Snake Stars:
3 Stars: Missoula 1B Francis Martinez 2 for 3, 2B, HR (4), 2 BB, 2 RBI, 2 R
2 Stars: Kane County RHP Riley Smith 7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K, GS 73
1 Star: Missoula RF Juan Araujo 2 for 3, HR (7), BB, 2 RBI, 3 R
0 Stars: Reno RHP Taylor Clarke 5 IP, 9 H, 8 R (8 ER), 1 BB, 2 K, GS 4, L (0-1)
Pavin Smith: 1 for 3, BB, K, RBI
Reno Aces 5, Nashville Sounds 8: Taylor Clarke’s AAA debut was ugly as he allowed 8 runs on 4 homers in the game. If there is any consolation, Anthony Banda’s debut was uglier and he turned out to be just fine. The Aces offense did their best attempt to make it a game, but couldn’t seem to add tack-on runs to the innings they did score. Kevin Medrano had 3 hits, 2 for doubles, in the loss.
Jackson Generals 1, Chattanooga Lookouts 3: The Generals offense struggled against Twins pitching prospect Stephen Gonsalves, who allowed only 4 hits and 2 walks over 6 2⁄3 scoreless. The Generals did pick up a solo homer by Michael Perez against former General Gabriel Moya to avoid the shutout. Ryan Atkinson struggled with command with 6 walks in 5 2⁄3 innigs, but ultimately the only damage against him was a pair of solo shots.
Visalia Rawhide 11, Stockton Ports 5: The game started off as a pitcher’s duel between Norge Ruiz and Sam Lewis, but the Rawhide bats broke out in the middle innings with 10 runs scoring between the 5th and 7th innings. The Rawhide picked up 18 hits and went 7 for 14 with RISP with an unrelenting offense that overwhelmed the Ports bullpen. Every Rawhide hitter picked up at least one hit with only Tyler Baker and Grant Heyman missing out on multi-hit games, but both of them homered in the game. Sam Lewis ultimately allowed 1 run over 5 innings to get the win and got 3 scoreless innings of relief behind him from Wei-Chieh Huang.
Kane County Cougars 2, Cedar Rapids 0: The Cougars were able to sweep the Kernels, although this game took 10 innings before someone scored. Riley Smith pitched 7 shutout innings, allowing 4 hits, walking 2, and striking out 3. In the 10th inning, the Cougars got two men in scoring position with 2 outs and Cole Thompson delivered a 2-run single for the only runs of the game. Things got a little shaky in the bottom of the inning after a leadoff walk and a wild pitch, but Stephen Smith threw out the runner at home plate to preserve the shutout.
Hillsboro Hops 2, Vancouver Indians 4: Tyler Vail had a solid debut, striking out 10 in 6 innings of 3-run ball, but the offense disappeared. Pavin Smith and Ryan Dobson each recorded 2-out RBI, but the offense was unable to capitalize with RISP with a 2 for 10 clip.
Missoula Osprey 10, Orem Owlz 6: The Osprey were able to out-slug the Owlz in this battle of the birds contest. Keshawn Lynch was the only Osprey not to record a hit, but he contributed with a sac fly. Franklyn Soriano allowed 4 runs (3 earned) over 5 innings and the heavy offense early made him a winner. The Osprey were able to mostly take advantage of scoring opportunities with a 4 for 15 clip and hit out a couple homers late in the game.
AZL Dbacks 4, AZL Giants 7: Trent Autry allowed 2 runs in the first inning, but the offense responded by scoring the next 4 runs. Ildemaro Vargas and Rey Fuentes saw rehab action as they combined to go 4 for 7 at the plate. With the bases loaded in the 4th, the Dbacks scored 2 runs on a wild pitch and Fuentes hit an RBI double to give the Dbacks a 4-2 lead. Unfortunately that lead didn’t last as with 2 outs, Kenny Hernandez and the bullpen completely collapsed at that point with 2 runs scoring to fall behind 5-4. A passed ball and Jordan Watson unable to find the strike zone afterwards led to the final 2 Giant runs.