Salt Lake Bees @ Las Vegas 51s, 3:05pm EST
Kip Wells (1-3, 9.00 ERA) vs. D.J. Mitchell (1-1, 7.43 ERA)
Mitchell continues to get hit hard since joining the 51s. In his last three starts, he’s allowed 15 runs on 24 hits, eight walks, and seven strikeouts in 13.1 innings pitched. Not exactly stellar numbers, but he’ll look to pitch into the fifth inning for the third time this season for Vegas. He’ll need to spot the ball better throughout the strike zone, as opposing hitters are batting .340 off him. Also, he has almost allowed as many walks (14) as strikeouts (15) in 22.1 innings pitched.
Portland Sea Dogs @ Binghamton Mets, 6:35pm EST
Charlie Haeger (1-1, 4.03 ERA) vs. Rafael Montero (4-3, 3.47 ERA)
Montero makes his first start for Binghamton since returning from his spot start with Triple-A Las Vegas. He allowed two runs on four hits, one walk, and five strikeouts in 6.2 innings pitched. Despite the strong performance, Montero took the loss in his 51s debut. Sandy Alderson said he’ll be back in Vegas by mid-season if he continues to perform, and there’s no reason why he shouldn’t be there right now. After allowing lead-off hits in the first two innings against Iowa, he retired 14 straight hitters.
Bradenton Marauders @ St. Lucie Mets, 1:00pm EST
Robby Rowland (2-3, 4.84 ERA) vs. Matthew Bowman (2-0, 2.25 ERA)
Bowman continues to watch his stock rise with every start. He took the no decision against Dunedin, but it wasn’t because he didn’t throw well. He lasted seven innings and allowed two runs on six hits, one walk, and 11 strikeouts. In his three starts with St. Lucie since getting promoted from Savannah, Bowman has struck out 27 hitters and walked three in 20 innings pitched.
Augusta GreenJackets @ Savannah Sand Gnats, 2:05pm EST
TBD vs. Luis Cessa (2-2, 4.81 ERA)
Cessa takes the mound this afternoon for his eighth start of the season, and hopes to limit the amount of hits he’s been allowing. Through 39.1 innings pitched in 2013, Cessa has allowed 50 hits, good enough for an opponent batting average of .301. He’ll be facing Augusta for the second consecutive start. The GreenJackets pounded out 11 hits and six runs against the righty, both season-highs. We’ll see how he’s able to adjust given this second opportunity to face them.