Patrick Corbin was on his game last night for Reno as he spun another gem, though the Aces finally lost a game 3-1 when Takashi Saito gave up 2 runs in the 8th. The Reno bats were quiet for the first time in a long time though Stephen Drew did triple in 4 at bats. Highly-regarded prospect Andrew Chafin had his worst outing as a pro in giving up 9 earned runs in just two innings as Visalia was shellacked 19-6. Mobile won both games of a double-header in dramatic fashion, the first by overcoming a 5-0 deficit through 6 innings and the second on a walk-off infield single by Dan Kaczrowski. South Bend got mauled by Fort Wayne behind John Pedrotty's rough start.
Snake Stars
3 Stars: Patrick Corbin, Reno 7 IP, 6 H, 2 BB, 1 ER, 8 K
2 Stars: Alfredo Marte, Mobile 3 for 4, 2 R, 2 DBL, GW run in 8th
1 Star: Derek Eitel, Mobile 7 IP, 6 H, 2 BB, 1 ER, 4 K
0 Stars: Andrew Chafin, Visalia 2 IP, 6 H, 3 BB, 9 ER, 3 HR, 3 K
Game summaries after the break.
Triple A: Reno 1 @ Colorado 3 Patrick Corbin did all he could in throwing another masterful game against Colorado, but for once the Aces bats were cold and the team lost 3-1. The game was tied at 1 through 7 innings when Takashi Saito entered to start the 8th and promptly surrendered a single, 2 doubles and a triple which resulted in two runs and the loss. Stephen Drew played again and went 1 for 4 with a triple. Interestingly Drew's triple led off the 8th and the Reno third base coach chose not to send Drew on a fly ball to right that could have given Reno the lead. I'm not sure how deep the fly ball was but I am sure the coach would have been fired on the spot if he'd run Drew straight into a close play at the plate. Adam Eaton went 2 for 4 with a double and now has his average at an even .400. Eaton has 6 extra-base hits in his last 3 games.
Double A:Game 1, Mobile 6 Huntsville 5. David Holmberg made his first start at the AA level after being promoted last week and wasn't at his best. He surrendered a 4-spot in the 2nd that threatened to derail the start but then dug down and pitched 4 consecutive shutout innings before allowing a single run in the 6th. His final line of 6 IP, 7 H, 2 BB, 5 ER and 5 Ks wasn't a disaster and he showed some moxie by overcoming the rough beginning. The Bay Bears bats didn't let him down though as they scored 5 in the bottom of the 6th to tie the game at 5 and another in the bottom of the 7th for the walk-off win. In that 7th Alfredo Marte doubled to lead off the inning and then scored on consecutive wild pitches. The 23-year-old Dominican outfielder has really started to put things together this year and should be working his way onto some Dbacks Top 20 Prospect lists. On the season he's hitting .292 with 13 homers and 44 RBI. Half his hits this year have been for extra bases and he's sporting a .932 OPS. Mark Krauss also went 3 for 4 with a double and an RBI.
Double A: Game 2, Mobile 2 Huntsville 1 In the nightcap Derek Eitel was 1 out away from throwing a complete game shutout but lost it in the top of the 7th. With 2 on and 2 out Eitel gave up a run-scoring single that tied the game at 1. But again the Bay Bears bats came through in the clutch when Dan Kaczrowki's infield single scored Matt Davidson from 3rd in the bottom of the 8th to make a winner of Evan Marshall who pitched a scoreless, hitless 8th with 2 Ks. Marshall's ERA is now 1.93 and he has 13 saves to go with his 3-1 record. Mobile won in spite of managing just 3 hits in the game. The winning run was collected without the ball leaving the infield.
High A: Visalia 6 Modesto 19. Modesto put a good licking on Andrew Chafin last night in what was easily the worst game of his professional career. After allowing 2 runs in the 2nd Chafin didn't retire a single batter in the 3rd and left the game after allowing 9 earned runs on 6 hits, 3 walks and 3 home runs, the last a grand slam that sent him to the showers early. Garret Webber went 3 for 5 with 2 RBI and his 3rd round tripper of the season. Bobby Borchering also went 3 for 5 with a double and an RBI, and Keon Broxton hit a solo homer, his 6th of the year. 19-year-old prospect Wagner Mateo was suddenly called up to Visalia from Extended Spring Training and started at first in place of Jonathan Griffin. He went 1 for 4 with a a double and 3 Ks. We're not sure if Mateo was called up to replace an ailing Griffin for a short stint or if the club just thinks that highly of Mateo. But we'll get some answers on that shortly.
Low A: South Bend 2 @ Fort Wayne 9. Another bad outing for the Silver Hawks as starter John Pedrotty got bounced around pretty good and it was far too much for the bats to overcome. Pedrotty only got through 3 innings while allowing 6 hits, 4 walks, 6 earned runs, 2 long balls, and no strikeouts. Not the kind of outing that will get management thinking beyond Visalia for this hot and cold starter. Only Gerson Montilla showed much at the plate going 2 for 3 with a double and a walk.