With a couple of games washed out due to rain, there were only two game on the slate for the Dodger minor league affiliates. Both games were against a team with "Hawk" in their name, and in both instances the good guys were tarred and feathered.
Minor League Player of the Day – Blake Smith - 3 for 4, 1 HR. Even though there weren't many options for this award given that two games were postponed, Smith had a very solid day at the plate. Smith, who barely beat out Jerry Sands, got off to a rough start to start the season, but since then the right fielder has 6 hits and 2 homers in the past four days. The right fielder also has a rocket arm and already has 4 outfield assists on the young season.
AAA – The Isotopes played their first road game of the season on Friday in Oklahoma City and got clawed by the Redhawks (Astros) 7 to 4. John Ely drew the start for Albuquerque and got knocked around in the 1st inning, but settled down over the next three innings. Ely got back into trouble in the 5th and 6th innings, no thanks to the 5th error of the season by Dee Gordon, and ended up allowing 11 hits and 7 runs (5 earned) for the game. Merkin Valdez picked up in the 7th and pitched two scoreless innings, but his effort wasn't enough as the Topes offense only generated 7 hits. The aforementioned Gordon had two of those hits, but he also struck out twice. Jerry Sands may have silenced some critics with yet another homer because he hit this one on the road in a much more pitcher friendly park. He added a single for good measure and upped his batting average to .432 for the season. No other Albuquerque player had more than one hit or an extra base hit.
AA – Postponed
HiA – The Quakes were down 4 to 1 heading into the bottom of the 9th and made a valiant attempt at a comeback, but the rally fell just short as the Lancaster JetHawks beat Rancho Cucamonga 4 to 3. Blake Smith homered in the 9th with 1 out to cap a 3 for 4 night and start the rally, then Angelo Songco and Tony Delmonico hit back to back doubles to collect their 2nd hits of the game. Unfortunately Griff Erickson struck out with the tying man on 2nd, however, and that's how the Quakes lost the game. Jon Michael Redding got the start for Rancho Cucamonga and lasted 6 innings while giving up just 2 runs, but that just wasn't good enough on this night and he picked up the loss. Luis Vasquez threw in the 9th inning for the Quakes, but he allowed 4 base runners, 2 wild pitches, and a run and hasn't really been too impressive thus far in 2011.
LoA – Postponed
Albuquerque Isotopes Box Score (AAA)
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes Box Score (HiA)
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