Down On The Farm: Jeff Niemann And Chris Mason Pick Up League-Leading Victories

Durham 5, Buffalo 4. JK Ryu struck out 7 but allowed 4 runs in 5 innings.

Mississippi 12, Montgomery 2. Jonathon Barratt gave up 6 runs (5 earned) in 3 innings. Two of the runs came as a result of bases loaded balks in the second inning. Fernando Perez was 3-5 with 2 doubles and an RBI. He is hitting .285. Reid Brignac and Evan Longoria were both 1-4 with 2 strikeouts apiece.

Ft. Myers 4, Vero Beach 3. Mike Kamrath struck out 8 in 6.1 innings, allowing 2 runs. Shortstop Aaron Sisk was 1-4 with a solo home run in the second to start the scoring. Sisk now has 6 home runs in the past 6 games and is hitting .292 with 11 home runs on the season.

Columbus 8, Rome 1. Heath Rollins moved to 4-0 in his last 5 starts and 10-3 on the season. He struck out 7 and only allowed 1 run on three hits and 1 walk. Cesar Suarez was 2-4 with a 3-run home run, his 8th. He had 6 RBI on the night. Desmond Jennings was 1-3, scored 3 runs and stole his 40th base of the year.

Hudson Valley 7, Williamsport 1.

Greenville 5, Princeton 4.

NOTES FROM DOWN ON THE FARM…

• Mike Potter has a Q&A session with Jeff Niemann. [Durham Herald-Sun]
• Matt Fields was named the South Atlantic League player of the week. [The Raw Feed]
• Jae Kuk Ryu experienced a very difficult transition coming to America from Korea at the age of 18. [The News and Observer]

Ryu signed at age 18 and came to the United States straight out of high school in Korea, not speaking a word of English. One of three Koreans on Major League Baseball opening-day rosters, his experience was far different than that of Japanese players, who benefit from a well-developed major league system and often are heavily recruited by American big league clubs.

• On Friday night, Mitch Talbot struck out 8 in 5 innings and allowed only one run. Chad Orvella blew a 3-1 lead in the 9th by allowing 3 runs. The Bulls rallied with a run in the bottom of the 9th on a Ben Zobrist sac fly, but lost the game in the 11th when Jeff Ridgway relieved Seth McClung and gave up the go-ahead RBI single. [MiLB]
• On Saturday night, Jeff Niemann picked up his league-leading 10th win despite allowing 5 runs (4 earned) in 5 innings. He did strike out 8. [MiLB]
• On Friday night, Chris Mason picked up his league-leading 11th victory. Reid Brignac was 2-4 with his 12th home run. It was his 4th home run in 6 games. Evan Longoria was 2-4 with 2 RBI. [MiLB]

Down On The Farm: Jae Seo Remembers He is Jae Seo

Roschester 10, Durham 4. After allowing only 1 hit in his last outing, Jae Seo looked more like the pitcher we have all grown to loathe. Seo was pulled before completing the 4th inning after allowing 9 runs on 12 hits and 2 walks. He struck out 1 and gave up 3 home runs. Justin Ruggiano and Joel Guzman were each 2-5. Bennny Boo Boo Zobrist was 0-5.

Mississippi 7, Montgomery 2. Jonathon Barratt walked 5 in 5 innings and allowed 3 runs (2 earned). Fernando Perez‘s 4th home run, was one of only 5 hits for the Biscuits. Reid Brignac and Evan Longoria were each 0-4.

Tampa 8, Vero Beach 0. Jake McGee got pounded for his 3rd loss of the season. He struck out 7 in 4.1 innings, but gave up 6 runs. His ERA now sits at 3.11 on the season. The Rays were shut out on 3 hits.

Columbus 5, Rome 3 (10 inn.). Ryan Royster was 3-5 and hit his 13th home run, a 2-run walk-off shot in the bottom of the 10th. He also added his 19th double. Woods Fines struck out 5 in 6 innings, allowing 3 runs (2 earned). Desmond Jennings was 2-4 and Nevin Ashley added 2 hits in 5 at bats.

Hudson Valley 2, Staten Island 1 (5 inn.). Doug Waechter picked up the win in his second rehab start by pitching 5 innings and only allowing 1 unearned run in the rain-shortened game. He struck out 2 and walked none.

Princeton 4, Greeneville 1 (6 inn.).

NOTES FROM DOWN ON THE FARM…

• Jeff Niemann was named to the AAA all-star team. The IL all-star team will face a team of all-stars from the PCL on July 11. Niemann will also participate in MLB’s futures game.
• Five members of the Montgomery Biscuits were named to the Southern League’s South Division All-Star team. Catcher John Jaso, starting pitcher Chris Mason and closer Dale Thayer will all participate in the game. Evan Longoria and Jason Pridie were each selected but will miss the game. Longoria will be participating in major league baseball’s future’s game, while Pridie was promoted to AAA Durham last week.
• Yet another player of the week award for a Rays prospect. This time it was Columbus first baseman Matt Fields being named the SAL player-of-the-week.
• The city of Durham unveiled a new Bronze Bull, as part of a revitalization project. the Bull is…umm…very anatomically correct.