The Reno Aces won a marathon game, in which the bullpen delivered a spectacular performance. The Aces offense did the damage early and late in the game and the bullpen was able to strand runners on base to keep El Paso from scoring late and giving the offense the momentum they needed to pull through in the 13th inning. 10 of 11 inherited runners were left on base including 2 bases loaded jams.
Snake Stars
3 Stars: Reno Aces bullpen 8 1/3 IP, 9 H, 1 R (1 ER), 6 BB, 6 K, 10/11 inherited runners stranded
2 Stars: RHP Taylor Clarke (Mobile) 7 IP, 6 H, 2 R (1 ER), 3 BB, 3 K, W (2-4)
1 Star: RHP Justin Donatella (Kane County) 6 2/3 IP, 4 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 3 K, W (7-4)
0 Stars: 3B Joey Rose (AZL Dbacks) 0 for 4, 4 K
Reno 5, El Paso 3: The Aces took a 3-0 with a 2-run first and a Mitch Haniger solo HR in the 3rd off of former Dback Edwin Jackson. However, Matt Buschmann could not take advantage of the lead, failing to go 5 innings and allowed 2 runs on 4 hits and 4 walks. The good news for him is Adam Loewen was up to the task and was able to get out of a bases loaded jam. Loewen ran into a jam himself in the 6th and was helped out by Evan Marshall, who stranded 2 inherited runners. After putting a runner on base in the 7th, Marshall didn't get the same help as Steve Hathaway allowed the tying run to score for the only blemish on the bullpen. Dominic Leone was able to put out the fire in the 7th and stranded the bases loaded and the bullpen cruised from there. Sherfy had 2 scoreless innings in his AAA debut. The Aces were finally able to take a lead in the 13th off of former Dback Keith Hessler when Haniger doubled in Mike Freeman. Borenstein was able to drive in a huge insurance run with an RBI fielder's choice. A little bit of unnecessary drama unfolded in the bottom of the 13th, but no runs scored thanks to a game-ending double play ball.
Mobile 10, Montgomery 3: The Baybears delivered a lot of early offense, scoring twice in each of the first three innings. Balls were flying out of the park as they pounded out 4 home runs and scored 10 times. The early offense helped Clarke settle in and he delivered a very good start. Clarke went 7 innings, allowed 2 runs (1 earned) on 6 hits with 3 walks and 3 strikeouts. The HR parade was started by Oscar Hernandez, who is showing surprising power this year with his 4th home run already in AA in about a week's worth of ABs. Stewart Ijames belted a 2-run shot in the 3rd to make it 6-0. After Clarke allowed 2 runs in the 3rd, the Biscuits would not score again until the 8th inning. The Baybears continued to add on with a 2-run HR from Travis Denker then Rudy Flores followed up with a solo shot to make it back-to-back HRs.
Visalia 5, San Jose 7: This game was a see-saw affair, although the Rawhide never led in this game. Brad Keller had one of those days where the ball never broke his way as he allowed 11 hits without the ball leaving the park and the defense made two miscues behind him. The Rawhide managed to make the score 6-5 with 5 runs off the Giants starter, but couldn't complete a comeback for a third time. Dawel Lugo had 3 hits, one of them being his 12th homer of the year, to lead the team.
Kane County 7, Quad Cities 1: Solid game all around for the Cougars, as the pitching, hitting, and defense were rock solid from an execution standpoint. Justin Donatella allowed only 1 run in 6 2/3 innings, allowing 4 hits and a walk with 3 strikeouts. The middle of the order did most of the damage today, with the 3-7 hitters picking up 9 hits and all 6 RBI. The Cougars took advantage of 5 free passes (3 walks, 2 HBP) with a 5 for 8 clip with runners in scoring position. On the flip side, the pitching allowed the Bandits to go only 1 for 6 in that same situation. Joe Munoz and Francis Christy both drove in 2 with a pair of hits on the day.
Hillsboro 8, Boise 6: The Hops capitalized on mistakes from the Hawks, taking advantage of 7 walks and 4 errors to plate 6 unearned runs. Offensively, they picked up 10 hits and had a 4 for 14 day with RISP. Stephen Smith led the Hops offensively with a 2 for 3 day at the plate for his first two professional hits and reached base 3 times. That was enough support for Anfernee Benitez, who scattered 8 hits and a walk over 5 innings to 2 runs. Benitez struck out 5 and kept the Hawks from building any momentum at the plate. After a scoreless outing from Jordan Watson, things got dicey as Tucker Ward and Jake Winston each allowed 2 runs in the 7th and 8th innings to make it 8-6. However Tommy Eveld was able to end the comeback bid with a 1-2-3 9th inning that included a strikeout.
Missoula 3, Helena 2: This game turned out to be a rare pitcher's duel in the Pioneer League. Both Chester Pimentel and Rodrigo Benoit had it going early. The Osprey fell behind 2-0, but chipped at the lead. The first run came across when reached on an error and stole a pair of bases that included a successful steal attempt of home plate for the first run. The Osprey were able to tie things in the 6th when Ryan January doubled and Jose Herrera singled him home. From there, the bullpen was able to lock things down with 1 1/3 hitless innings from Bryant Holtmann and Dean Jackson got the next 5 outs to set the stage for a walkoff in the 9th. In the 9th inning, the Osprey got a leadoff single from Yan Sanchez, who was moved up to 2nd on a bunt by Brown. A wild pitch followed by a strategic walk put runners on the corners with 1 out and a mishandled ball at shortstop wound up scoring the winning run.
AZL Dbacks 3, AZL Giants 4: Things started off nicely for the Dbacks as Paxton De La Garza took a rehabbing Matt Cain deep to give the Dbacks a 1-0 lead. Unfortunately, Jhoan Duran has not learned the art of a shutdown inning as he allowed the Giants to come back with 2 runs in the 2nd. The Dbacks plated a run in the 4th off Cain when Juan Araujo hit an RBI double to tie it at 2, but the Giants plated 2 more in the bottom half of that inning. The Dbacks made a comeback attempt in the 8th inning when Pedro Marquez hit an RBI single to put the tying run on base, but were unable to finish there. The 9th inning was more of the same as the tying and winning runs were able to reach base, but were left stranded when a ground out ended the game.