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New Orleans 7, Colorado Springs 2
Tyler Matzek had his most Matzekian start of the season yesterday, working 5.2 shutout innings while striking out five and allowing only two hits--and five walks. That's the big lefty in a nutshell right there. His season totals aren't bad at all: 2.18 ERA, 24 Ks against 12 BBs. But the wildness is preventing him from going deep into games, as he's averaging just a shade over five innings per start. So it goes with the 2009 first rounder.
The Sky Sox were nursing a one run lead heading into the eighth, when New Orleans hung a six spot on Greg Burke. Oopsies.
The offense didn't muster much in this game. Kyle Parker, Tim Wheeler, and Ben Paulsen all doubled. Paulsen was responsible for both RBIs.
Dan Winkler ladies and gentlemen. In the first game of the double header (which means seven innings per game), Winkler would be the only pitcher the Drillers needed as he blasted his way through the Travelers lineup. His seven innings of shutout ball featured 10 strikeouts, one walk, and one hit. That brings his season ERA down to 0.75 (!) with a 27/8 K/BB ratio. Dude has been unstoppable.
The offense got three hits from Taylor Featherston and not much else. Michael Roth for the Travelers went Full-Matzek (you never go Full-Matzek) by walking five in addition to three hits. That led to a two run third inning, which is all that Winkler needed.
The Drillers again shut out Arkansas in the night cap. This must have been one boring game to watch; it went 11 innings with nary a run scored between them. Finally Christhian Adames singled home Tyler Massey in that final frame to get the scoring started.
It was a bullpen-palooza as five different relievers handled the game, and not a single one gave up a run. Not much else to say about this one. Moving on.
Poor Modesto. Their start to the season has been positively Diamondbackian, as they sit at a putrid 5 and 14. They managed two lousy singles the entire game. Trevor Story, Will Swanner, and Rosell Herrera were a combined 0 for 10. Yuck.
Nuts pitching walked seven on the day. I guess walks were a theme yesterday.
This is more like it. Ryan McSupermahon launched his eighth home run of the year, a two run shot in the sixth inning. McMahon's 1.242 OPS is straight awesome. Patrick Valaika also went 2 for 4 with a home run. David Dahl and Raimel Tapia have cooled off substantially, both going oh-fer yesterday. Dahl has a .788 OPS, Tapia's is .548.
Johendi Jiminian pitch five innings of one run ball, but he allowed five walks (seriously, what the hell?). The Tourists are now 9 and 9.