High-A Modesto: W 15-0 (23-21, 2nd, 5 GB)
You read that right - the Nuts put up fifteen runs in a home game. That's significant because, in a hitter-friendly league, their park is one of the least hitter-friendly. The rehabbing Brandon Hynick didn't have any of the problems that Lake Elsinore's pitching staff had, as he lasted 6.2 innings without allowing a run, and only gave up two hits and didn't walk anybody. He struck out five. Craig Benningson and Kraig Sitton combined for 2.1 scoreless relief frames.
As for the offense, ELEVEN extra-base hits were produced (six doubles, two triples, and three home runs). Jared Clark led the way with two bombs which drove in four runs. Meanwhile, Helder Velasquez had three hits, two of which were doubles, and drove in four runs. Kyle Parker had three hits as well. Christhian Adames had four hits from the leadoff spot, while Corey Dickerson (who hit his 19th double of the season and is now hitting .358) and Jayson Langfels also contributed a couple of hits apiece. Every position player who appeared in the game got on base at least once, although Juan Crousset (0-for-5, BB) and Bryce Massanari (0-for-1, HBP) were held hitless.
One final note on this one: weird baseball ensued in the ninth inning, as Lake Elsinore third baseman Justin Miller was forced to pitch. He allowed four runs on three hits and a walk.
AA Tulsa: W 3-2 (25-18, 1st)
The Drillers were finally able to end their losing streak, albeit in a fairly-bizarre manner. Trailing 2-0 heading into the bottom of the eighth, the first two batters of the inning (Tim Torres and Josh Rutledge) reached via single. After Michael Mitchell struck out, Nolan Arenado came through with a big RBI double, scoring Torres. Kiel Roling was unable to come up with a productive out, as he went down swinging instead for the second out. Then, with Kent Matthes at the plate, Springfield pitcher Kevin Thomas unleashed what was apparently the wildest of pitches, as it allowed both Rutledge and Arenado to score, putting the Drillers ahead for good.
Joe Gardner took a no-decision, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks in six frames. He struck out five. The Tulsa bullpen did good work, combining for three scoreless innings. Josh Sullivan notched his eighth save, despite allowing a hit and a walk, by striking out two in the ninth inning. Rutledge and Roling paced the offense with two hits apiece.
AAA and Low-A recaps after the jump...
AAA Colorado Springs: L 5-1 (23-20, 1st)
Andrew Brown scored on a first inning wild pitch, but that's all the offense the Sky Sox would be able to manage against Wade LeBlanc, as the former Padre went eight innings and allowed a run on three hits and struck out seven. Carlos Torres wasn't bad himself, as he exited after the fifth in a tie game following a three-hit, one-walk performance with four strikeouts. Unfortunately, Stephen Dodson imploded in his inning of work, as he gave up three runs on four hits, with the recently-demoted Gaby Sanchez delivering the big blow with a two-run double. Every batter in the Sky Sox starting lineup struck out once, sans Wilkin Castillo, who also had one of the three Colorado Springs hits on the afternoon.
Low-A Asheville: W 6-1 (27-15, 2nd, 2 GB)
Daniel Winkler was brilliant on the mound for the Tourists, allowing a run on three hits and a walk in six innings. He struck out eight. Rafael Suarez (2 IP, 3 K) and Nelson Gonzalez chipped in with three innings of scoreless relief. Offensively, Harold Riggins hit his eighth homer of the year, while Samuel Mende and Jared Simon had two hits apiece. Riggins' line of .311/.403/.593 is downright impressive, even if he does strike out a bit too much. Rosell Herrera, who has struggled to the point where he's hitting just .190, doubled and drove in two.