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AAA: Colorado Springs (66-73, 11.5 GB) - L 10-7
The Sky Sox are once again playing out the string. Sean Gallagher got roughed up in this one, allowing 14 hits and all 10 runs in just four innings pitched, after which the bullpen of Hisanori Takahashi, Dan Houston, and Steven Hensley threw five shutout frames.
Kent Matthes lead the way on offense with a three hit night, raising his Colorado Springs line to .306/.347/.563 with 18 extra base hits in 43 games on the Sky Sox. Ryan Wheeler added a grand slam for the Sky Sox in his return from the major league club. He'll likely be up with the Rockies when he becomes eligible next week.
AA: Tulsa (30-36 2nd half, 6 GB) - L 2-0
Unlike their AAA counterparts, the Drillers will be in the playoffs by virtue of their first half division title. Still, they would like to avoid the cellar of the division in the second half, where they are currently situated. The Drillers wasted a fine pitching performance by PuRP 14 Dan Winkler in the loss. Winkler threw six innings, allowing one run on two hits with six strikeouts. Unfortunately, the offense was only able to muster five hits in the game.
High A: Modesto (40-26 2nd half, division leader) - L 8-5 (F-12)
With the extra innings loss last night, the Nuts failed to reduce their magic number from 2 to 1, but their division lead remained at 3 games with 4 still to play. PuRP 10 Tyler Anderson was good in a starting role, lasting six innings and allowing just one run on five hits while striking out four. Unfortunately, Ryan Arrowood was unable to hold the two run lead he was handed, while Patrick Johnson gave up four runs in the 12th to seal it.
On offense, Harold Wiggins, Matt Wessinger, and Bryan Humphries all had multi-hit nights, with Riggins hitting his 21st homer. PuRP 4 Trevor Story (12), PuRP 13 Will Swanner (13), and PuRP 25 Taylor Featherston (13) all added solo home runs in the game.
Low A: Asheville (24-41 2nd half, 18 GB) - W 4-3
In the midst of a nightmarish second half of their season, the Tourists managed to get the organization's only win last night - jumping out to a 4-0 lead in the second inning and hanging on for the victory. With two outs and nobody on in the second, the Tourists pounded out five straight hits to give them enough offense for the win. Matt Flemer went 5 1/3 innings of three run ball on five hits, striking out eight to get the win.
Short Season A: Tri-City (13-21 2nd half, 6 GB) - L 2-0
The Dust Devils lost last night to officially eliminate themselves from playoff contention. It's hard to win when you only produce four hits and no runs, as they did last night. Logan Norris went 5 2/3 innings for Tri-City, allowing two runs on six hits while striking out six.
Rookie: Grand Junction (7-21 2nd half, 10 GB) - L 1-0
Yeesh Grand Junction is having a tough second half - they've lost four in a row and have been defeated in three out of every four second half games. Zach Jemiola was very good in a losing effort, throwing a complete game but getting the loss because he allowed a lone run on three hits (he struck out three). Wesley Jones had two of the rookie Rockies' four hits on the game.