51s Can't Overcome 4 Errors and a Wild Montero in Loss

Reno Aces @ Las Vegas 51s

 

April 29, 2014

 

Randy Wolf @ Rafael Montero

Teams	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E	LOB
Reno	0	0	0	5	2	0	0	0	0		7	8	1	10
Las Vegas	0	1	0	0	2	0	0	2	0		5	10	4	11

 Main Sequence Stars

The Highlights: 

Pitchers

Rafael Montero – 4 IP, 3 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 3 SO, 93 pitches, 54 strikes (58%), 21 batters faced, 7 groundouts, 5 fly outs

Joel Carreno – 2 IP, H, 3 SO, 29 pitches, 21 strikes, 7 batters faced, 1 groundout, 1 fly out

Batters

REHAB UPDATE: Juan Lagares – 1-1, 2B, R, did not start but got a 51s rally started pinch hitting in the 5^th

Eric Campbell – 2-4, R, RBI, BB, SO

Wilmer Flores – 2-5, 2 RBI (13), 2B (3), 3 SO, CS

Recap:

            Looking to bounce back from a loss in the opener, the Las Vegas 51s sent Rafael Montero (L, 3-1) to hill opposite Randy Wolf (W, 3-1) for the Reno Aces Tuesday night at Cashman Field. Montero would start out strong, but got a little wild starting in the 3^rd, got no defensive help in the 4^th, and was at too high of a pitch count to start the 5^th. So it was a short outing for Montero, on what became an unusually wild night for the New York Mets top prospect best known for his control, as he only threw 58% strikes. Wilmer Flores returned to the lineup, likely limited to 1B duty considering his hand injury – Las Vegas has Dykstra and Allen as 1B-only guys already, so they’re not going to be using Wilmer at 1B unless it’s the only place he can play. Cesar Puello returned to the lineup and led off – he hadn’t started in 3 of 4 games and that was starting to concern me. Also, rehabbing Juan Lagares made a pinch hitting appearance and is schedule to play all 9 innings Wednesday before rejoining the Mets in Colorado Thursday.

            The 51s got the scoring started in the second, as the first three batters would reach, including an RBI single for SS Danny Muno. They wouldn’t score again until Randy Wolf tired in the 5^th as Juan Lagares got a rally started with a double and Wilmer Flores ended the rally with a double of his own for 2 RBI’s. In between, here is what Rafael Montero had done:

1^st inning – Worked around a Muno error for a scoreless inning, getting weak contact from all four hitters.

2^nd inning – Had a nice sequence to the leadoff hitter that ended with a called strike on a slider then a fastball. Followed that by getting a weak groundout to Lutz and a liner to Campbell.

3^rd inning – This is when his control issues started on the night, as he walked the leadoff hitter on four straight pitches out of the zone. After fielding his position on a decent bunt from Wolf, Montero got Ender Inciarte swinging. He then walked Gregorius on 5 pitches before getting a line out to 1B.

4^th inning – Was his biggest enemy in this inning, as he walked two of the first three batters, with the other hitter reaching on a flare to the outfield. After a visit from the pitching coach, Montero would induce another groundball that found its way into RF. The next batter chopped it weakly passed the mound, just out of the reach of Rafael Montero, and then off the glove of 2B Eric Campbell for an error. The next batter would hit a sac fly on a high fly ball to CF. The 8^th batter of the inning hit another groundball that got through, this time up the middle into CF – this was bobbled by M∂D, which allowed a second run to score on the play.

The Aces tacked on two key runs off Buddy Carlyle in the top of the 5^th, which proved important as Las Vegas would get those 2 runs back in the bottom of the 8^th. The Aces rally in the 8^th was aided by another 51s error, this time by Zach Lutz on his throw. Still, Buddy Carlyle wasn’t at his best in the inning, giving up some hard contact. The 51s 8^th inning rally involved a Matt ∂en Dekker walk, followed by an RBI double for Anthony Seratelli, who was driven in by an Eric Campbell RBI single two batters later.

            The last 4 innings of the game were handled nicely by the 51s pen, highlighted by Joel Carreno’s three strikeouts over two innings pitched, facing one over the minimum. Erik Goeddel and Jeff Walters each threw a scoreless inning with one base runner allowed.

            Looking ahead, the 51s send top Mets prospect Noah Syndergaard to the mound opposite a Reno starter not yet announced online. Thor is coming off a solid start in a win against the PCL’s top offense last time out and will be making his last start in April. Game time is at 10:05 PM ET, hopefully there won’t be any rain delays in Philadelphia to cause any timing conflicts again.

@LasVegas51s

Play By Play

1^st inning

Top

1)   CF Ender Inciarte flied out to shallow RF. 9/F9LS

2)   2B Didi Gregorius flied out to LF. 7/F7D

3)   RF Alfredo Marte hit a soft grounder at the SS that Muno bobbled near the grass. E6/G6S

4)   1B Mike Jacobs hit a medium grounder at Muno, who was in a shift. 63/G6M

Totals: E, LOBster

Bottom

1)    LF Cesar Puello hit a medium roller at the SS. 63/G6

2)   2B Eric Campbell hit a sharp grounder up the middle for a single. S8/G6M

3)   1B Wilmer Flores lined a single into RF. Campbell advanced to 3B. S9/L9S

4)   RF Andrew Brown struck out swinging on a 3-2 pitch with Wilmer running. Flores was out by a lot at 2B.

Totals:  2 H, SO, CS, LOBster

2^nd inning

Top

1)   3B Andy Marte struck out looking at a fastball after taking two straight sliders.

2)   LF Aaron Cunningham hit a weak grounder towards Lutz. 53/G5S

3)   C Bobby Wilson hit a line drive at Campbell. 4/L4

Totals: SO

Bottom

1)   3B Zach Lutz took 5 pitches for a walk.

2)   C Taylor Teagarden hit a fly ball that fell in between the LF and CF for a single. S8/F78

3)   SS Danny Muno hit a medium groundball through the middle for an RBI single. S8/G4M

4)   CF Matt ∂en Dekker pulled a weak grounder to 1B. 3u/G3

5)   P Rafael Montero struck out swinging.

6)   Puello hit a weak groundball at the 2B. 43/G4

Totals: R, 2 H, BB, SO, 2 LOBsters

3^rd inning

Top

1)   SS Nick Ahmed took a strike and then 4 balls for a walk.

2)   P Randy Wolf sacrificed Ahmed to 2B with a bunt down the 1B line. 13/B3S

3)   Inciarte struck out swinging.

4)   Gregorius took 5 pitches for a walk.

5)   Marte lined out to 1B. 3/L3

Totals: 2 BB, sac, SO, 2 LOBsters

Bottom

1)   Campbell lined out to RF. 9/L9

2)   Flores struck out swinging.

3)   Brown struck out swinging, 3-pitch K.

Totals: 2 SO

4^th inning

Top

1)   Jacobs walked.

2)   Marte flared a single in CF. S8/L8S

3)   Cunningham walked.

4)   Wilson pulled a 0-2 grounder into LF for an RBI single.

5)   Ahmed hit a weak grounder up the middle that got just under the glove of Montero and then deflected off the glove of Campbell positioned right at the bag. E4/G4M

6)   Wolf hit a soft fly ball out to CF, not too deep but M∂D’s throw came to 3B. SF8/F8

7)   Inciarte struck out swinging.

8)   Gregorius hit an RBI single into CF that M∂D bobbled, allowing a second run to score. S8/L8S -> E8

9)   Marte flies out to the LF warning track.

Totals: 5 R, 1 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 2 E, SF, SO, 1 LOBster

Bottom

1)   Lutz hit a medium roller up the middle. 63/G6M

2)   Teagarden couldn’t check his swing for a strikeout.

3)   Muno broke hit bat on a medium grounder at the SS. 63/G6

Totals: SO

5^th inning  

Top (Substitution: Buddy Carlyle pitching for Las Vegas)

1)   Jacobs lined a single the other way. S7/L7

2)   Marte lined out to CF on the first pitch. 8/L8

3)   Cunningham reached on a throwing error from Lutz. E5/G5

4)   Wilson hit a grounder up the middle for an RBI single. S8/G4M

5)   Ahmed got HBP.

6)   Wolf struck out swinging.

7)   Inciarte lined a single into CF. S8/L6MD

8)   Gregorius flied out to the RF warning track. 9/F9D

Totals: 2 R, 3 H, HBP, E, SO, 3 LOBsters

Bottom

1)   ∂en Dekker flew out to the LF corner. 7/F7LD

2)   PH JUAN LAGARES lined a double into right-center field. 2B8/L89

3)   Puello got jammed on a soft two-hopper to the 3B. 53/G5S

4)   Campbell walked. Wolf was starting to look tired.

*Wild pitch advances the runners.

5)   Flores pulled a liner down the 3B line for a 2-RBI double. 2B7/L5D

6)   Brown grounded a single into CF but Flores was thrown out trying to score – not really close. S8/G4M

Totals: 2R, H, 2B, BB, LOBster

6^th inning

Top (Substitutions: Joel Carreno pitching, Anthony Seratelli playing RF and batting 9^th for Las Vegas)

1)   Marte hit a high fly ball to LF. 7/F7

2)   Jacobs hit a medium roller where the SS would have been standing without the defensive shift used against Jacobs. S8/G6

3)   Marte struck out looking at a fastball on the outside corner, knee-high.

4)   Cunningham hit a foul pop out behind the plate. 2/2F

Totals: H, SO, LOBster

Bottom

1)   Lutz walked.

2)   Teagarden struck out swinging – 3 pitches.

3)   Muno lined a single into CF that fell right in front of CF Inciarte, whose throw nearly got Lutz at 2B, but was not handled cleanly at the bag. S8/L8S

(Substitution: Eury De La Rosa pitching for Reno)

4)   ∂en Dekker hit a medium grounder back to the mound for a force out at 2B. 14/G1

5)   RF Seratelli walked on a full count.

(Substitutions: Kevin Munson pitching, Trent Oeltjen playing LF and batting 9^th for Reno)

6)   Puello struck out swinging on a 1-2 count.

Totals: H, 2 BB, 2 SO, 3 LOBsters

7^th inning

Top

1)   Wilson fell behind 0-2 before taking three pitches very low, but then couldn’t hold his swing on a pitch in the dirt for a strikeout.

2)   Ahmed struck out swinging on a fastball.

3)   LF Oeltjen hit a medium groundball to the 2B on a first-pitch fastball. 43/G4

Totals: 2 SO

Bottom

1)   Campbell struck out swinging – 3 pitches.

2)   Flores struck out swinging on a foul tip into the mound – pitch was a high fastball.

3)   PH Brandon Allen singled on a broken bat flare into RF. S9/F9S

4)   Lutz got HBP.

5)   Teagarden struck out swinging.

Totals: H, HBP, 3 SO, 2 LOBsters

8^th inning

Top (Substitutions: Erik Goeddel pitching, Allen playing RF, Seratelli playing 2B, Campbell playing 3B for Las Vegas)

1)   Inciarte grounded out to Seratelli. 43/G4

2)   Gregorius doubled to RF. 2B9/F9

3)   Marte grounded out to Seratelli. 43/G4

4)   Jacobs lined out at Seratelli. 4/L4

Totals: H, 2B, LOBster

Bottom (Substitution: Joe Patterson pitching for Reno)

1)   Muno hit a medium groundout up the middle. 63/G6M

2)   ∂en Dekker walked.

3)   Seratelli lined a double into the LF corner. 2B7/L7L

(Substitution: Evan Marshall pitching for Reno)

4)   Puello hit a hard RBI grounder towards 3B that Andy Marte made a nice play on. Seratelli to 3B. 53/G5

5)   Campbell grounded an RBI single up the middle. S8/G6M

6)   Flores struck out swinging – 3 pitches.

Totals: 2 R, 2 H, BB, SO, LOBster

9^th inning

Top (Substitution: Jeff Walters pitching for Las Vegas)

1)   Marte hit a medium grounder right at Campbell – took a high hop. 53/G5

2)   P Marshall struck out swinging at a fastball.

3)   Wilson walked.

4)   Ahmed hit a medium two-hopper at Campbell. 53/G5

Totals: BB, LOBster

Bottom

1)   Allen flied out to the warning track in LF. 7/F7D

2)   PH Dykstra walked on five pitches.

3)   Teagarden struck out swinging.

4)   Muno struck out swinging on a breaking ball.

Totals: BB, 2 SO, LOBster

51s Bats Go Quiet as Eveland Pitches to Best Start Thus Far

The News

Reno Aces @ Las Vegas 51s

4/28/14

Zeke Spruill @ Dana Eveland

Teams	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E	LOB
Reno	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	1	0		3	8	0	9
Las Vegas	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		0	5	1	7

The Highlights:

 

Pitchers

Dana Eveland (L, 2-1) – 5.2 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 SO, 86 pitches, 58 strikes (67%), 23 batters faced, 5 groundouts. Infield single and a walk at the plate.

Erik Goeddel – 1 IP, 3 SO, 12 pitches, 9 strikes (75%), 3 batters faced

Batters

Well, Andrew Brown had a double…

Recap:

 

             The Las Vegas 51s opened the final series of their season long home stand by sending LHP Dana Eveland to the mound against the Reno Aces RHP Zeke Spruill Monday night. Eveland was making his 3^rd start since being put in the rotation to fill the absence left by the Mets call-up of Dice-K, having pitched 5 innings in a winning effort both starts – although he allowed 4 ER in his most recent start against El Paso, benefitting from a typical 51s scoring outburst. This was Spruill’s first start of the season, so he was to be limited to about 60-65 pitches, which turned into 3.1 strong innings pitched – he would only allow 3 hits and a walk against 4 strikeouts. Both starting pitchers pitched well enough to get a win, but the 51s offense couldn’t muster any run support for Dana Eveland, and Spruill did not get the requisite 5 innings pitched needed to earn the win – it was unlikely he would with such a low pitch count limit – in what was a 1-0 pitchers duel for most of the game (just like in Bingo). Reno would tack on a run in the 7^th and 8^th inning each, before handing the ball off to Jess Todd, who worked a 12 pitch, 1-2-3 inning for the save, which pushed Reno to 12-12 on the season.

            Dana Eveland had rolled the through first 5 batters, including 2 strikeouts, before missing with 4 straight to Andy Marte. This would come back to burn him right away, as the next hitter Bobby Wilson would line an RBI double into the right-center field gap, his 8^th hit of the season to that point – he had been 7-41 coming in. He really settled in after that double though, getting the next 11 batters to either strike out or hit a ground ball. He found himself in an unlucky, one-out, bases-loaded situation in the 5^th that could have proved critical, but got Nick Ahmed to line out to Campbell on the first pitch of the at-bat, who stepped on 2B for the double play. The bases became loaded on 2 infield singles and a lazy fly ball to LF that M∂D misjudged (perhaps due to the wind per the announcers) as it fell in front of him – runners advanced but had to hold up with the assumption he would make the catch. He had likely reached his pitch count limit when he was removed with 2 outs in the 6^th, as he had just struck out the previous two batters, though Carlyle would come in to finish striking out the side anyway.

            Vic Black came in for the 8^th, and showed why he isn’t yet with the ball club, but why he could be great someday. He got mostly weak contact, including on foul balls, but gave up two more walks (on 9 total pitches), and they came back to burn him for a run (unearned because Campbell was charged with an error on a foul ball near 1B that wasn’t caught).

            Another positive of note for the 51s was the appearance in the 9^th by Erik Goeddel, his third clean inning performance so far, and the best one yet. He looked very good getting PH Didi Gregorius and CF Reno Inciarte swinging, before buckling the knees of Reno SS Nick Ahmed with a nasty curveball on the inside corner.

            The final positive notes involved two main players returning from injury: Juan Lagares continuing his rehab in Las Vegas all game, and Wilmer Flores pinch hitting in the 7^th. For Wilmer, his X-Rays Monday came back negative, which was much more positive than the weak grounder he hit during his PA :P. For Lagares, he looked solid considering he’s been sitting for nearly two weeks, finishing 1-4 with a single, a strike out and all 9 innings played without further injury, the most important part.

            That said, where’s Puello at? Where’s the boy Wally? Where’s Puello? That’s all I wanna know. Where is Puello, huh? Wally, Wally, look at me, LOOK AT ME! WHY ISN’T PUELLO PLAYING DAILY? I don’t want this pantyhose wearing bunt-caller managing me. Ima get my own man, alright? So just get back in ya car and head back to sin city. That’s right, I made my decision. Where’s Puello at? Where is Puello? Where’s Puello Wally? Where is Peullo?

             Looking ahead to the rest of the series, Las Vegas will be featuring their big and exciting top 3 of Montero, Thor and ∂eGrom. Rafael Montero is scheduled to start opposite long-time ML veteran Randy Wolf at 10:05 PM ET. Montero is coming off his 3^rd win of the season against the PCL’s toughest offense, having gone six innings, with six hits and two walks contributing to three runs (including a HR) against three strikeouts, a season low. One thing to keep an eye on is whether Montero gives up another HR, as he has allowed one in three straight starts, already approaching the four total he allowed in sixteen starts for the 51s last season. Wolf is coming off his best start of the season, a win for Reno in which Wolf gave up 1 run in 6 IP. It’ll be interesting to see what the 37 year-old vet has left in the tank, having not pitched in 2013 due to Tommy John surgery.

@LasVegas51

Play By Play

 

1^st inning

Top

1)   CF Reno Inciarte lined out to SS. 6/L6

2)   SS Nick Ahmed hit a sinking line drive that just stayed in the air long enough for M∂D to shoe string catch it. 7/L7

3)   RF Alfredo Marte struck out looking on a back-door slider.

Totals: SO

Bottom

1)   CF JUAN LAGARES hit a medium chopper to 3B. 53/G5

2)   LF Matt ∂en Dekker struck out swinging at a belt-high fastball on the inside.

3)   2B Eric Campbell struck out swinging.

Totals:  2 SO

2^nd inning

Top

1)   LF Nick Evans hit a medium chopper down the 3B line that Lutz was able to backhand. 53/G5

2)   1B Mike Jacobs struck out swinging on a slider, down and away.

3)   3B Andy Marte walked on four pitches.

4)   C Bobby Wilson lined an RBI double into the right-center field gap. 2B9/L89

5)   2B Tyler Bortnick struck out swinging on a breaking ball

Totals: R, H, 2B, BB, 2 SO, 1 LOBster

Bottom

1)   RF Andrew Brown doubled into the LF corner. 2B7/L7L

2)   1B Allan Dykstra struck out swinging, as he could not check his swing on a low fastball.

3)   3B Zach Lutz hit a medium grounder at the SS, who charged and threw to 3B to get Brown. 65/G6

4)   C Juan Centeno hit a slow grounder passed a diving Jacobs but handled by the 2B, who threw onto the pitcher at 1B. 41/G34

Totals:  H, 2B, SO, 1 LOBster

3^rd inning

Top

1)   P Zeke Spruill grounded out to 2B. 43/G4

2)   Inciarte struck out swinging on a high, 90 MPH fastball with a 1-2 count.

3)   Ahmed hit a slow 2-hopper to Lutz at the edge of the grass. 53/G5S

Totals: SO

Bottom

1)   2B Danny Muno hit a high fly ball to shallow CF. 8/F78S

2)   P Dana Eveland hit a medium grounder up the middle that the 2B Bortnick backhanded. He did a spinning jump-and-throw, but his throw sailed passed 1B, and would have gone into the dugout if not for a hustling Reno C. S4/G4M

3)   LAGARES lined a single into CF. S8/L8S

4)   ∂en Dekker struck out swinging on a low slider.

5)   Campbell lined out to RF. 9/L9

Totals: 2 H, SO, 2 LOBsters

4^th inning

Top

1)   Marte hit a hard groundball single into LF. S7/G56D

2)   Evans hit a medium grounder near 2B that the SS Muno dropped on the transfer, forcing the 51s to settle for the force out at 2B. 64/G6M

3)   Jacobs struck out swinging on a breaking ball.

4)   Marte broke his bat on a groundball to 3B. 54/G5

Totals: H, SO, 1 LOBster

Bottom

1)   Brown walked.

2)   Dykstra lined out to LF. 7/L7

(Substitution: Derek Eitel pitching for Reno)

3)   Lutz struck out swinging on a change-up – 3-pitch K.

4)   Centeno hit a soft grounder up the middle. 63/G6M

Totals: BB, SO, 1 LOBster

5^th inning  

Top

1)   Wilson hit a medium grounder towards the 2B hole that Campbell tried to corral with a slide but couldn’t come up with. S9/G34D

2)   Bortnick hit a slow, very high chopper behind the mound that was hit to slow for Muno to make the play. S6/G6MS

3)   Eitel struck out on a 2-strike bunt fouled back.

4)   Inciarte hit a high fly ball a few steps in front of the warning track that fell in front of M∂D. M∂D appeared to lose the ball and was unable to recover. Runners only advanced one base, assuming it would be caught. S7/F7D

5)   Ahmed hit a first pitch liner right at Campbell, who caught the ball in stride and stepped on 2B. 44/L4M

Totals: 3 H, SO, LIDP, 3 LOBsters

Bottom

1)   Muno struck out swinging on a breaking ball – 3-pitch K.

2)   Eveland walked on a full count, never swung the bat.

3)   LAGARES struck out swinging on a breaking ball in the dirt – 3-pitch K.

4)   ∂en Dekker hit a medium grounder that deflected off the pitchers glove but was recovered by the SS. 164/G1

Totals: BB, 2 SO, 1 LOBster

6^th inning

Top

1)   Marte hit a bloop single into shallow right-center field. S8/F89S

2)   Evans struck out swinging on a pitch that would go for a passed ball, allowing Marte to advance to 2B.

3)   Jacobs struck out swinging on a breaking ball.

(Substitution: Buddy Carlyle pitching for Las Vegas)

4)   Marte struck out swinging on a high fastball.

Totals: H, 3 SO, 1 LOBster

Bottom

1)   Campbell grounded out to the SS. 63/G6

2)   Brown hit a medium grounder up the middle. 43/G4M

3)   Dykstra hit a drive that was caught at the RF wall. 9/F9D

Totals: 15 pitches

7^th inning

Top

1)   Wilson grounded out to Muno. 63/G6

2)   Bortnick struck out swinging on a high fastball.

3)   PH Trent Oeltjen lined a HR over the 364 sign in RF.

4)   Inciarte walked.

*Inciarte stole 2B (6). Centeno’s throw sailed into CF, but was backed up.

*Inciarte stole 3B (7) off Carlyle.

5)   Ahmed flied out to the RF line. 9/F9LF

Totals: R, H, HR, BB, SO, 1 LOBster

Bottom (Substitution: Kevin Munson pitching for Reno)

1)   Lutz popped up to the mound. 3/P1

2)   Centeno hit a hard grounder up the middle for a single. S8/G4M

3)   Muno hit a medium chopper into RF for a single. S9/G34

(Substitution: Joe Paterson pitching for Reno)

4)   PH Flores hit a soft grounder behind the mound. 63/G6MS

(Substitution: Will Harris pitching for Reno)

5)   LAGARES hit a medium grounder at the SS. 63/G6

Totals: 2 H, 2 LOBsters

8^th inning

Top (Substitution: Vic Black pitching for Las Vegas)

1)   Marte flied out to RF on the first pitch. 9/F9

2)   Evans walked on four pitches.

(Substitution: Aaron Cunningham running for Evans)

*Cunningham stole 2B on a breaking ball in the dirt.

3)   Jacobs lined a single into CF. S8/L8

4)   Marte walked on a 3-1 fastball inside.

5)   Wilson hit a soft grounder up the 1B line that Black handled and took to 1B himself. Cunningham scored. 1u/G3S

6)   Bortnick popped out to Muno. 6/P56D

Campbell was charged during for an error on a dropped foul ball during the inning, but I couldn’t see the play and the announcers credited the wind with making it a difficult popup.

Totals: R, H, 2 BB, E, 2 LOBsters

Bottom

1)   ∂en Dekker grounded out to 2B. 43/G4

2)   Campbell grounded out to 2B. 43/G4

3)   Brown flied out to CF.

Totals: 14 pitches

9^th inning

Top (Substitution: Erik Goeddel pitching for Las Vegas)

1)   PH Didi Gregorius struck out swinging.

2)   Inciarte struck out swinging.

3)   Ahmed struck out looking at an inside curveball.

Totals: 3 SO

Bottom (Substitution: Jess Todd pitching for Reno)

1)   Dykstra hit a soft grounder to the SS. 63/G6

2)   Lutz grounded out back to the pitcher. 13/G1

3)   Centeno hit a medium grounder to the SS. 63/G6

Totals: 12 pitches, 1 save