Minor League Player of the Day – Ross Stripling (AA) - 6 IP, 1 Run, 5 Hits, 1 Walk, 8 K's. Stripling was outstanding in his AA debut as he continues his meteoric rise through the Dodgers minor league system. The right hander not only allowed just 1 run, but he also struck out 8 in the very competitive Southern League.
AAA – The Albuquerque pitching staff allowed just 4 hits on Saturday, yet the Isotopes still lost to the 51's (Mets) 4 to 3. Starter Aaron Laffey gave up just 2 hits over 6 innings of work, but he also walked 3 and allowed 2 of the 4 runs to score. Red Patterson and Peter Moylan combined to walk 5 batters over 2.1 frames, with Moylan having an especially bad game as he walked in the winning run in the bottom of the 9th. At the plate Matt Angle had another solid game as he went 2 for 4 with a solo homer, while Rusty Ryal had a single and a double to record the only other extra base hit for Albuquerque.
AA – Ross Stripling was stellar in his AA debut as the Lookouts defeated the BayBears (Dbacks) 4 to 1. Stripling allowed just 5 hits and 1 run over 6 innings of work, striking out 8. A quartet of relievers finished the game with 3 innings of no-hit ball, including the 9th save of the season for Yimi Garcia. On offense it was the usually suspects who had big games as Joc Pederson and Yasiel Puig combined for 5 of the clubs 11 hits. Pederson had 3 singles and stole his 10th base of the season while Puig singled, doubled, and drove in a run. Brian Cavazos-Galvez and Griff Erickson both connected on solo homers to round out the hitting highlights.
HiA – The Quakes matched the Storm with 10 hits on Saturday, but they didn't score enough runs as Rancho fell to Lake Elsinore (Padres) 7 to 2. Bobby Coyle went 3 for 4 with a triple while Jonathan Garcia connected on his 5th homer of the season, but other than that there weren't many other offensive highlights. Starter Lindsey Caughel struggled in his first start in the California League as he gave up 8 hits and 6 runs (3 earned) over 5 frames, although he did strike out 6. Daniel Coulombe did not allow an earned run in relief while Craig Stem was perfect in his inning of work.
LoA – The Loons' losing streak was extended to 9 games on Saturday as Great Lakes fell to Lansing (Blue Jays) 8 to 5. Starter Angel Sanchez followed up his near no-hit performance with another solid game, allowing just 5 hits and 3 unearned runs over 6 frames while striking out 8. 3 unearned runs did score against Sanchez, however, thanks to a pair of fielding errors by Jesmuel Valentin, while Luis Meza and Jake Hermsen struggled in relief. At the plate new leadoff man Robbie Garvey had a big game as he went 4 for 6 with a double, but that was the only extra base hit of the game for the Loons. Kevin Taylor went 2 for 2 with a couple of walks and a stolen base to round out the offensive highlights.
Coming up – Zach Lee will highlight the pitching action on Sunday as he starts for the Lookouts, while Jarret Martin will take the mound for the Quakes. Jonathan Martinez will throw for the Loons, while the Isotope starter is TBD.
Minor League Transactions – AAA: Sean White was placed on the DL. HiA: Juan Noriega was loaned to the Mexican League. LoA: Paul Hoenecke was placed on the DL while Leo Rodriguez was added to the Great Lakes roster.
Albuquerque Isotopes Box Score (AAA)
Chattanooga Lookouts Box Score (AA)
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes Box Score (HiA)