Saturday Pebble Report: Tyler Matzek rebounds in Tulsa victory

The affiliates went 1-4 on the night, with the lone team highlight being the AA Tulsa Drillers winning behind a strong effort by Tyler Matzek.

AAA: Colorado Springs (56-60, 11 GB) PPD

AA: Tulsa (25-23 2nd Half, T-1st) - W 7-6

Coming off a poor outing, PuRP 9 Tyler Matzek threw six innings of three run ball, allowing seven hits and two walks while striking out two. Matzek improved to 8-7 with a 3.43 ERA on the year with the win.

Matzek has been somewhat hittable and has struck out batters at the lowest rate of his career this season, but fewer walks have made this arguably the best season in Matzek's professional career. While you won't see the top of rotation tags on him anymore from prospect hounds, Matzek could very well play a role with the Rockies as soon as next year. It's important to remember that he's only 22.

After giving back most of a 7-3 lead, former PuRP Joe Gardner (and a potential member of the big league bullpen) came on for his 2nd save. Offensively, the Drillers got homers from PuRP 5 Kyle Parker (22), Angelys Nina (9), and Tim Smalling (1). Nina, Parker, and Dustin Garneau all had multi-hit nights.

High A: Modesto (26-22 2nd Half, 1st) - L 2-0

The Nuts were one-hit by Oakland prospect Tanner Peters, who struck out 14 in 8.1 IP, allowing only a one-out double in the 9th inning to Jared Simon. PuRP 26 Chris Jensen was fine in a losing effort (it's hard to win when your offense gets you one hit, though it's not unprecedented), allowing two runs on six hits while striking out four.

Low A: Asheville (18-29 2nd Half, 11.5 GB) - L 14-1

After a first half in which they went 38-30 and were in contention, the Tourists have been pretty depressing in the season's second half (sound familiar?). The only offense mustered by Asheville in this one was a solo shot by outfielder Derek Jones (16). All four Tourist pitchers allowed runs in this one (14 runs on 18 hits total), headlined by a 1.2 IP, 7 run effort by starter Matt Carasiti.

Short Season A: Tri-City (6-9 2nd Half, 2 GB) - L 15-4

At least the Dust Devils (who fielded exactly 0 PuRPs in this game) scored a few runs, I guess. Tri-City pitching was rocked for 15 runs on 20 hits in this one, with starter Jonathan Vargas only recording three outs in the game and allowing 9 runs on 9 hits. Yeesh. On the bright side, Sean Dwyer and Alec Mehrten both had multi-hit games.

Rookie: Grand Junction (3-7 2nd Half, 3 GB) - L 14-6

The Lil' Rockies smacked 15 hits in this one but only had 6 runs to show for it, while their opponents managed 14 runs on 16 hits. Erstwhile former PuRP Peter Tago had another outing he'd rather forget, getting shelled for 10 runs on 7 hits in just 2.1 innings.

Miguel Dilone and Corelle Prime both had three hits, while PuRP 21 Dom Nunez and Jeff Popick added two more for the Rockies. Also, Raimel Tapia continued his strong stateside debut with a solo homer (4).

Dominican Summer League: DSL Rockies (27-30, 16.5 GB) - Susp 2-2

Yesterday's DSL Rockies game was suspended in the 4th inning with the Rockies tied 2-2 with the Marlins.