I go to bed at a decent time for once, and I wake up to find that we've traded Scott McGough? Unbelievable! Anyways on to the minor league report on a day that we have much bigger things to discuss.
Minor League Player of the Day – Tae-Hyeok Nam (Ogden) - 4 for 4, 1 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 2 Runs. A couple of rookie leaguers had great games on Tuesday as Jonathan Martinez fired 5 hitless innings of relief while striking out 9 and Tae Hyeok Nam hit for the cycle. That being said I have to give the award to Nam because of the rarity of his feat as he became the first Ogden player to hit for the cycle since 1998.
AAA – The Isotopes had the Express on the ropes twice in extra innings, but couldn't seal deal either time as Albuquerque fell to Round Rock (Rangers) 5 to 4. This game was actually tied at 1 after 9 frames, but in the top of the 10th Tim Federowicz hit a solo homer to put his team on top. In the bottom of the 10th, however, Josh Wall was unable to close the door in his second inning work as he gave up a walk, a single, a sac bunt, and a sac fly. The Isotopes responded in the 11th with a pair of runs that scored on singles by Scott Van Slyke and Matt Angle, then brought in Angel Guzman to close the game. The problem was that he surrendered 3 runs, including a walk-off single which ended the game. Nobody else did much at the plate for Albuquerque outside of a solo homer by Alex Castellanos, but it should be noted Derrick Loop continued the streak of strong starting pitching as he gave up just 5 hits and 1 run over 7 innings of work.
AA – The Lookouts and Barons (White Sox) were tied after 9 innings, but Kyle Russell sent the fans home happy as he crushed a 2-run walk-off homer in the 10th to give Chattanooga a 5 - 3 victory. Russell's big hit came on a night where his team's bats were pretty quiet as the only other notable performances at the plate were a Luis Nunez solo shot and a 2 for 3 game from Rafael Ynoa. Matt Magill started this game and threw well, with his only mistake coming on a 3-run homer that he allowed. Overall Magill gave up 4 hits and the 3 runs over 6 frames while striking out 7. Chris Withrow fired two shutout innings in relief despite walking a pair, while Logan Bawcom got the win with a pair of scoreless frames.
HiA – Inland Empire (Angels) did a number to the Quakes on Tuesday as the 66ers pounded Rancho 10 to 3. Starter Brandon Martinez got hit early and ofter as he didn't even make it through the 1st inning, allowing 5 hits and 5 runs. The three relievers that followed in the game all gave up at last one run, including Scott McGough who was subsequently traded to the Marlins. At the plate, however, Bobby Coyle put on a show in the loss as he went 3 for 4 with a double and homer while falling a triple shy of the cycle. Leon Landry had a pair of hits including the triple that Coyle needed, while Angelo Songco's two-bagger rounded out the extra base hits for the Quakes.
LoA – Off day
Rookie Ogden – The Raptors mashed the Brewers 9 to 5 on Tuesday thanks to strong starting pitching and a rare accomplishment by Tae-Hyeok Nam. Nam not only went a perfect 4 for 4 at the plate, but he also hit for the cycle. He left the toughest parts for last as he went double-single-homer-triple to accomplish the feat. Devin Shines also homered and drove in 3 runs, while Eric Smith went 2 for 4 with a double and 2 RBI's. On the mound starter Matt Laney hurled a great game, allowing just 3 hits over 6 shutout innings while striking out a half dozen. Craig Stem got lit up in relief, but luckily Ogden has a big enough lead to overcome the rough outing.
Rookie Arizona – The Arizona Dodgers lost to the D-backs 3 to 0, but the story of the game was 18 year old Jonathan Martinez. J-Mart tossed 5 hitless innings of relief and struck out 9, lowering his ERA to an outstanding 1.93. The problem was that starter Luis Meza gave up 3 runs in the first, which was the difference in the game. Nobody did much of anything at the plate as the team managed just 4 singles, although Paul Hoenecke did go 2 for 4.
DSL – The Dominican Dodgers lost 3 to 2 against the Royals on Tuesday in 10 innings. Jorky Infante went 2 for 5 with the team's only extra base hit (a double), while Jeffry Rojas also had a pair of hits. Starter Wander Beras threw another good game as he allowed 6 hits and just 2 unearned runs over 6 innings, striking out 7. Ricardo De La Rosa took the loss in relief.
Coming up – Aaron Miller will start in an early game for the Lookouts, while Ross Stripling will try to improve upon his 0.64 ERA for the Raptors. Fernando Nieve will take the ball for the Isotopes, while Greg Wilborn will toe the rubber for the Loons.
Minor League Transactions – AAA: Josh Wall was optioned back to AAA, Wil Ledezma was granted his release, Joe Becker was placed on the DL, and Tyler Henson was activated from the DL.
Albuquerque Isotopes Box Score (AAA)
Chattanooga Lookouts Box Score (AA)
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes Box Score (HiA)
Ogden Raptors Box Score (Rookie)
Arizona Dodgers Box Score (Rookie)