SB Nation - Danny Sandoval

Sunday Pebble Report: Like parent, like affiliate(s)

theoldgrizzlybear — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 04:13:23 -0000

Saturday's results:

Alan Johnson's performance would have fit in well with that of the big league club recently, as he allowed a whole bunch of traffic but somehow was able to minimize the damage. Johnson worked five innings, allowing just two runs (one earned) on three hits. However, he walked five batters and threw only 42 out of 79 pitches in the strike zone. He certainly increased his already sky high trade value by picking up yet another victory, though. The offense had a lot to do with that, as Mark Bellhorn had three hits, while Eric Young Jr. (who had a tough night on the basepaths, as he was picked off AND caught stealing) and Matt Miller each contributed two. Johnson helped his own cause by hitting a two-run single in the top of the second to give Sky Sox the lead.

Tulsa: L 7-4

Ching Lung Lo made his first appearance since being promoted from Modesto, and was greeted with five runs on as many hits in three innings. He also walked three batters. Andy Graham was unable to do his best Josh Fogg impression and limit the damage despite striking out four, as he allowed two runs on four hits in three innings of work. Darin Holcomb, Brad Corley, and Danny Sandoval had two hits apiece, and Ryan Harvey hit his 21st home run of the season for the Drillers in the losing effort.

Modesto: W 6-1

Matt Repec and Scott Beerer each homered for the Nuts, while Jason Van Kooten (2-for-4) and Warren Schaeffer (3-for-4) joined Beerer (2-for-4) in having a multi-hit game. Cory Riordan won his 10th game of the season (which seems common in the Colorado organization), throwing seven innings of one-run ball, allowing just four hits while striking out seven.

Asheville: L 8-1

While Colorado Springs had a Rockies-type game last night, Asheville closely resembled the big club's opponents as of late, as they knocked out 10 hits but were unable to turn those hits into runs. Delta Cleary and Mike Zuanich each had two hits, and every other position player not named Tyler Massey had one. All of the Tourists' hits were singles, though, which helps explain the lack of runs. Jonnathan Aristil had a rough outing, as he was knocked around for four runs (three earned) on seven hits in four innings. Two of the hits were of the high and deep variety.

Tri-City: L 6-5

Rob Scahill pitched well again (four innings, no earned runs, four strikeouts), but the defense and bullpen kept Tri-City from winning the game. Eric Frederico allowed two runs in the ninth inning, the last of which was a walkoff single, and took the loss. Ben Paulsen and Kevin Clark each had a couple of hits for the Dust Devils.

Casper: PPD (Rain)

Just like the big leagues.

Thursday Pebble Report: Christian Friedrich dominates again

Poseidon's Fist — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 13:00:13 -0000

AAA Colorado Springs, Rain Out - (59-51, 1st)

The game between the Sky Sox and Nashville Sounds (Brewers) was postponed with two outs in the bottom of the second. Nashville led 1-0 on an unearned run off of Damian Moss, thanks to a throwing error by Mike McCoy. The game will be made up tomorrow at 6:00MDT as the first game of a traditional double header.

The teams will also play tonight at 7:05MDT.

AA Tulsa, L 0-8 - (22-17, 1 GB)

Tulsa suffered an eerily similar fate to their parent club last night, getting a poor performance from their lefty as well as getting shut out at the NW Arkansas (Royals). Keith Weiser (7-11, 4.96) was tagged for 6 runs (4 earned) on 10 hits in 6.0 IP. The Drillers' offense failed to advance a runner past second the entire game, with a Mike McKenry double as the only extra base hit. Mike Paulk walked twice, and Tulsa scratched out five scattered singles from McKenry, Darin Holcomb, Danny Sandoval, Cole Garner and Rex Rundgren. The loss dropped Tulsa a game out of first place with NW Arkansas in the North Division of the Texas League.

Andy Graham (2-4, 4.95 ERA) face the Naturals' Anthony Lerew (6-6, 4.62 ERA) tonight at 6:05MDT.

High-A Modesto, W 9-8 - (20-20, 9 GB)

Christian Friedrich continues to dominate. He allowed two unearned runs to score last night in 5.2 IP, allowing three singles and striking out only 10 against the Bakersfield Blaze (Rangers). Friedrich (2-0, 1.70) struck out 11 in each of his past two outings, so he's now at 32 against 6 walks in his last three starts whileallowing just one run. In his 8 Modesto starts, he has struck out over 11 per 9, has not allowed more than two runs in any start and has a lower ERA and WHIP than at any other stop of his minor league career. If you feel like nitpicking, however, he induced zero groundballs against seven flyouts and has only made it past the sixth inning twice all season. Still, the 2008 1st-rounder will be in AA Tulsa soon. Just because I can, here's my amateur spring training video of the man again: Friedrich K's.

Despite Friedrich's great start and solid offense, the bullpen nearly blew the game though the Nuts never trailed. Sean Jarrett was lit up for four runs (2 earned) in the 7th including a HR, and Craig Baker earned his third win and second blown save by allowing two runs to score in the top of the ninth. Lars Davis drove in Maikol Gonzalez with a walkoff sac fly for the win in the ninth. It was Davis' second walkoff RBI vs the Blaze in barely a month. Gonzalez had doubled - Charlie Blackmon, Hector Gomez, Jay Cox, Michael Mitchell and Davis (twice) also laced two-baggers of their own, while Matt Repec had a HR (6) and 3 RBI.

The teams square off again tonight at 8:05 MDT.

Low-A Asheville, Rain Out - (23-13, 1st)

The Tourists' game vs the Bowling Green Hot Rods (Rays) was rained out. It will be made up as a traditional double header today, starting at 3:35 MDT.

SS A Tri-City, L 1-3 - (27-18, 1st)

The Dust Devils could only manage four hits and an unearned run in a loss to the Eugene Emeralds (Padres). Joseph Sanders doubled while Matthew Sanders, Bo Bowman and Kent Matthes singled. Tim Wheeler and Ben Paulsen were 0-4 with a K each. Rob Scahill (0-2, 4.00) pitched decently, allowing an unearned run in four innings.

Tri-City matches up at the Ems again tonight at 8:05MDT.

Rookie Casper, W 12-9 - (2-1, 1st)

The second half of the Rookie League season started Monday, and the Ghosts started it by facing the Pioneer League champion Ogden Raptors (Dodgers). After exploding for a season high 12 hits last night, Casper is technically in first place in their division after a 12-24 first half. Jared Clark hit his 7th HR already while Nolan Arenado and Eliezer Mesa hit their first professional HR. The trio each had at least two hits, as did Avery Barnes, Chandler Laurent, Angelys Nina and David Hernandez. The Ghosts crushed Dodger 3rd round pick Brett Wallach, son of MLBer Tim, for 7 runs. He got just 4 outs and gave up two round-trippers.

The bullpen defense tried to do their best to give the game away by surrendering 6 runs (only 1 earned) including a 5-run ninth. A two-out error by Dominic Altobelli in the ninth saved David Born's ERA, but he did allow two HRs. Ricardo Ferrer allowed 3 runs in 6 IP for the win.

Monday Pebble Report: Murton Breaks Springs record as hit streak moves to 29; Chacin dominates again

Rox Girl — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:19:10 -0000

Colorado Springs: W 4-2

Matt Murton broke the Colorado Springs record longest hitting streak in fine fashion with a two for four day that included a double, a homerun and three RBI. Murton's accomplishment overshadowed a solid start by Franklin Morales, who went six innings giving up just one run on four hits, although the one walk might be a bit deceiving as far as his command is concerned as he also plunked three batters. Chris Frey was the only other Sky Sox batter with multiple hits, collecting three.

Tulsa: W 4-2

Jhoulys Chacin continues to rebound after a weak start to his 2009 campaign, pitching seven plus innings and allowing just one run on five hits and a walk. The hits were mostly well struck line drives, including three doubles, but Chacin's shown an adaptability in the ways he limits damage with runners on or in scoring position, inducing GIDP's, pop-ups, strikeouts and one pick-off in those situations yesterday. The offense, meanwhile, was pretty balanced and more effective than the four runs might indicate. Six different Drillers collected two hits each, including Anthony Jackson, Danny Sandoval, Jeff Kindel, Darin Holcomb, Rex Rundgren and Michael Paulk and only Ryan Harvey was held hitless among Tulsa starters. Paulk had the Drillers only homerun, his third of the season.

Modesto: W 6-2

This win was provided by a five run first and Cory Riordan's great start to back it up. Riordan nearly got a complete game, pitching one out into the ninth and gave up two runs on eight hits while striking out six. The Nuts five runs in the first were in part thanks in part to a two run triple by Maikol Gonzalez but also in part to ineffective catching by the opponent: one passed ball, two wild pitches, and two successful stolen base attempts in the inning suggest that Lancaster isn't the Astros equivalent of catching Mecca Modesto, where Rockies catchers are sent to prevent disasters like that. Speaking of catchers, Nuts backstop Lars Davis did have an error himself, but also collected two hits.

Asheville: L 0-2

The Tourists were the only Rockies affiliate to collect an L yesterday, this T's team has been adding up plenty of them thus far this season. The Tourists were one hit by Rays prospect Nick Barnese. Beau Seabury collected that single and also walked, Jordan Pacheco was the only other Tourist to get on base with another walk. A nice, seven inning three hit performance by Dan Houston went for naught.

So what we're looking at with Asheville is a bit troubling with both offense and pitching. Asheville leads the SAL in batting average at .265, but thanks to the second fewest walks in the league, drops to tenth place when it comes to OBP at .319, meaning this team is making far more outs than it should be.

On the other end, the pitchers have given up the second most runs in the SAL. With Christian Friedrich moving up, the team is left with one above average starter in Ethan Hollingsworth, one average one in Houston, and three that haven't lived up to their potential in Parker Frazier, Robinson Fabian and Jonnathan Aristil. Frazier's still pretty young and should be able to turn things around, the other two are certainly running out of time.

Tri-City: W 12-7

I try and tell people to be aware of when the Dust Devils are playing in Boise and realize that the offensive levels of production you see there aren't going to be typical for a variety of reasons including the altitude, stadium and the fact that the Cubs tend to stock the Hawks pitching staff with some of their really young pitchers. So while Tri-City has racked up 26 runs in two days, it really doesn't tell us much so far. The Dust Devils actually have an "old" NWL team this year, and the difference will only increase when the trio of Cal State Fullerton seniors arrive, so lots of wins should be expected against inexperienced foes. For this reason it's going to take awhile to get a read on this team for prospect purposes and know when to get excited, but if they don't go around clobbering opponents like schoolyard bullies as they have in Boise, we can be disappointed.

So on to the game, nearly 27 year old Scott Beerer had three more hits and is now batting .778 (Asheville could probably use him, Rockies org). 24 year old Bo Bowman also had three more hits and is batting .600, 23 year old Orlando Sandoval had a pair of hits and is batting .500. Joe Sanders is actually a decent age for the league at 21, he also had two hits as did Matt Sanders in the romp.

Saturday Pebble Report: Matt Murton mashes the ball

Russ Oates — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 14:15:36 -0000

Colorado Springs, W 9-8 in 11 innings

Matt Murton went 3-for-5 with two homers and seven RBI. Both homers were three-run ones, but it was the second one that put the Sky Sox ahead 8-7 entering the bottom of ninth. Unfortunately, Ben Julianel allowed a run in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game. But Matt Murton came to the rescue once again by hitting into a sac fly in the top of the 11th. Julianel, who pitched the last 2 2/3 innings of the game, held on to the lead for his first victory.

Brandon Hynick surrendered five runs on eight hits and two walks in five innings. He struck out one.

Tulsa, W 1-0
Danny Sandoval's sac fly in the third was all the Drillers needed to win the game. Chaz Roe (making his first appearance since May 7) allowed three hits in five innings and struck out four. Xavier Cedeno, Austin Chambliss, and Andrew Johnston held Arkansas to three hits over the last four innings. Johnston now has 20 saves on the season.

Tulsa is now in first place.

Modesto, L 2-5
Bruce Billings allowed four of the five runs, three of the four in the sixth inning. He struck out four. Wilin Rosario went 1-for-3 with two RBI.

Asheville, W 5-3
Parker Frazier turned in a quality starting, allowing three runs on five hits in seven innings. He struck out four. Michael Marbry struck out two in the eighth inning before Adam Jorgenson allowed three hits in the ninth. With men on second and third with one out, Jorgenson struck out the last two batter for his 10th save.

Beau Seabury knocked in two runs and Scott Robinson stole his 22nd base.

Thursday Pebble Report: Springs, Tulsa and Modesto inch closer to division lead

Poseidon's Fist — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:17:45 -0000

AAA Colorado Springs, W 8-6 - (37-29, 0.5 GB)

The Sky Sox overcame another rocky start from Alan Johnson, who gave up six runs on twelve hits in five innings to the Salt Lake Bees (Angels). He has given up 5+ ER in six of his last eight starts but got the win yesterday to improve to 7-2 with a 6.21 ERA, thanks to an 8-run, 15 hit offensive attack by the Springs.

The Sky Sox version of Ben Zobrist - Mike McCoy - started in CF, finished in LF, and collected three hits and a double. Christian Colonel hit a home run (4) and Edwin Bellorin rapped three singles as every player got a hit except Mark Bellhorn.

Colorado Springs travels to Fresno to open up a four game set with the Grizzlies (Giants) tonight at 7:05 MDT.

AA Tulsa, W 11-2 - (34-30, 1.0 GB)

Tulsa drilled the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (Royals) by piling on 12 hits and 11 runs, 10 of which came in innings 5-7. Jeff Kindel homered (3) and drove in four runs, Cole Garner doubvled twice and singled, Danny Sandoval singled three times and Anthony Jackson walked four times on his 25th birthday.

Keith Weiser (5-5, 4.24) got his fifth win by allowing justone hit on three runs in six innings. With the win, Tulsa pulled one game ahead of NW Arkansas for second place and within one game of Springfield for the Texas League North Division lead with six games left to play.

Esmil Rogers (5-2, 2.82) will take his sparkly ERA to Arkansas to take on the Travelers (Angels) and Barret Browning (0-4, 3.22) tonight at 6:10 MDT.

High-A Modesto, W 6-2 - (38-28, 1.0 GB)

Connor Graham (4-3, 3.13) twirled a gem against the Stockton Ports (A's) while protecting a one run lead for most of the game, allowing no runs on four hits in 6.2 IP. Graham has quietly been the best starter on the Nuts' staff, and his 3.89 tRA suggest it isn't a fluke. He has allowed 9 runs in his past five starts, and five of them came in his previous start June 12.

The Nuts finally broke through with a five-run inning in the sixth, providing the necessary breathing room. The inning started with a Maikol Gonzalez single followed by a 2-run HR from Jay Cox (9). Matt Repec tripled and scored on a Jeffrey Cunningham single. Radames Nazario doubled him to third, then both scored on a Brian Rike double. Every Nut got a hit except Wilin Rosario, who is in a 2-for-14 slide with 6 strikeouts.

Modesto sits one game behind California League North leaders Visalia and San Jose with just four games left before the All-Star Game. They will have a good chance to be division champs as the face the CAL cellar dwelling Lancaster Jet Hawks (Astros) for four games, starting tonight at 8:05 MDT.

Low-A Asheville, L 1-5 - (25-41, 13.0 GB)

Usually, giving up four hits is a good recipe for a win, but not when you get one less than that yourselves. David Christensen singled in the first, then Delta Cleary doubled and scored on a Jordan Pacheco single in the third for a short-lived 1-0 lead against the Greenville Drive (Red Sox).

Jonnathan Aristil (0-3, 4.95) allowed all four hits and five runs in the game shortened to five innings. His fourth-inning meltdown started with a walk and Ryan Peisel error in trying to turn a double play. Aristil then gave up a single and double before retiring two men before David Mailman delivered a 2-out 3-run home run.

Parker Frazier (2-5, 5.69) will close out the 3-game set with the drive tonight in Asheville at 5:05 MDT.