AAA Colorado Springs - W 4-3, (23-19, W3, 1st)
Rob Scahill (2009, 8th round) had one of the more impressive performances on the farm last night, and he didn't even pitch. He actually was chosen to pinch hit with the winning run on second base with one out in the ninth inning. Scahill came up with a big hit, and #20 PuRP Tommy Field (2008, 24th round), who had reached via catcher's interference and advanced from a bunt, scored from second with the help of a throwing error in center field.
Hernan Irribarren (2012, MiLB FA) doubled home a run and scored on an error, then later singled and scored on a wild pitch. Guillermo Moscoso (2012, trade) was dominant for his first six innings, allowing just a run on two through six frames. The wheels came off in the seventh, as he coughed up the lead with two doubles, two singles and one ground out. HM PuRP Edgmer Escalona (2005, VZ) battled control issues to earn the win with 1.1 scoreless. Carlos Torres (2012, MiLB FA) gets the start today in the series finale at 1:05 MDT as the Sky Sox try to sweep the four game series from the Zephyrs.
.
AA Tulsa - L 0-1, (24-18, L6, t-1st)
The Drillers slide continues, as Tulsa has now lost six straight after starting the season 24-12. Nick Schmidt (2012, trade) pitched well again, allowing just a solo home run to Kolten Wong in seven strong innings. He struck out seven and walked one while efficiently scattering seven hits. The offense managed just two hits, with Angelys Nina leading the way with two, including their only extra base knock, a double. #2 PuRP Nolan Arenado (2009, 2nd round) achieved a single to keep his hitting streak intact. After having zero walks from April 20 to May 17, #9 PuRP Josh Rutledge (2010, 3rd round) has now walked in consecutive games. #18 PuRP Joe Gardner (2011, trade) gets the start today trying to break the Drillers' losing streak.
High-A Modesto - W 5-1, (22-21, W2, 3rd, 5.0 GB)
The opposing Stockton Ports have gone 3-22 since April 22, equipped with the California League's worst offense by runs and batting average. With that as a back-drop, the Rockies' 2009 and 2010 frist round draft picks dominated last night in Modesto, while Colorado's 2008 first round pick turned in his worst MLB performance in Denver.
#5 PuRP Tyler Matzek (2009, 1st round) reached 95mph with his fastball, allowing just one run on four singles. His stuff has always been too difficult for any CAL league team to hit, so the results when he stayed in the strike zone are not shocking. That is why it is most notable that he allowed just two walks, both in the fourth inning ahead of a two-out single. While Stockton's offense is largely inept, they have drawn the 4th most walks in the CAL, so their strength aligns with Matzek's greatest weakness. Matzek also did not throw a wild pitch or hit a batter. It was his 49th career start and just the 5th time he went 7.0 innings with two walks or less (8/21/11. 8/26/11. 8/5/11, and 9/7/10, all in Asheville). Despite a fielding error to lead off the game, an unfazed Matzek retired the next 11 batters with an efficiency that had him leaving with 93 pitches after seven innings.
Kyle Parker (2010, 1st round) also had one of his best games, falling a single shy of the cycle, the second time in 126 games that he smacked three extra base hits. His home run was "drilled just to the right of the batter's eye in CF. An impressive shot that left in a flash." He drove in three of Modesto's runs, and fellow outfielder #19 PuRP Corey Dickerson (2010, 8th round) and #25 PuRP Cristhian Adames (2008, DR) each doubled twice. Modesto opens a series against Lake Elsinore tonight at 5:05 MDT, with #27 PuRP Josh Slaats (2010, 5th round) due up to start.
.
Low-A Asheville - W 8-7, W 10-6, (26-15, W3, 2nd, 2.0 GB)
Game 1: #19 PuRP Will Swanner (2010, 15th round) kickstarted the offense with a bang, hitting a grand slam in the first inning, HM PuRP Sam Mende (2011, 31st round) doubled and walked twice and David Kandilas (2008, Australia) singled home two runs as the Tourists led 5-2 and 8-3. Chris Jensen (2011, 6th round) pitched fairly well but started to run out of gas in the sixth inning. He allowed six runs (five earned) in 5.2 IP on 11 hits. The Tourists managed to hold off the Hickory rally late to win by one.
Game 2: The offense led the way in the night cap again. The Tourists put a six-spot up in the first inning, as the first five batters in the lineup achieved at least two hits and one extra base hit. Delta Cleary (2008, 37th round) singled and homered. #12 PuRP Trevor Story (2011, sandwich pick) doubled and tripled, HM PuRP Sam Mende (2011, 31st round) doubled and homered, Harold Riggins (2011, 7th round) doubled and singled twice, and Tyler Massey (2008, 14th round) doubled twice. Geoff Parker (2010, 9th round) struggled in his spot start, allowing five runs in three innings. Taylor Reid (2010, 14th round) permitted a solo tally in three innings for the in. Daniel Winkler (2011, 20th round) should be the starting pitcher today at 12:05 MDT as Asheville tries to sweep the series from Hickory.