No Snake Stars due to lack of standout performances
Reno Aces 5, Salt Lake Bees 6: The game started off with both teams trading runs as the Aces scored the first 3 runs of the game in the top of the 2nd. Unfortunately Frank Duncan was terrible again with 5 runs on 9 hits, 2 walks, and 1 strikeout in 6 innings. The bullpen behind him was very good, not allowing a run until the 12th inning. The Aces were unable to take advantage of scoring opportunities as they stranded a whopping 15 runners on base. They were able to tie it by scratching across runs in the 8th and 9th inning. But they were unable to convert in extra innings and fell in the bottom of the 12th when Daniel Gibson forgot where the strike zone was in his 2nd inning of work.
Jackson Generals 1, Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp 2: Taylor Clarke wasn’t great, but wasn’t terrible either as he allowed 2 runs on 5 hits, 3 walks, and 4 strikeouts over 5 innings. Unfortunately, the Generals lineup outside of a Stewart Ijames homer in the 4th inning decided to take a day off. The team didn’t get any hits with runners in scoring position and stranded 8 on base. In a 1-run game, every opportunity matters and the Generals didn’t miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity. The bullpen did their best to keep it 2-1, but the bats just didn’t want to work.
Visalia Rawhide 1, Modesto Nuts 11: This game was a rare stinker from Bo Takahashi, who allowed 10 hits and 8 runs in 5 1⁄3 IP. Prior to that game, he was coming off an impressive run of starts that got him into the Cal League All-Star Game, so perhaps the long layoff could have affected his rhythm. There wasn’t much offense in the game as the Rawhide picked up only 7 hits in the game and only 1 XBH.
Kane County Cougars 5, Clinton Lumber Kings 4: Mack Lemieux struggled with his command, walking 4 and allowing 5 hits in 4 2⁄3 innings. It all reared its ugly head in the 5th when the Lumber Kings scored 3 times to take a 3-2 lead. Tyler Mark was able to put out that fire and give the Cougars another 4 outs as the offense plated 3 in the 7th to take a 5-3 lead. However, Mark loaded the bases in the 7th and was lifted for Trevor Simms, who was able to strand the tying run on base and finish the game from there. Anfernee Grier was 2 for 4 with a double, stolen base, and RBI.
Hillsboro Hops 1, Eugene Emeralds 2: The Hops had plenty of opportunities with 15 AB with runners in scoring position, but failed to capitalize on them with 11 left on base. Perhaps they should play Pavin Smith? The other Dbacks 2017 Day 1 draft pick, Daulton Varsho went 1 for 4 with a double. Unfortunately, errors led to an unearned run scoring against Riley Smith, who gave up 2 runs in 5 1⁄3 innings and got stuck with the loss that he didn’t deserve.
Missoula Osprey 1, Great Falls Voyagers 6: Another game where lack of offense was an issue as the Osprey only picked up 5 hits, 2 by Joey Rose. Andy Yerzy’s hitting streak ended at 4, but drew a walk and on-base streaks are better anyway. Kai-Wei Lin had a below average outing with 4 runs in 5 innings and with the amount of offensive futility plaguing the organization, it was enough to bury them.
AZL Dbacks 6, AZL Angels 3: Wesley Rodriguez made the start and struck out 4 over 3 scoreless innings. The top of the Dbacks order bludgeoned the Angels with Jorge Perez and Jesus Marriaga combining for 5 hits, 2 walks, 2 RBI, 4 runs, and all 3 XBH, which were triples. Kenny Hernandez pitched the 4th-7th inning and got the win due to arbitrary baseball rules since he was the pitcher on the mound in the 5th inning.