Written by Jay Yencich | 24 April 2011

I suppose I should mentioned something about RHP Josh Lueke going down and RHP Dan Cortes coming up, but what really is there to say?  Based off his minor league numbers and track record, Lueke could have been the best pitcher out of the bullpen.  Instead, it was between him and Chris Ray for the worst.  He couldn't find the strikezone much of the time and appeared to be pitching scared in some cases.  You know what?  This happens a lot of the time with rookies.  We all remember it when guys like Pineda step in and act like they own the place from the get go, or we perhaps remember it too much when a lesser player is amazing out of the gate but really are fringe-level talents and there are legions of radio callers-in wondering why they never got a fair chance.  If we're lucky, then this was a learning experience for him in trying too hard under pressure, and he'll come down to Tacoma and a few days in go "oh yeah, so that's why I was pitching so stupid" and then he'll be amazing from then out.  But it's hard to tell exactly what will happen and like any other player development issue, it takes time.  That's why guys get multiple option years!  In the meantime, Cortes has the potential to be equally terrifying, but he'll light up the radar gun if nothing else.

Tacoma 5, Salt Lake 10 (ANA + 7)
BEEEEEEEEEEESDLHGJRDEFGLESRTH. LHP Chris Seddon (2.28) gave up four runs on six hits (HR), three walks, and a K in five innings. RHP Manny Delcarmen (4.50) then turned in an uneventful sixth. Things started to go to pot when RHP David Aardsma (23.14, BS, L) came in, as he let four runs score on three hits, a wild pitch, and a walk in just a third of an inning. LHP Royce Ring (6.23) scored one of those and one of his own on three hits and a K while wrapping up that frame, and then RHP Chris Smith (3.52) gave up a run on two hits and a walk against a K in the eighth BUT BY THEN THE GAME WAS ALREADY AWFUL.
With two hits apiece in the game, we had LF Mike Carp (2 R, SB, A, .231), C Jose Yepez (HR, 4 RBI, .304), and SS Sean Kazmar (2 2B, R, .221). 3B Alex Liddi (2B, R, .185) doubled. Neat!

Mobile 3 (ARI + 5), Jackson 15
This was different! JACKSON SMASH. LHP Anthony Vasquez (4.13, W) picked up his first win of the year with a quality outing in which he allowed two runs to score on six hits, a walk, and five Ks in six frames. The final three innings were split between LHP Brian Moran (14.73), LHP Bobby LaFromboise (3.68), and RHP Stephen Penney (3.72). Moran gave up a solo shot, walked one, and struck out one and that lowered his ERA, LaFromboise had a hit and a K, and Penney had two hits.
Everyone reached base safely twice, but not everyone hit. Everyone's getting mentioned though! I'd lead off with DH Luis Antonio Jimenez (2 HR, 5 RBI, .333), who had two dingers and walk. He has three on the season. He's played in five games. Next, I'd go with the three threes in LF Jake Shaffer (2B, 2 R, 2 RBI, .368), 1B Rich Poythress (2B, 2 R, RBI, .255), and 2B Jorge Agudelo (2 R, .600), who all logged a trio of hits. Agudelo came up to Jackson when Haveman went west. SS Kyle Seager (2B, 2 RBI, .282), CF James McOwen (2 R, 2 RBI, .303), 3B Scott Savastano (HR, 2 RBI, .214), and C Brandon Bantz (HR, 2 R, .235) all had two hits. RF Nate Tenbrink (2 R, .188) was the one with the walks. He's a rebel. The Generals sent eleven men to the plate in a seven-run fifth inning.

Monday's Games:
Tacoma: RHP Chaz Roe, at Salt Lake, @ 5:35 pm PDT
Jackson: RHP Andrew Carraway, in Jackson, @ 5:05 pm PDT
High Desert: LHP Jimmy Gillheeney, in Adelanto, @ 7:05 pm PDT
Clinton: RHP George Mieses, in Clinton, @ 4:30 pm PDT

Organization Record:
Tacoma Rainiers: 4-14, .222, 8.5 GB in PCL Pacific Northern
Jackson Generals: 8-9, .471, 4 GB in SL North
High Desert Mavericks: 8-9 .471, 2 GB in CAL South
Clinton Lumberkings: 5-12, .294, 8 GB in MWL Western
Overall Record: 25-44, .362

 

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