Alright, something to talk about other than the tailspinning calamity that is our current big league ballclub!
Whether or not they make the postseason, one of the org's clubs did get to play for a championship yesterday. Also, we have some good pitching performances, some of which led to victory and some of which could not had they been practically perfect. And the one game I don't bother to recap was probably the most exciting, back and forth contest of the day. I'll have to leave you to the power of game logs and research for that one.
On to the wrap-up!
Arizona: One game playoff for the AZL title:
Mariners 8, Giants 5
Jacob Wild: 8 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, walk, 14 K
Taylor Bills: 0.1 IP, 1 H, 3 ER, 2 walks
Travis Mortimore: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, wild pitch, hit batter
Maximo Mendez: 2-4, double, R (.252/.372/.428)
Juan Fuentes: 1-4, triple, R, RBI, walk, 2 K (.313/.370/.393)
Brandon Fromm: 1-4, double, R, RBI, K (.241/.298/.405)
Mario Martinez: 2-4, 2 R, RBI, K (.281/.311/.352)
Israel Nuñez: 1-3, triple, RBI, walk (.279/.357/.279)
Tyson Gillies: 1-3, R, RBI, K (.221/.337/.302)
This shouldn't have been close. The AZLMs jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the first 2 frames and stretched it to 8-1 as Jacob Wild pitched what had to be the greatest game of his life, striking out 14 of the 29 batters he faced.
But the Giants, realizing their season was down to the top 9th, went on a tear against Taylor Bills, and chased him with one out and the bases loaded. Closer Travis Mortimore plunked his first batter to force in a run, 8-2. Mortimore uncorked a wild pitch to bring in another runner, 8-3. James Simmons knocked a single to right to cash in Casey Bond, 8-4. Dom Duggan's grounder produced the 2nd out but Johnny Monell scored to make it 8-5. And finally, Charlie Culberson's flyball found Maximo Mendez in CF for the final out, and the AZLMs clinched the AZL title!
I'll try and make a recap post for all the rookie leagues tomorrow.
a: Everett 4, Eugene 1
EVE: 32-38... EUG: 32-38
Alfredo Venegas: 6 IP, 6 H, walk, 9 K, balk
Ryan Moorer: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 1 ER, walk, 3 K, 2 hit batters
Bryan Harris: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 2 K
Gregory Halman: 3-4, double, K (.307/.371/.597)
Kalian Sams: 2-3, double, R, RBI, walk (.229/.318/.411)
Welington Dotel: 1-4, double, RBI, 2 K (.256/.297/.338)
Everett jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning and that was more than enough, as Alfredo Venegas pitched a good game of his own and the bullpen, despite Ryan Moorer humoring some baserunners, held down the fort. Everett has now tied Eugene for the division cellar. PROGRESS!
A: Wisconsin 5, Clinton 4
WIS: 28-37... CLI: 27-39
Family Warrior Harold Williams: 3 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 3 walks, K
Kyle Parker: 3.2 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 3 K
Michael Wagner: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 K, wild pitch
Andrew Barb: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 ER (HR), 3 K
Ronald Garth: 2-5, R (.266/.335/.444)
Reed Eastley: 1-4, 2 run HR, K (.261/.370/.396)
Kuo Hui Lo: 2-3, double, R, walk (.290/.368/.426)
James McOwen: 2-4, double, RBI, K (.275/.300/.332)
Leury Bonilla: 2-4, double, triple, RBI, K (.259/.286/.369)
Harold Williams had a short leash for his start, with plans to have Kyle Parker pitch the T-Rats the rest of the way to the late innings, but Family Warrior pitched alright over 3 innings and the T-Rats helped out Harold with a 4 run 3rd to turn the game into a wash. Kyle Parker was the pitcher of record in the 5th and thus got the win, though he gave up 2 runs in the 7th, and Andrew Barb coughed up a solo HR in the 9th to make it close, but he slammed the door just like old times for his 10th save.
A+: Rancho Cucamonga 8, High Desert 7
Mavs: 22-44... Quakes: 33-33
Juan Zapata: 6 IP, 10 H, (6 R) 5 ER (2 HR), walk, 2 K, wild pitch
Paul Fagan: one out, 1 H, (2 R) 1 ER, K
Roman Martinez: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 3 K
Nick Allen: 1 IP, 1 H, walk
Jeff Dominguez: 2-5, R, K, SB #18 (.263/.314/.366)
Jesus Guzman: 3-5, solo HR, 2 R, 3 RBI (.293/.365/.529)
Johan Limonta: 2-3, R, walk (.299/.367/.459)
Travis Scott: 1-4, 3 run HR, K (.276/.374/.503)
Matt Mangini: 1-4, solo HR, 2 K (.156/.269/.333... still getting the hang of High A pitching)
What sucks is that the Mavs blew up for a 6-0 lead in the 1st, but managed to give 4 back in the 3rd, and, despite an insurance run in the 5th, did not have an answer when a 2 run 6th for the Quakes made it 7-6, or when another 2 run frame in the 7th gave the Quakes the 8-7 lead for good.
AA: Chattanooga 2, West Tenn 1
WTN: 29-36... CHA: 34-32
Joe Woerman: 7 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 2 walks, 6 K, 2 hit batters
Juan Sandoval: 2 IP, 2 H, K
Jon Nelson!: 1-2, solo HR, walk, K
rest of T-Rats lineup: 3-26, 2 walks, 6 K
Joe Woerman pitched a solid game and it wasn't nearly enough. The DIAMOND JAXX bats just didn't show up today, and if not for Jon Nelson homering in his triumphant return to high minors ball, this is a 3 hit shutout.
AAA: Las Vegas 10, Tacoma 9, 10 innings
TAC: 66-74... LVG: 64-76
Jorge Campillo: 5 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 2 K, hit batter
War Veteran Lance Parrish: 1 IP, 2 H, 3 ER (HR), walk, 2 K (ERA: 14.54... and he's getting called up in September, folks!)
Cesar Jimenez: 2 IP, 1 H, 2 ER (HR), walk, 2 K
The Aircraft Carrier: 1 IP, 3 H, 1 ER (ERA: 11.32)
Jason Mackintosh: two outs, 3 H, 1 ER, walkoff loss
Nick Green: 1-5, sac fly RBI, K (.337/.383/.604)
Jeremy Reed: 2-6, 2 doubles, 2 R, 2 K (.296/.350/.446)
Bryan LaHair: 1-5, double, RBI, 2 K (.278/.332/.437)
Prentice Redman: 2-3, 3 R, walk (.304/.339/.482)
Ronnie Prettyman: 3-3, 2 doubles, triple, 4 RBI (.261/.302/.385)
Kevin Reynolds: 2-4, 2 RBI
Aaaaaaaaaaaaand I'm outta time!