You knew it was coming. You were all a twitter counting down the days, hours, minutes, seconds until he made his debut. You told your wife that should the moment come, to excuse you from not being bothered about anything else going on in your life. That moment has arrived.
AARON MILES IS BACK!
Memphis 3, Portland 5
- Mark Hamilton went 1-for-4 with a 2-run HR
- Donovan Solano, James Rapoport, Allen Craig, Mark Shorey and Adam Ottavino all picked up singles.
- Adam Ottavino left the mound in trouble but with the lead in his outing, yielding 6 hits and 4 ER in 5.1 IP. He struck out 7.
- Rich Hill picked up a blown save in his 1.2 IP by giving up 1 H, 2 BB, 1 ER and striking out 2. Hill’s first batter hit a 3-R HR.
- Josh Kinney struck out 1 in 1 IP.
- Fernando Salas struck out 2 in 1 IP.
Springfield 10, Northwest Arkansas 4
- Adron Chambers went 2-for-4 with 3R and 1 2B.
- The conquering hero returned to go 3-for-5 with 3 R scored. One of Aaron Miles 3 H was a 2B.
- Matthew Carpenter went 2-for-5 with a 2B and 2 RBI.
- Steven Hill went 1-for-4 with a solo HR.
- The Flying Dutchman Curt Smith went 3-for-5 with 1 R and 2 RBI.
- DJ Tools went 2-for-4 with 1 RBI.
- Texas League Player of the Week Pete Kozma went 1-for-3 with 1 RBI. He also picked up his 14th fielding error.
- The Mayor Gary Daley pitched well in his 6 IP. He gave up 5 H, 1 BB and 3 unearned runs while striking out 6.
- Casey Mulligan went 2 IP, yielding an unearned run and striking out 2.
- Adam Reifer blazed through his lone inning, striking out 1.
- D’Marcus Ingram went 3-for-5 with 2B, 3 RBI and 1 R.
- Jason Stidham went 1-for-4 with a 2-run HR.
- Matthew Adams went 2-for-4.
- Michael Swinson went 1-for-3 with 2R. He also had a stolen base.
- Shelby Miller twirled a 3-hitter in his 5.1 IP. He walked 2 and struck out 5. Be still my beating heart.
- Justin Smith picked up a hold going 1.2 IP, walking 2 with 3 K.
- Jesse Simpson went 2 IP, gave up 1 unearned run on 2 H and 3 K.
- Oliver Marmol had the only XBH, a 2B, going 1-for-3 with 2 R.
- Richard Racobaldo went 1-for-3 with 2 RBI and 1 BB.
- Xavier Scruggs went 1-for-3 with 1 RBI.
- Jermaine Curtis went 1-for-5 with 1 R and 1 RBI.
- Richard Castillo got tattoo’d for 11 H and 6 ER in his 6 IP. He walked 4 and struckout 2, giving up a HR.
- Kevin Thomas went 2 IP with 3 H, 2 ER, 1 BB and 1 K.
- David Carpenter gave up a hit in his 1 IP.
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Aaron Miles, how much I loathe you…
It doesn’t seem Castillo has improved in 2years. I’m not seeing much of a future for him even if he is still young for his league.
Is it worth it to keep Rich Hill in the organization? Is there anyone he’s blocking? Or would this type of move be more likely after the June Draft? Or………..is it simply just worth it to have him do what he’s doing in Memphis until maybe he get’s it together?
I mean, if he’s not blocking anyone, then sure, keep him around. They might get lucky. I’m just kind of thinking out loud.
@Tackle Box: IIRC, Hill’s contract has a clause in it that says “majors or bust by June,” right? So given that the answer is clearly “bust,” we shouldn’t have to put up with him for much longer.
@Tackle Box: He has the option to opt out of his contract if not in the majors by June 1st, but the contract isn’t officially terminated on June 1st. He can decide to stay with the team in the minors or leave. With that said, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Cardinals just release him before or on June 1st, not giving him the option to stick around. Innings should go to others who have a better opportunity to help make an impact for the Cards.
Is Hill holding anyone else back? If so release him, If not no reason not to keep him.
Nice pitching performances by Miller, Daley and Ottavino.
Here’s the problem with Hill. If he ever puts it together he could be an oustanding pitcher. The thing that amazed me the most was that he could through breaking pitch after breaking pitch for strikes but couldn’t trough a strike with his FB if his life depended on it. Leftys are not a dime a dozen. This guy’s stuff could be amzaing if he could just through his Change Up and Fast Ball for strikes.
Holy crap! Did anyone else notice that Adam Reifer’s FIP on the year is 1.12?! I knew he was pitching better this season than last (though still giving up more hits than expected), but that’s just unreal.
@Aaron: Of course, that’s largely because of no home runs given up, but that 16/2 K/BB ratio in 12 innings certainly helps matters as well.
Reifer another case in point where once a guy figures out his control issues he can be dominate.
@mizzcards:
Valid point, but the fact is, he hasn’t been able to “put it together” for like 4 years now. I think the point I and some others are wondering is, is he taking away innings from anyone? I figure, right now he isn’t, but once the draft hits, they’re going to want to start moving people around. He’ll become baggage at that point if he still hasn’t put it together.
I was all positive on the signing. All upside…nothing to lose. But, at this point, sometimes that roster spot is more valuable.
I wouldn’t say hill it taking away innings from other prospected. He still has big league stuff so he at least has the potential to make an impact. Hill’s issue in spring training at least was his control and the fact he seemed uncoachable. If your not going to listen to the pitching coach then what’s the point? Either way if he can put his pride aside and listen to Duncan and buy into the philosophy he has much more to contribute than inning eaters like Perez and Rundle who are AAAA players. I say give innings to the guys that have a chance of doing something with the big team.