The Arizona Dodgers collected the only minor league win of the day in 6 attempts in what was an overall pretty boring day. There were almost no big performances to speak of, which made it very difficult to select a player of the day.
Minor League Player of the Day – Arce Rodriguez - 3 for 3, 1 BB, 1 2B, 1 Run. As mentioned above there wasn't much to choose from on this night, and after looking at each box score about 8 times I decided that A Rod probably had the best overall day. This is the second time Rodriguez has won this award in the past couple of weeks, and hopefully this 18 year old can win it a few more times before the year is done to really solidify himself as a potential breakout prospect for 2012.
AAA – Not much to write about for this game as the Isotopes lost in a day game to the Zephyrs (Marlins) 9 to 5. Joey Newby was the starter and got run out of the game after just 4 innings as he allowed 7 runs on 8 hits. Three relievers combined to give up the final 2 runs, including Jon Link who allowed a homer. The offense was led by AJ Ellis' 2nd homer of the week, a 3-run shot in the 5th. Justin Sellers also contributed with a two run double, but that was pretty much it for Albuquerque. Even Dee Gordon was held hitless and his 0 for 5 day stopped his multi-hit game streak at 4.
AA – Off day
HiA – The Quakes lost the game and the series on Wednesday with a 5 to 3 defeat to the 66ers (Angels). Andres Santiago started the game and took the loss by allowed 9 hits and 4 runs over 6 innings while striking out just 2. Jordan Roberts allowed the other run for Rancho in relief, while Josh Walter returned to HiA (from AA) and tossed a perfect 9th. At the dish Angelo Songco socked his 20th homer of the season, while Rafael Ynoa's triple was the team's only other extra base hit of the game.
LoA – The Loons outhit their competition with 12 base knocks, but the team went just 2 for 9 with RISP and ended up losing to the Timber Rattlers (Brewers) 6 to 3. Nick Akins had a perfect day at the plate by going 2 for 2 with 3 walks, but failed to drive in or score any runs. Chris Jacobs went 2 for 4 and had a couple of RBI's, while Jessie Bosnik hit a pinch-homer to bring home the other run in the game. Starter Greg Wilborn took the tough luck loss as he allowed just 5 hits and 2 earned runs over 5 innings while striking out 9. 2011 5th round pick Scott McGough threw another shutout inning to give him 4 scoreless frames for the Loons.
Rookie Ogden – The Raptors got trampled by the Mustangs (Reds) on Monday 14 to 2. Jose Dominguez made his first Pioneer League start after getting promoted from the Arizona Rookie League and got rocked for 10 hits and 10 runs in just 3.1 innings. Chris Handke gave up 3 more runs in relief, and every Ogden pitcher who threw in this game finished with an ERA for at least 6.00. At the plate the Raptors only had 4 hits, but the good news is that 2 of them came from James Baldwin who singled, doubled, and stole his 10th base of the season. Scott Schebler also doubled and drove in a run.
Rookie Arizona – The Arizona Dodger pitching staff put together an excellent game as the Dodgers defeated the A's 3 to 1. 2011 35th round pick Michael Thomas started his 2nd game of the season and allowed just 3 hits over 3.1 shutout innings while striking out 4. A trio of recent non-drafted free agents and former DSL veteran Daniel Tamares finished off the game by giving up just 2 hits over the final 5.2 frames. The Dodgers didn't have an extra base hit in this game, but Justin Boudreaux went 3 for 4 and Alex Santana had an RBI single.
DSL – The Dominican Dodgers made 5 errors in the field on Monday and lost to the Red Sox 5 to 1. 17 year old Jonathan Martinez continued his strong season by making his first start a good one, allowing just 1 earned run on 2 hits over 4 innings. Fellow 17 year old Miguel Sulbaran tossed 2 frames of hitless relief, while Moises Tamarez lowered his ERA to 0.96 by not allowing an earned run in his inning of work. One day after getting a brief mention in my left field rankings, Arce Rodriguez went 3 for 3 with a double to raise his average to .290. Catcher Jose Moreno also had 3 hits and drove in a run.
Albuquerque Isotopes Box Score (AAA)
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes Box Score (HiA)
Great Lakes Loons Box Score (LoA)
Ogden Raptors Box Score (Rookie)
Arizona Dodgers Box Score (Rookie)