Zach Lee's strong performance and a walk-off win in Albuquerque highlighted the day for the Dodger minor league affiliates.
Minor League Player of the Day – Corey Smith - 3 for 5, 1 HR, 2 RBI's, scored game winning run. Smith's night wasn't amazing, but he did have a good game and there weren't really any other standout performances. Also, this was Corey's 2nd straight 3 hit game and the 2nd day in a row he smacked a homer, so he gets some credit for that as well.
AAA – The Isotopes pitching struggled in the late innings, but a walk off sac fly by JD Closser scored Corey Smith and secured the 7 to 6 win for Albuquerque. Starter John Ely held New Orleans (Marlins) to 3 runs over 6 innings, but Ramon Troncoso also gave up 3 runs despite pitching just 1.1 innings which is what caused the game to be tied heading into the 9th. Merkin Valdez was the winning pitcher in this game after 1.2 innings of hitless relief. Corey Smith was again the center of the offense with a homer and 2 singles to raise his average to .419. Russ Mitchell also homered, his 2nd bomb in three nights. Finally, Dee Gordon, Trent Oeltjen, Jay Gibbons, and Justin Sellers all had multi-hit nights.
AA – Chattanooga starter Michael Antonini had a rough game and the Lookouts had just 5 hits in their 6 to 4 loss to the Mudcats (Reds). After back to back outstanding outings, Antonini allowed 5 runs in 6 innings and walked 2. He also gave up 7 hits, including 2 gopher balls. One piece of good news is that Javy Guerra threw the final 1.1 innings of the game and allowed just 1 baserunner to lower his ERA to 1.13 for the season. Kyle Russell did most of the damage at the plate with a 3-run homer, while Scott Van Slyke continued is hitting streak with an RBI single.
HiA – The Quakes lost to the Lancaster JetHawks (Astros) 5 to 3 despite Hong-Chih Kuo's return to the mound. Greg Wilborn was the starter for Rancho and was somewhat erratic, allowing 4 hits and 4 walks in 4 innings of work while striking out 6. He was relieved by Josh Walter, who gave up 2 runs and picked up the loss. Kuo pitched the 7th and allowed a hit, a walk, and a run. He is scheduled to throw again tomorrow. The Quakes only scored 3 runs, but they banged out 5 doubles. Two of the doubles came from Griff Erickson, and the Angelo Songco had one to go along with his single. Tony Delmonico hit his first homer of the season in the 9th, but it was too little too late.
LoA – Zach Lee picked up his 3rd win of the season despite shaky defense and spotty middle relief as the Loons held on to beat the Lancing Lugnuts (Blue Jays) 6 to 5. Lee allowed just 4 hits in 5.2 innings of work and gave up just 1 earned run, but he easily could have made it through 6 innings had Steven Domecus caught a dropped 3rd strike or Jonathan Garcia gloved an easy fly ball. Lee showed improved control by walking just 2, and he struck out 4. Logan Bawcom pitched 2 innings of relief and he is the one that let the Lugnuts back into the game as he allowed 3 runs to score. Luckily the Loon has arguably the best closer in the league in Shawn Tolleson who was perfect for 1.1 innings and struck out 3 of the 4 batters he faced to collect his 7th save. The Great Lakes offense was paced by Blake Dean, who went 2 for 4 with a double and knocked in 2 runs. Leon Landry also had 2 hits, although he was tossed from the game in the 6th inning for arguing balls and strikes on behalf of Garcia.
Albuquerque Isotopes Box Score (AAA)
Chattanooga Lookouts Box Score (AA)
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes Box Score (HiA)
Great Lakes Loons Box Score (LoA)
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