Minor League Recap 4/21/2018: Duplantier Debuts

Snake Stars

• Three Stars CF Marcus Wilson A+ Visalia, 3-4 with a walk, a stolen base, a double and a triple
• Two Stars SS Ildemaro Vargas AAA Reno, 3-4 with a triple
• One Star RHP Tyler Mark A+ Visalia 2.0 IP, 1 hit, 1 walk, 0 runs, 6 ks
• Zero Stars RHP Albert Suarez AAA Reno, 2 IP 3 runs on 4 hits and a walk
• Negative Stars - The coveted and specially awarded Negative Star Award doesn’t go to a Dback prospects for the first time, but to Stockton Ports Catcher, and Oakland A’s prospect, Jason Goldstein. Goldstein had six successful stolen bases against out of seven attempts and was thrown out at home in his only time getting on base.

Fresno Grizzlies 7 Reno Aces 2

Although not as bad as his prior start, Taylor Clarke still had a relatively rough 5 inning outing. Clarke struggled with his control, walking 4 batters, while striking out 4. Clarke would allow 3 runs on five hits. Silvino Bracho would follow up with an inning in the sixth, allowing a run on 2 hits, while striking out one batter. Albert Suarez would pitch the following two innings, allowing three earned runs on 4 hits and a walk, while striking out just one batter. Jimmie Sherfy would work a clean ninth inning, allowing no runs, walks, or hits, while striking out a batter.

The Aces offense just couldn’t overcome the 7 runs the Grizzlies put on the board. Ildemaro Vargas continued his hot streak, going 3-4 with a triple. DH Yasmany Tomas also had a nice night at the plate, going 2-4 with a double and a home run. Cody Decker, who went 2-4, was the only other hitter for Reno to collect more than one hit. The Aces batters struck out 11 times, drew zero walks, and were 1 for 9 with runners in scoring position, which contribute to the Aces’ poor offensive performance

Chattanooga Lookouts 2 Jackson Generals 13

Jon Duplantier made his 2018 debut after being injured in spring training, and the results weren’t bad at all. Duplantier pitched 5 innings, surrendering two runs on four hits and a walk, while striking out 6. He allowed the first run in a wobbly first inning, but settled down after that, though he did surrender an additional run in the third. Joel Payamps followed up with three scoreless innings, allowing just one hit, while striking out 5. Kirby Bellow pitched a clean ninth inning, allowing no runs, walks, or hits.

The Generals offense provided plenty of run support though for Duplantier, with a seven run second inning, and would later tack on four more runs in the seventh inning, and two more in the eighth. Shortstop Galli Cribbs would recover from his cycle hangover to go 2-4 with a triple. First baseman Marty Herum would go 2-4 with a HR. Kevin Medrano would go 2-5 with a triple. Finally, catcher Alberto Rosario would go 3-4 with a home run as well.

Visalia Rawhide 7 Stockton Ports 3

Bo Takahashi would get the start, pitching five innings, and though the results weren’t as solid as his last couple starts, he still pitched well enough to get the win. He allowed three runs on eight hits and 2 walks, while striking out five and allowing one home run. Robby Sexton would follow with two scoreless innings, allowing two hits and walk, while striking out one. Tyler Mark would follow with two scoreless innings of his own, allowing just a hit and a walk, while striking out six.

Visalia put on a stolen base clinic, with six successful stolen bases out of seven, all coming against Stockton’s catcher Jason Goldstein. Although Marcus Wilson had a throwing error, he had an otherwise excellent night, going 3-4 with a walk, a double, triple, and a stolen base. Drew Ellis had a nice night as well, going 2-4 with a walk. First baseman Ramon Hernandez was 2-5 with a double. Daulton Varsho was only 1-5, but reached base twice thanks to a Stockton fielding error, and stole a base both times he was on base. Left fielder Mark Karaviotis was only 1-4, but had a stolen base and an outfield assist throwing out Catcher Jason Goldstein at home.

Kane County Cougars 9 Cedar Rapids Kernels 2

Ceder Rapids would be up 2-0 after scoring a run in the first and third inning off of Kane County starter Brian Shaffer, but that ended up as far their offense would go. Schaffer pitched 5 innings, giving up 2 runs (1 unearned) on 5 hits and a walk, with four strike outs. Schaffer had a stolen base against him, but also picked off the same runner at first in the fifth inning. Carlos Bustamante would follow with two scoreless inning, striking out one, with just a hit allowed. Matt Peacock would pitch two scoreless innings, striking out one batter himself, though he allowed two hits and walk in his relief appearance.

A very successful night at the plate for Kane County’s batters, with five batters reaching base at least twice. Second baseman Luis Alejandro Basabe was 3-4 with a double and a walk, but was caught stealing in the fifth inning. Right fielder William Gorman 2-4 with a double and a walk Ryan Grotjohn was 1-3 with two walks. DH Joey Rose was only 1-3, but reached base three times as well thanks to a walk and a hit by pitch.