Jeff Niemann took the loss in the opener of Sunday's doubleheader, a 3-0 Mobile victory. The second game was rained out.
Niemann gave up three hits over four innings, including a two-run home run to Stephen Smitherman on his next-to-last hitter. Niemann followed with a strikeout of Brett Dowdy. He walked two and struck out four.
Niemann's count -- 84 pitches, 53 strikes. Of the strikes, 18 were called, 18 were fouled off, seven were swung on and missed, and 10 were put into play.
To my untrained eye, he didn't look overly comfortable and seemed to rush his delivery when he threw a fastball. The press box took a good peppering from foul balls, meaning the hitters had the pitch timed, but were just missing it and fouling it straight back.
The first pitch that a hitter swung at and missed wasn't until the third inning. It was Niemann's 42nd pitch and 25th strike.
His fastball did show some steam, much to the misfortune of former Biscuit Joey Gomes. Leading off the second, Gomes took an 0-2 heater off the elbow and his pained expression was audible to the stands. Gomes stayed in the game.
Gomes played with Niemann last year at Visalia, so he took a good-natured swipe at Niemann: "It didn't hurt at all. I didn't even feel it. I've been hit by harder."
Niemann's fastball regularly hit 92 mph and topped out at 95.
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Dukes out 15 games; Knox three
The Rays announced the lengths of suspensions for Durham outfielders Elijah Dukes and Ryan Knox today.
Dukes will miss 15 games and Knox three for an incident in the team's hotel last weekend in Charlotte, N.C. Dukes was immediately suspended and can return next weekend. Knox missed two games last week and then, after an off day, only pinch-ran in the eighth inning of the next game.
The fight was Dukes' second high-profile incident this year. He and a coach had a confrontation in April, which led to a week's vacation for Dukes.
Dukes will miss 15 games and Knox three for an incident in the team's hotel last weekend in Charlotte, N.C. Dukes was immediately suspended and can return next weekend. Knox missed two games last week and then, after an off day, only pinch-ran in the eighth inning of the next game.
The fight was Dukes' second high-profile incident this year. He and a coach had a confrontation in April, which led to a week's vacation for Dukes.
Saturday, June 24, 2006
System check
The weekly look at the Rays' system (stats through Friday) ...
CLASS AAA, DURHAM BULLS
International League South
RF Delmon Young is 5-for-15 in four games since returning from his 50-game suspension. In 25 games this year, he's hitting .337 with no home runs.
RHP Juan Salas picked up his first win Monday with two no-hit innings.
LHP J.P. Howell gave up three hits and one run over five innings Thursday to lose his Durham debut.
RHP Jason Hammel is 3-6 with a 4.16 ERA, but hasn't won in his last eight starts.
RHP Brian Stokes has a 3-4 record and a 3.74 ERA. He's walked 25 and struck out 63 in 77 innings.
C Shawn Riggans has a .297 average, six home runs and 31 RBIs.
LHP Jeff Ridgway is 0-1 with a 2.60 ERA in 17.1 innings.
1B Kevin Witt has 18 home runs and 50 RBIs. He's slugging .545.
HIGH CLASS A, VISALIA OAKS
California League North
CF Fernando Perez was 5-for-6 with four runs scored and four RBIs in Thursday's 20-4 win over Stockton. He doubled, homered and picked up his 20th stolen base. Perez has a .390 on-base percentage and 62 runs scored in 72 games.
1B Chris Nowak had four hits and five RBIs Thursday. Nowak is hitting .320 with 53 RBIs.
RHP Brett Wayne pitched three perfect innings in a victory Thursday. He's 3-1 with five saves and a 3.89 ERA. Hitters have a .197 average off him.
SS Reid Brignac is 13-for-27 in his last seven games, running his average to .333 with 33 homers and 55 RBIs. He's scored 57 runs and committed 23 errors.
RHP Derek Feldkamp has a 12.50 ERA in his last five starts. He's given up at least four earned runs in nine of his last 11 starts.
LOW CLASS A, SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN DEVIL RAYS
Midwest League East
LHP Jacob McGee has 108 strikeouts in 83.1 innings. He's 6-5 with a 2.16 ERA. McGee threw six shutout innings and struck out 10 in a no-decision Friday.
RHP Matt Walker gave up one run over 6.2 innings to win Thursday. It was his second outing since leaving extended spring training.
3B Cesar Suarez is hitting .327 with 10 extra-base hits in 25 games.
SHORT-SEASON A, HUDSON VALLEY RENEGADES
New York-Penn League McNamara
3B Evan Longoria was 5-for-6 in his second pro game Wednesday.
RHP Jeremy Hellickson gave up one run over five innings in Tuesday's season opener. He walked one and struck out six.
ROOKIE, PRINCETON RAYS
Appalachian League East
RHP Chris Fessler pitched three innings of one-hit relief Thursday.
RHP Wilton Noel got one out and gave up seven runs in Tuesday's season opener.
3B Michael McCormick is 5-for-12 with two doubles.
WAYWARD BISCUITS
Those who strayed from the Rays
2B Fernando Cortez was 2-for-4 with a double in his debut Thursday with Class AAA Omaha (Royals).
3B Rico Washington was 2-for-4 with a double in his debut Wednesday for Class AAA Memphis (Cardinals). Washington had a .323 average, 13 home runs and 56 RBIs at Class AA Springfield.
RHP Jose Veras, recently added to the Yankees' 40-man roster, has 37 strikeouts in 34 innings at Class AAA Columbus.
RHP Dewon Brazelton left Thursday's game for Class AAA Portland (Padres) after one batter with a strained left oblique. It was his first start since last week's one-hit shutout.
2B Dan DeMent homered twice and scored three runs last Sunday for Class AA Harrisburg (Nationals). In his last five games, DeMent has seven RBIs and five hits, all for extra bases.
RHP Jose Diaz has gone six straight appearances without allowing a run at Class AAA Oklahoma (Rangers).
C Iker Franco is hitting .278 with Class AA Springfield (Cardinals).
RHP Carlos Hines has given up 10 earned runs in his eight outings with Class AAA Fresno (Giants).
RHP Travis Minix has a 2.03 ERA at Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (Phillies).
RHP Jesus Colome won his first game in the Yankees' organization Wednesday for Class AA Trenton.
RHP Willie Glen is 4-2 with a 4.78 ERA in nine starts for independent Gary.
RHP Cameron Smith has 44 walks and 36 strikeouts in 40.1 innings with independent Lancaster. He's 3-4 with a 5.58 ERA.
CLASS AAA, DURHAM BULLS
International League South
RF Delmon Young is 5-for-15 in four games since returning from his 50-game suspension. In 25 games this year, he's hitting .337 with no home runs.
RHP Juan Salas picked up his first win Monday with two no-hit innings.
LHP J.P. Howell gave up three hits and one run over five innings Thursday to lose his Durham debut.
RHP Jason Hammel is 3-6 with a 4.16 ERA, but hasn't won in his last eight starts.
RHP Brian Stokes has a 3-4 record and a 3.74 ERA. He's walked 25 and struck out 63 in 77 innings.
C Shawn Riggans has a .297 average, six home runs and 31 RBIs.
LHP Jeff Ridgway is 0-1 with a 2.60 ERA in 17.1 innings.
1B Kevin Witt has 18 home runs and 50 RBIs. He's slugging .545.
HIGH CLASS A, VISALIA OAKS
California League North
CF Fernando Perez was 5-for-6 with four runs scored and four RBIs in Thursday's 20-4 win over Stockton. He doubled, homered and picked up his 20th stolen base. Perez has a .390 on-base percentage and 62 runs scored in 72 games.
1B Chris Nowak had four hits and five RBIs Thursday. Nowak is hitting .320 with 53 RBIs.
RHP Brett Wayne pitched three perfect innings in a victory Thursday. He's 3-1 with five saves and a 3.89 ERA. Hitters have a .197 average off him.
SS Reid Brignac is 13-for-27 in his last seven games, running his average to .333 with 33 homers and 55 RBIs. He's scored 57 runs and committed 23 errors.
RHP Derek Feldkamp has a 12.50 ERA in his last five starts. He's given up at least four earned runs in nine of his last 11 starts.
LOW CLASS A, SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN DEVIL RAYS
Midwest League East
LHP Jacob McGee has 108 strikeouts in 83.1 innings. He's 6-5 with a 2.16 ERA. McGee threw six shutout innings and struck out 10 in a no-decision Friday.
RHP Matt Walker gave up one run over 6.2 innings to win Thursday. It was his second outing since leaving extended spring training.
3B Cesar Suarez is hitting .327 with 10 extra-base hits in 25 games.
SHORT-SEASON A, HUDSON VALLEY RENEGADES
New York-Penn League McNamara
3B Evan Longoria was 5-for-6 in his second pro game Wednesday.
RHP Jeremy Hellickson gave up one run over five innings in Tuesday's season opener. He walked one and struck out six.
ROOKIE, PRINCETON RAYS
Appalachian League East
RHP Chris Fessler pitched three innings of one-hit relief Thursday.
RHP Wilton Noel got one out and gave up seven runs in Tuesday's season opener.
3B Michael McCormick is 5-for-12 with two doubles.
WAYWARD BISCUITS
Those who strayed from the Rays
2B Fernando Cortez was 2-for-4 with a double in his debut Thursday with Class AAA Omaha (Royals).
3B Rico Washington was 2-for-4 with a double in his debut Wednesday for Class AAA Memphis (Cardinals). Washington had a .323 average, 13 home runs and 56 RBIs at Class AA Springfield.
RHP Jose Veras, recently added to the Yankees' 40-man roster, has 37 strikeouts in 34 innings at Class AAA Columbus.
RHP Dewon Brazelton left Thursday's game for Class AAA Portland (Padres) after one batter with a strained left oblique. It was his first start since last week's one-hit shutout.
2B Dan DeMent homered twice and scored three runs last Sunday for Class AA Harrisburg (Nationals). In his last five games, DeMent has seven RBIs and five hits, all for extra bases.
RHP Jose Diaz has gone six straight appearances without allowing a run at Class AAA Oklahoma (Rangers).
C Iker Franco is hitting .278 with Class AA Springfield (Cardinals).
RHP Carlos Hines has given up 10 earned runs in his eight outings with Class AAA Fresno (Giants).
RHP Travis Minix has a 2.03 ERA at Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (Phillies).
RHP Jesus Colome won his first game in the Yankees' organization Wednesday for Class AA Trenton.
RHP Willie Glen is 4-2 with a 4.78 ERA in nine starts for independent Gary.
RHP Cameron Smith has 44 walks and 36 strikeouts in 40.1 innings with independent Lancaster. He's 3-4 with a 5.58 ERA.
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Salas' bright Futures
Former Biscuits stopper Juan Salas has been picked for the All-Star Futures game, which will be July 9 in Pittsburgh. Two years ago, the Rays thought so little of him as a third baseman that they told him he would either pitch or go back to the Dominican Republic. He's found a home on the mound.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Gathright, Cortez to Royals
Two former Biscuits are headed to the Kansas City Royals.
Outfielder Joey Gathright and infielder Fernando Cortez were traded to the Royals on Tuesday. The Devil Rays picked up left-handed pitcher J.P. Howell in the deal.
Howell was 3-2 with a 4.75 ERA at Class AAA Omaha this year.
The Rays also demoted pitcher Seth McClung to Durham, but haven't announced who will take McClung's roster spot. They're supposed to announce it tonight.
Howell has major-league experience, so he could go to Tampa Bay. Or another pitcher could be promoted, opening a spot for Howell at Durham.
Either way, Durham is out two position players -- which makes me curious if the Biscuits are about to lose a few.
Cortez was the Bulls' starting second baseman. Elliot Johnson was struggling before going on the DL with a groin injury, but he was activated today and was raking it early in the season.
Outfielder Joey Gathright and infielder Fernando Cortez were traded to the Royals on Tuesday. The Devil Rays picked up left-handed pitcher J.P. Howell in the deal.
Howell was 3-2 with a 4.75 ERA at Class AAA Omaha this year.
The Rays also demoted pitcher Seth McClung to Durham, but haven't announced who will take McClung's roster spot. They're supposed to announce it tonight.
Howell has major-league experience, so he could go to Tampa Bay. Or another pitcher could be promoted, opening a spot for Howell at Durham.
Either way, Durham is out two position players -- which makes me curious if the Biscuits are about to lose a few.
Cortez was the Bulls' starting second baseman. Elliot Johnson was struggling before going on the DL with a groin injury, but he was activated today and was raking it early in the season.
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