The minor league season is hitting its home stretch, as fewer than 15 days remain in the regular season.
AAA: Colorado Springs 17, Salt Lake 6
The Sky Sox (59-73, 9 GB) jumped out to an early 9-1 lead thanks to an eight run third inning and extended it from there, scoring 17 runs on 19 hits against the Bees. There were plenty of offensive heroes in this one, as six Sky Sox hitters had multiple hits and five had multiple RBIs. Leading the way were #23 PuRP Cole Garner (4-6, 3B, 2B, 3 RBI) and Travis Metcalf (2-4, HR, 3 RBI). On the mound, Juan Rincon was awarded the win for a scoreless inning of relief (4-3, 7.56).
Other PuRPs in action: #16 Chris Nelson (2-3, 2 RBI), #26 Edgmer Escalona (1 IP, 1 H, 2 K)
The Drillers (33-26, 3 GB), much like their AAA brethren, were locked in offensively last night, pounding out 15 hits. Leading the offensive onslaught was #22 PuRP Jordan Pacheco (4-5, 2B, 2 RBI). Pacheco is moving up the ranks of my PuRP list with his impressive showing this year (.322 over two levels, .333 in AA). The 24 year old catching prospect might even pass Michael McKenry as the second ranked catcher on my upcoming PuRP list.
Keith Weiser got the win for Tulsa (9-8, 4.38), going 5.1 IP with 3 ER on 6 H.
Other PuRPs in action: #12 Charlie Blackmon (1-5, 2B, 2 RBI), #27 Scott Beerer (2-5)
High A: Stockton 5, Modesto 1
2009 5th rounder Joe Sanders provided the only offense for the Nuts (29-30, 5 GB) with a solo shot in the third (3) and a double. Parker Frazier started but only lasted 4 IP, allowing 1 R on 3 H, while Alan DeRatt took the loss in relief (2-1, 5.55).
Other PuRPs in action: #9 Tim Wheeler (1-4), #29 Ben Paulsen (0-4, 4 Ks)
Low A: Asheville (35-22, 1st) had their game postponed
Short Season A: Tri-City 6, Boise 3
Tri-City (11-17, 7 GB) pounded out 14 hits, with four players recording multiple hit games. The offensive star was 2009 50th rounder Nathan Hines, who went 4-4 with 3 2Bs and 2 RBI. On the mound, soon-to-be PuRP and 2010 5th round pick Joshua Slaats continued his great start with six strong innings and the win (1-2, 2.22). Slaats allowed only one unearned run on five hits, striking out two men.
Rookie: Helena 20, Casper 8
No, that's not a misprint. Helena put up a 20-spot on the Ghosts (11-13, 3.5 GB) on 28 hits. This included four innings in which Helena had three or more runs scored. Yikes. A personal pitching prospect favorite of mine, Alving Mejias got rocked for the Ghosts (1.2 IP, 9 ER, 8 H) and took the loss (5-5, 7.10).
Meanwhile, Casper had 12 hits of their own, with four players recording multiple hits. Leading the way was catcher Will Swanner, who was 2-3 with a solo shot (3). Considering that this is only Swanner's seventh game with the team out of high school, the 2010 15th round pick's performance thus far (1.094 OPS) is very impressive. He'll be on my upcoming PuRPs list and will likely be part of a loaded Asheville team next year.