Saturday highlights from the Giants' farm: Mike Kickham had 6.0 scoreless IP, and Luke Anders homered among three hits.
AAA: Fresno lost to Tacoma 11-1
Fresno: CF Justin Christian: 2 for 3, 2B, 2 BB
Fresno: 2B Charlie Culberson: 3 for 5, 2 2B
Fresno: SP Yusmeiro Petit: 3.2 IP, 7 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 2 BB, 2 K--1 HR
Christian and Culberson combined for five of the Grizzlies' eight hits, incluing all three of their XBHs. Both hitters now have 5 doubles. Christian's AVG remains above .500.
After a quality start in his first start, Petit was hit hard in his second start, ballooning his ERA above 8.00.
AA: Richmond defeated Altoona 1-0
Richmond: C Gary Brown: 0 for 4, GiDP
Richmond: C Johnny Monell: 1 for 3, HR, SO
Richmond: 3B Daniel Mayora: 3 for 3
Altoona: C Tony Sanchez: 2 for 4, 2B, SO
Richmond: SP Michael Kickham: 6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 6 K
Monell's solo HR in the 4th inning provided the game's only run. With a single in each plate appearance, Mayora had three of the Flying Squirrels' just five hits. Top prospect Brown had another oh-fer. With just one hit in his last six games, his AVG has dropped below the Mendoza line. Sanchez, whom the Pirates drafted 4th overall three years ago, had two hits, including the Curves' only XBH.
Kickham combined with three relievers for the shutout. He three 77 pitches (47 strikes) and had a 6/1 GO/FO line. Despite jumping from the Sally League to the Eastern League, he has not allowed an earned run in his first two starts and just 4 H in 9.2 IP.
A+: San Jose defeated Bakersfield 6-4
San Jose: SS Joe Panik: 3 for 5, 2 2B, GiDP
San Jose: DH Luke Anders: 3 for 4, HR
San Jose: LF Jarrett Parker: 1 for 3, HR, BB, 2 SO
San Jose: 2B Carter Jurica: 2 for 2, BB, HBP
Bakersfield: SS Billy Hamilton: 3 for 4, BB, SB, CS
San Jose: SP Justin Schumer: 6.0 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 K--1 HR, 1 WP
Parker had his 4th HR, and Anders his 2nd HR. Anders also had three hits, as did Panik, although they have fairly different AVGs at .233 and .324. Jurica reached base in all four plate appearances. The Reds' Hamilton, who is perhaps among the top 50 prospects in the minors after having 100 SBs last year, reached base four times.
Schumer followed up his 6.0 no-hit IP in his first start with another quality start. He threw 91 pitches (61 strikes).
A-: Augusta lost to Savannah 6-0
(allowing all six runs in the 4th inning)
Augusta: LF Elliott Blair: 1 for 4, 2B, SO
Augusta: SP Kyle Crick: 3.2 IP, 2 H, 5 R, 2 ER, 5 BB, 3 K--1 HB, 2 WP
Augusta: RP Andrew Berger: 1.0 IP, 1 K
Blair's 3rd double was one of just three hits for the GreenJackets.
Crick was pitching reasonably well into the 4th inning, but he walked four of his last five batters, three of whom scored after he left game. Berger pitched a perfect 8th inning in his second appearance of the year.