The Undercards: Dylan Floro Throws 88 Pitch Shutout

Each and every year, there are prospects who break out within minor league systems. This year that player for the Rays has been Dylan Floro, who has put up a 2.81 ERA at Double-A Montgomery. That is despite the fact that he had only seen 4 starts at High-A before the season, and also that he struggled mightily early on in the year. His last 10 games have been a testament to how dominant he has been since the early woes, as he has put up a 1.35 ERA over that time while never throwing less than 6.0 innings. Floro had possibly his best start of the season on Friday, throwing a complete game shutout, and taking only 88 pitches to do so.

Triple-A International League: Gwinnett Braves 3, Durham Bulls 2

Mike Montgomery had a solid outing for the Bulls, going 5.0 innings and allowing 2 runs on 5 hits while striking out two. Montgomery did throw just 76 pitches, but that seems more of a precaution after he has experienced elbow soreness a couple of weeks ago rather than any re-aggravation of the injury. Brandon Gomes would be the losing pitcher, but it wasn’t his fault, as he allowed just an unearned run thanks to a Hak-Ju Lee error in his 1.2 innings of work. Jake Thompson would finish things off with an inning and a third of shutout ball. Offensively, the Bulls couldn’t get too much going. Wilson Betemit was the only Bull with multiple hits, and the Bulls as a team would get just 5 hits and go 1-10 with runners in scoring position.

Double-A Southern League: Montgomery Biscuits 3, Mississippi Braves 0

The offense was hardly awe-inspiring in this game. They would get just 4 hits, and they needed help from a Braves error to get 1 of their 3 runs. Richie Shaffer did have a nice 2-3 day, but no other Biscuits could say the same. Lucky for them, it was Dylan Floro’s turn to pitch. He would turn in  yet another outstanding performance, throwing all 9 innings and allowing no runs. He would scatter 8 hits, walking no batters and striking out three while putting up a 9-4 groundout-flyout ratio. But possibly the most impressive feat of his start- it took Floro only 88 pitches to get through the game. Talk about efficient. Floro continues to impress this season and is quickly establishing himself among the Rays top prospects.

High-A Florida State League: Fort Myers Miracle (MIN) 6, Charlotte Stone Crabs 1

Blake Snell‘s record at High-A this season dropped to a paltry 1-5 with this loss, but he still turned in a solid outing. He would go 5.0 innings, allowing 2 runs and striking out 9 while walking just 1 batter. Snell struggled in his first few starts at High-A, but his last two outings have been much better. Ryan Garton would throw 2.0 scoreless innings in relief, but then Casey Weathers struggled once again by allowing 4 runs in his inning of relief. Weathers let up just 1 hit, but that hit was a grand slam after he had walked the previous three hitters. On offense both Maxx Tissenbaum and Granden Goetzman went 2-3. But the offense went 1-10 with runners in scoring position, and that will rarely get the job done.

L0w-A Midwest League: Dayton Dragons (CIN) 3, Bowling Green Hot Rods 2

Ben Griset had a nice start for the Hot Rods, going 6.1 innings and allowing 3 runs (2 earned) on 7 hits while striking out 5. William Gabay would also have a nice outing, throwing 2.2 innings of shutout ball in relief. At the plate, Johnny Field led the way by going 3-4 with a double. Kean Wong also had a nice day, going 2-4 with an RBI. Just 19-years old, Wong keeps impressing despite aggressively being assigned to full-season ball this year. Right now, his slash line stands at .326/.366/.389. Oscar Hernandez added yet another 2-4 performance, but the offense as a whole only managed to manufacture 2 runs.

Short Season-A New-York Penn League: Hudson Valley Renegades 4, Staten Island Yankees 1

The Renegades got a great night from their pitching, with Oscar Armenta throwing 5.0 innings and giving up 1 run on 5 hits. Edgar Gomez was even better as the piggyback, giving up just 1 hit in 4.0 shutout innings. Offensively, 2014 12th rounder Braxton Lee had quite the professional debut. He would go 3-5 with a double and accounted for all 4 runs by driving in 3 and scoring a run of his own. Lee also showcased what he is known for- his speed- by stealing a base. Renegades hitters not named Lee would only manage 2 hits, but that was all that was needed after Lee single-handedly carried the offense.

Advanced Rookie Appalachian League: Johnson City Cardinals 7, Princeton Rays 0

It was a tough all-around night for the P-Rays. Starter Greg Maisto allowed 3 runs in 4.2 innings of work, allowing 7 hits and striking out 3. Damion Carroll would then allow 1 run in 1.2 innings of relief, and he was followed by Kyle Bird, who allowed 3 runs in 1.2 innings. On offense the team would only manage 3 hits, all by different players.

Rookie Gulf Coast League: GCL Rays 2, GCL Twins 0

In what was a pitcher’s duel, the GCL Rays managed to come out with the win thanks to two runs that were a product of a Twins error. Junior Feliz had a nice start, throwing 4.2 shutout innings while allowing 1 hit and striking out 4. Alberto Casanas also impressed as the piggyback, going 4.0 scoreless innings. Trevor Dunlap would earn the save by getting the final out of the game. The offense managed just 3 hits, but took advantage of a break in the 3rd inning to plate the game’s only two runs.