The Undercards: Josh Sale’s 3 RBIs Propel Charlotte

The was a day and age when Tampa Bay Rays fans were excited about the future of Josh Sale. Drafted in the 1st round of the 2010 draft, Sale showed immense raw power and could have developed into a middle of the order bat. But since then, a combination of a iffy hit tool and major character issues have taken Sale off the map as a prospect. That said Sale isn’t completely a lost cause, as he showed with his 3-RBI performance on Saturday.

The Triple-A Durham Bulls were rained out

This game was supposed to be the start of Wil Myers‘ rehab stint as he works his way back from a wrist injury that has kept him out since late May. However the weather had other ideas, and Myers will instead start his rehab on Sunday, likely as the DH.

The Double-A Montgomery Biscuits were also rained out

High-A Florida State League: Charlotte Stone Crabs 4, Jupiter Hammerheads (MIA) 3

Austin Pruitt had a decent start for the Stone Crabs, throwing 6.0 innings and allowing 3 runs on 9 hits and 0 walks while striking out 7. Pruitt had an inconsistent start to the year, however over his last 10 games he has really turned things on, throwing 61.0 innings of 2.95 ERA ball while striking out 49 and walking just 8. In relief, Zach Cooper threw 2.0 shutout innings before Colton Reavis threw a scoreless inning. Reavis, a 2013 30th round pick with a good fastball, has been outstanding this year, posting a 2.60 ERA in 27 outings with Low-A Bowling Green and a 0.90 mark in his first 8 appearances with Charlotte.

Offensively it was Josh Sale who led the way, going 2 for 4 with a double and 3 RBIs. The 2010 1st rounder has disappointed as a pro, but games like these have to make you wonder if there is some way he can still tap into his potential. Also with a solid night was Jake DePew, who went 1 for 3 with a walk, an RBI, and two runs scored.

Low-A Midwest League: Bowling Green Hot Rods 6, Dayton Dragons (CIN) 3

Possibly the most interesting storyline of this game was that the teams were forced to use part of the stands as a makeshift dugout. A storm had flooded both team’s dugouts, forcing them to make other arrangements. A picture of it can be found via pitcher Chris Kirsch’s instagram.

After the teams got settled into their new dugouts, there was a game to play. Starter Bruedlin Suero gave the Hot Rods a chance to win, tossing 6.0 innings of 3 run ball while striking out 7 and walking 1. In relief, William Gabay threw 2.0 scoreless innings before Brian Miller followed with a shutout inning of his own. Gabay has been a good contributor out of the Hot Rods’ bullpen this season, throwing to a 2.32 ERA.

On offense Alexander Simon led the way, going 2 for 3 with a walk and a home run. Pat Blair was also solid, scoring a pair of runs as part of a 1 for 3 performance that included a walk. The Hot Rods managed 7 hits as a team, and they actually went just 2 for 12 with runners in scoring position. A patient approach was key to their victory, as they drew 7 walks in the game.

Short Season-A New York-Penn League: Hudson Valley Renegades 5, Tri-City ValleyCats (HOU) 1

The top three hitters in the Renegades lineup, Braxton Lee, Coty Blanchard and Casey Gillaspie, were key, as they each smacked a pair of hits in 4 at-bats. Lee was especially productive, smacking a double and a triple on top of two runs scored and two RBIs. The outfielder is hitting .300 for the Renegades this season, though his .346 slugging percentage is nothing to get too excited about.

On the pitching side of things, Enderson Franco was great, allowing 1 unearned run in his 6.0 innings pitched. In relief Trevor Dunlap threw a shutout inning before Mike Franco followed with a pair of scoreless innings while striking out 4. In a small 11.1 inning sample size for Hudson Valley this season, Franco has been solid, giving up just 2 runs while striking out 13 and walking 2.

Advanced Rookie Appalachian League: Game 1: Princeton Rays 3, Bluefield Blue Jays 2 in 7 innings

Brent Honeywell continued his great season as the starter, tossing 5.0 innings and allowing 2 runs (1 earned) on 2 hits and 1 walk whiles striking out 4. It was Honeywell’s longest start of the season as the Rays are slowly building up the 19-year old’s arm strength. Ruben Paredes did a good job as the reliever, throwing 2.o shutout innings and striking out 4.

Patrick Grady was the main offensive prodcuer, going 1 for 2 with a walk and a 2-run homer. Also with a solid night was Thomas Milone, who went 2 for 3 with a double, a triple, an RBI, and a run scored. Milone continues hitting well this season, raising his line to .281/.354/.409.

Game 2: Princeton 5, Bluefield 2

Starter Hyrum Formo did a great job, throwing 5.0 innings while giving up 2 runs (1 earned), striking out 8, and walking none. In relief, Bret Dahlson and Tomas Michelson each threw a scoreless inning. The offense was led by Jose Paez, who went 3 for 3 with a walk, a double, a triple, and 2 runs scored. Taylor Hawkins also had a key 2-run homer.

Rookie Gulf Coast League: Game 1: GCL Rays 3, GCL Orioles 2 in 7 innings

A pitching tandem of Jose Alvarado and Spencer Moran got the job done in this game as they each gave up 1 unearned run in 4.0 and 3.0 innings respectively. The 19-year old Alvarado has been solid this year, pitching to a 3.48 ERA and striking out 39 in 31.0 innings, though his 21 walks leave more to be desired. Oscar Sanay had a nice day at the plate, going 3 for 4 with 2 runs scored, and Zac Law was also solid, going 1 for 2 with a pair of walks.

Game 2: Orioles 9, Rays 3 in 7 innings

This time around the pitching wasn’t great for the Grays. Henry Centeno was decent enough as the starter, giving up 3 runs (2 earned) in 5.0 innings. But in relief, both Alberto Casanas and Tommy Lawrence allowed a pair of earned runs, with Lawrence also letting up 2 unearned runs. For the offense, no player had multiple hits and of the 7 hits, none were for extra bases.