The Diamondbacks AA affiliate from 2007-2016 was the Mobile Baybears, who is now the AA affiliate for the Los Angeles Angels. Many of the MLB team's best players spent time down there developing their game. A lot of players on the current AA team were on Mobile's roster last year, so it's somewhat of a homecoming for them. In other news, the Visalia Rawhide came close to pitching a perfect game, retiring the first 28 batters of the game and 30 of 31. It's not the first time I've seen a perfect game bid last 9 innings then go out in extra innings.
3 Stars: Visalia Rawhide pitchers 10 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 16 K, W, Joel Payamps GS 78
2 Stars: Jackson CF Evan Marzilli 3 for 3, 2 BB, RBI, R, SB
1 Star: Kane County RHP Jon Duplantier 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R (0 ER), 1 BB, 6 K, GS 63
0 Stars: Reno RHP Kaleb Fleck 1 1/3 IP, 6 H, 3 R (3 ER), BS, L (0-1)
Reno Aces 7, Albuquerque Isotopes 9: Anthony Banda got the start and was cruising through the first five innings. However, trouble came in the 6th when the Isotopes were able to plate 7 runs off Banda and Kaleb Fleck. Banda walked more hitters than he struck out in his second consecutive start. The Aces hitters did their best to try to stay in the game as they picked up 13 hits, with four of them leaving the park. Christian Walker drove in 3 with a pair of homers, Carlos Rivero hit a solo homer, and Ronnie Freeman blasted his first homer of the year. Unfortunately, the 6th inning proved to be the Aces undoing.
Jackson Generals 10, Mobile Baybears 5: For a lot of players on the current roster, it was a return to the stadium where they played their home games last year. Like they've done in the past, they won in Mobile. Taylor Clarke started the game, but struggled as he gave up 4 runs in the 2nd inning with allowing 2 runs to score while on the mound and two more runs charged to him after he left. However, the bullpen was able to stabilize the game by allowing only 1 run in 7 1/3 innings. Yuhei Nakaushiro got the win with 3 1/3 innings of work. Jared Miller went two perfect innings with 4 strikeouts and Drew Muren pitched a perfect 8. Dawel Lugo crushed his 3rd homer of the year and Evan Marzilli had a perfect game at the plate, going 3 for 3 with 2 walks.
Visalia Rawhide 2, Lake Elsinore 0: The Rawhide pitchers flirted with a perfect game, as they retired the first 28 hitters of the game. Joel Payamps struck out 8 in 5 innings to start things off. Unfortunately, the offense couldn't get things in gear until the 10th inning, thanks to a 2-run homer by Matt Jones. Bellow struck out 3 of 7 hitters and Cameron Gann 4 of 5 to keep the perfecto bid through the 9th inning. Gann picked up the win after the Jones HR. Closer Bud Jeter was unable to keep the perfect game bid going, but also kept the Storm off the board with his 2nd save.
Kane County Cougars 1, Cedar Rapids Kernels 4: The Cougar bats were held in check, picking up only 4 hits and 3 walks. The poor offensive and bullpen performance wasted a solid start from Jon Duplantier, who is off to a good start. After an unearned run scored in the 3rd, Marcus Wilson tied the game with a bases loaded walk. Unfortunately, the bullpen was unable to keep the Kernels off the board as Ryan Burr, Tyler Mark, and Austin Mason each allowed 1 run to score. Marcus Wilson drew 2 walks and struck out twice, moving his BB/K ratio of 8/4 in 7 games. Jazz Chisholm went 1 for 4 and is batting .320 on the year.