Phillips has a QS, Crouse struggles

Since Tyler Phillips was promoted to Frisco, he’s had three disaster outings, and the rest of the time has been okay. No spectacular outings, but solid workmanlike outings as he works to figure out what he needs to do to succeed against higher level hitters.

Through 5 innings tonight, it looked like Phillips might have that stellar outing we have been waiting for — he had allowed no runs and just 1 hit and 1 walk. Alas, Phillips ran into trouble in the sixth, allowing 3 runs, though he still finished the inning and gets credit for a quality start. His final line was 6 IP, 4 hits, 3 runs, 1 walk, and 6 Ks. 55 of 73 pitches were strikes.

The bullpen for Frisco was lights out tonight, with Demarcus Evans retiring all six batters he faced, five via strikeout, and Emmanuel Clase going single, GIDP, K in his inning of work.

Hans Crouse had a brief, bad start for Hickory. He allowed 5 runs in the first, had a 1-2-3 second, and then went HBP-K-single-single-WP-HBP in the third before being lifted. Hever Bueno had two shutout innings, and Matt Whatley, Miguel Aparicio and Frainyer Chavez each had two hits.

For Nashville, rehabbing Isiah Kiner-Falefa caught and had 3 PAs before leaving the game. Rehabbing Kyle Dowdy gave up 4 runs in 1.2 IP. Scott Heineman had a single, a double, a triple and a walk.

If you haven’t gotten on the Ricky Vanasco train, you might want to get your ticket. 6 IP, 1 infield hit, 2 walks, 10 Ks for Spokane. This is after 4.2 IP last time out with no runs and no hits.

I usually ignore rookie ball, but Keyber Rodriguez and Randy Florentino each homered today for the AZL Rangers, and they are both fairly well regarded teenagers.