The Diamondbacks Minor League affiliates combined for a 2-2 record, with Reno and Amarillo picking up wins. Notable pitching prospects that took the mound included Humberto Mejia for Reno, Tommy Henry for Amarillo, and Brandon Pfaadt for Hillsboro.
Top Pitching Performance: Reno RHP Humberto Mejia – 5 IP, 7 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 K, W (3-3)
Top Hitting Performance: Hillsboro DH Andy Yerzy – 2 for 2, HR, 2 BB, 2 RBI, 2 R
AAA: Reno Aces 1, Las Vegas Aviators (OAK) 0
Even in the nasty environment of Reno can apparently yield a 1-0 pitcher’s duel. Humberto Mejia would outduel Jesus Luzardo, blanking the Aviators for 5 innings with 8 strikeouts. After struggling a bit with the environment of the Pacific Coast League, but he’s starting to put some starts together with 2 of his last 4 starts allowing 0 ER and going at least 5 innings. With the way the MLB rotation has looked of late, we could see him soon. The bullpen was equally as impressive in this game, as four relievers each posted a shutout inning and combined for 2 walks and 5 strikeouts in that span.
Offensively, there wasn’t much, as Reno only picked up 5 hits, but capitalized on their one scoring opportunity. In the 3rd, a single was then followed by a bad throw from 3B Vimael Machin that put two Aces in scoring position with 1 out. Seth Beer would drive home Ildemaro Vargas with a sacrifice fly for the only run of the game.
AA: Amarillo Sod Poodles 6, San Antonio Missions (SDP) 5 (F/11)
Amarillo was trailing from early the get-go, but some late offense propelled them ahead at the end. Alek Thomas saw a good night, going 2 for 5 with both of Amarillo’s extra base hits and scored twice. Tommy Henry would allow 3 runs in 4 innings, struggling a bit with control as he allowed 7 hits and 3 walks while striking out 5. With 1 out in the 8th, Alek Thomas tripled and walks by Dominic Fletcher and Stone Garrett would load the bases. Ryder Jones would hit a ground ball to 2B for what could have been an inning-ending double play, but the throw missed the mark and the tying runs were able to score.
Going into extra innings, both teams were able to plate their free runners in the 10th inning. Amarillo would get their guy home on a ground ball to 2B and a sacrifice fly. In the bottom of the 10th, a passed ball by catcher Renae Martinez allowed the game to continue. In the 11th, Amarillo was able to score two runs. Mikey Reynolds would steal 3rd after a flyout didn’t advance him. After Martinez drew a walk, Jancarlos Cintron was able to score Reynolds on a single but Martinez was thrown out at 3rd. Undeterred, Cintron stole 2nd and would score on Dominic Miroglio’s single to make it 6-4.
Joe Jones and walked the leadoff man before a field error and another walk made it 6-5 with no outs. That’s when Amarillo made their stand. Cintron was able to get the force on potential the tying run at the plate before Jones was able to strike out the final two hitters to secure the game.
High A: Hillsboro Hops 3, Tri-City Dust Devils (LAA) 8
A close game early ended up getting away from Hillsboro, as the pitching was unable to put together shut down innings. Both teams would trade runs in the first and third innings. Andy Yerzy was the offensive engine of the team, reaching base in all four trips to the plate and accounting for all three runs the Hops scored.
Brandon Pfaadt, who has had an excellent season so far, ran into a problem in the 5th. After getting two quick outs, Pfaadt would yield a single and a double to allow the Dust Devils to tie the game at 3. After a walk, a double steal and a throwing error by catcher Axel Andueza would allow the go-ahead run to score. The bullpen was equally as incapable of stemming the bleeding, as each reliever was tagged for at least one run in the final three innings.
Low A: Visalia Rawhide 3, Inland Empire 66ers (LAA) 7
Visalia found themselves in an early hole as Adrian Del Moral allowed 5 runs in 4 1⁄3 innings. That resulted in the Rawhide quickly trailing 4-1 after 3 innings. Visalia’s offense was mostly non-existent although home runs by A.J. Vukovich and Neyfy Castillo were somewhat interesting. The closest Visalia got was 4-2 after the 4th inning. Harrison Francis struggled in the middle innings, allowing 2 runs while recording only 3 outs. Bobby Ay would pitch 2 2⁄3 scoreless after allowing 1 of 2 inherited runners to score.