AAA Colorado Springs: L 9-1
In his first start of the season, losing LHP Josh Muecke gave up six runs to the Reno Aces in the second inning, all of which were unearned due to throwing errors from third baseman Josh Fields and shortstop Chris Nelson. Jim Miller (3 IP), Andy Graham (1 IP) and Eric Stults (2 IP) each gave up runs in relief, with only Matt Daley untouched in his one inning of work.
On the offensive side, early hot hitters Fields and Willy Taveras (both of whom are currently hitting over .400 on the young minors season) each had multihit games. The two of them produced the only Sky Sox run in the third inning, with Taveras singleing in Fields.
AA Tulsa: L 23-10
Yes, that is an accurate score. In this game, an unbelievable ELEVEN home runs were hit by the Drillers and the San Antonio Missions. Outfielder Tim Wheeler accounted for two of the three Drillers bombs, the other coming from slow starting second baseman Thomas Field. Field's home run is his only hit so far on the season. Mike Daniel and James Cesario each recorded multihit games in addition to Wheeler.
The pitching was ugly, as you'd expect with a score like this; of the Drillers pitchers on the day, only closer Adam Jorgenson escaped without contributing to the 23 runs allowed. Starter Josh Sullivan, who was recalled from extended Spring Training to make this start, allowed ten runs (including five home runs) in 3.2 innings, Isaiah Froneberger allowed 3 runs in 1.1 innings, Joe Torres allowed 3 more runs in 2 innings, and the atrocity was capped off with Dustin Molleken allowing 7 runs in his one inning of work.
Things get brighter in the lower levels after the jump.
A+ Modesto: W 12-2
Finally some good news on the farm. The Nuts' bats came alive yesterday as they scrapped out 12 runs without a single home run hit. Third base prospect Nolan Arenado produced his best game of the season so far with three hits and a stolen base. Outfielders Scott Robinson and Orlando Sandoval, catcher Jose Gonzalez and infielder Carlos Martinez, who represented the bottom four in the lineup, combined for seven hits and nine RBI on the night.
Starter Dan Houston earned his first win of the season with an impressive seven inning outing holding the Bakersfield Blaze to only two runs on four hits. Kaimi Mead finished the final two innings cleanly.
A Asheville: W 3-1
The only game on the day without at least one team showing an incredible offensive performance, the Tourists bested the West Virgina Power despite striking out ten times during the game. Three of those Ks came from first baseman Mark Tracy, who also produced a sacrifice fly. The offensive stars of the night were catcher Bryce Massanari who went 3-3 with a walk, second baseman Russell Wilson with two hits, two stolen bases and two runs scored, and Corey Dickerson, serving as the designated hitter, with another two knocks and a run scored. Struggling prospect Rafael Ortega broke out of his shell today with two hits of his own.
Starter Erik Stavert lasted only four innings in the game, striking out five in the process. Reliever Kraig Sitton picked up the win as the Tourists battled back during his two innings of work. Brad McAtee followed with a clean two innings for the hold, and Bruce Kern picked up his first save of the season.