The Undercards: Brandon Gomes Has Better Outing in Start for Stone Crabs

After a disastrous appearance in his previous outing for the Stone Crabs, Brandon Gomes performed much better tonight as he tries to make his way back from a lat injury. His outing may not have been great, as he allowed two hits in 1.2 innings, but it was a much better performance than last time, when he gave up four hits and three runs while recording just two outs. Even though there may not be room for him at the major league level presently, having another major league caliber reliever ready should another injury occur would certainly be a luxury for the Rays.

Columbus Clippers (Indians) 3, Durham Bulls 2

This game could have gotten completely out of hand in the first inning, as the first five hitters to face Bulls starter Matt Buschmann all reached base. However, Buschmann was bale to get an out on a pickoff, and aside from a run scoring base hit by Jeremy Hermida, managed to escape relatively unscathed. Tim Beckham tied the game on a base hit in the top of the fifth, and his second RBI single put the Bulls ahead in the top of the seventh. However, the lead did not last long, as the Clippers loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the inning against Jeff Beliveau. Errors by Ryan Roberts and Beckham led to two runs, as Columbus took the lead. The bases remained loaded, but Beliveau struck out the side to keep the game within reach. Durham threatened in the ninth, putting Beckham on third with two outs, but Vince Belnome flew out to end the game as the Bulls fell 3-2. Beliveau took the loss, giving up two runs, one earned, on two hits and a walk in his inning of work. Beckham was 2-5 with two RBIs in the loss.

Jacksonville Suns (Marlins) 1, Montgomery Biscuits 0 (Game One – Seven Innings)

Typically, when you hold a team to one hit, chances are that the game will end up in the win column. That proved not to be the case in the first game of the double header, as the Suns managed only a fourth inning single, but still managed to take the win. In fact, they scored in the fifth, using two errors and two walks to score their run. The Biscuits offense was only slightly better, as they managed four hits, but were unable to push a run across. This was a sloppy game all the way around, as there were a total of five errors, four by Montgomery, in the matchup. Enny Romero took a tough loss, giving up the unearned run on a hit and three walks over five innings, striking out eight.

Montgomery Biscuits 5, Jacksonville Suns 1 (Game Two – Seven Innings)

On the heels of their double header Thursday, the Biscuits and the Suns had another double header last night. Unlike Game One, the Biscuits appeared focused, as Robby Price hit a home run in the first to put Montgomery on top. The Biscuits put the game away in the sixth, loading the bases with no outs. Kyeong Kang singled to drive in a run, and after a run scoring force out, Hector Guevara had a two run single. The Suns got a run back in the top of the seventh, but it was not enough as the Biscuits took the 5-1 victory in the nightcap. Jacob Thompson had an excellent start, giving up one run on four hits and two walks, finishing one out shy of the complete game. Kang was 2-3 with a run scored and an RBI in the victory.

Tampa Yankees 5, Charlotte Stone Crabs 4 (Game One)

After last night’s game was suspended by rain tied at 4-4, the Yankees and Stone Crabs got together to complete the matchup. Willie Argo gave the Stone Crabs an early lead with a two run double in the second. After the Yankees got a run back in the bottom of the inning, Jake Hager hit a run scoring single to put Charlotte back up by two. However, the Yankees scored three in the bottom of the inning to take the lead, as they loaded the abses with no outs. Two sacrifice flies and an error plated the three runs, and Charlotte found themselves trailing 4-3. Richie Shaffer tied the game with an RBI double in the eighth, and the score remained tied when the rains fell. The Yankees had a runner on first with two outs in the bottom of the inning, and Nate Garcia needed to record one out to force extras. However, he walked the fist batter he faced to put runners on first and second, then gave up a base hit to Fu-Lin Kuo to send the Stone Crabs to a 5-4 loss. Shay Crawford took the loss a day after exiting the game, giving up a run on three hits and a walk in 2.2 innings. Shaffer was 2-4 with two doubles, an RBI and a run scored.

Tampa Yankees 4, Charlotte Stone Crabs 3 (Game Two)

Once again, the Stone Crabs jumped out to the early lead, as Jeff Malm had a two run double in the top of the third to put Charlotte on the board. The Yankees cut into the lead in the bottom of the inning, as Ali Castillo scored on a ground out by the rehabbing Curtis Granderson. Kes Carter homered in the top of the fourth to give Charlotte a two run lead once again, and Sean Bierman appeared to have the game under control. However, the Yankees rallied in the seventh. With two outs and a runner on second, Tyson Blaser tripled, and scored on a base hit by Castillo to tie the game. Castillo then scored on a double by yet another rehabbing player, Jayson Nix. That run would prove to be the difference, as Castillo scored the game winner in both games as the Yankees sent the Stone Crabs to the 4-3 loss. Bierman took the defeat, giving up four runs on five hits in 6.1 innings of relief. Brandon Gomes started, and gave up two hits in 1.2 innings.

Bowling Green Hot Rods 7, Great Lakes Loons (Dodgers) 3

After spotting the Loons a run in the bottom of the first, the Hot Rods came back in the top of the second. Justin O’Conner lead off the inning with a home run, and Patrick Leonard had a two run double. Leonard came around to score on a base hit by Andrew Toles, and Bowling Green took a 4-1 lead. Jeremy Rathjen homered in the bottom of the inning for the Loons, but the Hot Rods kept adding on, scoring runs in the third on a wild pitch and in the fourth by a base hit from Leonard. Bowling Green would hold on, keeping the Loons at bay en route to the 7-3 victory. Reinaldo Lopez had a strong outing, giving up two runs on five hits and three walks in six innings, but he also struck out ten batters. Leonard was 3-4 with a double, three RBIs and a run scored.

Hudson Valley Renegades 3, Aberdeen IronBirds (Orioles) 1

Ben Griset was the story of the game for the Renegades, as he put together his best start of the season while shutting down Aberdeen. The IronBirds best scoring opportunity against Griset came with two outs in the second, when Jared Breen found himself on third after an errant pickoff attempt, but was stranded to end the inning. The Renegades scored in the bottom of the inning, as John Alexander had an RBI double and Granden Goetzman followed with a run scoring single to put Hudson Valley ahead 2-0. Johnny Field added an RBI double in the fifth to give the Renegades an insurance run, and Hudson Valley coasted to a 3-1 victory. Griset picked up the win, giving up four hits and striking out seven in six shutout innings. Field was 2-4 with a double and an RBI.

Bluefield Blue Jays 6, Princeton Rays 3

The Blue Jays never put together a big inning against the Rays, but managed to defeat them by stringing together several small innings. The Jays scored in teh first, third, fourth and seventh; with their biggest inning being a two run second. Princeton got a run in the third, as David Garcia grounded out with the bases loaded to force in a run, and Yoel Araujo had a two run double in the eighth to cut the lead in half. However, the Rays were unable to get any closer, falling to the Jays 6-3. Jacob Faria struggled in the loss, giving up five runs, four earned, on eight hits and a walk in 3.1 innings. The Rays were held to four hits all game, but managed six walks. Araujo had a solid day at the plate, going 1-3 with a double, two RBIs and a walk.

GCL Orioles 4, GCL Rays 3

The Rays put up two runs in the bottom of the first, as Kean Wong had an RBI triple, and scored on a base hit by Nick Ciuffo to take an early lead. However, the Orioles came back with a four run top of the second, highlighted by a two run single off the bat of Justin Viele. The Rays got a run back in the third, as Wong tripled again, and scored on a base hit by Alexander Simon. The Rays were unable to put together another scoring threat afterwards, as the Orioles held them in check the rest of the way for the 4-3 victory. Christopher Crisostomo took the loss, giving up four runs on nine hits and a walk in five innings of work. Wong had an excellent game, going 3-4 two triples, two runs scored and an RBI.