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Colorado's affiliates went 0-3 in playoffs on Wednesday, but they turned it around with two victories yesterday (Asheville's best of 3 series continues today in Asheville). Oh, and Grand Junction won their final tuneup for the Pioneer League playoffs, which start today.
Coming off of a near-no hitter in his last start, Josh Outman was due for a letdown. He wasn't nearly as effective in this one -- he allowed a whole 2 hits over just 7 innings this time. But seriously, Outman was great (he also walked 3 but struck out 5) and the relievers held the lead this time to even the best of 5 series at one apiece.
PuRP 14 Corey Dickerson hit a solo homer to lead off the first inning and this kid Troy Tulowitzki added a double (seriously, how is it fair that Tulo is playing in the Texas League playoffs?). PuRP 1 Nolan Arenado and PuRP 26 Ben Paulsen had the other RBIs for the Drillers. Game 3 is tonight, with PuRP 22 Joe Gardner taking the mound.
High A: Modesto 9, San Jose 8
With their season on the line, the Nuts fought back from 4-1 and 7-5 deficits to take game 2 of a best of 3 series 9-8. PuRP 12 Rafael Ortega was 3-3 with a solo homer in the 1st that got Modesto going, while Timothy Smalling hit a 3 run homer in the 3rd that turned a 4-2 deficit into a 5-4 lead. Then, down 7-6, Jared Clark hit a bases-clearing double to get it to 9-7 -- and the Nuts held on for the one run win. Brett Tanos added 3 hits for the Nuts, who had 12 in the game overall.
The deciding game 3 of the series will be played tonight, and Modesto has PuRP 4 Tyler Matzek making the start.
Rookie: Grand Junction 4, Ogden 3The GJ Rockies finished off their regular season with a walk-off win against the team they'll be playing in a best of 3 playoff series starting this afternoon. The Rockies fell just a game short of the second half division title, but since Ogden won both halves, they'll get in as the wild card. Eddie Butler should be in line to make the game 1 start.
As for the game itself, Grand Junction got 2 solo homers from who else, David Dahl (9), as well as a solo shot from Julian Yan (16). Dahl went 3-4 to finish with a .379/.423/.625 line and 41 XBHs in just 280 ABs. He's the best player in the Pioneer League, and if there's any justice he'll be the best player in the playoffs too. Sorry, got carried away...in the actual game, Matt Carasiti allowed 3 runs on 5 hits in 5 innings. It was a 3-3 tie entering the bottom of the 9th -- which Juan Ciriaco broke with a RBI double.