Sunday Pebble Report: Tri-City Saves Organization From Being Swept, Giambi Homers

Colorado Springs: L 14-2
Jhoulys Chacin's struggles continued as he allowed three hits (including a homer) and three walks in three innings, and threw just 33 out of 62 pitches for strikes. Things obviously got a whole lot worse for the Sky Sox from that point on, as Alan Johnson and Damian Moss were successively hammered in their appearances. The good news? Well, Chris Frey - yes, THAT Chris Frey - pitched a scoreless ninth and Jason Giambi hit his first home run as a member of the Rockies organization, a two-run shot off of Shane Loux in the bottom of the eighth inning. Giambi also walked twice. Paul Phillips was 2-for-4 in the losing effort.

Tulsa: L 13-2
Brandon Durden, who had previously been very good, was absolutely torched by NW Arkansas. He was victimized for 12 runs (10 earned) on 10 hits (two of which were home runs) in just 4.1 innings. The bullpen was able to stop the bleeding for the most part, as Tommy Baumgardner allowed just a run in 1.2 innings, and Adam Bright and Edgmer Escalona (who notched two K's) followed that up with a scoreless innning apiece. Anthony Jackson had two hits, and so did Brad Corley and Rex Rundgren, but both of theirs were doubles.

Modesto: L 8-5 (in 13 innings)
Ethan Hollingsworth had a pretty solid outing, going 6.1 innings and allowing two earned runs while striking out five. However, the Nuts' defense failed their pitching staff by commiting FIVE errors, and eventually lost the game, thanks in large part to the shabby D. Brian Rike had two hits (including an RBI double), and Scott Beerer hit a solo home run for Modesto. Joey Williamson (3.1 IP, 0 R, 4 K's) and Craig Baker (1 IP, 0 R, 1 K) pitched well out of the pen.

Asheville: L 4-3
Juan Nicasio recovered well after two shaky innings in which his defense (two errors) didn't do much to help him. He finished allowing just one earned run on eight hits in seven innings, while punching out eight. He did, however, allow a two-run homer that hurt his chances of winning. Kiel Roling hit his 19th home run of the season, and James Cesario had a couple of hits including a triple. Michael Marbry pitched a scoreless inning of relief, notching two K's.

Tri-City: W 3-1
The Dust Devils' pitching staff did an excellent job in this game. Starter Josh Hungerman struck out eight in 5.2 innings of one-run ball (the run was unearned), and relievers Paul Bargas, Aaron Weatherford, and Charles Ruiz each struck out two batters in their innings of work. Bo Bowman had a couple of hits for Tri-City, while Jeremiah Sammy drove in two. Kent Matthes doubled and scored a run, as well.

Casper: L 5-2
Casper's offense managed only two hits against Ogden pitching, and struck out 12 times. In the continuing theme of defensive failure hurting teams in the organization, the Ghosts made three errors, resulting in all five runs that were allowed being unearned. However, that doesn't mean the pitching doesn't deserve some of the blame; starter Jonathan Vargas allowed eight hits and three walks in 4.2 innings. The bullpen does deserve some credit, though, as they pitched 4.1 combined innings and allowed just one run while punching out five.