Snake Stars:
3 Stars: Reno LHP Anthony Banda 6 IP, 7 H, 2 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 4 K, GS 60
2 Stars: Missoula RHP Luis Madero 6 IP, 4 H, 3 R (1 ER), 2 BB, 10 K, GS 59, W (2-0)
1 Star: Reno 1B Rudy Flores 3 for 4, HR (1), 2 RBI, R
0 Stars: Jackson RHP Joey Krehbiel 1 IP, 4 H, 5 R (5 ER), 1 BB, 2 K, L (1-3)
Yasmany Tomas rehab: 1 for 3, HR, 1 K
Pavin Smith: 0 for 1
Reno Aces 3, Salt Lake Bees 2: Anthony Banda put together his 2nd solid start in a row, striking out 4 and walking none over 6 innings of 2-run ball. In his last two starts, he has a 11/0 K/BB ratio over 12 innings with only 4 runs allowed. Christian Walker hit a sac fly to open up scoring in the first and Rudy Flores belted his first AAA homer in the 2nd to make it 2-0. Despite Banda’s best efforts, the Aces were unable to score again until the 10th. Kris Negron doubled and was driven in on Flores’ 3rd hit of the game for the winning tally. Jimmie Sherfy got the win with 2 scoreless innings and Erik Davis picked up the save in the bottom of the 10th.
Jackson Generals 4, Tennessee Smokies 9: The Generals scored 4 runs in the top of the 1st and it went all downhill from there. Kevin Medrano homered to lead off the game and after a Michael Perez sac fly, a 2-run double by Victor Reyes gave the Generals a 4-0 lead. Unfortunately, Alex Young once again proved he shouldn’t be a starting pitcher and had a first inning even worse than Patrick Corbin is capable of by allowing 3 runs. A fielding error led to a 4th Smokies run scoring and the score held in place until the bottom of the 8th where Krehbiel decided to copy Randall Delgado’s meltdown with 5 runs allowed.
Visalia Rawhide 1, Modesto Nuts 8: The Rawhide scored first on a Matt Jones sac fly in the 2nd inning, but after that the scoring was all by the other team. Jose Almonte had a rare stinker, allowing 8 runs in 4 1⁄3 innings. The offense was unable to do anything as the Nuts pitcher threw a complete game.
Kane County Cougars 5, Clinton Lumber Kings 2: This game started out as a pitcher’s duel and ended with the Cougars pulling away late. Emilio Vargas got the start and pitched 3 hitless innings. Sam Lewis went the next 3 innings, allowing 2 runs (1 earned) and struck out 5. The offense took a while to get going, but once they did, they steamrolled the Lumber Kings bullpen with 4 runs in the bottom of the 6th inning. Adam Walton and Raymel Flores drove in a pair of runs each.
Hillsboro Hops 5, Everett Aqua Sox 4: Daulton Varsho smacked out his first home run of his career, a blast to right center to put the Hops on the board in the 6th. Tyler Keele allowed 4 runs (3 earned) in 6 innings, although it could have been worse if not for some money throws from the outfield to erase runners attempting to advance farther than they should. The offense then proceeded with the death by a million singles approach and took advantage of 5 errors. In the 9th inning, the Hops loaded the bases with no outs on a walk, single, and bunt single. Varsho grounded into a force play at home and Pavin Smith fouled out to 3B before Tim Susnara blooped a single to LF for the winner.
Missoula Osprey 7, Billings Mustangs 3: Both teams traded 2 spots on the board in the 3rd, but it was a 4-run 4th that put the Osprey up for good. Eduardo Diaz drove in 3 with a pair of doubles, although I recommend he not attempt to steal 3rd for a while. Luis Madero shut down the Mustangs after there, although 2 of the 3 runs he allowed were unearned, striking out 10 in 6 innings. The bullpen was also stingy with 3 scoreless innings, allowing just 1 hit and 1 walk and struck out 4. Luis Lara added a solo homer in the 7th for some insurance because you never know at this level.
AZL Dbacks 4, AZL Giants 8: Brian Shaffer made his pro debut and picked up a strikeout to go with a pair of groundouts in a perfect first inning. After him, the pitching wasn’t so good, allowing 8 runs in the next 8 innings, 5 earned. Buddy Kennedy’s pro debut went pretty well, going 3 for 4 with a pair of triples and 1 RBI. Yasmany Tomas went 1 for 3 with a first inning homer in his 2nd rehab game. The Dbacks outfield is doing fine right now, so the Dbacks should wait until they’re 1000% sure Tomas is 1000% healthy before activating him off the DL.