For being a guy with a .287/.404/.553 line thus far in 2012, not many people are talking about outfielder Marc Krauss. That's probably because Krauss, a hitter who has been streaky throughout his short pro career, has been over-shadowed a bit by fellow BayBear Matt Davidson. However, the former second-round pick has done little but hit with the D-backs organization, and is off to an absurd start with Mobile in a repeat season after a relatively rough season there in 2011. Though he isn't a particularly strong defender, Krauss showed off his big-time power in Mobile's double-header on Monday:
Snakelet of the Day:
Marc Krauss (Double-A, two games): 4-6, 3 2B, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, K
Andrew Chafin (Hi-A): 7 IP, 8 H, 2 R (2 ER), 12:0 K:BB, 6:2 GO:FO
Triple-A: Reno 10, New Orleans 4. (23-22) The Aces tacked on five runs in the first inning of this one, largely due to a grand slam from Randy Ruiz. That provided plenty of cushion for starting pitcher Daniel Hudson, who allowed five hits and two runs in five innings of work on his rehab assignment, striking out two with one walk. Ruiz also doubled and drew a pair of walks for the Aces, while A.J. Pollock doubled twice and walked, Jake Elmore singled four times, Rusty Ryal singled and doubled, and Cole Gillespie doubled and walked.
Double-A (game one, seven innings): Mobile 2, Jackson 1. Southpaw Tyler Skaggs was lights-out for the BayBears with six shutout innings on the mound, and outfielder Marc Krauss had his first phenomenal game of the day, hitting a solo home run and a double, scoring both of Mobile's runs in this game. Mobile also received doubles from Yazy Arbelo and David Nick, with Arbelo chipping in a two-hit game. Kevin Munson worked a scoreless eighth, while Evan Marshall allowed a run in the ninth but held on to the lead.
Double-A (game two, seven innings): Mobile 2, Jackson 4. (25-20) The BayBears were once again only able to get their offense going with the help of Krauss, whose two-RBI double in the sixth was the only offense that Mobile mustered. Spot-starter Conrad Flynn allowed just two runs on five hits across five innings, striking out two with no walks - an awfully nice outing from someone who has spent most of the year in Extended Spring Training. Eric Smith worked a scoreless sixth to keep things tied at six, but Yonata Ortega gave up a two-run, walk-off home run to Francisco Martinez in the bottom of the seventh as Jackson walked off the second half of the doubleheader.
Hi-A: Visalia 4, Bakersfield 6. (23-22) Starting pitcher Andrew Chafin was crazy-good, striking out a dozen of the 29 hitters he faced in this game while walking nobody. Unfortunately, the Blaze hitters went 8-for-17 on balls in play, perhaps an indicator of some rotten luck, or perhaps an indicator of some shaky command. The Rawhide tied things up in the bottom of the eighth despite entering the inning down 4-0, partially due to the help of a two-run home run from Garrett Weber. Reliever Jeremy Erben gave up a pair of solo home runs in the ninth, though, and the Rawhide bats were unable to come back again.
Low-A: South Bend 6, West Michigan 1. (24-21) Third baseman Matt Helm hit his second home run of the year and drew a pair of walks for the Silver Hawks to lead the way at the plate, while Josh Parr and Ender Inciarte each had two-hit days. That would be plenty of offense for the pitching staff, as the South Bend quartet of Jesse Darrah, Seth Simmons, Matt Sample, and Willy Paredes gave up just one unearned run on the day.