Monday notables from the Giants' farm: Joe Panik had a three-hit game, Shane Loux allowed 2 ER in 8.0 IP, and Adalberto Mejia had 7.0 shutout IP.
AAA: Fresno lost to Sacrmaneto 3-2(allowing a run in both the 8th inning and 9th inning)
Fresno: CF Darren Ford: 0 for 4, 4 SO
Fresno: RF Brad Eldred: 1 for 2
Fresno: 1B Tyler LaTorre: 1 for 3, HR, 2 SO
Fresno: SP Shane Loux: 8.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
Fresno: RP Waldis Joaquin: 0.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER
Sacramento: SP Rich Harden: 3.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K
Sacramento: RP Travis Banwart: 6.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 11 K--1 PO
In the 5th inning, the Grizzlies got their only two hits, first a single by Eldred, who was the only Grizzly in the lineup not to strike hot (fitting given his status as today's "K-man") and who was subsequently replaced in the bottom half of the 5th inning, and second a two-run HR by LaTorre, who had his 1st HR of the year. Ford struck out in all four plate appearances to accomplish the sombrero, giving him 10 SO in 18 AB during his five rehab games.
Loux had a very effective start, allowing just a run in the 3rd inning and then another run in the 8th inning. He threw 101 pitches (57 strikes). His counterpart, was the Athletics' Harden, who was making his first rehab appearance. While throwing 30 of 42 pitches for strikes, he struck out six of his ten batters. The remaining six innings for the Rivercats were pitched by Banwart, the Athletics' fourth rounder four years ago, who struck out 11 of his 21 batters. In the bottom of the 9th inning, Joaquin retired the first batter, before allowing line-drive singles to the next two batters. The next two singles were a Texas Leaguer that Edgar Gonzalez appeared to lose in the daytime sky and a Tony Gwynn-esque "5.5" seeing-eye infield single. Of the ten hits in today's game, at least four of them appeared to be results of fielders struggling with the daytime sky.
AA: Richmond had a scheduled off-day
(their third of three straight Monday off-days)
A+: San Jose had the first day of their three-day all-star break
A-: Augusta had the first day of their three-day all-star break
ssA: Salem-Keizer lost to Spokane 15-7
(allowing five runs in the 3rd inning and eight runs in the 6th inning)
Salem-Keizer: SS Joe Panik: 3 for 5, 2B, SO, CS
Salem-Keizer: DH Dan Burkhart: 2 for 4, 2 2B, SO
Salem-Keizer: SP Kendry Flores: 2.1 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
Salem-Keizer: RP Rafael Martinez: 2.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
Salem-Keizer: RP Aaron King: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 2 BB, 1 K--2 HB
Panik's impressive pro debut continues as he has had multiple hits in each of his first four games. Burkhart, the Giants' 10th rounder two years ago, had three doubles in his first three NWL games (after appearing in thirteen Sally League games earlier this year).
Flores, who made eleven AZL starts last summer, did not get through the 3rd inning in his first start this year. Martinez, the first of four Volcanoes' relievers and who made eleven relief appearances in the AZL last year, pitched effectively, retiring eight of his eleven batters. King's second NWL appearance this year included free passes to four of his eight batters.
R: Giants defeated Cubs 8-5
Scottsdale: LF Leo Ochoa: 3 for 4, BB, SO, CS
Scottsdale: DH Jose De La Cruz: 3 for 4, SB, CS
Scottsdale: SP Edwin Escobar: 2.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
Ochoa, the Giants' 48th rounder three years ago, and De La Cruz, who hit .236 in 127 AB in the AZL last summer, both had three of the rookie Giants' eleven hits in their season opener.
Escobar, who had four Sally League appearances (two starts) earlier this year, made the opening day start for the rookie Giants. He allowed hits to five of his eleven batters but just one run.
DSL: Giants defeated Phillies 9-0
Dominican: RF Hector Mercedes: 1 for 3, 3B, 2 BB, SO
Dominican: RP Adalberto Mejia: 7.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 K--1 WP
Mercedes' (19.8 y.o.) 1st triple was the Gigantes' lone XBH. Reaching base three times, he raised his OBP to an even .300 after 40 PA. At least statistically, Mejia (18.0 y.o.) had another very impressive start. On his 20th birthday, he set a new career high with 7.0 IP while not allowing a run. His peripheral stats are now 19 H, 4 BB, and 32 K in 29.1 IP.