SB Nation User Blog: Jason Pafundi

Minor League Informer Update

Jason Pafundi — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 03:13:35 -0000

I will be out of town starting tomorrow morning and won't be returning until July 4. If anyone wants to do the "Informer", that'd be great.

If not, I refer you to all check out www.raysprospects.com for all your minor league information.

Minor League Informer 6/18

Jason Pafundi — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:41:34 -0000

AAA Durham Bulls

After 10 scoreless innings, Lehigh Valley scored four runs in the top of the eleventh off Dale Thayer to defeat the Bulls 4-0 on Wednesday.

The loss is the fourth straight for Durham and their seventh in the last eight games.

Jason Cromer started for the Bulls and pitched superbly over eight innings. He allowed two hits, walked two and struck out five. Chad Bradford, in his first rehab appearance for Durham, pitched a scoreless inning.

Reid Brignac was 2-for-4 and the only Bull with multiple hits. As a team, Durham was 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position.

AA Montgomery Biscuits

Chris Mason got his first win as a starter as the Biscuits defeated West Tennesseee 5-3 on Wednesday.

Mason (3-3) went five innings, allowing two runs on six hits, while walking one and striking out one. Eddie Morlan allowed a run in the ninth, but earned his fourth save of the season.

Jason Bowers led Montgomery on offense. He was 2-for-3 with two triples and two RBI. Desmond Jennings went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI. He also two stole bases, giving him 24 steals on the year

Game two of the series is tonight with lefty Brandon Mann (4-3, 4.71) will make the start for the Biscuits against righty Kyle Parker (3-3, 3.84) for West Tennessee.

A+ Charlotte Stone Crabs

Scott Kazmir, in his first rehab start since going on the disabled list with a hamstring injury, pitched 4 2/3 innings without allowing a run, and the Stone Crabs defeated Dunedin 7-3 on Wednesday.

Kazmir allowed three hits, while walking one and striking out five. He is scheduled to start Monday for Durham before his status is re-evaluated.

It was a good offensive day for Crabs named Shawn. O’Malley went 3-for-4 with a walk, four runs and his 21 steal, and Shawn Williams was 4-for-5 with four doubles and four RBI.

Alex Cobb (3-3) starts tonight for Charlotte as they go for the series sweep.

A Bowling Green Hot Rods

Matt Moore gave up just one hit in 6 2/3 innings as the Hot Rods defeated Lexington 5-2 on Wednesday.

Moore got a no-decision, allowing just one run, while walking one and striking out 10. Chris Andujar (8-2) blew the save but got the win in relief.

Tim Beckham went 1-for-5 with a double and two RBI, and Jake Jefferies was 2-for-5 with an RBI.

The Hot Rods complete the series against the Legends tonight.

Minor League Informer 6/17

Jason Pafundi — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:02:51 -0000

AAA Durham Bulls
Catcher Alex Jamieson was once-again used to pitch as the Bulls were bombed by the IronPigs 16-8.

Every Durham pitcher allowed at least a run, led by starter James Houser (3-3), who allowed eight. He went four innings, allowing seven hits, with four walks, two strikeouts and three home runs. Joe Bateman (1 2/3, three runs) and Jorge Julio (1/3, two runs) contributed in their own ways.

Offensively, the Bulls had a great game. Henry Mateo was 4-for-5, and Rhyne Hughes was 3-for-5 with his first homer in Triple-A. Ray Sadler also was 3-for-5, with a homer and three RBI. Matt Joyce went 1-for-3 and walked twice.

AA Montgomery Biscuits
The Biz enjoyed a league-wide day off on Tuesday. They return to action tonight against the Diamond Jaxx in West Tennessee.

A+ Charlotte Stone Crabs
Darin Downs and Matt Gorgen combined on a five-hit shutout as the Crabs defeated the Lakeland Tigers 1-0 on Tuesday night.

Downs (7-2) worked seven innings, scattering five hits, while striking out 10 and walking three. Gorgen didn’t allow a baserunner in his two innings of relief, earning his 10th save and lowering his ERA to 0.28 on the season.

Ryan Royster provided the offense with a solo homer in the third inning, his first of the season. Emeel Salem and Ian Paxton each had two hits for Charlotte.

Scott Kazmir makes his first rehab appearance tonight for the Stone Crabs. He is scheduled to throw 65 pitches.

A Bowling Green Hot Rods
Nick Barnese allowed two runs in four innings, as the Hot Rods were defeated 5-3 by Lexington on Tuesday night.

Barnese (0-1) gave up five hits, while walking three and striking out one. Matt Jarman allowed three runs in two innings of relief, and Josh Satow pitched two scoreless innings with three strikeouts.

The Beckhams were the stars of the Hot Rods offense. Tim, the more heralded of the two, went 2-for-4 with a double, while brother Jeremy was 2-for-4 with a triple and RBI. Kyeong Kang added a double in the losing effort.

Notes from the Farm
*According to the St. Pete Times, Chad Bradford has moved his rehab from Montgomery to Durham, and he is about “a week away” from rejoining the Rays.

*The Stone Crabs placed lefty David Newmann and righty Jose Angel Mejias on the seven-day disabled list. 2B Joey Callender and RHP Deivis Mavares were assigned to Charlotte from Extended Spring Training to take their place on the roster.

Minor League Informer 6/16

Jason Pafundi — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:23:57 -0000

AAA Durham Bulls
Julio DePaula made an unscheduled start and took the loss as the Bulls were defeated 8-5 by the Lehigh Valley IronPigs on Monday night.

DePaula went 2 2/3 innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits. Jorge Julio allowed a run in his 1 1/3 innings, and Calvin Medlock gave up three runs in three innings. Dale Thayer and Dewon Day each pitched a scoreless inning.

Rashad Eldridge was 3-for-4 with two runs scored, and John Jaso was 1-for-4. Matt Joyce went 0-for-4 and is 1-for-8 since returning to Durham.

AA Montgomery Biscuits
Despite six scoreless innings by the bullpen, the Biscuits couldn’t overcome the shaky start by Brian Baker, and they were defeated 5-3 by Chattanooga on Monday.

Baker (3-1) lasted just three innings, surrendering five runs on six hits. Ryan Morse, Chad Bradford and Neal Frontz allowed only three hits in their six innings of relief.

Desmond Jennings went 0-for-4 to continue his slump, but Matt Fields and Cesar Suarez each had two hits.

Montgomery will enjoy a league-wide off-day today before starting a series against the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx (what the heck is a Diamond Jaxx).

A+ Charlotte Stone Crabs
Jeremy Hall pitched seven innings en route to his league-leading seventh win of the season as the Stone Crabs defeated the Lakeland Tigers 5-1 on Monday.

Hall (7-4) went seven, allowing one run (a solo homer) on four hits. He walked one and struck out seven.

Henry Wrigley went 2-for-3 with a home run, his first, and Ryan Royster was 1-for-3 with a double and two RBI. Cody Cipriano also had a double.

Darin Downs (6-2) starts tonight for the Crabs in game two of the series.

A Bowling Green Hot Rods
Four Hot Rods pitchers combined to allow 15 hits and 13 runs as Greenville was victorious 13-0 on Monday night.

Nelson Cruz (2-3) started and allowed four runs in 3 1/3 innings, though he did strike out eight. Neil Schenk (one run in 1 2/3) and Jamie Bagley (three runs in one inning) continued the poor pitching.

Diego Echeverria, who is pitching about as bad as Diego from Dora the Explorer would, came in and promptly allowed five runs and four hits. He faced nine batters, and his ERA is now 9.43 on the season.

The lone bright spot for the Hot Rods was Kyeong Kang, who collected two hits. Tim Beckham was 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.

Notes from the Farm
*Before Monday’s game, the Bulls activated Dewon Day from the seven-day disabled list. He last appeared in a game on May 25, until pitching last night.

Minor League Informer 6/15

Jason Pafundi — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 12:31:34 -0000

AAA Durham Bulls
A costly error by Ray Olmedo helped key a five-run second inning as the Bulls were defeated 8-1 by Buffalo on Sunday afternoon.

Wade Davis (6-4) started and took the loss. He went six innings, allowing five runs (two earned) and eight hits, while walking none and striking out four. Jason Childers allowed three runs in relief.

Jon Weber and Henry Mateo each went 2-for-4 at the top of the Durham order, but the other seven spots combined to go just 2-for-24.

Rhyne Hughes, in five games since being promoted from Montgomery, is batting .105, going 2-for-19 so far.

The Bulls ended their eight-game road trip 3-5 and return home to host the Lehigh Valley IronPigs on Monday. Carlos Hernandez is on the mound for Durham.

AA Montgomery Biscuits
After allowing a first-inning run, Aneury Rodriguez settled down as the Biscuits defeated Chattanooga 3-2 on Sunday.

Rodriguez (3-8) allowed just two runs on six hits, while working seven innings. He walked one and struck out three.

Joe Gaetti went 1-for-4 with his first homer of the season, a two-run shot. Desmond Jennings didn’t start but entered late as a pinch hitter. He walked and then stole two bases, giving him 22 on the season.

The five-game series ends tonight with Brian Baker (3-0, 2.88) on the mound for Montgomery.

A+ Charlotte Stone Crabs
Jesse Darcy continued to pitch poorly, allowing five runs (four earned) and eight hits over six innings, as the Stone Crabs were beaten 9-6 by Dunedin on Sunday.

Brian Flores allowed the other four runs in his 1 1/3 innings of relief.

Offensively, Jason Bartlett, who was activated from the DL following the game, went 2-for-4 with a triple.

Cody Cipriano had three hits, including two doubles, and drove in two runs. Speedster Shawn O’Malley stole two more bases, giving him 20 on the season.

The Crabs, though they scored six runs, had plenty of missed chances, going 5-for-17 with runners in scoring position.

A Bowling Green Hot Rods
Despite the top of the order going 8-for-15 with four RBI, the Hot Rods still lost to Greenville, falling 6-4 on Sunday.

Anthony Scelfo went 2-for-5, Tim Beckham was 3-for-5 with two doubles and two RBI, and Jake Jefferies was 3-for-5 with two RBI. Beckham now has six doubles in the month of June and 14 on the season.

Frank De Los Santos started and got a no-decision. He went 4 1/3 innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits, while walking four and striking out four.

Michael Jarman (4-5) took the loss in relief. He pitched 2 2/3 innings, surrendering two runs on three hits. Josh Satow pitched a scoreless eighth.

Notes from the Farm
*Reid Brignac was sent back to Durham after Jason Bartlett was activated from the disabled list. Brignac hit .271 in 21 games for the Rays.

*Scott Kazmir will make a rehab start on Wednesday for the Stone Crabs against the Lakeland Tigers in Charlotte.

Minor League Informer 6/14

Jason Pafundi — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 17:28:26 -0000

AAA Durham Bulls

The Bulls took advantage of five Buffalo errors in scoring five unearned runs in the ninth inning to defeat Buffalo 7-2 on Saturday night.

Matt De Salvo started for Durham and pitched 6 2/3 effective innings. He allowed two runs on six hits, while walking three and striking out three. Joe Bateman (3-0) got the win with 1 1/3 innings of relief.

Henry Mateo had three hits, and Rashad Eldridge went 2-for-4. The team was 3-for-12 with runners in scoring position, however, and left 11 men on base.

Wade Davis starts this afternoon as the Bulls close out their eight-game road trip.

AA Montgomery Biscuits

Chattanooga scored three times in the first three innings, and the Biscuits managed just five hits, as they were defeated 3-2 on Saturday.

Heath Rollins (5-5) went six innings, allowing three runs on seven hits, while walking four and striking out six.

Desmond Jennings went 0-for-3 and is now batting .195 (8-for-41) in his last 10 games. Montgomery was 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position, and no player had a multi-hit game.

Righty Aneury Rodriguez (2-8, 7.05) starts game four of the series this afternoon.

A+ Charlotte Stone Crabs

The Crabs couldn’t overcome a season-high five errors nor a lack of offense as they were defeated 11-0 by the Dunedin Blue Jays.

Jose Mejias (1-1) allowed nine runs (six earned) in three innings. He surrendered six hits, including a homer, and also threw two wild pitches.

Jason Bartlett, rehabbing and playing shortstop, batted lead off and went 2-for-3 with a strikeout. He also made a fielding error. Shawn O’Malley was 1-for-3 with his 17th steal of the season.

One bright spot was the continued dominance of Matt Gorgen. He pitched two scoreless innings, striking out three, lowering his ERA to 0.29 on the season.

Jesse Darcy starts tonight as the series wraps up.

A Bowling Green Hot Rods

The Hot Rods got only two runners into scoring position the entire game as they were shutout 6-0 by Greenville on Saturday night.

Shane Dyer started and gave up four runs in four innings. He struck out five and walked three.

The offense managed only six hits from six different players. Tim Beckham and Jake Jefferies were each 1-for-4, and Kyeong Kang was 0-for-4.

On the bright side, Greenville had 21 at-bats with runners in scoring position, and they only scored six runs. It could’ve been much, much worse.

Notes from the Farm

*Winston Abreu was selected from Durham by the Rays, taking the place of Jason Isringhausen, who was placed on the 60-day DL.

Izzy to 60-day DL

Jason Pafundi — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 17:04:34 -0000

Per Chris Costello of the Rays PR staff, Jason Isringhausen was placed on the 60-day DL with what is being called an elbow strain.

He will have an MRI on Monday, and more will be know later in the week.

Mini Minor League Informer 6/13

Jason Pafundi — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 20:43:57 -0000

Just a quick couple of notes on the games from Friday night:

AAA Durham Bulls

The Bulls were defeated 1-0 by the Buffalo Bisons.

-Jason Cromer pitched well for the fourth consecutive start for the Bulls, but the offense wasn’t there. In four starts, he has a 1.25 ERA but just a 1-2 record

-Durham had only three hits

-The Bulls are 2-4 on their current road trip, but 37-24 overall

-Rashad Eldridge was 1-for-4 with a double and is batting .326 for Durham

AA Montgomery Biscuits

After trailing 4-0 and sitting through a rain delay, the Biscuits defeated Chattanooga 5-4 in 14 innings

-Desmond Jennings was 0-for-5 with two walks and Matt Fields was 2-for-7 with two RBI and three strikeouts

-Brandon Mann gave up four runs in four innings, but the Montgomery bullpen pitched nine innings of scoreless relief

-Paul Phillips got the win with two innings of relief and three strikeouts

A+ Charlotte Stone Crabs

The Crabs were defeated 7-4 by the Dunedin Blue Jays despite the efforts of Ian Paxton.

-Paxton hit two home runs and was 2-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored

-Alex Cobb gave up seven runs on eight hits in 5 1/3 innings

-Jason Bartlett, on a rehab assignment, led off at DH and went 1-for-4 with a walk

A Bowling Green Hot Rods

The Hot Rods won 4-2 in the game resumed from Thursday, and then they lost 6-1 in Friday’s regular game

-Matt Moore allowed four runs in five innings in game two

-Chris Sheridan was 2-for-4 in game two, but the Rods had only five hits on the night

-Kyeong Kang had two hits in game 1

-Tim Beckham was 1-for-6 in both games combined

Notes from the Farm

*The Bulls have placed 1B Chris Richard on the seven-day disabled list retroactive to June 10. He has an injured hamstring.

*Catcher Alex Jamieson has been assigned to the Hudson Valley Renegades from Durham.

Minor League Informer 6/12

Jason Pafundi — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 13:22:33 -0000

AAA Durham Bulls
Five errors, including four by Ray Olmedo, helped the Buffalo Bison defeat the Bulls 13-5 on Thursday afternoon.

Olmedo made two throwing and two fielding errors, and Henry Mateo made a fielding error, accounting for four unearned runs.

James Houser (3-2) started and took the loss for Durham. He went 4 1/3 innings, allowing five runs (all earned) on nine hits, while walking three and striking out one.

Two Bulls relievers (Julio DePaula- five runs and Calvin Medlock- three runs) were ineffective, allowing five hits and walking four guys. Catcher Alex Jamieson recorded the final two outs by the Bulls.

The Bisons came into the game last in the International League in batting, but managed 15 hits, 13 runs and seven walks.

Chris Nowak and Rashad Eldridge were the lone bright spots for Durham. Nowak went 3-for-4 with a double and a triple, while driving in four runs. Eldridge was 2-for-3 with a double, a walk and two runs scored.

The teams play game two of the series tonight with Jason Cromer starting for the Bulls.

AA Montgomery Biscuits
Chris Mason allowed four runs in four innings, and the Biscuits were held to just four hits as they were defeated 4-0 by Chattanooga on Thursday.

Rayner Oliveros, Ryan Reid and Paul Phillips pitched five innings of scoreless relief, allowing just three hits combined.

Desmond Jennings went 1-for-4 with a double, and Cesar Suarez had two singles for Montgomery.

A+ Charlotte Stone Crabs
Darin Downs struck out nine over six innings, and Cody Cipriano had two hits leading the Crabs to a 7-2 over the Dunedin Blue Jays.

Downs (6-2) went six, allowing two runs on seven hits, while walking two and striking out nine. Brian Flores went three innings for his first save of the season.

Cipriano, who is batting .324 in his last 10 games, was 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI. John Matulia also had two hits, including a triple, and an RBI.

Pat Burrell, making his last first and last rehab appearance for Charlotte, went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. Shawn O’Malley was 1-for-4 with his 17th stolen base on the year.

The teams play again tonight with Alex Cobb (3-2) on the mound for the Crabs.

A Bowling Green Hot Rods
The game was suspended after one-half inning and will be resumed and played to completion (nine innings) this evening. After the completion, the teams will play seven innings in Friday’s regularly scheduled game.

Notes from the Farm
*Rays shortstop Jason Bartlett makes his first rehab appearance tonight with the Stone Crabs. It is expected that he’ll DH tonight, then play shortstop on Saturday and Sunday.

*DH Pat Burrell was activated from the disabled list, and Matt Joyce was sent from Tampa Bay to Durham. Joyce was in an 0-for-15 slump for the Rays.

Minor League Informer 6/11

Jason Pafundi — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 15:15:59 -0000

AAA Durham Bulls
The team enjoyed a day off on Wednesday, and will take on the Bison in Buffalo this afternoon. Lefty James Houser starts for the Bulls.

AA Montgomery Biscuits
The Biscuits enjoyed a day off on Wednesday. Ryan Morse opens the five-games series tonight at home against the Chattanooga Lookouts.

A+ Charlotte Stone Crabs
The Crabs split a doubleheader with the Brevard County Manatees, losing game two 1-0 in nine innings, and winning game one 6-4 in seven innings.

David Newmann pitched six shutout innings in game two, but an error by Emeel Salem in the bottom of the ninth allowed the Manatees to win.

Newmann allowed just two hits while striking out eight and walking two. Tommy Rafferty took the loss, going 2 2/3 innings, allowing two hits while walking three.

Greg Sexton was 2-for-3 with a double, and Salem went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts.

In game one, Jeremy Hall got his fifth win and Cody Cipriano hit his fifth home run.

Hall (5-3) went five innings, allowing three runs on three hits, while walking three and striking out four. Austin Hinkle gave up a run in two innings for his fourth save.

Cipriano’s homer was one of 10 hits by the Crabs. Reid Fronk was 3-for-4, Shawn O’Malley was 1-for-3 and stole his 16th base, and John Matulia was 3-for-3.

The Crabs return home tonight to start an eight-game homestand. They face the Dunedin Blue Jays, and lefty Darin Downs is on the mound for the Crabs.

A Bowling Green Hot Rods
Three Hot Rods pitchers combined for the eight-hit shutout, and Kyeong Kang provided the only offense in defeating Greenville 1-0 on Wednesday.

Nelson Cruz (2-2) started and pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing just six hits. He walked one and struck out five before giving the ball to Michael Jarman. Jarman went 2 1/3, giving up just one hit, while striking out two. Josh Satow struck out two in the ninth for his seventh save.

The Hot Rods had only six hits, the biggest being Kang’s RBI single in the fourth.

The team starts a home series against the Lexington Legends tonight with righty Nick Barnese on the mound.

Notes from the Farm
*Pat Burrell completed his rehab assignment in Montgomery and is expected in the Charlotte lineup tonight.