It was the end of the week for the teams in the minor leagues, which means some series ending games happening. There were some solid performances on the mound and at the plate.
Lehigh Valley 8, Buffalo 5
A victory for the IronPigs in which their offense came alive to the tune of five hits? How is this possible? Ah, yes, there it is. It’s the eight walks allowed by Buffalo pitching that was the culprit. However, when the IronPigs got opportunities to put runs on the board, they did so in a big way.
Liover Peguero delivered the big one, a grand slam that opened the game up wide.
Of note, Bryan de la Cruz had two hits, including a double, and three RBI on the day. Might his name be called to join an offense at the major league level in need of a jolt?
Harrisburg 8, Reading 6
I’m not sure why, but I like Raylin Heredia. I’m a simply man who likes doubles as much as home runs and Heredia has been delivering these hits by the bushel.
Reading didn’t win, mostly because Kyle Brnovich got lit up, but the offense at least had some bright spots. In addition to Heredia, Dylan Campbell homered and drove in two while Austin Murr also had three hits, two of them doubles, and scored two runs of his own. This is kind of a fun team with a lot of the team’s top prospects.
Frederick 4, Jersey Shore 3
The BlueClaws had a lead going into the ninth inning thanks to good days at the plate from Joel Dragoo (two hits, RBI) and Tyler Pettorini (two hits, one a double).
The opening combination of Ryan Dromboski (3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 4 K), Estibenzon Jimenez (3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K) and Brandon Beckel (2 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 5 K) looked stalwart, but the closer for the day, Danyony Pulido vomited all over himself on the mound, allowing three runs to score on two hits, two walks and a home run allowed.
Clearwater 6, Dunedin 1
Alirio Ferrebus continues turning heads, notching a double as one of his two hits, raising his season average to .346 and leading Clearwater to a win. One of the recent draftees, Matthew Ferrera, hit a home run on the day.
Color me intrigued by what Ferrera can offer as he moves up the ladder.
Brad Pacheco was great on the mound, allowing only one run in four innings, scattering four hits, not walking a soul and striking out six.
