AAA Colorado Springs: W 5-1 (38-38, 2nd, 7.5 GB)
As we've seen several times already, Drew Pomeranz was neither sharp nor efficient in yesterday's outing, but he was able to keep the ball on the ground (9-to-3 GO/AO ratio), and that helped him get through 5.1 innings while allowing just a run. He did walk four and allowed seven hits, but he also struck out four batters and kept the ball down, as stated above. Edgmer Escalona and Jason Bergmann combined for 3.2 innings of scoreless relief for the Sky Sox, who got back to .500 for the first time in a month.
DJ LeMahieu, Andrew Brown, and Chad Tracy each had two hits to pace the offense, with the latter homering and driving in two. Tim Wheeler had a rare hitless outing (0-for-4), but is still hitting .328.
High-A Modesto: W 5-3 (38-36, 3rd, 6 GB)
Tyler Matzek was mostly on point again last night, which is good news, as we're seemingly seeing more of these and less of the meltdowns, whereas it was the opposite earlier this season and last year as well. Other than a two-run homer in the second inning that Matzek served up to Max Stassi, he did a great job of keeping the ball on the ground. He allowed three runs on five hits and three walks in 6.2 innings, while striking out seven and inducing nine groundouts compared to four flyouts. On the season, Matzek is now 5-3 with a 3.31 ERA, and batters are hitting just .193 against him. In addition, he has only allowed three homers in 81.2 innings pitched, while striking out 90 and walking 55. He's definitely still a work in progress, but he's making gigantic strides right now, and I think we're at the point where we can safely be excited about him. (please don't be a jinx)
The Nuts only had four hits, but three of them went for extra bases. Jayson Langfels hit stwo-run double, while Kyle Parker doubled, walked and scored. Juan Crousset hit his third homer of the season as well.
Check out the Tulsa, Asheville, and short-season recaps after the jump...
AA Tulsa: L 5-3 (42-33, 1st)
Corey Dickerson had two hits (including a double) and Nolan Arenado reached base three times (two walks and a single), but the Drillers were unable to secure a victory over Springfield. Dan Houston lasted six innings and allowed five runs on nine hits while striking out five and not walking anybody. The big blow came with one out in the sixth when Cardinals' super-prospect Oscar Taveras hit a three-run bomb off of Houston as part of a five-run inning.
Will Harris was solid in relief, as he struck out four and allowed just one baserunner in his two innings of work. Josh Sullivan struck out one in a scoreless ninth.
Low-A Asheville: W 4-1 (48-26, 1st)
Chris Jensen was superb for the Tourists, as he tossed eight innings of one-run ball, allowing seven hits and a walk while punching out eight. Jefri Hernandez pitched a scoreless ninth to preserve the victory, and notched his tenth save in doing so.
Tyler Massey led the way for the offense, as he had three hits (two of which were doubles) and drove in a run. Jared Simon contributed two hits of his own, while Ryan Casteel hit his second homer of the season. Sam Mende singled in his only at-bat, but left the game in the bottom of the first with an injured ankle, which apparently happened as he was sliding into third on a play in which he was thrown out.
Short-Season A Tri-City: L 3-2 in 10 innings (3-7, 3rd, 2 GB)
Much like their big league counterparts, the Dust Devils had a million baserunners, but were largely unable to capitalize. Charlie Blackmon continues to heat up after a slow start as he went 3-for-4. Jordan Ribera and Dillon Thomas each had two hits, and everyone else in the lineup had one hit with the exception of Patrick Hutcheson, who went 0-for-5 with 3 K's. Tri-City racked up 12 hits in all.
On the flip side, the Dust Devils only allowed four hits (none of which went for extra bases), but they walked nine Vancouver batters. T.J. Oakes started the game and allowed two baserunners in four innings. He didn't strike anyone out, but he did induce eight groundouts. Shane Broyles worked around three walks in his three hitless and scoreless frames, while Brook Hart allowed a hit and struck out a batter in a scoreless eighth. At that point, the Dust Devils held a 2-0 lead, but Taylor Reid allowed two runs on a single and three walks in the ninth to allow the Canadians to tie the game. Then, in the bottom of the tenth, Josh Hungerman allowed the winning run to score on a wild pitch - his third of the inning - with one out, after allowing a single and a walk.
Rookie Grand Junction: L 6-4 (3-4, 3rd, 3 GB)
Juan Ciriaco had three hits and is now batting .526, while Wilfredo Rodriguez and Jason Stolz had two knocks apiece. Max White and David Dahl, hitting in the 1 and 2 spots in the order, each doubled off of Idaho Falls starter Zeb Sneed.
Alving Mejias was okay in 4.1 innings, as he allowed one earned run on four hits and two walks while striking out four. Kyle Roliard got five outs without allowing a run, but then the flood gates opened, as Anthony Seise and Rayan Gonzalez allowed four runs to cross the plate in the final three innings. Gonzalez allowed two homers in his two frames of work.
Rookie DSL Rockies: Off Day (10-9, 3rd, 2 GB)