Snake Stars:
3 Stars: Jackson RHP Brad Keller 6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K, GS 69, W (6-6)
2 Stars: Hillsboro RHP Tyler Keele 7 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 7 K, GS 76, W (2-1)
1 Star: Visalia LF Grant Heyman 5 for 5, 2B, 3B, 3 RBI, 5 R
0 Stars: Kane County RHP Sam Lewis 2 IP, 6 H, 6 R (4 ER), 0 BB, 3 K
Reno Aces off day
Jackson Generals 5, Mississippi Braves 0: The Generals got a great outing from Brad Keller (see above), and that really seemed to kick-start things. Middle of the order made things happen with the 5-6-7 hitters picking up all 4 RBI in the contest. Dawel Lugo and his newfound ability to walk picked up 2 hits and a walk in 4 PA. The bullpen was equally impressive with 3 perfect innings that included 6 strikeouts.
Visalia Rawhide 12, Lake Elsinore Storm 2: The Rawhide bloodied the Storm with death by a million singles, recording 13 hits and 6 walks in the game. They were able to take advantage of scoring opportunities, going 7 for 15 with RISP. Grant Heyman and Austin Byler went a combined 7 for 7 in the game with 7 runs scored. The offensive outburst overshadowed a solid outing from Justin Donatella, who’s been on fire the last 6 weeks. Donatella allowed just 2 runs on 4 hits over 6 innings, with no walks and 5 strikeouts. 3 hitless innings from the bullpen finished things off.
Kane County Cougars 10, Beloit Snappers 9: The game started off very nicely for the Cougars, who picked up a 10-2 lead in the 6th after falling behind 2-0. Obviously all the offense occurred during just the 5th and 6th innings for the Cougars with 10 runs scored and only 6 LOB. Luis Silverio had 2 hits, one leaving the ballpark as part of a 5-XBH output from the offense. Emilio Vargas allowed 2 runs over 5 innings, although spotty relief work turned a laugher into a panic game.
Hillsboro Hops 8, Spokane Indians 2: The Hops used a 16-hit attack to beat up on the Indians. Drew Ellis and Camden Duzenack hit out their first professional homers in the contest, the latter finishing a triple short of the cycle in a 4 for 5 game. No Pavin Smith in the lineup, although he’s been the least impressive of the three Day 1 picks from this year’s MLB Draft vs. Daulton Varsho, who’s been hitting everything in existence the last 4 days (12 for 19, 2 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 4 R, 1 BB, 0 K). Tyler Keele allowed only 2 hits and struck out 7 in 7 innings of 1-run ball to ensure this game would be a laugher.
Missoula Osprey 9, Helena Brewers 2: It was the kids driving the bus in this game with Andy Yerzy and Joey Rose combining to go 3 for 10 with 5 RBI and 2 runs scored. Luis Madero allowed 2 runs over 6 innings, striking out 6. Top two hitters in the order combined for 5 hits, which is why Yerzy and Rose had so many RBI despite only 1 XBH between the two. The early offensive outburst and strong start allowed the Osprey to cruise through this game.
AZL Dbacks 6, AZL Indians 4: In a game that was sloppy from start to finish, it was the Dbacks who were able to take advantage of the opposition’s mistakes more effectively. The Dbacks were able to string together enough ABs to get 6 runs across with the 1, 2, 3, 4, and 9 hitters combining for all 7 hits. Defensive miscues also affected the Dbacks pitching staff, which allowed 4 unearned runs off of 3 errors behind them.