Rockies Prospects: Rosell Hererra returns, Alex Balog dominates, Will Swanner goes yard

New Orleans Zephyrs 4, Colorado Springs Sky Sox 3

This game was a pretty lackluster event in terms of piling up stats or showcasing for the big leagues. Kyle Parker picked up a hit in four at-bats as did Ben Paulsen whose hit was an RBI double. Angelys Nina and Drew Garcia each drove in runs on doubles of their own for the Sky Sox but no player had more than one hit on the day.

Yohan Flande -- who I always want to call "Yohan Phalanges" -- pitched six innings, giving up four runs on eight hits. He struck out three and walked only one but did give up two home runs. His ERA on the season sits a 5.40.

Tulsa Drillers - Day off

Modesto Nuts 3, Stockton Ports 12

The Nuts got roughed up in this one. Only one Nut who took the hill managed to give up only one run and it was the last Nut, Raul Fernandez. Starter Devin Burke gave up five and was gone in four innings, Jacob Newberry surrendered four runs in just one inning, and Nate Stritz allowed two in two.

The bad outing only brings Burke's surprisingly decent ERA to 3.86.

Modesto only recorded five hits on the day and the only one of scoring consequence was Will Swanner's three-run home run, his fourth of the season. Also it was nice to see Rosell Hererra back in the lineup and grabbing a hit with a 1-4 performance. But regardless of production for now, the Nuts are just happy to have Hererra back from his sore wrist issues.

Asheville Tourists 2, Savannah Sand Gnats 1

Alex Balog and Emerson Jimenez were the heroes in this one. Balog worked seven innings giving up only one run on six hits. He walked three, struck out four, and brought his season ERA to 3.53. Troy Neiman, Trent Daniel, and Andrew Brown shut things down from there as this one would require extras.

Emerson Jimenez was right in the middle of both runs being scored for the Tourists. After a Max White single, Jimenez bunted him into scoring position for the eventual David Dahl RBI single. And after White reached base again in the tenth, Emerson smashed a go-ahead triple that would prove the be the game winner.

Ryan McMahon went 0-3 but did draw a walk. Raimel Tapia (batting third) went 0-4 with three strike outs. The tourists struck out fifteen times in this game, ten coming against Savannah starter Chris Flexen.

UPDATE:

I completely forgot that the Dominican Summer League (DSL) had begun and that I should have included that in my report. Resident prospect hound and regular-saver-of-DC's-ass, sleepyteak, gives this report which you can also find in the comments:

The DSL Rockies won their second game to start the season 4-2. 17 Yr. old Jorge Oviedo pitched 5 innings allowing 4 hits and a run against 5 strikeouts. 19 Yr. old Salvador Justo pitched a perfect ninth with a strikeout for his 2nd save.
17 year old RF Ramon Marcelino is leading the Rockies in hitting and had 2 hits with a double and a run scored in this one. 19 yr. old 2B Jonathan Piron, 18 yr old LF Luis Brito, 17 yr old DH Hidekel Gonzalez, 19 yr. old 3B Anthony Brito had one hit apiece. I believe the Brito's are brothers but I don't know for sure. There is only 1 player on this team that is not a teenager. whereas last year there were 5.

Thanks, again sleepyteak. Let me buy you a beer (or soda or whatever) one of these days.

Today's probable starters:

Sky Sox: Christian Bergman

Drillers: Jon Gray

Nuts: TBD

Asheville: Konner Wade