It was bizarro day for the affiliates as the normally punchless Drillers lit up the scoreboard and the Sky Sox won a 1-0 pitcher's duel. It wasn't too out of line with the norm though - the Nuts still lost as the affiliates went 2-2 on the day.
AAA: Colorado Spring 1, Memphis 0
Christian Bergman (PuRP 26) was the star of this one, though the 26 year-old righty (as of today - Happy Birthday Christian!) didn't even get the win. Bergman threw eight shutout innings in the bandbox at Colorado Springs, allowing only five hits and a walk while striking out three. The Sky Sox needed that kind of a pitching effort, because they managed only five hits in the game.
Bergman was the star but Paul Janish and Jason Pridie (who had two of the five hits) were the heroes. Janish got a pinch hit single in the bottom of the ninth and came home on a two out single by Pridie. Nick Masset, who pitched a hitless 9th, got his first win of the year.
Jon Gray (PuRP 1) got top billing in this one and he didn't disappoint. Gray went six innings on 88 pitches, allowing three runs (two earned) on seven hits while striking out seven. Gray has now struck out 32 batters in 29 2/3 innings, and has allowed just three earned runs in his last 23 innings while striking out 26 men in that time.
In this game though, Gray left the game on the hook for the loss, with Tulsa down 3-2. Fortunately, the Drillers were able to score five runs in the 8th, all with two outs, to take the lead. Dustin Garneau doubled in the tying run, then Jayson Langfels singled him in for the go-ahead run. Not satisfied with a one run cushion, Tyler Massey hit a two run shot (2), followed immediately by a solo shot by Jared Simon (2). For good measure, Taylor Featherston (PuRP 22) added a solo shot in the 9th (2).
Featherston had three of Tulsa's 13 hits on the night, while Delta Cleary, Langfels, and Simon each added two. Ken Roberts and Cole White combined for three scoreless innings of relief, with Roberts getting the win.
High A: Bakersfield 6, Modesto 4
The hapless Nuts (9-21) fell behind 6-1 in the 4th inning and were unable to claw their way back in this one. Jordan Ribera had two of Modesto's eight hits in this one, while Will Swanner (PuRP 24) had a double and a RBI. Matt Flemer went five innings for Modesto, allowing 10 hits and six runs with two walks and two strikeouts. Shane Broyles stood out with three innings of scoreless relief, while Peter Tago also threw a scoreless inning.
Low A: Lakewood 7, Asheville 4
David Dahl (PuRP 3) smacked his 6th homer of the year and Mike Benjamin hit his 4th long ball, but alas they were both solo shots in a game when the Tourists needed a few more runs. Corelle Prime and Pat Valaika (PuRP 21) both added two hits for Asheville. The 21 year-old Valaika is now hitting 3rd for the Tourists and has a .380/.407/.595 line in 79 at-bats this year.
On the mound, Johendi Jiminian allowed two runs on seven hits with six strikeouts in his five innings pitched to raise his 2014 ERA to 1.62. He only threw 77 pitches as the Rockies look to limit his innings. Unfortunately, Carlos Estevez did not have his finest outing, allowing five runs in two innings of relief to take the loss.
Today's Probables
AAA: Pedro Hernandez
AA: Tyler Anderson
High A: Ben Alsup
Low A: Zach Jemiola