Snake Stars:
3 Stars: Jackson LHP Josh Taylor 7 1⁄3 IP, 8 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 10 K, GS 73, W (4-3)
2 Stars: Reno LHP Anthony Banda 7 2⁄3 IP, 5 H, 4 R (4 ER), 2 BB, 5 K, GS 59*, W (5-2)
1 Star: Kane County RHP Curtis Taylor 5 IP, 5 H, 2 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 8 K, GS 60
0 Stars: Kane County RHP Kevin Ginkel 1 IP, 1 H, 3 R (3 ER), 2 BB, 2 K, L (0-1)
Reno Aces 6, Sacremento River Cats 5: Anthony Banda was cruising through this game, allowing 1 run over 7 innings, but incompetent managing allowed him to be in the game long enough to allow 3 more runs. In the 8th, Banda faced 5 hitters, 3 getting on base with hits and all of them scoring. After him, the bullpen did their best job of trying to give away another game, but fortunately got the final out with the tying run in scoring position. Bottom of the order did most of the damage with the 6-8 hitters driving in all 6 runs of the game.
Jackson Generals 5, Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp 1: Josh Taylor did a good job of scattering singles and struck out 10 hitters while pitching into the 8th inning. After allowing a run in the 8th, Daniel Gibson came in with 2 on and 1 out. Gibson finished the game and picked up the save after stranding both runners. Kevin Cron had a pair of doubles and drove in 2, those runs giving the Generals a comfortable cushion late.
Visalia Rawhide 1, Lake Elsinore Storm 4: Cody Reed allowed 4 runs (1 earned) over 6 innings with 2 walks and 2 strikeouts. Reed got a really bad error that led to a 4-run inning, with a missed catch at home plate by catcher Tyler Baker (you had one job!). A normally weak Visalia offense put up a meager showing at the plate, with 5 hits, 1 run, and 11 strikeouts.
Kane County Cougars 2, Cedar Rapids Kernels 5: The Cougars scored 2 runs in the first inning then shut it down offensively afterwards. Unfortunately, Curtis Taylor allowed 2 runs in his start and that meant playing until the inevitable point where the Kernels were going to outlast the Kane County bullpen. Marcus Wilson took the rare off night where he didn’t reach base a single time, but did drive in a run in the first inning. Taylor had a great start overall to break a string of terrible outings to start the season and for a prospect who I have high hopes for that’s a good start.