Tuesday Pebble Report: White's Rehab Rebounds, Tanos Seeks Acknowledgment

AAA Colorado Springs Sky Sox: L 16-7

The Sky Sox sprinkled seven runs through the game, including a solo home run by Jorge Cantu, his first in our organization. Mike Paulk and Ryan Rohlinger each hit their 16th double of the year as one of two hits on the night. Also with two hit nights were Jordan Pacheco and the recently acquired Jesus Merchan. In his first game on rehab assignment, Jason Giambi was 0-3 with a strikeout and a run scored.

The pitching was awful, but  only 6 of Memphis' 16 runs scored were charged to pitchers. Joey Williamson, promoted from Tulsa for spot-start duty for the third time this year, struggled through four innings, allowing six earned runs on two walks and nine hits which included two home runs. Andy Graham relieved Williamson and allowed another four runs over two thirds of an inning. None of these runs were charged to Graham thanks to Giambi missing a catch at first base. Andrew Johnston pitched the rest of the fifth plus the sixth, with Keith Weiser taking the seventh and eighth. Combining for six hits and two walks, no runs were allowed. In the ninth inning, Jim Miller buried any hope of a late game by allowing six more runs to cross. Once again, none of these runs were charged to Miller, this time due to a throwing error from Rohlinger. Williamson got the loss, his first decision at the AAA level.

AA Tulsa Drillers: W 12-4

The offense was led by the two oldest Tulsa position players, Bronson Sardinha and the recently acquired Matt McBride making his organizational debut. Both players had three hits, one RBI and at least two runs scored. Sardinha scored another run, along with hitting a double and his eighth home run of the season. Hector Gomez and Erik Wetzel were productive as well, batting in five runs between them. Each player had one hit, and also walked (Gomez twice). The Drillers were free swinging in failure too; 13 strikeouts for the lineup, including two players in Wilin Rosario and Thomas Field with three each.

The big story of the game is Alex White's second rehab start. White's pitch count was doubled this time, and he pitched efficiently through nearly four innings. He allowed two hits and struck out two with give ground outs. He did not walk any Springfield batters or give up any runs. The Tulsa bullpen struggled, with only Joe Torres allowing no runs, but the damage allowed by Josh Sullivan, Stephen Dodson and Daniel Turpen was inconsequential. Sullivan was awarded his third win of the year.

Delta Cleary Jr, Kiel Roling and a continually successful Josh Rutledge led Modesto to victory with two hit nights all around. Roling hit his 13th homer, a solo shot in the second inning. He also doubled and stole a base. Starter Dan Perkins was hittable, allowing three runs on nine hits over six innings, but was helped along by not walking any High Desert Mavericks in the game. Relievers Will Harris and Chad Rose each dealt with traffic in the form of both hits and walks, but each escaped unscathed. Kurt Yacko earned his third save of the year with a clean inning that included two strikeouts.

A Asheville Tourists: W 10-9

What started as a blowout ended up disturbingly close late in the game when Hickory put together a six run seventh inning to tie the game. Starter Josh Mueller allowed ten hits and three earned runs over six innings, but the Tourists were ahead by six runs as Mueller was relieved by Josh Hungerman. Hungerman faced four batters and didn't record an out, allowing two hits and two talks. Kraig Sitton followed and allowed all of his inherited runners to score, as well as two of his own. After Asheville retook the lead at the bottom of the inning, Bruce Kern secured the game for his fifth save of the season, and Sitton was awarded his seventh win.

Much to the delight of a certain PuRPs voter whose name I don't recall and am too lazy to look up, Brett Tanos annihilated Hickory pitching, smacking his fifth and sixth home runs of the season in the midst of a four hit game, in which he also walked, scored four times, and knocked in three runs. Also with home runs were Helder Velazquez (10th) and Joey Wong (4th). Both batters also had two hit games, along with Chandler Laurent and Cristhian Adames.

A- Tri-City Dust Devils: W 3-2

The Dust Devils continue their success in close games, thanks to what has turned into an excellent pitching staff. Starter Chris Jensen reached the sixth inning for the first time in his young career, throwing five and a third innings of four hit baseball, walking two and allowing just one run while striking out three Boise Hawks. Nelson Gonzalez threw and inning of relief and gave up an unearned run. Kenneth Roberts threw the final two innings and received his seventh save credit of the season. Jensen's first pro decision is a win.

Catcher Ryan Casteel doubled and tripled in the game, while both scoring and batting in a run. Left fielder Tyler Massey and designated hitter Juan Crousset each doubled in runs.

RK Casper Ghosts: W 11-6

Rosell Herrera provided the only multi-hit performance for the Casper offense, but the rest of the lineup spread out plenty of production. Samuel Mende hit his ninth home run of the year as part of a three RBI game. Jarod Berggren doubled and batted in two runs. Even hitless Will Swanner walked three times and scored twice.

Starter Daniel Winkler allowed one earned run (three total) over five and a third innings, accumulating seven strikeouts to no walks against the Idaho Falls lineup. Alejandro Barraza and Matthew Crocker pitched well in relief. Jeremiah Sammy continues to struggle, but the two runs he allowed in his inning of work made very little difference at the end of the game.

DSL Rockies: Double Header against DSL Diamondbacks

Game 1: W 4-1

Johendi Jiminian lasted just four innings, allowing three hits and three walks but just the one run. Reliever Javier Palacios picked up his third win of the year, while Andres Medrano got his 14th save. The Rockies only got two hits in the game, a single from Raimel Tapia and a double from Jose De La Cruz. Cesar Galvez walked twice, while Wilson Soriano scored twice.

Game 2: L 6-4

Joel Payamps gave up four runs (three earned) over two innings. Two more runs were scored off of reliever Manuel Montilla, both unearned. This time it was the Rockies' turn to outhit their opponent, only to lose. 12 hits were allowed by the Diamondbacks, and four Rockies had two hits. Only Miguel Dilone did not get a hit in the starting lineup. Jesus Basillio doubled and tripled in the game.