Triple-A roundup: Pill launches a pair
Jake Elmore went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored to extend his PCL season-high hitting streak to 30 games as Reno rolled past Salt Lake, 12-4. Rehabbing Geoff Blum smacked a grand slam and D-backs No. 17 prospect Ryan Wheeler added a three-run shot for the Aces. Doug Deeds doubled twice and scored twice for the Bees.
Sean O'Sullivan pitched six shutout innings in his debut for Las Vegas, which coasted past Sacramento, 7-2, for its third straight win. Adam Lind homered for the second straight night and Blue Jays top prospect Travis d'Arnaud tripled, singled, drove in a run and scored once for the 51s. Michael Taylor provided the River Cats' offense with a two-run single in the seventh.
Rockies No. 6 prospect Tim Wheeler went 4-for-5 with a run scored as Colorado Springs chased Mariners top prospect Danny Hultzen after three innings and beat Tacoma, 8-4. Chad Tracy had two hits and two RBIs, while Brandon Wood doubled twice and scored two runs for the Sky Sox. Hultzen was charged with five runs on five hits and five walks while striking out three in his Triple-A debut.
Marlins top prospect Matt Dominguez slugged a three-run homer and Luke Montz added a solo shot as New Orleans made the most of four hits in a 4-2 win over Memphis. Evan Reed retired both batters he faced to get the victory in his Triple-A debut, while Ryan Jackson collected three hits and an RBI for the Redbirds.
Rehabbing Astros right-hander Bud Norris struck out seven over five innings as Oklahoma City held on for a 4-3 victory over visiting Omaha. Fernando Martinez was 3-for-3 and scored a run for the RedHawks, who got a solo homer from Scott Moore. David Lough and Max Ramirez hit back-to-back homers in the sixth for the Storm Chasers.
Zach Jackson gave up two runs on seven hits over 7 1/3 innings to halt a personal three-game losing streak as Round Rock defeated Iowa, 4-2. Brad Nelson hit a two-run homer and Mike Bianucci was 2-for-3 with a walk and an RBI for the Express. Cubs No. 2 prospect Brett Jackson homered for the second straight game and singled in a losing effort.
Sean Halton hit two of Nashville's five homers and starting pitcher Mark Rogers had one of the others in an 8-4 victory at Albuquerque. Rogers, the fifth overall pick in the 2004 Draft, gave up four runs on five hits over 6 2/3 innings for the win. Trent Oeltjen and Matt Angle drove in two runs apiece for the Isotopes.
Paul Janish fell a triple shy of the cycle and knocked in two runs as Louisville bested Pawtucket, 7-5. Mike Costanzo also had a pair of RBIs for the Bats, while Felix Perez and Dioner Navarro drove in a run apiece. Pedro Ciriaco collected three hits and Mauro Gomez smacked a three-run homer for the slumping PawSox.
Pirates No. 3 prospect Starling Marte went 3-for-5 with a homer, two RBIs and two runs scored as Indianapolis trumped Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, 8-3, for its seventh straight win. Indians starter Rick VandenHurk improved to 6-0 after giving up three runs on six hits in five innings. Jack Cust led the Yankees by slugging a two-run homer in the third.
Ten players drove in runs for Syracuse as the Chiefs rolled past Gwinnett, for their sixth straight victory. Yunesky Maya (5-5) allowed four runs -- one earned -- over 5 1/3 innings and also drove in a run to earn the win. Major League veteran Mark Teahen also had a big night for Syracuse with a pair of doubles, two RBIs and three runs scored. Ernesto Mejia ripped a two-run homer for the Braves.
Orioles No. 6 prospect Xavier Avery lifted a sacrifice fly in the 10th inning to give Norfolk an 8-7 win over Toledo. No. 13 prospect L.J. Hoes plated three runs and infielder Carlos Rojas pitched the 10th for his first career save for the Tides. Justin Henry paced the Mud Hens, going 3-for-5 with two RBIs and a run scored.
Durham smacked four homers, including two from Brandon Allen, to defeat Buffalo, 11-5. Bulls starter Jim Paduch yielded an unearned run on five hits over seven innings to notch his fourth win. Mets No. 14 prospect Matt Den Dekker and Brad Emaus both doubled and drove in a run for the Bisons.
Danny Valenica went deep twice, singled and knocked in three runs in Rochester's 12-1 rout of Charlotte. Sean Burroughs and Ray Chang joined Valencia with three hits, while Clete Thomas scored three times for the Red Wings. Ray Olmedo drove in the Knights' lone run with a seventh-inning single.
Tyler Cloyd gave up four hits over six shutout innings to lower his ERA to 2.17, but Lehigh Valley dropped a 3-2 decision to Columbus. Luke Carlin scored the winning run on second baseman Kevin Frandsen's error in the bottom of the ninth. Matt LaPorta hit a two-run homer for the Clippers, while Zach McAllister yielded two runs on nine hits over six frames.