minor lines, 5/3/14

Saturday highlights from the Giants' farm: Jason Berken and Matthew Lujan each allowed just 1 R in their starts.

AAA: Fresno defeated Albuquerque 6-4
(scoring four runs in the 2nd inning)

Fresno: CF Gary Brown: 3 for 5
Fresno: 2B Joe Panik: 3 for 5, SB

Fresno: SP Jason Berken: 7.0 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K--1 HR
Albuquerque: SP Henry Sosa: 5.0 IP, 10 H, 5 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 K

Brown singled three times for the second straight day.  With multiple hits in five of his last seven games, he has raised his AVG to .294 through 126 AB.  Panik also had three hits, raising his AVG to .325.

Berken delivered his fifth straight start with 2 ER on less in 6.0+ IP.  His ERA is now 2.25 after six starts.  Sosa, the ex-Giant now in the Dodgers organization, yielded season highs with both 5 R and 10 H in his sixth start.

AA: Richmond lost to Trenton 6-4
(after trailing 5-3 entering the 4th inning)

Richmond: 3B-1B Mario Lisson: 1 for 3, HBP, SO
Trenton: SS Brendan Ryan: 2 for 3, 2 BB, SO, E

Richmond: SP Kyle Crick: 3.0 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 5 K--1 WP
Richmond: RP Austin Fleet: 4.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K

Lisson was one of two Flying Squirrels to reach base twice.  The 32-year-old Ryan, who spent nearly all of the last five years in the majors, is back in the minors this year, now playing in the Yankees' organization.  He reached base four times.

For the third time in his last four starts, Crick did not start the 4th inning.  Working deep in the count to many of his batters, as he struck out or walked nearly half his batters (5 K and 4 BB among 19 TBF), he threw 81 pitches (49 strikes) in just 3.0 IP.  Fleet provided long relief, throwing just 57 pitches (33 strikes) in 4.0 IP.

A+: San Jose defeated Lancaster 5-4
(scoring three runs in the 5th inning to take a 4-1 lead)

San Jose: DH Shawn Payne: 2 for 4, 2B, SB
San Jose: C Ben Turner: 2 for 4, HR, SO

San Jose: SP Chris Stratton: 6.2 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 K--1 HR, 1 WP

Turner led off the 5th inning with his 2nd HR.  Payne continues to swing a red-hot bat.  He has hit a double in all four Cal League games.

Making his sixth start, Stratton pitched a season-high 6.2 IP, although he also had a season-low 3 K.  This start did include a 12/3 GO/FO line.  His component stats now included 31 H, 11 BB, 5 HR, and 29 K in 31.2 IP.

A-: Augusta defeated Greenville 4-2
(after scoring three runs in the first two innings)

Augusta: RF Tyler Horan: 1 for 3, HR, BB

Augusta: SP Matthew Lujan: 6.1 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 K
Greenville: SP Trey Ball: 5.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 6 K--1 HR, 1 HB

In the 1st inning, Horan connected for his 2nd HR.  He has been the GreenJackets' top hitter so far this year with an OPS just above .900 (.322/.390/.511 in 90 AB).  His OPS currently ranks 12th in the SAL.

Lujan had his most effective start this year, including new season-highs with 8 K and 6.1 IP.  He has a 1.74 ERA through 31.0 IP.  Ball, whom the Red Sox drafted seventh overall last year, made his second start of the year.