TinCaps outfielder Jeisson Rosario gets out of the box on a base hit. (Photo: Jeff Nycz)
Fresno Grizzlies 11, Chihuahuas 2
Key Statistics: 1B Brett Nicholas, 2-for-4, 2B; 3B Carlos Asuaje, 1-for-4, R; RHP Jesse Scholtens (L, 0-3) 2 IP, 10 H, 8 ER; RHP Trey Wingenter, 1.1 IP, BB, 3 K.
Prospect Watch: The Chihuahuas lost in Fresno, as the squad was unable to overcome a big hole. … Righty Jesse Scholtens struggled again, as the former Wright State Star allowed eight earned runs on ten hits in just two innings. After dominating through six starts at San Antonio and a solid Triple-A debut, Scholtens has allowed 17 earned runs on 20 hits over his last 9.2 innings pitched with only seven strikeouts against four walks. … El Paso reliever Trey Wingenter came out of the ‘pen and recorded four outs, striking out three. The former Auburn Tiger has been lights out in May, pitching to a 0.71 ERA this month. He’s allowed just three hits in 12.2 innings, albeit with eight walks alongside 13 strikeouts.
Missions: Monday was a travel day for San Antonio. They will open a series tomorrow in Tulsa.
Storm 8, Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 5
Key Statistics: LF Buddy Reed, 2-for-4, BB, 3 RBI; 3B Hudson Potts, 2-for-5, R, 2 2B, RBI; 1B Brad Zunica, 3-for-5, R, 2 RBI; DH Jorge Oña, 2-for-5, R, 2B, RBI; C Michael Cantu, 1-for-3, HR (1), BB, RBI; SS Kelvin Melean, 2-for-4, R; RHP Ronald Bolaños (W, 1-3) 6.1 IP, 8 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 6 K; RHP Dauris Valdez (S, 5) IP, BB, 2 K.
Prospect Watch: The Storm are the hottest team in the system, as they won their fourth game in a row on Monday. They are a game out of first. … Buddy Reed, playing left field Monday, had two more hits and drew a walk at the top of the Storm order. Reed leads the Cal League with 66 hits and his .351 average is just one point of the lead. … Catcher Michael Cantu, who was just brought up from extended spring training homered and drew a walk in his Storm debut. The former Texas backstop was undrafted last spring and played in games in the AZL last year. He took Marcus Greene‘s spot on the roster, who was placed on the temporarily inactive list after a death in his family. … Brad Zunica had three hits and is 8-for-20 during a five-game hitting streak. Zunica has improved his batting average significantly in May but is actually walking less and striking out more than he did in April.
TinCaps 3, Lansing Lugnuts 0
Key Statistics: 2B Esteury Ruiz, 2-for-4, 2B; 3B Luis Almanzar, 2-for-4, R, 2B; SS Gabriel Arias, 2-for-4, 2B, R, RBI; RHP Luis Patiño (W, 2-1) 5 IP, 3 H, BB, 4 K; LHP Ben Sheckler (S, 2) 2 IP, 4 K.
Prospect Watch: Esteury Ruiz had a pair of hits, including a double, in the TinCaps’ victory Monday. The 19-year-old has had a great start to the season, hitting .263/.346/.449, which is above-average in the Midwest League. The second baseman has increased his walk rate to nearly 10%, although he is striking out in close to 30 percent of his plate appearances. … Luis Patiño turned another solid start, pitching five shutout innings for the victory. The 18-year-old righty allowed three hits in five innings, walking one and striking out four. Patiño has been great in two of his outings since joining Fort Wayne, but one poor outing has led to his 5.40 ERA. … The other 18-year-olds in the line-up also had strong days. Both Luis Almanzar and Gabriel Arias both went 2-for-5 with a double while Jeisson Rosario added a two-bagger of his own to extend his hitting streak to six games. He has only two extra-base hits in May, both coming in the last week.
If you missed Ben’s interview with Jim Callis about next week’s MLB Draft, check it out now. It’s available whether or not you’re a subscriber, but you should definitely become a subscriber for all the other great content.
