Snake Stars:
3 Stars: Jackson 1B Kevin Cron 2 for 4, 2B, HR (16), 3 RBI, R
2 Stars: Visalia C Matt Jones 3 for 5, HR (5), 2 RBI, 2 R
1 Stars: Jackson RHP Brad Keller 5 2⁄3 IP, 7 H, 2 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 6 K, GS 58, W (5-6)
0 Stars: Reno RHP Matt Stites 2⁄3 IP, 4 H, 4 R (4 ER), 2 BB, 0 K
Reno Aces 4, Tacoma Rainiers 12: The Aces bats came swinging out early against Christian Bergmann, initially taking a 4-2 lead after 5 inning. However, that’s when things fell apart as the pitching completely collapsed. Aaron Laffey and Daniel Gibson combined to allow 4 runs to score in the 6th to put the Aces behind 6-4 and it got worse from there. Matt Stites allowed 4 runs in the 7th inning. For the 9th, the Aces elected to have a position player pitch instead with Kris Negron.
Jackson Generals 8, Birmingham Barons 2: Once again, the Generals bested elite pitching prospect Michael Kopech. The Generals took a quick lead early, scoring 5 times between the 3rd and 5th inning. It was one of those games where everyone in the lineup contributed. Kevin Cron brought the fireworks with a double, homer, and 3 RBI. Also Dawel Lugo went 2 for 2 with a double and a walk, the latter questioning whether the universe will end. Jared Miller was able to pitch out of a bases loaded jam in the 6th and got the save when the game was called due to rain in the 7th.
Visalia Rawhide 6, Modesto Nuts 4: The Rawhide had an answer to every run the Nuts scored against Justin Donatella, who allowed 3 runs in 5 2⁄3 innings. Tommy Eveld got the next 4 outs and was in line for the win when the Rawhide took a 4-3 lead in the 7th. However, that lead didn’t last long as Austin Mason allowed the tying run to score. However, they were able to shut the door the next two innings to set up a walkoff homer by Matt Jones in the bottom of the 10th.
Kane County Cougars 4, Quad Cities River Bandits 5: The Cougars got a solid start from Emilio Vargas, who allowed 2 runs over 5 innings. Unfortunately, the bullpen decided to be bad in the game. It didn’t help that the Cougars didn’t capitalize on opportunities, going 2 for 17 with RISP and stranding 13 runners. After taking a 4-3 lead in the 10th, Jeferson Mejia and Trevor Simms were unable to hold onto the lead and ultimately gave up 2 runs to lose the game.
Hillsboro Hops 6, Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 3: The Hops quickly fell behind 3-2 in the 3rd, but the pitching was excellent from that point forward. There wasn’t any scoring until the 8th, when the Hops plated 4 runs to take a 6-3 lead. Junior Garcia was a big part of that, pitching 3 scoreless innings to set up the Hops for a come from behind win. Eudy Ramos went 3 for 4 with a double and 2 RBI in the game.
Missoula Osprey 3, Great Falls Voyagers 7: The Osprey were up 2-0 in the 5th, but that’s when the wheels fell off for Luis Madero, who allowed 5 runs to score in the 5th and 6th innings. There wasn’t a lot of offense in the game to make a comeback as the Osprey only picked up 6 hits in the game, two by Gabriel Maciel. Cole Stapler allowed 2 runs to score in the 7th to make the deficit too large to overcome.
AZL Dbacks 4, AZL Giants 3: All the scoring came in the first 4 innings. RBI triples by Jancarlos Cintron and Jose King gave the Dbacks a 2-0 lead in the 2nd. Jorge Perez homered in the 3rd and King drove in a 4th run in the 4th inning. The Giants countered with a 3-run homer in the bottom of the 4th, but that wasn’t enough for them as the Dbacks bullpen shut the door the rest of the way.