Anthony Banda continues to pitch well in AA Mobile, sporting a 5-2 record with a 2.37 ERA. Banda has a 75/25 strikeout to walk ratio in 68 1/3 innings while averaging about 5 2/3 innings with every outing. The only things he can really work on at the AA level is reducing walks and pitching deeper into games, although he's gone 6 or more innings in 6 of his last 9 starts. It's possible that he will get a look at Reno later this year if this performance keeps up.
Snake Stars
3 Stars: LHP Josh Taylor (Visalia) 7 IP, 6 H, 1 R (0 ER), 0 BB, 13 K, W (2-5)
2 Stars: LF Grant Heyman (Kane County) 3 for 5, 2B, 3-R HR (3), 5 RBI
1 Star: LHP Anthony Banda (Mobile) 5 1/3 IP, 5 H, 1 R (1 ER), 3 BB, 6 K, W (5-2)
0 Stars: RHP Justin Donatella (Kane County) 3 IP, 9 H, 8 R (8 ER), 0 BB, 0 K, L (5-4)
Reno 0, Tacoma 2: It was a story of no offense in the game, as the Aces went 0 for 5 with RISP and did not plate a run in this game. Starter Edgar Garcia gave them a serviceable outing with just 2 runs allowed on a pair of home runs over 5 innings but unfortunately the lack of offense put too much pressure on him to keep the opponent off the scoreboard. The Aces chipped in a pair of doubles, but that was it offensively. The bullpen of Steve Hathaway and Matt Capps did their best to keep the game close with scoreless outings.
Mobile 2, Birmingham 1: Once again, Anthony Banda got the start and did not disappoint. Banda went 5 1/3 innings, allowed 1 run on 5 hits, walked 3, and struck out 6. The offense overall didn't do much, but did enough with 2 runs in the 4th inning. After loading the bases with one out in the 6th, the Baybears called the bullpen to finish the game. Hector Hernandez got out of the immediate jam, stranding all 3 runners before the combination of Luis Ramirez, Joey Krehbiel, and Jimmie Sherfy ended the game. The bullpen allowed only 1 baserunner while getting the final 10 outs of the game.
Visalia 4, Lancaster 1: Starter Josh Taylor was absolutely phenomenal in this game, allowing no earned runs over 7 innings while striking out 13. The Rawhide wasted no time getting on the board with a pair of runs in the first inning. That was all Taylor needed to win this game, although the Rawhide would tack on runs in the 5th and 6th innings. Rudy Flores went 2 for 3 with a double and 2 RBI and Marty Herum reached base 3 times with a pair of hits and a walk. Gabriel Moya and Bud Jeter finished the game strong with a pair of scoreless outings to cement the 4-1 victory.
Kane County 9, Wisconsin 18: Justin Donatella got roughed up for 8 runs in 3 innings, Despite the 8-0 hole, the Cougars were able to force a couple rallies to make it 10-8 after the 4th inning. After working hard to get the game close, the bullpen decided to pour gasoline on the fire, allowing 8 more runs in the game and blowing it open. Grant Heyman collected 3 hits and was a triple short of the cycle in a 5 RBI game.