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AAA Colorado Springs, W 7-3 - (58-73, 3rd, 10.0 GB)
Josh Muecke (2010, MiLB FA) took a no-hitter into the fifth inning and left four outs away from a complete game after allowing three runs on four of his five hits in the eighth inning. Franklin Morales (2002, VZ) pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning. Morales - who may be called up as bullpen help by Friday - is currently riding a 12.0 inning scoreless streak since August 6, a span over which he has struck out 14 and walked six.
The Sky Sox scored all seven of their runs in the second inning. #16 PuRP Chris Nelson (2004, 1st round) drove in three of them with two singles. He had been 2-for-his-last-21 before last night.
AA Tulsa, L 4-5 - (32-36, 3rd, 3.0 GB)
Cory Riordan (2007, 6th round) allowed a two-run home run in the first and a solo shot in the second, but the right-hander finished off his start strong, with five shutout innings. Chris Malone (2008, MiLB FA) got the loss after allowing three singles in the bottom of the eighth, but the winning run was unearned after a Bronson Sardinha (2010, MiLB FA) error put the go-ahead run at second base.
Anthony Jackson (2006, 16th round) doubled and scored on a balk in the first, then drove in Lars Davis (2007, 3rd round) with a groundout in the second. In between, Scott Beerer (2003, 2nd round) hit his fourth home run. Jackson also scored in the ninth inning on a double play ball off the bat of Sardinha, his second GIDP on the night.
High-A Modesto, W 5-3 - (29-29, 3rd, 6.0 GB)
Josh Sullivan (2005, 5th round) hit the leadoff batter, then surrendered a double to USC product Grant Green and a sacrifice fly to start his night. It was all good from there, as Sullivan dominated the Stockton Ports for seven innings, striking out seven against two walks and just three hits on the night. #17 PuRP Casey Weathers (2007, 1st round) faced four batters, retiring them all, three via strikeout. After a rough start in Modesto, Weathers has started to dominate. He has allowed one run in his last 7.1 IP on 3 hits, striking out 15 and walking four.
A sac fly from Thomas Field (2008, 24th round) (who had three hits) set up a 1-1 game going into the seventh, but the Nuts secured a win with a 4-spot in that frame. A triple from Scott Robinson (2006, 30th round) and singles from Erik Wetzel (2008, 13th round), #8 PuRP Tim Wheeler (2009, 1st round) and Field supplied two runs. Wheeler and Field would later score when James Cesario (2008, 46th round) reached on an error.
Low-A Asheville, Off Day - (35-22, 1st)
The first-place Tourists got an off-day as they travel back to Asheville to host the second place Greenville Drive (Red Sox). Nicholas Schnaitmann (8-8, 5.01) (2008, 22nd round) gets the ball in Game One tonight at 5:05MDT.
Short-A Tri-City, L 6-7 - (10-17, t-3rd, 8.0 GB)
The Boise Hawks (Cubs) teed off on Edwar Cabrera (2008, DR) in the third inning, stringing six hits and a walk together to take an early 5-1 lead. Mark Tracy (2010, 22nd round) cut the deficit in half with his fourth home run an inning later, and the Dust Devils would complete the comeback with a 3-run seventh. Nathan Hines (2009, 50th round) followed a walk and error with a game tying triple, then trotted home on a two out single by Jeremiah Sammy (2009, undrafted). But the bullpen couldn't hold it.
After striking out the first two he faced, Craig Baker (2006, 4th round) allowed a single, stolen base and another single to tie the game. A fielding error by Sammy and ensuing stolen base set up the winning run to score on a single off Bradley McAtee (2008, 45th round). Six Hawks successfully stole on catcher Josh Powers (2010, undrafted), including four over the final two innings.
Rookie Casper, L 2-6 - (11-12, 3rd, 3.5 GB)
Jordan Ballard (2010, undrafted) hit his third home run and Ryan Casteel (2010, 17th round) drove out his second. Both were solo home runs, and other than a Robert de la Cruz (2007, DR) single, that was it for the "Ghosts" offense. Corey Dickerson (2010, 8th round) struck out twice as Casper was completely held in check in Helena.
Alejandro Barraza (2009, Mex) struck out five and didn't walk anybody, but the Brewers plated four runs on him on eight hits. Vianney Mayo (2007, VZ) sold Helena two free insurance runs, while Taylor Reid (2010, 14th round) and Nelson Gonzalez (2007, DR) worked scoreless frames. Brett Tanos (2010, 10th round) committed his 12th error already, and Jose Rivera (2009, 23rd round) tossed in two of his own.