Highlights from the Giants' farm: Darren Ford had four hits, including a HR; Eric Hacker had 1 ER and 8 K in 5.0 IP; Jorge Bucardo allowed 0 ER (but 2 R) in 7.0 IP.
AAA: Fresno defeated Reno 3-2 (7 innings)(completed early, with a rain delay that was longer than the actual game)
Fresno: 2B Brock Bond: 2 for 4, E
Fresno: C Buster Posey: 1 for 4
Fresno: RF Joe Borchard: 2 for 4
Fresno: SP Eric Hacker: 5.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K--1 HB
Bond and Borchard each had two of the Grizzlies' nine hits, all of which were singles. Their respective AVGs are now .275 and .325. Posey's unremarkable line is also listed because some commenters would complain if I didn't list it.
With just 2 ER allowed in three starts, Hacker has started the year with a 1.10 ERA and 3-0 W-L record. The 8 K doubled his season total, giving him 16 K (vs 3 BB) in 16.1 IP.
AA: Richmond defeated New Britain 5-4
Richmond: CF Darren Ford: 4 for 5, HR, CS
Richmond: RF Roger Kieshnick: 2 for 4, 3B
Richmond: C Jackson Williams: 1 for 3, 2B, BB, SO
Richmond: SP David Mixon: 5.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
Ford had his biggest game of the year. He led off the bottom of the 1st inning with his 1st HR this year. He had 9 HRs last year. After a slow start, his OBP is now above .300. In his last nine games, he also has a 0/3 SB/CS line, and a 2/3 line for the season. Kieschnick, who had his 2nd triple, and Williams, whose team-leading AVG remains above .400, were two of the four Flying Squirrels to reach base twice.
Mixon had another solid start, allowing just one run before departing the game with two outs in the 6th inning. Through three starts, his peripheral stats are 15 H, 3 BB, and 10 K in 16.2 IP. He had a 9/3 GO/FO line in this start.
A+: San Jose at Visalia was postponed by rain (for the second straight day)
(Makeup doubleheaders are now scheduled for both May 12 and May 13.)
A-: Augusta lost to Savannah 9-4
(after yielding six runs in the top of the 9th inning)
Augusta: 1B Luke Anders: 2 for 4, HR
Augusta: RF Ryan Lollis: 2 for 4, SO, SB
Augusta: SP Jorge Bucardo: 7.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 K--1 HB
Augusta: RP Jose Casilla: 1.0 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K--1 IBB
Augusta: RP Jason Jarvis: 1.0 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 4 ER,
Anders' two hits, which raised his AVG to nearly .300, included a go-ahead solo HR with two outs in the bottom of the 8th inning. Lollis was the only other GreenJacket to reach base twice, with two singles raising his AVG to .314.
Aside from two unearned runs on two hits in the 1st inning, Bucardo had a dominant evening, at least statistically. He faced just four batters over the minimum and had a 13/1 GO/FO line. Casilla, whom Baseball America included among the Giants' top 30 prospects, and Jarvis each had their first blown saves of the year. Casilla issued a leadoff walk, which led to a manufactured run with sacrifices from the next three hitters (with the batter reaching safely on a fielder's choice during the first sacrifice and with the last sacrifice being a sac fly). Jarvis faced ten batters in the final frame.