The Undercards: Wil Myers Homers Twice More (and Even Steals a Base) As Bulls Cruise

Remember when Wil Myers was struggling and everyone thought he was a bust? Neither do I.

Triple-A International League: Durham Bulls 6, Louisville Bats (CIN) 3

There is just no getting Wil Myers out right now. And on Saturday, he had arguably finest game of the season. Myers went 3 for 5 with 2 home runs, 3 RBI, and even a stolen base to lead the Bulls to victory over Louisville. Myers now has a .286/.359/.515 line on the year with 12 doubles, 12 homers, 52 RBI, and 6 stolen bases in 57 games. 52 RBIs in 57 games–not too shabby. Since May 23rd, he has a .380/.413/.831 line with 6 doubles, 8 homers, 27 RBI, and 3 stolen bases in 16 games and 77 plate appearances. The Super Two deadline is approaching–how could the Rays possibly keep this guy in the minor leagues once it passes?

Matt Buschmann got the start for the Bulls and finished his outing on a sour note but was solid overall, going 5.1 innings allowing 3 runs, 2 earned, on 6 hits, striking out 3 while walking 2. He’s certainly held his own in two starts since replacing Chris Archer in the Bulls’ rotation, and given the state of David Price‘s rehab, he might be there for at least another few starts. Steve Geltz and Josh Lueke were on lockdown to finish the game for Durham, allowing just 2 hits and no walks over the last 3.2 innings, striking out 5 in the process. In terms of the non-Myers offense, Tim Beckham went 2 for 4 with a triple, Vince Belnome went 2 for 5 with an RBI and a run scored, and Brandon Guyer went 2 for 4 with a walk and 2 runs scored. He’s certainly being overshadowed by Myers, but Guyer is having a fine year himself, managing a .281/.365/.438 line with 5 homers and 9 stolen bases in 51 games.

Double-A Southern League: Montgomery Biscuits 2, Huntsville Stars (MIL) 0

Jake Thompson‘s unbelievably uneven season continues, but luckily his outing against the Stars was one of his good ones. Thompson was excellent, going 7 innings allowing just 3 hits and 2 walks while striking out 3, lowering his ERA to 1.05 in his last four starts, a touch better than his 10.56 ERA in his previous three. C.J. Riefenhauser lowered his ERA to 0.64 on the season as he struck out 2 while tossing 1-hit ball in the final 2 innings for the save. The Biscuits were lucky to give their pitchers enough support to win as both of the runs they scored came off of errors, but Kevin Kiermaier did have a nice game, going 1 for 3 with a double and a run scored, and Kyeong Kang went 1 for 2 with 2 walks and the other run scored.

High-A Florida State League: Palm Beach Cardinals 6, Charlotte Stone Crabs 2

This was a depressing game as the Stone Crabs held a 2-1 lead through 7 before their bullpen imploded spectacularly. Jesse Hahn was incredible again for Charlotte, going 4 innings allowing an unearned run on 2 hits, striking out 4 while walking 1 and forcing a 7-2 groundout to flyout ratio. I hope someday he throws more than 4 innings in a start. Eliazer Suero struck out 2 in 2 shutout innings of relief. On the offensive side, Ryan Brett and Kes Carter both had great games, each 2 for 4 with a stolen base. But the big news in this game was that Jake Hager departed after dislocating his shoulder. Hopefully he will not be out too long.

Low-A Bowling Green: Bowling Green Hot Rods 7, Lake County Captains (CLE) 6 (10 innings)

Total opposite of the Charlotte game here as the Hot Rods somehow came back from a 5-1 deficit in the 9th to win the game in 10 innings. Reinaldo Lopez got the start for Bowling Green and had a tough day, going 5 innings allowing 5 runs, 4 earned, on 7 hits, striking out 5 while walking none, but the second half of the game was much different. Eduar Quinonez tossed the final 5 innings for the Hot Rods allowed just 1 run on 2 hits, striking out 4 while walking 1, keeping the Hot Rods in the game and earned himself the victory in the game in the process. Now, to the offense. Luke Maile drilled a game-tying RBI triple in the 9th as part of a 3 for 5 day, Justin O’Conner went 2 for 4 with a walk and an RBI, and Andrew Toles went 2 for 6 with a stolen base, an RBI, and 2 runs scored, scoring the winning run in the 10th. Six different Hot Rods had RBIs and seven different ones had stolen bases and they rode a complete team effort to an incredible comeback win.