Wednesday Pebble Report: Tim Wheeler Homers Twice *yawn*

AA Tulsa - L 4-8 (8-10, 2nd, 3.5 GB) 

PuRP Tim Wheeler (2009, 1st round) met and slightly exceeded expectations yesterday, earning a solid B grade by hitting two more home runs.  The Drillers' center fielder now has 24 home runs.  When will it stop?  Both came against right-handed pitchers, but still.  #1 PuRP Wilin Rosario (2008, DR) and #19 PuRP Ben Paulsen (2009, 3rd round) doubled, and Lars Davis (2007, 3rd round) doubled twice.

Esmil Rogers made his first rehab start and was quite mediocre in taking the loss.  The Opening Day fifth starter allowed three runs (one earned) in four innings while striking out one.  Originally scheduled starter Josh Sullivan (2005, 5th round) coughed up five runs in three innings to push the game out of reach.

High-A Modesto -  L 8-11 (9-10, 4th, 6.0 GB)

#5 PuRP Nolan Arenado (2009, 2nd round) had a rough night, comitting his 10th error, going 0-for-5 and striking out twice, which is actually quite significant.  Coming in, in his 228 career professional games, he had struck out more than once just eight times.  Catcher Juan Gonzalez homered, Angelys Nina singled three times, and four Nuts doubled - David Christensen (2006, 2nd round), Kent Matthes (2009, 4th round), Kiel Roling (2008, 6th round) and Jared Clark (2009, 12th round).  Down six in the ninth, Modesto scored three times, but pinch-hitter Scott Robinson (2006, 30th round) popped out to end the game representing the tying run.

Will Harris (2006, 9th round) had the most difficult night of his career, allowed five runs in one inning of relief.  Leuris Gomez (2006, DR) scorched the earth to start the season, but since then has become more than human.  After allowing three runs last night, he has been scored upon in three straight appearances and 14 of 16.  Still, he's sporting a 2.99 FIP, so don't write him off yet.

AAA Colorado Springs - Off Day (41-49, 3rd, 12.5 GB)

The Sky Sox are off until Thursday, when they will start a series in Reno against the Aces (Diamondbacks)

Low-A Asheville -  L 3-4 (9-10, 5th, 4.5 GB)

A furious Asheville rally in the ninth inning rally fell just short in Delmarva Tuesday, falling for their fifth consecutive game.  Trailing 4-1, the Tourists loaded the bases on an error, single and catcher's interference.  Brett Tanos (2010, 10th round) pulled a single through the infield to cut the deficit to one, but #12 PuRP Rafael Ortega (2008, VZ) struck out and Helder Velazquez (2006, 5th round) lined out to end the game with the tying run on second.  Dustin Garneau (2009, 19th round) homered earlier in the game.  Josh Mueller (2010, 13th round)
allowed four runs in six innings for the loss.

Short Season-A Tri-City -  Off Day  (12-13, 3rd, 2.0 GB)

The Dust Devils had the day off yesterday, a buffer from traveling back to Pasco from Salem.   They open a five game series at home against the Eugene Emeralds (Padres), who have just plain stupid 21-4 record this season.  Christian Bergman will pitch game one tonight, starting at 8:15 MDT.

Rookie Casper -  Off Day  (7-15, 4th, 9.0 GB)

The Ghosts traveled the 400 miles from Ogden, Utah to Casper yesterday, so the squad got a merciful day off.  They open a three game home series tonight at 7:05 MDT against the Missoula Osprey (Diamondbacks), with 2011 sandwich pick SS Trevor Story set to make his home debut.  I will be there.

DSL Rockies  W 2-1, W 5-3 (19-18, 4th, 6.0 GB)

Jayson Aquino continues another stellar season in the DSL.  The 18-year-old southpaw improved to 3-1 with a 1.76 ERA by holding the Twins to just 1 ER in 6.1 IP, striking out seven and walking one.  That lone walk came around to score on a double.  The Rockies didn't produce much offense, with both runs scoring on errors attempting to get an out on a different base-runner. 

Edit:  Derp.  As Rox Girl noted, the DSL squad played a double header yesterday.  Johemdi Jiminian got the win in game two, though he walked four in five innings.  Center fielder Raimel Tapia doubled in a run and scored, DH Jose Briceno drove in a run and scored twice with two singles, and another Rosario catcher - this one Jairo Rosario - doubled, singled and drove home two.