Yesterday was the start of the Minor League season and it was a pretty good night for the Rockies' affiliates.
Colorado Springs: The Sky Sox were the only losing team last night. Jeff Baker, Omar Quintanilla combined to go 0-for-7, but Jayson Nix went 2-for-3 in his AAA debut. P Miguel Asencio went 5 innings, giving up 3 runs, 3 BB, struck out 6, and gave up one homer. P Ramon Ramirez had a decent debut for the Sox with 1 IP and 1 K.
Tulsa: This game went 16 innings and Alvin Colina hit a homer to win the game. SS Troy Tulowitzki, 3B Ian Stewart, C Chris Iannetta, DH Joe Gaetti, 1B Joe Koshansky and CF Jordan Czarniecki all had great nights at the plate last night. LHP Josh Newman pitched a strong 2 1/3 innings with 4 Ks.
Modesto: OFs Matt Miller (1 HR) and Justin Nelson (1 3B), provided most of the run support for winning RHP Ryan Mattheus. Mattheus went 6 innings with 6 Ks, but also 3 BBs (though not as many as Francis walked yesterday). RHP Scott Beerer picked up the save.
Asheville: P Alan Johnson had the best debut for any pitcher by going 6 innings and K'ing 8. CF Dexter Fowler had a great full-season debut by hitting two homeruns, and as was mentioned in the Gameday thread they were both to center. 1B Mike Paulk provided half of the RBI for the team last night by going 3-for-4 with a double and 3 RBI. 3B Jason Van Kooten went 2-for-3 and scored 2 runs. 2nd round pick OF Daniel Carte went 1-for-3 with and RBI. OF Travis Becktel got the other double as he went 1-for-4. SS Chris Nelson didn't manage a hit, but did cross the plate for a run.
Kelly Roe from Lexington, KY., asks Troy E. Renck about the minors - Chaz is from Lexington, so it's a distinct possibility Kelly is related to Chaz.
Dexter Fowler leads off Baseball America's first Daily Dish of the season. But they identify him as a 2nd round pick of the Rockies in 2004.