Minor League Player of the Day – Ross Stripling (HiA) - 8 IP, 3 Hits, 0 Walks, 1 Run, 6 K's. This award could have gone to Joc Pederson with his 4-hit performance, but I'm giving this to Stripling after he continues to impress despite being drafted less than a year ago. Ross has thrived thus far despite playing in two different hitter friendly leagues, and his career batting average against is just .198.
AAA – The Isotopes got some power from some unlikely sources on Sunday in their 6 - 2 win over the Zephyrs (Marlins). Alfredo Amezaga, who has taken over at shortstop for Albuquerque, went 3 for 4 with a homer and finished a double shy of the cycle to increase his batting average to .447. Leadoff man Tony Gwynn Jr. also took one deep, an opposite field job, and singled go 2 for 4 for the day. Elian Herrera had a solid game as well as he went 3 for 5 with a double, while New Orleans pitched around Scott Van Slyke who reached base 4 times via the walk. On the mound Blake Johnson won his 3rd game of the season by allowing 8 hits and 2 runs over 6 innings, and his bullpen shutout the opposition for the final 3 frames to close out the win. Peter Moylan as the best of the relief arms as he did not allow a hit in the 9th to lower his ERA to 3.95.
AA – The Lookouts lost a wild one on Sunday as they fell to the Barons (White Sox) 16 to 14. A seven run 3rd inning gave Chattanooga an early 9 - 4 lead, but Birmingham scored 11 runs after the 5th inning to solidify their come from behind win. Aaron Miller struggled in his first start of the season as he allowed 8 hits and 4 runs in just 3 innings of work, but that was nothing compared to his bullpen who gave up the final 12 runs. Hector Nelo did alright in relief, but Eric Eadington, Jose Dominguez, and Luis Vasquez all got crushed. On offense the heart of the Lookouts lineup did their job as the 2 through 5 hitters combined to go 10 for 21, including a 4 for 6 effort from Joc Pederson who went 4 for 6 with a double and his league leading 7th homer of the season. Yasiel Puig had 2 singles and a double to drive in 3, while C.J. Retherford also had 3 RBI's thanks to a pair of doubles.
HiA – Ross Stripling had another masterful performance on Sunday as the Quakes defeated San Jose (Giants) 4 to 1. Stripling allowed just 3 hits and 1 run over 8 strong innings, striking out 6 without walking a batter. Reliever Owen Jones got the final 3 outs for his first save of the season. At the plate Casio Grider had a big day as he went 3 for 4 with a pair of triples and 2 RBI's. Darnell Sweeney also had a 3-bagger in his 2 for 4 day, while O'Koyea Dickson slugged his 4th homer of the year to complete Rancho's scoring for the day.
LoA – The Loons were shutout for the 5th time this season as Wisconsin (Brewers) blanked Great Lakes 5 to 0. The good guys actually out-hit the Timber Rattlers 5 to 4, with Tyler Ogle and Jeremy Rathjen collecting 4 of the 5 hits for the Loons. A 2-run homer in the 1st by Victor Roache was all Wisconsin needed, however, as starter Lindsey Caughel allowed 5 runs (3 earned) in his worst start of the season. Zachary Bird was great in relief as he struck out 3 over 2 hitless innings, and Arismendy Ozoria tossed a hitless inning as well in the loss.
Coming up – The Great Lakes' game on Monday will most likely already have started by the time you are reading this as Angel Sanchez and the Loons will be playing at 7:35 am PST in front of 5,000 kids who are making a field trip to Dow Diamond. The Isotopes will also be playing before noon in a game that Aaron Laffey will start, while the Quakes have a more traditional start time and will send Jarret Martin to the mound. The Lookouts have the day off.
Minor League Transactions – AAA: Reliever Steve Smith has returned to the roster to take the open spot left by Dee Gordon.
Albuquerque Isotopes Box Score (AAA)
Chattanooga Lookouts Box Score (AA)
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes Box Score (HiA)