Boca Chica, Dominican Republic-Five pitchers combined in limiting the Minnesota Twins Dominican prospects two only two runs and struck out eight batters as the Junior National Team opened the Dominican Summer League Camp with a 5-2 win.
Both teams exchanged runs in the first inning as Jacob Robson (Windsor, ON) led the game off with a single, stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch before Kyle Hann (Oakville, ON) drove him in with a sacrifice fly.
Robson went 2-for-3 on the day with a single and double and also scored two runs.
“Today was a great team effort and a great team win,” said Robson after the game. “It’s really hot down here, but you just have to learn to deal with it.”
The juniors arrived in Santo Domingo late last night and had a quick turnaround before facing the Twins this morning. Robson says that playing in the Dominican is a good test for him and his Canadian teammates.
“It (the trip) definitely pulls you out of your comfort zone,” he said. “It’s one of those things where you have no choice but to bear down and get the job done.”
Ryan Kellogg got the nod on the mound and gave up an early run to the Twins in the bottom of the first which game off of a walk followed by a double.
Kellogg would allow another walk to lead-off the bottom of the second, but settled in nicely after that as he struck out four during a string of six consecutive outs. Kellogg’s three inning outing saw him only give up one hit which came in the first inning.
The juniors jumped back out in front in the fourth when a couple of walks and a wild pitch put runners on second and third with two out. Daniel Pinero (Toronto, ON) scampered home on a wild pitch and Gareth Morgan (Toronto, ON) scored on a single from Owen Spiwak (Mississauga, ON).
Michael Clouthier (Guelph, ON) tossed a scoreless inning of relief in the fourth before giving up a walk and double with two out in the fifth to bring the Twins within one.
Clouthier escaped any further damage after a Twins batter reached via an error when Robson made a nice running catch in centerfield to end the inning.
“Our pitchers were working quickly today which keeps the defence in the game,” added Robson. “It’s enjoyable because when the ball comes out to you, you’re ready for it.”
Brock Dykxhoorn (Goderich, ON) took the mound for the sixth and seventh innings and gave up only two hits and two walks, while striking out one batter.
The juniors added a run in the seventh courtesy of a Chris Shaw (Winnipeg, MB) RBI double and scored again in the eighth when Jamar Burnette’s (Toronto, ON) single up the middle cashed in Robson from third base.
Travis Seabrooke (Peterborough, ON) tossed a scoreless eighth inning which included a highlight reel play from Triolo at shortstop and Jake Marks (Brights Grove, ON) closed the game out with two strikeouts and a pop-out in a perfect ninth.
Notes: The juniors are back in action tomorrow with a double-header in San Pedro de Macoris…Beginning at 10:30am ET the juniors with face the Toronto Blue Jays and at 2:30pm ET they will play the Milwaukee Brewers…Cal Quantrill (Port Hope, ON) is scheduled to start against the Jays and Clayton Isherwood will take the mound against the Brewers…Get up-to-date scores by following Baseball Canada on Twitter (www.twitter.com/baseballcanada).
The Dominican Camp is one of two camps remaining prior to the IBAF 18U World Championship in Seoul, South Korea August 30th-September8th. There will be a Final Camp and exhibition series from August 15th -27th where the final 20-man roster will be selected for the world championship.
Click HERE for roster, schedule and pitching rotation.
