Wednesday Pebble Report: Bullpens Falter Throughout the System

AAA Colorado Springs Sky Sox (37-48, 4th PCL Pacific North)

Sky Sox 9, Rainiers 13

Billy Buckner gave up 9 runs in only 4.1 innings of work. Sean White added on another 2 (1ER), and Josh Roenicke was tagged for another 2 (1ER). Andrew Johnston pitched a clean 7th, but that was the best that Sky Sox pitching could offer.

As for the bats, well, I'm surprised they were able to score 9 runs. Everyone in the lineup DID have a hit except for Eric Young Jr and Dexter Fowler, including a 2-run shot by newly acquired DH Joe Mather and another from 3B Matt Macri.

Oh, did I mention that 7 of the runs came in the 7th inning? Jackpot!

AA Tulsa Drillers (39-43, 3rd TEX North)

Drillers 3, Missions 11

This is what we call a good ol' fashioned Texas League ass-whoopin'. Rob Scahill, Dustin Molleken, and Daniel Turpen combined to allow all 11 of the Missions' runs. 5 for Scahill (4ER, 5IP), 5 for Molleken (1IP), and 1 for Turpen (1IP). On the upside, Casey Weathers pitched really well, going 2.0IP, allowing 0 hits, runs, only 1 BB, and struck out 3.

Darin Holcomb had a 2 hit day and Thomas Field had a solo shot in the 1st.

The Drillers managed 8 hits and 2 walks, but could only convert 3 of their 10 baserunners. Sounds familiar.

A+ Modesto Nuts (40-43, 4th CAL North)

Nuts 5, Giants 9

I HATE losing to the Giants. Doesn't everyone? Well, Nick Schnaitmann doesn't hate it enough, as his 5.0IP, 6ER outing wasn't impressing anyone. Although 4 homers is awful enough to be impressive. 

This outing brings Schnaitmann's season ERA to 9.79. He has a K:BB less than 1 and he's giving up over 1.5 homers per 9 innings. He struggled in Asheville in 2010, and it could be time to demote him to the bullpen.

On the positive side, Nolan Arenado hit a homer and a double, bringing his season line up to .310/.355/.493, very impressive for a 20 year old player in A+ ball.

A Asheville Tourists (39-43, 4th in SAL Southern)

Tourists 8, Drive 7

FINALLY, a win. Peter Tago was FAR from his best, walking 8 to only 3 punchouts over his 5.2 innings of work, but he only allowed 3 hits and 1 run. A 2-out error in the top of the 7th by Helder Velazquez extended the inning, after which Kraig Sitton allowed a double and a home run, good for 3 runs, all unearned. Bruce Kern made the 8th and 9th interesting, coughing up the lead in the 9th. The Tourists retook the lead and the win on a Kyle Parker HBP and a Corey Dickerson walkoff single.

Chandler Laurent, Kyle Parker, and Rafael Ortega all notched multi-hit games. On the downside, the Tourists punched out 15 times over the course of the game.

A- Tri-City Dust Devils (10-9, 3rd NOR East)

Dust Devils 7, Indians 10

Tyler Gagnon pitched well enough in this game to give the Dust Devils a legitimate shot at winning this game. He went 4.2 innings (not enough for the W, if there was to be one), striking out 8 and walking 4, allowing only 1 hit and 1 unearned run. Craig Benningson was saddled with the loss, getting rung up for the 3 runs (1ER) over an inning of work and Rhett Ballard allowed another 5 while only recording a single out.

Tyler Massey and Jordan Ribera both dropped 2 hits in, including a 9th inning homer from Massey.

Rk Casper Ghosts (6-10, 4th PIO South)

Ghosts 8, Chukars 9

Once again, the bullpens let the starters down. Daniel Winkler went 5 innings, scattering 8 hits and allowing 1 run, punching out 8 in the process. William Rankin allowed 6 runs over 2 innings, and despite clinging to a 1-run lead, Russell Brewer gave up a 2-run homer to put the Chukars on top.

It all looked so promising, too, as Ghosts bats nailed Jonathan Dooley for 8 runs over 4.1 innings, but was unable to build on that lead against the Chukar bullpen. 17 hits fell for the Ghosts, including 2 by Wil Swanner, 3 by Harold Riggins, and 3 from Julian Yan. Amusingly, 15 of the 17 hits were singles, and Swanner and Roja hit doubles.

DSL Rockies (16-15, BC Baseball City)

Off Day