Snake Stars:
3 Stars: Jackson LF Rudy Flores 2 for 4, HR (8), 2 RBI
2 Stars: Kane County LHP Mack Lemieux 6 IP, 3 H, 1 R (1 ER), 3 BB, 3 K, GS 64, W (1-2)
1 Star: Kane County CF Anfernee Grier 1 for 3, HR (1), BB, 2 RBI, 2 R
0 Stars: Reno LHP Anthony Banda 5+ IP, 4 H, 6 R (5 ER), 6 BB, 1 K, GS 27, L (5-4)
Reno Aces 5, Salt Lake Bees 9: Anthony Banda, after being deposed as the organization’s top prospect by Pavin Smith on Monday evening, put up a stinker start where he walked 6 and only struck out 1. Overall he gave up 6 runs in 5 innings plus 3 batters, which I question the thought of sending him out for the 6th when he doesn’t have any command or control. That turned a 4-3 deficit into a larger deficit due to terrible bullpen work. Ildemaro Vargas and Ketel Marte buoyed the offense with 4 hits, with Marte driving in 4 of the 5 runs.
Jackson Generals 8, Tennessee Smokies 7: The Generals ultimately won the back and forth affair, thanks to a Rudy Flores game-winning 2-run homer in the bottom of the 8th inning. Josh Taylor allowed 5 runs in 4 1⁄3 innings with 5 walks and 4 strikeouts. Every player that took an AB contributed to the game, either getting on base or driving in runs, include Taylor. The bullpen locked things down for the final 3 innings, with 2 scoreless from Brooks Hall and a perfect 9th with 2 strikeouts by Gabe Moya.
Visalia Rawhide 2, Stockton Ports 3: This game started off as a pitcher’s duel between Jose Almonte and Brendan Butler. Almonte allowed 1 run in 5 1⁄3 innings with 5 K and 4 BB. The only damage against him was a solo homer. Kirby Bellow came in and got out of the 6th inning, but wildness cost him in the 7th. Mason McCullough picked a scoreless 8th with 2 strikeouts and Austin Mason had 2 scoreless innings before the wheels fell off. Mason was unable to get anyone out in the bottom of the 11th and walked in the winning run. Offensively, Sergio Alcantara and Jason Morozowski combined for 7 hits, but the rest of the lineup contributed nothing save for a Grant Heyman solo blast in the 4th.
Kane County Cougars 4, Peoria Chiefs 3: Anfernee Grier keyed a couple 2-run innings with power and patience. In the first, he followed a leadoff walk with a 2-run bomb to give the Cougars an early 2-0 lead. In the 3rd, he walked to start a rally and scored on a Mark Karaviotis RBI single. The Cougars added another run that inning to take a 4-1 lead. Mack Lemieux made those runs hold up with 6 innings of 1 run baseball, although not very dominant with only 3 K vs. 3 BB. Tyler Mark pitched a scoreless 7th before running into trouble in the 8th before giving way to Ryan Burr. Unfortunately, Mark must have done something to annoy Burr that day as Burr allowed both inherited runners to score before stranding the tying run on base. The 9th inning was easier for Burr, who finished off the save.