Snake Stars:
3 Stars: Kane County RHP Curtis Taylor 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K, GS 80
2 Stars: Jackson RHP Taylor Clarke 6 IP, 5 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 8 K, GS 65
1 Star: Visalia DH Tyler Baker 3 for 4, 2-R HR (1), 2 R
0 Stars: Reno RHP Jake Barrett 1⁄3 IP, 5 H, 6 R (6 ER), 1 BB, 1 K
Reno Aces 4, Las Vegas 51s 11: The game didn’t start out so bad. Initially Banda had allowed 2 runs in 5 innings with 8 strikeouts and 1 walk. However, trouble found the Reno bullpen, which allowed 8 runs to score in the game. After Banda left the game in the 6th in a 3-3 tie with a man on base, Erik Davis allowed a 2-run homer that put the Aces in a hole. Rubby De La Rosa did his best to keep the game close with 2 scoreless innings with 4 strikeouts. However, Jake Barrett had a monumental meltdown in the 9th inning and ensured there was not going to be a comeback bid. The Aces offense mostly came in the form of solo homers from Oswaldo Arcia, Jeremy Hazelbaker, and Carlos Rivero.
Jackson Generals 2, Mississippi Braves 1: In a battle between two pitching prospects in Max Fried and Taylor Clarke, it was the Diamondbacks prospect who won out. Clarke allowed only a solo homer over 6 innings with 8 strikeouts and 0 walks. Offense came from his battery mate, as Michael Perez ripped a 2-run double and the pitching made that hold up. After Clarke left the game, Krehbiel pitched a scoreless 7th before loading the bases with 1 out in the 8th. Gabe Moya came in from there and ended any thoughts of a comeback by retiring all 5 hitters he faced, 3 via strikeout. Rudy Flores and Michael Perez were both perfect at the plate, going a combined 3 for 3 with 2 doubles and 3 walks in 6 combined trips to the plate.
Visalia Rawhide 8, Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 9: Offense came early for the Rawhide, scoring 7 runs in the 2nd and 3rd innings. Unfortunately, Jose Almonte wasn’t very sharp on the mound as he gave up a staggering 11 hits over 5 2⁄3 innings, allowing 7 runs (5 earned). Marty Herum and Tyler Baker provided 3 hits games, the latter pounding out his first homer of the year. JR Bradley, a former Dbacks bust draft pick from the 2010 draft that somehow found his way back in the organization, gave up the winning runs in the 7th. Even though the Rawhide answered with a run in the bottom half of the inning, they were unable to put up any more offense.
Kane County Cougars 4, Quad Cities River Bandits 5: After two strong outings, Curtis Taylor backed it up with his best one yet with 6 shutout innings. Taylor allowed 2 hits for the entire outing and struck out 8 with no walks. The offense did a solid job of scratching across 4 runs with contributions all over the lineup. Marcus Wilson went 1 for 4 with a walk and a stolen base in 2 attempts while Ramon Hernandez and Manny Jefferson each drove in 2. After Taylor left the game, the bullpen decided they didn’t want to win yesterday as Jake Winston allowed 2 runs in an inning-plus and Ryan Burr gave up the game-winning Grand Slam after loading up the bases with 2 outs. Bad day for former Sun Devils between Barrett and Burr.