Minor League Player of the Day – Leon Landry (HiA) - 4 for 6 - 1 HR, 2 3B's, 4 RBI's, 4 Runs. You have to give this award to Landry after another huge performance at the plate. Leon missed a cycle simply because he kept on running on his second triple of the game, and for the season he's increased his average to .324.
AAA – Cole St. Clair was forced into an emergency start, and while he threw fairly well the Isotopes still lost to the Express (Rangers) 5 to 1. St. Clair allowed just 5 hits and 2 runs over 5 frames, but fellow reliever Angel Guzman gave up 3 runs in relief which resulted in the loss. Trent Oeltjen was the only offensive player to do well in this defeat as he went 3 for 4 with a double and recorded team's only RBI. Alex Castellanos and Jerry Sands had a hit each, but that was about it for the Topes' offense.
AA – Zach Lee rebounded nicely from his previous few starts as he allowed just 3 hits and 1 runs in the Lookouts' 3 to 2 loss. Lee struck out 4 and issued 2 walks over 5 frames, but the run he allowed was on a solo homer which kept him from recording the win. Chris Reed actually threw in relief and gave up a run which resulted in the blown save, then the Lookouts completed the 1st round perfecto by throwing Chris Withrow over the final two frames who picked up the loss by allowing a run. DH C.J. Retherford connected on a double and 2 singles to drive in a run, while Nick Buss went 2 for 3 with a double in the loss.
HiA – The Quakes used a big 8-run 8th inning to defeat the Storm (Padres) 14 to 5 on Friday. Angelo Songco went a perfect 4 for 4 at the plate with a 2-run homer and 4 runs batted in, while Leon Landry connected on a homer, two triples, and a single to drive in 4 runs. Bobby Coyle had 3 base knocks in the 19 hit attack, while Joc Pederson crushed his 10th homer of the year and kept his batting average above .300 with a pair of hits. Starter Angel Sanchez had his best outing in a while as he allowed just 6 hits and 3 earned runs over 5.2 frames, while Jordan Roberts won his 7th game of the year (against 0 losses) so solidify the victory. Eric Eadington walked a pair in relief but he picked up his 18th save of the year with a scoreless 9th inning.
LoA – 2011 1st round pick Robert Stephenson was dominant in his first Midwest League start on Friday as he led the Dragons (Reds) to a 7 - 5 win over the Loons. Stephenson allowed just 1 hit over the first 5 innings, while Great Lakes starter Arismendo Ozoria gave up 7 hits and 4 runs (3 earned) over 4 frames. Joel Lima did not allow a run in two innings of relief while the Loons mounted their comeback, but Juan Rodriguez walked a pair and gave up 3 runs out of the bullpen which resulted in the loss. Nobody did much of anything at the plate in the Great Lakes defeat as the team accounted for just 4 hits. Nick Akins singled and plated a pair of runners, while Jesse Bosnik drove in a run with a double in the loss.
Rookie Ogden – The Raptors got hits from the first 7 batters in their lineup on Friday night which resulted in a 6 - 3 win for Ogden. Tae-Hyeok Nam had the teams' only multi-hit night as he crushed a double and connected on his 3rd homer of the year, while 2012 40th round pick Pat Stover also took one deep and helped led Odgen to the victory with a pair of RBI's. On the mound starter Carlos Frias threw his best game of the year as he allowed just 3 hits and 2 runs over 6 frames while striking out 8. Sawil Gonzalez allowed an unearned run in relief, while Scott Griggs picked up his 5th save of the year with a perfect 9th.
Rookie Arizona – The rehabbing Michael Pericht finally had a big game in Arizona as he led the Dodgers to a 11 - 9 victory over the Reds. Pericht went 2 for 5 with a double and a two-run homer and ended the night with 5 RBI's. Alex Santana had a big game in his return to Arizona as he had a pair of hits including a double and also stole three bases. Jesmuel Valentin showed off some patience with 4 walks, but he also made his 12th error of the season in the field. On the mound starter Zachary Bird tossed a season high 5 innings, allowing 4 hits, 2 walks, and 3 runs. Jackson Mateo picked up the win in relief despite giving up a run, then Ronny Lugo almost let the opposition back into the game by permitting 4 runs to score in the 9th before Jordan Hershiser came in to close the door.
DSL – The Dominican Dodgers lost a heart breaker on Saturday as the Rays scored 2 in the 8th and 2 in the 9th for a 6 - 5 victory. Starter Jose Agusto Diaz put his team in position for the victory by allowing just 2 runs over 6 innings, but relievers Geuris Alcantara and Ricardo De La Rosa gave up a pair of runs each to contribute to the defeat. Catcher/1st baseman Johnathan Linares did his best impression by going 2 for 4 with a homer and 3 RBI's, while Claudio Tejeda had the only other multi-hit game with a single and a double.
Coming up – John Ely throws for the Isotopes on Saturday, while Ethan Martin will make the start for Chattanooga. Raydel Sanchez is the scheduled pitcher for the Loons, and Jake Hermsen takes the mound for the Raptors.
Minor League Transactions – AA: Steven "Paco" Rodriguez was promoted to the Lookouts from the Midwest League (LoA), while J.T. Wise was activated from the DL. Travis Denker was released, but I'm not sure of the other move. Rookie Leagues: Alex Santana was sent back to the Arizona Rookie League, while Bladimir Franco was promoted to Odgen.
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)