Snappers surging, Robertson rakes for Stockton

Oakland affiliates once more faired successfully through the initial portions of the week around the organization, as most notably Beloit capitalized and has since won two consecutive versus South Bend to claim four straight victories and own an organizational best 4-2 record prior to an attempted sweep this evening with Lou Trivino. Ronald Herrera, the 18 year old partaking amongst his Midwest League debut following an AZL tenure and minute Vermont pitstop upon his American entry in 2013, would seamlessly demolish a helpless South Bend lineup through six outstanding frames, going 6 IP, 5 H, 1 R (1 HR), 0 BB, 6 K, 6 GB/2 FB with his only noticeable blemish being a 5th inning dinger as the Venezulan rocketed past the competition in one of his final outings before his 19th birthday on May 3rd. The Snappers rewarded Herrera additionally within the contest, as BA Vollmuth and Tyler Marincov. (1-5, 2B) alongside Chih Fang-Pan (1-4, 2B, BB) smacked doubles to complement Ryan Huck's 3-5 breakthrough following an initial 0-9 skid against Burlington. Bijon (2-4) also starred as Beloit swept through for a simplistic 5-1 victory while Matt Stalcup dominated in relief (3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K) to secure the roadtrip opening win. Bobby Wahl would make his secondary appearance following an inconsistent attempt previously as the right handed flamethrower dismantled South Bend in a 5 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 7 K performance which saw Beloit capitalize and claim a lead in the 6th in the midst of a 1-1 deadlock after the only baserunner through five frames was Tyler Marincov with a two out fifth inning walk and score on a fielding error upon the next sequence, with Beloit still failing to record a base hit through Wahl's outing. To commence the 6th though, Luis Baez would deliever with a run scoring double to plate Boogie Powell after Baez had arrived in Wisconsin in replacement of Melvin Mercedes following an 8th inning injury he had suffered within the opening contest. Chih Fang-Pan also exited this bout in the first frame, signaling that Yairo Muñoz or Chris Wolfe could usurp his vacancy should there be another disabled list assignment upon the Snappers roster. Tyler Marincov (6-14, 5 BB, 4 K, 1 HR in 2014) would go 1-2 with 2 BB to continue his outstanding initial Midwest League week while the bullpen continued to impress between Sam Bragg (3 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 4 K, 2 GB/0 FB) and Lee Sosa (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K) prevented any probable comeback attempt to claim Beloit's fourth straight. 

Stockton, initially 3-2, would up skidding through the conclusion of the Bakersfield set following a 10-9 12th inning deflating defeat despite Robertson (3-5, 2B, HR, BB), McKinney (2-7, HR) and Olson (1-5, HR, BB) smacking dingers within the contest while Roberson recorded with fourth consecutive multiple hit outing to improve to 12-25 on the campaign while Bowman produced a successful appearance as Stockton's starter prior to Kris Hall and Jeremy Barfield. Maintaining a 9-5 advantage before delving into the 9th frame, Michael Ynoa would combat Bakersfield and their offensive cast following an initial 8th inning strikeout to end that frame in relief of Barfield before he would unravel during a lackluster inning in which Ynoa went 1 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 3 BB, 2 K, 2 WP to unfortunately prolong the ballgame into the 10th inning. Jonathan Joseph additionally would become discombobulated entering the 12th frame, permitting a bases loaded sacrifice fly as Stockton sustained a debilitating loss before preparing for their afternoon matinée. Tim Atherton struggled once again (5 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 1 HR, 3 BB, 2 K, 5 GB/9 FB) while Stockton was unable to remain in tact with their usually reliable bullpen cast as Ryan Doolittle and Austin House each surrendered dingers afterwards to negate a five run Ports 6th frame as Stockton was bested in their first consecutive sequence of the campaign despite plus outings from McKinney (1-3, 2B, 2 BB), Renato 3-4 (HR, BB) and Pinder (2-4, 3B). 

Midland obliterated Northwest Arkansas to secure a 20-8 victory following an initial 20-7 lashing upon the homestand opener as Midland in this instance was on the victorious end thanks to Josh Whitaker (4-6, HR), Crumbliss (3-5, 2B, BB), Coleman (2-3, 2B, 3 BB), and Head (3-5, BB) as every individual housed within the Rockhounds lineup smacked multiple base hits, included Max Muncy's 2-6 outing and his first dinger upon the campaign following his organizational HR title during the 2013 crusade. Drew Granier, while more effective than in his previous performance, still was unable to battle through five frame as he sputtered in the 4th frame to conclude with a 4 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 3 K, 77 pitch (48 strike), 7 GB/1 FB attempt while relieved in favor of the often inconsistent Blake Hassebrock. And once more, Hassebrock flailed in his secondary performance with a 2 IP, 5 H, 6 R (2 ER/1 HR), 0 BB, 1 K line that was still more productive than his previous appearance after a flawless 5th inning prior to disolving, addimately more attributable to BABIP rates however. Nate Long was able to conserve the 12 run advantage while Jeff Urlaub stamped down the victory and sweep with a 1-2-3, two strikeout 9th as Midland practically floats to Arkansas following their dominance in recent contests even in the absence of Addison Russell. 

Sacramento would acquire Craig Gentry for a second consecutive bout as the righty went 1-4 with a BB while Shane Peterson and Stephen Vogt contributed 2-4, 2B, BB performances despite Vogt tweaking his oblique in what now transports the former Oakland asset to the DL while Philip Pohl arrives as insurance to Ryan Ortiz from Wisconsin while Iolana Akau, the 18 year old 20th rounder from Hawaii, usurped Pohl's post alongside fellow AZL companion, Andy Paz. Alden Carrithers went 1-4 with a double in the contest as well, while Anthony Aliotti went 0-2 (2 BB), a performance in which he would duplicate offensively in the corresponding contest. Regardless of Sacramento contributions at the plate, scoring a usually capable six runs, the pitching contingent continued their erratic tendencies as Arnold Leon went 4 IP, 4 H, 3 R (1 HR), 1 BB, 2 K, 70 pitches (42 strikes), 4 GB/4 FB while Fernando Nieve did provide a suitable long relief outings prior to Phil Humber's arrival. Humber would provide another inconsistent bout in what would ultimately result within a defeat for the Rivercats as they dropped their second straight to Las Vegas before Sean Murphy would attempt to provide for the Kittens. Unfortunately, Murphy was overwhelmed once more by PCL opposition in a 5 2/3 IP, 5 H, 3 R (1 HR), 4 BB, 3 K, 96 pitch (51 strike), 6 GB/3 FB outing that saw Sacramento having to supplant offensively for another contest. The Kitty Cats received a boost from a plus relieving effort from Paul Smyth, Evan Scribner and Joe Savery (3 1/3 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 3 K) while Jake Goebbert's 3-3 (2B/BB) evening highlighted an offensive jaunt for the Kittend between Peterson (2-5, 2B), Ortiz (2-4, 2B), Matthes and Carrithers (1-5). Sacramento shall utilize Joe Blanton while attempting to salvage a series split prior to the opening bout in California.