Eddie's Farm: August 27

Eddie's Farm was back at it last night as we wind down the minor-league seasons across the organization: 3-4 last night.

Round Rock
Completion of Wednesday's suspended game finishes with a 6-4 win, as Nashville scores three in the top of the 9th (with Corey Patterson's three-run jack). Tommy Manzella had the multi-hit game with a 2x5 night, Chris Johnson and Matt Kata had 2RBI each. Wesley Wright got the win, because Andy Van Hekken (AVH) had to be pulled for the completion of the game. Armando Benitez followed up his 3HR performance with a scoreless inning.

Game 2: And Round Rock won the shortened second game 2-1 on Chad Spann's 2-run homer. Mark McLemore threw 5IP, 4H/1ER, 1K:1BB and Chad Paronto got his second save of the day.

Corpus
Rough night for the Corpuses, as Midland dominated 10-0. The Hooks had four hits (Castro, Van Ostrand, Molina, and Moresi). Unbelievably, the Hooks' pitching staff only had three earned runs after errors from Ori, Weatherby, and Locke led to seven unearned runs. Lumsden got the loss, throwing 6IP, 5H/6R (1ER), 2K:4BB, Weatherby threw 3IP, 3H/4R (2ER), 1K:0BB.

Lancaster
The JetHawks only got three hits in a 4-0 loss to San Jose. Shuck, Rosario, and Barnes provided hits, and no JetHawk made it to scoring position. Chris Hicks threw 5IP, 7H/4ER, 5K:2BB, and San Jose pitcher Paul Oseguera threw a complete-game, 9IP, 3H/0ER, 15K:0BB.

Lexington
The Legends actually had a 4-0 lead in this game, and then Hickory scored eight unanswered runs for an 8-4 win over Lexington. Brandon Wikoff was 2x4 with an RBI, Federico Hernandez was 1x4 with a 2-run double. Ross Seaton threw 6IP, 5H/1ER (2 total), 5K:0BB, while Kyle Godfrey had his 2nd blown save and third loss of the season with 2IP, 5H/5R (1ER), 1K:0BB.

Tri-City
Despite out-hitting Staten Island 14-9, Tri-City found a way to lose 10-6. Brian Kemp was back in the leadoff spot, going 1x3 with a walk. The ValleyCats got multi-hit games from Barry Butera, J.D. Martinez, Jhonny Medrano (2 RBI), Rene Garcia, and Jorge De Leon. But going 3x13 with RISP doesn't help much. Brandt Walker threw 2IP, 6H/6ER, 1K:3BB, following by 2ER outings from Brendan Stines and Dan Sarisky. Mike Modica and Max Fearnow threw hitless IPs each.

Greeneville
Greeneville was on the right end of a 4-1 game against Burlington. Jonathan Meyer was 2x4 with a solo homer, and Grant Hogue, Our Boy Aaron Bray, Jiovanni Mier, Kyle Miller, Oscar Figueroa, and Ryan Humphrey all had hits, as well. Angel Gonzalez threw 6IP, 4H/1ER, 5K:1BB and Joan Belliard threw three perfect innings in relief for his first save.

Minor League Report: June 18

Round Rock
...got smoked, 11-4, last night at home by New Orleans. Bogusevic, Yordany, and Chad Spann had six of the Express' 11 hits, while Chris Johnson crack-a-lacked his 2nd homer of the season. Jeremy Johnson threw 117 pitches (!) to 31 batters, going 5.2IP with 11H/10ER, 6K:3BB. Geary threw the final two innings, allowing a hit and a walk, but no runs.

Corpus Christi
...lost a wild one to Frisco. Check this out, inning by inning:
1st inning: Down 3-0
2nd inning: Down 4-0
3rd inning: Down 8-0
4th inning: Down 12-1
5th inning: Down 12-1
6th inning: Down 13-4
7th inning: Down 12-5
8th inning: Down 12-8
Mid 9th: Tied 13-13
Bottom 9th: Lost 14-13
That's right, came back from 12-1 down - at the end of five - and lost 14-13 in the bottom of the 9th. Frisco out-hit the Hooks 24-17, and committed four errors. Wilton Lopez lasted 2IP, 12H/8ER, 1K:1BB; Danny Meszaros: 3IP, 5H/4ER, 2K; Evan Englebrook: 0IP, 1H/1ER; Ryan McKeller: 3.1IP, 6H/1ER, 1K:1BB, 1L.
Wladimir Sutil and Drew Meyer had three hits each, while Drew Locke did what Drew Locke does - rake the ball, to the tune of 4x6 with 5RBI.

Lancaster
Modesto scored eight runs in the 7th/8th, but Lancaster was able to hold it off and win 10-8, thanks to 19 hits. Jack Shuck, Marcos Cabral, TJ Steele, and Koby Clemens had three hits each - Clemens providing 6 RBI including a 3-run HR. Clemens is hitting .315, while TJ Steele has a .367 average this season. Reid Kelly got the win, 6.2IP, 3H/2ER, 8K:1BB, while Erick Abreu and Jeff Icenogle combined for 6H/6ER in .1IP. That's right.

Lexington
Brian Pellegrini led the Legends' offense with a 3-run homer in the 8th inning to put the game away in a 6-2 win over Bowling Green. Brad Dydalewicz threw 6IP, 4H/2ER, 6K:2BB while Ashton Mowdy, Henry Villar, and Patrick Urckfitz combined for 3IP, 1H, 5K:2BB.

Minor League transactions

A few transactions to report over the last couple of days

Round Rock
May 29: Optioned RHP Ryan McKeller to Corpus
May 29: Optioned RHP Evan Englebrook to Corpus
May 30: Chad Spann promoted from Corpus
May 30: Mark McLemore promoted from Extended Spring Training

Corpus Christi
May 29: Released RHP Rob Semerano
May 29: Optioned RHP Erick Abreu to Lancaster

Semerano's 2009 line: 22.1IP, 33H/22ER, 5K:9BB, 4WP, 9.00 ERA / 1.91 WHIP

Lancaster
May 30: Signed SS Gabriel Suarez

Suarez had been with the Independent League Long Island Ducks. In 2009, Suarez's line?
12x34, .353/.353/.405, 9K:0BB, 3SB

Lexington
May 29: Promoted 3B Kyle Miller from Greeneville

Minor League Notes

A minor-league transaction of note from yesterday:

Hooks infielder Jhon Florentino was placed on the DL, while Chad Spann was assigned to Corpus from Round Rock

Czech out the Hooks, and who they're throwing at the Big Club tomorrow

Interesting to see who is playing for the Hooks in the exhibition game tomorrow against the Astros:

Pitchers - Erick Abreu, Douglas Arguello, T.J. Burton, Paul Estrada, Casey Hudspeth, Brad James, Jeremy Johnson, Felipe Paulino, Sergio Perez, Chris Salamida, Rob Semerano, Polin Trinidad, Andy Van Hekken, Chad Wagler

Catchers - Brian Esposito, Lou Palmisano

Infielders - Jhon Florentino, Mark Ori, Drew Meyer, Felix Molina, Chad Spann, Wladimir Sutil

Outfielders - Collin DeLome, Mitch Einertson, Josh Flores, Andrew Locke, Jimmy Van Ostrand

I'm surprised that Polin Trinidad is at Double-A, and Brad James, too. You?

Minor League Notes

Did anybody go to the first stop on the Astros Caravan and take pictures? Random encounters. I need you people.

Anyway, thanks to Baseball America for picking this up. Minor league transactions:

Signed: RHP Danny Graves, RHP Clay Hensley, RHP Jeremy Johnson, 3B Jason Smith, 3B Chad Spann, SS Chris Barnwell

Danny Graves - the only Vietnamese-born Major Leaguer (EVER), right-handed 35-year old pitcher. Played for Triple-A Rochester (Twins) last season.

Jeremy Johnson - 26-year old pitcher, spent last season in Triple-A Toledo and went 3-3 with a 3.44 ERA in 39 appearances.

Chad Spann - Here's his July 08 bio from SoxProspects:
Spann is an intelligent third-baseman with a very good glove and an average stick. He has worked his way up through the organization slowly, struggling initially at almost every level, but showing a great ability to make adjustments and eventually thrive. He is athletic in the field with good range and an accurate arm. At the plate, he has a fluid swing with good bat speed, and once he makes his adjustments at each level he has been able to demonstrate nice patience. Spann has been young at each level throughout his Red Sox career. Seemed to hit a road block at AAA. Began splitting time between 1B and 3B in 2007.

Chris Barnwell - 29 year old right-handed shortstop. Played for Albuquerque, with a .364 OBP and 16 SB last season.

Update:

Pitchers Jose Capellan and Chad Paronto, and catchers Brian Esposito and Toby Hall were also invited. Righthander Sergio Perez was also invited to spring training.