Monday Pebble Report: Bettis Dominates, Matzek Dominated

AAA Colorado Springs Sky Sox (51-58, 3rd PCL Pacific North, 12.5 GB)

Sky Sox 4, River Cats 12

Alan Johnson got absolutely wrecked in his 1.1 innings of work, allowing 8 hits, 9 runs (8ER). After Johnson was removed, Blake Johnson pitched 2.2 innings of scoreless ball. Andy Graham allowed another 3 runs (1ER) before Sean White and Jim Miller finally stopped the bleeding over their final 2 innings.

Mike Jacobs and Matt Macri tallied 2 hits apiece, 4 of the Sky Sox' 6 on the night.

Colorado Springs has a team ERA of 6.34, worst in the PCL. They have a surprisingly decent K/BB though (1.87). Interestingly enough, they aren't the home-run-allowingest team in the PCL though, surpassed in HR totals by Tacoma, Albuquerque, Iowa, Salt Lake, Las Vegas, and Reno.

AA Tulsa Drillers (51-55, 3rd TEX North, 7.5 GB)

Drillers 2, Travelers 0

Right after I go badmouthing him on the podcast, Josh Sullivan pitches 5 innings of 5 hit ball, allowing 0 runs while striking out and walking 1. Orangel Arenas went 7 of his own, 4-hitting the Drillers over that timespan. However, the Drillers were able to break through 2 unearned runs off of pitcher Chris Scholl and 3B Gabe Jacobo (who had just been moved to 3B in a defensive switch), thanks to a throwing error from Jacobo, a WP by Scholl, a double steal by Tim Wheeler and Erik Wetzel, and a double off of the bat of Ben Paulsen. Stephen Dodson and Daniel Turpen pitched the final 4 innings in scoreless fashion, sealing the shutout for the Drillers.

A+ Modesto Nuts (53-53, 3rd CAL North, 18.0 GB)

Nuts 6, Ports 2

Chad Bettis continues to impress and win people over to the "Chad Bettis is totally a rotation prospect" camp. Sunday's start featured 7 innings of 2-run ball, 7 strikeouts, 1 walk, and 5 hits overall.

Beau Seabury and DH David Christensen were the only Nuts who went hitless today (though Christensen did walk), Kent Matthes had 2 hits, Angelys Nina dropping 3 of his own, hitting 2 doubles and a triple.

A Asheville Tourists (50-55, 3rd SAL Southern, 12.0 GB)

Tourists 2, Intimidators 5

After a couple of promising starts, Tyler Matzek went out and tossed 5 innings of 2-hit, 5-run ball. He struck out 6, and walked 8. After those 2 improved outings with the mechanics getting all better and stuff, this is a bit scary to see. I know, it's 1 start, but let's hope he didn't just come all unraveled again.

Dustin Garneau and Joey Wong had 2-hit days (Garneau ripping a couple of doubles), and the Tourists tallied 10 hits total on the day along with 3 walks, but just couldn't get enough going to leave Kannapolis with a win.

A- Tri City Dust Devils (27-17, 1st NOR East, 4.0 GA)

Dust Devils 4, Canadians 0 (seriously, the Vancouver Canadians. Later they'll be playing the Montreal Canacks.)

Just a stellar outing from former 15th-round pick Tyler Gagnon. Not only did he shut the Canadians out for 6 innings of 2 hit ball, he allowed only 1 walk and struck out 8, lowering his season ERA to 2.72. Kenneth Roberts tossed 3 innings of scoreless relief, allowing 3 hits and striking out 5.

Roberts also earned the save in a 4 run game.

Fun fact: you can be awarded a Save if you pitch 3+ innings of relief without relinquishing the lead. Back in 2007, when the Rangers put up 30 on the Orioles, Wes Littleton was awarded the save for going 3 innings without allowing a run. 

Yep.

Rk Casper Ghosts (12-27, 4th PIO South, 10.0 GB)

Geoff Parker did what I didn't think would be possible in Casper: Pitch a good game. Parker went 6 innings, allowing only 1 unearned run, linked to 7 punchouts and 5 walks.

Rosell Herrera had a 2 hit day, including a double and an RBI, bringing his season line to .316/.395/.474. Nice.

DSL Rockies (32-21, 2nd BC Baseball City, 2.5 GB)

Off Day