Las Vegas (40-31) 4, Fresno 2
Going into the top of the 9th the 51’s were being shutout while going 0-7 with runners in scoring position before Brooks Conrad changed all that with a pinch-hit two-out grand slam to win the game. Kirk Nieuwenhuis started the rally with a double, followed by a walk by Anthony Recker and Travis Taijeron was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Kirk was 2-4 on the night and is now 9-21 with eight RBI in 5 games since being demoted. Johnny Monell was 1-4 extending his hit streak to 16 games which ties Dominic Smith‘s for the longest in the Minors for the Mets this year. Alex Castellanos, Daniel Muno, Taijeron, Wilfredo Tovar, and Brandon Allen all had one hit on the night.
Chase Bradford came into the 8th inning with two runners on getting the next three hitters out on a row to keep Las Vegas within two runs. Bradford also pitched a scoreless 9th inning to pick up his 2nd win of the year, he gave up just one hit while striking out three. He cleaned up Scott Rices‘ 8th inning mess who walked and gave up a hit to the two batters he faced. Recently promoted Chase Huchingson pitched 1.2 scoreless with two strikeouts pushing his streak to 12.1 innings with 5.2 of them coming for the 51’s. Rainy Lara made his 2nd AAA start struggling once again going 5 innings giving up two runs on four hits and five walks while striking out two. Box Score
Las Vegas has today off before heading to Salt Lake on Saturday with Steven Matz on the mound.
Binghamton had their game postponed and will be made up as part of doubleheader in August. The B’Mets play tonight at 7:05 in New Hampshire with Gabriel Ynoa (3-4, 5.23) coming off a 7-inning one run start.
St. Lucie had the day off as the last day of the All-Star break. They return to action tonight at 6:35 against Jupiter without a starter listed.
Savannah (39-31) 8, Augusta 5
Savannah already clinched the first half South Division and a playoff spot for the 5th time in 6 years with the Greenville Drive losing earlier in the day but won just for good measure. The Sand Gnats was winning 3-2 before putting up a 5 spot in the top of the 9th to extend their lead and provide insurance they needed because Augusta scored 3 runs in the bottom of the inning.
Casey Meisner got the start going 5 innings giving up one run on three hits and a walk while striking out six to help him pick up his 7th win of the year. Casey lowered his ERA to 2.13 and has giving up just 59 hits in 76 innings while striking out 66 in that span. Cameron Griffin and Dawrin Arias each threw a scoreless inning for Savannah. Lefties Ben Griset and Paul Paez combined to give up four runs on six hits and a walk.
Wuilmer Becerra was 2-5 with his 17th double knocking in two runs to give him 35 RBI. The doubles are good for 6th in the SAL, RBI ranks him 10th, and his slugging percentage (.480) ranks him 6th as well. All-Star Jonathan Johnson went 1-2 with three walks, two runs scored, and his 12th stolen base of the year. Luis Guillorme was 1-3 with two walks, two runs scored, 31st RBI, and his 8th the stolen base of the year. Eudor Garcia was 0-4 but did manage to score a run while driving in two runs to give him 25 RBI on the year. Box Score
Savannah heads to the All-Star break with the next three days off. David Roseboom will be joining his Savannah teammates Johnson and Meisner at the All-Star game tomorrow evening.
Brooklyn (2-1) 6, Staten Island 4
Michael Gibbons pitched for the 2nd time in the Mets farm system after getting the win in his pro debut for St. Lucie last week in 7 great innings. He picked up the win again last night going 5.2 innings giving up two runs on two hits and two walks while striking out six batters. The Mets 27th round pick from last year Alex Palsha pick up his first save of the year with 1.2 innings scoreless after collecting 11 saves last year for GCL and Kingsport.
Vincent Siena the Mets 14th round pick this year went 1-3 with a walk and two runs scored, he has a 3-game hitting streak to start his pro career. The Cyclones DH Jeffrey Diehl was 2-4 with his first homerun of the year. Box Score
Here is my look at the Cyclone initial roster.
The Cyclones are back at it tonight with the Mets 29th round pick from last year Matt Blackham getting the start vs. Tri-City at 7 PM.
GCL Mets start their season today at 12:00 PM ET against the GCL Marlins. The GCL updated roster was just listed and the notable names include a rehabbing Jeff Walters, Cuban catcher Lednier Ricardo, bonus baby catcher Ali Sanchez, both Jose Medina‘s (pitcher and outfielder), power hitting Brandon Brosher who is coming back from a broken ankle, Mets 23rd round pick Kennith Bautista, and $725K bonus outfielder Ricardo Cespedes. Also of note is that Desmond Lindsay and Max Wotell have been both removed from the GCL roster after being there initially.
