Farmers Only - Top prospects shine

The Louisville Bats got a "hey, I'm a top prospect" performance from the recently promoted Robert Stephenson on Wednesday, and it fueled a 3-2 victory over the Indianapolis Indians. Bob-o threw 6 scoreless innings, struck out 6, and allowed just 4 hits (all singles) and a walk on his evening, using his box score to give a prospect-sized middle finger to Keith Law for saying he'll end up a reliever.  Irving "Moo Moo" Falu went 1 for 2 with 2 walks from the leadoff spot, Brennan Boesch "Pit" went 2 for 3 with 2 ribbies, and Ryan LaMarre doubled off Bobby LaFromboise in the Frenchiest matchup in International League history.  Sam LeCure allowed 5 hits and a dinger in 1.2 IP, though.  Dang.

The Bats & Indians will go at it again Thursday evening, with Dylan Axelrod on the bump beginning at 7:05 PM ET.

Down by the bay, where the Pensacola Blue Wahoo-melons grow, the Reds' AA ballers also got a W on Wednesday, topping the Mobile BayBears, 4-1.  Jesse Winker flashed his prospect muscles, too, going 1 for 2 with 2 walks to raise his season OBP to a sporty .376, Zach "da" Vincej went 1 for 2 with a walk and an RBI, and Kyle "Still in the Organization" Skipworth doubled and bagged 2 ribbies to provide the offense.  Timothy "Dreidel, Dreidel" Adleman made Mobile look like clay while on the mound, as he yielded just 3 hits, a walk, and a single earned run while striking out 7 in 7 strong IP.

Josh Smith will make his AA re-re-redebut Thursday at 7:05 PM ET when Penascola hosts the Montgomery Biscuits.

Daytona couldn't keep the system-wide winning going, however, as the Tortugas beached themselves, dug a hole, and laid a 6-1 egg against the Dunedin Blue Jays. Unfortunately, the top prospects in action broke the string of good prospecty performances, as well.  Phil "Trouble with the" Ervin went 0 for 5 with 2 Ks to drop his season line to .254/.339/.420, and Amir "Cat" Garrett allowed 4 runs (2 earned) in 5 IP, walking 4 and allowing 6 hits in the process.  Taylor "Thomas" Sparks had an error and 2 Ks (drink!), and the only offense the 'tugas could muster was a 1st inning solo dinger by Junior Arias. But hey, "Dickau" Nick Howard threw a scoreless inning and didn't walk anybody again!

Sloppy Sal Romano will toe the rubber when Dayton and Dunedin clash again on Thursday, with first pitch also set for 7:05 PM ET.

Dayton got sink-holed by the Bowling Green Hot Rods on Wednesday, dropping a 6-2 contest at home.  Junior "Magilla" Morillo was rather meh on the mound in yielded 3 ER in 5 IP, and the Dragons spread 9 hits pretty evenly through the lineup to strand plenty of runners.  Gavin "Shirley" LaValley had a single and a walk, Avain Rachal went 2 for 4 with a run scored, and Argenis "Alan" Aldazoro had a 2-RBI double.

The Hot Rods & Dragons will clash again Thursday, with Tyler "Ther" Mahle getting the start.  First pitch is set for 7:00 PM ET.  That's 7:00, not 7:05 like the other games.  Don't be 5 minutes late.  Just don't.

The Billings Mustangs had their game with the Orem Owlz suspended in the 7th inning on Wednesday, which means you'll get to read about how that game turned out after they complete it Thursday evening.

Down in Arizona, the AZL Reds wrapped up the evening by losing to the AZL White Sox, 5-4.  Jonathon Crawford got the start and pitched rather effectively, scattering 5 hits and no earned runs over 4 IP while walking nary a junior sock and striking out 4 of them.  Daniel "That'll Do" Pigott launched a dinger and scored twice on the night, but he was the only baby Red to reach base twice.

The Land of the Endless Strip Mall will feature the junior Reds against the junior A's on Thursday in Goodyear, with first pitch set for 10:00 PM ET.