News:  Besides Taijuan Walker (Talk40 #2) going 5.0 IP with 0 ER in his MLB debut, of course ...

Mike Morse, as expected, was traded to Baltimore.  The return was 24-year-old outfielder Xavier Avery.  I put some comments in the Shout Box about Avery.  If he's a legit center fielder, then he's not a bad pickup.  If he's a "tweener" then I don't expect much from him.  It's pretty rare for a guy to get to age 24 and the high minors, still strike out a bunch without showing much power, and make it in the majors except as a glove specialist.

But we'll see.

Not a lot was expected of Abraham Almonte (26intheMix), but he put together a breakout season and earned an early callup to the  majors.  He took Morse's spot, and, to make room for Taijuan, Erasmo Ramirez was "sent down."  But e-RAM will be right back up when rosters expand.

Obviously, I would expect Mike Zunino (Talk40 #1) and Jesus Sucre (Watch List) to return upon expansion.  Probably Tom Wilhelmsen, though I'm not sure what they'll do with him.

Possibly a spare pitcher or two such as Bobby LaFromboise (Talk40 #34), who had terrible luck in his MLB cuppa joe.  And I suppose Carlos Triunfel (26intheMix) for some depth.

But, though I know he's got a fan base here, it's hard to see them adding someone like Nate Tenbrink (26intheMix) to the 40-man roster.  It's possible, but I'd guess Ty Kelly has a better chance.

Two final notes: Nick Hill (The [2nd] Best Story of the Year So Far), the West Point lefty who returned this year from injury purgatory got a promotion to Tacoma to replace Brian Moran (Talk40 #35), who went on the DL.  And James Jones (Watch List) also got the call, apparently to replace Almonte.

AAA -- Tacoma 7, Sacramento 1   -- Box

Forrest Snow (Watch List) was briefly a hot prospect before falling into a slump.  Friday, pitching in the Taijuan slot, he looked like a hot prosepct again: 5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 8 K.

But the story was more Choi Joy! from our man Ji-Man Choi (Talk40 #19).  Two doubles and a single from Choi, who's up to hitting .263 at Tacoma after a terrible first six games.

Jones had a single in his AAA debut, and Hill pitched two scoreless innings.

AA -- Jackson 8, Huntsville 5  -- Box

Choi Joy not enough?  How about Blash Splash 24!  and ... then ... Blash Splash 25!

A total of five RBI for Jabari Blash (Watch List), to single-handedly lift the Generals.

Yes, he's starting to convince me that his raw power with a high enough BB% might be sufficient after all.

Homering in over 5% of PAs can make up for a lot of deficiencies.

High-A -- Lake Elsinore 13, High Desert 6 -- Box

The Mavericks have been on the receiving end of more of these pinball blowouts than they were last season.  They took a 6-1 lead in the 2nd, but it didn't last long. 

Despite the six runs, only of them was earned and the Mavericks managed only seven hits.

Low-A -- Clinton 4, Peoria 2 -- Box

A good outing for Rigoberto Garcia: 7.0 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K.

Dario Pizzano (26intheMix) added two hits and a walk.

Short Season-A -- Spokane 7, Everett 2 -- Box

Chantz Mack got his first home run, but the Aqua Sox never really got close.

Austin Wilson was pinch-hit for in the 4th.  Not sure what that's about.  Could be a promotion from the James Jones dominos or something different.

Rookie -- Elizabethton 8, Pulaski 7 [12 innings] -- Box

Jesus Ugueto homered for the ninth time in 49 games, but the Twins got the last laugh in the 12th.

Looking Ahead

Anthony Fernandez (Talk40 #23) gets one more shot for Jackson.