Sunday highlights from the Giants' farm: Zach Wheeler had 5.0 no-hit IP; Chris Dominguez hit 2 HRs; and Conor Gillaspie, Tommy Joseph, and Brett Pill each homered while reaching base three times.
AAA: Fresno defeated Las Vegas 8-5
Fresno: CF Darren Ford: 2 for 4, BB, 3 SB
Fresno: 1B Brett Pill: 3 for 5, HR, SO, SB
Fresno: 3B Conor Gillaspie: 2 for 4, HR, BB, SO
Fresno: RF Terry Evans: 3 for 4, BB, 3 SB
Fresno: SP Doug Mathis: 5.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 1 K
Fresno: RP Alex Hinshaw: 1.0 IP, 1 K
Pill had a big day with three hits, including a HR. Gillaspie also homered, a three-run homer in the 8th inning as the Grizzlies rallied for four runs in the inning for the comeback victory. Evans joined Pill with three hits apiece and also had three steals. With three steals each, Evans and Ford combined for six of the Grizzlies' team-record ten steals.
Mathis, who pitched last year for the Rangers and began the spring in the Indians camp before they released him, had an effective first start for the Grizzlies. Hinshaw retired both batters he faced.
AA: Richmond lost to New Britain 4-0
Richmond: C Aaron Lowenstein: 1 for 3
New Britain: CF Joe Benson: 2 for 4, HR, 2B, 2 SO
Richmond: SP Clayton Tanner: 5.0+ IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 5 K--1 HR, 1 WP
Richmond: RP Justin Dowdy: 1.2 IP, 1 BB, 4 K
The Flying Squirrels' offense was limited to four singles, one of which came from backup catcher Lowenstein. The Twins' Benson continues his strong start to the year, this time hitting not just for average but for power with his 1st HR and 2nd double of the year.
Tanner was roughed up in his first start of the year. Of the seven hits he yielded, five were for extra bases. He threw 70 pitches (46 strikes). Dowdy struck out four of his six batters.
A+: San Jose defeated Lake Elsinore 10-0
(taking a 7-0 lead after the fifth inning)
San Jose: 3B Chris Dominguez: 3 for 5, 2 HR, SO
San Jose: C Tommy Joseph: 2 for 4, HR, 2B, BB, SO
San Jose: SP Zach Wheeler: 5.0 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 3 K
San Jose: RP Jose Casilla: 2.0 IP, 1 H
Dominguez and Joseph went deep back-to-back in the 5th inning, and Dominguez added another HR in the 9th inning. Both hitters have also hit close to .400 through the team's first four games.
Wheeler had an impressive Cal League debut with 5.0 no-hit IP. Casilla bounced back from his previous relief appearance retiring six of his seven batters.
A-: Augusta lost to Greenville 10-7
(allowing six runs in the 1st inning and scoring five late runs in the 8th inning)
Augusta: C Dan Burkhart: 1 for 2, 2 BB, SO, PB
Augusta: LF Devin Harris: 1 for 4, HR, 2 SO, E
Augusta: SP Edwin Escobar: 1.0 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
Harris, who had 2 HRs last summer, had a three-run, two-out HR in the 8th inning to close the margin. Burkhart reached base three times.
Escobar, who has had an ERA close to 5.00 in his two years as a pro, was roughed up in his full-season debut, not able to get into the 2nd inning after facing eleven batters in the 1st inning.