Oklahoma City 9, Colorado Springs 5
This game features good performances from some players, bad performances from others. Good news begins with Chris Nelson; on the second day of his rehab assignment and his first semi-full game since hitting the disabled list, Nelson had three hits including a double, and scored two of the Sky Sox runs. Andrew Brown also had a three hit game, including a double of his own, and knocked in two runs. Wil Nieves singled twice.
Today was not a good day to be a Gonzalez in the Rockies organization. Starter Edgar Gonzalez couldn't keep the ball in the yard, as two home runs, including a three run shot, set the Sky Sox into an early hole. Gonzalez lasted four innings and allowed five runs on six hits and a walk, with the loss moving him to 2-2 on the season. Reliever Rex Brothers made his first appearance for the Sky Sox since being demoted earlier in the week. Though he struck out five opponents over two innings, he demonstrated the shaky control we've seen from him lately, walking two and also allowing two hits and one earned run. The rest of the damage came in the form of three earned runs off of Jared Wells, who allowed three hits and two walks while retiring just two batters.
Tulsa was off for the day.
The Nuts were shut out and limited to just four hits by my favorite non-Rockies MiLB team, the Lake Elsinore Storm. Helder Velazquez' double was the only extra base hit for Modesto, while Rafael Ortega, Mark Tracy (making his 2012 season debut after a long stay at Extended Spring Training) and Jayson Langfels each singled. Dustin Garneau reached on a walk.
Starter Juan Gonzalez (who took the loss, now 2-5) had control, walking only one, but was hittable, allowing eight over six innings including a home run, ending in three of Lake Elsinore's runs crossing the plate on his watch. Nick Schnaitmann, who has been serving as just a one inning reliever lately, allowed the other three runs, all of which were unearned as the three run home run he allowed took place after a Langfels error on a play that would have ended the inning.
For Asheville, check after the jump.
Despite starter Vianney Mayo allowing six runs on ten hits and three walks, Asheville's offense kept the team afloat with a volley of power. The Tourists hit four home runs on the night, including a three run home run from Will Swanner, who also doubled and had five RBI in the game. Solo shots from Taylor Featherston, Jared Simon and Trevor Story added on top. In addition to Swanner, both Featherston and Story had two hit games. Featherston reached base all five times he went to bat, walking three times on top of his hits. Tyler Massey led the team with three hits in the game, all singles, and scored twice.
Reliever Taylor Reid picked up his second win of the season in a very odd two and a third inning outing that saw him walk three batters and strike out nobody, but also allow no hits. Nelson Gonzalez came in for a six out closing to the game, but after an effective eighth, fell apart in the ninth. After a leadoff walk that was erased by a double play, the final out eluded Gonzalez as he allowed all five of the next batters to reach on a walk and four singles. In came Jefri Hernandez, who struck out his opponent to end the game and pick up his fourth save.