Diamondbacks Minor League Recap 5/11/21: Homerun Derby propels Reno to victory

The Diamondbacks Minor League affiliates combined for a 2-1 record. Amarillo and Reno with late offense and Visalia would get pounded for their 6th loss in 7 games. Hillsboro had the day off after Monday’s doubleheader and will get their next game on Thursday.

Best Pitcher: Reno (AAA) RHP Corbin Martin - 5 IP, 3 H, 1 R (1 ER), 2 BB, 6 K, W (1-0)
Best Hitter: Reno (AAA) CF Ben DeLuzio - 4 for 4, 2B, HR (1), BB, 4 RBI, 3 R

AAA: Reno Aces 12, Salt Lake Bees (LAA) 5

Corbin Martin allowed Salt Lake to score in the first, but that’s all he’d give up for 5 innings. Martin struck out 6, allowed 3 hits, and walked 2. As mentioned previously, he could be a future candidate for the starting rotation if the team struggles to get production from their #4 and #5 starters. However I would wait until he gets a start in Reno before making a decision.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Aces would take a 3-1 lead in the 2nd inning and never look back. Ben DeLuzio doubled home a run and scored on Nick Heath’s 2-run single. Heath would do the same thing again in the 7th and Domingo Leyba would drive him home with a single to give Reno a 6-1 lead in the 7th. Unfortunately a 2-out error by 3B Drew Ellis would extend the bottom half of the inning and allow Salt Lake to score 3. The Bees would claw their way back in, narrowing the lead down to 6-5 before Reno would answer.

The Aces decided they had enough in the top of the 9th, as the team decided to host a homerun derby. After a 1-out walk to Josh Reddick, Domingo Leyba and Seth Beer went back to back, their 4th and 2nd home runs of the year respectively. A couple of 2 out singles by Jamie Ritchie and Juniel Querecuto would give DeLuzio a chance to reach base for a 5th time and drive in a run. He got all 3 runs home with one swing of the bat with his first long ball of the year. Joe Mantiply finished the 9th by striking out 3 of the 4 batters he faced.

1B Seth Beer: 1 for 5, solo HR (2)
RHP Corbin Martin: 5 IP, 3 H, 1 R (1 ER), 2 BB, 6 K, W (1-0)

AA: Amarillo Sod Poodles 3, Wichita Wind Surge (MIN) 2

Tommy Henry recovered from his first start disaster somewhat, allowing just 2 runs in 4 ¹⁄₃ innings. He struck out 4, allowed 4 hits, and walked 2 in his start. The Poodles bullpen was nails, allowing no runs over the final 4 ²⁄₃ innings despite walking 4 and hitting a batter. Amarillo would start the top of the 4th with an infield single and a pair of walks, which loaded the bases for Ryder Jones. Jones went the opposite way and dumped a single to left to plate two.

The score remained tied until the top of the 7th. With 2 outs, Alek Thomas hit an opposite field double. After a pitching change, Geraldo Perdomo ripped a single through the left side of the infield to score Thomas. That was enough as the pen closed it out from there.

CF Alek Thomas: 3 for 5, 2B, SB, R
LF Jake McCarthy: 1 for 4, 2K, SB, R
SS Geraldo Perdomo: 1 for 5, RBI
RF Dominic Fletcher: 0 for 3, BB, 2 K, R
LHP Tommy Henry: 4 ¹⁄₃ IP, 4 H, 2 R (2 ER), 2 BB, 4 K

Low A: Visalia Rawhide 2, Fresno Grizzlies (COL) 9

Austin Pope was OK on the mound, allowing 3 runs on 6 hits and 2 walks while striking out 4 in 5 innings. Unfortunately the team didn't do much to inspire confidence. Visalia only had 5 singles and 3 walks at the plate, making it tough to put innings together. The bullpen would let a winnable game go by, allowing 6 runs in their 3 innings of work. Perhaps they took notes from the MLB bullpen, which they should promptly put in the garbage can.

3B A.J. Vukovich: 0 for 4, 1 K