The Diamondbacks minor league affiliates apparently love Aces. The Reno Aces split a doubleheader against Albuquerque, the first being a 9-inning loss from a game resumed from last night. They walked off the 2nd game of the doubleheader. Elsewhere, the other three affiliates all managed to score 1 run in their games, going a combined 1-2.
3 Stars: Reno 3B Carlos Rivero (Game 2) 4 for 4, walkoff RBI single
2 Stars: Reno 1B Christian Walker (Game 2) 2 for 3, 2 2B, BB, 3 R
1 Star: Jackson 3B Dawel Lugo 1 for 4, GW HR (4)
0 Stars: Kane County RF Luis Silverio 0 for 4, 3 K
Reno Aces 2, Albuquerque Isotopes 5: After resuming play, the Aces turned to Zack Godley on the mound. Godley managed to get out the 1st and 3rd with no out jam with only 1 run scoring. The Aces responded with a 2-run bottom half, with Ildemaro Vargas, Ketel Marte, and Christian Walker singling, with a Reymond Fuentes sac fly. However, that was it from a scoring perspective and Godley had a mediocre outing. Godley walked 5 over 6 innings, allowing 4 runs and taking the loss. Things could have been worse if not for a great job by Silvino Bracho to pick up Godley’s mess. Bracho and Matusz were perfect the final 3 innings, but the bats were silent.
Reno Aces 4, Albuquerque Isotopes 3: The second half of the double header was better, as they got a decent spot start from Eric Jokisch. Jokish allowed 3 runs (2 earned) in 5 innnings, striking out 3 and walking 2. The offense was slightly better with Christian Walker and Carlos Rivero combining for a 6 for 7 game with a walk, RBI, and 3 runs scored. Jack Reinheimer picked up 2 RBI despite going hitless. The bullpen did a spot up job as TJ McFarland and Erik Davis pitched 3 scoreless innings. In the 8th inning, the Aces got a leadoff double from Walker followed by a walkoff single by Rivero to win.
Jackson Generals 1, Mobile Baybears 0: Another low scoring game for the Generals, but this time swinging their way. Brooks Hall got the spot start and lasted 3 2⁄3 innings, walking 3 and striking out 3. Inherited 2 on and 2 outs, Gabriel Moya managed to get out of it, stranding the bases loaded in the 4th. Afterwards, he pitched 2 more scorless innings. Miller Diaz pitched the 7th and Drew Muren pitched the 8th, both delivering scoreless outings. In the top of the 9th, Dawel Lugo broke the tie with a solo homer, his 4th of the year already. Jared Miller then pitched the 9th inning and got the save. Lugo is batting .382/.400/.735 to start the year, but that’s fueled by a .429 BABIP with a 0/9 BB/K, so expect regression.
Visalia Rawhide 1, Inland Empire 4: Ivan Pineyro got tagged for 4 runs in the top of the first and that’s all she wrote for this game. The Rawhide put up very little offense, as they recorded only 6 hits and 2 walks. Sergio Alcantara led the team with two hits and drove in their only run of the game. Despite the strong pitching after the first inning, which included 15 strikeouts by the team, the lack of hitting was enough to sink the team.
Kane County Cougars 1, Quad City River Bandits 2: Another game where no offense doomed a Diamondbacks affiliate. You can’t blame the two outfielders at the top of the order, as Marcus Wilson (3 for 5) and Anfernee Grier (2 for 4) combined for a 5 for 9 with a walk, double, and RBI. Cody Reed lasted 4 innings, but struggled with command as he walked 3 and hit a batter, striking out 6. The bullpen did their best to try to keep the game tied as long as possible, but wore down in the 11th inning. In other news, Wilson is batting an obscene .375/.500/.656 in 9 games already and has a 8/5 BB/K ratio. His BABIP will likely regress from .400 as he gets more ABs, but the early going suggests that he’s more than ready for the Midwest League after getting a taste of late season action last year.