You can scan down to the Tulsa section to read about the cycle, but first Asheville found itself in a pitching duel last night, outlasting Lexington two to one. Larry Robles made his 2005 season debut for the Tourists, and it was a gem as he allowed only two hits and three walks in six innings, striking out eight along the way. Meanwhile, Legends starter and top Astros prospect, Troy Patton, was at least as impressive, perhaps moreso as he had no walks or runs to go along with his four K's in the same timeframe. With those two providing the heat, the bats were largely silent until Asheville got a rally against the poor relief work and shoddy Lexington defense in the eighth to pull out the victory. Adam Bright and Chris Buechner worked three scoreless innings for the Tourists to close out the win with Bright getting the save and Buechner the victory.
Modesto had the offense, but another shaky start by Stephen Register and poor defense by Ian Stewart and Matt Macri failed to support it as the Nuts fell to the Bakersfield Blaze, nine to six. Stewart had a pretty awful day, going one for five and committing two errors, and Macri did the same only with one error less. Seth Smith meanwhile had three hits, including two doubles Chris Ianetta had a pair of hits as well and Jordan Czarniecki hit his first home-run of the season.
Spilly gets his thrillies killing for the Drillies
Tulsa was led by Ryan Spilborghs' cycle and a pretty decent pitching job by Zach Parker to create a six to two victory over Arkansas. Sean Barker also had three hits batting in front of Spilborghs and scored twice. Outside of those two, (and Dan Conway's two doubles) it wasn't pretty as Travellers pitcher Steven Shell struck out eleven in six innings. Spilborghs continues to hit well in a hitter's league - albeit Driller Stadium has been playing as a pitcher's park since the Rockies moved their Double A affiliate there three years ago- at a fairly advanced age for the league, and well beyond his prior professional levels of achievement, but to maintain this pace is extraordinary and we are keeping him in our sights.
Colorado Springs lost eight to five as former Rockie relief farmhand Justin Huisman outmatched new Rockie relief farmhand Randy Williams after starters Chris George and Denny Stark departed about the same time, even at three after six innings. Yeah, Williams was that awful (five six hits, five runs and a throwing error) so don't expect his call-up anytime soon. Danny Ardoin, Eddie Garabito and Jorge Piedra each had two hits, Elvis Pena had three, Garabito and Tim Olson homered and Jeff Baker walked twice and K'd twice in five plate appearances.