Zack Godley had a strong outing for the Reno Aces, pitching 7 innings of 1-hit ball with a 7/0 K/BB. Godley took a no-hitter into the 6th inning, and lost it on the first batter of the 7th. Unlike a lot of pitchers that lose the no-hit bid, Godley buckled down and put the stop at the one hit. With Godley as a potential fill-in for the pen or spot starter if necessary, that’s definitely an encouraging outing.
3 Stars: Reno RHP Zack Godley 7 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K, W (2-1), GS 87; 1 for 2, BB
2 Stars: Kane County RHP Jon Duplantier 5 1⁄3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K, GS 76
1 Star: Visalia RHP Nick Baker 4 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, GS 58
0 Stars: Jackson RHP Drew Muren 1 IP, 2 H, 3 R (3 ER), 3 BB, 0 K
Reno Aces 5, Albuquerque Isotopes 1: Zack Godley had arguably the best start of his life as he flirted with a no-hit bid after 6 innings. While losing it to lead off the 7th, Godley only allowed 2 baserunners for his entire outing and gave the Isotopes no chance to put up any offense. The Aces turned 16 hits into 5 runs, including Carlos Rivero and Reymond Fuentes each going 3 for 4 with a double.
Jackson Generals 8, Montgomery Biscuits 7: The Generals got a so-so start from Brooks Hall, allowing 3 runs in 5 innings and leaving in a 3-3 tie. Unfortunately after him, the bullpen melted down, with Grant Sides allowing a run in 2 innings and Drew Muren having an 8th inning meltdown that put them in a 7-3 hole. However, the offense was up to the challenge and plated 4 in the bottom of the 8th to tie. In the 9th inning, Kelly Dugan hit a walkoff double into the RF corner. Dawel Lugo had a strong game at the plate, going 3 for 5 with a pair of doubles and 3 RBI. Lugo is hitting .321 to start the season and his .250 ISO is promising from a power perspective, but his inability to draw walks may limit his floor as a hitter at higher levels.
Visalia Rawhide 9, San Jose Giants 3: The Rawhide scored 7 runs in the top of the first inning to effectively end the game before it could start. That was more than enough run support for Joel Payamps, who allowed 2 runs in 5 innings. The only blemish was a 2-run homer in the 5th. The first inning had two walks, three extra base hits, and 5 hits overall, as they chased Giants starter Heath Slatton with two outs in the 1st. With the huge lead, the game was on cruise control from there. Marty Herum drove in 3 and Austin Byler drove in 2.
Visalia Rawhide 3, San Jose Giants 0: This game didn’t have the same amount of offense, but it didn’t matter anyway. Nick Baker and two relievers combined for a 3-hit shutout, including 2 perfect innings from Cameron Gann and a perfect 7th from Bud Jeter. Austin Byler once again had a two-hit game, both of them doubles, and drove in 2 of the 3 runs. The Rawhide hitters drew 8 walks vs. 7 strikeouts.
Kane County Cougars 1, Beloit Snappers 0: Not much offense to recap, as it tooks 17 innings for either team to plate a run. With the possibility of a rain delay, the Cougars scratched starter Jon Duplantier in favor of Tyler Mark, who pitched well in 1 2⁄3 innings. After the delay, Duplantier took over and dominated from there. The 22-year-old prospect struck out 6 in 5 1⁄3 hitless innings, his only blemish being a walk. If that was his line as a starter, his game score would have been 76. After 16 innings of offensive futility, the offense finally caught a break when a misplayed ball in LF off a single by Jason Morozowski allowed Ramon Hernandez to score from first with 2 outs. This game also included position players pitching as both Paxton De La Garza and Kyle Smith pitched two scoreless innings each, the latter pitching around 4 walks.