Dbacks MiLB Round-Up 4/4: Bolsinger Shines

Reno starter Mike Bolsinger made another statement that he shouldn't be the forgotten starter for Reno when he pitched 6.2 scoreless innings in Reno's 2-0 win over El Paso. He allowed just 3 hits and 2 walks while striking out 5. Since being drafted in the 15th round in 2010 Bolsinger has taken a step forward every single year and still hasn't gotten any serious consideration from anyone as a guy who might have a future in the big leagues.

In 2011 he put up a 2.66 ERA with a 3.64 K/BB ratio for South Bend. In 2012 between Visalia and Mobile he struck out 113 in 115 innings with a combined 3.35 ERA. In 2013 he put up a 2.51 ERA for Mobile in 9 games then made 17 starts for Reno where he struck out 97 in 101 innings with a 4.72 ERA, which isn't all that bad in the PCL. If Randall Delgado can't come up with more than he did Friday against Colorado and they're still not ready for Bradley time, might Bolsinger get the call? A couple more games like that and he sure might.

Snake Stars
3 Stars: Mike Bolsinger, Reno 6.2 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 5 K, 0 ER, W (1-0)
2 Stars: David Peralta, Mobile 3 for 5, 2 R, 1 HR (1), 2 RBI
1 Star: Michael Perez, South Bend 2 for 2, 2 BB, 1 R, 1 RBI
0 Stars: Cody Ross, Reno 0 for 3, 2 K

Triple A: Reno 2 El Paso 0. Mike Bolsinger was terrific and the bullpen followed suit in the rare PCL 2-0 shutout over the Chihuahuas. Both of Bolsinger's walks came in the 7th but were gratefully sandwiched around a double play. Kevin Munson came on and gave up a single but followed that with a strikeout to end the threat. In the 8th Munson and Joe Paterson created another jam putting two on with one out and manager Phil Nevin called on newly-converted reliever Zeke Spruill. Spruill got a flyball out then walked the bases full before inducing Jeff Francoer to ground out to end the inning. Spruill stayed on and got a 1-2-3 9th for his first professional save. The offense came from an RBI double by Blake Lalli that scored Didi Gregorius in the 4th and an Alfredo Marte groundout in the 8th. Cody Ross went 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts and Gregorius again played second base, for those scoring at home.

Double A: Mobile 7 @ Mississippi 5. The Bay Bears scored 6 runs over the final three frames highlighted by a 2-run homer by David Peralta in the 9th to nip Mississippi. Andrew Chafin had a pretty decent start but ran out of gas in the 6th when he allowed a single and two doubles that plated two and created a 3-1 deficit. He finished with 3 runs allowed (2 earned) on 6 hits and 2 walks while striking out 4 in 5 innings. Matt Stites pitched a shutout 8th and Jake Barrett got the save allowing a bunt single and an RBI double. David Peralta was the offensive star with 3 hits including his big homer in the 9th. Garrett Webber went 3 for 4 with an RBI.

High A: Visalia 4 Stockton 3. The Visalia bullpen was the star of this game taking over a 3-2 deficit in the 5th inning and adding four more zeros that included 7 strikeouts to set up a walk-off win in the 9th. Henry Garcia tossed 2.1 innings with 3 strikeouts, Seth Simmons added an inning with 2 strikeouts, and Jimmie Sherfy got the win with a perfect 9th including 2 more strikeouts. Starter Brandon Sinnery gave up 8 hits and 2 walks in 4+ innings, but he kept the game close with just 3 runs allowed, two on solo homers from Oakland top prospect Billy McKinney. The Rawhide tied it in the 6th on a triple by Ryan Court and an RBI single by Raul Navarro. Navarro singled again in the 9th and after two wild pitches scored on a Socrates Brito single with the game-winner. Navarro finished with 3 hits.

Low A: South Bend 4 @ Bowling Green 5. A nice comeback in the top of the 9th inning was all for naught when reliever Daniel Gibson coughed up a 1-run lead in the bottom of the 9th. Gibson tallied a shutout 8th and stayed on for the 9th, but after a single, a triple and a strikeout, Manager Mark Haley went to J.R. Bradley of all people who promptly threw a wild pitch to plate the winning run. The offense overcame a 3-1 deficit in the 9th on an RBI single by Michael Perez and an RBI double from Breland Amadova, followed by a wild pitch. Perez reached based 4 times with 2 singles and a pair of walks.