The Undercards: Ryan Brett Has Big Day As Montgomery Rolls

With Ben Zobrist trade rumors rampant, the Tampa Bay Rays may be searching for their second baseman of the future before too long. Ryan Brett is in the running for that title, and he had a great day at the plate on Sunday.

Triple-A Durham was rained out

Double-A Southern League: Montgomery Biscuits 12, Pensacola Blue Wahoos 2

Victor Mateo had a great start for the Biscuits, going 6.0 innings allowing 2 runs (1 earned), striking out 5 and walking 2. Behind him, Andrew Bellatti earned the save via the 3.0+ innings pitched rule, as he went 3.0 shutout innings while allowing just 1 hit. The offense broke out to 12 hits, 5 walks, and 4 homers, but oddly enough only two Biscuits had multi-hit nights. Ryan Brett led the way, going 4 for 5 with 3 runs scored, 2 RBIs, a double, and a home run. Brett has shown nice power in his last 10 games, slugging .521. Jake DePew had the other mult-hit night, going 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored. Jake Hager, Richie Shaffer, and Cameron Seitzer all smacked homers for their only hits. Every Biscuits’ hitter was on base at least once, and only Taylor Motter had no hits.

High-A Florida State League: Brevard County Manatees (MIL) 7, Charlotte Stone Crabs 5

The Stone Crabs did not get much out of starter Marcus Jensen, who went 3.0 innings and allowed 7 runs (5 earned). It was just the second start of the season for Jensen, who has been primarily throwing out of the bullpen. Ryan Garton and Zach Cooper were better in relief, going 3.2 and 1.1 shutout innings respectively. The offense fought valiantly, plating 4 runs in the 9th, but they couldn’t come back from Jensen’s poor start. Tyler Goeddel was the only Stone Crabs hitter with multiple hits, going 2 for 4. The toolsy third baseman looked to be finally turning his tools into production at the beginning of the season, but he is now hitting an underwhelming .261/.350/.391. Luke Bailey added a 3-run homer in this game, but the Stone Crabs as a whole could not get the job done.

Low-A Midwest League: Bowling Green Hot Rods 3, Lansing Lugnuts (TOR) 1

Jake Faria had a nice outing for the Hot Rods, going 5.0 innings and allowing just 1 run while walking 4 and striking out 2. The 20-year old righty broke out with a 2.02 ERA for Princeton last season and has followed that up with a decent 3.43 ERA this season. Behind him, Stone Speer went 2.1 scoreless innings before Colton Reavis finished things off with 1.2 perfect innings. Reavis has been impressive this year, posting a 2.60 ERA and 51-21 K-BB ratio in 45.0 innings.

Offensively, the Hot Rods managed 11 hits but scored just 3 runs, though that was enough to win the game thanks to the great pitching. Johnny Field led the way, going 3 for 4 with a solo homer and 2 runs scored. The former 5th round pick has been solid for the Hot Rods this season, putting up a .290/.367/.461 line this season. Juniel Querecuto also had a nice night, going 3 for 4 to raise his average to .302. Armando Araiza added a solo shot of his own as part of a 2 for 4 night as the Hot Rods rolled to victory.

Short Season-A New York-Penn League: Batavia Muckdogs (MIA) 4, Hudson Valley Renegades 3

Hunter Wood gave the Renegades a nice start, going 6.0 innings and allowing 2 runs while striking out 6 and walking 1. Wood, a 29th round pick last season, has put up a nice season with Hudson Valley, posting a 2.05 ERA in 6 starts. Edgar Gomez wasn’t as good in relief, allowing 2 runs in 3.0 innings and earning the loss. Offensively Casey Gillaspie had a nice night, going 2 for 3 with a walk and a home run. Gillaspie hasn’t quite put up the power expected of him when he was picked in the 1st round this year, but maybe this is the night that gets him going. Hunter Lockwood also added a solo homer, his 10th of the year, but no Renegade other than Gillaspie had multiple hits as the offense fell short.

Advanced Rookie Appalachian League: Bluefield Blue Jays 5, Princeton Rays 1

Freddy Alvarez had a tough start, giving up 3 runs in just 4.0 innings. Damion Carroll was much better in relief, throwing 2.0 shutout innings. However behind him, Steve Ascher allowed a run in his 2.0 innings before Tomas Michelson allowed a run in his inning of work. Offensively the P-Rays could do very little, with no hitter having a multi-hit night and the entire team only having 1 extra base hit.

Rookie Gulf Coast League Rays were off