Farmers Only - Robert Stephenson throws shutout, Taylor Trammell homers

The Brandon Larson Honorary Star of the Night

Robert Stephenson continued to tear through AAA with yet another impressive start on Tuesday. In the first game of a doubleheader, he threw a complete game shutout - 7 IP in this instance - allowing just 2 H and 2 BB against 3 K in the process. That lowers his season ERA at AAA to just 3.06, and it’s high time we saw him get another shot with the Cincinnati Reds.

Louisville 3, Buffalo 0 (F/7)

Bob Steve did his work on Tuesday afternoon against the Bisons, and rest assured, this was no gum-chompin’ pile of journeymen in this Buffalo lineup, as top prospects Anthony Alford and Richard Urean were playing, as were former top prospects (and big leaguers) Dalton Pompey and Gio Urshela - and former Louisville Bat (and big leaguer) Darnell Sweeney.

All the offense Bob needed came in the Bottom of 3rd, when Louisville plated all 3 of their runs. Gabby Guerrero belted a 2-run dinger, Josh “Kosh B’gosh” VanMeter honked a solo blast, and the Bats had themselves an early W on their ledger.

Louisville 4, Buffalo 3 (F/8)

The Bats won the second half of the doubleheader, although they needed a run in an ‘extra’ 8th inning to do so.

It was a bullpen game started by Domingo “Funday” Tapia, who fired 2 scoreless innings before six other Louisville relievers each threw an inning each. On offense, the big fly came from Brian O’ Grady, who blasted a 2-run dinger as part of a 2 for 3 night, and that was backed by a 2 for 4, run scored outing from leadoff man Mason “Classical Gas” Williams.

Pensacola 10, Chattanooga 8 (F/10)

The Blue Wahoos pipped the Chattanooga ARFs with a pair of runs scored in the Top of the 10th that held up juuuust enough. It was quite the back and forth game, actually, as Chattanooga scored 4 runs in the Bottom of the 1st, went on to allow 8 runs combined in the Top of the 3rd and 4th, and then rallied to tie the game with a 4 run Bottom of the 7th.

Vlad Gutierrez got the start and allowed those early 4 runs, but settled down to get through 5 IP with only those allowed, which is a solid rebound, all told. On offense, though, Pensacola got a wide-ranged attack. Jose “Que Sera” Siri went 2 for 6 with a triple and 2 runs scored from the leadoff spot, TJ Friedl went 2 for 5 with 2 ribbies and a pair of runs scored behind him, Aristides Aquino belted a 3-run dinger despite also fanning 4 times, and Shed “Don” Long went 2 for 5 with 2 ribbies and a run scored, too.

Man, that Pensacola offense is some kind of fun.

Palm Beach 6, Daytona 3

The Tortugas took an early 2-0 lead in the Bottom of the 1st, but that just didn’t hold up on the night.

Andrew Jordan got the start for Daytona and allowed 4 ER in 4.2 IP to take the loss. Ty Boyles, who has struggled often this year, at least picked him up with 2.1 scoreless innings in relief.

Offensively, Taylor “Tyler” Trammell did what he does, which was pace the danged thing, this time with a 2 for 5 night that featured a 2-run dinger. Tyler “Taylor” Stephenson backed him with a 2-hit night of his own that included a walk, a double, and a run scored, and Randy “The Body” Ventura continued to rake since being healthy with a 3 for 4 night that included both a walk and a run scored, too.

Rain 1, Greeneville 0

The Greeneville Reds had their would-be game against Princeton banged due to rain. This is the first time I’ve noticed that I should’ve been bummed that there were no Greeneville Reds when Hunter Greene was playing Rookie League ball.

Speaking of which...

The Dayton Dragons had the evening off.

Dang.

Billings 10, Orem 5

Mariel “Previously Agreed-Upon 12 Round” Bautista homered and drove in 3 as part of his 3 for 5 night, and that helped pace the Mustangs past the Owls. On the mound, “Chili” Mac Sceroler continued his solid run of form since having been shipped back to Billings from Dayton, firing 6 innings of 4 hit, 0 ER ball (with 1 unearned run scoring).

Additional offense came from Cash “Latched Luggage Full of Currency” Case, who doubled, tripled, walked, and scored 3 runs; Dylan Harris, who went 3 for 5 with 3 runs driven in; and both Zeke White “Tanejo” and Drew “Cata” Mount, each of whom had a pair of hits.