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BUF (1-2) - PPD Down 8-3 in the 3rd
NH ( 4-1) - W 4-3
DUN (3-2) - W 9-6
LAN (4-1) - W 9-1
The 3rd inning was rough in Buffalo, as the pitching and defense fell apart. Luckily the game was postponed, so the Herd can shake off some of the rust. Chad Jenkins wasn't great, but didn't get much help. He went 2.2 giving up 8 runs, 6 hits, 2 walks and striking out 1. Rob Rasmussen faced 2 batters, striking out one, and then the game was shut down. Offensively, Buffalo scored 3 in the first, the big blow on a 2-run triple by Matt Hague. Buffalo had 3 walks and 3 K's to that point, and will look to rebound Tuesday.
A 3-run 8th gave New Hampshire the win. Jake Fox was the main driver on offense, with 3 hits including 2 HR, and also took a walk. Fox had a solo shot in the 6th and a 3-run shot in the 8th. Dwight Smith & Jorge Flores each had 3 hits, including a double. Ryan Schimpf also had a double. The Cats only struck out 4 times in the game as well. Melky Mesa started in CF, had a hit, threw out a runner at 2nd and got caught stealing, but left the game. I will continue to look for updates on that.
On the mound, Michael Lee continued where he left off in NH last year, and pitched 7 innings. He gave up 9 hits and 2 walks, while striking out 3. Lee got 12 ground outs and had 0 fly ball outs on the game. Luis Perez threw 1.1 innings of relief with a hit, a walk and a strike out. He also hit a batter. Blake McFarland got the final 2 outs. The game was noteworthy as two former Jays minor leaguers played for Reading. Gustavo Pierre had a hit and a walk, which is noteworthy on its own. Art Charles is making his AA debut this year, and is looking to become a true two outcome hitting with lots of power and more strike outs.
Dunedin used 4 pitchers to get the win. Scott Silverstein made the start going 2 innings. He gave up 1 hit and 1 walk, striking out 2. Dusty Isaacs made his 2015 debut after being moved from extended spring training earlier in the day. He went 2.1 innings, walking 2 and giving up 2 hits, allowing 2 runs. Issacs also got 7 ground outs. Alberto Tirado went 2.2 innings. He gave up 4 hits and struck out 3. Brady Dragmire made the 9th more interesting as he gave up 3 runs, but was able to finish the game. He gave up 4 hits, including a HR, and struck out 2. Roemon Fields threw out a runner at home to help out defensively.
Offensively, Dunedin had 11 hits and 2 walks, striking out 9 times. Andy Fermin, Jorge Saez & Christian Lopes each had two hits including a double. Derrick Loveless added 2 hits and a walk. David Harris hit his second HR of the year and added a walk and a stolen base.
Lansing scored 9 runs on 9 hits in their victory. They had 4 walks and struck out 9 times. Ryan McBroom had 2 hits and a double. Rowdy Tellez added 2 hits and took a walk. Richard Urena hit his first full season HR, also taking a walk and striking out twice. Justin Atkinson added a double in the win, but also struck out twice.
On the mound, Conner Greene went 5 innings, allowing 5 hits and a walk, striking out 5. Alonzo Gonzalez made his debut, going 3 innings and striking out 7 in an impressive debut. Francisco Gracesqui pitched the 9th and allowed 2 walks.
Look Ahead
BUF - Completion of the 4/13 game, down 8-3. Jeff Francis takes the mound to start the night cap
NH - John Anderson gets the start in New Hampshire
DUN - Jairo Labourt makes his second start of the season
LAN - TBD as the Lugs continue in Fort Wayne