Colorado Springs: L 7-9
A slew of Sky Sox had multiple hit nights, including Charlie Blackmon (who also walked twice,) Jeff Salazar, Matt Pagnozzi and Josh Fields. That said, Security Service Field lived up to its high altitude reputation in the slugfest for Clayton Mortenson, at least, as he allowed all nine Tucson runs in a short three inning start. Props to the Sky Sox bullpen (Jim Miller, Andy Graham, Matt Daley and Eric Stults) in the loss for cutting off the damage there for the next six innings, but the early nine run deficit proved too much for the Colorado Springs offense to overcome.
Tulsa: L 8-9
Cory Riordan and Isaiah Froneberger didn't do much better than Mortenson, allowing nine runs in five innings against the Drillers. Tim Wheeler led the Drillers with three hits, including two doubles, and Scott Beerer hit a two run home run. Wheeler's gotten off to a very encouraging start with the Drillers, after a season that was a bit quiet in Modesto in 2010. Added to Blackmon, a Wheeler emergence means that the Rockies outfield situation should remain stable and deep in the next couple of seasons.
Modesto: L 11-5
Tyler Matzek continues to put up some strange pitching lines, he struck out four and walked one in his first inning on Saturday night and then allowed five runs on four hits and two walks in the second inning against Stockton, getting his three outs by way of long flies to the outfield. His third inning and final inning saw him allow another run on a walk, groundball single and wild pitch, but also induce three groundouts. Altogether that was four K's, four walks, six hits, six runs, three wild pitches and an ugly line in the box score. The second inning is most troubling, not so much for the walks and WP's, which are somewhat typical for this type of pitcher, but the fact he was entirely too hittable. All that solid contact could be another indication of the loss of velocity Keith Law has written about seeing.
Mike Zuanich had three hits, two doubles and a home-run, and is batting .800 after three California League contests. At the moment, he's a few steps ahead of the competition, we'll see if it catches up.
Asheville: Postponed
Instead, there's an article in Hickory about former ACC QB's Kyle Parker and Russell Wilson starting their full season pro careers together with the Tourists.