Low-A Asheville - W 5-4 (14-12, 3rd, 2.5 GB)
A lot of eyes were on Asheville yesterday, as #4 PuRP Tyler Matzek (2009, 1st round) returned to the mound for a Rockies affiliate for the first time in over a month. For more on his situation, read this, or that, or this. With expectations generally tempered after the layoff, Matzek passed with mostly flying colors. For the first time all season, Matzek was not charged with an earned run, after he left after four shutout innings with a pitch count in the 80's. Four innings does not seem like much, but that is just three outs shy of his longest this season.
Marshall training Drop out windup with Iron ball (6 lb. lady shotput) (via dirtberry)
He struck out six, one shy of his season best. He allowed just two hits, tied for his season best. Matzek did walk five batters, though the radio broadcast indicated he wasn't missing by much, and Kannapolis' patience-heavy approach worked (only in reaching via base on balls). In all, it might have been Matzek's best outing of the season. At worst, it is mildly encouraging going forward.
Brett Tanos (2010, 10th round) homered, walked twice and committed two errors. #12 PuRP Rafael Ortega (2009, VZ) tripled, walked and stole a base, the Tourists got RBI singles from Ortega, Avery Barnes (2009, 11th round) and Dustin Garneau (2009, 19th round). Juan Gonzalez (2007, VZ) earned the win despite allowed all four runs in three innings of relief, though only one was earned.
Low-A Asheville - W 5-4 (14-12, 3rd, 2.5 GB)
A lot of eyes were on Asheville yesterday, as #4 PuRP Tyler Matzek (2009, 1st round) returned to the mound for a Rockies affiliate for the first time in over a month. For more on his situation, read this, or that, or this. With expectations generally tempered after the layoff, Matzek passed with mostly flying colors. For the first time all season, Matzek was not charged with an earned run, after he left after four shutout innings with a pitch count in the 80's. Four innings does not seem like much, but that is just three outs shy of his longest this season.
Marshall training Drop out windup with Iron ball (6 lb. lady shotput) (via dirtberry)
He struck out six, one shy of his season best. He allowed just two hits, tied for his season best. Matzek did walk five batters, though the radio broadcast indicated he wasn't missing by much, and Kannapolis' patience-heavy approach worked (only in reaching via base on balls). In all, it might have been Matzek's best outing of the season. At worst, it is mildly encouraging going forward.
Brett Tanos (2010, 10th round) homered, walked twice and committed two errors. #12 PuRP Rafael Ortega (2009, VZ) tripled, walked and stole a base, the Tourists got RBI singles from Ortega, Avery Barnes (2009, 11th round) and Dustin Garneau (2009, 19th round). Juan Gonzalez (2007, VZ) earned the win despite allowed all four runs in three innings of relief, though only one was earned.
AAA Colorado Springs - L 5-10 (44-54, 3rd, 16.5 GB)
Alan Johnson (2005, undrafted) was just not good last night. He walked six and struck out one, throwing 41 of his 77 pitches for balls. Eight earned runs crossed the plate on his watch in just three innings. #14 PuRP Jordan Pacheco (2007, 9th round) hit his third home run of the season, #26 PuRP Cole Garner (2003, 26th round) hit a three run home run and tripled home a run as the Sky Sox lost to Jesse Litsch and the Las Vegas 51's.
AA Tulsa - L 1-12 (12-13, t-2nd, 1.0 GB)
The Drillers hit seven home runs off the Cardinals Tuesday night, and Springfield sprung payback on Tulsa last night. Starter Cory Riordan (2007, 6th round) served up four longballs, and Joey Williamson (2007, 36th round) was a victim of the final round-tripper, while Shelby Miller kept the Drillers' offense mostly in check. #18 PuRP Hector Gomez (2006, DR) doubled and scored on a single by Riordan for Tulsa's lone run. #27 PuRP Thomas Field (2008, 24th round) singled twice and #10 PuRP Tim Wheeler (2009, 1st round) doubled and walked.
High-A Modesto - W 5-2 (11-15, 4th, 8.0 GB)
#11 PuRP Chad Bettis (2010, 2nd round) rebounded from a four earned run outing July 14 by going seven innings and allowing two runs against the Stockton Ports. He walked four, struck out five and scattered five hits for the win. #5 PuRP Nolan Arenado (2009, 2nd round) hit a sacrifice fly and RBI single, Scott Robinson (2006, 30th round) hit a sac fly and #24 PuRP Josh Rutledge (2010, 3rd round) doubled home two.
Short Season-A Tri-City - W 3-2 (18-15, t-1st)
Jared Simon (2010, 6th round) doubled to set up two runners in scoring position in the fourth inning. After one run scored on an error, Taylor Featherston (2011, 5th round) singled home another. That 2-0 lead held until the eighth inning. Ricardo Ferrer (2007, VZ) pitched exceptionally well, going seven shutout innings before departing in the eighth inning after allowing a home run and single. Nelson Gonzalez (2007, DR) relieved Ferrer, committed an error on a pick-off and gave up a two out single to tie the game. After two singles and a walk in the ninth inning, Tyler Massey (2008, 14th round) hit a pinch-hit sacrifice fly for the game win and series win.
Rookie Casper - Off Day (9-20, 4th, 10.0 GB)
The Ghosts had the night off (otherwise, I would have been in attendance). They will open a four game road series in Missoula tonight against the Osprey at 7:05 MDT.
DSL Rockies - W 10-5 (26-19, 4th, 4.0 GB)
Eighteen-year-old 1B/C Jose Briceno raised his average to .315 with a four hit game, and 18yo C Jairo Rosario had three hits as the Rockies took advantage of five Twins errors. Every Rockie except 18yo RF Jesus Basilio recorded a hit. Nineteen-year-old Carlos Leon allowed one run in 4.2 IP of relief for the win.