AA Tulsa - L 7-9, (31-26, L2, 1st)
#13 PuRP Edwar Cabrera pitched well...to begin with. He served up a two-run home run to Kolten Wong in the fifth inning, then allowed three runs in the sixth on a walk, three singles and a pickoff error. That erased a five-run third inning by the Drillers. #2 PuRP Nolan Arenado (2009, 2nd round) and #22 PuRP Kent Matthes (2009, 4th round) each hit solo home runs, their fifth and eighth on the season, respectively. Jonathan Herrera (2002, VZ) went 0-for-2 in his first game of his rehab assignment. Nick Schmidt gets the call for Game 2 of this four game series.
.
High-A Modesto - W 4-2, (30-30, W2, 3rd, 4.5 GB)
Christian Bergman (2010, 24th round) allowed two runs over 6.1 innings, one on a CJ Cron home run, the other unearned. He struck out five, walked one and allowed six hits in a strong outing. Helder Velazquez (2006, 5th round) smacked a two-run double in the second inning and #15 PuRP Rafael Ortega (2008, VZ) doubled and scored in the fourth. That would prove to be enough Wednesday night in Modesto, but for good measure, they added a fourth run in the eighth inning on a Jared Clark (2009, 12th round) double and an error. Adam Jorgensen (2008, 26th round) nailed down his 10th save in the ninth, bringing his ERA down to 0.59 and his K/BB up to 14.00. Fair warning though - Jorgensen is back in Modesto after posting ERA's over 5.00 in AA Tulsa in 2011 and part of 2010. With Modesto's win, only the Sky Sox are below .500. Juan Gonzalez starts tonight's game for the Nuts.
Low-A Asheville - L 1-8, (40-18, L1, 1st)
The Tourists apparently forgot to pack their bats on their trip to Savannah. Asheville managed just three hits, and none until #28 PuRP David Kandilas (2008, Australia) singled in the sixth. Harold Riggins (2011, 7th round) and #21 PuRP Will Swanner (2010, 15th round) put together back to back singles to set up a Tyler Massey (2008, 14th round) sacrifice fly, but that was it for the Tourists on Wednesday. Daniel Winkler (2011, 20th round) allowed five runs in six innings for the loss, and Nelson Gonzalez (2007, DR) gave up three runs in the eighth inning to inflate his ERA to 4.85.
Today, Asheville plays a double header, with Geoff Parker and Tyler Anderson getting the starts.
.
DSL Rockies - W 8-5, (3-1, W1, t-1st)
Offense is typically pretty weak in the DSL, particularly in the early part of the season, but that has not been the case with the Rockies, who have averaged more than six runs a game on their way to a 3-1 start. So not that they needed it, but the White Sox starter walked the first four batters of the game before getting the hook, and the Rockies were off and running. Six of the Rockies' nine men in the lineup are hitting .333 or better, led by outfielder Raimel Tapia (2010, DR) at .571. He merely singled, drove in two runs, walked and scored. Catcher and 5-hole hitter Franmy Pena (2010, DR) was all over the place in this game, doubling twice, singling twice, driving in two, stealing a base and even picking off a runner at second. Miguel Dilone (2011, DR) also had two hits, and leadoff man Luis Jean (2012, DR) scored three times. Helmis Rodriguez (2010, VZ) allowed three runs in five innings for a no-decision.
.
AAA Colorado Springs - Off Day, (28-31, L2, 3rd, 5.5 GB)
The Sky Sox open a homestand tonight at 7:05 against the Sacramento River Cats. Translation: Manny Ramirez will be in Colorado Springs tonight. Will this weekend be your last chance to see this guy in person?