Minor League Player of the Day – Victor Arano (LoA) - 5 IP, 0 ER, 2 hits, 8 K's. After a solid performance for the Arizona Dodgers in 2013, the 19 year old Arano is off to a solid start for the Loons this year. After a couple of strong appearances in relief, Victor made his first start of the season count as he put up very impressive numbers.
AAA – The Isotopes scored twice in the 7th and that's all they needed to down El Paso (Paders) 2 to 1. Mike Baxter led off the 7th with a solo homer, the four batters later Miguel Olivo continued the hot start to his season with a RBI single. An Olivo double earlier in the game was Albuquerque's only other extra base hit, however Joc Pederson still had a good game by going 2 for 4 with a walk. Starter Henry Sosa allowed 9 hits and a walk over 6 frames and only struck out 3, but he still managed to hold the Chihuahuas scoreless. Yimi Garcia allowed a solo homer in his 1.1 innings of work but still picked up the win, and Jose Dominguez picked up his first save with a perfect 9th.
AA – Chattanooga got hit hard on Thursday in a 11 - 4 loss to the Suns (Marlins). Starter Raydel Sanchez, the newest member of the Lookouts, lasted just 2.1 innings after giving up 4 runs on 3 hits, 2 hit batters, and 1 walk. His relief wasn't much better as Eric Eadington, Craig Stem, and Jarrett Martin all gave up multiple runs out of the bullpen. At the plate O'Koyea Dickson had a big game as he went 3 for 4 with a double and a RBI. Also, in the "something you'll never see again" category of this minor league report, Chris O'Brien, Jon Garcia, and Ozzie Martinez all tripled in this contest.
HiA – The Quakes lost their 4th straight game on Thursday in a 5 - 3 defeat to the Rawhide (Dbacks). This game was actually tied heading into the bottom of the 9th, but Freddie Cabrera gave up a walk-off, two-run homer to end the game. Earlier in the contest starter Fabio Martinez threw relatively well as he allowed quite a few base runners but only gave up 1 earned run in 5 innings of work. Relievers Daniel Coulombe and Arismendy Ozoria were solid in relief prior to the walk-off bomb. At the dish James Baldwin had his first big game of 2014 as he went 2 for 4 with a homer, a triple, and 2 runs scored. Adam Law also went 2 for 4 and his double was the only other extra base hit of the game for Rancho.
LoA – The Loons improved to 9 and 5 on the season with a 4 - 3 win over the Timber Rattlers (Brewers). Victor Arano was outstanding in his first start of the year as the 19 year old allowed just 2 hits and an unearned run over 5 innings while striking out 8. Brandon Martinez and Francisco Villa both allowed a run out of the bullpen, but Mark Pope shut the door in the 9th for his first save of the season. On offense the Loons managed just 6 hits and none of them went for extra bases, but they were aided by 3 Wisconsin errors. Malcolm Holland and Joey Curletta had 2 hits each while Kyle Farmer had the only RBI of the game for the Loons via a sacrifice fly.
Coming up – Chris Anderson highlights Friday's action as he throws for the Quakes, while Garrett Gould will take the mound for the Lookouts. Red Patterson gets the ball for the Isotopes and finally Luis Chirinos will to the rubber for the Loons.
Minor League Transactions – AAA: Daniel Moskos was placed on the DL to make room on the roster for Paco Rodriguez. AA: Andres Santiago was placed on the DL and his spot was taken by Thursday's starter Raydel Sanchez.
Albuquerque Isotopes Box Score (AAA)
Chattanooga Lookouts Box Score (AA)
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes Box Score (HiA)