For the first time this season, we'll give Dragons fans something to look forward to as the Featured Farmhand series moves to Dayton. A lot of players there are struggling, but the shining star of this group has been left-handed starting pitcher Matt Fairel.
- Matt Fairel's a lefthanded pitcher from Winter Haven, FL.
- He was drafted by the Reds in the 35th (!) round last year. Not a bad bargain.
- In his last year at Florida State, Fairel was 12-2 in 18 starts with a 3.79 ERA. He struck out 100 hitters in his 111.2 innings of work.
- He didn't play rookie ball last year. Not sure if he signed late or what, but he made his professional debut in Dayton this year.
- His numbers so far this year have been extremely promising. In 37 1/3 innings pitched, Fairel is 1-2 with an ERA of 3.45, but leads the Midwest League in strikeouts with 49. His K/9 this year is 11.81, which is not too shabby.
- In his 7 starts for Dayton this season, he's already had 3 double-digit strikeout games.
On to Wednesday's games:
- Homer Bailey had a halfway decent start, but ultimately got the loss in a 4-3 loss to Durham. Bailey went 6 innings, and gave up 4 runs while striking out 4 and walking nobody. Nobody on the offense really did anything special, but Andrew Robert Stubbs went 1-for-4 to extend his hitting streak to 9 games. Up next: Daryl Thompson takes on the Bulls at 7:05.
- Justin Mallett turned in his best start of the season, but it wasn't good enough as Carolina lost to Birmingham 2-1. Mallett went 7 2/3 innings and gave up 2 ER while striking out 5, and Michael Griffin had 3 of the Mudcats 5 hits on the evening. Chris Heisey had the day off. Up next: Jordan Smith takes on Birmingham next at 8:05.
- Sarasota was rained out. Jeremy Horst takes on Jupiter tonight at 7.
- Featured Farmhand Matt Fairel was stellar, as Dayton beat West Michigan 2-1. Fairel went 6 innings of one-run ball, striking out 13 Whitecaps hitters, his season high. Mace Thurman was just as good in relief, going 3 innings and giving up one hit, while striking out 7 and walking nobody. Jose Gualdron led the way for the offense, going 3-for-3 with a homer, and Cody Puckett had two doubles as the Dragons rolled. Up next: Dayton plays West Michigan behind Josh Ravin starting at 7.