A Asheville: W 9-0, W 6-5 (67-40, 1st)
It was a big day for Rockies' top prospects in Charleston as Tyler Anderson dominated the RiverDogs' offense to the tune of seven shutout innings, allowing just three hits while striking out three and not walking anybody. He induced ten groundball outs compared to just five flyouts. Anderson improved to 9-2 with a 2.49 ERA in his inaugural pro season. Trevor Story came up large in the first game as well, going 2-for-2 with two walks, a double (his 30th) and a solo homer (his 14th). Taylor Featherston one-upped him in the hit department by going 3-for-3, while Harold Riggins and Tyler Massey each had two hits apiece as well.
Game 2 saw the Tourists rally from a one-run deficit to tie the game in the top of the 7th as Featherston doubled in Massey with two outs to ultimately send the game into extra innings, where Jared Simon's 10th-inning homer put the Tourists ahead for good. Story had two more hits in the nightcap, including another homer - his 15th. Featherston had two doubles, while Simon, Brian Humphries, and Jose Rivera had two hits apiece. Alex Gillingham was roughed up for five runs on five hits (including two homers) and three walks in in six innings. However, Geoff Parker picked up his teammate in long relief by tossing three very key scoreless innings while striking out two.
AAA Colorado Springs: L 4-3, L 9-1 (56-53, 2nd, 8 GB)
Edwar Cabrera pitched pretty well in Game 1, but as we all know, he can be prone to the long ball, and that was certainly the case in this one. Despite striking out six and walking just one while pitching a seven-inning complete game, Cabrera gave up four solo homers and was saddled with his first AAA loss. Amazingly enough, he induced ten groundouts compared to just four flyouts. Charlie Blackmon and Brandon Roberts each had two hits, while every other position player in the lineup sans Tim Wheeler had one apiece.
Game 2 got away from the Sky Sox in the fourth inning, as starter Ricky Brooks (how 90s is that name?) four of his seven runs overall in that frame. Zach Putnam allowed a two-run homer upon entering the game to give the Grizzlies a seven-run lead. Wheeler accounted for Colorado Springs' only offense in the second game, as he homered in the first inning - just his second on the season. Charlie Blackmon picked up another hit as well after entering as a defensive replacement.
More recaps after the jump...
AA Tulsa: L 6-2 (55-51, 2nd, 3.5 GB)
Not unlike Cabrera, Tyler Chatwood had a decent outing that was partially undone by the gopher ball. Chatwood allowed two homers as part of the four runs and six hits that he gave up on the day. He struck out six and walked three in five innings of work. None of the relievers were particularly great either, although Joey Williamson got away unscathed after surrendering a hit and a walk.
The Drillers offense struggled again (what else is new?), as they were shut down by Travelers pitcher Mike Piazza. Back-to-back doubles from Tim Torres and Michael Mitchell in the eighth inning gave Tulsa their only two runs. Mitchell had two hits, while Torres and Jimmy Cesario each had one. That was it for the Drillers, whose 1 through 5 hitters (which include Corey Dickerson, Nolan Arenado, and Kent Matthes) combined to go 0-for-19 with a walk and four K's.
A+ Modesto: L 8-3 (56-51, 2nd, 1 GB)
Jhoulys Chacin, who was making his first rehab appearance yesterday, completely unraveled in the third inning, allowing five runs on six hits in that frame alone. he made it through just seven outs before exiting after reaching his mandated pitch count of 45. Juan Gonzalez was the guy who was designated to pick up the slack, and he did a fine job of doing so, pitching four innings of shutout ball while punching out three batters.
Jayson Langfels had two hits and two runs batted in to pace the Modesto offense. Kyle Parker had a rare hitless outing, but he did gun down Giants' prospect Joe Panik from right field as he was trying to stretch a single into a double in the first inning.
A- (SS) Tri-City: L 1-0 (19-25, 2nd, 5 GB)
TJ Oakes pitched very well for the Dust Devils, going six innings and allowing just one run - on a solo homer - and six hits while walking two and striking out eight. However, he received literally no run support, leading to his first professional loss. Francisco Sosa had two hits for Tri-City, while Tom Murphy hit a double that was eventually squandered. The Boise Hawks have a player named Rock Shoulders.
RK Grand Junction: L 9-8 (21-18, t-1st)
GJ Rockies pitchers had a rough time keeping Idaho Falls off the board, as every single one of the eight pitchers that the Rockies put into the game allowed at least two baserunners with the exception of Raul Fernandez, who allowed just a walk in his one inning of work. Johendi Jiminian continues to struggle with wildness, allowing just one hit but also three walks in his three innings pitched.
Max White had an encouraging outing at the plate, singling twice and walking three times. David Dahl and Correlle Prime also had two hits, while everyone else had at least one, save for the two guys that played left field in the game (Jeremy McLeod and Jeffrey Popick).