Farmers Only: Bullpen implosions
The minor leagues teams tried to emulate their big league brethren on Wednesday night, falling apart late in multiple games.
The Brandon Larson Honorary Star of the Night
Elly De La Cruz - 3 for 5, 3B, HR, 2 RBI
Louisville Bats 0, Memphis Redbirds 1
It was a pitchers’ duel in game 1 and Louisville came out on the wrong side of it. Riley “Father” O’Brien started and pitched well, throwing 5 shutout innings and allowing 4 its while walking 1 and striking out 6. There obviously wasn’t much offensively, but Michael de Leon went 3 for 3 so that was cool.
Louisville Bats 4, Memphis Redbirds 5
Another solid starting pitching performance was spoiled in game 2, this time by the bullpen. “Livin’ in a van down by the” Reiver Sanmartin started and allowed one run over 4 innings, giving up only 3 hits and a walk while striking out 3. Nick Howard made his AAA debut and threw a shutout inning. Good for him. Jose “Call Him Up” Barrero continued his hot streak, coming up in the bottom of the 6th and launching the go-ahead 2-run bomb. Unfortunately Cionel “Sanders” Perez came in and immediately gave up 4 runs while only recording 1 out. Chris Okey “Dokey”, Narciso “You’re a” Crook, and Alejo Lopez each hit doubles in the game.
Chattanooga Lookouts 9, Birmingham Barons 17
Woof. I’m just going to skip the pitching. Brian “Sey Hey” Rey went 3 for 4 with 2 RBI on the night. TJ “Anthony” Hopkins went 2 for 5 and added a 2-run dinger. Chuckie “Child’s Play” Robinson hit 2 doubles and had 2 RBI and Robbie Tenerowicz hit a triple and drove in a run.
Dayton Dragons 3, Fort Wayne TinCaps 9
The Dragons had a very Reds-ish bullpen performance last night, allowing 7 runs in the final 3 innings to fall 9-3. Lyon “Richie” Richardson started and went 4 innings, allowing 2 runs on 4 hits with 3 walks and 3 strikeouts. That unfortunately is a step in the right direction considering how he has pitched for most of 2021. Miguel Hernandez went 2 for 4 and drove in a run and Francisco Urbaez also went 2 for 4 and scored once.
Daytona Tortugas 7, Fort Meyers Mighty Mussels 1
More like NOT Might Mussels if you ask me. Daytona got a solid start from Jason Parker. He went 6 innings and only gave up a run on 3 hits while walking 1 and striking out 3. Manuel “Pizza” Cachutt finished things out with 3 shutout innings and 3 strikeouts. Elly “Elly Elly Eh Eh Eh” De La Cruz went 3 for 5 with a triple, a home run, and 2 RBI. Wendell “Berry” Marrero added 2 solo dingers of his own. Daniel Vellojin reached base all 5 times, going 3 for 3 with 2 walks, a double, and a run driven in.