Bus Leagues Express: June 23

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McGuinness hits three solo homers in loss: In a wild game that saw six home runs, a notable loss and a notable injury, Corpus Christi topped Frisco 13-7 Friday night. Frisco’s Chris McGuinness held a personal home run derby, hitting three solo home runs to raise his season total to 13. After a dismal 2011 in the Carolina League, McGuinness has returned to being a solid organizational slugger for Texas, hitting just over .250 with a .809 OPS. In that game, Barret Loux was lit up for his first loss of the season, allowing eight earned runs in three innings. Late in the game after fielding a grounder from Jonathan Singleton, Mike Olt had to leave the game with an undisclosed injury.

Ahrens continues tear: In his 4th year in Dunedin, it’s pretty clear that Kevin Ahrens isn’t the player Toronto thought they were getting when they took him 16th overall in the 2007 draft. He was expected to hit for power from both sides of the plate and provide above average defense at the hot corner, but that’s amounted to a career .676 OPS. He’s had a great June though that’s included all four of his home runs this season, and he has a 1.041 OPS in 15 games this month. While it’s probably too late for him to make anything of his career, it’s amazing that he’s stuck with his dream despite not making much progress.

Northcraft throws abbreviated no-hitter: It’s only been six days since the last no-hitter, but what’s the harm in another one? Lynchburg starter Aaron Northcraft threw a seven inning no-hitter Friday night in the second game of their doubleheader sweep over Salem. It was the 9th no-hitter in the minors this season and the 2nd in the Carolina League. Northcraft struck out 10 and only yielded two walks against a very tough Salem lineup. The sinkerballer is having a solid season for the Hillcats, striking out nearly a batter an inning with a 1.30 WHIP.

Fernandez promoted to Jupiter: A day after being announced as a participant in the Futures Game, Miami promoted top pitching prospect Jose Fernandez to high-A Jupiter. His season in the South Atlantic League has truly been fantastic, posting a 5.5 K:BB ratio with a 0.87 WHIP. After defecting from Cuba, Fernandez was drafted out of a high school in Tampa. Hometown fans may be able to see him next week at Lakeland or next month at Tampa. Adam Conley was also promoted to Jupiter.

Buxton makes pro debut: Byron Buxton is the latest top 2012 pick to make his professional debut, and it happened in Ft. Myers for the Twins’ squad in the GCL. He led off playing his customary center field, and he batted 0/4 with a strikeout. Unfortunately, the game was completed early, so he might’ve missed out on a 5th plate appearance had they played nine innings. The GCL Red Sox won the game 4-3.

South Carolina does it again: In a game that might be more remembered for an often inconsistent and tight strike zone, South Carolina has beaten Arkansas twice in a row to return to the College World Series for the third straight year. The tying and winning runs both came on bases loaded walks, something that’ll surely be burned in the minds of Arkansas fans for a while. Conspiracy theories were floating around Twitter because of the strike zone, but Arkansas actually took more pitches per plate appearance than South Carolina hitters which suggests they weren’t as aggressive as the eye test probably indicated. D.J. Baxendale staggered through 4.1 innings, walking five batters and throwing 49 strikes out of 84 pitches. Veteran closer Matt Price was credited with the win with an outstanding three innings of work. They’ll advance to play Arizona in a best of three series starting Sunday.

On tap today

MiLB.TV schedule

Cloyd, McAllister meet in top IL matchup

Reading and Bowie play doubleheader

Andrew Cashner makes another start for San Antonio

Bundy, Barnes start in separate games in Carolina League

Peter Tago hopes for better second start

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