One of Visalia's best players this year has been third baseman Dawel Lugo who just missed hitting for the cycle last night with a double, a triple and a home run, his 11th. The 21-year-old Dominican has been a steady presence in the middle of a successful Rawhide offense. I'll stop short of calling him a special, or can't-miss prospect because his numbers aren't THAT good, especially considering the hitter's league he's in. But he's been progressing nicely through the system and is still just 21 so he deserves to have eyes on him as he moves forward.
Snake Stars
3 Stars: Dawel Lugo, Visalia 3 for 4, 3 R, 1 DBL, 1 TPL, 1 HR (11), 2 RBI
2 Stars: Luis Silverio, Missoula 3 for 4, 2 R, 1 DBL, 1 HR (3), 2 RBI
1 Star: Evan Marzilli, Mobile 3 for 5, 1 DBL, 1 TPL, 1 SB
0 Stars: Joey Armstrong, Visalia 0 for 4, 3 K
AAA: Reno - Off day
AA: Mobile 4 @ Montgomery 5. Yoan Lopez wasn't very good allowing 5 runs in 5 2/3 innings on 6 hits and 3 walks while striking out 5. Lopez hasn't had an effective start in over a month. The offense got within one when Ildemaro Vargas hit a 3-run homer in the top of the 9th with no outs, but no subsequent batter reached base to end the comeback. Evan Marzilli had a nice game with 3 hits including a double and a triple. Travis Denker went 2 for 4 with a double.
A+: Visalia 8 Rancho Cucamonga 7. This back-and-forth affair was eventually settled when Dawel Lugo tripled in the 7th and scored on a wild pitch to take the lead. Relievers Gabe Speier and Bud Jeter closed things down from there with Jeter picking up his 12th save. Lugo nearly hit for the cycle doubling, tripling and homering. Chuck Taylor had two hits including a 2-run homer in the 4th.
A: Kane County 1 Burlington 2. The Bees scored 2 runs in the 1st off Sam McWilliams and that proved to be enough in this pitcher's duel. McWilliams pitched great after that getting all the way into the 7th without any more damage. He finished with 6 2/3 innings giving up those 2 runs on 7 hits without a walk and 5 strikeouts. The offense scratched out a run in the 4th on a Joe Munoz double but couldn't come up with the equalizer. Grant Heyman and Austin Byler each had 2 hits.
A-: Hillsboro 4 Salem-Keizer 3. The Hops got a walk-off win when Matt Railey singled home Josh Anderson with 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th. Starter Jeferson Mejia was fair giving up 3 runs (2 earned) over 5 innings on 5 hits and 3 walks while striking out 6. Jake Winston was dominating with 2 shutout innings on 5 strikeouts to get the win and set the stage for Railey. Justin Chigbogu had 2 hits and a walk including a solo homer in the 4th to lead the offense.
R: Missoula 10 @ Helena 3.The Osprey offense got it going with 5 home runs and an easy win. Ramon Hernandez, Jose Herrera, Billy Endris, Ryan January and Luis Silverio were the home run hitters. Silverio had a big game with 3 hits and a double to go along with the homer. Luis Madera started and surrendered all 3 runs in 4 innings of work on 3 hits and 5 walks. Dean Jackson and Tyler Keele were much better with 3 and 2 shutout innings respectively to finish the game.