Thursday Pebble Report: Jonathan Gray overcomes wildness, posts 4 more shutout innings

Double-A Tulsa - W 5-4 (61-59)

The Drillers took advantage of a strong performance by catcher Dustin Garneau to climb into a first-place tie with two other teams in the North Division of the Texas League on Wednesday. Starter Christian Bergman (No. 22 PuRP) had a solid outing, allowing just two earned runs on five hits and two walks. The appearance lowered Bergman's ERA to 3.27 on the year.

Garneau has been struggling in the month of August, batting just a tick below .200, but he broke out against the Athletics' Double-A affiliate by notching a pair of hits, including a three-run home run. Kyle Parker (No. 5 PuRP) has been on fire over his past 10 games, with a .372 average and four home runs in that span. On Wednesday the Clemson alum went hitless with three strikeouts, but still managed to score a pair of runs thanks to a walk and a hit by pitch.

High-A Modesto - W 3-1 (61-61)

First-round pick Jonathan Gray (No. 1 PuRP) battled command issues, walking four and allowing two hits, but still managed four strikeouts in four shutout innings. Gray's velocity topped out at 101 miles per hour on the stadium gun and his ERA fell to 0.64 with the effort. Ryan Arrowood came on in relief and pitched four innings of one-run ball, allowing just four hits and matching Gray with four strikeouts. Closer Scott Oberg slammed the door by striking out three men in the ninth for his 27th save of the year.

Catcher Ryan Casteel (No. 24 PuRP) tripled as part of a 2-for-4 evening and also notched a run and an RBI. Second baseman Taylor Featherston (No. 25 PuRP) caused some damage for the Nuts, hitting a pair of singles while also walking and scoring two runs. With the win, the Nuts are back to .500 for the first time since July 1.

Low-A Asheville - W 4-3 (58-61)

The Tourists took advantage of several Hickory miscues to jump out to a 3-0 lead and ended up scoring four unearned runs on the night. Catcher Jose Briceno paced the Asheville roster with two hits, including a double. After being promoted from Grand Junction earlier this month, the Venezuelan has hit at a .260 clip with a pair of doubles.

Starter Ben Hughes allowed just three earned runs on five hits while striking out four in the outing. Three Tourists pitchers combined for four scoreless innings in relief, including a three-strikeout performance by Puerto Rican right-hander Rayan Gonzalez against the Rangers' Single-A affiliate.

Short-Season Tri-City - L 2-3 (26-32)

Wildness plagued starter Logan Norris, who lasted just 3 2/3 innings after walking four and giving up three runs on three hits. Norris was working the sinker, getting nine groundball outs to just two flyballs. He had one strikeout and saw his ERA rise to 3.75 on the year.

Third baseman Michael Benjamin had a pair of doubles on the night and had a hand in each of the Dust Devils' runs, scoring one and knocking in one. Right fielder Michael Tauchman scored ahead of Benjamin and went 2-for-4 at the plate, raising his season average to .311.

Rookie Grand Junction - W 16-12 (25-27)

The Rockies snapped a six-game losing streak with a wild win over the Diamondbacks' Pioneer League affiliate. First baseman Miguel Dilone was the star of the game with a 4-for-6 performance, including a pair of home runs. Right fielder Jordan Patterson also homered and had two hits and three RBI in the game. Every batter recorded a hit for the Rockies, and Raimel Tapia, Jordan Patterson, Ryan McMahon, Dom Nunez and Wesley Jones each doubled.

Starter Joel Payamps lasted just 3 2/3 innings, giving up seven runs (six earned) on seven hits and two walks. He struck out three. Carlos Yan also struggled, allowing three runs in his one inning of work, but Scott Firth came to the rescue, working two scoreless innings for the save.

DSL Rockies - W 9-5 (29-33)

Designated hitter Hamlet Marte led the Rockies with two runs, two hits, two walks and his seventh home run of the year. Marte's seven dingers are the most by a DSL Rockie since Leonel Lopez hit seven in 2006, the same year a 17-year-old Wilin Rosario hit three. Right fielder Luis Brito doubled and scored a run and third baseman Luis Castro had three walks, though he also struck out twice.

Starter Lorenz Ozuna pitched just two innings before giving way to David Martinez, who earned the win with five innings of one-run ball. Gustavo Brazoban closed out the game, striking out one of the Yankees' DSL affiliate's hitters.