Farm Report: Fernando Romero pitches shut out for the Lookouts

Triple-A: Rochester Red Wings 7, Lehigh Valley IronPigs 4

So Mr. ON-FIRE CF Zack Granite hit a lead-off home run in this one and the Red Wings never looked back. The Red Wings scored again on a Matt Hague RBI ground-into-double-play.

Red Wings SP Tim Melville then gave up three earned runs in the top of the second, and it all looked all-for-naught. The IronPigs have been very strong this year, after all—but the Red Wings fought back! 1B Matt Hague went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run and two walks, while DH ByungHo Park also went 2-for-3 with a walk, a run, and a two-RBI double.

As mentioned, Melville started for the Red Wings, and pitched five innings overall. RP Phil Hughes continued his rehab and transition to reliever with a one inning outing. Yes, he gave up one run and yes it was a home run.

RP Drew Rucinski pitched two scoreless innings and RP Michael Tonkin pitched one as well—with three strike outs (walked a guy, though).

[Box Score]

Double-A: Chattanooga Lookouts 6, Pensacola Blue Wahoos 0 (Game 1)

A nice doubleheader-shortened start for SP Dereck Rodriguez, son of Pudge. D-Rod pitched sox of the game’s seven innings, giving up zero runs and striking out six. He did walk two and give up two hits, however, and now has a 4.50 ERA in Double-A.

As far as the offense behind the Son of Pudge, LF Travis Harrison hit a solo home run, which was cool. DH Andy Wilkins also went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBI.

[Box Score]

Double-A: Chattanooga Lookouts 6, Pensacola Blue Wahoos 0 (Game 2)

The Lookouts scored at least once every inning from the first through the fifth, and you know that is a recipe for winning. 2B Alex Perez went 3-for-3 with a run scored, while LF Travis Harrison went 2-for-3 with a walk and an RBI, and SS Nick Gordon went 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored.

I mean, it was basically a lot of Lookouts offense in this game. Even CF Levi Michael had a double and two RBI.

The real story here, though? SP Fernando Romero—pitched all seven scoreless innings, giving up only three hits and three walks while striking out six. He’s sporting a 2.97 ERA over 78.2 innings pitched in Double-A this year.

[Box Score]

High-A: Fort Myers Miracle 8, Florida Fire Frogs 3

Miracle CF Max Murphy went 4-for-5 with a solo home run as the Miracle stomped the Fire Frogs quite a bit. Overall, the Miracle batters tagged 13 hits off the Fire Frogs, including a triple by RF Tanner English and doubles from C Mitchell Kranson and DH Shane Kennedy.

SP Anthony McIver started for the Miracle and was responsible for all three runs. At least he didn’t walk anymore (but he did give up four hits).

The bullpen was strong. RP Andrew Vasquez pitched the final inning—scoreless, hot hits, no runs, and three strike outs. NO BIG DEAL.

[Box Score]

Low-A: Cedar Rapids Kernels 6, Quad Cities River Bandits 2

1B Caleb Hamilton and C Ben Rortvedt hit back-to-back dingers for the Kernels and that pretty much did it for this one. The dingers sparked a three-run rally in the fourth inning that put the Kernels ahead for the win.

SP Clark Beeker started for the Kernels, and gave up only one run over his 5.2 innings of work.

[Box Score]

Rookie League: Elizabethton Twins 12, Pulaski Yankees 3

The baby Twins beating up on the baby Yankees will never get old! In this case, brand new Twin LF Brent Rooker hit a two-run home run and walked in the game, adding to the blow-out win. The Twinks took Rooker 35th overall this year in the 2017 MLB draft.

[Box Score]