Sunday Pebble Report: Morales with a strong showing, Edgmer Escalona should keep climbing the ladder

*These are Saturday night's results...sorry for the late post!

Colorado Springs: W 8-3 (44-31)

Franklin Morales had a stellar outing for the Sky Sox, going six strong innings and striking out four while only allowing one run. The double-M crew (Mike McCoy, Matt Miller, and Matt Murton) was a combined 9-for-13 with seven RBIs and four runs scored. Rehabbing Rockies Yorvit Torrealba and Ryan Speier had good nights; Torrealba singled, walked, and scored a run and Speier pitched a scoreless inning of relief. Jeff Baker had the night off.

Tulsa: L 9-0 (38-35)

The Drillers took a serious beating at home at the hands of Springfield. Only one player (Ryan Harvey) was able to reach base more than once (as he walked and singled), as the Drillers only had five hits. Keith Weiser was roughed up by the Cardinals' offense. On a positive note, though, Edgmer Escalona pitched a scoreless ninth and recorded a strikeout. I hope this guy just keeps on moving up through the system...

Modesto: W 7-6 (1-2 second half)

The Nuts scored the first three runs of this one, then promptly allowed six runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. However, Modesto was able to rally from three runs down to earn the victory as Matt Repec, Jason Van Kooten, and Wilin Rosario eached banged out three hits and a double. In addition, Van Kooten walked twice and Rosario walked once, and the three guys in the middle of the order combined to score seven runs. Two very solid pieces of the Modesto bullpen had great innings, as Craig Baker struck out the side (around a walk) in the eighth and Matthew Reynolds struck out two in the ninth to seal the deal. Reynolds is a bit old for the league, but his numbers are still impressive - he has 48 strikeouts and just 7 walks in 42 innings, and has only allowed 27 hits and 6 earned runs.

Asheville: W 5-3 (3-1 second half)

The Tourists have started the second half of the season well after experiencing a miserable first half. Parker Frazier pitched well enough in five innings to get the win - he struck out three and walked three in five innings of one-run ball. Scott Robinson and Jordan Pacheco each had two hits and an extra base hit in the game. Pacheco drove in three runs, and David Christensen plated two himself, despite going 0-for-2. Michael Marbry struck out three batters in 1.1 innings of relief.

Tri-City: L 7-2 (6-2)

Bradley McAtee walked seven batters in three innings of work as the Dust Devils lost for just the second time this season. Aaron Weatherford, however, struck out the side in the ninth inning. It will be nice to see this guy begin climbing the organizational ladder, as well, I believe. Tri-City didn't hit much, but Tim Wheeler, Kevin Clark, and Joseph Sanders each hit a double. The unstoppable Kent Matthes had a base knock in the game, as well.

Casper: L 8-6 (0-4)

The Ghosts remained winless, largely due to a bullpen hiccup in which Coty Woods and Chad Rose combined to allow six runs (five earned) on three walks and five hits in two innings of work. Angelys Nina and Brandon Whitby led the Ghosts offensively, as each player had two hits in the ballgame.