Fun on the Farm: D.J. Peterson can't stop hitting home runs

AAA Tacoma Rainiers (60-59, Pacific Coast League)

Michael Saunders made the first start of his rehab assignment last night, going 1-for-4 with a single, a walk and a strikeout.  Hopefully Saunders can come back soon, because the Mariners could certainly use him in right field.  It's early and he's still adjusting, but Chris Denorfia is struggling so far.  And while Endy Chavez's home run last night was nice, you can't really can't count on him for consistent offensive production.  Endy dingers are always encouraged, though.

Erasmo Ramirez only threw 32 pitches over 2.0 innings last night, which pretty much confirms any speculation that he'll be the pitcher called upon to fill the void in the rotation on Sunday.  Ramirez was tagged with the loss, but he was only responsible for 1 of the 11 runs the Rainiers pitching staff allowed.  The run came in the form of a solo shot from the first batter he faced, but after that he composed himself and didn't allow another hit in those 2.0 innings.

Forrest Snow hasn't pitched since the last Fun on the Farm, so no updates on his impressive season, but relievers Todd Coffey and Carson Smith have been pretty spectacular.  In 26.1 innings over 26 relief appearances, Coffey is 4-1 with 6 saves, 24 strikeouts, 12 walks, a 1.37 ERA, and a .183 opponent batting average.  Smith is 1-0 with 6 saves, 25 strikeouts, 7 walks, a  0.78 ERA and a .198 opponent batting average.

AA Jackson Generals (52-63, Southern League)

D.J. Peterson hit his 25th minor league home run of the season (7th with Jackson) on Wednesday night, and it was pretty beautiful.

Shortstop Ketel Marte went 2-for-4 last night, extending his hitting streak to 7 games.  During the 7-game streak, Marte is 11-for-28 (.393) with 2 doubles, 1 home run and 4 runs batted in.

Jordy Lara also extended his hitting streak last night with a 1-for-4 performance.  He now has a 6-game streak, during which he is batting .307 with  4 doubles, 1 home run and 7 runs batted in.

Patrick Kivlehan has recorded a base hit in 18 of his last 21 games.  Kivlehan is batting .355 during that stretch with 13 walks, 6 doubles, 3 triples, 3 home runs and 15 runs batted in.

A High Desert Mavericks (55-60, California League)

Mavs catcher Tyler Marlette is currently riding a 7-game hitting streak.  During the streak, Marlette is 10-for-24 with 4 runs scored, 5 doubles and 7 runs batted in.

In his last 24 games, shortstop Tyler Smith has 11 multi-hit performances.  During that stretch, Smith is 31-for-89 (.348) with with 11 walks, 20 runs, 7 doubles, 1 triple, 2 home runs and 13 runs batted in.

Andrew Kittredge has been absolutely ridiculous for the Mavericks this year, striking out 100 batters in 69.2 innings pitched (12.92 K/9) over the course of 34 relief appearances.

A Clinton LumberKings (51-63, Midwest League)

Catcher Marcus Littlewood went 2-for-4 last night with a double and a home run to extend his hitting streak to 14 games.  During the streak, he's batting .377 with 9 walks, 2 doubles, 2 triples, 3 home runs and 10 runs batted in.

Justin Seager also extended his hitting streak last night, going 2-for-3.  During this streak--which is now at 11 games--Seager is batting .370 with 1 triple, 1 home run and 9 runs batted in.

Short-A Everett AquaSox (19-33, Northwest League)

Going into last night Everett outfielder Austin Cousino had reached base safely in 9 consecutive games, but he failed to continue that streak last night, going 0-for-5.  Not much else of note coming out of Everett.

Rookie Pulaski Mariners (26-19, Appalachian League)

During his last 21 games, outfielder Estarlyn Morales is 30-for-76 (.395) with 10 walks, 6 stolen bases, 18 runs, 7 doubles, 2 triples, 4 home runs, and 17 runs batted in.  Morales has recorded a base hit in 17 of those games.

Relief pitcher Trey Cochran-Gill has still allowed just 1 earned run in 24.0 innings in his 17 relief appearances.  Cochran-Gill is 3-0 with 8 saves, 30 strikeouts, 2 walks and a .153 opponent batting average.

Rookie AZL Mariners (20-16, Arizona League)

Alex Jackson is still out, which is no fun.  Sadly there's not too much going on with the AZL Mariners other than some recent dominance from right-handed pitcher Osmel Morales, who hasn't allowed a run in his last 15.0 innings.