Sunday highlights from the Giants' farm: Eric Surkamp threw a two-hit complete game shutout; Bryan Salsbury combined with five relievers for the 18-inning shutout; Francisco Peguero homered and tripled; Evan Crawford reached base six times; and both Conor Gillaspie and Juan Perez tripled, doubled and singled.
AAA: Fresno at Oklahoma City postponed by inclement weather
(A makeup doubleheader is scheduled for tomorrow.)
AA: Richmond lost to Altoona 7-6
(after trailing 7-1 in the middle of the 6th inning)
Richmond: SS Brandon Crawford: 2 for 3, 2B, 2 BB
Richmond: 3B Conor Gillaspie: 3 for 4, 3B, 2B, BB, SO, E
Richmond: SP Clayton Tanner: 2.1 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 1 K--1 HR, 1 E
Richmond: RP Rafael Cova: 1.2 IP, 1 BB, 3 K
Altoona: RP Daniel Moskos: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 K
Crawford and Gillapie both reached base four times while combining for half of the Flying Squirrels' ten hits. Both still have AVGs below .250, though. Gillaspie had his 1st triple and 7th double, which raises his XBH/AB ratio to 10%. He also commited his 7th error, which was one of five errors by the Squirrels today.
Five days ago, Tanner had his shortest start of the season with a season-high 5 R. Today he followed that up with another 5 R in an even shorter start. Still, his ERA remains a bit below 4.00. He also had a season-low 1 K today. Cova had his second straight appearance with 3 K, but he continues to issue quite a few walks, now with 14 K and 10 BB in 12.0 IP. Moskos, whom the Pirates controversially selected fourth overall three years ago ahead of Matt Wieters, allowed just his 3rd ER of the year while being credited with his 8th save.
A+: San Jose defeated Bakersfield 6-0
San Jose: RF Juan Perez: 3 for 4, 3B, 2B, CS
San Jose: CF Francisco Peguero: 2 for 3, HR, 3B, HBP, SB
San Jose: SP Eric Surkamp: 9.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 K--1 HB
Peguero had his 3rd HR and 4th triple, raising his SLG to .441. He also had his 17th SB. Perez had his fifth straight multi-hit game, including his 4th triple and 12th double.
Surkamp had perhaps the best start of any Giants minor league pitcher this year, facing just three batters over the minimum in a two-hit complete game shutout. Despite his 2.05 ERA, he has been credited as the winning pitcher just twice--in the two of his seven starts in which he has allowed no runs. His peripheral stats are now 32 H, 8 BB, and 41 K in 44.0 IP.
A-: Augusta defeated Savannah 1-0 (18 innings)
Augusta: 3B Chris Dominguez: 0 for 8, SO
Augusta: C Tommy Joseph: 0 for 8, SO, GiDP
Augusta: CF Evan Crawford: 4 for 6, BB, HBP, SB
Augusta: SP Bryan Salsbury: 8.0 IP, 7 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 4 K--2 IBB
Augusta: RP Jose Valdez: 4.0 IP, 1 H, 2 K
Normally I don't cite oh-fer lines unless there is at least a trio of strikeouts, but in this case going hitless in eight at bats seems remarkable enough, and that is what both Dominguez and Joseph, the top two hitting prospects on the GreenJackets roster, did. By contrast, Crawford, the Giants' seventh round selection a year ago, reaching base six times, while also getting his 6th SB.
Salsbury had his third straight excellent start, during which time he has allowed just 12 H, 3 BB, and 1 R in 23.0 IP with 19 K. In the four-and-a-half hour marathon game, Valdez made his first appearance in a week and doubled his previous longest relief appearance (in terms of IP), as he faced the minimum dozen hitters in the 11th through 14th innings. His ERA is now just 2.11.