Diamondbacks Minor League Recap 6/1/21 - System Wide Failure

While the Diamondbacks are coming off an emotional 6-5 come from behind victory in extra innings, the farm system had a pretty bad day. The teams combined for an 0-4 and had some very ugly losses along the way. There will be no hitting or pitching performance recognitions as the overall performance on both fronts were dismal.

Alek Thomas: 1 for 4, 2 K; now batting 2-12 with 0 XBH, 0 walks, and 4 strikeouts since this article posted, season line of .317/.400/.537. Everyone can blame me for him having a bad week.

AAA: Reno Aces 4, Tacoma Rainiers (SEA) 8

Reno really struggled to show up for this game. Starter Josh Green got pummeled for the first time this season, allowing 5 runs on 8 hits over 5 innings with 2 walks and 2 strikeouts. While his first 6 homers were all solo shots, he would give up a 3-run and a 2-run shot in the 1st and 3rd innings. Reno’s offense didn’t show up until late. Daulton Varsho hit a 5th inning homer and Reno would plate 3 in the 9th to essentially put lipstick on this pig of a game.

AA: Amarillo Sod Poodles 1, Frisco Roughriders (TEX) 4

Amarillo’s offense would be shut down in this game, with their only run coming on a Jake McCarthy solo homer in the 6th inning. This game started off as a pitcher’s duel between Humberto Mejia and Jake Latz, who would each only allow 1 run in the first 6 innings of the game. Unfortunately Mejia would run into trouble in the 7th, as he would retire only 1 for 4 hitters he faced. The bullpen wasn’t helpful either as Chester Pimentel would allow both inherited runners to score to screw up an otherwise solid outing for Mejia.

CF Alek Thomas: 1 for 4, 2 K
LF Jake McCarthy: 2 for 4, HR (4), RBI, R, SB, 1 K
RF Dominic Fletcher: 0 for 3, 2 K
SS Geraldo Perdomo: 0 for 3, 3 K
RHP Humberto Mejia: 6 ¹⁄₃ IP, 3 H, 4 R (4 ER), 2 BB, 8 K, L (0-4)

High A: Hillsboro Hops 2, Everett Aqua Sox (SEA) 16

Hillsboro fell behind early when Conor Grammes could not keep the ball in the yard. Grammes would surrender 7 runs on 8 hits, 4 leaving the ballpark, in 3 ²⁄₃ innings that put Hillsboro down 7-0 after 4. Hunter Haworth just allow 9 runs to cross the plate on 10 hits thanks to sloppy defense and his inability to keep the ball in the park. Hillsboro’s offense consisted of a 2-out RBI single by Nick Dalesandro in the 5th and a solo homer by Spencer Brickhouse in the 9th. Wesley Rodriguez and Kai-Wei Lin would record scoreless outings out of the bullpen.

SS Blaze Alexander: 1 for 2, SB
RHP Conor Grammes: 3 ²⁄₃ IP, 8 H, 7 R (7 ER), 1 BB, 5 K, L (0-2)

Low A: Visalia Rawhide 1, Fresno Grizzlies (COL) 8

Austin Pope would allow all 8 runs against Visalia in this one, surrendering 9 hits and 3 walks in 4 innings with 4 strikeouts. Visalia’s offense was shut down with 5 singles and 3 walks across the board. Like the rest of the games in the system, bad starting pitching and an uncompetitive offensive output would put Visalia in an insurmountable hole.

3B A.J. Vukovich: 0 for 4, 1 K
RF Jeferson Espinal: 1 for 4, 3 K, R