SB Nation - Kenny Perez

Saturday Rockpile: Several young Rockies participating in Venezuelan League, more

theoldgrizzlybear — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 15:31:40 -0000

More photos » by David Zalubowski - AP

Jhoulys Chacin has produced mixed results in a couple of starts in the Venezuelan League.

Plenty of Rockies participating in Venezuelan League
Tracy Ringolsby posted a link to this site in InsidetheRockies.com, and I figured I'd do the same here. Chino Carvajal, who runs the site, posts daily updates for the VZL games. According to Chino, Franklin Morales, Jhoulys Chacin, Edgmer Escalona, Carlos Gonzalez, Daniel Mayora, and Kenny Perez are all representing the Rockies' organization there.

Chacin pitched yesterday and struggled through four innings, getting just 34 of 59 pitches over the plate and allowing two runs on five hits. He walked one and struck out two. In the same update, Carvajal also mentions that Morales almost surely will be used as a starting pitcher.

Buster Olney blog -- MLB -- This winter's large, lackluster free-agent market likely will be flooded with non-tenders - ESPN
In Buster Olney's mind, the biggest name that will be part of the expected abundance of non-tendered players is our own Garrett Atkins. There's no way in hell the Rockies would offer Atkins $8-10MM in arbitration, and I'm not so sure they'll find a match for him in a trade, either. Plenty other teams will make similar decisions to contribute to the overpopulation of the free-agent market, according to an unnamed veteran executive.

BaseballAmerica.com: Majors: Awards: Rookie Of The Year: 2009 All-Rookie Team
Dexter Fowler has been named to Baseball America's All-Rookie Team (although, as a right fielder). Way to go, Dex!

Saturday Pebble Report: Asheville hitters go BAM-BAM!

Russ Oates — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 13:30:51 -0000

Colorado Springs, W 4-1
Kenny Perez and Matt Miller drove in two runs each, and Mike McCoy stole his 37th base. Kurt Birkins allowed one run on a homer over five innings. The usual suspects of Moss, Rincon, Flores, and Belisle finished out the game.

Tulsa, W 3-0
In the top of the ninth, a Mike Paulk RBI single, a Daniel Carte RBI double, and a Danny Sandoval RBI single accounted for all the runs scored in this game. Ching-Lung Lo struck out four in 4 2/3 innings, and Andy Graham allowed one hit in three innings of relief.

Modesto, W 6-3
Cory Riordan turned in a gem. In picking up his 11th win, he went eight innings, allowed a run on five hits and a walk, and struck out nine. Craig Baker recorded his 32nd save. Matt Repec had a big night, going 3-for-5 with a double, a two-run homer, three RBI, and two runs scored.

Asheville, W 12-5
It was a BAM-BAM night for the middle of the Asheville lineup last night: Kiel Roling, 3-for-5 with three runs scored, a double, and four RBI; Jimmy Cesario, 2-for-5 with a double, a homer (7), and three RBI; Mike Zuanich, 2-for-5 with two homers (5) and three RBI; and Delta Cleary hit a home run (7).

Alan Deratt turned in five solid inning by striking out eight and allowing that one run on a homer. Tyler Trice allowed three runs with out recording an out, and Kurt Yacko relieved him with three men on base. Yacko allowed none of those runners to score. He went on to allow a run and strike out three in three innings.

Tri-City, L 4-7
Jeremiah Sammy, Ben Paulsen, and Bo Bowman each walked twice. Other than that, the Tri-City Herald can fill you in on the Dust Devils.

Casper, W 5-0
Kyle Hancock and Trevor Gibson combined on a seven-inning, three-hit shutout of Billings in the first game of the double header. Hancock allowed three hits and struck out three.

Jared Clark went 1-for-3 with a double and two RBI. Eliezer Mesa drove in one and stole his 11th base. Nolan Arenado did what Mesa did, driving in one and stealing a base (3).

Casper, L 0-6
And just like that, Casper is shutout in the bottom half of the double header. Nolan Arenado hit a double for one of Casper's three hits in this contest. Jonathan Vargas allowed two runs over the first four innings and Steve Junker allowed the other four in the fifth inning.

Thursday Pebble Report: Sky Sox know how to get a RISP hit, Cole Garner still raking

Poseidon's Fist — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 13:00:18 -0000

More photos » by LM Otero - AP

This guy has fallen a long way from being the guy with the nice contract and hot wife. The Sky Sox torched him for 9 runs last night.

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AAA Colorado Springs, W 13-3 - (66-58, 1st)

Contrary to their parents last night, the Sky Sox had no trouble taking advantage of run-scoring opportunities, and they faced a pitcher with a far better MLB track record than the MLB club. The Springs was 7-for-17 with RISP against the Oklahoma City RedHawks (Rangers), pounding out 9 runs in the first three innings in devouring Kris Benson. And yes, THAT Kris Benson. Every hitter except Daniel Ortmeier got a hit and an RBI, highlighted by Matt Murton's 4-for-4 night and Kenny Perez' two-hit, 3 RBI effort. Mike McCoy and Eric Young Jr each doubled and singled.

Brandon Hynick (10-7, 3.59) got his tenth win despite failing to throw a quality start for the first time in his last seven tries. He allowed three runs on eight hits and three walks in five innings. Damian Moss, Scott Munter and Ryan Speier allowed just one baserunner in the last four innings.

The RedHawks and SkySox square off again tonight at 6:05MDT in OKC.

AA Tulsa, L 6-7 - (27-23, 1.5 GB)

Shane Lindsay and Matt Reynolds combined to give the game away agaisnt the Frisco RoughRiders (Rangers) in the last two innings. Lindsay allowed two runs on no hits by walking a batter, hitter another, throwing a wild pitch and giving up a sac fly. Reynolds then came on and allowed an RBI single. After an RBI single by Jeff Kindel to tie the game in the ninth, Frisco earned a walkoff win off of Reynolds with a walk, sac bunt and single.

Cole Garner was once again the offensive hero. By extended his hitting streak to 19 games, he's back up to hitting .300. He ripped his 16th HR, laced two doubles and walked. The 24-year-old was compared to Matt Holliday by Irv Moss before the season, and he's having a much better season than Holliday did in Tulsa at 23. Of course, that means nothing, as Holliday's season was uninspiring (.395 SLG) there.. But after two injury-plagued seasons, he has cut his K rate significantly, has a little speed and has a stout .206 IsoD. He's worth a solid look in your PuRPs list. He has fairly large home/road splits, though I honestly don't know how much to make of that. Rex Rundgren was 3-for-3, and Daniel Carte and Jeff Kindel each had two hits.

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

High-A Modesto, W 5-0 - (27-25, 10.0 GB)

Ethan Hollingsworth (2-2, 4.19) backed up his first Modesto win with another strong start, going 6.2 scoreless innings, striking out eight. He has now allowed just one run in his past 14.0 IP. Joey Williamson and Xavier Cedeno shut the door convincingly on the Stockton Ports (A's) for the shutout.

Three Nuts homered. Charlie Blackmon was a triple shy of the cycle, hitting his 7th HR and 24th double in the process. Brian Rike (11) drove in two with a dinger and Jeffrey Cunningham had a solo job (7). Lars Davis drove in the other run in the first with a single.

Tonight's rubber game is at 8:05 MDT in Stockton.

Low-A Asheville, W 9-2 - (31-19, 1st)

Behind Dan Houston (7-8, 3.88), the Tourists snapped a four game losing streak to wallop the West Virginia Power (Pirates) in a game featuring nine errors, four by Asheville, two belonging to SS Carlos Martinez). Houston allowed one run in six innings, striking out six. Kiel Roling hit his 17th home run, going Barmes/Gonzalez in homering in his third straight game. Jimmy Cesario and Tyler Massey tripled, Jordan Pacheco and Scott Robinson doubled, and David Christensen walked three times and stole two bases.

Both teams retangle tonight at 5:05MDT.

SS A Tri-City, Off Day - (34-24, 1st)

The Dust Devils had an off day to travel home from Vancouver. They open a series tonight at 8:15MDT vs the Spokane Indians (Rangers).

Rookie Casper, L 2-3 (6-8, 7.5 GB)

Th Ghosts failed to complete the sweep against the Great Falls Voyagers (White Sox) in Montana. Catcher Brandon Whitby had two singles but also two errors and two strikeouts. Nolan Arenado and Jared Clark, two new draftees and potential PuRPS, each had two singles and an RBI. Arenado, who is "duck-footed and lumbers" according to this, had the Ghosts only successful stolen base in four team tries. Ricardo Ferrer (2-6, 6.80) allowed 3 runs, 2 earned in five innings, walking five.

The Ghosts will play double headers the next two days to make up for three rainouts against Billings in Casper Aug. 15 and 16. Because these rules bend in the minors, the make-up games will be in Billings instead of Casper. The first game is set to start at 5:35MDT.

Sunday Pebble Report: Good relief work all across the farm; Offense? Not so much on Saturday.

theoldgrizzlybear — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 13:00:11 -0000

Colorado Springs: L 9-5 (57-50)

Esmil Rogers got hit around a little bit again, as he allowed 4 runs on 6 hits in 5 innings. His biggest problem was his inability to get the pitcher out, as D-Backs' farmhand Tony Barnette 3-for-3 with a couple of RBI's. All remaining hope the Sky Sox had of winning this game dissipated when Matt Wilhite allowed 5 runs on 4 hits and a walk in the sixth inning. Christian Colonel had three hits and Mike McCoy knocked two of his own in the losing effort. In the "Too Little, Too Late Department," Kenny Perez hit a pinch hit two-run homer in the top of the ninth inning.

Tulsa: L 6-1 (58-47)

Ryan Harvey hit his 15th homer of the season in the seventh inning, but that was just about the only positive noteworthy event for the Drillers in this one. That, and 4.2 innings of solid scoreless relief from Matthew Reynolds, Alberto Alburquerque, and Andrew Johnston, I suppose. Each of the three aforementioned relievers possess sub-3.00 ERA's, and only Johnson's looks to be overly lucky (Alburquerque has a .196 BAA, while Reynolds is at .225). Oh, and for the record, Kurt Birkins was burned for 6 runs (4 earned) and 7 hits in 4.1 innings.

Modesto: W 9-4 (18-19 2nd half)

Jason Van Kooten went 4-for-5, and the Nuts got two hits apiece from Scott Beerer, Matt Repec, and Warren Schaeffer in the victory. Ethan Hollingsworth was less than desirable in 5.2 innings (4 runs, 7 hits, 4 K's), but the bullpen was the word of the day for Modesto, as Austin Chambliss, Sean Jarrett, and Craig Baker combined to pitch 3.1 innings of scoreless relief, giving up only 4 hits while striking out 5.

Asheville: L 7-3 in six innings (22-13 2nd half)

Kiel Roling had a couple of hits and an RBI, but that was pretty much all for the Tourists' offense. Meanwhile, Dan Houston was lit up for 7 runs on 8 hits and 3 walks in 5.2 innings.

Tri-City: W 6-4 (25-17)

Jeremiah Sammy had two hits for the Dust Devils, and Kent Matthes hit a bases-clearing double in the bottom of the 2nd to give Tri-City the lead for good. As is the case with a couple of the other games, the relief pitching was excellent in this game. Kyle Walker, Rod Scurry, and Charles Ruiz combined for 6 shutout innings out of the bullpen following a shaky start by Carlos Luna in which he walked 3 and gave up 4 hits and 4 runs in 3 frames.

Casper: L 10-2 (11-24)

Orem threw 17 hits up on the board at the expense of the Ghosts, with the biggest Casper offenders being Juan Gonzalez (4.1 IP, 5 ER, 9 H, 2 BB) and Leuris Gomez (2 IP, 4 ER, 5 H, 2 BB). On the positive side of things, Nolan Arenado and Dominic Altobelli each had two hits and an RBI.

Friday Pebble Report: Buster Posey can't hit Greg Smith's 88 mph FB, Joe Table's nephew putting on the hits with Casper,

Rox Girl — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:52:00 -0000

Colorado Springs: L 6-7

I guess the thing to look at in last night's box score was the work of the MLB experienced pitchers that may help the Rockies later. Greg Smith had a decent start, Jason Hirsh struggled in his second relief appearance of the season, and Ryan Speier pitched well. Smith's performance along with that of Brandon Hynick with the Sky Sox thus far is decent to keep in the back of your head in case an injury bug hits our rotation. These guys aren't going to meet the level of our current starters at their best, but they aren't going to damage us terribly at the bottom end. The other good news from this game was despite the loss, our pitchers made Buster Posey look bad in his AAA debut:

Fresno Top 1st

Buster Posey grounds out like a weak four year old girl, shortstop Mike McCoy to first baseman Edwin Bellorin.

Fresno Top 4th

Buster Posey grounds out, third baseman Kenny Perez to first baseman Edwin Bellorin and starts crying. Buster Posey moves to time out on the play.

Fresno Top 6th

Buster Posey out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Daniel Ortmeier. Eugenio Velez scores. Buster Posey given lollipop and pat on head by Grizzlies manager.

Fresno Top 8th

Buster Posey grounds out, shortstop Mike McCoy to first baseman Edwin Bellorin. Right side of Sky Sox infield gets jealous.

Fresno Top 10th

Buster Posey merely flies out to center fielder Chris Frey in Colorado Springs, where even Kenny Perez can hit dingerz.

Well, that's how I read it anyway. Demoralizing the enemy at the minor league level probably doesn't help us win the wild card, but it makes me feel happy.

Tulsa: Postponed

Modesto: W 3-1

Connor Graham continues to be just good enough to be a legit prospect right outside the elites of the Rockies system, but not good enough to get into that next level. At this point given his age, his stuff and the starting depth that the Rockies already have, I have to think his role with the MLB team in two or three seasons will be in relief, and he's going to be good at it.

Charlie Blackmon had three hits and a walk to once again lead the Nuts offense. Rhadames Nazario also pitched in two hits.

Asheville: L 2-7

Kiel Roling had two hits including a double and Tyler Massey also had a pair of hits. Ethan Hollingsworth had one of his least efficient starts of the season, but still managed to put up some pretty impressive numbers, striking out ten while walking two. He gave up three runs on seven hits in five and two thirds innings.

Tri-City: W 3-2

Rod Scurry got one of those wins that detractors of the stat point to as a reason it's fundamentally flawed, as Scurry gave up the most runs of any Dust Devil pitcher to throw last night (2), in the least amount of time (one third of an inning), but because the offense rallied to save his tail in the next inning, he got the W rather than Sheng An Kuo, who allowed zero runs in five and two thirds or one of the other relievers. Speaking of those other relievers, we haven't talked about Kyle Walker much this season, but he is showing some nascent lefty specialist skills. Walker threw 1.2 innings last night in the win. On offense, Ben Paulsen, Orlando Sandoval and Jeremiah Sammy each had two hits.

Casper: W 8-1

Eliezer Mesa had a 4 for 5 night for the Ghosts, he has ten hits in his last four games and is now seven hits ahead of Angelys Nina for tops on the team. Trying to figure out how Mesa measures as a prospect, if at all, is kind of difficult. The obvious cons:

He's repeating the level
He doesn't walk
He doesn't hit for power (4 out of 27 hits for extra bases in an easy power environment)
He doesn't steal enough for a speedster
When he signed, we were told he may wind up in a corner, which makes cons one through four worse.

Honestly, this should be enough to write him off, and it's why we don't really talk about him much in our Pebble Reports. However, it's not quite that simple as there are reasons not to totally dismiss him just yet.

The pros:

Still at least somewhat young (21 in November)
Pro bloodlines. Don't discount this as an X-factor as a familial professional resource has helped several otherwise midgrade prospects hone their skills to the point that they actually deserved MLB jobs. EY2 would be a prime example.
He gets hits. Contact is king at the lower levels and Mesa isn't striking out very much, particularly lately. If you subscribe to the theory that power develops late, why not keep him around and see what happens?
He's playing center field right now and playing it pretty decently.

Chances are he stays what he is as another decent average, no power outfielder that will have difficulty cracking a AAA squad let alone an MLB team. There's little chance he cracks our top 30 prospect list anytime soon, but that doesn't mean we're completely ignoring him. Mesa's in a look but don't touch phase of development, still just an egg.

Saturday Pebble Report: Jhoulys Chacin handles Frisco easily

Russ Oates — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 13:59:02 -0000

Colorado Springs, L 7-9: Kenny Perez hit a two-run homer in the ninth as part of his 2-for-5, 4 RBI night. Eric Young Jr. and Mike McCoy each drove in a run and combined to steal three bases. EY now has 35 after two more steal and Mike McCoy is at 19. Franklin Morales went 3 1/3 innings and allowed a run on two hits and three walks. He struck out five.

Tulsa, W 4-2: Jhoulys Chacin turned a strong performance last night, allowing a run on a solo homer in six innings. Outside of the homer, he allowed three other hits, walked two, and struck out seven. His GO-FO was 10-2. Xavier Cedeno, Austin Chambliss, and Andrew Johnton held Frisco to one run and one hit over the last three innings of the game. Daniel Carte (3) and Darin Holcomb (2) hit solo home runs on the way to victory.

Modesto, L 0-3: Cory Riordan allowed two runs (one earned) in eight innings. The Nuts offense was held to two hits, both by Maikol Gonzalez. However, Radames Nazario did walk three times. Nuts batters struck out 13 times.

Asheville, L 4-5: Dan Houston saw four runs (two earned) cross home plate over seven innings and had a 14-3 GO-FO. David Christensen went 1-for-4 with his ninth homer (a solo shot) and two RBI.

Friday Pebble Report: Bats break out in C. Springs and Modesto, Durden extends scoreless inning streak

Rox Girl — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 15:26:32 -0000

More photos » by Ed Andrieski - AP

Chris Iannetta's rehab is going smoothly, as the catcher doubled and singled in a Sky Sox romp yesterday.

Browse more photos »

Colorado Springs (32-21, 1st): W 16-8

Matt Miller and Kenny Perez led the Sky Sox offensive explosion combining for seven hits and seven RBI, each tripled, Perez also added a double. The only Sky Sox starter not to get a hit was lead off hitter Eric Young Jr., who walked three times and stole his 33rd base of the season. Young is batting .405/.500/.643 over his last ten games, with more walks (8) and stolen bases (9), than strikeouts (7). The massive caveat is that those ten games have all been at either Security Service Field or Albuquerque's Isotopes Park, but he's looking like he's either really close or even ready for the next step right now if the Rockies can figure out how to open up a roster spot. Chris Iannetta had two hits in his rehab assignment. Jason Hirsh allowed five runs in four innings.

Tulsa (28-23, 1 GB): W 1-0

Brandon Durden hasn't allowed a run in his twelve innings of work since being promoted to the Drillers, the lack of strikeouts (3) and a groundball rate that's decent but not great is suggesting that this streak is more mirage than legit, but it's definitely coming in useful for the Drillers, who are having troubles mustering much offense of their own lately. Tulsa's 213 runs are second fewest in the league, only four over Arkansas. That the Drillers have allowed 232 suggests that the winning record is a bit of a fluke, but we'll take it. Tulsa won yesterday via a tenth inning bases loaded walk to Michael Paulk off of Jose Diaz, scoring Anthony Jackson. Jackson was one of two walks given up by losing pitcher Pedro Strop (he's still stuck in AA, apparently, so it hasn't turned out to be a huge loss for the Rockies so far) and then two more by Diaz led to the only run of the game scored by either team.

Modesto: W 11-2

Jeff Cunningham finished a home run short of the cycle, but impressively managed two triples instead to go along with his walk and double. He drove in four of the Nuts runs, and scored three of them. Christian Friedrich pitched impressively for six innings, allowing just two runs on six hits and two walks and struck out seven, but didn't pick up the win as the Nuts saved most of their scoring for a eight run seventh inning after he had already left. The win instead went to Joey Williamson, who has to be about the most opportunistic pitcher I've ever seen.

Call it luck of the Irish (the Notre Dame variety, that is), but Williamson is still undefeated, 16-0, in his minor league career after picking up his seventh win against no losses for Modesto this year. That's a pretty incredible run there, but it should also show that he a knack for limiting damage and keeping his teams in the baseball game, which is part of the reason why I don't discount him as a potential MLB player despite his minor league middle reliever status.

Asheville: L 3-5

Juan Nicasio was a tough luck loser after pitching five innings, allowing just one unearned run on five hits while striking out seven, but the Tourists offense had trouble finding their footing and a ninth inning meltdown by Adam Jorgensen cost the team a potential win at Greenville. David Mailman (really, that's his name) express delivered the deciding blow with a grand slam after Jorgenson gave up a double, a strikeout wild pitch and a walk to load the bases with no one out.

Saturday Pebble Report:

Russ Oates — Sat, 09 May 2009 13:39:02 -0000

Colorado Springs, W 5-3: Sal Fasano knocked in three of the five runs, including the go-ahead run on a sac fly in the top of the ninth. Kenny Perez walked four times and Eric Young, Jr. stole his 19th base. Jason Hirsh went 6 1/3 innings, allowed two runs, walked two, and struck out six.

Tulsa, W 4-3: Daniel Carte received a gold star for his performance last night. He hit a three-run homer in the second inning to put the Drillers up 3-0. Come the eighth inning, the game was tied at three, but don't fear! Daniel Carte came to bat. Carte had an RBI single to put the Drillers ahead 4-3.

Jhoulys Chacin allowed three runs (two earned) in six innings. He walked two, struck out five, and had a 10-2 GO-FO. Austin Chambliss (who picked up the win and struck out two) and Tommy Baumgardner (who recorded the save) held Arkansas hitless over the last three innings of the game. Chambliss, we should note, made his Texas League debut in this game, having been promoted to replace Adam Bright (who went on the DL).

The Tulsa World reports that Jeff Kindel missed the game to attend his grandmother's funeral, Cole Garner did not play due to flu-like symptoms, and Chris Nelson left the game in the fifth after a tag to his head.

Modesto, W 9-5: Cory Riordan allowed three runs on seven hits in six innings of work. He walked two and struck out five. Joey Williamson picked up a three-inning save after allowing two runs (one earned) and striking out five.

Brian Rike fell a home run short of the cycle, drove in three runs, and stole a base (4); Radames Nazario collected three hits and an RBI; Jay Cox had a triple; and Jeff Cunningham had two hits and an RBI.

Asheville, L 1-2 in 10 innings: Charleston scored in the eighth, David Christensen tied the game in the ninth on a single, and in the 10th Charleston won the game. Scott Robinson, Jordan Pacheco, Kiel Roling, and Tyler Massey each had two hits. Jimmy Cesario hit his 10th double.

Ethan Hollingsworth threw 6 2/3 innings of shutout baseball, striking five along the way. He scattered seven hits.

Saturday Pebble Report: Free Matt Murton!

Russ Oates — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 14:11:48 -0000

Colorado Springs, W 13-3: Every starter for the Sky Sox had at least one hit, and even the pitcher had two hits and an RBI. Carlos Gonzalez (2-for-4) had the only homer in the Sky Sox's offensive outurst, a two-run blast. Eric Young, Jr. went 2-for-5 with three runs scored, an RBI, and two stolen bases (11). Matt Murton had an RBI single and a stolen base (5); Dan Ortmeier drove in two; Matt Miller had two hits; Kenny Perez went 3-for-3 but was the only starter not to drive in a run; :-C drove in two runs; and Jonathan Herrera knocked in three runs.

Alan Johnson allowed three runs on three walks and three hits in six innings. He struck out four. Two of the three runs came on a two-run homer in the sixth inning.

Tulsa, L 5-6: In the top of the ninth inning, a throwing error allowed Daniel Mayora to score and tie the game at five. Andrew Johnston came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth and surrendered the game-winning homer to Brett Wallace.

Esmil Rogers was outstanding last night, throwing six shutout innings,allowing five hits and striking out six. Tommy Baumgardner came in to pitch the seventh, allowed three men to reach base on two hits and a walk without recording an out. Shane Lindsay relieved him and allowed all three runners to score. He then allowed two more runs to score, finishing the night with an inning pitched and two earned runs. He walked two batters.

On the offensive sid of things, Michael McKenry had a solo homer (2) and Chris Nelson had a two-run double. Michael Paulk walked three times but never crossed the plate. Anthony Jackson stole two bases (5) and Cole Garner swiped his first of the season.

Modesto, W 9-3: Brandon Durden has done a great job since returning to the starting rotation, having been a reliever for some time. Durden threw more of that sweet six shutout innings of baseball. He allowed three hits, walked two, and struck out five. Showing his ability to get the ground ball, he had an 8-4 GO-FO. Edgmer Escalona and Matthew Reynolds allowed the three runs.

Charlie Blackmon went 2-for-5 with two RBI from leadoff position, and Wilin Rosario had the big night offensively, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored, a double, and three RBI. Brian Rike went 0-for-3 with 3 K.

Asheville, L 4-5 in 11 innings: Christian Friedrich continued his trip through the Sally League with another good performance. While he did throw six innings of baseball, he allowed an unearned run on four hits and a two walks. He struck out seven and had an 8-3 GO-FO. Jonnthan Aristil had all kinds of trouble in relief, as he allowed three runs over four innings on three hits and three walks. Adam Jorgenson went the last 1 2/3 innings of the game, allowing a walk, a balk, a walk, and then a single to lose the game with two outs in the bottom of the 11th.

David Christensen went 2-for-4 with his second homer of the season. And he didn't strike out. In fact, he drew a walk and stole a base (5). Jordan Pacheco also went 2-for-4 with a homer, his fourth.

Saturday Pebble Report: Opposing batters able to hit in the Fogg

Russ Oates — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 14:04:15 -0000

Colorado Springs, W 5-4 (2-0): In 4 1/3 innings, Josh Fogg didn't do terribly, but he didn't do that great, either. He allowed three runs on eight hits. Scott Munter picked up with win after pitching the next 2 2/3 innings flawlessly. Steven Register picked up the save.

The Sky Sox did the majority of their damage in the first inning. Mike McCoy, 3-for-3 with two doubles, led the game off with a double and eventually scored on a play that saw Jonathan Herrera lay down a sac bunt and make it safely to second after a throwing error by the catcher. Herrera touched home on a Matt Murton RBI ground out, and Christian Colonel drove in Carlos Gonzalez, who reached on a walk, to finish the scoring that inning. Gonzalez came back in the fifth with his own RBI, a ground out that scored McCoy. Edwin Bellorin drove in Kenny Perez in the sixth.

Tulsa, W 4-2 (1-1): One, the number of home runs Anthony Jackson hit in 2008 with the Modesto Nuts. Two, the number of home runs Anthony Jackson hit last night in Tulsa's win. Jackson began the game with a first-pitch leadoff solo homer and then came back in the fifth with a two-run shot. Cole Garner drove in his first RBI of the season in the sixth with a single to score Jeff Kindel. Chris Nelson struck out twice, had a hit, and stole a base.

The pitching was outstanding last night. Samuel Deduno picked up the win after pitching six scoreless innings. He limited Corpus Christi to three hits, struck out six batters, and had a 9-3 GO-FO. Shane Lindsay pitched two scoreless innings and struck out two. Well, the pitching was outstanding until the ninth. Andrew Johnston pitched the ninth and allowed two runs. He also hit two batters.

Modesto, W 7-5, W 6-5 (2-0): In the first game, Connor Graham picked up his first win of the 2009 season by pitching five innings of four-hit, one-run ball. He walked two, struck out four, and had a 8-3 GO-FO. Austin Chambliss ran into some problems in the seventh, allowing four runs that inning. Edgmer Escalona relieved him with two men on and recorded two outs. Craig Baker allowed a a two-run single (runs charged to Chambliss) and threw a wild pitch, but then struck out the next batter to pick up his first save.

Matt Repec,1B, and Jason Van Kooten, 2B, both repeating Modesto, lead the offense with two RBI each. Charlie Blackmon had a single, an RBI, and scored twice. One of those runs scored by Blackmon came on a Brian Rike RBI ground out. Rike went 0-for-3 with a walk and strikeout.

In the second game, the pitching struggled a bit. Kenny Durst started and allowed three runs in three innings. He did strike out five but also walked three. Joey Williamson pitched the next three innings and allowed two runs on three hits. He struck out three. Four of the five runs came in the fourth inning when Williamson relieved Durst. Matthew Reynolds struck out one on his way to his first save.

The Nuts had a four-run second inning, which included a Radames Nazario RBI single, a Mike Mitchell RBI single, and a two run single by Charlie Blackmon. Mitchell, who wound up driving in three runs, and Blackmon each stole their first base of the season.

Brian VanderBeek reports that the crowd for the double header was disappointing due to what must be bad weather out in California.

Asheville (1-0): The game was postoponed due to rain.