Monday Pebble Report: Asheville clinches, Tentative Tri-City rotation set

Colorado Springs: W 12-9

Seth Smith's three run homer off of Brandon Medders in the eleventh inning capped an exciting comeback for the Sky Sox. Down 9-3 in the eighth after Micah Bowie gave up five runs in the seventh inning, the Sky Sox rallied for six runs off of Max Scherzer (at least our 2006 first round pick isn't looking terrible against a AAA team) to tie the game. Smith drove in half the twelve runs, and Jayson Nix drove in four, including a three run homer of his own early in the contest. Chris Frey, who was put in as a pinch hitter and replaced left fielder Sean Barker, wound up going two for two with a double and three runs scored. Jason Hirsh allowed four runs in six innings, which though not great, wasn't terrible given how Tucson Electric Park was playing in the 100 degree heat last night.

Tulsa:

Modesto: W 9-3

Rancho Cucamonga put 14 Nuts on by walk or HBP, including four free passes to Tulo, and surprisingly enough, they discovered that this is not a way to win ballgames. Modesto catchers Michael McKenry and Nelson Robledo split both their time and production and accumulated four hits in six at bats. Leonardo Reyes (a surprise outfield fill-in from Tri-City) homered in his Modesto debut. Radio announcers said that Jay Cox wasn't even at the ballpark according to comments in yesterday's Pebble Report, but I've received no word yet on his status.

Asheville: W 8-6

The Tourists claimed the first half title outright on their final opportunity with a solid team effort in beating Hickory yesterday. Joey Williamson pitched four perfect innings in relief of Robinson Fabian and struck out six on his way to the well deserved W. David Christensen hit a three run homerun, Darin Holcomb, Kevin Clark, Jeff Cunningham and Lars Davis all had multi-hit games for the Tourists in the playoff clinching victory.

Tri-City:

Charlie Blackmon was the only Dust Devil to clear Gesa stadium's fence on the opening day of batting practice according to the Tri-City Herald. The article also sets the tentative Dust Devils rotation:

1. Juan Nicasio
2. Kenny Durst
3. Parker Frazier
4. Jonathan Aristil
5. Christian Friedrich?

That fifth slot still is up in the air pending signings from the draft. Nicasio's season at Casper last year went a bit under the radar, and he's probably a better prospect than you might be thinking.

Casper: L 8-9

The score was meaningless in this exhibition as the Ghosts and the Connie Mack Casper Hurricanes split their teams so each lineup would be facing their own pitching. According to manager Tony Diaz, things went well.