Wednesday Pebble Report

Colorado Springs, W 7-2: Alan Johnson made a successful start to the 2009 season by throwing six shutout innings of two-hit ball and hitting a three-run double in the fourth inning. Edwin Bellorin and Carlos Gonzalez each had a double and combined to drive in three runs.

Tulsa, W 5-4: Shane Lindsay experienced a shaky ninth inning by walking three batters, throwing two wild pitches, and allowing two runs on a single, but a double play and a strike out got him the save and Jhoulys Chacin his first win. Chacin allowed two runs on three hits in five innings (the runs coming on a two-run homer). He retired the first nine batters and left in the fifth as he closed in on his 75-pitch limit.

Cole Garner tripled to start the second inning and scored on a Daniel Mayora sac fly. Garner hit a two-run single in the seventh inning to put the Drillers up 5-2. Jeff Kindel went 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI, and two walks. Chris Nelson collected two hits (one for a double), was caught stealing, and errored on a throw.

For San Antonio, Mike Baxter went 1-for-4 and hit into that double play Shane Lindsay induced. I mention this because I know Mike Baxter. Or, well, I knew him years ago when we went to the same elementary school. We had mutual friends and played stickball during the summers.

Modesto, W 3-2: Reliever Joey Williamson started the game yesterday and turned in a solid effort. He allowed both runs in the third inning and left after the fourth inning. Austin Chambliss pitched two scoreless innings before giving way to Edgmer Escalona. A throw from Wilin Rosario wound up hitting Escalona in the face. Craig Baker picked up his fourth homer.

Jay Cox hit a two-run homer in the first inning, and Kevin Clark scored on a Warren Schaeffer double play in the second.

Asheville, L 5-7: Dan Houston might like a mulligan on last night's start. He allowed four runs on five hits over three innings, only one hit going for extra bases (a double). Alan Deratt pitched the next two innings, allowing no runs and striking out three. Isaiah Froneberger pitched the seventh with poor results. He allowed three runs (two earned) on two hits and two walks.

Asheville hitters struck out 12 times and had 11 hits. All 11 hits came from the tirst five batters in the lineup, and eight of the 12 strikeouts were from the bottom of the lineup. Batting leadoff, Scott Robinson had three hits, two for doubles. He also scored four times and stole a base. Jordan Pacheco had two hits and drove in two, Jimmy Cesario had three hits and a stolen base, and Tyler Massey went 2-for-4 with two RBI and 2 Ks. Maikol Gonzalez batted in between Robinson and Pacheco and had the other hit. Bo Bowman (0-for-5), David Christensen (0-4), Beau Seabury, and Carlos Martinez all struck out twice. Bowman did hit the ball to deep center field with two men on base in the ninth inning, but a leaping catch ended the game.