Two wins for the five affiliates in action. We were outscored 25-35, mostly because Reno found themselves on the receiving end of a clubbing. But the most memorable games was Yakima's home opener, which went to 16 innings. For once, we give the daily award to a performance at the other end of the scale, with a prospect doing something only three major leaguers have done since 1974 - strike out six times in a contest.
ANTI-Snakelet of the Day:
Justin Hilt (Low-A): 0-for-7, 6 K
Justin Hilt (Low-A): 0-for-7, 6 K
Triple-A: Reno 8 @ Las Vegas 16. Ouch. The Aces found themselves 16-2 down after four, as Tom Layne (2 IP, 10 H, 3 BB, 11 runs, all earned) and Rafael Rodriguez (1.2 IP, 8 H, 1 BB, 5 runs, all earned) served up batting practice. Credit to Kam Mickolio, who struck out four over 2.1 innings of one-hit relief, and also to the offense for bringing some respectability to the score. LF Evan Frey went 4-for-5 with a double, 1B Brandon Allen had his 13th home-run and added a triple, DH Konrad Schmidt had a couple of knocks and RF Cole Gillespie reached safely four times, on a hit and a trio of walks.
Low-A: Yakima 5, Spokane 9. On a day where discussion over relocating the Bears was prominent, this was a home opener that will be remembered, lasting two minutes short of five hours. Yakima blew two leads and Spokane a 5-2 one, with the home team tying it up at five in the eighth. The teams traded zeros for seven frames, before the Indians scored four in the 16th - they ended up facing 1B Jimmy Comerota, who also went 2-for-7 with three RBI. Credit the Bears 'pen for throwing 8.2 scoreless frames prior to that, and LF Marc Bourgeois reached safely three times with a double, triple and a walk.
Rookie: Missoula 5, Helena 4. Despite being outhit 11-6, the Osprey took advantage of some Brewers wildness and the seven free passes which resulted, to come back from a 4-0 deficit. Starter Jesse Darrah went three, allowing three on six hits, but Johan Jaime and Conrad Flynn kept it tight thereafter, Jaime giving up only an unearned run in two innings, and Flynn getting the W for four shutout frames; he scattered three hits with no walks and four K's. I'll refer you to Mizzoula Osprey Fan's game report for more info.
DSL: DSL Diamondbacks 1, DSL Padres 4. Bryan Escanio defined "effectively wild" for the D-backs. He walked five in 5.1 innings, but allowed only two hits and struck out seven, as we blanked the Padres through six. However, our DSL bullpen couldn't continue, with the opposition scoring three in the eighth and adding another in the ninth. The offense could muster only three hits, with DH Franyer Ramirez getting a double and two walks; CF Yorman Garcia chipped in with a hit and a walk.
AZL: AZL Diamondbacks 6 @ AZL Cubs 3. SS John Leonard had three hits, including a pair of doubles, and also added a walk as our AZL crew notched the first win of their campaign. 2B Jesus Abreu got two hits and a walk, while CF Wagner Mateo opened his account with two hits, including the first home-run of 2011. Yiomar Camacho started for the D-backs and allowed one run over four innings, on two hits and a walk with five K's. Berling Cruz got the win with 2.2 hitless innings of relief; he walked one and struck out three though did give up an unearned run.