Low-A -- Quad Cities 2, Clinton 1 -- Box
OK, D.J., all I did was point out that Mike Zunino (Talk40 #1) had 13 homers in his first 40 minor-league games, and that you only had 10. I didn't mean you had to catch up with him immediately.
After 43 games: Zunino 13, D.J. Peterson 12
That's after Deeeeeej! homered for the second consecutive night. He now has six homers for Clinton in just 14 games. Wonder if he'll get a flavor of AA before it's all done for the year?
***
Ketel Marte (26intheMix) mind-blowing hit streak watch:
Hits = 1
That's the first time in the month of August that he had fewer than two hits.
He also struck out, so he's starting to revert to the mean all around. Of course, we knew he would, but it's still fun to watch.
Gordon offered some thoughts on Marte in the Shout Box, by the way, if you haven't noticed.
***
Rigoberto Garcia: 7.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K.
AAA -- Tacoma 6, Albuquerque 2 -- Box
It's been a tough second half for the Rainiers, what with most of "Mariners: The Next Generation" moving onward and upward. But it was a nice night for some of those remaining:
AA -- Jackson 4, Mississippi 1 [7 innings] -- Box
AA -- Jackson 6, Mississippi 0 [7 innings] -- Box
The Generals are finally making up some of their missed dates. But, of course, they must play semi-rinky-dink seven-inning contests.
Game 1: James Gilheeney and Carson Smith (Talk40 #13) combined to allow only one run. Chris Taylor (Talk40 #28) had three hits.
Game 2: A shutout (seven-inning variety) from Kyle Hunter (26intheMix), Stephen Shackleford (Watch List) and Nick Hill (The [2nd] Best Story of the Year So Far). Taylor had two more hits, and Ramon Morla had a double and a triple for four RBI.
High-A -- Inland Empire 9, High Desert 7 -- Box
Grand news for the Kivle-fans: Grand Salami Time, Too!
The ninth High Desert homer and 12th overall for Patrick Kivlehan (Talk40 #33) was, indeed a Grand Salami in the 8th, but it only pulled the Mavericks up from a 9-3 deficit to 9-7, which is where it ended.
As you may know, I've always been rather more of a Kivle-skeptic, but he may be winning me over. Then again, here's his Cal League road split: .256/.323/.384. Home ISO = .247; road ISO = .128.
Still, I like that he's generating power with a lower K%.
Patrick Brady also homered.
Short Season-A -- Salem-Keizer 9, Everett 6 -- Box
The Aqua Sox returned from their all-star break, only to watch the Volcanoes put up runs in five of the first six innings.
James Zamarripa (Watch List) had a double, two singles and a steal.
Rookie -- Kingsport 7, Pulaski 4 -- Box
Eddie didn't cruise this time; for the first time all year, really.
Eddie Campbell: 3.2 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 2 K.
But then, in relief, here came Rafael Pineda, a 30th-round pick from Texas A&M: 3.0 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 7 K. Definitiely his best outing of the year.
Ian Miller had three hits.
AZL Rookie -- Diamondbacks 6, Mariners 5 -- Box
The youthful M's tied it at 5-5 in the 8th, only to lose in the 9th.
Paul Fry, whom Gordon identified as worth watching, limited the damage despite giving up a bunch of baserunners: 3.2 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K.
Cory Scammell had three hits and a walk.
And popping up on a rehab assignment: Jesus Sucre (Watch List), who went 1-for-3 as DH.
Looking Ahead
Edwin Diaz (Talk40 #36) for Pulaski. Thyago Viera for Everett.
I would give Deeej the Jackson time. We know he can hit the ball out in High Desert, it would almost be a needless stop. Finish him in Jackson...and start him there (briefly) next year. He's on a rocket, Spec. He swings the bat in Seattle, at least some, in '14.
Look for a Romero Sept. call-up. He's versatile and will get his look. Tenbrink is ISO'ing 180, Spec. He's easily discounted, but he has some tools. Watch him be an Oakland guy, eventually.
I believe the AFL is for AA or higher players with waivers for one lower (A+) level player for each team. We sent Carson Smith last fall as our waiver guy. I expect Deeej will play in AA by the end of the season to qualify him for the AFL, while our waiver guy will be a pitcher again. I also expect Kivlehan will get a late promote to AA for the same reason. If Hultzen is healthy by then, I expect he will go to Peoria, also, to get innings on his arm. Prediction: Hultzen, Leone, Taylor, Peterson, Kivlehan, Hicks, with Pike or Landazuri as the waiver pitcher to give them a few innings against premium hitters. Morban, Guerrero, Sanchez, Pimentel, Marte, et al, will play in the winter leagues in Venezuela or the Dominican, as appropriate. Should be a busy Fall and Winter for Ms prospects.