Minor League Recap - 4/5/07

It feels like years since I've posted one of these. Glad to see the minor leaguers back in action. Let's get to it.

Triple A - Las Vegas lost 4-3

Tony Abreu - 1 for 5, RBI
James Loney - 1 for 4, Solo HR (1)
Andy LaRoche - 0 for 4
Delwyn Young - 0 for 3, BB, K

Chin Hui Tsao - .1 IP, 2 Hits, ER, K (L)

James Loney, after expressing frustration with being sent back to the minors, homered in his first at bat. However, the offense as a whole was held scoreless
after scoring 3 in the first 2 innings. Eric Stults worked just 3.2 innings, allowing 3 runs on 5 hits and a walk while striking out 4. Casey Hoorelbeke and Tim Hamulack worked 4.1 perfect innings. The 51's were held to just 1 hit by Salt Lake relievers. In the bottom of the 9th with one out, Chin Hui Tsao allowed a game-winning hit by Nick Gorneault that scored Kendry Morales. Las Vegas continues their series with Salt Lake tomorrow at 5:35pm.

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2007_04_05_lvgaaa_slcaaa_1&did=t400&sid=t400


Double A - Jacksonville lost 3-1

Chin Lung Hu - 1 for 4
Cory Dunlap - 1 for 3, BB, Solo HR (1)
Xavier Paul - 0 for 4, K

Scott Elbert - 6 IP, 4 Hits, 3 ER, BB, 9 K's
Justin Orenduff - 2 IP, Hit, 0 R, BB, 2 K's

The Suns were shut down by Cubs prospect Sean Gallagher, who allowed just 4 hits and a walk in 5.2 scoreless innings. Hu collected an infield single in the 4th, putting runners on first and second, before Dunlap grounded into a double play, ending a potential scoring threat. Scott Elbert managed to single, but was stranded in the 5th inning. Dunlap provided the Suns' only offense with his blast to lead off the 9th. Elbert was effectively wild, only issuing one walk while accumulating a number of full counts. Still, striking out nine with the lone walk is a vast improvement over Scott's last season production. Also taking the mound was Justin Orenduff, who missed most of last season with a shoulder injury. I like the idea of the Dodgers working him back slowly, as I believe they still intend to have him start in the future. All in all, a great pitching performance from Gallagher muted the Suns' offense, and the series continues tomorrow at 4pm.

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2007_04_05_tenaax_jaxaax_1&did=t564&sid=t564


High A - 66ers won 9-7

Ivan DeJesus Jr - 2 for 5, 2 2B's, RBI, R, K
Blake DeWitt - 1 for 5, 2B, RBI, 2 K's
Lucas May - 0 for 4, R, K, E, HBP
Russell Mitchell - 0 for 3, 2 R, BB, K, HBP
Jamie Hoffman - 4 for 5, Solo HR (1), 3 RBI, 3 R, SB, CS, K, OF Assist
Tony Harper - 0 for 2, RBI

Alberto Bastardo - 3.1 IP, 5 Hits, 4 ER, 4 BB, 2 K's
Brent Leach - 1 IP, 2 Hits, 1 R (0 ER), 2 BB, 2 K's, PO

Bastardo started off shakey but the offense picked him up, led by Hoffman's performance. A former hockey player, Hoffman was signed as an undrafted free agent out of high school in 2003. He hit a wall developmentally in High A, so a productive year would be very encouraging. A nice debut from DeJesus Jr as well. Bastardo struggled early and the 66ers fell behind, but an error in the 6th led to a 4 run inning and the bullpen maintained the lead. Leach was a bit shakey, but closed things out nevertheless. The 66ers look for another win tomorrow at 7pm.

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_04_05_inlafa_hdmafa_1


Low A - Great Lakes won 10-3

Trayvon Robinson - 2 for 4, CS
Preston Mattingly - 0 for 4, RBI, 2 R, K, E
Josh Bell - 2 for 5, 2 RBI, R, 2 K's, E
Carlos Santana - 2 for 5, 2B, RBI, R, K, PB
David Sutherland - 1 for 4, 2B, 2 RBI, BB, K

Clayton Kershaw - 2.1 IP, 2 Hits, 2 R (1 ER), 6 BB, 2 K's
Miguel Sanfler - 1 IP, 0 Hits, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

The first game for the Dodgers' new Low A affiliate was an interesting one, looking like a lost cause before turning into an offensive parade. Kershaw was obviously struggling, issuing one more walk in this outing than he did in 37 innings last season in the GCL. Not to make excuses, but it was 32 degrees with 20mph winds. If the problem is mechanical, hopefully Dodger officials can identify and correct it before long. On offense, Bell and Santana were impressive as well as Matt Berezay, who went 2 for 3 with a 2B, 2 RBI, 3 R, 2 BB and an impressive diving catch to save a run. Steven Johnson toes the rubber for the Loons tomorrow at 3:30pm.

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_04_05_swmafx_souafx_1