The Mets optioned Heath Bell down to Norfolk and called up Jose Lima.  Didn’t we go through Lima Time once already this year?

            I spent the late night assembling the final pieces of content for our second-half program.  My next big project will be the Oaks team baseball cards.

 

 

Stars of the Day:

AAA: 6/25: Victor Diaz/Royce Ring…7/4: Jeff Keppinger

AA: Rain

A+: Caleb Stewart/Marcelo Perez

A: Jesus Gamero

SSA: Tobi Stoner

R (APP): Junior Contreras
R (GCL): Nicholas Giarraputo

 

Norfolk (AAA - International League)

Norfolk 7, Charlotte 6 (June 25^th)

@ Charlotte 2, Norfolk 1 (7 innings)

 

            They played the final 7 innings of the suspended game from June 25^th as part of a July 4^th doubleheader.  After Charlotte built a 6-2 lead after six innings, the Tides rallied with three runs in the eighth on homeruns from Jose Offerman and Victor Diaz, to close within a run and then two more in the top of the ninth for the win.  Diaz, who was 2-5, with 3 RBI, drove home Lastings Milledge with the winning run.  Milledge was 2-3 with a solo HR, 2 RBI and 3 runs scored.  Willie Collazo earned the win despite allowing six runs on ten hits in six innings.  Royce Ring kept his scoreless innings streak going with a hitless ninth complete with one strikeout.

            Jeff Keppinger, moved to the 5 spot in the order had half the Tides hits in a perfect 3-3 performance with a double and an RBI.  Blake McGinley making his second start of the year, and his first since April 13^th, allowed one run on three hits while striking out four in four innings.  Yusaku Iriki took the loss for allowing the tie-breaking run in the bottom of the sixth.

 

Binghamton (AA - Eastern League

Binghamton @ Bowie

 

            Postponed due to rain.  They’ll play two Wednesday.  That is terrible news for the Baysox since most Minor League teams rely heavily on a sold-out July 4^th game in their budget. 

 

 

St. Lucie (A+ - Florida State League)

Vero Beach 5, @ St. Lucie 4 (11 innings)

 

            Vero needed 11 innings to snap the Mets’ 9 game winning streak.  The Dodgers jumped out to a 4-0 lead through four innings against Mike Swindell, but Raphael Cova and Marcelo Perez combined on 4.1 scoreless, hitless innings out of the Mets bullpen. Perez struck out a pair and has now fanned 27 in 21.2 FSL innings.  He’s still walking too many guys (12), but the league is hitting just .220 against him.  Perez is already 25, so might be a nice candidate to move quickly.

            Caleb Stewart brought home all four Mets runs, first with an RBI groundout in the seventh inning and then with a three run-game tying bomb in the bottom of the ninth. 

            Joe Serfass served up the game winning HR to Drew Locke in the 11^th inning.  Locke, a 19^th rounder out of BC last June, tore up the SAL (.325/.395/.523) before a recent promotion to the FSL.

 

Hagerstown (A – South Atlantic League)

@ Lake County 9, Hagerstown 4

 

            The Suns three solo HR from Nick Evans, Armand Gaerlan and Jesus Gamero weren’t enough as the Captains piloted four first inning runs off Suns starter Waner Mateo.   Gamero, 2-4, was the only Sun with multiple hits.

 

 

Brooklyn (SSA – New York Penn League)

Brooklyn 7, @ Hudson Valley 2

 

            Josh Hamilton’s return after four years away from baseball overshadowed Tobi Stoner’s fine effort.  Stoner allowed just two runs on two hits in six innings while striking out five.  Jonathan Sanchez tripled twice in a 3-4 night with 3 runs scored.

            I won’t lie.  When I checked this box score around 6ish in California, I skipped the Cyclones to find Hamilton’s line.  He was 1-3 with a hustle double.  People have been asking me when the Rays will promote Hamilton to Visalia.  “No idea,” I tell them.  I really do think his return has the potential to be one of the big stories of 2006. 

 

Kingsport Mets (R – Appalachian League)

Kingsport 11, @ Johnson City 3 (7 innings)

Kingsport @ Johnson City (rained out)

 

            Junior Contreras continued his dominace of Appy League pitching with a 2-2 night that included a double, 3 walks, and 3 RBI.

 

GCL Mets (R – Gulf Coast League)

GCL Dodgers 7, @ GCL Mets 3

 

            Converted catcher Zac Clements took the loss.  The knuckleballer walked seven GCL hitters in four innings of work.  Thirdbaseman Nicholas Giarraputo was 2-4 with a double.