Minor League Player of the Day – Grant Holmes (Ogden) - 5 IP, 5 hits, 1 run, 7 K's. Not a lot of options for this award on the final day of the regular season for most of the clubs, so Holmes get the nod. While his ERA so far with the Raptors is just 4.91, in 18.1 innings Grant has accumulated and impressive 25 K's.
AAA – With the core of their team in Los Angeles, the Isotopes went down quietly in their season finale as they fell to the 51's (Mets) 5 - 0. The Albuquerque offense had just 4 hits in this one, and 3 of them came from Roger Bernadina as he went 3 for 4 with a triple. Mike Baxter's single was the only other base knock, and he also stole his 12th base of the season. On the mound starter Zach Lee put together his first quality start in a while as he allowed just 2 runs over 6 frames, but he only struck out 3 and was charged with the loss. Barry Enright tossed two scoreless innings of relief while Fabio Martinez permitted 3 runs to score in the 9th.
AA – With a playoff birth already in hand the Lookouts didn't need a win on Monday, but they got one anyways as they defeated the Smokies (Cubs) 5 to 1. Jeremy Hazelbaker led off the bottom of the 1st with a solo homer, then in the 2nd catcher J.C. Boscan connected on a two-run shot. Bobby Coyle was a perfect 3 for 3 at the plate and drove in a run as well, while Corey Seager was 2 for 4 with a triple as he ended the regular season with a .349 average and a 1.004 OPS (combined between the Lookouts and Quakes). Starter Jeremy Kehrt threw very well in his 4th start for Chattanooga as he allowed just 3 hits over 4 scoreless frames. Juan Gonzalez got the win with 2 shutout innings out of the bullpen, while Blake Smith got 2 of his 4 outs via the strikeout.
HiA – The Quakes ended their season on a high note with a 4 - 2 victory over the Storm (Padres). The Rancho offense scored 2 quick runs in the top of the 1st on a Pratt Maynard double and a wild pitch, but then wouldn't plate another run for the rest of regulation. Finally in the 10th Brandon Dixon crushed a 2-RBI double that turned out to be the game winner. Erisbel Arruebarrena played 3rd and reached base twice on a single and a walk while James Baldwin was 2 for 4 with 2 stolen bases and 2 outfield assists. Geoff Brown started his first game since June yet threw very well as he only gave up an unearned run over 5 innings of work. Victor Araujo allowed the tying run to score in the 6th, but from there on out the bullpen was solid as Luis Meza tossed 2 scoreless frames and Daniel Tillman recorded the save.
LoA – The Loons got the win they needed to give themselves a shot at the playoffs with a 3 - 1 victory over the Whitecaps (Tigers), but Fort Wayne also won their game on Monday to eliminate Great Lakes from post season play. Scott Barlow started for the Loons and gave up a run in the 1st, then was all he would pitch as he did not come back into the game after a two hour rain delay. The bullpen was brilliant, however, starting with Jordan Hershiser who tossed 3 scoreless frames. He was followed by Mark Pope (2 innings), Kyle Hooper (1 inning), and A.J. Vanegas, none of whom allowed a run. At the dish Paul Hoenecke crushed his 15th homer of the season, while Alex Santana was 1 for 2 with a double and a sacrifice fly. Malcolm Holland and Leo Rodriguez had two hits each.
Rookie Ogden – With a playoff spot already clinched, the Raptors fell to the Chukars (Royals) 6 to 5 on Labor Day. Despite the loss 2014 1st round pick and player of the day Grant Holmes threw well as he allowed just 1 run over 5 frames while striking out 7. The rehabbing Jose Dominguez then came into the game in relief and got a couple of outs, but he also walked a batter who eventually came around to score. Trevor Oaks took the loss after getting torched for 4 runs, but then Derrick Sylvester was able to restore some order with 1.2 scoreless frames in his Ogden debut. The Raptor offense had just one extra base hit in this game, and that was a double by Theo Alexander. Julian Leon went 2 for 4 while Alex Verdugo also recorded two hits and is now 5 for 9 in his two games with Ogden with a double and 4 RBI's.
Rookie Arizona – Season over
DSL – Season over
Coming up – With the regular season being over for all of the full season teams, the Raptors will be the only club in action on Tuesday as they take on the Chukars with 2014 4th round pick Jeff Brigham on the mound. The Lookouts begin their post season action on Thursday when they take on the Huntsville Stars (Brewers) to start their best of 5 series.
Minor League Transactions – AAA: As we all know by now, Joc Pederson, Alex Guerrero, Tim Federowicz, and Yimi Garcia were all promoted to the big leagues. To fill out their roster for the final game of the season the Isotopes placed Joseph Meggs and Delvis Morales on their roster. HiA: Casio Grider was activated while Aaron Miller was 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)