Results tagged ‘ Carlos Gonzalez ’
An end to the beginning
The 51s’ first home series of the season will end tonight. So far, the series has taught us that the myth of Cashman Field as a home for offensive fireworks isn’t based on reality: Sunday’s 3-1 loss was the second game of the series to feature a victor scoring just three runs.
Tonight’s finale was headed for another pitching duel until Rockies’ 2007 postseason hero Franklin Morales was called back up to the big club Monday. Now, 51s ace Wade Miller, the former Astros fireballer, will face an as-yet-determined opponent, most likely a collection of Colorado Springs Sky Sox bullpen arms.
Check back tonight or tomorrow for a recap of this series, the lessons it has taught observers and a preview of the next series, a four-game set against the only team in the Pacific Coast League with a worse record than Las Vegas, the Fresno Grizzlies.
If you’re going to tonight’s game, here are some players to keep an eye on.
LAS VEGAS
Miller – From 2001 through 2002, Wade Miller had a won-loss record of 31-12 with an ERA below 3.50 for the Houston Astros. But arm troubles have left him unable to reach that peak again, so he will use his time with the 51s to prove he still has it in him. Miller’s fastball was always his best pitch, so watch his velocity, placement and movement on that pitch tonight to see if he is rounding back into form.
Angel Sanchez, SS — The 51s’ usual No. 9 hitter almost has his average up to .300 after going 1-for-2 with a double and a sacrifice bunt Sunday and reaching base three times on Saturday.
Aaron Mathews, OF — Nobody performed well offensively for the 51s on Sunday in their dreadful 3-1 defeat, but Mathews played some hard defense in leftfield, making one running catch in foul territory and dropping another only after running into the wall with a ton of force. He’s a gutsy outfielder who will get a lot of cheers from fans this year for his all-out play.
COLORADO SPRINGS
Carlos Gonzalez, OF — He has been on this list for every game in the series, and has shown why. While the 51s have scored only eight runs in the first three games of the series, Gonzalez has scored four and driven in five. He has also played a majestic centerfield, finally showing off his arm on Sunday with a long throw to third that didn’t result in an out but did get some “aaaahs” from the crowd.
Matt Murton, OF — His 2-for-3 day on Sunday put his average back up above .400.
Whoever starts for the Sky Sox — So far in the series, the 51s have scored just three earned runs off of Sky Sox starting piching in 19 innings. With today’s starter still TBD as of now, the 51s may not have a chance to get much of a scouting report on whoever does take the mound and could struggle.
Preview: 51s vs. Sky Sox, April 19
In just more than an hour, the 51s will take the field for their first day game this year at Cashman Field. Making his Las Vegas debut will be Brian Burres, one of two 51s starters with extensive experience in the majors.
The 6’2″ lefty had a 13-18 won-loss record with the Baltimore Orioles in the last three season while swinging from the bullpen to the rotation and back. He has appeared in 79 major-league games, 39 of them starts, and has a career ERA of 5.88 and WHIP of 1.655.
According to scouting reports, he relies on a strong changeup to complement his high-80s fastball and decent curve to get batters out.
Burres has a good track record at AAA, pitching well in the International League in 2006, so he could put up a good performance today. Here are some other players to keep an eye on.
LAS VEGAS
Buck Coats, OF – One of only two 51s with multiple hits last night, Coats went 2-4 with an RBI and a run scored and had the crowd chanting his name before his double in the ninth inning. Of course, with a name like Buck Coats, how could they not?
Brett Harper, 1B/DH – The other player with multiple hits last night, Harper also got the start at 1B and made a strong throw in the first inning to nail Carlos Gonzalez trying to go from first to third on a hit-and-run groundout. Plus, he was nice enough to do a podcast with 51s Today, so have to show him some more love.
Jason Lane, OF – A great defensive play in the ninth inning Friday night, an RBI triple and run scored in the ninth inning Saturday night – 51s Today is just waiting for this guy to come to the plate in the ninth with a tie game.
COLORADO SPRINGS
Alan Johnson, P – The Sky Sox starter impressed in his first outing, giving up no runs and only two hits in six innings of work against Reno for the win. That win must have felt good after his 4-14 record last year in AA.
Dan Ortmeier, 1B – The first baseman and former San Francisco Giants prospect went 2-3 Saturday night with a double, single and walk and left the game in the seventh, leaving him nice and rested for today.
Carlos Gonzalez, OF – The most impressive player in the first two games, Gonzalez is 4-9 with a home run, four RBI and four runs scored so far in the series and has shown nice defensive skills.
Cecil ceases to amaze in home debut
Postgame fireworks lit up the Las Vegas sky at Cashman Field on Saturday. Unfortunately, the in-game fireworks were mostly provided by the Colorado Springs Sky Sox.
Brett Cecil, the 51s’ highly-touted pitching prospect, was knocked out in the third inning of his first home start after giving up six runs, and Las Vegas went on to lose 9-4.
Cecil’s undoing began at the bottom of the order, with catcher Sal Fasano and shortstop Jonathan Herrera opening up the third inning with a single and double. He attempted to settle down and struck out Sky Sox leadoff hitter Eric Young Jr., but Carlos Gonzalez opened the floodgates with a two-run single. Two walks and two doubles later, the 51s were down 6-0 and Cecil was headed for an early shower.
The pitcher to watch in this game started for the Sky Sox. Brandon Hyrick, just recalled from extended spring training for his second appearance with Colorado Springs this year, obviously picked up a few things during his time in Florida. He controlled the 51s for seven full innings, giving up just two hits while striking out three and walking none.
Down 9-0 in the ninth inning, the 51s finally gave the fans something to cheer about, rallying for four runs off former San Francisco Giants reliever Scott Munter. The fans appreciated the effort, cheering loudly throughout and even chanting Buck Coats’ name with two outs and a seven-run deficit, spurring the outfielder to an RBI double that kept the game going.
Fans were rewarded for sticking around with post-game fireworks that would rival the shows at major-league parks.
Player of the game
Hyrick – The young hurler used only 79 pitches to roll through his seven innings of work. He pitched to contact and had great control, throwing 55 strikes. With more work like this, he’ll start moving up the Rockies’ prospect list.
Hitter of the game
Gonzalez – The five-tool prospect who has been involved in blockbuster trades each of the last two offseasons had another good game, getting hits in each of his first three at-bats. He knocked in three runs and scored two while again playing a masterful centerfield.
Plays of the game
While none of the defense from Saturday night’s game could match Jason Lane’s diving catch to end Friday night’s home opener, there were still some eye openers. On the 51s side, Aaron Matthews made a nice leaping catch at the left field wall in the second inning, stealing a double from Matt Murton. For the Sky Sox, Kenny Wallace started and finished an exquisite 3-6-3 double play in the eighth inning after moving from third base to first.
Notes: The 51s’ win on Friday made them 8-1 in their last nine home openers. … Alberto Quintana is the new backup catcher for the 51s, jumping up from the Blue Jays’ A-league team in Dunedin to replace Raul Chavez, who was promoted to Toronto on Saturday. He played the last two innings Saturday night. … A fan asked his girlfriend to marry him with help of the big screen and public address announcer between the second and third inning. She said yes.
Coming tomorrow: I’ll be posting my podcast interview with Brett Harper (who had another RBI double and runs scored Saturday, by the way). He had some fun things to say about growing up around the 1991 Minnesota Twins, whom his dad played for. Also, check back for a preview and recap of game three of the 51s-Sky Sox series, which starts at 12:05 p.m.
Preview: 51s vs. Sky Sox, April 18th
Las Vegas 51s fans who attended last night’s home opener are still buzzing about what an outstanding baseball game they witnessed. The last play of the game — Jason Lane’s diving catch of a line drive that would have at least tied the score if not given away the lead — will be one of the best highlights of the season no matter what happens from here on out.
But you can’t live on memories forever, and tonight’s game promises to be interesting, if for only one reason: 51s’ fans first chance to see pitching prospect Brett Cecil. Cecil, Baseball America’s No. 72-ranked prospect in all of baseball and the No. 3 prospect in the Blue Jays system, could be the next big star to call Las Vegas home for the season.
Cecil told 51s Today last week that he has been working on his changeup since last season, mixing it in with his solid two-seam fastball and his out-pitch, a nasty breaking slider. He will probably throw that changeup more to righties than lefties, so keep an eye out for it. Minor-league baseball gives fans the opportunities to see future stars refining their skills early in their career, and this is definitely an opportunity to see a player growing into what he will be.
Cecil will be the focus for most of the people in attendance tonight, but here are some other players to watch.
LAS VEGAS
Randy Ruiz, 1B — Ruiz told 51s Today after last night’s game that he is hitting at least 200 balls a day with batting coach Ken Joyce, and it certainly seems to be paying off. He has the second-most home runs in the PCL after hitting his fourth last night and also has the second-highest slugging percentage at .933.
Brett Harper, DH — Harper had the other key hit in last night’s game, a double off the very top of the leftfield wall that led to the tying and winning runs. Harper promised 51s Today some time for a podcast interview before tonight’s game, so keep an eye out for that late tonight or tomorrow.
Jeremy Accardo, P — Accardo closed out last night’s thriller, so he may not pitch again tonight, but be ready to see something special when he does. Accardo was sitting in the mid-90s with his fastball last night and making hitters look ridiculous on some swings. With talent like his, he may not be in Las Vegas long, so pay attention when he steps to the mound.
COLORADO SPRINGS
Brandon Hynick, P — Hynick was the scheduled starter as of last night, though right now the Sky Sox Web site reports that the starter is yet to be determined. If it is Hynick, he doesn’t com ein on a hot streak: his only start this year, against the Reno Aces, was a blowout 10-2 loss in which he gave up seven runs in 3 2/3 innings. Hynick was Baseball America’s Rockies pitcher of the year in A ball in 2007 and MLB.com’s Class A starter of the year that season, but has yet to excel above that level, going 10-7 with a 4.44 ERA and less than 5 strikeouts per 9 innings last season in AA.
Carlos Gonzalez, OF — Gonzalez turned in stellar work last night against the 51s, hitting s line-drive home run and also getting on base with a hit-by-pitch and a walk in ive plate appearances. He also played a stellar centerfield, making several tough running catches appear easy.
Eric Young Jr., 2B — Young, the son of former major leaguer Eric Young, showed blazing speed last night and could be a terror on the basepaths. If he gets on base, keep a close eye on him; 51s catcher J.P. Arencibia has only thrown out one of 13 attempted baserunners so far this season and teh Sky Sox could seek to take advantage.
Make sure to check back later tonight or tomorrow for the 51s Today recap of the game and (hopefully) an interview with Brett Harper.
An Opening Day to remember
Long
home runs, gutsy pitching performances and a tense ninth inning that ended with
a spectacular, game-saving catch – all the ingredients for a classic home
opener.
The
victory made it even sweeter for the 51s.
Rightfielder
Jason Lane made a diving catch near the right-field foul line with runners on
first and third and two outs in the ninth to preserve a come-from-behind 3-2
win Friday night for the 51s against the Colorado Springs Sky Sox.
Hope
seemed dim for the home squad going into the sixth inning, with a 2-0 deficit
spurred on by a line-drive home run by Sky Sox center fielder Carlos Gonzalez
and shut-down pitching by starter Jason Hirsch. But the 51s’ big boppers came
through: Randy Ruiz drove a mammoth home run to left-center to lead off the inning,
and Brett Harper knocked in a run with a double and came around to score on
Russ Adams’ single to give Las Vegas the lead.
After
that, it was up to the bullpen.
Bryan
Bullington and Jonah Bayliss provided the bridge to closer Jeremy Accardo, who
gave up a single with one out to Eric Young Jr. On a 1-1 pitch to the next
batter, Young took off for second and catcher J.P. Arencibia made a wild throw
low and to the third-base side that skipped into centerfield, allowing the
speedy second baseman to take third. After a groundout and a walk, Matt Murton
- the Sky Sox’ best hitter so far this season – stepped to the plate with the
game on the line.
With
all of Cashman Field standing, the 51s fireballing closer threw a hard outside
fastball to Murton, who hit a screaming liner down the rightfield line. Lane
took off running and left his feet as the ball tailed toward the ground,
securing it in his glove while in mid-air and landing with it still in the
webbing.
And
the fans went home happy.
Player
of the game
Bryan
Bullington, P – Brad Mills started the game and toughed through some well-hit
singles and Gonzalez’ smoked home run to pitch 5 2/3 innings. But it was
Bullington who meant the most on the mound for the 51s and ended up with the
win.
After
Mills ran out of steam in the sixth inning and walked two batters, the former
No. 1 overall draft pick struck out Jonathan Herrera to keep the game from
getting away from Las Vegas. After the 51s rallied in the bottom half of the
inning to take the lead, nothing would have been more demoralizing than
Bullington giving it up. But he dominated the top half of the seventh, striking
out Young and the dangerous Gonzalez in a 1-2-3 frame, two of the four
strikeouts he tallied in just 1 2/3 innings.
Lesson
of the game
The
51s will go as far as their sluggers take them – Randy Ruiz and Brett Harper
have seven home runs between them in just eight games so far this season, and
it was obvious Friday night that they are the bellwethers of this team.
Through five innings, the team had just five hits, four of them singles, and
mustered only one threat, when they put runners on second and third with two
outs in the fourth.
Then,
Ruiz homered to lead off the sixth and Harper belted a double just off the top
of the wall in left that scored a run. The two 1B/DH’s combined for three of
the 51s’ nine hits, but they got the two that counted. If Las Vegas is going to
be successful this year, it will be these two sluggers leading the way.
Quote
of the game
“I
know what these guys can do, we’re a good group I saw them in spring training,
these guys can hit the cover off the ball and can pitch the ball too, so I’m
just hoping we can pick it up.” – Randy Ruiz, on the prospects for the 51s
eight game homestand, which follows a 1-6 road trip.
Notes:
The 51s had their first call-up of the year while they were on the road to
start the season: P Bill Murphy is now with the Toronto Blue Jays and P Adrian
Martin was called up from AA New Hampshire to replace him … J.P. Arencibia
threw out his first base stealer of the year in the fifth inning. The first
eleven attempted thefts against the young prospect were successful. … Randy
Ruiz has hit safely in all eight games this season.
Coming tomorrow: A preview of the 51s’ second
home game, as well as a recap of the game and a podcast with Brett Harper.
Home opener preview – 51s vs. Sky Sox, April 17
The 51s take on the Colorado Springs Sky Sox today in their
home opener, and it could be a good night for the hitters, as they will face
off against pitchers they have already seen this young season.
The 51s will start Brad Mills, a highly touted prospect who
pitched against the Sky Sox on April 11, giving up six runs (three earned) in
only 3 2/3 innings. Jason Hirsch, the 2006 AAA pitcher of the year according to
mlb.com, gave up four runs in 5 2/3 innings against the 51s in that game, but
still got the win in a 6-4 Sky Sox victory.
The 51s started their season in Colorado Springs and lost
all three games they played there before the last game was postponed due to
snow. All of the games were relatively close, however, with Las Vegas losing by
three, one and two runs, respectively.
Besides the pitchers, here are some players to pay close
attention to if you’re headed to the game tonight.
LAS VEGAS
Randy Ruiz, INF – The slugging first baseman/DH has hit
three home runs already this season and went 3-for-5 in his first game against
Hirsch, including a double off the pitcher. In the three games he played
against the Sky Sox in Colorado Springs, Ruiz was 5-for-13 with four RBI. He
then hit home runs in three of the 51s’ four games in Salt Lake City this week.
Joe Inglett, INF – The former Blue Jays utility infielder
led off the first two game sof the season in Colorado Springs and sparked the
51s, going 6-for-11 with two runs and two RBI.
Brett Harper, INF – The son of former major-league catcher
Brian Harper, this DH/1B hit home runs in the 51s’ previous two games
COLORADO SPRINGS
Matt Murton, OF – After playing in the majors with the
Chicago Cubs and Oakland A’s, Murton is hoping the Rockies will give him a
chance to return to The Show this year. He enters tonight’s game on a 5-for-8
tear and has the Sky Sox’ only home run of the season so far.
Carlos Gonzalez, OF – Another former Oakland A, this young
prospect was one of the big pieces in last summer’s blockbuster trade that sent
Matt Holliday from Colorado to Oakland. Gonzalez is a five-tool prospect and
could take away some hits from the 51s in centerfield.
Daniel Ortmeier, 1B – The former San Francisco Giant is sixth
in the Pacific Coast League in batting average entering the game, with a .429
average. Just behind him in seventh is 51s’ Randy Ruiz, who is hitting at a
.423 clip so far.
That’s it for now, I’m taking off for the ballpark. I’ll
check in from there with any news and notes. Enjoy the home opener!
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