Friday highlights from the Giants' farm: Chris Heston allowed 1 ER in 8.0 IP, and Brad Boyer reached base in all four plate appearances. Also notable, Henry Sosa allowed 1 ER (but 2 HR and 3 R) in 6.0 IP, and Mike Murray homered among three hits in his NWL debut.
AAA: Fresno lost to Round Rock 3-0
Fresno: 2B Brock Bond: 2 for 3, 2B
Round Rock: 1B Brian Bogusevic: 1 for 2, HR, 2 BB
Fresno: SP Henry Sosa: 6.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K--2 HR, 1 WP
Fresno: RP Waldis Joaquin: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 K
Bond had two of the Grizzlies' six hits, with his 21st double being their only XBH. After being an all-star in the first half with an .800 OPS , he has a .646 OPS in more limited playing time since the all-star break. Bogusevic, whom the Astros drafted as a pitcher in the first round five years ago but later converted back to being a position player, had his 12th HR.
Sosa's third start since returning to the rotation was his longest start in that stretch and in fact qualified as a quality start. However, it was his fourth straight appearance allowing 2 HRs. He threw 91 pitches (59 strikes). Joaquin pitched a scoreless 8th inning in his first PCL game in nearly two months.
AA: Richmond defeated Portland 7-4
(rallying for three runs in the 8th inning)
Richmond: LF Thomas Neal: 2 for 3, BB, CS
Richmond: DH Brad Boyer: 2 for 2, BB, HBP
Richmond: SP David Mixon: 5.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 5 K--1 HB, 1 E
Portland: SP Casey Kelly: 6.2 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
Two of four Flying Squirrels with two hits each, Neal and Boyer combined to reach base in all but one of their eight plate appearances.
Mixon had one of his shorter starts, although he was still in line for the win until the bullpen blew the save opportunity. The 20-year-old Kelly is still considered the Red Sox' top pitching prospect, despite an unimpressive stat line that includes a a 5.31 ERA and .307 BAA.
A+: San Jose lost to Bakersfield 7-5
San Jose: SS Jose Flores: 1 for 3, HR
San Jose: 3B Joel Weeks: 1 for 3, HR, 2 E
San Jose: SP Oliver Odle: 5.1 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 4 K--1 HB
San Jose: RP Ryan Verdugo: 1.2 IP, 4 K
Batting in the final two spots in the lineup, Flores and Weeks both had their 4th HRs. The two big flies accounted for two of the Giants' five hits and drove in all five of their runs, with Flores' grand slam in the 2nd inning for the early 4-0 lead and then Weeks' solo shot to lead off the 5th inning.
Odle's ERA rose above 5.00. Verdugo struck out for four of his five batters. He has a 1.33 K/IP since his promotion to the Cal League, although his K/BB is just 0.50.
A-: Augusta lost to Asheville 2-1
(allowing a run in the 9th inning)
Augusta: SS Juan Martinez: 1 for 3
Augusta: SP Chris Heston: 8.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 K--1 HB
Augusta: RP Jose Casilla: 1.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 K
Martinez had one of the GreenJackets' three hits (all singles) as they sent just two batters to the plate beyond the minimum.
Heston had perhaps his best start of the year. It was his third time in his last seven starts to pitch eight full innings. In a familiar storyline, he was once again the victim of poor run support. In his last ten starts, he has a 1-6 W-L record despite a 2.79 ERA.
Casilla allowed his first earned run in over two months and just his 5th ER this year.
ssA: Salem-Keizer defeated Spokane 9-8
(after trailing 5-1 after the 1st inning and rallying for three runs in the 9th inning)
Salem-Keizer: CF Chris Lofton: 2 for 4, HR, BB
Salem-Keizer: DH Mike Murray: 3 for 5, HR, 2B, SO
Spokane: CF Jacob Skole: 1 for 5, HR, 3 SO
Salem-Keizer: SP Edwin Escobar: 2.0 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
Salem-Kiezer: RP Andrew Romo: 3.0 IP, 1 K--1 HB
Lofton and Murray, the latter who was playing in his first NWL game, both homered as the both reached base three times. Both of Lofton's pro HRs have come in his last two games. Skole, a first round selection by the Rangers this year, had the hat trick, but led off the 9th inning with his 2nd pro HR.
Escobar had his shortest start of the year as he matched a season high with 5 ER. Romo provided long relief with 3.0 near perfect IP.
R: Giants defeated Brewers 6-1
Scottsdale: RF Rafael Rodriguez: 1 for 4, HR, SF
Marysvale: DH Jody Gerut: 2 for 3, 2B, BB
Scottsdale: SP Kendry Flores: 5.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K--1 HB
Raf-Rod had his 2nd pro HR. After hitting .299/.392/.362 in 127 AB last year, he has hit just .231/.274/.327 through 104 AB this year. Playing his ninth rehab game, the Brewers' Gerut accounted for two of the rookie Brewers' four hits and their only walk.
Flores' had his longest start of the year, pitching into the 6th inning for the first time, although this did snap his string of four appearances (including three starts) with no earned runs.
DSL: Giants defeated Marlins 3-1
Dominican: C Gabriel Cornier: 1 for 4, 2B, 2 SO
Dominican: SP Keurin Feliz: 6.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 3 K--1 HB, 1 IBB
Cornier's (18.1 y.o.) 5th double raised his SLG to .324. Despite the season-high 4 BB, Feliz (19.11. y.o.) still pitched six full innings, which he has done in seven of eight starts. He edged his ERA a bit lower to 1.72.