I was at the Dodger game last night to celebrate Jerry Sand's major league debut, so this minor league report will be an abbreviated version.
Minor League Player of the Day – Corey Smith - 4 for 4, 1 2B, 3 RBI's. Smith took over at 1st base for the Isotopes for the injured John Lindsay, and didn't miss a beat in his Isotope debut with 4 hits.
AAA – Corey Smith made this most of his Isotope debut by going 4 for 4 with 3 RBI's, and Jamie Hoffmann smacked his first homer of 2011 as Albuquerque topped the Oklahoma City RedHawks (Astros) 8 to 6. Nobody else on offense did anything very special, although Trayvon Robinson did have a triple and pitcher Randy Keisler oddly had a pinch hit RBI double. Starter Alberto Bastardo allowed 3 runs in 4 innings, and Jon Link picked up the win with 2 hitless innings of relief. Travis Schlichting was again shaky out of the pen, allowing 2 homers in one inning of work.
AA – Rubby De La Rosa got off to a great start on Monday and was reportedly hitting 100 mph on the gun, but the game was really in the later innings as the Lookouts scored 10 runs after Rubby had left the game. He still came away with victory, however, in Chattanooga's 10 - 7 win over the Huntsville Stars (Brewers). Almost every hitter on the Lookouts contributed as 8 different Chattanooga players picked up at least 1 hit. Center fielder Brad Coon went 4 for 5 with 2 SB's, and Jaime Pedroza also swiped two bags to go along with a couple of hits. Scott Van Slyke increased his average to .292 with 2 doubles in 4 at bats.
HiA – Allen Webster shook off a rough outing in his last appearance to pitch 7 strong innings in the Quakes 4 to 2 win over the Lake Elsinore Storm (Padres). Webster struck out six and gave up just 2 runs (1 earned) on 5 hits and a walk. Jake Lemmerman had a big game at the plate, going 3 for 5 with two doubles, while Austin Gallagher went 2 for 4 with an RBI.
LoA – Zach Lee had another outstanding performance on the mound as he led the Loons to a 9 - 4 victory over the South Bend Silver Hawks (Dbacks). Lee stuck out 9 batters in 5 innings of work, and was hitting 94 according to Loons announcer Brad Golder. He also allowed just 1 run on 5 hits, although he did walk 3. The big hit on offense came from Nick Akins, who crushed a grand slam and ended the day with 5 RBI's. Blake Dean also had a good day with 3 hits, while Jonathan Garcia went 1 for 5 with a double.
Albuquerque Isotopes Box Score (AAA)
Chattanooga Lookouts Box Score (AA)
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes Box Score (HiA)