Minor League Roundup - 4/8

Bakersfield right-hander Tommy Hunter pitched seven strong innings on Tuesday while Grant Gerrard had yet another big game. Lone Star Dugout takes a look at all of the day's minor league action.

AAA: Oklahoma 7 – Nashville 5
W – Ramirez (1-1)
SV – Francisco (1)
4-2, 0.0 GU

Starting pitcher Eric Hurley struggled once again on Tuesday evening. The top prospect threw 98 pitches in just 4.1 innings. He allowed four runs on seven hits, walking two and fanning four.

Gold had a bases-clearing triple.

Hurley was saved by an outstanding relief appearance from Elizardo Ramirez. The former Cincinnati Red scattered four hits in 2.2 scoreless frames.

Slugging first baseman Nate Gold helped put the RedHawks up for good in the bottom of the first inning. After Texas A&M product Zach Jackson walked the bases loaded to open the game, Gold smacked a bases-clearing, three-RBI triple into centerfield. The hit gave Oklahoma a 3-2 lead that the club never relinquished.

DH Joaquin Arias singled and doubled in four at-bats while SS Casey Benjamin was 2-for-3 with a double and a walk.

Infielders Ryan Roberts and German Duran also doubled and walked.

Former RedHawk Erasmo Ramirez tossed a scoreless eighth inning for the Sounds.

Player of the Game: 1B Nate Gold

AB	R	H	2B	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG
4	1	1	0	0	3	0	1	.250

AA: Frisco – (@) Arkansas – PPD (Rain)
5-0, 0.5 GB

Tuesday’s game was postponed due to rain. It was the final game of the series, so it will not be made up immediately. The game will likely be played as part of a doubleheader when Arkansas visits the ‘Riders next week.

A+: Bakersfield 5 – (@) Stockton 2
W – Hunter (1-1)
SV – Stewart (1)
HR – Gerrard (2)
2-4, 2.0 GB

Bakersfield manager Damon Berryhill thought pitcher Tommy Hunter was a little too wired up for his opening day start last week. Hunter toed the rubber for the second time this season on Tuesday and was much more effective.

Whittleman had a four-hit night.

The first round pick spread four hits over seven innings, giving up just one unearned run. He walked one and struck out five.

A pair of fast starters – John Whittleman and Grant Gerrard – had big nights once again. Whittleman was 4-for-5 with a double while Gerrard went 1-for-4 with a three-run homer and a walk.

Second baseman Jose Vallejo displayed his top-of-the-order abilities by going 2-for-4 (including an infield single) with a walk and a pair of stolen bases.

Backstop Manny Pina was hitless in four at-bats. He is 0-for-11 to begin the season.

Leadoff man Julio Borbon was 0-for-5, but his performance was hardly the most worrisome thing on Tuesday. Though it is not shown in the box score, Borbon was carried off the field in the ninth inning after injuring his leg on a Chris Carter triple.

Player of the Game: RHP Tommy Hunter

IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	HR	ERA
7.0	4	1	0	1	5	0	2.77

A: Clinton – (@) Wisconsin – PPD (Snow)
4-1, 1.0 GB

Tuesday’s game in Appleton, Wisconsin, was snowed out. It will be made up as part of a doubleheader, beginning Wednesday afternoon at 12:00 p.m. Central.

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