In Australian League action from today, Zac Fuesser continued his strong ABL season, with no earned runs over six innings of work. He was matched on the mound by former Pittsburgh Pirate Virgil Vasquez, who was equally impressive, going seven innings without an earned run. Both pitchers allowed one unearned run, with Fuesser’s coming during a rough first inning. He allowed three base hits, all coming with one out, but none of them left the infield and the run scored on a throwing error. Over the last 5.2 innings, Fuesser allowed just two singles and two walks, shutting down a strong Perth offense. Adelaide didn’t score their lone run until the seventh inning, when it was already 2-0.
Fuesser took the tough loss, dropping his record to 2-3, 3.38 after seven starts. He struck out six batters on the night, his fourth straight game with six or more strikeouts. Fuesser has posted a strong 1.54 GO/AO ratio and a .239 BAA. His one weakness has been walks, 17 over 37.1 innings, though the numbers have been skewed a bit by small sample size and a six walk outing in late November. He has now gone six innings, without allowing an earned run, three times this ABL season.
The only Pirates hitter in the Adelaide lineup was Stefan Welch, who went 0-for-4, with a strikeout and a throwing error. Justin Howard has returned home to have elbow surgery and Quincy Latimore will take his place on the roster next weekend.
In Puerto Rico last night, Benji Gonzalez went 0-for-2, before being replaced by a pinch-hitter in the seventh inning. Since being put in the lineup on a regular basis nine days ago, Gonzalez has gone 3-for-21 at the plate.
The Dominican League was off last night. The league’s regular season schedule wraps up tonight.
