Durham 7, Richmond 1
- J. Anderson - 2-4 RBI, K
- C. Morton - 5IP 6H 4R 4BB 6K
Charlie Morton had his first start that I would actually call bad, and even then I am hesitant. The only that worries me about Morton is the same thing you always have to worry about with him. He always starts the year as a starter and by the end of the year he gets demoted to the bullpen. I don't know if he tires out or hitters get used to him or what, but he has good stuff with a solid fastball and curve offering. Only time will tell if he can stay useful this season.
Mississippi 2, Tennessee 3
- G. Creek - 2-4 HR(3), 2 RBI
- J. Gamble - 7IP 3H 3R 1BB 3K
- J. Smotlz - 1IP 1H 0R 0BB 0K
Jerome Gamble threw another solid game but the offense couldn't get behind him for the win. The big news is John Smotlz was back on a competitive mound. I don't know how I feel about him returning to the pen, but I do know it most likely means this will be his last season. I think he will be successful no matter what he does but I don't think he will be most useful in the pen and I don't think he will stay healthy in either role.
Myrtle Beach 8, Frederick 4
- E. Mejia - 2-5 2 HR(6), 3 RBI
- J. Owings - 3-4 HR(5),K
- S. Diamond - 6IP 6H 2R 1BB 5K
Scott Diamond threw well in his first start at High A and is probably moving himself onto some prospect charts with his performance this season. The big story for this team has been the play of Ernesto Mejia. He is hitting .319/.347/.626 so far in May. He has virtually no walks though. If he could get control of the strike zone this guy could really be deadly. I have to admit I had never really paid him any attention before this season but you can't ignore 30 XBH before the end of the second month of the season.
Rome 8, Hickory 7
- J. Heyward - 2-4 HR(6), BB
- F. Freeman - 2-5 HR(6)
- C. Johnson - 2-5 HR(7), 3 RBI, 2 K
- B. Johnson - 2-5 HR(2), K
- M. Fisher - 2-3 HR(2), BB
Cole Rohrbough started this game and got hit pretty hard giving up 4 runs in 4 innings. He did strike out 6 in his 4 innings though so his stuff is there. He also walked two which may mean he is a little rusty because he doesn't walk many guys. The offense exploded for Rome in this game hitting 5 homers. I gotta say with Jason Heyward putting up an .830ish OPS as an 18 year old in A ball, I'm pretty damn impressed.