Future Redbirds

Springfield has the day off Thursday.

Also, erik’s got some more draft speculation for you.

Memphis 6, Tuscon 5

• Homeruns anyone? How about Rick Ankiel, Edgar Gonzalez and pitcher Mike Parisi all teed of in the game — Rick’s was a walkoff HR. For those of you counting at home that’s 12 long balls for Slick Rick. Gonzalez also had a triple.
• The pitching was pretty rough for Memphis. Parisi lasted 6 innings allowing 3 runs. He walked 4 batters, however, with 6 hits including 2 doubles. While it counts as a quality start, it seems like a shaky one at best. Parisi did get 11 of 14 outs on the ground.
• Andy Cavazos came in and blew the lead allowing 2 ER in 1.1 IP. He walked 4 batters (1 intentional) as well while striking out no one.
• Brian Falkenborg picked up the win as the Redbirds scored in the bottom of the 8th and 9th to take the lead. He did strand two of 3 inherited runners for which Cavazos should be thankful considering how bad his line could have been.
• What’s the lesson today, boys and girls? Say it with me — Don’t issue free passes!

Palm Beach 9, Jupiter 10

• Allen Craig smacked 3 doubles in 5 ABs.
• My favorite walk-drawer Dan Nelson went 3-for-5. If he can hit for average he could post some huge OBPs. He also stole 2 bases tonight.
• SS Jose Martinez went 3-for-5 with 4 RBIs. He’s hitting .300 in the last 10 games.
• The offense roughed up Florida Marlin’s first round draft pick Brett Sinkbeil. It’s nice to see them have a strong night against a good pitching prospect. They torched him for 11 hits in 5 innings including 4 doubles.
• Unfortunately, Trey Hearne got lit up as well. In 5.2 IP he allowed 10 hits, 3 walks and struck out 3. Allowing 5 runs (4 earned) has pushed his ERA up to 5.18 on the season. PB has not been kind to Trey.
  
• Scott Vander Weg is making me reconsider my thoughts about his quietly good season. In the last 2 outings he’s been touched up for double digit ERAs — tonight he allowed 4 runs in 0.1 IP (that’s a 108 ERA). After bailing out Jon Mikrut by stranding his two runners, Vander Weg wasn’t as lucky when. . .
• . . .Luke Gregerson blew his first save of the year allowing all three inherited runners from Vander Weg to score. Gregerson then proceeded to strike out the side. All said 5 runs score in the bottom of the eighth.

Quad Cities 9, Clinton 6

• Newbie report: Tommy Pham 0-for-2 w/ 2 strikeouts; Wilmer Alvarado (not to be confused with Wilmer Valderrama from That 70s Show, which is hilarious) 0-for-3 w/ 2BB and 2K.
• Daryl Jones replaced Pham in the 4th inning and promptly hit a HR. He also walked later on in the game.
• Christian Lopez making an appearance in LF drew 4 walks.
• Catcher Christian Reyes hit two HRs.
• Brandon Buckman hit a HR and took a walk.
• In the 6th inning, the Swing turned a triple play. A line drive, then a force out at first, then a rundown on the basepaths. . .I think. I’ll let you read the log yourself:

John Whittleman lines into a triple play, second baseman Jaime Landin to first baseman Brandon Buckman to shortstop Donovan Solano to second baseman Jaime Landin to first baseman Brandon Buckman. Marcus Lemon out at 2nd. Jose Vallejo out at 1st.

• PJ Walters had a rare bad outing: 2.2IP, 5H, 4R, 3ER, 2BB, 3K
• Elvis Hernandez had a so-so relief appearance going 3.2 innings allowing 3 hits and walking 3 against 4Ks while not allowing any runs.
• Kenny Maiques picked up his 12 save striking out 1 in a scoreless inning.