Every time Jon Duplantier makes a great start, Sam McWilliams follows up with a great start of his own. Today was no different as McWilliams was almost perfect for 5 innings. His only blemish was a hit batter through 5 innings. He struck out 5 and walked none as the Kane County Cougars took a no-hit bid into the 8th inning in a 5-1 win.
3 Stars: Kane County RHP Sam McWilliams 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K, GS 75, W (3-0)
2 Stars: Jackson RHP Brooks Hall 6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K, GS 75, W (1-0)
1 Star: Kane County 3B Paxton De La Garza 2 for 4, 3-run HR (1), 2 R
0 Stars: Visalia RHP Jose Almonte 3 2⁄3 IP, 7 H, 7 R (7 ER), 5 BB, 4 K, GS 21, L (1-1)
Reno Aces 2, El Paso Chihuahuas 9: The Diamondbacks success against the Padres did not translate to the minors like last night. The Aces lineup was dominated by Padres pitching prospects Dinelson Lamet for 7 innings. The Aces did not score until the 9th inning, after falling behind 9-0. Frank Duncan got lit up for 7 runs in 4 2⁄3 innings, allowing 11 hits. Hank Conger drove in both Aces runs with a 2-run double in the 9th.
Jackson Generals 1, Biloxi Shuckers 0: Rudy Flores provided the offense with a 5th inning solo homer and that was enough for the Generals to eek out a win. Brooks Hall and three relievers combined for a 5-hit shutout with a 12/2 K/BB ratio. Grant Sides pitched 2 scoreless innings and just missed a HR to CF, which means he needs to hit the gym. Krehbiel pitched a scoreless 8th despite walking 2 hitters. Gabriel Moya closed things out in only the way he can, striking out the side in order, needing only 13 pitches to do so.
Visalia Rawhide 0, Lake Elsinore Storm 8: Jose Almonte struggled in this game and the Rawhide often once again went cold. Almonte was chased in the 4th inning as he wasn’t able to command his pitches well. The Rawhide lineup picked up only 6 hits and 1 walk for the game.
Kane County Cougars 5, Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 1: Same score, different day for the Cougars as strong pitching and timely hitting propelled them to victory. Sam McWilliams dominated for the first 5 innings, allowing only 1 baserunner (HBP) and facing the minimum. He only needed 53 pitches and recorded 14 of his 15 outs via ground ball or strikeout. Ryan Burr pitched a perfect 6th and 7th to keep the no-hit bid going until the 8th. Even though the no-hitter and shutout were gone in the 8th, the Cougars still cruised to an eventual win.