Touki Toussaint showed off his immense talent on Friday with a sparkling effort. He tossed 6 shutout innings on one hit and one walk with 5 strikeouts in Kane County's 4-1 win, and only needed 73 pitches to do it. This one could be special down the road.
Snake Stars
3 Stars: Touki Toussaint, Kane County 6 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 5 K, 0 ER, W (2-2)
2 Stars: Justin Marks, Reno 6 IP, 5 H, 1 BB, 6 K, 1 ER, W (4-6)
1 Star: Kevin Cron, Visalia 3 for 5, 1 R, 2 DBL, 4 RBI
0 Stars: Anfernee Benitez, Missoula 1/3 IP, 3 H, 3 BB, 1 K, 6 ER
AAA: Reno 6 @ Sacramento 3. Justin Marks was very good keeping the River Cats in check with 6 solid innings allowing one run on 6 hits and a walk while striking out 6. The Aces scored all their runs via the home run in the 5th, 6th and 7th innings. Peter O'Bfrien hit a solo shot in the 5th to tie the game. Nick Evans hit a 3-run shot in the 6th to open up a nice lead, and Cody Ransom hit a 2-run blast in the 7th to blow the game open.Matt Stites pitched a shutout 9th for his 1st save.
AA: Game 1. Mobile 3 @ Pensacola 2. In a continuation of Thursday's weather-delayed game, the BayBears rallied from behind with 2 runs in the top of the 9th off a pair of walks and an error. RJ Hively started the game on Thursday and allowed an unearned run over 3 innings. On Friday Patrick Schuster started off with 3 shutout innings before Adam Miller surrendered the go-ahead run in the 8th. Silvino Bracho threw a perfect 9th for his 3rd save.
AA: Game 2. Mobile 2 @ Pensacola 4. Braden Shipley bounced back from a poor last start to go 6 solid innings allowing 2 runs (one earned) on 3 hits and 2 walks while striking out 3. He was in line for the win and possibly a complete game when he was removed after allowing a leadoff single in the 7th. Will Locante got an out but allowed another hit, and Jake Barrett was called on to close it out and promptly surrendered a 3-run walkoff blast to ruin the day. The offense only had 3 hits but 2 were solo home runs by Brandon Drury and Zach Borenstein.
A+: Visalia 10 Rancho Cucamonga 6. Ryan Doran got rocked for 5 runs in the 1st inning, but to his credit he followed that with 3 shutout innings to keep the game in sight. The offense didn't miss the opportunity and tied the game by the end of the 3rd before blowing it open with 4 runs in the 5th. Zack Godley got the win pitching the 5th and 6th allowing one run on 4 hits. The bullpen followed with 3 shutout innings to make the lead hold up. Kevin Cron drove in 4 runs with 2 doubles in his 3-hit night. Domingo Leyba had 3 hits, drove in 2 and scored twice. Jamie Westbrook hit his 4th home run.
A: Kane County 4 Peoria 1. It was the Touki Toussaint show as he stymied Peoria on one hit and a walk in his 6 shutout innings. Four relievers combined to allow one run over the final 3 frames with Steve Hathaway getting the final out for his 1st save. Ildemarro Vargas and Chuck taylor paced the offense with 3 hits each. Rule V draftee Oscar Hernandez had 2 hits and drove in 2 runs as the DH. Cody regis hit his 2nd home run, a solo shot.
A-: Hillsboro 10 @ Spokane 3. The Hops evened their record with a nice offensive explosion that featured 14 hits, 6 extra base hits, and 7 walks. Jared Miller was outstanding with 6 very good innings allowing 2 runs (one earned) on 4 hits and no walks while striking out 9. The balanced offense was led by Luis Veras with 3 hits, Dane McFarland with 2 doubles, and Fernery Ozuna's 3-run homer.
R: Missoula 3 @ Helena 16. The Osprey got blasted as Anfernee Benitez struggled mightily and couldn't get out of the 1st inning before allowing 6 runs. None of the 3 pitchers behind him were very good either before this one was a complete blowout. The offense managed 8 hits, mostly late, with 2 each by Isan Diaz Matt McPhearson and Jeff Smith.