Rixon Wingrove Jersey Shore BlueClaws

Aussies Abroad: Two make season debuts as Wingrove goes deep and Whitefield's streak ends

Aussies did plenty with bat and ball this week in the MLB and MiLB, as Jake Burns and Chris Burke made their Single A season debuts, while Rixon Wingrove homered three times in three consecutive starts.

As the 2022 Minor League Baseball and Major League Baseball seasons continue, Australians are continuing to be damaging with both the bat and ball for their respective teams across the US.

MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

SINGLE A

JAKE BURNS - PALM BEACH CARDINALS

New South Welshman Jake Burns was called up from the Florida Complex League Cardinals roster at the start of the week, and made his season debut - and Single A-level debut after spending 2021 in rookie ball - this week, where he appeared in two games for the Palm Beach Cardinals, the Single A affiliate of the St Louis Cardinals, in an away series to the Daytona Tortugas at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

In his first game for the Cardinals, in a 5-3 loss on May 25, he batted in the eighth position on the lineup, playing catcher. Burns went one for three at the plate with his maiden Single A hit coming in the top of the eighth inning with a two-out double into right field, though he was stranded on second base as the inning ended.

In the second game of a May 28 doubleheader which resulted in an 8-4 win, Burns went two for two with two runs, one RBI, and two bases on balls throughout his second appearance for the team. He was walked at the top of the second innings but didn't advance, though his second plate appearance resulted in a double into centrefield that scored Matt Chamberlain to have the Cardinals up 4-0. He scored on a ground-rule double by Brandon Hernandez.

Burns hit a ground-rule double into centrefield to lead off the top of the fifth inning, and advanced to third base on an Adanson Cruz single. Burns scored on contact from Tyler Reichenborn, who reached first base on an error. Burns' final plate appearance resulted in a two-out walk, though he wasn't able to go any further than first base as the sixth inning ended.

GP

AB

R

H

1B

2B

3B

HR

RBI

SB

AVG

OBP

SLG

2

5

2

3

0

3

0

0

1

2

.600

.714

1.200

CHRIS BURKE - CLEARWATER THRESHERS

Victorian Chris Burke made his season debut with the Clearwater Threshers, the Single A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, appearing in two games away to the Jupitar Hammerheads at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.

In his first game of 2022, on May 28, he went one for three with a base on balls in a 6-4 victory. He hit a lead-off single to shortstop in his first at-bat of the season, though the next batter up, Kendall Simmons, grounded into a double play. With two outs in the fourth inning, Burke was walked, though didn't advance. The next day, on May 29, Burke went zero for three in a 5-2 loss.

GP

AB

R

H

1B

2B

3B

HR

RBI

SB

AVG

OBP

SLG

2

6

0

1

1

30

0

0

0

0

.167

.375

.167

HIGH A

JARRYD DALE - FORT WAYNE TINCAPS

Victorian Jarryd Dale appeared in all six games for the Fort Wayne TinCaps, the High A affiliate of the San Diego Padres, in a home series against the Quad Cities River Bandits at Parkview Field.

In the first game of the series on May 24, Dale went zero for three with a run and a base on balls in the 3-1 loss. Dale earned a walk to begin the bottom of the first inning, and despite the next two batters striking out, he found a way to score at home before Brandon Valenzuela was tagged out at second base.

On May 25, in a 6-2 loss, Dale went one for five, with a fifth-inning single via a bunt getting him safely on base, though he didn't advance any further as the next two batters went down. Dale went zero for three in a 6-2 loss on May 26.

On May 28, in the first game of a doubleheader, Dale went one for three with a run and a base on balls in the 11-3 loss. He earned a two-out walk in the fifth inning, but hit a lead-off double into left field at the bottom of the seventh inning, scoring on a Robert Hassell III double into left field.

Dale went zero for three in the second game of the May 28 doubleheader which ended in a 6-2 loss, though he did score a run and earn a base on balls. He got walked to begin the bottom half of the first inning, and stole second base to get himself into a scoring position, slowly making his way around the bases. He got to third on an Olivier Basabe single and scored on an Agustin Ruiz hit.

In the final game of the series on May 29, Dale went two for four with a run and a base on balls also. He hit a lead-off single on a soft groundball to second base in the first innings and scored on a Corey Rosier double into left field. He hit another single, this time to left field, in the second innings, though was held up at second base as when the inning ended. Dale was walked in the fourth inning though didn't get past first base.

GP

AB

R

H

1B

2B

3B

HR

RBI

SB

AVG

OBP

SLG

43

149

21

34

22

8

2

2

15

11

.228

.324

.347

RIXON WINGROVE - JERSEY SHORE BLUECLAWS

New South Welshman Rixon Wingrove was assigned to, and activated by the Jersey Shore BlueClaws, the High A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, for a home series at ShoreTown Ballpark against the Greenville Drive. Prior to this week, Wingrove had previously played Single A with the Clearwater Threshers throughout April.

On May 24, in a 9-1 loss, Wingrove went one for four, hitting a lead-off single to first base to begin the bottom of the fourth inning. D.J. Stewart grounded into a double play, with Wingrove forced out at second base.

On May 25, Wingrove went three for four with one run and two RBIs in a 5-1 victory. He hit a two-out single in the fifth inning though didn't advance, however, in the seventh inning, connected on a ball that sailed over the right field fence for a two-run home run, scoring Jared Carr in the process.

Wingrove hit a single in the eighth inning, moving to second and third on respective Stewart and Nicholas Torres singles, but couldn't advance further as the next two batters went down via strikeouts.

On May 26, in a 7-3 loss, Wingrove went two for four with a run and three RBIs. He hit a lead-off single into right field to start the bottom of the fifth inning, though was stuck at second base after a Baron Redcliff walk, as the inning ended. He hit a three-run home run at the bottom of the ninth inning that scored Ethan Wilson and Casey Martin too, as the blast put the BlueClaws on the board.

On May 28, in the first game of a doubleheader, Wingrove was entered into the game at the top of the seventh inning, replacing Carlos De La Cruz, however, wasn't required to bat in the 3-2 win.

Wingrove returned to the starting lineup for the second game of the day on May 28, going one for three with one run and one RBI in the 5-1 win, courtesy of another home run, sending the ball over the right centrefield fence leading off the bottom of the sixth innings.

Wingrove went zero for four in the final game of the series on May 29, a 4-2 loss.

GP

AB

R

H

1B

2B

3B

HR

RBI

SB

AVG

OBP

SLG

24

66

10

10

7

3

0

0

8

2

.152

.301

.197

JACK O'LOUGHLIN - WEST MICHIGAN WHITECAPS

South Australian Jack O'Loughlin added three appearances to his season tally this week, pitching a combined 3.2 innings for the West Michigan Whitecaps, the High A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, in a home series against the Dayton Dragons at LMCU Ballpark.

On May 24, in a 10-1 loss, O'Loughlin came on at the top of the eighth inning, and pitched the final two innings to close out the game. While he gave up a lead-off single, he got the next two batters to strike out swinging and ground out, with a base on balls not deterring him from claiming the final out - another swinging strikeout. At the top of the ninth innings, he gave up three consecutive hits (two singles and a double) which resulted in two runs scoring before the next three batters got out in succession.

On May 27, in a 3-0 loss, O'Loughlin came into the game as relief for starting pitcher Dylan Smith at the top of the seventh inning. He got the lead-off batter to strike out swinging, before giving up back-to-back singles, and although he saw the second out eventuate, he was replaced thereafter, ending his night.

O'Loughlin's next outing was in a 9-7 win on May 29 where he earned a hold as he came in as a relief pitcher during the sixth inning. Coming in with the Dragons down one, O'Loughlin saw the next two outs within the following two batters up, the final out being a looking strikeout. He struck out the lead-off batter to start the seventh inning and was replaced on the mound after that point.

GP

GS

IP

W-L-SV

H

R

ER

BB

SO

ERA

12

2

25.0

0-0-0

19

12

9

12

25

3.24

ALEX HALL - WISCONSIN TIMBER RATTLERS

West Australian Alex Hall appeared in just one game for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, the High A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers, going zero for three with a lead-off base on balls at the top of the ninth inning of a 5-1 away loss against the Cedar Rapids Kernels at Perfect Game Field on May 25.

GP

AB

R

H

1B

2B

3B

HR

RBI

SB

AVG

OBP

SLG

5

16

3

4

3

1

0

0

4

0

.250

.316

.313

ULRICH BOJARSKI - WEST MICHIGAN WHITECAPS

West Australian Ulrich Bojarski appeared in just one game for the West Michigan Whitecaps, the High A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, where, on May 29, he went zero for four at the plate in an away game to the Dayton Dragons that resulted in a 9-7 win at LMCU Ballpark.

GP

AB

R

H

1B

2B

3B

HR

RBI

SB

AVG

OBP

SLG

14

49

6

7

2

2

0

3

9

0

.143

.192

.345

RELATED STORIES

DOUBLE A

AARON WHITEFIELD - ROCKET CITY TRASH PANDAS

Queenslander Aaron Whitefield appeared in all six games for the Rocket City Trash Pandas, the Los Angeles Angels' Double A affiliate, when the team hosted the Tennessee Smokies at Toyota Field and during the week added to his franchise-setting-best hit streak, which, unfortunately, came to a stop after 22 games.

On May 26, in a 10-1 loss, Whitefield went one for four with a base on balls. He hit a lead-off single into centrefield at the bottom of the first inning, stole second base, and made his way to third base before the inning was over. He earned a lead-off walk in the ninth inning, though was forced out at second on a Livan Soto hit.

In a 7-6 win on May 27 in the first game of a doubleheader, Whitefield went one for three with an RBI and a base on balls. He earned a two-out walk in the second innings, and hit a two-out single into centrefield in the fourth inning that scored Preston Palmeiro, and tied the scores at six-all.

In the second game of the May 27 doubleheader, Whitefield went two for four with two runs. In the bottom of the first, he reached first base on a fielder's choice, stole second base, and reached third base through the inning ended before he could advance any more.

In the second innings, he hit a single into right field, and stole second again, scoring on an Orlando Martinez single into right field. He hit a lead-off double into centrefield in the sixth inning, stealing third base but then scoring on a catching error by second base.

On May 28, Whitefield went two for four with a run and a base on balls in an 8-1 victory. He hit a single into left field in the first inning and scored on a Zach Humphreys single into left field.

Whitefield was walked in the fourth inning and made his way to third base on a Martinez single into centrefield, but couldn't go any further as the inning ended. He hit a lead-off double into left field to begin the bottom half of the sixth inning, reaching third base on a Martinez single, but was tagged out at home on a fielder's choice on contact by Humphreys.

On May 29, in the first game of a doubleheader that ended with a 7-4 loss, Whitefield went zero for two, though did pick up a run, an RBI and a base on balls.

Leading off the bottom of the third inning, Whitefield was hit by a pitch, with Martinez homering on a ball that cleared the left field fence, scoring Whitefield and himself. He drew a two-out, bases-loaded, sixth-inning walk that saw Palmeiro cross home plate and didn't go any further as the final out was made.

In the second game of the May 29 doubleheader, Whitefield went zero for three in a 3-2 win.

GP

AB

R

H

1B

2B

3B

HR

RBI

SB

AVG

OBP

SLG

33

121

26

36

24

5

2

5

19

17

.298

.403

.496

ROBBIE GLENDINNING - NORTHWEST ARKANSAS NATURALS

West Australian Robbie Glendinning appeared in all six games for the Kansas City Royals' Double A affiliate, the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, in an away series to the Midland Rockhounds at Momentum Bank Ballpark.

On May 24, in an 8-5 win, Glendinning went one for five with a run and two RBIs, courtesy of a first-inning home run over the right field fence that also scored Michael Massey.

Glendinning went two for five on May 25, scoring a run in his side's 11-3 victory. He hit a third-inning single into left field where he didn't advance past first base, and a lead-off single to third base to start the ninth inning. He got to second base on a Brhet Bewley single, and to third base on a Logan Porter walk, before scoring on a Jake Means hit.

Glendinning went one for five in a 2-1 loss on May 26, hitting a double into right field in the sixth inning, and although he made it to third, the inning ended before he could come home.

On May 27, in a 14-6 win, Glendinning went two for four with three runs, three RBIs and two bases on balls. He hit a two-out single into left field in the second innings that scored Massey, then scored on a Porter double into centrefield.

He was walked in the third inning, and stole second base, then made his way to third on a wild pitch, before scoring on a Porter double into left field.

He hit a single into left field in the seventh inning which scored Maikel Garcia and Nick Loftin, and made his way to third base on a wild pitch, before scoring on a Seuly Matias single into left field. He was also walked in the eighth inning but didn't advance past first base

On May 28, he went zero for five in a 9-7 win, with a lead-off base on balls at the top of the fourth inning, making his way to third base on a Porter double into right field, before coming home and scoring on a Matias double into right field. On May 29, in a 3-1 loss, he went zero for three with a sixth-inning walk.

GP

AB

R

H

1B

2B

3B

HR

RBI

SB

AVG

OBP

SLG

37

137

29

33

16

10

1

6

30

3

.241

.350

.460

CURTIS MEAD - MONTGOMERY BISCUITS

South Australian Curtis Mead returned to the lineup this week for three games with the Montgomery Biscuits, the Double A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays in an away series to the Biloxi Shuckers at MGM Park.

On May 26, in an 11-inning 4-3 loss, Mead went one for four with a base on balls. He hit a single into centrefield at the top of the third inning though was tagged out trying for home a few batters later, and earned a two-out walk in the seventh inning that lead to no advancement on the bases.

On May 28, Mead went one for five in another 11-inning loss, the Biscuits going down 6-5. He hit a one-out single into centrefield but was still holding first base as the final two outs were recorded.

On May 29, Mead went one for two at the plate, along with a run, two RBIs, and two base on balls in a 16-11 loss. He hit a double into left field at the top of the third inning which scored Grant Witherspoon, scoring a on a Tyler Frank single into right field. In the second innings, Mead hit a sacrifice fly into centrefield that allowed Blake Hunt to score from third base.

Mead earned a two-out walk in the fourth innings and stole second base before the final out was recorded. An eighth-inning walk to Mead loaded the bases, though he was forced out at second base as Austin Shenton grounded into a double play.

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

LIAM HENDRIKS - CHICAGO WHITE SOX

West Australian Liam Hendriks appeared in two game for the Chicago White Sox this week, firstly against the Boston Red Sox - where he picked up a save -, then against the Chicago Cubs, both at home, at Guaranteed Rate Field.

On May 25 against the Red Sox, Hendriks entered the game during the eighth inning to replace Joe Kelly who succumbed to a hamstring injury. With two down already due to back-to-back strikeouts, Hendriks saw Christian Vazquez groundout to end the innings. Coming back for the top of the ninth inning, Hendriks gave up two walks between each out he made (which included a strikeout), leaving him with his fifth straight save opportunity and 14th save of the season.

On May 29, Hendriks entered the game in the ninth inning of a game that, at the time, saw a 1-0 lead to the Cubs. Hendriks replaced Kendall Graveman and despite giving up a lead-off double to Frank Schwindel who got to third base on a wild pitch, Hendriks had the next two batters striking out, before Nico Hoerner grounded out.

The White Sox levelled the scores in the bottom of the ninth in a game with Hendriks not coming back for the 10th inning in a game that went to 12 innings and ended in a 5-4 win to the home side.

GP

GS

IP

W-L-SV

H

R

ER

BB

SO

ERA

21

0

21.2

1-2-14

21

10

8

7

33

3.32