Thursday Pebble Report: Troy Tulowitzki Solid in Rehab Debut, Tyler Matzek and Franklin Morales Implode

AAA Colorado Springs, L 1-8 - (44-53, 3rd, 9.5 GB)

Troy Tulowitzki (2005, 1st round) made his first debut start last night.  He lined a single to right field on the first pitch he saw, one of just two Sky Sox hits off Sacramento starter Tyson Ross.  Tulo also converted three double plays before departing in the sixth in a designed short appearance.  According to Troy Renck, his wrist "felt great."  In relief, Matt Reynolds (2007, 20th round) struck out the side in the ninth in addition to a walk and single, and Taylor Buchholz (2006, trade) pitched a scoreless inning.

Franklin Morales (2004, VZ) reverted back to his wild/ineffective self, walking two in 0.2 IP, while also serving up a double and home run.  Chaz Roe (2005, sandwich pick) had comparable struggles as was tagged for five runs in five innings while striking out just one.

AA Tulsa,  W 5-3 - (13-4, 1st)

Wilin Rosario (2006, DR) was one of three Drillers to avoid striking out and clubbed a two-out three-run home run in the first inning to put the Drillers in the driver's seat.  That's Rosario's fifth HR in his last ten games, and Rockies fans really need to start getting jacked up for this kid.  His strikeout rate has decreased with each month of the season and has been cut by almost 6% from last season in Modesto to a very respectable 19%; his walk rate has increased by about the same ratio.  He is 21 in AA and sporting a healthy .355 wOBA despite putting up the lowest line drive rate since his first stint in Casper as an 18-year-old. 

In other exciting news, Greg Reynolds (2006, 1st round) was dominant, striking out seven in 6.1 IP and allowing just one run.  Additionally, he drove in a run with a single and later scored the final Driller tally.  Rex Brothers (2009, sandwich pick) was scored upon in one inning of work and has now walked a batter in 6 of his 8 AA appearances. 

High-A Modesto, L 4-7 - (14-13, 3rd, 3.0 GB)

Juan Nicasio (2006, DR) surrended a couple solo home runs and five runs (three earned) over five moderately good innings.  He did strike out six and walk no one. Joseph Sanders (2009, 5th round) doubled twice and David Christensen (2006, 2nd round) hit his fourth home run of the season.  The Nuts got three at-bats with the bases loaded in the ninth, though two runs was all they would score.  Thomas Field (2008, 24th round) batted third and struck out three times in five hitless at-bats.

Low-A Asheville, W 13-10 -  (15-11, 2nd, 2.0 GB)

I wish I didn't have to say this, but Tyler Matzek (2009, 1st round) was outright terrible.  He walked five against just one strikeout and allowed five runs while only getting five outs.  His implosion led to an earrly 5-1 deficit, one that the Tourists would effortlessly make up.  Asheville's resilient offense overcame 1-0, 5-1 and 9-6 deficits to defeat Hagerstown.

Delta Cleary (2008, 37th round) and Helder Velazquez (2006, 5th round) each doubled twice and first-baseman Jared Clark (2009 12th round) - who will be replaced in the lineup tonight by Todd Helton - hit two home runs for the second consecutive Wednesday.  Eliezer Mesa (2008, DR) rapped three singles as every starter recorded a base hit.  If not for Matzek, this would have been a very good game for our Low-A prospects.

Note:  Todd Helton will NOT report to Asheville tonight as originally planned.

Short-A Tri-City, L 2-7 - (14-18, t-3rd, 4.5 GB)

Josh Hungerman (2009, 17th round) had been solid since his demotion from Asheville, but not last night.  The lefty allowed four runs to score on eight hits while striking out just one on a very hot night in Boise.  Russell Wilson (2010, 4th round) had the only Dust Devil RBI on the night, as he singled twice.  Leonardo Reyes (2006, VZ) had two singles as well, but otherwise, Tri-City's offense was largely dormant, as it has been most of the season.

Rookie Casper, W 8-1 -  (15-15, 3rd, 3.0 GB)

Corey Dickerson (2010, 8th round) was a double shy of the cycle as the Ghosts won their second consecutive laugher.  Brett Tanos (2010, 10th round) and Blake McDade (2010, 20th round) each doubled and drove in two, while Tanos added a single to his line.  

The Ghosts pitching staff accomplished a rarity at the Rookie level:  Christian Bergman (2010, 24th round) and Bruce Kern (2010, 23rd round) combined to strike out nine while walking zero batters in the game.  An error led to the only run of the game, as Bergman got his first professional win by permitting just two singles in five sterling innings.  

DSL Rockies, L 3-5 - (27-16, 2nd, 3.5 GB)

The Rockies' Dominican League team held the DSL Reds scoreless for ten innings, yet still lost.  After completing a comeback from a 3-0 deficit in the sixth, both teams put up goose eggs until the 15th.  At that point, first baseman Angel Reyes (2010, DR) booted a two-out groundball with the bases loaded to allow two runs to score.