Thursday Pebble Report: Hynick homers and tosses shutout, Rogers and Friedrich also unscathed

Pebble Star of the Night

Brandon Hynick threw a complete game shutout for the Sky Sox in Game 1 of a double header against the Portland Beavers (Padres).  He allowed five hits and just one walk in his best start of the season.  He also went 2-for-3 at the plate, collecting a single in the third and solo home run in the 5th off Michael Ekstrom.

AAA Colorado Springs, W 3-0, W 4-3 - (16-9, 1.5 GB)

Behind Hynick's performance, the Sky Sox won the first game of the double header.  Eric Young Jr and Daniel Ortmeier both singled and tripled.  Game 1 Box Score

The Sky Sox eeked out a one run comeback win in Game 2.  The heroics came by way of a clutch 2-out 3-run PH homer off Joe Thatcher in the sixth inning by the one and only Duct Tape.  It was his first home run of the season.  Hmm.  Clutch hitting late in the game leads to a one run win.  The parent club ought to pay attention.  Each hitter other than Chris Frey got one base hit.  Damian Moss pitched a scoreless inning for the win, and Steven Register tossed a scoreless two inning save. Game 2 Box Score

AA Tulsa, L 1-0, W 5-3 - (12-13, 3.5 GB)

The Drillers split a double-header against the Arkansas Travelers (Angels), played to make up for Tuesday's rain out.  In game one, the Drillers lost despite allowing just two hits.  Esmil Rogers threw six shutout no-hit innings, but Tommy Baumgardner allowed the only run of the game to score in the seventh.  1B Mike Paulk had two singles in the losing effort Game 1 Box Score

Tulsa overcame a three run deficit in the nightcap, led by Chris Nelson, who had three hits, two of them RBI triples.  Paulk also had 2 RBIs and a double.  Xavier Cedeno, Shane Lindsay and Andrew Johnston combined for 3.1 innings of scoreless relief.  Game 2 Box Score

Tulsa will play Arkansas tonight at 6:05MDT with Chaz Roe (1-0, 1.29) on the hill.  Roe is coming off of consecutive scoreless starts.  He allowed 6 runs against the Travelers last Thursday.

High-A Modesto, W 12-3 - (17-9, 3.5 GB)

The Nuts exploded for the most runs, hits and largest margin of victory of the season with a 12-3 win over Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (Angels).  Every starter collected a hit - in fact, every position player recorded a double except Lars Davis and Radames Nazario.  Charlie Blackmon, Brian Rike and Maikol Gonzalez each added two singles to their double.  Box Score

Kenneth Durst (1-1, 2.93) allowed 2 earned runs in 6.2 IP for his first win of the season.  Modesto will trot out Bruce Billings (2-2, 0.83), who has been one of the best pitchers in the California League, to face the Quakes at 8:05MDT.

Low-A Asheville, W 3-1 - (13-13, 3.5 GB)

Christian Freidrich (3-1, 0.93) continues to rip up the South Atlantic League.  He tossed six shutout innings while recording 10 K's in a 3-1 win over the Charleston River Dogs (Yankees).  The lefty allowed six base-runners (4 hits, 2 walks).

David Christensen provided all the necessary offense with a 2-run triple in the sixth.  He would then score on a squeeze bunt by Erik Wetzel.  Box Score