International League ( AAA ) - Lehigh Valley 12 (44-27, 80-64) Worcester 1 (38-32, 78-68)
Allentown, PA - Coca-Cola Park
Summary :
Cal Stevenson and Jim Haley walked in the fourth inning. Esteban Quiroz singled to score Stevenson. Weston Wilson and Darick Hall walked which forced in a run. Matt Kroon tripled to score three runs.
Rafael Marchan and Cal Stevenson walked in the fifth inning, Esteban Quiroz singled to load the bases. Kody Clemens singled to score two runs. Weston Wilson walked, Darick Hall hit a sac fly to score a run.
Rafael Marchan singled in the sixth inning, Cal Stevenson hit a two run home run.
In the seventh inning Weston Wilson walked, Darick Hall singled and Rafael Marchan walked. Cal Stevenson walked to score a run, Jim Haley singled to score another.
A couple of doubles scored a run for Worcester in the eighth inning.
On the Hill :
Christian McGowan pitched two and two third innings, no runs, two hits, three walks, three strikeouts. Fastball(sinker) sat in the 94-96 mph range, also showed a sharp breaking slider. Lost command on three hitters but otherwise he was in the zone and showed the quality stuff he possesses. First appearance at the AAA level and was up for the challenge. Hans Crouse retired the only batter he faced on a fly out and stranded two inherited runners. Orion Kerkering made his IronPigs debut - one inning, no runs, two hits, one strikeout. Fastball was in the 96 to 98 mph range and got the K on a swing and miss against his slider. Michael Plassmeyer finished it going five innings, one run, four hits, two walks, six strikeouts.
At the Bat :
Kody Clemens had three hits. Rafael Marchan, Darick Hall and Esteban Quiroz each had two hits. Marchan doubled, Matt Kroon tripled. Kroon had three RBIs. Cal Stevenson hit a two run home run and walked four times, he had three RBIs total and scored three times.
Defensive Gems :
Right fielder Matt Kroon threw a runner out at the plate in the first inning.
Link to Boxscore : https://www.milb.com/gameday/red-sox-vs-ironpigs/2023/09/20/723412/final/box
Did Ya Know?
“Jeremy Walker has been a stalwart out of the bullpen this season and is coming in hot for the stretch run. He's worked 8.2 consecutive scoreless innings over six appearences dating back to August 29, allowing just five hits and a walk total.” - from Media notes supplied by Sam Jellinek - Iron Pigs Manager of Broadcasting and Media Relations
Florida State League ( Low A ) Championship Game Three - Jupiter 7 Clearwater 4 (Jupiter wins series 2-1)
Clearwater , FL - BayCare BallPark
Summary :
Jupiter scored four runs in the second inning as they loaded the bases on a single and two walks. Carlos Santiago singled to score a run. Johnny Olmstead doubled to score two runs. A sac fly scored another.
Troy Schreffler singled in the third inning. A wild pitch advanced him to second base. He scored on a double by William Bergolla. Aidan Miller tripled to score Bergolla.
Jupiter scored two runs in the fifth inning on a walk, fielding error, hit batter, walk and ground out.
The Threshers loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth but could not score.
Ian Lewis walked to lead off the seventh for Jupiter, he stole second and scored on a throwing error by catcher Jordan Dissin.
Raylin Heredia walked to lead off the bottom of the eighth, he scored on a double by Chad Castillo. Jordan Viars singled to score Castillo.
With the win Jupiter claims the 2023 Florida State League championship.
The majority of the game was played in a misty rain.
On the Hill :
Jonathan Petit started and pitched two innings, four runs, three hits, two walks, two strikeouts. Daniel Harper pitched two innings, no runs, no hits, one walk, one strikeout. Eiberson Castellano pitched one third of an inning, two unearned runs, no hits, two walks, one hit batter. Alex Rao went two thirds of an inning retiring both batters he faced, one of three inherited runners scored. Nathan Karaffa pitched an inning and a third, one unearned run, three walks, one strikeout. Trey Dillard retired both batters he faced to end the seventh inning. Josh Bortka pitched two scoreless innings, no hits, two hit batters, two strikeouts.
At the Bat :
Chad Castillo hit two doubles. Jordan Viars had two hits (single & double). William Bergolla doubled. Aidan Miller tripled.
Defensive Gems :
Catcher Jordan Dissin caught a bunt pop-up with his bare hand in the sixth inning, he had to maneuver around the batter to do so as the ball was popped in the air right at the plate. 😳
Notes :
Congrats to all the Threshers players, staff and coaches on a great season. Falling short in the championship series dampers the light but it still shines bright for the work the club displayed this year - excellent season!
Link to Boxscore : https://www.milb.com/gameday/hammerheads-vs-threshers/2023/09/20/744363/final/box
Did Ya Know?
“Jean Cabrera allowed one run in 12.1 innings with two wins in two playoff starts. Emaarion Boyd is the seventh minor leaguer in 2023 with 60 stolen bases on the year. Estibenzon Jiménez’s six strikeouts last night are the most ever by a Threshers reliever in a playoff game.” - from Media notes supplied by Josh Sperber - broadcast voice of the Clearwater Threshers
System Transactions :
Lehigh Valley : RHP Christian McGowan transferred from Jersey Shore. RHP Shaun Anderson placed on the development list.
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
Matt Kroon legs out triple and Cal Stevenson celebrates home run - photo by Cheryl Pursel
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