minor lines, 4/27/14

Sunday highlights from the Giants' farm: Jason Berken had 7.0 scoreless IP, and Gary Brown had 2 XBH among 3 hits.

AAA: Fresno defeated Albuquerque 5-1
(after scoring three runs in 1st inning)

Fresno: CF Gary Brown: 3 for 5, 3B, 2B, CS
Fresno: 2B Joe Panik: 3 for 5, 2B, SO
Fresno: C Guillermo Quiroz: 3 for 4

Fresno: SP Jason Berken: 7.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 8 K
Albuquerque: SP Zach Lee: 3.2 IP, 10 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 4 K--1 HB

Brown led the Grizzlies' offense with his 3rd triple, 4th double, and a single.  Panik and Quiroz also had three hits each.

At least for April, Berken seems to be the ace of the Grizzlies' staff.  Coming off three straight quality starts, today he delivered his most effective start of the year.  In 7.0 scoreless IP, he has a season-high 8 K and a season-low 3 H.  Lee, the Dodgers' first round pick four years ago, allowed half his batters (12 of 24) to reach base.

AA: Richmond defeated New Britain 7-5
(rallying for six runs in the 8th inning)

Richmond: DH Mario Lisson: 1 for 3, HR, HBP, SO

Richmond: SP Kelvin Marte: 4.0 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
Richmond: RP Edwin Quirarte: 4.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 K--1 HB

Lisson's 2nd HR was the lone XBH for the Flying Squirrels, whose offense was the benificiary of receiving five free passes (2 BB, 3 HBP) in the 8th inning.

Marte had a somewhat abbreviated start after 2 ER in both the 1st and 4th innings.  His ERA rose to 5.85.  Quirarte provided long relief in one of the longest appearances of his pro career.

A+: San Jose lost to Bakersfield 10-2
(allowing six insurance runs in the 8th inning)

San Jose: RF Chris Lofton: 2 for 4, 3B, SO
San Jose: 3B Mitch Delfino: 1 for 4, HR

San Jose: SP Chris Stratton: 5.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 7 K--1 HR, 1 PO

Delfino's 6th HR was a two-run shot in the 9th inning enabling the Giants to avoid the shutout.  Lofton hit his 2nd triple and a single to get his AVG above .200.

In his fifth start, Stratton's 7 K and 4 BB were both new season highs.  His components stats are now 25 H, 10 BB, 4 HR, and 26 K in 25.0 IP.

A-: Augusta lost to Asheville 12-2
(allowing four runs in the 3rd inning and six runs in the 8th inning)

Augusta: 1B Leo Rojas: 1 for 2, 2B, BB, E
Asheville: 3B Ryan McMahon: 2 for 5, HR, 2B, 2 SO

Augusta: SP Christian Jones: 4.0 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 2 K--1 HR, 1 IBB

Rojas was the lone GreenJacket to reach base twice.  He has hit just .233/.250/.302 through 43 AB.  McMahon, the Rockies' second round pick last year, connected today for his 9th HR (in 21 games).

Jones was not nearly as effective as in his two previous starts.  After just 2 ER over his first three starts combined, today he yielded 4 ER.