AAA Colorado Springs: L 14-6 (48-42, 3rd, 5 GB)
Troy Tulowitzki and Dexter Fowler made rehab appearances for the Sky Sox on Monday to mixed results. Fowler went 0-for-3 with a strikeout and a walk, while Tulowitzki finished 1-for-2 with a single and a run scored.
Tulo was tentative about diving for a couple of balls, which is understandable and actually designed that way. He'll get back to diving for balls by around the third rehab appearance. He did, however, exhibit no issues while making routine plays, so that's a bit of good news.
As for the game itself, Aaron Cook was beaten up for six runs in the third inning, although only two were earned thanks to Reid Brignac's pair of errors at second base. Things didn't go much better for Michael Solbach, whose ERA climbed to 13.50 after allowing three runs in 1 2/3 innings. Solbach doesn't exactly have a tiny sample size, either; he has pitched in 22 2/3 innings since joining the Sky Sox. Ouch.
Ben Paulsen went 3-for-4 with a pair of runs batted in, while Greg Golson also had three hits and Lars Davis added two.
*****
AA Tulsa: L 4-2 (7-11 2nd half, 4th, 5 GB)
Chad Bettis took the loss despite allowing just one run on three hits in five innings while striking out eight. That's because the Drillers were held to just five hits and didn't score until the bottom of the sixth inning, when Kyle Parker hit a two-run home run -- his 13th of the year -- with his team trailing, 3-0.
Isaiah Froneberger struck out six batters in three innings of relief, but allowed a home run to Preston Tucker, who also hit a two-run shot off of Joe Gardner.
High-A Modesto: W 3-2 (12-7 2nd half, 2nd, 1 GB)
Ryan Casteel homered twice and drove in three runs, giving Nuts starter Chris Jensen all the offense he would need. Jensen allowed two runs on eight hits in seven innings, racking up five strikeouts without walking a batter. Kraig Sitton (1 IP, 2 K) and Scott Oberg (1 IP, 1 H, 1 K) shut the door for Modesto and preserved Jensen's win.
Casteel now has 19 home runs on the season and is hitting .294/.365/.623. He just turned 22 about a month ago, so we're not talking about a guy who is extremely old for his level or anything. It has been a nice breakout campaign for Casteel, and hopefully he can continue his success in Double-A next season.
Short-Season A Tri-City: L 11-3 (10-15, 4th, 8 GB)
Konner Wade allowed four runs -- three earned -- on seven hits in 3 1/3 innings en route to his third loss of the season. None of the relievers that followed were particularly impressive statistically, although Jerad McCrummen was at least able to limit Boise to a pair of singles in 1 1/3 scoreless innings.
Ashley Graeter and Alec Mehrten each had a pair of hits to pace the Dust Devils' offense, while both Kyle Von Tungeln and Patrick Valaika tripled and drove in a run.
Rookie DSL Rockies: L 7-3 (16-16, t-4th, 8 GB)
The Rockies actually outhit the Marlins, 10-8, but like their big league counterparts, they struggled with runners in scoring position, going 1-for-14. Omar Carrizales, Luis Jean, Luis Castro and Joel Diaz each had two hits apiece.
Rockies starter Hector Villaroel tossed six scoreless and hitless innings, striking out two and walking one. However, Rockies relievers spoiled his start by allowing seven runs in the eighth and ninth innings.