Highlights from the Giants' farm: (a) Thomas Neal and Darren Ford remain hot, with both having three hits while reaching base four times; (c) Oliver Odle had perhaps his best start of the season with 1 ER in 7.0 IP; (d) Brett Pill had his 12th HR; and (d,e) both Francisco Peguero and Wendell Fairley both had three hits.
AAA: Fresno lost to Reno 8-2
Fresno: CF Clay Timpner: 1 for 4, 2B
Fresno: RHP Joe Martinez: 5.2 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 K--1 BK
Fresno: RHP Steve Palazzolo: 1.1 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER
Reno: RHP Tom Gordon: 1.0 IP
While no one reached base twice for the Grizzlies, Timpner's 10th double was their only XBH.
Martinez made his fourth rehab start for the Grizzlies and seventh rehab appearance overall, which included a season-high 5 K. Palazzolo allowed hits to four of the eight batters he faced, helping to raise his ERA above 5.25. The Diamondbacks' Gordon pitched a perfect 8th inning as he continues in his rehab and efforts to get back to the majors.
AA: Connecticut defeated New Britain 4-2
Connecticut: DH Brock Bond: 2 for 3, HBP
Connecticut: 1B Brett Pill: 1 for 3, HR, BB, IBB
Connecticut: LHP Jesse English: 6.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
Connecticut: RHP Matt Yourkin: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 2 K
In the 1st inning, Pill had his 12th HR of the year, a three-run, one-out shot. With two hits, Bond raised his AVG in July to .400 through 75 AB.
English has not exactly been consistent as a starter recently, but tonight he had a solid quality start. In his last nine starts, he has 41 H, 23 BB, and 39 K in 50.1 IP with a 3.04 ERA. Yourkin faced the minimum six batters in the 7th and 8th innings, improving his ERA to 1.88.
A+: San Jose defeated Visalia 6-1
San Jose: CF Darren Ford: 3 for 4, 3B, BB
San Jose: DH Thomas Neal: 3 for 4, 2B, BB
San Jose: C Nestor Rojas: 2 for 3, 2B, BB
San Jose: RHP Oliver Odle: 7.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
Neal, who remains red-hot and appeared on Baseball America's Prospect Hot Sheet for the second straight week, and Ford both had three hits and reached base four times. Neal had his 33rd double, and Ford had his 4th triple. Rojas also reached base three times.
Odle had perhaps his longest and best start of the season, evening his W-L record at 7-7. He had an 11/6 GO/FO line. His ERA remains above 5.00.
A-: Augusta lost to Kannapolis 8-7
Augusta: CF Francisco Peguero: 3 for 5, 3B, 2B, SO
Augusta: LF Wendell Fairley: 3 for 4, 2B
Augusta: RHP Eric Stolp: 5.0 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 1 K--1 HR
Peguero and Fairley combined for six of the GreenJackets' thirteen hits and all three of their XBHs. Peguero remains red-hot with another three-hit game and his AVG now up to .369. Fairley's AVG is now up to .245.
For the second straigt start, Stolp didn't have his sinker working, allowing 5 ER and eight flyball outs.
ssA: Salem-Keizer defeated Yakima 11-3
Salem-Keizer: 3B Andrew Biery: 2 for 3, 3B, 2 BB
Salem-Keizer: SS Joel Weeks: 3 for 4, 2B, SO, E
Salem-Keizer: RHP Wilbur Bucardo: 4.2 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
Salem-Keizer: LHP Chris Gloor: 2.1 IP, 1 H, 2 BB, 5 K--1 WP
Salem-Keizer: RHP Steven Rogers: 2.0 IP, 2 K
Weeks (NDFA signed a year ago) had three of the Volcanoes' fourteen hits, but his AVG remains just .234. Biery (22nd rounder) reached base four times as he continues to swing a hot bat. Tonight he had his first pro triple.
The older Bucardo brother had his shortest start of the year. His ERA slipped back above 3.00. Gloor (17th rounder) struck out five of the nine batters he faced. Rogers (25th rounder) finished the game with 2.0 perfect IP.
R: Giants defeated Athletics 5-2
Scottsdale: CF Evan Crawford: 3 for 4, 3B, BB, SO
Scottsdale: 2B Julio Izturis: 1 for 2, 2 BB, SF, SO
Scottsdale: RHP Edward Concepcion: 5.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K--2 WP
Scottsdale: RHP Craig Westcott: 1.0 IP, 2 K
Occupying the first two spots in the rookie Giants' lineup, Crawford and Izturis set the tables well, reaching base in seven of ten plate appearances. Crawford had his first pro triple while scoring three of the team's five runs.
Concepcion had a fine start, including an 11/2 GO/FO line and getting his ERA below 5.00. Westcostt had 2 K in a perfect 6th inning.
DSL: Giants defeated Royals 3-1
Dominican: 2B Carlos Willoughby: 4 for 4, BB
Dominican: RHP Lorenzo Mendoza: 5.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K--2 WP
Willoughby (20.8 y,o.) reached base in all five plate appearances. improving his season line to .313/.465/.422 through 166 AB. Mendoza (17.11 y.o.) bounced back from his last start (6 ER in 4.0 IP) with a solid start to get his ERA back below 3.00.