Erasmo Ramirez was so horrible that they sent him all the way down to Everett.  No.  That's not it.

They want him to keep pitching over the All-Star Break, which wouldn't happen at Tacoma, and going to Everett keeps him close.

Blake Beavan also comes down, but to Tacoma.  Going up are Hector Noesi and Bobby LaFromboise (Talk40 #34).

With lefty relievers such as Oliver Perez reportedly on the trading block, LaFromboise (and Brian Moran (Talk40 #35)) will likely be part of the big club in the second half anyway.  Plus, he was already on the 40-man roster.

Too many games on Friday to "do justice" so bear with us.

AAA -- Reno 4, Tacoma 1  -- Box

Reno jumped out to a 4-0 lead off Chance Ruffin (Watch List), who was making his first AAA start after spending the first half at Jackson moving to the rotation from the bullpen.  You may recall he was in the MLB pen back in 2011.

Tacoma pitchers got a shutout over the final seven innings (Ruffin: 4.1 IP, 4 ER), but the offense never got back in the game.

AA -- Tennessee 2, Jackson 1 ["9 innings"]  -- Box

AA -- Tennessee 2, Jackson 0 [10 innings] -- Box

Both games were supposed to be semi-rinky-dink seven-inning affairs, but both went to "extra" innings.  You know I love that!  Unfortunately the Generals were on the short end of both games.

Game 1: Jackson only got two hits, but still sent the game into "extra" innings before losing in the 9th.  Sadly for the Goon Squad! the game-winner came off of Tyler Burgoon (26intheMix), who otherwise was strong (2.0 IP, 5 K).

Game 2: This one was scoreless until the 10th (including the 8th and 9th "extra" innings).  Not much offense, but Chris Taylor (Talk40 #28) had a hit and two walks.

Kyle Hunter (26intheMix) went the first five innings: 5.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K.

High-A -- Rancho Cucamonga 7, High Desert 5 -- Box

Matt Anderson got the start after coming up from Clinton: 5.0 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 4 K.

Jamal Austin had a double and a single, plus his 25th stolen base.

Low-A -- West Michigan 3, Clinton 2 -- Box

Rigoberto Garcia, also part of the "chain reaction," got the nod after moving up from Everett: 5.2 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 K.

Ketel Marte (26intheMix) continued hitting well, with a single and a double.  Dario Pizzano (26intheMix) also doubled (his 24th) and singled, and added a walk.

Short Season-A -- Eugene 8, Everett 0 -- Box

This one was scoreless through five before Eugene piled on the runs in the late innings.

The Aqua Sox managed only three hits and one walk, while striking out nine times.  So no offensive highlights.

Rookie -- Pulaski 8, Johnson City 2 [7 innings] -- Box

Rookie -- Johnson City 7, Pulaski 6 ["9 innings"] -- Box

The rookies only pulled off the "extra" innings thing once, but that's better than nothing.

Game 1: Only seven innings here, but five of them pitched by emerging star Edwin Diaz (Talk40 #36).  His line: 5.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 6 K.  His ERA: 0.33.

Game 2: This one was tied at 6-6 at the end of "regulation," and the "extra" innings gave more chances to hit for Tyler Smith, who ended up 5-for-5, with a double.  But Johnson City got the walk-off with a run in the 9th.

AZL Rookie -- Mariners 3, Rangers 2 -- Box

We like any score that has "Mariners" ahead of "Rangers."

Jordan Shipers (26intheMix), on rehab assignment, started and went 3.0 IP with 2 ER and 1 K.

Estarlyn Morales got on base four times after going 3-for-3 with a walk.

Looking Ahead

Two lefties with big arms and some consistency issues: James Paxton (Talk40 #3) for Tacoma; Luiz Gohara (Talk40 #21) for Pulaski.