Triple-A International League: Gwinnett Braves 13, Durham Bulls 10 (11 innings)

After his 7-run meltdown on Saturday, Lueke deserved an off-day on Sunday to get himself together mentally. He didn’t get it and that was the nail in the  coffin for the Bulls this game. Jeff Niemann started in a rehab appearance and he got hit pretty hard. Niemann went 4.1 innings allowing 4 runs on 12 hits. There were certainly some positive signs as Niemann struck out 3 while walking none and posted a 5-1 groundout to flyout ratio. But 8 of the 12 hits were line drives and his bad performance was no fluke. Niemann will get at least one more rehab appearance and we can’t be sure of Niemann’s role once he returns to the big leagues. The Bulls actually led 9-5 after 5 innings, highlighted by the double play combo of second baseman Tim Beckham, who had a solo home run and a sac fly, and shortstop Reid Brignac, who had a 2-run single. A Josh Kroeger 2-run homer in the 7th made it 9-7, but the Bulls got a run back when Brignac walked, stole second, advanced to third on an error on the steal, and scored on a wild pitch. But the 10-7 lead quickly evaporated when the Braves rallied for 4 in the 8th, with Stefan Gartrell drilling a 3-run home run. Dane De La Rosa for Durham and Anthony Varvaro exchanged zeroes in the 9th and 10th for the two teams, but Lueke was forced out there for the 11th and it did not go well. Lueke allowed 4 hits as he allowed 3 runs, 2 earned, on a Josh Wilson 2-run single (yes, that’s Wilson the ex-Ray) and a Luis Durango RBI double, and that was the margin of victory as Gwinnett won 13-10. Brignac, Beckham, and Chris Gimenez each had 2 hits and 2 RBI and Leslie Anderson and Brooks Conrad had multi-hit games as well, but disastrous pitching wasted another great offensive day for the Bulls. Good news is that Lueke is staying calm and looking at things the right way.

When you hit that rough patch of broken bats , bleeders, and seeing eye singles all you can do is lock down and stay focused.. #faith

— Josh Lueke (@Josh_Lueke) August 20, 2012

Double-A Southern League: Pensacola Blue Wahoos (CIN) 9, Montgomery Biscuits 2

Little went right for the Biscuits in this one. Merril Kelly started and went 4.1 innings allowing 2 runs on 4 hits, striking out 2 while walking 4. Marquis Fleming allowed 1 run in 2.1 innings to put the Biscuits behind 3-2, and from there it all fell apart. Chris Rearick had a rare meltdown, allowing 3 runs in 0.2 innings on homers by Beau Mills and David Vidal, and Scott Shuman allowed 3 more runs, albeit just 1 earned as he failed to throw strikes, walking 3 while striking out just 1. Derek Dietrich and Michael Sheridan did each have 2 hits, including a double, to go along with an RBI each.

High-A Florida State League: Charlotte Stone Crabs 5, St. Lucie Mets 4

After rallying for a 9-8 over St. Lucie on Saturday, the Stone Crabs almost let St. Lucie do the same thing to them but managed to escape with a walk-off victory. The Stone Crabs scored 4 runs in the first 2 innings, with Robby Price lacing an RBI single and a rehabbing Luke Scott drilling an RBI double. Albert Suarez had a nice start for Charlotte, going 5 innings allowing just 2 hits, striking out 2 while walking none and posting a 6-4 groundout to flyout ratio. But things came apart for Chris Andujar in the 6th, with singles by Daniel Muno and Richard Lucas driving in 3 runs. A stinging Luke Bailey passed ball tied the game at 4. But in the bottom of the 9th, Kevin Kiermaier came through with a walk-off single as the Stone Crabs won 5-4. Scott had a very positive rehab appearance, going 2 for 3 with a 1 double, 2 walks, an RBI, and a run scored, although being intentionally walked didn’t do his rehab any good, and Robby Price, Todd Glaesmann, Steven Tinoco, Cody Rogers, and Kiermaier had multi-hit games as well.

Low-A Midwest League: South Bend Silver Hawks (ARI) 6, Bowling Green Hot Rods 5

If anyone deserved a win Sunday, it was the Hot Rods, who put together an incredible rally on Saturday to tie the game coming back from a 10-run inning for the opposition only to see the Silver Hawks win 11-10. But alas, no. The Silver Hawks tallied 4 runs in the 1st inning against Ryan Carpenter, with Ryan Court drilling a solo home run, but Carpenter and the Hot Rods kept it together and came back again. Jeff Malm singled home Drew Vettleson to plate a run in the bottom of the 1st, and Josh Sale singled home Matt Rice to make it 4-2 in the bottom of the 2nd. Ryan Carpenter allowed a Matt Helm solo homer in the the 3rd, but a solo homer by Jake Hager in the bottom of the inning and then a 2-run shot by Vettleson in the 4th tied the game at 5. Carpenter battled to go 6 innings allowing 5 runs, 3 earned, on 7 hits, striking out 3 while walking 2. He certainly wasn’t sharp, but he gave the Hot Rods 5 nice innings after the tough 1st to give them a chance to come back. But the Hot Rods couldn’t muster any more runs the rest of the game and a Roldany Aguila solo home run off of Jacob Partridge was enough to give South Bend a 6-5 win. Partridge allowed just the 1 run in 3 innings on 2 hits, striking out 5 while walking 1, but the Hot Rods offense simply fell silent after the 5th. Vettleson went 3 for 5 with a homer, 2 doubles, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored, Matt Rice went 4 for 5 with a double, a triple, and a run scored, Jake Hager went 2 for 5 with a homer, a double, an RBI, and a run scored, and Ryan Brett and Cameron Seitzer both went 2 for 5. Tyler Goeddel also stole his 29th base of the season in the loss.

Short Season-A New York-Penn League: Hudson Valley Renegades 2, Lowell Spinners (BOS) 1

Business as usual for the Renegades as they won again, extending their 3-game lead in the NYPL McNamara division. There was not much offense to be found in this one, but the Renegades managed to push a pair of runs across. The Renegades scored in the 1st when Joey Rickard walked, advanced to second on a wild pitch, advanced to 3rd on one groundball, and scored on Richie Shaffer‘s grounder to give Hudson Valley a 1-0 lead. Sean Bierman was outstanding for the Renegades, tossing 6 shutout innings before finally letting up a run in the 7th on a Mookie Betts sac fly. Bierman went 7 innings allowing just the 1 run on 3 hits, striking out 6 while walking 1 and posting an 8-5 groundout to flyout ratio. Bierman improved his ERA to 2.75 in 11 professional starts as he has struck out 36 while walking just 5. And thanks to four walks by Spinners pitching in the 8th, Bierman earned a win for the error. New Renegade Jordan Harrison tossed 2 shutout innings in his first Hudson Valley appearance, allowing just 1 hit while striking out 2, for his first professional save. The Renegades managed just 3 hits, 2 of which by Ryan Dunn, who wasn’t even involved in the scoring. Thomas Coyle and Shaffer had the RBIs in the game.

I can't even comprehend the game Soriano had. (Credit: Flickur user BeGreen90)

Advanced Rookie Appalachian League: Princeton Rays 10, Johnson City Cardinals 2

Just one Rays affiliate changed its fortune on Sunday from its performance on Saturday. And that would be the Princeton Rays. Ariel Soriano had a whole lot to do with that. Soriano had a game he’s going to remember for a while, going 2 for 5 with a double, a homer, 2 stolen bases to give him 16 on the year, 3 RBI, and 3 runs scored. He stole two bases without a single in the game! That takes skill. Eli Echarry started for the P-Rays and had a nice outing, going 5 shutout innings allowing just 3 hits and 2 walks, striking out 5 and posting a 4-2 groundout to flyout ratio. Princeton actually scored 10 runs and just 9 hits, going 5 for 12 with runners in scoring position. Other than Soriano’s ridiculous game, John Alexander went 3 for 5 with a double and 2 RBI, and Oscar Hernandez, Andrew Toles, and William Argo had the other Princeton RBIs.

Double-A Southern League: Jackson Generals (SEA) 3, Montgomery Biscuits 1

Matt Buschmann pitched well, but the offense wasn’t there to back him up as the Biscuits fell 3-1. Buschmann tossed 7 innings allowing just 2 runs, 1 earned, on 5 hits, striking out 5 while walking 1 as he threw 63 of 97 pitches for strikes. You have to think that he’ll be back at Triple-A soon, and don’t be surprised if he gets his first big league look in  September- especially if David Price has his way, because Buschmann roomed with Price for a time at Vanderbilt. Tyler Bortnick had a double and the Biscuits’ only RBI in this one, while Ty Morrison and Omar Luna both went 2 for 5.

High-A Florida State League: Palm Beach Cardinals 10, Charlotte Stone Crabs 9

Even after a horrific start, you never know what can happen if your bullpen can just keep the other team at bay. Unfortunately it was too little, too late for the Stone Crabs as they fell just short of overcoming a 6-0 deficit after 3 innings. C.J. Riefenhauser had his second straight disaster start, allowing 7 runs, 6 earned, on 7 hits in 4+ innings. His peripherals were not as disastrous as he struck out 3 while walking 1 and posted a 5-2 groundout to flyout ratio, but he got hit pretty hard in this one. Alex Koronis allowed 3 more runs in 2 innings but Theron Geith came through with 2 shutout innings to give the Stone Crabs a chance. The Stone Crabs offense gave their all, scoring 9 while stranding just 5 runners. Derek Dietrich was right in the middle, going 3 for 5 with a 3-run homer, a double, and 2 runs scored, and Riccio Torrez had a 2-run shot as part of a 1 for 3 day with a walk. Mikie Mahtook, Hector Guevara, and Robi Estrada combined for 1 hit between themselves yet managed the other 4 RBI.

Low-A Midwest League: Lake County Captains (CLE) 7, Bowling Green Hot Rods 6 (11 innings)

Another classic here as the Hot Rods got shoddy bullpen work by rallied back from a 6-3 deficit in the 9th to send the game into extra innings. Roberto Gomez actually had a nice start at the beginning of this but could not provide much length as he allowed 1 run on 4 hits in 4 innings, striking out 2 while walking 1 and posting a 3-1 groundout to flyout ratio. In the 9th, Taylor Motter had a huge 2-out 2-run double to tie it up, but Bryson Byles had a go-ahead sac fly for Lake County in the 11th. Jeff Malm had a solo homer, Tyler Goeddel had an encouraging day, going 1 for 2 with 2 walks and a run scored, and other than Motter’s clutch hit, Jake Hager, Ryan Brett, and Keith Castillo had the other Hot Rods RBIs.

Short Season-A New York-Penn League: Hudson Valley Renegades 4, Auburn Doubledays (WSN) 1

2012 9th round pick Joey Rickard had a nice debut, and the pitchers really shined in this one for Hudson Valley. Rickard went 2 for 5 leading off a playing centerfield and other 2012 draft picks had nice games as Ryan Dunn went 1 for 5 with a double and 3 RBI, and Tommy Coyle went 2 for 4 with a walk. And then there were the pitchers. Jeff Ames was nice, allowing 1 run on 3 hits in 5 innings, striking out 4 while walking none, Brandon Henderson struck out 4 without walking a batter in 2.2 shutout innings, and Ryan Garton continued his ridiculous start to his pro career, striking out 2 in 1.1 perfect innings for his first professional save as he has now thrown 9 pro innings allowing just 2 hits and not a single run- earned or unearned- and striking out 13 while walking none. Unbelievable.

Snell has been unhittable. Sheesh. (Credit: Area Code Baseball via Flickr)

Advanced Rookie Appalachian League: Princeton Rays 3, Danville Braves 2

Hitters simply want no part of lefty Blake Snell right now. Snell, one of the Rays many supplemental picks in 2011, has been lights out all season, lowering his ERA to 0.40 after allowing just 1 unearned run (and 0 unearned runs) in 22.2 IP. In this one, he tossed 5 shutout innings allowing 4 hits, striking out 2 while walking 1 and posting a 6-3 groundout to flyout ratio. After Jon Weaver let up a couple runs in 1.2 IP- although he did strike out 3, Nick Sawyer continued his incredible pro debut, striking out 2 in 1.1 perfect innings of his own. Between the GCL Rays and P-Rays, Sawyer has now gone 7 shutout innings allowing 4 hits and 2 walks while striking out 10. Alex Keudell struck out 2 in a shutout inning for the save in this one. There was little offense to be found in this one as the P-Rays won despite being 4-hit, but Willie Argo was the hero with a 2 for 4 day with a double, a triple, an RBI, and a run scored, while Brandon Martin and Reid Redman had the other hits and Daryl George had the only other RBI.

Rookie Gulf Coast League: GCL Twins 5, GCL Rays 2

You can bet that Carlos Cedeno can’t wait to get out of Rookie ball after a start like this. Cedeno pitched pretty darn well in this one, allowing just 3 hits in 4 innings, striking out 2 while walking 1 and posting an 8-3 groundout to flyout ratio. He allowed no home runs and exactly one extra-base hit, a double with no one on base and 2 outs. Yet he managed to allow 4 runs, just 1 earned, as the GCL Rays made (gasp) 5 errors in this game, including one by Cedeno himself. Jordan Harrison pitched pretty well in relief, allowing 1 run on 5 hits in 3 innings, striking out 4 while walking none and posting a 3-0 groundout to flyout ratio and Alex Moshier tossed a hitless 9th, but the damage was already done. Second round pick Spencer Edwards had a horrific game, going 0 for 5 with 4 strikeouts and an error at shortstop. He’s now 0 for 7 to begin his career. He just has to relax and let his ability come out, and I’m sure we’ll see that soon. Bralin Jackson had a great game, meanwhile, going 2 for 4 with a double, a triple, a walk, and a run scored, while Johnny Eierman had an RBI double and Leopoldo Corea had the other RBI.

The uniforms include most of the classic elements of the uniforms of the era:

• the cap with the alternate coloured front-panel
• the pullover jersey with sleeves in another colour from the base
• thick sleeve trim striping
• and some good old-fashioned powder-blue

Moving from boring Tigers to ex-Tigers, Kyle Farnsworth‘s rehab has begun with a 1 inning appearance at High-A Charlotte. For more on Farnsworth’s rehab appearance as part of our minor league recap, see here.

And now some draft-related news, the Rays have signed 25th rounder LHP Jordan Harrison. You can check out a scouting report on Harrison and all the other Rays draft picks over at our Rays 2012 Draft Profiles page. In addition, the Rays have signed their second non-drafted free agent, VCU right-hander Kyle Pelchy, first reported by the Hampton Roads, Virginia Daily Press.

Pelchy, a 6’2″, 190 senior, put up some solid numbers working between the bullpen and rotation for the Commodores in 2012, going 4-4 with a 3.70 ERA, 36 strikeouts, 14 walks, and 1 homer allowed in 12 relief appearances, 6 starts, and 58.1 IP. Pelchy features a high-80′s fastball that he struggles to command but also a curveball that has shown some impressive movement. Pelchy had been planning to join the Air Force, but the Rays came calling and we’ll have to see what he can do.