Yesterday's action was notable primarily for the rehab start of Jason Hammel at AAA Colorado Springs, which Bryan already discussed a little bit in the Rockpile. In other news, the minor league affiliates took all three games -- only the loss by the big league club stopped the Rockies from an undefeated day. On to the action:
Colorado Springs 10, Sacramento 6
Hammel (Trade, 2009) fought his way through seven innings and got the win (1-0), giving up four runs on nine hits. He struck out six and walked only one, which was encouraging, but he needed 113 pitches (73 for strikes) to get there. This likely shows that Hammel's arm is major-league ready strength-wise -- making him a probable call-up early next week. In other pitching news, Shane Lindsay (Australia FA 2003) allowed two runs in two-thirds of an inning while Matt Reynolds (2007 20th round) continued his remarkable start to 2010 (0-0, 0.00 ERA in 17 IP, 19:1 K/BB), adding another 1.1 scoreless IP, though he did allow his first walk.
On offense, the Sky Sox (16-12, division leaders), got six runs in the fifth to pull ahead for good. Paul Lo Duca (MiLB FA 2010) was 3-4 with a three-run home run (his first) and four RBIs while playing at third base. Cole Garner (2003 26th round) added a solo shot (3) while Brad Hawpe (2000 11th round) was 1-5 with a run and Chris Iannetta (2004 4th round) was 0-3 with two runs.
Tulsa (11-16, 7 GB): Off
Ethan Hollingsworth (2008 4th round) continued his impressive beginning to 2010 (4-1, 1.86) with six innings of two run ball, allowing nine hits and striking out four. The bullpen held the 3-2 lead they were given, including Adam Jorgenson (2008 26th round) striking out the side in the ninth to get his ninth save of the year, to secure the win for the Nuts (16-10) -- who with the win rose above Visalia for the division lead. Offensively, catcher Jordan Pacheco (2007 9th round) continued his offensive assault on the California League with a 2-3 night, raising his average to .413 and his OPS to 1.073.
The Tourists (11-17, 6.5 GB) sacked Rome (Georgia, that is) to climb out of the cellar of their division largely behind the offense of Joe Sanders (2009 5th round), who smacked his fourth homer of the year and drove in three runs. Dan Perkins (2009 27th round) handed the bullpen a one-run lead after 5.1 IP of three run, seven hit ball, and they held it to preserve his victory (2-3, 4.11).