Oklahoma City (32-26), 1GB
An error by Jake Elmore and a balk by Jose Valdez. That's how the RedHawks fell out of first place with two bottom of the 9th Omaha runs for a 2-1 Omaha win. Asher Wojciechowski threw 7IP, 4H/0ER, 5K:1BB (62 of his 88 pitches for strikes); Jason Stoffel walked two batters but didn't allow a run in the 8th. Then Jose Valdez struck out the leadoff batter, walked the next two. Jake Elmore threw the ball away on a potential game-ending double-play, allowing the tying run to score. And then Jose Valdez balked in the game-winning run.
Robbie Grossman walked twice and scored the lone RedHawks run in the 1st. Brandon Laird, Fernando Martinez, and Carlos Perez had the only three hits - all three singles.
Man of the Match: Asher Wojciechowski
Corpus (36-23), 2.0 up
A 4-4 game heading into the 7th was but an aperitif for Midland scoring ten runs in the final three innings for a 14-4 win over Corpus. Ruben Alaniz allowed 5H/4ER, 2K:3BB, 3HR; Andrew Robinson threw the only scoreless outing; Jorge De Leon allowed 3H/4ER, 5K:2BB, HR; Kenny Long threw 3H/4ER, 2K:3BB (ERA at Corpus since we posted a dewy piece about him? 10.38). Matt Heidenreich allowed the final 2H/2ER, HR in 0.2IP. Former Astro Jake Goebbert hit his 11th homer of the season.
George Springer was 1x4 with a double; Jose Martinez was 1x3 with an RBI and two walks; Jonathan Meyer and Jio Mier were each 1x4 with a walk and an RBI. Michael Burgess was 0x2 with two walks. Jon Singleton was 0x3 with a sac fly and 2Ks.
Man of the Match: Jose Martinez
Lancaster (35-25), 5.0 up
The JetHawks faced San Jose on the road tied with them for the best record in the Cal League. And San Jose had a 7-0 lead before the JetHawks could get on the board. San Jose wins, 8-3. Tyson Perez allowed 7H/7R (6ER), 0K:5BB, 2WP, HBP in 4IP; Jonas Dufek walked two in 2IP; Michael Dimock gave up 1H/1ER, 2K:1BB in 1IP and Travis Ballew struck out two in a perfect outing.
Chris Epps was 1x3 with a walk and a two-run homer; Nolan Fontana was 1x3 with a triple and a walk. Delino DeShields stole his 15th base of the season.
Man of the Match: Chris Epps
Quad Cities (33-25), 4.0GB
On the one-year anniversary of his draft, Carlos Correa celebrated with a 3x4, 2B, HR, BB, 5RBI night as the River Bandits defeated Cedar Rapids, 9-5, despite getting out-hit 10-6. Vincent Velasquez allowed 5H/1ER, 3K:3BB in 4.2IP; Jamaine Cotton allowed three runs (one earned) in 3.1IP for the win, and Gera Sanchez gave up 2H/1ER, 2K:0BB in the 9th. Byron Buxton was held to an 0x4, 2K night.
Austin Elkins, Ariel Ovando (SB) and Jobduan Morales had your other hits. Jordan Scott was 0x3 with a walk and an RBI.
Man of the Match: Carlos Correa.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
