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Rockies affiliates committed ten errors in four games en route to an organization wide sweep.
Triple-A: Albuquerque Isotopes (18-29)
W: Sanchez (1-1, 3.75); L: Diaz, Ja (1-3, 4.50); SV: Wittgren (4)
John Lannan had yet another strong start, allowing two earned runs over six innings, during which he struck out two and walked one. Lannan has appeared in eight games total and started seven for the Isotopes. The two appearances after he returned from injury were unmitigated disasters. In those two appearances, he pitched 4.2 innings and allowed 11 earned runs. In his other six appearances, all starts, Lannan has averaged 6 1/3 innings with a 2.15 ERA and a strikeout to walk ratio better than three. Lannan is no ace, but when you compare the fact that he is a 29 year old starter with a career 98 ERA+ and a GB% of 52.9, you have to think that given the Sisyphean nature of rotation health at altitude, we will likely be seeing this guy with the Rockies at some point this year.
Lannan's start wasn't enough to hold win this one, as the two unearned runs on three errors ended up being the difference. On offense, Kyle Parker had another two hit game, bringing him to a .351 batting average over his last ten games. The 2010 first rounder has largely been forgotten by prospect hounds, but he still has the talent to turn it around.
Double-A: New Britain Rock Cats (29-16)
W: Kuhl (3-1, 2.73); L: Carle (5-3, 3.61)
In this game, both teams had five hits, one for extra bases. But when you strike out nine times and walk just once the way New Britain did, it is really hard to get a rally going. The Rock Cats got shut out, and Shane Carle pitched even better than his eight inning three earned run performance showed, but it was ultimately for naught.
Trevor Story was 2-4, and catcher Tom Murphy notched his 13th double of the year. But the offense ultimately was unable to land a blow against Altoona. Story and Murphy were truly the atomic twins in April. While not as radiant, their May lines of .278/.337/.511 for Murphy and .290/.376/.505 for Story are still excellent, especially from the top of the defensive spectrum, and in the most neutral environment in the organization.
Class A Advanced: Modesto Nuts (23-23)
Rancho Cucamonga 12, Modesto 4
W: Stewart (1-1, 9.64); L: Wiest (1-3, 6.16)
In another game in which the Rockies affiliate had the same number of hits as its opponent, but lost convincingly, the Nuts lost and fell back to .500. Raimel Tapia went 0-5 and is now hitting only .319 for the year. On the whole, the left handed hitting outfielder is hitting .381/.404/.714 against same handed pitching, so his .301/.325/.438 against RHP is noticeable, but likely unsustainably low.
On a brighter note, Ryan McMahon had yet another two hit game, and his .286/.395/.478 line looks really good from a guy picked by many to be an above average defensive third baseman. And it seems Jordan Patterson really wants to play in New Britain. Patterson first came to my attention in those "DC in GJ" reports from a few years back, and he has been hitting ever since. Patterson's 3-4 day brought his May line to .403/.431/.758 ,which is silly even for an older hitter in the CAL league. His season line of .348/.408/.659 compares very well to a 23 year old Corey Dickerson, who earned a mid-season promotion after hitting .338/.396/.583 in Modesto.
Class A: Asheville Tourists (19-27)
W: Meisner (4-1, 2.02); L: Castellani (0-4, 3.38)
Ryan Castellani took a bit of a step back in this one, managing to get through just 2.2 innings while throwing 35 of his 64 pitches for strikes. Castellani allowed three runs, just one earned, on five hits and walking one in his abbreviated start. While the young right hander didn't do himself any favors in this one, the mostly anemic offense and three errors from the defense didn't help matters.
The bright spot here was Omar Carrizales, who after third consecutive multi hit game is hitting .474 in his last ten. Over that same stretch, the 20 year old center fielder also has five walks to six strikeouts and has stolen nine bases. Imagine how much fun it will be to hear Spilly in a couple of years say "Posey drives it to the gap, but don't worry Omar's comin, yo." Plus, the Farmer and the Dell will make great walkup music.
Today's Starters
ALB: Hale (0-2, 6.93)
NB: Evans(1-0 1.50)
MOD: Senzatela (3-2, 2.28)
ASH: Polanco, C (1-6, 6.10)