Diamondbacks Minor League Recap 5/9/19

The Diamondbacks Minor League affiliates combiend to go 1-3 on the day with Kane County the only team picking up the win.

Here are the stars from last night’s game:

★★★ Reno C Tyler Heineman 2 for 3, 2B, solo HR (2), 2 R
★★ Kane County CF Alek Thomas 2 for 3, 3B, BB, 2 R
★ Kane County RHP Levi Kelly 4 ²⁄₃ IP, 4 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 8 K

(AAA) Reno Aces 2, Tacoma Rainiers 10: With Jon Duplantier called up to the majors once again, Vinny Nittoli took the spot start for Reno. It was ugly as Nittoli allowed 5 runs in 2 ²⁄₃ innings over 4 hits, 5 walks, and 4 strikeouts. There wasn’t much relief as each pitcher used by Reno was tagged for at least one run and all three relievers surrendering a home run each. Tyler Heineman was the offense with a double and a homerun in 3 trips to the plate, scoring both of Reno’s runs while the rest of the lineup was overmatched and combined to go 1 for 26 with just 2 walks.

(AA) Jackson Generals 2, Birmingham Barons 5: Emilio Vargas turned in another stinker outing, although he was able to go 6 innings while surrendering 5 runs on 6 hits, 2 walks, and 9 strikeouts. Birmingham baserunners had free reign as in the 2nd and 3rd innings, they stole 4 bases in 4 attempts. Jackson once again struggled to string together offense. The team figure was 3 for 11, but that includes a 2 for 5 clip in the 9th inning after falling behind 5-0. Drew Ellis led off the 9th with a double and scored on a Jeffrey Baez double. Baez would later score on a ground ball that snuck through the infield off the bat of Pavin Smith. A walk sent the tying run at the plate in the form of Daulton Varsho, but he would ground out to 2B for the final out of the game.

(A+) Visalia Rawhide 0, Lake Elsinore Storm 4: Matt Mercer ran into trouble in the 4th as he allowed 1 run and loaded the bases with 2 outs before giving way to Justin Vernia. Vernia allowed all three inherited runners to score and nearly another run if not for a well-executed relay to cut down a runner at home. Mercer finished with 4 runs on 4 hits, 2 walks, and 5 strikeouts in 3 ²⁄₃ innings. The Visalia offense was harder to find than Waldo, as they put up only 4 hits (all singles) and never really threatened to score all game.

(A) Kane County Cougars 3, Lansing Lugnuts 1: Kane County would take an early 3-0 lead thanks to the efforts of Alek Thomas. Thomas tripled and scored in the 2nd before starting off a 2-run 4th inning with a walk, finishing the day 2 for 3 at the plate. Levi Kelly was equally as impressive, striking out 8 in 4 ²⁄₃ innings with the only run he allowed coming home on a poorly defended double steal attempt after Kelly left the game. The bullpen shut the door for the final four innings with Ethan Larrison, Andy Toelken, and Chester Pimentel taking the mound.