Diamondbacks Minor League Recap 5/15/17: Laugher in Reno

Snake Stars:

3 Stars: Reno LHP Aaron Laffey 7 IP, 6 H, 2 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 3 K, W (1-0), GS 65

2 Stars: Visalia RHP Justin Donatella 7 ¹⁄₃ IP, 2 H, 2 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 8 K, L (0-6), GS 76

1 Star: Reno RF Kristopher Negron 2 for 4, solo HR (2)

0 Stars: Visalia 1B Austin Byler 0 for 3, 3 K

Reno Aces 12, Round Rock Express 2: The Aces made quick and easy work of the team I grew up watching baseball in the 2001 season. All 12 runs were charged to former Diamondback Allen Webster, who allowed 3 home runs in 2 ¹⁄₃ innings. Aaron Laffey, making his organizational debut, got the hitters back to the dugout quickly on the mound with 5 scoreless innings. He surrendered 2 runs in the 6th, but the game was pretty much over that that point anyway. Hank Conger, Kris Negron, and Zach Borenstein hit the 3 homers for the Aces.

Jackson Generals 4, Pensacola Blue Wahoos 3: Taylor Clarke pitched a quality start despite not having his best stuff (2 BB, 2 K) with 6 innings of 3-run ball. The Generals hitters chipped away at the lead, first shrinking it to 3-2 in the 5th. In the bottom of the 6th, Kevin Cron led off the inning with a moon shot to tie the game at 3. The score would remain the same due to stellar relief pitching from Joey Krehbiel (2 IP, 4 K) and Gabe Moya (perfect 9th). In the bottom of the 9th, the Evan Marzilli led off with a single, moved to second on a Dawel Lugo ground out, and scored on a Rudy Flores single for the winning run.

Visalia Rawhide 1, Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 2: The Rawhide’s lack of offense lost them another game and wasted another stellar pitching performance. After struggling for most of the season, Justin Donatella turned in a terrific start with 7 1/3 innings of quality pitching. Donatella allowed 2 hits and 1 run while striking out 8 while he was in the game and left with a man on base. However, two walks and a passed ball by catcher Matt Jones allowed that runner to score. Unfortunately for Donatella, baseball sucks sometimes and he got unfairly blamed for the loss. Sergio Alcantara had 2 hits in the losing effort.

Kane County Cougars 8, Beloit Snappers 5: This was originally supposed to be a doubleheader, but the field conditions stopped play midway through the first inning of the second game. In the opening game, the Cougars put up a 7 spot in the first inning thanks to a barrage of hits. The Cougars led 7-0 and 8-1 and needed all the runs they could get as Sam McWilliams struggled a bit as he allowed 8 hits and 5 runs (4 earned) in 6 innings. Perhaps the field conditions contributed since McWilliams pitches to contact. Tyler Mark came in and shut the door in the 7th for his 3rd save of the year. In the 2nd game, the Cougars currently hold a 1-0 lead with 2 men on base and 1 out when play resumes.