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AAA Colorado Springs, W 6-2 - (11-12, 1st)
Matt Miller is hitting well in AAA. What's new? The Sky Sox left fielder tripled, singled, drove in two to take the team RBI lead and extended his hitting streak to a team season high of 14. Warren Schaeffer singled twice, Brad Eldred collected three hits and Cole Garner laced a 2-run triple the the right field corner for all the offense Stu Cole needed.
Alan Johnson (2-0, 3.05) pitched effectively (2 runs in 5.2 IP, no BBs) for the win. Edgmer Escalona, Matt Reynolds and Juan Rincon combined to throw 3.1 scoreless innings, allowing just one base-runner. It has been said in the comments section, but it bears repeating here: lefty Matt Reynolds has thrown 15.2 scoreless innings to start the season, striking out 19 and walking no one, equating to a 0.98 FIP. There's no way around it - he's been dominant.
Chris Iannetta was given the night off. Meanwhile, another catcher on the roster, Paul LoDuca, started at second base last night. Yes, really. It was the second time in his career and first time in ten seasons, when he was also at AAA. Josh Muecke (0-1, 11.25) will get the start righty Kevin Pucetas (1-2, 3.76) to finish off the series at 11:05 AM.
AA Tulsa, W 8-4 - (11-15, 3rd, 6.5 GB)
Last week, Ryan Brasier tossed a no-hitter against the Drillers. They had no trouble with the right-hander this time. Jason van Kooten gave Tulsa an early 1-0 lead with a single, but Ching-Lung Lo gave it all back with help from his defense. Andrew Romine (most famous for this song) appeared to ground into a double play, but van Kooten dropped the ball at second, leaving both runners safe. Three runs scored, all unearned, in the inning.
Trailing 4-1, the Drillers notched a five run fourth on the strength of five hits, highlighted by doubles from Kiel Roling and Dayton Bueller and an Anthony Jackson triple. van Kooten atoned for his error by hitting a two-run blast in the eighth, capping a 4 RBI night. Andy Graham, Scott Rice and Stuart Pomeranz combined for five scoreless innings in relief.
The big story in Tulsa isn't an impending sweep of the Arkansas Travelers (Angels) - it's the season debut of Jeff Francis, set to happen tonight at 6:05 MDT in Tulsa.
Single A recaps after the jump.
High-A Modesto, L 1-13 - (15-9, 2nd)
Just in case scheduled starter Dan Houston threw a gem, Taylor Buchholz started the game, throwing a perfect inning with two flyouts and a strikeout. Maybe entering the game in the second threw Dan Houston off. He was tagged for 9 runs on 10 hits in just four innings. Jonnathan Aristil wasn't much better, permitting four Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (Angels) to score in two innings.
Ben Paulsen tripled in Beau Seabury with two outs in the eighth to break up the shut out, finishing the only two-hit night from any Nut. Modesto struck out 15 times at the plate, led by highly drafted outfielders Tim Wheeler (four) and David Christensen (three). The Nuts close out their series against the Quakes tonight at 8:05 MDT.
Low-A Asheville, L 3-5 - (9-17, 7th, 8.5 GB)
The Tourists are still 0-for-May. Jonathan Vargas gave up five (four earned) runs in the third on two home runs, a triple, single and error, and that's all the offense the Hickory Crawdads (Rangers) would need. Tyler Massey singled in a run in the fourth, and shortstop Joseph Scott drove in two with a double in the ninth to account for Asheville's offense. Massey singled thrice, while Eliezer Mesa and Avery Barnes stay hot with two singles apiece. Southpaws Josh Hungerman and Paul Bargas combined to toss three perfect innings in relief. The Tourists will try to fend off a four-game sweep today on getaway day at 5:00MDT.