Welcome to the Gameday! SS Dansby Swanson hit a walk off single in the 13th for Hillsboro, advancing them to the Northwest League finals. SS Francisco Lindor wound up a double shy of the cycle, and C Christian Bethancourt went deep and singled twice.
Hello everyone and welcome back to the Gameday. The first game of every playoff series is now in the rear-view mirror and I'm here to break it all down for you.
In AAA, Indianapolis and Columbus have jumped out to early leads in the International League semi-finals. LHP Ryan Merritt threw 6.2 scoreless innings for Columbus, allowing seven hits and one walk with a pair of strike outs. Indianapolis got four RBI from a double and sac fly off the bat of 3B Dan Gamache, and seven innings of one unearned run ball from starter RHP Wilfredo Boscan.
Fresno and Round Rock won game one of the Pacific Coast League semi's with Round Rock winning in five innings as the game was called early due to rain. DH Drew Robinson and CF Jared Hoying hit solo homers for Round Rock while RHP Chi ChI Gonzalez only needed 17 pitches to provide two perfect innings in an abbreviated start. Fresno was led by RF Alex Presley who went 4-5 with a pair of doubles, and 2B Tony Kemp who drove in three with a sac fly and a double. RHP Dan Straily went six for Fresno allowing one run on four hits, three walks, and six punchies.
Jumping down to the AA level, we'll start with the Eastern League where Reading and Altoona took home game one. Reading's offense was firing on all cylinders, collecting 18 hits and scoring nine times. SS JP Crawford, C Andrew Knapp, and 3B Harold Martinez each picked up three hits, but 1B Brock Stassi was the hammer. Stassi worked three walks, homered, and doubled with four ribeye steaks. CF Nick Williams was also 2-6, and RF Dylan Cozens doubled twice with three RBI's. RHP Zach Eflin threw seven two-run frames with four K's and a walk. Altoona overcame an early seven run defecit, punctuated by three in the bottom of the 9th. Six different players had multi-hit games with LF Barrett Barnes launching a grand slam, and CF Austin Meadows launched a game tying two-run shot in the 9th. RF Mike Yastrzemski and 2B Garabez Rosa each went 3-5 with a double in the other dugout for Bowie
The Southern League will begin their semi-finals tonight with Montgomery visiting Chattanooga, and Biloxi playing host to Pensacola.
In the Texas League, the Corpus Christi Hooks offense was too much with DH AJ Reed and LF Danry Vasquez each doubling twice. The real damage came from 1B Conrad Gregor and C Roberto Pena's bats. Gregor reached base all four times up with a walk, home run, double and a single while Pena did the same with a walk, hit by pitch, single and home run, plating five. RHP Chris Devenski delivered nine punch outs through six for the Hooks with two runs scoring on five hits and a walk. Over in Arkansas, SS Raul Mondesi came up with a clutch two-run bomb to tie the game in the 8th before a Parker Morin single drove in Bubba Starling for the winning run in the 9th. LHP Sean Newcomb allowed one run over 5.1 innings on four hits, three walks, and four K's.
Let's climb down the ladder once more to the High A level, sometimes denoted as A+ or HiA. Lancaster and High Desert began what I'm sure will prove to be a high scoring California League quarterfinal as both parks are some of the friendliest to hitters in all of baseball. Lancaster took game one behind a two-run shot from 3B JD Davis. SS Alex Bregman singled twice and drove in two, C Jamie Ritchie singled, doubled, walked, and drove in three, and LF Derek Fisher singled, walked, and plated one. In the other dugout, LF Joe Jackson homered, and 2B Evan Van Hoosier had the only multi-hit game with a pair of singles and an RBI. In stark contrast, the other semi-final match features two of the pitcher frindliest parks in the circuit - San Jose and Stockton. A monster game from 1B Angel Villalona lead San Jose to the win as he singled twice, homered, and drove in four. C Aramis Garcia reached base three times via a walk and two singles, and RHP Jason Forjet, the starting pitcher, struck out seven in five innings with just one run allowed on six hits and a walk. SS Franklin Barreto doubled, singled, and plated one in the loss for Stockton. Visalia and Rancho Cucamonga await the winners in the semi-finals.
Myrtle Beach and Winston-Salem hosted a hell of a pitching match up in the Carolina League. 2015 first round pick RHP Carson Fulmer started for W-S, but was limited to just three innings where he allowed a run on two hits and two walks without striking anyone out. The corner infield handled the offense as 3B Trey Michalczewski and 1B Keon Barnum went back to back off Myrtle Beach starter RHP Duane Underwood Jr. in the first. The former was a two-run jack while the latter was a solo shot. Myrtle Beach only managed two runs on the night, one coming from a solo shot by teenage SS Gleyber Torres. LF Jeffrey Baez singled and doubled while Underwood Jr. allowed four runs in six innings, striking out three.
A four hit day from DH Carlos Garcia and a pair of doubles from 1B Ryan O'Hearn lead Wilmington to a win over Lynchburg. Garcia doubled and singled three times, scoring twice while also swiping a bag. O'Hearn drove in one and 3B Mauricio Ramos plated two with a single. RHP Alec Mills turned in six shut out frames with just two hits allowed, six K's and three walks. Opposing starter RHP Michael Peoples took a tough luck loss after striking out nine in six innings with one walk, one hit batter, and seven hits allowed. 1B Mike Papi provided most of the offense and all of the scoring with a solo homer in the 9th and a single. 2B Yhoxian Medina singled twice, and a single from CF Clint Frazier rounds out the rest of the offense.
The Florida State League played game two of their semi-finals last night and ended up deciding on the finals participants. Charlotte won their second in a row against Palm Beach as RHP German Marquez outdueled former first round pick RHP Luke Weaver. Marquez allowed two runs in six innings on eight hits and zero free passes while striking out two, hitting a batter, and racking up 11 ground outs. 1B Casey Gillaspie launched a solo shot in the 4th off Weaver and added a two-run single later on. LF Granden Goetzman replaced RF Steven Souza, who is on rehab, hitting a two-run homer in his only trip to the plate while CF Braxton Lee singled three times and scored twice. 1B Luke Voit doubled three times for Palm Beach, driving in two in the losing effort. Luke Weaver surrendered four runs over six innings while striking out five, allowing five hits, and hitting a batter. Daytona and Clearwater had another pitchers duel with Daytona coming out on top once again. A day after LHP Amir Garrett manhandled the Clearwater offense, RHP Nick Travieso went seven strong with just one run allowed on six hits and a walk, striking out five. C Chad Wallach backed his battery mate with a solo shot and a walk while SS Blake Trahan had the only multi-hit game with two singles. The only blemish on Travieso's outing was a solo home run by Clearwater 1B Rhys Hoskins. CF Carlos Tocci reached base three times with a pair of singles and was hit by a pitch while DH Willians Astudillo singled twice. RHP John Richy lasted 6.2 innings with two runs allowed, one earned, on five hits, two walks, and five punchies.
Heading to the Low A level, the Midwest League began their quarterfinals with four games in action. Lansing outlasted a late push from Great Lakes with 2B Jason Leblebijian and DH Gunnar Heidt each picking up three hits, including a pair of doubles by Heidt. LHP Shane Dawson got the start for Lansing and lasted six innings with eight K's, two walks, a hit by pitch, four hits, and three runs allowed. RHP Grant Holmes opposed him and he was touched up for three runs in just 4.2 innings of work on seven hits and a pair of walks with three K's and a hit batter. SS Mike Ahmed and C Garrett Kennedy each had solo shots for Great Lakes, and 3B Matt Beaty singled twice, driving in two. Peoria and Kane County was a pitcher's duel through and through as RHP Jack Flaherty shined for Peoria over seven frames, allowing a single run on five hits with no walks and six punch outs. CF Harrison Bader reached twice on a walk and double, plating one while SS Oscar Mercado singled twice and stole a bag. DH Brian O'Keefe and 1B Alex De Leon had matching 1-4 lines with a double and three K's. RHP Ethan Elias struck out seven in just four inning for Kane County, allowing a run on a walk and four hits. LF Victor Reyes was most of the offense with a single, double, and he also drove in the only run. DH Dawel Lugo scored that run after singling in the 5th.
West Michigan jumped out to an early lead over Fort Wayne and made it hold as they go up one game in the Midwest League quarterfinals. RHP Spencer Turnbull turned in six two-run innings with seven punch outs, one walk, and seven hits allowed. The scoring came from CF Ross Kivett who reached base three times on a walk, double, and a single with two RBI, a stolen base and a run scored. 1B Will Kengor reached twice with a single and a walk, scoring both times. Fort Wayne sent RHP Dinelson Lamet to the bump and he responded with 3.2 innings of work, allowing five runs (three earned) on four hits and three walks. 1B Trae Santos had a solo homer and a walk while DH Franchy Cordero doubled twice, driving in one. A gutsy performance from Cedar Rapids starter RHP Felix Jorge put Quad Cities in a hole to begin the playoffs. Jorge struck out seven in 7.1 innings of work, scattering nine hits and a walk resulting in two runs. SS Nick Gordon had a perfect night at the plate, singling twice with a double and sac fly while DH Alex Real drove home two with a pair of singles. 3B Nick Tanielu singled and tripled for Quad Cities while SS Kristian Trompiz singled twice and drove in one. RHP Joshua James gave up eight hits over just five innings, allowing three runs (two earned), striking out one, allowing a pair of free passes, and hitting a batter.
The South Atlantic League features another interesting match up of home ball parks. Asheville and Savannah faced off in North Carolina where the home team came out on top. RHP Jesus Tinoco was brilliant, striking out six over 7.2 innings of work with seven hit scattered about, resulting in one run. 2B Forrest Wall and 1B Roberto Ramos left the yard with Ramos adding a double and single with two RBI. Savannah 3B Eudor Garcia and SS Luis Guillorme were the only ones to do anything offensively with Garcia driving home the only run on a single and double while Guillorme singled twice and scored. The home team won the other match up as well with Hickory visiting West Virginia. RHP Austin Coley earned yet another win with six two-run innings, allowing seven hits while striking out three and not giving out any free passes. C Taylor Gushue went deep for a two-run shot while 2B Pablo Reyes, DH Kevin Kramer, and 1B Chase Simpson all roping a double. On the flip side, RF Jairo Beras went yahtzee for Hickory and also singled while C Jose Trevino and LF Eric Jenkins both doubling. LHP Yohander Mendez only lasted 4.2 innings before getting lifted, surrendering three runs (two earned) on four hits and a walk while striking out five.
As we keep climbing down the ladder, we reach the short season A ball leagues, denoted as A- or SSA. In the New York-Penn League, Williamsport and West Virginia had Mother Nature postpone their playoff debut due to heavy rain. It took 11 innings to decide the other game though as Staten Island outlasted Tri-City. RHP James Kaprielian went a career high six innings, allowing one run on four hits with four K's and no walks. 2B Thairo Estrada picked up three singles and a walk, CF Jeff Hendrix doubled, walked, and singled, and LHP Jonny Drozd provided three huge innings of relief with just one baserunner allowed before DH Junior Valera doubled to win the game. RHP Chris Murphy went 5.2 innings for Tri-City, striking out seven with one walk. He gave up a pair of runs (one earned) on six hits and a hit batter.C Anthony Hermelyn provided the offense with both runs driven in on a double and single. 1B Dexture McCall also had a multi-hit game with a pair of singles.
Out in the Northwest League, Hillsboro advanced to the Finals with a thrilling 13 inning affair against Salem-Keizer. First overall pick SS Dansby Swanson delivered the knock out blow with a bases loaded single, topping off a night where he reached base four times on a pair of walks and singles. 2B Sergio Alcantara also reached four times, drawing three walks and singling once and driving home one. DH Grant Heyman doubled and tripled, and C Alexis Olmeda reached base three times on a walk, single, and double. RHP Tyler Bolton got the start, but was rocked for three runs before getting the hook after just 2.1 innings. RHP Brody Greer came up big with three perfect relief innings including five K's. Opposing starter RHP Logan Webb lasted five solid frames for Salem-Keizer, striking out six with two runs allowed on five hits and no walks. DH Miguel Gomez was 3-6 with a solo homer, and first round pick 1B Chris Shaw hit a solo homer in the 9th for a temporary lead. CF Ronnie Jebavy also homered and walked, driving in two.
Finally, we reach the advanced Rookie Leagues, denoted as R+. As noted yesterday, the Appalachian League has already decided their winner as the Greeneville Astros took home the crown. The other advanced Rookie League, the Pioneer League, just began their semi-finals with Billings taking on Missoula and Orem facing Idaho Falls.
Billings starter RHP Wendolyn Bautista turned in six frames of two-run ball, surrendering just three hits and no walks while punching out three. CF Jose Siri and 3B Brantley Bell each tripled home a run with Siri adding a single and Bell also walking. RF Ed Charlton also had two hits, a single and double, with a walk and RBI. Missoula received solo homers from 1B Austin Byler and DH Luke Lowery but couldn't manage anything outside of that. LHP Cameron Smith gave them six innings, but allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits and a walk, striking out five. Idaho Falls rode a pair of youngsters to the win last night as SS Marten Gasparini collected three hits and stole a pair of bases, RF Amalani Fukofuka hit a two-out, bases loaded triple to plate three, and CF Cody Jones reached three times via a walk and two singles. RHP Derek Gordon got the start and gave Idaho Fall seven good innings with two runs allowed on five hits and a walk, striking out five. Opposing starter LHP Jeff Malm was roughed up for all six runs in just five innings of work, surrendering eight hits and a walk while punching out four. 1B Jeff Boehm provided half scoring with a solo shot in the 6th while 3B Kenny Towns drove in the other run with a double.
Click the link below for the Gameday spreadsheet, which will open in a separate tab in your browser. Scroll down for the schedule for today's slate of games and our running injury list. There is no more need for the Duels of the Day as we've finally hit playoff season. Each game should be a duel as teams fight and claw for a championship.
The Top 175 Prospects, Sleepers, and IFA's
Today's Schedule
(Probable Starters are as of 4:00 AM EST via MLB and MiLB.com)
MLB American League
Away
Home
Time (ET)
Away Probable Starter
Home Probable Starter
Toronto
New York (AL)
7:05 PM
Price, David (14-5, 2.43)
Severino, Luis (3-2, 2.04)
MLB National League
Away
Home
Time (ET)
Away Probable Starter
Home Probable Starter
Chicago (NL)
Philadelphia
7:05 PM
Arrieta, Jake (18-6, 2.03)
Asher, Alec (0-2, 10.61)
St. Louis
Cincinnati
7:10 PM
Garcia, Jaime (8-4, 1.89)
Lamb, John (0-3, 6.11)
AAA International League Semi-Finals (Best of Five)
Away
Home
Time (ET)
Away Probable Starter
Home Probable Starter
Scranton/WB (0-1)
Indianapolis (1-0)
7:05 PM
Wooten, Eric (2-5, 4.66)
Worley, Vance (3-1, 2.38)
Columbus (1-0)
Norfolk (0-1)
6:35 PM
Grube, Jarrett (9-0, 2.26)
Jones, Chris (8-8, 2.94)
AAA Pacific Coast League Semi-Finals (Best of Five)
Away
Home
Time (ET)
Away Probable Starter
Home Probable Starter
El Paso (0-1)
Fresno (1-0)
10:05 PM
Smith, Chris (5-7, 3.60)
Wojciechowski, Asher (8-4, 4.92)
Oklahoma City (0-1)
Round Rock (1-0)
8:05 PM
Urias, Julio (0-1, 18.69)
Ranaudo, Anthony (7-6, 4.58)
AA Eastern League Semi-Finals (Best of Five)
Away
Home
Time (ET)
Away Probable Starter
Home Probable Starter
Reading (1-0)
Binghamton (0-1)
6:35 PM
Thompson, Jake (5-1, 1.80)
Gsellman, Robert (7-7, 3.51)
Bowie (0-1)
Altoona (1-0)
6:00 PM
Additon, Nick (3-2, 2.97)
Eppler, Tyler (0-1, 10.13)
AA Southern League
Away
Home
Time (ET)
Away Probable Starter
Home Probable Starter
Montgomery
Chattanooga
7:15 PM
Schultz, Jaime (9-5, 3.67)
Baxendale, DJ (7-5, 3.80)
Pensacola
Biloxi
8:10 PM
Wright, Daniel (10-11, 4.53)
Lopez, Jorge (12-5, 2.26)
AA Texas League Semi-Finals (Best of Five)
Away
Home
Time (ET)
Away Probable Starter
Home Probable Starter
Midland (0-1)
Corpus Christi (1-0)
8:05 PM
Manaea, Sean (6-0, 1.90)
Alaniz, Ruben (6-4, 4.55)
Arkansas (0-1)
NW Arkansas (1-0)
8:05 PM
Brady, Michael (7-7, 3.77)
Farrell, Luke (5-3, 3.09)
A+ California League Quarterfinals (Best of Three)
Away
Home
Time (ET)
Away Probable Starter
Home Probable Starter
Lancaster (1-0)
High Desert (0-1)
10:05 PM
Paulino, David (1-1, 4.91)
Lambert, Trey (9-3, 4.60)
San Jose (1-0)
Stockton (0-1)
10:10 PM
Suarez, Andrew (1-0, 1.80)
Mengden, Daniel (2-1, 5.26)
A+ Carolina League Semi-Finals (Best of Three)
Away
Home
Time (ET)
Away Probable Starter
Home Probable Starter
Lynchburg (0-1)
Wilmington (1-0)
6:35 PM
Aquino, Jayson (1-3, 2.45)
Strahm, Matthew (1-6, 2.78)
Winston-Salem (1-0)
Myrtle Beach (0-1)
7:05 PM
Almonte, Yency (3-3, 2.42)
Markey, Brad (7-0, 1.15)
A+ Florida State League Finals (Best of Three)
Away
Home
Time (ET)
Away Probable Starter
Home Probable Starter
Charlotte
Daytona
7:05 PM
To Be Announced
Stephens, Jackson (12-7, 2.97)
A Midwest League Quarterfinals (Best of Three)
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