Minor League Player of the Day – Leon Landry (HiA) - 3 for 6, 1 HR, 1 2B, 1 3B, 2 Runs, 1 RBI. Landry fell just a single shy of the cycle on Wednesday as he continues to put together a strong season for the Quakes. To put things in perspective, Leon is hitting .304 in the month of July, which is the lowest batting average he has for any month so far this season.
AAA – After losing a heart breaker in extra frames on Tuesday, the Isotopes pulled one out in 13th innings on Wednesday as they defeated the Express (Rangers) 6 to 5. Alex Castellanos was the hero in this this one as his 3rd single of the game drove in the winning run in the top of the 13th after both teams had been held scoreless for the previous 5 innings. Tim Federowicz and Elian Herrera both had a big hits as well as they each popped two-run homers, while Scott Van Slyke singled and surprised the opposition with a pair of stolen bases. Fernando Nieve started for Albuquerque and allowed 5 hits, 2 walks, and 4 runs (2 earned) over 5 frames, and after that it was a quartet of relievers who allowed just 1 run over the final 8 frames. Blake Johnson was the best of the bunch as he finished the game with 2 perfect innings.
AA – The Lookouts and Barons (White Sox) were involved in a walk-a-thon on Wednesday, but luckily Chattanooga came out on the winning end of it as they defeated Birmingham 7 to 1. The Lookout pitching staff ended up only allowing 4 hits in the game, with Aaron Miller giving up 2 of them over 5 frames while striking out 7. Miller issued most of his team's walks, however, permitting 5 free passes. Reliever Wes Roemer walked two more batters and gave up the other two hits, but overall he was very effective as K'ed 5 and did not allow a run over the final 4 frames to collect the long save. At the plate it was Kyle Russell who had another solid game as he went 2 for 3 with a double and a RBI. Luis Nunez also doubled and drove in a pair, while Rafael Ynoa's two-bagger sneakily increased his hitting streak to 18 games.
HiA – The Quakes held a 6 - 3 lead after 7 innings on Wednesday, but the 66ers (Angles) scored 2 in the 8th, 1 in the 9th, and then walked off with a grand slam in the 11th to embarrass Rancho 10 to 6. Leon Landry and Joc Pederson got their team off to a quick start as they led off the game with back to back homers, and they each finished the night with 3 hits. For Landry, his other two base knocks were a double and a triple so he fell just a single shy of the cycle. #3 hitter Bobby Coyle gave the Quakes a solid top of the lineup as the connected on a pair of doubles, but unfortunately the bottom 6 hitters in the order only combined for a pair of singles. Starter Andres Santiago put together a solid game on the mound as he allowed just 4 hits and 2 earned runs over 7 innings, but Ryan Acosta gave up the 2 scores in the 8th and then Eric Eadington blew the save. In the 11th it was Eammon Portice who gave up the grand salami that ended the game.
LoA – Five different Loons had two hits in Wednesday's game as Great Lakes defeated the Dragons (Reds) 9 - 7 for their 50th win of the season. Darnell Sweeney was one of the players with two base knocks, and one of those went over the fence for his first homer as a professional. Pedro Guerrero also took one deep for a two-run bomb, while Jesse Bosnik knocked in a pair with a single and a double. On the mound starter Greg Wilborn was wild and ineffective as he allowed 6 hits, 5 walks, and 5 runs, but his bullpen was great including a shutout frame from Michael Thomas who recorded the win and a perfect 9th inning from Paco Rodriguez who kept his ERA at 0.00 and collected his second save of the year while striking out two.
Rookie Ogden – With the first half of the Pioneer League season winding down, the Raptors lost to the Brewers 9 to 6 on Wednesday to keep their magic number for a playoff spot at 2. Ross Stripling started the game and continued his brilliance as he threw 3 shutout frames to lower his ERA to 0.53. His heavy college work load is the only thing keeping from going deeper into games. Once Stripling left the game, however, Kazuki Nishijima got rocked for 8 hits and 7 runs (only two earned though) after tossing 5 perfect frames just 5 days ago. 2012 20th round pick Jharel Cotton threw a perfect inning in his professional debut, while Scott Griggs gave up a pair of unearned runs on a day when the Raptors made 4 errors (included two more from Alex Santana). The team was pretty quiet at the plate, with the only highlights being Kevin Thompson's first professional home run and a 2 for 4 day from Jesus Valdez that included a double.
Rookie Arizona – Victor Araujo became the latest former DSL player to put together a strong pitching performance as he led the Arizona Dodgers to a 3 - 1 victory over the A's. Araujo had struggled so far this season as he ERA still stands at 8.53, but in this game he allowed just 3 hits over 5 shutout innings and struck out 7. Aris Angeles had another good outing in relief as he fired two scoreless frames, then Ricky Perez recorded his 9th save despite allowing a run. The Dodgers used timely hitting in this game as they didn't really have any standout performances, and Cory Embree went 2 for 3 with an RBI for the only multi-hit game. Catcher John Cannon had and RBI double, while 2012 16th round pick Josh Henderson went 0 for 4 in his professional debut.
DSL – Both teams were held scoreless for 6 innings on Wednesday, but the Indians were able to put together the better late rally as they defeated the Dominican Dodgers 6 to 1. Starter Wascar Teodo lowered his ERA to 1.04 after he tossed 5 shutout innings, but a shaky bullpen combined with a costly error forced the Dodgers into defeat. Ariel Pena walked a pair and allowed 3 unearned runs in relief, while Willy Canelo gave up 4 hits and 2 runs to solidify the loss. The only notable performance at the plate came from Jorky Infante who went 3 for 4.
Coming up – The Raptors and Arizona Dodgers have the day off on Thursday, and it yet to be determined if Allen Webster will have the day off as well as he is currently the scheduled starter for the Lookouts, but my guess is that he'll sit in case he's needed for Friday's Dodger game. Garrett Gould will take the mound for the Quakes, while Will Savage and Duke von Schamann will be throwing for the Isotopes and Loons, respectively.
Minor League Transactions – AAA: Shawn Tolleson was optioned back to Albuquerque. LoA: Nick Akins was activated from the DL while Gustavo Gomez was put on the disabled list.
Albuquerque Isotopes Box Score (AAA)
Chattanooga Lookouts Box Score (AA)
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes Box Score (HiA)
Great Lakes Loons Box Score (LoA)
Ogden Raptors Box Score (Rookie)
Arizona Dodgers Box Score (Rookie)