Toledo 3 Syracuse 6
The Tigers faced uber-prospect Stephen Strasburg, and managed to score. Deik Scram tripled and scored on a wild pitch. In the 4th inning Carlos Guillen singled (1 for 3 with a walk and 2 6-4-3 GIDPs on defense), Jeff Frazier doubled (3 for 4), and Casper Wells followed with a ground ball between third and short. LJ Gagnier allowed 6 runs in 5.2 innings but only 1 was earned, but a couple came around after his own error. Robbie Weinhardt faced one batter and was removed after the ominous “injury delay” according to the game recap.
Erie 4 Trenton 6
Duane Below allowed 5 runs on 3 hits and 3 walks in 3.2 innings with only 2 strikeouts. Anthony Shawler ate 3.1 scoreless innings. Cesar Nicolas and Michael Bertram each doubled and singled. Josh Burrus hit his 5th homer.
Lakeland 4 Tampa 1
Adam Wilk starred with 8 innings of 1 run ball on only 4 hits. He didn’t walk a batter and he fanned 8. Julio Rodriguez had 2 hits. Alden Carrithers reached base 3 times with a single and 2 walks.
West Michigan 2 Fort Wayne 3 (10 innings)
Jordan Lennerton doubled twice as part of a 3 for 5 day. Alexis Espinoza also picked up 3 hits. Trevor Feeney went 8 innings and allowed 2 runs on 6 hits, 1 walk, and 6 K’s. Melvin Mercedes walked 3 and had a wild pitch in 1.2 innings and took the loss.
I was at the Syracuse/Toledo game last night. My first look at Strasburg, and while he was not his best, he was still pretty darn good. High 90’s heater, sharp breaking curve, very deceptive change up. He didn’t have great command, so hitters could be a little more patient with him, waiting for him to groove one.
He works fast, but Guillen did a great job of slowing him down, getting him out of rhythm. Carlos’ single in the 4th was a great example of (to use a Jim Price-ism) a “professional hitter.” Frazier’s double behind him should have been a triple, but Carlos has no wheels at all right now. Luckily, Wells came through to score the run anyway, though it could have scored 2.
A beautiful night for baseball, and the most excitement at this ballpark in a long time. Me and the other 13,000+ enjoyed every bit of it.