SB Nation User Blog: steve S

minor lines, 7/5/09

steve S — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 05:34:44 -0000

Highlights from the Giants' farm: (a) Mike McBryde had four hits, including three doubles; (b) Brian Bocock also had four hits, including a double; and (c) Tyler LaTorre also reached base four times. On the pitching side, honorable mention goes to Paul Oseguera and Aaron King, who both had solid starts. On the prospect front, Tim Alderson had a quality start with 3 ER in 6.0 IP.

AAA: Fresno lost to Las Vegas 5-4

Fresno: 2B Emmanuel Burriss: 0 for 0, BB, E
Fresno: SS Kevin Frandsen: 2 for 4
Fresno: RF-2B Matt Downs: 2 for 4, 2B, E
Las Vegas: 2B Joe Inglett: 2 for 3, BB, SB

Fresno: RHP Joe Martinez: 5.0+ IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 1 K--1 HR
Fresno: LHP Alex Hinshaw: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 K

The Grizzlies' middle infielders did a good job of reaching base, combining for four of the team's nine hits and drawing their only walk. On the down side, Frandsen and Downs committed their 14th and 11th errors respectively. Burriss led off the bottom of the 1st inning with a walk and after going from first to third on Frandsen's single was immediately replaced by a pinch runner. Inglett, one of the middle infielders for the Blue Jays' affiliate, had another strong game. He has reached base in eight of his ten plate appearances this series.

Martinez made his fourth rehab appearance. He allowed just 2 ER through five innings but then failed to retire any of the four batters he faced in the 6th inning. Hinshaw stranded both runners he inherited from Martinez. Hinshaw actually threw a greater percentage of his pitches for strikes (nearly two thirds, 23 for 35) than Martinez did, as Martinez threw just 41 of 72 pitches for strikes.

AA: Connecticut defeated Reading 12-5
(after the game was tied 3-3 heading into the 7th inning)

Connecticut: CF Mike McBryde: 4 for 5, 3 2B, SB
Connecticut: C Tyler LaTorre: 2 for 3, 2 BB, SB

Connecticut: RHP Tim Alderson: 6.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 K--2 HR
Connecticut: LHP Ben Snyder: 2.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K

McBryde had four of the Defenders' fourteen hits, raising his AVG to just shy of .300. It seems odd to say this late in the season, but today McBryde doubled the number of doubles he has had in 36 Eastern League games. LaTorre also reached base four times, further raising his OBP to .395 through 109 AB. McBryde and LaTorre each had one of the Defenders' six steals today.

After pitching less than six full innings in three of his last four starts, Alderson had the quality start, despite allowing two big flies. He had allowed just 2 HRs in his previous nine starts in the upper minors. His ERA rose to 2.59. With 2 ER, Snyder saw his ERA rise back above 2.00. After a 0/5 GO/FO line today, his GO/AO ratio for the season is 0.68.

A+: San Jose defeated Modesto 11-1
(breaking the game open with seven runs in the 6th inning)

San Jose: SS Brian Bocock: 4 for 4, 2B, SO, E
San Jose: LF Thomas Neal: 1 for 4, 2B
San Jose: 2B Skyler Strosmoe: 1 for 3, 3B, BB
Modesto: CF Charlie Blackmon: 1 for 3, HR, HBP, SB

San Jose; LHP Paul Oseguera: 6.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 8 K--1 HR, 1 HB
San Jose: RHP Steven Edlefsen: 1.0 IP, 2 K

Bocock had four of the Giants' nine hits. Bocock, Neal, and Strosmoe each had one of the Giants' three XBHs, and each of them 3 RBIs. The Rockies' Blackmon had another good game against the Giants, this time with his 3rd HR and 19th SB.

Oseguera's fifth start with San Jose was his best yet, a definite turn around from his last start in which he fell short of pitching five full innings. With 8 K, he struck out a third of the 24 batters he faced. Edlefsen had 2 K in a perfect 8th inning. In nineteen Cal League appearances, he has 15 H, 10 BB, and 38 K in 27.0 IP with a 1.00 ERA. Perhaps he is ready for another shot at the upper minors.

A-: Augusta defeated Bowling Green 4-3 (7 innings) in game 1

Augusta: 3B Charlie Culberson: 2 for 2, SF, E
Bowling Green: SS Tim Beckham: 0 for 3, SO, PO, E

Augusta: RHP Mike Loree: 6.0+ IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 1 K--1 HR, 1 PO
Augusta: RHP Edwin Quirarte: 1.0 IP, 1 H

With hits in both at bats, Culberson raised his AVG to .250. He also committed his 27th error in 76 games. That is one less error than the Ray's Beckham, the top overall pick a year, has.

Loree allowed just one run through six innings but failed to retired either batter he faced in the 7th inning. With just 1 K in each of his last two starts, his K/IP has fallen below 0.50. Plus, he tends to be a flyball pitcher, with a 4/12 GO/FO line today and a 0.88 GO/AO ratio for the season. The win evened his W-L record at 5-5 with a 4.03 ERA. Quirarte allowed two of three inherited runners to score but was credited with his 4th save.

A-: Augusta defeated Bowling Green 3-1 (7 innings) in game 2

Augusta: CF Dom Duggan: 3 for 4, 2B, CS
Augusta: 1B Mike Loberg: 1 for 2, 2 BB
Augusta: SS Ehire Adrianza: 2 for 3, 2B
Bowling Green: SS Tim Beckham: 2 for 3

Augusta: LHP Aaron King: 5.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K--1 HB, 1 WP
Augusta: RHP Kyle Woodruff: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 K

Batting leadoff, Duggan had three hits, including his 7th double, but his AVG remains just shy of .250. Loberg also reached base three times, but his OBP remains below .300. Adrianza had what has been for him a somewhat rare multi-hit line. He has had eleven hits in his ten games since the all-star break, though, to improve his season line to .267/.339/.351 through 225 AB. In the nightcap, Beckham had two of the Hot Rods' three hits.

King followed up his longest start of the year with another solid performance, this time allowing less than 2 ER for the first time since May. For the season, he now has a 4.37 ERA through thirteen starts. Woodruff faced the minimum five batters to finish the game and earn his first pro save (in his 26th pro appearance).

ssA: Salem-Keizer defeated Tri-City 6-5 (10 innings)

Salem-Keizer: CF Francisco Peguero: 3 for 5, 3B
Salem-Keizer: DH C.J. Ziegler: 2 for 3, 2B, 2 BB
Salem-Keizer: 3B Andrew Biery: 3 for 5

Salem-Keizer: RHP Orlando Yntema: 6.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K--1 HR

Occupying the heart of the Volcanoes batting lineup, batting third through fifth, Peguero, Ziegler, and Biery combined for eight of the Volcanoes' thirteen hits, both of their XBHs, and two of their four walks. They all have an AVG of at least .350 now through the first half month of NWL action.

Yntema had another effective start fo the Volcanoes. The 23-year-old has a 2.78 ERA through four starts and has pitched into the 6th inning in each of his last three starts.

R: Giants lost to Mariners 9-5

Scottsdale: CF Evan Crawford: 3 for 5, 2B, SB
Scottsdale: 1B Chris Dominguez: 1 for 4, HR, SO
Scottsdale: 1B Jonathan White: 2 for 4, 3B, 2B

Scottsdale: RHP Bryan Salsbury: 3.0 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
Scottsdale: RHP Chris Heston: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 2 K

Crawford (9th rounder) and White (40th rounder) both had multi-hit lines for the rookie Giants. Dominguez (3rd rounder) had his first pro HR.

Salsbury (14th rounder) made his first pro start after two relief appearances. Heston (12th rounder) gave up the large crooked number in his second pro appearance.

DSL: The Gigantes had their usual Sunday off-day

minor lines, 7/4/09

steve S — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 19:37:33 -0000

Once again, the highlights from the Giants' farm seem to be taking a holiday, but I'll mention these three: (a) Brett Pill homered and doubled; (b) Bustery Posey had two hits, including a double, while playing his first game behind the plate in over a week; and (c) Rafael Rodriguez reached base three times while having his first multi-hit game.

AAA: Fresno lost to Las Vegas 14-5
(after giving up six runs in 1st inning)

Fresno: CF Eugenio Velez: 3 for 5
Las Vegas: 2B Joe Inglett: 5 for 6, HR, 2B
Las Vegas: LF Randy Ruiz: 3 for 6, HR, 2B, SO
Las Vegas: 1B Brett Harper: 2 for 5, HR, SF

Fresno: RHP Matt Kinney: 0.2 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 1 BB, 1 K--2 HR
Fresno: LHP Alex Hinshaw: 1.0 IP, 2 K
Fresno: RHP Osiris Matos: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER--1 WP
Las Begas: LHP Brian Burres: 7.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 5 K--2 HB

With three hits, Velez has had at least one hit in each of his last ten games, which has raised his AVG to .293. The Blue Jay's Inglett, who spent most of last year in the majors but has spent most of this year in the minors, had a big game with five hits, raising his AVG to .351. The five hits included his 1st HR and 6th double. Ruiz and Harper, who both spent a bit of time in the Giants' organization, also homered, Ruiz for his 16th HR and Harper for his 12th HR.

After the nine-inning complete-game in his previous start, Kinney was unable to get out of the 1st inning of this start, retiring just two of the ten batters he faced. Hishaw pitched a perfect 6th inning, with 7 of 10 pitches for strikes. In the 7th inning, Matos allowed the 51's their only run over the last four innings, which raised his ERA to 3.60. Burres, the former Giants farmhand, got the win to even his W-L record at 6-6 in fourteen starts. He actually has a better ERA at home than on the road this year, so maybe his 4.91 ERA is a decent reflection on his abilities despite the difficult pitching environment in Las Vegas.

AA: Connecticut lost to Reading 7-5

Connecticut: CF Mike McBryde: 2 for 4, 2B
Connecticut: 1B Brett Pill: 2 for 4, HR, 2B
Connecticut: C Jackson Williams: 1 for 2, BB

Connecticut: RHP Daryl Maday: 5.0 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 3 BB, 5 K
Reading: LHP Joe Savery: 7.0+ IP, 10 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 4 K--1 HR

Pill had a big game with his 9th HR and organization-leading 27th double. After slugging better than .600 in June, he has raised his season SLG to over .500. McBryde was one of two other Defenders with two hits, including his 3rd double. His SLG remains below .400. Williams reached base in two of three plate appearances, but his OBP remains just .314.

Maday allowed a season-high 10 H and matched a season high with 6 ER, raising his BAA to .275 and his ERA to 4.09. Savery, whom the Phillies' drafted out of Rice a couple years ago, also allowed a season-high 10 H and 5 ER, but he improved his W-L record to 11-1 through seventeen starts with a 3.34 ERA as he attempts to reclaim a spot being considered among the Phillies' top ten prospects after failing to impress scouts a year ago.

A+: San Jose lost to Modesto 5-4
(after allowing four runs in the 1st inning)

San Jose: DH Tyler Graham: 0 for 5, 3 SO
San Jose: SS Brian Bocock: 2 for 4, E
San Jose: LF Thomas Neal: 1 for 2, 2 BB
San Jose: C Buster Posey: 2 for 4, 2B, SO
San Jose: RF Roger Kieschnick: 1 for 3, 3B, BB
Modesto: CF Charlie Blackmon: 3 for 4, BB

San Jose: LHP Clayton Tanner: 5.1 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 4 K--1 HR

Posey, who played his first game behind the plate in over a week, and Bocock each had two of the Giants eight hits. Neal reached base three times. The Giants' only XBHs were Posey's 21st double and Kieschnick's 6th triple. Graham had the oh-fer with the hat trick, raising his SO/AB ratio over 22%. Blackmon, whom BA rated as the Rockies' #10 prospect to begin the season, reached base four times, which improved his season line to .303/.372/.397 through 310 AB.

Tanner, who has faced Modesto in five of his last eight starts, had the rough 1st inning but then didn't allow another run until the 6th inning. He finished the day with his ERA at 3.57. The 5 ER was the most he had allowed in his last seven starts.

A-: Augusta at Bowling Green was postponed by rain
(A makeup doubleheader is scheduled for today.)

ssA: Salem-Keizer defeated Tri-City 4-3
(scoring the winning run in the bottom of the 9th inning)

Salem-Keizer: SS Ryan Cavan: 0 for 1, 3 BB, CS
Salem-Keizer: 1B C.J. Ziegler: 2 for 3, 2 2B, HBP
Salem-Keizer: 3B Andrew Biery: 2 for 4, 2B
Tri-City: CF Tim Wheeler: 1 for 3, BB, SB

Salem-Keizer: RHP Jose Valdez: 6.0 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 K--1 HR, 1 BK
Salem-Keizer: LHP David Quinowski: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 3 K

Ziegler and Biery combined for four of the Volcanoes' six hits and all three of their XBHs. Batting leadoff, Cavan reached base three times via the walk. For the Rockies' affiliate, Wheeler, their first round draft pick this year out of Sacramento State, reaching base twice while batting leadoff.

Valdez didn't seem to have the control issues that he had in his previos start. He more than surpassed his strikeout total from this previous two starts. Pitching for the first time in a week, Quinowski struck out three of the eight batters he faced in his fourth appearance this year.

R: Giants defeated Royals 9-2

Scottsdale: 1B Chris Dominguez: 2 for 3, 2B, BB
Scottsdale: DH Rafael Rodriguez: 2 for 3, BB

Scottsdale: RHP Aaron Davidson: 4.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
Scottsdale: RHP Craig Westcott: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 4 K--1 WP

Dominguez and Rodrigurez, probably the two best prospects currently on the Scottsdale roster, each had two of the rookie Giants' nine hits. Playing in his fourth pro game, Dominguez had his first pro XBH. Rodriguez, playing in his fifth pro game, had his first multi-hit line but is still looking for his first pro XBH.

Davidson bounced back from his last start (6 ER in 2.0 IP) with this solid effort in his third pro start, getting his ERA back to 9.00. Westcott (30th rounder) pitched the longest of the five relievers used, and he had 4 K in his pro debut.

DSL: Giants defeated Rays 9-7

Dominican: 2B Carlos Willoughby: 2 for 4, BB, 2 SB
Dominican: RHP Armando Paniagua: 4.1 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 K--1 HR, 2 HB, 1 WP

Willoughby (20.8 y.o.) had his fourth straight game of reaching base at least three times, raising his OBP to .475. He also now has a 21/4 SB/CS line. Through six starts this year Paniagua (19.6 y.o.) has yet to allowed more than 2 ER. He has a 5.00 K/BB ratio too as this was his first start alloing more than one walk.

minor lines, 7/3/09

steve S — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 06:51:24 -0000

Not a good day for highlights on the Giants' farm. Maybe they were taking a holiday. The best highlight from the top three affiliates is (a) Sharlon Schoop having three hits, albeit all singles. Augusta had more highlight-worthy performances with (b,c) Charlie Culberson and James Simmons each having three hits, with Culberson also having a walk and Simmons' having his 2nd HR. Also for Augusta, (d) Ari Ronick had a very good start with a season-high 9 K.

AAA: Fresno lost to Sacramento 3-1

Fresno: SS Kevin Frandsen: 1 for 3, BB, GiDP, E
Fresno: DH Jesus Guzman: 1 for 2, 2 BB, CS
Sacramento: LHP Daric Barton: 1 for 4, HR, 2 SO

Fresno: LHP Steve Hammond: 5.0 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 4 K--1 HR
Fresno: RHP Ronnie Ray: 3.0 IP, 2 H
Sacramento: LHP Dana Eveland: 5.0+ IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 5 BB, 4 K--1 HB

Guzman reached base three times, raising his OBP back above .370. Frandsen was the only other Grizzly to reach base twice. He also committed his 13th error. The Athletics ' Barton had his second HR of the three-game series.

Hammond began with four scoreless innings but allowed three runs in the 5th inning, dropping his W-L record to 4-8. Ray faced the minimum in three scoreless innings, improving his ERA to 3.51. Twice the Grizzlies had the bases loaded and no outs against Eveland, but neither time could they subsequently score a run. Eveland improved his W-L record to 7-1 after twelve starts with a 3.49 ERA.

AA: Connecticut lost to Harrisburg 9-2

Connecticut: 2B Sharlon Schoop: 3 for 4, GiDP, SB
Connecticut: RF Eddy Martinez-Esteve: 2 for 4, 2B

Connecticut: LHP Jesse English: 6.0 IP, 7 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 3 BB, 5 K--2 HR

Schoop and EME combined for five the Defenders' nine hits, raising their respective AVGs to .266 and .320. Schoop has been streaky, hitting .348 in May and hten just .170 in June. EME's 21st double was their only XBH.

After having perhaps his best start of the season six days ago, English got hit hard in this start, inflating his ERA to 3.90. His BB/IP continues to be above 0.50.

A+: San Jose lost to Stockton 6-2

San Jose: RF Tyler Graham: 1 for 3, BB, SB
San Jose: DH Buster Posey: 0 for 2, 2 BB, SO
San Jose: 1B Angel Villalona: 0 for 4, 2 SO
Stockton: CF Grant Desme: 2 for 3, HR, BB, SO, 3 SB

San Jose: RHP Oliver Odle: 5.2 IP, 10 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 5 K--2 HR
San Jose: RHP Craig Whitaker: 2.1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 5 BB, 3 K--1 WP

The Giants' offense was limited to just two singles, four walks, and a stolen base. Reaching base twice each, Graham and Posey accounted for most of that. Graham had his 19th SB. Posey now has more walks than strikeouts this year (41 BB and 40 SO among 254 AB). Villalona continues to have issues making contact, as he has had multiple strikeouts in five of his last eight games. Desme, whom the Athletics selected 74th overall two years ago, had a big game, connecting in the 1st inning for his 3rd HR in nine Cal League games. He also had his first 3 SB in the Cal League.

Odle now has a 2-7 W-L record with an ERA over 6.25 in the eleven games he has started this year. With the all-star break, this was his first start in nearly two weeks. Whitaker continues to have some control issues, and tonight things were worse than normal with a season-high 5 BB.

A-: Augusta defeated Lexington 9-2

Augusta: 3B Charlie Culberson: 3 for 4, BB, SO
Augusta: RF James Simmons: 3 for 5, HR, 2 SO
Lexington: CF Jay Austin: 3 for 5

Augusta: LHP Ari Ronick: 6.2 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 9 K--1 WP
Augusta: RHP Chris Wilson: 2.1 IP, 1 H, 2 K

Culberson and Simmons each had three of the GreenJackets' fourteen hits, raising their AVGs to .245 and .263. Simmons had his 2nd HR; he had 5 HRs a year ago. Astros' prospect Austin also had three hits, which improved his AVG to .267.

Ronick had six shutout innings, facing just four batters over the minimum, before yielding two runs in the 7th inning. He had a season-high (career-high too?) 9 K. Wilson stranded the three baserunners he inherited and faced just one batter over the minimum as he was credited with his 2nd save.

ssA: Salem-Keizer defeated Vancouver 7-4
(rallying for six runs in the final two innings)

Salem-Keizer: SS Ryan Cavan: 3 for 4, BB, E

Salem-Keizer: RHP Wilbur Bucardo: 5.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 K

Cavan (16th rounder) had three hits, boosting his AVG to .342 through his first ten pro games. He also committed his 6th error, though.

The box score says this was Jorge Bucardo's start, but I think it was actually his older brother's Wilbur's start, as it would have been Wilbur's turn in the rotation, and it seems unlikely that Jorge pitched on one day of rest. In any event, Wilbur had another effective start. After three starts, he now has 14 H, 6 BB, 2 ER, and 10 K in 15.2 IP. This afternoon he had a 10/2 GO/FO line.

R: Giants hostings Indians were tied 2-2 in the 7th inning when the game was suspended by rain
(It will be resumed on August 18.)

Scottsdale: RF Leo Ochoa: 3 for 3, 3B, 2B

Scottsdale: RHP Cameron Lamb: 6.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 8 K--1 HR

Ochoa, the Giants' 48th rounder a year ago out of Quebec is having a strong start to his pro career, with multiple hits in four of his first five games. Tonight he had a triple, double and single in his three plate appearances.

After allowing a two-run HR in the 1st inning, Lamb was fairly dominant, allowing just two more baserunners, striking out seven and having an 8/2 GO/FO line.

DSL: Giants defeated Rangers2 6-5

Dominican: 2B Carlos Willoughby: 2 for 3, 3B, 2 BB
Dominican: RHP Kendry Flores: 5.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 K--1 WP

Willoughby (20.7 y.o.) continues to be an OBP force at the top fo the Gigantes' lineup. His OBP is now .470 through 100 AB. A year ago he had a .414 OBP. Flores (17.7 y.o.) allowed a season-high 3 ER in his fifth career start. He has a 3.13 ERA despite a 1.25 K/BB ratio.

minor lines, 7/2/09

steve S — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:49:54 -0000

The obvious highlights from the Giants' farm is (a) Madison Bumgarner's first complete-game shutout, albeit in seven innings. The other imporant highlight was (b,c) Scott Barnes and T.J. Brewer combining for 15 K in a combined shutout. Perhaps the top hitting line for the night was (d) Nick Noonan having a couple XBH.

AAA: Fresno lost to Sacramento 5-1

Fresno: C Steve Holm: 1 for 3, 2B
Fresno: DH Brian Horwitz: 1 for 3, 2B
Sacramento: RF Aaron Cunningham: 2 for 4, HR, SO, SB
Sacramento: LF Chris Denorfia: 1 for 4, HR

Fresno: RHP Garrett Broshuis: 4.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 2 K--2 HR
Fresno: RHP Osiris Matos: 1.0 IP, 1 H
Sacramento: RHP James Simmons: 9.0 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 Er, 1 BB, 3 K

No one reached base twice for the Grizzlies, but Holm and Horwitz had back-to-back doubles in the 5th inning to score the team's only run. Cunningham and Denorfia, who both have seen some time in the majors with the Athletics this year, homered. The 23-year-old Cunningham has a .304/.358/.570 line through 135 AB in the PCL this year.

In his PCL debut, Broshuis allowed 4 ER in 4.0 IP, including a couple big flies. Matos allowed a leadoff double in the 7th inning but did not allow a run. Simmons began the year ranked among the Athletics' top ten prospects but has not performed up that to billing with an ERA above 5.00 in April, May and June. But he has been better over his last four starts with 23 H, 4 BB, 7 ER and 12 K in 27.0 IP. Last night he pitched his first complete game, throwing 71 of 107 pitches for strikes.

AA: Connecticut defeated Harrisburg 4-0 (7 innings) in game 1

Connecticut: 1B Brett Pill: 2 for 4, 2B
Connecticut: 3B Ramon Castro: 3 for 3, 2 2B

Connecticut: LHP Madison Bumgarner: 7.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 5 K

Pill and Castro combined for five of the Defenders' nine hits and all three of their XBHs, including Pill's 26th double of the season, which tied him for the organization lead.

Bumgarner pitched his first complete-game shutout, facing just five batters over the minimum. Bumgarner began his stint in the upper minors with three straight quality starts, then had four less than quality starts, and now has had his two longest starts of the season. With the 3 BB, his K/BB ratio did slip below 3.00, but his BAA remains an impressive .209. He further lowered his ERA to 1.70.

AA: Connecticut defeated Harrisburg 2-1 (8 innings) in game 2

Connecticut: LF Bobby Felmy: 2 for 4, SO, SB

Connecticut: RHP Brooks McNiven: 5.0 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
Connecticut: RHP Matt Yourkin: 1.1 IP, 1 BB, 3 K--1 BK
Connecticut: RHP Waldis Joaquin: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 K--1 IBB

Felmy was the only Defender to reach base twice not via an intentional walk. His seond single ended the game in the bottom of the 8th inning and raised his AVG to .254.

McNiven, who made his first appearance in two weeks, has allowed just 2 ER in his last three starts to get his ERA back under 4.00 after a couple appearances in the first half of May with 6 ER each had inflated his ERA. Yourkin and Joaquin provided scoreless relief, striking out five of the twelve batters they faced.

A+: San Jose defeated Stockton 10-0
(scoring five runs in the 2nd inning and adding five insurance runs in the last two innings)

San Jose: DH Buster Posey: 0 for 3, 2 BB
San Jose: RF Roger Kieschnick: 1 for 5, HR, SO
San Jose: 1B Angel Villalona: 1 for 3, 2 HBP, 2 SO
San Jose: 2B Nick Noonan: 2 for 5, 3B, 2B

San Jose: LHP Scott Barnes: 6.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 K
San Jose: RHP T.J. Brewer: 3.0 IP, 1 H, 7 K--1 WP

Batting ninth, Noonan had his 5th triple and 13th double to contribute the Giants' only multi-hit line. Villalona reached base three times, getting his OBP back above .310. He hit just .200/.238/.288 in 80 AB in June. Kieschnick added his organization-leading 16th HR in the 9th inning. Posey had his first game after being hit in the helmet by a pitch six days earlier.

Barnes had an impressive start to follow up on his start six days earlier with a season-high 10 K. Over his last six starts, he has 22 H, 10 BB, 7 ER, and 48 K in 34.2 IP. Brewer was perhaps even more impressive in relief, to finish the shutout, facing just one batter of the minimum and having a season-high 7 K. He raised his K/IP above 1.00, although his BAA remains above .300.

A-: Augusta lost to Lexington 2-1

Augusta: RF Josh Mazzola: 2 for 4, SO
Augusta: C Matt Klimas: 0 for 0, 2 BB, HBP

Augusta: LHP Eric Surkamp: 5.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 7 K
Augusta: RHP Justin Fitzgerald: 3.0 IP, 1 H, 2 K
Lexington: RHP Jordan Lyles: 6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K--2 HB

Mazzola had two of the GreenJackets' five hits, raising his AVG to .274. Klimas reached base in all three of his plate appearances, raising his OBP to .364.

Surkamp has been racking up the strikeouts, with a K/IP ratio fo 1.22. Still, he has proven fairly hittable with a H/IP over 1.00 and an ERA of 3.59 through his thirteen starts. Fitzgerald face just one over the minimum in three scoreless innings to lower his ERA back below 3.75 after giving up 2 ER in each of his previous two appearances. Lyles, one of the Astros' top prospects, had a quality start. His peripheral stats are better than his 3.15 ERA in sixteen starts would indicate as the 18-year-old has 79 H, 20 BB, 4 HR, and 108 K in 88.2 IP.

ssA: Salem-Keizer lost to Vancouver 12-6

Salem-Keizer: CF Francisco Peguero: 3 for 5, 2B
Salem-Keizer: C Kyle Henson: 3 for 4, CS

Salem-Keizer: RHP Javier Hernandez: 4.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 0 K
Salem-Keizer: RHP Taylor Rogers: 1.0 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER--1 HR

With three hits each, Peguero, who is playing in the NWL for the second time, and Henson (39th rounder) combined for half of the Volcanoes' dozen hits.

Hernandez got nine ground ball outs (9/2 GO/FO line), but he had no strikeouts, and seven balls in play went for hits. Through three starts, he has 16 H, 10 BB and 4 K to go along with 7.07 ERA. Rogers (25th rounder) has had an inauspicious pro debut, allowing nine runs over his first two appearances.

R: Scottsdale had its regularly scheduled off-day (every fifth day)

DSL: Giants lost to Pirates 3-2 (10 innings)

Dominican: 2B Carlos Willoughby: 1 for 3, 2 BB, IBB, SB, E
Dominican: RHP Lorenzo Mendoza: 5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 K

Willoughby (20.7 y.o.) reached base three times, further raising his OBP to .467, and had his 19th SB. Mendoza (17.11 y.o.) was effective in his second pro start, allowing just four baserunners in five scoreless innings.

minor lines, 7/1/09

steve S — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 06:57:46 -0000

Highlights from the Giants' farm: (a) Nick Noonan reached base in all four plate appearances; (b) Eugenio Velez homered while reaching base three times; (c) Kyle NIcholson allowed 1 ER in 8.0 IP; and (d) Jorge Bucardo had 6.0 shutout IP.

AAA: Fresno lost to Sacramento 4-3

Fresno: CF Eugenio Velez: 3 for 5, HR, SB
Fresno: 1B Jesus Guzman: 2 for 3, 2B, BB
Fresno: SS Jake Wald: 1 for 3, HR, BB, SO
Sacramento: 1B Daric Barton: 1 for 4, HR, SO

Fresno: RHP Ramon Ortiz: 6.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 4 K--1 HR
Fresno: LHP Alex Hinshaw: 1.0 IP, 1 BB, 2 K
Sacramento: RHP Henry Rodriguez: 2.0 IP, 3 BB, 4 K--1 IBB, 1 WP

Velez and Guzman each reached base three times. Along with Wald, they each had one of the Grizzlies' three XBHs. Wald had his 4th HR, three of which have come in his last seven games. Velez had his 2nd HR. The Athletics' Barton provided the game's big blow with a three-run, no-out HR in the 6th inning.

Ortiz had his longest start of the season with 6.0 IP. He had five scoreless innings before allowing a three-run HR to the third batter in the 6th inning. He retired the next three batters to complete the quality start. He threw 55 of 82 pitches for strikes. In a scoreless 8th inning, Hinshaw threw just half his pitches for strikes (11 for 22). Rodriguez had nearly the same percentage with 20 of 39 pitches for strikes. His fastball was consistently 96-99 mph on the scoreboard.

AA: Connecticut hosting Harrisburg postponed by rain
(A makeup doubleheader is scheduled for tomorrow.)

A+: San Jose defeated Stockton 3-2

San Jose: SS Brian Bocock: 2 for 4, BB, 2 SO
San Jose: RF Roger Kieschnick: 0 for 4, 3 SO
San Jose: 2B Nick Noonan: 2 for 2, 2 BB

San Jose: LHP Craig Clark: 7.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 K--1 HR
San Jose: LHP Dan Runzler: 1.0 IP, 3 K
Stockton: RHP Craig Italiano: 5.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 8 K

Noonan and Bocock combined for four of the Giants' five hits and three of their four walks. After tonight's oh-fer with the hat trick, Kieschnick is 0 for 12 with 6 SO in his last three games, which has raised his SO/AB ratio above 25%.

Clark has allowed 3 ER or less in each of his last nine starts and 2 ER or less in seven of those starts. This nice run has helped lower his season ERA below 3.00. Over his last nine starts, his peripheral stats are 43 H, 10 BB, and 62 K in 50.2 IP. Runzler pitched a perfect 8th inning. The Athletics' Italiano had another nice start against San Jose. Each of his last three starts have come against the Giants, and in those three starts he has 13 H, 4 BB, 1 ER, and 18 K in 16.2 IP. Stoctkon's four errors led to all three of the Giants' runs being unearned.

A-: Augusta lost to Lexington 2-1

Augusta: CF Dom Duggan: 2 for 4, SB, PO
Augusta: C Johnny Monell: 1 for 2, 2B, 2 BB, PB
Lexington: CF Jay Austin: 3 for 5, HR, SB

Augusta: RHP Kyle Nicholson: 8.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 9 K--1 HR, 1 WP

Monell had the GreenJackets' only XBH, his 15th double, while reaching base three times. He also committed his 11th passed ball. Duggan had the GreenJackets' only multi-hit line. He has had two hits in seven of his last ninue games, but his AVG remains below .250. Austin, the Astros' second round pick a year ago, had his first pro HR.

Nicholson, who pitched a complete-game three-hitter against the Legends in his last start against them a month ago, had another fine start against them, once again allowing just a single earned run. After an ERA close to 7.00 in his four April starts, Nicholson has an ERA of just 2.45 in his ten starts since then. Tonight's performance included a season-high (career high too?) 9 K. He has not been too much of a strikeout pitcher with a K/IP ratio of 0.67. Rather, he is a ground ball pitcher, with a 12/4 GO/FO line tonight and a 2.04 GO/AO ratio for the season.

ssA: Salem-Keizer defeated Vancouver 7-0

Salem-Keizer: SS John Eshelman: 1 for 3, 2 BB
Salem-Keizer: 2B Juan Martinez: 2 for 3, 2B, BB

Salem-Keizer: RHP Jorge Bucardo: 6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 K--1 PO
Salem-Keizer: RHP Andrew Romo: 1.0 IP

The Volcanoes' two middle infielders both reached base three times. Martinez (46th rounder) had their only multi-hit line, as well as their only XBH. Eshleman (11th rounder) raised his OBP above .500 through six games.

The 19-year-old Bucardo had his second consecutive very effective start. Through three starts this year, his WHIP is below 1.00 and his K/IP just above 1.00. After one appearance, a start, in the AZL, Sergio's younger brother made his NWL debut with a perfect 9th inning.

R: Giants lost to Padres 8-3

Scottsdale: 2B Nick Liles: 2 for 5
Scottsdale: LF Karl Benusa: 3 for 3, BB

Scottsdale: RHP Edward Concepcion: 4.2 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 2 BB, 8 K--1 HR, 1 HB, 2 WP

Benusa (8th rounder) reached base in all four plate appearances in his fourth pro game. Liles (7th rounder) had the rookie Giants' other multi-hit line in what was his third pro game.

The 19-year-old Concepcion has an ERA over 8.00 in his first three games (two starts) on U.S. soil.

DSL: Giants defeated Marlins 6-1

Dominican: RF Jose De La Cruz: 2 for 4, 2B, BB, SO
Dominican: LHP Franklin Noel: 4.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K

Playing in just his fifth game of the season, De La Cruz (18.2 y.o.) had the Gigantes only XBH as he reached base three times. Noel (20.6 y.o.) once again provided effective long relief, as he still has yet to allow an earned run through 20.1 IP in six appearances this year.

minor lines, 6/30/09

steve S — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 07:20:26 -0000

The daily highlight: (a) John Bowker homered while reaching base four times for the second straight day. Now to other highlights from the Giants' farm: (b) Pucetas did not allow an earned run in 7.0 IP; (c) Brett Pill had a triple, double and single; (d) Henry Sosa did not allow a run in his start; (e) Thomas Neal has three XBHs; and (f) Andrew Biery reached base in all five plate appearances.

AAA: Fresno defeated Salt Lake 4-1

Fresno: LF John Bowker: 2 for 4, HR, 2 BB, CS
Fresno: DH Joe Borchard: 2 for 4, 3B
Salt Lake: 1B Brandon Wood: 1 for 2, 2B, BB

Fresno: RHP Kevin Pucetas: 7.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
Fresno: RHP Ronnie Ray: 1.0 IP, 2 K

Another big game for Bowker. For the second night in a row, he homered while reaching base in all four plate appearances. He finished June hitting .392/.479/.843 in 102 AB this month. Borchard, the other other Grizzly to reach base twice, had two hits to raise his AVG back above .250. For the Angels' affiliate, Wood's double and walk accounted for two of their five baserunners.

Pucetas had another fine start, improving his ERA to 3.17. Tonight he had a 12/6 GO/FO line, but his GO/AO ratio for the season is not much above 1.00. He's enjoyed a lot of success considering how many fly ball outs he gets (as opposed to strikeouts or groundball outs). Ray had his third straight game with multiple strikeouts.

AA: Connecticut lost to Harrisburg 4-3

Connecticut: 2B Brock Bond: 2 for 4, 2B
Connecticut: 1B Brett Pill: 3 for 4, 3B, 2B

Connecticut: RHP Henry Sosa: 5.1 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K--1 HB
Connecticut: RHP Dan Griffin: 0.1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB--1 HR, 1 HB

With multi-hit lines in seven of his last eight games, Pill finished June on a tear. Tonight's line included his 1st triple and 25th double, raising his SLG to .498. A year ago in the more hitter-friendly Cal League, his SLG was just .395. Bond was the other Defender to reach base twice. Both Bond and Pill hit close to .370 in June.

Sosa pitched at least five full innings once again, something he accomplished in all ten of his starts in May and June, although he has yet to pitch into the 7th inning this year. In May and June, he combined for 46 H, 20 BB, and 31 K in 55.1 IP with a 2.11 ERA. After a 5/8 GO/FO line tonight, his GO/AO ratio for the year is just 0.59. Like Pucetas, he has a very good ERA despite getting a high proportion of his outs as fly balls. Griffin retired just one of the five batters he faced before being ejected in the 6th inning. His peripheral stats are generally pretty good, but his ERA is 5.80.

A+: San Jose defeated Modesto 13-1

San Jose: SS Brian Bocock: 2 for 4, 2B, BB, SO
San Jose: LF Thomas Neal: 3 for 5, 3B, 2 2B, SO
San Jose: 1B Angel Villalona: 3 for 5
San Jose: CF Darren Ford: 3 for 4, 3B

San Jose: RHP Joe Martinez: 4.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K

Neal had a huge game with his 3rd triple and 21st and 22nd doubles, raising his SLG to .612. Villalona and Ford also had three hits each, improving their AVGs to .275 and .217. Bocock was a fourth Giant to reach base three times.

Pitching on four days rest, Martinez made his third and longest rehab appearance. In his three rehab starts, he has 7 H, 2 BB, 5 R and 8 K in 10.0 IP.

A-: Augusta defeated Lexington 7-2

Augusta: CF Dom Duggan: 2 for 4, 2B, HBP, SB
Augusta: LF Wendell Fairley: 2 for 3, BB, SO

Augusta: RHP Eric Stolp: 6.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
Augusta: RHP Edwin Quirarte: 1.0 IP
Lexington: RHP Ross Seaton: 5.1 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 K--1 HB, 2 WP

Duggan and Fairley both reached base three times, although both still have AVGs appreciably below .250.

Stolp made his first start in twelve days, the result of being the last starter in the GreenJackets' rotation scheduled around the all-star break. Quirarte pitched a perfect 9th inning. On the first day of June, the Astros' Season pitched a complete-game, three-hit shutout against the GreenJackets. This time he did not fare quite as well.

ssA: Salem-Keizer defeated Vancouver 8-4

Salem-Keizer: 3B Andrew Biery: 3 for 3, BB, HBP
Salem-Keizer: DH Ryan Mantle: 0 for 5, SO

Salem-Keizer: RHP Orlando Yntema: 5.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R,1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
Salem-Keizer: RHP Jose Casilla: 1.0 IP, 2 K

Biery (22nd rounder) reached base in all five of his plate appearances. After going hitless in his first three pro games, he now has a six-game hitting streak to raise his AVG to .367 through 30 AB. After tonight's oh-fer, Mantle, a late round draftee a year ago, is now just 1 for 17 to start this season.

Yntema made his second straight start allowing just 1 ER. The 20-year-old Casilla, who was limited to just eight appearances (five starts) last year has yet to allow a baserunner in his five appearances this year.

R: Giants at Angels suspended after three innings due to a power problem

Scottsdale: CF Evan Crawford: 2 for 2, SB

Scottsdale: RHP Bryan Salsbury: 3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K--1 WP

Batting leadoff in his second pro game, Crawford (9th rounder) had two of the rookie Giants' three base hits. He also had his 1st pro steal.

In his first pro start after two relief appearances, Salsbury (14th rounder) faced just one batter over the minimum.

DSL: Giants lost to Blue Jays 5-4 (10 innings)

Dominican: C Rey Duran: 2 for 5, SO
Dominican: LHP Ebert Fernandez: 4.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 K--1 WP

Duran (19.11 y.o.) had the Gigantes' only multi-hit line, leaving his AVG just a few points shy of .300. Fernandez (18.8 y.o.) has a 4.39 ERA after four starts.

minor lines, 6/29/09

steve S — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 06:07:43 -0000

Highlights from the Giants' farm: (a) It's still June, so John Bowker's name appears here again, this time with a homer and a double while reaching base in all four plate appearances. Other highlights include (b) Jake Wald also homering while reaching base three times, (c) Matt Kinney allowing just one run in a complete-game victory, and (d) Eddy Martinez-Esteve reaching base four times. Also notable is Tim Alderson making a start, although it was one of his less effective starts of the season.

AAA: Fresno defeated Salt Lake 7-1
(after scoring five runs in first two innings)

Fresno: LF John Bowker: 3 for 3, HR, 2B, BB
Fresno: SS Jake Wald: 2 for 3, HR, BB, SO

Fresno: RHP Matt Kinney: 9.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K

Bowker had another big game, hitting his 15th HR, legging out his 18th double, and reaching base in all four plate appearances. He has had 20 XBH this moth. Wald also homered, his 3rd HR, while reaching base three times.

Making his sixteenth start, Kinney had his best appearance of the year, pitching his first complete game of the year. He had not pitched more than 6.1 IP in any of his previous nine starts. He got hs ERA below 5.50. With no walks in his last two starts, he has raised K/BB ratio to an even 3.00.

AA: Connecticut defeated New Britain 6-3

Connecticut: 2B Brock Bond: 3 for 5, CS, E
Connecticut: RF Eddy Martinez-Esteve: 3 for 4, BB, GiDP
Connecticut: LF Ramon Castro: 2 for 4, 2B

Connecticut: RHP Tim Alderson: 5.0 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
Connecticut: RHP Waldis Joaquin: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 1 K
New Britain: RHP Carlos Gutierrez: 4.0 IP, 10 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 2 K

With three hits each, Bond and EME raised their team-leading AVGs to .323 and .316. Bond may be one of the leading hitters in the Eastern League, but he is not among its better basestealers with his 10/11 SB/CS line. Last year he had a 15/6 SB/CS line. Playing his third game of the season, the 29-year-old Castro contributed the Defenders' only XBH.

Alderson had perhaps his least impressive start of the season, allowing his opposing hitters a .375 OBP and striking out none. Still, he improved his W-L record to 4-0 and kept his K/BB ratio above 4.00. Joaquin allowed a couple hits, but his BAA remains below .200. Gutierrez, whom the Twins selected 27th overall a year ago, made his fifth start in the upper minors, allowing a season-high 10 H. After a 1.32 ERA in the Florida State League, his ERA is over 6.00 since his promotion.

A+: San Jose lost to Modesto 5-1

San Jose: DH Tyler Graham: 1 for 3, BB
San Jose: RF Roger Kieschnick: 0 for 3, HBP, 2 SO
San Jose: 2B Nick Noonan: 0 for 4, 3 SO

San Jose: LHP Paul Oseguera: 4.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 1 K--1 WP

Batting leadoff, Graham was the only Giant to reach base twice. Kieschnick had his hit streak snapped. After the oh-fer with the hat trick, Noonan now has more strikeouts than hits (60 H and 62 SO in 247 AB, .243 AVG). Buster Posey did not play again.

Oseguera's fourth start for San Jose was his shortest yet. His W-L record dropped to 0-3 as his ERA rose to 5.32.

A-: Augusta lost to Rome 2-1

Augusta: C Matt Klimas: 1 for 2, BB, SO

Augusta: LHP Aaron King: 7.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K--1 HR, 1 HB, 1 PO

Klimas, whose bat has cooled in June with a sub-.600 OPS, was the only GreenJacket to reach base twice.

King had his longest start of the year, pitching not just six full innings for the first time this year but seven full innings. However, he still suffered the loss, dropping his W-L record to 3-5 through a dozen starts. In terms of BAA, June was his best month of the season. After allowing BAAs over .300 in both April and May, his June BAA was just .237.

ssA: Salem-Keizer lost to Vancouver 14-0

Salem-Keizer: 1B C.J. Ziegler: 0 for 2, 2 BB, E
Vancouver: RF Rashun Dixon: 2 for 4, 2B, BB

Salem-Keizer: RHP Jose Valdez: 3.1 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 2 K--2 WP

The Volcanoes managed just four hits, all singles; and Ziegler was their only hitter to reach base twice. Dixon, whom the Athletics gave a big over-slot bonus as their 10th round pick a year ago, reached base three times.

The box score would suggest that Valdez suffered some control issues in his second NWL start.

R: Giants defeated Athletics 10-9
(scoring seven runs in final two innings)

Scottsdale: 2B Julio Izturis: 3 for 6, SB
Scottsdale: 3B Chris Dominguez: 2 for 5, BB, SO
Scottsdale: CF Evan Crawford: 3 for 5

Scottsdale: RHP Aaron Davidson: 2.0+ IP, 6 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
Scottsdale: RHP Audy Santana: 2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K

Among the five Giants who reached base three times each were Izturis, who raised his AVG to .462; Dominguez, the Giants' 3rd round pick playing in his second game; and Crawford, the Giants' 9th round pick playing in his first pro game.

In his second pro start, Davidson, signed as an undrafted free agent, was hit hard. He retired just six of the fifteen batters he faced. He was reliever by Santana, who played in the Cubs' organizaton a year ago. In his third game with the Giants he struck out five of the eleven batters he faced.

DSL: Giants lost to Royals 5-1

Dominican: DH Rey Duran: 1 for 3, SO
Dominican: LHP Luis Azocar: 3.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 2 K--1 HB, 1 WP, 1 PO

Duran (19.11 y.o.) managed to be just one of two Gigantes to reach base safely today. Azocar (22.9 y.o.) had perhaps his least effective relief appearance of the season, issuing four walks. His ERA is 2.76 after seven appearances.

minor lines, 6/28/09

steve S — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 05:34:13 -0000

Not too many strong candidates for highlights from the Giants' farm today: (a) Eddy Martinez-Esteve homered and doubled while reaching base three times, (b) Tyler LaTorre reached base in all four plate appearances; (c) Clayton Tanner had less than a quality start but still just 1 R in 5.1 IP; and (d) reliever Steven Edlefsen struck out five of the seven batters he faced.

AAA: Fresno lost to Salt Lake 3-2

Fresno: 2B Emmanuel Burriss: 2 for 5, 2B, E
Fresno: 1B Jesus Guzman: 2 for 4
Fresno: SS Jake Wald: 2 for 3, CS
Salt Lake: CF Terry Evans: 2 for 5, HR, SO

Fresno: LHP Steve Hammond: 6.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 1 K--1 HR, 1 HB
Fresno: LHP Alex Hinshaw: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 2 K
Salt Lake: RHP Shane Loux: 4.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K

With two hits each, Burriss, Guzman and Wald accounted for six of the Grizzlies' eleven hits. Their AVGs now stand at .300, .315, and .220, respectively. The Angels' 27-year-old Evans homered for the third straight game, giving him 17 HRs this year.

Hammond had his second straight quality start but saw his W-L record drop to 4-7. His ERA remains above 5.50. Today Hinshaw threw 16 of 20 pitches for strikes. Loux, who began the season in the majors, has now made both of his PCL starts against the Grizzlies.

AA: Connecticut defeated New Britain 4-3

Connecticut: RF Eddy Martinez-Esteve: 2 for 3, HR, 2B, BB
Connecticut: C Tyler La Torre: 2 for 2, 2 BB, IBB

Connecticut: RHP Daryl Maday: 5.1 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 K

EME had a big game with his 4th HR and 20th double, improving upon the .436 SLG with which he entered the day. LaTorre, the other Defender to reach base twice, reached base in all four plate appearances, boosting his OBP to nearly .400 through 98 AB.

Maday allowed just a run through five innings but retired just one of the batters he faced in the 6th inning. Two of the three runs charged to his record scored after he left game. With a 10/5 GO/FO line today, he continues to have a GO/AO ratio above 2.00.

A+: San Jose defeated Modesto 3-1

San Jose: DH Tyler Graham: 2 for 4, 3B, SO
San Jose: LF Thomas Neal: 3 for 4
Modesto: CF Charlie Blackmon: 2 for 4, BB, 2 SO

San Jose: LHP Clayton Tanner: 5.1 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K--1 WP
San Jose: RHP Steven Edlefsen: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 5 K
Modestl: LHP Brandon Durden: 9.0 IP, 11 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 4 K

Neal and Graham had multi-hit lines for the Giants, raising their AVGs to .348 and .301. As a team, they drew no walks on a day that had a gametime temperature of 108 degrees. Graham's 1st triple of the season was their only XBH. Blackmon, a top ten prospect for the Rockies, reached base three times. He entered the day with a .361 OBP.

Tanner had another fine start, improving his ERA to 3.16. In seven of his last nine starts he has allowed 2 ER or less. After a year and a half in the Cal League, is he ready for a promotion to the upper minors? Edlefsen had a season-high 5 K while recording his 6th save. He also standed the two baserunners he inherited with no outs in the 8th inning. The nearly 25-year-old Durden suffered the rare complete game loss.

A-: Augusta lost to Rome 6-5 (10 innings)
(after allowing two runs in bottom of 9th inning)

Augusta: 3B Charlie Culberson: 1 for 4, HBP, SO
Augusta: LF Wendell Fairley: 1 for 4, HBP, SO
Augusta: 2B Jose Flores: 1 for 3, BB, SO, SB

Augusta: RHP Mike Loree: 6.1 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
Augusta: RHP Edwin Quirarte: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB

Three GreenJackets reach base twice--Flores, playing in just his second SAL game of the year, and Culberson and Fairley, two high draft choices two years ago.

Loree allowed two 1st inning runs and then did not allow another run until the 7th inning, a run which scored after he left the game. Quirarte entered the game in the 8th inning with two outs and two on. After stranding those two runners and getting the first batter to ground out in the 9th inning, he allowed three of the next four batters to reach base, leaving with the bases loaded. In eight SAL appearances, Quirarte has an ERA over 6.00.

ssA: Salem-Keizer defeated Vancouver: 5-0
(adding four insurance runs in the 9th inning)

Salem-Keizer: 1B C.J. Ziegler: 3 for 3, 2B, BB, E
Salem-Keizer: 2B Juan Martinez: 2 for 4, SB

Salem-Keizer: RHP Wilbur Bucardo: 5.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 2 K--1 WP

Playing in his first game in a wekk, Ziegler batted cleanup and led the Volcanoes offense by reaching base in all four plate appearances. Martinez, a late-round draft pick earlier this month playing in his sixth pro game, had the Volcanoes' other mutli-hit hit.

The older Bucardo brother has had two very effective starts so far this year, allowing just 1 R in 10.0 IP. A year ago he had a 4.57 ERA in 67.0 IP.

R: Giants defeated Cubs 11-3
(after trailing 1-0 after five innings)

Scottsdale: SS Ydwin Villegas: 3 for 5
Scottsdale RF Scoma: 3 for 5, BB, SO
Scottsdale: DH Christopher Dominguez: 1 for 5, HBP, SO

Scottsdale; RHP Cameron Lamb: 5.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K

The rookie Giants had seventeen hits, although no XBHs. Villegas, an 18-year-old from Colombia playing in his fourth game in the U.S., and Scoma, the Giants' 36th rounder this year, each had three of those hits. Dominguez, the Giants' 3rd round pick, made has his pro debut as the rookie Giants' cleanup hitter, reaching base twice in six plate appearances.

The 20-year-old Lamb, who missed all of last year with injury, has faced the Cubs in both starts this year, and this time he was even more effective than in his previous start. His 6 K were undoubtedly a career high.

DSL: no results reported for Giants at Royals

minor lines, 6/27/09

steve S — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 19:10:53 -0000

Highlights from the Giants' farm: (a, b, c) three starters--Jesse English, Garrett Broshuis, and Ari Ronick--combined to allow 0 ER in 20.0 IP; (d) Roger Kieschnick had a huge game with two HRs, a double, and a walk; and (e) Nick Noonan also reached base four times. Honorable mention goes to (f, g) Brett Pill and Dom Duggan, who each had a homer and a double.

AAA: Fresno lost to Salt Lake 8-1

Fresno: 2B Emmanuel Burriss: 1 for 4, 2B
Fresno: C Steve Holm: 1 for 3, 2B
Salt Lake: 2B Howie Kendrick: 3 for 5, HR, 3B

Fresno: RHP Billy Sadler: 4.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 3 K--2 HR
Fresno: RHP Osiris Matos: 3.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K

The Grizzlies' offense was limited to five hits and a walk, with no one reaching base twice. Holm had his 7th double, and Burriss his 1st double (in the PCL this year). Kendrick had just three hits in the four games just played in Salt Lake but had three hits in his first (of four games) in Fresno. In fourteen PCL games, he is hitting .327/.393/.582 after hitting just .231/.281/.355 in 186 AB in the majors this year.

Sadler had a rough month in June, being limited to three starts and allowing 10 ER in 8.1 IP. After ERAs below 1.50 in both April and May, Matos has scuffled in June with an ERA above 6.00 in his nine appearances this month. The Angels' Bell was not ranked among their top prospects to begin the season, but the 22-year-old has had an oustanding season so far. Statistically, this was actually his worst of three PCL starts. After spending last year in the lower minors and splitting that time between starting and relieving, he had a 2.23 ERA in eleven starts in the Texas League and now has a 0.39 ERA through three PCL starts.

AA: Connecticut defeated New Britain 3-0

Connecticut: 2B Brock Bond: 1 for 3, SO
Connecticut: 1B Brett Pill: 2 for 4, HR, 2B
Connecticut: C Tyler LaTorre: 1 for 2, BB

Connecticut: LHP Jesse English: 6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
Connecticut: LHP Ben Snyder: 3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K--1 HB

With his 8th HR and 24th double, Pill had the Defenders' only multi-hit line, improving his season line to .310/.353/.489 through 268 AB. Bond and LaTorre also reached base twice.

English has generally struggled a bit as a starter this year, but pitching on six days rest, he had his best start of the year, pitching six full innings for the first time this year as well. His ERA in ten starts is now back below 4.00. Snyder pitched three scoreless innings for his first save.

A+: San Jose defeated Stockton 7-1

San Jose: SS Brian Bocock: 2 for 5, SO, 2 E
San Jose: LF Thomas Neal: 2 for 5, 2 SO
San Jose: RF Roger Kieschnick: 3 for 4, 2 HR, 2B, BB
San Jose: 2B Nick Noonan: 3 for 3, 2B, BB
Stockton: 2B Jemile Weeks: 2 for 4, 2B, SO

San Jose: RHP Garrett Broshuis: 8.0+ IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K
San Jose: LHP Dan Runzler: 1.0 IP, 3 K

Kieschnick had a huge game, including his 14th and 15th HRs and his 14th double. In June's he's been red hot, with a SLG near .700, although his OBP is actually below .340 with just 4 BB among 95 AB. Noonan also reached base four times with his first multi-hit game in some time. He does have 11 BB in June, after 13 BB in April and May, giving him a .360 OBP this month despite just a .246 AVG. Bocock and Neal also had two hits each. Weeks, the Atheltics' top prospect on the Stockton roster, remains red hot as he has hit .422/.519/.719 through 64 AB in June. It may also be worth noting that Buster Posey was not in the lineup a day after being hit in the head by a pitch.

Broshuis had his best start of the year, facing just three batters over the minimum through eight innings and improving his ERA to 2.15. With no earned runs in his last two starts, it would seem that he is ready for a promotion back to the upper minors. After striking out all three batters, Runzler's stats his promotion to the Cal League are now 3 H, 1 BB, 0 R, and 7 K in 7.0 IP.

A-: Augusta defeated Rome 7-3

Augusta: CF Dom Duggan: 2 for 5, HR, 2B
Augusta: LF Juan Perez: 2 for 5, 2B, SO. GiDP
Augusta: 1B Mike Loberg: 2 for 4

Augusta: LHP Ari Ronick: 6.0 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K

Not known as a power hitter, Duggan had his 3rd HR, which was a grand slam with two outs in the 6th inning, and his 5th double. Also adding two hits were Perez and Loberg, although all three of these GreenJackets have AVGs below .255. After hitting .333 in May, Perez has hit just .189 in June through 74 AB, although that does not include his HR in the SAL all-star game.

Ronick had dominated the Rome Braves in his last two starts, combining for 13.0 IP without an earned run. He's been on a role over his last six starts with 31 H, 1 BB, and 29 K in 36.0 IP with a 1.00 ERA.

ssA: Salem-Keizer defeated Boise 12-3
(scoring ten runs in the first three innings)

Salem-Keizer: SS Ryan Cavan: 3 for 4, 2B, HBP
Salem-Keizer: 1B Luke Anders: 2 for 4, HR
Salem-Keizer: Andrew Biery: 3 for 5, 2B

Salem-Keizer: RHP Javier Hernandez: 5.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 5 BB, 3 K

Cavan (16th rounder) and Biery (22nd rounder), who both doubled, were two of four Volcanoes with three hits each. Anders (32nd rounder) had his 2nd HR.

After allowing 5 ER in his first start, Hernandez allowed just 2 ER in this start. On the downside, he has issued more walks than strikeouts in both of his first two starts. A year ago in the AZL, he had 44 K and 16 BB in 51.0 IP over his eleven starts.

R: Scottsdale had its regular off-day (every fifth day)

DSL: Giants defeated Red Sox 3-0

Dominican: C Gabriel Cornier: 1 for 3, HR, 2 SO
Dominican: RHP Kendry Flores: 5.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 K--1 WP

Cornier (17.0 y.o.) had his first pro HR, although his SLG remains just barely over .300 through his first 60 AB. Flores (17.7 y.o.) has been tough to hit through his first four pro starts with just 9 H in 18.0 IP (.158 BAA).

minor lines, 6/26/09

steve S — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 06:05:36 -0000

Highlights from the Giants' farm: (a) Scott Barnes had 0 ER and a season-high 10 K in 7.0 IP; (b) John Bowker homered again, while also doubling; (c) Eric Surkamp allowed 1 ER in 7.0 IP; and (d,e) two hitters heading in opposite directions recently, the slumping Jesus Guzman and the surging Roger Kieschnick, both reached base four times.

AAA: Fresno defeated Salt Lake 5-3

Fresno: 2B Emmanuel Burriss: 1 for 3, 3B, 2 BB, SB
Fresno: LF John Bowker: 2 for 4, HR, SF
Fresno: 1B Jesus Guzman: 3 for 4, HBP, SO
Salt Lake: SS Brandon Wood: 2 for 4, 2B, BB, 2 SO

Fresno: RHP Ramon Ortiz: 4.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
Fresno: RHP Ronnie Ray: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 2 K
Salt Lake: RHP Rudy Seanez: 1.0 IP, 1 K

Guzman, who had slumped with a .147 AVG in June, reached base four times. Bowker had his 14th HR, including 10 HRs this month. Burriss reached base three times. Still stuck in the minors, despite entering the night with a .298/.364/.581 line through 215 AB, Wood reached base three more times after having reached base just twice in the previous three games versus Fresno.

Making his fourth start of the season, Ortiz threw 74 pitches (46 strikes) in four innings. Ray stranded three inherited runners in the 7th inning and then pitched a scoreless 8th inning, getting his ERA back below 4.00. Still not ready to retire, Seanez pitched a scoreless 8th inning.

AA: Connecticut at New Britain postponed by rain
(A makeup date was not announced.)

A+: San Jose defeated Stockton 6-2
(after the game was tied 2-2 through six innings)

San Jose: C Buster Posey: 0 for 1, BB, HBP
San Jose: RF Roger Kieschnick: 3 for 3, BB
San Jose: CF Darren: Ford: 1 for 2, BB, HBP, SB

San Jose: LHP Scott Barnes: 6.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 10 K--1 HB
Stockton: RHP Craig Italiano: 5.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 K--2 HB, 1 WP

Kieschnick, the Cal League's player of the week last week extended his hitting streak to eleven games as he reached base in all four plate appearances. Ford reaching base three times and continues to have an OBP over .333 despite an AVG below .210. This doesn't sound good, but the game recap says that Posey left the game in the 5th inning immediately after being hit by a pitch and that he "left the game due to an injured head."

After a season-high 8 K in his first start in June, Barnes bettered that in his his third start in June with a new season high of 9 K, and tonight in his fourth start of the month he established another season high with 10 K. Moreover, this was his first start without a walk since at least April. He improved his ERA to 3.44. The Athletics' Italiano may still have an ERA above 6.00, but he has allowed just 1 ER over his last two starts, both of which have come against San Jose.

A-: Augusta defeated Rome 9-1

Augusta: CF Dom Duggan: 2 for 4, HR, SO
Augusta: 1B-RF Josh Mazzola: 1 for 2, HR, HBP, SF
Augusta: DH Andy D'Alessio: 2 for 4, HR, 2B, SO

Augusta: LHP Eric Surkamp: 7.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K
Augusta: LHP Ryan Verdugo: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K

Three GreenJackets homered--Mazzola for his 8th HR, D'Alessio for his 3rd HR, and Duggan for his 2nd HR.

Surkamp had perhaps his second best start of the season, pitching seven full innings for the third time this year. After allowing 11 ER in his first two starts in May, Surkamp has allowed just 11 ER in his seven starts since. He continues to have a very good K/BB ratio, now just shy of 5.50. After two appearances earlier this week in the AZL, Verdugo, the Giants' ninth round pick a year ago, made his full-season debut. He allowed two of four batters to reach base but pitched a scoreless 8th inning.

ssA: Salem-Keizer defeated Boise 11-1

Salem-Keizer: SS John Eshleman: 2 for 4, 2B, SO, SB
Salem-Keizer: RF Ryan Lollis: 3 for 5, HR, 3B

Salem-Keizer: RHP Jorge Bucardo: 6.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K--1 HR
Salem-Keizer: RHP Jeremy Toole: 2.0 IP, 3 K

Lollis, the Giants' 37th round pick earlier this month, had three of the Volcanoes' thirteen hits, including his 1st HR and 1st triple. Eshleman, the Giants' 11th round, had his second straight multi-hit game to maintain his .500 AVG through three pro games.

The 19-year-old Bucardo had a fine start, facing just three batters over the minimum and allowing just three fly ball outs. Making his pro debut, Toole, the Giants' 9th round pick, struck out half the batters he faced in two perfect innings.

R: Giants lost to Brewers 8-1

Scottsdale: 2B Julio Izturis: 2 for 4, HR, BB, GiDP
Scottsdale: 1B Carlos Quintana: 0 for 4, 3 SO
Scottsdale: RF Rafael Rodriguez: 0 for 3, BB, SO, E
Scottsdale: SS Josh Lopez: 1 for 4, 2 SO, 4 E

Scottsdale: Edward Concepcion: 3.0+ IP, 3 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 3 K--1 WP

Izturis had the rookie Giants' only multi-hit line. He led off the game with his 1st HR. He had 1 HR a year ago in 155 AB in the DSL. Rodriguez, the Giants big sign from Latin America a year ago, is now just 1 for 12 through his first three pro games. Santana, the only player to appear in all of the team's first four games, suffered the oh-fer with the hat trick in his fifth game. Lopez, a late round pick two years ago, committed four errors.

In his second game in the U.S., Concepcion had three scoreless innings before failing to retire any of the three batters he faced in the 4th inning.

DSL: Giants defeated Mets 2-1

Dominican: 1B Rey Duran: 1 for 3, HR, HBP
Dominican: RHP Lorenzo Mendoza: 4.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
Dominican: LHP Franklin Noel: 4.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 5 K

Duran (19.11 y.o.) led off the 4th inning with his 6th HR, keeping his OPS above 1.000 through 62 AB. A year ago he had 2 HRs and a .328 SLG in 67 AB. Mendoza (17.10 y.o.) made the first first start and second appearance of his pro career. Noel (20.6 y.o.) provided four more innings of dominant relief. His stats for the year in five appearances are now 7 H, 2 BB, 0 R, and 19 K in 15.2 IP.