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The Visalia Rawhide won a thriller game, with the bats bailing out a garbage bullpen performance. The Rawhide bullpen allowed 5 of the 7 runs to score, 4 of them charged to themselves in 3 1⁄3 innings. In the grand scheme of things, the bad bullpen performance is a footnote in a game with a fun ending. In the PCL pennant race, the Aces climbed a game closer to the postseason with their 3rd consecutive blowout of the North division-leading Rainiers. This time, they didn’t have to rally from a big deficit as they were the team that built the big lead early.
Snake Stars
3 Stars: RHP Alex Gunn (AZL/Rk) 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 7 K, W (3-4)
2 Stars: RHP Carlos Hernandez (Kane County/A) 7 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 8 K, L (7-10), GS 77
1 Star: PH Trevor Mitsui (Visalia/A+) 1 for 1, game-tying HR (1)
0 Stars: RHP Joey Krehbiel (Mobile/AA) 2⁄3 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 1 K, BS (5), L (1-1)
AAA Reno Aces 12, Tacoma Rainiers (SEA) 3: This time, it was the Reno Aces that took an early 4-0 lead in large part due to a Kyle Jensen 3-run homer. Unlike the Rainiers, they held the lead as the Aces never relented at the plate, leading 9-1 after 4 innings. The top of the order contributed 10 hits in 17 ABs. The offensive outburst was more than enough for Billy Buckner, who allowed 2 runs in 7 innings. Socrates Brito went 3 for 5 with a pair of triples, stole a base, and scored 4 times.
AA Mobile Baybears 2, Pensacola Blue Wahoos (CIN) 3: The Baybears held a 2-1 lead after 8 innings, but Joey Krehbiel couldn’t get the job done in the 9th with Matt Stites unavailable. John Omahen allowed a first inning run, but that was it for 5 innings. Domingo Leyba gave him a lead with a 2-run homer in the 5th. Luis Ramirez and Zac Curtis struck out 6 over the next 3 innings to set things up in the 9th. Krehbiel allowed 4 hits and 2 runs while only recording two outs.
A+ Visalia Rawhide 8, San Jose Giants (SF) 7: In a wild and wacky game, the Rawhide actually got good starting pitching from Alex Young. Young allowed 3 runs (2 earned) in 5 2⁄3 innings, although he exited the game with a 3-2 lead. Bud Jeter allowed the inherited runner to score, but was able to limit the damage to that while getting four outs. After taking a 6-3 lead, Myles Smith allowed 3 runs on 2 homers in the 8th inning. Gabriel Moya allowed a run that gave the Giants a 7-6 lead, but the game wasn’t over. Down to their last out, the Rawhide sent up Trevor Mitsui to the plate and he tied the game with his first Cal League homer. The very next batter, Colin Bray, followed that up with a solo shot of his own for the walk-off win.
A Kane County Cougars 0, Beloit Snappers (OAK) 1: The Cougars found themselves on the wrong end of a pitcher’s duel. Carlos Hernandez allowed 1 run in 7 innings, but couldn’t get any run support. The offense mustered up only 4 hits and 4 walks, only getting 3 ABs with RISP.
A- Hillsboro Hops 4, Boise Hawks (COL) 7, F/10: The Hops took a 4-1 lead in the 9th, but the bullpen could not hold it. Anfernee Benitez allowed an unearned run over 6 innings with a K/BB of 3/2. Riley Smith allowed 2 runs in the 6th, and needed to get bailed out by Colin Poche, who was able to hold the lead to 1. Tommy Eveld pitched a scoreless 8th, but closer Curtis Taylor could not do the same in the 9th. Matt Pobereyko allowed 3 runs in the 10th to take the loss. Luis Veras went 3 for 3 with a pair of doubles and a walk.
Rk+ Missoula Osprey 2, Billings Mustangs (CIN) 3: Alex Gouin pitched competitively, allowing 3 runs (2 earned) over 6 2⁄3 innings, but only got 2 runs of support to take a tough loss. No Osprey hitter had more than one hit, but had a couple hitters reach base twice. Despite the best efforts from the bullpen, the hitters could not get the tying run across.
Rk AZL Dbacks 3, AZL Angels (ANA) 0: The Dbacks pitched a shutout, striking out 8 and allowing 2 hits with no walks. Wesley Rodriguez pitched a 1-2-3 1st inning before giving way to Alex Gunn, who took care of the rest. Gunn went 7 innings, allowing only 4 baserunners (2 hits, 1 HBP, 1 defensive error) for the win. Francis Martinez gave the Dbacks all the runs they would need with a two-run homer in the first. Chris Herrmann went 1 for 2 with a double and a walk.