Daily Farm Report: Memphis, Peoria Chase Championship Titles

After some time off, Memphis and Peoria continued their pursuit of league titles on Wednesday. Memphis dropped the second game of the PCL Finals, drawing even with Fresno 1-1. Peoria, advances to the finals on the back of a strong Jake Dahlberg outing, dropped the series opener to Bowling Green.

Fresno Grizzlies 10, Memphis Redbirds 1

Tyler Lyons (SP): 1.2 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Will Latcham (RP): 2.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 5 K’s

Andrew Knizner (C): 2-4, R

Randy Arozarena (LF): 2-4

Yikes, Tyler Lyons. Memphis dug an early hole and never sniffed a comeback. The Grizzlies dinged Lyons for six runs in the second inning, knocking out the lefty and taking a commanding lead.

The Redbirds’ only run came in the top of the third inning. Andrew Knizner led off the frame with a single to left field. Wilfredo Tovar walked in the next at bat and both runners then advanced on a Tommy Edman ground out. Knizner came in to score on a Max Schrock sac fly.

While there isn’t much to highlight from this contest, two Cardinals farmhands made made their AAA debut. Reliever Will Latcham, who split the regular season between Palm Beach and Springfield, threw 2.1 innings of one run ball in relief of Lyons. Meanwhile, Andy Young pinch hit and drew a walk in his Pacific Coast League debut.

The series is tied 1-1.

Bowling Green Hot Rods 4 at Peoria Chiefs 0

Johan Oviedo (SP): 5 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 6 K’s

Ben Yokley (RP): 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K’s

Zach Kirtley (1B): 1-3, 2B, BB

Julio Rodriguez (C): 1-3, BB

While the Memphis loss was a failure of both hitting and pitching, Peoria was only let down by their offense on Wednesday.

Starter Johan Oviedo was unspectacular but not terrible, allowing four runs over five frames. Ben Yokley, Thomas St. Clair and Edgar Gonzalez came out of the bullpen and combined for 4 innings of scoreless relief.

The offense only mustered five hits, one of which was for extra bases. The long double came courtesy of Zach Kirtley but failed to yield any runs. Nolan Gorman struggled mightily, striking out in three of his four at bats. The precocious infielder seems to be wearing down at the end of a long year.

The Chiefs trail the Hot Rods 0-1.

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Thursday’s Probables

PEO: Zach Prendergast