Fresno Fridays

Let’s take a look at this week’s progress in the Giants’ farm system. Just for kicks and giggles, here’s how each team has fared in the past five days:

• The Giants have a 2-2 record, with the largest gap between hits (35) and runs (8).
• The Grizzlies put up 4 wins and 1 loss, with 48 hits and 30 runs.
• The Flying Squirrels hold a 2-3 record with 42 hits and 17 runs.
• The SJ Giants earned 5 wins and 1 loss, keeping the smallest margin with 38 hits and 26 runs.

And now for some slightly more valuable information…

Fresno Grizzlies

"@shaneloux How bout those Grizzlies? What an outburst tonight. Those boys can hit. Hope they keep it up for about 130 more games. Haha. No, but really."

Current record: 11-4

Biggest win: Last night, Fresno put up a 10-8 win against the Reno Aces. Right-handed starter Yusmeiro Petit lasted 4.2 innings, striking out 4 and giving up 8 hits and 5 runs. Despite a shaky start, the Grizzlies’ offense delivered in the 7th with 9 hits, 2 extra bases, and 8 runs. In the 9th, LHP Matt Yourkin graciously donated 3 extra runs to the Aces, fanning the first two batters before loading up the bases for a Randy Ruiz home run. One at-bat later, Yourkin got his final strikeout and Fresno took their 11th win of the year.

Recent call-ups: Ryan Vogelsong was activated from the DL after spending ten days rehabbing in Fresno. He made his first major-league start of the season against the Pirates in a 1-4 loss last Sunday, going 6.1 innings for 4 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, and 7 SO.

Richmond Flying Squirrels

"@JMoE220 Great win tonight!! We pitched great and played great defense !!gonna try to close out the series tomorrow!!"

Current record: 7-8

Toughest loss: How do you choose between the 19-6 blowout, the 6-0 shutout, and the 4-3 failed rally? For the sake of brevity, and because this loss tipped the Squirrels’ record in an unfavorable direction, let’s say that last night’s 4-3 loss was one of the most disheartening. LHP Michael Kickham allowed 6 hits, 4 runs, and 2 walks in 3.0 IP, and not even a flawless 6 innings of relief by Jake Dunning, Austin Fleet, and Ari Ronick could save a weak offense from the Altoona Curve.

On an entirely unrelated note, Altoona’s home park bears the worst field name in both major and minor league baseball: Peoples Natural Gas Field.

Strongest contributor: 3B Chris Dominguez is turning heads in the Eastern League, posting a batting line of .415/.429/.585 in 49 PA, with 17 hits, 5 extra bases, and 10 RBI. In his last game, a 3-1 win against the Curve, Dominguez went 1-for-3 with a single, a walk, and 2 runs.

San Jose Giants

"@schume2 Guess our team policy of no showering till we lose isn’t that fun on road trips."

Current record: 12-3

Biggest surprise: Well, now it’s probably that the team has stopped showering. I’m sure last night’s 7-8 loss was a relief for the players who hadn’t seen the inside of a shower since April 9. On the other, more important hand, a 9-game winning streak is nothing to be ashamed of, even if it was snapped by a one-run game on a walk-off walk.

Current MVP: This week, LHP Ryan Bradley placed first in WHIP (0.81) and second in ERA (1.13) among California League pitchers. He notched his second win of the season on April 18 against the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, tossing 6 scoreless innings, striking out 5 batters, and allowing just 2 hits.

For more information on the Giants’ minor league affiliates, check out MiLB.com and FanSided’s own Seedlings to Stars.