Highlights from the Giants' farm: Thomas Neal homered and doubled, and Kevin Pucetas allowed just 1 ER in 5.2 IP.
AAA: Fresno lost to Sacramento 2-1
(losing their fourth game of the five-game series in Sacramento and effectively falling 1.5 games behind with 8 games to play)
Fresno: SS Ryan Rohlinger: 2 for 4, 2B, SO, E
Fresno: RF Brandon Belt: 0 for 2, 2 SO
Sacramento: RF Michael Taylor: 2 for 2, 3B, BB, HBP, SB
Fresno: SP Kevin Pucetas: 5.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 4 K--2 HB
Fresno: RP Dan Runzler: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K--1 IBB
Sacramento: SP Jason Jennings: 5.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K--1 HB
Rohlinger was the lone Grizzly with two hits. He had his 23rd double. Belt seems to have become overly passive at the plate, with five strikeouts in last his three games. He and the PCL umpires do not seem to be seeing eye-to-eye on pitches on the lower side of the strike zone. Taylor, whom the Athletics acquired during the off-season as part of the Roy Halladay trade, has had a disappointing year, but he reached base in all four plate appearaces today as he had the RiverCats only multi-hit line.
Pucetas, who has scuffled most of the year, may be finishing the season strong with 1 ER or less in four of his last five starts (although he had 8 ER in that other start). He didn't dominate the strike zone with just 59 of 105 pitches for strikes, but he limited the damage in the pitcher's duel. Runzler allowed the go-ahead run in the 8th inning. He threw just 11 of 25 pitches (including the intentional walk) for strikes. Jennings made just his second start with a full-season affiliate this year as he has been limited to 17.0 IP over five starts this year.
AA: Richmond defeated Altoona 5-4
(scoring the go-ahead run in the 9th inning)
Richmond: LF Brock Bond: 2 for 4, HBP
Richmond: RF Thomas Neal: 2 for 4, HR, 2B
Richmond: SP Clayton Tanner: 4.0+ IP, 9 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 0 K--2 HR
Richmond: RP David Mixon: 3.0 IP, 1 BB, 2 K
Richmond: RP Andy Sisco: 1.0 IP, 2 K
Neal had his 12th HR and 39th double, but his SLG remains below .450. Playing his fourth game since being demoted from Fresno, Bond also had two hits as he reached base three times.
Tanner allowed just one run through the first four innings but then three runs in the 5th inning when he did not record an out. Two of his four batters in that inning homered. Mixon stranded the runner inherited from Tanner and faced the minimum nine batters in 3.0 scoreless IP as he made his first relief appearance of the year, pitching on eight days rest after 25 starts this year. Sisco had 2 K in a perfect 8th inning.
A+: San Jose defeated Stockton 7-2
San Jose: SS Ehire Adrianza: 2 for 4, 2B, SF, SB
San Jose: DH Jose Flores: 3 for 5, 3B, SB
San Jose: SP Kyle Woodruff: 6.0 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K--1 HR
San Jose: RP Jason Stoffel: 1.0 IP, 1 BB
Flores had three of the Giants' nine hits, raising his AVG to .334. Adrianza also provided a couple hits, including his 20th double. He also had his 31st SB.
Woodruff made his eighth start. Although he has allowed at least 2 ER in each of his last seven starts, he has been an effective innings eater going at least 6.0 IP six times. Stoffel pitched a scoreless 9th inning in a non-save situation.
A-: Augusta had their final scheduled off-day this year.
(They are currently in third place 3.5 games back in their seven-team division.)
ssA: Salem-Keizer defeated Vancouver 7-1
Salem-Keizer: DH Mike Murray: 3 for 4, 2B, SO
Vancouver: CF Michael Choice: 1 for 4, HR, BB
Salem-Keizer: SP Shane Kaufman: 3.0 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 3 K--1 HB
Salem-Keizer: RP Addison Proszek: 2.0 IP, 3 K
Murray had three of the Volcanoes' seven hits. He has hit .370 through his first 24 pro games. Choice, whom the Athletics drafted tenth overall this year, had his 7th HR in just 21 NWL games as he is hitting .293/.398/.683.
Kaufman has allowed 2 ER in each of his last ten starts, but this was only the third time he has allowed more than 3 ER. His ERA as a starter is above 6.00. Proszek had 3 K in 2.0 perfect IP.
R: Giants lost to Angels 9-6
Scottsdale: C Joe Staley: 1 for 4, HR, BB, 2 SO
Scottsdale: RF Ryan Honeycutt: 2 for 3, HR, 2B, BB, E
Scottsdale: SP Jake Shadle: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 6 K
Scottsdale: RP Andy Altemus: 3.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER
Staley had his 5th HR, while Honeycutt had his 1st HR. Neither hitter currently has an AVG above .250.
After fourteen relief appearance, during which he had an ERA in excess of 7.50, Shadle made his first pro start. Altemus provided effective long relief with perhaps the longest appearance of his pro career.
DSL: The Gigantes had an off-day having finished their series yesterday.
(The begin their next series tomorrow versus the Reds, who defeated Cubs1 today.)