Minor League Recap, 4/27

Written by Greg Fertel | 27 April 2007

• Tyler Clippard got the start, and was effective. He struck out 5 and walked 4 in 5 1/3 innings. He allowed just 3 hits. The walks aren't a good thing, but it was good to see Clippard control hitters for the first time in a few starts. He was getting very hittable. The first signs of adjustment? Maybe.
• Chris Britton got the save with a perfect inning.
• Ron Villone pitched a scoreless inning out of the bullpen with 2 strikeouts. Villone's era now stands at 2.92 in 12+ innings, with 12 strikeouts against 6 walks. His control still isn't good enough to make a major league pitcher, but it's good to see a nice guy pitch well.
• Alberto Gonzalez went 1 for 4 with an RBI.
• Bronson Sardinha went 0 for 5.

• Jason Jones continued to pitch well, throwing 6 1/3 innings with only one run allowed. He struck out 3 and walked 1. Jones was never much of a strikeout guy (He's a change/curve guy with a little less velocity than Tyler Clippard), and this season he has struck out 7 in 12 innings. However, his prospect status holds firm thanks to excellent control. He has walked 1.59 per 9 throughout his minor league career, and has only allowed 2 free passes this season. Don't underestimate the power of a guy with that kind of control, despite fringey stuff. There are plenty of major league pitchers who scratch out careers as 5th starters on the virute of control.
• Brett Gardner went 1 for 3 with 2 walks and an RBI. The hit was his first single since April 14th. He entered the game 1 for his last 15 and is now batting .188. He stole his 5th and 6th bases during the game.
• Cody Ehlers went 1 for 5 with an RBI.
• Justin Christian was 1 for 2 with a walk and a stolen base.
• P.J. Pilittere went 0 for 5.

• Ian Kennedy got the start. He pitched 5 and 1/3 innings, allowing 3 runs, 6 hits, and 3 walks. It would have been a bad start if he had not struck out 9. Kennedy was pretty inconsistent with his pitches. However, two of those runs were allowed to score by Josh Schmidt, so his night was better than the line indicates. At one point, 5 of his 6 outs came via the strikeout.
• Josa Tabata was 2 for 4. He had had a hit for extra bases since 4/16 and is now slugging below .400.
• Reegie Corona raised his batting average to .302 by going 2 for 4 with a double.
• Francisco Cervelli went 2 for 3 with a walk.

• Angel Reyes pitched 5 innings, allowing 2 earned runs and striking out 6 and walking 3. Another start where he had his stuff, but didn't know where the ball was going.
• David Robertson relieved him, pitching 2 perfect innings with 4 strikeouts. More of the same from Robertson.
• Jon Hovis, who has still not allowed a run this season, pitched a perfect 1 1/3 innings, striking out two.
• Mitch Hilligoss went 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs.
• Eduardo Nunez went 1-3 with a walk.
• Seth Fortenberry went 1-3 with a walk.