Ford, Crawford help Thunder earn series split
TRENTON » Bobby Mitchell pointed to the Thunder’s lack of offensive production, especially with runners in scoring position, as the main culprit for the team’s recent stretch in which it has lost four of six.
Well, consider that problem solved.
Mike Ford snuck a two-run homer inches inside the left field foul pole to cap a third inning in which the Thunder scored four times with two outs on their way to an 8-2 victory and series split with Richmond on Thursday night at Arm & Hammer Park.
Jorge Mateo, who walked 20 times in 71 games at HighA, did so for the fifth time in three games to start the rally. He stole second and then scored on Rashad Crawford’s triple. Thairo Estrada followed with an RBI infield single and Ford twisted his ninth homer just inside the foul pole.
Richmond manager Kyle Haines protested that the ball was foul, spiking his hat to the ground after he was ejected by home plate umpire Erich Bacchus.
Crawford finished with three RBIs after a sacrifice fly in the fourth gave and single in the sixth. He knocked in Mateo all three times.
The 23-year-old center fielder came from the Cubs in the Aroldis Chapman trade last summer, but struggled through his first month of Double-A, eventually landing on the disabled list with a .175 average.
Since coming off the DL on May 17, Crawford has lifted that by 58 points to .233.
Justus Sheffield, one day after being named an EL All-Star, provided the type of shut down performance expected of an ace.
The left-hander worked 6.1 innings, allowing one run — a solo homer by Myles Schroder in the seventh — on four hits. He struck out six and walked three in improving to 7-5.
The Thunder implored to 50-28, while the Flying Squirrels fell to 33-45.
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Mitchell said there’s no truth to the rumor he’ll be called up to the Yankees if one of the team’s coaches goes down with an injury or illness.
“Absolutely none,” Mitchell laughed. “No truth to it. Will never happen.”
OK, that was never really a rumor.
But all joking aside, the Yankees are beginning to look a lot like the 2016 Thunder team that reached the Eastern League Championship Series.
Dustin Fowler was the latest prospect called up to the major league club and inserted into the lineup on Thursday. He joins the growing list which already includes Ronald Herrera, Tyler Wade and Miguel Andujar this week.
“It’s so exciting for us here to see those guys go up,” Mitchell said. “They’re producing. It’s amazing how this game goes sometimes.”
Andujar, who was optioned back to Triple-A on Thursday, debuted by going 3-for-4 with 4 RBIs.
“It has a positive influence on everybody here to see those guys go up and be right in the lineup,” Mitchell said. “They could be next. It’s right around the corner. You never know in this game. I feel sorry for (Gleyber) Torres because he would have been the guy, but (Andujar) carried everything he was doing here to Triple-A and then into the big leagues (on Wednesday) night.”
Fowler, 22, was batting .293 with 13 homers and 43 RBIs for Triple-A Scranton.
The news wasn’t as good for first baseman Tyler Austin, only recalled on Saturday to replace Chris Carter, who was placed on the 10day disabled list with a sore right hamstring.
Austin joined an injury list that includes outfielder Matt Holliday (viral illness), second baseman Starlin Castro (strained right hamstring), Aaron Hicks (strained right oblique), first baseman Greg Bird (bruised right ankle) and pitchers CC Sabathia (strained left hamstring) and Adam Warren (right shoulder inflammation) on the DL.
Pitcher Domingo Acevedo was named to the World roster for the Futures Game that takes place on July 9 at Marlins Park in Miami.
The 6-foot-7 right-hander has made six starts for the Thunder, posting a 2-0 record with a 1.34 ERA and .079 WHIP.
Acevedo, 23, has struck out 40 against four walks in 40.1 innings.
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Starting pitcher Josh Rogers was placed on the sevenday disabled list with a sore left elbow. Rogers allowed two runs in five innings in Wednesday night’s loss.
The 22-year-old out of Louisville went 4-2 with a 4.62 ERA in seven starts since his promotion to Double-A.
“They think it’s a bone spur in the back of my elbow,” Rogers said. “Maybe rest will do it. (I) can take a couple weeks and rehab. I don’t really feel like missing the rest of the year.”
Rogers told Mitchell he’d felt the soreness for his last couple starts.
“He was trying to pitch through it,” Michtell said. “It just turned out to be getting too sore for him and he had to come out. He’s a gamer and he was trying, but it doesn’t sound great.”
Right-hander Brody Koerner has been summoned from High-A Tampa to take Rogers’ place in the rotation. Koerner is expected to meet up with the team on Friday in New Hampshire.
A 17th round pick in 2015 out of Clemson, the 23-yearold compiled a 4-1 mark with a 2.45 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in six High-A starts.
“He did have elbow issues before, but he’s over that,” Mitchell said. “He’s a college kid who is pretty highly regarded . ... I’m looking forward to seeing him because I’ve heard good stuff about him.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report