Daily Farm Report: Clean Sweep

While Memphis Redbirds were enjoying their day off, the rest of the farm teams were taking care of business. Springfield, Palm Beach and Peoria all won their games on Wednesday. Here’s how it all went down.

Springfield Cardinals 2 at Tulsa Drillers 1

Ryan Helsley (SP): 7.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 7 K’s

Hector Mendoza (RP): 1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R

Randy Arozarena (LF): 3-4, 2B, HR, RBI, R

Lane Thomas (CF): 2-4, HR, RBI, R

Starter Ryan Helsley looked dominant pitching in front of friends and family in Oklahoma. He retired the first nine batters of the game before Tulsa was able to scratch him for a run. The Drillers scored in the fourth on an error. Hector Mendoza picked up the save after Lane Thomas made a game saving outfield assist.

Springfield’s two runs came in the top of the fourth. Outfielders Randy Arozarena and Lane Thomas traded solo shots to put he Cardinals ahead 2-0. Arozarena is on fire following his demotion to AA. Through the first twelve games, he’s slashing .396/.420/.688 for a 193 wRC+. He’s been more aggressive at the plate, seeing his plate discipline numbers go in the wrong direction, but more damage has been done on contact. Springfield is now 20-18 on the season and will take on the Drillers again tonight at 7:05 CST.

Palm Beach Cardinals 5 at Clearwater Thresher 2

Ian Oxnevad (SP): 8 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 5 K’s

Evan Mendoza (3B): 3-4, BB, R

J.B. Woodman (RF): 2-3, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, BB, R

Shane Billings (LF): 2-5, HR, RBI, R

Palm Beach jumped out to an early lead when Johan Mieses scored Kramer Robertson on a sac fly in the top of the first. Outfielder J.B. Woodman tacked on another with a solo shot to left in the second. A Shane Billings homer and Andy Young RBI double would add two more in the third to put the Cardinals up 4-0. The Threshers couldn’t touch Ian Oxnevad until the bottom of the fifth. Clearwater plated two with an RBI double and a fielder’s choice to Kramer Robertson.

The win moves Palm Beach to 23-15 on the year. So far, J.B. Woodman and third baseman Evan Mendoza have provided the offensive firepower in the notorious Florida State League. Woodman is slugging his way to a .279/.371/.508 line, carrying a frightening 38% strikeout rate but a healthy .230 ISO. Mendoza isn’t doing as much damage on contact, but he’s been putting the ball in play a whole lot more. The third basemen is currently slashing .354/.400/.465 for a 152 wRC+. Palm Beach plays Clearwater again today at 6:00 CST.

Peoria Chiefs 7 Clinton LumberKings 5

Alvaro Seijas (SP): 3.2 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 4 BB, 2 K’s

Scott Hurst (RF): 2-4, RBI, R

J.R. Davis (2B): 2-4, 2B, RBI, 2 R

Zach Kirtley (1B): 1-4, 2B

Peoria pulled off a late, six run rally to rescue this one. The LumberKings jumped out ahead early, scoring in the first before piling on two runs in both the third and fourth innings. Alvaro Seijas didn’t survive deep into the ballgame, struggling with both command and with missing bats.

The Chiefs trailed 5-1 heading into the bottom of the eighth before the offense started rolling. Irving Lopez drew a leadoff walk, and Scott Hurst followed with a single. Outfielder Nick Plummer laced a single of his own to left field to score Lopez from second. Clinton reliever Kyle Wilcox settled in to record two outs before walking catcher Julio Rodriguez. Hurst scored on a wild pitch to make the game 5-3 before J.R. Davis single home Plummer. Bryce Denton’s single to right field tied the game 5-5. Matt Fiedler was the hero on the day, plating the go ahead run on a triple. The win puts Peoria at 20-16. They’ll play Clinton tonight at 6:30 CST.

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MEM: Kevin Hergret

SPR: Conner Greene

PMB: Anthony Shew

PEO: Zach Prendergast