Thursday Pebble Report: It's Fun to Hit in Colorado Springs

I don't even need to tell you where the Sky Sox game was last night against New Orleans.  Just know that the Sky Sox hit FIVE home runs last night and just four singles.  Travis Metcalf (2010, MiLB FA), Brad Eldred (2010, MiLB FA) and Kaz Matsui (2010, MiLB FA) each went deep, while Mike McKenry (2006, 7th round) hit his sixth and seventh of the season, all at home.  I like seeing offense from Quadzilla, but note that his home/road splits are more ridiculous than any Coors Field hitter...ever.

Josh Muecke (2010, MiLB FA) allowed one run through six innings for the win and Edgmer Escalona (2006, VZ) tossed two perfect innings in relief.  Franklin Morales' (2004, VZ) outing was good news/bad news.  The good news was he didn't walk anyone.  Bad news:  he allowed three hits, two runs and a home run in one inning.

Jhoulys Chacin (2006, VZ) is scheduled to start tonight for Colorado Springs, but he obviously won't if the Rockies choose to remove Aaron Cook from the rotation.  If no news is out by tonight, we should know indirectly at the start of the Sky Sox game

AA Tulsa, L 2-3 - (22-17, 2nd, 2.0 GB)

Rex Brothers (2009, sandwich pick) got the loss as the NW Arkansas Naturals walked off on the Drillers, but don't blame Brothers.  He allowed a leadoff ground ball single up the middle, a sacrifice bunt and Jeff Kindel (2006, 14th round) booted a ground ball to allow the winning run to score.  Bruce Billings (2007, 30th round) continues to flourish in the bullpen, as he struck out three in two scoreless innings in relief.  That marks the fifth consecutive relief appearance in which Billings struck out three batters.  Kyle Vrska featured Billings in this milb.com article last week.  Keith Weiser (2006, 3rd round) pitched effectively for six innings as well, allowing two runs in six innings.

Jason van Kooten (2003, 46th round) scored both Tulsa runs.  He doubled and scored from second on a wild pitch and led off the seventh with a single, later scoring on a Lars Davis (2007, 3rd round) single.  Davis has replaced Wilin Rosario in the Drillers' lineup after Rosario injured his knee.  Scott Beerer (2003, 2nd round), Kindel and van Kooten each had two hits.

High-A Modesto, W 4-3 - (18-21, t-3rd, 7.0 GB)

Parker Frazier (2007, 8th round) was very effective for his second straight start.  He struck out seven, walked one, and allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits over six innings. Josh Sullivan (2005, 5th round) walked two and committed an error on a pickoff move to lead to the third run.

Ryan Peisel (2008, 8th round) doubled in a run and scored on a Scott Robinson (2006, 30th round) single.  James Cesario (2008, 46th round) singled twice and walked twice.   Erik Wetzel (2008, 13th round) and Ben Paulsen (2009, 3rd round) added RBI singles.