The Undercards: Kyle Farnsworth Sharp in Rehab Stint, Enny Romero Throws 7 No-Hit Innings

Things were exciting in Charlotte on Monday night. Unfortunately that doesn’t always translate to a win.

Triple-A International League: Durham Bulls 6, Toledo Mud Hens (DET) 3

Reid Brignac hit a grand slam! It took some crazy things to happen for that not to be this article’s headline. But it did. Brignac’s slam came part of a 5-run second inning that turned around a 3-0 deficit and proved to be the margin in the game. Lance Pendleton was not good, allowing 3 runs, 2 earned, in 4 innings, striking out 3 while walking 2 and throwing 93 pitches, but the bullpen was sharp with Ryan Reid (who earned the win), Brad Augenstein, and Brandon Gomes allowing just 2 hits and nothing else in 5 innings, striking out 7 in the process. Brignac went 1 for 3 on the day with his slam while Rich Thompson went 2 for 4 from the leadoff spot with a double, a stolen base, an RBI, and a run scored.  It was a nice all-around game for the Bulls, now 26-38 on the year.

Double-A Southern League: Montgomery Biscuits 6, Chattanooga Lookouts (LAD) 4 (7 innings)

It has been raining like crazy in Montgomery and the Biscuits have wanted to play a doubleheader each of the last 3 days. At least they squeezed one in on Monday- and it was a win. Matt Buschmann got completely pushed under the bus by the defense in this game, going 5 innings allowing 5 hits, striking out 6 while walking 2, and forcing a 9-2 groundout to flyout ratio, but allowing 4 runs, all unearned, and exiting down 4-0 in this game. Then the Biscuits rallied for 6 runs in the bottom of the 6th, and Merrill Kelly stole the win with a scoreless relief inning. Brad Coon went 2 for 3 with a double, 3 RBI, and a run scored, and Omar Luna went 2 for 2 with a walk, a double, and a run scored. The Biscuits improve to 33-30 on the season.

High-A Florida State League: St. Lucie Mets 3, Charlotte Stone Crabs 2 (12 innings)

This was a game to remember for the Stone Crabs faithful. And they still lost. Farnsworth started the game for Charlotte to begin his rehab appearance and it did not last very long. Farnsworth allowed a hit, forced a double play, and allowed a flyball out in a 5-pitch span and that was it. Grayson Garvin then entered the game for Charlotte but allowed 2 runs in the 2nd inning and went just 2 innings, allowing 2 runs on 3 hits, striking out 2 while walking 1. Whether he was scheduled to go 2 innings or knocked out early is something I do not know. But in any event, the Stone Crabs relieved him with their third starter in the game, Enny Romero (Farnsworht actually started the game and Garvin and Romero are actually starting pitchers). And Romero was dominant- at least in one stat, hits. Romero tossed shutout ball from the 4th inning until the 10th, not allowing a singel hit. Wow. He did strike out just 6 while walking to 4 and his groundout to flyout ratio was a pedestrian 7-6, but again, no hits. Wow. Francisco Pena drilled a go-ahead homer in the 12th for St. Lucie all of Nate Garcia (no coincidence- he’s not a starting pitcher). Hector Guevara went 2 for 6 with 2 runs scored from the leadoff spot for the Stone Crabs, and Robi Estrada went 2 for 5 with a double and an RBI. The Stone Crabs fall to 26-35 on the year.

Low-A Midwest League: Dayton Dragons (CIN) 9, Bowling Green Hot Rods 5

Ryan Carpenter got hit hard, going just 4.2 innings allowing 7 runs on 9 hits, striking out 4 while walking 3. That was enough for the Hot Rods to fall in this game despite 11 hits as they went just 4 for 17 with runners in scoring position, which still could have been enough on another night. Todd Glaesmann went 2 for 5 with a homer, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored. Drew Vettleson went 3 for 4 with a double, a walk, an RBI, and a run scored. And Tyler Goeddel went 1 for 4 with a double and an RBI while Josh Sale went 1 for 5 with an RBI and also had an outfield assist. The Hot Rods are now 34-30 on the season after the loss.