Bus Leagues Express: June 11

Top stories

Rizzo socks two more: Anthony Rizzo exploded to another fast start in the PCL this season, but unlike with San Diego last year, the Cubs have a legitimate first baseman occupying his spot in the majors in Bryan LaHair. However, a slight change in his swing should lead to some ML success for Rizzo next callup. A sore wrist kept him out for a handful of games at the end of May, and it took until June 8th, his 6th game back to put another ball over the fence. His power stroke is clearly back now, and he socked his 19th and 20th homers of the year in Iowa’s blowout 14-3 win over floundering Nashville. Rizzo is one of three minor leaguers with 20 or more home runs, and he’s sporting a 1.143 OPS on the season.

Dunedin tops rival to clinch playoff spot: Half of the Florida State League’s playoff bracket has been determined thanks to Dunedin’s 8-3 win over Clearwater Sunday. They’ll join the St. Lucie Mets as first round hosts come September. They jumped out to a 4-0 start after two innings against one of the best starters in the league in Jesse Biddle, and after Clearwater scored a couple in response, the Blue Jays continued to tack on wins to secure the game. The top three hitters in their lineup, Jake Marisnick, Travis Snider and Kevin Nolan, did a ton of damage, combining for 11 hits, three of which went for extra bases, and three steals.

Wisconsin clinches playoff spot: They’re the second Midwest League team to reach 40 wins, and they’re also the second team behind Lansing to clinch a playoff berth. Wisconsin couldn’t hold onto a 2-2 lead, and the game against Beloit settled in as a pitcher’s duel. Starters David Hurlbut and Chad Thompson combined to allow three runs in 10 innings, and Beloit’s bullpen really stood out. In the bottom of the 10th, Wisconsin broke through again when Yadiel Rivera hit a walkoff three run home run to send the Timber Rattlers to the playoffs.

Ramirez perfect in pro debut: On another classic day of college baseball, it’s only appropriate that the former ace of one of the best programs in the nation threw five perfect innings in his professional debut. Noe Ramirez, Fullerton’s former Friday starter and Red Sox 4th rounder, battled injuries in spring training and finally got out to pitch for Greenville this weekend. He pitched like a product of a top program should in low-A, striking out five in five innings without allowing a baserunner. His changeup will prove to be too much for young low-A hitters, and after a short tune-up he’ll probably be on the way to Salem.

Stony Brook joins some familiar faces in Omaha: The feel good story of the spring continues as Stony Brook reaches Omaha for the first time. The program that was Division III within the lifetimes of their current players knocked off one of the sport’s elite, LSU, in their own building. After dropping the suspended game one in dramatic fashion, staff ace Tyler Johnson threw a complete game to force Sunday’s game three. The nation’s #8 offense got on the LSU pitching staff early and often in their relatively easy 7-2 win. Two other teams made their plans for Omaha Sunday, Florida and Florida State. The Gators won a great back and forth game with NC State that ended on a controversial strike call, and the Seminoles bludgeoned Stanford for a second straight game to earn another trip to Omaha.

Arkansas forces game three the hard way: After the Razorbacks turned a 3-1 lead into a 4-3 deficit, making a comeback on Baylor to extend the series seemed daunting. However, that was the point the Arkansas bullpen settled in. Baylor’s was certainly up to the task too, and the score remained 4-3 into Arkansas’ last chance in the 9th. Reliever Max Garner got the first out after walking the leadoff batter, but it would be the last out the Bears bullpen recorded. A single and error loaded the bases, and Garner hit Jimmy Bosco to tie the game. Clearly needing a change, Crayton Bare was summoned to put out the fire, but it was not to be. He hit John Clay Reeves to bring in the winning run, and Arkansas took a 5-4 win.

On tap today

MiLB.TV schedule

Super Regionals wrap up

Daniel Bard makes another appearance for Pawtucket

Jed Bradley tries to turn season around

Delmarva and Lakewood meet in doubleheader

Zack Von Rosenberg makes second start

If you know of a player performance or article that should be shared, please let me know on Twitter at @5runrally!