The California and South Atlantic leagues each participated in All-Star games on Wednesday. The CAL League, which did not feature any Modesto Nuts in its starting lineup, was overmatched by the Carolina League, while the North Division -- which is not where the Asheville Tourists reside -- emerged victorious from the SAL League's version of the midsummer classic.
Daniel Winkler was one of three Nuts pitchers to appear for the California League in its 12-2 loss to the Carolina League at Municipal Stadium in San Jose, Calif. Winkler was inserted into the game in the third innings and emerged perfect, compiling a pair of strikeouts in a 1-2-3 inning.
Chris Jensen and Scott Oberg were given the seventh and eighth innings, respectively, to work their craft. Jensen struck out a batter and induced a pair of groundouts to set the Carolina League All-Stars down in order, while Oberg worked around a walk to get three outs via a strikeout and a double play in the following frame.
Across the country at FirstEnergy Park in Lakewood, N.J., four Tourists position players saw action in a rain-shortened 2-1 defeat. Rosell Herrera led off and singled as part of his 1-for-2 evening. Derek Jones also started the game and finished 0-for-2 with a strikeout.
Tom Murphy and Francisco Sosa came off the bench and each player got one at-bat. Murphy popped out for the second out in the sixth inning, but the next batter, Sosa, scorched a double to left field. He would be stranded at second as Mets prospect Brandon Nimmo grounded out to end the inning.
The Nuts and Tourists are both scheduled to be back in action tomorrow.
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AAA Colorado Springs: W 4-1 (39-31, 2nd, 2.5 GB)
Chris Volstad seems to be much more comfortable starting games for the Sky Sox than he has shown in a relief role in limited duty with the Rockies this season. Volstad turned in another effective outing on Tuesday, lasting 6.1 innings and allowing just one run on four hits and a pair of walks to earn the victory. He struck out just one batter, but induced 11 ground outs.
Matt McBride and Charlie Culberson each finished 2-for-4 with an RBI. Hernan Iribarren doubled, walked, scored and drove in a run.
AA Tulsa: L 3-0 (34-35, t-1st)
The Drillers were held to five singles on offense, spoiling a quality start from Christian Bergman. Bergman allowed four hits and a pair of walks in six innings, striking out three and surrendering a three-run homer for the game's only scoring.
Cristhian Adames went 0-for-1 but drew three walks from the No. 2 spot in the lineup.
Short-Season A Tri-City: W 8-4 (3-2, 2nd, 1 GB)
Wilfredo Rodriguez had two hits and walked twice to pace the Dust Devils' offense, which racked up 16 hits against first-place Everett. Ben Waldrip and Michael Tauchman also finished with a pair of hits apiece while Waldrip and Alec Mehrten each drove in two runs.
Jonathan Vargas earned the victory by tossing five innings of one-run ball. He gave up four hits and a walk and struck out four.
DSL Rockies: W 5-2 (8-7, 3rd, 5 GB)
Omar Carrizales and Hamlet Marte had three hits a piece for the Rockies, whose 12 knocks were all of the one-base variety. Luis Jean added two hits and an RBI.
Julian Fernandez picked up the win by tossing two innings of scoreless relief, striking out two. Starter Andres Matos surrendered a hit and a walk in three innings of work. He also struck out a pair of hitters.