The Providence Journal
Jon Marks - PawSox 8, IronPigs 5 -- Stopped by Carrasco, PawSox pile on the bullpen
The PawSox chased Carrasco and scored two unearned runs in the seventh before Jonathan Van Every’s gapper off Australian left-hander Travis Blackley cleared the bases and made it 5-5 in the eighth. Two batters later, Joe Thurston singled home the lead run off Jason Anderson.
Pawtucket added some insurance on Keith Ginter’s sacrifice fly and Gil Velasquez’s RBI triple in the ninth. Those runs proved huge when Lehigh Valley loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth, bringing the potential winning run to the plate with one out. But left-hander Hunter Jones fanned Rich Thompson, then got Mike Cervanak to pop up in recording his eighth save.
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Two weeks removed from a less-than-memorable major-league debut in which he squandered a 10-0 lead, Charlie Zink struggled early with his control, walking three in one inning and serving up Cervanak’s seventh homer of the season. But he settled down after that to keep his club within striking distance, eventually being rewarded with his 14th win.
Full Version: Sox Minor League News Links, Mon. Aug. 25, 2008
Kevin Thomas - Buchholz returns, with Dogs in chase; With Portland vying for a playoff berth, Clay Buchholz gets a start tonight at Hadlock Field.
IN SUNDAY'S game, Sea Dogs starter Kris Johnson (8-9) gave up two costly walks in the first inning. Ofilio Castro doubled to score both runners and went to third on a throwing error before scoring on a groundout to give Harrisburg a 3-0 lead.
Castro reached third on a close play, and Sea Dogs Manager Arnie Beyeler was ejected when he argued the call.
Portland got its runs in the third and fourth innings, on RBI doubles by Zach Daeges and Iggy Suarez.
Portland outhit Harrisburg 7-4 but left 10 runners while Harrisburg left three.
Kevin Thomas - Two shortstops: One you know; the other you will
Now for the tale of another shortstop, Carson Blair, 18. Blair was one of those late-round high school picks in the draft and required big money to sign (and give up his scholarship to Tulane).
Blair, who signed at the deadline for $200,000, had his first professional at-bats Sunday. He singled in a run in the first inning, then hit a grand slam in the second inning. Nice start.
Blair played a doubleheader and finished 4-for-7 ... In the second game, reliever Dustin Mercadante (1.50) got his 7th save (1 IP, 1 H, 1 K). Mercadante, 19, is 6-7, 230 pounds, a 41st-round pick out of San Diego Community College.
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Lancaster shortstop Yamaico Navarro (.344) went 2-for-5 with a triple ... outfielder Jason Place (.246) was also 2-for-5 with 16th home run ... reliever Kyle Fernandez (1.37) pitched 3 hitless innings (2 K).
Greenville shortstop Oscar Tejeda, 18, was 1-fo-3. he is hitting .263, but is at .410 for his last 10 games.
Lowell reliever Seth Garrison (1.20) recorded his 9th save (1 IP, 1 H).
David Hood - Jackets silence Greenville Drive
Greenville mustered four hits and was shut out 7-0 by the Augusta GreenJackets in front of 5,105 fans at Fluor Field.
The Drive (27-34 South Atlantic League second half) saw the normally reliable Chad Povich struggle early, giving up six earned runs in four innings.
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Greenville’s David Marks, who had two of the Drive’s four hits, said the team’s struggles at the plate have a lot to do with a run of quality left-handers on the opposing teams.
“We have faced some really good pitchers lately, and a lot of lefties,” Marks said. “We have a lot of lefties in the lineup, so I think that might be part of it. ... We don’t see lefties as much as we see righties, and when you get a good one in there, that definitely makes it tougher.”
Jim Waggoner - Weary Yanks knocked off by Spinners; Still hold 3-game McNamara lead with after 4-2 loss
Baisley wore a rare 0-for-4 collar and the Yankees managed just five hits off three Lowell pitchers, with Stolmy Pimentel earning the win and closer Seth Garrison the save, sandwiched between two hitless innings of relief from lefty Armando Zerpa.
Staten Island fell behind 3-0 in the first inning, victimized by shortstop Kelvin Castro's two-out throwing error. Lowell first baseman Deshaun Brooks followed with a two-run homer over the left-field fence.
The Baby Bombers got one run back in the bottom of the first inning on Taylor Grote's second homer of the season, and cut the deficit to 4-2 on Roy Gomez's fifth-inning sacrifice fly.
Lowell improved to 35-26, enjoying an 8 1/2-game lead in the Stedler Division. The Spinners will be playoff-bound, with Pinckney Divison contenders Batavia (39-23) and Jamestown (38-23) also likely playoff participants.
JetHawks Win their Season High 9th in a Row
(LANCASTER, CA) -The JetHawks came from behind the beat the Modesto Nuts 5-4 Sunday night at Clear Channel Stadium in front of 1, 211. The win is their ninth in a row, a season-high winning streak for the JetHawks and clinches the best overall record in the South for Lancaster, giving them home-field advantage into the California League Championships.
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Tied going into the top of the tenth, the JetHawks turned to Bryson Cox. Despite giving up two hits, Cox managed to get out of the frame without allowing a run. Sheely drew a walk to open things in the bottom of the tenth. After a Jason Place single put runners at first and second with no outs, Navarro struck out looking and Ryan Kalish hit a come backer that looked like a double play. But pitcher Tommy Baumgardner threw the ball into center field for the error allowing Sheely to come around and score the winning run.
Bryson Cox earned his second win on the season for Lancaster, Will Harris suffers the loss for Modesto.
Aaron Reza finished the game 1-for-3 and has now hit safley in a season-high nine straight ballgames for Lancaster. Sheely finished the game with a base hit and two runs scored, the left-fielder has now hit safely in a seaon-high six straight for Lancaster.
Chad Epperson Named California League Manager of the Year For Second Year In A Row
(LANCASTER, CA) - The California League announced its 2008 post-season All-Stars and Awards today and the JetHawks captured three spots on the distinguished list, including Manager of the Year, which Chad Epperson won for the second straight season. OF Josh Reddick and 3B Jorge Jimenez also were named as post-season all stars. The voting is done by league managers, general managers, and broadcasters, as well as selected members of local media.
In his second season at the helm of the JetHawks, Chad Epperson has led the club to the best overall record in the South Division, following the 2007 season when his club posted the best overall record in the California League. This season, the JetHawks won the first half championship and are currently in first place by 3.5 games with eight to play in the second half. Should the JetHawks clinch a second-half title, it would be the fourth straight half-season title won by the club as an affiliate of the Boston Red Sox.
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