1
Wow. Hard to believe that Montero is likely to end up a total bust and therefore Pineda a total loss. Too bad we didn't flip Pineda for Justin Upton when we had the chance.
Mariners Minor League Game Action Recap for June 4
Carraway & Ruffin don't make their case ... Pries loses pitchers' duel ... etc.
I answered bumkus' question about the catching situation in the comments thread.
My best guess is they'll go ahead and bring up Mike Zunino (Talk40 #1).
If you're wondering about John Hicks (Talk40 #27) ... he's been injured as well (and has yet to play above AA).
AAA -- Sacramento 6, Tacoma 2 -- Box
We indicated that Andrew Carraway (Watch List) had a chance to show his worthiness for consideration for the free-for-all No. 5 starter spot currently tenuously held by Jeremy Bonderman.
Well, he didn't do much to help himself: 5.0 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, 1 BB, 2 K.
Nor did he get much offensive help, though Brad Miller (Talk40 #6) had a double and a single.
AA -- Tennessee 8, Jackson 6 -- Box
What we said about Carraway, we also said about Chance Ruffin (Watch List).
And the same story: 4.0 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 1 K.
But ... it was the AA debut of our man Ji-Man Choi (Talk40 #19). Unfortunately, he went 0-for-4.
A bright spot was James Jones (Watch List), who had a three-run home run, a walk and his 13th stolen base.
High-A -- Bakersfield 1, High Desert 0 -- Box
No Cal League pinball here. A gen-u-ine pitchers' duel.
On the Mavericks side was Jordan Pries (26intheMix): 7.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 4 K.
He left the game in a scoreless tie, but Seon-Gi Kim (26intheMix), despite 5 K in 1.2 IP, gave up the losing run in the top of the 9th.
The Mavericks posted only two hits, but both of them came from the bat of Chris Taylor (Talk40 #28).
Looking Ahead
Tacoma is off, but the other three teams send out Mariners[Prospect]Talk "sleepers." Jackson: Anthony Fernandez (Talk40 #23). High Desert: Stephen Landazuri (Talk40 #24). Clinton: Dylan "Sharkie" Unsworth (26intheMix).