Minor League Player of the Day – Paul Hoenecke (Arizona) 3 for 5, 2 3B's, 1 RBI, 2 Runs. Tough to decide on a player of the day on Thursday, but I finally decided on Hoenecke. The 2012 24th round pick is definitely a little old for the Arizona Rookie League, but he's been tearing it up nonetheless with a .396 average and a 1.099 OPS. He's also shown some versatility by playing several different positions throughout the year.
AAA – Off day
AA – Outside of 5 walks Aaron Miller had a great all around day on Thursday, but it wasn't enough as the Lookouts fell to Pensacola (Reds) 3 to 2 in 10 innings. Miller allowed just 3 hits over 5 frames and gave up just 1 run despite the 5 free passes, but that wasn't all he did. The former college two-way player also hit a solo homer at the dish and increased his season average to .281. Brahiam Maldonado also homered and fell a triple shy of the cycle on his big night, but that was about it for the Chattanooga offense. After Miller left the game Geison Aguasviva tossed a scoreless frame, but then Eric Eadington gave up a run in his two innings of work. Chris Withrow made it through the 9th without issue, but in the bottom of the 10th his defense defied him as a pair of errors helped allow the winning run to score.
HiA – The Quakes lost the game and the series against the Nuts (Rockies) on Thursday thanks to a 6 - 1 defeat. Bobby Coyle had Rancho's only extra base hit and drove in the team's only run via a solo homer, while Austin Gallagher went 2 for 4 and was the only player with more than one base knock. Nothing really notable happened on the mound as starter Jon Michael Redding allowed 7 hits and 3 runs (2 earned) over 6 frames, then Freddie Cabrera permitted 3 runs to score in his only inning of work.
LoA – The Loons directed the Captains (Indians) to a 6 - 3 loss by holding the opposition to 4 hits. After allowing just 1 hit in 6.2 innings last time out, Greg Wilborn gave up only 3 hits in 6 frames on Thursday. He did walk 6, however, and gave up 2 runs in the win. Juan Rodriguez, who seems to have taken over the closer role, might have found a groove and he struck out 2 in a scoreless 9th and recorded the save. At the dish Jeff Hunt continued his hot hitting with a double, a single, and a RBI, while O'Koyea Dickson slugged his 13th homer of the season. Jesse Bosnik drove in a run with a pair of singles, and Pratt Maynard also had an RBI with a double.
Rookie Ogden – The Raptors had a solid offensive game, but their pitching staff got crushed in a 13 to 5 loss to the Rockies. Starter Matt Laney gave up runs in each of the first 4 innings, and allowed 5 scores in total on 10 hits. Luis Meza permitted a couple of runs to score, then Derek Cone got bombed for 6 runs in just 2.2 innings of work. On offense Jesus Valdez made it 6 homers in 6 games with a solo blast, while Jeremy Rathjen and Tyler Ogle both had 3 hits including a pair of doubles. Corey Seager also had a strong game as he had two singles, drove in 2 runs, and stole a base.
Rookie Arizona – The Arizona Dodgers recorded 4 triples on Thursday on the way to a 12 - 4 win over the Angels. Paul Hoenecke went 3 for 5 and had two of the triples, while catcher John Cannon drove in 3 with a triple of his own. Yasiel Puig had yet another extra base hit as he smacked the 4th 3-bagger of the night, and he also walked and drove in a pair. Alex Santana got into the act as well with a single and a double. On the mound starter Jonathan Martinez continued to come back down to earth as he allowed 7 hits and 3 runs in 4 innings. The bullpen was great, however, as Sean O'Connell and Travis Jones finished the game with 3 perfect frames.
DSL Game 1 –The Dominican Dodgers split their double header on Thursday against the Royals, starting with a 3 - 1 win. Melvin Santana went 2 for 3 with a double and the Dodgers took advantage of 3 errors to score their 3 runs. Starter Jose Agusto Diaz pitched a complete game (7 innings) and struck out 8 to lower his ERA to 1.43, allowing just 5 hits and 1 unearned run in the process.
DSL Game 2 – The Dominican Dodgers looked like they might sweep their double header as they lead the Royals heading into the final inning, but they weren't able to seal the deal and ended up with a 4 - 3 loss. Starter Wander Beras threw well as he allowed 4 hits and 2 runs over 5.2 frames, but Ricardo De La Rosa recorded his 5th loss of the season (against no wins) after he blew the game by giving up a pair of runs. Melvin Santana had two more hits in this one, while Yensys Capellan had the only other notable game as he went 2 for 2 with a double.
Coming up – Even though to me it seems like he just pitched, Allen Webster is scheduled to throw for the Lookouts on Friday. Ross Stripling, who is working on a string of 22 scoreless innings, takes the mound for the Raptors, while Duke von Schamann and Fernando Nieve will be the starters for the Loons and Isotopes, respectively.
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)
Dominican Dodgers Box Score - Game 1 (DSL)