Road To Arlington: Rangers Minor League Report (5/18)

Bakersfield's Michael Main in Surprise

Last fall during instructional league play, whispers drifted out of the desert that he was zooming to the top of the Rangers prospect chart, dealing major league quality stuff, and possibly about to become one of those rare high school pitchers who is both physically and mentally ready to go all the way in less than four years. With all of that baggage, there’s no other way to put it than to say that his 2009 campaign has been one of the biggest gut punches of the year.

But it’s a process and for these young players, it’s al about learning, adjusting and getting better. Learning to fight through adversity is also part of the process and it appears he’s doing all of that. It still ain’t pretty, but 2007 first rounder Michael Main has made enormous improvement in May after a disastrous April.

Triple-A: Tacoma 9 @ Oklahoma City 1

The Rainiers got to RHP Tommy Hunter (1-2; 5.95) for nine runs on 10 hits and three walks in 6.2 innings while the RedHawks lineup delivered yet another meager performance. LF Brandon Boggs (.271 / .400 / .331) went 2-for-4 with a double and RF Greg Golson (.283 / .330 / .370) singled three times in four trips to drive in OKC’s only run.

Double-A: Frisco

Travel day. They begin a homestand at Dr Pepper Ballpark against Midland at 7:00 pm tonight then wheel back with an 11:00 am game tomorrow.

Advanced-A: Bakersfield 8 @ Visalia 2

After going 0-3 with an 11.66 ERA in four April outings, RHP Michael Main (3-4; 7.32) has improved to 3-1 with a 4.29 ERA after yesterday’s six inning, two run outing during which he scattered six hits and four walks while punching out four.

The Blaze put three on the board in the second with an HBP, two singles, a walk, a sac fly, and a double steal that included a theft of home plate by former Giants farmhand C Elio Sarmiento (.245 / .351 / .265) who went 3-for-4. DH Mauro Gomez (.308 / .377 / .561) belted his sixth homer of the year in a 2-for-4 outing.

3B Jonathan Greene (.241 / .339 / .361) went 2-for-4 with a double to drive in two while CF Engel Beltre (.232 / .279 / .326) extended a ten-game hitting streak with a single in five trips.

Class-A: Lake County 9 @ Hickory 2

LHP Cliff Springston (2-4; 6.55) surrendered seven runs, four earned, on eight hits and a walk in three innings of work and the Hickory lineup managed just two runs on seven hits.