I have to admit that I was a little excited while covering this game.  First, it was Low-A Clearwater v. Dunedin.  So, I got a pretty good look at players likely to be assigned to the Threshers.  Second, it was the unveiling of ASZ at BCB.  So, while my boxscores are accurate, my account of the game might be a little choppy.

Game six.  Here’s my boxscore.

Casey Martin started a two-out rally in the first with a ground single through the hole into left field.  He was advanced to second on a balk.  He stole third uncontested.  Baron Radcliff walked to put runners on the corners.  Martin scored on DJ Stewart’sRBI single.  Rixon Wingrove walked to load the bases and the Jays rolled the inning.

And that was pretty much it for the offense.  They got one hit the rest of the way.  They added 6 walks and a hit batter to their one infield single, but 2 of their 3 double plays ended scoring threats.

Here’s my pitchers’ boxscore.

Starlyn Castillo got the start.  I’ve always been high on Castillo.  But, for the life of me, I can’t recall ever seeing him pitch.  He did disappoint.  He got the first batter on a first-pitch ground ball to shortstop.  He went on to complete a 26-pitch inning where he threw 12 strikes and retired just one more batter.  He had allowed a run and a balk before the inning was rolled.  The first of three.

Young Daniel Vilchez pitched the second and breezed through an 11-pitch, 1-2-3 inning.

Gunner Mayer threw three impressive innings.  He retired the Jays in the third on three fly balls to center.  He gave up a well-struck double to lead off the fourth then struck out the side.  And, retired the side in order in the sixth on 2 more fly balls and a strikeout.

Maikel Garrido pitched a solid sixth, inducing 3 ground balls.  However, the third resulted in a throwing error by third baseman DJ Stewart.  Three pitches later, a home run produced 2 unearned runs.  After a walk, the inning was rolled even though Maikel had thrown just 15 pitches.

Garrido came out to start the seventh inning.  He got two ground outs to second and was relieved by Brenden Kudlinski who faced 2 batters, walking one and struck out one.

France’s Yoan Antonac came out to pitch the eighth.  Another guy I don’t think I’ve seen pitch.  He’s only thrown a couple GCL innings and those were on the road in 2018.  He’s a big 20-year-old, 6’9″ who has filled out already.  Anyway, another disappointing performance.  His inning was rolled after 18 pitches, a flyout, 2 walks, 2 stolen bases, and a run-scoring error by a new third baseman, Jose Tortolero.

Antonac started the ninth and struck out a batter and walked a batter before yielding to Carlos A. Francisco.  A wild pitch, walk, hit batter, and a grounder to the pitcher gave the Jays another run.

Other Stuff

I had remarked on the game’s first walk that umpires’ usually saved the slow call for strikeouts.  A batter or two later, I noticed the home plate umpire going to his partner for assistance with something attached to him under his shirt.  One text later and I confirmed that the Automated Strike Zone (ASZ) had been installed and was being used.

There is a noticeable delay of a second or less while the umpire receives the signal.  But, as the game progressed it was no longer noticeable except on the closest of calls.

A couple times players were visibly unhappy with calls.  Okay more than a couple, maybe a few.  But, only 5 of the games 15 Ks were looking.  The game seemed unaffected by the system.