Tyler Skaggs learned firsthand how tough the PCL can be on pitchers. He didn't get beat into submission or anything but AAA is loaded with professional hitters who can can just...well, hit. Skaggs pitched into the 8th, which for the PCL is in and of itself an accomplishment. He finished with 7 innings pitched while allowing 5 earned runs on 12 hits and just 1 walk. He only struck out 3. He got out of the first three innings with the aid of double-play grounders. In the 4th he allowed a double and two home runs for 3 of the 5 runs. He pitched solidly in the 5th through 7th and then got into more trouble in the 8th by walking the leadoff hitter then yielding a double. He was replaced by Chris Jakubauskas who allowed both runners to score. Not a bad first start and this should give Skaggs valuable experience in developing the wherewithal to get professional hitters out. He did earn the win and not walking anyone until the 8th was a very positive sign.
Snake Stars
3 Stars: Josh Parr, Yakima 3 for 4, 1 BB, 1 R, 1 DBL, 1 HR (4), 2 RBI, 1 SB
2 Stars: Adam Eaton, Reno 2 for 5, 2 R, 1 DBL, 1 HR (3), 1 RBI
1 Star: Josh Bell, Reno 2 for 4, 2 R, 1 HR (5), 2 RBI
0 Stars: Breland Almadova, Missoula 0 for 5, 2 K
Game summaries after the jump.
Triple A: Reno 8 Las Vegas 6. Tyler Skaggs did enough on the mound to earn the victory and the Reno offense took care of business with 14 hits, 4 doubles, two home runs and 8 runs. Adam Eaton had a double and a home run. Josh Bell hit a home run in his first start since being sent down. Mike Jacobs had a pair of doubles and two RBI, and Cole Gillespie had 4 singles, an RBI and a stolen base. Jonathan Albaladejo pitched out of a jam in the 9th to earn his 14th save.
Double A: Mobile 1 Mississippi 4. The Bay Bears offense managed just 4 hits while Gaby Hernandez wasn't quite sharp enough to overcome that. Hernandez got through 6 allowing 4 runs (2 earned) on 6 hits and 4 walks. Chris Owings went 1 for 5 with 3 Ks and Matt Davidson went 0 for 3 with 2 walks and 2 Ks.
High A: Visalia 3 Inland Empire 5. Ray Hernandez wasn't sharp enough either to overcome a so-so offensive performance by the Rawhide. He only got through 5 giving up 5 runs (4 earned) on 10 hits and a walk. He did strike out 5. Jonathan Griffin hit his 15th home run of the year, a solo shot in the 2nd. Keon Broxton had a double and Raoul Torres had a pair of singles,
Low A: South Bend 1 Lansing 6. Archie Bradley started and his starts keep getting more and more like "Nuke Laloosh" This day he only got through 3 innings, allowed 2 hits, walked 5 and struck out 6 for 3 earned runs. I guess he's just got to keep working through it. The South Bend offense was no match for top Toronto prospect Aaron Sanchez. If it's any consolation, Sanchez pitched last year like Bradley is pitching this year (though not quite that wild) and has found it now and is headed up the ladder shortly. SS Nick Gallego had a pair of doubles and an RBI to lead the offense.
High Rookie: Yakima 5 Spokane 7. 2012 9th-round draft pick Jeff Gibbs out of Maine got his 1st professional start and it was not pretty. In the first he hit the first two batters, made a couple of wild pitches, then struck out two to avoid any damage. In the 2nd he walked the first 3 batters, tossed in a couple more wild pitches and his night was done. The Bears battled back but eventually lost 7-5. Josh Parr had a good night with 3 hits including a double, his 4th homer and 2 RBI.
Low Rookie: Missoula 6 Billings 2. After a really rough 1st start in Missoula Colombian pitcher Karl Triana rebounded with a nice effort in his 2nd. He completed 5 innings with just 1 earned run allowed on 5 hits and 2 walks. It was enough for the Osprey offense which only had 5 hits but collected a whopping 11 walks. Socrates Brito had 2 singles and 2 RBI.
AZL Rookie: D-Backs 4 Angels 3.. The D-backs won a hard-fought 12-inning affair with some good pitching after the defense allowed 3 unearned runs early. Starter Geordy Parra had an effective outing getting through 5 with just the unearned runs allowed. Four relievers combined for 7 shutout innings to give the D-backs time to plate one in the 12th on a couple of fielding errors. Jake Williams had 3 hits with a triple. 2B/SS Andrew Velazquez had a hit and stole 2 more bases, giving him 7 in his first 9 games.