Starting pitcher Chad Bettis allowed six hits, walked three and struck out nine in 6 2/3 innings to help the Nuts win the second game of their playoff series. Bettis wasn’t involved in the decision, though, when the Nuts broke a scoreless tie after he exited.
Modesto shortstop Josh Rutledge had three hits, including a two-run home run, extending his current hitting streak to 11 games and backing Chad Bettis, who allowed two hits and struck out nine in five innings.
Tyler Matzek pitched his best game as a pro, allowing one run on two hits with two walks and 13 strikeouts for Asheville. It was the third consecutive start and fourth in his past five that Matzek pitched seven innings. In August, Matzek is 3-1 with a 2.65 ERA, 15 walks and 42 strikeouts in 34 innings.
Modesto’s Nolan Arenado followed three straight games with home runs by going 4-for-6 with three RBIs to bring his season total to 108. Arenado has struck out just three times in 70 at-bats in August and 47 times in 461 at-bats all season.
Ian Stewart was 2-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI in a 9-2 Sky Sox loss, his first game for for Triple-A Colorado Springs since being optioned Wednesday.
Tri-City starter Tyler Gagnon allowed three hits, walked one and struck out seven in seven scoreless innings. Gagnon has allowed one run and 13 hits in 31 1/3 over his past five starts.
Modesto’s Chad Bettis extended a string of starts in which he has pitched at least seven innings to seven while Asheville’s Tyler Matzek walked eight, but took a no-hitter into the fifth inning before hitting a wall.
Tulsa’s Tim Wheeler hit his organization-leading 29th home run in a 5-2 loss while Modesto’s Kent Matthes followed up his three-home-run night with his 21st home run in a 9-6 win.
Double-A Tulsa combined for seven home runs by seven different hitters Wednesday, including back-to-back-to-back shots by minor-league home run leader Tim Wheeler, Thomas Field and Ben Paulsen in a 17-11 Drillers win.
The Casper Star-Tribune looks at the Colorado Rockies ninth-round pick in 2010, right-handed pitcher Geoff Parker, who underwent Tommy John surgery shortly after being drafted.
Colorado Springs second baseman Chris Nelson returned from the disabled list and played for the first time since July 5. He was 2-for-5, with a home run, three RBI and a run in a 7-6 Sky Sox loss.
Modesto’s Chad Bettis allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits, walked two and matched a career high in strikeouts with 11 in seven innings. In his past six starts, Bettis is 3-2 with a 1.48 ERA, 27 hits and 43 strikeouts in 42 2/3 innings.
