Mariners Minor League Game Action Recap for August 16
AAA -- Tacoma 9, Colorado Springs 8 [14 innings] -- Box
Gotta love games like this where you delve into sandlot stuff.
You may recall that last year there was a marathon game in which journeyman utility guy Scott Savastano came to the mound and ended up as both the winning pitcher in the top of the inning and getting a game-winning homer in the bottom of the inning. This game was kind of like that, but not that dramatic.
This time it was veteran utility guy Leury Bonilla who came on to pitch in the 14th. He got through the inning without allowing a baserunner, and also got a strikeout.
In the bottom of the inning, it was veteran catcher Jason Jaramillo who led off with a double, and Bonilla, instead of the dramatic game-winning hit, bunted him to third. After two intentional walks, who comes up but ... yes, Savastano. Again, not a dramatic hit, but a sac fly, which was good enough for the win.
The double, by the way, was Jaramillo's fourth hit of the game, and Bonilla had two hits and a walk prior to his 14th-inning heroics.
And Nate Tenbrink (26intheMix) had a homer and a double.
AA -- Jackson 2, Montgomery 1 -- Box
Very much a pitchers' duel in Jackson.
The Montgomery staff gave up just two hits, but was victimized by an unearned run in the 8th that proved to be the game winner.
The Generals gave up more hits, but still had a brilliant outing:
- Roenis Elias (26intheMix): 7.0 IP, 8 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K
- Stephen Kohlscheen: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
- Dominic Leone (Talk40 #25): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
High-A -- Lancaster 14, High Desert 11 -- Box
Cal League pinball! There was a 20 mph wind blowing out, and pitchers were flying right ... in ... to ... the ... DANGER ZONE.
And who took advantage? A Maverick newcomer: Guillermo Pimentel (26intheMix). He of the Electric Bat! Pimentel struggled at Clinton, but, after a stint on the DL, he popped up at High Desert. Obviously, they still love his potential. [Ditto Martin Peguero (Watch List) and Alfredo Morales, other one-time phenoms who've gotten aggressive placement this year despite lukewarm peformance.]
Veteran catcher Michael Dowd also went deep.
Low-A -- Clinton 6, Quad Cities 1 -- Box
A good start for David Holman (Watch List): 7.2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K.
And second baseman Timmy Lopes (Talk40 #20) had a double, a single and a walk.
Short Season-A -- Eugene 5, Everett 1 -- Box
The Aqua Sox fell despite a solid outing from Thyago Viera: 6.0 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 K.
James Zamarripa (Watch List) had a pair of hits.
Rookie -- Pulaski 14 Greeneville 1 -- Box
The P-M's put a serious hurt on the G-Astros, with Jeffrey Zimmerman leading the way.
The first baseman homered, doubled, had two singles and racked up five RBI.
Also notable: Kristian Brito (Watch List) (double and three singles); Jesus Ugueto (fifth homer); Isaiah Yates (Talk40 #39) (two singles, two walks, stolen base).
Starter Jose Flores: 5.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 6 K.
AZL Rookie -- Brewers 7, Mariners 5 -- Box
Yordi Calderon had been tearing up Venezuelan pitching (.343/.448/.590 with 11 HR and 39 BB), so he was called up to see what he could do stateside. So far, so good.
Calderon had a double and a triple Friday, and has four hits in his first 12 at-bats. He'll be one to keep an eye on.
Rehabbing Jesus Sucre (Watch List) had a pair of hits.
Looking Ahead
James Paxton (Talk40 #3) is slated for Tacoma.