Thursday highlights from the Giants' farm: Yusmeiro Petit allowed only an unearned run in 7.0 IP, and both Justin Christian and Tommy Joseph had four hits each. Also notable, Gary Brown and Dan Burkhart homered and singled.
AAA: Fresno defeated Sacramento 2-1
(scoring the winning run in the top of the 9th inning)
Fresno: CF Justin Christian: 4 for 4
Fresno: RF Francisco Peguero: 2 for 4, 3B
Fresno: SP Yusmeiro Petit: 7.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 8 K
Sacramento: SP Graham Godfrey: 8.0 IP, 8 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 7 K
Christian singled in all four plate appearances, raising his AVG to .380. He scored both of the Grizzlies' runs. Peguero had two hits, including an RBI triple in the 1st inning. He is now tied for the league lead with 7 triples.
Petit has strung together five very strong starts, during which his stats are 30 H, 6 BB, 4 ER and 35 K in 32.0 IP. On the other side of tonight's pitcher's duel was Godfrey, making his first start since the Athletics optioned him back to the minors. He has a 1.19 ERA in his five PCL starts.
AA: Richmond lost to Altoona 5-4 (11 innings)
Richmond: CF Gary Brown: 2 for 5, HR, SB, CS
Richmond: C Tommy Joseph: 4 for 5, 2 2B
Richmond: SP Andy Reichard: 4.2 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 1 K--1 HR, 1 WP
Richmond: RP Tom Vessella: 3.2 IP, 6 K
Altoona: SP Tim Alderson: 6.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K--1 HR, 1 HB, 1 WP
Joseph had four hits, including his 8th and 9th doubles. He has had huge platoon splits this year, with today's performance lifting his AVG versus RHP above the Mendoza line. He as a .202 AVG in 104 AB vs RHP but a .452 AVG in 31 AB vs LHP. Brown led off the 5th inning with his 1st HR this year.
The game never had a multi-run half inning, but Reichard did allow an earned run in four of his five innings. Vessella had a season-high 6 K in 3.2 perfect IP. Alderson, the ex-Giants prospect now with the Pirates, made his fourth start after being moved to the rotation following eight relief appearances. Kevin Goldstein recently reported that Alderson's velocity is up this year and so is his stock.
A+: San Jose lost to Bakersfield 7-4 (12 innings)
San Jose: SS Joe Panik: 1 for 5, HR, BB, CS
San Jose: 3B Adam Duvall: 2 for 6, HR, SO
San Jose: C Dan Burkhart: 2 for 5, HR, SO
Bakersfield: SS Billy Hamilton: 3 for 6, BB (IBB), 2 SB
San Jose: SP Ryan Bradley: 7.0 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K--2 HB, 1 E
San Jose: RP Seth Rosin: 0.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB--1 IBB
Duvall had his 11th HR, while both Panik and Burkhart had their 1st HRs this year. The Reds' Hamilton had three hits, lifting his AVG to .319. He has 57 SB in 50 games, including 17 SB in his last nine games.
Bradley matched his longest start of the year. After issuing 16 BB over his last four starts, he issued no walks in this start. From a statistical perspective at least, this was his best start in nearly four weeks. Rosin, who did not retire any of his four batters, is in a slump, having allowed at least one run in four of his last six appearances.
A-: Augusta lost to Asheville 11-3
Augusta: 1B Ben Thomas: 2 for 3, HBP
Augusta: SP Kyle Crick: 4.2 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 2 BB, 5 K--1 HR, 1 WP
Augusta: RP Demondre Arnold: 2.0 IP, 2 K
Thomas reached base three times. After going 0 for 14 in his last three games, he got his AVG back above .240.
Crick allowed just 2 ER through the first four innings but then 4 ER in the 5th inning. The season-high 6 ER raised his ERA above 4.00.