I know, it's kind of corny but Visalia's Zack Godley continues to put up impressive pitching numbers. He improved to 4-0 with 7 more shutout innings allowing just 2 hits and a walk. Over 24 innings covering 4 games he has allowed 15 hits, struck out 19 and walked 5. Jefferson Mejia was the name that got everyone's attention in the Montero trade but Godley is the one making the most noise to date. He has good size at 6-3, 245 and was a regular starter for Tennessee his final two seasons in college before being drafted in the 10th round by the Cubs. The minor league pitching depth is awfully impressive right now with some of the not-so-big names doing a lot to make names for themselves.
Snake Stars
3 Stars: Zack Godley, Visalia 7 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 4 K, 0 ER, W (4-0)
2 Stars: Tom Belza, Mobile 2 for 3, 1 BB, 2 R, 2 HR (2), 4 RBI
1 Star: Brent Jones, Kane County 6 IP, 5 H, 1 BB, 3 K, 1 ER, W (1-2)
AAA: Reno 0 Fresno 7. The Aces got shut out for the second consecutive game and went down meekly to the Grizzlies. Robbie Ray was sub-par allowing 5 runs (4 earned) on 7 hits and 3 walks in 5+ innings, though he did strike out 8. The offense managed 8 hits and 2 walks but went 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position. Jamie Romak had 2 hits with a double and a walk and Mike Freeman had a pair of singles.
AA: Mobile 5 Mississippi 3. Gabriel Arias continues to pitch well pitching 7 strong innings allowing 3 runs (1 earned) on 5 hits and a walk while striking out 5. Will Locante pitched a shutout 8th and Enrique Burgos notched his 6th save with a perfect 9th and 2 strikeouts. Tom Belza provided all the offense that was needed with a solo home run in the 4th followed by a 3-run blast in the 7th. Socrates Brito and Raul Navarro each added a pair of hits.
A+: Visalia 4 Stockton 0. The Rawhide improved to 14-3 as their pitching staff continues to dominate, last night led by red-hot Zack Godley who threw 7 shutout innings. Daniel Gibson pitched the 8th and has yet to allow a run this year. Silvino Bracho handled the 9th with 2 more strikeouts, though he did give up his first walk of the season. The offense was balanced with Chuck Taylor getting 2 hits including a triple.
A: Game 1: Kane County 5 @ Cedar Rapids 1. Brent Jones had a much-needed solid start going 6 innings allowing just 1 run on 5 hits and a walk. Fernery Ozuna was the key on offense getting 2 hits including a triple with 2 RBI. Grant Heyman had 3 hits and an RBI and Colin Bray went 2 for 4.
A: Game 2. Kane County 2 @ Cedar Rapids 1. The Cougars completed the sweep with a tightly-fought game in which Jared Miller was very effective allowing 1 run in 5+ innings on 3 hits and 2 walks. Zac Curtis closed it out with a 4-out save that included 2 strikeouts. The offense had just 4 hits but Marty Herum's 2-run double in the 4th proved just enough.