IL Beats PCL 6-5

The Triple A All Star Game used to be THE showcase of the stars of tomorrow, that distinction has been taken over by the Futures Game.  Still over 16,000 fans crowded into Portland’s Triple A ballpark to checkout the show, and they weren’t disappointed.  Future stars shined as Phillies prospect Drew Carpenter was the winning pitcher, working one inning, striking out the side, disposing of the heart of the PCL lineup on only 9 pitches.  Yankees centerfielder of the future Austin Jackson ripped a hard triple off the wall.  Rays infielder Reid Brignac got himself a double, I remember being impressed with him in the Arizona Fall League.  Catcher Erik Kratz was the hitting star of the game, doubling, and then sending one completely out of PGE Park for a homer, but that one’s got an asterisk, as he hit a 3-0 fastball(?) off knuckleballer Charlie Haeger, he was sitting on a BP fastball & he got it, all of it.  Drew Stubbs also launched one deep into the night, as did Esteban German.  You see, in a game like this, there are prospects, and there are suspects.