Colorado
Springs 9, Tucson 6
Phil Stockman was cruising before being lifted in the fourth
inning due to injury. Stockman had given
up two runs, but only one earned, as Sergio Santos made his first error of the
year allowing the second run to score.
The Sidewinders bullpen let Stockman down as Mark Freed allowed six runs
to cross the plate in the fifth.
Doug DeVore started slowly, but his solo homer Wednesday
extended his hitting streak to seven games.
DeVore started in right field, moving to left after Andy Green moved
from left to second base. DeVore also
struck out once, he’s struck out at least one time in all but one of his 11
starts this season.
Brian Barden’s 3 for 4 night raised his season average to
.422. Barden has had multiple hits in
his last five games and is hitting .650 with eight RBI during that five game
streak.
Former Atlanta Braves closer Kerry Ligtenberg was signed to
a minor league contract by the Diamondbacks April 16th and made his
second appearance in Tucson
Wednesday. He threw two innings,
striking out four and giving up one run.
In his first appearance on the 18th Ligtenberg earned the
win, throwing an inning and a third of shutout ball. The Diamondbacks have actively been looking
for veteran leadership to help the big league club’s bullpen, so expect
Ligtenberg at the BOB soon.
West Tenn 6, Tennessee 7
Mike Schultz picked up the win while in the clubhouse after pitching
the top of the ninth and then being ejected, but the day belonged to Jesus Cota, who is healthy for the first time in two years and showing it. Cota went 3 for 5 with three RBI including a walk
off double that gave the Smokies a 7 to 6 victory over the Chicago Cubs
Double-A West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx.
Cota’s night raised his average to .389. After starting the season with a seven game
hit streak Cota has started a new one, hitting safely in his last four
games. He’s failed to get a hit in only
one of the Smokies 12 games this season.
Smokies starting pitcher Enrique Gonzalez struggled, giving
up 10 hits and five runs in five innings, but kept the Smokies in the game long
enough for Cota and company to come to the rescue. The Smokies bullpen was sharp, giving up just
two hits and one run while striking out six in four innings of work.
Lancaster 2, Inland Empire
7
Sam Smith dropped his third decision of the year after
giving up seven runs in five innings as the Inland Empire
66ers beat up on the Lancaster JetHawks 7-2.
The JetHawks managed only six hits against the 66ers, two by
center fielder Jay Garthwaite. Miguel Montero continued a torrid start to the season, smacking a double to left
center and scoring on Garthwaite’s double three pitches later.
Hitters are crushing at a .400 clip against Smith with
runners in scoring position.
Ryan Coffin was strong in relief for the JetHawks going
three innings without giving up a hit and striking out two. The outing dropped Coffin’s ERA to 1.69.
First baseman Chris Carter went 0-4 with two strikeouts,
ending his six game hitting streak. The
JetHawks now own the worst record in the California League (5-9).
South Bend 8, Fort Wayne 3
Silverhawks lead off hitter and second baseman Emilio Bonafacio crushed a Grand Slam in the sixth that put the game out of reach but
it was third baseman Augie Murillo’s three run shot that opened the door for
the win against Fort Wayne. Angel Rocha lasted only three innings because
of a more than two hour rain delay, so Josh Perrault earned the win after going
three innings and giving up three runs.
Matt Elliott earned his third save of the year with a scoreless ninth.
All eight Silverhawk position players reached base safely in
the game.
Silverhawk pitchers struck out twelve batters, but
surrendered seven walks.
Murillo has hit safely in his last four games and carries an
average of .404. He’s reached base
safely in all but one of the Silverhawks 12 games this season.