As we head into the dog days it's a good time to take a look at where all our minor league affiliates stand in their respective leagues and how things look for making the playoffs.
Reno (44-65) Pacific Coast League AAA
The playoffs are not in the Aces cards for this year. They're 17.5 games out of first so they won't be defending their league title from 2012.
Mobile (57-48) Southern League AA
The BayBears won the first half in the South division so they are already qualified for the playoffs. They're 18-18 for the second half and 1.5 games out of first.
Visalia (57-51) California League High A
The Rawhise did not win their division's first half and currently are 18-20 for the second half, 3 games out of first place. They have some work left to do if they want to make the playoffs.
South Bend (65-40) Midwest League Low A
The Silver Hawks won the Eastern Division first half and are already qualified for the playoffs. They have the best overall record in the division and are currently 21-15 in the second half, 3 games out of first place.
Hillsboro (15-29) Northwest League Short Season A
The Hops had a disastrous first half with the worst record in the league. They are off to a better start in the second half at 4-2 and will need to win the second half to qualify for the playoffs.
Missoula (15-22) Pioneer League Rookie
The Osprey are mired in 3rd place, 8 games out of first place and 4 games out of a playoff spot. They have plenty of work to do to get to the playoffs.
AZL Dbacks (16-14) Arizona Summer League Rookie
The Dbacks did not qualify for the first half playoff spot and are just getting started on their second half at 1-1.
Snake Stars
3 Stars: Sergio Alcantara, AZL Dbacks 3 for 3, 1 BB, 2 R, 1 DBL, 2 RBI, 1 SB
2 Stars: Chris Owings, Reno 3 for 4, 2 R, 1 HR (12), 1 RBI
1 Star: Juan Rivera, Reno 2 for 4, 2 R, 1 DBL, 1 HR (5), 3 RBI
0 Stars: Felipe Perez, Missoula 6 IP, 12 H, 0 BB, 0 K, 8 R, 7 ER
Triple A: Reno 6 Tacoma 5. The Aces rallied from behind with 2 runs in the 6th on two doubles and a single. The bullpen held it together from their with 4.2 shutout innings. Garrett Mock pitched 1.2 innings to earn the win and Evan Marshall a clean 9th for his 3rd save. Chris owings had 3 hits including his 12th home run, though he also committed his 25th error. Juan Rivera had a double and his 5th home run leading to 3 RBI.
Double A: Mobile 0 @ Pensacola 2. Andrew Chafin had a fine start allowing 2 runs on 4 hits and 2 walks over 6 innings while striking out 4. But the offense could only come up with 2 hits on the night.
High A: Visalia 2 Modesto 4. Andrew Barbosa had a tough start allowing 3 runs over the first two innings. But he settled in nicely after that allowing just one more over the next five innings. He finished with 7 strikeouts. The offense couldn't provide enough in return though getting 2 runs on 6 hits, one a solo home run by Gerson Montilla.
Low A: South Bend 7 West Michigan 10.The Silver Hawks looked to be headed to another victory but Jose Jose had a very rough relief stint allowing 6 runs on 5 hits in the 8th inning. Jesse Darrah was decent going 7 innings and allowing 4 runs (3 earned) on 4 hits and a walk. Michael perez went 2 for 4 with 2 doubles and an RBI to lead the offense. And Brandon Drury went 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI.
Short Season A: Hillsboro 0 Everett 6. Braden Shipley started and once again couldn't get past the 3rd inning, this time allowing 3 runs in a rough 3rd inning while striking out 4 overall. The offense had just 4 singles and no walks.
Rookie: Missoula 4 @ Helena 10. Felipe Perez had a very rough outing allowing 8 runs (7 earned) over 6 innings. That was more than the offense could deal with. Joe Munoz hit his 5th home run and Colin Bray went 2 for 4. Bray is hitting .305.
AZL Rookie: Dbacks 12 Cubs 3. The offense cranked out 16 hits and 12 runs led by Sergio Alcantara's 3 for 3 game. Six other Dbacks hitters had 2 hits each. Dallas Newton started and went 4 innings allowing 3 unearned runs. Brad Keller followed with 3 shutout innings on 3 hits and 4 strikeouts.