The Undercards: Brandon Guyer Proves the Value of Getting on Base

It is always easier to score runs when the leadoff man is getting on base. The Durham Bulls proved this point last night, as Brandon Guyer had a nice day as the Bulls’ leadoff batter, getting on base and making the opposition pay.

Durham Bulls 12, Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs (Phillies) 6

The stomach ailment that had affected Wil Myers on Thursday seemed to have passed on Friday night, as he made his presence felt immediately. After the first two batters reached, Myers stepped up and drilled a three run home run to put the Bulls ahead right off the bat. Durham wasted no time extending that lead in the second. After loading the bases with one out, Mike Fontenot singled to center, driving in two as the Bulls went ahead 5-0. The Iron Pigs got two back in the fourth, as three consecutive singles resulted in a run and a wild pitch by starter Jake Odorizzi resulted in the second run. Lehigh Valley cut the lead to one in the top of the sixth, when Jermaine Mitchell led off the inning with a double, and scored on a double by Cody Asche. Asche then scored on a double by Cody Overbeck, as the Iron Pigs cut the score to 5-4. The Bulls came back in the bottom of the frame, as they put runners on second and third with no out. Fontenot singled to drive in a run, and Myers followed up with an RBI groundout. The Iron Pigs once again closed the score in the seventh, as new pitcher Steve Geltz walked the first two batters he faced, then gave up a two run triple to Pete Orr. Geltz amazingly escaped with the lead, as he got a pop out to short, then struck out the next two batters. The Bulls scored twice more in the bottom of the inning, then put the game away with a three run eighth, highlighted by Cole Figueroa‘s two run, bases loaded double. Odorizzi picked up the win, allowing three runs on seven hits in 5.1 innings, striking out two. Guyer was 4-5 with three runs, an RBI and a stolen base. Fontenot and Craig Albernaz each had three hits in the victory.

Mississippi Braves 8, Montgomery Biscuits 2

This game actually started off quite well for Montgomery, as they got a run almost immediately in the first. Kevein Kiermaier tripled to lead off the game, and scored on an infield hit. The Biscuits scored again in the second, with Todd Glaesmann and Kyeong Kang hitting back to back doubles to put Montgomery on top 2-0. However, that was when the Braves came back. After scoring a run in the third, they loaded the bases with no one out int he fourth. A sacrifice fly tied the game, and they had runners on first and second with two out. Dan Brewer singled to put the Braves on top, then Mycal Jones stole home, as Mississippi took a 4-2 lead. Braeden Schlehuber hit a two run home run in the eighth to put the Braves up 6-2, and Mississippi tacked on two more runs in the top of the ninth en route to the 8-2 win. Enny Romero took the loss, giving up four runs on six hits and two walks in four innings of work. Robby Price was 3-3 with an RBI and a walk for the Biscuits.

Charlotte Stone Crabs 7, Bradenton Marauders (Pirates) 2

Tied at one heading into the top of the fourth inning, the Stone Crabs were looking for some spark to possibly propel them to a much needed victory. After a leadoff walk, Jeff Malm provided just that, hitting his fourth home run to give the Stone Crabs a 3-1 lead. Bradenton got a run back in the bottom of the inning, as Taylor Lewis hit an RBI triple with two outs to cut the lead to 3-2. Charlotte held on to the lead until the top of the eighth, when they had the bases loaded with two outs. This turned out to be the perfect time for Jake DePew to hit his first double of the year, as he cleared the bases to provide the Stone Crabs with some breathing room. Charlotte tacked on an insurance run in the top of the ninth, as they ended up with a 7-2 victory. Roberto Gomez earned his first win of the year, giving up two runs on six hits and a walk in six innings of work. Malm was 3-4 with a home run, two runs scored, a walk and three RBIs. Kes Carter and Jake Hager each had two hits in the win.

Bowling Green Hot Rods v. West Michigan Whitecaps (Tigers) – postponed

The scheduled game between Bowling Green and West Michigan was postponed due to rain after half an inning. The game will be made up later this season at a date to be announced later.