Rudy Flores doesn't get much respect as a prospect but the dude has legit power. Drafted in the 21st round of the 2012 draft, Flores hasn't gone quietly into that good night as many 21st rounders do. He's hit 10 homers so far in 55 games this year and hit 19 homers in 92 games last year. What holds him back is his prolific strikeout rates which both last year and this year are hovering in the low-to-mid 30s. That's just not going to get you all the way. But he's been a nice organization hitter so far and last night hit a 2-out, 2-run homer to give Visalia an 8-7 win, and that was after hitting a 2-run homer in the second inning. If by some chance he suddenly stops striking out so much he could be interesting. But that's a big if.
Snake Stars
3 Stars: Rudy Flores, Visalia 3 for 4, 1 BB, 3 R, 2 HR (10), 4 RBI
2 Stars: Sean Furney, South Bend 7 IP, 2 H, 0 BB, 5 K, 0 ER, W (2-1)
1 Star: Jon Griffin, Mobile 2 for 4, 2 R, 2 HR (13), 2 RBI
0 Stars: A.J. Schugel, Mobile 4.1 IP, 10 H, 0 BB, 2 K, 6 ER
AAA: Reno 4 @ Las Vegas 6. Andrew Chafin had a fairly bumpy go of it in his second AAA start getting knocked out after 4 innings after allowing 4 runs on 7 hits and 4 walks. The offense never recovered from being down 6-2 after 5 innings. Nick Ahmed went 2 for 5 with a triple and an RBI. Roger Kieschnick, Danny Dorn and Alfredo Marte each had 2 hits as well.
AA: Mobile 6 @ Chattanooga 7. A.J. Schugel was cruising along through 4 innings but then got smacked in the face for 6 runs in the 5th. The offense nickled and dimed its way to a 6-6- tie with a couple of solo home runs from Jon Griffin. But they lost it in the 10th when Kaleb Fleck served up a 2-out double followed by 2 intentional walks, followed by....you guessed it, a walk. So much for that strategy. Garrett Webber went 3 for 4 with a double and an RBI while Jake Lamb went 2 for 5 with a double, a triple and an RBI.
A+: Visalia 8 Lake Elsinore 7. The Rawhide got out to a 5-0 lead early but surrendered runs continuously until they trailed 7-5 heading into the 8th. Not to be outdone though Brandon Jacobs hit a solo home run in the 8th and Rudy Flores delivered the knockout punch with a 2-out, 2-run homer in the bottom of the 9th for the walkoff win. Flores also hit a 2-run homer in the 2nd inning giving him 10 on the year. Jose Queliz went 2 for 3 with a double.
A: South Bend 3 Bowling Green 0. After getting shellacked the previous two games, Sean Furney rose to the challenge and pitched 7 innings of 2-hit ball to get the Silver Hawks back on a winning track. Daniel Gibson pitched a shutout 8th with 2 strikeouts and Silvino Bracho added a perfect 9th with 2 strikeouts for his 8th save. Daniel Palka had 2 RBI with a double, Andrew Velazquez went 2 for 4, and Michael Perez went 2 for 2 with a double and a walk.