Highlights from the Giants farm: Mike MacDonald pitched a complete-game shutout; Eric Hacker allowed just 1 ER in 8.1 IP; and six hitters, including Bradon Belt, Conor Gillaspie, Brett Pill, Joe Borchard, Ryan Cavan, and James Simmons, homered as part of multi-hit performances.
AAA: Fresno defeated Round Rock 8-1
Fresno: CF Tyler Graham: 3 for 5, 2B, 2 SB
Fresno: 3B Jesus Guzman: 1 for 5, HR
Fresno: 1B Brett Pill: 2 for 5, HR, 2B, SO
Fresno: LF Joe Borchard: 2 for 4, HR, 2B, BB, SO
Fresno: C Jackson Williams: 3 for 5, 2B, SO
Fresno: SP Eric Hacker: 8.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K--1 HB
Guzman and Pill went back-to-back in the 1st inning for their 15th and 14th HRs, respectively. Borchard added his 13th HR in the 9th inning. Both Graham and Williams added three hits each, raising their respective AVGs to .355 and .250.
Although he had just 2 K, Hacker might still have had his best start of the year. It was at least his longest start of the year (in terms of IP) as he faced just three batters over the minimum through the first eight innings. He lowered his ERA to 4.30.
AA: Richmond defeated New Hampshire 10-0
Richmond: 2B Nick Noonan: 3 for 4, 3B, SH
Richmond: RF Brandon Belt: 3 for 5, HR, SO, SB
Richmond: 3B Conor Gillaspie: 2 for 3, HR, 2 BB
Richmond: SP Mike MacDonald: 9.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K
Belt and Gillaspie each had their 6th Eastern League HRs. For Gillaspie, it was just his third HR since the end of April; for Belt, it was his first HR in his last ten games. While Gillaspie reached base four time, Belt and Noonan had three hits each, raising their respective AVGs to .345 and .268.
MacDonald had clearly his best start of the year with the complete game shutout. He had 5 K and a 12/8 GO/FO line as he faced just three batters over the minimum.
A+: San Jose defeated Stockton 6-3
San Jose: 1B Michael Sandoval: 3 for 4, 2B, SO
San Jose: RF James Simmons: 2 for 4, HR
San Jose: SP Jorge Bucardo: 4.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 7 BB, 2 K
Simmons had his 8th HR. Sandoval's three hits raised his AVG to .333.
Bucardo uncharacteristically struggled with his control, issuing free passes to better than one third of the 23 batters he faced. His BB/IP ratio was 0.27 this year before his promotion to the Cal League.
A-: Augusta defeated Charleston 2-1
(scoring a run in both the 8th and 9th innings)
Augusta: 2B Ryan Cavan: 2 for 5, HR
Augusta: SP Wilmin Rodriguez: 3.2 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
Augusta: RP Chris Wilson: 1.2 IP, 4 K--1 HB
Augusta: RP Hector Correa: 1.0 IP, 2 K
Cavan led off the 8th inning with a game-tying solo HR, his 11th HR this year and the GreenJackets' only XBH of the night.
Wi-Rod made his first start since pitching in the Nowrthwest League three years ago. Wilson, making his first appearance with a full-season affiliate this year, and Correa combined to strike out six of their nine batters.
ssA: Salem-Keizer lost to Spokane 11-2
Salem-Keizer: 3B-2B Adam Duvall: 2 for 4, HR, GiDP
Spokane: SS Jurickson Profar: 1 for 3, 2B, 2 BB, SB
Salem-Keizer: SP Edward Concepcion: 4.0+ IP, 5 H, 9 R, 9 ER, 4 BB, 4 K--2 HR, 2 HB
Duvall had his 3rd HR. The Rangers' 17-year-old Profar, who entered the day hitting .250/.310/.339 through 168 AB, reached base three times. Is he perhaps the youngest player in the NWL since Felix Hernandez?
With 9 ER--including 5 ER in the 3rd inning and 4 ER on a grand slam HR in the 5th inning to the final batter he faced--Concepcion's ERA ballooned over a full run to 7.42.
R: The rookie Giants had their regular off-day (every fifth day)
DSL: Giants defeated Nationals 5-4 (8 innings) in game 1
Dominican: DH Victor Feliz: 2 for 3, 2B, BB, SO
Dominican: SP Juan Nova: 5.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K--2 WP
Feliz (19.8 y.o.) doubled as he reached base three times. In his eleventh start this year, Nova (18.10 y.o.) had a season-low 1 K but also just 1 BB (although his BB/IP remains above 0.50). With 0 ER in 5.0 IP, he got his ERA back below 3.00.
DSL: Giants lost to Nationals 16-3 (7 innings) in game 2
Dominican: 2B Cristian Paulino: 3 for 4, 2B, SO, CS, 2 E
Dominican: RP Minier: 2.1 IP, 3 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 2 BB--1 HR, 2 HB, 1 WP
Paulino's (18.11 y.o.) three hits raised his AVG to .255, but he also comitted his 15th and 16th errors. While all three Gigantes' pitchers yielded at least five runs, Minier (18.5 y.o.) at least logged the longest appearance with 2.1 IP as he made his just his fifth pro appearance.