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Hartford Yard Goats starting pitcher Antonio Senzatela (No. 9 PuRP) left Thursday's game at Portland early as a precaution after struggling to get loose on a cold night that saw temperatures drop into the 30s in Maine.
Senzatela was removed after walking Sea Dogs shortstop Tzu-Wei Lin to lead off the top of the third. He allowed three runs, all earned, on four hits in his two innings of work, walking two and striking out none.
Yard Goats manager Darin Everson told the Portland Press Herald's Kevin Thomas that there was no injury for Senzatela, but that the 21-year-old failed to get loose and was removed as a precaution:
.@Rockies prospect Antonio Senzatela should be fine, Yard Goats manager Darin Everson said. Senzatela never really loosened up in the cold
— Kevin Thomas (@ClearTheBases) April 15, 2016
Senzatela should make his next start for the Yard Goats early next week.
Thursday Game Recaps:
Triple-A: Albuquerque Isotopes 5, Reno Aces 2
Isotopes Fold the Aces 5-2, Win Third Straight - Albuquerque Isotopes News
Albuquerque starting pitcher Jeff Hoffman (No. 3 PuRP) had another strong outing in his second Triple-A start, allowing two runs on just three hits in seven innings of work, walking one and striking out three. Hoffman's ERA now sits at 1.38 in 13 innings after two starts with the Isotopes. Albuquerque shortstop Rafael Ynoa was 3-for-5 in the game with a run scored and two driven in and right fielder Jordan Patterson (No. 18 PuRP) added an RBI double.
Double-A: Portland Sea Dogs 8, Hartford Yard Goats 5
Sea Dogs Win Home Opener, 8-5 - Portland Sea Dogs News
After Senzatela departed with a 3-0 deficit, the Sea Dogs stretched the lead to 8-0 with five runs in three innings against reliever Carlos Hernandez. However, the Yard Goats made things interesting thanks in large part to the effort of right fielder David Dahl (No. 2 PuRP), who had an RBI double in the sixth and hit his league-leading fifth home run of the season, a two-run shot, in the eighth that cut the Portland lead to 8-5. The Yard Goats could not do any more damage, though, and fell to 5-3 on the season.
High-A: Modesto Nuts 5, Stockton Ports 2
Hoelscher, Howard lead Nuts to Home-Opening 5-2 Win - Modesto Nuts News
Modesto starting pitcher Sam Howard allowed just one hit, a single, and an unearned run in 5 1/3 innings of work, walking three and striking out six in the Nuts' 5-2 win. Nuts third baseman Shane Hoelscher hit a three-run home run in the third inning and designated hitter Roberto Ramos added a pair of doubles to spearhead the offensive effort for Modesto.
Low-A: Asheville Tourists 5, Rome Braves 4 (10 innings)
Asheville Enjoys Walk-Off Win in Home Opener - Asheville Tourists News
Tourists second baseman Max George dropped a walk-off single into left field to give Asheville just its second win of the 2016 season. Asheville starter Jack Wynkoop was solid, allowing three runs on on eight hits in six innings with a walk and six strikeouts, but left the game with a 3-0 deficit. However, a home run from center fielder Mylz Jones sparked a four-run rally in the final two inning to send the game to extras and set up George's winner.
Friday Probables:
Triple-A: Shane Carle vs. Tacoma 7:05 p.m. MT
Double-A: Matt Flemer at Portland 4:00 p.m. MT
High-A: Jon Gray (No. 1 PuRP) vs. Stockton 8:05 p.m. MT
Low-A: Peter Lambert (No. 21 PuRP) vs. Rome 5:05 p.m. MT