Wednesday highlights from the Giants' farm: Roger Kieschnick and Jackson Williams combined for 3 HR plus four other hits, and Michael Kickham and Clayton Blackburn each allowed just 1 ER in their starts.
AAA: Fresno defeated Albuquerque 10-7
Fresno: LF Roger Kieschnick: 4 for 5, 2 HR, SO
Fresno: C Jackson Williams: 3 for 5, HR, 2B, SO
Fresno: SP Brian Burres: 6.2 IP, 11 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 0 BB, 7 K--1 WP
Fresno: RP Heath Hembree: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
Kieschnick and Williams, who combined for seven of the Grizzlies' eighteen hits, had their 13th and 2nd HRs, respectively. Kieschnick's performance got his OPS back above 1.000.
In his longest start in over a month, Burres had new season highs with both 11 H and 7 K. Even with the season-high 7 K and no walks, his K/BB ratio remains below 2.00 as he has 20 BB and 37 K in 55.0 IP. The stat line may not look good, but this was perhaps a good start under the circumstances with the wind blowing out to RF at 17 mph. Hembree has allowed an earned run in four of his last five appearances, raising his ERA to 4.41.
AA: Richmond defeated Bowie 6-2
Richmond: CF Gary Brown: 1 for 4, SH
Richmond: 3B Daniel Mayora: 2 for 4, HR, BB, SO, GiDP, E
Richmond: LF Chris Dominguez: 3 for 5
Richmond: RF Wendell Fairley: 3 for 3, SH, E
Bowie: 2B Brian Roberts: 0 for 0, 2 BB
Richmond: SP Michael Kickham: 5.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 7 K
Richmond: RP Brett Bochy: 1.0 IP, 2 K
Mayora has been the Flying Squirrel's offensive leader with an AVG above .300, but it has been without much power. Tonight in the 9th inning, he hit his 1st HR in 163 AB. He had 9 HRs last year. With three hits each, corner outfielders Dominguez and Fairley had nearly half of the Squirrels' fourteen hits, but both still have AVGs below .250. In fact, Fairley's three-hit game raised his AVG above the Mendoza line. Top prospect Brown had a single. Playing in his first rehab game, the Orioles' Roberts was the only Baysox hitter to reach base twice.
Making his ninth start, Kickham had a new season-high 7 K. His 3.76 ERA is second best in the Squirrels' rotation, but his 1.62 WHIP is the third highest in the league (among qualifiers). He has arguably been lucky with a low BAA with runners in scoring position. Bochy had a couple strikeouts in a perfect 9th inning.
A+: San Jose had an off-day
(their final of three scheduled off-days before their all-star break June 17-20)
A-: Augusta lost to Rome 3-1
(allowing two runs in the bottom of the 8th inning)
Augusta: CF Jesus Galindo: 2 for 4, CS
Augusta: C Jeff Arnold: 0 for 1, 3 BB, SO
Augusta: SP Clayton Blackburn: 7.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K
Playing his third game, Galindo had two of the GreenJackets' four hits (all singles). Arnold had three walks, keeping his OBP above .400.
Blackburn made his longest start of the year, not only pitching into the 7th inning for the first time but completing the inning. With 16 K and 0 BB over his last two starts, he has raised his K/BB ratio to nearly 6.00.