Friday Pebble Report

Colorado Springs, L 4-5 in 10 innings - Ian Stewart's home run (13) in the sixth and Jayson Nix's home run (12) in the seventh game the Sky Sox a 4-2 lead, but Jason Hirsh couldn't hold the lead. Hirsh, pitching in relief of Kip Wells, allowed two runs in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game and then allowed the winning run the next inning. In 4 1/3 innings, Hirsh walked four and struck out five.

Kip Wells went five innings, allowed two runs, and struck out four. In addition to their homers, Nix and Stewart each had a double as part of their three-hit nights.

Tulsa, L 3-4 - Tony Blanco hit a solo homer (13) and Justin Nelson had a two-run shot (8) in the seventh to give the Drillers a 3-0 lead, but two runs in the bottom of the seventh and two more in the bottom of the ninth gave Corpus Christi the victory.

Alan Johnson allowed two runs over 6 2/3 innings. Darren Clarke threw 1 1/3 innings of relief, but allowed a walk to the first batter in the ninth. Adam Bright relieved Clarke and committed a throwing error on a sac bunt. Edward Valdez came in and allowed a two-run single to blow the  save and give Bright the loss.

Modesto, L 4-6 in 11 innings - Brian VanderBeek sums up the game for you:

The Nuts made the final out of the ninth inning at home and all three outs in the 10th at the plate, giving the Giants the chance to win the game when two runs scored on a bases-loaded error in the 11th. San Jose tied the game in the ninth by scoring off Andrew Johnson, who blew his first save opportunity this season in 15 chances. The Nuts had 14 hits, including four by Daniel Mayora, but stranded 12 runners.

Mike Paulk's two hits were both doubles and Jay Cox drove in two. Keith Weiser started the game, went seven innings, and allowed three runs. Tommy Baumgardner pitched a clean eighth inning. David Patton allowed the final two runs (one earned).

Asheville, W 7-1 - Bruce Billings went seven innings, allowed one run, and struck out five. He had 10 ground outs and six fly outs. Edgmer Escalona pitched the final two innings and struck out two (1.88 ERA/.199 BAA on the season).

Kevin Clark had a big night with the bat, as he hit a two-run homer (his ninth) and drove in a total of four. Mike Mitchell and Everth Cabrera both had two hits and each scored a run. Brian Rike and Darin Holcomb each drove in a run.

Tri-City, L 3-5 - Josh Sullivan took the mound again, allowed no runs in four innings, walked two, and struck out three. Brad McAtee didn't fare as well in his four innings. He allowed  four runs (one earned), walked three, and struck out four. Three of the four runs scored in the eighth on a passed ball by Jordan Pacheco and a throwing error by Patrick Rose.

Charlie Blackmon went 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI, a run scored, and two walks. Pacheco drove in two on a single in the eighth.

Casper, W 4-2 - Over his five innings, Matt Baugh allowed two runs, which scored on a two-run homer in the fifth. He struck out five. The four relievers that followed allowed only one hit. Juan Rodriguez struck out one, Isaiah Froneberger allowed the hit and struck out two, Adam Jorgenson struck out three, and Kurt Yacko struck out two on his way to his third save.

Carlos Martinez scored twice and hit a double and a triple.