The Undercards: Leslie Anderson Hits Towering Home Run As Bulls Win

One of the knocks about Leslie Anderson during his time in the Rays system has been his lack of power. Last night, he clubbed a long home run against Rochester for his sixth home run of the season. If he continues to hit for power and produce offensively, he may be able to force his way into consideration if the Rays find themselves in need of first base/corner outfield type due to injuries.

Durham Bulls 7, Rochester Red Wings (Twins) 4

The Bulls appeared as though they were on their way to what would be a comfortable victory in the second inning. With the bases loaded and two outs, Rich Thompson doubled to clear the bases and give the Bulls a 3-0 lead. Thompson came around to score on a single by Jason Bourgeois, extending the lead to 4-0. Even though they Red Wings got two back in the bottom of the third, they had two infield hits and an error. Also, the Bulls continued to hit and put pressure on Rochester, so it seemed as though it was a matter of time before they scored again. However, with the lead now cut to 4-2, the Red Wings scored on consecutive errors from starter J.D. Martin and Mike Fontenot, cutting the lead to 4-3. Durham and Rochester traded runs in the sixth and seventh inning, as the score was 5-4 heading into the top of the eighth. However, Leslie Anderson led off the top of the inning with a long home run, extending the lead to 6-4. Shelley Duncan followed with a double, and came around to score on a sacrifice fly. Kirby Yates pitched the final two innings, striking out five batters as the closed out the 7-4 victory. Martin picked up the win, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits and four walks as he improved to 5-1 on the year. Vince Belnome was 3-3 with two runs scored, a double and a walk. Duncan and Bourgeois each had two hits in the win.

Birmingham Barons (White Sox) 5, Montgomery Biscuits 2

Typically, to win a game, it helps to get a hit. At the very least, it makes scoring a lot easier. However, despite their lack of success making contact, the Biscuits did their best to attempt to score without getting a hit. In the second and fourth innings, they found themselves with runners in scoring position but were unable to score. The Barons broke open the scoreless tie in the bottom of the inning. Tyler Saladino walked to lead off the inning, stole second, and scored an RBI single off the bat of Marcus Semien. Semien came around to score on a double by Andy Wilkins. After a run scoring fielder’s choice and a stolen base, Miguel Gonzalez singled, driving in the fourth run of the inning. The biscuits got their first hit in the top of the sixth, as Shawn O’Malley singled to lead off the inning. After an error on a sacrifice bunt attempt put runners on first and third with one out, Mikie Mahtook doubled to drive in both runners, cutting the lead to 4-2. Unfortunately, that double was the last hit the Biscuits got. Birmingham tacked on an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth, and ended up defeating Montgomery 5-2. Merrill Kelly took the loss, giving up four earned runs on three hits and three walks over seven inning, striking out four. Mahtook was the only member of the Biscuits to reach base more than once, as he was 1-3 with the two run double and a walk.

Charlotte Stone Crabs 4, Daytona Cubs 2

Scoreless until the bottom of the fifth inning, the Cubs got on the board first. John Andreoli singled to lead off the inning, and moved to second on a ground out. After tagging up and getting to third on a foul out, he scored on a base hit by Chad Noble. The Stone Crabs took the lead in the top of the sixth, with Hector Guevara‘s two run single with two outs putting Charlotte ahead 2-1. Daytona tied the game in the bottom of the frame, as Zeke DeVoss walked, moved to third on a base hit, and scored on a sacrifice fly. However, the Stone Crabs answered in the top of the seventh. With runners on first and third and one out, Drew Vettleson laid down a sacrifice bunt to drive in Willie Argo with the go ahead run. Richie Shaffer followed with an RBI single, scoring Kes Carter as the Stone Crabs took a 4-2 lead. Lenny Linsky came in for the final two innings, shutting down the Cubs offense to preserve the 4-2 victory. Felipe Rivero turned in an excellent start, allowing only two runs on four hits and a walk, striking out seven in his seven innings of work. Alejandro Segovia was 3-4 with two doubles and a run scored. Shaffer finished the night with three hits, including a double, while driving in one and scoring a run.

Bowling Green Hot Rods 3, Fort Wayne TinCaps (Padres) 2

Bowling Green broke open the scoreless tie in the top of the fourth inning, as Joey Rickard singled to lead off the frame. After a wild pitch moved him to second, Rickard moved to third on a base hit before scoring on an RBI single by Luke Maile, putting the Hot Rods ahead 1-0. They extended that lead in the top of the sixth. Andrew Toles led off the inning with a walk, and promptly stole second and third base. With two out, Maile doubled, driving in Toles, before coming around to score on a base hit by Justin O’Conner as the Hot Rods grabbed a 3-0 lead. The TinCaps came back, as Gabriel Quintana led off the seventh with a home run. Fort Wayne loaded the bases in the eighth with no outs; however, they only got one run as Quintana grounded into a double play and Luis Tejada popped out to end the threat. The TinCaps had runners on first and second with two out in the ninth, but Ryan Garton struck out Alberth Martinez to end the threat, preserving the 3-2 victory. Reinaldo Lopez earned the win, pitching five shutout innings, striking out two batters as he allowed only two hits. Maile was 2-4 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored.