Dbacks MiLB Round-Up 9/1: Reno Playoff Bound

Reno went into their 5-game season-ending series at Sacramento needing to win 4 out of 5 to make the playoffs. Well, they got it done with a 2-1 victory in 10 innings that couldn't have been more tense. They now begin a best-of-five playoff series in Las Vegas against the 51s on Wednesday. Reno finished the season tied with Las Vegas for the best record in the PCL at 81-63.

The Dbacks' top 5 affiliates all made the playoffs. Only Missoula and the AZL Dbacks did not. Quite an accomplishment for the organization.

Snake Stars
3 Stars: Charles Brewer, Reno 6 IP, 5 H, 2 BB, 2 K, 0 ER
2 Stars: Alex Glenn, Visalia 3 for 4, 2 R, 1 HR (24), 1 RBI
1 Star: Nate Samson, Mobile 4 for 5, 1 R, 2 DBL
0 Stars: Chris Owings, Reno 0 for 5, 2 K, 1 E

AAA: Reno 2 @ Sacramento 1.Charles Brewer got the Aces off on the right foot in the winner-take-all season finale with 6 shutout innings on 5 hits and 2 walks. Reno jumped on top first with a run in the 5th on a 2-out double by Roger Kieschnick followed by a Blake Lalli RBI single. Las Vegas tied it in the 7th on a double by Shane Patterson that was misplayed by Brett Jackson and compounded by a throwing error from Chris Owings that allowed him to score. Joe Paterson and Kevin Munson combined for a couple of zeros in the 8th and 9th innings. In the top of the 10th Mike Freeman pinch hit for Jackson leading off and promptly doubled to right. Kieschnick struck out and Lalli flew out to left before Nick Ahmed grounded a single up the middle to score Freeman. Jake Barrett came on for the save and sandwiched a strikeout around a pair of walks and then ended the game on a double-play grounder that sent the Aces into the playoffs.

AA: Mobile 5 @ Jacksonville 6. In a meaningless game Graham Godfrey allowed 5 runs in 4+ innings and the offense came up a run short getting the tying run to 3rd base in the 9th. Nate Samson had a big day going 4 or 5 with 2 doubles. Brandon Drury had 2 hits including a double and 2 RBI. Argenis Diaz and Evan Marzilli each added 2 hits. Mobile starts a best-of-five playoff series at home Thursday against Jacksonville for the right to play for the Southern League Championship.

A+: Visalia 7 @ Bakersfield 11. The Rawhide dropped their season finale in advance of their playoff run with Blayne Weller pulled after 2 innings presumably to be ready to take the mound in one of the upcoming playoff games. Henry Garcia, Justin Van Grouw and Daniel Gibson each got touched up for at least 3 runs as this one got out of hand by the middle innings. Alex Glenn was 3 for 4 with his 24th home run while Brandon Jacobs hit his 16th home run and Jose Queliz his 2nd. Visalia begins its playoff run with a 3-game set against Stockton with Game 1 at home on Wednesday and Games 2 and 3 in Stockton. Brandon Sinnery is expected to start for Visalia.

A: South Bend 5 @ Lansing 4. The Silver Hawks won a rain-shortened affair with 4 runs in the 5th inning. Sean Furney pitched all 5 innings allowing 4 runs on 10 hits with 6 strikeouts. Trevor Mitsui got bumped up from Missoula, presumably to give them another bat for the playoffs, and went 2 for 3 with a double and an RBI. Chuck Taylor had 2 hits, Justin Williams had a double and an RBI, and Marty Herum had a triple and an RBI. South Bend will take on Lake County in a best-of-three series that starts on the road on Wednesday with the final 2 games in South Bend Thursday and Friday.

A-: Hillsboro 7 Eugene 3. The Hops finished the season with another win and an impressive 20 games over .500 at 48-28. Reliever Mike Cetta started and went an impressive 5 innings allowing 1 run on 1 hit and 1 walk. Steve Nyisztor continued to swing a hot bat going 2 for 3 including his 3rd home run. Grant Heyman went 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI. Hillsboro begins a best-of-three playoff series at Boise on Tuesday with Games 2 and 3 scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday at home.

R: Missoula 2 @ Helena 3. Carlos Hernandez had a decent outing allowing 2 runs over 5.1 innings and reliever Kevin Simmons surrendered another which was one more than the offense could supply. Gerard Hernandez had 2 hits with a double and Henry Castillo had a pair of singles.