Diamondbacks Minor League Recap 8/19/16: Matt Koch, Bo Takahashi, and Taylor Clarke deliver solid starts

The Diamondbacks got quality outings from two of their pitching prospects in their respective wins for the Reno Aces and Mobile Baybears. While the team has had issues developing prospects at the MLB level, the ones they’ve had in the minors have done a decent job. Lefty Bo Takahashi also contributed a strong start in a Hillsboro Hops win.

Snake Stars:

3 Stars: RH/P Matt Koch (Reno/AA/A): 7 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K, W (2-2), GS 68
2 Stars: LHP Bo Takahashi (Hillsboro/A-): 6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 7 K, W (3-1), GS 70
1 Star: RHP Taylor Clarke (Mobile/AA): 5 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 2 K, W (7-6), GS 50; 2-2, R
0 Stars: RHP Jose Martinez (Kane County/A): ¹⁄₃ IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB

AAA: Reno Aces 5, Memphis Redbirds (STL) 2: The Aces were buoyed by a strong start from Matt Koch, who allowed 1 run in 7 innings. The game started off as a pitcher’s duel between Koch and Redbirds starter Deck McGuire. The score was 1-0 when the Aces piled on 5 runs in the 7th and 8th innings off of Ryan Sherriff. Peter O’Brien and Carlos Rivero both homered for the Aces, the latter also hitting in a double. After a hairy 8th inning when Silvino Bracho struggled with an assist from a timely error with one out and allowed 1 run. With the bases loaded, Yuhei Nakaushiro delivered a strikeout to end the threat. Jimmie Sherfy pitched a scoreless 9th with a pair of strikeouts.

AA: Mobile Baybears 10, Biloxi Shuckers (MIL) 3: The Baybears were seeing double in this game, hitting 6 including a double-double from Gabby Guerrero and Stewart Ijames. In total, the Baybears collected 16 hits, including 2 from starting pitcher Taylor Clarke. Clarke also pitched 5 innings of 2-run ball, although control was somewhat an issue with a K/BB ratio of 2/3. Things got a little scary in the 7th, as the Shuckers put the tying run to the plate, but Joey Krehbiel put an end to that and pitched a 1-2-3 8th after the offense blew the game open. Dawel Lugo had 3 hits and Domingo Leyba had 2.

A+: Visalia Rawhide 1, Modesto Nuts (COL) 3: Justin Donatella had a solid day on the mound, allowing 3 runs (2 earned) over 6 innings, but took the loss because of poor offensive support. The Rawhide struck out 11 times and went 2 for 12 with RISP. Trevor Mitsui led the offense with a pair of doubles and Colin Bray picked up 2 hits in 5 ABs.

A: Kane County 2, Quad City River Bandits (HOU) 8: The story for the Cougars loss comes down to bullpen meltdown combined with a sputtering offense. Jose Almonte did alright on the mound, allowing 3 runs (1 earned) over 5 innings with 9 strikeouts, but took the loss as the bullpen allowed the game to get away late. Jose Martinez and Hector Hernandez allowed 4 runs to score in the 7th. Joey Armstrong led the offense with two hits, a double, and both runs scored.

A-: Hillsboro Hops 7, Salem-Keizer Volcanoes (SF) 1: The game was a lot closer than the final score indicates, as the Hops didn’t blow this one open until the final two innings of the game. The Hops took the lead on the first batter of the game as Jason Morozowski increased his homer streak to 4 games. The Hops added two more runs in the 4th with back to back RBI singles from Morozowski and Mark Karaviotis, which they would need as the Volcanoes answered with one in the bottom half of the inning. However, that was all they got for the game as Bo Takahashi was dominant over 6 innings with 7 strikeouts. The bullpen shut the door the rest of the way while Luke Lowery and Alexis Olmeda added solo shots in the 8th. Karaviotis had 4 hits in the game and 2 RBI to lead the team.

Rookie+: Missoula Osprey 3, Billings Mustangs (CIN) 1: Pitching was the story, as the Osprey outpitched the Mustangs. Luis Castillo went the front 4 innings, allowing 1 run and struck out 7. Rafael Pujols pitched 3 scoreless after that to get the win. The Osprey took the lead in the first when Eudy Ramos doubled in Paxton De La Garza and the pitching held it up. In the 3rd, the Osprey were looking for a big inning, but only got one because of a pair of wild pitches and ill-timed strikeouts. They would need that run as the Mustangs countered with one in the bottom half. Bryan Araiza would drive in the final run of the game with a soft single to left.