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The Diamondbacks Minor League affiliates went 3-1 on the day with the Aces getting blown out and the other three affiliates cruising comfortably to wins with most of their offense coming in big innings. Jackson put up a 5 spot, Visalia 4, and Kane County 3 for the highest number of runs in a single inning in their respective games.
Snake Stars:
3 Stars: Visalia C Daulton Varsho 1 for 2, 3-run homer (2), BB
2 Stars: Visalia RHP Bo Takahashi 5 IP, 6 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 0 K, GS 49, W (1-0)
1 Star: Jackson RHP Yoan Lopez 3 up, 3 down, 3 K, SV (1)
0 Stars: Reno RHP Taylor Clarke 3 1/3 IP, 10 H, 11 R (7 ER), 2 BB, 3 K, GS -6, L (1-1)
Reno Aces 4, Sacramento River Cats 18: If relegation were a thing in the minors, the Aces (3-4) should be worried about being sent to the Pioneer League after this stinker. The pitching staff allowed 18 runs, the offense only picked up 6 hits, and there were 3 costly errors made in the field. Clarke allowed 11 runs thanks to terrible defense behind him, including an error from himself on a pickoff play, terrible BABIP luck, and serving up 2 long balls. The other two errors were Jack Reinheimer at 3B and Yasmany Tomas in LF. Offensively, there wasn’t much to talk about aside from a Jack Reinheimer 6th inning solo shot with the game long out of reach. As a side note, the Aces elected to send two position players to the mound to close out the game.
Jackson Generals 6, Tennessee Smokies 4: The Generals (5-1) small-balled the Smokies to death in a 5-run 5th with a never-ending line of singles. That made Alex Young a winner, who allowed 3 earned in 5 innings on 7 hits, no walks, and 6 strikeouts. The Generals pitching allowed 3 solo home runs on the night, but we all know solo homers never beat you. Joel Payamps got the next 5 outs, allowing the 4th run and making the game tight. Kirby Bellow and Michael Dimock walked the tight rope to send the game in the 9th. Rudy Flores belted a homer for an extra insurance run. Yoan Lopez added some excitement in the bottom half of the inning, but the kind of excitement you’d want from a closer as he struck out the side in order on 15 pitches for the save.
Visalia Rawhide 4, Lake Elsinore Storm 1: The Rawhide (4-3) didn’t have a lot of offense going with only 3 hits, but when the pitching is lights out and 2 of those 3 hits both leave the ballpark in the same inning you’ll win more than you lose. A leadoff walk and a defensive miscue at 3B with 2 outs opened the door for a 4-run inning with back-to-back jacks from Daulton Varsho and Drew Ellis up the Rawhide up 4-0 in the 1st. The long balls were each player’s 2nd of the season and in Ellis’ case, the 2nd in as many days. Bo Takahashi took that league and did enough with it, allowing just a solo homer in 5 innings, scattering 6 hits with no walks or strikeouts. The bullpen tallied the final 4 innings, striking out 3, walking none, and allowing just 2 singles.
Kane County Cougars 5, Quad City River Bandits 2: The Cougars (3-3) actually fell behind 2-0 early, but the pitching was able to keep the Bandits off the scoreboard for the rest of the game. Jayson McKinley, who spent 2 years in the Rays system before getting released and signing with Arizona, got the start and was wild with 3 walks in 4 2⁄3 innings, allowing 2 runs on 5 hits and striking out 4. The Cougars took advantage of 10 walks and 2 hit by pitches, particularly in the 7th in which Quad City pitchers walked 4 Cougars. Luis Silverio was the only poor soul that somehow didn’t manage to find his way on 1st in this game for Kane County. Erbert Gonzalez pitched 2 scoreless with 3 strikeouts and Jake Winston got the first two outs of the 9th before issuing 2 walks himself. Anfernee Benitez and got the last out of the game on a flyout with the trying run at the plate for the Bandits.