Hernan Iribarren and Ryan Wheeler led the Sky Sox offense with three hits apiece. Wheeler knocked in three runs, while Iribarren scored twice. Reid Brignac had two hits. Xavier Nady stole home, one of four Sky Sox swiped bags in the game.
Starter Jeff Manship was excellent, lasting eight innings, allowing two runs on seven hits and a walk. He struck out seven. With the team clearly moving on down the list from Collin McHugh, Manship could be a dark horse candidate to get a chance at starting for the club, along with guys like Sean Gallagher and Chris Volstad. Steven Hensley pitched a clean inning to finish the game.
The Drillers offense was led by Delta Cleary Jr, who hit his first home run of the year and also a walk off RBI single in the ninth inning as two of three hits in the game. Kiel Roling also managed three hits and two runs batted in. Jaron Shepherd doubled twice, with Cristhian Adames also getting two hits. Both players scored two runs. Joey Wong walked three times.
Christian Bergman demonstrated good control, but was punished hard when the opponents made contact. Despite striking out six and walking just one, he allowed five earned runs over six innings thanks to three of his eight allowed hits leaving the ballpark. Kenneth Roberts struggled in his AA debut, allowing three runs on an inning and two thirds. A clean inning and a third from Juan Gonzalez kept the Drillers in the game.
Harold Riggins hit his 16th homer of the year as one of two hits. David Kandilas also had two hits, as well as two walks and two stolen bases. Taylor Featherston and Ryan Casteel each doubled.
Despite walking six batters, starter Tyler Gagnon limited opposing hits to just three over five and two thirds, minimizing the run damage to just one. He struck out four. Kraig Sitton and Bruce Kern each pitched cleanly in relief. Scott Oberg allowed a solo home run, but notched his 22nd save regardless.
Though Rosell Herrera, Matt Argyropoulos and Max White each doubled as one of two hits, Asheville's offense was limited. Juan Ciriaco walked twice and stole his 41st base.
T.J. Oakes struggled with both the hit and command, allowing seven hits and four walks over four and a third innings, and leading to five runs. Andrew Brown allowed five hits in long relief, plus another run. Raul Fernandez was hit the hardest, allowing three runs on three hits. Only Trent Blank escaped cleanly.
Cesar Galvez, Chris O'Dowd and Michael Tauchman each had two hits and scored at least one run. Tauchman also stole two bases. Patrick Valaika doubled in two runs.
Johendi Jiminian continued a good season, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits and a walk over five innings. Troy Neiman allowed two more runs on three hits and two walks over his two innings. Good outings from Marc Magliaro and Jerad McCrummen kept Tri-City's lead safe.
Idaho Falls 3, Grand Junction 2
A triple by Jairo Rosario and two stolen bases by Dom Nunez are the only notable offense moments. Robbie Perkins and Wesley Jones each batted in a run.
Zach Jemiola allowed two runs on five hits and two walks over seven innings. After a clean inning of work from Angel Lezama, Dylan Stamey allowed the losing run to score after throwing the ball away when trying to throw out a runner at first. That runner came around to score later in the inning on a double.