Minor League Recap, 4/16

Written by Greg Fertel | 16 April 2007

Scranton beats Pawtucket 5-2 in 7 innings. The second game of the double header was postponed due to rain.

Steve Jackson pitched 5 innings for the start, allowing 2 runs and striking out 4. He allowed 8 hits and 1 walk, so he was probably lucky to allow only two runs. He's not ready yet, but at least he's not getting rocked. Jackson was largely considered a throw in to the Randy Johnson trade, but was excellent at AA last year.
T.J. Beam pitched 2 innings of relief for the save. He didn't strike anyone out and allowed three singles and one walk.
Alberto Gonzalez was 1 for 4.
Bronson Sardinha was 1 for 4 with a double.
Andy Phillips was 1 for 3 with a 2 run home run. He's hitting .257/.366/.543 on the season.
Eric Duncan rested.

Trenton's game was rained out. Tampa beat Clearwater 3-0

Jeff Karstens was sharp in his rehab start, pitching 4 innings, allowing just three hits and walking one, while striking out five. All looks good for him to start this weekend in Boston.
He was relieved by Ian Kennedy (it was his day, but the Yankees needed Karstens to make the start today). Kennedy struggled with control problems, walking four in six innings while striking out just two. He only allowed one hit, so none of the walks scored, but Kennedy was clearly thrown off balance by having to warm up in the bullpen.
Jose Tabata went 2-4 with a triple, two RBIs, and a stolen base.
Juan Miranda and Reegie Corona were 1-4. Corona's hit was a triple. Miranda had an error.
Colin Curtis, the mini-Gardner, was 1-3 with a walk. He's now hitting .290/.389/.387 on the season. Unfortunately, he doesn't have Gardner-like speed. Curtis won't have the bat to man the corner outfield positions, and may have trouble playing better than an average centerfield. I hate it when the Yankees draft a "Probably 4th outfielder even if everything works out" prospect.
Tim Battle was 0-3 with a walk and a strikeout.
Francisco Cervelli was 0-4.

Charleston loses to Augusta 12-8

Wilmer Pino was moved up in the order to the leadoff position. He went 1-5 with an RBI.
Seth Fortenberry was 4-5 with 2 doubles, 2 RBIs, and 2 stolen bases. 8 of his 12 hits have come in two games. He also threw out a runner at 2nd base.
Mitch Hilligoss was 0-4 with a walk. He's in a slump, lowering his batting average to .213 on the season. I wouldn't worry though. Hilligoss is an experienced hitter who will at least hit .300 in A ball without much trouble, and take some walks. Don't hold your breath on the power though.
Eduardo Nunez was 2-3, but was caught stealing at 2nd and home.
Austin Jackson was 1-5 with a walk and a strikeout.
Josue Calzado was 2-3 with an RBI and a double. The hyper-toolsy 21 year old is .297/.349/.378. Baseball America loves the guy, but I don't.