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Minor League Player of the Day – Alex Verdugo (Arizona) - 3 for 5, 2 2B's, 1 3B, 2 RBI's, 2 runs. Verdugo has been a stud all season, and on Wednesday he had 3 more extra base hits to lead his team to a victory. With his .347 the 2014 2nd round pick now ranks 2nd in the league, and for the season he has more walk (16) than strikeouts (11).
AAA – The Isotopes scored four unanswered runs in the second half of their game on Wednesday to pull out a 7 - 4 win over the Sky Sox (Rockiers). A two-run homer by Tim Federowicz in the 7th broke a 4-4 tie and turned out to be the game winner for Albuquerque. Brock Peterson also homered earlier in the game, while Alex Guerrero went 3 for 4 with a double and triple to fall a homer shy of the cycle. Joc Pederson was pitched around for the second night in a row as he walked twice, but he again failed to steal a base he was caught stealing for the 12th time this season. On the mound starter Matt Magill allowed 6 hits, 3 walks, and 3 runs over 4 frames, then Bruce Billings got the win in relief with 3 innings of 1-run ball. Yimi Garcia held the Sky Sox hitless over the final 2 innings to pick up his 4th save.
AA – Darnell Sweeney led off the game with a homer, but that was all the offense the Lookouts would generate in a 4 - 1 loss to the Barons (White Sox). After Sweeney's long ball Chattanooga would manage just 4 singles the rest of the way, with two of them coming from Jeremy Hazelbaker. Starter Steve Smith allowed all 4 runs over 6.1 innings of work, striking out 4 and walking 1. Jhan Martinez held the Barons scoreless over the final 1.2 frames and punched out 3.
HiA – The Quakes made a couple of errors in the bottom of the 9th and that cost them the win as Rancho fell to Visalia (Dbacks) 5 to 4. After starter Luis Chirinos allowed just 2 hits and 1 run over 5 innings and a couple of relievers permitted just 1 more run over the next 3 frames, the Quakes held a 2 run lead heading into the 9th. With Rob Rogers on the mound, however, 2nd baseman Brandon Dixon made not one, but two fielding errors to give the Nuts a few extra chances, and they cashed in with a walk-off single. The Rancho offense was led by Dillon Moyer who went 2 for 3 with a double and RBI, and Aaron Miller who connected on his 13 homer of the season.
LoA – The Loons were embarrassed by the TinCaps (Padres) on Wednesday in a 10 - 0 loss. The Great Lakes reached base just 3 times in this game on two singles and a walk. The pitching was just as bad as starter Brandon Martinez was tagged for 7 runs and reliever Jordan Hershiser got touched up for 3 more.
Rookie Ogden – The Raptors took an early 7 run lead on Wednesday, but then had to hold on for a 7 - 6 victory over the Owlz (Angels). The Ogden offense was led by Cody Bellinger as he went 3 for 4 with a double and 2 RBI's. Justin Chigbogu also knocked in a pair, while 18 year old catcher Julian Leon's 9th homer of the season was a 2-run shot. After struggling in his Raptor debut, start Grant Holmes was brilliant in his follow up performance as he tossed 5 shutout innings while allowing just 2 hits. The 2014 1st round pick struck out 5 and walked just 1. Relievers Brock Stewart and Karch Kowalczyk let Orem back in the game as they permitted 6 runs, but Billy Flamion put out the fire and recorded his 2nd save of the year.
Rookie Arizona – The Arizona Dodgers scored early and often as they defeated the Reds 7 to 3. Player of the day Alex Verdugo led the way with 3 extra base hits in his one, going 3 for 5 with two doubles and a triple while driving in 2. Ibandel Isabel also knocked in a pair thanks to a double and a single, while Jared Walker went 2 for 4 with a tow bagger as well. On the mound 18 year old starter Carlos Felix was very impressive as he tossed 6 shutout innings, allowing just 4 hits while punching out 5. Sven Schuller gave up 3 unearned runs in relief, but from there the rest of the bullpen did very well including a scoreless inning from 18 year old William Soto who made his 2014 debut.
DSL – The Dominican Dodgers defeated the Astros 5 to 3 on Wednesday. DH Johan Mieses went 2 for 3 with a double and a RBI while also stealing his 29th base of the season. Carlos Aquino had 2 singles and drove in a pair, while Hendrik Clementina was 2 for 4 with a double. On the mound starter Osiris Ramirez lasted just 2.1 innings and allowed all 3 runs, meaning that the bullpen threw very well. Johan Diaz threw 2.2 scoreless frames, then Max Gooding and Edward Perez combined to finish the game with 4 hitless innings.
Coming up – Zach Lee takes the mound for the Isotopes on Thursday, while Jeremy Kehrt makes just his second start for the Lookouts. Tom Windle gets the ball for the Quakes, John Richy throws for the Loons, and Trevor Oaks toes the rubber for the Raptors.
Minor League Transactions – AAA: Delvis Morales was placed on the DL with a sprained right knee. HiA: RHP Victor Araujo was promoted to Rancho while Steven Proscia was placed on the DL. LoA: A.J. Vanegas was promoted from Ogden to take Araujo's spot on the roster. Ogden: Adrian Rivero was promoted from Arizona.
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)