The Undercards: Ryan Carpenter Dominates, Montgomery Bullpen Implodes

The minor leagues provided another mixed bag of results, with several nice performances throughout the system. Overall, the Rays’ affiliates went 3-4 on the night.

Norfolk Tides 7, Durham Bulls 6 (12)

Luis Exposito hit a walk off home run with two out in the bottom of the twelfth inning to give the Tides the victory. Durham plated 4 in the top of the second against Brian Matusz, only to watch Norfolk respond with 5 runs of their own in the bottom of the frame. Durham retook the lead in the top of the seventh, pushing across runs on an Evan Longoria single and a Henry Wrigley fielder’s choice. Norfolk retied the game in the bottom of the inning, before winning in walk off fashion. Longoria ended 1-3 with a walk and an RBI. Will Rhymes and Cole Figueroa each had three hits in the loss.

Mississippi Braves 14, Montgomery Biscuits 5

Mississippi exploded for 12 runs over the final three frames to take a victory against the Biscuits. Leading 3-2 heading into the seventh inning, the Biscuits bullpen imploded, as the Braves scored 2 runs in the seventh, 7 in the eighth, and 3 more in the ninth. Chris Rearick, Marcus Fleming, and Scott Shuman combined to give up 10 runs (9 earned) on 10 hits and 4 walks in only 2.2 innings of work. Philip Gosselin provided much of the damage for the Braves, going 405 with a home run and 3 RBI, while scoring 3 runs.

Tampa Yankees 6, Charlotte Stone Crabs 2

The Stone Crabs and Yankees were tied at 2-2 heading into the top of the seventh. The Yankees then scored twice in the top of the seventh, and twice more in the top of the eighth to come away with the 6-2 victory in the first game of a four game series. Jimmy Patterson allowed 4 runs, with only 2 of them earned, in four innings of relief to take the loss. Enny Romero started, but only lasted 4 innings, giving up 2 runs on 2 hits and 4 walks while striking out 5 batters. Riccio Torrez went 2-4 with an RBI for the Stone Crabs.

Bowling Green Hot Rods 3, West Michigan Whitecaps 1

Ryan Carpenter was dominant over his 8 innings of work, as Bowling Green swept the three game series from the Whitecaps. He scattered 4 hits and a walk over his 8+ innings, giving up 1 earned as an inherited runner scored in the top of the ninth. Carpenter also struck out 4 batters. Josh Sale hit his first home run since June 10th, giving him 9 on the year. Juniel Querecuto went 2-3 with an RBI and a double.

Hudson Valley Renegades 7, Williamsport Crosscutters 4

The Renegades started out hot, scoring all seven runs in the first three innings, then held on to complete the sweep against the Crosscutters. After the Crosscutters went up 1-0 in the top of the first, the Renegades put up 5 in the bottom of the frame, highlighted by an error, a wild pitch, and a two run double from Geoff Rowan. Joey Rickard, Luke Maile, Joel Caminero, and Rowan all had two hits on the nighT. Williamsport starter Josh Warner was tagged for all 7 runs, with only 4 being earned, on 8 hits over 4 innings. Matthew Spann picked up the win, lasting 6 innings and giving up 3 unearned runs on 7 hits while striking out 2 batters.

Princeton Rays 8, Burlington Royals 2

The Rays jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead after three innings, and never looked back, coming away with an 8-2 win over the Burlington Royals. Alex Keudell picked up the victory, going 5 innings and allowing only 2 hits while striking out 3 batters. The only blemish on his night was a solo home run by Bubba Starling in the fourth inning. Colin Rodgers took the loss, giving up 5 runs (3 earned) over 5 innings on 5 hits and 2 walks, while striking out 2 batters. James Harris went 2-4 with a double, a triple, and 2 RBI. Brandon Martin chipped in with a home run and 2 RBI.

GCL Twins 3, GCL Rays 1

The Twins jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first and held on, taking a 3-1 victory. Despite out-hitting the Twins 8 to 6, the Rays only pushed across a single run in the top of the fifth inning. With the score 2-1 and runners on second and third with one out, Kuo Hua Lo escaped further trouble, getting a strikeout and a groundball to the mound to prevent further damage. Lo picked up the victory in relief, going 3.2 innings, allowing the 1 earned run on 5 hits, while striking out 4 batters. Geisel De La Cruz took the loss, permitting the two first inning runs on 4 hits and 1 walk in his 5 innings of work, while striking out 2 batters. Leopoldo Correa went 3-4 for the Rays, with 2 doubles and a run scored.