#Birmingham Black Barons
4 hits from Curtis Granderson and Eddie Mathews‘ 24th homer of the year weren’t enough as the Black Barons fell to Houston, 4-3.
In the series finale, Bob Nieman, Hank Aaron, and Jim Pagliaroni had 3 hits and Nieman, Pagliaroni, and Adrián González all went deep as the Black Barons beat Houston, 10-6.
OF Ray Powell retired from AA.
#Miami Cuban Giants
Trying to pick which arm to demote to make room for Freddie Fitzsimmons‘ return from the DL is a bit rough for Miami: virtually everyone is struggling. But the final choice was Braden Looper–declared closer only a few weeks ago, but sporting a 7.31 ERA since then.
The challenge for the Cuban Giants as the season winds down is to spread around enough innings and plate appearances to get some more information on the quality of talent on their roster. It may be bleak.
Fitzsimmons, however: not bleak. The recent acquisition made his first start for Miami and turned in a complete game, 3 hit shutout of the House of David. The Cuban Giants pounded out 5 homeruns, with Smoky Burgess launching the first 2 of his career and Ryan Braun, Robin Yount, and also launching longballs.
Yasiel Puig is hitting over .500 with Miami. 3 more hits, including his first 2 homeruns for the Cuban Giants weren’t enough in an 8-6 loss to the House of David.
#Portland Sea Dogs
Pascual Pérez has returned to the rotation, meaning both Wade Miller and Jerry Koosman look to finish the year out of the bullpen for the Sea Dogs.
#San Francisco Sea Lions
As the AA season closed, 3B Ken Caminiti and OF Coco Crisp announced their retirement.