Reno Aces 1, El Paso Chihuahuas 3: Jake Buchanan got the start in Game 1 and did pretty good with 7 innings, 3 runs, 1 walk, and 6 strikeouts. Unfortunately, the Aces offense was not up to task. The Aces picked up 8 hits and 3 walks, but struggled to hit with runners in scoring position as they went 0 for 10 in that situation.
Kane County Cougars 5, Cedar Rapids Kernels 6: Mack Lemieux struggled in this start, allowing 5 runs on 5 hits, 2 walks, and struck out 1 in 1 2⁄3 innings. However, the offense and bullpen were able to pick him up as the Cougars chipped away at the lead. The Cougars scored 2 in the 2nd and 1 in the 3rd to get the score to 5-3. Thanks to Connor Grey, the Cougars had a chance to get back in the game, ultimately tying it up in the 7th on a 2-run homer by Ramon Hernandez. Unfortunately, Grey allowed the go-ahead run in the 8th inning and took the loss.
Hillsboro Hops 2, Eugene Emeralds 3: The Hops were on the wrong side of this back and forth game. Drew Ellis opened up the scoring with a solo homer in the 5th inning. Kevin McCanna allowed the tying run to score in the bottom half of the 5th, then the Hops took a 2-1 lead in the 6th. Unfortunately, the Hops weren’t able to add more while McKenna allowed the tying run to score again in the 7th and Matt Peacock allowed the go-ahead run in the 8th. Randall Delgado pitched a 1-2-3 first inning as part of his rehab.
Missoula Osprey 11, Great Falls Voyagers 9: The Osprey offense was slightly better as they capitalized on 8 walks and 3 errors in the game. In the first, they scored 6 times and knocked out the Voyagers starter with 1 out in the 1st inning. Keshawn Lynch had 2 hits and 3 walks in 5 trips to the plate. The pitching wasn’t great in this game, but they were able to avoid the big innings for the most part. The win gave the Osprey a winning record for the regular season.