Wednesday highlights from the Giants' farm: Shawn Sanford had 6.0 scoreless IP, and both Conor Gillaspie and Charlie Culberson homered and singled.
AAA: Fresno defeated Salt Lake 5-4
Fresno: 3B Conor Gillaspie: 2 for 4, HR
Fresno: 2B Charlie Culberson: 2 for 4, HR, SO, GiDP
Salt Lake: SS Andrew Romine: 4 for 5, HR, SB
Fresno: SP Eric Hacker: 5.0 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K--1 HB
Fresno: RP Heath Hembree: 1.0 IP, 1 BB, 2 K
Two Grizzlies had two hits each, and both of them homered in the 1st inning--Gillaspie with his 3rd HR and Culberson with his 4th HR. Romine, who made his MLB debut for the Angels last year, had 4 hits, including his 1st HR to lead off the 7th inning.
Back in the minors after a spot start in the majors, Hacker allowed just 1 ER. But not too efficient with his pitch count (93 pitches, 59 strikes), he lasted just five innings. Hembree pitched a scoreless 9th inning for his 7th save. He now has 3 BB and 10 K in 11.0 IP in eleven appearances.
AA: Richmond lost to Bowie 5-3
(allowing four runs in the top of the 9th inning)
Richmond: DH Gary Brown: 1 for 4
Richmond: CF Juan Perez: 2 for 4, SO
Bowie: CF L.J. Hoes: 2 for 3, BB, SO, SB
Richmond: SP Justin Fitzgerald: 5.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K--1 HB, 1 WP
Richmond: RP Brett Bochy: 2.2 IP, 4 K
Richmond: RP Daryl Maday: 0.2 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
With two singles that raised his AVG to .284, Perez was the lone Flying Squirrel to reach base twice. Top prospect Brown had a single. Hoes, whom Baseball America rates as the Orioles' #5 prospect, reached base three times.
With 1 ER or less in three of his last four starts, Fitzgerald has lowered his ERA to 3.41. Bochy was perhaps better than perfect, striking out four of his seven batters and getting eight outs. Through nine appearances, he has impressive stats with 5 H, 3 BB, 0 R, and 14 K in 15.1 IP. Maday retired just two of his seven hitters for his first blown save.
A+: San Jose defeated Stockton 5-1
San Jose: 1B Ricky Oropesa: 1 for 2, 2 BB
San Jose: C Jeff Arnold: 3 for 4, SO, SB
San Jose: SP Shawn Sanford: 6.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K
Stockton: SP A.J. Cole: 4.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
With three more hits, Arnold raised his AVG above .600. The backup catcher is getting more regular time with Andrew Susac sidelined. Oropesa also reached base three times. He entered the game with a .679 OPS through his first 79 pro AB.
Sanford had his best start of the year facing just one batter over the minimum in 6.0 scoreless IP. He matched season highs with 5 K and 6.0 IP. Cole, whom the Athletics acquired in the off-season from the Nationals as part of the Gio Gonzalez trade, allowed just 1 ER but saw his W-L record drop to 0-4 nonetheless.
A-: Augusta defeated Kannapolis 9-6
(rallying for four runs in the 8th inning)
Augusta: 2B Carlos Willoughby: 2 for 4, 2B, SO
Augusta: SP Edwin Escobar: 5.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K--1 HR
Willoughby had two hits, and his 2nd double was the GreenJackets' lone XBH. Repeating the Sally League, he has hit just .215/.284/.277 through 65 AB this year.
Making his fourth start, Escobar allowed a season-high 7 H, but his BAA remains just .216 as he had allowed just 9 H over his previous three starts.