Opening Day In The Minors
Last night, the full-season minor leagues began. Jay has recaps of all four games over at his blog, but here are the highlights for those who want a short summary.
Tacoma:
Jason Vargas struck out 7 over 4 innings of work. Mike Carp went 3 for 5 with a double in his Triple-A debut. Bryan LaHair and Chris Burke both played the outfield, as the team tries to find room for everyone on the roster. Michael Saunders is probably a month away from joining the team, by the way.
West Tennessee:
Carlos Triunfel went 0 for 3, but did draw a walk. Adam Moore homered, probably as a protest to being back in Double-A. Josh Fields’ pro debut didn’t go well – he walked four in 2/3 of an inning, and three of them scored.
High Desert:
Michael Pineda struck out 7 in 5 innings, but hit three guys and walked two others, so command wasn’t exactly his strength. Tyson Gillies went 2 for 3 with a couple of walks and stole a base. Alex Liddi doubled as well, as he tries to re-establish himself as a prospect. Phillippe Aumont pitched a scoreless inning in relief.
Clinton:
The M’s weren’t very nice to the LumberKings, so the prospect cupboard is a bit bare down here. Steven Hensley gave up three unearned runs, so his ERA is sparkly, but one strikeout in five innings isn’t very exciting. Denny Almonte went 1 for 3 and drew 2 walks, which is a nice improvement for him.
Anyway, we’re not going to do this every day, but since it was the first games, I figured we’d highlight some of the better performances. For regular coverage of the games, check out Jay’s blog.
I listened to Curto (aaaahhhhhh – breath of fresh air) on the ‘net, and he mentioned that Mike Wilson tweaked his ankle on the last intrasquad game, and will be out 3-4 games at least. That really makes the R’s OF situation look ugly.
I also transcribed this little gem from Curto — a vignette on Clement during one of the many rain delays…
Dave I am currently in California, so have not been up to date on the farm system as much. Why are the Mariners trying to bring Aumont along as a reliever? Is the thought to bring him along quicker?
By the way, being minutes away from the Adenhart scene was tragic. I watched him pitch an amazing game down here as it was on FSW. Losing a young man who has battled as he has is truly sad for all of MLB.
What is wrong with Saunders?
Sounds like Josh Fields is perfectly on track to be the M’s next closer, at least until Aumont arrives. (Sorry… too soon?) Justinh: you can find lots about the thinking behind the Aumont move with a little googling; USSM’s take is here (also check LookoutLanding).
This is totally random, but I just love the name “Lumberkings.” It’s not as bizarrely great as the SalmonKingsbut for a baseball team it’s perfect. I doubt I will ever have any reason to find myself in eastern Iowa, but if I do I will definitely make a pilgrimage… hopefully coinciding with some oddball promotion like “Oven Mitt Giveaway Night”
…burns my eyes.
Of course, sending any pitching prospect, let alone one as fine as Aumont, to High Desert “Where ERAs are as high as the temperature” isn’t my favorite idea.
Dave, are you saying here that he needs a month or so in order to be ready to play in the majors, or that he is actually going to join the major league team? The latter would imply that Balentien has one foot out the door (I think; I mean, the wouldn’t carry five and a half outfielders would they?).
That would be a month away from joining the Rainiers, he’s still rehabbing.
Oh right, of course. How silly of me.
[ot, and rubbing salt in the wound]
Guy’s i got bad news … carlos triunfel slide wrong into the second basemen during a double play tonight. He had to be carried off the field, and he was holding his knee… i hate to be the bearer of bad news, but he’s hurt again. I hope he’s not out for too long.
Yeah, I was listening to the game. He was still there by the end of commercial break and trainers from both teams had to help him off the field. Sucks.
Your everywhere Jay! Despite the short game i was impressed with some of the pitches that Greg Halman layed off. He worked a much better count that i expected on both at bats and getting that homer in the fourth was awesome. What did you think?