Snake Stars:
3 Stars: Reno CF Socrates Brito 2 for 4, 2B, HR (1), 3 RBI
2 Stars: Reno LHP Aaron Laffey 6 2⁄3 IP, 7 H, 3 R (3 ER), 2 BB, 7 K, GS 60, W (3-0)
1 Star: Jackson 1B Kevin Cron 2 for 5, 3-R HR (14), 2 R
0 Stars: Visalia RHP Ryan Atkinson 5 IP, 8 H, 6 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 9 K, GS 31, L (3-3)
Reno Aces 7, Sacramento River Cats 5: The game started as a see-saw affair that was tied going into the 6th inning. The Aces plated 3 runs, which started with a Socrates Brito home run to take a 6-3 lead. Aaron Laffey gave the Aces a quality start, allowing 3 runs in 6 2⁄3 innings with 7 strikeouts. Things got a little hairy in the 8th when Rubby De La Rosa walked a pair, but he got 3 strikeouts to get out of the jam. With a 7-3 lead, the Aces told Erik Davis to close out the game. Things didn’t work out and Davis allowed 2 runs before giving way to Sherfy with 1 out. Sherfy came in with the tying runs on base and proceeded to ensure no comeback by getting the next two hitters out.
Jackson Generals 9, Tennessee Smokies 4: The bats came to play with 13 hits in the game. They also took liberties on the bases with 3 stolen bases in 3 tries to add pressure and make things easier to score runs. Kevin Cron keyed a 4-run 4th inning with a 3-run shot to give the Generals a lead. Joel Payamps wasn’t great, but he gave his team 6 innings and with a big lead maybe a bit too relaxed as he surrendered 4 runs on 8 hits. In a 4-4 tie in the 6th, the Generals scored the last 5 runs of the game. Armed with a lead, the bullpen faced 9 hitters and retired all 9 of them, 5 on strikes.
Visalia Rawhide 4, San Jose Giants 8: From a defensive perspective, it was an ugly game. The Rawhide committed 5 errors that led to 5 unearned runs, with Marty Herum contributing 3 of them at 3B. Ryan Atkinson deserved a better fate on the mound with only 2 earned over 5 innings with 9 strikeouts. Jason Morozowki went 2 for 3 with a double, a walk, and 2 RBI in the game.
Kane County Cougars 6, Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 4: The Cougars were stymied offensively for the first 8 innings of the game, scratching across only 1 run. Sam McWilliams was mediocre with 9 hits and 4 runs allowed in 6 1⁄3 innings. The bullpen did a great job of keeping the score at 4-1 until the 9th inning when the offense exploded for 5 runs to steal this game. Kevin Ginkel got the win with a perfect 8th inning and Tommy Eveld got his 13th save of the season. Marcus Wilson had a strong day at the plate with a double, single, and a walk in the game.