Farm Fishing: April 13th
By Wally Fish
Record for the Day: 2-1 / Record for the Year: 16-11
Rochester Red Wings (AAA):
The Red Wings were set to host the opening game of a series with the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs but the weather wasn’t on the same page. Due to the rainout, the game will be made up tomorrow as a part of a doubleheader.
Current Record: 2-4
New Britain Rock Cats (AA):
Won 4-3 over the Harrisburg Senators (Box Score)
OF Yangervis Solarte led the offensive charge for the Rock Cats going 3-5 with a 2B, 3B, SB, 2 R and 1 RBI. The 23-year old Venezuelan is now hitting 0.320/.320/.520 in 25 at bats. Joe Benson, Chris Parmelee and Lehmann also contributed with 2 hits each.
Of course it’s early but I wonder if we are witnessing the beginning of a breakout season from Danny Lehmann. He hit 0.247/.320/.319 last season between New Britain and Rochester and that represented the best season of his 4-year minor league career. This year he’s hit 0.462/.500/.538 in 13 at bats. I know, I know, small sample size and all that and I realize at 25 he’s a little old for the level, but I’m still intrigued. With his career 71/87 BB to SO rate, his progression last season and his early performance this year, I think there is reason to believe the Twins 8th round pick, in the 2007 draft, is on the cusp of something.
It was an important game on the pitching side as well. RHP Deolis Guerra pushed his record to 2-0 on the season allowing 5 H, 2 ER, 2 HR and 1 BB while notching 5 SO in 5.0 innings pitched. RHP Liam Hendriks also made his 2nd appearance on the year and tossed 1.2 innings of shutout ball with 1 H and 2 SO.
Current Record: 5-2
Fort Myers Miracle (Hi-A):
Lost 5-3 to the St. Lucie Mets (Box Score)
On the pitching side of the ledger, there was not a lot to be excited about in this game. LHP Dan Osterbrock went 2.1 innings in his first game action of 2011. He struck out 2 and didn’t issue a walk, but he did give up 4 hits and 2 earned runs. Minnesota native, RHP Matt Schuld pitched 3 scoreless innings with 3 SO but also gave up 3 H and 2 BB. LHP Andrew Albers and RHP Dakota Watts both got knocked around as well.
Offensively 2 players accounted for the teams 4 hits on the night. 3B Anderson Hidalgo went 2-4 with a 2B while C Danny Rams went 2-3 with a 2B and 3B. Rams also drove in 2, scored 1 and drew a walk. We all know that Rams has plenty of pop in his bat. What we don’t know is if he will make enough contact and get on base enough to become a real asset at the plate.
It’s a season of sweeps for Fort Myers thus far. They took all four games against Jupiter to start the year and then dropped all 3 games against St. Lucie in the second series.
Current Record: 4-3
Beloit Snappers (Lo-A):
Won 10-4 over the Clinton LumberKings (Box Score)
Unlike the other games covered above, there was plenty of offense in this one as both teams combined for 25 hits. Of those, 14 came off the bats of Beloit. 5 of the 9 guys in the lineup had multi-hit games and only Gunner Glad went hitless for the Snappers. SS Daniel Santana was the offensive star of the game going 3-4 with a HR, 2 RBI, 2 R and 1 BB while hitting leadoff. 1B Michael Gonzales, C Josmil Pinto, LF Reggie Williams and 3B Andy Leer were the others with multi-hit games. Oswaldo Arcia went 1-5 with 3 SO but he also hit a 2B that drove in 3 runs.
RHP B.J. Hermsen got the start and went 6 innings while giving up 9 hits, 4 runs (2 earned) with 2 BB and 2 SO. LHP Jose Gonzalez followed Hermsen and was the pitching star of the game thanks to 2 innings of 1 hit shutout ball and 4 SO.
Current Record: 5-2