Snake Stars:
3 Stars: Visalia RHP Justin Donatella 7 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K, GS 73, W (4-8)
2 Stars: Kane County RHP Curtis Taylor 6 IP, 5 H, 2 R (2 ER), 2 BB, 5 K, GS 61, W (2-4)
1 Star: Missoula CF Gabriel Maciel 5 for 6, 2 2B, SB, 2 RBI, 2 R
0 Stars: Missoula RHP Tyler Vail 1 2⁄3 IP, 5 H, 6 R (6 ER), 1 BB, 2 K, GS 9
Pavin Smith: 0 for 3, BB, 2 K
Reno Aces 6, Tacoma Rainiers 13: Things were looking good for the Aces early on. After scoring a 1st inning run, Aaron Laffey had pitched 3 scoreless innings until the wheels fell off. Laffey allowed 2 runs in the 4th, but the Aces were able to score 4 times in the bottom half of the inning to take a 5-2 lead going into the 6th. Then came a 6th inning meltdown to end all meltdowns. After allowing 3 runs and leaving 2 on base with one out, Daniel Gibson came in and proceeded to do everything he can to lose the game and succeeded. In fact, the Aces bullpen gets an F- for this game with 6 runs in 3 1⁄3 innings. The bad bullpen outing overshadowed a strong game from Oswaldo Arcia, who was a triple shy of the cycle.
Jackson Generals 4, Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp 9: Alex Young got the start and was predictably bad with 4 runs on 8 hits over 4 innings. Drew Muren elected to outshine Young’s bad pitching performance with an even uglier one with 4 runs in 1 2⁄3 innings after him. Domingo Leyba picked up his first AA hit of the year, a 423-foot bomb, but the damage had already been done.
Visalia Rawhide 6, San Jose Giants 1: The Rawhide got a terrific start from Justin Donatella, who fired 7 scoreless innings. The offense scored in the 3rd, 5th, and 7th innings to give him more than enough run support. Sergio Alcantara doubled, walked, and stole a base while Austin Byler and Marty Herum each drove in 2.
Kane County Cougars 4, Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 3: Curtis Taylor was solid again, with 6 innings of 2 run ball with 5 strikeouts. His last 5 starts: 2-0, 2.22 ERA, 31/6 K/BB in 28 1⁄3 IP. In all 5 starts he’s completed at least 5 innings and allowed 2 or fewer runs. After allowing 2 runs in the first, Taylor settled in for 5 scoreless innings before Fernery Ozuna smacked a tie-breaking 2-run homer in the top of the 7th. The bullpen held on for dear life, but Cody Clark was able to end the threat and strand the bases loaded.
Kane County Cougars 3, Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 2: Not satisfied with just 1 win, the Cougars copied a similar formula for Game 2. Sam Lewis allowed 2 runs on 6 hits over 5 innings, walking none and striking out one. Tyler Mark and Trevor Simms combined to pitch 4 scoreless innings, the latter getting the win when Raymel Flores singled home Adam Walton in the top of the 9th. Marcus Wilson went 3 for 4 with a double and RBI after getting the first game of the doubleheader off.
Hillsboro Hops 1, Boise Hawks 5: Tyler Keele allowed 4 runs in 5 innings, but none of them were earned thanks to 5 errors behind him. Camden Duzenack was the only 2017 draft pick to get a hit in this game with a double, but also committed two errors in the field. Pavin Smith walked and struck out twice in four plate appearances in his pro debut. Unfortunately, there was no signs of offense from the Hops as they were unable to get enough baserunners on the basepaths in the game.
Missoula Osprey 19, Great Falls Voyagers 16: Only in the Pioneer League do you get a combination of bad defense and inexperienced pitching for 35 runs to score. This game was a wild back and forth affair where the team with the most runs after the outs are recorded will stand. The entire Osprey line up reached base at least once with 2017 10th round pick Ryan Grotjohn going 3 for 4 with a pair of doubles in his pro debut. Eventually, the Osprey were able to outscore the Voyagers at the end.