Minor League Recap, 4/6

Written by Greg Fertel | 07 April 2007

• Phil Hughes made his first start at AAA. He threw 5 innings and 76 pitches, allowed two runs, struck out six, and walked two. He allowed only two hits, but the runs scored on a wild pitch, hit by pitch, and the walks. Both hits were singles. I'm not sure if Hughes is on a 5 inning leash or not yet.
• Chris Britton got the save with a 1-2-3 inning.
• Non-prospects Colter Bean, Ben Kozlowski, and Ron Villone combined for 3 innings, allowing one run.
• Eric Duncan hit a two run home run to cement Scranton's lead. Despite starting there last season, it was his first home run at AAA. Word is he is healthy, so we might just have a replacement for Josh Phelps pretty quickly.
• Kevin Thompson went 2 for 4 with three stolen bases. If Damon goes down, he'll do us well in New York. If the Mike Myers didn't force a 12 man bullpen, he'd be up right now without a doubt.
• Alberto Gonzalez went 2 for 4 with a walk, but made a throwing error. I'm higher on him than most, and if he quickly hits at the AAA level it will be hard to justify his presence in the minors. The way that Jeter is playing on defense, it's hard to justify it now.
• Andy Phillips and Bronson Sardinha were both without a hit.

• Jeff Marquez made his first start in the high minors. He was pretty good, going 5 innings, striking out 5 and walking one, while allowing only two runs. His G/F ratio was only 5/5. Marquez is capable of making that 7/2, but overall it was a solid night for him in the freezing cold.
• Kevin Whelan pitched out of relief, striking out five in two innings, allowing just a single. I guess the rumors were wrong about his elbow problems.
• Jeff Kennard struck out three and allowed just one hit in two innings. Why is he in AA again?
• Cody Ehlers helped redeem himself by walking twice and hitting a double.
• Brett Gardner went 2 for 4.
• Ramiro Pena and Justin Christian both were unable to find their first hits of the season.
• P.J. Pilittere went 1 for 3 with a walk.

• My boy Ian Kennedy got the start. He pitched 5 innings and struck out eight, while allowing one run, two hits, and two walks. I think that Kennedy is seriously underrated. His college numbers are absolutely crazy, and this is a great start. He'll end the season in Tretnon.
• Jose Tabata continued with his hot start, going 3-4 with a triple. Don't be shocked if he's also in Trenton by the draft.
• Reegie Corona, Colin Curtis, Francisco Cervelli and Marcos Vechonacci all had one hit. Corona stole base.
• Anthony Claggert struck out three in two innings of relief. I don't a whole lot about how he pitches, but he is coming off a sub-1.00 ERA year with the Tigers. He struck out three in two innings.

• Austin Jackson went 2-4 with a three run home run.
• Wilmer Pino went 1-3 with a home run.
• Eduardo Nunez and Mitch Hilligoss both went 0-3 with a walk.
• Jose Gil and Josue Calzado both had one hit.
• Non-prospect Eric Hacker started for the Riverdogs, shutting out Greenville through six and striking out five.