Triple-A Colorado Springs - W 5-2 (45-36)
Starter Chris Volstad unleashed the Force as the Sky Sox defeated the Padres affiliate on Star Wars night. Volstad lasted seven innings, giving up seven hits and only two earned runs. Chris relied on the groundball as he induced 15 outs in that manner, he didn't strikeout a single batter.
Second baseman Charlie Culberson extended his 16 game hitting streak with a 1-for-4 night. He also reached base via a walk and scored a run. Charlie Blackmon walked and had two hits, scoring one of the Sky Sox runs.
Double-A Tulsa W 3-1 (38-39)
Starter Christian Bergman shut down the the Astros affiliate in 101 degree heat. Bergman allowed only four hits in six innings pitched and struck out five, while allowing one earned run. Christian's ERA dropped to 2.93 with the win.
First baseman Kiel Roling notched his 17th home run of the season with a solo shot in the first. Cristhian Adames lone hit was a long double that earned him a pair of RBI on the night. Left fielder Kyle Parker was hitless in three at-bats, but did reach base via a walk.
High-A Modesto - W 7-2 (40-40)
The Nuts offense excelled in the 105 degree heat of High Desert, taking advantage of the 11 mph wind blowing out to left field to notch four home runs off Mariners' pitching prospects. Will Swanner, Trevor Story, Tim Smalling and Taylor Featherston all launched shots which left the park.
Nuts starter Daniel Winkler thrived in the extreme conditions however, fanning eight and allowing only a pair of hits and two earned runs in 7.1 innings pitched. Winkler gave up a solo shot to Daniel Paulini in the fourth and very little else the rest of the game. The two earned runs raised Winkler's season ERA to 2.02.
Low-A Asheville - L 3-11 (42-36)
The fourth inning proved to be the undoing for starter Matt Carasiti, as he allowed six straight singles and a total of nine runs crossed the plate. Carasiti struck out two in three innings of work and saw his ERA balloon to 8.79.
Left fielder Derek Jones had a banner night, going 2-for-4 with a double and home run. Jones earned three RBI with his effort. Center fielder Francisco Sosa also had a pair of hits and was involved in an assist at home plate, hitting the cutoff, who then fired in to Tom Murphy for the out. Shortstop Rosell Herrera endured a tough night, going hitless at the plate and making two errors in the field. Herrera now has 23 errors on the season.
Short-season Tri City - L 2-5 (6-10)
Starter Sam Moll lasted only two innings, but earned the loss by giving up two hits and one earned run. He struck out three and walked two.
Designated hitter Alec Mehrten continued his hot-hitting, raising his season average to .372 on a two hit effort, he also walked once. Catcher Chris O'Dowd had a pair of hits and stole his first base of the season.
Short-season Grand Junction - L 7-15 (7-3)
Starter Peter Tago left the barn door open, giving up nine earned runs on nine hits, he walked one and struck out three in 4.1 innings pitched. Not all of Tago's runs were his fault, as reliever Manuel Montilla gave up a pair of grand slams, including one after Tago left in the fifth with the bases loaded. Tago continued to demonstrate wildness though, as he had two wild pitches, hit a batter and had an errant pick-off.
Shorstop Emerson Jimenez had a three hit effort, including a double and a triple to raise his average to .361 on the year. Center fielder Raimel Tapia was the only other Rockies hitter with multiple hits, going 2-for-4 with a double and RBI. Designated hitter Dom Nunez was hitless in four at-bats and holds a .067 average through six games.
DSL Rockies - L 3-5 (14-11)
Starter Andres Matos earned the loss, going four innings and allowing two earned runs on six hits and no strikeouts. Matos limited the damage, catching a Phillies player attempting to steal home.
Designated hitter Luis Brito Jr. performed his own theft of home plate in the sixth inning. With a runner on first and third, Jose Rodriguez broke for second and Brito stole home, both were safe. Brito had three hits, including a double and scored two runs. Center fielder Omar Carrizales had a double, but saw his average fall to .276 on the year.