Wednesday highlights from the Giants' farm: Brad Eldred and Adam Duvall both homered as part of multi-hit evenings, and Doug Mathis allowed just 1 R in 7.0 IP. Also notable, top prospect Zack Wheeler allowed just 1 R in 5.0 IP.
AAA: Fresno lost to Nashville 4-3
Fresno: 1B Brad Eldred: 2 for 3, HR, HBP, SB
Fresno: PH Brandon Belt: 1 for 1
Fresno: SP Doug Mathis: 7.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K--1 HR
Fresno: RP Steven Edlefsen: 1.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 K--1 HR
Eldred had the Grizzlies' only multi-hit line, raising his AVG to .286. He led of the 4th inning with his 3rd HR (in just 42 AB this season). Belt singled as a pinch hitter in the 9th inning.
Mathis had perhaps his best start of the season, allowing a season-low 3 H in a season-high 7.0 IP. He improved his ERA to 4.15. Edlefsen allowed 3 ER in the 8th inning to blow the save and take the loss.
AA: Richmond lost to Bowie 6-5
Richmond: RF Roger Kieschnick: 2 for 4, 2 2B, BB, 2 SO
Richmond: CF Juan Perez: 2 for 4, 2B, BB, 2 SO, SB
Richmond: SP Ryan Verdugo: 4.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 6 K--2 HR, 1 HB
Kieschnick and Perez each had two hits, with three of their four combined hits being doubles, raising their respective AVGs to .200 and .230.
Verdugo had his second straight start with less than 5.0 IP as he allowed a season-high 4 ER, pushing his ERA just above 3.00. He had allowed just 2 HR total over his previous five starts but allowed 2 HR more tonight.
A+: San Jose defeated Lancaster 5-2
San Jose: SS Brandon Crawford: 2 for 4, 3B
San Jose: DH Hector Sanchez: 2 for 4, 2B
San Jose: DH Jarrett Parker: 2 for 4, 2B, SO
Lancaster: SS Jonathan Villar: 2 for 3, 2 BB, SO, SB, CS, E
San Jose: SP Zack Wheeler: 5.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 7 K--1 WP
San Jose: RP Chuck Lofgren: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 K
Crawford had two hits, including a triple in his first game of the year. Sanchez and Parker were two of the three other Giants with two hits each as they had their 9th and 6th doubles, respectively. Villar, one of the Astros' top five prospects after they acquired him last summer when trading Roy Oswalt, reached base four times. He has hit .274/.371/.385 through 117 AB this year. He also has a 19/4 SB/CS line and has made 10 errors.
In terms of runs allowed, Wheeler had his second best start of the year. In terms of control, the season-high 4 BB suggest he had his worst start of the year . Over his last three starts, his peripheral stats are 12 H, 9 BB, and 25 K in 16.1 IP. He's been hard to hit but most likely needs to improve the walk rate to enjoy success at higher levels. Lofgren, the former Indians prospect, made his debut with the Giants organization pitching two scoreless innings for the save.
A-: Augusta lost to Rome 5-2
Augusta: SS Bobby Haney: 2 for 3, 2B, HBP, SO
Augusta: 3B Adam Duvall: 2 for 4, HR
Augusta: CF Chris Lofton: 2 for 3, BB, SB
Rome: SS Edward Salcedo: 2 for 3, 2B, BB, HBP, SB, CS
Augusta: SP Shawn Sanford: 5.0 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K--2 HR
Augusta: RP Edward Concepcion: 1.0 IP, 3 K
Duvall had his 6th HR. He joined Haney and Lofton with two hits each. The Braves' Salcedo had another big game against the GreenJackets.
Sanford allowed just 1 ER with four unearned runs saw his W-L record in four starts drop to 1-2 as opponents have hit over .300 against him. Concepcion struck out all three batters he faced in the 9th inning. After issuing 15 BB in his first eleven appearances, he has no walks in his last four appearances.