Thursday highlight from the Giants' farm: Matt Yourkin allowed just 1 ER in 6.0 IP.
AAA: Fresno defeated Tacoma 3-2 (10 innings)
(scoring one run in each of the last three innings)
Fresno: CF Darren Ford: 2 for 5, 2B, SB
Fresno: 3B Conor Gillaspie: 2 for 5, 2B, SO
Fresno: SP Matt Yourkin: 6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 9 K
Fresno: RP Marc Kroon: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 4 K
With two hits each, Ford and Gillaspie combined for half of the Grizzlies' eight hits. Both have AVGs above .300.
Yourkin's second start was much better than his first start (6 ER in 4.0 IP). He struck out 9 of his 22 batters. Pitching the final two innings, Kroon struck out 4 of his 8 batters.
AA: Richmond lost to Altoona 2-0
Richmond: 3B Jose Flores: 1 for 4, 3B
Richmond: SP Eric Surkamp: 5.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K--1 HB
Altoona: SP Aaron Thompson: 6.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
Flores' triple was one of just three hits for the Flying Squirrels. He had 6 triples a year ago.
Making his second start after missing the second half of last season, Surkamp pitched reasonably well, although not as dominantly as in his previous start (10 K in 4.0 scoreless IP). Tonight he threw 80 pitches (48 strikes). Thompson, whom the Marlins drafted in the first round six years ago and who is now with the Pirates, is off to a strong start this season. After an ERA close to 6.00 last year, he has a WHIP below 0.50 through his first 12.0 IP this year.
A+: San Jose lost to Visalia 3-2
San Jose: 3B Chris Dominguez: 2 for 4, SO, CS, 2 E
Visalia: SS Chris Owings: 3 for 5, 2B, E
San Jose: SP Chris Heston: 5.0 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K
Dominugez was the only Giant to reach base twice, as San Jose's offense was limited to six hits. His AVG is now .324. Owings, one of the Diamondbacks' top five prospects, had three hits, raising his AVG to .250.
Heston had a good start but was ultimately outdueled.
A-: Augusta lost to Rome 4-2
Augusta: 1B Josh Mazzola: 1 for 3, BB
Augusta: DH Devin Harris: 1 for 4, HR, SO
Augusta: SP Seth Rosin: 5.1 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 0 K--1 E
Harris, the Giants' 48th rounder a year ago, had his 2nd HR. Mazzola drew the GreenJackets' only walk and was their only hitter to reach base twice.
Making his full-season debut, Rosin, the Giants' 4th rounder a year ago, allowed two runs in both the 3rd and 6th innings. He did not strike out any of the 25 batters he faced.