No clever titles tonight. The Aces won with Keyvius Sampson outdueling former Top 10 pick Jeff Hoffman, the Rawhide had an ugly inning turn a close game into a disaster, and the Cougars let a late lead slip and lost in extras when everyone not named Marcus Wilson stopped hitting. Speaking of Marcus Wilson, the guy continues to rake. 61 plate appearances might not be enough to say he deserves a promotion, but he’s putting up huge numbers to start the season. If he’s still destroying everything in sight in late May when he’s racked up about 150-175 PA, then a promotion to Visalia is necessary. No reason to rush his development due to a hot streak.
3 Stars: Reno RHP Keyvius Sampson 6 IP, 1 H, 1 R (0 ER), 1 BB, 5 K, GS 74
2 Stars: Visalia RF Grant Heyman 3 for 4, 2 HR (2, 3), 3 RBI
1 Star: Kane County LF Marcus Wilson 3 for 5, 2B, BB, 2 R
0 Stars: Visalia RHP Mason McCullough 1 1⁄3 IP, 3 H, 3 R (3 ER), 2 BB, 0 K, 2/2 inherited runners scored
Reno Aces 6, Albuquerque Isotopes 1: In a matchup of Keyvius Sampson and Rockies top pitching prospect Jeff Hoffman, it was Sampson who came out on top. Sampson struck 5, walked 1 in 6 innings of 1-run (0 earned) ball. The offense quickly jumped on Hoffman, scoring 6 runs against him, the big blow being a 3-run homer by Hank Conger in the 4th inning. Ildemaro Vargas had two hits, including a triple. Solid relief work by TJ McFarland and Erik Davis held the Isotopes to 1 run after Sampson exited.
Mobile Baybears vs. Montgomery Biscuits postponed due to rain
Visalia Rawhide 4, Modesto Nuts 8: The Rawhide jumped out to a 2-1 lead, but a 7-run 6th inning saw the Rawhide fall behind 8-2. The Rawhide struggled to hit against former Arizona Wildcats pitcher Nathan Bannister. Grant Heyman was the offense, going 3 for 4 with a pair of home runs out of the 9 hole. In the 6th, both Ivan Pineyro and Mason McCullough mightily struggled. Even though the Rawhide put up 2 runs in the 9th, it was too late to do anything.
Kane County Cougars 3, Cedar Rapids Kernels 4: The game started off as a pitcher’s duel between Cody Reed and Sean Poppen, both pitchers proving to be evenly matched in the early stages of the game. Reed allowed 2 runs in 5 innings, striking out 5 and walking none. The Cougars took advantage of Kernel miscues, taking a 3-2 lead in the 4th. However, the lead would not hold as Wei-Chieh Huang allowed the tying run to score in the 7th. It remained tied until the 12th inning, when the Kernels scored with no outs due to wildness from Jose Martinez.
Daily Marcus Wilson update: 3 for 5 with a double, walk, and 2 runs scored. Currently batting .411/.500/.804 on the season in 61 PA. 11 of his 23 hits this season have gone for extra base hits and sports a 10/11 BB/K ratio. Wilson is currently on a 7-game hitting has has him hitting 16 for 33 with 4 doubles and 3 homers and a BB/K of 3/7. He’s hit in 12 of 14 and reached base in all 14.