Diamondbacks Minor League Recap 7/31/2019

The Diamondbacks Minor League affiliates combined for a 4-3 record

(AAA) Reno Aces 4, Iowa Cubs 7: Taylor Widener got hammered for 5 runs in 2 ²⁄₃ innings, allowing 6 hits (1 homer), 1 walk, and only recorded 1 strikeout. Reno would scratch and claw their way back in the game, scoring twice in the bottom of the 3rd and adding a run in the 6th on a Max Murphy solo shot. Unfortunately, Robbie Scott was unable to pitch around an error as he would allow 2 runs to score. That took the starch out of the comeback bid, even though Reno would score another run in the bottom of the 7th. Domingo Leyba had 2 hits and 2 RBI.

(AA) Jackson Generals 2, Biloxi Shuckers 6: Bo Takahashi allowed 2 runs on 3 hits (1 HR), 2 walks, and 6 strikeouts, but took the loss due to no run or bullpen support. Jackson would not score until a 2-run homer by Jeffrey Baez in the 9th. Justin Donatella got hammered for 4 runs over 2 innings, which put the game out of reach.

(A+) Visalia Rawhide 4, Inland Empire 66ers 2: This game started off as a pitcher’s duel between Cooper Criswell and Justin Vernia. Vernia would allow 2 runs in 7 innings on 5 hits, no walks, and 3 strikeouts. The Visalia offense struggled early on, but was able to take advantage once Criswell was taken out of the game. Jose Herrera would drive in the first two runs with an RBI single in the 4th and an RBI double in the 8th to tie it at 2. Cole Bartlett would pitch a scoreless 8th, setting the stage for the comeback bid. Jorge Perez would hit a 2-out, 2-run homer in the 9th that would give Visalia it’s one and only lead. Breckin Williams took care of the rest and tidied things up in the 9th for his 11th save.

(A) Kane County Cougars 7, Peoria Chiefs 5: Jackson Goddard cruised through 2 innings before hitting a wall in the 3rd as he would allow 5 runs while recording 1 out. The bullpen acquitted themselves nicely in this game, allowing no extra runs for the final 6 ¹⁄₃ innings while the offense chipped away. Blaze Alexander started the comeback with a solo homer in the 4th that made it 5-2. Zachery Almond would drive in another run with an RBI double in the 8th to make it 5-3. The big inning came in the 9th, as the Cougars would load the bases on 2 walks and a HBP to the first 3 batters. A pair of wild pitches would tie the game before Zack Shannon would walk himself. Dominic Fletcher would single home the go-ahead run and Alexander added a sac fly for the final run of the game. Jose Cuas would pitch a scoreless 9th to close things out.

(A-) Hillsboro Hops 5, Everett AquaSox 1: Drey Jameson faced 3 hitters, showing difficulty in getting any of them out. He would walk and hit a batter before getting pulled with 1 out. Erin Baldwin would uncork a wild pitch and a ground out would score the AquaSox’s first and only run. The Hops would tie in the 2nd on a Tristin English RBI single before he ended up scoring on an errant pickoff throw. English would add a 2-run homer in the 3rd that gave Hillsboro a commanding lead. The bullpen would put up 8 more zeros that kept Everett from making any dent into the lead.

(Rk+) Missoula Osprey 7, Idaho Falls Chukars 2: The Osprey only recorded 10 hits, but 5 of them went for extra base hits. Missoula would take advantage of fielding miscues in the 7th to take a 5-2 lead. They would also tack on a run in the 8th and 9th to make it a more comfortable win. Patrick McGuff pitched 8 innings, allowing 2 runs on 5 hits, 1 walk, and 9 strikeouts. Jared Liebelt would pitch a clean 9th with a strikeout to wrap things up.

(Rk) AZL Dbacks 2, AZL Cubs Two 3: Both teams would exchange 2-spots in the first inning. Kevin Cron hit a 2-run homer in his rehab assignment. The Dbacks would only get 2 hits the rest of the way: a double by Leodany Perez and Corbin Carroll’s second single. Matt Andriese would start this game in a rehab assignment, allowing 2 hits and 2 run in ¹⁄₃ of an inning with a walk and no strikeouts. Raibel Custodio would finish the first inning with no further damage. Matt Mercer would go the next two innings, allowing 4 hits but no runs and struck out 2. Ricky Nolasco would go the next 3 innings of shutout baseball, scattering 2 hits and struck out 2 to complete the rehab assignment tour. The Dbacks lack of offense in the final 7 innings would put a lot of pressure on the bullpen and it cracked in the 8th when Jonathan Stroman would only retire 1 of 3 batters he faced in his second inning of work. With runners on the corners and 1 out, the Cubs opted for a squeeze bunt against new pitcher Argenis Bravo and it worked in their favor. The Dbacks would do down without a wimper in the 9th.