Cal League leader Visalia did it with the long ball to improve to 64-40 with 3 home runs accounting for 7 runs.
Snake Stars
3 Stars: Josh Taylor, Kane County 9 IP, 9 H, 0 BB, 13 K, 1 ER, W (2-1)
2 Stars: Brandon Sinnery, Visalia 7 IP, 4 H, 0 BB, 3 K, 1 ER, W (3-0)
1 Star: Daniel Palka, Visalia 2 for 4, 1 B, 3 R, 1 HR (18), 2 RBI
0 Stars: Will Landsheft, 1.1 IP, 5 H, 3 BB, 2 K, 5 ER
AAA: Reno 5 Fresno 4. Aaron Blair was decent going 6.1 innings allowing 3 runs on 6 hits and 4 walks with 6 strikeouts. Evan Marshall allowed his baserunner in the 7th to score along with another that created a 403 deficit. But the offense rallied in the bottom half with 4 walks and a triple that got the lead back and Matt Stites plus Enrique Burgos closed it out from there. Nick Buss led the offense with a double, a triple and 2 RBI while Peter O'Brien hit his 20th home run.
AA: Mobile 4 Jacksonville 7. Blayne Weller gave up 3 runs over 5 innings and the offense rallied for 3 in the 6th to tie it. But they lost the bullpen battle as Dominic Leone allowed a pair of runs and Jimmie Sherfy and Will Locante allowed one each. Garrett Webber had 2 hits, a walk and an RBI to pace the offense. Zack Borenstein had a double and 2 RBI.
A+: Visalia 9 @ Modesto 2. Home runs by Daniel Palka, Kevin Cron and Jose Queliz was plenty enough support for Brandon Sinnery who gave up just one run over 7 innings. Palka's home run was his 18th, Cron's his 20th and Queliz' his first.
A: Kane County 5 Cedar Rapids 1. Josh Taylor was the story with a complete game victory allowing one run on 9 hits with a whopping 13 strikeouts. A balanced offensive attack produce 5 runs with Elvin Soto the lead act with 2 hits, a walk and his first home run. Colin Bray and Ryan Gebhardt each had 2 hits with a double.
A-: Hillsboro 0 @ Tri-City 9. The Hops got clobbered as Jared Miller was okay allowing 3 runs over 5 innings. But Will Landsheft threw gas on the smoldering fire giving up 5 runs in relief. The offense had just 7 hits with 2 by Alexis Olmeda.
R: Missoula 5 Billings 4. A 4-run 6th inning followed by a tie-breaking run in the 7th did the trick for the Osprey. Anfernee Benitez had a reliable outing going 6 innings allowing 3 runs with 4 strikeouts and no walks. Dan savas pitched a perfect 9th with 2 strikeouts for his 10th save. Jason Morozowski had 2 hits and drove in a run and Francis Christy had a hit and 2 walks. Matt McPhearson drove in 2 runs with a double.