Colorado Springs 5, Salt Lake 17
A collective apocalypse on the part of the Colorado Springs pitching staff led to this insane loss. Ricky Brooks got the start, his third such appearance, and was also granted his third loss of the season. He allowed seven runs, five earned, over his three and two thirds innings pitched. He walked three and allowed six hits, two of which were home runs. The suffering didn't end there, as Joey Williamson allowed four more runs on six hits and two walks over just an inning and a third. Austin Bibens-Dirkx got in on the fun five more runs to Salt Lake, on six hits and two walks of his own across two and a third. Even Coty Woods, the lone pitcher not to allow at least six hits or two walks, allowed a run in his two thirds of an inning.
Needless to say, the offense would have had to be really on fire in order to compete in a game like this. Brendan Harris continued his late-season hot streak with a triple (the only Sky Sox extra base hit) as one of two hits, plus two walks and scoring three of the five CSP runs. Matt McBride and Charlie Culberson each had two hits in the game, while Chad Tracy singled in a run and walked. The Sky Sox offense struck out only three times in the game.
Eleven hits for the Tulsa Drillers is a much higher total than we've been seeing from this team as of late. Everyone except struggling outfielder Chris Pettit recorded a hit. Angelys Nina hit his sixth home run in 2012 as one of two hits, while Mike Zuanich's two run shot and fifth homer of the season was his only hit. Jimmy Cesario and Tim Torres got two hits each, including a double for Cesario. Corey Dickerson tripled in his only hit.
Joe Gardner continued his string of good outings since returning to the starting rotation after Tyler Chatwood returned to the Rockies, picking up his sixth win in this one. He allowed just one hit and two walks, but was punished for them, allowing two runs on them over his six and a third on the hill. He struck out eight. His stock as a Rule 5 protectee this off-season is increasing. Michael Marbry and Michael Solbach finished the game cleanly. Solbach has not allowed a run since joining the Rockies organization last month.
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Modesto 0, Stockton 1It was a close pitcher's duel all the way through, but the Nuts were outdone when starter Josh Mueller allowed back to back hits in the sixth, producing the only run in the game. The starter allowed six hits and two walks, pitching just short of seven full innings, but was stuck with his first loss of the year with the Nuts (he got three others while pitching for Grand Junction). Kurt Yacko threw the rest of the game for Modesto.
Brett Tanos, Juan Crousset and Jared Clark each doubled as their one hit of the night. Dallas Tarleton reached base twice on walks. Timothy Smalling and Jayson Langfels each singled, accounting for the final two of Modesto's five hits.
In three of his last four starts, starter Ben Alsup has not allowed more than two hits. He picked up his 13th win today here, pitching the first six innings of the shutout. Though he only struck out two, he also only allowed two hits and two walks. Tyler Gagnon and Russell Brewer combined to complete the shutout out of the pen.
Will Swanner double and hit his 15th homer of the year, leading the Tourists offense. Ryan Casteel, David Kandilas and Jose Rivera each had doubles as one of their two knocks. Brian Humphries knocked in two runs with a pair of singles. Jordan Ribera tripled and scored a run.
Tom Murphy hit his fourth home run and doubled, knocking in three and scoring twice himself. His double knocked in the tying and eventually winning runs in the top of the ninth inning. Derek Jones also homered, the first of his pro career. Rosell Herrera and Matt Argyropoulos also each had two hits, and knocked in a run. Richard Pirkle scored two runs.
Roberto Padilla has been struggling of late. He was extremely hittable in the game, allowing ten hits across seven innings, but in terms of control, he rebounded significantly from his last outing; he walked no opponents after walking six in his previous start. All six Spokane runs crossed the plate off of Padilla. Effective relief outings by Trent Blank (getting a win as his first pro decision) and Seth Willoughby (with his sixth save) notched the win for the good guys.
Wilfredo Rodriguez led the Rockies' offense with three hits, but it was Ben Waldrip who did the most damage. His tenth home run of the year was a three run shot, but he also recorded another hit and another run batted in. Julian Yan had two hits and scored twice, while Jeffrey Popick also scored twice, reaching on a double and two walks. Ashley Graeter doubled and knocked in two runs.
Starter Johendi Jiminian put together his most complete start of the season. Though he lasted only four innings (as has been common for the pitcher this year; it seems clear his innings are being limited), this was the first start that Jiminian demonstrated both stable control and effectiveness at preventing hits. He allowed two hits and walked none. Relievers Shawn Stuart and Brian Rike had trouble keeping the base paths clean in the second half of the game, allowing five hits and four walks between them, but the shutout remained intact. Stuart picked up his fifth win, all of which have come in relief; he lost the one start he made this year.
Starter Julio Medrano allowed both runs to the Padres on three hits and a walk over three innings. Another Medrano, Andres this time, picked up his second win. Huascar Brazoban was credited with a two inning save. Wilkyns Jimenez led the team with three hits. Jairo Rosario doubled, tripled and scored two runs, while Luis Jean tripled as one of two hits and knocked in two runs. Miguel Dilone also had two hits and a run batted in.