Thursday Pebble Report: Tim Wheeler Finally Hits Number Thirty

AAA Colorado Springs - L 3-9  (57-73, t-3rd, 14.0 GB)

Alan Johnson (2005, undrafted) was battered for seven runs on 10 hits and four walks in six innings for the loss.  He did have seven strikeouts and an 8/1 GO/AO ratio, so there's that.  Ryan Spilborghs (rehab) doubled and singled, Jorge Cantu (2011, MiLB FA) went 4-for-4 with a home run and #14 PuRP Jordan Pacheco (2007, 9th round) had a couple hits.  Other than that, the offense was quiet.  Matt Lindstrom (rehab) stuck out two but allowed a solo home run to Michael Saunders in an otherwise clean inning, and Huston Street (rehab) retired all three men he faced including a strike out.

AA Tulsa - W 5-2  (27-31, t-2nd, 6.0 GB)

#10 PuRP Tim Wheeler (2009, 1st round) finally hit his 30th home run, in his 27th game since hitting number 29, to lead off the game.  Bronson Sardinha (2010, MiLB FA) hit a solo home run in the sixth inning to tie the game at two, as Drillers starter Dan Houston (2008, 7th round) allowed two runs on just three hits in his six innings.  That set the stage for the eighth inning, when Tulsa would score three runs off reliever Mike Piazza (yes, they are related, no, it isn't his son).  #27 PuRP Thomas Field (2008, 24th round) hit a sacrifice fly in front of a two run home run by Brian Rike (2007, 2nd round) that provided the cushion for Daniel Turpen's (2011, trade) tenth save.

High-A Modesto - L 6-8 (11) (35-24, 1st)

The Nuts scored a dramatic five runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to tie the game.  Modesto's first six hitters of the inning reached base via hit, highlighted by triples from #24 PuRP Josh Rutledge (2010, 3rd round) and David Christensen (2006, 2nd round).  The next 12 Nuts hitters were retired without reaching base, and Kurt Yacko (2008, 8th round) allowed two runs in the top of the 11th for the loss. Starting pitcher Daniel Perkins (2009, 27th round) was chased in the third inning and allowed four runs on the night.  

Low-A Asheville - W 10-8 (10)  (31-28, 4th, 4.0 GB)

Mark Tracy (2010, 22nd round) hit a grand slam in the fifth inning, Brett Tanos (2010, 10th round) homered to lead off the game and Dustin Garneau (2009, 19th round) hit a grand slam of his own in the tenth inning to save the Tourists from the embarrassment of losing after taking a 7-0 lead.  #3 PuRP Kyle Parker (2010, 1st round) collected three singles and Tanos walked three times, part of a 16-hit attack in Lexington.  Josh Mueller (2010, 13th round) allowed five runs (one earned) in 5.1 IP, and Isaiah Froneberger (2007, 4th round) coughed up a 3-run lead in the eighth inning that sent the game to extras.  Note:  #15 PuRP Corey Dickerson (2010, 8th round) left in the second inning after one at-bat and may be injured.

 

Short Season-A Tri-City - L 3-4 (17-12, 1st)

Christian Bergman (2010, 24th round) was coming into the game looking to build on a complete game shutout.  Instead, he allowed four runs (three earned) on eight hits in 5.1 IP, just the second time he has been scored upon in his last seven starts.  Jordan Ribera (2011, 21st round) broke a startling 35 at bat hitless streak with a two run single in the sixth inning.  Every member of the Dust Devils lineup reached base, but their offense was still not enough.  Tim Smalling (2011, 15th round) and Ryan Casteel (2010, 17th round) had two hit nights.

Rookie Casper -  L 5-7 (11-14, t-2nd, 4.0 GB)

Patrick Johnson (2011, 25th round) turned in his best start as a pro, tossing five shutout innings and allowing just one hit, pushing his scoreless innings streak to 11.  But equipped with a 5-0 lead, Benjamin Hughes (2011, 10th round) and Alejandro Barraza (2009, MX) allowed seven runs in the final two innings to turn a solid win into a disappointing loss despite outhitting Great Falls 14-8.  Miguel de Leon (2008, DR) had three hits, while Rosell Herrera (2009, DR) and Dillon Thomas (2011, 4th round) were notables with two hit nights.  The Ghosts have lost 8 of 9 and 12 of 15 to tumble out of first place.  Check back in at PR around lunch time for a special Ghosts post.