Triple-A Colorado Springs - L 6-10 (54-51)
The Sky Sox carried a 6-3 lead into the ninth inning when closer Logan Kensing stepped to the mound. The former Marlin and Pirate brought an impressive resume with him as he was 13-for-13 in save situations and had a 1.97 ERA coming into the game. Unfortunately that all unraveled Friday night as three errors, two walks, a home run and wild pitch produced a seven run inning for the Giants affiliate.
The Sky Sox produced three runs to open the game due to a pair of wild pitches and a double from Ryan Wheeler. Ryan was 3-for-5 with two runs scored and two RBI on the night. Left fielder Tim Wheeler had a pair of hits and RBI to raise his average to .275 on the year. The left handed outfielder has been on fire lately and is batting .313 since June 1st.
Double-A Tulsa - L 1-4 (48-55)
There are some home runs hit in Tulsa's OneOK stadium that can be considered weak due to a short fence in right field. The ball that Kyle Parker (#5 PuRP) launched for his 18th home run of the year was not in that category, as it cleared the bullpen and landed among the cheering fans in the grassy berm Friday night. The long ball tied the game in the eighth and leaves the Clemson grad two homers shy of earning 20 or more in three consecutive minor league seasons -- a feat that was never accomplished by Matt Holliday, Brad Hawpe or Carlos Gonzalez in their minor league careers.
Drillers pitcher Dan Houston made his 11th start of the season and pitched a one run game through 4.2 innings. Houston's fine performance was surpassed by Arkansas' Drew Carpenter who pitched a two-hit shutout through six innings. The Drillers were able to produce just three hits on the night against the pitchers of the Angels affiliate.
High-A Modesto - W 11-7 (51-55)
Starter Ben Alsup had a perfect game going into the fourth when left fielder Brian Humphries lost track of a ball the was eventually ruled a triple. Alsup has endured an up and down season, but looked superb Friday as he created four strikeouts in five innings, while allowing three earned runs. Alsup's ERA now sits at 5.22 on the year.
Left fielder Brian Humphries had an incredible night with the bat, going 3-for-5 with a home run and two runs scored. Brian scored the initial Nuts run in the first and was part of a five run third inning. Center fielder David Kandilas produced three hits on the night, including a double and scored two runs. The Aussie is enjoying a strong July and is now batting .281 on the season.
Low-A Asheville- L 3-7 (52-48)
Dominican Jayson Aquino (#12 PuRP) made his fourth start at the Low-A level on Friday against the Braves affiliate. Aquino allowed too many base runners as he gave up three walks and eight hits. Once they were on base, the runners gave Aquino fits, especially shortstop Jose Peraza who stole three bases against the lefty, including home.
Right fielder Dillon Thomas had an impressive game for the Tourists, as he doubled and produced two RBI. Defensively the Texas native showed off his arm, earning an assist by gunning down Joey Meneses at third base.
Short-season Tri City - L 4-10 (20-20)
Making his second start in the United States, Antonio Senzatela (#29 PuRP) was too hittable as the right hander gave up 10 hits and four earned runs in 4.1 innings. Senzatela produced two double plays, but let things get out of hand in the third when he gave up three extra base hits.
First baseman Patrick Hutcheson produced a pair of hits, including a double in front of Ashley Graeter who also had a double and two RBI on the night. Shortstop Alec Mehrten was 1-for-2 with a walk to raise his season average to .301.
Rookie Grand Junction - W 7-4 (21-13)
The Rockies are just one win away from clinching the South Division's first half title after a comeback win against the Royals affiliate on Friday. Outfielder Ryan Garvey put the Rockies on the board with a home run in the third inning. Second baseman Zach Osborne later produced a home run as part of a three-run sixth inning. Center fielder Raimel Tapia had another hit, extending his streak to 24 games -- just three behind David Dahl's Grand Junction record. Catcher Jose Briceno also produced a hit, extending his own hitting streak to 12 games.
Starter Helmis Rodriguez held the Chukars to just four runs in five innings, he produced four strikeouts, while allowing seven hits. The Dominican's ERA sits at 3.77 for the season. Closer Dylan Stamey earned his fifth save of the season and has a 0.64 ERA to show for his effort.
DSL Rockies - Game 1 L 5-6, Game 2 W 5-2 (25-22)
Catcher Hamlet Marte hit his fourth and fifth home runs of the season in the double header on Friday against the Angels affiliate. The five home runs ties Marte for the Dominican Summer League lead. Marte was 3-for-7 in the double header with six RBI. Third baseman Luis Castro was a perfect 3-for-3 in the second game and a combined four hits and a walk between the two contests.
Starter David Martinez worked the first game, allowing six earned runs in six innings pitched, with four strikeouts. The second game had Wilson Requena starting and going three innings, with one earned run on two hits and one strikeout.