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The Isotopes registered the Dodgers lone minor league win on Saturday behind strong pitching and 4 hits from the speedy Dee Gordon.
Minor League Player of the Day – Dee Gordon - 4 for 5, 1 run, 1 RBI, 1 SB. There weren't many options for the minor league player of the day on Saturday, so I gave the award to Dee Gordon even though he didn't record an extra base hit. That being said a 4 hit game is nothing to scoff at, and he did record his 22nd stolen base of the season which ranks 2nd in the PCL. Also, after posting a SB % of just 72% in 2010, Gordon's SB % in 2011 is an impressive 88% since he's only been caught 3 times.
AAA – Every player in the Isotopes lineup had at least one hit on Saturday as Albuquerque defeated the Express (Rangers) 8 to 3. Dee Gordon led the offensive attack with 4 singles, and he also had a stolen base, a RBI, and a run scored to boot. Trent Oeltjen chipped in with a double and 2 singles which drove in 2 runs and boosted his season average to .333, while Russ Mitchell connected for his 4th homer of the season in the 2nd inning. Tim Redding was the starting pitcher for the Topes and went 7 strong, allowing just 2 runs on 7 hits. The only blemish against Joey Newby in 2 innings of relief work was a homer allowed, and Jon Link threw a hitless final frame.
AA – The Lookouts had a solid offensive showing on Saturday, but a couple of errors contributed to 3 unearned runs and Chattanooga ended up losing to the Mudcats (Reds) 7 to 6. Chris Withrow started this game and had an OK outing as he allowed just 2 earned runs in 5.2 innings and stuck out 7. However he gave up 7 hits and 2 walks, and 3 unearned also scored against him with one of the errors being charged to Withrow himself. Wilkin De La Rosa relieved Withrow and pitched to 3 batters without recording an out which resulted in him being charged with 2 runs and the loss. Josh Wall threw the final 3.1 frames and did not allow a run. At the plate, Kyle Russell had his first big game since his hot streak a few weeks back as he homered and tripled to drive in 3 runs. Hector Gimenez made a surprise appearance as the Lookouts first baseman and went 2 for 4 with a double in his first rehab game, while Alfredo Silverio had a double and a single in 3 at bats.
HiA – Blake Hawksworth started the game with a scoreless inning and 2 K's, but that was one of the few positives for the Quakes on Saturday as they lost to the High Desert Mavericks 7 to 3. Juan Uribe got hit on the hand during his 1st plate appearance and left the game, although as Eric already mentioned it doesn't appear to be serious. Ethan Martin followed Hawksworth on the mound and was solid through 3 innings, but he ran into trouble in the 5th and ended up allowing 5 runs on 8 hits and an ugly 5 walks. 3 relievers finished up the game and gave up a couple of runs in 3.1 innings, with Justin Orenduff being the most effective as he did not allow a hit in his shutout frame. At the plate there were really only three Rancho players who had noteworthy games. Jake Lemmerman went 2 for 4 with a double and a RBI, while JT Wise drove in 2 runs with his 6th homer of the season. Angelo Songco had yet another strong game as he doubled and singled in 5 at bats, but he also flew out to deep center with the tying run on base in the 9th.
LoA – Ryan Christenson had his first bad outing in over a month and the Loons had just one extra base hit as the Peoria Chiefs (Cubs) smothered Great Lakes 11 to 4. Christenson lasted just 3 innings and allowed 7 runs on 8 hits and a couple of walks, although 2 of the runs were unearned. Pete Budkevics followed with 3 shutout innings, but Andrew Pevsner gave up 3 runs to really put the game out of reach. On offense Blake Dean's double was the lone extra base hit of the game, although the recently demoted Joseph Becker did go 3 for 4 with a RBI. One strange thing you'll see in the box score is that Jonathan Garcia actually batted leadoff for the Loons, and he responded with a single, a sac fly, and a walk in 5 plate appearances.
DSL – Off day
Albuquerque Isotopes Box Score (AAA)
Chattanooga Lookouts Box Score (AA)
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes Box Score (HiA)