Monday Pebble Report: Eldred hits a trio of bombs, Arenado continues to rake, more

AAA - Colorado Springs: L 11-7 (20-22)
Despite getting three home runs from Brad Eldred, the Sky Sox were unable to get past the Iowa Cubs. "Big Country" connected in the third, fifth, and ninth innings and now has nine home runs on the season. He also drove in five runs. In addition, Chris Nelson had three hits (including a home run - his second on the season) and two RBIs. Jay Payton contributed two hits as well. The pitching was shabby at best, though, as starter Josh Muecke allowed seven runs on eight hits in 3.1 innings. Damian Moss proceeded to allow two more runs on a couple of hits and three walks. Edgmer Escalona stopped the bleeding for an inning, pitching a scoreless seventh, but Nick Bierbrodt allowed the Cubs to continue their assault by giving up two runs on three hits in the eighth.

AA - Tulsa: W 9-4 (18-24)
Daniel Mayora and Ryan Harvey each had another nice game for the Drillers. Mayora had two hits - one of which was a triple, and three RBIs. He was upstaged only by Harvey, who got on base in each of his four plate appearances, including a double for one of his two hits. He drove in four. Ching-Lung Lo got the victory, going five innings and allowing two earned runs on four hits. Sean Jarrett gave up a run in his inning of relief, but Andrew Graham and Scott Rice combined for three perfect innings of relief. Graham struck out two.

A-Ball write-ups after the jump...

High-A - Modesto: L 7-5 (24-19)
Modesto trailed 4-1 and 5-2 at points in this game, but came back to tie the game at 5-5 after the eighth inning. However, Adam Jorgenson allowed a couple of runs (only one of which was earned) on two hits and a walk in the ninth, and the Nuts were unable to score in the bottom half. Juan Nicasio did not fare very well in his start, and it could have been even worse considering he allowed 12 hitters to reach base (nine hits, three walks) but only gave up four runs. Isaiah Froneberger had another nice outing, going 1.1 innings and striking out three. Stephen Dodson punched out two in his two innings of relief, but allowed a solo home run that put San Jose back up by three at the time. Offensively, the Nuts were led by Thomas Field (who is now hitting .348) and Tim Wheeler, who had two hits apiece. Wheeler's eighth inning double that tied the game came with two outs.

A - Asheville: W 13-11 (17-25)
Asheville starter Jonathan Vargas was roughed up in this one, allowing nine runs (eight earned) on eight hits and a couple of home runs. He also walked three batters. However, it's safe to say that the offense bailed him out. Seven Tourists registered a multi-hit game, led by Joseph Sanders, who went 4-for-5 with a home run. In addition, Nolan Arenado continued his hot start by going 2-for-4 with a homer and a double and drove in four runs. Kent Matthes (2-for-4), Avery Barnes (2-for-4), Orlando Sandoval (3-for-5), Dallas Tarleton (2-for-4), and Joey Wong (2-for-4) were big contributors as well. In fact, every Asheville position player with the exception of Eliezer Mesa had at least one hit. Alan DeRatt pitched three innings of relief and allowed two runs on four hits, but was able to pick up the victory. Paul Bargas and Sheng-An Kuo closed the door on Kannapolis by holding them scoreless in the eighth and ninth innings.