Asheville walks off in extras
The Asheville Tourists simply cannot be denied, winning yet another another close game in walk-off fashion on Tuesday. Cesar Galvez scored Max White on a sacrifice fly in the tenth inning to seal the Tourists' 86th victory.
Raimel Tapia had a rare hitless game, but he walked and stole his 33rd base. Ryan McMahon produced his 46th double of the season. Both Correlle Prime and Dillon Thomas went 2 for 4 on the evening.
Alex Balog started the game and threw five strong frames. He allowed two runs on four hits, but neither was earned. He struck out three while walking none. Konner Wade relieved Balog in the sixth, and proceeded to give up two quick runs; however, he threw three scoreless frames after that hiccup. Carlos Estevez worked a scoreless tenth to set up the walk-off win.
Drillers walk off as well
Not to be outdone, the Tulsa Drillers staged a big late game comeback for victory as well. Delta Cleary was the hero in this one after going 4 for 5 and driving in the winning run. The center fielder led off and scored two runs as well. Taylor Featherston had a great game too, with a double, single, and three runs driven in. It all added up to a two run ninth to lift the Drillers to a 6-5 win over Northwest Arkansas.
Richard Castillo started the contest for Tulsa, and he was pretty shaky. He gave up four runs in his six innings of work while allowing ten hits. He didn't walk anybody, but he only struck one guy out, and he gave up two home runs. However, the bullpen held it together for the late game charge.
Paulsen homers in Sky Sox loss
Ben Paulsen's 20th Triple-A home run was not enough to lift the Sky Sox over the El Paso Chihuahua's. Jair Jurrjens was working on a solid start when the sixth inning got away from him and the Sox. He hit Jeff Francoeur to start the inning (yes, the Jeff Francoeur) and two Sky Sox errors and an infield hit resulted in four runs, just one of them earned in the frame. Jurrjens final line: 6 IP, 2 K, 2 BB, 6 R, 3 ER.
Rafael Ynoa produced two doubles and Jason Pridie tripled in the 7-4 loss.
Other Games
Modesto took a 4-3 loss as the bullpen couldn't hold a 3-2 lead heading into the seventh. David Dahl produced a single and a walk, while Pat Valaika doubled and singled and drove in two. Ben Alsup started the game and gave up only two runs despite walking seven. That 1.4 BB/inning would not be the worst walk rate of the game; Peter Tago relieved him and allowed three walks in his two innings.
Tri-City scored early and held on to defeat Hillsboro 4-3. Drew Weeks doubled twice and scored a run; Sean Dwyer also produced two hits and a double. Ryan Castellani was effective in this one, working five innings and allowing just a run on two hits. He walked one and struck out four. John Sheehan let it get close, but Josh Michaelec closed the door.
And weirdest for last: Grand Junction appeared to lose last night's game by forfeit? MiLB.com simply lists it as "Forfeit: refusal." The Ogden pitching coach got tossed from the game in the last frame that was played, but beyond that, it's a mystery to me. Luckily, Purple Row, in our dedication to you the reader, had a man at the game. Drew Creasman will have the gory details up shortly.
Oh, and the Rockies were losing 4-2 at the time. Yonathan Daza was 3 for 3.