Labor Day highlights from the Giants' farm: Max Ramirez homered twice, Brad Eldred and James Simmons each homered as part of multi-hit games, Jason Stevenson allowed just 1 ER in 7.0 IP, and Chris Heston had 6.0 scoreless IP.
AAA: Fresno defeated Tacoma 12-9Fresno: RF Justin Christian: 1 for 3, HR
Fresno: 1B Brad Eldred: 3 for 5, HR
Fresno: DH Max Ramirez: 3 for 5, 2 HR
Tacoma: 3B Alex Liddi: 2 for 5, 2 HR, 2 SO
Fresno: SP Matt Yourkin: 6.0 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 6 K--1 HR
Fresno: RP Marc Kroon: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER--1 HR
Ramirez and Eldred both ended the season with three hit games, including Ramirez's 12th and 13th HRs and Eldred's 23rd HR. Christian had his 10th PCL HR (which was also his 14th HR of the year). With 2 HRs in the season finale, the Mariners' Liddi finished his first PCL season with 30 HRs, but his .259/.332/.488 line might be viewed as somewhat disappointing.
Yourkin continued his string of consecutive starts with at least 6.0 IP, but he ended the season on a mild downnote with 5 ER raising his ERA to 4.69. Kroon was a great story in spring training, but with two more earned runs today he finished the year with a 5.11 ERA.
AA: Richmond defeated Altoon 2-1 (8 innings--completed early)
(securing a wild card playoff spot)
Richmond: RF Francisco Peguero: 2 for 4, 2B
Richmond: 1B Wes Hodges: 1 for 4, HR, GiDP
Richmond: SP Jason Stevenson: 7.0 IP, 8 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 7 K--1 IBB
Peguero had the Flying Squirrels' only multi-hit line and finished his Eastern League season with a .309 AVG. Hodges homered in the top of the 8th inning, providing the go-ahead run. He ended up being the game's final batter after the game was called following an hour-and-a-half rain delay.
After two PCL starts, Stevenson made a start for the Flying Squirrels, allowing just 1 R in a complete-game effort. He threw 107 pitches (69 strikes).
A+: San Jose lost to Rancho Cucamonga 7-5
(allowing six runs in the 9th inning)
San Jose: CF Gary Brown: 1 for 3, HBP, 2 SB
San Jose: LF-RF James Simmons: 2 for 4, HR
San Jose: SP Chris Heston: 6.0 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K--1 HB
Simmons had his 13th HR of the year. He slugged .522 in 159 AB in the Cal League this year. Brown finished his first full pro season with 53 SB.
Making his second straight start with 0 ER, Heston finished the year with a 3.16 ERA--giving him the Cal League ERA title. He was in line to to finish with a 6-0 W-L record over his last eight starts until the bullpen's implosion.
A+: Augusta defeated Rome 3-2
Augusta: SS Kelby Tomlinson: 2 for 4
Augusta: 1B Joel Weeks: 2 for 4, 2B, GiDP
Augusta: SP Taylor Rogers: 7.0 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Augusta: RP Gaspar Santiago: 1.0 IP, 1 K
Augusta: RP Jose Valdez: 1.0 IP, 1 K
Tomlinson, playing his second game with a full-season affiliate, and Weeks combined for four of the GreenJackets' eight hits.
Rogers finished the season with another fine start. He had just 1 K but a 10/4 GO/FO line in the season finale. He finished the year third in ERA in the sixteen-team SAL. Santiago and Valdez each pitched a perfect inning.