Sunday Pebble Report: Tyler Chatwood Dominant in Tulsa Marathon

AAA Colorado Springs - L 9-16, (46-46, L1, 2nd, 8.0 GB)

#11 PuRP Edwar Cabrera (2008, DR) dominated his AAA debut, then struggled a little bit in his second but got a win by hitting a grand slam. His third start continued the trend of diminishing returns. The lefty allowed six runs (three earned) on five hits in just three innings. He hit a batter, walked two and threw a wild pitch, so those three unearned runs were still owed to Cabrera a bit. Naturally, he allowed a home run. Jason Bergmann (2012, MiLB FA) and Cory Riordan (2007, 6th round) didn't do much better, each allowing five runs in relief.

The defense was a disaster two, as four Sky Sox combined for six errors. Wilkin Castillo (2012, MiLB FA) and #15 PuRP Charlie Blackmon (2007, 2nd round) both had two, while Brandon Wood (2012, MiLB FA) and HM PuRP Thomas Field (2008, 24th round) each had one E next to their name. Blackmon made up for it with two doubles and two singles, and Hernan Irribarren (2012, MiLB FA) hit a home run.

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AA Tulsa - W 7-2 (17), (9-12, W1, t-2nd, 5.5 GB)

Tyler Chatwood (2012, trade) showed everything the Rockies want to see out of him - efficiency, ground balls, strikeouts, velocity and command on the mound. The right-hander touched 97mph on the gun and breezed through six innings on just 68 pitches, 46 for strikes, against the AA club of his former team. He struck out four and managed to induce 12 groundouts to zero air outs in just six innings. Great to see. aHe allowed one run, but it was unearned thanks to a fielding error by #25 PuRP Kent Matthes (2009, 4th round). Matthes made up for the error by hitting a solo home run in the 7th to give the Drillers a 2-1 lead, but Tim Sexton (2012, MiLB FA) walked a batter and allowed him to score on a wild pitch in the bottom half to tie the game. Matthes gunned a runner down at the plate trying to score on a sac fly to end the inning.

#22 PuRP Joe Gardner (2011, trade), starter, was forced to pitch in the game in the 12th inning and ended up throwing the most pitches of any Drillers hurler (80). He managed six scoreless frames with 11 ground ball outs to one air out. He walked four and allowed two hits, but earned the win when the Drillers frinally broke out in the 17th frame. Lars Davis (2007, 3rd round) hit a 2-run double, then scored on a wild pitch. After a single to left and an error by the left fielder, Angelys Nina (2007, DR) drove in both with a base hit.

Two days after hitting two home runs, Ben Paulsen (2009, 3rd round) struck out five times, going 1-for-9. Nolan Arenado's batting average dropped to .269 with a 1-for-8 game.

High-A Modesto - W 11-3, (14-9, W1, 2nd, 1.5 GB)

#10 PuRP Kyle Parker (2010, 1st round) went off in this one, doubling twice, singling three times and recording a hit in all five at-bats. Jared Clark (2009, 12th round) drove in three and was a triple shy of the cycle, and Jayson Langfels (2010, 16th round) drove in three to pace the Nuts offense. Juan Crousset (2006, DR) singled three and is now the only Nut with 150+ AB to be hitting over .300. Oh, and #20 PuRP Cristhian Adames (2007, VZ) hit his second home run. It should be noted that while this game was not in High Desert, Lancaster is considered one of the top offensive parks in the California League.

Kennil Gomez (2012, MiLB FA) allowed three runs in 5.1 IP, then the bullpen shut the door on the JetHawks the rest of the way.

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Low-A Asheville - W 3-8, (13-10, t-1st)

After a few low-scoring efforts in July, the Tourists offense broke out last night, but it had nothing to do with #13 PuRP Will Swanner (2010, 15th round), who struck out three times in four hitless at-bats, or #3 PuRP Trevor Story (2011, sandwich pick) who did not play. Jared Simon (2010, 6th round) doubled and singled twice, Joey Wong (2009, 23rd round) and #24 PuRP David Kandilas (2008, Australia) each tripled and singled, #21 PuRP Harold Riggins (2011, 7th round) homered and Tyler Massey had two singles in a balanced offensive attack. Vianney Mayo (2007, VZ) allowed two runs (one earned) over 6.2 innings for the win.

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Short-Season A Tri City - L 3-6, L 1-5, (13-16, L4, 2nd, 5.0 GB)

Game 1: Mike Zunino made his pro debut in this one, doubling in his first at-bat off Benjamin Hughes (2011, 10th round). Hughes had retired the first four men in the game to that point, but it all went downhill from there. The AquaSox scored one that inning, then four in the third to outpace the Dust Devils. #16 PuRP Rosell Herrera (2009, DR) got two more hits and a stolen base in this one.

Game 2: #17 PuRP Peter Tago (sandwich pick) allowed at least four runs for the fifth time in six starts this season. He allowed five runs over five innings striking out one, with the big blow coming on a 3-run homer by Janelfry Zorilla (yes, real name). Meanwhile, the offense could only manage two singles, by Robert de la Cruz (2008, DR) and Erie, Colorado native Jarod Berggren (2011, 32nd round).

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Rookie Grand Junction - W 7-4, (13-13, W2, 2nd, 2.5 GB)

David Dahl (2012, 1st round) had struck out four times in his last three games, collecting one hit in 13 at-bats. That slump didn't last long though, as the center fielder hit a three-run home run and fell a triple shy of the cycle. 19-year-old catcher Jose Briceno (2009, VZ) has started to impress. After going hitless in his stateside debut July 8, Briceno recorded his first hit the following day and has tallied two-hit games in his three starts since.

Josh Mueller (2010, 13th round) was much better than he has been, as he entered the seventh inning with a shutout. Unfortunately, he exited five batters later, with four of those five reaching base. All would eventually score and be charged to Mueller, disguising some positive steps.

DSL Rockies - Off Day, (21-15, L1 1st)

The DSL squad has this weekend off. They return to action Monday against the Twins team.