Top stories
Craig Albernaz can pitch in back to back games: Pitching in back to back games is always a test for a reliever coming back from injury or just reaching the majors. The problem for Durham is that Albernaz is a position player. Combined, he’s thrown two scoreless innings and even struck a batter out on Thursday. Their starters have combined for only 5.2 innings over those two games, and the bullpen has been overworked. Albernaz has also filled in at second base due to injuries in the past, and he’s a quality bench player for a minor league team to have.
Manny Banuelos on the DL with a back injury: The Yankees’ top prospect got off to a rough start this season, and maybe now there’s an explanation. He was placed on the DL with back pain he said he experienced in his second start. On Thursday at Buffalo, Banuelos walked six batters in two innings and his 9.00 ERA for that start was actually lower than his first. There is no timetable for his return yet. Last season, Banuelos missed a little time due to a blister.
Something kind of weird happened in Carolina: After Tuesday’s game against Wilmington, a man was arrested for allegedly sneaking into the visiting clubhouse to record players changing and showering. It’s an extremely unfortunate incident where the privacy of two dozen or more was violated, and they may not be his only victims. LaDarryl Strong was said to have told officers this is not the first time he’s recorded a locker room, and police seized 20 computers from his home. He was charged with felony secret peeping, first-degree trespassing, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Cal League wiped out by rain: Rainouts are a rarity in the Cal League, so rare that High Desert doesn’t even have a tarp to cover the infield. On Friday, four games were postponed, and on Thursday, one game was completed early. Unusually strong storms have hit several places in California and has thrown a wrench in the weekend schedule. Two doubleheaders are scheduled for Sunday. In the only game Friday night, Modesto defeated Stockton 9-4.
Lansing loses: Another year, another season where there won’t be an undefeated team in full-season ball. West Michigan made a late rally to hand Lansing their first loss of the season. Danry Vasquez’s 8th inning two-run home run gave the Whitecaps a 5-4 lead that they didn’t give up. Lansing had won their first seven games, outlasting Lynchburg in the Carolina League by one day to be the last unbeaten team. This win improves West Michigan to 4-4.
Stanford spits on pitch count: Per Baseball America college guru Aaron Fitt, Stanford ace and likely top five pick this June Mark Appel threw a ridiculous 149 pitches in Friday’s loss to Oregon. Overuse of top college pitchers has long been a sore spot for scouts and analysts, and Stanford in particular has been a target for ire. Drew Pomeranz and Trevor Bauer are two recent top picks that have had similar concerns, and it’s right for teams to worry about it when making their selections at the top of the draft. In his nine innings, Appel allowed just one earned run on 10 hits and two walks while striking out 13.
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Top Hitters | Aff. | H/AB | R | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | SB |
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Aaron Baker | FRD | 3/4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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Anthony Rizzo | IOW | 2/4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
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Brandon Brown | SAV | 2/4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
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Carlos George | WIS | 3/4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
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Chris Colabello | NB | 2/3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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Cody Overbeck | LEH | 2/4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
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Corey Dickerson | MOD | 3/5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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Evan Gattis | LYN | 2/2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
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Fernando Martinez | OKC | 2/5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
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John Nester | BUR | 2/4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
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Josh Rutledge | TUL | 2/4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
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Juan Castillo | QC | 4/4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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Marco Hernandez | PEO | 2/3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
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Ryan Jackson | MEM | 3/4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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Steven Moya | WM | 2/2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
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Tim Ferguson | KC | 2/4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
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Tomas Telis | MB | 2/4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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Travis Snider | LV | 4/5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
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Top Pitchers | Aff. | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K |
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Andre Rienzo | WS | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 9 |
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Brad Peacock | SAC | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 8 |
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Carlos Martinez | PB | 6 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 8 |
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Danny Hultzen | JAC | 5.2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 9 |
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David Hale | MIS | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 |
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Ethan Stewart | LWD | 6 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 |
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Jason Adam | WIL | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
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Joe Ross | FW | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
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Joel Carreno | LV | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 8 |
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Jordan Lyles | OKC | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 7 |
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Jose Cisnero | CC | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 7 |
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Matt Barnes | GRN | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
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Mike Rayl | CAR | 7 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
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Zack Wheeler | BIN | 6 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 9 |
On tap today
Andrew Brackman hopes for continued success
Travis Wood looks to extend his home run streak to two games
Brett Cecil has chance to rebound in second start
Taijuan Walker takes the AA mound for the second time
Tony Cingrani has chance to keep up his momentum
Gerrit Cole makes second start
If you know of a player performance or article that should be shared, please let me know on Twitter at @5runrally so I can check it out!
