Diamondbacks Minor League Recap 6/29/21: Matt Tabor shuts down Wind Surge, Drew Ellis and Stuart Fairchild have HR Derby contest

The Diamondbacks Minor League affiliates combined for a 2-2 record, with Reno and Amarillo picking up the wins. Corbin Martin, Matt Tabor, and Conor Grammes were the most notable pitching prospects to take the mound.

Top Pitching Performance: Amarillo RHP Matt Tabor - 7 IP, 2 H, 2 R (0 ER), 0 BB, 4 K, W (1-2)
Top Hitting Performance: Reno 3B Drew Ellis and LF Stuart Fairchild - 2 for 4, 2 HR, 4+ RBI each

Rehab Performances:
RF Kole Calhoun: 0 for 1, HBP, R, played 3 innings on defense
RHP J.B. Bukauskas: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

AAA: Reno Aces 11, Sacramento River Cats (SFG) 8

This game turned into a massive home run derby as neither team was able to keep the ball in the park. Corbin Martin had another poor outing, allowing 7 runs (4 earned) on 8 hits, 3 walks, and 1 strikeout with 4 total home runs allowed. It got ugly in the 4th inning, when Martin served up 2 homers in the inning and allowed 5 runs to ssore. You hate to see a pitcher as talented as him completely lose confidence, which is what I think is plaguing him. Since his debut in 2019, he had to deal with Tommy John surgery, an oblique injury, as well as the shuttling up and down from one of the most hitter-friendly environments and an MLB team that has completely lost the ability to compete as a team.

Reno was able to rally back from a 7-4 deficit by turning the tables in the 5th and 6th innings. Drew Ellis and Stuart Fairchild would hit their second homeruns of the game in those innings and accounted for 9 of Reno’s 11 runs on their 4 total home runs. Ildemario Vargas would add a sacrifice fly and Ben DeLuzio had a 9th inning solo homer for 2 valuable insurance runs in the 9th inning. The bullpen was able to calm things down, allowing just a solo homer in the 5th inning that only served as a temporary setback despite falling behind 8-7 at the time.

CF Jake McCarthy: 1 for 4, 3B, BB, R, 3 K
1B Seth Beer: 0 for 4
LF Stuart Fairchild: 2 for 4, 2 HR (3), 4 RBI, 2 R

AA: Amarillo Sod Poodles 4, Wichita Wind Surge (MIN) 3

Amarillo got an outstanding start from prospect Matt Tabor, who would allow just 2 runs in the 7th inning. D.J. Burt was the only batter that got a hit off Tabor, a single and a 2-run homer, while he carved up the rest of the lineup. While Tabor was putting up zeros, Amarillo built a quick 4-0 lead. Alek Thomas led off the game with a single and scored one batter later with Dominic Fletcher hit his 6th homer of the year. RBI singles by Jose Herrera in the 3rd and Thomas in the 4th would pad the lead to 4, and they needed every single run to get this one home.

After Tabor’s strong outing, they turned to Ryan Weiss to get the final 6 outs of the game. He would pitch a clean 8th, striking out 2 of the 3 hitters, but ran into a bit of trouble getting the final out. A home run and a single made it 4-3 and put the potential tying run at 1st with Burt at the plate, but after a well-timed mound visit Weiss was able to record his 3rd punchout of the game to close things out.

CF Alek Thomas: 2 for 4, RBI, R
RF Dominic Fletcher: 1 for 4, 2-R HR (6), K
SS Geraldo Perdomo: 0 for 3
RHP Matt Tabor: 7 IP, 2 H, 2 R (0 ER), 0 BB, 4 K, W (1-2)

High A: Hillsboro Hops 2, Eugene Emeralds (SFG) 8

The game was a lot closer than the final score would normally indicated, although Hillsboro’s pitching got hit hard in this game. Conor Grammes would only last 2 ²⁄₃ innings and would allowed 2 runs on 5 hits, 1 walk, and 3 strikeouts. Despite falling behind 2-0, Hillsboro was able to tie things up in the 3rd inning. A leadoff walk to Reece Hampton followed by a bloop double by Cam Coursey after Hampton stole 2nd and a single by Jorge Barrosa. Those would be Hillsboro’s only 2 hits with RISP for the game.

The bullpen was unable to put up zeros and give the offense a chance to take the lead, as Wesley Rodriguez and Tyler Jones would each give up a run in their respective outings. However the deficit was only 4-2, a very doable comeback bid. Unfortunately Hillsboro never was able to put any pressure on the game, as their three baserunners were erased on double play balls. Julio Frias would enter the 8th and load the bases on a HBP and 2 walks, putting Hillsboro in a terrible situation. A sac fly and a walk would reload the bases, where a bad outfield defense resulted in 3 runs after a clean single to right.

SS Blaze Alexnder: 2 for 2, BB
RHP Conor Grammes: 2 ²⁄₃ IP, 5 H, 2 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 3 K

Low A: Visalia Rawhide 5, Modesto Nuts (SEA) 17

Visalia’s pitching staff would get destroyed from the very first pitch of the game, as Modesto would score the first 12 runs of the game. Junior Mieses would allow 8 runs on 8 hits, 3 homers, 2 walks, and 5 strikeouts. In total, Visalia pitchers would allow 17 runs on 18 hits and 4 walks overall and were unable to keep runners off the plate in critical situations with Modesto going 7 for 16 w/ RISP. On the flip side, the offense did not get into high gear until the 7th inning. Home runs by Glenallen Hill Jr and A.J. Vukovich would prevent a shutout, but even after the top of the 7th would only match Modesto’s scoring.

3B A.J. Vukovich: 2 for 5, 3-R HR (7), K
LF Jeferson ESpinal: 1 for 5, R, K