Four games, sixty-two runs, three losses, one win for the affiliates last night.
Cole Garner (2003 26th round) and Matt Miller (2004 13th round) both hit home runs (4 & 3 respectively) for the Sky Sox (20-19), but Brandon Durden (2005 4th round) was dreadful, allowing eight runs in four innings and taking the loss (0-2, 12.00). In terms of position players in the Springs, Garner's hot start (OPS .960) has him rising in my mind of potential outfielder injury replacements, but his roster status (not on 40 man) and the Rockies' depth makes this unlikely. Chris (0-2, 3 BBs last night) shouldn't be in AAA (1.191 OPS), but at least Miguel Olivo's doing well in his stead. Other than that (and maybe Miller), I don't see too many players in AAA that are ready for the Show.
Jason Van Kooten's (2003 46th round) solo shot, his fifth, was pretty much all the offense mustered by Tulsa (15-24, 10 GB) against Kansas City first-rounder Aaron Crow in a marquee pitching matchup. Top PuRP Christian Friedrich (2008 1st round) went six innings and gave up two runs on five hits, striking out four on 84 pitches with a 2:1 GB/FB ratio, but got no decision. Andrew Graham (2006 21st round) gave up an unearned run in relief to take the loss (2-1), while Al Alburquerque (2009 trade) gave up two more runs in relief.
Modesto 9, Bakersfield 8 (F-10)
Brian Rike (2007 2nd round) went 3-5 with three RBIs and Tim Wheeler (2009 1st round) homered (4) for Modesto in the Nuts' one-run extra inning victory (23-16, 1 GB). The Nuts scored six in the first two innings, lost the lead over the next four, and then scored a run in the ninth (on a Rike double) and tenth (a Field single) to secure the win.
Thomas Field (2008 24th round), Jordan Pacheco (2007 9th round), and James Cesario (2008 46th round) all continued to OPS over 1.000. Which makes Modesto's lineup kind of ridiculously productive. Isaiah Froneberger (2007 4th round) got the win in relief (1-0).
The Tourists (14-25, 10 GB) got plenty of offense from players like Angelys Nina (2007 DR) and Jose Gonzalez (2004 Venezuela), who both had three RBIs, but they were undone by poor pitching. Nicholas Schnaitmann (2008 22nd round) gave up seven runs on ten hits in four innings to take the loss (3-5). It's looking like Asheville won't be interesting until Tyler Matzek finally makes an appearance, probably in June.