Another week has come and gone the BBA. Rumors coming from Montreal are that both Lineu Aldo and Ramiro CherónRamiro Cherón may not be happy. Rumor has it Cherón wants a starting spot, which is kinda impossible when Joe Bradshaw is ahead of you on the depth chart. As for Aldo, he wants a middle-of-the-lineup spot (even though he's batting 3rd vs RHP and 5th vs LHP. I'd consider that "middle of the lineup"). Cherón is a free agent after this season, so is his time in Montreal limited?
Blazers Deal Hurricanes 8-2 Loss
The Montreal Blazers topped the Jacksonville Hurricanes, 8-2, in Johnson League action at The Station @ CSX Field. The game was highlighted by the performance of Montreal right fielder Erik Wignes. Esteban Cruz got credit for the win, improving to 5-3. He allowed 2 runs on 3 hits in 5.1 innings. At 24-33, Montreal is in 6th place in the Johnson League Atlantic Division.
In the top of the fourth, with the game still scoreless, Wignes hit a 2-run double to put his team in the lead. Before the next batter up, Joe Bradshaw would hit a 2 run home run for a 4 run 4th inning. Jacksonville manager Khayyat bin Luqman said his team was "out of sync."
Jacksonville would get on the scoreboard with 2 runs of their own in the bottom of the 6th inning. David Simpson with an RBI single and George Collins would hit an RBI single of his own. But that's all the Hurricanes would get.
Montreal would go on to score 4 more runs in the top of the 8th, thanks in part to a José Méndez RBI double. Esteban Cruz, who was claimed off waivers from Las Vegas on May 6th of 2050, is the only Blazers pitcher with a positive winning percentage. With today's win, he moves to 5-3. HE allowed 2 runs on 3 hits with 4 walks and 3 strikeouts. Luis Rúbio took the loss for Jacksonville. Allowing 4 runs on 4 hits with 5 strikeouts and 1 walk.
Montreal closes out 3 game series by taking 2 of 3.
Blazers Down Crawdads, 5-4
The New Orleans Crawdads got a sterling performance from pitcher Cristián García, but the Montreal Blazers still prevailed, 5-4. García threw 8.0 innings of 7-hit ball. Reliever Anthony Annear picked up the win. His record improves to 1-1. Renato Lacerda took the loss. Montreal bumps their record to 25-33 with the win.
Ulvi Basgil, the 2050 Joe Gillstrom Newcomer of the Year winner, had a direct impact on the outcome. Basgil contributed a run-scoring sacrifice fly in the top of the tenth inning to put Montreal up, 4-3. In postgame comments, Basgil said he was glad to contribute to an exciting win.
Both teams would swap runs in the top of the 1st and bottom of the 2nd before Montreal would hit back-to-back home runs. First by Ulvi Basgil, his 4th of the season and Eduardo González, his 16th of the season. New Orleans would add solo runs in both the bottom of the 5th and bottom of the 7the to send it to extra innings. Both teams would score in the 10th but thankfully for Montreal fans, the Blazers would score 2 while the Crawdads would only score 1.
Don Jaramillo would be on the mound for Montreal and would leave with no decision. He threw 85 pitches across 5.2 innings while allowing 2 runs on 8 hits with 1 walk and 2 strikeouts. Cristián García would get the start for New Orleans and pitch 8.0 innings, while allowing 3 runs on 7 hits with 4 strikeouts.
Unfortunately, it wasn't all good for Montreal, as Fuad Demirel would leave the game in the top of the 1st after hitting a triple. The left fielder has been diagnosed with a strained back. He's expected to miss 1-2 weeks.
Crawdads Prevail, 3-1, Over Montreal
The New Orleans Crawdads got a good effort from starter Zak Johnson in defeating the Montreal Blazers at The Commanders Palace. The final score was 3-1. Renato Lacerda converted his 12th save in 13 tries. With the victory, the Crawdads upped their record to 33-25.
Montreal had a runner on 1st in the top of the eighth. With one out, Eduardo González came to bat, hoping to do some damage. Instead, he grounded out. The score remained 3-1, New Orleans. The Blazers saw their comeback bid fail.
The Crawdads would score 2 runs in the bottom of the 2nd inning on back-to-back sacrifice fly's. First by Edgardo Encarnación and then Todd Tatlock. They'd add another run in the bottom of the 3rd. Montreal would finally get on the board in the top of the 4th inning. Ulvi Basgil would lead the inning off with a 0-0 double. Before Lineu Aldo would double to score Basgil.
Montreal starter Boris Milatovic would pick up the loss. HE moves to 4-6 on the season. In his 97 pitches, he allowed 3 runs on 7 hits with 2 wlaks and 2 strikeouts. Zak Johnson would pick up the win for New Orleans. Lasting 7.0 innings while allowing 1 run on 6 hits with 2 walks and 5 strikeouts.
Hodge Dazzles in 3-0 Las Vegas Win
The Las Vegas Hustlers defeated the Montreal Blazers, 3-0, in Johnson League action at Palace Station Ballpark & Casino. Las Vegas pitcher Jay Hodge had a standout performance. Eric Buckson was credited with the save. He has now successfully converted 8 of 10 save opportunities. After today's action, Las Vegas sits at 28-32; Montreal slips to 25-35.
Hodge allowed no runs on 4 hits over 7 innings for the Hustlers. He walked 0 and struck out 9. "Getting ahead of the hitters was the key," said Hodge.
Kevin Davis would throw 109 pitches across his 7.1 innings of work. He'd allow 3 runs on 8 hits with 4 strikeouts. He picks up the loss and moves to 2-2 on the season.
Hustlers Prevail, 7-5, Over Montreal
The Las Vegas Hustlers topped the Montreal Blazers by a score of 7-5. Leading the way was center fielder Tom Rudge. Rudge was 4-4 with a double and 3 singles. He scored 2 times for the Hustlers. The winner was Wayne Dorsey in relief. His record improves to 2-1. Javier Hernández took the loss. Las Vegas is now riding a 3-game win streak.
A defensive lapse proved costly in the contest. In the bottom of the seventh, with the game tied, Michael Griffin was at the plate when Las Vegas scored 2 on an error. The miscue enabled the Hustlers to go in front, 6-4. "It feels good, just a great win all around," Rudge said after the game.
Ulvi Basgil would hit his 5th home run of the season in the 3rd inning off Ross, while Pedro Rosales would hit his 4th of the season in the 8th inning.
Hustlers Roll to 9-2 Win Over Blazers
Las Vegas and Montreal got after it at Palace Station Ballpark & Casino.
Scotty Beemeup had a hand in Las Vegas defeating Montreal by the score of 9-2. Beemeup went 3 for 4 at the plate, scoring 2 times and driving in 2 runs. The winner was Mike Jayne in relief. His record improves to 5-2. Esteban Cruz took the loss and moves to 5-4 on the season. He threw 87 pitches while allowing 5 runs on 8 hits with 2 walks and 5 strikeouts.
Las Vegas designated hitter Jen-kan Zhai contributed a timely at-bat in the bottom of the first. With two down, he hit a curveball into right field for a 2-run double. It was his 7th double of the season and put the Hustlers ahead, 2-0.
"In baseball, you have your ups and downs," said Montreal manager Bill Inkster. "You just try to stay level-headed the whole time." Las Vegas is now riding a 4-game win streak.
