International League ( AAA ) - Durham 5 (4-6) Lehigh Valley 3 (5-5)
Durham, NC - Athletic Park
Summary :
Esteban Quiroz homered to lead off the second inning.
Ben Gamel hit a three run home run for Durham in the second inning. Nick Dini hit a solo home run.
Kyle Manzardo homered for Durham in the second inning.
Weston Wilson doubled in the fourth inning, went to third on a single by Esteban Quiroz who advanced to second on a subsequent wild pitch. Jordan Qsar singled to score them both.
On the Hill : ( see link to boxscore for details )
Yunior Marte (one inning) and Luis Ortiz (two innings ) each threw scoreless relief. Jeremy Walker pitched 2 1/3 innings behind starter James McArthur who went two frames.
At the Bat : ( see link to boxscore for details )
Esteban Quiroz had two hits (single and HR) and Jordan Qsar homered.
Link to Boxscore : https://www.milb.com/gameday/ironpigs-vs-bulls/2023/04/12/723755/live
Eastern League ( AA) - Hartford 8 (3-2) Reading 7 (0-5)
Reading, PA - First Energy Stadium
Summary :
Oliver Dunn, Carlos De La Cruz and McCarthy Tatum each singled to load the bases in the bottom of the first inning, a walk to Matt Kroon scored Dunn.
Julio Carreras hit a three run home run for Hartford in the second inning which was followed by back to back doubles by Brett Boswell and Bladimir Restituyo to score a fourth run.
Cody Roberts doubled in the second inning and scored on a double by Johan Rojas.
Hunter Goodman homered for Hartford in the third inning.
Carlos De La Cruz homered to left field in the fifth inning, his first tater of the season. McCarthy Tatum singled, went to third on a single by Baron Radcliff and scored on a sac fly by Matt Kroon.
Hunter Goodman hit his second home run of the game in the seventh inning for Hartford, this one a two run shot.
Matt Kroon doubled in the 8th inning and scored on a double by Wendell Rijo. Pedro Martinez singled to score Rijo. Johan Rojas was hit by a pitch and had to leave the game. Carlos De La Cruz singled to score Martinez.
Bladimir Restituyo homered for Hartford in the ninth inning.
Defensive Gems :
Catcher Cody Roberts has an excellent arm, threw another runner out this evening, he’s excellent receiving as well.
On the Hill : ( see link to boxscore for details )
Adam Leverett threw two perfect frames in relief, he’s off to a good start after pitching 1 2/3 scoreless frames last week. Keylan Killgore went two innings.
At the Bat : ( see link to boxscore for details )
Carlos De La Cruz had three hits (two singles and a HR) and two RBIs. McCarthy Tatum, Matt Kroon, Cody Roberts and Oliver Dunn each had two knocks. Roberts, Johan Rojas, Matt Kroon and Wendell Rijo each doubled.
South Atlantic League ( High A ) - Jersey Shore 6 (2-3) Greensboro 2 (3-2)
Lakewood, NJ - ShoreTown Ballpark
Summary :
The BlueClaws loaded the bases in the second inning as Marcus Lee Sang and Jared Carr sandwiched singles around a walk to Jamari Baylor. Arturo DeFreitas was hit by a pitch to score a run, Wilfredo Flores singled to score another. Nick Ward singled to score a third run. Hao Yu Lee hit a sac fly to center to plate a fourth run.
Nick Ward hit a two run home run in the fourth inning scoring Wilfredo Flores (doubled) in the fourth inning.
Jace Bowen homered to lead off the fifth inning for Greensboro.
Tsung-Che Cheng homered for Greensboro in the sixth inning.
Shows Ya Something :
Nick Ward hit a pop up to shortstop in the seventh inning, a ball that should have been caught, Nick assumed nothing though and busted out of the box, he reached second base easily when Greensboro’s shortstop dropped the ball for an error. That’s protecting the standard at it’s best 👏.
Defensive Gem :
Catcher Arturo DeFreitas gunned down a runner attempting to steal second base to end the fourth inning, Arturo has a big arm - silly runner 🤓.
On the Hill : ( see link to boxscore for details )
Rafael Marcano pitched very well in his first start of the year, was in command of his pitches and mixed well. Rafael appeared to have a blister issue in the fourth inning but stayed in after trainer Meaghan Flaherty administered to it. Marcano has now pitched 6 2/3 scoreless frames (went three on 4/7 vs Brooklyn) to open the season posting seven strikeouts against just two hits and one walk. Tristan Garnett pitched a scoreless inning. Jordi Martinez who has been converted to a reliever this season struck out the side in his one inning of work, he allowed just one hit, Jordi has a big arm and is a lefty, gonna be interesting to see how he progresses as a bullpen piece. Tommy McCollum finished by pitching the ninth, he struck out the side, two batters on his splitter which can be downright filthy 👀.
At the Bat : ( see link to boxscore for details )
Nick Ward was 2 for 3 (single,HR) and had three RBIs. Wilfredo Flores was also 2 for 3 (single, double). Jamari Baylor drew two walks.
Link to Boxscore : https://www.milb.com/gameday/grasshoppers-vs-blueclaws/2023/04/12/727105/final/box
Florida State League ( Low A ) Clearwater 5 (4-1) Fort Myers 3 (2-3)
Clearwater, FL - BayCare Ballpark
Summary :
Fort Myers loaded the bases on walks in the first inning, a run scored on a wild pitch.
Gabriel Rincones Jr was hit by a pitch in the second inning, advanced to second on a walk to Bryan Rincon. Rincones Jr went to third on a passed ball and scored on a double play ground out by Jordan Viars.
Jordan Dissin walked in the third inning, moved to second on a bunt by Freylin Minyety, to third on a ground out and scored on a passed ball.
Fort Myers scored their second run of the game in the fifth inning on a walk, single, wild pitch and ground out.
Jordan Dissin tripled in the fifth inning and scored on a sac fly by Freylin Minyety.
Fort Myers tied the score at three with a run in the seventh inning on two walks, a passed ball and a fielding error.
The Threshers loaded the bases in the seventh as Jordan Viars walked, Otto Kemp singled and Freylin Minyety walked. Justin Crawford doubled to score two runs, Minyety was thrown out at the plate attempting to score.
On the Hill : ( see link to boxscore for details )
Starlyn Castillo started and went three innings, his four seamer ranged from 92 to 96 mph which is good to see, he also featured a curve and change up. Josh Bortka was 94-96 mph on the radar in his scoreless inning of work. Jonh Henriquez went two innings in relief, his second two inning stint of the young season, he was 91-94 on the speed gun tonight with the fastball, also threw a cutter, changeup, curve and slider. Eduar Segovia went 1 2/3 innings, he was in the 92-95 mph range with his sinker and four seamer. Jack Dallas finished strong going 1 1/3 scoreless frames punching out two batters.
At the Bat : ( see link to boxscore for details )
Emaarion Boyd had two singles and a walk, he also stole two bases. Justin Crawford doubled and Jordan Dissin tripled and walked, scored twice.
Player Development Center Training - Carpenter Complex
Nine pitchers threw side bullpen sessions on the seven mounds in front of the David Montgomery Training Center and on the pitching lab mound, pitchers who threw today - Zach Haake (lab), Jon Duplantier, Daniel Harper, Drew Garrett, Jhordany Mezquita, Enrique Segura, Blake Brown and Jose Acuna.
Simulated Game :
Victor Vargas (3 IP) and Malik Binns (2 IP) pitched for Team Blue while Wen Hui Pan (2 IP) and Nathan Karaffa (2 IP) pitched for Team Red.
Notes :
Wen Hui Pan (20 years old - signed 1/15/23 - Taiwan) was very sharp today, the stuff is for real, fastball has both movement and velocity, slider has tilt and quick break, even a few splitters today that sunk. The key was he threw all of them for strikes, if he does that consistently the club has yet another power arm that could very well impact the highest level of play in the future.
Yemal Flores (19 years old - signed 2/2/21 - Dominican Republic) hit the only home run of the contest, an opposite field blast over the right center field fence. It’s the kind of power that seems easy for the muscular young man, with continued improvement on pitch recognition and discipline he’s got a swing that can advance.
Randy Vasquez (20 years old - signed 7/2/19 - Dominican Republic) made a couple outstanding fielding plays at shortstop on grounders up the middle with quick pop up throws to nail runners at first base. He swung the bat well today also.
Jhailyn Ortiz took turns in the box for both teams, he’s getting some one on one coaching guidance this week. Jhailyn smoked a line drive double over the left fielders head in his first AB.
Keep in mind my observations are worthless as I’m not a professional baseball person as I’m reminded each time I watch activities at the Complex, just a fan of the game who happens to show up most every day there. Is what it is.
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
Carlos De La Cruz, Nick Ward & Emaarion Boyd - photos by George Youngs Jr, Michael Dolcemascolo and Rebecca Alexander
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