Thursday Pebble Report: Jorge de la Rosa Splendid in Initial Rehab Start

High-A Modesto - W 10-1, (13-14, W2, 3rd, 3.0 GB)

Jorge de la Rosa made his first rehab start of the year, and he pitched very well, striking out four in three scoreless innings. According to Alex Margulies, de la Rosa was hitting 94mph on the gun. He took a line drive off his glove hand in the third inning, and finished the inning, but left the game as a precaution after the inning. He threw 20 more pitches in the bullpen and is in line to pitch Monday for Modesto, before moving to up with a multi-start rehab regimen, likely in Colorado Springs. Brian Vander Beek has more details at the Modesto Bee. Juan Perez (2010, 18th round) allowed a run on two hits in relief, but the draft class of 2008 was there to help. Nick Schnaitmann (2008, 22nd), Chad Rose (2008, 16th round), Kurt Yacko (2008, 8th round) and Adam Jorgensen (2008, 26th round) bridged the gap with five combined hitless innings.

The offense exploded for a 10-1 win for the second day in a row. They are winners of 9 of their past 11 games, including 6 wins in 7 games against the Diamonbacks' affiliate, the Visalia Rawhide. Jared Clark (2009, 12th round) continues to heat up, as he added two walks to his double and team-leading 3rd home run, driving in five runs in the game. #15 PuRP Rafael Ortega singled twice and stole third base, as every Nuts starter got a hit except the disappointing #25 PuRP Cristhian Adames (2007, DR), who is now hitting .182. #19 PuRP Corey Dickerson (2010, 8th round) kept his hitting streak alive with a ninth inning single, pushing his streak to 12. Of Modesto's 27 games this year, he has a hit in 26 of them.

.

AAA Colorado Springs - L 3-8, (14-13, t-1st)

After Jhoulys Chacin was optioned to AAA last night, Tyler Chatwood (2012, trade) would have appeared to be a candidate to replace him. That won't happen. Chatwood suffered from triceps tightness las night, exiting the game after recording just seven outs. The injury seemed to bother the 22-year-old right-hander, as less than half of the 54 pitches he threw were strikes (26). He walked three and allowed 2 runs (1 earned) in 2.1 IP. Edgar Gonzalez and Dustin Molleken (2011, MiLB FA) allowed 6 more runs to the Athletics AAA squad the rest of the way.

Matt McBride (2011, trade) continues to scorch the ball, as he went 3-for-4 with his team-lead-tying 3rd home run. Brandon Wood (2012, MiLB FA) doubled twice and scored two of the Sky Sox runs. #24 PuRP Jordan Pacheco (2007, 9th round) singled but also committed his fourth error in 15 games.

.

Take the jump for recaps on the Drillers and Tourists, and hang around Purple Row later this morning for more prospect surprises.

AA Tulsa - W 8-7, (19-7, W1, 1st)

#18 PuRP Joe Gardner (2011, trade) started well, allowing one base-runner in three shutout innings, but the wheels came off in the fourth. Armed with a 4-run lead, he gave up a single, double, single, fielder's choice, walk and then forced in a run by hitting a batter. Cory Riordan (2007, 6th round) allowed two inherited runners to score but otherwise retired 8 men while allowing just one run in emergency relief.

Fortunately, the offense was up to the task, helped in part by our old friend Greg Smith, who appears thrilled to be in AA. While #10 PuRP Josh Rutledge (2010, 3rd round) hasn't been great at the plate this year (.261 average, .721 OPS), he did lead off the game with a home run, his fourth of the season, third to leadoff a game. He also doubled in a run. HM PuRP Mike Zuanich doubled and homered and Jose Gonzalez (2004, VZ) drove in two, doubled and singled. #2 PuRP Nolan Arenado (2009, 2nd round) singled twice and struck out twice.

.

Low-A Asheville - W 6-3, L 3-5 (17-9, L1, 2nd, 1.0 GB)

Game 1: #12 PuRP Trevor Story (2011, sandwich pick) doubled in consecutive innings as part of an six-run ambush across two frames. Jared Simon (2010, 6th round) tripled home two runs and Tyler Massey recorded three hits as the Tourists erased a 3-0 deficit to win the matinee. Ben Alsup posted a quality start, striking out four and walking two while allowing all three runs across six innings.

Game 2: Jordan Ribera (2011, 21st round) recorded his first career full-season RBIs, doubling home two in his fourth game with Asheville. #21 PuRP Will Swanner (2010, 15th round), #11 PuRP Rosell Herrera (2009, DR), and Delta Cleary Jr (2008, 37th round) each doubled as well, and Story went hitless in four at-bats. Geoff Parker (2010, 9th round) took the loss from allowing three runs, two earned, across three innings.