Crawdads Alumni Report September 22
Sunday, September 22
HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY:
Jeff Keppinger ('02, 2B/ Chicago White Sox) went 2-for-5 with a double, scored two runs and knocked in one. But the White Sox lost to Detroit 7-6 in 12 innings.
BIRTHDAYS:
Luis Carlos Garcia ('96, OF) turns 38. The native of Miami, FL was the White Sox 19th round pick in 1994 out of Miami Senoir High School. In 76 games with the Crawdads, Garcia batted .273 with 18 doubles, three triples, three homers and 38 RBI. Garcia stayed with the White Sox for two seasons (1997-1998) before the Tampa Bay Devil Rays drafted him the minor league phase of the Rule 5. The Devil Rays let him go before playing a game in their system. He went on to play with the Mexico City Tigers from 1999 to 2001 before signing a contract to play for Baltimore. Garcia debuted with the Orioles on 4/10/02 but was sent to AAA- Rochester in late May, where he finished the season. He since played with various Mexico League teams before he retired in 2011 as a member of the Yucatan Leones.
Tom Hagan ('08, 1B) turns 30. The native of Roanoke, VA was the Pirates 39th round pick in 2006 out of the University of Virginia. With Hickory, Hagan batted .269 in 87 games with 16 doubles, two triples, seven homers and 45 RBI. He was released after the season and did not return as a pro.
MAJOR LEAGUES
AMERICAN LEAGUE:
Baltimore 1 Tampa Bay 5: Nate McLouth ('01, OF/ Baltimore) 1-4.
Chicago White Sox 6 Detroit 7 (12 innings): Leury Garcia ('09-'10, SS/ Chicago White Sox) 1-5, SB, 3 K.
Minnesota 1 Oakland 9: Ryan Doumit ('01-'02, C/ Minnesota) 0-4; Alex Presley ('07, OF/ Minnesota) 1-4.
Toronto 4 Boston 2: Rajai Davis ('02-'03, OF/ Toronto) 1-2, 2 BB, R, RBI, CS.
NATIONAL LEAGUE:
Cincinnati 2 Pittsburgh 4: Zach Duke ('03, P/ Cincinnati) 0 IP, 1 H/ Andrew McCutchen ('06, OF/ Pittsburgh) 0-3, BB, R, K; Neil Walker ('05, C/ Pittsburgh) 0-3, BB; Bryan Morris ('08, P/ Pittsburgh) 1/3 IP, 1 BB.
Saturday, September 21
HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY:
Robbie Erlin ('10, P/ San Diego) struck out seven and held the Dodgers scoreless on four hits and a walk over 7.2 innings in a 2-0 win. Erlin improves to 3-3 on the season.
BIRTHDAYS:
Willy Hill ('02, OF) turns 37. The native of Pasadena, CA was signed by the Pirates as a free agent in 2002 out of the Florida Marlins organization. In 39 games, Hill batted .277 with three doubles and nine RBI. He also spent time at high A-Lynchburg in 2002 before his release.
TEXAS RANGERS AFFILIATES:
Texas 1 Kansas City 2: Martin Perez ('09, P/ Texas) 5.2 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 3 K; Joe Ortiz ('09-'10, P/ Texas) 1/3 IP.
MAJOR LEAGUES
AMERICAN LEAGUE:
Baltimore 4 Tampa Bay 5 (18 innings): Nate McLouth ('01, OF/ Baltimore) 0-4, K.
Chicago White Sox 5 Detroit 12: Jeff Keppinger ('02, 2B/ Chicago White Sox) 1-1, 2B, R.
Minnesota 0 Oakland 11: Alex Presley ('07, OF/ Minnesota) 1-4.
Toronto 3 Boston 6: Rajai Davis ('02-'03, OF/ Toronto) 2-5, 2B, 2 R, 2 SB, K.
NATIONAL LEAGUE:
Atlanta 9 Chicago Cubs 5: Paul Maholm ('04, P/ Atlanta) 5.1 ER, 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 K, 2 HR/ Justin Grimm ('11, P/ Chicago Cubs) 2/3 IP, 1 K.
Cincinnati 6 Pittsburgh 5 (10 innings): Andrew McCutchen ('06, OF/ Pittsburgh) 0-3, BB; Jordy Mercer ('08, SS/ Pittsburgh) 2-3, R, RBI; Neil Walker ('05, C/ Pittsburgh) 1-5, solo HR (12) in the first, K; Bryan Morris ('08, P/ Pittsburgh) 1/3 IP; Tony Watson ('07, P/ Pittsburgh) 1/3 IP, 1 H.
Miami 0 Washington 8: Adam LaRoche ('08, 1B/ Washington) 0-2, 2 BB, R, K.
MINOR LEAGUES:
ATLANTIC LEAGUE (INDEPENDENT) PLAYOFFS:
Long Island 4 Southern Maryland 1: Ray Navarrete ('01, IF/ Long Island) 0-4, HBP/ Sean Smith ('04, OF/ Southern Maryland) did not play. Long Island sweeps the best-of-five series 3-0.
Sugar Land 4 Somerset 5: Jorge Cortes ('03, OF/ Somerset) did not play. Somerset sweeps the best-of-five series 3-0.
Friday, September 20
HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY:
Neil Walker ('05, C/ Pittsburgh) went 4-for-5 with three RBI, including a two-run homer (11) in the fourth inning to lead the Pirates to a 10-1 rout of the San Diego Padres. The win pulled the Pirates to within a game of first-place St. Louis in the National League Central.
BIRTHDAYS:
Felipe Garcia ('05, '07, P) turns 31. The native of Hator Mayor del Rey, D.R. was signed as a free agent by the Pirates in 2005 after his release from the Tigers. He was 4-5 in 36 relief appearances with four saves and a 4.37 ERA. Garcia returned to the Crawdads in 2007 and was 0-1 with two saves in 15 games and a 5.14 ERA. Overall, he struck out 69, walked 40 and allowed 51 runs (40 earned) on 76 hits in 88.2 innings. Garcia split his final pro season in 2008 with Alexandria in the independent United League and high A-Lancaster in the Red Sox chain.
Sandy McKinnon ('93, OF) turns 41. The native of Douglas, GA was the 12th round pick of the White Sox in 1993 out of Middle Georgia College. McKinnon played in 63 games for Hickory later in 1993 and batted .251 with 10 doubles, three triples, and 21 RBI. He reached as high as AA- Birmingham in 1997-1998 in the White Sox organization before his release after the '98 season. McKinnon played in the Arizona Diamondbacks system in 1999 at high A-High Desert and AA-El Paso before leaving the game professionally.
TEXAS RANGERS AFFILIATES:
Texas 8 Tampa Bay 2: Robbie Ross ('10, P/ Texas) 2 IP, 3 K / Josh Lueke ('10, P/ Tampa Bay) 2.1 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 K.
MAJOR LEAGUES
AMERICAN LEAGUE:
Baltimore 1 Boston 3: Nate McLouth ('01, OF/ Baltimore) 0-3, BB.
Minnesota 6 Oakland 8: Ryan Doumit ('01-'02, C/ Minnesota) 1-5, 2 K; Alex Presley ('07, OF/ Minnesota) 0-4, BB, RBI, K.
NY Yankees 2 Toronto 6: Todd Redmond ('06, P/ Toronto) 7 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K, 1 HR, win (4-2).
NATIONAL LEAGUE:
Miami 2 Washington 3: Adam LaRoche ('08, 1B/ Washington) 1-3, BB.
San Diego 1 Pittsburgh 10: Andrew McCutchen ('06, OF/ Pittsburgh) 0-3, 2 BB, RBI, K; Jordy Mercer ('08, SS/ Pittsburgh) 2-5, 2B, 2 R; Tony Watson ('07, P/ Pittsburgh) 1 IP.
MINOR LEAGUES:
ATLANTIC LEAGUE (INDEPENDENT) PLAYOFFS:
Southern Maryland 5 Long Island 6: Sean Smith ('04, OF/ Southern Maryland) 0-2, K/ Ray Navarrete ('01, IF/ Long Island) did not play. Long Island leads the best-of-five series 2-0.
Thursday, September 19
HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY:
Zach Duke ('03, P/ Cincinnati) walked a batter, but retired the other two hitterers he faced to work out of a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the ninth inning. The Reds then went on to defeat Houston 6-5 in 13 innings to move to within a half-game of the top wild card spot in the National League.
BIRTHDAYS:
Jim Abbott ('98, P) turns 46. The native of Flint, MI made his a rehab start as a member of the White Sox in 1998. During that start, Abbott allowed a run on three hits and struck out two in four innings. He pitched for the White Sox in 1998 before closing his career with Milwaukee in 1999.
Aeden McQueary ('08, C) turns 29. The native of High Wycombe, in England was signed as a free agent by the Pirates in 2008 after his release by the San Diego Padres. In 21 games with the Crawdads he batted .194 with two doubles and three RBI. He was released after the 2008 season and has since played in Holland with ADO in 2009 and Mr. Cocker HCAW in 2010. McQueary has also spent time with Team Great Britain in European tournaments and was the team MVP in 2011 during a qualifying tournament.
Jose Monegro ('11-'13, P) turns 24. The native of San Francisco de Macoris, D.R. was an international free agent signee of the Rangers in 2008. He made 35 bullpen appearances in parts of three seasons before closing 2013 with five starts. Overall, Monegro went 5-3 with a 4.73 ERA and five saves. In 91.1 innings he struck out 79, walked 19 and allowed 51 runs (48 earned) on 82 hits.
TEXAS RANGERS AFFILIATES:
Texas 3 Tampa Bay 4 (12 innings): Joe Ortiz ('09-'10, P/ Texas) 1/3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, loss (2-2); Jurickson Profar ('11, SS/ Texas) 0-3, BB, Sac, R, K.
MAJOR LEAGUES
AMERICAN LEAGUE:
Baltimore 5 Boston 3: Nate McLouth ('01, OF/ Baltimore) 0-5, 3 K; Steven Pearce ('06, 1B/ Baltimore) 0-0, BB.
Minnesota 4 Chicago White Sox 3: Ryan Doumit ('01-'02, C/ Minnesota) 1-4, 2B, R, K; Alex Presley ('07, OF/ Minnesota) 1-4, R /Leury Garcia ('09-'10, SS/Chicago White Sox) 1-2, CS.
NY Yankees 4 Toronto 3: Rajai Davis ('02-'03, OF/ Toronto) 1-4, SB, K.
NATIONAL LEAGUE:
Atlanta 5 Washington 2: Adam LaRoche ('08, 1B/ Washington) 1-4.
San Diego 3 Pittsburgh 2: Andrew McCutchen ('06, OF/ Pittsburgh) 1-2, two-run HR (20) in the seventh, HBP; Neil Walker ('05, C/ Pittsburgh) 0-4, R, K.
MINOR LEAGUES:
ATLANTIC LEAGUE (INDEPENDENT) PLAYOFFS:
Southern Maryland 2 Long Island 6: Sean Smith ('04, OF/ Southern Maryland) 0-4, 3 K; Ray Navarrete ('01, IF/ Long Island) did not play. Long Island leads the best-of-five series 1-0.
Somerset 3 Sugar Land 2: Jorge Cortes ('03, OF/ Somerset) did not play. Somerset leads the best-of-five series 2-0.
Wednesday, September 18
HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY:
Adam LaRoche ('08, 1B/ Washington) went 1-for-3 with a walk and an RBI in each game of the Nationals doubleheader sweep of the Braves to pull closer in the National League wild card chase. The Nats won game one 6-5 and then took the night cap 4-0.
BIRTHDAYS:
Rashad Albert ('95-'96, '98, OF) turns 38. The native of Fernandina Beach, FL was the White Sox 16th round pick in 1994 out of Fernandina Beach High School. Albert spent much of his White Sox career shuttling between rookie affiliate Bristol, Hickory and high A Winston-Salem. He batted .237 in 243 games with the Crawdads with 41 doubles, nine triples, 13 homers and 69 RBI. Albert also stole 63 bases and scored 113 runs. In club history, Albert is third in at bats (897), fourth in steals, fifth in games played and hits (243), tied for 5th in doubles and triples, seventh in runs scored and eighth in total bases. He finished up his White Sox tenure in 199 at Winston-Salem when he was released and finished his career at Jupiter in the Montreal Expos system.
Jason Alcala ('01, '04, P) turns 33. The native of Cumana, Venezuela was an international free agent signee of the Pirates in 1997. Alcala made 34 appearances out of the bullpen for Hickory in 2001 and went 3-1 with seven saves and a 1.76 ERA. He also struck out 56 batters and walked 13 in 41 innings. Alcala spent much of the next three seasons at high A-Lynchburg and pitched in one game at AA-Altoona, but then returned to Hickory in August during the team's stretch-run drive to the SAL championship. He pitched in seven games that month and went 2-0 with a 4.97 ERA. Alcala was released by the Pirates after the 2004 season.
Dan Fraraccio ('93, SS) turns 43. Born in Long Island, NY, Fraraccio was signed by the White Sox as a non-drafted free agent in 1992 out of Louisiana Tech. He played in 41 games with Hickory and batted .211 with nine doubles, one triple, one homer and 15 RBI. After leaving the Crawdads, Fraraccio played mostly at high A-Prince William through 1996, with a brief stop at AAA-Nashville in 1995 before his release. He finished the 1996 season at Thunder Bay in the independent Northern League before a full season at high A-St. Petersburg in Tampa Bay's system in 1997. After playing at Bridgeport (Atlantic League) in 1998, he returned to the Devil Rays in 1999 for two seasons and split time at AA-Orlando and AAA- Durham before his release in 2000. He returned briefly to Bridgeport, then after a quick stint at Quebec (Northern), Fraraccio finished his career at AAA- Las Vegas (San Diego).
Brent Lillibridge ('06, SS) turns 30. The native of Mill Creek, WA was the Pirates fourth round pick in 2005 out of the University of Washington. He played in 74 games with the Crawdads and batted .299 with 18 doubles, five triples, 11 homers and 43 RBI. The SAL all-star also stole 29 bases and scored 59 runs. Lillibridge was promoted to high-A Lynchburg to finish the season and was named to Baseball America's class A All-Star team. An off-season trade sent him to the Braves organization, with which he split the 2007 season at AA-Mississippi and AAA-Richmond and was the Braves representative for the Future's Game. He made his major league debut with Atlanta on 4/26/08 and bounced between the Braves and Richmond much of the season. Another off-season trade in 2008 sent him to the Chicago White Sox, where he played for four seasons. During the 2012 season, Lillibridge was involved in trades that sent him first to Boston and then to Cleveland to finish the season. This year, he had brief stints with the Cubs and Yankees, but spent much of the year at their club's AAA teams. He finished the 2013 season at Scranton/ Wilkes-Barre (Yankees).
TRANSACTIONS:
Steven Pearce ('06, 1B) was activated from the disabled list by Baltimore.
Kris Watts ('07, C) was released by the Washington Nationals. He played with AAA- Syracuse this season.
TEXAS RANGERS AFFILIATES:
Texas 7 Tampa Bay 1: Josh Lueke ('10, P/ Tampa Bay) 2/3 IP, 1 H.
MAJOR LEAGUES
AMERICAN LEAGUE:
Baltimore 3 Boston 2: Nate McLouth ('01, OF/ Baltimore) 1-3, BB.
Minnesota 3 Chicago White Sox 4: Ryan Doumit ('01-'02, C/ Minnesota) 2-4, 2B, K; Alex Presley ('07, OF/ Minnesota) 0-1/ Leury Garcia ('09-'10, SS/ Chicago White Sox) defensive appearance.
NY Yankees 0 Toronto 2: Rajai Davis ('02-'03, OF/ Toronto) 2-4, solo HR (6) in the 7th.
NATIONAL LEAGUE:
Chicago Cubs 3 Milwaukee 4: Justin Grimm ('11, P/ Chicago Cubs) 2/3 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 BB, loss (7-9).
San Diego 5 Pittsburgh 2: Andrew McCutchen ('06, OF/ Pittsburgh) 2-3, 2B, BB, R; Jordy Mercer ('08, SS/ Pittsburgh) 0-3, K; Neil Walker ('05, C/ Pittsburgh) 0-1, BB, R; Jared Hughes ('06-'07, P/ Pittsburgh) 1.2 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 1 K; Bryan Morris ('08, P/ Pittsburgh) 1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER.
MINOR LEAGUES:
ATLANTIC LEAGUE (INDEPENDENT) PLAYOFFS:
Somerset 6 Sugar Land 5: Jorge Cortes ('03, OF/ Somerset) 0-3, BB, RBI, K. Somerset leads the best-of-five series 1-0.
Tuesday, September 17
HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY:
Alex Presley ('07, OF/ Minnesota) went 2-for-4 during the Twins 12-1 loss to the Chicago White Sox.
BIRTHDAYS:
Sean Burnett ('01, P) turns 31. The Dunedin, FL native was the Pirates' first round pick in 2000 out of Wellington (FL) Christian School. As an 18-year old, Bradley made 26 starts for the Crawdads in 2001 and went 11-8 with a 2.62 ERA. In 161.1 innings, Bradley struck out 134, walked 33 and allowed 63 runs (47 earned) on 164 hits. His ERA is the fourth-best among qualifying pitchers (112 +IP), and his walks-per-nine innings ratio (1.84) is 8th. He is ninth in hits allowed and innings pitched. As a fielder, Burnett holds the best mark by a pitcher with 47 errorless chances and is second in a season in assists (33) and third in total chances (47). Burnett made his Pirates debut on 5/30/04, but his time in the majors was short-lived as he struggled with injuries much of the next four seasons. After spending time at AAA- Indianapolis from 2006-2008, he returned to Pittsburgh until mid-2009 before a trade sent him to Washington. He remained there until his final season in 2012, when he made his first post-season appearance. Burnett signed a free agent contract with the Los Angeles Angels earlier this year.
TEXAS RANGERS AFFILIATES:
Texas 2 Tampa Bay 6: Joe Ortiz ('09-'10, P/ Texas) 2 IP, 1 K; Robbie Ross ('10, P/ Texas) 2/3 IP, 2 H.
MAJOR LEAGUES
NATIONAL LEAGUE:
San Diego 2 Pittsburgh 0: Andrew McCutchen ('06, OF/ Pittsburgh) 0-3, K; Neil Walker ('05, C/ Pittsburgh) 0-3.
Monday, September 16
HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY:
Ryan Doumit ('01-'02, C/ Minnesota) slugged a solo HR (13) in the 8th to start a four-run rally that sent the Twins to a 6-4 win over Tampa Bay on Sunday. Doumit also walked and scored earlier in the game.
BIRTHDAYS:
Bob Theodile ('93-'95, P) turns 41. The native of Jeanerette, LA was the White Sox eighth round pick in 1992 out of San Jacinto Community (TX). He spent part of three seasons with the Crawdads and holds club records in runs allowed (154), walks allowed (121), and is tied for first in earned runs allowed (125) and losses (17). He is also second in games started (41), third in innings pitched (238.2) and fourth in hits allowed (247). Overall with Hickory, Theodile went 13-17 with a 4.71 ERA in 46 games and struck out 168. He remained in the White Sox system making it to AAA-Calgary in 1998 before joining the Brewers as a free agent at AA-Huntsville in 1999. After parts of two seasons (2000-2001) at Long Island in the independent Atlantic League, his career ended with Saltillo in the Mexican League in 2001.
TEXAS RANGERS AFFILIATES:
Oakland 5 Texas 1: Martin Perez ('09, P/ Texas) 6.1 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 2 HR, loss (9-5); Jurickson Profar ('11, SS/ Texas) 1-2.
MAJOR LEAGUES
AMERICAN LEAGUE:
Baltimore 3 Toronto 1: Nate McLouth ('01, OF/ Baltimore) 0-0, HBP/ Rajai Davis ('02-'03, OF/ Toronto) 0-3, BB, K.
Cleveland 7 Chicago White Sox 1: Leury Garcia ('09-'10, SS/ Chicago White Sox) 1-4, 2B; Jeff Keppinger ('02, 2B/ Chicago White Sox) 1-4, R.
Tampa Bay 4 Minnesota 6: Alex Presley ('07, OF/ Minnesota) 0-4, 2 K.
NATIONAL LEAGUE:
Chicago Cubs 2 Pittsburgh 3: Justin Grimm ('11, P/ Chicago Cubs) 1 IP, 1 K/ Andrew McCutchen ('06, OF/ Pittsburgh) 1-2, BB, R; Jordy Mercer ('08, SS/ Pittsburgh) 1-2, 2B, BB; Neil Walker ('05, C/ Pittsburgh) 0-3; Bryan Morris ('08, P/ Pittsburgh) 1 IP, 1 K.
Cincinnati 5 Milwaukee 6: Zach Duke ('03, P/ Cincinnati) 2/3 IP, 1 HR, loss (1-2).
Philadelphia 2 Washington 11: Adam LaRoche ('08, 1B/ Washington) 1-5, R, 2 K.
MINOR LEAGUES:
ATLANTIC LEAGUE (INDEPENDENT):
Camden 4 Bridgeport 6: Danny Bomback ('08, UT/ Camden) 1-4, 2B/ Brandon Chaves ('01-'02, SS/ Bridgeport) 3-4, R, K.
Lancaster 4 Southern Maryland 5: Sean Smith ('04, OF/ Southern Maryland) 2-3, HR (15), BB, 2 R, 3 RBI, SB, K.
Long Island 7 Somerset 5: Ray Navarrete ('01, IF/ Long Island) 1-3, HR (7), BB, HBP, 2 R, 2 RBI, K; Jorge Cortes ('03, OF/ Somerset) 1-4, BB, R, K.
York 1 Sugar Land 4: Ruddy Yan ('01, 2B-SS/ York) 2-4, SB.