The Undercards: Oscar Hernandez Powers Renegades Past Crosscutters 8-4

Belting a grand slam before the other team even has a chance to bat is always a good sign for how the night may turn out. For Oscar Hernandez, that was only a warm up, as he connected for another home run later in the game. His five RBIs were the difference as the Renegades got past the Williamsport Crosscutters by an 8-4 score.

Pawtucket Red Sox 4, Durham Bulls 3

The PawSox had a big inning in the second, but things could have been worse for the Bulls. After loading the bases with no outs, Xander Bogaerts doubled to plate a run. Normally, with a bases loaded double, one would expect at least two runs to score, but the PawSox had the second runner gunned down at the plate. Dan Butler and Jeremy Hazelbaker followed with back to back singles, giving the PawSox a 3-0 with runners on first and third and one out. However, the Bulls threw out another runner at the plate, and got a groundout with the bases loaded to escape further trouble. Durham got two runs back in the bottom of the third. With runners on first and second and one out, Brandon Guyer doubled to pull the Bulls within one. However, the PawSox came back in the top of the next inning, loading the bases with one out. Starter Jake Odorizzi was pulled at that point, and Cory Wade did well to get out of the jam allowing only one run on a sacrifice fly. The Bulls got the run back in the seventh, as Tim Beckham doubled home Cole Figueroa to cut the lead to 4-3. However, that was as close as the Bulls would get, as Figueroa flew out to center with a runner on third to end the game. Odorizzi took the loss, giving up four runs on seven hits and five walks over 3.1 innings of work. Guyer was 2-4 with a double and two RBIs.

Montgomery Biscuits 6, Mobile BayBears (Diamondbacks) 5 (Eleven Innings)

After the BayBears grabbed the lead with a run in the first, the Biscuits came back in fourth. With a runner on first and two out, Kyeong Kang homered to put Montgomery in the lead. An RBI single by Kevin Kiermaier extended the lead to 3-1, but Mobile rallied. Raywilly Gomez hit an RBI double in the sixth to cut the lead to one before the BayBears continued the comeback in teh seventh. Garrett Weber doubled to tie the game, and was lifted for pinch runner Ender Inciarte. Inciarte scored on an error, and Mobile took a 4-3 lead. This time, it was Montgomery’s turn to rally, as the Biscuits put runners on first and second with two out. Todd Glaesmann doubled to tie the game, and the matchup headed to extras. The Biscuits took the lead in the top of the eleventh, as Mayo Acosta hit a two run home run to give Montgomery a 6-4 lead. However, the BayBears rallied again, as Dustin Martin hit an RBI single with two outs to cut the lead to one. After a walk to put runners on first and second, Juan Sandoval got Nick Evans to ground into a force out at third to end the game, as the Biscuits held on for the 6-5 victory. Sandoval picked up the win, allowing a run on four hits and a walk over two innings. Glaesmann was 2-5 with two doubles, an RBI and a run scored.

Charlotte Stone Crabs v. Daytona Cubs – postponed

Due to heavy rains and unsafe field conditions, the game between the Stone Crabs and the Cubs was postponed. It will be made up as part of a double header tomorrow, with game one beginning at 5:00pm.

Bowling Green Hot Rods 6, Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Brewers) 5

The wild finish of tonight’s matchup would not have been expected based on the relatively quiet beginning. Bowling Green broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the third, when Tyler Goeddel tripled in a run with two outs. After the teams traded runs in the fifth, the Timber Rattlers took the lead in the top of the seventh. Victor Roache homered to tie the game, and Garrett Cooper doubled in a run to put Wisconsin ahead 3-2. The Hot Rods came back, as Thomas Coyle tied the game with an RBI single in the bottom of the inning, and Patrick Leonard gave Bowling Green the lead with a solo home run. However, the Timber Rattlers came back in the top of the ninth. A single, a walk and a wild pitch put runners on second and third with no outs. After a strikeout, Tyler Roberts was intentionally walked to load the bases. Christopher McFarland reached on a force out at second, plating a run, and a throwing error by Luke Maile gave Wisconsin the lead. In the bottom of the inning, it was Bowling Green’s turn to come back. Andrew Toles walked to lead off the inning, and was followed by a base hit by Leonardo Reginatto, setting the stage for Coyle. He once again came through, this time with a walkoff two run triple to give the Hot Rods a thrilling 6-5 victory. Nick Sawyer picked up the win, allowing two runs, one earned, on one hit and two walks, striking out four in two innings. Reginnato had a big night, going 3-5 with a double and three runs scored.

Hudson Valley Renegades 8, Williamsport Crosscutters (Phillies) 4

The Renegades seemingly took command early, scoring five runs in the top of the first. Oscar Hernandez hit a grand slam before there was an out recorded, and an RBI groundout by Darryl George led to the big inning. However, the Crosscutters fought back. Zach Green homered in the bottom of the second to put Williamsport on the board, and the Crosscutters cut into the lead further in the fourth. Gabriel Lino drove home two with his fifth double of the year, and came around to score on a base hit by Logan Pierce. As big as that inning was, it could have been worse for the Renegades, as they picked two runners off in the inning to help limit the damage. However, that was as close as the Crosscutters would get. Hernandez homered to lead off the fifth, and Johnny Field had a two run double in the sixth to give the Renegades an 8-4 lead. Hudson Valley pitching did the rest, keeping Williamsport off the basepaths for the remainder of the game en route to the victory. Kevin Brandt picked up the win, giving up four runs, one earned, on three hits and two walks, striking out six in five innings. Hernandez had a great game, going 2-5 with two home runs and five RBIs.

Greeneville Astros 10, Princeton Rays 0 (Game One – Seven Innings)

The Astros were in command virtually from the beginning, as they kept the Rays in check with barely any trouble. The Rays managed four baseruners in total, and were unable to get a runner past second. Meanwhile, the Astros battered starter German Marquez, as he gave up six runs, five earned, on five hits and three walks in 2.1 innings. Coty Blanchard at least got on base more than once for the Rays, going 1-1 with a walk. Fortunately, there was a second game yesterday.

Greeneville Astros 4, Princeton Rays 0 (Game Two – Seven Innings)

Once again, the Rays were held to four baserunners, with an identical two hits and two walks. At least this game was not a carbon copy of the previous one, as they actually had a scoring chance, although Chad Nacapoy was gunned out at the plate to end the sixth attempting to score from second on an infield hit. Rays starter Josh Kimborowicz had a decent enough spot start, giving up two runs, one earned, on two hits and three walks in three innings. Let’s just put Thursday’s slate of action for Princeton behind us, and hope they rebound tomorrow.

GCL Rays v. GCL Twins – suspended

With the game tied at 4-4 in the top of the seventh, rains swept through the area, forcing the game to be suspended. The game will be played to it’s conclusion on the 22nd of July.