Diamondbacks Minor League Recap 5/31/19

The Diamondbacks Minor League affiliates combined to go 1-3 last night. Blown leads were a theme in both extra inning losses for the organization.

Here are the stars:

☆☆☆ Visalia RHP Cole Stapler 6 IP, 5 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 5 K, W (3-3)
☆☆ Jackson RF Pavin Smith 2 for 5, 2B, HR (8), 2 RBI
☆ Jackson RHP Justin Donatella 5 IP, 5 H, 2 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 4 K

(AAA) Reno Aces 2, Albuquerque Isotopes 9: The Aces quickly fell behind 6-0 after 2 innings and never recovered in this game. Anthony Vasquez took the start and got blasted for 12 hits and 8 runs over 5 innings. The Reno offense was in the deep freeze, scoring on a groundout by Vasquez in the 3rd and a solo homer by Cody Decker in the 9th. The bullpen got 2 scoreless innings from Robby Scott and Bud Jeter, but Jimmie Sherfy coughed up a solo homer in the 9th.

(AA) Jackson Generals 5, Chattanooga Lookouts 6 (F/10): The game started off as a pitcher’s duel. Jamie Westbrook drove in the first 2 runs for Jackson, an RBI double in the 2nd and an RBI groundout in the 4th, which gave them an early 2-0 lead. Justin Donatella cruised through the first 5 innings, but ran into trouble as the first 4 hitters reached in the 6th. Cameron Gann came in and only allowed one of the three inherited runners to score thanks to Daulton Varsho picking off a baserunner at 3rd for the 2nd out. The game would remain tied at 2-2 until the bottom of the 8th when Pavin Smith launched what should have been a game-winning 2-run homer. However, Matt Brill could not lock down the save as he surrendered 3 runs in the 9th to put Jackson down 5-4. Matt Jones would tie the game with a homer of his own to send it into extras. In the 10th, Brill would allow the 4th run against him to score thanks to the inability to throw strikes and Jackson was unable to recover in the bottom half.

(A+) Visalia Rawhide 4, Modesto Nuts 1: Strong pitching carried the Rawhide on a day where the offense was good enough. Cole Stapler allowed just 1 run over 6 innings, allowing 5 hits and 1 walk while striking out 5. Defensive miscues would ultimately help Visalia score 2 runs, as they came in the form of a passed ball in the 2nd and a throwing error on a potential double play ball in the 7th. After Stapler allowed the tying run in his final inning of work, the offense loaded the bases with 1 out. A dribbler to the shortstop coupled by a throwing error on a potential lineout double play ended up scoring 2 runs to give Visalia the lead for good. They’d tack on another run in the 8th when Renae Martinez doubled for Visalia’s only XBH and scored on Anfernee Grier’s sac fly.

(A) Kane County Cougars 3, Clinton LumberKings 5 (F/10): Levi Kelly would allow a 2-run homer in the first inning, but settled down to give up nothing more for 5 innings. Kelly allowed just 3 hits, walked none, and struck out 6 in a solid start. Kane County chipped away in the 4th when Tra Holmes singled with runners on 2nd and 3rd. Unfortunately Geraldo Perdomo, the potential tying run, was gunned down at home. The 7th inning proved to be more fortunately for the Cougars. Eddie Hernandez doubled home Holmes to tie the game before scoring on Alek Thomas’ single with an error charged to the CF on the play and no RBI. Kenny Hernandez was unable to keep the lead in his second inning of work, which ended up sending the game into extras. Andy Toelken would only face 1 hitter in the 10th and that hitter would end the game with a 2-run homer.