Thursday Pebble Report: Josh Slaats, Sky Sox Pen Lack Tiger Blood

High-A Modesto - L 9-10 (16-18, L2, 4th, 6.0 GB)

#27 PuRP Josh Slaats (2010, 5th round) didn't turn in a #winning performance last night, lasting just 14 batters due to retiring only 4 of them. He allowed eight San Jose Giants hits, four for doubles, a walk and a hit batter in 1.1 IP to raise his ERA in Modesto to 8.10. His struggles put Modesto in an 8-2 hole in the top of the second inning, but the Nuts fought back. Brett Tanos (2010, 10th round) hit a 3-run double to highlight a 5-run second inning that brought the game to 8-7.

Thanks to the work of Craig Bennigson (2008, 9th round) and Kraig Sitton (2010, 7th round), that is how the game would stay from the 3rd through 7th innings. Chad Rose (2008, 16th round) walked two ahead of an RBI single in the eighth, but #15 PuRP Rafael Ortega (2008, VZ) hit a monumental 2-run, game-tying home run in the eighth inning. It was the first time the game had been tied since the third batter of the game. A couple singles off Rose in the ninth gave the Giants the lead again, and the middle of the order went down in order in the bottom of the ninth. Tanos had two doubles and a single for the game, and Ortega reached base three times as well.

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AAA Colorado Springs - L 2-6 (16-17, L1, 2nd, 0.5 GB)

Guillermo Moscoso (2012, trade) isn't always terrible. He turned in a dominant start against the Brewers' AAA squad, tossing six shutout innings, striking out six and allowing just two baserunners. It might not have even been his best start. Hernan Irribarren (2012, MiLB FA), who had 2 of the Sky Sox 5 hits and both RBIs, roped a 2-run double in the 7th inning to give the Sky Sox a short lead. That didn't last despite manager Stu Cole turning to two typically reliable relievers.

Mike Ekstrom (2012, MiLB FA) entered the game with an 18.1 inning scoreless streak to start the season. He worked a flawless 7th inning, then allowed three consecutive singles to start the eighth. Dustin Molleken (2011, MiLB FA) entered and allowed a bunt single to re-load the bases. He then induced two flyouts before being dinged on the go-ahead RBI single and a crippling 3-run homer with two outs.

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AA Tulsa - Off Day (21-11, W1, 1st)

The Drillers had the day off after finishing a road series at Northwest Arkansas. They open a home series tonight at 6:05 MDT against the Arkansas Travelers with HM PuRP Dan Houston (2008, 7th round) on the mound.

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Low-A Asheville - Off Day (19-13, L1, 3rd, 3.0 GB)

The Tourists had an off day. They traveled to Rome, Georgia to open a series against the 6-25 Braves this morning at 8:30 MDT. Two of Rome's six wins came against Asheville in mid-April, so revenge is due. One of the starters who lost to the Braves was Vianney Mayo (2007, VZ), who gets today's start.