The Undercards: Leslie Anderson Powers Bulls over Red Wings, 7-3

One of the biggest knocks on Leslie Anderson since he was signed as an international free agent by the Rays was his lack of power in the minors. This season, Anderson has ratcheted up the dial in the power department, as he slugged his fourteenth home run of the season. While his time to make an impact with the Rays has likely passed, Anderson may be positioning himself for a look with another team next season.

Durham Bulls 7, Rochester Red Wings (Twins) 3

After the Red Wings had taken the first three games of the four game set, the Bulls came out firing. Tim Beckham had an RBI single, and Anderson hit a three run homer to give the Bulls a quick 4-0 lead. Rochester cut the lead in half, as Jeff Clement had a two run double, but starter Mike Montgomery held the down over the next two innings. Durham put the game away in the seventh. Vince Belnome had an RBI double, and Shelley Duncan had an RBI base hit with the bases loaded. The Red Wings got a run back on a home run by Deibinson Romero in the top of the seventh, but it was not enough as the Bulls held on for the 7-3 victory. Montgomery picked up the win, giving up two runs on six hits and two walks, striking out seven in five innings. Kevin Kiermaier was 2-4 with a double, a walk and two runs scored.

Tennessee Smokies (Cubs) 9, Montgomery Biscuits 8

The Smokies jumped out quickly, as Matt Szczur led off the bottom of the first with a home run, and Justin Bour had an RBI groundout to give Tennessee a 2-0 lead. Montgomery came back in the top of the third, as Ryan Brett and Kyeong Kang had solo home runs, sandwiching a two run homer by Mikie Mahtook. The Biscuits got another run in the top of the fifth, as Mahtook generated a run almost on his own, but the Smokies got two runs back in the bottom of the inning on a two run error by Brett. Mahtook continued to factor into the Biscuits scoring, belting an RBI double in the top of the seventh, but the Smokies rallied in the bottom of the frame, putting up four runs to take the lead. Justin Bour and Rubi Silva had back to back RBI doubles, and John Andreoli had a two run single with the bases loaded as Tennessee took an 8-6 lead. The Smokies got an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth, but the Biscuits rallied in the top of the ninth. With runners on second and third with no outs, Mahtook drove in another run on a base hit, and Montgomery got within a run. However, the Biscuits were unable to come all the way back, falling 9-8 to the Smokies. Jim Patterson took the loss, giving up three runs on three hits in 1.2 innings of relief. Mahtook was 4-5, finishing a triple short of the cycle. He had four RBIs and scored twice in the loss.

Charlotte Stone Crabs 3, Fort Myers Miracle (Twins) 1

The Stone Crabs got a strong outing from the bullpen, as they held the Miracle in check for most of the game. Charlotte got a run in the top of the first, loading the bases with two outs when Alejandro Segovia walked to force in a run. The score remained 1-0 until the sixth, when Kes Carter had a two run triple with two outs to provide the Stone Crabs with a bit of breathing room. The Miracle got a run back in the bottom of the inning, taking advantage of an error by Jake Hager to get an unearned run, cutting the lead to 3-1. That score would hold up, as the Stone Crabs took the victory. Jacob Partridge picked up the victory, pitching a scoreless inning with two strikeouts. Willie Argo was 3-5 with a run scored and two steals out of the leadoff spot.

Great Lakes Loons (Dodgers) 7, Bowling Green Hot Rods 4

Jeff Ames had a nice start to the game, holding the Loons scoreless over the first three innings. The Hot Rods had provided him with a 2-0 lead, as Luke Maile had an RBI double in the first and Andrew Toles had an RBI single in the second. However, everything fell apart for Ames in the fourth. The Loons put five runs on the board, highlighted by a two run home run by Devin Shines. Great Lakes tacked on an insurance run in the sixth, taking a 6-2 lead into the eighth. Bowling Green rallied in the bottom of the inning, as Tyler Goeddel scored on a balk and Justin O’Conner had an RBI single. However, the Loons added another run in the top of the ninth, sending the Hot Rods to a 7-4 defeat. Ames took the loss, giving up five runs on eight hits and four walks, striking out seven innings in four innings. O’Conner was 1-2 with an RBI and two walks.

Hudson Valley Renegades v. Batavia MuckDogs (Marlins) – cancelled

Last night’s game between the Renegades and the MuckDogs was cancelled due to rain and wet field conditions. THe game will not be made up.

Bluefield Blue Jays 3, Princeton Rays 1

Bluefield starter Jairo Labourt and Princeton starter Jorge Rodriguez were locked into a pitcher’s duel for the first six innings. Princeton broke through first, as Spencer Edwards led off the game with a double, moved to third on a groundout, and scored on a ground ball by Jesus Araiza. That would end up proving to be the extent of the Rays offense, byt it appeared to be enough as Rodriguez held the Blue Jays off the board for the first five innings. However, Bluefield tied the game in the top of the sixth, as Jonathan Davis led off with a triple and scored on a one out single by Matt Dean. The Blue Jays took the lead in the top of the ninth. Andres Sotillo had an RBI double, and scored on a base hit by Alexis Maldonado. The Rays attempted to rally, putting runners on first and second with two outs in the bottom of the inning, but Enmanuel Paulino struck out to end the game. Luis Cabrera took the loss, giving up two unearned runs on two hits and a walk over three innings of relief.

GCL Rays v. GCL Red Sox – suspended

The first game of the double header was suspended due to rain, and is scheduled to be made up on August 12th.