Tuesday highlights from the Giants' farm: Juan Perez and Jarrett Parker homered as part of multi-hit performances, and Edwin Escobar had 6.0 shutout IP.
AAA: Fresno defeated Las Vegas 10-5
(after leading 8-0 through three innings)
Fresno: LF Justin Christian: 3 for 5, 2B
Fresno: DH Roger Kieschnick: 3 for 5, 3B
Fresno: 1B Conor Gillaspie: 3 for 5, 2B, 2 SO, E
Las Vegas: SS Adeiny Hechavarria: 3 for 5, 3B
Las Vega: C Travis D'Arnaud: 2 for 4, 2B
Fresno: SP Ryan Vogelsong: 6.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 K
Fresno: RP Heath Hembree: 1.0 IP, 1 BB, 1 K
The Grizzlies didn't have a big fly, but they did pound out 18 hits, half of which came from Christian, Kieschnick and Gillaspie, who each had an XBH plus a couple singles. The Blue Jay's Hechavarria has been more noted for his defense, but the 22-year-old Cuban is off to a hot start offensively this year with his three hits raising his AVG to .435. D'Arnaud, who is likely the top catching prospect in the minors, had a couple hits as well.
Vogelsong had a quality start in his second rehab start while throwing 60 of 93 pitches for strikes. Hembree made his second appearance of the year with a scoreless 9th inning.
AA: Richmond defeated Bowie 5-4
Richmond: CF Gary Brown: 0 for 5
Richmond: RF Juan Perez: 2 for 4, HR
Richmond: 3B Daniel Mayora: 2 for 3, SF, SO
Bowie: SS Manny Machado: 1 for 4, 2B, BB, SO, GiDP
Richmond: SP Justin Fitzgerald: 5.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 2 K--1 HB
Perez, who had just 4 HRs last year, had his 1st HR of the year. He also had his third straight multi-hit game, raising his AVG to nearly .350. The 26-year-old Mayora, who is playing his first season in the Giants organization, was one of two other Flying Squirrels with two hits. Brown, the Giants' top prospect had his second straight oh-fer. The Orioles' Machado had the Baysox' lone XBH while reaching base twice.
Making his second start, Fitzgerald began with four scoreless frames but did not finish the 6th inning before allowing three runs. He threw 81 pitches (50 strikes).
A+: San Jose leading High Desert 15-7
(in the top of the 9th inning at "press time")
San Jose: CF Chris Lofton: 4 for 7, 2 SO, CS
San Jose: 3B Adam Duvall: 4 for 6, 2B, SO
San Jose: LF Jarrett Parker: 4 for 6, HR, 3B, SO
San Jose: 2B Carter Jurica: 4 for 6, 2B, SO
San Jose: SP Shawn Sanford: 5.0 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 0 BB, 2 K--1 WP
The Giants had four players with four hits each--Parker, Duvall, Jurica and Lofton. Parker's performance included his 3rd HR and 1st triple. Even with the small sample sizes early in the season, none of the four hitters with four hits tonight has a season AVG above .375.
Facing a 30 mph crosswind (from RF to LF) in his second start, Sanford allowed 10 H and 6 ER.
A-: Augusta defeated Charleston 2-0
Augusta: LF Shawn Payne: 3 for 4, 2B
Augusta: CF Charles Jones: 1 for 3, 2B, BB, 2 SO
Augusta: SP Edwin Escobar: 6.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 7 K--1 WP
Augusta: RP Cody Hall: 1.0 IP, 2 K
Payne had three of the GreenJackets' eight hits, raising his AVG to .421 through 19 AB. Jones was was one of three other GreenJackets to reach base twice, although he did strike out in his other two plate appearances. With multiple strikeouts in five of six games, his SO/AB is now just shy of 60%.
Escobar, who had an ERA above 6.50 last year, dominated in his first 2012 start, facing just two batters over the minimum in 6.0 scoreless IP. He pounded the strike zone with 53 of 74 pitches for strikes. Hall pitched a perfect 9th inning with 2 K for his 2nd save.