Reno finally got their season underway, although they - Kevin Mulvey in particular - probably wished they hadn't, and it didn't last long either. In better news, looks like Paul Goldschmidt is already earning respect in his third Double-A appearance. However, someone needs to tell the hitters down in South Bend that it's okay to score runs.
Snakelet of the Day:
David Nick (High-A): 3-for-5, BB, HR, RBI, 2 R
David Nick (High-A): 3-for-5, BB, HR, RBI, 2 R
Triple-A. Reno 1, Salt Lake 8. With a lengthy delay in the middle, the Aces did finally open their 2011 season against the Bees, but Kevin Mulvey didn't get the memo. He was tagged for seven hits, two walks and six runs in just three unimpressive innings. The offense wasn't much better, mustering only three hits in a game reduced to seven frames. CF Colin Cowgill reached twice on a hit and a walk, while Wily Mo Pena drove in Reno's only score with a solo shot to lead off the fifth. This should have been the first part of a double-header, but as it was close to 10pm by the time the opener was finished, a night was called
Double-A. Mobile 5, Carolina 3. The BayBears won their third consecutive game to open the season, though Paul Goldschmidt was kept in the park. That's partly because he was walked twice, partly because the game was called in the top of the seventh. All the runs were scored just in time: Mobile plated five in the top of the sixth, LF Marc Krauss and C Ed Easley each driving in two, but Carolina responded with three off "complete game" pitcher Charlie Brewer. CF A.J. Pollock got two hits and SS Mark Hallberg picked up a couple of free passes.
High-A. Visalia 9, Bakersfield 12. Chase Anderson get the start, and had an impressive first couple of frames, striking out four, but the wheels fell off in the third and fourth. He ended with a line of seven runs, all but one earned, in 3.1 innings, on eight hits and a walk, though did fan six. 2B David Nick reached safely four times, and the Rawhide came back from 7-3 down, getting the tying run to third with one out in the sixth. However, that was as close as they came: the Rawhide did show good patience, with a K:BB ratio of 7:7 on the night, they couldn't overcome their pitchers allowing eighteen hits.
A-ball. South Bend 0, Fort Wayne 5. The Silver Hawks continue to struggle offensively, losing their third straight to the TinCaps, having managed to score only a total of two runs over the trio of games. They did get nine hits today, but went 0-for-6 with RISP. CF Keon Broxton and RF Chris Jarrett each picked up a pair of singles. Patrick Schuster started for South Bend, and settled down after allowing a two-run homer in the first. He gave up three runs over six innings, on six hits and three walks. It's the fifth straight year the Hawks have started the season 0-3.