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AAA Fresno Grizzlies: 10-5 loss to Salt Lake (LAA)
The Fresno Grizzlies had no problem scoring (shocker) but failed to prevent runs at a pace that outstripped their prolific offense’s ability to post them on the board.
Tony Kemp continued his torrid season by leading off the game with a triple (one of six extra base hits in the game for the Grizzlies) and then scoring on a single by Jon Kemmer, who also continues to have a successful and relatively low-key, unheralded offensive season. Derek Fisher ripped a two-run home run to the opposite field in left center, and just like that, the Grizzlies were up 3-0 in the first inning.
Dean Deetz was dismantled by the Bees in an inning and a third...after cruising through the first four outs of the game, he gave up a pair of singles and a walk (to Nolan Fontana) to load the bases. He then gave up a run-scoring single, another walk, and a grand slam. One more subsequent single, and his night was done. The game went downhill from that point for the Grizzlies, who have now lost two straight to the Bees after their ten game win streak.
AA Corpus Christi Hooks: 9-4 loss to Northwest Arkansas (KCR)
Ramon Laureano had himself a ballgame in this one, coming a triple short of the cycle. Kyle Tucker had a single in three at bats, and Jon Singleton and Jack Mayfield each added solo home runs of their own. Unfortunately, the Hooks were only able to manage those four extra base hits (the team accrued not one single walk in the contest) and the Hooks pitching and defense weren’t able to contain the Naturals.
A+ Buies Creek Astros: 3-0 win over Myrtle Beach (CHC)
Freshly-minted Carolina League June Player of the Month Myles Straw was held to “just” one hit (a single, naturally) and a stolen base (his 24th in 76 games) in the 3-0 shut out for Buies Creek.
Astros Director of Pro Scouting Kevin Goldstein had this to say on Twitter about Straw:
I mean, he only reached base 56 times in 24 games . . . https://t.co/T9cHwSAXkx
— Kevin Goldstein (@Kevin_Goldstein) July 6, 2017
Slugger Yordan Alvarez, who will soon represent the world in the Futures Game, had a single in the contest, and Stephen Wrenn had a double. Catcher (and sudden-stud hitter) Jake Rogers had a pair of hits - the only multi-hit day for the Astros. Ryan Hartman and Hector Perez combined to hold the Pelicans to five hits and four walks in the nine inning shut out.
A- Quad Cities River Bandits: 13-3 win over Kane County (ARI)
Carmen Benedetti had four hits and Wander Franco had three hits including a home run as the River Bandits “stomped a mud hole” into the Cougars.
SS Tri-City ValleyCats: 13-0 win over Brooklyn (NYM)
Speaking of mud holes...there were plenty of hits to go around in this contest. 2017 Draft Pick JJ Matijevic had a pair of hits including his first home run as a professional, and 2016 Draft Pick (and recent catching convert) Abraham Toro-Hernandez had a pair of hits as well. Another 2017 pick, Jake Adams, hit his third home run, and Longview’s own Reid Russell had a pair of jacks. Kyle Davis completed the slugfest display with his second home run of the season.
On the bump, Patrick Sandoval fired off five innings of three-hit, shut out baseball, walking two and striking out eight. A really encouraging start for him. Colin McKee finished with a four inning shutout save, striking out five in his hitless appearance and allowing just two base runners via walk.
RK Greeneville Astros: 6-5 win over Johnson City (STL)
The Astros scored four times in the bottom of the ninth to send it to extras before walking it off in the bottom of the 11th inning.
Chas McCormick led the way offensively with three singles while Martin Figueroa and Roman Garcia each notched the only two extra base hits (both doubles) in the contest for the Astros.
R GCL Astros: 11-10 loss to GCL Cardinals (STL)
The GCL Astros banged out 17 hits, including a pair of three-hit games from Hector Martinez and Bernardo Heras, but ultimately fell to the Cardinals. Both teams did their very best to imitate the 1999 Texas Rangers in this one - the pitching was utterly non-existent, especially late in the game. Down seven to five going into the top of the eighth, the Astros scored a run to cut the deficit to one, and the Cardinals answered back with another run of their own in the bottom half of the frame. In the top of the ninth, the Astros scored three to take a one run lead and appeared poised to sneak out of Roger Dean Stadium with a win, but the Cardinals pounded back with a run of their own in the bottom half to force extra innings. In the top of the tenth, the Astros scored again to take a one run lead, but the Cardinals scored twice in the bottom of the tenth to walk the game off in fashion.