Memphis Redbirds Report April 23-29, 2012

The Memphis Redbirds began this period with a two-game winning streak and alternated wins and losses in the final four contests.  The Triple-A club has a 9-14 record with a .391 PCT and are seven and a half games out of first place.  They are 5-6 at home and 4-8 on the road.

Recap April 23-29:

April 23 Memphis Official Site Post Game: Memphis got the ball rolling in game three of the series against Iowa.  Ryan Jackson doubled with one out and Amaury Cazana drove him in on a two-out single.  Zack Cox lead off the second with a double and Pete Kozma followed with a triple to put the Redbirds up 2-0.  Chris Swauger drove in Kozma with a single to left.  Adron Chambers singled and Jackson knocked in Swauger with a single to left.  In the fourth, Swauger was walked and scored on a two-out single by Jackson which included an error by Josh Vitters.  The Cubs finally broke through in the sixth as Brett Jackson lead off with a single and stole second.  Dave Sappelt moved Jackson over on a single to left field.  Jackson scored as Luis Valbuena grounded into a force that took Sappelt off the bases.  Anthony Rizzo doubled and Welington Castillo grounded out to push Valbuena across the plate.  Adron Chambers doubled with one out and scored on a Jackson single to left field.  Adam Reifer, Chuckie Fick, and Jess Todd combined to pitched three scoreless innings to finish the game as Memphis beat Iowa 6-2.


April 24 Memphis Official Site Post Game: Shelby Miller made the start for Memphis and pitched five innings allowing five hits, no runs, two walks, hit one batter and struck six out.  The Redbirds finally got on the board in the fifth as Eugenio Velez walked and Chris Swauger reached on an error followed by a Miller hit by pitch.  Adron Chambers drove in Velez and Swauger to make it 2-0 Memphis.  Iowa gave up two more runs in the ninth as Chambers walked with two outs, Ryan Jackson doubled, and Bryan Anderson doubled.  Maikel Cleto, Barret Browning, Chuckie Fick, and Nick Greenwood pitched the final four innings and only allowed two hits and two walks as Memphis topped Iowa 4-0.

April 25: The Memphis Redbirds had the day off.


April 26 Memphis Official Site Post Game: Memphis opened a four-game homestead against Omaha and the first game was a pitchers duel between Nick Additon and Will Smith.  Both Additon and Smith reached into the seventh inning before being knocked out.  The Storm Chasers were the first on the board in the fourth as David Lough hit a solo homer to right.  The Redbirds answered in the fifth as Eugenio Velez singled to lead off the inning.  Zack Cox doubled and Pete Kozma sacrificed to left to score the tying run.  Both teams exchanged runs in the seventh with Kevin Kouzmanoff walking, Cody Clark doubling, and Derrick Robinson sacrificing to center.  Velez lead off the bottom half with a solo shot to left.  Eduardo Sanchez came in the game to hold the tie but Lough legged out an inside-the-park home run and Omaha held on to win 3-2.

April 27 Memphis Official Site Post Game: Vin Mazzaro went to the hill for Omaha and pitched six innings allowing three hits, one earned run, three walks, hit one batter, and three strikeouts.  The Storm Chasers scored in the second as Max Ramirez singled and came around on a throwing error by Mitch Canham.  Jermaine Curtis lead off the third on a single to center.  Canham was hit by a pitch, Adron Chambers was walked, and Ryan Jackson sacrificed to right to score Curtis and tie the game up.  Tony Abreu pushed Omaha out in front in the fifth as he singled on a line drive to right and drove in Anthony Seratelli and Johnny Giavotella.  Curtis lead off the eighth with a walk and Canham was hit by a pitch again.  Francisley Bueno uncorked a wild pitch to move both runners into scoring position but finally got an out for the inning,  Bueno was pulled and with two-outs Allen Craig drove in Curtis and Canhman with a single to center off Jeremy Jeffress.  Matt Adams followed with a two-run home run to put the Redbirds up 5-3.  Eduardo Sanchez was called on to close out the game and gave up to quick singles.  Derrick Robinson sacrificed to left to score Jamie Romak and put Omaha within one run of tying.  Sanchez was able to get Giavotella to line out, Abreu singled, and then he struck out Clint Robinson to end the game and earn the save as Memphis beat Omaha 5-4.

April 28 Memphis Official Site Post Game: Omaha went to task on Memphis starter Brian Broderick in game three of the series.  The Storm Chasers plated six runs in the first three innings which included two home runs by Derrick Robinson.  Ethan Hollingsworth kept the Redbird offense in check only allowing six hits, one earned run, one walk, and struck five out over five innings.  Jess Todd replaced Broderick and slowed down the Omaha offense for two plus innings but the Storm Chasers broke the bats out again in the final three innings.  Omaha put six more runs on the scoreboard in the final three frames with Cody Clark hitting a solo homer and they went on to beat Memphis 12-4.

April 29 Memphis Official Site Post Game: Derrick Robinson lead off the game with a walk and came around to score the first run for Omaha to open the fourth game of the series.  After that run, both Joe Kelly and Ryan Verdugo through zeroes up on the scoreboard for the next five-six innings.  Matt Adams lead off the seventh with a walk and with two outs Cedric Hunter drilled a home run to right to put Memphis up 2-1.  R.J. Swindle came in for the eighth and got a quick strike out but gave up two back-to-back singles to Max Ramierz and David Lough.  Chuckie Fick was called on and he committed a balk which allowed Ramirez to score.  Anthony Seratelli singled to center to score Lough but Seratelli was out on the following at by Jamie Romak.  Irving Falu and Derrick Robinson followed with back-to-back singles to score Romak and put The Storm Chasers up 4-2.  Memphis came back in the ninth as Amaury Cazana singled to left with one out and Hunter reached on an error with two outs.  Adron Chambers took over for Hunter and Pete Kozma hit a game-winning three-run homer to put Memphhis over Omaha 5-4.

Who's Hot:

Eugenio Velez ended this report with a two-game hitting streak and also picked up three multi-hit games.  The 29-year old switch-hitter went 8-for-21 (.381) with two doubles, one home run, one RBI, three runs, three walks, one stolen base, three strikeouts, and one caught stealing/pickoff.  He played five in right field and one split between right and second base.  The ten-year minor leaguer leads the team in stolen bases, OBP, and AVG and is tied for team lead in doubles and triples.

Adron Chambers will look to extend a nine-game on base streak in the next period and also collected three multi-hit and one multi-RBI game.  The 25-year old left-handed hitter went 9-for-21 (.429) with two doubles, one triple, three RBIs, five runs, three walks, two strikeouts, and was picked off.  He played five games in centerfield and one as a pinch runner.  The 2007 38th round (1153rd overall) selection leads the tea in walks and is tied for the team lead in runs and triples.

Ryan Jackson snapped out of a slump to pick p two multi-hit, one multi-double, and one multi-RBI games.  The 23-year old right-handed hitter went 8-for-25 (.320) with three doubles, five RBIs (one w/two-outs), two runs, two walks, one sac fly, six strikeouts, grounded into one double play, and was picked off. He played five games at shortstop (assisted in two double plays ad committed one fielding and one throwing error) and one game at second base.  The 2009 5th round (159th overall) selection leads the team in strikeouts and is tied for team lead in doubles.

Zack Cox finally broke out of a long couple weeks slump and will look to extend an eight-game hitting streak.  The 22-year old left-handed hitter went 7-for-20 (.350) with three doubles, one home run, one RBIs, two runs, one intentional walk, and one strikeout.  He played five games at third base.  The 2010 1st round (25th overall) selection is tied for team lead in doubles.

Joe Kelly came through with two more quality start during this past period.  The 23-year old right-hander started on April 23 allowing seven hits, two earned runs, one walk, struck three out, and picked one runner off for the winning decision (1-1).  The on April 29, he pitched six innings giving up seven hits, on earned run, two walks, and struck three out.  He had a combined pitch count of 177 with 111 for strikes, ground out-to-fly out ratio of 18-to-5, and went 0-for-1 with one sacrifice at the plate.  The 2009 3rd round (98th overall) selection leads the team in ERA, WHIP, and innings pitched.

Shelby Miller pitched his second consecutive quality start of the season after stumbling in his first two.  The 21-year old right-hander started on April 24 and allowed five hits, no runs, two walks, hit one batter, and struck six out over five innings for the winning decision (2-2).  He had a pitch count of 91 with 60 registering strikes and ground out-to-fly out ratio of 1-to-4.  The 2009 1st round (19th overall) selection leads the team in wins and strikeouts.

Who's Not:

Amaury Cazana received quite a bit of playing time but had trouble connecting at the plate.  The 33-year old right-handed hitter went 4-for-20 (.200) with one two-out RBI, one run, two walks, and four strikeouts.  He played four games in left field and one as designated hitter. 

Cedric Hunter only managed one hit in nine appearances this period and four in his last 21 at-bats.  The 24-year old left-handed hitter went 1-for-9 (.111) with one home run, two RBIs, one run, one walk, and five strikeouts.  He played four games in left field, off the bench, and started one game in centerfield.

Brian Broderick was roughed up and knocked out real quick in his latest start.  The 25-year old right-hander made his appearance on April 28 lasting just three innings and coughing up nine hit, six runs (four earned), two home runs, two walks (one intentional), and struck three out for the losing decision (1-4).  He had a pitch count of 75 with 48 hitting strikes and a ground out-to-fly out ratio of 3-to-3.  The 2007 21st round (652nd overall) selection leads the team in losses, runs allowed, earned runs, and hit batters.

Nick Greenwood seems to have a bad outing for every three he pitches and his latest happened to be his worst.  The 24-year old left-hander first tossed a hitless and scoreless inning on April 24.  The on April 28 he was sacked with four hits, three earned runs, one walk, and one wild pitch over two-thirds of an inning.  He had a combined pitch count of 42 with 24 hitting strikes and a ground out-to-fly out ratio of 3-to-2.

Eduardo Sanchez gave up a run in both his appearances this week but still earned a save.  The 23-year old right-hander made his pitched his first game of the period on April 26 and gave up one hit, one earned run, one home run, and struck one out over one inning for the losing decision (0-2).  April 27 he pitched one inning allowing three hits, on earned run, and struck one out for the save (4).  The December 26, 2005 free agent signing has a combined pitch count of 37 with 29 registering as strikes and a ground out-to-fly out ratio of 2-to-1.

Notes:

Allen Craig was assigned to Triple-A Memphis after playing for A-Advanced Palm Beach on his rehab assignment.  He joined the team on April 26 and has played in three games going 3-for-13 (.231) with two RBIs, one run, and two strikeouts.

Alex Castellanos (former Springfield) was named Pacific Coast League Player of the Week for the April 16-22 period, but went on the disabled list with a left hamstring strain shortly after.

Edgar Gonzalez (former Springfield) was released by the Chicago Cubs.  He played in nine games going 8-for-28 (.286) with one double, one triple, three RBIs, 11 total bases, one run, two walks, one stolen base, four strikeouts, .333 OBP, .393 SLG, and .726 OPS.

Kevin Howard (former Memphis) and Tyler Johnson (former St. Louis) were both promoted from Double-A to Triple-A.  Howard went from New Hampshire to Las Vegas and Johnson jumped to Colorado Springs.

Ramon Vasquez signed with Bridgeport in the independent Atlantic League.

Jim Rapoport signed with St. Paul in the independent American Association.

Pete Parise signed with Lincoln of the American Association.

The Memphis Redbirds introduced a new award named after former broadcaster and major league pitcher Charlie Lea to honor Memphis' top high school pitcher.

Delta Dental in Tennessee has worked out a sponsorship with the Memphis Redbirds for oral cancer awareness.

2012 Pacific Coast League Stats:

The Memphis Redbirds are hitting .245 (12th) with a .311 OBP (t-12th), .355 SLG (t-14th), and .666 OPS (t-12th).  The team ranks third in strikeouts; tied for 12th in home runs and stolen bases; 13th in hits; tied for 14th in triples and caught stealing; 15th in runs, RBIs, and total bases; and 16th in doubles in the 16-team division.

The Redbirds have a 3.98 ERA (7th) and 1.44 WHIP (10th).  The team ranks second in hit batters (tied) and holds; tied for third in shutouts; tied for fifth in losses and home runs allowed; seventh in save (tied) and strikeouts; ninth in hits allowed; and 11th in wins (tied), runs allowed, and earned runs.

Matt Adams ranks tied for sixth in home runs.
Eugenio Velez ranks tied for third in stolen bases.
Joe Kelly ranks seventh in ERA and tied for sixth in innings pitched.
Brian Broderick ranks tied for first in losses, tied for ninth in hits allowed, and tied for second in hit batters.
Eduardo Sanchez ranks tied for fourth in saves, first in hit batters, and tied for eighth in game finishes.
Brandon  Dickson ranks tied for second in hits allowed.
Nick Additon ranks tied for second in home runs allowed.
Shelby Miller ranks tied for eighth in home runs allowed and tied for ninth in strikeouts.
Chuckie Fick ranks tied for seventh in holds.
R.J. Swindle ranks tied for seventh in holds.

Up Next (2012 Record, vs. Redbirds):

April 30-May 3: Iowa (9-13, 1-3)
May 4-7: @ Round Rock (10-14, 0-0)

Quad Cities River Bandits Report April 17-26, 2012

The Quad Cities River Bandits began this report off extending their winning streak to five games but only picked up two of the last six played.  The Single-A ball club is 12-8 with a .600 PCT and one and half games up in the Midwest League Western Division.  They are 5-2 at home and 7-6 on the road.

Recap April 17-23:

April 17 Quad Cities Official Site Post Game: Game two of the series between Clinton and Quad Cities was a pitchers duel.  Stephen Landazuri pitched six innings allowing two hits, no runs, five walks, and struck four out.  Tyrell Jenkins and Willy Paulino combined for six innings giving up two hits, no runs, one walk, and four strikeouts.  In the seventh, the LumberKings broke through as Jabari Blash walked but was out on a ground out from Guillermo Pimentel.  Jean Acevedo walked and Robert Stock uncorked a wild pitcher to move both runners into scoring position.  Michael Drowd reached on a fielder's choice that scored Pimentel and put Clinton up 1-0.  Jeremy Patton lead off the bottom half with a single to right.  Roberto Reyes moved Patton over on a bunt  and Luis Mateo followed with a double to score Patton.  Kyle Hunter let loose a wild pitch and Mateo made it safely to third.  Jesus Montero hit a sacrifice fly to center as Quad Cities took and held the lead at 2-1.


April 18 Quad Cities Official Site Post Game: Jordan Shipers and Hector Hernandez started for Clinton and Quad Cities in game three of the series and both pitched very well on into the sixth innings.  Zeros went up on the scoreboard until the fifth when Quad Cities scored the first run.  Anthony Garcia doubled to lead off and Roberto Reyes followed with a single.  Luis Mateo reached on an error and Matt Williams grounded into a double play to score Garcia.  Tyler Rahmatulla hit a solo home run with two outs in the sixth to make it 2-0 River Bandits.  Jabari Blash lead off the seventh with a solo home run.  Ramon Morla walked, Jean Acevedo sacrifice bunted, and Michael Dowd walked.  Dillon Hazlett reached in a force out at second and Ethan Cole uncorked a wild pitch to allow Morla to score.  Garcia drove in Colin Walsh in the eighth and Luis Mateo committed a error to let Blash and Morla score.  With Clinton up 4-3, Juan Castillo doubled on a fly ball to right and scored Mateo to tie the game up and send it into extras.  Danny Miranda held down the tenth as Wes Alsup walked four batters to give  Quad Cities the 5-4 win over Clinton.

April 19 Quad Cities Official Site Post Game: Quad Cities went on the road for a three-game series against Dayton.  Stalin Gerson pitched five scoreless innings for Dayton to begin the game.  Juan Silva singled to open the second and moved to second on a ground out.  Kyle Waldrop tripled to score Silva and Junior Aria singled to plate Waldrop.  Arias moved to second on a ground out and scored on a Theo Bowe triple to put the Dragons up 3-0.  Dayton added another run in the fifth on a Tyler Rahmatulla error.  The River Bandits offense turned on in the sixth as Juan Castillo doubled and was knocked in on a Colin Walsh double.  David Medina lead off the seventh and with two outs, Roberto Reyes drilled a homer to right.  Quad Cities tied the game up in the eighth as Jeremy Patton singled to center to score Castillo.  The River Bandits bullpen came through a pitched eight scoreless innings to finish off the game and punched a run through in the 13th, via an error by Dan Jensen, and beat Dayton 5-4.

April 20 Quad Cities Official Site Post Game: Quad Cities got the scoring going off the bat in game two against Dayton.  David Medina doubled in Matt Williams in the first and Roberto Reyes hit a solo home run in the second making it 2-0 River Bandits.  However, Dayton took over the game in the next four frames.  Kyle Wadrop sacrificed to score Danny Vicioso for the first Dayton run in the second.  Nick O'Shea doubled to lead off the third, Jefry Sierra followed with a single, then Brandon Dailey cleared the bases with a home run to put Dayton up 4-2.  The Dragons didn't stop either as Steve Selsky lead off the fourth with a double and made it to third on a Jeremy Patton error.  Waldrop and Junior Arias both walked to load up the bases and Kyle Hald let a wild pitch go to score Selsky.  O'Shea singled to right to score Waldrop and Arias and Sierra triples to score O'Shea, putting five more runs on the board for the Dragons.  O'Shea would strike again, driving in Junior Silva in the fifth.  Anthony Garcia doubled to lead off the seventh and Luis Mateo drove him in on a single to right.  Jesus Montero walked and Matt Williams knocked in Mateo on a single.  Montero would score on a Nick Martini sacrifice to left.  Dayton scored two more in the seventh as Silva walked, Willy Paulino threw the ball away for an error, and Selesky doubled to score the run.  Arias doubled to score Selesky and make the score 12-5 Dayton.  Montero and Mateo each drove in runs in the eighth but Dayton pulled off the 12-7 over Quad Cities.

April 21 Quad Cities Official Site Post Game: Dayton got things started in the final game of the series scoring two runs in the first inning.  Theo Bowe singled to right field and Juan Perez reached on a fielding error by Colin Walsh.  Sam Gaviglio uncorked a wild pitch and Juan Castillo threw the ball away to allow Bowe to score.  Perez moved on a ground out and scored on a Robert Maddox single to right.  Yovan Gonzalez singled and scored in the fourth courtesy of a pop out, wild pitch by Gaviglio, ground out, and Jefry Sierra single to left.  Justice French went untouchable for the Dragons until the sixth inning as David Medina hit a solo home run to right.  Dayton followed that up with a run in the bottom half making it 4-1.  Kyle Waldrop doubled and scored in the eighth and Dayton sent Quad Cities to their second straight loss at a score of 5-1.

April 22 Quad Cities Official Site Post Game: Quad Cities stayed on the road and went to Bowling Green for a three-game set.  Felipe Rivero kept the River Bandits out of the game for the first four frames.  Todd Glaesmann homered in the first to give the Hot Rods the early lead.  Cameron Seitzer singled to get the fourth going and came all the way around on a Juan Castillo passed ball, Matt Rice sacrifice bunt, and Joel Caminero single to make it 2-0 Bowling Green.  Quad Cities came back and took the lead in the fifth as Roberto Reyes reached on a fielding error to lead off.  Garrett Wittels walked and Matt Williams reached on a force attempt that scored Reyes.  Nick Martini drove in Wittels on a single and Colin Walsh loaded up the bases on a walk.  David Medina drove in the third run of the inning on a double play and the River Bandits took a 3-2 lead.  Both bullpens came through to pitch four scoreless frames but Bowling Green pushed two more runs across in the ninth.  Jake Hager walked and scored on a Matt Williams error.  Jeff Malm drove in Brett after Danny Miranda intentionally walked Glaesmann and Bowling Green beat Quad Cities 4-3.

April 23 Quad Cities Official Site Post Game: Bats came alive for Quad Cities as they roughed up the first two pitcher that Bowling Green through their way.  Nick Martini lead off the game with a walk and scored on a Colin Walsh triple.  Jesus Montero drove in Anthony Garcia in the second to give the River Bandits a 2-0 lead.  The Hot Rods tied the game up in the bottom half as Matt Rice hit a two-run homer off Tyrell Jenkins that scored Jeff Malm.  Roberto Reyes and Garcia both doubled in the third to score a pair of runs.  Montero and Walsh each hit solo homers in the fourth, putting Quad Cities up 6-2.  Montero lead ff the sixth with a hit by pitch, Nick Martini singled, and Matt Williams loaded the bases up with another single.  Walsh was walked, scoring Montero.  David Medina drove in Martini on a sacrifice and Jeremy Patton doubled in Williams and Walsh.  Patton came close to scoring but was thrown out at home to end the inning.  Kevin Jacob and Ethan Cole matched Andrew Bellatti and Stayton Thomas for three final scoreless frames as Quad Cities beat Bowling Green 10-2.

April 24 Quad Cities Official Site Post Game: Ryan Carpenter started for Bowling Green and kept Quad Cities out of the game for the first five frames.  The Hot Rods scored three runs in the first four innings with Drew Vettleson hitting a solo shot off Hector Hernandez in the first, Jeff Malm doubled in Vettleson in the third, and Ryan Brett singling in Juniel Querecuto in the fourth.  Bowling Green was up 3-0 and Luis Mateo hit a solo home run to give Quad Cities a run in the sixth.  Colin Walsh hit a solo homer in the ninth while Willy Paulino and Heath Wyatt combined for three scoreless innings but the Hot Rods held on to beat thr River Bandits 3-2.

April 25: The Quad Cities River Bandits had the day off.

April 26 Quad Cities Official Site Post Game: Todd McInnis started for Quad Cities and threw for six innings allowing two hits, no runs, four walks, and struck two out for the winning decision (2-0).  The River Bandits attacked in the first inning as Matt Williams lead off with a double.  Nick Martini singled to right, Colin Walsh walked, and David Medina grounded out to score Williams.  Roberto De La Cruz returned to fly out and Juan Castillo followed with a single to left to score Martini and Walsh.  Williams singled to lead off the fifth and was knocked in on a two-out single by David Medina.  Luis Mateo drove in Anthony Garcia on a sacrifice to right to put the River Bandits up 5-0.  West Michigan punched one run across in the seventh as Brandon Loy walked and Medina committed an error that allowed Jeremy Krizan to reach.  Danry Vasquez sacrificed to center to score Loy but the Whitecaps came up short 5-1 to the River Bandits.

Who's Hot:

David Medina extended his on base streak to 19 games which includes a seven-game hitting streak.  The 23-year old left-handed hitter went 11-for-36 (.306) with three doubles, one home run, five RBIs (two w/two-outs), three runs, three walks, one sac fly, eight strikeouts, and grounded into one double play.  He played eight games at first base (assisted in seven double plays and committed one fielding and throwing error) and split one game at first base and in right field.  The March 12, 2006 free agent signing leads the team in RBIs and is tied for the team lead in hits and strikeouts.

Nick Martini has a four-game on base streak and collected three multi-hit games in the last period.  The 21-year old left-handed hitter went 10-for-33 (.303) with three RBIs (one w/two-outs), three runs, five walks, one sac fly, four strikeouts, and one caught stealing.  He played eight games in centerfield where he had two outfield assists and assisted in one double play.  The 2011 7th round (230th overall) selection is tied for the team lead in hits.

Luis Mateo will look to extend his two-game on base streak and collected three multi-hit games.  The 20-year old went 8-for-27 (.296) with two doubles, one home run, four RBIs, five runs, three walks, one sacrifice, one sac fly, two stolen base, and five strikeouts.  He played eight games at second base where he assisted in seven double plays and committed two fielding and one missed catch errors.  The 2008 20th round (605th overall) selection leads the team in stolen bases.

Danny Miranda earned two wins in four appearances this past week, but did blow one save.  The 21-year old left-hander picked up wins on April 18 and 19 as he pitched a combined four innings allowing two hits, no runs, one intentional walk, and struck five out.  He then gave up two hits, two earned runs, two walks, and struck one over one inning for the blown save (1) and losing decision (1-2) on April 22.  On April 26, the 2011 8th round (260th overall) selection pitched one inning allowing one hit, no runs, one walk, hit one batter, and struck one out.  Miranda had a combined ground out-to-fly out ratio of 7-to-1 and didn't let any of the four inherited runners score.

Heath Wyatt, like Miranda, came through with three of four good relief appearances during this period.  The 23-year old right-hander earned a save on April 17 pitching one and one-third and allowing no hits, no runs, and struck two out.  On April 18, he picked up the blown save (1) after giving up one hit, two unearned runs, two walks (one intentional), hit one batter, one balk, and struck one out over one inning.  The 2011 33rd round (1010th overall) selection combined for two and two-thirds innings and allowing no hits, no runs, and three strikeouts on April 20 and 24.  He had a combined ground out-to-fly out ratio of 5-to-4 and kept his two inherited runners on base.

Who's Not:

Garrett Wittels went hitless in three of his six games played.  The 21-year old right-handed hitter went 2-for-18 (.111) with one run, three walks, one stolen base, and three strikeouts.  He played three games at shortstop (assisted in one double play), one game as a pinch runner, one game as designated hitter, and one game at shortstop.

Jeremy Patton is getting at-bats but not connecting for hits.  The 23-year old left-handed hitter went 4-for-24 (.167) with one double, three RBIs (one w/two-outs), one run, two walks, two strikeouts, and grounded into two double plays.  He played four games at third base (one missed catch error), one game at first base, and split one game between first and third (assisted in two double plays).

Hector Hernandez started off on the right foot to begin the season but has seemed to go in reverse since.  The 21-year old left-hander pitched on April 18 going six and a third and allowing four hits, two earned runs, on home run, three walks, and struck one out.  Then on April 24, he was sacked with ten hits, three earned runs, one home run, one walk, and struck five out over five innings for the losing decision (1-1).  The 2009 10th round (309th overall) selection had a combined ground out-to-fly out ratio of 15-to-6.

Sam Gaviglio has struggled in two of his three starts this season.  The 21-year old right-handed pitched April 21 going six innings allowing six hits, four runs (three earned), one walk, threw three wild pitches, and struck three out for the losing decision (1-1).  He had a ground out-to-fly out ratio of 8-to-8.

Kyle Hald was thumped in his latest start of the season.  The 22-year old left-hander went three and two-thirds innings allowing ten hits, nine runs (eight earned), one home run, two walks, threw two wild pitches, struck two out, and picked one runner off for the losing decision (0-2).  He had a ground out-to-fly out ratio of 3-to-4.

Notes:

The Quad Cities River Bandits made a flurry of roster moves starting with Adam Lewis being activated to take the spot of Tyler Rahmatulla (sprained left thumb).  Virgil Hill was brought in from extended spring training and Lewis was placed back on the disabled list, to make roster space.  Roberto Reyes (fractured pinky finger) was placed on the disabled list and Roberto De La Cruz (leg injury) was activated.

Victor Sanchez (slight elbow tear) and Jason Stidham (left knee cartilage damage), who finished off the 2011 season on the Quad Cities roster, both decided to retire.

Juan Castillo showing growth per Quad-City Times.

Nick Martini finds way on base per Quad-City Times.

Sam Gaviglio off to good start in minor leagues per Ashland Daily Tidings.

2012 Midwest League Stats:

The Quad Cities River Bandits are hitting .265 (3rd) with a .334 OBP (t-3rd), .415 SLG (1st), and .749 (1st).  The team ranks first in doubles; second in runs scored (tied), home runs, and RBIs (tied); third in total bases; fourth in hits; tied for eighth in walks; 15th in strikeouts; and 16th in stolen bases and caught stealing in the 16-team division.

The River Bandits have a 2.86 ERA (2nd) with a 1.22 WHIP (t-4th).  The team ranks tied for third in wins; six in hit batters; tied for seventh in shutouts; tied for ninth in saves and holds; 11th in strikeouts; 13th in losses (tied), hits allowed, and runs allowed; and 15th in earned runs and walks in the 16-team division.

Juan Castillo ranks second in AVG.
Colin Walsh ranks tied for third in runs scored, tied for eighth in triples, tied for third in home runs, tied for seventh in RBIs, third in total bases, tied for fifth in walks, third in SLG, and fourth in OPS.
Matt Williams ranks tied for third in runs scored and fifth in doubles.
Anthony Garcia ranks tied for first in doubles.
David Medina ranks fifth in doubles, tied for sixth in home runs, tied for fourth in RBIs, and eighth in total bases.
Brandon Creath ranks tied for tenth in wins and tied for fifth in holds.
Todd McInnis ranks tied for tenth in wins.
Danny Miranda ranks tied for tenth in wins.
Heath Wyatt ranks tied for tenth in saves and tied for third in game finishes.
Willy Paulino ranks tied for second in hit batters.

Up Next (2012 Record, vs. Quad Cities):

April 26-28; West Michigan (10-11, 1-1)
April 29-May 1: South Bend (13-8, 0-0)
May 2-4: @ Burlington (11-11, 0-0)

Johnson City Notes: Jose Pasen Suspended 50 Games & Jeff Nadeau Released

Major League Baseball suspended right-handed pitcher Jose Pasen for 50 games for testing positive for metabolites of Nandrolone.  The substance is listed as a performance-enhancing drug.

Pasen, 21, signed with the St. Louis Cardinals on March 28, 2007 out of San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic.  He was originally signed as an outfielder but was moved to the pitching rubber in his second professional season.  From 2007-09, he spent time in the Rookie-Level Dominican Summer League and during the 2009 season he was promoted stateside to the Rookie-Level Gulf Coast League.  He continued with a full season at GCL and was moved up to Rookie-Level Johnson City for the 2011 year.  Pasen has logged 231.2 innings allowing 192 hits, 128 runs (87 earned), 13 home runs, 95 walks, and struck 213 out.

Cody Stanley and Reggie Williams are the other two Cardinals prospects serving suspensions at this time.



Baseball America announced on April 19 that the St. Louis Cardinals released left-handed pitcher Jeff Nadeau.

Nadeau, 22, was a 38th round (1159th overall) selection in the 2010 amateur draft out of Louisiana State University.  He began his professional career with Rookie-Level Johnson City where he made 13 appearances (three starts) posting a 1-2 record and 2.77 ERA during the 2010 season.  Nadeau logged 39 innings allowing 37 hits, 17 runs (12 earned), two home runs, ten walks, and struck out 28.

He began the 2011 season on the disabled list and never left due to shoulder soreness.

Palm Beach Cardinals Report April 16-25, 2012

The Palm Beach Cardinals opened this report up by ending a four-game slide but only were able to pi8ck up three wins out of nine games played.  The A-Advanced Cardinals are 7-12 with a .368 PCT and eight5 games out of first in the Florida State League South Division.  They are 4-7 at home and 3-5 on the road.

Recap April 16-25:

April 16 Palm Beach Official Site Post Game: Bradenton was able to extend Palm Beach's losing streak to four games with the help of their pitching staff.  Tyler Waldron started for the Marauders and went five innings allowing six hits, no runs, one walk, and struck five out.  Casey Sadler and Zachary Foster combined for the final four innings in which only one hit and one walk were given up.  Drew Benes cruised through four scoreless innings and was hit in the fifth by Bradenton.  Mel Rojas lead off with a triple and Carlos Paulino tripled following an out to score Rojas.  Wes Freeman also triples after a fly out to score Paulino making it 3-0 Bradenton.  Mike O'Neill collected three of the Cardinals seven hits but could not push a run across as the Marauders won 3-0.

April 17 Palm Beach Official Site Post Game: Palm Beach sent ace Seth Maness to the mound to keep Bradenton from sweeping them.  Maness impressed pitching six innings and allowing seven hits, one earned run (home run to Dan Grovatt in the fourth), and struck six out.  The Cardinals got on the board first when Nick Longmire drove in Chris Edmondson in the second inning.  Vance Albitz walked to lead of the third and Mike O'Neill followed with a single to right.  Ronny Gil drove in Albitz on a ground out that took O'Neill out.  Gil moved to second on a Alan Ahmady ground out and Edmnondson hit a two-run homer to clear the bases as Palm Beach went up 4-0.  With two-outs in the fourth, O'Niell drove in Longmire and Albitz on a fielding error to make it 6-0 Cardinals.  Palm Beach and Bradenton exchanged three runs a piece in the eighth highlighted by bases left loaded and errors, making it 9-5 Cardinals.  The Marauders tried to get within reach in the ninth as Stefan Welch knocked in Evan Chambers and Alex Dickerson, but that was as far as they got and Palm Beach held on to win 9-6.

April 18: The Palm Beach Cardinals had day off.

April 19 Palm Beach Official Site Post Game: Palm Beach went on the road to face St. Lucie for a three-game set.  The Cardinals sent Richard Castillo to the hill to face Chase Huchingson and both pitched very well.  Huchingson went five innings allowing four hits (two for extra bases), one walk, and struck three out.  Castillo went six innings giving up five hits (one extra base hit), one walk, and struck two out.  The key to the game came in the fifth, when Richard Lucas reached on a throwing error by Ronny Gil.  Rafael Fernandez flied out to move Lucas over to third and Wilfredo Tovas drove in Lucas on a single to right field.  The game was called in the seventh as St. Lucie held off Palm Beach 1-0.

April 20 Palm Beach Official Site Post Game: Rain again hit in the second game as it was postponed after the first inning between Palm Beach and St. Lucie.  The Cardinals did however get on the scoreboard before the stoppage as Mike O'Neill singled to lead off the game and Ronny Gil followed with a ground rule double.  Starlin Rodriguez drove in O'Neill on a single that was deflected by the pitcher.  Alan Ahmady flew out to knock in Gil and make it Palm beach 2-0.  The next day both teams exchanged runs in the second inning and the Mets held the Cardinals to zeroes for the next four frames.  Richard Lucas hit a ground rule double with one out in the fourth.  Wilfredo Tovar doubled with two outs to score Lucas and Daniel Muno drove in Tovar on a double to tie the game up at 3-3.  St. Lucie went on to take the lead in the fifth as Cesar Puello tripled and was knocked in by Robbie Shields.  Chris Edmondson doubled in Starlin Rodriguez to end the Palm Beach drought in the seventh.  But the bullpen again coughed up three more runs in the bottom half of the seventh as the Mets went double crazy making it 7-4.  St. Lucie added two more runs in the eight and Palm beach pushed three across in the ninth but came up short 9-7.

April 21 Palm Beach Official Site Post Game: Game three saw St. Lucie go for the three-game sweep of Palm Beach.  The Cardinals did the scoring first as Mike O'Neill singled in Geoff Klein in the second inning.  Cory Vaughn singled, Wilmer Flores doubled, Richard Lucas was hit by a pitch to load up the base before Chris Corrigan got his first out in the second.  Alonzo Harris grounded into a force out which scored Vaughn and Flores.  Wilfredo Tovar moved Harris over and Daniel Muno drove him in making it 3-1 St. Lucie.  In the fifth, Ronny Gil and Jonathan Rodriguez each committed errors that allowed runners to score and get in scoring position.  St. Lucie tacked on three more runs in the fifth and went on to win 6-1 over Palm Beach.

April 22 Charlotte Official Site Post Game: Palm Beach welcomed in Charlotte for a three-game series and went to task on them.  Anthony Ferrara rebounded from his previous start to toss seven scoreless innings allowing only three hits, two walks, and struck two out.  But the main story surrounded Starlin Rodriguez who collected three hits (one triple and home run) and drove in five of the 11 runs for the Cardinals.  Jonathan Rodriguez and Nick Longmire also contributed by driving in two a piece.  Palm Beach plastered three on the board in the second, six on in the fourth, and two on in the fifth while Charlotte only managed one in the ninth for a 11-1 win.

April 23 Palm Beach Official Site Post Game: Palm Beach and Charlotte went scoreless in the opening frame but exchanged runs in the second.  Riccio Torrez drove in Philip Wunderlich in the top of the second while Packy Elkins sacrificed to score Alan Ahmady.  Michael Swinson returned to the lineup to walk and score on a Chris Edmondson single to right.  The Cardinals and Stone Crabs again exchanged runs in the fourth.  Michael Mahtook tripled and scored on a Robby Price single and Jonathan Rodriguez singled, stole second, then moved to third on a ground out, and scored on a wild pitch by Enny Romero.  Charlotte went extra base hits in the sixth as Wunderlich doubled and scored on a Price double.  Mayo Acosta homered to score Torrez and Price putting Charlotte up 6-3.  Elkins hit a solo homer, Geoff Klein singled, and Ronny Gil homered to tie the game up at 6-6.  Palm beach couldn't hold on as Charlotte loaded up the bases and Wunderlich singled in two runs for the 8-6 Stone Crabs win.

April 24 Palm Beach Official Site Post Game: Game three of the series saw a pitchers duel between Carlos Martinez for Palm Beach and Albert Suarez of Charlotte.  Suarez went six innings allowing one hit, one unearned run, two walks, and struck three out.  Martinez also pitched six innings and gave up five hits, one earned run, two walks, and struck seven out.  Heading into the seventh tied up at seven, both teams bullpens crumbled right away.  Keith Castillo lead off with a walk and Cody Rogers followed with a single to left field.  Ty Morrison loaded the bases up on a bunt and Hector Guevara drove in two runs on a sacrifice to center giving the Stone Crabs the lead 3-1.  Alan Ahmady and Packy Elkins opened the bottom half on back-to-back walks.  Jonathan Rodriguez doubled in Ahmady and Nick Longmire knocked in Elkins on a ground out to tie the game up.  Luis De La Cruz drove in Rodriguez to give the lead to the Cardinals. De La Cruz, Chris Edmondson, and Cardinals' manager Johnny Rodriguez were ejected in the ninth as Ricky Martinez came in to close out the game but coughed up three runs as Charlotte went on to win 6-4.

April 25 Palm Beach Official Site Post Game: Palm Beach went on the road to face Fort Myers and sent top notch arm Seth Maness to the hill.  Maness went seven innings and gave up three hits, one unearned run, and struck seven out for the winning decision (3-0).  The Cardinals' bat came alive and struck in the top of the third.  With one out, Mike O'Neill doubled to right field and Michael Swinson followed with a walk.  Starlin Rodriguez doubled to left to score O'Neill and Chris Edmondson walked afterwards.  Alan Ahmady singled and Geoff Klein grounded out to push Swinson and Rodriguez across the plate.  Jonathan Rodriguez singled to left to score Edmondson and Ahmady.  Rodriguez would score on a double by Nick Longmire and Palm Beach went up 6-0.  The only run scored on Maness was due to an error by Ronny Gil, which put Jairo Perez on base.  The Miracle settled and shutdown the Cardinals for the final six frames but only manged one more run in the eight.  Palm Beach beat Fort Myers 6-2.

Who's Hot:

Starlin Rodriguez will be carrying a 17-game on base streak into the next report.  The  22-year old switch-hitter went 9-for-25 (.360) with one double, one triple, one home run, seven RBIs, five runs, three walks, five strikeout, and grounded into one double play.  He played six games at second base (assisted in three double plays and committed one fielding error) and one game in left field.  The fourth-year minor leaguer leads the team in runs scored, triples, RBIs, total bases, and is tied for lead in hits and home runs.

Packy Elkins has a ten-game on base strak to work on and also collected two multi-hit and one multi-RBI games.  The 24-year old left-handed hitter went 7-for-18 (.389) with one home run, four RBIs (two w/two-outs), three runs, three walks, one hit by pitch, one sac fly, one stolen base, and two strikeouts.  He played five games at third base (assisted in one double play) and one at second base (assisted in one double play).

Jonathan Rodriguez picked up two multi-hit and one multi-RBI games and will look to extend a five-game hitting streak.  The 22-year old right-handed hitter went 10-for-31 (.323) with two doubles, five RBIs, firve runs, two walks, two stolen bases, and nine strikeouts. The 2009 17th round (519th overall) selection leads the team in strikeouts and is tied for the lead in doubles.

Seth Maness kept his season ERA under 1.00 pitching two more impressive starts.  The 23-year old right-hander pitched on April 17 allowing seven hits, one earned run, one home run, and struck six out foe the winning decision (2-0).  Then on April 25 he gave up three hits, one unearned run, and struck seven out over seven innings for his third consecutive winning decision (3-0).  He had a combined ground out-to-fly out ratio of 18-to-5.

Richard Castillo pitched his third complete game of his career on April 19 and kept his ERA hovering around the 1.00 mark.  The 22-year old right-hander went six innings in a rain shortened game and allowed five hits, one unearned run, one walk, and struck two out for the losing decision (1-2).  He had a ground out-to-fly out ratio of 10-to-5.

Carlos Martinez had his first start cut short but was strong in his extended contest.  The 20-year old right-hander pitched just one inning on April 20 due to rain but did strike one batter out.  On April 24, he went six innings and gave up five hits, one earned run,two walks, hit one batter, and struck seven out.  He had a combined ground out-to-fly ratio of 7-to-3.

Anthony Ferrara rebounded to have his best start of the 2012 season.  The 22-year old left-hander pitched on April 22 going seven innings and allowing three hits, no runs, two walks, and struck two out.  He had a ground out-to0-fly out ratio of 9-to-4.

Who's Not:

Drew Benes struggled through two more starts this past period.  The 23-year old right-hander pitched on April 16 giving up five hits, three earned runs, and struck four out over five innings for the losing decision (0-2).  He then launched on April 23 allowing six hits, four earned runs, two walks, hit one batter, and struck three out over five and a third.  He had a combined ground out-to-fly out ratio of 8-to-9.

Ricky Martinez saw his ERA balloon over 10.00 after being hit hard in two of three appearances this report.  April 16 he came in and pitched a scoreless inning walking one and striking one out.  The he earned two losing decisions and a blown save in his next two appearances.  April 20 and 24, the 24-year old right-hander pitched three innings allowing nine hits, eight earned runs, and two walks.  The third-year minor leaguer had a combined ground out-to-fly out ratio of 6-to-3.

Chase Reid was tagged with two earned runs in each of his two appearances this past week.  The 23-year old right-hander pitched on April 17 allowing three hits, two earned runs, and struck two out over one and a third innings.  On April 23 he pitched two innings giving up two hits, two earned runs, two walks, and struck one out for the losing decision (1-2).  He had a combined ground out to-fly out ratio of 3-to-1 and kept both inherited runners on base.

Notes:

Allen Craig joined the team for a rehab assignment beginning on April 20.  He's played in three games going 4-for-11 (.364) with one home run, one RBI, seven total bases, one run, one walk, and two strikeouts.

Michael Swinson was activated after Kyle Conley was promoted to Double-A Springfield.

Seth Maness was the feature in a TC Palm article.

2012 Florida Stat League Stats:

The Palm Beach Cardinals are batting .259 (t-2nd) with a .331 OBP (2nd), .354 SLG (7th), and .685 OPS (7th).  The team ranks second in hits; third in doubles; tied for fourth in stolen bases; sixth in total bases, walks, and caught stealing (tied); tied for seventh in home runs; tied for eighth in strikeouts; tied for ninth in RBIs; tenth in runs; and 12th in triples in the 12-team division.

The Cardinals have a 3.75 ERA (6th) and 1.29 WHIP (7th).  The team ranks second in losses, fourth in hit batters, fifth in walks, sixth in strikeouts and earned runs, seventh in runs allowed, eighth in hits allowed, tied for ninth in saves and home runs allowed, tied for tenth in wins, and 12th in hold in the 12-team division.

Alan Ahmady ranks tied for fourth in doubles and tied for ninth in caught stealing.
Jonathan Rodriguez ranks tied for fourth in doubles.
Starlin Rodriguez ranks tied for third in triples.
Nick Longmire ranks third in strikeouts.
Packy Elkins ranks fifth in OBP.
Mike O'Neill ranks tied for eight in OBP.
Seth Maness ranks first in ERA, tied for first in wins, first in innings pitched, tied for fifth in home runs allowed, tied for tenth in strikeouts, and second in WHIP.
Richard Castillo ranks third in ERA, tied for seventh in losses, first in complete games, and tied for fifth in WHIP.
Drew Benes ranks tied for seventh in losses and tied for ninth in hit batters.
Ricky Martinez ranks tied for seventh in losses and tied for fifth in earned runs.
Chase Reid ranks tied for seventh in losses and tied for eighth in game finishes.
Carlos Martinez ranks tied for third in hit batters.
Zach Russell ranks tied for ninth in hit batters.
Anthony Ferrara ranks tied for sixth in walks.
Aidan Lucas ranks tied for sixth in walks.

Up Next:

April 25-27: @ Fort Myers
April 28-30: @ Charlotte
May 1-3: Fort Myers

Springfield Cardinals Report April 15-23, 2012

The Springfield Cardinals did a lot of streaking during this period as they ended a three-game losing streak with a four-game winning and ended the report with a three-game losing trend.  The Double-A Cardinals are 8-9 with a 5-5 home and 3-4 road record.

Recap April 15-23:

April 15 Springfield Official Site Post Game: Springfield opened a three-game series with Midland, on the road.  The Cardinals got the first run on the board in the first inning as Oscar Taveras drove in Jose Garcia, who lead off with a double.  But after that it was all Rockhounds for the next three innings.  Tyler Lyons, Scott Schneider, and Kevin Thomas were slammed with 16 hits, 14 runs, one home run, and three walks in the first five frames.  Midland racked up extra base hits with Anthony Aliotti doubling, Jeremy Barfield doubling and homering, Josh Horton doubling twice, and Ryan Ortiz tripling in the first five innings.  Former Springfield Cardinal Gary Daley had another amazing performance against his former team going six and a third and allowing eight hits, three earned runs, two walks, and struck two out.  Daley was knocked out when Niko Vasquez pinch hit for Xavier Scruggs and drove in Greg Garcia and Kolten Wong with two outs in the seventh.  Eric Fornataro was the only Springfield pitcher to get in and out without being hit as he struck two batters and induced a fly out in the sixth.  The Rockhounds didn't let up either, adding another four runs on over the seventh and eighth to beat the Cardinals 18-4.

April 16 Springfield Official Site Post Game: Game two between Springfield and Midland was highlighted by starting pitching.  Scott Gorgen  and A.J. Griffin both tossed scoreless innings through the fourth.  In the fifth, Gorgen got a strike out and ground out to lead off the inning but Jeremy Barfield doubled to right field.  Ryan Ortiz walked and Dusty Coleman doubled to clear the bases making it 2-0 Midland.  Gorgen gave up two more consecutive walks and finally got out of the inning on a strike out.  The Cardinals tied the game up in the top of the sixth as Adam Melker singled to right to drive in Oscar Taveras and Tommy Pham, on two outs.  Springfield struck again in the seventh with Nick Derba singling to right and moving to second on a bunt by Greg Garcia.  Jose Garcia reached on a fielder's choice and Derba moved to third on a throwing error.  Kolten Wong knocked in Derba on a ground out and Oscar Taveras tripled in Garcia to make it 4-2 Springfield.  The Cardinals added another in the eighth and Jorge Rondon struggled to close out the game, making way for Keith Butler who earned his first save as Springfield won 5-3 over Midland.

April 17 Springfield Official Site Post Game: Springfield sent John Gast to the hill for the rubber match against Midland.  Gast threw six and a third innings allowing three hits, one earned run (homer to former Springfield Cardinal Shane Peterson), two walks, and struck six out for his third winning decision.  The Cardinals struck in the third inning as Greg Garcia walked, stole second, and advanced to third on a throwing error with one out.  Kolten Wong walked after Jose Garcia flew out and Oscar Taveras followed with a two-run double and error on the throw.  Both teams bullpens shut things down as we saw six scoreless to end the game as Springfield held on to win 2-1 over Midland and take the series two out of three games.

April 18: Springfield Cardinals had day off.

April 19 Springfield Official Site Post Game: Springfield welcomed in Tulsa for a four-game set and looked to Trevor Rosenthal to bounce back from pour previous start.  Rosenthal not only rebounded but threw his best game of the season.  He tossed six scoreless innings only allowing three hits (no extra bases), three walks, and struck out six for his first winning decision of the season.  The Cardinals touched home in the first inning with Xavier Scruggs driving in Kolten Wong on a double to right.  With two outs, Greg Garcia and Trevor Rosenthal on base, Jose Garcia singled to drive in Greg Garcia for a second run.  Adam Melker took Tommy Pham's spot on first after Pham singled in the fourth and Greg Garcia followed with a homer to make the game 4-0 Springfield.  Kolten Wong opened the seventh up with being by a pitch, Oscar Taveras followed with a single to center.  Xavier Scruggs was walked to load up the bases and Jake Shaffer scored Wong with a single to right.  Greg Garcia punched another run through as he grounded into a double play.  Eric Fornataro and Justin Wright combined for three scoreless relief innings that saw just two hits and no runs as Springfield shut out Tulsa 6-0.

April 20 Springfield Official Site Post Game: Springfield got another combination of a pitching performance from Mike Blazek and Jesse Simpson, who took care of the first six innings of the game.  Blazek and Simpson put together six scoreless frames allowing four hits, three walks, and eight strikeouts.  Jose Garcia doubled to lead of the first , moved over to third on a Greg Garcia ground out, and scored on a Oscar Taveras single to center.  In the third, Tulsa got two consecutive ground outs and Taveras hit a solo homer to right.  Adam Melker lead off the sixth with a triple and Audry Perez drove him in on a sacrifice fly to right, making it Springfield 3-0.  The Drillers got on the board in the ninth as Lars Davis drove in Mike Zuanich with a double to right, but Tulsa still lost to Springfield 3-1.

April 21 Springfield Official Site Post Game: Tulsa faced another tough Springfield starter in Tyler Lyons in game three of the series.  Lyons came through with six strong innings in which four hits, no runs, and two walks were allowed and he struck six out.  Xavier Scruggs hit a two-out solo home run in the fourth for the first run of the game.  Scruggs returned in the sixth inning to hit another two-out solo home run, making it 2-0 Springfield.  Kevin Thomas entered the game in the seventh and the Drillers bats came to life.  With one out, Mike Zuanich singled to center and Jose Gonzalez followed with a base clearing home run to tie the game.  Tulsa went on to take the lead in the eighth as Nolan Arenado doubled in Michael Mitchell and held on to beat Springfield 3-2.

April 22 Springfield Official Site Post Game: Springfield got things started in game four of the series with Greg Garcia singling and Kolten Wong doubling to open the bottom of the first.  Oscar Taveras grounded out to score Garcia to put the Cardinals up 1-0.  Springfield returned in the third to score a couple more runs. Garcia and Wong struck again with singles each and Taveras doubled to score Garcia.  Wong would score on a passed ball and Springfield went up 3-0.  Things turned around for Tulsa in the sixth but not before Scott Gorgen could make a quick pick off out.  Nolan Arenado and Ben Paulson each singled to right and Kent Matthes loaded up the bases as he walked.  Gorgen gave Tulsa a freebee run walking Tim Torres and Kevin Thomas entered the game.  Angelys Nina welcomed Thomas' arrival emptying the bases with a grand slam to make the game Tulsa 5-3.  Springfield tied the game up in the bottom half as they loaded up the bases with as Kyle Conley, Audry Perez, and Niko Vasquez single.  With one out, Jose Garcia grounded out to first base scoring Conley and Perez.  Nina came back to bite the Cardinals in the eighth as he hit a ground rule double and scored the go ahead run on a fly out to center.  The Tulsa bullpen came though to hold Springfield in check for the final three frames and went on to win 6-5.

April 23 Springfield Official Site Post Game:  NW Arkansas put Jake Odorizzi on the hill to face Springfield in the opening match up between to two teams.  Odorizzi held the Cardinals to four hits, no runs, one walk, and struck 11 out over seven innings and Patrick Keating followed him up with two scoreless innings.  John Gast had another real good start as he went six innings but gave up eight hits  and two runs.  The two runs came in the third innings for the Naturals as John Whittleman doubled in Christian Colon and Wil Myers.  NW Arkansas struck again in the eighth as Sharlon Schoop lead off with a home run and Julio Rodriguez doubled in Kurt Mertins and Paulo Orlando to give them the 5-0 over Springfield.

Who's Hot:

Oscar Taveras has a two-game hit streak and collected three multi-hit and two multi-RBI games during the period.  The 19-year old left-handed hitter went 12-for-35 (.343) with three doubles, one triple, one home run, seven RBIs (three w/two-outs), three runs, one stolen base, and four strikeouts.  He played two games in centerfield, three in right field, two as designated hitter, and split a game in center and left field.

Jose Garcia picked up three multi-hit games.  The 24-year old right-handed hitter went 10-for-33 (.303) with three doubles, three RBIs (one w/two-outs), three runs, and nine strikeouts.  He played four games at third base, two at shortstop, split one game at third base and centerfield, and split another at second and third base.

John Gast continued his strong opening to the season making it another two consecutive quality starts.  The 23-year old left-hander started on April 17 going six and a third innings and allowing three hits, one earned run, one home run, tow walks, and struck six out for the winning decision (3-0).  His second start came on April 23, as he gave up eight hits, two earned runs, two walks, hit on batter, and struck five out for the losing decision (3-1).  The 2010 6th round (199th overall) selection made 181 pitches with 119 for strikes and had a ground out-to-fly out ratio of 11-to-12.

Trevor Rosenthal rebounded to make his best start of the season on April 19.  The 21-year old right-hander pitched six innings allowing three hits, no runs, three walks, and striking out six for the winning decision (1-2).  He made 90 pitches with 60 going for strikes and had a ground out-to-fly out ratio of 5-to-2.

Jesse Simpson came out of the bullpen to make two scoreless appearances during this period.  He tossed two scoreless innings allowing two hits and struck three out for the winning decision (1-0) on April 20.  Then on April 22 he pitched one inning and gave up one hit, no runs, and threw one wild pitch.  The 2009 40th round (1209th overall) selection made 55 pitches with 36 registering as strikes and had a ground out-to-fly out ratio of 3-to-2.

Who's Not:

Rainel Rosario will look to end a two-game hitless streak in the next week.  The 23-year old right-handed hitter went 3-for-23 (.130) with on double, three walks, and five strikeouts.  He played four games in right field (one outfield assist) and came off the bench as a pinch hitter in three games.

Niko Vasquez continues to struggle at the plate this season.  The 23-year old right-handed hitter went 2-for-13 (.154) with two two-out RBIs and two strikeouts.  He played three games at third base and assisted in two double plays.

Scott Gorgen ran into trouble in his second start for this report.  The 25-year old right-hander started on April 16 and allowed four hits, two earned runs, three walks, struck four out, and picked one runner off.  Then on April 22, he gave up five hits, four earned runs, three walks, struck four out, and picked one runner off.  The 2008 4th round (125th overall) selection made 160 pitches with 95 hitting strikes and had a ground out-to-fly out ratio of 16-to-3.

Kevin Thomas was hit hard in three out of four appearances he made this period.  The 25-year old right-hander gave up four earned runs over two innings on April 15, no runs over one innings on April 17, two earned runs over one inning on April 21, and one earned run over two-thirds of an inning on April 22.  He coughed up three home runs, blew two saves (2), but did earn a hold (1).  The 2008 33rd round (995th overall) selection made 70 pitches with 46 hitting strikes, had a ground out-to-fly out ratio of 9-to-2, and let five of six inherited runners score.

Scott Schneider was pounded in his first appearance of this period but calmed down in his second.  The 23-year old right-hander coughed up seven hits, seven earned runs, one walk, and struck one out over one and a third inning on April 15.  On April 21, he pitched just two-thirds of an inning allowing no hits or runs.  The 2009 20th round (609th overall) selection made a combined 36 pitches with 25 hitting strikes, had a ground out-to-fly out ratio of 3-to-1, and didn't let any of the five inherited runners score.

Notes:

Tommy Pham was officially placed on the disabled list on April 21 and Kyle Conley was called up from A-Advanced Palm Beach.  Pham could be headed for surgery as an MRI showed multiple tears according to the Springfield News-Leader.

Eric Fornataro and Keith Butler are enjoying their new roles as relief pitchers in the system per Springfield News-Leader.

Cardinals coaches and scouts are very excited about what they call a toolsy and raw talented Rainel Rosario per Springfield News-Leader.

John Gast sat down for an interview with Ozark First.

Xavier Scruggs talks about getting his season started at The Cardinal Nation.

2012 Texas League Stats:

The Springfield Cardinals are hitting .255 (3rd) with a .321 OBP (4th), .396 SLG (4th), and .718 OPS (4th).  The team ranks tied for first in hits; second in strikeouts; third in doubles (tied), triples, and walk; fourth in runs, home runs (tied), and RBIs (tied); and sixth in stolen bases and caught stealing (tied) in the eight-team division.

The Cardinals have a 4.46 ERA (7th) and 1.39 WHIP (7th).  The team ranks first in hit batters; second in losses (tied), runs allowed, and earned runs allowed; third in hits allowed, walks, and strikeouts; fourth in saves; fifth in home runs allowed; and sixth in wins (tied) and shut outs in the eight-team division.

Kolten Wong ranks fourth in AVG, tied for fourth in runs, ninth in hits, tied for second in triples, eighth in total bases, tied for eighth in stolen bases, tied for fifth in OBP, ninth in SLG, and fifth in OPS.
Jeff Shaffer ranks sixth in AVG and tied for tenth in doubles.
Oscar Taveras ranks tenth in AVG, tied for second in hits, fourth in doubles, tied for fifth in triples, tied for fifth in home runs, second in RBIs, second in total bases, and eighth in SLG.
Jose Garcia ranks tied for eighth in runs, tied for seventh in hits, tied for tenth in doubles, and tied for eighth in strikeouts.
Greg Garcia ranks tied for ninth in triples and tied for tenth in walks.
Adam Melker ranks tied for ninth in triples and tied for fourth in caught stealing.
Xavier Scruggs ranks tied for tied for ninth in home runs and tied for second in strikeouts.
Tommy Pham ranks tied for eighth in strikeouts.
John Gast ranks fourth in ERA, tied for second in wins, first in inning pitched, tied for ninth in hits allowed, tied for fourth in strikeouts, and fifth in WHIP.
Mike Blazek ranks tied for fourth in losses, fifth in hits allowed, first in runs allowed, first in earned runs, tied for third in home runs allowed, tied for fourth in hit batters, and tied for second in walks.
Sam Freeman ranks tied for fourth in losses, tied for ninth in saves, tied for first in holds, and tied for sixth in game finishes.
Tyler Lyons ranks tied for fourth in losses.
Trevor Rosenthal ranks tied for fourth in losses, tied for fifth in walks, and tied for ninth in strikeouts.
Jorge Rondon ranks tied for fourth in saves and tied for sixth in game finishes.
Keith Butler ranks tied for ninth in saves and tied for sixth in holds.
Scott Schneider ranks tied for tenth in earned runs and tied for fourth in hit batters.
Kevin Thomas ranks tied for eighth in home runs allowed.
Scott Gorgen ranks tied for fourth in hit batters, tied for ninth in strikeouts, and tenth in WHIP.
(Note: Does Include Stats Through April 25)

Up Next:

April 23-26: @ NW Arkansas (8-11)
April 27-30: @ Tulsa (13-6)

Memphis Redbirds Report April 14-22, 2012

The Memphis Redbirds finally ended their losing streak at nine games and won four of eight games in the report.  The Redbirds are 6-12 with a .333 PCT and seven games out in the Pacific Coast League American North Division.  The team is 3-4 at home and 3-8 on the road.

Recap April 14-22:

April 14 Memphis Official Site Post Game: Memphis took an early lead on Oklahoma City, in game two of the four-game series.  Eugenio Velez tripled in Matt Adams in the first, Zack Cox reached on a fielding error and scored on a Adron Chambers single in the second, and Adams crossed the plate in the third innings after doubling.  Nick Additon easily cruised through four scoreless innings but was finally touched in the fifth.  Brian Bixler opened in the fifth with a solo homer to left.  The Redhawks would tie it up in the sixth as J.B. Shuck hits a line drive single and Scott Moore followed with a home run.  Both teams bullpens would keep the board zero for the next couple innings and in the ninth Justin Ruggiano doubled and scored on a fielding error by Cedric Hunter to give the game to Oklahoma City 4-3.

April 15 Memphis Official Site Post Game: Memphis and Oklahoma City got their money's worth out of both their starters in game three of the series.  Paul Clemens and Brandon Dickson both went six innings, but Dickson gave up on more run then Clemens.  After six, the RedHawks lead the Redbirds 2-1.  In the seventh, Zack Cox followed Pete Kozma's line out with a walk.  Cox advanced to second on a wild pitch and to third on a passed ball.  Jermaine Curtis reached on a walk and Cedric Hunter knocked in Cox to tie the game up.  Adron Chambers flew out to right which scored Curtis and gave Memphis the 3-2 lead.  Collin DeLome singled off Barret Browning and advanced to third on his error.  J.B. Shuck grounded out to score DeLome and tie the game up at 3-3.  Chris Swauger followed Matt Adams' strikeout with a double to right, in the eighth.  Swauger scored the winning run on a fielding error by shortstop Angel Sanchez, giving Memphis the 4-3 win.

April 16 Memphis Official Site Post Game: Memphis called on Brian Broderick to close out the four-game series with Oklahoma City and he pitched his best performance of the early season.  Broderick tossed six innings and allowed five hits, no runs, hit one batter, and struck six out for the winning decision.  Nick Greenwood, Maikel Cleto, R.J. Swindle, and Chuckie Fick combined to pitch the final three innings striking out four and not giving up a hit or run.  The Redbirds scored on a bases loaded walk pushing Skip Schumaker across for the 1-0 lead and in the sixth Zack Cox hit a solo home run as Memphis won 2-0.

April 17 Memphis Official Site Post Game: Game one between visiting New Orleans and Memphis was highlighted by pitching, mainly the starters.  Wade LeBlanc and Joe Kelly both went six innings with each striking out six a piece.  LeBlanc only allowed two hits and Kelly gave up five, and one run each.  Tied at 1-1, Luke Montz for the Zephyrs doubled in Bryan Peterson to give New Orleans the lead.  In the ninth, a throwing error by Bryan Anderson helped set up runners in scoring position for Kevin Mattison to drive in one more run and make it 3-1 New Orleans.

April 18 Memphis Official Site Post Game: Memphis opened game two firing away at New Orleans.  Skip Schumaker lead off with a single and Ryan Jackson followed with a single.  Matt Adams struck out and both Schumaker and Jackson moved over on a balk.  Eugenio Velez drove in Schumaker with a single to left, then stole second.  Jackson would score on a fielder's choice error that let Bryan Anderson reach second and Velez stop at third.  Amaury Cazana made it safely to base on a fielder's choice and both Anderson and Cazana advanced on a balk.  Zack Cox drove in Anderson with a double to center and Cedric Hunter was intentionally walk.  With the bases loaded, Tom Koehler walks Shelby Miller to make the score 5-0 before a double play ended the inning.  The Redbirds didn't stop there as they added two more runs on a Cazana double that scored Adams and Anderson.  Miller had his best start of the season going five innings and allowing five hits, one earned run (Matt Dominguez homer in fourth), four walks, and struck nine out.  The Zephyrs tried to make a comeback scoring a run in each of the final four frames on the Redbirds, including a home run by Cole Armstrong, but still came up short 7-5.

April 19 Memphis Official Site Post Game: Memphis and New Orleans went for another pitcher's duel in game three between Nick Additon and J.D. Martin.  The Zephyrs got scoring started with a solo home run by Kevin Mattison in the third.  Scott Cousins and Martin followed with solo homers in the sixth and seventh off Additon, making the score 3-0.  Mitch Canham lead off the seventh with a single and the Redbirds followed with two consecutive outs, but moved Canham over.  Pete Kozma singled to right to drive in Canham and made it safely to second.  Amaury Cazana singled to drive in Kozma, making the score 3-2 New Orleans.  Skip Schumaker would strike out to end the inning and leave two men on.  No team scored in the final two frames and New Orleans won 3-2.

April 20 Memphis Commercial Appeal Announcement: New Orleans @ Memphis was postponed.

April 21 Iowa Official Site Post Game: Brandon Dickson made his fourth start of the season and it ended up being his shortest.  Dickson was able to get through the first and second inning without any damage, but Iowa got to him in the third.  With two outs, Brett Jackson doubled and Dave Sappelt reached on an error.  Luis Valbuena walked and Anthony Rizzo then singled to score Jackson and Sappelt, making it 2-1 Cubs.  The Redbirds added another run in the fifth as Adron Chambers drove in Zack Cox to tie up the game.  Iowa opened the fifth with a Sappelt walk, Valbuena single, Edgar Gonzalez single, and Adrian Cardenas single which scored three more runs for Iowa and knocked Dickson out of the game.  Memphis opened the flood gates in the eighth scoring nine runs with Eugenio Velez driving in three runs (two-run homer), Cedric Hunter knocking in two runs, and Adron Chambers hitting a two-run homer.  The Cubs would score two more in the bottom of the eighth and the Redbirds added another run in the top of the ninth for the 12-7 victory.

April 22 Memphis Official Site Post Game: Brian Broderick and Chris Rusin went head-to-head on a pitcher's duel between Memphis and Iowa for game two of the series.  Rusin pitched eight scoreless innings only allowing two hits.  Broderick, with another impressive outing, gave up a sacrifice to Rusin which scored one run in the one run in the second.  Anthony Rizzo and Welington Castillo hit back-to-back doubles in the sixth to put the Cubs up 2-0.  Memphis tried to take advantage of Rusin leaving the game in the ninth.  Adron Chambers walked after Ryan Jackson grounded out.  Chambers moved with a passed ball and Eugenio Velez pushed him to third on a ground out.  Cedric Hunter singled to center to score Chambers but Amaury Cazana flies out for the third out as Iowa held on to win 2-1.

Who's Hot:

Amaury Cazana currently has a four-game on base streak and collected two multi-hit games in the last period.  The 33-year old right-handed hitter went 6-for-21 (.286) with one double, six RBIs (three /two-outs), two runs, two walks, and five strikeouts.  He played five games in left field and two as a pinch hitter.  The 2006 18th round (556th overall) selection leads the team in RBIs and is tied for lead in strikeouts.

Adron Chambers picked up after a slow start to end the period on a three-game on base and two-game hitting streak.  The 25-year old left-handed hitter went 5-for-23 (.219) with one double, one home run, seen RBIs (two w/two-outs), two runs, two sac flys, and three strikeouts.  The 2007 38th round (1153rd overall) selection is tied for the team lead in walks.

Brian Broderick bounced back after being hit hard in his first start to making three consecutive quality appearances.  The 25-year old right-hander made his third start on April 16 tossing six scoreless innings and allowing five hits, hit one batter, and struck six out for the winning decision.  His fourth start came on April 22 where he gave up six hits, two earned runs, two walks, and struck three out over six innings for the losing decision.  The 2007 21st round (652nd overall) selection made a combined 181 pitches with 117 for strikes, had a ground out-to-fly ratio of 13-to-9, and went 0-for-3 with one strikeout and one sacrifice at the plate.

Joe Kelly made it three consecutive starts only allowing two or less earned runs.  The 23-year old right-hander started on April 17 and allowed five hits, one earned run, one walk, and struck six out over six innings.  He made a combined 98 pitches with 58 for strikes, had a ground out-to-fly ratio of 6-to-6, and went 0-for-2 with one strikeout at the plate.

Shelby Miller turned things around in his third start after having two real shaky starts to begin the season.  The 21-year old right-hander pitched on April 18 allowing five hits, one earned run, one home run, four walks, hit one batter, and struck nine out over five innings for the winning decision (1-2).  He threw 94 pitches with 54 for strikes, had a ground out-to-fly out ratio of 4-to-2, and went 0-for-1 with one RBI, one walk, and one strikeout at the plate.

Who's Not:

Ryan Jackson opened this period up striking out once in his first six games but did collect two multi-hit games in the process.  The 23-year old right-handed hitter went 4-for-20 (.200) with one two-out RBI, three runs, three walks, one sacrifice, and seven strikeouts.  He played five games at shortstop (assisted in four double plays), one game at second base, and split a game at shortstop and third base. 

Pete Kozma is looking to end his a two-game hitless streak.  The 24-year old right-handed hitter went 4-for-21 (.190) with one double, one two-out RBI, two runs, three walks (one intentional), four strikeouts, and grounded into one double play.  He played four games at shortstop (assisted in two double plays), three games at second base (assisted in two double plays), and one as a pinch runner.

Zack Cox finally ended his hitless streak at seven games at the beginning of this period.  The 22-year old left-handed hitter went 4-for-24 (.167) with two doubles, one home run, two RBIs, four runs, three walks, six strikeouts, and grounded into one double play.  He played seven games at third base.

Chris Swauger ended this period off with a four-game hitless streak.  The 25-year old left-handed hitter went 1-for-21 (.048) with one double, one run, one walk, and two strikeouts.  He played two games in left field, one in right field, one at first base (assisted in two double plays), and two as a pinch hitter.

Bryan Anderson has struck out two or more in four of his last five games played.  The 25-year old left-handed hitter went 2-for-16 (.125) with three runs, five walks, and nine strikeouts.  He played five games at catcher where he threw out two of seven base runners and committed one throwing error.

Notes:

Matt Adams has been out of action due to a sore elbow and is listed as day-to-day.

Former Memphis Redbird Donovan Solano enjoyed returning to play against his former teammates per Memphis Commercial Appeal.

Skip Schumaker discusses his experience on his rehab stint at Memphis per Memphis Commercial Appeal.  In four rehab games, Schumaker went 3-for-13 (.231) with three total bases, two runs, two walks, two strikeouts, grounded into one double play, .333 OBP, .231 SLG, and .564 OPS.

Zack Cox tries to keep a positive despite slow start to season per Memphis Commercial Appeal.

John Vuch sat down with the Examiner and talked about such players as Matt Adams, R.J. Swindle, and Ryan Jackson.

2012 Pacific League Stats:

The Memphis Redbirds are hitting .239 (13th) with a .304 OBP (13th), .338 SLG (15th), and .642 OPS (14th).  The team ranks first in strikeouts, tied for tenth in walks, tied for 11th in hits and home runs, 12th in triples (tied) and stolen bases, tied for 14th in total bases, 15th in runs, RBIs, and caught stealing, and 16th in doubles in the 16-team league.

The Redbirds have a 4.04 ERA (7th) and 1.40 WHIP (t-7th).  The team ranks first in hit batters; tied for fourth in losses and most home runs allowed; fifth in shutouts (tied), strikeouts (tied), and holds; tied for sixth in saves; ninth in hits allowed and walks; tenth in runs allowed; 11th in earned runs; and 12th in wins in the 16-team league

Eugenio Velez is tied for fourth in stolen bases.
Brian Broderick is tied for first in losses.
Shelby Miller is tied for eighth in losses, tied for second in home runs allowed, and tied for eighth in strikeouts.
Eduardo Sanchez is tied for fifth in saves, first in hit batters, and tied nor ninth in game finishes
Joe Kelly is eighth in innings pitch and tied for eighth in strikeouts.
Brandon Dickson is tied for third in hits allowed.
Nick Additon is tied for second in home runs allowed, and tied for tenth in walks.
Brian Broderick is tied for second in hit batters.
Chuckie Fick and R.J. Swindle are tied, with others, and for eighth in holds.

Up Next (2012 Overall, vs. Memphis):

April 21-24: @ Iowa (7-11, 1-1)
April 25: Off Day
April 26-29: Omaha (12-5, 0-0)

Quad Cities River Bandits Report April 5-16, 2012

The Quad Cities River Bandits opened the 2012 season dropping the first series and laying claim to the next two.  The Single-A ball club is 7-4 with a .636 PCT and have won two straight games.  The River Bandits are 2-2 at home and 5-2 on the road and are currently a half game up in the Midwest League Western Division.

Recap April 5-16

April 5 Quad Cities Official Site Post Game: Kane County came to town to take on Quad Cities for a three-game series to open the 2012 season.  Tyrell Jenkins was tapped as the opening day man for the River Bandits and things did not go well for him.  Jenkins got a quick first inning bu was quickly knocked around in the second and knocked right out the game.  Lane Adams led off with a triple and scored on a error.  Orlando Calixte reached on that error and scored on a triple by Justin Trapp.  A walk, a fly out, and another error lead to Trapp scoring.  Jenkins was lifted for Robert Stock who would also take a beating.  Daniel Mateo singled and Michael Antonio doubled drove Mateo and Alex Llanos in for a couple more runs for the Cougars.  Stock would give up a walk and chalk up a grand slam to Adams to clear the bases.  Quad Cities made a come back in the bottom of the second putting six runs on the board as Colin Walsh hit a two-run homer and Tyler Rahmatulla and Luis Mateo fired off doubles.  Errors gave Kane County a couple more runs in the third and fifth innings as Quad Cities now fell behind 11-6.  The River Bandits would make a small comeback in the sixth as Mateo and Juan Castillo connected for back-to-back singles. Matt Williams doubled to drive one in and an error on a Nick Martini hit gave up a freebie.  Roberto De La Cruz reached on a double to score Williams and he would score on an error.  The final three innings went silent as Kane County held on to beat Quad Cities 11-10.

April 6 Quad Cities Official Site Post Game: Hector Hernandez took on game two for Quad Cities and pitched five scoreless giving up five hits and striking out six.  Brandon Creath, Logan Billbrough, and Heath Wyatt would combine to clean up the remainder of the game that only saw another four hits and no runs by Kane County.  The River Bandits started attacking the scoreboard in the third as Roberto De La Cruz singled and traveled around on errors, walks, and fielder's choices to score.  Quad Cities turned it on in the fourth as Juan Castillo and Matt Williams reached base then scored on a wild pitch and fielding error.  David Medina walks and would double steal with Nick Martini, would scored.  Medina scored after Colin Walsh walked and Anthony Garcia doubled.  Another error by Kane County and Tyler Rahmatulla gets on and Walsh and Garcia score.  The game went quiet until Quad Cities got men on in the eighth and struck again to give them a safe 8-0 win over Kane County.


April 7 Quad Cities Official Site Post Game: For finale of the three-game series, Kellen Moen and Todd McInnis faced off.  Moen racked up nine strikeouts in the first four and a third.  Quad Cities got on the board in the third on a third strike wild pitch allowing Tyler Rahmatulla to reach.  Rahmatulla moved on over to second on another wild pitch and scored on a Luis Mateo triple.  Mateo then scored on a fielding error that Jesus Montero hit.  Justin Trapp hit a solo homer off McInnis in the third to make it River Bandits 2-1.  Quad Cities and Kane County exchanged runs in the fifth and the Cougars went on to run the score up adding three in the sixth, and one each in the seventh and eighth.  Kane County's bullpen came through to pitch four and two-thirds innings allowing two hits, no runs, two walks, and three strikeouts to give them the 7-3 win over Quad Cities.

April 8: The Quad Cities River Bandits had day off.

April 9 Quad Cities Official Site Post Game: Quad Cities went on the road for a three-game series against Peoria, and the game got off going right away with a run here and run there.  A fielding error and double allowed Marco Hernandez to score in the first.  The River Bandits and Chiefs exchanged runs in the second as a passed ball helped move Tyler Rahmatulla on over and a couple singles pushed Reggie Golden across.  With Peoria up 2-1, Quad Cities tagged on two more runs in the next two frames with Juan Castillo scoring on Nick Martini single and David Medina doubling in Colin Walsh.  The Chiefs put one more on the board to knock Sam Gaviglio out and the bullpen came in.  The Quad Cities bullpen finished off the game with four scoreless innings and the offense turned it on again in the ninth.  Rahmatulla was hit by pitch, Medina was walked, Luis Mateo was hit, and Juan Castillo sacrificed to score Rahmatulla.  Medina scored on a Matt Williams single, Nick Martini singled, and Anthony Garcia hit a three-run double to put the game away at 8-3 in favor of the River Bandits.

April 10 Quad Cities Official Site Post Game:  Game two saw the River Bandits pitching staff take the lead again and offense fall right in.  Quad Cities pretty much went with a bullpen style staff using Kyle Hald, Willy Paulino, Danny Miranda, and Heath Wyatt to hold Peoria to just three hits, one run, one walk, two hit batters, and five strikeouts.  The River Bandits turned on the attack in the second as David Medina reached on a throwing error, Luis Mateo singled, and Roberto Reyes doubled in both.  Reyes advanced on an error and scored on a Juan Castillo sacrifice to put Quad Cities up 3-1.  Colin Walsh walked in the third and Garrett Wittels followed with a single.  David Medina singled in Walsh and Mateo doubled in Wittels to make it 5-1 Quad Cities.   The scoreboard didn't light up until the top of the ninth when the River Bandits topped it off with two more runs for the 7-1 win over the Chiefs.

April 11 Quad Cities Official Site Post Game: Quad Cities got things started off in game three of the series against Peoria.  Matt Williams, Nick Martini, and Roberto Reyes each reached right away with singles off Chief starter Michael Jensen.  Anthony Garcia came up empty handed but David Medina unloaded the bases with a double putting the River Bandits up 3-0.  Dail Villanueva cruised through the first two innings and was greeted in the third as he got a ground out on the first batter, and hit the next one, followed by a double by Paul Hoilman.  Villanueva walked the next batter and Eduardo Gonzalez reached on a fielding error by Medina which scored Ryan Cueno.  Still with two men on, Peoria gets another run on a ground out to make it Quad Cities 3-2.  The Chiefs would come back for another attack in the fourth.  Zeke DeVoss reached on a single but moved around the bases on a wild pitch and throwing error by Jesus Montero.  Wes Darvill was walked and Cueno unloaded the bases with a two-run homer, that would end Villanueva's day and put Peoria up 5-3.  The River Bandits and Chiefs bullpen's both shut each other's offense down for the final five frames as Peoria won 5-3.

April 12 Quad Cities River Official Site Post Game: Matt Williams lead off game one between Quad Cities and Cedar Rapids with a double to get things started.  After a couple outs, Roberto Reyes knocked in Williams for the first run of the game.  Hector Hernandez was able to hold the Kernels at bay for the first three innings as the River Bandits launched another attack. Juan Castillo singled and moved over on a wild pitch, Williams reached on a walk, while Nick Martini grounded out to move them over.  Anthony Garcia doubled and Reyes singled to push a couple more runs across and make it 3-0 Quad Cities.  The River Bandits got a couple quick outs to start the fourth but went down hill form there.  Kaleb Cowart walked, Frazier Hall singled, and Tyler Rahmatulla committed an error to allow Andy Workman on base and Cowart to score.  Abel Baker doubled to tie up the game before the innings ended.  Neither team could score from the fifth through seventh and bats came swinging again.  Williams and Martini came through with a couple doubles in the eighth and Colin Walsh homered in the ninth as Cowart doubled in a run but Quad Cities beat Cedar Rapids 6-4.

April 13 Quad Cities Official Site Post Game:  Cedar Rapids started the scoring in the first off Todd McInnis, who gave up a walk and balk bit him right after.  Quad Cities waited until the third through sixth to get the bats going.  Juan Castillo hit a solo homer in the third, Colin Walsh doubled in Anthony Garcia and Tyler Rahmatulla singled in Walsh to make it 3-1 in the fourth.  Kaleb Cowart singled and was quickly knocked in by Frazier Hall to help get the Kernels within one run.  Castillo wasn't done yet as he launched a second homer in the fifth, then Walsh doubled to only be driven in by David Medina's homer.  McInnis held on to pitch through the seventh and only allow seven hits, three earned runs, two walks, and struck five out.  Cedar Rapids would end the game hassling Robert Stock and Danny Miranda but come up short as Quad Cities won 6-5.

April 14 Quad Cities Official Site Post Game:  Cedar Rapids called on Jairo Diaz to slow down Quad Cities and indeed he did.  Diaz tossed seven scoreless innings giving up four hits (two extra bases by Colin Walsh) and one walk.  The Kernels put two runs on the board in the second with a couple singles, another in the sixth by a Kaleb Cowart home run, and two more in the seventh on a double and single.  Cedar Rapids shut out Quad Cities 5-0.

April 15 Quad Cities Official Site Post Game:  After Quad Cities was shut down in the previous game, their offense came well alive in the four-game finale.  Matt Williams doubled, Nick Martini walked, and Juan Castillo knocked in Williams with a single.  Colin Walsh doubled to drive in both Martini and Castillo making 3-0 Quad Cities.  Sam Gaviglio had a strong showing only giving up one run in the first inning and closing it out for the next five.  The River Bandits added another run in the third on a walk.  Quad Cities padded the lead with three more runs in the fifth as Colin Walsh launched a homer.  The River Bandits weren't done yet as they added two more in each of the eighth and ninth innings with Anthony Garcia and Castillo legging out triples and beating Cedar Rapids 11-1.

April 16 Quad Cities Official Site Post Game: Quad Cities launched an offensive attack on Clinton in the second inning of the first-game of the series between the two.  David Medina opened with a solo home run.  Tyler Rahmatulla walked but was called out on force as Anthony Garcia reached base.  Roberto Reyes pushed over Garcia on a single, and Luis Mateo loaded up the bases.  Matt Williams cleared the bases with a triple making it 5-0 Quad Cities.  Dail Villanueva would old things down until getting touched in the third.  Clinton led off with three consecutive singles that scored one run.  Jharmidy DeJesus doubled to score Jamal Austin and Steven Baron and make it 5-3 Quad Cities.  Villanueva calmed down to finish off pitching six innings giving up seven hits, three earned runs, and striking out six.  Brandon Creath and Danny Miranda played cleanup to finish off the game with three scoreless frames and beating the Lumberkings 6-3.

Who's Hot:

Juan Castillo collected four multi-hit, one multi-homerun, and two multi-RBI games in the past period.  The 22-year old right-handed hitter went 13-for-29 (.448) with one triple, two home runs, six RBIs, nine runs, seven walks, two sac flys, one strikeout, and grounded into one double play.  He played eight games at catcher where he threw out three of four runners, assisted in one double play, and had one catcher interference error..

Matt Williams opened the season with a seven-game hit streak but also had five multi-hit and two multi-RBI games.  The 22-year old right-handed hitter went 14-for-41 (.341) with five doubles, one triple, six RBIs, four walks, ten runs, eight strikeouts, and grounded into one double play.  He played ten games at shortstop where he assisted in ten double plays and committed two fielding and three throwing errors.

David Medina will be riding a ten-game on base and eight-game hitting streak into the next report.  The 23-year old left-handed hitter went 11-for-36 (.306) with four doubles, two home runs, 11 RBIs, six walks, six runs, one stolen base, nine strikeouts, one caught stealing, and grounded into three double plays.  He played two games in right field, seven at first base (assisted in nine double plays and committed one fielding error), and split one game between the two positions.

Colin Walsh opened the season on a nine-game on base streak and also added three multi-hit, two multi-double, and two multi-RBI games.  The 22-year old switch-hitter went 12-for-40 (.300) with five doubles, one triple, three home runs, nine RBIs, nine runs, five walks, four strikeouts, and grounded into one double play.  He was designated hitter for nine games and played one game at second base, where he assisted in one double play.

Todd McInnis came through with two good starts where he was able to keep the ball down on the ground.  The 24-year old right-hander was called on for the April 7 start where he went five innings and allowed seven hits, two earned run, one home run, and struck four out.  Then on April 13 he gave up seven hits, three earned runs, two walks, threw one wild pitch, one balk, and struck five out over seven innings.  The 25th round (770th overall) selection had a combined ground out-to-fly out ratio of 19-to-2.

Hector Hernandez also had a strong debut in the starting role for the River Bandits.  The 21-year old left-hander started on April 6 giving up five hits, no runs, and striking out six over five innings for the winning decision (1-0).  He then went six innings allowing two hits, three unearned runs, one walk, hit one batter, and struck out two on April 12.  The 2009 10th round (309th overall) selection had a combined ground out-to-fly out ratio of 15-to-5.

Heath Wyatt has plowed through five relief appearance already without allowing a run.  The 23-year old right-hander has racked up six innings allowing just three hits, no runs, two walks, and striking out four.  He earned his first save on April 12 and has a combined ground out-to-fly out ratio of 7-to-3.

Who's Not:

Luis Mateo collected three multi-hit games but was empty handed in many others.  The 21-year old right-handed hitter went 9-for-39 (.231) with four doubles, one triple, three RBIs, eight runs, one walk, one stolen base, one hit by pitch, nine strikeouts, and grounded into one double play.  He played ten games at second base where he assisted in ten double plays and committed one fielding error.

Robert Stock struggled a little making his transition from catcher back to the mound.  He made his debut on April 5 allowing four hits, five runs (four earned), one home run, one walk, and striking out one over one and a two-thirds.  He had a scoreless outing on April 9 going one and a third and giving up two hits, two walks, and striking out four.  Then on April 13 was touched up again for three hits, two earned runs, one walk, and struck one out over one and a third.  He earned a hold, had a combined ground out-to-fly out ratio of 5-to-3, and let two of three inherited runners score.

Kevin Jacob was hit pretty hard in his debut at Single-A but it's still early for him.  The 23-year old right-hander pitched on April 14 allowing four hits, three earned runs, one home run, and struck three out.  He had a ground out-to-fly out ratio of 1-to-1.

Notes:

Roberto De La Cruz didn't last very long as he was placed on the disabled list within four games with a leg injury.  He went 6-for-18 (.333) with one double, two RBIs, seven total bases, two runs, and three strikeouts before the leave.

Logan Billbrough made three relief appearances and was quickly promoted to A-Advanced Palm Beach.  He logged just three innings allowing two hits, no runs, and struck eight out.

Jeremy Patton and Kevin Jacob were both promoted from extended spring training to cover the holes left by De La Cruz and Billbrough.

Tyrell Jenkins started on April 5 pitching just one and a third innings and allowing two hits, five (one earned) runs, and two walks.  He was pulled early due to bicep tenderness and missed his next scheduled start.

Angel DeJesus is currently being held up in customs in the Dominican Republic and was placed on the reserve list.

Adam Lewis was placed on the disabled list to clear room on the roster.

Cody Stanley is serving a 50-game suspension for failing a mandatory drug test.

Manager Luis Aguayo discusses his background and the upcoming season in 'New Bandits Skipper Embraces Teaching Role'.

New General Manager Stefanie Brown takes on five questions on her new role with the River Bandits.

Kyle Hald only pitched one inning in his first start, April 10, after being struck in the head with a ball.

Robert Stock talks about making the move from catcher to pitcher in 'Stock Catching On At Pitcher'.

2012 Midwest League Stats:

The Quad Cities River Bandits are batting .271 (3rd) with a .343 OBP (3rd), .420 SLG (2nd), and .763 OPS (3rd).  The team ranks first in doubles; second in runs, RBIs, and total bases; tied for third in home runs; tied for fourth in hits and triples; fifth in walks; tied for tenth in caught stealing; 15th in strikeouts; 16th in stolen bases in the 16-team division.

 The River Bandits have a 2.41 ERA (2nd) and 1.16 WHIP (t-3rd).  The team ranks tied for second in wins, tied for third in shutouts, tied for fourth hit batters, tied for sixth in holds, tied for seventh in saves, tied for ninth in home runs allowed, tenth in strikeouts, 11th in runs allowed, tied for 12th in hits allowed, 14th in losses (tied) and walks allowed, and 15th in earned runs in the 16-team division.

Juan Castillo ranks second in AVG, tied for sixth in home runs, second in SLG, and third in OPS.
Luis Mateo ranks tied for fifth in runs and tied for fourth in doubles.
Colin Walsh ranks tied for fifth in runs, tied for fourth in doubles, tied for third in home runs, tied for tenth in RBIs, tied for fourth in total bases, and sixth in SLG.
Matt Williams ranks tied for fifth in runs and tied for fourth in doubles.
Anthony Garcia ranks tied for fourth in doubles.
David Medina ranks tied for sixth in home runs, tied for third in RBIs tied for seventh in walks, and tied for tenth in strikeouts.
Nick Martini ranks tied for seventh in walks.
Ethan Cole ranks fifth in ERA.
Hector Hernandez ranks tied for seventh in ERA, tied for fifth in innings pitched, and seventh in WHIP.
Brandon Creath ranks tied for second in wins and tied for sixth in holds.
Heath Wyatt ranks tied for tied fifth in saves and tied for first in game finishes.
Willy Paulino ranks tied for first in hit batters.
Danny Miranda ranks tied for sixth in holds and tied for eighth in game finishes.
Robert Stock ranks tied for sixth in holds.
(Note: Includes April 18 Stats)

Up Next:

April 16-18: Clinton
April 19-21 @ Dayton
April 22-24 @ Bowling Green

Former Cardinals Assigned To Single-A

Javier Avendano - Lansing (Blue Jays)