Thursday Pebble Report:

Colorado Springs: W 10-1

Apparently all Ian Stewart needed to get out of his slump was to get out of the state of Tennessee. After going 1 for 30 in the Volunteer State against Nashville and Memphis, Stewart's now 4 for 8 with three HR's since returning to the Springs, including two three run shots yesterday. Check this out, Stewart is almost exactly one tenth  the man he normally is, an average of .033 compared  to .330 everywhere else, when he visits the lands we call Opry and Grace.

Meanwhile, Greg Reynolds couldn't get out of the third inning for the second straight start, but for the second straight start it was due to events entirely out of his control. After his previous start had him pitching only two and two-thirds innings in Memphis before a game got suspended by rain, yesterday he got pulled after two innings showing his usual efficiency -just 23 pitches thrown- in order to make his MLB debut on Sunday. Congratulation Greg! We certainly wish you're up for good.

Tulsa: Postponed

Modesto: L 10-6

Bakersfield scored in six of the first seven innings against Simon Ferrer and Tommy Baumgardner in an unpleasant mid-day contest for the home team. Michael McKenry homered and had two hits, but had more trouble than usual controlling the running game, allowing three out of four stolen base attempts to be successful off him. Michael Paulk, Cole Garner and Jay Cox each also had a pair of hits. Cox is sporting his new number, Garner's sporting a new 'do . As long as they both keep hitting like that, they can run around naked for all I care. Of course, the Nuts front office and the Rockies developmental staff might draw the line there.

Asheville: W 9-3

Since most of the minor leagues, including the SAL, award playoff spots to both the first and second half champions, this series with first place Charleston could prove pivotal to the second place Tourists playoff aspirations. Things got off to a good start with the win yesterday, as Asheville climbed to just a half game back. Connor Graham didn't have quite the dominant start he had his last time out, but was still effective through five and two thirds, striking out six and allowing just three runs.

He actually was just about as dominant until that sixth inning which saw him give up one of his four hits and two of his three walks before leaving with the bases loaded and two outs. Craig Rodriguez came on and gave up a two run double to raise Graham's ERA a bit. A third potential run was caught at the plate by a good relay between center fielder Michael Mitchell, Everth Cabrera and Lars Davis for the third out. Rodriguez and Craig Baker clamped down from there, however, and the Tourists offense poured on. Brian Rike, Kevin Clark and Jeff Cunningham each had three hits and everybody else save Cabrera (who walked once) had at least one in the romp.