Snake Stars:
3 Stars: Kane County RHP Sam McWilliams 6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K, GS 74
2 Stars: Visalia RHP Jose Almonte 6 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K, GS 68, W (7-7)
1 Star: Hillsboro RHP Connor Grey 6 1⁄3 IP, 4 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 5 K, GS 70, W (4-2)
0 Stars: Missoula C Andy Yerzy 0 for 4, 3 K
Pavin Smith: 2 for 5, RBI, R
Reno Aces 3, El Paso Chihuahuas 10: The game was out of reach early as a bad start by Frank Duncan hurt the Aces chances with 5 runs in 5 1⁄3 innings, allowing 13 hits. Aaron Laffey was worse, allowing his 5 runs while only getting 3 outs. The bad pitching put the Aces in too big a hole to climb out of.
Jackson Generals 3, Montgomery Biscuits 8: Joel Payamps was decent, allowing 1 run in 5 innings. Unfortunately he got zero support from his teammates, with the bullpen and the offense being terrible. The Generals could not solve Logan Darnell and the bullpen imploded with 7 runs scoring in the 7th and 8th innings. The offense plated 3 runs in the bottom of the 9th, so yay no shutout?
Visalia Rawhide 6, Lancaster JetHawks 2: Jose Almonte delivered a strong start for the \Rawhide with 6 scoreless innings with 6 strikeouts. The offense gave him a 6-0 lead with a strong showing at the plate from most of the lineup, culminating in 12 hits for the team. The bullpen allowed a pair of runs to score late after the game was pretty much wrapped up.
Kane County Cougars 2, Dayton Dragons 1: In a battle of the bullpens, the Dragons bullpen was slightly worse than the Cougars bullpen. Both teams got 6 scoreless innings from their starter, although McWilliams’ start was better by a long shot. The Cougars offense was unable to get things going until the 7th when Raymel Flores was hit by a pitch and came around to score thanks to a pair of Dragons throwing errors. The 8th inning had a more conventional way to score a run with back-to-back doubles from Manny Jefferson and Adam Walton. Colin Poche allowed a run in the 9th, but that was it.
Hillsboro Hops 6, Vancouver Canadians 1: Connor Grey was solid, allowing 1 run in 6 1⁄3 innings on 4 hits and 1 walk with 5 strikeouts. The offense got things going early with a run in the 2nd followed by 2 in the 4th and 3 in the 8th. Pavin Smith went 2 for 5 with an RBI and a run scored and Camden Duzenack hit his 2nd homer in the 8th inning. Solid contributions from the lineup with every batter getting on base at least once. The bullpen was also solid with 2 2⁄3 scoreless.
Missoula Osprey 0, Idaho Falls Chukars 6: Round 2 of the Angry Birds series goes to the Chukars. The Osprey were simply unable to plate runs, mostly due to a middle of the order that provided no contributions at the plate. 5 of the 9 hitters picked up all 9 hits, but unfortunately none of them stringed together enough to make a difference. Franklyn Soriano allowed 3 runs (2 earned) in 5 innings, but the bullpen was unable to keep the game close and the lack of hitting with runners in scoring position doomed them.
AZL Dbacks 2, AZL Angels 5: The Dbacks saw firsthand how talented Jordon Adell is, who mashed a pair of homers against the Dbacks early. The Dbacks fell behind 5-0 after 4 innings, but were unable to do more than put a small dent in the lead. Some slopping fielding led to the Dbacks’ 2 runs of the game, both coming in the 8th.