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The affiliates went 1-3 on the day, with the lone win coming in a barnburner...
AAA: Colorado Springs 10, Oklahoma City 9
It was a wild one last night in Colorado Springs. The game featured 35 hits, 6 errors, and a come from behind walk-off win for the Sky Sox. Colorado Springs took a 8-1 lead into the 6th inning, only to see Oklahoma City score eight straight runs to take a 9-8 lead into the bottom of the 9th. Fortunately, Ryan Wheeler, Ben Paulsen, Kyle Parker (PuRP 5), and Jackson Williams all came through with hits to score the tying and winning runs.
Williams and Jason Pridie each had three hits for Colorado Springs, who mustered 19 in the game, while Paulsen, Parker, Drew Garcia, Angelys Nina, and Paul Janish all added two apiece. In fact, with the exception of OK City leadoff man Robbie Grossman, every player who batted in the game for both teams got at least one hit. Of the 19 hits for the Sky Sox, only three went for extra bases, including a three run homer by Matt McBride, who apparently hurt his hamstring running around the bases.
On the mound, Pedro Hernandez went 5 1/3 innings, allowing five runs on eight hits with two punchouts. He was still in line for the win until the relief corps took to the hill. Wilton "Tire Iron" Lopez allowed two runs on four hits in 1 2/3 innings of work, while Greg Burke completed the bullpen meltdown with another two runs on four hits (with four strikeouts) in his two innings of work. Still, because pitching wins are stupid, Burke took the win.
With the only non-prospect in their rotation on the hill, the Drillers booted the ball all over the diamond in this one, committing five errors in the game - four of them were by third baseman Jayson Langfels. Three of his errors were on throws, and two of them led to runs.
After falling into a 5-1 deficit, the Drillers fought their way back with a four run 7th inning fueled in large part by a couple of walks and three wild pitches. In all, Tulsa had eight hits in the game, but no player had more than one. Harold Riggins hit a solo shot, his second of the year, for the only extra base hit.
Ricardo Castillo threw five innings of five run (three earned), eight hit ball, while Kraig Sitton allowed an unearned run in relief to take the loss.
High A: Lake Elsinore 4, Modesto 2
The Nuts continued their dreadful start to 2014 with a loss last night, dropping them to 4-12 on the year. In this game, they actually got a good start from Ben Alsup, who allowed two runs on eight hits in six innings of work. Shane Broyles allowed two runs in his inning of work in relief to take the loss.
Unfortunately, Modesto's scoring was limited only to two runs in the sixth inning. I say unfortunately because while the Nuts had only six hits on the night, they stole eight bases! Will Swanner (PuRP 24) had his first three steals on the year, while Trevor Story (PuRP 6) swiped his 11th bag of the year in the season's 16th game.
Alex Balog hit a road bump in his quest to restore his prospect status in this one, allowing six runs (three earned) on seven hits over six innings pitched. The tall right-hander, Colorado's second round pick in last year's draft, struck out five and walked one in the start.
Ryan McMahon (PuRP 7) continued his nuclear hot start to 2014 in this one by stroking two more hits. The 19 year-old now is hitting .340/.443/.760 so far this year. Michael Benjamin also had two hits, while Pat Valaika (PuRP 21) also added a double for the Tourists.
Tonight's Pitchers
AAA: Yohan Flande
AA: Eddie Butler (PuRP 2)
High A: Jhoulys Chacin
Low A: Postponed (Rain)