Wednesday Pebble Report:

Colorado Springs: L 0-11

I had written after his last start that Sean Smith was avoiding the disaster innings that are usually typical among Colorado Springs pitchers. That is no longer true. Smith allowed seven runs in a brutal fourth inning, but the one run he allowed in the third would have been enough to lose this one, as the Sky Sox offense didn't show up at all.

Tulsa: W 7-6

Tulsa's been making a habit of dramatics lately, perhaps none of which were quite as improbable as the six run rally in the bottom of the ninth last night to pull off the victory. Brandon Hynick allowed the Missions to take the big 6-1 lead, allowing all six runs in six innings, and giving up two homeruns. That lead looked secure up until Matt Miller grounded out to open the ninth, but then the wheels fell off for the Missions pitcher, Greg Burke, and then subsequently for the Missions themselves. Burke walked Justin Nelson, allowed a double to Corey Wimberly, threw a run scoring wild pitch, walked the next two hitters, plunked Eric Young with the bases loaded, and walked Dexter Fowler with the bases loaded before being mercifully replaced by Michael Ekstrom and the score 6-4. Ekstrom started well, striking out Jeff Kindel, but a fielding error by their third baseman on a routine grounder allowed Jeff Dragicevich to score, and then, having batted around, Matt Miller was given a second chance to help the rally, and he took advantage this time, belting a single into center which easily plated the speedy EY2 and Fowler to complete the thriller.

Modesto: L 6-8

Aneury Rodriguez was mostly ineffective in three innings of work, allowing two walks and six hits, including a homerun. Four of Rodriguez's last six starts have gone five innings or less with several hits allowed, which is kind of discouraging given how his season started. Offensively, the Nuts did much better, hitting five doubles and a triple. Daniel Mayora and Cole Garner led the way with three hits apiece.

Asheville: L 1-5, W 2-0

I'm going to ignore the first game, which didn't have much to recommend, but Connor Graham's seven inning (a complete game, in this case) two-hit shutout in the second game is very much encouraging. Graham struck out eight and walked just three, and he remains largely unhittable against South Atlantic League batters. That he continues to do so deeper into the summer says a lot about his stuff, as pitchers with weaker pitch offerings (see Cory Riordan, for example) tend to get hit more as the season progresses.

Tri-City: Off

Christian Friedrich makes his organizational debut tonight in Gesa Stadium.

Casper: W 3-0

Matt Baugh had to dance on a tightrope to keep the Misoula Osprey from scoring, giving up three triples, two leading off innings, one with just one out, among the six hits he allowed in six innings, but he somehow managed. That's indicative of both a lot of luck, and a lot of poise, the latter obviously being a more reliable trait we could look forward to him carrying over. Meanwhile, Wilin Rosario is quickly emerging as the Rockies next big catching prospect, he hit his fourth and fifth homeruns of the season and also doubled twice in a five for five night. As a nineteen year old putting up the kind of stats he is so far, he would be regarded as a top prospect if he was a first baseman. That he's actually a catcher is sort of putting his stock through the roof early in the Pioneer League season. I've got to say, he's what makes me most excited on this Casper team so far. I f he could keep this sort of pace up, he could skyrocket to top 10 status by the end of the season.

Kurt Yacko picked up his sixth save in seven appearances with a one hit, two K, ninth.