The Giants’ minor league teams have been doing well lately, with two of the affiliates in first place in their divisions and only one team, Augusta, under .500 for the year. Fresno in particular is playing exceptionally, with a record of 25-13. Eric Hacker put up seven innings of 1-run ball on Sunday to lead the Grizzlies to a 7-1 victory over Omaha, but on Monday the bullpen blew a late lead resulting in an 8-5 loss. This spoiled Andrew Kown’s terrific start, as he gave up two runs in seven strong innings, recording four strikeouts.
The Grizzlies’ hitters are also doing well, with Justin Christian having recorded four consecutive multi-hit games and sporting a .378 batting average. He has a nine game hitting streak overall. The Grizzlies will travel to Round Rock from May 17-20. They are in first place in the Pacific Coast League’s Pacific Southern Division.
Richmond had the day off on Monday, but won on Sunday 5-4 despite a shaky start from Justin Fitzgerald. IF Daniel Mayora is in the midst of a 9-game hitting streak. Richmond is 19-18, in fourth place in their division, and will wrap up a series with Harrisburg at home on May 17th.
San Jose lost to Modesto 5-3 on Monday night despite outhitting Modesto 15-5. They are still in first place in their division by two games despite the loss with a record of 24-14. San Jose pitching is dominating the California league, with the staff leading the league in ERA, shutouts, and home runs allowed. They will wrap up the Modesto series tonight and then travel to Visalia from the 17th to the 19th.
Augusta won 1-0 over Rome despite hitting into four double plays in the game, on the back of Shawn Payne’s solid start. Payne went five scoreless, scattering five hits and striking out one. Augusta is 17-18 sitting in fourth place in the South Atlantic League’s Southern Division. They close out the Rome series tonight and travel to Savannah for a four game set starting Thursday.