Sunday Pebble Report: Jhoulys Chacin Progresses, Tyler Matzek Regresses

AAA Colorado Springs - L 2-5, (64-57, L1, 2nd, 7.0 GB)

Jhoulys Chacin made his fourth rehab start last night, his first with the Sky Sox. If the results are any indication, he is not only ready performance-wise, but is more than stretched out enough for the Rockies' rotation. The right-hander threw 84 pitches (52 strikes) before giving way to Joey Williamson with two outs in the seventh inning. He struck out five and allowed three runs. His bugaboo was Leonys Martin, the prominent Cuban outfielder in the Rangers' system. Martin homered and doubled off Chacin to give Jhoulys the loss, but it was an encouraging effort.

Joey Williamson worked 1.1 scoreless innings in his 2012 AAA debut, and the Sky Sox got two hits from Charlie Culberson (2012, trade), HM PuRP Tommy Field (2008, 24th round) and Brendan Harris (2012, MiLB FA). Each had an extra base hit, including a two-run homer from Harris

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High-A Modesto - L 5-8, (26-22, L1, t-1st)

It has been a roller coaster of highs and lows for #4 PuRP Tyler Matzek (2009, 1st round). He allowed 17 R (16 ER) in just 5.2 IP over two starts in mid-June. He rebounded with four consecutive starts of at least 5.0 IP and 2 ER or less. There was a sign of danger in his last start of his stretch there on August 5, though, and that danger manifested last night in Stockton. The lefty was pulled after just 14 batters, as Matzek had walked five of them and allowed seven runs. He struck out two and allowed a home run, pushing his ERA dangerously close to the 5's (4.96).

Timothy Smalling (2011, 15th round) doubled twice and scored two runs, while Delta Cleary Jr. (2008, 37th round) and Jared Clark (2009, 12th round) had multiple hits. Cleary also contributed on defense, throwing out a runner at home. The two most intriguing hitting prospects for the Nuts were the only two that failed to record a hit last night, yet both found ways to contribute. #10 PuRP Kyle Parker (2010, 1st round) reached base via walk, and #12 PuRP Rafael Ortega (2008, VZ) hit a sacrifice fly and threw out two runners on the bases, his 15th and 16th outfield assists from center field, giving him a legitimate shot to surpass his 18 assists in Asheville last season. With just one error, a strong arm and good range, Ortega is a legitimate center field prospect.

AA Tulsa - W 8-6, (21-27, W2, 3rd, 10.5 GB)

Michael Mitchell (2007, 25th round) had homered on April 8, July 8 and August 8 and no other dates this season. He found a way to continue his fixation with eights without waiting until April 8 next season, and in a big way. Mitchell unloaded a big clutch 3-run home run in the eighth inning last night to give Tulsa an 8-6 win. #14 PuRP Corey Dickerson (2010, 8th round) was hitless, yet drove in two runs on a sacrifice fly and groundout. #1 PuRP Nolan Arenado (2009, 2nd round) hit a double in four at-bats, and Brandon Hynick (2012, MiLB FA) allowed five runs in 6.2 IP.

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Low-A Asheville - L 0-3, (26-23, L1, 3rd, 3.5 GB)

The Tourists were held to just three hits - singles from #3 PuRP Trevor Story (2011, sandwich pick), #24 PuRP David Kandilas (2008, Australia) and Brian Humphries (2011, 14th round). Alex Gillingham (2011, 11th round) was the victim of the poor offense, as the right-hander turned in a quality start. Tyler Gagnon made his full season debut, walking one in a scoreless inning.

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Short Season-A Tri City - L 6-17, (8-10, L2, t-2nd, 5.0 GB)

Roberto Padilla (2011, 6th round) wants a mulligan. The lefty completely abused last night Eugene, leading to the worst pitching performance by the Dust Devils on the season. Padilla faced 12 batters in the first inning, allowing seven runs. It could have been worse had Eugene not bunted with their 3-hole hitter, and had a runner not been thrown out at home on a double. Padilla walked two, hit a batter, committed a throwing error and allowed seven hits in the nightmarish outing. Morale did not improve, so the beatings continued. Four other relievers allowed runs in the bloodbath, including Taylor Reid serving up four (on three walks) while retiring just two batters.

#16 PuRP Rosell Herrera (2009, DR) doubled, singled, drove in two and stole a base, but he also committed two throwing errors from shortstop.

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Rookie Grand Junction - L 12-13, W 5-2, (5-9, W1, 4th, 4.0 GB)

Game 1: Scott Oberg (2012, 15th round) allowed three hits in the bottom of the ninth, the last one a two-out two-run walkoff double for a blown save. Patrick Johnson (2011, 25th round) allowed five runs in 3.1 IP in the spot start and Rayan Gonzalez (2012, 21st round) allowed four runs in the sixth. Wilfredo Rodriguez (2012, 7th round) had a huge game, doubling three times and hitting his second pro home run, driving in four. Julian Yan (2008, DR) and Jeffrey Popick (2012, 16th round) both homered as well, and David Dahl (2012, 1st round) had three hits and a stolen base.

Game 2: The Rockies had just four hits, but they managed to win the nightcap with five runs. Two walks, an error and a groundout led to two runs in the second. David Dahl extended his hitting streak to 24 with a 5th inning single. He then stole second base and scored on a two-run single by Ashley Graeter (2012, undrafted). Ryan Warner (2012, 3rd round) allowed two solo home runs in the first inning but was otherwise in control. Alving Mejias (2008, DR) earned the win with three very efficient innings, retiring 9 of the ten men he faced, four via strikeout and five via ground out.

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DSL Rockies - W 4-1, (36-24, W3, 1st)

Angel Lezama (2010, VZ) tossed six sterling innings, allowing one run on three hits, striking out six. Wilson Soriano, Raimel Tapia and Emerson Jimenez had two hits to aid in the win.