Series Spotlight: AAA Monterrey Gray Ghosts Versus Durham Tobacconists

By KYLE KEOUGH
Double Day AP

Author's note: Throughout season three, "Series Spotlight" will take a closer look at a few of the notable matchups of the season.

Despite entering their "showdown" with the Tobacconists with only three wins on the season, the Monterrey Gray Ghosts doubled their win total against Durham last week, taking three of four.

In game one, Darryl Nixon notched his first win of the season while his ERA moved up to 17.03, but the Gray Ghosts, behind Jamey Wehrner's two-homer, four-RBI night, surged to a 16-13 win.

The Tobacconists evened the score in game 2, cruising to a 13-5 win that saw Durham pour in seven runs in the third inning and topple Gray Ghost starter Sal Webster, who dropped to 1-22 on the season. Running on fumes, Darryl Nixon pitched 2 and 2/3 scoreless innings, but Monterrey's offense was stifled late in the game.

Games three and four turned out to be the most competitive of the series:

In game three, Monterrey, fueled by Jamey Wehrner's four RBI's and go-ahead flyball single in the seventh, squeaked out a 8-7 victory. Larry Muratore pitched 1 1/3 innings of shutout setup baseball to earn the win, and closer Omar Estrada's strong ninth inning gave him his first save of the season. Yet it was Wehner (20 HRs, 65 RBIs on the season) who continued to power the Gray Ghosts and was the ultimate difference-maker.

Down 4-1 in the seventh frame, the Gray Ghosts rallied to a 5-4 victory in game four to capture the four-game series. Catapulting them to victory was Jason Black, whose three-RBI double in the seventh tied the game and allowed for Cole Wilson to hit the game-winning line-drive single in the eighth.

Before the game, Monterrey's manager surprised everyone by activating SP Tex Mann, who, in his first start of the season, pitched 5 innings and allowed 4 earned runs, which, for a Gray Ghost AAA SP, is like pitching a perfect game in the World Series. Behind a strong effort by the bullpen, the Gray Ghosts captured their first series victory of the year.

With four home runs and nine RBIs, Jamey Wehner is my easy choice for Series Spotlight MVP:

Jamey Wehner Monterrey Gray Ghosts Age: 24 B/T: R/R Born: Somerville, MA Position(s): RF/1B/LF View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Series Spotlight MVP

Jamey Wehner