AAA Colorado Springs - W 5-4 (14) (30-36, 3rd, 8.0 GB)
Greg Reynolds (2006, 1st round) turned in a strong start in Tacoma, pitching into the eighth inning and departing with a 4-2 lead after giving up back-to-back singles to start the inning. #29 PuRP Edgmer Escalona (2006, VZ) would allow both inherited runners to score to send the game to extra innings.. Dexter Fowler went hitless again, though he did walk five times before lining out to left field (right-handed) on the first pitch of his sixth plate appearance. Unfortunately, he was doubled off first on a fly ball, picked off first, and called out at third base trying to reach there from first on a single. Ian Stewart was 1-for-6 with two strikeouts. #26 PuRP Cole Garner (2003, 26th round) hit a two run home run and #14 PuRP Jordan Pacheco (2007, 9th round) drove home Mike Paulk (2005, 13th round) with a double in the 14th inning for the winning run, and #22 PuRP Bruce Billings was awarded with the win after two shutout frames.
AA Tulsa - L 2-10 (33-37, 3rd, 4.5 GB)
After his first-ever promotion to Tulsa two weeks ago, Alan DeRatt (2008, 17th round) had thrown five shutout innings. That streak imploded last night, as Arkansas ambushed him for nine hits and five runs, chasing him in the fourth inning. #20 PuRP Casey Weathers (2007, 1st round) had walked two batters in consecutive outings, then one-upped that with three free passes, getting tagged for a run despite two punchouts. #10 PuRP Tim Wheeler (2009, 1st round) was 0-for-4 with two K's (the SP was indeed left handed), while #19 PuRP Ben Paulsen (2009, 3rd round) and #1 PuRP Wilin Rosario (2008, DR) each hit solo home runs.
High-A Modesto - (32-37, 4th, 18.0 GB): All-Star Game CAL All-Stars 6, CAR All-Stars 1
The High-A All-Star game was held last night in Modesto, with the California League taking on the Carolina League. #30 PuRP Mike Zuanich (2008, 28th round) started at first base for the California League and went 1-for-4 with a single, strike out and double play ball. Dan Houston (2008, 7th round) allowed the only run to the Carolina All-Stars, but he can hardly be faulted. Two infield singles on the ground preceded a botched double play ball that extended the inning, allowing a run to score on a ground ball single up the middle. #11 PuRP Chad Bettis (2010, 2nd round) was impressive against the two men he faced, retiring both, one via strikeout. Coty Woods (2009, 33d round) relieved Bettis and finished off the win by getting a ground out on one pitch.
Low-A Asheville - (31-38, 4th, 8.0 GB): SAL All-Star Game - SAL South 6, SAL North 3
Bryce Massanari (2009, 30th round) hit third and started at catcher for the South Atlantic League South All-Stars, but the 25-year-old catcher went 0-for-3 and was charged with an error on a passed ball. He drove in a run with a fielder's choice and scored in a five-run third inning. In the bottom of the second inning, #21 PuRP Edwar Cabrera (2008, DR) retired all three men he faced, striking out two. #3 PuRP Kyle Parker (2010, 1st round) singled in three at-bats, and Brett Tanos (2010, 10th round) walked in his lone plate appearance. The Tourists get back into action Thursday at home against the Rome Braves.
Short Season-A Tri-City - W 4-3 (3-2, 2nd, 0.5 GB)
David Hernandez (yes that David Hernandez) (2009, undrafted) singled home the go ahead run in the seventh inning, and Isaiah Froneberger (2007, 4th round) threw a perfect ninth to lead the Dust Devils to victory over the AquaSox. Nelson Gonzalez (2007, DR) held Everett to one run over five innings and Leonardo Reyes (2006, VZ) singled twice. Jeffrey Squier (2009, 14th round) tripled and scored on a wild pitch.
Rookie Casper - L 1-23 (0-2, t-3rd, 2.0 GB)
Yeah....not such a good night for the Ghosts. Rosell Herrera (2009, DR) singled in the first inning, but the Orem Owlz pushed out 22 unanswered hits against Casper in an embarrassing bloodbath. Raul Fernandez (2009, DR), who turns 21 today, was pummeled for 10 runs on 12 hits in his Pioneer League debut. For comparison, Fernandez allowed just 11 ER in 65 IP last year in the DSL. Jeremiah Sammy (2009, undrafted), who ditched the bat for the mound this offseason, followed and wasn't any better, allowing seven runs (five earned) in two innings. Orem scored five more on catcher Michael Ramirez (2007, DR). In all, Casper permitted 23 runs on 26 hits, four walks and six home runs. Ouch.
#17 PuRP Will Swanner (2010, 15th round) was 0-for-4 with 2 K's, extending an anxious return to the Ghosts (now 0-for-8, 5 K's). Matt Argyropoulos (2011, 27th round) singled and walked twice in his second professional game of his career.
DSL Rockies W 9-5 (9) (10-8, 4th, 2.5 GB)
The Rockies poured runs on the Orioles, then the rain poured down on both team's preventing the bottom of the ninth inning from being played. Seventeen year old outfielder Raimel Tapia singled four times, stole two bags, drove in three and scored twice. Nineteen year old infielder Wilson Soriano doubled home three runs off the bench, and 19yo catcher Franmy Pena collected two hits again. 17yo Angel Lezama struck out four against zero walks in five innings, but he did allow three runs (two earned) to score.