Minor League Player of the Day – Francisco Martinez (DSL) - 7 IP, 0 Runs, 3 hits. The 21 year old Martinez isn't much of a prospect given that he is one of the oldest players in the Dominican Summer League, but he threw a complete game shutout on Thursday (in a shortened game) and allowed just 3 hits. For the season his ERA is at 1.30 although he hasn't generated many strikeouts.
AAA – The Isotopes were unable to weather the Storm Chasers (Royals) on Thursday as Albuquerque fell 6 to 3. The offense was limited to 9 singles in this game, with Dee Gordon and Matt Angle both going 2 for 4 with a RBI. Jonathan Sanchez started on the mound and while he struck out 7 in 4.1 frames, he also allowed 3 runs on 7 hits. Angel Castro gave up the final 3 runs in relief despite only pitching an inning.
AA – The Lookouts started their second half with a thud on Thursday as they were blanked by the Barons (White Sox) 4 to 0. A double by J.T. Wise was the only extra base hit for Chattanooga, and the rest of the club managed just 3 singles as Joc Pederson went 0 for 4 with 3 strikeouts. Starter Andres Santiago allowed all 4 runs in his 6 innings of work, walking 4 and striking out 7. Onelki Garcia threw a scoreless inning of relief to lower his ERA to 2.63 for the season.
HiA – The Quakes were also shut out on Thursday in a 8 - 0 loss to the Ports (A's). Nobody even had an extra base hit for Rancho, although Noel Cuevas did go 2 for 4 with a couple of steals. Jon Michael Redding got knocked around quite a bit as he allowed 7 of the 8 runs over 5 frames, striking out just 2 and taking the loss. Eric Eadington and Blake Smith threw a scoreless inning of relief each.
LoA – One day after 2013 1st round pick Chris Anderson won his first game as a pro, 2013 2nd round pick Tom Windle did the same as he led the Loons to a 3 - 2 victory over the Cougars (Cubs). Windle started the game with 5 innings of shutout ball, and while he did allowed a couple of runs in the 6th he had an overall great game. Scott Griggs struck out 4 of the 6 batters he faced in relief, then a little later Craig Stem picked up his 12th save with a flawless 9th. Robbie Garvey led the way at the dish as he went 3 for 4 with a RBI, and James Baldwin knocked in the other two runs with a single and a double in 4 at bats.
Rookie Ogden – After getting crushed on Wednesday, Missoula (Dbacks) turned the tables on the Raptors on Thursday with a 10 - 1 victory. The Raptors were held to just 2 hits in this game and both were doubles as Brandon Trinkwon and Joey Curletta connected on a two-bagger each. Starter Francisco Villa took most of the damage as he allowed 8 hits and 6 runs over 5 innings, although the Osprey also got to reliever Jake Fisher as he gave up 2 runs. Nobody on the pitching staff was spared, in fact, as both Jose Augsto Diaz and Sawil Gonzalez also permitted a score each out of the bullpen.
Rookie Arizona – The Arizona Dodgers fell just short on Thursday as they lost to the Mariners 4 to 3. In another game that didn't feature much hitting the Dodgers managed just 4 singles and a double, with the two bagger coming from Adam Law. Faustino Oguisten had the only multi-hit game as he went 2 for 3, while 2012 DSL star Josmar Cordero continues to struggle in the US as his 0 for 5 performance dropped his average to .245. On the mound Jose De Leon allowed 4 hits and 3 runs over 4 frames, although only one of those runs was earned. Pablo Gonzalez took the loss in relief as he gave up the go ahead run in the 8th.
DSL Game 1 – The Dominican Dodgers completed their game from July 2nd against the Red Sox and ended up losing 10 to 1. A double by Luis Alcantara was the only offense highlight, while a couple pitchers struggled on the mound. Starter Welington Serrano got blasted for 7 runs while recording just 1 out, although a couple of those were unearned. Angel Pena picked up in long relief and threw well as he tossed 4 innings of 2 hit ball, but Angel German gave up 2 runs in his inning of work despite holding the opposition hitless.
DSL Game 2 – Francisco Martinez tossed a 3 hit shutout in the second game of the Dodgers double header as they cruised to a 4 - 0 victory over the Red Sox. In a game that lasted just 7 innings Martinez allowed just 4 base runners, and while he only struck out 3 he was very much in control. He was backed at the plate by 2 RBI's from Dennis Santana, while Nelson Palmer and Luis Subero both doubled.
Coming up – I'll be out of the country for the next few weeks, so a variety of writers will be taking over these reports. For Friday's action Duke von Schamann will take the mound for the Lookouts and Carlos Frias will throw for the Quakes. Miguel Sulbaran will toe the rubber for the Loons while Jonathan Martinez will get the ball for the Raptors.
Minor League Transactions – AAA: The Isotopes made quite a few moves on Thursday as Tony Gwynn Jr, Rusty Ryal, and John Baker were all activated. To make room Jeremy Moore was sent to AA while Steve Cilladi and Elevys Gonzalez were placed on the DL.
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)