Wednesday Pebble Report: Esmil Rogers and Dexter Fowler Struggle in Rehab, Tulsa Impodes

AAA Colorado Springs - L 2-7  (30-36, 3rd, 8.0 GB)

Esmil Rogers made his second rehab start, and Dexter Fowler played in his first game since being placed on the disabled list.  It didn't go well for either.  Rogers allowed four runs in 3.2 IP, two triples and two home runs (one by Ryan Shealy) before leaving with an intercostal ribcage strain.  Fowler wasn't any better, flying out three times and striking out in four plate appearances, stranding five base-runners.  Strangely, Matt Macri (2011, MiLB FA) served as his defensive replacement in the eighth.  Mike Paulk (2005, 13th round) tripled home a run and scored in the second inning.

AA Tulsa - L 2-16 (31-32, 2nd, 2.0 GB) 

Walking batters is never a good idea.  Josh Sullivan (2005, 5th round) has hopefully learned that lesson.  The right-hander got blown up despite keeping the ball predominantly on the ground thanks to walks early in innings.  He walked five, and four of them came around to score.  Sullivan gutted his way through six innings, charged with 10 runs on eight hits.  Keith Weiser (2006, 3rd round) reprised Sullivan's script by walking the leadoff hitter in the seventh inning in front of a two run home run.  Infielder Warren Schaeffer (2007, 38th round) actually had to pitch an inning, and he did not walk a batter, throwing 20 of 30 pitches for strikes.  He did, however, allow four runs on four hits and a home run.  

Thomas Field (2008, 24th round) walked and scored on a wild pitch, and Wilin Rosario (2008, DR) singled home Ben Paulsen (2009, 3rd round), who had doubled for the Drillers second and final run.  Tim Wheeler (2009, 1st round) was 0-for-4, though he did not strike out.

High-A Modesto  (28-30, 4th, 13.0 GB)

Daniel Perkins got roughed up, allowing six runs in five innings.  If you walk six and allow eight hits in five frames, you're bound to give up runs.  Nick Schnaitmann (2008, 22nd round) pitched improbably well out of the pen, allowing just one run and one hit in four innings of work.  Nolan Arenado (2009, 2nd round) and Mike Zuanich (2008, 28th round) doubled, and second baseman Carlos Martinez (2006, DR) singled twice, but the offense was otherwise on holiday.

Low-A Asheville L 1-2 (30-35, t-3rd, 8.5 GB)

It was Edwar being Edwar again in Asheville last night.  Edwar Cabrera (2008, DR) went eight innings, striking out seven and walking two to give the Tourists every chance to get the win.  He allowed two runs, both in the second inning, one on a solo home run.  Every member of the line-up rapped out one hit with the exception of Brett Tanos (2010, 10th round) and Kyle Parker (2010, 1st round), who went 0-for-4 with a strikeout.  Parker is now hitting .213 in May with 15 K's and 2 BBs in 49 PA.  The Tourists' run came on back-to-back doubles in the second by Corey Dickerson (2010, 8th round) and Helder Velazquez (2006, 5th round).

DSL Rockies - L 1-4    (7-6, 5th, 2.0 GB)

17-year-old RHP Angel Lezama pitched effectively, striking out seven in 4.1 IP and inducing four ground balls.  But two-run home run in the first and seven baserunners resulted in four runs and a loss.  Offensively, 19-year-olds 2B Cesar Galvez, SS Jose de la Cruz, and C Franmy Pena had multi-hit games.