AAA -- Salt Lake 5, Tacoma 0  -- Box

Brandon Maurer (Talk40 #9) got the start, and it was not a thing of beauty: 6.0 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 4 BB, 3 K.

Most of the damage was late, however.  He gave up two runs in the 6th, and then another in the 7th.  And he left a baserunner inherited by Jonathan Arias (Watch List), who promptly allowed him to score on Maurer's tab.

The Rainiers never got any offense going either, though Ty Kelly stayed hot with a double and a single.

AA -- Jackson 3, Pensacola 0 [7 innings] -- Box

AA -- Jackson 5, Pensacola 0 [7 innings] -- Box

Game 1:

The big story was Roenis Elias (26intheMix), who is making a major impression this year:

6.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 8 K

On the year: 2.77 ERA | 1.14 WHIP | 0.6 HR/9 | 3.2 BB/9 | 7.7 K/9

And he got another strong relief outing from Carson Smith (Talk40 #13) (1.0 IP, 0 R).

His year: 2.86 ERA | 1.09 WHIP | 0.3 HR/9 | 2.1 BB/9 | 12.1 K/9

The key to the lone rally was a double by Denny Almonte.

***

Game 2:

Once again, our two "human interest" stories combined, but this time it was for a one-hit shutout (7-inning variety).

Anthony Vasquez (The [New] Best Story of the Year So Far): 6.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 3 K

Nick Hill (The [2nd] Best Story of the Year So Far): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K.

There was a bit more offense, with Gabriel Noriega getting three hits.

High-A -- Rancho Cucamonga 16, High Desert 6 -- Box

The Mavericks struck out seven times in 5.1 IP against major league vet Ted Lilly (on rehab assignment for the Dodgers), but they also racked up six earned runs.

Patrick Brady, who's on my "to-do list," continues to have a breakout season: double, two singles, walk, 2 steals.

But it was all in vain as the Quakes racked up runs early and late.

Low-A -- Clinton 6, Cedar Rapids 5 [11 innings] -- Box

Here comes Gaby, Nephew of Vlad!  Gabriel Guerrero (Talk40 #16) was placed in an advanced league for his age and experience, and it clearly took him awhile to adjust (.478 OPS in April).

But -- my goodness -- he's now on an 11-game hitting streak with 20 hits in those 11 games (20-for-40), including 4-for-5 on Saturday.

Will we need to see more walks and more ISO from him?  Yes, eventually, but he's got time.

Martin Peguero (Watch List) got the key hit in extra innings.

Rookie -- Pulaski 5, Danville 1 -- Box

Strong pitching from Jose Flores (6.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K) and Emilio Pagan (2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K).

Pagan now has 11 strikeouts in his first 5.2 IP as a pro.

The offense came for a potential bust-out game for Kristian Brito (Watch List).  The big first baseman got four  hits, including three doubles.  We've been waiting for some signs of life from him.

Looking Ahead

Taijuan Walker (Talk40 #2) has been laying waste to AAA so far.  Sunday he'll get another shot for Tacoma.  And his junior version -- Edwin Diaz (Talk40 #36) -- will go for Pulaski.