HIGHLIGHTS: Darren Ford and Ryan Lollis both had three hits including double and HR.
Sacramento won at Fresno (Astros), 9-3
losing their five game series, 1-4
|
Name |
AB |
R |
H |
RBI |
2B |
3B |
HR |
BB |
SO |
SB |
CS |
BA |
CF |
Darren Ford |
5 |
1 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
.263 |
1b |
Ryan Lollis |
4 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
.339 |
C |
Trevor Brown |
4 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
.286 |
LF |
Jarrett Parker |
4 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
.278 |
Name |
IP |
H |
R |
ER |
BB |
K |
HR |
HB |
WP |
ERA |
Pitches |
Strikes |
Clayton Blackburn, W 8-3 |
5.1 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
3.30 |
104 |
57 |
Steven Okert |
1.2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4.01 |
18 |
14 |
Mike Broadway |
1.0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1.07 |
12 |
9 |
The Grizzlies took the field attempting to complete a perfect 9-0 homestand with a five game sweep over the Rivercats. But Sacramento brought out the big power guns to stop them:
Ford's leadoff HR set the tone for the day. Sacramento used 11 hits and 3 walks to score 9 runs, in large part because 9 of the 11 hits went for extra bases. Darren Ford wasn't the only power source for Sacramento. They have big bats all over the lineup as they showed when Ryan Lollis and Juan Perez went back to back
Band Name Alert: A Triple Shy of a Cycle. Seems like at least once a day I get this note popping up on my phone from the MLB At Bat app. It's not that noteworthy guys!
Clayton Blackburn was the beneficiary of all the offensive largess, as he won his fifth consecutive start. Neither of Blackburn's last two wins have been quality starts however, as he's run up large pitch counts struggling a bit with his control. He's walked 4 batters in each of the past two starts, which are season highs. He had just over 50% strike/pitch ratio in this game.
Steven Okert, who struggled through most of July, has now had 5 consecutive scoreless outings in August. Covering 6.1 IP, Okert has allowed just 3 hits and 1 walk over that time, while striking out 10. Hopefully, those numbers are reflecting some increased zip and bite on his pitches as well. Great to see him back on track.
* * *
Richmond won at Altoona (Pirates), 8-6
losing their three game series, 1-2
|
Name |
AB |
R |
H |
RBI |
2B |
3B |
HR |
BB |
SO |
SB |
CS |
BA |
LF |
Myles Schroder |
5 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
.247 |
2b |
Austin Slater |
4 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
.300 |
3b |
Mitch Delfino |
4 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
.265 |
CF |
Engel Beltre |
5 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
.286 |
1b |
Juan Ciriaco |
5 |
0 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
.231 |
RF |
Jesus Galindo |
5 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
.226 |
Name |
IP |
H |
R |
ER |
BB |
K |
HR |
HB |
WP |
ERA |
Pitches |
Strikes |
Joe Biagini W 9-5 |
5.0 |
3 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
2.37 |
88 |
51 |
Stephen Johnson |
1.1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3.63 |
22 |
13 |
Tyler Mizenko, S 4 |
1.0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1.70 |
15 |
10 |
Richmond, too, went into Sunday's game trying to avoid a sweep, in their case a second sweep at the hands of Altoona in two weeks. And after struggling to collect hits and runs for the past several days, Richmond, too, broke out the sticks on Sunday. They nearly matched their hit totals for the past three games combined and they did match the Runs Scored total from their past five games combined. Six of the Squirrel starters collected two or more hits. And in a continuing theme for the Giants' upper levels, starting pitcher Joe Biagini picked up a hit as well. Also, mirroring the Sacramento game, Richmond jumped out on top immediately, with a game opening HR, courtesy of Myles Schroder:
Man, look at that thing go!
Joe Biagini, in his first start coming back off the DL from back tightness, made it through 5 innings, in a nice effort. His line ended up taking a hit when he went out for 6th inning and failed to retire the first two batters. Pedro Rodriguez came in an immediately surrendered a 3-run HR, doubling Biagini's runs allowed for the game. The Squirrels would use nearly their entire bullpen in an effort to nurse their offensive explosion (they led 8-2 at one point) to a win, and it was in doubt right down to the very end.
Richmond first baseman Juan Ciriaco makes a leaping catch to end the game. Squirrels win 8-6!
— Squirrels Baseball (@GoSquirrels) August 10, 2015
Richmond's trip doesn't get any easier, as they now head to 1st place Bowie for a four game series, after which they get Altoona once again at home. That will be their final series with the Curve this year. With 28 games to go, the Squirrels are now in a real scrum, two games behind both Altoona and Akron for the WC spot. They will also travel to Akron for a four game series at the end of August.
Final note, on the game, as Biagini rotates back on, a bullpen mainstay for the team rotates off:
.@GoSquirrels transaction: Joe Biagini activated from the DL, Jose Casilla (turf toe) placed on the disabled list. #RVA #SFGiants
— Josh Mathews (@SquirrelsRVA) August 9, 2015
* * *
San Jose lost at Lake Elsinore (Padres), 3-0
losing their four game series, 1-3
|
Name |
AB |
R |
H |
RBI |
2B |
3B |
HR |
BB |
SO |
BA |
Other |
C |
Aramis Garcia |
3 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
.375 |
2 PB |
RF |
Tyler Horan |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
.221 |
PO, CS |
Name |
IP |
H |
R |
ER |
BB |
K |
HR |
HB |
WP |
ERA |
Pitches |
Strikes |
Martin Agosta, L 4-7 |
6.0 |
8 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
6 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
4.34 |
81 |
53 |
Jeff Soptic |
2.0 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3.43 |
34 |
20 |
San Jose completed a disastrous four game series in Lake Elsinore and they barely managed to show up for this one. The Giants managed just two hits, both singles, and four walks in getting shutout. Only Garcia and Horan managed to reach base twice. Horan walked twice in the game, but on the first occasion he was doubled off on a line drive to 2b, and on the second occasion he was picked off.
In the third inning, they loaded the bases on a John Polonius single, a walk to Arroyo, and an infield single from Garcia that deflected off the pitcher. But Angel Villalona popped out to end their only real threat of the day. They never again had a baserunner reach 2b.
The unlucky loser was Martin Agosta, who was effective in his return from the DL with a hamstring strain. Agosta continued his run of excellent peripherals as a starter, with 6:1 K:BB. He did give up a quite a few hits, but the only XBH was Donovan Tate's solo HR; otherwise he was able to limit the damage when people were on base. The Storm was just 1 for 13 with RISP. Agosta's control has improved incredibly this year, and he was a real strike throwing machine in this game. In his 11 starts since rejoining the rotation, he's walked 1 or fewer batters 10 times (he walked two in the other one).
San Jose finishes it's season series with the abysmal Lake Elsinore Storm (43-70) at 1-7, a failure that might cost them a spot in the post-season. For now, the weekend series just represents a lost opportunity, as both Modesto and Visalia also faceplanted this weekend, which each getting swept. The three teams remain tied for 1st in a bifurcated Northern Division with 27 games to play. SJ heads home for a showdown with nemesis Visalia Rawhide beginning Tuesday. The series in LE dropped SJ below .500 for the season.
As with Richmond, there's a final roster note as Agosta rotates on:
Jake Dunning transferred to AAA-Sacramento today. Made two rehab starts with the #SJGiants (12 IP, 3 ER, 0 BB, 12 SO).
— Joe Ritzo (@JoeRitzo) August 9, 2015
* * *
Augusta lost to Rome Braves, 12-1
splitting their four game series, 2-2
|
Name |
AB |
R |
H |
RBI |
2B |
3B |
HR |
BB |
SO |
BA |
Other |
3b |
Will Callaway |
4 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
.278 |
2 E |
CF |
Chuckie Jones |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
.247 |
PO |
Name |
IP |
H |
R |
ER |
BB |
K |
HR |
HB |
WP |
ERA |
Dusten Knight L, 7-2 |
3.0 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1.76 |
Samuel Coonrod |
1.0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3.14 |
Rodolfo Martinez |
1.2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3.00 |
Connor Kaden |
1.0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4.33 |
Having suffered through two straight poor, and short, starts, the Giants decided to give Samuel Coonrod a breather and skip a start. In his place, they brought Dusten Knight into the rotation. Knight's previous two relief appearances had both gone 5 innings (both following 1 inning outings from struggling starters), so he was stretched out. The 28th round pick int he 2013 draft, Knight has been having an excellent season in his first year of full season ball.
Dusten Knight comes into today's start on a 20.1-inning scoreless streak. 12 H, 4 BB, 18 K over that span.
— David Lee (@David11Lee) August 9, 2015
Ironically, Knight's start was shorter than those relief appearances, as a four-run 3rd inning knocked him from the game. He allowed three of his four hits in that inning, as well as two walks and a HB. A two out error from 2b Will Callaway didn't help him any either.
So I guess the plan for Coonrod's breather was one inning in relief, and he's expected back on his usual innings next time out.
— David Lee (@David11Lee) August 9, 2015
Coonrod was kept on routine for his next start with a one inning stint, and he got through it cleanly which is no small thing, given that he'd allowed 10 runs in his previous two innings of work.
Augusta has rocked Quintana over the first two innings and has nothing to show for it. Stranded five. Quintana's stuff is flat.
— David Lee (@David11Lee) August 9, 2015
The Greenjackets one run in the game scored as a result of back to back WP. So that's not so good. The Greenjackets managed just five hits (1 XBH) and five walks in the affair. They also had five defensive errors (adding in Matt Winn's PB to the error total), so basically they were poor in pretty much every phase of the game in this one.
Augusta continues to hang around in the standings, now in 3rd place, 2.5 games out of 1st, which is more or less where it seems they've been all year. Similarly their 56-56 record feels exactly where they've been all year. Without counting it all up I'd guess they've spent about 90% of the season within 3 games of the .500 line.
* * *
Salem-Keizer lost to Hillsboro Hops (Diamondbacks), 4-2
|
Name |
AB |
R |
H |
RBI |
2B |
3B |
HR |
BB |
SO |
BA |
DH |
Christopher Shaw |
2 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
.275 |
SS |
CJ Hinojosa |
4 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
.262 |
1b |
John Riley |
3 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
.232 |
LF |
Shilo McCall |
4 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
.231 |
Name |
IP |
H |
R |
ER |
BB |
K |
HR |
HB |
WP |
ERA |
Luis Pino |
5.0 |
5 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0.43 |
Eric Sim |
1.0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3.79 |
Apparently, Sacramento and Richmond used up all the system's offense for the day, as there was sure not much of it in A ball. Indeed, Richmond had 4 more hits than SJ, Augusta and SK combined, and both Richmond and Sacramento had single innings yesterday when they scored more runs (4) than the three A ball teams did in their games combined (3).
A two-run HR from Shilo McCall was all the scoring the Volcanoes could muster, as they, like Augusta, collected just five hits and five walks. McCall, the 9th round pick in 2012, is in his third season in the NWL. His .819 OPS is by the far the best he's posted in those three seasons, though the best BA he's managed in the three years has thus far been .235. He's probably being passed up in the depth chart this year by yet another group of OF (Duggar and Jebavy and possibly Vizcaino, depending on what the org does with Jose) and may be in danger of cutting day next spring if he can't show improvements for the staff at Instrux and ST.
Chris Shaw appeared for the first time since July 26, reaching base three times on a single and two walks.
Luis Pino made his first start for the Volcanoes and represented himself well in his five inning stint. He went into his final inning throwing a shutout, but three singles (combined with a fielding error from Duggar) put two runs on the board in his final inning. The effort matched his season high as he had had two different five inning stints in the AZL. Pino spoke with the Volcanoes TV crew on the wrap up.
Salem-Keizer is tied with Hillsboro for 1st place in their division. But they need to figure out a way to beat the Hops, as they're now just 1-6 vs. them on the year. They play the Hops five more times in the next 10 days, all at home, and they would do well to work some victories out of those series. After next Wednesday they won't play the Hops again this year.
* * *
AZL Giants had a scheduled off day
DSL Giants had their traditional Sunday off day
* * *
Final note, for BPro subscribers: is it too early to start thinking of next year's draft? Of course not! And BPro has you covered with scouting reports from the Cape Cod League. Are there some future Giants in here somewhere? You know there are!
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=27173
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=27172