AAA Colorado Springs, L 0-5 (33-40, 3rd, 5.5 GB)
Jorge de la Rosa (2008, trade) made his first rehab start last night. He was saddled with the loss against Reno (Diamondbacks), though he pitched extremely well. He struck out out five, walked none and allowed just two singles in the first four scoreless frames. After a single and double to lead off the fifth inning, de la Rosa was relieved due to pitch count (he finished at 72). Kurt Birkins (2009, MiLB FA) threw a scoreless inning, but Alan Johnson (2005, undrafted) made sure the game was out of reach by surrendering five runs in three innings.
The offense managed just five singles against Kevin Mulvey and company. Dexter Fowler (2004, 14th round) went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and Cole Garner (2003, 26th round) singled twice for the Sox.
AA Tulsa, L 10- 12 - (0-1, 3rd, 1 GB)
The Drillers don't usually score in double digits. In fact, last night was the first time Tulsa managed the feat all season. Unfortunately, the event came on Christian Friedrich's (0-5, 5.59) (2009, 1st round) worst professional start. Ever. The lefty allowed three runs in each of the first, fourth and fifth innings. He gave up eight hits, walked three and struck out just three. Just ugly all around. I think it is safe to say Friedrich is having trouble in AA.
But down 9-1, the Drillers rallied on the road, getting two runs in the sixth on a Kiel Roling single, then taking the lead with a 7-run seventh. Jason van Kooten (2003, 46th round) led off with his eighth home run. Scott Beerer (2003, 2nd round) drove in two with a single and Daniel Mayora (2005, VZ), Wilin Rosario (2006, DR) and Roling each had run-scoring doubles. van Kooten capped the inning with a two-out RBI single to give Tulsa the lead. It did not last. Ching-Lung Lo (2001, Taiwan) walked two in the eighth before being relieved by Chris Malone (2008, MiLB FA), who served up a 3-run home run to his first batter. Greg Reynolds (2006, 1st round) (0-2, 13.14) will try to improve his season line in today's series finale.
Fun Fact: Top picks/prospects Tyler Matzek, Greg Reynolds, Christian Friedrich, and Chris Balcom-Miller have combined for zero wins this season.
Take the jump for the rest of the story.
High-A Modesto, Off Day - (37-33, 2nd, 8.0 GB)
The California League held its All-Star Game Tuesday, meaning yesterday was a night off the for league. Rob Scahill (2009, 8th round) will open the second half for the Nuts tonight at 8:0MDT against the first-place San Jose Giants.
Low-A Asheville, Off Day - (29-40, 7th, 12.5 GB)
The South Atlantic League finished up its All-Star break with a day off yesterday. The Tourists open a five game road series at the first-place Savannah Sand Gnats (Mets) tonight at 5:05 MDT. Starting pitchers have not been announced.
Short-A Tri-City, L 1-6 - (4-1, 1st)
The Dust Devils' offense was completely held in check by 2009 Padres' 4th rounder Keyvius Sampson. He struck out 8 Dust Devils in five scoreless innings, allowing just two singles. Dustin Garneau (2009, 19th round) doubled in the seventh to drive in Chandler Laurent (2009, 21st round), who had reached on an error. for the only run of the evening. Laurent had two of Tri City's four hits and also stole two bases.
Josh Hungerman (2009, 17th round) took a tough loss, as he entered the fourth having shut out Eugene on one-hit. After giving up a single, he was pulled in favor of Bradley McAtee (2008, 45th round). McAtee then walked a batter, threw two wild pitches and gave up three singles for a decisive five-run inning.
Rookie Casper, W 9-7 - (2-1, 1st)
The Ghosts won their first series of the season with a victory in a wild back-and-forth game against the Ogden Raptors (Dodgers). Jordan Ballard (2010, 33rd round) made his 2010 debut and collected three hits and two RBI. Rafael Ortega (2008, VZ) singled twice and drove in three. Casper knocked out five runs against 2009 Dodgers' 2nd round pick Garrett Gould, though none were earned.
On the pitching side, Steve Junker (2009, 32nd round) allowed three doubles and a line drive out in relief; all three batters scored. Albert Campos (2008, DR) allowed two runs in five innings for a solid start and Clinton McKinney (2008, 48th round) retired all five batters he faced, three by strikeout. I have my eye on McKinney. He throws with good velocity for a sidearm motion and really baffled the Raptors in the series. In his two appearances, he faced 12 batters, struck out five, got five groundballs, one fly ball and served up a home run to Michael Pericht on an 0-2 breaking ball below his knees.
The Ghosts travel today to Idaho Falls to face the Royals' affiliate tonight.