D-backs MiLB Round-Up 4/8: Barbosa Dominates Modesto, Didi Homers

Andrew Barbosa's second start was even more impressive than his first one, and he got the win for Visalia as they cruised to victory. He has now struck out a total of 23 batters in just 11 innings of work for the Visalia Rawhide, allowing three earned runs on seven hits and four walks. If that keeps up, it may not be long before he's pushed to a higher challenge at Double-A. While's he's certainly old for his current level at age 26, it's still not a bad start to the season for our 36th-round draft pick in 2012.

Snake Stars
3 Stars: Andrew Barbosa, Visalia, 6 IP, 5 H, 1 BB, 12 K, 1 ER, W (1-1)
2 Stars: Brandon Drury, Visalia 2 for 4, 1 R, 1 HR (3), 2 RBI
1 Star: Socrates Brito, Visalia, 3-for-4, 2 R
0 Stars: Roger Kieschnick, Reno 0-for-3, BB, 3 K

AAA Reno 3, Albuquerque 4. The Aces couldn't hold on to leads of 2-0 and 3-2, eventually going down to the Isotopes on an unearned run off Zeke Spruill in the ninth inning, dropping to 2-4. However, in all four losses, they brought the tying or winning run to the plate in the ninth. Starter Alex Sanabia was burned by the long ball, giving up three homers, though all were solo shots. He allowed three runs on seven hits and two walks over 5.1 innings. Didi Gregorius, starting at short, had two hits, including his first HR of 2014, an inside-the-park job that was also, surprisingly, Reno's first homer. Cody Ross had the night off.

A+ Visalia 8, Modesto 1. Visalia continued to rake, and have piled up 22 runs already over two games against Modesto. The Rawhide blew this one open, courtesy of a five-run fifth, powered by a two-run shot from DH Brandon Drury, his third in six games. LF Alex Glenn and 2B Fidel Pena also went deep, their second and first respectively. Andrew Barbosa blew the Nuts away, striking out 12 over six innings of one-run ball, on five hits and a walk. RF Socrates Brito had three hits and a stolen base, as Visalia improved to 4-2 with their third win.

A South Bend 1, Beloit 5. Offense was at a premium for the Silver Hawks, who had only one at-bat with a runner in scoring position all game, and sent only four over the minimum to the plate. 2B Jamie Westbrook had two.hits and CF Breland Almadova's second HR this year gave South Bend their only score. Ben Eckels took the loss, being charged with three runs on five hits and three walks over four innings of work, with just the one strikeout. Will Locante tossed 1.1 hitless innings. The Silver Hawks dropped below .500 at 2-3 with this loss in their home opener.