Mac Lyons & Luke Wortman | July 30, 2024
The Albuquerque Isotopes faced the Round Rock Express. They closed out the series with a win, and now they are set to face the Las Vegas Aviators. The Hartford Yard Goats won their series against the Harrisburg Senators and will now square off against the Reading Fightin Phils. The Spokane Indians continued their road trip with a series against the Eugene Emeralds, winning four out of six games. They will now face the Hillsboro Hops. The Fresno Grizzlies had a series against the Stockton Ports, winning two out of six games, and will now take on the Lake Elsinore Storm.
Get caught up with all of the Colorado Rockies minor league affiliates below!
Colorado Rockies MiLB Week 17 Recap
Albuquerque Isotopes
Series Record: 2-4 | Season Record: 38-64
Notable Performers
Sean Bouchard: 23 PAs, .500/.565/1.050 (1.615 OPS), 10 H, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 3 BB, 3 K, 2 SB
Elehuris Montero: 28 PAs, .520/.571/.840 (1.411 OPS), 13 H, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 2 BB, 3 K
Julio Carreras: 12 PAs, .500/.500/1.000 (1.500 OPS), 6 H, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 K, 1 SB
Connor Kaiser: 19 PAs, .353/.389/.529 (.918 OPS), 6 H, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 7 K, 1 SB
Drew Romo: 21 PAs, .300/.333/.450 (.783 OPS), 6 H, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 1 BB, 3 K
Angel Chvilli: 2.1 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.00 WHIP, 0 BB, 5 K
Dugan Darnell: 2.2 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.38 WHIP, 0 BB, 4 K
Chance Adams: 3.1 IP, 0.00 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 0 BB, 3 K
Recap
The Isotopes started their series against the Round Rock Express with a 7-8 loss, one that saw the ‘Topes give up three runs in the ninth inning. Despite the loss, the team was still able to collect 12 hits. Elehuris Montero went 3-3 with 2 RBI’s, while Greg Jones, Julio Carreras, and Grant Lavigne each collected two hits. Peyton Battenfield started the game giving up 3 runs in 5 innings. Righty Matt Koch got the loss.
The losing streak would continue the next day, as the Isotopes lost 6-7 despite a ninth-inning rally. Elehuris Montero collected three hits for the second game in a row, while Sean Bouchard and Carreras added three hits apiece. Righty Dakota Hudson made his first start with the Isotopes, giving up 6 runs in 3.2 innings. The bullpen didn’t give up a run after Hudson was pulled from the game, with Antoine Kelly and Angel Chivlli putting together solid outings.
The team secured the win the next game, winning 6-4. Sean Bouchard and Elehuris Montero each had two hits and a home run. Catcher Drew Romo added a home run of his own as well. Lefty Ryan Rolison started the game, giving up 2 runs in 2.1 innings. Jeff Criswell got the win, striking out 5 in 2.2 innings. John Curtiss secured the save, tossing a scoreless inning.
After a rainout on Friday, the ‘Topes played two games on Saturday. In the first game, the squad lost 5-8. Hunter Stovall led the way in the lineup, leading off and collecting three hits. Sean Bouchard, Willie MacIver, and Conner Kaiser each had two hits. Karl Kauffmann got the start, tossing 3.1 innings of 5-run ball. Chance Adams put together a solid relief appearance, striking out 2 in 2 innings.
The team didn’t fare much better in the second game of the doubleheader, losing 3-11. Jordan Beck collected two hits in a rehab appearance, while Romo and Montero each had two hits as well. Lefty Juan Hillman got the loss, giving up 2 runs in 3.2 innings. The lone bright spot from the pitching corps this game was from Angel Chivilli, who struck out 3 in a scoreless 1.1 innings.
The squad was able to close out the series with a win, 11-7. The lineup had an offense barrage, with Jimmy Herron, Connor Kaiser, and Elehuris Montero had a home run. Sean Bouchard had three RBI’s along with two home runs. Peyton Battenfield got the win, giving up 5 runs in 5 innings.
Call-Up Power Rankings
- Drew Romo: .293 AVG | .819 OPS | 13 HR | 3 SB
- Jeff Criswell: 6.75 ERA | 1.80 WHIP | 28 BB | 71 K
- Willie MacIver: .306 AVG | .967 OPS | 12 HR | 4 SB
Looking Ahead
This week the Isotopes will take on the Las Vegas Aviators in Las Vegas. The Aviators are the affiliate of the Oakland Athletics and have a 50-51 record this season.
Hartford Yard Goats
Series Record: 5-1 | Season Record: 54-40
Notable Performers
Braiden Ward: 24 PAs, .381/.435/.714 (1.149 OPS), 8 H, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 5 K
Yanquiel Fernandez: 26 PAs, .261/.346/.435 (.781 OPS), 6 H, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 3 BB, 5 K
Braxton Fulford: 16 PAs, .308/.438/.615 (1.053 OPS), 4 H, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB, 5 K
Adael Amador: 23 PAs, .318/.348/.455 (.803 OPS), 7 H, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 1 SB
Sterlin Thompson: 21 PAs, .294/.429/.353 (.782 OPS), 5 H, 4 BB, 5 K, 1 SB
Carson Palmquist: 7.2 IP, 2.35 ERA, 0.65 WHIP, 2 BB, 8 K
Mason Albright: 5.2 IP, 1.59 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, 1 BB, 5 K
Jarrod Cande: 12.0 IP, 2.25 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 1 BB, 5 K
Chase Dollander: 4.0 IP, 0.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 3 BB, 5 K
Collin Baumgartner: 3.0 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.00 WHIP, 0 BB, 2 K
Recap
The Yard Goats got their series against the Harrisburg Senators to a great start, winning 5-4. Yanquiel Fernandez added two hits, while Zach Kokoska added a crucial grand slam in the 7th inning. Jarrod Cande put together a solid 5-inning, 3-run appearance while striking out 4. Bryce McGowan won, while Jaden Hill scored a save.
In Chase Dollander’s debut game, the Goats got the 7-1 win. Sterlin Thompson, Braiden Ward, and Nic Kent each added two hits in the contest. Dollander put together a great outing, giving up 1 hit and 0 runs in 4 innings. Carson Skipper got his first career Yard Goats win, striking out 2 in 2 scoreless.
The Goats were handed their only loss of the series, losing 3-5. Catcher Ronaiker Palma led the offense, going 3-3. Mason Albright put together a great 1-run, 5.2 innings start. Unfortunately, the bullpen had a collapse later in the game.
The Yard Goats were able to bounce back the next game, thanks to a Braiden Ward walkoff homer. Ward collected three hits in the game, while Adael Amador collected three hits and a walk. Lefty Evan Shawver got the start, tossing a scoreless 2.1 innings. Seth Halvorsen got the win, giving up 1 run in 1 inning.
The Goats continued the winning streak the next game, winning 5-2. Braxton Fulford and Adael Amador each had two hits, with Fulford and Yanquiel Fernandez both hitting a home run. Lefty Carson Palmquist got the win, giving up 2 runs in 7.2 innings.
The Goats closed out the series with a 5-0 win. Bladimir Restituyo and Ronaiker Palma collected two hits apiece, while Zach Kokoska hit his second home run of the series. Jarrod Cande got the win, tossing 7 scoreless innings.
Call-Up Power Rankings
- Andrew Quezada: 3.18 ERA | 1.23 WHIP | 82.0 IP | 60 K
- Carson Palmquist: 3.20 ERA | 1.11 WHIP | 81.2 IP | 111 K
- Ryan Ritter: .286 AVG | .820 OPS | 6 HR | 17 SB
Looking Ahead
This week the Yard Goats will square off against the Reading Fightin Phils. The Fightin Phils are the affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies and have a 42-53 record this season.
Spokane Indians
Series Record : 4-2 | Season Record: 60-34
Notable Performers (Series Stats)
Jose Cordova – 19 PA, .278/.316/.500 (0.816), 5 H, 3 R, 6 RBI, 1 BB, 4 SO, 0 SB
Dyan Jorge – 28 PA, .346/.393/.615 (1.008), 9 H, 4 R, 5 RBI, 2 BB, 6 SO, 3 SB
Kyle Karros – 27 PA, .238/.333/.714 (1.048), 5 H, 3 R, 7 RBI, 3 BB, 8 SO, 1 SB
Sean Sullivan – 2 W (7-2), 10.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 20 K
Michael Prosecky – W (1-0), 6.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 9 K
Braxton Hyde – 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
Series Recap
The Spokane Indians continued their road trip by heading down to Eugene, Oregon, for another series against the Emeralds. So far, through three separate series, the Indians hold a record of 10-8 against Eugene. The Indians added another game to that total when the series opened on Tuesday night thanks to an 8-2 victory, but dropped the next two games by scores of 3-1 and 4-3. Spokane rebounded big time on Friday with a 13-5 win and added another on Saturday, winning 6-4, before closing out the series on Sunday with a 2-0 shutout victory behind a flawless outing from Sean Sullivan.
Sean Sullivan may have been motivated by Chase Dollander’s promotion to Double-A Hartford last week as the wizard lefty used his magic to drop 10 K on Eugene in the first game of the series. Sullivan picked up his sixth win of the season and did so by allowing just 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, and 0 BB through 5.0 IP. Sullivan did not allow a single walk in a start for the sixth time this season, as his BB% dropped to 2.3% and K% rose to 30.3%. With their ace on the mound, the Indians’ offense got to work. Jesus Bugarin mashed a three-run homer in the third inning, followed by Jose Cordova who also drove in three runs in the game, all mixed in with some aggressive baserunning that saw Dyan Jorge steal home.
Whatever offense the Indians had on Tuesday seemed to disappear on Wednesday behind Victor Juarez, who was credited with his fifth loss of the season and finished with a line of 5.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, while adding 5 K. Two of Juarez’s three earned runs were home runs, and the 21-year-old has allowed at least one home run in each of his three starts throughout July, ballooning his ERA for the month to 7.20. Spokane’s offense had plenty of opportunities to score, but squandered the opportunities they did get, as the team finished 1-14 with RISP on the night. Dyan Jorge, Bryant Betancourt, and Jose Cordova all had multi-hit games, but only Kyle Karros was able to drive in the Spo’s lone run on a sac fly in the third. Braxton Hyde was perfect coming out of the bullpen and worked through two scoreless innings where he did not allow a single hit or walk and added three punchouts, all in the sixth inning.
Still, the Indians came up short and, while there were plenty of opportunities to score on Wednesday, Thursday’s game proved much more difficult for Spokane batters. The Indians opened up the scoring thanks to another Karros sac fly, but for every run the Indians scored, the Emeralds had an answer, knotting the game at 3-3 through the fourth inning. Blake Adams did a great job of managing the game through his six innings on the bump, but allowed 8 H, 3 R, 3 Er, and 1 BB, complimented by just 3 K. The Indians tried to use their speed to their advantage once again as Carrigg stole three total bases on the night to stretch his total to a Northwest League-leading 34 on the year. Carrigg’s decisions allowed Spokane to score as he took 3rd base twice, but the Indians couldn’t muster up anything else as Davison Palermo gave up the game-winning solo home run in the seventh inning.
There was no shortage of runs on Friday night as the Indians looked to find the win column once again. Luca Gilbreath started the game for Spokane as part of his rehab assignment and gave up a two-run home run in the first inning, where the Rockies reliever would add 2 BB and 2 K until he was pulled with two outs in the inning. Spokane’s offense had already got the party started in the top of the first thanks to one of Dyan Jorge’s two home runs on the night. Jorge’s two-run home run in the first inning was surprisingly his first home run of the season, and first of his career at the High-A level. In 2023, with the Fresno Grizzlies, Jorge did not have a single home run through 198 AB and it took 338 AB with Spokane for the 21-year-old to finally hit the long ball. The Indians opened the game up through the third inning, adding four more runs as Michael Prosecky took the mound for the majority of the game, working through six inning and finishing with a line of 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, with 9 K to earn his first win at the High-A level. It was a night of first for Spokane, and as the score rose to 11-5 thanks to home runs from GJ Hill and Jose Cordova, Dyan Jorge added the cherry on top with his second two-run bomb of the game in the eighth inning to make the final 13-5.
The Indians struggled out of the gate once again on Sunday as the Emeralds chased Connor Staine after just one inning of work where he allowed 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, with 2 K, but his pitch total was an abysmal 41 by the time he escaped the first. The Indians had opened the scoring again in the first inning, this time courtesy of a Kyle Karros solo home run. Karros and Dyan Jorge would both go on to finish the night 3-5 at the plate, with Karros adding 3 RBI and Jorge adding his fifth in two games. Mason Green took over for Staine and mapped his way through six innings in which the lefty gave up 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, but hurled 6 K. The Emeralds had a two-run lead going into the fifth inning, but Jake Snider got the Spo within one thanks to a forceout, leading to a Bryant Betancourt solo home run to tie the game in the sixth, followed by Kyle Karros’s second solo home run of the game in the seventh to give the Indians the lead. Exactly how important is Kyle Karros to this Indians roster? Karros’s two home runs on Saturday and solo shot on Sunday tie him for first place in the Northwest League for the category, where he is already first in RBI (61) on top of already leading the league in BA (.323). The Indians most reliable hitter has been on a tear during his first full season at the High-A level, and isn’t showing any signs of slowing down.
Sean Sullivan punched his timesheet again on Sunday, returning for his second appearance of the series to lock up the series victory for the Indians. Once again, Sullivan was nothing short of flawless as he completely shut down the Emeralds to earn his seventh victory of the season and second in this series, finishing with a line of 5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, and 10 K, which amounts to the Wizard striking out 20 batters in two starts while allowing just five hits and one walk. Absolutely insane numbers from Sullivan, especially when he has yet to start multiple games in one series so far this season.
The Indians offense didn’t provide much support for Sullivan after Kyle Karros’s home run in the first inning, his third home run in two games, but there were only eight total hits between both teams, and it was Jesus Bugarin who added the insurance run in the fourth inning. Lucas Gilbreath made his second appearance as part of his rehab assignment in replacement for Sullivan and struck out two through one inning of work, leading the way for Brayan Castillo to pick up his fifth save of the season to seal the deal for Spokane.
What’s Up Next Preview
The Spokane Indians finish up their successful month of July by returning home to take on the Hillsboro Hops. The questions that remain for the Indians is once again related to movement. Will Sean Sullivan follow Chase Dollander’s footsteps and move up to Hartford? Will Spokane finally see Jack Mahoney? Is Charlie Condon going to grace Spokane fans with his presence? Adding yet another dangerous bat to the already dominant lineup? Find out next week!
Fresno Grizzlies
Series Record: 2-4 | Season Record: 47-47
Notable Performers (Series Stats)
Felix Tena – 23 PA, .304/.305/.391 (0.696), 7 H, 2 R, 5 RBI, 0 BB, 9 SO, 0 SB
Braylen Wimmer – 24 PA, .292/.292/.417 (0.708), 7 H, 6 R, 1 RBI, 0 BB, 2 SO, 1 SB
Luis Mendez – 24 PA, .364/.333/.455 (0.788), 8 H, 4 R, 5 RBI, 0 BB, 6 SO, 3 SB
Bryan Perez – W (4-4), 6.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 10 K
Jack Mahoney – W (5-6), 7.2 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 9 K
Isaiah Coupet – L (5-5), 5.0 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 10 K
Bryson Hammer – W (5-3), 4.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
Series Recap
July has not gone the way that the Fresno Grizzlies have wanted the month to go, and the start of Fresno’s fourth series of the season against the Stockton Ports didn’t go well either, as the Grizzlies dropped the Tuesday’s game 15-5 and Wednesday’s game 13-3, before finding the win column again on Thursday with a 7-3 victory. Friday night was more than alright for the Grizzlies, as their offense awoke for 16 runs to thump the Ports by a final of 16-2, and added another win on Saturday with a 10-5 victory, but couldn’t manage to get the series victory after dropping Sunday’s matchup by a final of 4-2.
Things got ugly early for the Grizzlies on Tuesday as the Ports rang up Isaiah Coupet for eight runs in the first inning, ending the lefty’s night early. Coupet gave up just 5 H, but also allowed 2 BB and plunked one batter, as Kannon Handy had to come in and get the Grizzlies out of the first inning. Fresno had already scored two runs of their own in the first thanks to Luis Mendez’s sac fly that brought Andy Perez and Caleb Hobson home, and Fresno cut down Stockton’s lead to three by the fifth inning thanks to Jason Hinchman, Hobson again, and a Darius Perry home run. Yet, the Ports ran over the Grizzlies bullpen, specifically Jake Madden for 3 R and Tyler Hoffman for 4 R, making the score 15-5.
Wednesday night started out much better for Fresno, as they were able to escape the first inning unscathed and up by one thanks to Andy Perez’s eighth home run of the year, a leadoff bomb, but the game got out of hand after Jace Kaminska exited. Kaminska had held the Ports offense in check, giving up just 4 H and 2 R, through four frames, all while striking out six. After that, Stu Flesland III struggled through his two innings of work, surrendering 5 H and 4 R, but it was Wuardo Fernandez who struggled the most, giving up 5 H and 7 R in his single-inning appearance. Fernandez still hasn’t found his groove with the Grizzlies since joining them from the ACL on June 9th. In July, Fernandez has given up a total of 7 H, 8 R, 3 ER, 6 BB, 2 HB all through 3.1 IP, with just 1 K to show. Fresno allowed 16 hits in Wednesday’s game, as their defensive struggles continued as well with two errors.
Fresno needed to win badly on Thursday to snap their five-game losing streak and gain some traction in the California League standings, and Jason Hinchman got the game started the right way with a two-run fly ball to right center field. Stockton responded and scored three runs across three innings, the only runs that Alberto Pacheco would allow in the game. Pacheco gave up 8 H but also fanned five Stockton batters, but most importantly he controlled the game and shut down Stockton’s offense when they had opportunities to score. Stockton carried their 3-2 lead all the way until the ninth inning, where the Grizzlies rattled off five runs in the last inning of the game. Ben McCabe was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, followed by Caleb Hobson who drove in a pair of runs, all capped off by an Andy Perez single that scored both McCabe and Hobson. Sam Weatherly ended Stockton’s hope of three straight wins, while Bryson Hammer picked up the win with his work over two innings.
Out of hibernation came the Grizzlies on Friday night as they started early with six runs in the first inning thanks to RBI from Luis Mendez, Felix Tena, Nick Gile, Caleb Hobson, all capped off by a two-run home run from Ben McCabe. Felix Tena had a night to remember as the outfielder was red hot at the plate, finishing 5-6 with 5 RBI. On the other side of the ball, Bryan Perez was brilliant through his six innings on the mound where he gave up just 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, but dished out 10 K, two strikeouts away from his season high of 12 that he threw back on May 15th, also against the Ports. Stockton never stood a chance, and Fresno’s offense never took their foot off the pedal. Luis Mendez ended the night 3-5 with 3 RBI, while Braylen Wimmer went 4-5 with 2 2B, and Andy Perez finished 3-6 as the Grizzlies thumped the Ports 16-2.
The Grizzlies repeated their recipe for success on Saturday night, once again getting plenty of help offensively and managing to keep Stockton’s offense in check thanks to another great appearance from Jack Mahoney. Mahoney picked up his fifth win of the season and went 7.2 IP where he surrendered just 3 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, but hurled 9 K, eclipsing the 100-pitch mark with 102 before his night ended. Braylen Wimmer and Jason Hinchman got the party started in the third inning, Wimmer with an RBI-single and Hinchman with a two-run triple. Stockton would tie the game in the fifth inning, but the Grizzlies would respond in the seventh inning as Fadriel Cruz and Andy Perez both drove in a pair of runs. Two wild pitches would drive the Grizzlies lead up to five before the Ports answered back with a pair of runs in the eighth, but fortunately Cade Denton was able to shut the Stockton offense down in relief for Mahoney, assuring that the game didn’t slip out of Fresno’s hands as Brad Cumbest added some insurance in the ninth to make the final score 10-5.
With an opportunity for the Grizzlies to win their first series of July on the line, Isaiah Coupet took the mound for Fresno and was able to keep the Stockton offense in check, allowing just 4 R off of 5 H while striking out 10 through five innings of work on Sunday. After the Ports for runs through the first four innings, Fresno woke up and began the comeback thanks to a sac fly from Andy Perez in the fifth, followed by a Ben McCabe RBI-double in the sixth inning. In total, Fresno squandered their opportunities to score runs and win on Sunday, finishing 1-for-10 with RISP. Bryson Hammer was also lights out, closing out the game for the Grizzlies where he struck out three batters and allowed just two hits through the final two innings, but the Grizzlies couldn’t muster up anything else, as they fell 4-2 and split the series with Stockton.
What’s Up Next Preview
The Fresno Grizzlies bounced back from a rough couple of weeks and were able to salvage the Stockton series, but with more movement most likely coming to Fresno’s roster, questions remain about how they will be able to perform when they return home next week to take on the Lake Elsinore Storm.
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