Brad Hand throws a gem, Batavia gets rained out, Christian Yelich rehabs, and Colin Moran stays hot.
Triple-A: New Orleans Zephyrs W 6-1 vs. Sacramento River Cats
Jordany Valdespin, RF: 2-4, 2 R, 1 2B
Mark Canha, 1B: 2-2, 2 R, 1 2B, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB
Rob Brantly, DH: 2-4, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI
Brad Hand, SP: 7.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 6 SO, 4 BB
Brad Hand held down the River Cat offense striking out 6 in 7 innings, and working around 4 walks. The shutout lowered Hand's season ERA to 2.33 in his third start of the season. The Zephyr offense put up 6 runs thanks to a good day from Jordany Valdespin, and a homeruns from Mark Canha, and Juan Diaz.
Double-A: Jacksonville Suns L 2-9 @ Mobile Bay Bears
Brent Keys, CF: 0-1, 2 BB
Austin Nola, SS: 0-4, 1 R
Brady Shoemaker, 1B: 3-4, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 HR, 2 RBI
Chipper Smith, SP: 5 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 5 SO, 2 BB, 2 HR
The Suns fell to the Mobile Bay Bears 9-2 Tuesday, after a very poor start from Chipper Smith. Brady Shoemaker was the only offense for the Suns, contributing all three hits including a double and a homerun. Brent Keys, and Alex Burg each drew two walk for the Suns. Bay Bears catcher Mark Thomas slugged two homeruns in the game, both off of Smith.
High-A: Jupiter Hammerheads W 6-4 vs. St. Lucie Mets
Christian Yelich, CF: 1-4, 1 R,
Justin Bohn, SS: 2-4, 1 R, 1 2B
Colin Moran, 3B: 2-3, 2 R, 1 BB
Austin Brice, SP: 5.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 9 SO, 2 BB
Austin Brice posted a quality start leading Jupiter to a 6-4 win over the St. Lucie Mets. He also struck out 9 batters in another very good outing, after struggling to begin the season. Colin Moran's bat stayed hot as he contributed 2 singles, and 2 runs scored. Marlin's starting leftfielder Christian Yelich also singled in a rehab start. Converted infielder Reid Redman continued to pitch well, nailing down the save by throwing a scoreless 9th inning.
Low-A: Greensboro Grosshoppers W 11-3 vs. Lakewood Blue Claws
Rehiner Cordova, SS: 3-3, 3 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2 BB
Carlos Lopez, RF: 3-5, 1 R, 4 RBI
Felix Munoz, 1B: 3-4, 3 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 BB
Sean Townsley, SP: 6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 7 SO, 1 BB
CJ Robinson, RP: 3 IP, 3 H, 1 R,
The Grasshoppers exploded for 11 runs and defeated Lakewood 11-2. Sean Townsley from nearby High Point University pitched well lowering his season ERA to 2.95. Prospect Austin Dean also pitched in with 2 hits and 2 RBI in the win.
Short Season Class A: Batavia Muckdogs @ Mahoning Valley Scrappers, Postponed
Rookie League: GCL Marlins L 2-17 vs. GCL Mets
Austen Smith, 1B: 1-1, 1 R, 1 2B, 2 BB
Galvi Moscat, RF: 1-3, 1 R, 1 BB
Iramis Olivencia, 2B: 1-3, 1 RBI, 1 BB
Felix Ramos, SP: 3.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 SO, 1 BB.
The Marlins were whacked by the Mets 17-2 bringing their record on the young season to 0-4. Casey Soltis continued to struggle by going 0-5 with 4 strikeouts. Second round pick Blake Anderson also struggled in an 0-3 effort, and has yet to record a hit in the first four games. The Mets exploded for 11 runs in the 8th inning to put the game out of reach.