Yesterday marked the start of rehab games for OF Gregor Blanco, who went 1 for 4 with a double, stolen base, and two strikeouts. Blanco played CF for the Visalia Rawhide and the early signs are very good and I would expect him to be ready to return within the next 10 days. Given that Jeremy Hazelbaker hasn’t hit since the first week of the season, that would be the obvious person he bumps off the 40-man roster.
3 Stars: Visalia 1B Austin Byler 3 for 3, 2-run HR (2), BB, 2 R
2 Stars: Reno RHP Keyvius Sampson 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 6 BB, 7 K, GS, 61 W (2-1)
1 Star: Jackson LHP Alex Young 5 IP, 3 H, 2 R (1 ER), 3 BB, 6 K, GS 59
0 Stars: Jackson LHP Gabe Speier 2⁄3 IP, 3 H, 3 R (3 ER), BS (1), L (0-1)
Reno Aces 8, Fresno Grizzlies 1: Behind an effectively wild Sampson, the Aces were able to put up runs early and often. Jack Reinheimer, Ketel Marte, Ildemaro Vargas, and Reymond Fuentes had multi-hit games. The bullpen was stellar for the final 4 innings, with no earned runs scoring against them. Jimmie Sherfy is off to a good start with a 1.13 ERA, 0.875 WHIP, and a 9/1 K/BB in 8 innings for Reno.
Jackson Generals 4, Chattanooga Lookouts 5: Alex Young pitched well in this start, but a rare crappy outing for Gabe Speier ruined it. Young allowed 2 runs in 5 innings, but didn’t receive run support until after he threw his final pitch of the game. The offense plated 3 in the bottom of the 5th and set up Young for the win. However, Speier had a meltdown in the 6th inning, allowing 3 runs and putting 2 more on base before being lifted for Jared Miller who pitched 2 1⁄3 effectively wild innings. Dawel Lugo hit a double and drew a walk, his 6th in his last 7 games. If he can continue to grind out patient ABs without sacrificing power, he’s got the bat to be an MLB starter.
Visalia Rawhide 7, Lake Elsinore Storm 4: The Rawhide jumped on Storm starter Pedro Avila, plating 5 runs against him while only making 4 outs with him on the mound. Austin Byler had the big blow with a 2-run homer in the 2nd inning to put the Rawhide on the board. Trevor Simms made that 5-run 2nd hold up with 6 solid innings with 4 strikeouts and 2 walks while allowing 2 runs. Cameron Gann made things interesting by allowing 2 runs in the 8th, but Bud Jeter was able to shut the door with a 4-out save.
Kane County Cougars 1, Beloit Snappers 9: Since the pitcher wasn’t Jon Duplantier, Cody Reed, or Sam McWilliams, the Cougars didn’t get good pitching. Ryan Atkinson really struggled in this outing, allowing 7 runs while recording only 7 outs. Of course it didn’t help Jeferson Mejia allowed all 3 inherited runners to score in the 3rd inning. The Cougars hit into 3 double plays and an offense that didn’t have Marcus Wilson in the lineup struggled. The only run came when Ramon Hernandez doubled in Luis Alejandro Basabe.