Triple-A Albuquerque: L 3-0 (60-79)
The Isotopes were kept off the board by Astros farmhand Luis Cruz, who struck out nine and allowed just four hits in seven innings. Cruz outdueled Eddie Butler, who allowed three runs on eight hits in seven innings. Butler struck out only three batters but didn’t issue a walk, a good sign after an outing in which he issued five free passes.
Rafael Ynoa led Albuquerque’s offense with a hit and a walk in four trips to the plate.
Double-A New Britain: W 6-5 (66-69)
Juan Ciriaco drove in the tying and winning runs, the latter coming in the top of the 12th inning on a triple. Jordan Patterson and Joey Wong led the Rock Cats with three hits apiece.
Matt Flemer, often a victim of poor run support, got plenty of it on Wednesday. He needed it, too; Flemer allowed five runs on eight hits in seven innings. He struck out five and didn’t walk a batter.
High-A Modesto: L 3-2 (66-69)
Raimel Tapia had two hits, including a homer, and Zach Jemiola pitched extremely well out of the bullpen, allowing only a run on two hits while striking out six in five innings.
Jemiola, normally a starter, worked as a long reliever after the rehabbing Tyler Chatwood gave up a run on three hits (one of which was a homer) and two walks in two innings. The result matters not; Chatwood pitched pain free for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery early last season.
Low-A Asheville: L 4-3, W 2-0 (69-65)
Ryan Castellani allowed two runs on six hits and no walks in six innings in Game 1. He struck out three. Wes Rogers led the Tourists with two hits in the 11-inning loss.
In Game 2, Carlos Polanco struck out six while scattering eight hits and a walk in seven scoreless innings. Shane Hoelscher doubled twice as part of a three-hit game and Forrest Wall chipped in a pair of singles.
Short-Season A Boise: W 6-0 (29-43)
Jensen Park and Steven Leonard finished with two hits apiece for the Hawks, who got four scoreless innings out of first-year pro David Hill. The Rockies’ fourth-round pick in the June draft gave up three hits and struck out three batters. In 23⅓ pro innings, Hill owns a 3.09 ERA with 23 strikeouts and nine walks.
Rookie Grand Junction: L 10-9 (30-40)
Sam Hilliard, Collin Ferguson and Mylz Jones had three hits apiece for the Rockies, who also got a home run from Chris Rabago. But bad pitching did in the rookie Rox; Javier Medina was roughed up for six runs (four earned) on nine hits in four innings and Hunter Brothers allowed the winning runs in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Rockies center fielder Bobby Stahel made an incredible catch in the losing effort. Check it out:
This @Rockies Minor Leaguer made an unreal diving catch on Wednesday: http://t.co/Jzfw6UHHvW pic.twitter.com/ZlHB8pg1Oh
— Cut4 (@Cut4) September 3, 2015