The Visalia Rawhide scored 16 runs and got a terrific start from prospect Taylor Clarke, who delivered 5 shutout innings. They blew the game open with 8 runs in the 2nd inning and overall just made it tough for the San Jose Giants to do anything productive. Solid starting pitching, an unrelenting offense that pounded out 3 home runs with men on base, and a lock down bullpen delivered the shutout for the Rawhide.
On a side note, RHP Archie Bradley was scheduled to make a start against New Orleans, but has been pulled from it. No injury news, I seriously doubt there's anything related to that. For anyone wondering, Shelby Miller's rotation spot comes up Sunday although I'm not a fan of having him pitch with 8 days between starts then instead of just moving back Ray and Greinke a day.
Reno 7, New Orleans 5: Archie Bradley was scratched from his start, nothing injury related, so Zack Godley made the spot start for the Aces. Godley fared pretty well, going 7 innings, walking 2 and striking out 5 while yielding 8 hits. Godley gave up 5 runs, but only 1 was earned due to 4 errors from the Aces. The Aces used a 5-run 7th inning to take a 7-5 lead. Carlos Rivero belted out home runs in the 5th and 7th innings and drove in 3 on the night. Armed with the lead, the bullpen shut the door, allowing just 3 baserunners in the final three innings. Matt Capps picked up the save with a 1-2-3 9th inning.
Mobile 7, Biloxi 2 (Game 1): After getting hit by a line drive in his last start, Yoan Lopez wound up pitching a 7-inning complete game. Lopez allowed 2 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks and struck out 4. He also contributed at the plate with two singles and a run scored. The Baybears took the death by a million paper cuts approach to offense, using 13 singles and a double to plate 7 runs with 6 of them coming in their final 3 trips at the plate. Evan Marzilli, Ildemaro Vargas, and Kevin Medrano picked up 3 hits and Mitch Haniger drove in 3 runs.
Mobile 0, Biloxi 6 (Game 2): Game 2 was the opposite of Game 1 in terms of scoring. The Baybears got a horrific start from swing-man Billy Buckner and were unable to put up any offense. Buckner gave up 5 runs on 10 hits with 1 walk and 5 strikeouts over 3 1/3 innings, most of the damage coming in the 4th when Myles Smith allowed 2 inherited runners to score. Evan Marzilli collected 2 hits in this game to pick up 5 for the day.
Visalia 16, San Jose 0: There are so many positives about this game, the problem is finding where to start. Taylor Clarke went 5 innings, scattering 2 hits and a pair of walks while striking out 3. The Bullpen was equally as dominant, allowing only 2 hits and struck out 7 to complete the shutout. The Rawhide offense blew the game open with an 8-run 2nd inning without the need for a home run, but never relented at any point of the game. Dawel Lugo smashed out two home runs and a double and drove in 5 runners on the day. 2015 Diamondbacks catcher Oscar Hernandez drove in 4 as well with two hits, including a 2-run shot of his own. Every Rawhide starter reached base and scored at least once, only Stryker Trahan not getting a hit.
Kane County 3, Peoria 4: Starter Bo Takahashi was only able to last 1 2/3 inning due to the inability to throw strikes, yielding 4 hits and 3 walks. Keegan Long was able to inherit a bases-loaded situation and got out of it then went the next three innings as the Rawhide tied the game in the next half inning on a Zach Nehrir 2-run single. Drew Muren allowed 2 runs to score in the 7th inning for the decisive runs. The Cougars put up a rally in the 8th inning, but it came up just a bit short with the tying run stranded in scoring position.