Dbacks MiLB Round-Up 4/13: Wolf Starts

Randy Wolf got his first start for AAA Reno in what is likely an audition to win a major league rotation spot with the pitching-challenged Dbacks. The results were a mixed bag with one bad inning proving to be his undoing. Wolf started out striking out 4 of the first 6 hitters he faced before running into lots of trouble in the 3rd. A walk, 3 doubles sandwiched around a fielder's choice and a single led to 4 earned runs. he calmed down after that and put in three more solid innings of shutout ball and left after the 6th. His final line was 6 innings pitched allowing 4 runs on 6 hits and a walk while striking out 7. That's probably good enough to keep him in the Reno rotation and see what develops.

Snake Stars
3 Stars: Brandon Sinnery, Visalia 7 IP, 4 H, 2 BB, 5 K, 0 ER
2 Stars: Jimmie Sherfy, Visalia 1 IP, 0 H, 1 BB, 3 K, 0 ER, SV (4)
1 Star: Alfredo Marte, Reno 2 for 4, 1 R, 1 HR (2), 2 RBI
0 Stars: Daniel Gibson, South Bend 1/3 IP, 4 H, 2 BB, 3 ER, BS

Triple A: Reno 3 @ El Paso 5. Randy Wolf was inserted straightaway into the Reno rotation and looked good outside of a really bad 3rd inning in which he allowed 4 runs on a walk, a single and 3 doubles. The offense challenged late with a solo home run and an RBI single by Alfredo Marte, but Mike Jacobs struck out with two runners on to end the game.Andy Marte went 2 for 4 with a double and Nick Ahmed added a pair of singles. Evan Marshall pitched another scoreless inning of relief giving him 7 straight scoreless outings to start the season. While we're all talking about Barrett, Stites and Sherfy, Marshall might actually be first in line for the next relief spot.

High A: Visalia 4 @ Modesto 2. Brandon Sinnery sparkled with 7 shutout innings on 4 hits and 2 walks while striking out 5. Seth Simmons made the game interesting allowing 2 runs in the 8th. But Jimmie Sherfy came on and struck out the side again to gain his 4th save. He has 13 strikeouts in 5 innings of relief. Rawhide fans better get out to see him now because he's not going to be there much longer. I might even promote him directly to AAA and see what he can do. Raul Navarro went 2 for 4 with a walk, a double and an RBI and is hitting .400 on the season. Evan Marzilli and Ronnie Freeman each added a pair of hits.

A: South Bend 4 @ Cedar Rapids 5. Aaron Blair had another decent start allowing 2 runs in 5+ innings on 4 hits and 3 walks while striking out 7. He was positioned to get a win until Daniel Gibson imploded in the 9th and allowed 3 runs for a walk-off loss. Gibson has struggled quite a bit in the closer spot for South bend and might be in need of a role change. The offense only provided 4 hits with Zach Esquerra connecting for a double and 2 RBI. Blair has 25 strikeouts and 5 walks in 17 innings so far. Visalia might be calling shortly.