Thursday highlights from the Giants' farm: the four starting pitchers--Eric Hacker, Jason Stevenson, Ryan Bradley and Chris Marlowe combined to allow just 1 ER in 24.0 IP. Also notable, Francisco Peguero, Roger Kieschnick, Skyler Stromsmoe, and Wes Hodges each homered as part of multi-hit performances.
AAA: Fresno defeated Las Vegas 8-5
Fresno: CF Justin Christian: 3 for 4, 2B, BB, CS
Fresno: RF Francisco Peguero: 2 for 5, HR, E
Fresno: LF Roger Kieschnick: 2 for 5, HR, 2 SO
Fresno: 3B Skyler Stromsmoe: 2 for 3, HR, 2B, BB, E
Fresno: SP Eric Hacker: 6.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K--1 HR
Fresno: RP Heath Hembree: 1.0 IP, 1 K
The Grizzlies got three big flies--Kieschnick's 3rd HR and the 1st HRs for Peguero and Stromsmoe. Batting leadoff, Christian reached base four times.
The stats suggest Hacker pitched very well, getting the quality start in Las Vegas, despite the wind blowing out to CF at 15 mph. After having the 9th inning leadoff hitter reach on an error, Hembree retired his next three batters for his 2nd save.
AA: Richmond defeated Altoona 7-3
(after leading 5-0 through three innings)
Richmond: CF Gary Brown: 0 for 3, BB, HBP, SB
Richmond: 1B Wes Hodges: 2 for 4, HR
Richmond: SP Jason Stevenson: 7.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
Richmond: RP Brett Bochy: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 3 K
Hodges, one of four Flying Squirrels with two hits, had his 1st HR. Top prospect Brown took just over a week to get his first SB of the year.
Stevenson pitched quite effectively, throwing just 86 pitches (56 strikes) in seven innings without allowing an earned run. He allowed just one XBH. After no strikeouts in his first two appearances, Bochy struck out three of his four batters.
A+: San Jose defeated Bakersfield 1-0 (6 innings)
(completing the gain early due to rain)
San Jose: CF Ryan Lollis: 1 for 2, BB
San Jose: SP Ryan Bradley: 6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
Lollis had one of the Giants' four hits (all singles) and their only walk.
Bradley pitched a rain-shorted complete-game shutout. In 6.0 IP, he threw 81 pitches (50 strikes) and had a 9/4 GO/FO line.
A-: Augusta defeated Savannah 4-0
Augusta: SS Kelby Tomlinson: 3 for 4, SO, SB
Augusta: CF Elliott Blair: 2 for 3
Augusta: SP Chris Marlowe: 5.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 6 K--1 WP
Tomlinson and Blair combined for over half of the GreenJackets' eight hits (all singles), raising their respective AVGs to .345 and .286.
Marlowe combined with two relievers for the shutout in a game that lasted just 2 hours, 20 minutes. In 5.0 IP, he walked three but allowed just one hit. He had a 6/1 GO/FO line.