Thursday Pebble Report: Chad Bettis and Aaron Cook return from injury

Triple-A Colorado Springs - L 2-5 (45-40)

Starter Aaron Cook returned from injury to make his first start since May 2. He had a successful return, allowing only two earned runs in four innings pitched. Cook was able to limit the Mariners affiliate to only five hits, while obtaining a pair of strikeouts. Reliever Mike McClendon lost control of the game, allowing three earned runs on two walks and five hits in his two innings of work. The Sky Sox were swept for the first time this season and are now on a four-game losing streak.

Newly-acquired designated hitter Xavier Nady had a pair of hits, bringing his average up to .304 for the Sky Sox. Nady has played in four games so far, bringing outfield depth to the Rockies in case Dexter Fowler can't immediately return from injury. The Sky Sox were held without an extra base hit on Wednesday, though Ben Paulsen walked twice and scored a run.

Double-A Tulsa L 0-4 (41-40)

Starter Chad Bettis made a successful return from his oblique injury, which had sidelined him since his last start on May 11. Chad allowed only a pair of hits in five innings, striking out three and giving up one earned run. Bettis worked through some rustiness tried to find a consistent release point, and when he did his velocity touched 95 miles per hour.

Bettis was outdueled by Padres prospect Matt Wisler. The 20-year-old hurler was rated No. 7 among Padres prospects on John Sickels' preseason list and began the season in High-A Lake Elsinore. Wisler held the Drillers scoreless and allowed only two hits on the night. Right fielder Tyler Kuhn was the only Driller able to muster any offense against Wisler, leading off the game with a single and then breaking Wisler's streak of 16 straight batters retired by walking in the fourth. Kuhn was Tulsa's star of the game on defense as well, notching an outfield assist and stealing a home run on this beautiful catch in the fourth.

Both teams wore a special tribute to Oklahoma tornado victims during the game. Tulsa's jerseys read: "We Are Oklahoma" and San Antonio's were printed with the words: "We Support Oklahoma." The jerseys will be auctioned online after Friday's game, with the proceeds benefiting the victims of the spring tornadoes.

High-A Modesto - L 6-7 (41-43)

The Nuts faced off against San Francisco's top pitching prospect on Wednesday. Kyle Crick is slated to follow the Madison Bumgarner plan for reaching the majors and he showed why, striking out 10 Modesto batters. Nuts starter Chris Jensen battled, but a pair of long shots, including a three-run home run led to his downfall. Jensen gave up nine hits and six earned runs, striking out four and walking none.

Catcher Ryan Casteel hit the first home run off of Crick this season, with a solo blast in the fourth. It was his 16th of the year. Center fielder David Kandilas had a pair of hits including a triple, and is batting .317 over his last 10 games with four XBH's. First baseman Harold Riggins led a late charge with a pair of doubles while scoring two runs, but the comeback came up short. Riggins is heating up and has a 1.252 OPS in his last 10 with eight XBH's. The Nuts were swept by San Jose and are currently in the midst of a three-game losing streak.

Short-season Tri-City - L 0-11 (6-14)

The Dust Devils were shut down by Texas Rangers' third-round pick David Ledbetter, who struck out six and has allowed only one earned run in four starts. Rockies seventh-round pick Konner Wade struggled in his start, giving up five earned runs in four innings pitched. Wade had two strikeouts and his ERA sits at 4.85 on the season. Reliever Marc Magliaro gave up his first home run of the year, but has been solid otherwise as opposing batters are hitting a mere .243 on the season. Magliaro boasts a 3.60 ERA.

Third baseman Michael Benjamin had a decent game, going 3-for-4 with a double. Benjamin was drafted twice by the Rockies, in the 45th round in 2010 and then in the 13th round of this year's draft.

Dust Devils manager Drew Saylor left the game in the third after being ejected by the home plate umpire.

Short-season Grand Junction - L 8-10 in 11 innings (9-5)

Third baseman Ryan McMahon slugged a pair of home runs, including the game-tying one in the eighth. McMahon was 3-for-5 with four RBI and is batting .326 on the year. First baseman Miguel Dilone also homered, his second in consecutive days. Dilone is the son and namesake of the former major leaguer who starred with Pittsburgh and Cleveland.

Starter Blake Shouse struggled again, giving up five runs in 2.1 innings and striking out two. Reliever Angel Lezama had four strikeouts, but allowed two earned runs. Scott Firth was the losing pitcher, giving up a two-run double in the 11th.

DSL Rockies - L 2-7 (15-13)

The Rockies fell to a Rangers team with the best record in the DSL on Wednesday. Starter Javier Palacios went 6.2 allowing only three earned runs and striking out four batters. Javier gave up nine hits and one walk in the effort.

Center fielder Omar Carrizales had three hits in four attempts, including a double which raised his season average to .297. Third baseman Luis Castro singled and scored a run, while first baseman Henry Garcia hit his 11th double of the year.

Low-A Asheville - (44-37)

Cancelled due to rain.