Just two games for the San Francisco Giants affiliates on Wednesday, as High-A Eugene and Low-A San Jose took a step towards their goals of winning a championship.
Let’s dive into it.
Link to the 2021 McCovey Chronicles Community Prospect List (CPL)
All listed positions are the positions played in that game.
High-A Eugene
Eugene Emeralds beat Spokane (Rockies) 3-0
Box score
Eugene leads High-A W Championship Series 2-0
A day after a dominant offensive performance, the Emeralds used a dominant display of pitching to take the second game of the High-A W Championship Series, putting them one win away from the championship.
The star was RHP Conner Nurse, who went 7 innings deep, allowing just 5 hits and 1 walk while striking out 8. It wasn’t the best season for Nurse, who had a 4.86 ERA with 114 strikeouts to 51 walks in 113 innings, so great to see him end it on a high note.
RHP Taylor Rashi struck out the side in a perfect 8th inning, and Chris Wright — who had a thoroughly dominant season — got in a touch of trouble before shutting the door for the save.
Yet even with the tremendous pitching, Eugene wasn’t in position to win until the final inning. It was a scoreless game after 8, but the Emeralds rallied to score a trio of runs in the 9th. Right fielder Franklin Labour, who hit 2-4, knocked in what would prove to be the winning run with a single, before center fielder Ismael Munguia provided the insurance runs with a 2-run double.
We need to talk about Munguia. The fascinating 22 year old left-handed hitter has been one of the best stories in the farm this year and has put that on full display in the postseason. He hit 4-5 on Wednesday, a day after hitting 5-6.
Here’s his line since July 30: 58-112, 5 home runs, 2 triples, 12 doubles. That is ... obscene. Just ridiculous. Admittedly he hasn’t drawn a single walk during that time, but he’s only struck out 9 times. He ended the year with a minuscule 3.6% walk rate, but also a minuscule 7.6% strikeout rate — all he does is put the ball in play.
Third baseman Tyler Fitzgerald (No. 40 CPL) also had a nice game, singling and drawing a pair of walks.
Eugene will now have three chances to take home the title.
Low-A San Jose
San Jose Giants beat the Fresno Grizzlies (Rockies) 4-2
Box score
San Jose leads Low-A W Championship Series 2-0
The Baby Giants followed the Emeralds lead and took a convincing lead in the Championship Series, giving them three shots at winning a title. Get it done!
It was a game that would make San Francisco proud. San Jose scored 4 runs, with all 4 coming courtesy of home runs. The star was catcher Patrick Bailey (No. 8 CPL), who had 2 of those 4 homers, and also bopped a double for good measure. Bailey was on the short list for most disappointing players on the farm in the first half of the season, and has been on the short list for most encouraging players on the farm in the second half. Better than the other way around!
Second baseman Jimmy Glowenke (No. 34 CPL) had a 2-hit day that featured a home run, and third baseman Yorlis Rodriguez provided the other big fly. The Giants trailed 2-1 entering the 7th inning, but Glowenke’s homer tied the game, and Bailey’s second dinger gave them the lead. Rodriguez provided the insurance an inning later.
Jimmy Glowenke crushes a solo shot in the top of the 7th to tie the game! pic.twitter.com/JEMbeuXp51
— San Jose Giants (@SJGiants) September 23, 2021
Patrick Bailey hits the go-ahead home run in the top of the 7th, his second of homer of the night! pic.twitter.com/U9l3u6jEhk
— San Jose Giants (@SJGiants) September 23, 2021
LHP Carson Ragsdale led the pitching charge, allowing 3 hits, 3 walks, and 2 earned runs in 6 innings, with 5 strikeouts. RHP Clay Helvey was perfect in securing a 6-out save.
Time to win a championship.
Thursday schedule
Sacramento: @ Salt Lake Bees, 5:35 p.m. PT
Richmond: Season over
Eugene: vs. Spokane, 6:30 p.m. PT (High-A W Championship Series Game 3)
San Jose: vs. Fresno Grizzlies, 6:30 p.m. PT (Low-A W Championship Series Game 3)
ACL Orange: Season over
ACL Black: Season over
DSL Orange: Season over
DSL Black: Season over