Bus Leagues Express: September 4

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Twins win Appy League in an instant classic: The Twins and Royals were the two best teams the Appalachian League had to offer in 2012, and they proved it in a memorable three game series that featured three extra inning games with walkoff wins. In the decisive game three, D.J. Hicks hit a walkoff grand slam on a 3-2 pitch with two outs in the bottom of the 12th as Elizabethton prevailed 10-6. In the 9th inning, Burlington led the Twins 6-1, but a furious two out rally capped by a three run dinger by Adam Walker sent the game to extra innings. Although all four runs were unearned, Burlington proved to be the first team to get to first rounder J.O. Berrios. Berrios was charged with four unearned runs on three hits and four walks in four innings with seven strikeouts. It’s Elizabethton’s 6th championship since 2000.

Larish denied chance of historic footnote: Last month, Carolina’s Justin Toole played all nine positions in one game, a rare feat that not many players are capable of without hurting his team. Jeff Larish tried just that in Indianapolis’ regular season finale, but rain cut their 2-0 win over Louisville short. The minor league veteran had never caught, played middle infield, center field or pitched in his eight year career, but he checked all of those off Monday afternoon except for catcher. He did add one feather in his cap though; because the game ended after he pitched a third of an inning while walking one, he was credited with a save in his only career appearance on the mound.

Ruf hangs on to win Joe Bauman Award: Darin Ruf‘s historic 20 home run month of August not only helped Reading secure their second straight playoff appearance, it also earned him a nice check. His 38 home runs led minor league baseball, and that makes him the Joe Bauman Award winner, presented to the MiLB leader in homers each season. The winner receives $200 for each home run hit, which means Ruf is collecting $7,600, likely bigger than the signing bonus he got after his college career ended. He edged out top prospect Wil Myers by just one dinger. While Myers clearly improved his prospect stock this year, his home run pace cooled off near the end of the season, hitting only four after July.

DeShields eclipses 100 steals: After stealing his 99th base Saturday, Delino DeShields Jr. was caught stealing three times before he finally swiped #100 late in Lancaster’s 11-5 win over High Desert Monday. DeShields led off the 7th inning with a walk, and during the next batter’s at-bat, stole second despite High Desert guessing correctly and throwing a pitch out. He became the second minor leaguer this year to steal 100 bases, behind of course Billy Hamilton who finished the season with 155 steals. Later in the inning, DeShields stole one more base to finish the season with 101. He advanced to Lancaster late in the season after an impressive rebound season with Lexington.

Clinton rides hot streak into postseason: Teams always prefer entering the playoffs playing their best baseball, and the Clinton LumberKings appear to be doing just that. Monday’s 10-3 win at Cedar Rapids allowed them to close the regular season on a 10 game winning streak, and by virtue of their MWL West second half championship, they’ll play Beloit in a three game series in the first round. It was an impressive turnaround for Clinton; after finishing last in the division at 23-45 in the first half, they improved by 25 wins to finish with the best record in the league in the second half. Daniel Paolini was 4th in the league in home runs with 18, 10 behind Beloit’s Miguel Sano.

Late runs aid Vancouver, Yakima: A pair of one run game decided the Northwest League opening semi-final games as Vancouver and Yakima took 1-0 series leads over Everett and Boise respectively. In Vancouver, five Canadians pitchers combined to one-hit Everett, one of the top offensive teams in the league. Roberto Osuna struck out six in three innings as the starter, and Wil Browning got the win late despite only recording one out. Vancouver scored the game’s only run in the 8th on Kellen Sweeney‘s two out single to score Jorge Flores. In Boise, Yakima survived a Rock Shoulders grand slam in a 5-4 comeback win. Three Bears relievers combined for 5.1 scoreless innings, and Yakima scored the winning run in the 9th on a Kevin Medrano double.

On tap today

MiLB.TV schedule

Florida State League kicks off postseason

New York Penn League, Pioneer League continue regular season play