Sunday was a day of mixed results for the minor league affiliates, as the farm teams went 3-3 on the day. Despite some lackluster performances, there were positives in each game, highlighted by Alex Colome‘s first nine inning complete game.

Norfolk Tides 8, Durham Bulls 7

Bulls starter Alexander Torres was shelled, lasting only .2 innings, giving up 6 earned runs on 3 hits, a hit batter, and 3 walks while striking out one batter. The Bulls did rally back, scoring twice in the top of the second, three times in the top of the sixth and once again in the top of the ninth; however, the damage had already been done. Matt Torra did admirable work to give the Bulls a chance, permitting only 2 earned runs on 7 hits and 1 walk over 5.1 innings. Evan Longoria went 1-3 as the designated hitter, with a walk and two strikeouts.

Montgomery Biscuits 5, Mississippi Braves 2

Alex Colome threw his first career nine inning complete game, as the Biscuits beat the Mississippi Braves 5-2. Colome gave the 2 earned runs on only 6 hits, striking out 6 batters without issuing a walk. Shawn O’Malley, Ty Morrison, Mikie Mathook, and Greg Sexton each had two hits. For the Braves, Todd Cunningham provided most of the offense, going 2-4 with both runs scored, a stolen base, and a double.

Dunedin Blue Jays 8, Charlotte Stone Crabs 2

Brandon Morrow made his first rehab appearance for the Blue Jays, holding the Stone Crabs to 3 hits and 1 walk over 3 scoreless innings of work. Dunedin jumped on Charlotte starter Albert Suarez in the second, scoring 6 times and essentially putting the game away. Suarez made it through 4 innings, giving up the 6 earned runs on 9 hits, including 3 home runs. The Stone Crabs cut the lead to 6-2 in the top of the seventh, however the Blue Jays scored twice more in the bottom of the eighth, ending any thoughts of a comeback win. Designated hitter Steven Tinoco went 2-4 with a run scored.

Bowling Green Hot Rods 5, West Michigan Whitecaps 4

Bowling Green held off a late rally, escaping situations with a runner on third and one out in both the eighth and ninth innings to come away with a 5-4 victory. Trevor Shull picked up with win, going 5 innings and allowing 2 runs (1 earned) on 5 hits and 3 walks, while striking out 3 batters. Right fielder Drew Vettleson hit his 10th home run of the season, and ended the day 2-4 with 2 runs scored and 2 RBI.

Hudson Valley Renegades 9, Williamsport Crosscutters 2

After falling behind 2-0 in the top of the second, the Renegades exploded, scoring 4 times in the second, once in the third, and 3 times in the fourth en route to a 9-2 victory. Justin O’Conner, Richie Schaffer, Luke Maile, and Ryan Dunn each had two hits, with O’Conner hitting a 3 run home run in the fourth. Eduar Quinonez picked up the victory in relief, pitching 4 innings of shutout ball, giving up 3 hits without a walk, while striking out 4 batters. Jonathan Musser had a rough start for Williamsport, lasting only 2.2 innings, giving up 5 runs (4 earned) on 4 hits and 3 walks, while striking out 1 Renegade.

Burlington Royals 5, Princeton Rays 4

The Burlington Royals scored 4 runs in the bottom of the first, and another run in the bottom of the second, holding on for a 5-4 win. The Rays scored twice in the top of the second, and twice again in the top of the eighth, making the game close. Kenny Diekroeger had a bases loaded triple in the bottom of the first. Rays starter Johnathan Weaver lasted only 2 innings, giving up 5 earned runs on 4 hits and three walks. For the Rays, Ariel Soriano went 2-4 with 2 RBI, a double, and 2 strikeouts.

The Rays put some more bats on the ball yesterday, with Matt Joyce driving in the winning run in the 9th inning.  Joyce, Ruggiano, Longoria, Patt Burell, Rodriguez, Elliot Johnson and Reid Brignac all had one in the game.

Jeff Niemann looked great in his first spring start.  He worked 2 IP, and gave up one hit for a HR.  The bullpen was awful as Balfour, Lance Cormier, and Alexander Torres all allowed at least 1 ER.

If Sean Rodriguez can show the Rays that he can handle the 2b duties (he had an error yesterday) and can rake like the Rays imagined he would, there is a possibility that he could be the opening day starter at 2B and Ben Zobrist would move to RF.  This would further complicate the OF glut that we currently have, but might give us our best lineup.  Joyce and Rodriguez are essentially battling for one starting position more than likely, even though they play different spots on the field.