minor lines, 4/17/13

Wednesday highlights from the Giants' farm: Joan Gregorio had 10 K and 1 ER in 6.0 IP, and Javier Herrera homered while reaching base three times. Also notable, Edwin Escobar had 9 K and 1 ER in 4.2 IP.

AAA: Fresno lost to Tacoma 8-0

Fresno: 2B Carter Jurica: 1 for 3, BB, SO, GiDP
Tacoma: SS Carlos Triunfel: 5 for 5, HR, 3B, 2B
Tacoma: 2B Nick Franklin: 2 for 3, HR, 2 BB, SO

Fresno: SP Michael Kickham: 3.2 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 5 K--2 HR
Tacoma: SP James Paxton: 6.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 4 BB, 5 K

Jurica had one of the Grizzlies' three hits (all singles) and one of their five walks. The Mariners' Triunfel hit for the cycle with his his 1st HR, 1st triple, 5th double, and a couple singles. Franklin, who is generally considered one of the top 100 prospects in the minors, also hit his 1st HR while reaching base four times.

Kickham retired fewer than half his batters. He had a high pitch count with 95 pitches (55 strikes) in just 3.2 IP. Paxton, another top 100 prospect for the Mariners, had his most effective start of the year, despite issuing four walks.

AA: Richmond lost to Altoona 2-1 (11 innings) in game 1
(completing the previous night's suspended game)

(see the previous edition of minor lines for individual lines)

AA: Richmond lost to Altoona 4-3 in game 2
(as Richmond had a 1-6 W-L record on its road trip)

Richmond: SS Ehire Adrianza: 1 for 3, BB, SB
Richmond: LF Javier Herrera: 1 for 2, HR, 2 BB, SO

Richmond: SP Chris Gloor: 5.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 1 K--1 E
Altoona: SP Jameson Taillon: 7.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 6 K--1 WP

Herrera's 3rd HR was one of three hits for the Flying Squirrels. He also drew two of their five walks. Adrianza reached base twice and stole his first base of the year. He had just 3 BB through his first nine games this year but has 5 BB in his last three games, helping to raise his OBP to .370.

Gloor allowed 2 ER in both the 1st and 6th innings. He has allowed 4 ER in both his starts this year. Taillon, whom the Pirates drafted second overall three years ago (immediately after the Nationals selected Bryce Harper) and perhaps one of the top ten prospects in the minors, shut out the Squirrels for seven innings. Through three starts, his peripheral stats are 11 H, 7 BB and 20 K in 18.0 IP.

A+: San Jose lost to Stockton 7-2

San Jose: LF Shawn Payne: 1 for 4, HR
San Jose: 3B Myles Schroder: 1 for 3, HR, SO

San Jose: SP Edwin Escobar: 4.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 9 K
San Jose: RP Jeff Soptic: 1.0 IP, 1 K

The Giants' only two runs came on a pair of solo HRs. In the 5th inning, Schroder had his 2nd HR; and, in the 8th inning, Payne had his 1st HR.

Escobar allowed a run in the 2nd inning on a double and single but otherwise had a dominant start as he struck out nearly half (9 of 19) of his batters. He left the game after the third batter of the 5th inning reached on an error and he had reached 80 pitches (50 strikes). Soptic pitched a perfect 9th inning after both other relievers had allowed three runs each.

A-: Augusta defeated Lexington 4-3 (14 innings)

Augusta: DH Benjamin Turner: 2 for 5, 2B, BB
Augusta: 1B Stephen Branca: 2 for 4, BB

Augusta: SP Joan Gregorio: 6.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 10 K--1 HB

Turner and Branca each had two of the GreenJackets' ten hits and one of the team's five walks. Branca has a .346 AVG in his limited playing time (26 AB).

Gregorio had perhaps his best start of the year with a season-high 10 K, although 6 H and 2 R also represented new season highs through three starts. So far this year, his peripheral stats are quite impressive with 12 H, 1 BB and 23 K in 17.0 IP.