The Diamondbacks Minor League affiliates combined for an 0-3 record. Last night’s game also featured two pitching prospects getting their first look at a higher level and getting thumped, more details down below. Ryne Nelson, Blake Walston, and Liam Norris were notable pitching prospects that got starts. No top performances to be recognized, as all three games were fairly uncompetitive.
AA: Amarillo Sod Poodles 1, Wichita Wind Surge (MIN) 8
Amarillo’s offense was mostly shutdown for most of the night as it took until one out in the 9th inning for them to get their first hit. Ryne Nelson saw his first start outside the state of Oregon since probably high school and got roughed up a bit. Overall he allowed 5 runs in 4 1⁄3 innings, giving up 5 runs on 4 hits, 4 walks, and 6 strikeouts. Home runs were an issue as Nelson would surrender a 3-run homer to the final battered he faced in the 5th. The Poodles’ only run came on a Luis Alejandro Basabe solo homer in the 9th inning, long after falling behind 8-0.
High A: Hillsboro Hops 3, Eugene Emeralds (SFG) 6
Blake Walston’s first start was a dud, putting Hillsboro in a 6-0 hole in the 2nd inning. After serving up back to back homers in the 1st, Walston would surrender 4 runs in the 2nd including a 3-run homer. While the bullpen put up zeros the rest of the way, Hillsboro’s offense was unable to hit their way back in the game, although they did receive 8 walks.
Low A: Visalia Rawhide 3, Modesto Nuts (SEA) 5
Like the other two games, a short start by the starting pitcher and an offense that didn’t show up until too late led to another loss. Visalia trailed 4-0 at the 7th inning stretch. Liam Norris would give up 3 runs in 3 2⁄3 innings, allowing 5 hits and walked 2 while striking out 3. Norris had trouble commanding his pitches, which included wild pitches that led to 2 runs in the 4th inning. Visalia would score their first run on a balk in the bottom of the 7th. In the 9th inning, a home run by Ronny Simon (#6) followed by a triple by Neyfy Castillo and a single by Danny Oriente would put the potential tying run at the plate with 1 out but a pair of strikeouts would end the rally.