Monday's highlights from the Giants' farm: Brett Pill, Carter Jurica, Javier Herrera and Matthew Duffy each homered as part of multi-hit performances. Also notable, Boof Bonser allowed just 1 R in 6.0 IP.
AAA: Fresno defeated Sacramento 8-7 (11 innings)
(after losing a 6-1 lead entering the 7th inning but scoring two runs in the bottom of the 11th inning)
Fresno: 2B Carter Jurica: 2 for 5, HR, BB, SO
Fresno: 1B Brett Pill: 3 for 5, HR, 2 2B, SO
Fresno: 3B Chris Dominguez: 3 for 5, 2B, SB
Sacramento: 2B Grant Green: 4 for 6, HR, 3B
Sacramento: 1B Daric Barton: 2 for 3, HR, 2 BB
Fresno: SP Boof Bonser: 6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 4 K--1 E
Fresno: RP Dan Runzler: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER--1 HR
Fresno: RP Heath Hembree: 1.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 K--1 HR
Pill had a big game with his 6th HR and 7th and 8th doubles. Over half his hits (15 of 29) have gone for extra bases. Jurica had his 2nd HR and ended the game with a walk-off, RBI single. Both Pill and Jurica have AVGs over .350. Dominguez added three hits, including his 3rd double. His AVG is close to .300. Both Green and Barton reached base four times for the Athletics' affiliate. In the 9th inning, they connected for their 4th and 2nd HRs.
Bonser had his longest start of the year. Despite a BB/IP of 0.75, he has allowed more than 2 ER in only one of his five starts. Runzler and Hembree allowed 3 ER in the 9th inning to blow the save opportunity.
AA: Richmond defeated Bowie 7-6
(despite allowing four runs in the 8th inning)
Richmond: 2B Joe Panik: 3 for 5, 2B
Richmond: LF Javier Herrera: 2 for 4, HR, SO
Richmond: SP Justin Fitzgerald: 7.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 6 K--2 WP
Panik's three hits, including his 7th double, paced the Flying Squirrels' thirteen-hit attack and raised his team-leading AVG to .320. Herrera, one of three other Squirrels' with two hits, had his 4th HR. He also threw out a runner at the plate, while his fellow corner outfielder Brett Krill threw out two other runners at the plate.
Fitzgerald has perhaps been the most effective starter on the Giants' farm in April. Tonight was his longest start so far, completing seven innings. In five starts, he has allowed just 4 ER for a 1.38 ERA.
A+: San Jose its second off-day this year
(Their next scheduled off-day is May 14.)
A-: Augusta defeated Lexington 4-2
(taking the lead with two runs in the 8th inning)
Augusta: CF Jesus Galindo: 1 for 3, BB, HBP, 2 SB
Augusta: SS Matthew Duffy: 2 for 4, HR, SB
Lexington: CF Bubba Starling: 2 for 4, HR, SO
Augusta: SP Martin Agosta: 5.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 8 K--1 HR, 1 WP
Duffy had two of the GreenJackets' five hits, including his 1st HR. He has hit .304/.398/.413 through 92 AB. Galindo reached base three times and had his 14th and 15th SB. The Royals' Starling homered for the second straight day.
Agosta struck out better than one third (8 of 22) of his batters but did allow a couple runs on the two-run HR by Starling in the 4th inning. Agosta has been tough to hit as he has nearly twice as many strikeouts as hits (35 K and 19 H in 26.0 IP).