Minor League Daily Update - 4/8/2012

Indianapolis won it's first game of the season to improve to 1-1 by beating the Toledo Mud Hens 8-7.  Jeff Locke got the start and only managed to last 4 innings thanks to giving up 8 hits.  Those 8 hits only resulted in 2 runs however, and Locke walked no hitters and struck out four.  Offensively, Starling Marte went 1-4 with 2 strikeouts.  Jordy Mercer had a big day going 4-6 with a double, a run scored, and an RBI.  Brandon Boggs went 2 for 5 with 3 runs scored, a triple, a homerun, a RBI, and 2 strikeouts. Eric Fryer and Jeff Clement both had multi-hit games.  News of note; Chase D'Arnaud was hit by a pitch and exited the game immediately.

Altoona got shellacked by the Erie Seawolves 12-1 to go to 2-1 on the season.  Starting pitcher Brandon Cumpton gave up 5 earned runs in 4.1 innings, also allowing 7 hits and walking one batter.  He did fan two batters as well.  In relief, Victor Black pitched 1 inning and gave up 2 hits and 2 unearned runs. Offensively, Altoona did manage 7 hits, but none for extra bases.  Matt Curry and Robbie Grossman both had two hits, and Curry had the lone RBI.  Tony Sanchez managed to score the run, going 0-2 with a strikeout.

Brandeton also lost, dropping their contest against St. Lucie, 4-2, putting them 1-2 on the year.  Starting was top prospect Jameson Taillon.  He finished with an interesting line in 3.2 innings.  Taillon only gave up 2 hits and 2 walks, but also hit a batter and had several wild pitches.  It resulted in 2 earned runs.  However - and my favorite stat - Taillon also finished with 6 strikeouts, all six swinging.  Offensively, Gift Ngeope finally slowed down, going 0-4 with 2 strikeouts.  Both Alex Dickerson and Mel Rojas Jr. were 2-4, and Rojas Jr. added a triple and a strikeout.  Wes Freeman was 0-2 with a walk while playing left field.  Quinton Miller got some relief action in, going 2 innings, giving up 4 hits and 2 earned runs.

The Power dropped a close game to the Hagerstown Suns, 4-3.  Matt Benedict started for the power and got tagged with an unfortunate loss.  He pitched very well, going 4.2 innings, giving up 0 earned runs (3 unearned) and 3 hits.  Benedict also walked 3 batters but struck out an impressive number of 7.  Offensively, Alen Hanson finally did not have a hit.  He did manage a walk and a run in 3 at-bats.  Josh Bell went 0-3 with a walk and a strikeout.  Willy Garcia was 1-4, with a double, RBI, and strikeout.  Jose Osuna was one of two Power with a multi-hit night, going 2-4 with a strikeout.  Junior Sosa was the other player with 2 as he went 2-3 with a triple.

The Indians will play tomorrow on the road against the Toledo Mud Hens again.  First pitch is at 5:00 PM and Brad Lincoln will get the start.

Altoona has tomorrow off.

Bradenton has tomorrow off.

West Virginia plays the Hagerstown Suns tomorrow.  The game is on the road and is scheduled to start at 1:05 PM.  Zachary Fuesser is again scheduled to start since Matt Benedict started in his place.