The San Francisco Giants' minor league affiliates began their 2011 campaigns late last week. Here's a quick look at how they've started their seasons and who has had a hot start for each team so far:
Fresno Grizzlies (AAA): The Giants AAA affiliate has begun their season at a 2-2 clip, including a come from behind win by a score of 8-5 against the Las Vegas 51's on Sunday. Ryan Vogelsong has had a great start to his season, sporting a 1-0 record with a 1.59 ERA including 9 strikeouts while Darren Ford has started the season with a .308 average with 5 RBI including a grand slam and a stolen base. The Grizz will have a four game set at home against the Tacoma Rainiers followed by a four game set with the Las Vegas 51's in Las Vegas.
Richmond Flying Squirrels (AA): The Giants AA affiliate finished their first week of action with a 2-2 record including a 4-0 loss to the New Britain Rock Cats on Sunday. Second baseman Charlie Culberson has started the season with a .385 average with two doubles and an RBI while RHP Justin Fitzgerald has started the season 1-0 with 5 innings pitched and a 0.00 ERA in his outing on Saturday. Richmond with have a 3 game series with the Bowie Bay Sox to begin the week followed by a four game set with the Altoona Curve.
San Jose Giants (A): The back-to-back California League champions have started their 2011 campaign well, sporting a 3-1 record through their first four games so far, including a 10-0 stomping of the Lake Elsinore Storm on Sunday. Catcher Tommy Joseph has had a hot start to his season, sporting a .385 batting average with 4 RBI including a double and a triple. Pitcher Kelvin Marte has begun 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA through 5 1/3 innings of work including 4 strikeouts. San Jose will now have a 3 game series at the Lancaster JetHawks starting Monday, a 3 game set at home against the Visalia Rawhide, then a four game series with the Inland Empire 66ers.
Augusta Greenjackets (A): The other Giants A ball affiliate finished the week 2-2, including a 10-7 loss against the Greenville Drive on Sunday. Left fielder Rafael Rodriquez has begun the season with a .333 average including a triple and an RBI while Pitcher Mario Rodriguez has started the season with 6 innings pitched a 1.50 ERA and 2 strikeouts. The Greenjackets will have a 3 game series at the Rome Braves starting Monday, then a four game series at home against the West Virginia Power.