AAA Colorado Springs L 7-15 - (45-56, 3rd, 12.0 GB)
Greg Smith (2008, trade) tossed batting practice yesterday in Salt Lake City. He got just eight outs but was charged with twelve earned runs on ten hits, three walks and two home runs. Mike Paulk (2005, 13th round) was a home run shy of the cycle, including a bases clearing triple in the sixth. There wasn't anything else worth sharing positive or epically terrible, so let's move on.
AA Tulsa, L 6-7 (11) - (18-10, 2nd, 0.5 GB)
Kiel Roling (2008, 6th round) doubled in a run in the bottom of the ninth to complete a 6-1 game-long comeback. Roling was out at home on a two out single from Michael Mitchell (2007, 25th round) that would have resulted in a walk-off win. Mitchell scored the previous inning on an Anthony Jackson (2006, 16th round) single, and Troy Tulowitzki (2005, 1st round) hit a sac fly. Tulo was 0-for-3 on the day. Wilin Rosario (2006, DR) failed to hit a home run or drive in a run for the first time since July 20, though he did reach on a single.
Keith Weiser (2006, 3rd round) was hit around for six runs in six innings, though the bullpen held the Travelers scoreless until the 11th inning. Chris Malone (2008, MiLB FA) allowed a home run in the 11th for game-losing margin.
High-A Modesto, W 7-4 - (16-15, 3rd, 3.5 GB)
A common major league comp for Thomas Field (2008, 24th round) has been Clint Barmes. If last night is any indication, that could be selling Field short. The shortstop walked in all four plate appearances and stole his eleventh base of the season out of the leadoff role. James Cesario (2008, 46th round) doubled twice as part of his three hits as every Nut sans second sacker Joseph Scott (2009, 42nd round) reached base at least twice.
Rob Scahill (2009, 8th round) allowed two runs in seven very strong innings. Casey Weathers (2007, 1st round) faced three batters, walking one, striking one out and inducing a game-ending groundout.
Low-A Asheville, L 0-2 - (17-13, 2nd, 3.0 GB)
When you strike out more batters than you allow hits and allow just one run in six innings, you usually get a win. Chris Balcom-Miller (2009, 6th round) just can't catch a break in Asheville. CBM was very effective again but fell to 1-6 with a solid 3.73 ERA.
Unfortunately, the offense was completely MIA, as the the lineup behind CBM committed more defensive errors than times reached base. Eliezer Mesa (2008, DR) led off the game with a bunt single and promptly was caught stealing. The next 26 Tourists went down in order. That's right - that bunt single gave Kannapolis a "Josh Fogg perfect game."
Short-A Tri-City, W 10-3, L 0-7 - (17-20, t-3rd, 4.0 GB)
The Dust Devils played a double header in Spokane, with the second game representing a makeup game from a July 20 postponement. Tri City took game 1 after posting 5-run innings in the 6th and 7th, thanks in large part to Chandler Laurent (2009, 21st round). Trailing 3-0 in the 6th, Laurent unloaded a grand slam to kick start the offense. He would add an RBI single in the seventh. Dustin Garneau (2009, 19th round) had three hits and Jeremiah Sammy two. Bradley McAtee (2008, 45th round) worked his ninth straight scoreless outing in relief, covering 15.2 IP, for the win. Samuel Deduno (2004, DR) pitched for the first time since April 26; he worked around four baserunners for two scoreless innings, striking out four.
Laurent had a very poor game in the nightcap, indicative of rest of the offense. He struck out in all three at-bats, including one with the bases loaded and less than two outs. Sound familiar? The offense managed just three hits in the shutout. Erik Stavert (2009, 7th round) had his worst outing of the season, allowing four runs in five innings on seven hits. Kraig Sitton (2010, 7th round) would replace him and proceed to retire just one of the six batters he faced. Included were a double, single, two walks, a hit batter and two wild pitches.
Rookie Casper, L 2-3 (11) - (16-18, 3rd, 5.0 GB)
David Kandilas (2009, AUS) hit his second home run of the season and Rafael Ortega (2008, VZ) followed two singles with an RBI groundout, but that's all the offense the Ghosts could manage in Billings last night. Corey Dickerson (2010, 8th round) had two hits including a double.
Tyler Gagnon (3-0, 1.91) (2009, 15th round) saw his ERA rise despite pitching effectively into the sixth. He allowed two runs in 5.2 IP. Taylor Reid (2010, 14th round) surrendered a walk-off home run to the first batter he faced in the 11th inning.