Minor League Player of the Day – Steve Ames (AA) - 2 IP, 0 Runs, 0 Walks, 5 K's, 1 Win, 2 Hits. On a day when nobody really blew me away stat-wise, I'm giving this to one of the most consistent relievers in the system after he recorded 5 of his 6 outs via the K and picked up the win in Chattanooga's victory. When you look at his career stats they are outstanding, and it's his career 225:33 strikeout to walk ratio that stands out to me the most.
AAA – Jerry Sands was finally held hitless on Tuesday, but his teammates picked up the slack as the Isotopes increased their division lead on the 2nd place Zephyrs (Marlins) with a 6 - 4 victory. Alex Castellanos had the best game at the dish as he went 2 for 4 with a double and a homer to drive in 2, while Tim Federowicz also had two hits including a double. Tony Gwynn and Scott Van Slyke rounded out the extra base hits with a two-bagger each. On the mound Stephen Fife had a solid game as he allowed just 1 earned run over 6 innings to win his 10th game of the year. Scott Rice struggled a bit in relief, but Erick Threets and Josh Wall were flawless over the final 2.1 innings to close out the victory.
AA – The Lookouts didn't generate a whole lot of offense on Tuesday, but they got important hits when they needed them most in a 3 - 1, 11 inning win over Tennessee (Cubs). After being shutout all game Chattanooga headed into the 9th down by a run, but Nick Buss led off the inning with a solo shot to send the game in to extras. Then in the 11th Jake Lemmerman stroked his 3rd single of the night into center field which plated the eventual winning run. The Lookout pitching staff put together a great game starting with Allen Webster who allowed just 5 hits and 1 run over 6 frames. He struck out 8 and walked 2. Steven Rodriguez followed with 3 strikeouts over the next two innings while giving up just one hit, then Steven Ames' one upped Paco by getting 5 of his 6 outs via the K and recording the win.
HiA – The Quakes playoff hopes took a hit on Tuesday as they lost to Lancaster (Astros) 13 to 6. The rehabbing Matt Guerrier got the start and was the only pitcher for Rancho to leave the game unscathed as he tossed a perfect 1st that included a strikeout. Jon Michael Redding had a rough time when he took over in the 2nd as he was greeted with 4 runs, and overall gave up 8 runs on 10 hits over 5 frames. Juan Noriega and Bret Montgomery allowed the final 5 runs over the last two innings. The Quakes did have a few highlights at the plate including another big game from Austin Gallagher who went 2 for 4 with a double and a 3-run homer. Joc Pederson increased his average all the way up to .318 with 2 singles and a double, and over the last 10 games his OPS is 1.358.
LoA – Tyler Ogle thought he had hit the game winning homer in the top of the 9th as he put the Loons ahead by one, but their lead was short lived as West Michigan (Tigers) responded with a walk-off, 2-run shot that gave them a 6 - 5 win over Great Lakes. It was a tough loss for the Loons in a game that started with Duke von Schamann allowing 6 hits and 3 runs over 5 frames. Newcomer Amalio Diaz permitted a run to score in relief, then it was Matt Shelton who gave up the walk-off blast after recording just one out. In addition to Ogle's homer, Nick Akins also took one deep, and Joe Winker drove in two without even recording a hit. Darnell Sweeney went 2 for 4 with an RBI and 2 runs scored while also stealing his 15th base of the year.
Rookie Ogden – Speaking of walk-off homers, that's exactly what Jeremy Rathjen provided for the Raptors in the bottom of the 10th inning as Ogden defeated Missoula (Dbacks) 6 to 5. Rathjen's walk-off job was his only base knock of the night, but it capped a 14 hit performance by the Raptors as a team. Delvis Morales led the way by going 3 for 4 with a double, while Jesus Valdez and Malcolm Holland had 2 hits apiece. Bladimir Franco also had a multi-hit game, including his 2nd homer since joining the Pioneer League. On the mound starter Ross Stripling got his ERA below 1 with a pair of scoreless innings, but then Kazuki Nishijima struggled in 4 innings of relief to the tune of 5 runs. The good news is that Alan Garcia and Owen Jones were outstanding over the next 4 frames as they allowing just 1 hit between them and recorded 4 K's.
Rookie Arizona Game 1 – The Arizona Dodgers were also involved in a walk-off on Tuesday, but their 7 - 6 loss to the Indians was the result of a throwing error by pitcher Joe Robinson that ended the game in the 11th. For Robinson it was a tough way to end his professional debut as he obviously picked up the loss. Going back to the start of the game, Victor Araujo allowed just 2 hits over 4.1 innings, but he also walked 4 and allowed 3 runs (2 earned). Sean O'Connell got roughed up out of the bullpen, but Riley Welch provided excellent relief with 3 shutout innings of 1-hit ball. There were a few solid performances at the plate, starting with Brian Cavazos-Galvez who went 2 for 4 with a double, a homer, and 3 RBI's. Justin Chigbogu also homered, his 3rd of the season, while Theo Alexander went 3 for 5.
Rookie Arizona Game 2 – Postponed because the first game took too long
DSL – Not much to see here as the Dominican Dodgers lost to the Mariners 6 to 3 and were officially eliminated from playoff contention. All 6 of the Dodger hits were singles, with Melvin Santana and Albert Romano each going 2 for 4. A trio of pitches allowed 2 runs each for the Dodgers, starting with Edinson Bock in his 4 innings of work, and ending with Luis Jimenez's blown save.
Coming up – Zach Lee is really the only notable starter that is scheduled on Wednesday as he throws for the Lookouts, but I'll give you the other names anyways. Will Savage will take the mound for the Isotopes, and Ryan Acosta will make another start for the Quakes. Arismendy Ozoria will get the ball for the Loons, and Carlos Frias will look to lead the Raptors.
Minor League Transactions – HiA: Scott Wingo and Alexis Aguilar were activated from the DL, while Charlie Mirabal and Casio Grider were put on the disabled list. LoA: The recently signed Amalio Diaz was placed on the Loons roster.
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)