Sunday Pebble Report: Deduno and Riordan turn in gems, Roling explodes offensively

Colorado Springs: L 6-4 (51-42, 1st place)

Matt Miller went 4-for-5, but the inability of the players hitting in front him to get on base resulted in Miller not getting any RBI's. Dan Ortmeier and Christian Colonel had two hits each as well, but it was not enough to lead the Sky Sox to victory. Adam Eaton had another quality start for the Springs, allowing three runs on seven hits in six innings - a very respectable outing considering the park in which he was pitching. However, Ben Julianel was unable to hold serve, as he allowed two runs on three hits in the seventh inning. Ryan Speier pitched a scoreless inning of relief. The Sky Sox have lost eight of their last ten, and they're seeing their lead over Salt Lake shrink more and more by the day.

Tulsa: W 3-0, W 5-1 (11-9, 2.0 GB)

Samuel Deduno continues to mow over the competition. He outdueled Angels' prospect Trevor Reckling, as both starters tossed seven-inning complete games. Deduno allowed only five baserunners (three hits, two walks) and struck out five. He also posted a 12-4 GO/FO ratio. Ryan Harvey hit a two-run homer off of Reckling in the second inning to finish off the scoring for the day; Daniel Mayora drove in the other run for the Drillers.

The bullpen was the highlight of the second game, as Matt Baumgardner, Edgmer Escalona, and Matthew Reynolds combined to pitch four scoreless innings to preserve the win. Mike Paulk had two hits, and every other Driller had one hit with the exception of Brad Corley, who was 0-for-3.

Modesto: L 1-0 (9-14, 9.0 GB)

Cory Riordan was brilliant for the Nuts, but he did not get any help whatsoever from the offense, who only had four hits. Riordan pitched all eight innings and gave up just a run on five hits and a walk, and struck out nine batters. However, he was outdueled by San Jose's Scott Barnes. Mike Repec hit a double, while Wilin Rosario, Maikol Gonzalez, and Michael Mitchell each had hits for Modesto.

Asheville: W 9-5 (16-6, 1st place)

Kiel Roling had a two-home run game - one of the three-run variety and the other scoring two - to lead the Tourists' offense in an explosion of sorts...well, for them, at least. Delta Cleary and Ryan Peisel each had a multi-hit game as well. Back to Roling - he is now hitting .348 with 9 home runs and 38 RBI and is having a heck of a second half so far. He is certainly climbing his way up the ladder in terms of Rockies' prospects. Parker Frazier pitched pretty well in six innings - at least, as well as you need to when given nine runs in the first two innings. All of Frazier's runs were allowed in the first two innings as well, and he really settled in after that and ended up striking out five against no walks.

Tri-City: L 4-3 (18-10, 1st place)

Kent Matthes and Orlando Sandoval each had two hits for the Dust Devils, but they weren't able to do a whole lot else offensively as they took the loss. Starting pitcher Bradley McAtee allowed all four of his runs in a disastrous third inning in which he allowed a leadoff walk, two singles, and two doubles before he could even record an out. A double play helped him get out of the inning, but by then the damage had already been done.

Casper: L 9-4 (7-15, 7.0 GB)

Clint Tilford allowed three earned runs in four innings, and the bullpen got lit up as the Ghosts fell again in Pioneer League play. Chad Jacobsen had two hits, and Jared Clark drove in a couple of runs for Casper in the loss.