Tacoma edged Iowa, 5-4. After Tacoma jumped out to a 4-1 lead, the Cubs came back in the eighth to tie it as Masao Kida and Sean Green got roughed up after a dazzling performance from Damian Moss. In the ninth, the Rainiers quickly put guys on the paths and Greg Dobbs poked a one-out single into left to score Abraham Nunez and win it. Back to Moss, he was fantastic going six innings giving up one run on two hits while walking three and fanning five. Chris Snelling led all hitters with three baseknocks including a homer.
Notables:
Damian Moss: 6.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 K.
George Sherrill: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K. (Interestingly, he pitched the seventh.)
Jamal Strong: 1-4, 1 BB.
Chris Snelling: 3-5, 1 HR, 2 RBI.
Abraham Nunez: 0-2, 3 BB.
Greg Dobbs: 2-3, 1 BB, 1 GW RBI.
Jose Lopez: 1-3, 1 RBI.
Shin-soo Choo: 0-4.
San Antonio got by Midland, 6-4. It didn't take long for the Missions to jump all over Dallas Braden as they flew out of the gate to score five runs in the first two innings. Jared Thomas got the start for the Missions and while he wasn't particularly good, he didn't allow things to get ridiculously out of control. Thomas finished going 3.1 innings giving up two runs on six hits while walking two, striking out three and giving up a bomb. Jon Nelson, who's been struggling mightily this season (.220/.249/.386), hit a homer and Jesus Guzman and Nate Espy both had multi-hit nights to help lead the offense.
Notables:
Jared Thomas: 3.1 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 1 HR.
Jamie Bubela: 1-4, 1 RBI.
Jesus Guzman: 2-4.
Jesse Hoorelbeke: 1-4, 1 2B.
Nate Espy: 2-3, 1 2B, 2 RBI.
Jon Nelson: 1-4, 1 HR, 2 RBI.
Adam Jones: 1-3, 1 BB.
Inland Empire blew out Rancho Cucamonga, 13-3. Mumba Rivera put together one of his best starts of the season, but when your offense spots you to 5-0 lead, is it easier to pitch? Rivera finished going six innings giving up seven hits and a run while walking one and striking out six. Everyone in the lineup had a hit except Little Garciaparra (who was probably just angry he was hitting in the nine-hole) and five 66'ers had multi-hit games. It was Erick Monzon who had the night to remember as he smacked three hits, including two homeruns and drove in six. Sebastien Boucher also chimed in with three hits and a walk.
Notables:
Mumba Rivera: 6.0 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K.
Sebastien Boucher: 3-5, 1 BB, 1 RBI.
Matt Rogelstad: 2-4, 2 BB.
Bryan Lahair: 2-6, 1 2B, 1 RBI.
Wladimir Balentien: 1-2, 1 2B, 3 BB.
Erick Monzon: 3-5, 2 HR, 6 RBI.
Luis Oliveros: 1-4, 2 RBI.
Little Garciaparra: 0-3, 1 BB, 1 HBP.
Wisconsin shutout Burlington, 7-0. So, this is why Wisconsin has a bit of faith in Ivan Blanco. Blanco proved he really can throw the ball without it getting sprayed all over the field and over fenses. Blanco finished going six shutout innings giving up only three hits hit while walking two and striking out there. Adam Brandt, who's been godawful at every stop this year, was effective for the final three innings, only giving up a single hit. The offense was nutty as everyone not named Omar Falcon collected a hit while five of them went multi-hit. Brandon Green gets the gameball with his three hit performance which included a double, a triple and two RBI.
Notables:
Ivan Blanco: 6.0, 3 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 K.
Brent Johnson: 3-5, 1 RBI.
Chris Colton: 2-5.
Brandon Green: 3-5, 1 2B, 1 3B, 2 RBI.
Mike Wilson: 2-2, 2 2B, 1 BB, 2 RBI.
Thomas Hubbard: 2-4, 1 2B, 1 BB, 1 RBI.
Matt Tuiasosopo: 1-5.
Tri-City quashed Everett, 9-3. Not a good night for Nick Allen. Allen lasted only three innings before giving up four runs (three earned) on six hits while walking one and striking out one. Lance Beus came in to control the damage but didn't make it much better as he was whittled away for two runs during his four innings. Finally, Stephen Kahn (Mariners fifth-rounder this year) didn't make the best debut in pro ball as he gave up three runs on three hits in just an inning of work. There wasn't much offense from the Aquasox side as no one really stands out. Jeff Clement got the start behind the dish, but was pulled for J.B. Tucker after only two at-bats.
Notables:
Nick Allen: 3.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 K.
Casey Craig: 1-4, 1 BB.
Luis Valbuena: 0-4, 1 BB.
Ron Prettyman: 1-4, 1 2B.
Jeff Clement: 0-2.
David Hall: 1-4, 1 2B, 1 RBI.
Alex Gary: 1-2, 1 2B.
On the docket:
Tacoma: Felix Hernandez vs. Omaha. Game time is 7:05pm PDT.
San Antonio: Mike Bumstead? vs. Midland. Game time is 5:05pm PDT.
Inland Empire: Ryan Feierabend vs. Rancho Cucamonga. Game time is 7:11pm PDT.
Wisconsin: Mark Lowe at Burlington. Game time is 5:00pm PDT.
Everett: Justin Thomas vs. Tri-City. Game time is 7:05pm PDT.