Minor League Player of the Day – Joc Pederson (HiA) - 3 for 5, 2 2B's, 1 HR, 1 Run, 2 RBI's. Pederson is literally on fire. After another big performance the 20 year old is not hitting almost .500 over his last 10 games, and has an incredible OPS of 1.618 over the same period. What in incredible second half of the season.
AAA – The Isotopes outhit the Sky Sox on Friday (Rockies), but they still ended up with the loss in a 6 - 3 defeat to Colorado Springs (Rockies). Four different Albuquerque players had more than one hit in this game, but Scott Van Slyke's solo homer and Tony Gwynn's double were the only extra knocks hits in this contest. Jerry Sands recorded 2 RBI's and extended his hit streak with a single, while Ivan De Jesus and Tyler Henson had two singles each. Starter Will Savage allowed 5 hits and 4 runs over 5 frames, but only two of the runs were earned thanks to several Isotope errors. Ramon Troncoso also gave up 2 unearned runs in relief, while Luis Vasquez got the final 3 outs but still has a AAA ERA of 11.57.
AA – Nick Buss recorded a walk-off 3-run homer in the 11th inning to give the Lookouts a 6 - 3 victory over the Suns (Marlins). For Buss it was just his 6th homer of the year, but he made it count in grand fashion. Luis Nunez led the team with 3 hits, while Brahiam Maldondo doubled and drove in a run. Blake Smith and Griff Erickson also recorded a two-bagger each. On the mound starter Zach Lee had one of his best AA appearances as he allowed just 6 hits and 1 run over 5 frames while striking out 5. Six different bullpen arms threw in relief, with the highlight coming from Eric Eadington who fired 1.2 innings of scoreless relief. Steven "Paco" Rodriguez allowed his second run while in AA, and while Steven Ames also gave up a run he collected the win.
HiA – Apparently there is no stopping Joc Pederson as he led the Quakes to 7 - 2 win over the Storm (Padres). It was Rancho's 6th straight win, and while they are tied for last place in their division in the 2nd half, they are apparently now tied for a wildcard playoff birth. Pederson went 3 for 5 with a trio of extra base hits, crushing his 16th homer of the season and connecting on two doubles. Yasiel Puig also had 3 hits but they were all singles, and the same can be said for Casio Grider. In fact, the only other extra base hit of the game was 2-run homer by Pedro Baez. Starter Ryan Acosta hurled 5 more solid innings as he allowed just 2 hits and did not give up a run. Juan Noriega followed with 2 scoreless frames, but Freddie Cabrera permitted two runs to score to break up the shutout.
LoA – The Loons got swept by the Hot Rods (Rays) on Friday, falling 2 to 1. It was yet another quiet day at the plate for Great Lakes as they managed just 4 hits in this game. Joe Winker and Scott Schebler both connected on doubles, but that was it for the offensive highlights. On the mound starter Arismendy Ozoria allowed both of the runs over 5 frames, but his bullpen was solid for the rest of the game. Craig Stem fired two perfect innings in his Midwest League debut, and Matt Shelton got 3 of his 5 outs via the K.
Rookie Ogden – The Raptors won big on Friday as they defeated the Mustangs (Reds) 11 to 3. Ogden had 18 hits in this contest as 6 different players had more than one base knock. Corey Seager had a double and a homer to drive in 2, and over his last 10 games he has an OPS of 1.260. Justin Boudreaux and Delvis Morales both had 3 hits including a double, while Jose Capellan and Malcolm Holland recorded 3 singles each. Starter Carlos Frias allowed 7 hits and 3 runs over 5 frames, but the real pitching highlight came APU alum Alan Garcia as he struck out 5 of the 6 batters he faced.
Rookie Arizona – The Arizona Dodgers lost to the Angles 7 to 3 on Friday, but they are still in first place with a four game lead. Zach Bird had his worst outing as a professional as he allowed a career high 6 runs and 6 hits, although only 4 of the runs were earned and he struck out 6 over 4.1 frames. Four different relievers threw out of the bullpen, highlighted by Riley Welch's professional debut as he struck out 2 in a perfect inning. Not much happened at the plate although Paul Hoenecke recorded another double, and Noel Cuevas (who is apparently on a long rehab stint) had a pair of singles.
DSL Game 1 – The Dominican started their night by defeating the A's 6 to 5 in the completion of a suspended game from August 1st. Martin Rosario went 3 for 5 with a double and 3 RBI's, while Josmar Cordero also had 3 hits. Jose Luis Javier also doubled and scored the game winning run. On the mound starter Luis De Paul threw 8 innings, but I'm sure that was split between the two days. He allowed 10 hits and 4 runs, but struck out 8. Bryan Munoz recorded the 1st professional win of his career with 2 scoreless innings out of the bullpen.
DSL Game 2 – The A's got revenge on the Dominican Dodgers in their regularly scheduled game as they shut out the good guys 4 to 0. Nobody had an extra base hit for the Dodgers, and Jesus Perez went 2 for 3 for the only multi-hit effort. Starter Luis Silverio lasted just 2 innings and allowed 2 runs, then 4 relievers gave up the other four runs in the 7 inning game, although newcomer Elou Jean, a 20 year old from Haiti, tossed a scoreless frame in his professional debut.
Coming up – According to milb.com Rubby De La Rosa is going to start for the Quakes on Saturday, and that game will be played in Lake Elsinore. Chris Reed is the scheduled starter for the Lookouts even though he's currently on the DL, and John Ely will take the mound for the Isotopes. Finally Raydel Sanchez is going to throw for the Loons, and Jake Hermsen will get the ball for the Raptors.
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)
Dominican Dodgers Box Score - Game 1 (DSL)