Sunday Pebble Report: Alex White Dominates in AAA, Grand Junction Barely Misses Division Title

AAA Colorado Springs - W 10-1, (56-51, W2, 2nd, 6.5 GB)

A year ago tomorrow, the Rockies traded Ubaldo Jimenez.. Last night, with the home-town crowd already treated to Carlos Gonzalez bobbledheads, two of those pieces acquired carried the Sky Sox to victory. Alex White (2011, trade) worked an efficient eight innings on 99 pitches (68 strikes), allowing just four singles and one run. He struck out eight, walked one, and induced two double plays. This start comes on the heels of White tossing seven shutout innings in Colorado Springs July 23. Might as well see what we've got there.

White also performed with the bat, hitting a double, single, scoring a run and driving one home. The middle of the Sky Sox order was active, with #9 PuRP Tim Wheeler (2009, 1st round), #15 PuRP Charlie Blackmon (2008, 2nd round) and Matt McBride (2011, trade) all recording three hits, including a double. McBride is now 6th in the PCL in OPS and 3rd in batting average.

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AA Tulsa - L 2-6, (15-20, L3, 3rd, 8.5 GB)

There wasn't much noteworthy in this one, but #14 PuRP Corey Dickerson (2010, 8th round) returned to action for the first time since breaking his nose on July 23. He had been considering surgery, which may have ended his season, but it looks like he is trying to play through it for another six weeks. He struck out in f our hitless at-bats. #1 PuRP Nolan Arenado (2009, 2nd round) hit a double and single, and Lars Davis (2007, 3rd round) hit his fifth home run. Jimmy Cesario (2008, 46th round) singled three times. Dan Houston (2008, 7th round) allowed five runs (three earned) and was unable to get out of the fifth inning.

High-A Modesto - W 5-1, (22-14, W2, 1st)

Leuris Gomez (2005, DR) tossed five shutout innings for the win, allowing just two hits and striking out six. The three most exciting Nuts position player prospects led the offensive charge in Modesto. #12 PuRP Rafael Ortega (2008, VZ)homered, singled and stole his 25th base. #20 PuRP Cristhian Adames (2007, DR) tripled, singled and stole a base, though he committed two fielding errors. #10 PuRP Kyle Parker (2010, 1st round) tripled home a run as well.

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Low-A Asheville - PPD, (18-17, W1, 4th, 3.5 GB)

The Tourists got rained out in Charleston last night. They will attempt to make up for the lost game today with a doubleheader.

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Short-season A Tri-City - L 0-1, (1-4, L3, 4th, 2.0 GB)

Francisco Sosa (2007, DR) singled following two walks in the top of the first inning, but Zach Osborne (2012, undrafted) was thrown out at the plate trying to score. The Dust Devils never got any closer to scoring, as Sosa and Derek Jones (2012, 8th round) struck out in the ninth with the tying run in scoring position. Tyler Gagnon (2009, 15th round) was the victim of poor no run support, as he got the loss after allowing a run on six hits in six innings. He punched out four. Ryan Arrowood (2012, 28th round) dropped his ERA back under 1.00 with a scoreless inning. The Dust Devils are 1-3 in one-run games in their five second-half games.

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Rookie Grand Junction - W 11-5, (21-17, W2, t-1st)

The Rockies have never had a Pioneer League team with a winning record, but the inaugural Grand Junction Rockies had a chance to win the first half Pioneer League South Division championship last night in the half's final night. They would need to win and have the Ogden Raptors lose in Orem. The Rockies took care of their business, winning their fourth game in their last five in convincing fashion in Idaho Falls. Ryan Garvey (2012, 33rd round) homered and singled twice, driving in three. David Dahl (2012, 1st round) drove in three, and Grand Junction got 3-hit games from Corelle Prime (2012, 12th round) and Juan Ciriaco (2009, DR). Eddie Butler (2012, sandwich pick) struck out five without a walk in seven strong innings. He allowed seven singles, four of them in the third inning to allow three runs, but he induced 11 ground ball outs in a strong performance.

Down in Utah, the Orem Owlz broke the hearts of Grand Junction fans and players. Orem was two outs away from winning 7-5 and giving Grand Junction the division title. Then their second baseman committed a throwing error, allowing two runs to score on the play. The Angels' minor leaguers then walked the bases loaded in the 10th ahead of a walkoff single.

Of course, the Rockies really have themselves to blame over the Owlz. Grand Junction, whose average roster is more the a full year younger than Odgen, was winless in eight games head-to-head with the Raptors, handing the tie-breaker to Ogden. Against the rest of the Pioneer League, the Rockies were 21-9, while Ogden was just 13-17.

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DSL Rockies - L 1-4, (28-20, L2, 2nd, 0.5 GB)

The Rockies had just four hits in the game, with Raimel Tapia and Miguel Dilone both having two singles. Angel Lezama had one of the roughest starts of his pro career, allowing four runs (three earned) in five innings. He struck out four and allowed the fourth home run in his career.