The Undercards: Scott Begins Rehab With 2 HRs as Bulls Win Wild One on National TV

Only one team in the Rays organization played on national TV on Monday. No, it was not the Rays (mercifully given their results), but the Triple-A Durham Bulls. The fans watching on MLB Network saw a crazy game.

Triple-A International League: Durham Bulls 14, Buffalo Bisons (NYM) 10

As you can see from the score, this game was all about the offense. Most of the pitchers in this game will not want to talk about their performances- ever. Right in the center of the offensive onslaught was the player the Rays cared about most in this game, rehabbing big leaguer Luke Scott. Scott had a huge day, going 2 for 3 with 2 homers and 4 RBI. Stephen Vogt was also huge, going 3 for 4 with a triple short of the cycle, and 3 RBI. Shawn O’Malley went 3 for 5 with a home run short of the cycle and 2 RBI. Cole Figueroa went 3 for 5, and Rich Thompson and Chris Gimenez both had 2 hits. Shane Dyer had a bad day, allowing 6 runs on 9 hits in 4.1 innings as he continuously left his pitches up in the zone, and Jhonny Nunez allowed 4 runs, 3 ER, in 2 innings, but got the win in this bizarre game. Josh Lueke was a stabilizing presence in the final 2.2 innings for the save, allowing just 1 hit and no walks while striking out 4. Great to see the Bulls on National TV and winning.

Double-A Southern League: Montgomery Biscuits 15, Mobile Baybears (ARI) 4

The Biscuits won in an even-bigger blowout, but this one had a different feel to it as they scored 11 runs in the final 2 innings after the Baybears had scored 3 unanswered run to pull within 4-3. Nick Barnese got the start, his first start at Double-A this season after shoulder trouble, and he struggled, going 4 innings allowing 3 runs, 2 earned, on 4 hits, striking out none, walking 1, and posting a 4-4 groundout to flyout ratio. Merrill Kelly backed him up with 3 shutout innings, striking out 2 while walking 1 for the win in this one. Now, to the offense. The Biscuits improbably managed 15 runs on just 13 hits- although there were 3 errors and 9 walks issued. Interestingly, no player got more than 2 RBI. Ryan Garko went 3 for 4 with 2 walks and 2 RBI, Brett Nommensen drilled a 2-run homer, and Michael Sheridan notched a solo shot. Hak-Ju Lee went 2 for 6 with a double and 2 RBI. It was a nice win for the Biscuits as they got solid pitching and even better hitting.

Low-A Midwest League: West Michigan Whitecaps (DET) 6, Bowling Green Hot Rods 1

This game was pretty disappointing. Felipe Rivero had one of his worst starts of the season, allowing 3 runs on 7 hits in 5 innings, striking out 3 and walking 3 as well. His groundout to flyout ratio was just 5-4. The Hot Rods lineup, with Josh Sale and Tyler Goeddel getting days off, managed just 5 hits and 1 run, with Todd Glaesmann going 2 for 4 with the only run scored and Cameron Seitzer driving him in. Drew Vettleson also had a hit for the Hot Rods.

Short Season-A New York-Penn League: Brooklyn Cyclones (NYM) 3, Hudson Valley Renegades 0

Always exciting when Taylor Guerrieri steps up to the mound. This one was no exception. Guerrieri went 5 innings allowing 1 run on 5 hits, striking out 6 while walking none and posting a 7-0 groundout to flyout ratio. The only run scored on a second inning balk. Unfortunately for him, he took the loss in his first pro decision as the Renegades were shut down by Cyclones starter Luis Mateo and a couple of relievers, managing just 2 hits on the game. Jake DePew had one of the hits along with a walk. Great to see Guerrieri pitching well, and unfortunately, the Renegades’ bats were overmatched.

Advanced Rookie Appalachian League: Greeneville Astros 5, Princeton Rays 3

Reid Redman had a very exciting moment, his first professional home run, but unfortunately, the P-Rays were unable to capitalize. Eli Echarry didn’t pitch well and his defense didn’t help him as he went 4 innings allowing 3 runs, 1 earned, on 4 hits, striking out 1 while walking 1 and posting a 4-3 groundout to flyout ratio. The P-Rays rallied to tie the game as Ismel Antunez had an RBI single, but the bullpen let up a couple of runs as Princeton fell 5-3.