New Orleans handled Tacoma, 4-1. The Zephyrs jumped on Chris Buglovsky early and managed to put up a three-spot in the first inning before Buglovsky found his groove. Once he did, however, he was on cruise control as he allowed only one more run the rest of the way during his 7.1 innings. Not that any of it mattered, Chad Durbin had the Rainier hitters swinging at shadows as he went seven innings giving up only two hits. Not a good day for Tacoma overall.
Notables:
Chris Buglovsky: 7.1 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 0 BB, 2 K.
Jamal Strong: 1-3, 1 2B, 1 BB.
Abraham Nunez: 1-4, 1 2B.
Greg Dobbs: 0-4.
Justin Leone: 1-4, 1 2B.
Jose Lopez: 0-2, 2 BB.
Rene Rivera: 0-3.
Inland Empire smashed Rancho Cucamonga, 11-3. The 66'ers started pounding the ball in the first inning and didn't stop until the eighth as they scored at least one run in seven consecutive frames. Jason Mackintosh didn't have to be sparkling, but wasn't real shabby anyway if you ignore his five walks over six innings. Four IE players went multi-hit including Michael Nesbit and Erick Monzon who both had four hits apiece. Inland Empire's offense is by far the system's most explosive, and it shows once again.
Notables:
Jason Mackintosh: 6.0 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 5 BB, 3 K.
Michael Nesbit: 4-6, 1 2B, 1 RBI.
Little Garciaparra: 1-6, 1 HR, 1 RBI.
Bucky Jacobsen: 3-4, 2 2B, 4 RBI.
Wladimir Balentien: 3-5, 1 2B, 1 RBI.
Asdrubal Cabrera: 1-4, 1 BB.
Erick Monzon: 4-4, 3 2B, 2 RBI.
Wisconsin didn't have much trouble with Cedar Rapids, 6-2. Finally, a nice start from Julio Santiago, who looks like he could be putting it together in A-ball. Santiago went 7.1 innings giving up a single run on four hits while walking two and striking out a season-high eight. Mike Wilson, a guy who is trying really hard to get my attention, hit another homerun in this one and bumped his season line to .272/.358/.475. Wilson, the Mariners second round pick in 2001, is a 22 year old outfielder who's career has moved slowly after spending three full seasons in Arizona with Peoria and AZL. Obviously, he's a bit old for his level, but maybe that time in the instructional league really did help him. Time will tell, but Wilson isn't making himself look bad this season. Watch for him to start with Wisconsin next year and then be challenged to see if he can hang in San Antonio.
Notables:
Julio Santiago: 7.1 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 8 K.
Chris Colton: 2-4, 1 2B, 1 HR, 1 RBI.
Yung Chi Chen: 2-4.
Mike Wilson: 2-4, 1 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI.
Matt Tuiasosopo: 0-4.
Jeff Clement: 1-4.
Brandon Green: 1-3, 1 2B, 2 RBI.
Everett edged Eugene, 1-0. The best pitching duel the NWL has seen in ages. Robert Rohrbaugh and Steve Delabar put on a pitching clinic as both were awesome with Delabar faultering a bit in the sixth and giving up the only run in the game. Rohrbaugh, who's obviously on a limit, was lifted after the sixth as the bullpen came in to finish it off. The 6-7-8-9 hitters are the only ones to come away with anything with one hit apiece and if anyone is the hero it's Luis Valbuena who hit one out to score difference-maker.
Notables:
Robert Rohrbaugh: 6.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 7 K.
Casey Craig: 0-3.
Ron Prettyman: 0-3.
Luis Valbuena: 1-3, 1 HR, 1 RBI.
Bryan Sabatella: 1-2, 1 BB.
Michael Saunders: 1-3.
Robert Hudson: 1-3.
On the docket:
Tacoma: No decision yet, but whoever it is will be facing Aaron Sele (!) and Oklahoma. Game time is 5:05pm PDT.
San Antonio: Juan Sandoval vs. Wichita. Game time is 5:05pm PDT.
Inland Empire: Mumba Rivera at High Desert. Game time is 7:05pm PDT.
Wisconsin: Ivan Blanco vs. Cedar Rapids. Game time is 5:05pm PDT.
Everett: Paul Fagan vs. Eugene. Game time is 7:05pm PDT.