:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/7760410/147833570.jpg)
Minor League Player of the Day – Onelki Garcia (AA) - 3 IP, 0 Hits, 0 Runs, 7 K's. Even though the Isotopes had many heros in their epic comeback, Garcia won the player of the day honors as he was nearly perfect on Saturday. Even though Onelki has only thrown 5 innings so far as a professional, he's already made a name for himself as he has yet to allow a hit and already has 11 punchouts.
AAA – Unbelievable is the only way to describe Albuquerque's 12 - 10 win over the Storm Chasers (Royals) on Saturday. Down 10 - 3 heading into the bottom of the 7th, the Isotopes plated an incredible 9 runs with their season on the line to put them ahead for good. Everybody in the starting lineup contributed to the victory as all 9 batters had at least one hit, but the biggest blast of the night came on 3- run bomb from Tony Gwynn that turned a 10 - 8 deficit into a 11 - 10 lead. Elian Herrera also had a big night as he had 3 hits, including an unusual pair of triples in the historic 7th which made him the first player in franchise history to have two three-baggers in the same inning. Scott Van Slyke went 2 for 3 with a couple of doubles and 2 RBI's, while Jerry Sands drove in 3 with a single and a two-bagger of his own. On the mound things looked bleak early when Cole St. Clair, who had been pretty dependable in the handful of starts he had made this year, got rocked for 8 hits and 8 runs over the first 3 frames. Blake Johnson threw the next 3 innings and gave up a run of his own, then Lorenzo Barcelo allowed the 10th score of the game in the top of the 7th which set up the big comeback. After the big offensive outburst the Topes' pitching staff still had to get 6 more outs, but luckily Barcelo was able to do just that without issue to seal the deal. Albuquerque will play a winner take all game on Sunday.
AA – The Lookouts used dominating pitching on Saturday to survive for another day as Chattanooga blanked Jackson (Mariners) 1 - 0. Starter Chris Reed went his usual 3 innings and was excellent as he allowed just one hit and one walk, but that was nothing compared to what Onelki Garcia was able to do next. The 2012 3rd round pick fired 3 hitless frames and struck out 7 of the 9 batters he faced in just the second appearance of his professional career. The surprising Jose Dominguez followed with 2 more strong innings to record the win, then Steve Ames finished off the 3-hitter by striking out 2 in the 9th and recording the save. Chattanooga had just 6 hits of their own in this contest, but they really needed just two of them as back to back doubles by Griff Erickson and Rafael Ynoa plated the game's only run. Brahiam Maldonado had the only multi-hit game with a pair of singles, while Joc Pederson went 1 for 3 in his second AA appearance.
HiA – Season over
LoA – Season over
Rookie Ogden – The Raptors were 6 outs away from advancing to the Pioneer League Championship series, but a 5-run outburst in the 8th by the Rockies followed by unearned run in the 11th resulted in a 8 - 7 loss for Ogden. Starter Ross Stripling was solid for the Raptors early as he allowed 6 hits and just 2 runs over 6 frames while K'ing 6, but Jason West and Alan Garcia struggled in relief and gave up all 5 of the aforementioned runs in the 8th. Greg Downing took over in the 9th and actually threw very well over the next 3 innings, but a fielding error by shortstop Justin Boudreaux permitted the eventual winning run to score in the 11th so he took the loss. At the plate Jeremy Rathjen had a big game as he went 3 for 4 with a double, a homer, and 3 RBI's, while catcher Eric Smith also had 3 hits and drove in a run. Malcolm Holland's double was the only other extra base hit, and he also had a pair of stolen bases. Ogden will play a winner take all game on Sunday.
Rookie Arizona – Season over
DSL – Season over
Coming up – Sunday could be the last day of minor league baseball for the organization as all three remaining teams face must win situations on Sunday. The Isotopes and Raptors have taken their series' all the way, and will send Will Savage and Carlos Frias to the mound, respectively. The Lookouts must win on Sunday to force a game 5 on Monday, and their starting pitcher is TBD.
Albuquerque Isotopes Box Score (AAA)
Chattanooga Lookouts Box Score (AA)