Minor League Recaps

Wednesday's Games

DSL Mariners at DSL Astros - postponed

GCL Astros over GCL Cardinals 6-5
Raul Rivera pitched a very strong five innings of one run ball and Ricardo Batista pitched a perfect sixth. Unfortunately, Gera Sanchez and Erick Gonzalez didn't fare as well as each allowed two runs. Gonzalez was charged with a blown save, but also collected the win as the Astros scored three in the top of the ninth to pull ahead. Rio Ruiz had a terrific outing as he went three-for-five with an RBI single, an RBI double and a steal of home. Carlos Correa was also three-for-five with a two-run triple and he scored two runs. Darwin Rivera and Alfredo Gonzalez both had multi-hit games and Gonzalez, a catcher, stole two bases for the second time in as many games.

Greeneville over Pulaski 9-4
Francis Ramirez got the start and the win as he gave up two runs on five hits over five innings of work. Brad Propst and Andrew Walter each gave up a run in relief while Jordan Jankowski pitched a perfect inning and recorded his 40th strikeout in only 23.1 innings. Greeneville had all the runs they needed by the third inning but they played add on. Jean Batista was two-for-four with a double, four RBI and scored two runs and Brian Blasik was four-for-four with a walk and scored three runs. Angel Ibanez, Ariel Ovando and Terrell Joyce also had multi-hit nights.

Aberdeen over Tri-City 3-2
Aaron West didn't get the win, but through no fault of his own as he threw a gem -- six hits and no walks with eight strikeouts over seven scoreless innings. Juan Minaya walked two batters in the eighth while recording only one out; Jamaine Cotton successfully extricated Minaya from the situation without allowing a run. Unfortunately, Blake Ford couldn't hang on to the 2-0 lead and gave up three runs (two earned) for the loss. Tri-City was held to five hits with Jobduan Morales and Jesse Wierzbicki getting two each.

Lexington over West Virginia 6-3
Luis Cruz did (cruise that is) until the sixth inning when he gave up three runs after pitching five scoreless. Evan Grills and Dayan Diaz (S, 18) provided scoreless relief the rest of the way. Delino DeShields was two-for-three with a walk, scored two runs and stole his 82nd bag; and Brandon Meredith was two-for-four with a double and three RBI. Zach Johnson collected his 101st RBI of the season and Justin Gominsky collected the first home run of his professional career.

Arkansas over Corpus Christi 4-0
Paul Clemens had a very nice outing, but when you get shut out, his one run allowed over six innings was one run too many. Arcenio Leon added on another three runs in his one inning of work before giving way to Alex Sogard for two clean innings. The Hooks were held to four hits (and one walk) with Andy Simunic getting two of the hits. At some point you just have to tip your cap to the opposing pitcher. This is one of those times as Nick Maronde of the Angels organization pitched a beauty.

Salt Lake over Oklahoma City 8-7 in 10 innings
Oklahoma City has been in a major slump. They have now lost six in a row, ten of their last 11 and 15 of their last 20 to fall to third place in their division after dominating the division most of the year. They are headed home and get a much needed day to regroup. Hopefully they can turn things around. This was a somewhat unusual game. Brian Bass had pitched long relief the prior game and was unavailable for his scheduled start so Fernando Abad started in his place. Abad hasn't had a start since 2010 and didn't fare too well giving up three runs on five hits in only 3.2 innings. Five pitchers combined for relief and Jose Valdez was charged with the loss. Down by three in the ninth, a J.B. Shuck sac fly and a Landon Powell two-run double tied things up but the rally was short-lived. Matt Dominguez was four-for-four with a double, an RBI and he scored three runs.

High Desert over Lancaster 8-6
This one was a heartbreaker. Leading 6-4 in the eighth inning, the bullpen couldn't hold the lead and gave up four in the frame. Blair Walters got the start and allowed four runs on six hits over five innings. Pat Urckfitz was able to bail Jorge de Leon out of a little trouble in the seventh but when Urckfitz got into a jam in the eighth, the normally reliable Andrew Robinson wasn't able to pay it forward this time around and served up a three run home-run that sealed Lancaster's fate. Alex Todd, Erik Castro and Jonathan Meyer all homered in the game. It was Castro's 20th bomb of the season. Meyer was three-for-four, Alex Todd was two-for-four with a double and home run, and Carlos Perez was two-for-four with a double and an RBI.

Player of the Day: Having a three-for-five day with two RBI will put you on the short list. Stealing home will get you Player of the Day honors. Rio Ruiz, come on down!

Pitcher of the Day: It's a shame that Aaron West didn't get his seventh win because he pitched another terrific game. He now has a 0.90 ERA and a 0.760 WHIP in his nine starts. He has struck out 49 batters and walked only five, a 9.8 SO/BB ratio. Wow.