Minor League Games - Friday, May 5, 2017

[kikutaro]

Lehigh Valley IronPigs (14-12) @ Buffalo Bisons (15-9) 7:05 pm | Gameday
Ricardo Pinto (2-2, 3.14) vs. Mike Bolsinger (1-1, 1.46)
(postponed: rain)

Notable

Ricardo Pinto 0.0 IP, 0H, 0R, 0ER, 0BB, 0K, game score: 40

Reading Fightin Phils (13-10) @ Portland Sea Dogs (14-8) 5:00 pm | Gameday
N/A vs. Teddy Stankiewicz (1-0, 3.19)
(postponed: rain)

Reading Fightin Phils (13-10) @ Portland Sea Dogs (14-8) Game 2 | Gameday
N/A vs. N/A
(postponed: rain)

Clearwater Threshers (18-11) @ Florida Fire Frogs (14-15) 7:05 pm | Gameday
Alberto Tirado (1-1, 2.38) vs. Ricardo Sanchez (1-3, 3.52)

Notable

Zachary Coppola 2-5, R, RBI, BB, K
Cornelius Randolph 2-6, R, 3 RBI, 2B, K
Damek Tomscha 2-4, 2 R, RBI, HR, BB
Wilson Garcia 2-5, R
Jose Pujols 2-5, 3 R, 2 RBI, HR, 2 K
Deivi Grullon 1-4, R, RBI, BB, 2 K
Jan Hernandez 0-5, 3 K
Drew Stankiewicz 4-5, R, 2 RBI, HR, K
Emmanuel Marrero 1-4, R, 2B, BB

Alberto Tirado (L, 1-2), 0.2 IP, 7H, 8R, 8ER, 1BB, 2K, game score: -12
Ranfi Casimiro 3.0 IP, 7H, 8R, 4ER, 1BB, 4K
Luke Leftwich 2.1 IP, 1H, 0R, 0ER, 1BB, 5K

Lakewood BlueClaws (17-12) @ Columbia Fireflies (14-14) 7:05 pm | Gameday
Adonis Medina (0-2, 1.71) vs. Joel Huertas (0-1, 3.86)

Notable

Daniel Brito 1-6, 2 R, RBI, 2 K
Carlos Duran 3-5, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 2B, K
Mickey Moniak 2-5, R, RBI, K
Darick Hall 1-4, R, RBI, HR, BB, K
Brett Barbier 2-5, R, RBI, 2 K
Cord Sandberg 2-4, R, RBI, 2 K
Edgar Cabral 0-3, R, 2 BB, K
Danny Zardon 1-3, 2 R, 3B, 2 BB, K
Jose Antequera 3-5, R, 3 RBI, K

Adonis Medina 4.0 IP, 7H, 2R, 2ER, 2BB, 6K, game score: 46
Zach Morris (W, 2-1), 2.1 IP, 3H, 0R, 0ER, 4BB, 1K
Felix Paulino 2.2 IP, 0H, 0R, 0ER, 0BB, 2K

(click on the start time for box scores)

[California_Dreamin]

Interesting that two guys we used to talk about often and in regularly hushed tones are catcher Deivi Grullon and 3rd baseman Jan Hernandez.

But both had disappointing seasons recently and basically fell off the prospect bandwagon list. Yet both are still very young [Grullon is 21 and Hernandez is 22] and both are having strong seasons at Clearwater.

There was a time when Grullon was considered the Phillie catcher of the future, now he may at least be a strong trade piiece. As for Hernandez, we were always excited about his potential and I recall when he was drafted [believe it was in the 3rd round] and I believe he could soon become a guy we talk about as a potential 3rd sacker of the future if he continues his power pace.

Also, interesting that Moniak and Blake Rutherford played against each other yesterday. The comparisons between the two are inevitable since the Phils could have drafted either of them, both were great California HS outfielders and both are projected to be future major league center fielders.

Right now Moniak is off to the better start.

[Philsmania]

Every team in the FSL plays in Florida. Then why the Hades does the FireFrogs located in Kissimmee call itself "Florida"? I really hate when teams name themselves after states instead of cities. I give a flier to the Twins since that's a compromise between Minneapolis and St. Paul. But otherwise, no excuse.

[julio]

Every team in the FSL plays in Florida. Then why the Hades does the FireFrogs located in Kissimmee call itself "Florida"? I really hate when teams name themselves after states instead of cities. I give a flier to the Twins since that's a compromise between Minneapolis and St. Paul. But otherwise, no excuse.

How do you feel about it when a club names itself after a city in which it does not play?

[allentown]

I give a pass to the Reading Phillies, because they are very close to Reading. My biggest peeve was the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. I think Anaheim taxpayers were even on the hook for stadium bonds.

[allentown]

There was a time when Grullon was considered the Phillie catcher of the future, now he may at least be a strong trade piiece. As for Hernandez, we were always excited about his potential and I recall when he was drafted [believe it was in the 3rd round] and I believe he could soon become a guy we talk about as a potential 3rd sacker of the future if he continues his power pace.

I think Grullon may develop into the pretty ideal Phillies back-up catcher of the future. I was thrilled when we drafted Jan Hernandez. Good to see him turning things around this season. He is likely to be unprotected from Rule 5, so we'll see what happens.

[DougLindsay]

They play in Reading.

[schooldoc]

With apologies to Peter King...here's something I think I think for each affiliate.

Lehigh Valley--I think I'd like to see Cam Perkins get a call to Philadelphia this year. Wathan had some very nice things to say about him in the paper.

Reading--I think Tyler Viza can't be long for the starting rotation here.

Clearwater--I wasn't sure Randolph should start the season here and, even though Joe Jordan's thoughts are infinitely more important than mine, I think the stats so far are proving me right.

Lakewood--Overall, I think Mickey Moniak is off to a good start. But I'd love to see him hit a HR, just one.

[allentown]

Moniak is still a growing lad and Lakewood, especially in April, is not a HR paradise. He did hit a HR last year. He should be a leadoff hitter, which means he should be working on OBP and base running, rather than hitting for power. Very good leadoff hitters who play very good defense are every bit as rare as very good power hitter. If Moniak becomes a very good leadoff hitter and plays excellent CF, I don't really care how many HRs he hits. They would be nice, but really just a bonus.

[allentown]

I believe the stadium is actually in Leesport.

[miker]

Nope. It is definitely in the City of Reading.

[zambonir]

Every team in the FSL plays in Florida. Then why the Hades does the FireFrogs located in Kissimmee call itself "Florida"? I really hate when teams name themselves after states instead of cities. I give a flier to the Twins since that's a compromise between Minneapolis and St. Paul. But otherwise, no excuse.

I think alliteration and marketing (so they can cater to both Orlando and Kissimmee w/o choosing one or the other) are both perfectly good excuses in the minor leagues.

I also think Minnesota is okay because the whole state roots for them (as opposed to the Texas Rangers or the Golden State Warriors. Whereas the New Jersey Devils did it out of wishful thinking).

[schooldoc]

Alberto Tirado's first inning tonight (and last inning tonight):

Florida Bottom of the 1st
Ray-Patrick Didder called out on strikes.
Tyler Neslony walks.
Ronald Acuna singles on a fly ball to right fielder Jose Pujols. Tyler Neslony to 2nd.
With Alex Jackson batting, wild pitch by Alberto Tirado, Tyler Neslony to 3rd. Ronald Acuna to 2nd.
Alex Jackson singles on a ground ball to left fielder Cornelius Randolph. Tyler Neslony scores. Ronald Acuna to 3rd.
Austin Riley homers (6) on a fly ball to left center field. Ronald Acuna scores. Alex Jackson scores.
Braxton Davidson homers (3) on a fly ball to left field.
Carlos Castro singles on a ground ball to center fielder Zack Coppola.
Wigberto Nevarez homers (1) on a fly ball to left field. Carlos Castro scores.
Alejandro Salazar strikes out swinging.
Ray-Patrick Didder triples (1) on a fly ball to right fielder Jose Pujols.
Pitching Change: Ranfi Casimiro replaces Alberto Tirado.

[schooldoc]

Then, there's Lakewood's 8-run 2nd inning:

Lakewood Top of the 2nd
Darick Hall strikes out swinging.
Brett Barbier singles on a line drive to center fielder Gene Cone.
Cord Sandberg singles on a line drive to right fielder Jose Miguel Medina. Brett Barbier to 2nd.
Edgar Cabral walks. Brett Barbier to 3rd. Cord Sandberg to 2nd.
With Danny Zardon batting, wild pitch by Joel Huertas, Brett Barbier scores. Cord Sandberg to 3rd. Edgar Cabral to 2nd.
Danny Zardon walks.
Jose Antequera singles on a line drive to center fielder Gene Cone. Cord Sandberg scores. Edgar Cabral scores. Danny Zardon to 3rd.
Daniel Brito singles on a ground ball to right fielder Jose Miguel Medina. Danny Zardon scores. Jose Antequera to 2nd.
Carlos Duran doubles (1) on a fly ball to center fielder Gene Cone. Jose Antequera scores. Daniel Brito scores.
Pitching Change: Darwin Ramos replaces Joel Huertas.
Mickey Moniak singles on a ground ball to pitcher Darwin Ramos. Carlos Duran to 3rd.
Darick Hall walks. Mickey Moniak to 2nd.
Brett Barbier singles on a ground ball to center fielder Gene Cone. Carlos Duran scores. Mickey Moniak to 3rd. Darick Hall to 2nd.
Cord Sandberg flies out to center fielder Gene Cone. Mickey Moniak scores.
Edgar Cabral grounds into a force out, shortstop Andres Gimenez to second baseman Luis Carpio. Brett Barbier out at 2nd.

[julio]

Whereas the New Jersey Devils did it out of wishful thinking).

Well, or just realism. I mean, the Devils play in Newark, and "Newark Devils" might not work. Moreover, when the Devils were established, they were playing in the Meadowlands - can you imagine marketing the "East Rutherford Devils"?

Or, for that matter, the East Rutherford Giants? the East Rutherford Jets? The Foxboro Patriots?

[zambonir]

True, and they couldn't use New York (unlikes their old neighbors in the NFL). If I were Newark I would have lobbied hard to make the team change their name as a condition of the arena, but I'm sure Newark was happy to have them at all (though I don't know if they feel that way now).

New England is a good counter-example, until you get to the NY portion of CT you're not gonna find anyone in that region who minds claiming the Pats as more than just a Boston team (except the haters, of course).

[BostonRoss]

I wasn't here then, but I have been told that when the Patriots first moved to Foxboro in the early 1970s, they idled to call themselves the Bay State Patriots. But they quickly decided that N.E. was a better abbreviation...

Maybe they could be the Boston Patriots of Foxboro.