RK Grand Junction: W 9-5 (41-32, 2nd, 2 GB)
The GJ Rockies clinched a playoff spot on Monday with Orem's loss to Ogden, then the Baby Rox went out and won anyway, behind a 3-for-3, two triple effort from Max White. Julian Yan, Zach Osborne and Michael Ramirez had two hits apiece as well, while Carl Thomore hit his first homer of the season - a three-run shot in the first inning.
Jayson Aquino pitched into the seventh inning to earn the victory. He allowed two earned runs on six hits and a walk while striking out six. He's 4-0 with a 1.87 ERA since his stateside arrival. Grand Junction has one more game vs. Idaho Falls before rounding out the regular season with a two-game series vs. Ogden. They'll face those same Raptors in a playoff series beginning Friday.
AA Tulsa: W 7-4 (75-64, 2nd)
The Drillers won their final game of the regular season behind Nolan Arenado's hot bat, as the Rockies' top prospect (as of right now, anyway) finished the season in solid fashion by going 3-for-5 with two doubles. Arenado's final numbers look a lot better than they did a month or so ago, as he finishes with a .285/.337/.428 line.
Dan Houston earned the victory for Tulsa by going five innings and allowing a run on three hits. He struck out one and induced five groundball outs. Kiel Roling, Chris Petit and Jimmy Cesario each homered for the Drillers, who have Tuesday off before beginning a playoff series vs. Springfield on Wednesday.
More recaps after the jump.
AAA Colorado Springs: L 3-2 (75-69, 2nd)
The Sky Sox lost their season finale on Monday, despite a pretty good outing from Rob Scahill. Scahill lasted only five innings, but threw just 75 pitches (hmmmm) and struck out eight batters, while allowing two runs on eight hits and a walk. I'd love to see Scahill with the big club, even if it's just out of the bullpen. Zach Putnam, who is another candidate to be promoted for the season's final month, struck out one in a scoreless ninth.
Troy Tulowitzki went 0-for-3, and will continue his rehab stint with Tulsa during their playoff run, while Matt McBride and Brandon Roberts led the Sky Sox with two hits apiece. McBride's two hits were doubles, giving him 42 on the season. He finished 2012 with a .344 batting average, and should see some time at the MLB level now that the Triple-A season is complete. UPDATE: McBride and Scahill have been promoted to the big club. Click the Tulo article for details.
A+ Modesto: L 5-3 (73-67, 2nd)
The Nuts concluded the regular season with a loss to the same team that they'll face in the playoffs starting on Wednesday. Delta Cleary, Brett Tanos, Joey Wong and Helder Velazquez had two hits apiece for Modesto against San Jose, whose third baseman, Adam Duvall, hit his 30th homer of the season in the first inning off of Nuts starter Roberto Padilla.
Padilla allowed five runs on seven hits in three innings while taking his first loss since being moved up to Modesto.
A Asheville: W 3-2 (88-52, 1st)
Taylor Featherston went 2-for-4 and hit his 30th double of the season for the Tourists, who won their season finale. Jared Simon and David Kandilas had two hits apiece, as well, while everyone else in Asheville's lineup had at least one hit with the exception of Jordan Ribera.
Tyler Gagnon started the game for the Tourists and lasted just 4.2 innings, but he allowed only one run on six hits and struck out five. Asheville, who finished the best record in the Sally League by far, begins a playoff series vs. Rome on Wednesday.