Top Seattle prospect Danny Hultzen no-hit the Reno Aces for 5 innings last night in a 4-3 come-from-behind win. If you don't remember Danny Hultzen is because Hultzen was chosen one pick ahead of Trevor Bauer in the 2011 draft at number two overall. There was a lot of pre-draft talk that the Diamondbacks might end up drafting Hultzen if he was still there at number three. In any case, I bring him up to make a comparison between him and Bauer. So far I'd have to give a slight edge to Bauer. Hultzen has made nine AAA starts and has a 4.35 ERA with 50 Ks and 29 walks in 41 innings which equates to a 1.7 K/BB, a 1.22 K/9 and a .70 BB/9. Bauer has made 12 AAA starts and has a 2.74 ERA with 83 Ks and 32 walks in 69 innings for a 2.6 K/BB, 1.20 K/9, and .46 BB/9. Those are pretty evenly matched stats but the slight edge goes to Bauer. It might also be interesting to note that Hultzen has also been skipping a few starts here and there in July and August just like Bauer, so it validates the explanation given by the Dbacks that it's not unusual for pitchers at this age and stage of their development to be given some time off. The moral of the story? The Dbacks did fine getting Bauer instead of Hultzen as we examine the early returns. It's always good to know how players drafted around our picks are doing. And by the way, Tyler Skaggs was supposed to start this game but was scratched leading some to believe he will start in one of the Wednesday double-header games.
Snake Stars
3 Stars: Keon Broxton, Visalia 3 for 4, 1 BB, 1 R, 1 HR (16), 5 RBI
2 Stars: Daniel Cabrera, Reno 6 IP, 5 H, 1 BB, 3 K, 1 ER
1 Star: Jake Lamb, Missoula 3 for 5, 2 R, 1 TPL, 1 HR (6), 3 RBI
0 Stars: Raymond Hernandez, Visalia 1 IP, 3 H, 4 BB, 2 K, 4 ER
Game summaries after the jump.
Triple A: Reno 3 Tacoma 4. Danny Hultzen no-hit the Aces for the 5 innings he pitched with 3 walks and 6 strikeouts. But the Reno offense did get a run in the first thanks to Adam Eaton who walked, advanced to 2nd on another walk, stole third and scored on a sacrifice fly. Recently acquired Daniel Cabrera started and was terrific for 6 innings allowing just a run on 5 hits and a walk. The offense got on top after Hultzen left via an RBI single by Mike Jacobs in the 6th to take a 2-1 lead. But Matt Gorgen allowed the tying run in the 7th on a solo homer and Jensen Lewis surrendered 2 more in the 8th on a 2-run homer to get the loss.
Double A: Mobile. Rained out, David Holmberg was scheduled to start but will instead start today in one of the doubleheader 7-inning games scheduled.
High A: Visalia 10 @ Modesto 11. The Rawhide did serious damage to their playoff chances with yet another heart-breaking loss to first place Modesto. Andrew Chafin started and let in 3 runs in the first inning before settling down to pitch 3 scoreless frames before exiting after 4. He finished with 3 runs allowed on 3 hits and 5 walks while striking out 5. The offense did its part by scoring 10 runs in the first 3 innings, 7 in the 3rd inning alone. Keon Broxton delivered the key blow with a grand slam in the big third inning and that should have led the team to a laugher victory. But it was not to be as the bullpen following Chafin was horrendous allowing 7 runs in the 5th and 6th innings and 1 more in the 8th for the brutal loss. Gerson Montilla added 3 hits and Ryan LaPensee smashed a 3-run homer.
Low A: South Bend 6 @ Bowling Green 5. The Silver Hawks got an early lead with 4 runs in the first inning and found a way to hang on for a 6-5 win. Conrad Flynn started but wasn't very effective as he allowed the game to be tied by the 4th inning. But Jesse Darrah was very good with 3 shutout innings and Matt Sample followed with 2 more to earn his 5th save. The offense clubbed 3 home runs, all solo shots, coming from Roidany Aguila, Matt Helm and Ryan Court. Brian Billigen was recently promoted from the AZL Dbacks and went 1 for 4 in his second start in the outfield.
Short Season A: Yakima 4 Boise 3. Yakima had their ace going last night in Daniel Watts, and while he wasn't perfect he was pretty darned good. He surrendered a 3-spot in the 2nd to get behind early but settled in and allowed no more runs through 6 innings. That was enough for the offense to take the lead with 3 runs in the 6th and the bullpen did its usual thing to give Watts the 4-3 win. Steven Rodriguez was the offensive star with 3 hits including a double and 3 RBI.
Rookie: Missoula 11 Idaho Falls 8. Starter Yoimer Camacho dug the team a deep 7-0 hole through 4 innings but the offense would not be denied as they scored 3 in the 4th, 4 in the 5th and 4 more in the 8th for the nice come-from-behind victory. Reliever Chris Thomas was superb with 2 shutout innings to earn the win. Jake Lamb led the potent attack with 3 hits including a triple and a home run with 3 RBI. Evan Marzilli returned to action after missing a game with a minor injury.
AZL Rookie: Dbacks 10 @ Angels 6. The Dbacks earned a nice come-from-behind win of their own as they scored 6 runs over the final 2 innings. Starter Jeff Gibbs and reliever Andrew Potter combined to yield 6 runs over the first 5 innings. But relievers Chase Brewer, Eric Meyerchick and Don Medlinger combined for 4 shutout innings afterward to give the offense the time it needed. Justin Bianco went 3 for 4 with 3 RBI and Andrew Velazquez had a pair of hits with a double and 2 RBI. Velazquez also stole his 20th base and Bianco stole his 3rd. John Leonard got the start at shortstop to give Jose Munoz a day off and went 4 for 5 with an RBI to get his average back up to the Mendoza line.