Minor League Update: Sherriff continues to drop ERA

The following are updates on local baseball players at the minor league level.

Ryan Sherriff (Glendale Community College, 2011) Springfield Cardinals pitcher: A streak of four straight scoreless appearances ended for the former Vaqueros standout, who’s seen his earned-run average drop steadily this month with double-A Springfield, an affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals.

On July 11, Sherriff’s ERA spiked at 5.06 after allowing two runs in 1 1/3 innings and picking up the loss in Springfield’s 6-4 defeat to Corpus Christi.

Since then, Sherriff has been nails, having made five appearances while allowing one run on six hits over 7 2/3 innings of work with five strikeouts versus two walks.

Between July 17-25, Sherriff pitched four scoreless efforts before his streak was snapped Monday at Tulsa in a 6-2 defeat in which he received a no-decision.

In that contest, Tulsa plated five runs (four earned) versus Springfield starter Jimmy Reed in 5 1/3 innings before reliever Ronnie Shaban grabbed two outs.

Sheriff cleaned up the game’s final two frames, allowing one run on three hits with a punchout.

For the season, Sheriff is 0-1, but has lowered his ERA to 3.44 through 18 1/3 innings in 14 appearances with 19 strikeouts compared to seven walks.

Sherriff missed nearly two months this season with an injury after he was placed on the disabled list on April 13. His first game back was June 21.

The Springfield Cardinals are 17-15 in the current standings and are tied for first in the Texas League North with the Arkansas Travelers.

Springfield finished last in the first half with a 30-40 record.

Alonzo Gonzalez (Glendale Community College, 2012) Dunedin Blue Jays pitcher: The workload continues to increase for Gonzalez, who is playing with Toronto Blue Jays affiliate class-A Dunedin.

In his latest outing, Gonzalez received a rare start and lasted three innings versus host Charlotte on Tuesday, while allowing three runs (one earned) on four hits with four strikeouts and one walk.

Gonzalez received a no-decision as the Blue Jays were defeated, 11-5.

The start was only the second for Gonzalez this season as the lefty has posted a 3.55 ERA accompanied by a 2-3 mark and 55 strikeouts against 22 walks in 19 total games and 45 2/3 innings pitched.

Gonzalez’ season ERA has also dipped from a high of 5.40 on May 14 to its current 3.55.

Dunedin is in fifth place in the Florida State League North with an 11-20 record in the current standings and boasts an overall mark of 43-58.

Michael Noteware (Glendale Community College, 2011) Winnipeg Goldeyes pitcher: It’s been a resurgence of sorts for Noteware, the GCC product, who has found success north of the border.

Since the right-handed pitcher made his debut for the Winnipeg Goldeyes team of the American Assn. of Independent Professional Baseball League on July 7, Noteware has been thriving.

While he has yet to register a decision, Noteware owns a 1.86 ERA in nine appearances and 9 2/3 innings pitched, while allowing 10 hits, striking out nine and walking four.

Noteware tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings versus the host Kansas City T-Bones on Sunday, allowing one hit and striking out two in a no-decision. Winnipeg blitzed Kansas City, 14-2.

The win and Noteware’s efforts were a pair of bright spots in what has recently been a rough patch for Winnipeg.

The Goldeyes are 5-5 over their last 10 games, but have three straight wins, including taking three of four versus Kansas City.

Winnipeg is in second place in the North Division with a 27-34 record behind perhaps the league’s most famous squad, the St. Paul Saints (47-15).

Michael Tonkin (Glendale native) Rochester Red Wings pitcher: The brother-in-law of former major leaguer Jason Kubel of the Minnesota Twins is trying to climb back into the big show.

Tonkin’s last appearance in the majors came June 21 versus the Chicago Cubs, when the right-hander allowed two earned runs on two hits in one inning. Shortly after the game, Tonkin was assigned to Minnesota’s triple-A affiliate Rochester Red Wings.

While Tonkin posted a 5.73 ERA over 11 innings in 16 games with the Twins, he’s been lights out in the minors.

Tonkin boasts a 2-1 record with a 1.21 ERA over 23 games and 29 2/3 innings pitched. During that span, he’s fanned 38 and has only walked five.

Tonkin began the season at Rochester before being called up and made his debut with the Twins on April 30. He’s bounced back and forth with Minnesota, returning to the minors in May, but then reappearing on June 3.

The 25-year-old hasn’t allowed a run in the minors in nine straight appearances and is coming off a two-inning relief effort Tuesday versus the Toledo Mud Hens, where he allowed no hits and fanned one.

In the current standings, Rochester is 54-51 and in third in the International League North behind Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (57-48) and Buffalo (54-50).