
Buddy Reed continues his impressive turn-around in 2018 (Photo: Cherished Memories)
Chihuahuas 4, Fresno Grizzlies 3
Key Statistics: CF Auston Bousfield 2-for-4, R, 2 RBI; 2B Luis Urias 1-for-4; SS Javier Guerra 1-for-3, R, 2B; RHP Miguel Diaz 4 IP, H, 4 BB, 4 K; RHP Robert Stock 2 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, BB, 5 K
Prospect Watch: El Paso used a four-run third inning to beat Fresno. … Outfielder Auston Bousfield had a pair of hits, including a two-run single. Bousfield hasn’t shown significant offensive production since 2014 in the Northwest League, but he has posted a solid .280/.368/.398 slash-line between San Antonio and El Paso. Bousfield is also one of the last Eugene Emeralds floating around in the system. … Righty Miguel Diaz allowed just one hit in four scoreless innings, although he did walk four. In 30.1 innings, the 23-year-old has walked 23 to go with 38 strikeouts. The former Rule 5 pick possesses a big fastball but will need to tighten up his command to make an impact. He has thrown exactly 62 pitches, 35 for strikes, in both of his PCL starts, but only made it through two innings in his first outing.
Springfield Cardinals 7, Missions 3
Key Statistics: SS Fernando Tatis Jr. 3-for-5, 2B; CF Michael Gettys 2-for-4, R; LHP Jerry Keel (L, 3-1) 3.2 IP, 9 H, 6 ER, 2 BB, 3 K; RHP Gerardo Reyes IP, H, 3 K
Prospect Watch: While the Missions didn’t post much of a threat offensively, Fernando Tatis Jr. had three hits including a double. Tatis has had a huge May and is now hitting .265/.335/.495 for the year. He does have 65 strikeouts, but his K rate for May has dropped to 25.8 percent. … Lefty Jerry Keel took the loss, as the southpaw allowed six runs on nine hits in 3.1 innings. The former Cal State Northridge star has been punished by righties this year to the tune of a .335/.378/.544 line – an OPS that’s more than 100 points higher than opposite-handed hitters had against him last year. Those results have led to an unsightly 5.53 ERA. Lefties have an anemic .510 OPS, which could portend a move into more of a bullpen specialist role.

Reggie Lawson pitches in Lake Elsinore (Photo: Cherished Memories)
Storm 6, San Jose Giants 3
Key Statistics: CF Buddy Reed 4-for-4, 2B, HR (8), 3 R, RBI; RF Jorge Ona 2-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI; DH Nate Easley 1-for-2, 2 BB, RBI; RHP Reggie Lawson 4.1 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 3BB, 6 K; RHP Emmanuel Ramirez 3.2 IP, BB, 6 K; RHP David Bednar (S, 4) 0.1 IP
Outfielder Buddy Reed continues to be a revelation, as the former Florida Gator went 4-for-4, including a double and his eighth homer of the year. He also swiped two more bases and now leads the circuit with 23 in 25 attempts. While much has been made of Reed’s inflated BABIP, he has hit the ball hard consistently and put the ball on the ground much more frequently to take advantage of his top-shelf speed. The power to all fields he has added this year has made him truly dynamic. Reed’s slash line stands at .350/.385/.594 – second, 11th and third in the league. … Righty Reggie Lawson couldn’t get out of the fifth but still flashed the ability to miss bats. The Adelanto-born righty struck out six but also walked three in 4.1 innings, throwing 95 pitches. Lawson has been solid all year but his walks have increased sharply in May.

Jeisson Rosario lays out to make a diving catch for the Fort Wayne TinCaps (MidSouth ImagesJeff Nycz)
Lansing Lugnuts 12, TinCaps 11
Key Statistics: CF Jeisson Rosario 4-for-6, R, RBI; RF Tirso Ornelas 2-for-5, R, RBI; 1B Carlos Belen 4-for-4, 3 R, HR (5), 2 RBI, BB; C Jalen Washington 2-for-4, 2 R, 2B, 3B, BB, RBI; LF Robbie Podorsky 2-for-4, 2 R, RBI, 3B; LHP Thomas Cosgrove 7 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 6 K; RHP Caleb Boushley (L, 2-1) IP, 2 H, 2 R, 3 BB.
Prospect Watch: Saturday was a brutal loss for the TinCaps, as they blew an eight-run lead and lost in extra innings. …. First baseman Carlos Belen had a monster day, collecting his fifth homer of the year among four hits. Belen is in the midst of his second stint with Fort Wayne, after spending last year with the Storm. The 22-year-old has big power but hasn’t made consistent enough contact for it to play. He has struck out 62 times – one off the league high – in 173 trips to the plate, a rate well above either of his last two season. … Jeisson Rosario had four hits and drove in a run at the top of the lineup. Rosario hasn’t flashed power, but the 18-year-old’s 20% walk rate, is legitimately encouraging. It will be worth monitoring whether he can keep it that high at higher levels, or if more advanced pitchers will feel comfortable pounding the zone without fear that he can do enough damage.
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