Trevor Bauer didn't have the best of efforts yesterday for Reno as he couldn't get through the 5th inning before allowing 5 runs, though only 3 of those were earned. He allowed 5 hits, 4 walks and 2 home runs in 4.1 innings while striking out 6. It was hardly a disaster outing though. He got through the first 3 innings without much stress then gave up a solo home run leading off the 4th. The next batter walked followed by a potential double-play ball that Josh Bell misplayed to put runners on 1st and 3rd. A sacrifice bunt scored the runner from 3rd. In the 5th following a strikeout, Bauer surrendered a single, then a 2-run home run, and another single and his night was done. Right now Bauer is probably second in line for a call-up if the Dbacks need another starter. But Bauer wasn't the only name-brand starter who had a rough outing yesterday. David Holmberg allowed 5 runs in 6 innings and gave up 2 long balls. Anthony Meo gave up 7 runs in 5+ innings. Andrew Barbosa allowed 6 runs (2 earned) in 5 innings. The one pitching bright spot was another stellar outing from Ben Eckels in the AZL Rookie League.
Snake Stars
3 Stars: Ben Eckels, AZL 7 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 9 K, 0 ER, W (3-3)
2 Stars: Matt Davidson, Mobile 3 for 5, 1 DBL, 1 HR (21), 3 RBI
1 Star: Chris Owings, Mobile 2 for 5, 2 R, 1 HR (16), 4 RBI
0 Stars: Andrew Velazquez, AZL 0 for 5, 4 K
Game summaries after the jump.
Triple A: Reno 5 Albuquerque 7. Bauer couldn't do enough to keep Reno close nor did the defense help him out in that regard. Three errors led to 3 of the 7 runs allowed overall being unearned. Adam Eaton had another good night at the plate with 3 hits including a double. He also played center field again for the 3rd consecutive game. Taylor Harbin went 2 for 4 with 2 RBI.
Double A: Mobile 10 @ Jacksonville 8. The Bay Bears won consecutive games for the first time in quite a while and it was all to do with their bats. David Holmberg was not his usual self but he wasn't awful. He got through 6 innings allowing 5 runs (4 earned) on 5 hits and a walk, but 2 home runs did him in. He still got the win though as the offense came alive with 3 runs in each of the first three innings. Matt Davidson started it off with a 2-run homer in the 1st as part of his 3-hit night. Chris Owings had 2 hits highlighted by his 3-run homer in the 2nd. On the downside both Davidson and Owings had errors, Davidson's 28th and Owings' 19th.
High A: Visalia 11 Inland Empire 13. This one wasn't as close as it looked as Anthony Meo got beat up pretty good to the tune of 7 earned runs over 5+ innings on 9 hits and 3 walks. Most of the damage came in the 6th when Inland Empire scored 7 runs. Yazy Arbelo hit yet another home run, his 18th in 44 games for Visalia. If he can this again at the next level he'll be a good trade chip for AL team looking for a DH-type. Raoul Torres went 2 for 4 with a 3-run homer. Michael Freeman had 2 hits with a double and 2 RBI.
Low A: South Bend 6 Lake County 10. Another game where the defense was pretty bad and the victim was starter Andrew Barbosa. He got through 5 innings allowing 6 runs (2 earned) on 7 hits and 3 walks with 3 strikeouts. That was more than the offense could handle though they did score 6 runs on 9 hits. Roidany Aguila had a perfect night with 3 hits, a walk and 2 RBI in 4 plate appearances. Matt Helm went 2 for 5 with a pair of doubles.
Short Season A: Yakima 3 @ Vancouver 6. Starter Derrick Stultz wasn't good enough on a night the offense was below average. Stultz didn't get through 5 before allowing 5 runs on 6 hits. The lone offensive highlight was a 2-run homer by Shaun Cooper.
AZL Rookie: Dbacks 7 @ Athletics 1. Ben Eckels dominated the best team in the AZL with 7 shutout innings on 3 hits and one walk while striking out 9. Blue Bulldog has been all over this guy and with good reason. In his last 5 starts covering 30 innings, Eckels has struck out 35 and walked 8 for a terrific 4.4 K/BB ratio, and a miserly ERA of 0.90. I wouldn't be surprised if Eckels made his next start somewhere besides Arizona, like Missoula maybe. At 18 years of age Eckels is showing some real upside. Oh, and the Dbacks won as Jake Williams had 3 RBI on 2 hits, Jose Munoz had a pair of hits and an RBI, and William Castillo had 3 hits and an RBI.