The first couple of years with the Diamond Jaxx have been good for both parties. The D-Jaxx captured the first half title this year and the community has been pleased with the level of involvement by the team. The High Desert situation is a bit stickier, as it’s still unclear whether the Mavericks will be the second team to be packing up and leaving for the Carolina League after next year (Bakersfield has already been named as the first). The only remaining affiliates available in the Cal League are Inland Empire, historical Dodger territory and likely to re-sign with the parent club if possible, Lancaster, a former M’s affiliate no less taxing to pitch in, and High Desert. Wisconsin is also tricky because the M’s may end up in a situation not unlike what they dealt with in Inland Empire earlier, as the Brewers may look to play the hometown angle and the T-Rats would find that hard to turn down. Contracts with Tacoma and Everett would seem likely to be extended simply for logistical reasons, but Portland remains a possibility in the PCL if improvements to Cheney aren’t worked out (edit: looks like the agreement between the Padres and Portland extended as of about a week ago. whoops).

This offseason should prove interesting as, in addition to the Carolina-California League swaps, Midwest League will be adding two affiliates from the South Atlantic League starting for 2010, one of which, Bowling Green, has an expiring contract this season.

[and no, I still don’t have internet at home, but I will starting Friday, I’ve been told]

I don’t quite know at this point when I’ll be back in the swing of things as my classes start up next week and all my time on campus is being eaten by one thing or another.  If I don’t get it together before the end of the season (realistic, considering how little time is left), I’ll see if I can keep up with the bi-weekly winter league stats, but it’s not looking like I’ll have the hours to spare that this typically demands. It looks like some preliminary AFL rosters are up, featuring RHPs Gaby Hernandez and Joe Woerman, LHP Justin Thomas, C Adam Moore, OF Gregory Halman, and an as of yet unnamed pitcher and infielder.

Tacoma 11, Portland 1 (SD + 2)
RHP Rich Dorman (4.13) and RHP Denny Stark (2.30, W) split the first six innings. Dorman was okay, allowing one hit and three walks while striking out one, but Stark was pretty awesome, allowing a hit and a walk as he rung up six. LHP Justin Thomas (5.56) allowed a solo home run, a walk, and a K over the next two and RHP Jon Huber (6.44) struck out a pair in the ninth.
DH Craig Wilson (HR, 4 RBI, .261) hit the grand slam in the first that set the tone for the rest of the game. 1B Shawn Garrett (HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, .297) and 3B Kevin Howard (Hr, 3 RBI, .267) both had two hits, including home runs, RF Victor Diaz (R, .281) had two singles, LF Jon Nelson (3B, R, RBI, .293) tripled, and 2B Luis Valbuena (2 R, 2 SB, .265) and C Rob Johnson (2 R, .311) both had a hit and a walk.

Montgomery 7 (TB + 4), West Tenn 10
RHP Joe Woerman (3.60) through six+ innings and let all seven runs (five earned) plate on six hits, a hit batter, two walks, and six Ks. RHP Doug Fister (5.44, BS, W) scored three of Woerman’s runs and allowed one hit and a hit batter while striking out three over three innings, ending up with the win after a D-Jaxx rally.
The home run in the seventh by CF Gregory Halman (HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2-4, BB, .286) accounted for the difference in the game, but there were plenty other contributions by other hitters throughout the lineup. LF Noah Hall (2 2B, R, RBI, .258) had four hits leading off, C Adam Moore (2 R, PB, .316) and 2B Jeff Dominguez (R, RBI, SB, .204) both had three hits, with Moore drawing a walk, and SS Mark Kiger (2B, R, 2 RBI, .217), DH Mike Wilson (2B, HR, 2 R, .279), and Halman all had two hits and a walk.

High Desert 1, San Jose 5 (SF + 11)
RHP Justin Souza (4.01) gave up one run on five hits, a wild pitch, a hit batter, two walks, and five Ks through five frames of work. RHP Bryan Harris (6.93, L) ended up breaking the 1-1 stalemate that had gone on since the second by allowing three runs to score on two hits, a hit batter, and two walks in the sixth. LHP Nick Hill (4.67) gave up a run on three hits and a K through the final two innings.
As has been the case on a number of levels over the past few days, yes, there was a run that scored, but there’s nothing I can really say about the offense otherwise.

Quad Cities 4 (STL + 1), Wisconsin 0
RHP Keith Meyer (4.75, L) gave up four runs on three hits (HR), two hit batters, a walk, and six Ks through five innings. RHP Cheyne Hann (0.00) was called in from the desert after that and pitched three frames, allowing just one hit and striking out three. RHP Jeff Dunbar (3.12) struck out one in the ninth.
The T-Rats hitters, for their part, couldn’t take advantage of those scoreless innings, and overall, 2B Edilio Colina (2B, .302) and RF Joe Dunigan (.230) were the only ones really contributing, Colina with three hits and Dunigan with two walks. There were only two hits from the rest of the lineup and no walks.

Everett 3, Vancouver 8 (OAK - 11)
RHP Aaron Brown (5.54, L) took the loss as he let four runs score through three and a third innings on four hits (HR), six walks, and three strikeouts. RHP Brad Reid (7.00) scored one of those and three of his own on two hits (HR), two walks, and a K through the next inning and two-thirds, then RHP Phillip Hann (4.55) let one more run score after three hits and four strikeouts over the next two innings. RHP Robbie Dominguez (6.39) walked one and struck out one in the eighth.
2B Luis Nunez (2B, R, .297), DH Brandon Fromm (2B, .251), and RF Wellington Dotel (SB, A, .269) all had two hits and C Travis Howell (2B, R, 2 RBI, PB, E, .303) doubled.

Burlington 3 (KC- 15), Pulaski 5
RHP Brooks Mohr (3.27, W) rebounded from last outing and pitched five innings, allowing three hits and four walks while ringing up five. LHP Brandon Pullen (5.22) gave up two runs over the next two and two-thirds innings after four hits (HR) and three Ks. RHP Phillip Roy (2.22, E, S) let one more score over the last inning and a third on two hits, a wild pitch, two walks, and a K.
SS Gabriel Noriega (2 R, RBI, SB, .245), DH Mario Martinez (R, .326), and C Juan Fuentes (2 2B, 3 RBI, .343) all had two hits in the game, with Noriega adding a walk. Fuentes now has eighteen doubles, the team lead and good for the top five in the league. CF Dwight Britton (HR, 2 R, SB, .258) added a leadoff home run in the third, and RF Blake Trinkler (2B, .216) doubled.

Peoria Mariners 14, AZL Rangers 12 (+ 1)
For a while there, it was looking like I was going to really not want to write up this one, but it all turned out okay. RHP Brandon Maurer (3.26) pitched four innings and let two runs score on three hits, a hit batter, two walks, and three Ks. RHP Randy Castillo (5.06) pitched the next three and let one more score on two hits (HR) and a strikeout. It was in the eighth that the game started to get really out of hand, as LHP Eddy Hernandez (12.23) gave up seven runs on six hits, a wild pitch, and a K in just two-thirds of an inning. LHP Richard Ortiz (3.04, BS, W) scored one of those and two more of his own on three hits, a wild pitch, and three Ks over the next inning and a third, with nine runs scoring overall in the eighth, but M’s picked up three runs in the ninth and all was mostly forgiven.
Strangely, those three runs were all from some singles and walks at key times without a single extra-base hit propping them up. DH Henry Contrares (3 R, 3 RBI, SB, .349) had three hits in the game, SS Cesar Fuentes (3B, R, 3 RBI, SB, .271), 1B Randy Molina (R, .230), and LF Joel Mendez (R, 2 RBI, .280) all had two, with Mendez adding a walk, and CF Jarrett Burgess (R, .213), 2B Scott Savastano (HR, 3 R, SB, .274), and C Peter Whatley (2B, R, 2 RBI, .182) all had a hit and a walk. Contrares, Mendez, Whatley, and Fuentes were all involved in the run scoring in the ninth, Whatley with the walk, and everyone else with a single.

Tomorrow’s Starters:
Tacoma: RHP Travis Chick at Portland, @ 2:00 pm PDT
West Tenn: RHP Tracy Thorpe, in Jackson, @ 2:35 pm PDT
High Desert: LHP Travis Mortimore, at San Jose, @ 5:05 pm PDT
Wisconsin: RHP Juan Ramirez, in Appleton, @ 11:05 am PDT
Everett: TBA, at Vancouver, @ 1:05 pm PDT
Pulaski: RHP Kyle Haas, at Bristol, @ 3:00 pm PDT
Peoria: TBA, in Peoria, @ 7:00 pm PDT
Aguirre: Season over, second place (0-1 in playoffs)
Yamasa: ?

Tacoma Rainiers: 72-62, .537, 5 GB in PCL Pacific North
West Tenn Diamond Jaxx: 26-34 (67-63), .433 (.515), 10.5 GB in SL North
High Desert Mavericks: 22-40 (54-78), .355 (.409), 15 GB in CAL South
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers: 11-39, (52-74), .350 (.413), 17.5 GB in MWL Western
Everett Aquasox: 27-37, .415, 8 GB in NWL West
Pulaski Mariners: 38-26, .594, 1st in APL East
Peoria Mariners: 10-13 (19-32), .435 (.373), 8.5 GB in AZL
Aguirre Mariners: 42-26-1, .618 4 GB in VSL
Yamasa Mariners: 42-24, .636, 1st in Santo Domingo North
Organizational Record: 411-425, .492

Tacoma 6, Portland 4 (SD + 3)
RHP Scott Shoemaker (5.98) pitched five and a third innings, with three runs scoring on nine hits (2 HR!), a walk, and three Ks. Picking up one of two wins in the system today, RHP Randy Messenger (3.94, W) let one run score on a hit and a walk in two and two-thirds innings. RHP Jared Wells (5.95, S) had a hit, two walks, and a K in the ninth, but picked up his nineteenth save nonetheless.
All but one of the Rainiers hitters reached safely in this one. CF Prentice Redman (HR, 2 R, .312), RF Shawn Garrett (2 RBI, .296), DH Victor Diaz (2B, RBI, .280), LF Jon Nelson (HR, 2 R, .295), and SS Oswaldo Navarro (2 R, .261) all had two hits in the game, with Redman and Garrett drawing walks, 3B Kevin Howard (2B, RBI, .261) doubled, and 1B Craig Wilson (.261) had a single and a walk.

There isn’t a whole lot to tell from the completion of Thursday night’s game. While Howard didn’t have home runs in all four at-bats, Redman went 3-for-4 with a double and Valbuena was 4-for-6. LHP Robert Rohrbaugh (5.32, S) pitched the last three frames and allowed one hit while striking out three.

West Tenn 5, Mobile 15 (ARI - 3)
LHP Edward Paredes (21.60, L) was called in from Wisconsin as a spot starter and lasted just three and a third innings, with eight runs scoring against him on eight hits (HR), three walks, and four Ks. LHP Ryan Ketchner (4.65) took the ball after that, but let six runs score through an inning and a third on eight hits (2 HR!). Ketch also scored two of Paredes’ runs. RHP Aaron Cotter (0.00) came in for relief work and pitched two and a third innings, allowing just a walk and ringing up two, and then, in the ninth, RHP Roman Martinez (5.03) had an unearned run score against him on a hit, a wild pitch, and two Ks.
The good news from Mobile was that there were home runs by C Adam Moore (HR, 2 RBI, .312), CF Gregory Halman (HR, .282), and SS Mark Kiger (HR, 2 RBI, .213), with Moore drawing a walk. The bad? Aside from that five-run outburst in the second to give them a brief lead, there was little else, and the Mobile pitchers threw perfect frames in seven of the nine innings.

Visalia 5 (ARI - 6), High Desert 3
RHP Jake Wild (6.95, L) took his fourth loss at the advanced-A level, giving up four runs on three hits, a wild pitch, five walks, and five Ks through five innings. RHP Anthony Varvaro (7.02) followed with two innings of relief, walking one and striking out one. RHP Austin Bibens-Dirkx (8.15) was back in California, ringing up a batter in the eighth, and then RHP Stephen Richard (4.78) gave up a run on a hit, a hit batter, and a walk in the ninth.
CF Gavin Dickey (R, .252) had three singles and 1B Chris Minaker (R, .292) had two, but the lower levels suffered from a bit of a power outage Friday.

Quad Cities 2 (STL 0), Wisconsin 5
RHP Michael Pineda (2.05) threw five and two-thirds innings and let two runs (one earned) score after four hits, a hit batter, a walk, and six Ks. He’s only allowed two earned runs in all of August so far. LHP Jose Escalona (3.97) held the River Bandits at bay for the next two and a third innings, allowing one hit and ringing up five. Well done, young scallion. RHP Natividad Dilone (3.86, S) got his first save, allowing one hit and striking out one in the ninth.
1B Joe Dunigan (R, RBI, 2 SB, E, .231) and 3B Alex Liddi (HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, .233) both had two hits, including the sixth home run of the year for Liddi, coming on the heels of his fifth home run last night. He now has three in the month. RF Maximo Mendez (3B, R, .240) tripled and 2B Alex Meneses (R, RBI, .234) had a hit and a walk.

Salem-Keizer 4 (SF + 5), Everett 3
RHP Chris Jakubauskas (0.00) turned up for a rehab stint and pitched two and a third innings, allowing one hit and ringing up seven, which left one flyball to account for his only other out. I don’t know if he’ll pitch his way back onto the radar with so little time remaining, but it’s a nice start. RHP Walter Suriel (5.48, L) piggybacked on after that, but took the loss as he gave the Volcanoes all four of their runs on five hits (HR), a walk, and six Ks, pitching through the end of the seventh. RHP Douglas Salinas (5.55) turned in another solid relief appearance after that, with two perfect innings and three strikeouts.
For a second night, the ‘Sox came up one run shy, but this was after a two-run rally that left a runner on third. SS Ben Billingsley (HR, 2 RBI, .242) basically was that two-run rally, hitting his fifth home run of the year with 3B Jharmidy de Jesus (2 R, .189) on base. De Jesus had a hit and a walk in the game. RF-CF Tyson Gillies (.306) continued to impress with two hits and a walk leading off, but he also was the one with the final groundout to end it.

Burlington 10 (KC- 14), Pulaski 1
Ouch? LHP Nick Czyz (4.08, L) let five runs score on eight hits (HR), two wild pitches, a walk, and four Ks. He seems to have these once every four or five outings. RHP Jordan Alvis (7.66) had three unearned runs score against him on a hit, a walk, and two Ks over the next two and a third innings, and LHP Brent Gaphardt (3.38) scored two of those runs and gave up two of his own on two hits (HR) and a hit batter in an inning and two-thirds. RHP Tommy Ellis (11.51) gave up one hit and struck out two in the last two innings.
The M’s did eke out one run in the ninth, but the bulk of the offense was so bad that there aren’t any notables by traditional metrics.

Peoria Mariners 1, AZL Angels 4 (+ 1)
RHP Luke Burnett (0.00) made his pro debut, pitching one inning and striking out two. RHP Ariel Alcantara (5.79, L) then went the next three, but took the loss as he allowed two runs on five hits and a walk against five Ks. RHP JeanTome (6.46) was up next, pitching three innings and walking one while striking out four, one of his best outings of the year, and RHP Colin Buckborough (6.75) let two runs score on four hits in the eighth.
2B Fred Bello (.283) had two walks leading off and gets into the notable category for that. The rest was as bad as Pulaski, or almost as bad as…

Yamasa Mariners 1, DSL Athletics2 3 (- 1)
The season itself has been a blast, but the M’s are certainly going out of it with a whimper. RHP Joan Vizcaino (3.32) gave up three hits and two walks while striking out two in four innings. Over the last four, LHP Henry Perez (2.25) was tagged with only his second loss of the year, letting three runs plate on four hits, a wild pitch, a balk, a hit batter, a walk, and four strikeouts.
As with Pulaski, the M’s did manage to get one run in, but there’s really nothing I can say about the offense as a whole.

Tomorrow’s Starters:
Tacoma: RHP Rich Dorman, at Portland, @ 7:00 pm PDT
West Tenn: RHP Joe Woerman, in Jackson, @ 5:05 pm PDT
High Desert: RHP Justin Souza, at San Jose, @ 6:05 pm PDT
Wisconsin: RHP Keith Meyer, in Appleton, @ 4:35 pm PDT
Everett: RHP Aaron Brown (?), at Vancouver, @ 7:05 pm PDT
Pulaski: RHP Brooks Mohr, in Pulaski, @ 4:00 pm PDT
Peoria: TBA, at Rangers, @ 7:00 pm PDT
Aguirre: Season over, second place (0-1 in playoffs)
Yamasa: Off day

Tacoma Rainiers: 71-62, .534, 5 GB in PCL Pacific North
West Tenn Diamond Jaxx: 25-34 (66-63), .424 (.512), 11.5 GB in SL North
High Desert Mavericks: 22-39 (54-77), .361 (.412), 14.5 GB in CAL South
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers: 11-39, (52-74), .350 (.413), 17.5 GB in MWL Western
Everett Aquasox: 27-37, .422, 8 GB in NWL West
Pulaski Mariners: 37-26, .587, 1st in APL East
Peoria Mariners: 9-13 (18-32), .409 (.360), 8.5 GB in AZL
Aguirre Mariners: 42-26-1, .618 4 GB in VSL
Yamasa Mariners: 42-24, .636, 1st in Santo Domingo North
Organizational Record: 407-422, .491

Tacoma 9, Portland 2 (SD + 5) (seven innings)
The game was suspended for reasons: power, so I can only suspect there was an outage of some sort and they’re apparently making up the rest tomorrow, which is not to say that there isn’t enough to talk about here. RHP Brandon Morrow (4.97) got through four and two-thirds innings and gave up a couple of runs on two hits, a wild pitch, and a walk, but struck out ten. Churchill was liveblogging the event and it seems possible that he’s turned a corner, but let’s wait for a repeat showing, shall we? LHP Justin Thomas (5.79) pitched through the end of the sixth, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out two.
The power outage might’ve been due to 3B Kevin Howard (3 HR, 4 RBI, .263) sucking it all out of the building for himself, as he had three home runs in three plate appearances. 2B Luis Valbuena (2 R, 3 SB, .263) also had three hits, but they didn’t travel as far, and RF Shawn Garrett (RBI, .294) and 1B Craig Wilson (R, RBI, .261) both had a single and a walk.

West Tenn 5, Mobile 6 (ARI - 4) (ten innings)
RHP Luis Munoz (5.40, E) did okay with hits six innings, allowing a couple of runs (one earned) to score after six hits, two walks, and two Ks. RHP Doug Fister (5.57) gave up one hit in the seventh, but then RHP Shawn Kelley (2.04, BS) ran into some trouble again, with three runs scoring on four hits (HR), a walk, and four Ks in two innings of work. LHP Jason Kershner (5.40, L) let the final run score on three hits in the tenth while only recording one out.
LF Marshall Hubbard (2B, A, .296) sneaked into leading off the offense’s part, not so much for his double as his three walks. 1B Johan Limonta (2B, R, 2 RBI, E, .311) added two hits, RF Mike Wilson (2B, R, 2 RBI, .279) doubled, and CF Gregory Halman (R, CS, .282), 2B Jeff Dominguez (R, SB, .199), and DH Adam Moore (RBI, .311) all had a hit and a walk.

Visalia 5 (ARI - 7), High Desert 2
RPH Alfredo Venegas (4.83, L) started this one and took the loss as well, as he gave up four runs on eight hits, a wild pitch, two walks, and two Ks. LHP Julio Santiago (3.68) let another run plate on two hits and a K over the next three and a third innings, then LHP Steve Uhlmansiek (5.13) allowed two hits and a walk in the ninth.
3B Ron Prettyman (R, .296) was 4-for-4, but they were all singles, so the edge should probably go to LF James McOwen (2 2B, R, SB, .270) for his three hits.

Quad Cities 5 (STL + 1), Wisconsin 3
RHP Keith Renaud (5.15) got through four and two-thirds innings, giving up three runs (two earned) on six hits, two wild pitches, two walks, and six Ks. RHP Joe Kantakevich (5.26, L) took the loss as he let the fourth run score on three hits and a K through three and a third innings. RHP Ryan Moorer (4.37) allowed one final run to score on two hits and a K in the ninth.
One bit of good did come out of the game, as CF Daniel Carroll (HR, A, .256) hit the first home run of his pro career and that three hits overall. Singles weren’t hard to come by, as DH Joe White (RBI, .291) added three and 1B Joe Dunigan (R, SB, .228) had two, but 2B Alex Meneses (2B, R, PO, .233), who also had a single himself, was the only other batter with an extra base hit. Walks weren’t a factor in the game either. Diaz did get the golden sombrero though.

Salem-Keizer 6 (SF + 5), Everett 5
RHP Nolan Gallagher (3.00) got through five innings, giving up two runs (one earned) on seven hits, a walk, and three Ks. RHP Chris Kirkland (2.70) had two unearned runs score against him on two hits, a hit batter, a walk, and two Ks through two innings, but the eighth proved troublesome. RHP Javier Martinez (4.37, L) let two runs score on a hit, two walks, and a K in a third of an inning, and LHP Eddy Fernandez (3.90) scored both on a hit, a walk, and a K while wrapping up the frame. RHP Brad Reid (6.06) allowed one hit and struck out one in the ninth.
DH Travis Howell (3B, HR, .306) had three hits, including his second home run and his first triple. He’s been more of an OBP guy up until now. CF Tyson Gillies (2B, R, 2 RBI, SB, CS, E, .301) added two hits and a walk and 3B Nate Tenbrink (R, SB, E, .200) drew two walks.

Burlington 6 (KC- 15), Pulaski 5
The M’s were pretty much cruising until the ninth with the Royals decided to score five runs. RHP Taylor Lewis (4.54) got five innings in and gave up two hits, two hit batters, and three walks while striking out five. RHP Stephen Penney (4.94) then pitched the next two, with one run scoring on three hits, a wild pitch, and two Ks. LHP Kyle Brown (4.50) had four unearned runs score against him in an inning+ on two hits, a walk, and two Ks, and RHP Blake Nation (2.86, BS, L) scored three of those along with an unearned of his own after three hits in the ninth.
LF Jacob Shaffer (2B, CS, A, E, .257), who has played the past three days in a row, though he only has made into five games so far after July 19th, had three hits in the game. SS Gabriel Noriega (R, SB, 2 E, .243), 3B Mario Martinez (2B, 2 R, RBI, .328), and C Juan Fuentes (3B, 2 RBI, .347) all had a couple of hits, with Fuentes drawing a walk. RF Jose Rivero (RBI, SB, .251) had a single and a walk and CF Dwight Britton (2 R, SB, .261) had two walks leading off.

AZL Padres 9 (+ 9), Peoria Mariners 5
RHP Aaron Pribanic (37.80, L) got another appearance and another loss, but his ERA went down (by nearly 100 points!) as he gave up three runs (two earned) on two hits, two walks, and a K in an inning and a third. I try to make the best of things when I can. RHP Kenta Suda (3.10) threw the next three and two-thirds innings and let three runs score on four hits (HR), two walks, and a K. LHP Dustin Birosak (6.14) gave up three more through two frames on three hits, a wild pitch, and a walk, then RHP Nick Love (9.15, PO) and RHP Jeroen de Haas (5.56) split the final two, with Love allowing a hit and a walk and de Haas, just the hit.
SS Cesar Fuentes (R, E, .267), PH-3B (yes, 3B) Henry Contrares (2B, R, RBI, .327), CF Jarrett Burgess (2B, R, 2 RBI, .217), and RF Robert Rodriguez (2B, RBI, .239) all had two hits and 2B Fred Bello (2B, R, .293) doubled.

DSL Cardinals 4 (- 9), Yamasa Mariners 6
Second to last game of the regular season. LHP Cristian Rijo (4.22) gave up two runs through tow and a third innings on two hits (HR), a wild pitch, a hit batter, a walk, and four Ks, and as the M’s were already out to a 4-2 lead by the time he left, LHP Francisco Garcia (11.37) got the win even though he only recorded one out, a K, and walked a pair. RHP Jose Perdomo (3.40) had the longest stint of any of them, pitching three frames and allowing only two to reach via a hit batter and a walk while he struck out four. The final three innings were split up between RHP Miguel Celestino (2.48), RHP Bruno Mercedes (3.86), and RHP Felix Bautista (2.71). Celestino and Mercedes both had a hit and a K to their lines, but Bautista let two runs (one earned) score after two hits (HR), a hit batter, and a strikeout.
1B Hector Mercedes (HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, .304) had a couple of hits in the game, including the big one, a two-run shot in the fifth the accounted for the difference. SS Oliver Garcia (.186) had a hit and two walks, 3B Rudy van Heydoorn (R, SB, .266), RF Axel Wel (2B, 2 R, RBI, .277), and C Hassiel Jimenez (2B, .282) all had a hit and a walk, and DH Victor Ozuna (CS, .219) had two hits.

Tomorrow’s Starters:
Tacoma: RHP Brandon Morrow, at Portland, @ 7:00 pm PDT
West Tenn: RHP Brodie Downs, at Mobile, @ 7:05 pm PDT
High Desert: TBA, in Adelanto, @ 7:05 pm PDT
Wisconsin: RHP Michael Pineda (!), in Appleton, @ 5:05 pm PDT
Everett: RHP Walter Suriel (?), in Everett, @ 7:05 pm PDT
Pulaski: LHP Nick Czyz, in Pulaski, @ 4:00 pm PDT
Peoria: TBA, at Angels, @ 7:00 pm PDT
Aguirre: Season over, second place (0-1 in playoffs)
Yamasa: TBA, at Athletics2

Tacoma Rainiers: 69-62, .527, 6 GB in PCL Pacific North
West Tenn Diamond Jaxx: 25-33 (66-62), .431 (.516), 11.5 GB in SL North
High Desert Mavericks: 22-38 (54-76), .367 (.415), 13.5 GB in CAL South
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers: 10-39, (51-74), .339 (.408), 17.5 GB in MWL Western
Everett Aquasox: 27-36, .429, 7 GB in NWL West
Pulaski Mariners: 37-25, .597, 1st in APL East
Peoria Mariners: 9-12 (18-31), .429 (.367), 7.5 GB in AZL
Aguirre Mariners: 42-26-1, .618 4 GB in VSL
Yamasa Mariners: 41-23, .641, 1st in Santo Domingo North
Organizational Record: 404-416, .493

West Tenn 9, Mobile 3 (ARI - 5)
RHP Gaby Hernandez (5.44, W) got his fourth win, though he did give up all of the BayBears’ runs on seven hits (HR), a hit batter, three walks, and five Ks through five and two-thirds innings. LHP Jason Kershner (4.76) got the last out of the sixth, and then RHP Marwin Vega (4.87) turned in two perfect innings, followed by a perfect ninth from RHP Roman Martinez (5.17).
There weren’t any multiple home run innings for the D-Jaxx, but it wasn’t a bad night for the offense by any means. SS Erick Monzon (R, .219), 1B Johan Limonta (2B, 2 R, 2 RBI, .309), RF Mike Wilson (HR, 4 RBI, .280), C Adam Moore (R, .312), and 2B Mark Kiger (2B, 2 R, .211) all had two hits, with Limonta and Moore adding walk. Go with Wilson if you have to pick one, though Limonta also deserves some consideration, since he just cleared thirty doubles at the level. 3B Matt Mangini (R, RBI, .203) added a single and a walk.

Visalia 2 (ARI - 8), High Desert 7
RHP Ricky Orta (5.68) got in three and a third innings and let a run score on two hits, three walks, and four Ks. Four relievers combined to get through the rest of the game, with LHP Michael Wagner (4.64, W) having a hit, a hit batter, a walk, and a K in an inning and two-thirds, RHP Bryan Harris (6.52) giving up two hits and a walk, also in an inning and two-thirds, LHP Nick Hill (4.67) letting an unearned run score on two hits and a walk pitching through the eighth, and RHP Aaron Cotter (3.47) striking out one in the ninth.
LF James McOwen (R, .266) had three singles leading off and 1B Chris Minaker (R, RBI, .296), C Travis Scott (2B, HR, 2 R, PB, .275), DH Geraldo Valentin (2B, R, RBI, .256), and RF James Davenport (2 2B, 2 R, RBI, .324) all had two hits. Triunfel was back and went 1-for-4.

Salem-Keizer 2 (SF + 4), Everett 1 (ten innings)
RHP Kenn Kasparek (4.88) had a short, but memorable outing, as he allowed one hit and seven of his nine outs through three innings were Ks. Right now, there’s a 27.4% chance the batter will walk away with a K against him. RHP Christian Staehely (4.2) had a hit, a plunked batter, a walk, and three Ks to his line through the next two innings, and then LHP Eddy Fernandez (3.99) gave up three hits and rung up one through an inning and a third. RHP Matt Renfree (2.36, PO, BS) blew the save op, with a run scoring on four hits and two Ks through two and two-thirds innings, and RHP Phillip Hann (4.55, L) let the final run score on three hits and two Ks in the tenth.
2B Luis Nunez (2 2B, RBI, SB, .297) had a pair of doubles and CF Tyson Gillies (SB, .296) had a single and a walk leading off, but it wasn’t a good night for the offense, even if they drew first blood. Royster wore a golden sombrero, and three other struck out three times. The Volcanoes struck out the Aquasox twenty times, and their starter did it eleven times through the first five innings. It makes the fifteen Ks by the ‘Sox look not nearly as impressive.

Greenville 3 (HOU - 9), Pulaski 4
LHP Jose Rios (3.27) had a heck of a start, going six innings and letting a run score on six hits, a hit batter, two walks, and eight Ks. He’s only made three starts thus far, so it’s hard to get a good read on how he’s doing, but as a starter he’s allowed fewer hits, but walked quite a bit more while maintaining a roughly equal strikeout rate. RHP Andres Esquibel (2.59, BS) gave up a run on four hits through two innings of work, which blew the save opportunity, but RHP Blake Nation (3.00, W) got the win despite allowing a run to score himself on a hit, a wild pitch, a walk, and a K.
The M’s got their two runs in the ninth from consecutive singles by 1B Guy Welsh (1-3, BB, .327) and C Tommy Johnson (2-4, .364), a pinch-hit walk by Sanchez, and a two-RBI single by LF Jacob Shaffer (R, 2 RBI, 3-3, BB, .229). SS Gabriel Noriega (.237) had two singles and CF Dwight Britton (R RBI, .265) had a single and a walk earlier in the game.

Yamasa Mariners 2, DSL Phillies 9 (+ 2)
RHP Gregorio Aquino (7.04, E, L) pitched four innings, giving up three runs (two earned) after five hits, a hit batter, a walk, and four Ks. LHP Anthony Fernandez (3.93, E) pitched the other half of the game and let six runs (one earned) plate on three hits, two wild pitches, three walks, and a lone strikeout.
The M’s did manage to draw some walks, but there was only one extra-base hit for the whole team and five errors. 3B Rudy van Heydoorn (E, .265) had a single and three walks, SS Victor Ozuna (SB, .203) and DH Efrain Nunez (R, .272) both had a single and two walks, CF Augusto Marte (R, .126) had a couple of singles and a walk, and RF Janelfry Zorrilla (.167) had a single and one walk. The only extra-base hit was a triple by LF Rey Lebron (3B, RBI, .192).

Tomorrow’s Starters:
Tacoma: RHP Brandon Morrow, at Portland, @ 7:00 pm PDT
West Tenn: RHP Luis Munoz, at Mobile, @ 5:05 pm PDT
High Desert: RHP Anthony Varvaro (?), in Adelanto, @ 7:05 pm PDT
Wisconsin: RHP Keith Renaud, in Appleton, @ 5:05 pm PDT
Everett: RHP Nolan Gallagher (?), in Everett, @ 7:05 pm PDT
Pulaski: RHP Taylor Lewis, in Pulaski, @ 4:00 pm PDT
Peoria: TBA, in Peoria, @ 7:00 pm PDT
Aguirre: Season over, second place (0-1 in playoffs)
Yamasa: TBA, in Yamasa

Tacoma Rainiers: 69-62, .527, 6 GB in PCL Pacific North
West Tenn Diamond Jaxx: 25-32 (66-61), .439 (.520), 11 GB in SL North
High Desert Mavericks: 22-37 (54-75), .373 (.419), 12.5 GB in CAL South
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers: 10-38, (51-73), .345 (.411), 16.5 GB in MWL Western
Everett Aquasox: 27-35, .435, 5.5 GB in NWL West
Pulaski Mariners: 37-24, .607, 1st in APL East
Peoria Mariners: 9-11 (18-30), .450 (.375), 6.5 GB in AZL
Aguirre Mariners: 42-26-1, .618 4 GB in VSL
Yamasa Mariners: 40-23, .641, 1st in Santo Domingo North
Organizational Record: 403-410, .496

Tacoma 3, Sacramento 2 (OAK + 24) (fourteen innings)
As I said with the T-Rats game last night, at least they won, even if they didn’t pick up a game on Salt Lake in the standings. RHP Travis Chick (2.37) pitched the first five innings and let a run score on six hits (HR), three walks, and four Ks. RHP Jorge Sosa (4.19) allowed a hit and two walks while striking out one over the next two innings, but then RHP Jared Wells (6.05, BS) blew the save op, giving up a solo home run in the ninth along with another hit and two strikeouts in three frames of work. RHP Randy Messenger (3.84, W) pitched the next three innings, allowing three hits and a walk while striking out three, and then RHP Jon Huber (6.29, S) struck out two in the fourteenth.
3B Kevin Howard (2B, HR, E, .252) had the home run in the fourteenth that made the difference for the Rainiers, so he gets the top honors, easily. RF Victor Diaz (2B, .277) and C Rob Johnson (.309) also reached three times, Diaz with a hit and two walks, Johnson with two hits and a walk. CF Prentice Redman (HR, A, .303) had two hits, including the other home run for the Rainiers in the eighth.

West Tenn 2, Mobile 6 (ARI - 4)
RHP Tracy Thorpe (3.86) did go six innings, but he also gave up all six of the BayBears’ runs after seven hits (2 HR!), a hit batter, a walk, and two Ks. Of course, most of those came in the first, and there were only two singles and a walk in innings two through five. LHP Ryan Ketchner (4.22) struck out two in an inning’s worth of work, his first appearance since July 26th, and RHP Doug Fister (5.61) struck out one in the ninth.
DH Brent Johnson (HR, 1-3, BB, .295) had a leadoff home run and LF Noah Hall (HR, 1-4, .237) hit one out in the fifth, but that was the extent of the run scoring for the D-Jaxx. SS Erick Monzon (SB, .210) added a single and two walks.

High Desert 5, Lancaster 8 (BOS + 9)
The Mavs were scoring the runs in the first half, but the Jethawks came back in the second. LHP Travis Mortimore (7.15) let two runs (one earned) score on nine hits (HR) and four Ks through five and a third innings. LHP Steve Uhlmansiek (4.23, BS, L) blew the save up and took the loss, giving up four runs on four hits (HR), a walk, and a K. RHP Stephen Richard (4.66) let the other two runs score after three hits and three Ks in the final inning and a third.
C Travis Scott (2 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI, SB, .272) had a pretty solid night, going 4-for-5. He’s had trouble on the road this year, but it’s only a small victory to get four hits in Lancaster. LF James McOwen (2B, R, SB, .262) and DH Geraldo Valentin (SB, .244) both had two hits, 3B Ron Prettyman (2B, R, RBI, .286) doubled, and 2B Chris Minaker (R, .294) had a single and a walk.

Wisconsin 3, Kane County 2 (OAK - 4)
Good thing the bullpen is getting the day off tomorrow. RHP Phillippe Aumont (2.75) let a run score on four hits, three walks, and three Ks in four+ innings. RHP Natividad Dilone (3.98, W) picked up the win after walking one and punching out three through three innings of work. LHP Jose Jimenez (11.88) gave up a hit, hit a batter, and walked one in two-thirds of an inning, but RHP Keith Meyer (4.55, S) stranded those runners, eventually getting the save up still allowing a run to score on two hits (HR) and a K in an inning and a third.
1B Joe Dunigan (2B, HR, 2 RBI, .226) gets the nod as the offensive leader for hitting the go-ahead home run in the sixth and driving in a run in the first. CF Maximo Mendez (HR, .239) had the T-Rats’ other home run in the third and RF Daniel Carroll (2B, R, PO, .246) doubled.

So Everett didn’t play today and I’ve been informed that Kasparek is going to reappear and start the game on Wednesday. The DSL M’s didn’t play either. I really wish they’d leave a gap day in the online schedules.

Greenville 10 (HOU - 8), Pulaski 0
Bummer. RHP Kyle Haas (7.62, L) let seven runs (four earned) score on seven hits, a wild pitch, two walks, and three Ks through three and two-thirds innings. LHP Brent Gaphardt (2.75) scored two more runs on four hits (HR), two walks, and a K in the next inning and a third. The last four innings were split between RHP Phillip Roy (2.00) and RHP Jordan Alvis (8.55), with Roy giving up a run on three hits (HR) and a K and Alvis having a hit, a balk, and a walk to his line.
The offense wasn’t there, really, as there was only one hit in the game by the M’s, but 3B Guy Welsh (.327) sneaks in on a technicality because he drew a couple of walks.

AZL Giants 5 (+ 11), Peoria Mariners 3
RHP Taylor Stanton (2.57) went three innings and gave up a hit while striking out four. RHP Brian Oates (4.19) pitched the next four and let three score on five hits (HR) and four Ks. LHP Richard Ortiz (2.42, L) took the loss as he let two runs score in the final two innings on three hits and two strikeouts.
LF Scott Savastano (R, RBI, .295) had a couple of singles, but the only other bright spot was DH Leury Bonilla (R, .316) getting a single and a walk.

Tomorrow’s Starters:
Tacoma: RHP Andy Baldwin, at Portland, @ 7:00 pm PDT
West Tenn: RHP Gaby Hernandez, at Mobile, @ 5:05 pm PDT
High Desert: RHP Anthony Varvaro, in Adelanto, @ 7:05 pm PDT
Wisconsin: Off day
Everett: RHP Kenn Kasparek, in Everett, @ 7:05 pm PDT
Pulaski: LHP Jose Rios (?), in Pulaski, @ 4:00 pm PDT
Peoria: Off day
Aguirre: Season over, second place (0-1 in playoffs)
Yamasa: TBA, at Athletics1

Tacoma Rainiers: 69-61, .531, 5 GB in PCL Pacific North
West Tenn Diamond Jaxx: 24-32 (65-61), .429 (.516), 11.5 GB in SL North
High Desert Mavericks: 21-37 (53-75), .362 (.414), 11.5 GB in CAL South
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers: 10-38, (51-73), .345 (.411), 16.5 GB in MWL Western
Everett Aquasox: 27-34, .443, 5.5 GB in NWL West
Pulaski Mariners: 36-23, .610, 1st in APL East
Peoria Mariners: 9-11 (18-30), .450 (.375), 6.5 GB in AZL
Aguirre Mariners: 42-26-1, .618 4 GB in VSL
Yamasa Mariners: 40-22, .645, 1st in Santo Domingo North
Organizational Record: 400-407, .496

Another note regarding possible delays coming up, I’m flying into New York on this coming Sunday, but the good news is that I have a laptop now so once I’m settled [and up for it], baseball recaps will resume as normal without too much transition work.

Tacoma 1, Sacramento 7 (OAK + 25)
Well, shoot. At least Salt Lake isn’t winning either, but we’re squandering opportunities here. RHP Rich Dorman (4.55, L) went three innings and let three runs (one earned) score on two hits (HR), a walk, and two Ks. RHP Denny Stark (2.84) went the next two and let three more plate on five hits (HR), a hit batter, a walk, and a couple of Ks. LHP Justin Thomas (6.75) then came back to triple-A for the first time since mid-April and threw three innings, with a run scoring on two hits and a walk while he struck out six.
C Rob Johnson (2 PB, .306) had a couple of singles and LF Jon Nelson (2B, R, .328) had a double.

West Tenn 4, Mobile 1 (ARI - 5) (six innings)
RHP Joe Woerman (2.37, W) held the BayBears to two hits, a hit batter, two walks, and a K through six innings, then during the top of the seventh, it started raining, and after a half an hour of that they just decided to call it.
This game was a bit of a flashback to the game a few days ago, but this time it was SS Erick Monzon (HR, 2-2, BB, .205), 1B Marshall Hubbard (HR, .303), and C Adam Moore (HR, .312) who had solo home runs in the first and CF Gregory Halman (HR, .286) who had the solo home run later in the game.

High Desert 2, Lancaster 4 (BOS + 8)
RHP Justin Souza (4.40) actually didn’t do too badly, pitching five and a third innings and giving up a run on three hits and two walks while ringing up six. LHP Nick Hill (4.74) gave up a hit while wrapping up the sixth and then RHP Bryan Harris (6.80, BS, L) gave up the lead in the final two innings, with three runs (two earned) scoring on four hits (HR) and two Ks.
LF James McOwen (R, SB, .260) and RF James Davenport (.328) both had two hits and DH Geraldo Valentin (R, .232) had a single and a walk.

Wisconsin 8, Kane County 7 (OAK - 3) (thirteen innings)
At least they won. RHP Juan Ramirez (4.40) threw five innings and gave up three runs on five hits, four walks, and two Ks. RHP Ryan Moorer (4.29, BS) blew the lead as he let four runs score on four hits, a hit batter, a walk, and a K in the next inning and two-thirds, but neither offense could put anything together for quite some time after that. LHP Jose Escalona (4.19) pitched through the bottom of the tenth, allowing three hits and a walk while striking out two, and RHP Jeff Dunbar (3.31, W) gave up just a hit and a hit batter and rung up three through the final three frames.
SS Maximo Mendez (RBI, CS, .239) only went 2-for-6 in the game, but his suicide squeeze bunt drove in the winning run in the thirteenth. The top two batters in the order, CF Daniel Carroll (3B, 3 R, RBI, SB, A, .246) and 2B Alex Meneses (2B, R, RBI, .225), were both 2-for-6 with a walk. C Blake Ochoa (R, RBI, .244), 1B Joe Dunigan (R, CS, E, .223), 3B Terry Serrano (R, .200), DH Joe White (RBI, .281), and SS Juan Diaz (.235) all had a single and a walk and LF Denny Almonte (2B, R, RBI, .251) doubled.

Eugene 7 (SD + 1), Everett 4
RHP Douglas Salinas (5.79, L) moved back into the rotation, but took the loss after seven runs scored on seven hits (3 HR!), three walks, and five Ks through five and two-thirds innings. Before today, Salinas had only allowed two home runs for the year. RHP Marquis Pettis (3.24) scored two of Salinas’ runs on a hit and two walks before recording the last out of the fifth. RHP Jeff Dominguez (6.66, PO) would’ve had a perfect two innings of work, if not for the wild pitch/K combo. RHP Javier Martinez (3.63) had two hits, a walk, and a K through the last two innings.
LF Brandon Fromm (R, RBI, .248), C Travis Howell (.299), and 3B Jharmidy de Jesus (2B, RBI, .190) all had two hits, with Fromm adding a walk. CF Tyson Gillies (2B, R, .295) doubled and walked and 1B Nate Tenbrink (R, .205) drew two walks. Based on how he’s been doing lately, it seems like Gillies has a chance to develop into a legitimate leadoff man and a decent centerfielder to boot.

Greenville 14 (HOU - 9), Pulaski 7
RHP Brooks Mohr (3.55, E, L) had a rare rough outing, giving up seven runs (six earned) through three innings after seven hits, two wild pitches, a hit batter, a walk, and a K. RHP Stephen Penney (4.97) pitched the next three innings and let a run score on four hits and four Ks. LHP Brandon Pullen (5.06) gave up three more runs through two innings of work on three hits (HR), a walk, and two Ks, and then RHP Tommy Ellis (12.76) had three unearned runs score against him on two hits and two hit batters in the ninth.
CF Dwight Britton (3B, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, .261), 3B Mario Martinez (2B, RBI, .330), and 1B Kris Sanchez (HR, 2 R, .331) all had two hits in the game, with Britton and Sanchez adding walks. Britton is running a .310/.359/.521 right now in August, but I’m not sure that he’s actually coming around because his K/BB in the same span is 23/3, which doesn’t suggest that he’s seeing the ball any better than previous months. DH Blake Trinkler (2B, R, RBI, .258) had a double and LF Jonathan Arias (R, E, .245) had a single and a walk.

Peoria Mariners 9, AZL Royals 6 (- 5)
RHP Austin Bibens-Dirkx (2.25) got two more rehab innings in, allowing a hit and striking out two. After eight straight losses to open his pitching career, RHP Fray Martinez (6.84, W) finally got a win, through he did let two runs score on three hits, a wild pitch, two walks, and two Ks through four innings. RHP Colin Buckborough (6.35) pitched the next inning and two-thirds and let four runs score on two hits, a hit batter, two walks, and two Ks. LHP Dustin Birosak (3.38) scored one of those as he allowed a couple of hits before recording his out. In the ninth, RHP Cheyne Hann (1.64, S) got his second save with a hit, a walk, and two Ks.
SS Cesar Fuentes (2 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI, .267) and CF Jarrett Burgess (2B, 3B, R, 2 RBI, .217) both had three hits in the game, though Fuentes did have a walk as well. 2B Fred Bello (2 R, 2 SB, .288) also reached three times with a hit and two walks leading off. LF Scott Savastano (RBI, .281) walked twice, 1B Randy Molina (R, RBI, SB, .229) had a hit and a walk, and rehabber DH Leury Bonilla (2B, R, .313) had a couple of hits. Rodriguez, who has been quiet of late, made the recaps in the wrong way for his platinum sombrero.

Saturday’s game was rained out. One fewer game to cover, although they’ll probably get a DH in there within the next few days…

Today’s Starters:
Tacoma: RHP Travis Chick, at Sacramento, @ 7:00 pm PDT
West Tenn: RHP Tracy Thorpe, at Mobile, @ 5:05 pm PDT
High Desert: LHP Travis Mortimore, at Lancaster, @ 7:05 pm PDT
Wisconsin: RHP Phillippe Aumont (!), at Kane County, @ 11:00 am PDT
Everett: RHP Nolan Gallagher, in Everett, @ 7:05 pm PDT
Pulaski: RHP Kyle Haas (?), in Pulaski, @ 4:00 pm PDT
Peoria: TBA, in Peoria, @ 7:00 pm PDT
Aguirre: Season over, second place (0-1 in playoffs)
Yamasa: TBA, at Athletics1

Tacoma Rainiers: 68-61, .527, 5 GB in PCL Pacific North
West Tenn Diamond Jaxx: 24-31 (65-60), .436 (.520), 10.5 GB in SL North
High Desert Mavericks: 21-36 (53-74), .368 (.417), 11.5 GB in CAL South
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers: 19-38, (50-73), .333 (.407), 16.5 GB in MWL Western
Everett Aquasox: 27-34, .443, 5.5 GB in NWL West
Pulaski Mariners: 36-23, .610, 1st in APL East
Peoria Mariners: 9-10 (18-29), .474 (.383), 5.5 GB in AZL
Aguirre Mariners: 42-26-1, .618 4 GB in VSL
Yamasa Mariners: 40-22, .645, 1st in Santo Domingo North
Organizational Record: 398-403, .497

Tacoma 3, Sacramento 4 (OAK + 24)
Bah. We got one run in the ninth so they got two. RHP Scott Shoemaker (6.04, E) got through six innings, giving up a couple of runs on nine hits, a walk, and four Ks. RHP Randy Messenger (4.19) had two hits and a walk in the next two innings. In the ninth, RHP Jared Wells (6.23, BS, L) had an opportunity, as a leadoff single was followed by a sac bunt and a groundout, but then he had to give up a two-run home run and that ended it.
Homers were again a theme in the upper levels, as DH Victor Diaz (HR, .280), 1B Criag Wilson (HR, .274), and LF Jon Nelson (HR, .327) all had home runs. Sure, it could’ve helped if they weren’t all solo shots, but sometimes things don’t work out that way. 2B Luis Valbuena (2B, .306) added two hits.

High Desert 2, Lancaster 7 (BOS + 7)
It continues. RHP Jake Wild (5.88, L) lasted two innings and let five runs (three earned) score on five hits (HR), a hit batter, two walks, and two Ks. LHP Michael Wagner (4.76) and LHP Julio Santiago (5.85) split the last six innings, with Wagner letting two runs score on three hits and a wild pitch and Santiago allowing a hit and two walks while striking out two.
The offense scraped together two runs, but there were no extra-base hits, multiple hits or walks, or even a hit and walk combo, so I’m not saying anything.

Wisconsin 0, Kane County 5 (OAK - 2)
LHP Edward Paredes (4.63, L) pitched two and two-thirds innings in the start and gave up two runs (one earned) on three hits, three walks, and four Ks. His record is now 7-11, which struck me as somewhat amusing. LHP Jose Jimenez (12.91) gave up three more runs on five hits, two walks, and a K in an inning and a third+. RHP Joe Kantakevich (5.50) scored one of Jimenez’ runs, but otherwise did a bang-up job with the last four frames, allowing a hit and two walks while ringing up four.
RF Daniel Carroll (2B, .243), 2B Alex Meneses (2B, .222), and C Israel Nunez 92B, .226) all had doubles, but that was about the extent of what the offense did.

Eugene 5 (SD 0), Everett 7
Surprise! LHP Robert Rohrbaugh (0.00) made an appearance for the first time in months and went three innings, allowing two hits and a walk while striking out three. LHP Bobby LaFromboise (3.19, PO) had two hits, a wild pitch, two walks, and four Ks to his line through the next four innings. RHP Christian Staehely (4.50) allowed four runs (two earned) to score through an inning and a third on three hits and three Ks, but he kind of got a raw deal, as LHP Eddy Fernandez (4.18) scored two of those as he gave up a hit and a walk without recording an out and RHP Phillip Hann (4.39, BS, W) scored one more along with one of his own after two hits, a wild pitch, a walk, and a K in two and two-thirds innings.
The ‘Sox hit four home runs in the game, the most significant of which was the one by CF Tyson Gillies (HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2-4, BB, .297) who hit the walk-off two-run shot. Otherwise, I’d think RF Wellington Dotel (2 HR, 3 R, 2-4, .272) would get the nod for having two of them, though 1B Brandon Fromm (HR, 2 RBI, 1-4, .242) does seem to be coming along of late. 3B Nate Tenbrink (2B, CS, E, .208) and LF Ryan Royster (CS, .188) both had a hit and a walk.

AZL Cubs 13 (+ 2), Peoria Mariners 1
I’ve seen better games. RHP Brandon Maurer (2.93, PO) pitched three innings and gave up two hits and two walks while striking out five, which was quite all right, but RHP Aaron Pribanic (135.00, L) had quite some trouble with his debut, as he recorded one out and allowed three hits and two walks, all of which would come around to score. RHP Randy Castillo (5.40, PO) was responsible for three of those and had four (one earned) score against him on six hits, a walk, and two Ks in two and two-thirds innings. RHP Yao-wen Chang (5.51) gave up three more unearned runs on three hits, a wild pitch, two walks, and a K in the next two innings and LHP Eddy Hernandez (9.00) had a run score on a hit, two wild pitches, and a K in the ninth.
2B Fred Bello (R, 2 SB, .286) was 3-for-3 leading off, though overall he’s cooled off quite a bit. 3B Alfredo Mateo (2B, E, .252) had two hits.

DSL Athletics2 7 (- 3), Yamasa Mariners 4
Sunday’s game, while Saturday’s continues to go unreported. RHP Joan Vizcaino (4.20, E, L) made his first appearance since the end of July, throwing three and a third innings and giving up three runs (one earned) on five hits, two hit batters, two walks, and three Ks. RHP Bruno Mercedes (3.92) took over for the next inning and a third, scoring two of Vizcaino’s runs and three of his own on four hits and a K. RHP Miguel Celestino (2.53) and RHP Jose Perdomo (3.59) split the final two innings, with Celestino walking one and striking out two and Perdomo letting a run score on a hit, a walk, and three Ks.
1B-LF Axel Wel (2B, .282) had two hits, SS Victor Ozuna (RBI, CS, .200) walked twice, 3B Ramon Morla (2B, .256) doubled, and 3B-1B Rudy van Heydoorn (R, SB, .252), C Hassiel Jimenez (R, E, .287), and RF Efrain Nunez (R, RBI, CS, .268) all had a single and a walk.

Today’s Starters:
Tacoma: TBA, at Sacramento, @ 7:00 pm PDT
West Tenn: RHP Joe Woerman, at Mobile, @ 5:05 pm PDT
High Desert: RHP Justin Souza, at Lancaster, @ 7:05 pm PDT
Wisconsin: RHP Juan Ramirez, at Kane County, @ 4:30 pm PDT
Everett: RHP Kenn Kasparek (?), in Everett, @ 7:05 pm PDT
Pulaski: TBA, in Pulaski, @ 4:00 pm PDT
Peoria: TBA, at Royals, @ 7:00 pm PDT
Aguirre: Season over, second place (0-1 in playoffs)
Yamasa: Off day

Tacoma Rainiers: 68-60, .531, 5 GB in PCL Pacific North
West Tenn Diamond Jaxx: 23-31 (64-60), .426 (.516), 11.5 GB in SL North
High Desert Mavericks: 21-35 (53-73), .375 (.421), 11 GB in CAL South
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers: 18-38, (49-73), .321 (.401), 16 GB in MWL Western
Everett Aquasox: 27-33, .450, 5.5 GB in NWL West
Pulaski Mariners: 36-22, .621, 1st in APL East
Peoria Mariners: 8-10 (17-29), .444 (.370), 5.5 GB in AZL
Aguirre Mariners: 42-26-1, .618 4 GB in VSL
Yamasa Mariners: 40-22, .645, 1st in Santo Domingo North
Organizational Record: 395-399, .498

Carolina 5 (FLA + 14), West Tenn 12 (seven innings)
RHP Luis Munoz (7.30, W) threw five innings, with four runs scoring on eight hits, a hit batter, three walks, and four Ks. RHP Marwin Vega (5.03) scored one more run on two hits and three Ks in the last two frames.
The offense was the much more interesting aspect of the game, as the D-Jaxx got three runs in the first and five in the second. The first inning featured solo home runs from DH Brent Johnson (HR, 2 R, 2-3, .294), 1B Johan Limonta (HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2-4, BB, .309), and RF Mike Wilson (HR, 2 RBI, 2-3, BB, .282), which would have been back-to-back-to-back if not for Monzon hitting between Johnson and Limonta. The next three batters in the order, C Adam Moore (2B, 2 R, .312), CF Gregory Halman (2B, R, SB, .280), and LF Noah Hall (2B, R, 2 RBI, .239) all had doubles, with Halman and Hall adding walks. 3B Matt Mangini (HR, 2 RBI, .200) also hit a home run, but his came much later in the game during the sixth.

Carolina 7 (+ 15), West Tenn 5 (seven innings)
Game two started with RHP Brodie Downs (4.10) on the mound, and he gave up three runs through five innings on five hits, a wild pitch, a hit batter, three walks, and five Ks. LHP Justin Thomas (4.32, E, L) had a hit, an error, a strikeout, and a hit batter, in that order, starting out the sixth, and RHP Shawn Kelley (1.43, BS) scored those as two runs, with two more scoring against him three hits, a wild pitch, a walk, and five Ks. That sub-1.00 ERA just got quite a lot trickier to pull off.
The offense didn’t do badly in this one either, it just fell shy of the goal. LF-1B Marshall Hubbard (3B, R, E, .302) had three hits in the game, RF Mike Wilson (HR, E, .283) hit a home run and walked twice, SS Erick Monzon (.192), CF Gregory Halman (2B, R, RBI, .285), and 3B Matt Mangini (HR, .207) all had two hits, and DH Brent Johnson (2 RBI, .295) had a single and a walk. It was the twenty-fifth home run for Wilson, which is good, but only the second for Mangini at the double-A level, which means he went June and July without a single jack.

High Desert 3, Visalia 4 (ARI - 6)
RHP Alfredo Venegas (4.69) gave up a couple of runs through six innings of work after five hits, a walk, and a K. LHP Nick Hill (4.78) had a hit, a walk, and a K to his line in the seventh, but RHP Stephen Richard (4.33, BS) had it tie up on him after two hits, a walk, and a K in the eighth. RHP Aaron Cotter (3.43, L) let the winning run score after a hit and a hit batter in a third of an inning.
The Mavs jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first, but it didn’t stick, unfortunately. 1B Joe Simokaitis (R, .256) had a couple singles and a walk, LF James McOwen (HR, E, .260) led off the game with a home run (not quite as cool as game one fro the D-Jaxx), and C Travis Scott (2B, R, RBI, E, .269) doubled in a run and scored.

Wisconsin 5, Kane County 6 (OAK - 3)
A five-run ninth inning saddles the T-Rats with another loss. RHP Michael Pineda (2.08) did not disappoint, going five frames and allowing five hits and two walks while striking out five. RHP Natividad Dilone (4.40) allowed a couple of hits and rung up four over the two innings that followed. Things began to fall apart in the eighth when RHP Ryan Moorer (3.76) gave up a run on two hits and a K, but it wasn’t in full effect until the ninth when RHP Jeff Dunbar (4.05, L) gave up four hits and a walk without recording an out. Three runs were already on the board before he was pulled, and then RHP Keith Meyer (4.50, BS) got one out before allowing a walk-off two-RBI double.
The four-five hitters in the order, 1B Joe Dunigan (HR, 2 R, SB, .225) and CF Denny Almonte (HR, CS, .255) both had home runs and reached base twice, Dunigan with an additional walk and Almonte with a single. Dunigan has eleven home runs for the year and Almonte is right behind him at ten, which is strange to think about. From the rest of the lineup, LF Danny Carroll (R, E, .243) had two walks leading off, 3B Alex Liddi (2B, .234) doubled, DH Joe White (.283) had two singles, and C Blake Ochoa (RBI, .244) had a single and a walk.

Eugene 5 (SD + 1), Everett 6
The Aquasox managed to hold on despite a run scoring against them in each of the last four innings. RHP Aaron Brown (5.17, PO, W) got his second win after he gave up a run on four hits, four walks, and five Ks through five innings. The three relievers each pitched an inning and a third, with RHP Brad Reid (6.46) scoring two runs on five hits (HR) and a K, RHP Chris Kirkland (3.86) scoring one on two hits and a walk, though all four of his outs were strikeouts, and RHP Matt Renfree (2.29, S), back from his day trip in Tacoma, allowed a solo home run and struck out two.
DH Manelik Pimentel (2B, RBI, .219) had a double and two walks, though not much came of them. LF Tyson Gillies (.298) and CF Ryan Royster (R, RBI, .185) both had two hits, with Royster adding a walk, 1B Brandon Fromm (2B, RBI, .242) doubled, and RF Wellington Dotel (R, .265) had a single and a walk.

Pulaski 8, Greenville 4 (HOU - 10)
LHP Nick Czyz (3.48, PO, W) picked up his third win in a row, allowing just one run to score on a solo home run, along with four other hits, a wild pitch, a walk, and two Ks through five innings. RHP Jordan Alvis (9.50) pitched the next three innings and gave up three of Greenville’s runs on four hits, a walk, and a K. Taking over for the ninth, LHP Kyle Brown (4.85) hit one batter and struck out another.
1B Kris Sanchez (2B, HR, 2 R, 5 RBI, .322) edges out DH Juan Fuentes (2 2B, 2 R, RBI, .365) for overall run production, though both had three hits and Fuentes even added a walk. 3B Mario Martinez (2 R, .329) and RF Jose Rivero (3B, 2 R, .268) both had a couple of hits and C Tommy Johnson (.365) and LF Jonathan Arias (2 RBI, .243) each had a hit and a walk.

AZL Athletics 9 (- 3), Peoria Mariners 1
RHP Ariel Alcantara (5.77, E, L) took the loss after allowing five runs (one earned) to plate on eight hits against three Ks through four innings. RHP Jean Tome (8.03) got the next three innings and three more runs (two earned) scored after five hits and four Ks. RHP Jeroen de Haas (6.10) had an unearned run score against him on a series of errors in the eighth, and then RHP Nick Love (9.61) had a hit and a K to his line in the ninth.
C Henry Contrares (2B, R, PB, .313) had a couple of hits in the game and DH Scott Savastano (3B, .300) had a triple. That covered all of the offense the M’s had, no additional walks, no additional hits, not even at hit batter.

DSL Athletics1 8, Yamasa Mariners 5
Instead of having the details for Saturday’s game, I have Thursday’s game, finally posted. Isn’t that wonderful? RHP Gregorio Aquino (7.58, L) started this one out, going four frames and giving up three runs on five hits (HR), three walks, and four Ks. RHP Enrique Rosario (2.94) pitched the next two innings, with two more runs (one earned) scoring after he gave up two hits and two walks while striking out three. RHP Julio Antigua (5.50) pitched the last three frames and had three runs score against him on four hits, two wild pitches, a hit batter, and two walks.
C Hassiel Jimenez (2B, R, RBI, PB, .288) led the offense with three hits and a walk. 1B Rudy van Heydoorn (R, .252) continued to bump up his OBP with three more walks, and SS Ameilis Carvajal (2B, R, E, .267) had a double and a walk leading off.

Today’s Starters:
Tacoma: RHP Scott Shoemaker, at Sacramento, @ 6:00 pm PDT
West Tenn: Off day
High Desert: RHP Jake Wild, at Lancaster, @ 5:05 pm PDT
Wisconsin: LHP Edward Paredes, at Kane County, @ 12:00 pm PDT
Everett: LHP Bobby LaFromboise, in Everett, @ 1:05 pm PDT
Pulaski: Off day
Peoria: TBA, in Peoria, @ 7:00 pm PDT
Aguirre: Season over, second place (0-1 in playoffs)
Yamasa: TBA, in Yamasa

Tacoma Rainiers: 68-59, .535, 5 GB in PCL Pacific North
West Tenn Diamond Jaxx: 23-31 (64-60), .426 (.516), 11.5 GB in SL North
High Desert Mavericks: 21-34 (53-72), .382 (.424), 10 GB in CAL South
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers: 18-37, (49-72), .327 (.405), 15.5 GB in MWL Western
Everett Aquasox: 26-33, .441, 6.5 GB in NWL West
Pulaski Mariners: 36-22, .621, 1st in APL East
Peoria Mariners: 8-9 (17-28), .471 (.378), 5.5 GB in AZL
Aguirre Mariners: 42-26-1, .618 4 GB in VSL
Yamasa Mariners: 40-21, .656, 1st in Santo Domingo North
Organizational Record: 394-394, .500