AAA Colorado Springs, Off Day - (51-39, 1st)
The Sky Sox weren't playing yesterday, but Eric Young Jr. still got a chance to show his promise on a large scale, though this time, he wasn't quite as impressive as in the Future's Game. EY2 was 1-5 with 3 K in last night's AAA All-Star Game, in which Matt Murton (DH) and Matt Miller (LF) also started for the PCL. The three Pebbles combined to go 2-10 with 6 K's. It's too bad Sky Sox hardly showed up - any offense at all from them could have prevented the PCL from losing 6-5 to the International League.
AA Tulsa, Off Day - (8-9, 4.0 GB)
The Drillers had their third straight Wednesday off. Tulsa will host the Arkansas Travelers (Angels) at 6:10MDT tonight. Jhoulys Chacin (7-6, 3.43) has the tough draw of Travis Reckling (5-2, 2.56).
High-A Modesto, W 6-4 - (8-12, 8 GB)
The Nuts scored in four of the first five innings to help Joey Williamson (10-1, 3.76) rebound from his first career loss with a win over the San Jose Giants, making Williamson the organization's first 10-win minor league pitcher. The Giants had won 16 of 19 in the second half coming in. Williamson actually didn't pitch that well, allowing three runs on six hits including a home run in 5 IP. He has just a 6.08 tRA in 7 starts with Modesto as compared to a 2.38 mark in the bullpen. Craig Baker earned his 24th save.
Wilin Rosario hit his third HR, while Maikol Gonzalez and Hector Gomez each had three base knocks. Gomez drove in three runs. Modesto faces the Giants again tonight at 8:00 MDT.
Low-A Asheville, W 11-3 - (9-4, 1st)
Asheville continued their second half dominance with their 8th win in 9 games, the last three at Lake County Captains (Indians). Kiel Roling hit his seventh home run, and Mike Zuanich hit his first home run in just his second game with Asheville. Roling had two other hits and 4 RBI, Jordan Pacheco drove in 3, and Scott Robinson was a perfect 4-4 with 2 2Bs. Dan Houston (5-6, 4.07) got the win despite a rocky start, and Alan DeRatt, Kurt Yacko and Tyler Trice worked 3.1 scoreless innings. The Tourists, who are outpacing everyone in the SAL by at least two games, finish off the series with the Captains bright and early this morning at 9:00AM MDT.
SS A Tri-City, W 2-1 - (17-8, 1st)
The Dust Devils skated to their third straight 2-1 finish, though they have fortunately won their last two since defeating the Spokane Indians (Rangers) by that score last night. Rob Scahill got th start and threw 5 scoreless innings, allowing three baserunners and striking out six. Rhett Ballard (3-1, 1.65) allowed three singles in the bottom of the eighth, the last a squeeze bunt single, to allow the game's first run. Tri City roared back against closer Justin King to take the lead in the ninth. King walked Kevin Clark before a Joseph Sanders double. After allowing the tying run to score on a wild pitch, King gave up a sac fly to Ben Paulsen for the winning margin. The DDevils had only 5 hits - four of them doubles.
Tri-City will host Spokane again tonight at 7:30 MDT. You can vote for Kent Matthes for the Golden Spikes Award now.
Rookie Casper, L 3-7 - (5-14, 7 GB)
The Ghosts couldn't pull out their first winning streak of the year despite leading early against the Missoula Osprey (Diamondbacks). Ricardo Ferrer (0-2, 6.75) was touched up for 4 runs, 3 earned in five innings. Leuris Gomez and Clint McKinney pitched difficult innings, while lefty Steve Junker worked a hitless sixth and Steve Junker struck out the side in the seventh. Eliezer Mesa, Angelys Nina and Avery Barnes each collected two hits. Nolan Arenado singled and scored a run. The Ghosts play the Osprey again tonight at 7:05MDT.