Dbacks MiLB Round-Up 5/2: Jose Martinez Debuts

The young pitching prospect many have been talking about finally made his debut last night for South Bend. Jose Martinez got his first start ever for a full-season team and he did pretty good, all things considered. He was most definitely not overwhelmed going 5 innings allowing 2 runs on 5 hits and 3 walks while striking out 3. It wasn't Bradley-esque but it was a solid start. He breezed through the first couple of innings then ran into some trouble in the 3rd when the first two hitters singled. But he did well to limit the damage getting a couple of ground outs sandwiched around a couple of walks that plated a run before striking out the final hitter with the bases loaded. He gave up a solo home run to the first batter in the 4th and escaped further damage in spite of another single and a couple of walks. We'll give him a B grade for keeping things under control and pitching well with a lot of runners on base.

Snake Stars
3 Stars: Daniel Palka, South Bend 4 for 6, 2 R, 1 TPL, 1 HR (2), 3 RBI
2 Stars: Didi Gregorius, Reno 3 for 5, 2 R, 1 DBL, 1 HR (3), 2 RBI
1 Star: Alex Glenn, Visalia 4 for 5, 3 R, 2 DBL, 2 RBI, 1 SB (4)
0 Stars: Bo Schultz, Reno 4.2 IP, 11 H, 3 BB, 1 K, 11 ER, L (2-3)
00 Stars: Jake Lamb, Mobile 0 for 7, 4 K

Triple A: Reno 5 @ Salt Lake 14. The Aces got blasted for the second game in a row as Bo Schultz got rocked for 11 runs in 4+ innings. On the bright side Evan Marshall tossed another scoreless inning with 2 strikeouts giving him 12 straight to start the season without allowing a run. He is almost certainly first in line for a bullpen call-up. Didi Gregorius had big day at the plate going 3 for 5 with a double and a homer. Aaron Cunningham also had a couple of hits with a double and 2 RBI.

Double A: Mobile 5 Birmingham 3 (17 innings). The Bay Bears and the Barons played for almost 5-1/2 hours before settling this one in the 17th inning. Sean Jamieson delivered an RBI double in the top of the 17th inning followed by a Mike Freeman RBI single to make a winner of Willy Paredes who pitched the 15th and 16th. Justin Fitzgerald pitched the 17th for his 1st save. The game should have ended in the 14th inning when Raywilly Gomez doubled home 2 runs, but Matt Stites couldn't close it out allowing the tying runs on a walk and a pair of singles. Jamieson had a double and a triple in 7 at bats and Jake Lamb went 0 for 7 with 4 strikeouts, the day after I featured him as heating up. Starter Andrew Chafin was long forgotten when this one ended but he was outstanding going 7 innings allowing just one run on 6 hits and 2 walks while striking out 6.

High A: Visalia 11 @ High Desert 13. The Rawhide pitching staff had to deal with the wind-aided band box for High Desert and it wasn't exactly a pitcher's duel. Hector Hernandez got rocked for 9 runs (7 earned) in 5 innings allowing 12 hits but no walks...and he struck out 8. The offense tried to keep pace as Alex Glenn delivered 4 hits with 2 doubles and stole his 4th base. The Rawhide also clubbed 4 home runs, one each by Rudy Flores, Kevin Medrano, Socrates Brito and Jose Queliz.

A: South Bend 10 @ Fort Wayne 3. Young pitching prospect Jose Martinez got his first start of the year and was decent going 5 innings allowing 2 runs. The offense made sure he was a winner with 10 runs on 17 hits led by Daniel Palka's 4 hits that included a triple, a home run and 3 RBI. Andrew Velazquez went 2 for 5 with his 2nd home and his 6th stolen base. Steven McQuail went 3 for 4 with his 2nd home run and 3 runs scored. Breland Almadova also had 3 hits with a double.