:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49291823/usa-today-9148389.0.jpg)
All four of the Diamondbacks won today, with strong pitching performances in two of the four games. The consensus top prospect, RHP Braden Shipley, took the mound for the first time in the 2016.
3 Stars: Justin Donatella (Kane County) 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
2 Stars: Braden Shipley (Reno) 6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
1 Star: Trevor Mitsui (Kane County) 3 for 4, 2B, RBI, 2 R
0 Stars: Sean Jamieson (Reno) 0 for 3, 2 K
Reno 4, Albuquerque 3: Shipley made his return to Reno, NV since being drafted 15th overall in the 2013 MLB Draft and pitched like a top pitching prospect. The Reno bats were sure to make it easy to settle in, with the first four batters reaching, with the last hit being a Peter O'Brien 3-run HR that gave the Aces a 4-run lead in the first inning. Braden Shipley would cruise in from there, taking a scoreless start into the 6th inning. Shipley had to labor a bit that inning, where he allowed 2 runs after facing a 2nd and 3rd with no out situation 2 batters into the inning. Overall, Shipley took one step closer to the majors with this start and should be on the Diamondbacks roster by the end of the season.
Mobile 5, Tennessee 4: John Omahen was the starter for the Baybears, who turned in a decent performance. Omahen quickly put the Baybears in a 2-0 hole after one inning, but was able to keep the Smokies off the board until after he exited the game. In the 5th inning, Mitch Haniger blasted a 3-run HR to give his team a temporary 1-run lead. After getting pulled in the 6th inning, Matt Stites allowed the inherited runner to score. The score remained tied until Ildemaro Vargas, who had come in a game via a double switch, hit a 2-run single for the decisive score. That made Steve Hathaway the winner for the Baybears. Hessler struggled a bit in the 8th, but the mess was cleaned up by Krehbiel. Miller allowed a couple baserunners, but was able to shut the door for his 3rd save in 5 games. Jamie Westbrook went 1 for 4 with a walk and stolen base.
Visalia 6, San Jose 5: Luke Irvine took the start for the Rawhide and delivered an OK performance. The Rawhide scored first after Cody Regis tripled with a Tyler Baker safety squeeze. A mini-meltdown by Irvine in the bottom of the 4th inning put the Rawhide in a 3-1 deficit. The Rawhide offense was able to answer that with a 3-run 7th inning, taking the lead when Colin Bray singled in Domingo Leyba. That lead lasted all of 2 pitches, when Bud Jeter allowed a HR to the brother of Dbacks Nemesis Nolan Arenado to lead off the bottom of the 7th. The Rawhide quickly answered that with a two run inning, with the runs scoring on a wild pitch and later in the inning an RBI single by Victor Reyes. Zac Curtis struggled to hold the lead, giving up a run thanks to 3 BABIP singles, but managed to strand the tying run at 3rd.
Kane County 9, Cedar Rapids 0: The Cougars not only delivered a strong pitching performance, they were highly effective at the plate as well. Justin Donatella and two Rawhide relievers combined for a 3-hit shutout, with Donatella going the front 6. Every player in the Kane County starting lineup either scored or drove in a run, lead by 1B Trevor Mitsui who went 3 for 4 with an RBI and a pair of runs scored. Mitsui is hitting an impressive .467 through 4 games and could ascend to Visalia this year if he continues to hit. The bulk of the damage occurred in the 5th-7th innings with 7 of the 9 runs scoring in that time period.