Roe Solid As Modesto Hangs On

Chaz Roe, one of the Rockies top starting pitching prospects, was stellar on Wednesday, leading the Modesto Nuts to a 9-8 victory. In other Rockies farm news, every team that took the field picked up a win, and there were stellar pitching performances throughout the organization.

Chaz Roe was solid for the Modesto Nuts on Wednesday, as the top prospect tossed 6.1 innings of one-run ball. It was his best start in a long time, as he has had his struggles this season. In a year marred by command problems, Roe notched his fifth victory of the season by going right after hitters, en-route to a seven strikeout, one walk performance.

The Nuts got off to a fast start in the game, scoring once in the first, once in the second, and twice in the fourth before Lancaster could even get on the board. After Lancaster scored one in the bottom of the fourth, Modesto exploded for five runs over the next two innings, giving them a 9-1 lead after six.

The JetHawks would make a comeback, scoring twice in the eighth, and then five times in the ninth, but the Nuts held on for a 9-8 victory.

Amazingly, the Nuts pounded out 12 hits in the ballgame, as every starter had at least one hit. The offensive star of the game was Justin Nelson, who smacked his ninth and tenth home runs of the season. Travis Becktel added a solo-shot of his own in the sixth, and also tripled.

As a team, Modesto wrapped nine extra-base hits, including Chris Nelson’s two doubles. Justin Nelson and Becktel finished the game with three runs batted in a piece, and Chris Nelson drove in his 80th run of the season.

Speedster Eric Young Jr. swiped a base in the game, giving him a organizational-best 62 bags this season.

Other notables from around the organization:

Omar Quintanilla wrapped three hits in the Colorado Springs 3-2 victory over Albuquerque, including two doubles. Jayson Nix and Chris Iannetta both homered in the game, as the team got a solid start from uber-prospect Franklin Morales. Morales went 6.2 innings, allowing one earned run, while striking out four. He improved to 2-0 on the season.

Tulsa knocked off Frisco on Wednesday, as Ryan Mattheus was excellent on the bump. In 7.0 innings of work, Mattheus struck out ten RoughRiders, though he did not figure in the decision. Juan Morillo picked up his fifth win of the season in relief, and Steven Register notched his Texas League-leading 33rd save of the season. Aaron Rifkin had three hits in the game, driving in two, and Rick Guarno had two ribbies.

In Asheville’s 6-0 win over Hagerstown, 2007 first round pick Casey Weathers pitched two shutout innings of relief. Weathers struck out four, walked two, and did not allow a base hit. Starter Simon Ferrer was outstanding, tossing six innings of four-hit ball for his seventh victory of the season. Daniel Mayora and Michael McKendry each had two runs batted in.

Tri-City got a great starting effort from Bruce Billings of Wednesday, as he guided the team to a 1-0 victory over Vancouver. Billings tossed 5.2 innings of four-hit ball, earning his third win of the season. Darin Holcomb had three of the Dust Devils’ seven hits, and also drove in the team’s only run. Riquy Pena notched his ninth save of the season.

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