High-A Modesto: L 4-3 (41-38, 3rd, 5 GB)
Tyler Matzek wasn't bad last night, all things considered, but he certainly had his hands full with speedy Reds prospect Billy Hamilton, who doubled three times off of Matzek and stole third after two of them. He now has 96 stolen bases on the season and is hitting .330, so I'm not going to put too much blame on Matzek for his performance. Matzek lasted six innings and allowed four runs on seven hits while walking four and striking out seven. He's a symmetrical guy, apparently. He also induced eight groundouts compared to just two flyouts. Not a lot to be upset about there, other than perhaps the walks.
As for the offense, Juan Crousset went 3-for-4 and launched his fourth homer of the season. Delta Cleary singled twice, walked, and hit a sacrifice fly, while Mark Tracy and Christhian Adames each had two hits.
Low-A Asheville: W 4-3 (50-29, 1st)
Tyler Anderson improved to 6-2 on the season by holding Lexington to two runs on six hits in six innings. He struck out four, walked two, and maintained a better than 2-to-1 GO/AO ratio. Nelson Gonzalez and Russell Brewer were good at the backend of the bullpen, as they combined to toss two scoreless/hitless frames, and each guy notched two K's.
Jose Rivera homered in his first at-bat and was hit by a pitch in his next, prompting his removal from the game. Chandler Laurent, Brian Humphries, Trevor Story, and Joey Wong each had two hits out of the 9-1-2-3 spots in the order.
Rookie Grand Junction: L 6-5 (5-7, 3rd, 4 GB)
Jeffrey Popick homered twice and drove in five as part of his three-hit evening, but it wasn't enough to lead the GJ Rockies to a victory. Juan Ciriaco did his part by going 4-for-5, and Julian Yan contributed two hits to the cause as well. David Dahl went 1-for-3, and also drew two walks as he continues his strong professional start.
Alving Mejias pitched into the sixth inning, but allowed four runs on nine hits while striking out two and walking two. Jesse Meaux was strong at the backend, as he got through five outs unscathed, while recording two of those outs via the K.
AAA, AA, and the rest of the recaps after the jump...
AAA Colorado Springs: W 9-3 (40-40, t-2nd, 7 GB)
The Sky Sox pounded out 14 hits on their way to an easy victory over Tucson. Brendan Harris led the way with four hits and three runs driven in, while Andrew Brown, Chad Tracy, and Jimmy Cesario each had three hits. Brown (12) and Tommy Field (5) hit back-to-back homers in the first inning. Tim Wheeler came in as a sub on a double switch and was held hitless in two at-bats.
Carlos Torres picked up the win, as he allowed just two runs on three hits in six innings, while striking out six. Zach Putnam recorded four outs without allowing a run to seal things up. He struck out two.
AA Tulsa: L 3-0 (42-35, 1st)
The Texas League resumed play last night following their All-Star break, and apparently the Drillers' offense missed the memo. They were held to just three singles (one off the bat of Nolan Arenado), and failed to reach base in any capacity otherwise. Corey Dickerson went 0-for-4 and is now hitting .197 since being promoted to Double-A.
Joe Gardner wasn't bad in 6.1 innings, as he allowed two earned runs on six hits while walking two and striking out two. Josh Sullivan was very good in relief, tossing 1.2 scoreless innings while punching out four.
Short-Season A Tri-City: W 4-3 (5-10, t-3rd, 3 GB)
The Dust Devils picked up the win despite not having the benefit of an extra-base hit. Charlie Blackmon went 2-for-6 and is hitting .283 in his apparently-extended rehab stint with Tri-City, while Robert De La Cruz had three hits.
TJ Oakes started the game for the Dust Devils and allowed two runs on three his in 3.2 innings. Brook Hart and William Rankin remain perfect out of the bullpen this season, as they combined for two scoreless innings to close out the game.
Rookie DSL Rockies: L 5-2 (13-11, 3rd, 2 GB)
Wilson Soriano had two hits for the DSL Rockies, while Miguel Dilone doubled and drove in two. Carlos Estevez allowed two earned runs in six innings while giving up seven hits and three walks. He struck out two. Hector Villarroel stood out in relief, as he pitched a perfect seventh that included two strikeouts.