Scores and Highlights from 8/30

Durham Bulls 4, Gwinnett Braves 3
The Bulls added a game to their division lead by beating the Braves on Tuesday night. The Braves jumped out to the lead in the first inning but the Bulls battled back to tie the game on an RBI single by Dan Johnson to tied things a 1-1. The Braves took the lead back in the second and held it until the bottom of the third when two run scored on a ground ball by Justin Ruggiano to give the Bulls a 3-2 lead. Gwinnett tied the game once again in the sixth inning. The game would remain tied until the bottom of the eighth inning when Russ Canzler drove home Tim Beckham to win the game 4-3. Dane De La Rosa picked up the win and Rob Delaney earned the save.


Carolina Mudcats 7, Montgomery Biscuits 3
A disastrous ninth inning doomed the Biscuits in Tuesday's loss. The Biscuits jumped out to an early lead in the first inning. Hak-Ju Lee and Shawn O'Malley scored in the first to give them an early 2-0 lead. The Mudcats got one back in the second but the Biscuits countered with another run of their own in the bottom of the second on sac fly by Craig Albernaz to score Isaias Velasquez. The Mudcats tied the game following a two run inning in the fourth. The game would remain tied until the top of the ninth when the Mudcats struck for four runs in the inning to hand the Biscuits the loss. Marquis Fleming surrendered three of the four ninth inning runs and was on the hook for the loss. The Biscuits have been eliminated from the Southern League playoff race as Mobile has clinched the division.


Charlotte Stone Crabs 8, Jupiter Hammerheads 3 (Game One)
The Stone Crabs and Hammerheads resumed a suspended game from July 7 when the came was called with the Stone Crabs leading 6-0 in the bottom of the second inning. The Stone Crabs added to their lead in the fourth inning when Jake Jefferies struck an RBI triple to score Mike Sheridan. Jefferies later scored on a ground ball by Omar Luna to give them an 8-0 lead. The Hammerheads reached the scoreboard via a three run homer in the sixth inning but the Stone Crabs held on for the win. Mike Jarman picked up the win.


Jupiter Hammerheads 4, Charlotte Stone Crabs 3 (Game Two)
The Stone Crabs split the doubleheader with the Hammerheads following a loss in game two. They jumped out to an early lead following an RBI double by Jose Lobaton to score Ty Morrison and give them a 1-0 lead. But the Hammerheads answered with back to back two run innings in the second and third to take the lead. The Stone Crabs rallied in the sixth inning. Mike Sheridan and Riccio Torrez each plated a run but it wasn't enough to overcome the deficit as they fell one run short. Jake Thompson was charged with the loss and fell to 5-7 on the season. The loss also crushed the Stone Crabs hopes of a third straight playoff appearance as losses by the Stone Crabs and Palm Beach allowed Bradenton to clinch the division.


Bowling Green Hot Rods 3, Great Lakes Loons 2
The Hot Rods took 3 out of 4 from the Loons after winning the Tuesday's finale. The Hot Rods took an early lead by scoring in the second inning. Robi Estrada singled home two runs to give the Hot Rods a 2-0 lead. They added to their lead an inning later as Mayo Acosta drove home a run to increase the lead to 3-0. The Loons challenged for the lead in the sixth inning by striking for two runs. But the Hot Rods closed the door and held on for the 3-2 victory. Braulio Laura picked up the win and Chris Rearick recorded his 19th save of the season. Lenny Linsky made his BG debut, pitching 1 1/3 no-hit innings.


Connecticut Tigers 5, Hudson Valley Renegades 0
The Renegades struggled to get run on the board as they were shut-out on Tuesday nights. The Renegades managed 5 hits on the night by could not turn any of them into runs as they were 0 for 5 with runners in scoring position. The lone offensive bright spot was Jeff Malm who accounted for three of their five hits including two doubles. Andrew Bellatti was charged with the loss. Theron Geith and Robert Dickmann combined to throw 4 shut-out innings from the bullpen.


Elizabethton Twins 10, Princeton Rays 6
The P-Rays found themselves on the losing side of an offensive display as the two clubs combined for 16 runs on 25 hits in Tuesday's game. The Twins took a two run lead in the first inning. The Ray cut the lead in half in the second on a solo home run by Junior Rodriguez. The Twins added another run in third. The Rays bounced back to tied the game following back to back one run innings in the fourth and fifth. Rodriguez drove home a run in the fourth and Josh Sale homered in the fifth to tie the game. But the Twins answered with two runs in the bottom of the sixth to regain the lead. Cameron Seitzer and Sale both drove home a run in the sixth inning to tie the game once again. The two clubs would exchange runs again in the sixth/seventh as the Twins scored in the bottom of the sixth and the Rays countered in the seventh with an RBI single by Jake Hager to tie the game yet again. But the pattern was broken in the bottom of the seventh when the Twins broke through for a four run inning in which the Rays could not recover from. They Rays were held scoreless through the final two frames as they took the loss. Shay Crawford was tagged for the loss for Princeton. The loss concluded the P-Rays 2011 season as they finish the year with a 30-38 record.

Rays Players Heading to Arizona Fall League

Stacy Long is reporting the following Rays minor leaguers have been chosen to participate in the Arizona Fall League.

• Tim Beckham
• Tyler Bortnick
• Shane Dyer
• Marquis Fleming
• Adam Liberatore
• Mikie Mahtook
• Kirby Yates

The prestigious Arizona Fall League begins their 20th season on October 4 and wraps up with the championship game on November 19. The Rays will join the White Sox, Reds, Twins and the Padres as members of the Peoria Saguaros.

Durham's Russ Canzler Named International League MVP

Via Press Release from Durham's Matt DeMargel.

The International League today announced Bulls IF/OF Russ Canzler has been named the 2011 Most Valuable Player. Canzler is the fifth Durham Bull to win the award in the 14 years since the Bulls have been a member of the International League. He joins Dan Johnson (2010), Kevin Witt (2006), Toby Hall (2001) and Steve Cox (1999).

“It feels great. It’s definitely a little overwhelming. It’s one of those things you don’t imagine happening for yourself. I was fortunate enough to play with a good group of guys the entire year and stay healthy and it’s a real tribute to this organization to have the league MVP for two years in a row,” Canzler said.

The former 30th round draft pick had never played above the Double-A level before signing with Tampa Bay as a free agent this past offseason. Having seen significant time at third base, first base, left field, and right field, the versatile Canzler has made his biggest contributions for Durham at the plate. He is 4th in the International League with a .312 average to go along with 18 home runs and 79 RBI. His 61 extra-base hits, 77 runs scored, 241 total bases, and .533 slugging percentage are all tops in the IL.

In July, Canzler was elected as the starting third baseman for the IL at the Triple-A All-Star Game, where his three-run home run was the difference in the 3-0 contest. He is just the second IL player ever to win Top Star honors at the Triple-A All-Star Game and the League MVP award in the same season, following in the footsteps of another Durham Bull, Kevin Witt in 2006.

The last time the International League named a Most Valuable Player from the same team in consecutive years was in 1984 and 1985 when Scott Bradley and Dan Pasqua of Columbus were so honored.

Riefenhauser and Rearick Named Midwest League Postseason All-Stars

The Midwest League released their 2011 postseason all-star team yesterday and two Hot Rods were named to the squad. The pitching duo of CJ Riefenhauser and closer Chris Rearick were the first Hot Rods in franchise history to make the Midwest League postseason team.

Riefenhauser was 6-5 with a 2.31 ERA and 99 strikeouts in 18 starts before being promoted to the Stone Crabs in August. He was one of the top lefty's in the Midwest League and a member of the midseason all-star squad.

Rearick dominated the league hitters as the Hot Rods closer this season, holding opposing hitters to an average of just .159. He was 7-2 on the year while converting 18 of 23 saves this season.

Minor Moves: Hayhurst

RHP Dirk Hayhurst was officially released by organization according to the MiLB transaction page. He struggled through injury this season, only seeing action in 11 games this season. He was 4-2 on the season with a 4.12 ERA and 43 strikeouts.

Hayhurst was signed by the Rays prior to the 2011 season as a minor league free agent. He was originally drafted by the Padres in 2003 and also spent time in the Blue Jays organization before joining the Rays.

Dirk took a moment to share his thoughts on his release on his blog. You can read the article by clicking here.

Scores and Highlights from 8/29

Gwinnett Braves 2, Durham Bulls 1
The Bulls suffered a narrow defeat at the hands of the Braves. Gwinnett jumped out to an early lead, scoring in the first inning. The Bulls bounced back to tie the game in the third when Leslie Anderson scored on a passed ball. But the Braves scored what would be the game winning run in the sixth inning to hand the Bulls the 2-1 defeat. Alex Torres suffered the loss. Joe Bateman and Adam Russell combined to throw three scoreless innings of relief. The loss caused the Bulls to give up a game in the standings as they now lead the Braves by 2 1/2 games.



Carolina Mudcats 8, Montgomery Biscuits 3
The Biscuits were victims of a dazzling performance by Mudcats starter Pedro Villarreal who threw six no hit inning before the Biscuits reached him for two hits in the bottom of the seventh. The Mudcats backed their ace by scoring 7 unanswered runs before the Biscuits got their first hit. The Biscuits recorded their first hits in the seventh as well as posted their first runs to the scoreboard in the same inning. Henry Wrigley and Greg Sexton each drove home a run in the inning. The Biscuits picked up another run in the eighth when Shawn O'Malley drove home a run. Carolina added another to their tally in the ninth to hand the Biscuits the 8-3 loss. The Biscuits managed just three hits overall on the night. Alex Colome was charged with the loss.



Charlotte Stone Crabs 5, Fort Myers Miracle 2
The Stone Crabs took 3 of 4 in the their last meeting with the Miracle by winning Monday's game 5-2. The Miracle jumped out to a two run lead in the second inning. The Stone Crabs battled back with a two run lead of their own in the fifth inning when Mike Sheridan struck a two run single to tie the game. The Stone Crabs took the lead in the seventh following a two run double by Sheridan. They added an insurance run in the eighth with an RBI double by the rehabbing Jose Lobaton to give them the 5-2 margin of victory. Sheridan drove home four of the five runs on the night for the Stone Crabs while Lobaton, Tyler Bortnick and Riccio Torrez all enjoyed multiple hit nights. Joe Cruz picked up the win and Kirby Yates chipped in 2 no-hit innings for the save.



Bowling Green Hots Rods 10, Great Lakes Loons 0
The Hot Rods were firing on all cylinders on Monday night as the offense provided 10 runs on 12 hits to back a combined 1 hit effort by the pitching staff to earn a dominating win over Great Lakes. The Hot Rods posted runs in all but three innings and had a three run third and a four run seventh. Julio Cedeno led the way by going 3 for 4 with 2 RBI's and 3 runs scored. Mayo Acosta, Derek Dietrich, Phil Wunderlich, Robby Price and Nick Schwaner also drove home runs in the offensive attack. Meanwhile, Enny Romero and Steve Hiscock combined to throw the shut-out, only allowing one hit and combining for 8 strikeouts. Romero earned the win and evened his record at 5-5.



Brooklyn Cyclones 3, Hudson Valley Renegades 1 (Game One)
The Renegades dropped the first game of the doubleheader despite taking an early lead. The Renegades scored first on a solo home run by Chris Winder in the second inning to take a 1-0 lead. The Cyclones tied the game in the fourth and later scored two runs in the sixth inning to hand the Renegades the loss. Brooks Belter was charged with the loss.



Hudson Valley Renegades 7, Brooklyn Cyclones 0 (Game Two)
The Renegades split Monday's doubleheader against the Cyclones after a 7-0 shut-out win in game two. The Renegades scored six of their seven runs during the third inning. They loaded the bases and then went station to station in driving them home. Jeff Malm, Alejandro Segovia, Leonardo Reginatto, Chris Winder and Cesar Guillen all picked up RBI's during the big inning. Winder's came via a two run triple to right. The seventh run came on a Jonathan Koscso single in the fifth inning to give them the 7-0 margin of victory. While the offense was getting it done at the plate, Jacob Partridge was getting it done on the mound. Partridge pitched 6 1/3 shut-out innings allowing just 2 hits and striking out 9. Stayton Thomas pitched the final 2/3 scoreless inning to maintain the shut-out.



Elizabethon Twins 6, Princeton Rays 5
The P-Rays rally fell one run short in their loss to the Twins on Monday night. The Twins took the lead with an inside-the-park homer in the second inning. The Rays answered with two runs of their own in the third. Deshun Dixon went deep to right later followed by an RBI single by Joel Caminero to give the Rays the lead. The Twins tied it again in the bottom of the third. The Twins added four more runsin the fifth inning to take a commanding lead. The P-Rays mounted a rally kicked off by a solo home run by Justin O'Conner in the sixth. The momentum carried over into the seventh where they scored two more runs. Caminero and O'Conner each drove home a run to pull them to within a run of the lead but they could not score again and suffered a one run loss. Matt Spann struck out 8 hitters in 4 2/3 despite being charged with the loss. Jose Molina offered 2 no-hit innings of relief to keep things close while the offense tried to mount a comeback.

Bortnick and Lee Named FSL Postseason All-Stars

The Stone Crab's middle infield combo of Tyler Bortnick and Hak-Ju Lee were reward for their performance this season by being named to the Florida State League Postseason All-Star Team. The combo lead the Stone Crabs in almost all offensive statistics this season.

Bortnick leads the Florida State League with 41 stolen bases, is second in the league in OBP (.423) and runs scored (88) and is fourth in the league in doubles (88). He is the franchise leader in RBI's with 62 and is closing in on the franchise stolen base record as well. Bortnick is now hitting .299 with 32 doubles, 6 triples, 3 homers and 62 RBI's in 124 games for the Stone Crabs this season.

Lee still leads the Stone Crabs in average (.317) and slugging (.442) despite being promoted to Montgomery in early August. He missed the beginning of the season with chicken pox and then took the FSL by storm when he was activated, opening his season with a 14-game hitting streak and leading the league in hitting for much of the season. Lee departed with a franchise high 11 triples.

Both Bortnick and Lee represented the Stone Crabs on the midseason all-star squad as well.

Scores and Highlights from 8/28

Durham Bulls 4, Charlotte Knights 3 (Game One, 8 innings)
The Bulls and Knights exchanged runs early on in the first game of Sunday's double header. The Knights took an early lead in the fourth before the Bulls bounced back to tie the game in the fifth on an RBI single by Stephen Vogt that scored Dan Johnson. The Knights then took the lead back after scoring two runs in the sixth. But then the Bulls tied the game again in the bottom of the sixth on a two run homer by Justin Ruggiano to tie the game at 3-3. The game remained tied until the home half of the eighth inning when Brandon Guyer tripled to center with one out and then later scored the winning run on a sac fly by JJ Furmaniak to give the Bulls the 4-3 win. Matt Moore struck out 6 in 6 innings while Mike Ekstrom picked up the win with 2 scoreless innings.



Durham Bulls 3, Charlotte Knights 0 (Game Two)
The Bulls swept the doubleheader with a shut-out win in game two. Brandon Guyer put the Bulls out in front following a solo home run in the first inning. They added two more runs in the third inning on RBI singles by Dan Johnson and Russ Canzler. The Knights threatened in the ninth with two runners, but Rob Delaney kept them from crossing the plate, notching his eleventh save of the season. Matt Torra pitched six shut-out innings to improve to 4-1 on the season.



Montgomery Biscuits 4, Carolina Mudcats 3
Biscuits won their third straight game after beating the Mudcats on Sunday. The Biscuits hit the scoreboard first on a solo home run by Greg Sexton in the second inning. They added to their lead in the fourth on an RBI single by Isaias Velasquez. The Mudcats scored a run in the fifth but the Biscuits answered with two more of their own in the sixth. Kyeong Kang and Sexton scored in the inning to extend the lead. The Mudcats challenged for the lead in the ninth, scoring twice. But Zach Quate worked out of the jam to end the inning and secure the win. Shane Dyer allowed 1 run in 6 1/3 inning for the win. Matt Bush threw 1 2/3 no-hit innings for his fourth hold of the season. Velasquez was a perfect 3 for 3.



Charlotte Stone Crabs 7, Fort Myers Miracle 0
CJ Riefenhauser picked up his first FSL win as the Stone Crabs shut-out the Miracle on the road. Both clubs dueled through a scoreless tie until the fourth inning when the Stone Crabs struck for their first run on an RBI single by Matt Hall. They added another run in the sixth on a solo homer by Mark Thomas, this thirteenth of the season, a new single season franchise high. The Stone Crabs grabbed four more runs in the seventh inning highlighted by a two run double by Anthony Scelfo. Sceflo then scored on an error and Mike Sheridan then got into the action with an RBI double later in the inning. The final run for the Stone Crabs came in the ninth inning on an RBI double by Riccio Torrez to extend the lead to 7-0. The Stone Crabs combined for 11 hits on the afternoon with six of them being of the extra base variety. Every Stone Crab hitter with the exception of Omar Luna collected a base hit in the win. Riefenhauser went 6 scoreless innings and the bullpen combo of Adam Liberatore and Scott Shuman finished the remaining 3 innings without allowing a hit.



Bowling Green Hot Rods 2, Great Lakes Loons 1 (10 innings)
The Hot Rods and Loons faced off in a pitcher's duel with the Hot Rods earning the win in extra innings. Victor Mateo gave up an early run in the first inning and then settled down to throw 5 consecutive scoreless frames. The Hot Rods tied the game in the sixth when Steven Tenneco doubled home Derek Dietrich to tie the game at 1-1. The game would head to extra innings where the Hot Rods would score the walk-off win in the tenth inning. Kevin Kiermaier scored on a balk to win the game. Jimmy Patterson chipped in with 2 scoreless innings of relief and Chris Rearick threw 2 no-hit inning to earn his seventh win of the season.



Elizabethton Twins 8, Princeton Rays 2
The P-Rays dropped their third game in a row following Sunday's loss to the Twins. The P-Rays found then in a six run hole following back to back three run innings in the second and third frames. The two runs by the P-Rays both came via solo home runs. Taylor Motter homered in the seventh followed by a solo home run by Justin O'Conner in the eighth. But they were unable to gain any ground on the lead as those two runs were met with matching runs by the Twins. Reinaldo Lopez allowed 6 runs in 9 hits to lose his fourth game of the season. George Jensen pitched three innings of relief and struck out five hitters in the process.

Sunday Notes

Here is the latest update on the Durham Bulls schedule the next few days and possible playoff info (via email from Jon Bishop, Bulls Assistant General Manager):

A quick note in the wake of Hurricane Irene regarding Bulls tickets and scheduling this week:

- The Bulls were able to play Saturday night and got the win over the Charlotte Knights. That win puts the Bulls Magic Number (any combination of Bulls wins and Gwinnett Braves losses) at 7 to win the International League South Division for the fifth straight season.

- We understand many ticketholders were unable to attend the game due to concerns about the weather and the impact of Hurricane Irene on the state of North Carolina. We are allowing all August 27 game tickets to be exchanged for similar seating at one of the Bulls' three remaining regular season openings...

Sunday, August 28, 2011 - Durham Bulls vs Charlotte Knights - Gates open at 3:30pm. Game 1 of doubleheader begins at 4:05pm, Game 2 begins 30 minutes following the start of Game 2. Each game is scheduled for 7 innings and your game ticket is good for both games.

Monday, August 29, 2011 - Durham Bulls vs Gwinnett Braves - 7:05pm. Game Presented by Duke Cancer Institute.

Tuesday, August 30, 2011 - Durham Bulls vs Gwinnett Braves - 7:05pm. Game Presented by Whole Foods Market. Special Season Finale Fireworks Show!

- Should the Bulls win the South Division, they will face the Columbus Clippers in the International League Division Series Presented by Sport Durst Automotive. The first two games of the series would be held in Durham on September 7th and 8th. Click Here to purchase International League Playoff Seats. There's no risk to buy, if the Bulls do not qualify for the playoffs, tickets would be good for any 2012 Bulls game.

Adam Sobsey had this on Bulls right-hander Chris Archer:

I asked Archer about his repertoire the other day when I interviewed him, and he omitted from it the two-seam fastball. He doesn't throw it much—he relies on a four-seamer that reached 95 mph last night but was better located when he threw it in the 92-94 range—but he used it to great effect a few times last night, striking out Danks with it in the sixth inning.

Archer also throws a slider, curve and changeup—it's a pretty big arsenal for a 22-year-old pitcher—but Nevin Ashley said that last night "we didn't use the curve ball as much; we had the slider working real well." It's the pitch that is Archer's calling card, and you can see why: It has good dive on it.

A must-read from William Montgomery on Renegades infielder Tanner Biagini:

"I actually got recruited by West Point in high school," he said. "It was a great school and a great facility and the coaches were awesome. They were really nice guys. But I wasn't quite sure if I was ready to make a full commitment to the Army, that type of thing."

Biagini chose Virginia Military Institute instead and was picked in the 50th round of the 2009 draft after his junior season. Biagini figured he would come back for his senior season, get his degree and try to improve his stock during his senior year, but a hand injury kept him from being drafted at all in 2010.

Biagini signed a minor-league free-agent deal with Tampa Bay in July 2010 and played 20 games in the Gulf Coast League.

Scores and Highlights from 8/27

Durham Bulls, Charlotte Knights (Game One: Postponed: Hurricane Irene)




Durham Bulls 3, Charlotte Knights 2 (Game Two)
Matt Carson was 2 for 4 with 2 doubles and an RBI. Brandon Guyer was 2 for 4 with an RBI. Ray Olmedo was 2 for 3 with a double. Daniel Mayora had a double. Chris Archer won his AAA debut, striking out 6 in 6 innings. Rob Delaney picked up the save.



Montgomery Biscuits 5, Carolina Mudcats 4
Craig Albernaz was 2 for 3 with a double. Hak-Ju Lee was 2 for 4. Kyeong Kang had 2 RBI's. John Matulia and Isaias Velasquez each drove home a run. Jim Paduch was the winner. Marquis Fleming picked up the save.



Fort Myers Miracle 3, Charlotte Stone Crabs 0 (Game One)
Mike Sheridan was 2 for 3 with a double. Jose Lobaton was 2 for 3. Matt Stabelfeld pitched 1 2/3 no-hit innings.



Fort Myers Miracle 6, Charlotte Stone Crabs 1 (Game Two)
Omar Luna had a triple and an RBI. Tyler Bortnick and Matt Hall each had a double. Deivis Mavarez pitched 3 scoreless innings.



Great Lakes Loons 2, Bowling Green Hot Rods 1
Nick Schwaner had a solo home run. Eliazer Suero pitched 5 scoreless innings. Nate Garcia pitched 2 no-hit innings.



Hudson Valley Renegades, Brooklyn Cyclones (Postponed: Hurricane Irene)




Bristol Sox 4, Princeton Rays 3
Ryan Brett was 2 for 4 with 2 doubles and an RBI. Deshun Dixon was 2 for 3 with a double and an RBI. Joel Caminero was 2 for 4 with a double. Josh Sale had a double. Jake Hager had an RBI. David Kubiak pitched a shut-out inning. Shay Crawford struck out 4 in 2 1/3 innings.



GCL Rays 3, GCL Orioles 0
GCL Rays end the 2011 season with a win. Johnny Eierman was 2 for 3 with an RBI. James Harris had a double and an RBI. John Alexander had a double. Riccio Torrez had a double. Blake Snell pitched 2 no-hit innings for the win. Eli Echarry, Joan Guerrero, Ryan Turner and Theron Geith combined for the shut-out.

Saturday Night Notes

FDLS

Stacy Long had a couple of interesting notes on OF John Matulia and LHP Frank De Los Santos:

Matulia's grand slam Monday night was his 12th home run of the season between Double-A Montgomery and Triple-A Durham. He had just 20 previous career homers from 2005-10, including nine last season with the Biscuits.
...
De Los Santos tossed three perfect innings Tuesday and hasn't allowed an earned run in 16 2/3 innings. After a wretched start to the season, he has a 3.47 ERA. He attributes it to adding a cut fastball and sinker.

"I just threw a fastball, change-up and slider last year. That was it," De Los Santos said. "I learned those pitches this year, and they have helped a lot.

Parker Markel

In case you missed it earlier this week, Sean McMann named six Renegades (so far) who will head to fall instructs:

Some of the Rays' top minor-league prospects, as determined by the organization, will head to Port Charlotte, Fla., following the New York-Penn League season's conclusion for the Florida Instructional League. During the instructional league schedule, players work out for a week before starting three weeks' worth of games, in which player development is the focus.

Infielders Juniel Querecuto and Jeff Malm, catcher Matt Rice and pitchers Ryan Carpenter, Lenny Linsky and Parker Markel are among the Hudson Valley players headed to the instructional league in Florida.

Deshun Dixon

Adam Lawson profiled a player I've been interested in since the Rays took him in the 10th round of the 2010 draft, Princeton OF Deshun Dixon:

Dixon has athleticism in his DNA. His brother, Rashun, plays for the Stockton Ports, a Class A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. Another brother, Antwon, plays football in Texas for Midwestern State University. Deshun's oldest sibling, Anthony, just got drafted into the NFL as the sixth-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers. Deshun says that this athletic blood fueled a lot of competition at a young age.
...
In high school, aside from being a star center fielder, Dixon was a left-handed pitcher who possessed a fastball that had been clocked at 93 miles per hour and a curveball that changed speeds. In the end, and for the time being, Tampa Bay decided that Dixon is best suited to be an everyday player instead of a southpaw that goes once every five days.

"Tampa told me I was going to be an outfielder because of my athleticism," Dixon acknowledged.

Hope everyone made it through the hurricane without too much trouble.

Minor Moves: Geith, Torrez

With the GCL Rays season completed, MiLB transactions reports the following player moves effecting the GCL Rays.

• Theron Geith was promoted to Hudson Valley.
• Riccio Torrez was promoted to Charlotte.

Geith was 4-1 with 4 saves, a 2.13 ERA and 30 strikeouts in 16 games with the GCL Rays.

Torrez, the Rays fourth round pick of this year's draft, was hitting .224/.347/.240 with 2 homers in 12 games this season.

Scores and Highlights from 8/26

Charlotte Knights 10, Durham Bulls 4
Stephen Vogt was 2 for 5 with a double and an RBI. Dan Johnson was 2 for 5 with a double and an RBI. Justin Ruggiano was 2 for 5 with a double and an RBI. Tim Beckham and Brandon Guyer also had an RBI each. Ray Olmedo drove home a run. Jay Buente, Adam Russell and JJ Furmaniak provided scoreless relief from the bullpen.



Montgomery Biscuits 12, Carolina Mudcats 9
Henry Wrigley was 3 for 4 with a home run and 4 RBI's. Shawn O'Malley and Isaias Velasquez were each a home run shy of the cycle. John Shelby was 2 for 5 with a triple and 2 RBI's. Hak-Ju Lee was 2 for 5 with a double and an RBI. Kyle Lobstein struck out 7 to win his AA debut. Frank De Los Santos pitched 2 no-hit innings.



Charlotte Stone Crabs 2, Fort Myers Miracle 1 (Game One, 8 innings)
Matt Hall was 2 for 3 with a double and a home run. Anthony Scelfo had the game winning RBI. Kyle Lobstein struck out 8 in 6 innings. Adam Liberatore picked up the win with 2 scoreless innings.



Fort Myers Miracle 6, Charlotte Stone Crabs 3 (Game Two)
Mark Thomas was 2 for 4 with a double. Omar Luna was 2 for 4. Ty Morrison was 2 for 4. Jose Lobaton, Anthony Scelfo and Matt Hall each had a double. Scott Shuman pitched 2 no-hit innings.



Bowling Green Hot Rods 7, Lansing Lugnuts 3
Steven Tinoco was 3 for 5 with an RBI. Nick Schwaner was 2 for 4 with a double and 2 RBI's. Keith Castillo was 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI. Robby Price was 2 for 5. Cody Rogers had a double and an RBI. George Jensen was the winner.



Brooklyn Cyclones 7, Hudson Valley Renegades 4 (Game One)
Tanner Biagini was 2 for 3 with 2 doubles and an RBI. Brian Bryles had a double and 2 RBI's. Jeff Malm had an RBI. Dave Laufer pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings.



Brooklyn Cyclones 3, Hudson Valley Renegades 0 (Game Two)
Gerardo Olivares was 2 for 3 with a double. Ryan Carpenter pitched 3 no-hit innings.



Bristol Sox 13, Princeton Rays 7
Cameron Seitzer was 2 for 4 with a double, home run and 2 RBI's. Josh Sale was 2 for 3 with an RBI. Taylor Motter was 2 for 4. Deshun Dixon and Ryan Terry each had a double and an RBI.



GCL Orioles 9, GCL Rays 6 (13 innings)
John Alexander was 2 for 6 with a double, home run and 3 RBI's. Darryl George was 2 for 5 with a double. Ariel Soriano was 2 for 6 with a double. Cesar Perez was 2 for 3 with 2 walks. Shawn Smith pitched 3 scoreless innings.