The Undercards: Leslie Anderson Continues Power Surge in Bulls Loss

Leslie Anderson had put together a solid showing in Spring Training, catching the eye of the coaching staff with his improved play. Even though he was sent to Durham, he has continued his strong play, as he looks to force his way up to the majors at some point this season.

Norfolk Tides (Orioles) 7, Durham Bulls 5

The game did not start off well for Durham, as Jason Pridie led off the game with a home run for the Tides. Norfolk scored another run in the first to go ahead 2-0 before the Bulls got to bat. After Durham got a run back in the bottom of the inning, the Tides scored twice more in the top of the second. An error by J.D. Martin caused the inning to be extended, leading to a two run double off the bat of Danny Valencia. Jonathan Schoop homered in the third to put the Tides ahead 5-1, but the Bulls fought back. Leslie Anderson hit his third home run of the year, plating Hak-Ju Lee to cut the lead to two. However, the Tides scored again in the fourth and sixth innings, jumping back out to a four run lead. Once again, Durham fought back, as Lee hit a two run single in the bottom of the sixth to pull the Bulls back within two. Unfortunately, the Bulls were unable to threaten afterwards, and lost 7-5. Martin took the loss, giving up six runs, three earned, in four innings. He allowed eight hits, and two home runs, while striking out three. Anderson was 2-5 with his home run. Lee was 3-5 with a double, a run scored, two RBIs, and a stolen base.

Montgomery Biscuits 5, Jackson Generals (Mariners) 4 (Game 1 – seven innings)

The Biscuits and the Generals faced off in the first game of the doubleheader, in a makeup game for the postponed matchup on Thursday. Cameron Seitzer kicked off the scoring for the Biscuits in the first, as his RBI single plated Sean O’Malley. Montgomery expanded the lead in the second, using a pair of RBI doubles from Robi Estrada and Mikie Mahtook to take an early 5-0 lead. However, the Generals climbed back into the game, using three consecutive singles to plate their first run in the bottom of the second. Jackson got wo more back in the sixth, as they put runners on second and third with no one out. A pair of RBI groundouts cut the lead to 5-3. The Generals had a chance to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh against Biscuits closer Juan Sandoval, as they had runners on first and third with one out. John Hicks doubled to center, plating a run, but the Generals hopes of tying the game were dashed when Abraham Almonte was gunned down at the plate. Marcus Fleming picked up the win, allowing one hit and two walks in 3.1 innings of relief. Riccio Torrez was 2-3 with a double and a run scored.

Jackson Generals 4, Montgomery Biscuits 2 (Game 2 – seven innings)

The second game was essentially the opposite of the first, as the game remained scoreless through the first two and a half innings. Jackson jumped out in the bottom of the third, with Brad Miller and Vinnie Catricala hitting back to back RBI doubles, and James Jones following up with an RBI triple. Miller hit a solo home run in the fifth, as the Generals took a 4-0 lead into the top of the seventh. The Biscuits loaded the bases with one out, and Sean O’Malley singled to center, plating a run. Witht he bases still loaded, Ty Morrison struck out, but a passed ball allowed the runners to advance, as the Biscuits cut the lead to 4-2. Robbie Price was hit by a pitch to reload the bases, but Mikie Mahtook struck out to end the threat. Merrill Kelly took the loss, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks, while striking out four. O’Malley was 2-3 with a double and an RBI.

Fort Myers Miracle (Twins) 6, Charlotte Stone Crabs 4

Heading into the action last night, the Miracle had yet to lose on the season, and the Stone Crabs were aiming to end their winning streak. However, the Miracle continued their winning ways, coming away with a 6-4 victory. Fort Myers scored first, as Eddie Rosario singled, took second on a wild pitch, and moved to third with two outs before scoring on Matt Koch‘s infield hit. The Stone Crabs tied the game in the bottom of the fifth, as Kyeong Kang scored on a double off the bat of Jake Hager. The Miracle loaded the bases with two out in the top of the sixth, as Angel Morales came to bat. His double cleared the bases, and Morales came around to score on a double by Rosario. The Stone Crabs got one of the runs back in the bottom of the inning, as Drew Vettleson tripled and scored on a sacrifice fly. The Miracle and Stone Crabs traded runs, as Charlotte found themselves down by three heading into the bottom of the ninth. Kang doubled with one out, and scored on a two out single by Taylor Motter. However, the Stone Crabs were unable to get any closer, as they lost 6-4. Jake Floethe took the loss in relief, giving up five runs on five hits and two walks in 3.2 innings. Kang continued to wing a hot bat, going 2-2 with a double, two runs scored and two walks. He is presently hitting .412 on the season thus far.

Bowling Green Hot Rods 4, West Michigan Whitecaps (Tigers) 3 (Game 1 – seven innings)

The Biscuits were not the only Rays minor league affiliate to play a double header last night, as the Hot Rods and Whitecaps also played two. Bowling Green scored first, using back to back doubles by Joey Rickard and Tyler Goeddel to lead off the game. Goeddel stole third with no outs, but was unable to score as the Whitecaps managed to escape further damage that inning. However, they were able to get another run as Ryan Dunn singled, moved to third on an error, and scored on Geoff Rowan‘s RBI single. The Hot Rods took advantage of more sloppy play by West Michigan in the fourth, as Justin O’Conner singled, and took second on a fielder’s choice. A wild pitch moved him to third, and O’Conner scored on an RBI single by Marty Gantt. The Whitecaps got on the board in the top of the sixth, as Devon Travis hit a solo home run to cut the lead to 3-1. Bennett Pickar and Jared Reaves had back to back one out singles in the top of the seventh, and moved to second and third after a sacrifice bunt. Danry Vasquez singled to left, plating both runners and tying the game. However, the Hot Rods were not about to concede, as they loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the inning. Andrew Toles singled, plating Rowan with the winning run in the 4-3 victory. Dylan Floro got a no decision in an excellent start, as he pitched five shutout innings and allowed only one hit and a walk while recording four strikeouts. Despite not being able to close out the game, Jose Molina picked up the win, giving up all three runs in two innings on four hits and a walk. Rickard and Rowan each had two hits in the victory.

Bowling Green Hot Rods 3, West Michigan Whitecaps 2 (Game 2 – seven innings)

The Whitecaps took advantage of a two out error by Patrick Leonard, as his miscue Devon Travis on second. Jeff Holm made Hot Rods pay for the mistake, as his RBI single plated Travis to give West Michigan an early 1-0 lead. that score held up until the bottom of the third, when Joey Rickard reached on an error. Following a base hit, Andrew Toles tripled to right, plating both runners and putting the Hot Rods ahead 2-1. After an infield hit and an out, Toles scored on a sacrifice fly by Luke Maile to put Bowling Green ahead 3-1. Travis homered for the second consecutive game in the top of the fifth, cutting the lead to 3-2; however, the Whitecaps were unable to threaten any further, as the Hot Rods swept both ends of the double header. Shay Crawford picked up the victory, pitching a perfect inning of relief while striking out two batters. Maile was 2-2 with an RBI.