Yesterday in the minors was exciting even though only Lexington won. Jordan Parraz’s first series against his former farm mates turned volatile in the 8th inning. Parraz while scoring the 6th run of the game for the visitors, collided with Hooks’ catcher Brian Esposito…. on a ground ball to short that forced a runner at first base.
“I guess for some reason, he thought I was trying to cover the plate, deke him or put a move on him,” Esposito said. “But I was clearly giving him the plate and didn’t even see it coming. I was looking down the first-base line toward the play and the next thing you know, I’m pulling myself off the ground. That’s the first time I’ve ever had that happen.”
When Parraz came up to bat in the 9th, Chris Salamida plunked his former teammate in Salem in the back. That resulted in Salamida and Esposito being ejected from the game along with manager Luis Pujols.
“The problem I have about the ejection is that it was without warning,” Pujols said. “If the umpire knew that something could happen and you want to avoid people getting hurt, that’s what the warning is for.
“If (home plate umpire Myers) had any doubt, he could call me (over) and give the warning and stop the thing right there. Don’t let things happen and then run the manager, pitcher and catcher out. I don’t understand that.”
The outcome of the game was a 8-4 loss. Brad James struggled in the first but garnered some measured praise from his manager.
“He was off in the first inning a little bit,” Pujols said. “He settled down after that. But I think he threw the ball better today than the last time I saw him pitch (against Class AAA Round Rock on April 7).
“But for his first outing of the year, I don’t worry too much about (the walks) right now.”
Colin Delome hit his second homer of the season to lead the offence.
Lou Palismano has headed back to extended spring training to rehab his injured shoulder.
Robert Bono brought back to back 0-4 win loss records into this season. Two seasons of short season ball and not a single win. That changed last night as Lexington beat Kannapolis 2-1 and Bono earned the win with 5 strong innings.
It feels good. But I’ve been doing it all along,” Bono said. “Just keep going out, throw the ball the same way. … Tonight, I was going right after it.”
The local paper reports that Bono “pitched like a crafty veteran over five shutout innings. Relying mostly on a sinking two-seam fastball and a curveball, he gave up five hits, no walks and struck out three.”
Brandon Barnes went 2 for 3 at the plate. He like the Lexington team is having much different fortunes than a one year ago. Last year, Barnes suffered through a 0-22 slump and was sent back down to extended spring training with a bingo batting average and striking out almost half the time. At the same time, his team got out to a horrible start with the win loss record. This year, through the first four games, the Legends are undefeated and Barnes is hitting .538 (7 out of 13) with 2 doubles, and zero strike outs.
It looks like Lancaster could use some help. We predicted that the Lancaster team would be the weakest in the system and they are looking like it. Last night, they reached new lows by getting trounced 16-1 in their home opener.
The only highlights for the JetHawks is the C & C show. Jason Castro had two doubles and is hitting .318 on the season. Koby Clemens went 1 for 2 with two walks and is hitting .444 on the season.
Round Rock got it’s first look at Bud Norris. Our reporter on the scene gave this report of his outing:
Spotty command
91ish FB
Pretty good breaking pitches
The Express got a three run homer from Marc Saccomanno to give them the lead after six innigns. The lead didn’t last long as Omaha put up three in the 7th and three more in the 8th to send the Express to their 4th loss of the season 8-4.
Express pitchers are out of control. They have walked 37 batters in 45 innings.