Colorado Springs 7, Sacramento 4
Starter Rob Scahill walked four batters and allowed four hits over seven innings pitched, but only three runs crossed the plate, leading him to his sixth win of the season. He kept the ball on the ground with 10 ground outs to go along with six strikeouts. Mike Ekstrom pitched a clean inning of relief, while Edgmer Escalona allowed a solo home run.
Tommy Field doubled twice, while Tim Wheeler had one double among his two hits. Hernan Iribarren tripled as part of his two-hit night. Andrew Brown hit his 14th home run of the season, though he struck out in three of his at bats. DJ LeMahieu walked three times.
With Edwar Cabrera and Nick Schmidt promoted to the Sky Sox this past week, the Drillers rotation welcomed 2012 organizational roving starter Brandon Hynick, who has spent time with both Colorado Springs and Modesto since rejoining the Rockies this year. Hynick was excellent in his AA debut, allowing four hits over eight innings pitched, three of which came in the third inning when the only Corpus Cristi run was scored. He walked no one and struck out two. Josh Sullivan pitched the ninth cleanly.
The offense was led by Kent Matthes. The outfielder has struggled greatly this year, so this is an encouraging sign. He hit his ninth home run of the season, and also batted in two of the Drillers' runs while scoring twice himself. Corey Dickerson is beginning to adjust to the AA level, and also had two hits on the day, as did Angelys Nina and Ben Paulsen. Every Driller with an at bat struck out at least once in the game, as the team massed 12 strikeouts in spite of their win.
Modesto, Asheville, Tri-City, Grand Junction and the DSL Rockies after the jump.
Lancaster 6, Modesto 7 (11 innings)
The Nuts won the game in walk off fashion after closer Adam Jorgenson ended an extraordinarily effective streak, allowing three runs on three hits and a walk to Lancaster to tie the game. Starter Kennil Gomez lasted just four and a third innings and allowed two walks and five hits over that time, but only two runs crossed the plate under his watch. Nick Schnaitmann allowed another run in relief of Gomez, while Isaiah Froneberger's outing was scoreless. After Jorgenson blew the save, Kurt Yacko pitched the extra innings. Yacko allowed no hits or walks, but errors from Cristhian Adames and Jayson Langfels put the game in jeopardy each inning. Yacko would end up with his sixth in of the year, all with Modesto.
Mark Tracy led the offense with two hits, including his sixth home run of the year. He batted in three runs for the Nuts. Kyle Parker hit his eighth homer with his only hit in the game. Langels was the only other player with two hits, including a game winning double that scored Juan Crousset, who had walked and advanced on a sacrifice bunt.
Not unlike yesterday's Rockies game, the Tourists kept charge of a low scoring game despite an inability to get hits late in the game. Starter Vianney Mayo lasted four and two thirds innings, allowing one run on three hits and a walk while striking out four. Michael Wolford picked up his second win of the season, both with Asheville. Russell Brewer and Jefri Hernandez (who picked up his 12th save) were also effective in relief.
Jordan Ribera his his sixth double in limited time with the Tourists this year, knocking in Harold Riggins from second after he stole the bag. Ribera would score off the bat of Joey Wong on a Lexington fielding error. Singles from prospects Trevor Story and William Swanner accounted for Asheville's other limited hits. Story, Riggins and Rosell Herrera also reached base via walk. The team struck out 14 times, including three strikeouts from each of Jared Simon and Chandler Laurent.
Charlie Blackmon doubled and scored twice, while Francisco Sosa tripled, knocked in a run and scored. Patrick Hutcheson was the only two-hit player on the night, with two singles and a run scored. Zach Osborne also doubled in the game.
Peter Tago produced his first solid outing of the season, allowing one run on three hits and a walk over five innings pitched, securing his first win of 2012. He notched five strikeouts in the game. Eric Federico continued his solid rebound from an injury plagued 2011 that kept him on the bench for the entire year with three solid innings of his own. Taylor Reid, however, continued a poor 2012. After allowing a leadoff hit in the ninth, Reid was removed in the middle of the following at bat, presumably due to injury. The Rockies called on their other Andrew Brown to finish the inning. Both runners credited to Reid scored on hits off of Brown, but the inning was finished with the favor still to Tri-City.
Another starting pitcher spending time in the short season leagues after ineffectiveness with a full season team is Josh Mueller, who got this start for Grand Junction. Unlike Tago, Mueller struggled, allowing five hits and three walks during his four innings pitched, which also resulted in four runs crossing for Orem. Thankfully, the bullpen was effective, keeping the team in the game. Brian Rike continued his feast or famine performances in his new role, gathering his first professional win. Kyle Roliard and Raul Fernandez pitched clean innings. Jesse Meaux picked up his second save, despite allowing a solo home run.
Ben Waldrip hit the first two home runs of his pro career as part of a four hit outing. Matt Wessinger had three hits, including a triple, while each of David Dahl and Julian Yan had two knocks.
The organization was one inning away from sweeping, but the DSL Rockies were unable to keep a 1-1 tie into extra innings as the Orioles scored off of reliever Manuel Montilla, for his second loss of the season. Starter Helmis Rodriguez threw the first eight innings magnificently, allowing five hits and no walks while striking out eight.
The Rockies offense did not hit an extra base hit nor walk during the game, limiting the offense entirely to singles. Both Luis Jean and Wilkyns Jimenez had two of them each.