Minor League Player of the Day – Michael Antonini - 6.2 IP, 3 Hits, 0 ER's, 9 K's. Antonini had his best game of the season on Friday, tying a season low with 3 hits allowing while striking out 9, his 2nd highest total of the year. Michael also didn't allow an earned run and only walked 1. In what would appear to be his last regular season appearance, Antonini lowered his ERA to 4.01 and finished the year with relatively solid stats, which appears to be more valuable that the .050 average that Chin-lung Hu has put up for the Mets this season.
AAA – John Ely allowed 7 runs in 5 innings, and the Isotopes' offense was not able to make up the difference in a 7 - 5 loss to the Round Rock Express (Rangers). Relievers Ramon Troncoso and Roman Colon finished off the contest with 3 frames of shutout relief, but the damage had already been done. A pair of Albuquerque players did most of the damage at the plate as Ivan De Jesus continued his hot hitting with a 3 for 5 night and John Lindsey also had 3 hits including a homer and a double. That was it for the Isotope extra base hits on the night.
AA – The Lookouts continue to pour it on as they defeated the Biscuits (Rays) 8 - 3 on Friday. Mike Antonini threw a gem for Chattanooga as the allowed just 3 hit in 6.2 innings and struck out 9. Two runs scored against him, but both were unearned. Steven Ames, Scott Rice, and Shawn Tolleson finished off the game without allowing a run, with Tolleson lowering his ERA to 1.65. At the plate Alfredo Silverio connected on two more extra base hits, slugging his 16th homer of the season and connecting on yet another triple. Silverio now leads the Southern League with 18 three-baggers, and is oh so close to the 20 triple mark that would be an amazing accomplishment (although there are just 3 games left to play). Brian Cavazos-Galvez also took one deep for this 12th bomb of the season, while Travis Denker went 4 for 4.
HiA – Jon Michael Redding got roughed up early, and the Quakes started their final regular season road series with a 9 - 7 loss to the Giants. Redding allowed 6 hits and 6 runs in just 3.1 innings, although he also had his strikeout pitch going as he K'ed 6 batters as well. Andy Suiter allowed 3 runs in relief, then Geison Aguasviva hurled a shutout inning in relief to lower his ERA to 1.50. The Quakes actually outhit the Giants with 14 base knocks and rallied for 3 in the 9th, but it wasn't enough for the victory. Nick Buss led Rancho with a double and a homer in 4 at bats to continue his breakout season and Michael Pericht also had 2 hits in his California League debut. Jaime Pedroza cranked out a bomb and drove in 2 runs, while Angelo Songco and Tony Delomnico also had a pair of base of hits each.
LoA – It was the same old story for the Loons on Friday as their offense was unable to generate any runs in a 3 - 0 loss to the Lugnuts (Blue Jays). 6 singles were all that Great Lakes could manage in the shutout, and it should be noted that 7 of the 9 hitters in Friday's lineup were batting below .235 when the game ended. Starter Garrett Gould finished off his stellar season with a strong outing, allowing 1 run in 3 innings of work while striking out 3. He currently ranks 2nd in the Midwest League in ERA at 2.40, and his 1.13 WHIP puts him in 6th place. Rick Anton allowed the other 2 runs in 3 frames, but he did strike out 4. Juan Rodriguez and Scott McGough pitched the final 2 innings and combined to allow just 1 base-runner.
Rookie Ogden – The Raptors made 3 errors on Friday, with the last one proving to be the most costly as it helped the Ghosts (Rockies) defeat Ogden 5 to 4 in 10 innings. The Raptors actually outhit Casper 11 to 6, and Alexis Aguliar led the way with 3 singles in 3 official at bats. Scott Wingo and Justin Bourdreaux both had a pair of base knocks, while O'Koyea Dickson smacked his 2nd homer in as many night to give him a team high 12 bombs. Starter Ryan O'Sullivan lasted just 2.1 innings and allowed 3 hits, 3 walks, and 2 runs. Freddie Cabrera K'ed 6 over the next 2.2 frames, while Joel Lima allowed the unearned run to score in the 10th to pick up the loss.
Rookie Arizona – Season over
DSL – Season over
Coming up - With the minor league regular season winding down, 2011 1st round pick Chris Reed will make his 3rd professional appearance on Saturday to highlight the day. Chris Withrow will draw the start for the Lookouts, while Derek Cone, who is coming off a 12 strikeout performance, will start the game for Ogden.
Albuquerque Isotopes Box Score (AAA)
Chattanooga Lookouts Box Score (AA)
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes Box Score (HiA)
Great Lakes Loons Box Score (LoA)