The affiliates went 2-4 on the night despite out-hitting their opponents in two of their losses.
Tacoma 12, Colorado Springs 10 (F-11)
This game featured 39 hits in all, 18 by the Sky Sox (60-74). At one point the Sky Sox were down 8-2, but they forged ahead 10-9 with a 6 run 5th. Unfortunately they stopped scoring after that but their opponents didn't. Every starter got at least one hit and 8 Sky Sox got at least two. Ryan Spilborghs went 2-6 with a homer (3) and 3 RBI while Scott Beerer added a HR (5) and 2 RBI and PuRP 13 Chris Nelson went 3-6 and 2 doubles. Greg Reynolds started and went only 4 innings and allowed 8 runs on 13 hits.
The Drillers (29-31 2nd half, 62-68 overall) pounded out 12 hits in winning their 4th straight to climb within 4 games of the division lead. PuRP 18 SS Hector Gomez led Tulsa with 3 hits, while C Lars Davis, PuRP 27 2B Thomas Field, and PuRP 10 OF Tim Wheeler had 2 hits apiece. Rob Scahill allowed 1 run on 5 hits over 7 innings to get the win (10-11).
The Nuts (35-25 2nd half, 68-62 overall) fell into a tie for the division lead with the one-run loss last night. 1B Kiel Roling had two hits and a solo HR (15) to lead Modesto offensively. PuRP 21 Edwar Cabrera took his first Modesto loss (4-1) with a 6 inning, 3 run on 4 hit outing with a low (for him) total of 6 strikeouts. That brings his season total up to 208 in 162 innings pitched (with only 40 walks). Nice.
Low A and below under the fold.
Asheville 7, Hagerstown 1The Tourists (32-29 2nd half, 63-67 overall) received a brilliant effort from PuRP 4 Tyler Matzek last night. Matzek, who has really shined since his in-season sabbatical, pitched 7 innings, allowing only 1 run on 2 hits and 2 walks while striking out a season-high 13 batters to get the win (4-4). When many in Purple Row were wondering why so many still hold Matzek in such high regard as a prospect, this was Exhibit A. Since his return, he has improved his K:BB ratio to 62:31 (2:1) in 48 IP and guess what, he's still just 20.
Offensively, 1B Mark Tracy went 2-4 with a solo shot (7) and 3 RBI while PuRP 25 SS Cristhian Adames went 2-4 with a solo HR (8) and 2 RBI. PuRP 15 OF Corey Dickerson added 2 hits and 2 RBIs as well while 3B Joey Wong went 3-3.
The Dust Devils (17-14 2nd half, 39-30 overall) lost their 3rd straight but remained atop their division. It was a frustrating loss for Tri-City, who had 10 hits in the game (only one of which went for extra bases) but no runs. Both OF Tyler Massey and 3B Jayson Langfels had three hits, but the team went 0-8 with RISP. Tyler Gagnon went 5 innings and allowed 2 runs to take the hard luck loss (3-3).
The Ghosts (11-15 2nd half, 22-42 overall) continued their swift descent from contending status with another loss, their 5th in a row and 9th of 10. OF Carl Thomore and OF Francisco Sosa both had multi-hit games to lead Casper. Otherwise, it was another loss in a season full of them for Colorado's rookie affiliate.