Bus Leagues Express: September 10

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Omaha avoids second straight collapse to win series: The day after blowing a huge lead to Albuquerque, Omaha was in the same position Sunday afternoon. After four and a half innings, the Storm Chasers were up 11-1, and then the Isotopes scored four runs to cut into the deficit. This time, Omaha was able to stop the bleeding. In the final three innings, they scored five more insurance runs to prevent a second improbable comeback in as many days. Wil Myers and Mitch Maier had big days for the Storm Chasers, combining to go 8/10 with a home run for each, seven RBI, three runs scored and a steal. While starter Justin Marks was bounced from the game allowing five runs in 4.1 innings, but Donnie Joseph came on to provide the most valuable innings of the game. In 2.2 innings of relief, the trade deadline acquisition struck out seven and only allowed one hit. Omaha advances to play Reno who defeated Sacramento in their five game series.

Ruf homer not enough as Reading is eliminated: With 38 home runs this season to lead Minor League Baseball, Darin Ruf was expected to be a factor in Reading’s postseason run, but he was shut down by Trenton as the Thunder advanced to the Eastern League Championship with a 5-4 win. After a game one loss, the Trenton pitching staff rebounded with outstanding efforts in the next two games, and it was a pair of home runs in game four that boosted them to the championship series. JR Murphy’s two run homer in the 4th inning helped build Trenton’s first lead of the game, and Addison Maruszak‘s two innings later provided insurance.

Whiting pitches Springfield to Texas League Championship: Springfield and Tulsa alternated wins and losses in the Texas League semi-final, and the Cardinals hoped that trend continued one more time. It did, and the Cardinals will advance to play Frisco in the league championship. Boone Whiting and a pair of Springfield relievers shut down the Drillers, limiting them to four hits and only allowing four baserunners. Tulsa’s only run came in the top of the 3rd when Corey Dickerson‘s double scored Tim Torres, but at that point they were already down by two runs. Despite having no hits, Xavier Scruggs drove in two of Springfield’s runs. Troy Tulowitzki was 1/4 in what might be his final rehab appearance before returning to the Rockies.

Fernandez gives Jupiter series lead: Jose Fernandez played a key role in Jupiter advancing past St. Lucie to the FSL finals, and he was even better Sunday giving the Hammerheads a 2-1 series lead over Lakeland. Jupiter prevailed 2-0 in game three, and they’re now just a game away from winning the first championship in team history. Fernandez threw five scoreless innings, striking out four and only allowing two hits and two walks. This will be the last appearance of his season, and it’s not a surprise he went out on such a high note. He finished the regular season with a 14-1 record, a 1.75 ERA and 0.92 WHIP in 134 innings with 158 strikeouts.

Vancouver stuns Boise for second straight Northwest League title: For the second straight season, the Vancouver Canadians have been crowned champions of the Northwest League, but it didn’t come easy. Down 7-5 entering the 8th inning, Vancouver put together an incredible inning that saw seven unearned runs go up on the board, and they went on to win 12-9. Jeimer Candelario and Gioskar Amaya each committed an error in the inning as Vancouver sent 10 men to the plate in their improbable comeback win. Vancouver scored two runs in the top of the 1st, but Boise quickly burst their bubble with four 1st inning runs of their own off Taylor Cole, a finalist for the Bus Leagues Short-Season Pitcher of the Year voting. Dan Vogelbach drove in four runs including a three run homer, but the team’s defense cost them the championship.

Ogden battles to reach Pioneer League Championship: Every time the Ogden Raptors went ahead Sunday, Grand Junction had an answer, but in the end it was Ogden winning 11-9 and advancing to face Missoula in the Pioneer League Championship. The Rockies took a 4-2 lead in the 3rd inning, but it was quickly answered by Ogden with a pair of runs of their own. An inning later, a five run 4th put them up 9-4, but the Rockies weren’t done. The game was retied two innings later, but Grand Junction failed to get the shutdown inning. Ogden scored the eventual winning run in the 6th inning on a wild pitch by former position player Brian Rike. Eric Smith reached base five times for Ogden and scored four times, including a solo home run in the 1st inning.

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