You know, on the walk back to my car, I was struck by the fact that its almost May and I was freezing. I knew there was a reason I live in North Carolina.
Kaz’s injury is a back spasm, I guess. Regardless of how serious it is, he probably needs a DL stint just to clear his mind. Giving him two weeks off probably wouldn’t be a bad thing for all parties involved. The question becomes who they call up from Tacoma. Since its a temporary callup, you almost certainly won’t see Ken Cloude, since they’re unable to option him back to Tacoma when Kaz returns. I think they’d prefer to leave Soriano and Heaverlo in the rotation throwing every 5 days than getting sporadic work out of the bullpen. Allan Simpson got removed from the 40 man and isn’t pitching very well at the moment, so he’s probably out as well. Brian Sweeney and Scott Atchison could be candidates if the M’s wanted to open a spot on the 40 man roster to make room for them. I think the likeliest choice is Aaron Taylor, though. Be interesting to see what role they’d choose to use him in, considering his inexperience.
Another night, another lefty on the mound, another no-show by Greg Colbrunn. This is getting old.
Great win though. Cameron crushed that pitch, and its nice to see him make contact in a situation where he absolutely couldn’t strike out.
If anybody cares, the three of us are going to the M’s game tonight. Unfortunately, we don’t have “game-to-blog” capabilities at this point, so unless you happen to find us at the game, you’re almost certain to miss the non-stop hilarity — not to mention possible ginger snap throwing — that’s going to take place. Sorry about that.
Minor League Highlights for Monday, April 21
Las Vegas 4, Tacoma 3 (15 innings). The Rainiers dropped a heart-breaker Monday, losing in the bottom of the 15th inning in Las Vegas and wasting a solid outing by RHP Ken Cloude (6 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K). Venerable C Pat Borders was the offensive star with five hits in six at-bats, including two doubles and a triple. LF Jalal Leach added three hits in six trips and 1B Andy Barkett two, including his second homer of the season. RHP Allan Simpson (1 2/3 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K) took the loss when he allowed a homer in the bottom of the 15th.
San Antonio did not play, as the entire Texas League was off. LHP Bobby Madritsch gets the start today as the Missions host Wichita.
High Desert 11, Inland Empire 7. The 66ers trailed 11-0 after seven innings before mounting a furious comeback, scoring three in the eighth and four in the ninth in an attempt to make it respectable. In the end it just wasn’t enough. LHP Troy Cate (4 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 6 K) started and took the loss, but it was the bullpen duo of RHP Greg Wear and LHP Ryan Ketchner (combined: 4 IP, 8 H, 8 R, 7 ER, 2 BB, 6 K) who really let this one get away. Offensively the 66ers were led by CF Greg Jacobs, who went three-for-three including his first homer of the season, scored twice and drove in two.
Cedar Rapids 10, Wisconsin 3. The Timber Rattlers trailed 8-1 after three innings and were never really in this one, as RHP Juan Sandoval (4 IP, 11 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 1 BB, 1 K) was battered around in his third start of the year. CF Gary Harris, by far the team’s best hitter this season, had three hits in four at-bats to bring his season line to .324/.395/.544.