SB Nation - Scott Munter

Sunday Pebble Report: Sky Sox relinquish first place, McKenry hits walk-off home run, more

theoldgrizzlybear — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 13:00:47 -0000

Tacoma 6, Colorado Springs 4
Adam Eaton allowed four runs on six hits and three walks in six innings, and Scott Munter failed to minimize the damage in just under two innings of work and as a result, the Sky Sox fell to Tacoma and also fell into a tie with the Rainiers for first place in the Pacific Coast League's Pacific North division. Eaton struck out six batters in the game, but allowed a big two run homer in a rough first inning, making things tough on himself. Dan Ortmeier had three hits for the Springs in the losing effort.

Tulsa 4, NW Arkansas 3
Michael McKenry hit a walk-off three run home run for the Drillers, who struggled all day offensively and were trailing 3-1 heading into the bottom of the ninth despite good pitching from the starter and bullpen. Andy Graham lasted five innings and was pretty solid, allowing two runs on six hits and striking out six batters. Shane Lindsay was terrific out of the pen, striking out three in two innings. Al Alburquerque followed Lindsay's success with some of his own, as he struck out a batter in a scoreless eighth. Matt Reynolds allowed a home run in the top of the ninth, but recovered to retire the Naturals without any further damage and picked up the win.

High Desert 9, Modesto 8
The Nuts received multi-hit games from Charlie Blackmon, Maikol Gonzalez, and Jeff Cunningham, and Cunningham and Scott Beerer each went yard but none of that was enough to earn Modesto a victory. Kenneth Durst got roughed up a bit, allowing six runs on eight hits and four walks in six innings, and the bullpen was unable to hold a slim lead.

Greenville 9, Asheville 1
The Tourists managed only four hits, one of which was a solo home run by David Christensen. Meanwhile, Greenville had nine hits and had two guys with a multi-hit game. Jonnathan Aristil had another head-scratching outing, as he struck out eight batters in just four innings, but allowed five runs on four hits and a walk. He also allowed two long balls, which produced four of the runs. The good news from this one? Rex Brothers struck out the side in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Tri-City 3, Boise 2
The Dust Devils scored all three of their runs via the long ball, as Tim Wheeler connected on a solo shot in the first inning, and three batters later Kevin Clark hit a two-run blast to put Tri-City up 3-0. Boise tacked on two more against starter Rob Scahill, who lasted five innings and gave up two runs on five hits and struck out six, but Scahill was able to stay out of trouble. The bullpen pitched four scoreless innings, including Aaron Weatherford's two-inning, four-strikeout effort.

Casper 4, Idaho Falls 3 (Game 1)
Ricardo Ferrer threw four innings of baseball and gave up two runs on seven hits. He struck out six. Avery Barnes had a couple of hits and a run scored for the Ghosts. Nolan Arenado went 0-for-2 with two walks.

Idaho Falls 2, Casper 0 (Game 2)
The Ghosts were held to just three hits in the second game of the doubleheader, and one of them was by the suddenly-hot Avery Barnes. Juan Gonzalez struck out seven batters in four innings, but also walked three and gave up four hits. Ricky Testa struck out three batters in two innings, as well.

Saturday Pebble Report: Tulsa's first grand slam propels team to victory

Russ Oates — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 14:00:23 -0000

Colorado Springs, L 2-3
Brandon Hynick allowed one run on a solo homer and struck out five over six innings. Ryan Speier gave up a run in the eighth inning to blow the save before Scott Munter saw the winning run cross home in the ninth.

Tulsa, W 8-4 in 12 innings
Darin Holcomb wanted to make things dramatic during extra innings. With two outs in the bottom of the twelfth, he stepped to the plate and launched a game-ending grand slam for the victory. It was the first grand slam by a Driller this season. Ryan Harvey his his 20th homer of the season for two runs in fourth inning, and Brad Corley had a solo shot in the fifth.

Chaz Roe allowed four runs in 5 2/3 inning (3-10 GO-FO), but the bullpen held things down after that. Shane Lindsay struck out two in his 1 1/3 innings of work.

Modesto, L 3-6 in 10 innings
Kenny Durst scattered nine hits over six innings and struck out six. Austin Chambliss allowed two runs, but Sean Jarrett was on the mound when they crossed the plate. Joey Williamson allowed three runs on a three-run homer in the top of the 10th.

Lars Davis knocked out two doubles, and Charlie Blackmon drove in a run and stole his 24th base.

Asheville, W 8-4
A five-run eighth inning sealed the victory for the Tourists last night. David Christensen started the scoring that inning with a three-run homer (15) and Delta Cleary hit a two-run double a little while later. He also stole his 29th base of the season. Mike Zuanich went 2-for-3 with a double, a walk, and three RBI. Scott Robinson stole his 39th base.

Dan Houston allowed four runs in 7 1/3 innings and struck out three. Stephen Dodson picked up his fourth win of the season by finishing the eighth inning.

Tri-City, L 2-1 in 13 innings
It was a pitcher's duel last night. Dan Perkins allowed a run in the first inning (but none in the next four) and struck out four. Brad McAtee walked four but allowed no runs over the next two innings. Rod Scurry also pitched two innings and struck out two while doing so.

Jeremiah Sammy had three hits, but did not score once. Matt Sanders drove in Kevin Clark (who stole his 17th base) on a double in the second inning. Then in the 13th inning, Ben Paulsen started off the inning with a single. He advanced to second on a wild pitch, to third on a wild pitch, and then scored on a wild pitch. Charlie Ruiz ended the game with the bases loaded and striking out the batter for the third out.

Casper, W 7-3
Kyle Hancock pitched quite well in his first victory. He scattered four hits over five innings, walked two, and struck out four.

Six of the nine batters drove in an RBI, but none came off the bat of Eliezer Mesa, who had three hits (one was a triple). He did, however, score twice. Nolan Arendao, who drove in one, is the subject of this Casper Star-Tribune piece.

Thursday Pebble Report: Hollingsworth impressive, Dust Devils toss 12 scoreless innings in only organizational loss

Poseidon's Fist — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 15:05:32 -0000

More photos » by David Zalubowski - AP

After his first MLB start, Jhoulys Chacin walked off the Coors mound straight to AAA for the first time in his career.

Browse more photos »

AAA Colorado Springs, W 7-5 - (62-56, 1st)

The Sky Sox held on late to snap their four game losing streak, winning 7-5 over the Memphis Redbirds (Cardinals). Damian Moss threw five scoreless innings in the start, and Mike Timlin tossed a scoreless inning, allowing a hit and a walk but striking out two. Scott Munter and Matt Belisle nearly blew the 7-0 lead by allowing 5 runs on 5 hits in the last two innings.

Sal Fasano drove in two with two doubles, scoring twice. Jonathan Herrera, Mike McCoy and Matt Miller each had two hits. Every starter reached base except Eric Young Jr., who was 0-for-4, ending an 8-game hitting streak.

The Sky Sox have an off day today as the travel to New Orleans to play the Zephyrs (Marlins) Friday night. Brandon Hynick will face Luis Ayala. Jhoulys Chacin was optioned to AAA yesterday, so the Rockies top prospect will have a Sky Sox uni for the first time in his career.

AA Tulsa, W 10-9 - (25-20, 2 GB)

The Drillers looked to be easing to victory after building a 10-3 lead against the Frisco RoughRiders (Rangers), but closer Andrew Johnston went Huston Street on Tulsa, allowing five runs on four hits and a walk in a non-save situation in the ninth. Adam Bright came in to get the last out for his first save. Matt Reynolds pitched a scoreless inning, and Edgmer Escalona served up a solo home run in his inning of work. Samuel Deduno (11-2, 2.72) got the start and win, though he wasn't particularly effective, allowing 3 runs on 6 hits and 4 walks in 5 innings, needing 89 pitches. He has allowed 3 runs in his past two outings after tossing 12 straight with less than three.

Ryan Harvey and Jeff Kindel were both a triple shy of the cycle, scoring five runs and driving in six between them. Cole Garner laced a couple doubles as well.

The two teams face off again tonight at 6:05MDT.

High-A Modesto, W 6-1 - (24-23, 8.5 GB)

Ethan Hollingsworth (1-2, 4.95) turned in a dominating effort for the Nuts in against the Inland Empire 66ers (Dodgers), getting his first win since being promoted from Asheville. The 22-year-old struck out 7 against no walks in 7 scoreless innings, allowing just one run on three hits, one a solo homer.

Modesto exploded for a 4-run first inning with the help of an error and three walks and just two hits. One was a leadoff double by Charlie Blackmon and the other was a 2-out 2-run single from Scott Beerer, who had three hits on the day to break a double-digit hitless AB slide.

The Nuts get an offday today before facing the Visalia Rawhide (Diamondbacks) Friday at 8:05 MDT.

Low-A Asheville, Off Day - (28-15, 1st)

The Tourists had an off day, allowing them to travel from Lexington backhome to Asheville to start a weekend series against the Kannapolis Intimidators (White Sox).

SS A Tri-City, L 0-1 - (32-22, 1st)

Low level minor league games can get squirrely. Four straight Dust Devil games have been shutouts - unfortunately, Tri City has been the victims in three of them. A day after shutting out the last-place Yakima Bears, the Diamondbacks affiliate returned the favor last night. Wes Musick, Sheng-An Kuo, Aaron Weatherford and Eric Federico combined for 12 scoreless innings before the Bears rallied for the walk-off win against Kyle Walker, only the second run he's allowed in his last 23.1 IP. The DDevils could only manage seven singles on offense.

Tri-City closes their series against the Bears tonight at 8:05MDT. Josh Hungerman (0-0, 2.86) gets the start for the Dust Devils.

Rookie Casper, W 8-7 - (2-1, 1st)

Th Ghosts snapped a five game losing streak in a hard fought win over the Great Falls Voyagers (White Sox).

Nolan Arenado (2) hit a HR for the second straight Wednesday, Chandler Laurent (two hits) and Eliezer Mesa (three) each doubled and catcher Brandon Whitby saw his average drop to .390 with a 1-for-4 day, including a triple.

Alejandro Barraza was credited with the win by throwing two perfect innings, striking out four in relief of Juan Gonzalez. Steve Junker nearly blew the lead but held the Voyagers to two runs despite allowing four hits and an error in the eighth.

The Ghosts close the series tonight at 7:05MDT.