson Valley Renegades defeated the Connecticut Tigers 5-1. Chris Betts and Michael Smith homered for the Renegades. Betts also earned three walks.
CF Michael Smith: 2-for-5, HR (3), R, RBI, K
SS Ford Proctor: 2-for-4, R, BB, SB (3)
DH Tanner Dodson: 0-for-5, 2 K
1B Jacson McGowan: 1-for-4, K, BB
C Chris Betts: 1-for-2, HR (9), 2 R, RBI, 3 BB
3B Allen Smoot: 2-for-4, 2B (3), 3B (1), R, 2 RBI, K
RHP Joe Ryan (W, 2-1): 5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 7 K, 1 BB
RHP Trey Cumbie (H, 3): 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 3 K, 0 BB
RHP Nick Sprengel: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 2 K, 1 BB
Rookie Princeton Rays (39-20)
The Princeton Rays defeated the Pulaski Yankees 7-5 in game one of the doubleheader. Trailing 5-4 in the seventh and final inning Wander Franco came through with a three run bomb to dead center. It was Franco’s 11th homer of the season and part of a two hit night with a walk and hit by pitch.
John Eshleman of 2080Baseball.com was on hand and a video of Franco’s homer can be seen at https://twitter.com/2080_John/status/1032416725541834753/video/1.
2B Jake Palomaki: 2-for-4, 2 R, K
3B Connor Hollis: 1-for-2, HR (5), 3 R, RBI, BB
SS Wander Franco: 2-for-2, HR (11), 2 R, 3 RBI, BB
C Roberto Alvarez: 1-for-4, 2B (12), RBI, K
RHP Wanderson Linares: 4.2 IP, 7 H, 5 ER, 6 K, 1 BB, 2 HRA
RHP Joe Peguero (W, 1-2): 2.1 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 2 K, 0 BB
In game two the Princeton Rays defeated the Pulaski Yankees 9-4. Connor Hollis homered in both halves of the double header. Grant Witherspoon collected three hits and drove in four runs. Wander Franco was held hitless, but walked twice.
SS Jake Palomaki: 2-for-4, 2B (3), R, RBI, BB, SB (9)
LF Tony Pena: 2-for-5, 2 2B (8), 2 R, RBI, K
3B Connor Hollis: 1-for-4, HR (6), 2 R, RBI, 2 K, 1 BB
DH Wander Franco: 0-for-3, R, 2 BB
2B Jonathan Aranda: 1-for-2, 3B (4), R, RBI, BB
RHP Miguel Lara: 2.1 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 1 K, 1 BB, 1 HRA
RHP Stephen Yancey (W, 4-1): 2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 3 K, 3 BB
RHP Christopher Gau: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 4 K, 0 BB
GCL Rays (31-23)
The GCL Rays defeated the GCL Twins 8-7. Teams traded six run frames. Jelfry Marte led the way with three hits including a triple.
SS Jelfry Marte: 3-for-3, 3B (1), 2 R, RBI
CF Aldenis Sanchz: 1-for-3, 3B (2), R, 3 RBI, K
1B Russ Olive: 1-for-3, 2B (15), RBI, 2 BB
3B Kaleo Johnson: 1-for-2, R, BB
2B-SS Luis Leon: 2-for-3, 2B (5), 2 R, BB
LF Yunior Martinez: 2-for-4, 2B (7), RBI, 2 K
RHP Taj Bradley: 3.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 K, 1 BB
RHP Christian Fernandez: 3.2 IP, 2 h, 5 ER, 7 K, 2 BB, 2 HBP
RHP Stanly Sabino (BS, 1)(W, 3-0): 0.1 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 0 K, 1 BB
RHP Aldor Rodriguez (S, 1): 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 3 K, 0 BB, 1 HBP
DSL Rays 1 (48-20)
The DSL Rays 1 defeated the DSL Braves 6-4. Roimer Bolivar, Juan Garcia, and Johan Lopez collected two hits a piece. Gustavo Andujar threw five hitless innings with a walk and hit a batter.
CF Roimer Bolivar: 2-for-4, 2 R, BB, SB (12)
2B Juan Garcia: 2-for-5, R, K
3B Angel Lopez: 1-for-4, RBI, HBP, SB (12)
Oneill Manzueta: 1-for-5, 2B (7), R, K
SS Johan Lopez: 2-for-4, R, K
DH Nigle Calmes: 1-for-5, K, SB (9)
RHP Gustavo Andujar (W, 5-1): 5.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 4 K, 1 BB, 1 HBP
RHP Endry Manrique: 2.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 1 K, 3 BB
RHP Wilfry Urena (H, 3): 0.1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 K, 1 BB
RHP Jose Cerda (S, 8): 1.2 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 4 K, 1 BB, 1 HBP
DSL Rays 2 (42-2)
The DSL Rays 2 fell to the DSL Rangers 1 10-2. Freddvil Chevez’s two run homer in the sixth put up the only runs the Rays 2 offense would muster.
3B Abiezel Ramirez: 1-for-2, R, 2 BB
1B Freddvil Chevez: 2-for-4, HR (4), R, 2 RBI, K
DH Edgardo Rodriguez: 1-for-4
C Angel Nelo: 2-for-3, BB, CS (5)
RHP Malicor Leon (L, 0-1): 2.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 K, 0 BB
RHP Emilio Alfonzo: 3.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 3 K, 3 BB, 1 HBP
RHP Rafael Prensa: 2.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 K, 1 BB
RHP Luis Trinidad: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 K, 1 BB
RHP Luis Medina: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 0 K, 1 BB, 1 HRA