minor lines 9/5/10

Sunday highlights from the Giants' farm: Craig Westcott had 6.2 shutout IP, both Johnny Monell and Jesse Shriner homered while reaching base in all four plate appearances, and Chris Dominguez also homered in his multi-hit game.  Also notable, Edwin Escobar had 7 K in 5.0 scoreless IP.

AAA: Fresno lost to Tacoma 9-0

Fresno: 1B Brandon Belt: 1 for 3, 2B, SO
Tacoma: 2B Dustin Ackley: 2 for 5, 2B, BB, SO, E

Fresno: SP Henry Sosa: 4.0 IP, 11 H, 6 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 5 K--1 HR
Fresno: RP Brandon Medders: 1.0 IP, 3 K--1 WP
Fresno: RP Dontrelle Willis: 1.0 IP, 1 K--1 HB
Tacoma: SP Yusmeiro Petit: 7.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 8 K

While no one reach base twice for the Grizzlies, Belt's double was their only XBH.  Ackley, whom the Mariners selected second overall last year, reached base three times.  His defense reportedly still needs work in his transition to second base, and he committed his 5th error since being promoted to the PCL.

Sosa had his second straight start with 11 H allowed, raising his BAA to .256.  He finished the season with an ERA just above 4.00.  Medders and Willis both worked a scoreless inning.  The 25-year-old Petit, who is seemingly one of the so-called quadruple-A type players, shut out the Grizzlies for seven innings.

AA: Richmond defeated Bowie 1-0

Richmond: RF Juan Ciriaco: 1 for 3, 2B
Richmond: C Tyler LaTorre: 0 for 1, 2 BB, SO

Richmond: SP Craig Westcott: 6.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 4 BB, 7 K
Richmond: RP Andy Sisco: 1.1 IP, 1 K
Richmond: RP Rafael Cova: 1.0 IP, 3 K
Bowie: SP Steve Johnson: 7.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K

LaTorre was the lone Flying Squirrel to reach base twice.  Ciriaco's double was one of just four hits for the Squirrels.

Both Westcott and Johnson, the latter being the Rule 5 picked the Giants returned to the Orioles in the pre-season, might have finished the season with their best starts of the year.  Both pitchers had ERAs above 5.00 in the generally pitcher-friendly Eastern League this year.  Sisco and Cova finished the shutout with a combined 4 K in 2.1 perfect IP.

A+: San Jose defeated Visalia 4-3

San Jose: RF Francisco Peguero: 3 for 4, 3B, 2B, SO
San Jose: C Johnny Monell: 3 for 3, HR, 3B, BB
Visalia: 1B Paul Goldschmidt: 3 for 4, HR, SO

San Jose: SP Justin Fitzgerald: 5.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K--1 HR, 1 WP
San Jose: RP Ryan Verdugo: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 4 K

Peguero and Monell both had three hits, including Monell's 19th HR and Peguero's 19th triple, raising their respective AVGs to .329 and .275.  Competing for the overall minor league HR title, the Diamondbacks' Goldschmidt had his 35th HR.

Fitzgerald finished his first season as a starter with a 3.45 ERA, although his ERA was nearly a full run higher in the second half than in the first half.  Verdugo finished his half season in the Cal League with some impressive stats in terms of being hard to hit, although the walk rate was too high--15 H, 19 BB, and 44 K in 30.2 IP with a 1.47 ERA.

A-: Augusta defeated Delmarva 3-2
(scoring the winning run in the 9th inning)

Augusta: 3B Chris Dominguez: 2 for 4, HR, BB, GiDP
Augusta: DH Jesse Shriner: 3 for 3, HR, BB

Augusta: SP Brian Irving: 6.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
Augsuta: RP Chris Wilson: 1.0 IP, 2 K

Dominguez and Shriner combined for five of the GreenJackets' nine hits, including a solo HR by each.  Dominguez had his 20th HR in the 5th inning, and Shriner had his first HR with a full-season affiliate in the 9th inning.

Irving finished his his first season in full-season ball with a quality start.  Wilson had 2 K in a perfect 9th inning for his 4th save.

ssA: Salem-Keizer defeated Eugene 1-0 (10 innings)

Salem-Keizer: DH Devin Harris: 0 for 4, 4 SO
Salem-Keizer: 2B Julio Izturis: 2 for 4, 2 2B, CS

Salem-Keizer: SP Edwin Escobar: 5.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 7 K--1 WP
Salem-Keizer: RP Stephen Shackleford: 3.0 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 7 K

With just his 3rd and 4th doubles of the year, Izturis accounted for two of the Volcanoes' six hits.  Harris had the sombrero, giving him a SO/AB ratio well above 33%.

Escobar finished his season in fine fashion, with 5.0 scoreless IP and striking out just over a third of the batters he faced and getting his ERA below 5.00.  Shackleford also had 7 K, a career-high, while facing just a dozen batters.

R: The rookie Giants finished their season on August 30.

DSL: The Gigantes finished their season on September 2.