Rockies NE Dominican Team Faces Rangers2 in DSL First-Round

The Rockies Dominican Summer League entry in the Northeast Division went 53-19, the best regular-season record of the 36 teams in the league, and is heading to the first round of the playoffs against the Rangers1, which was 51-21 and won the San Pedro Division.

The Rockies Northeast team had a first-round bye while the Rangers1 swept  the Cardinals Blue team in a best-of-three first round series.

The two games had Game 1 of the best-of-three series postponed on Wednesday because of rain. They are now scheduled to play a doubleheader Thursday with a third game, if necessary, on Friday.

Rockies prospect Raymells Rosa (2.54) led the DSL with 19 saves, nine more than the runnerup. Anderson Amarista (7-5, 3.60) tied for the league lead in wins, one ahead of teammates Helcris Olivarez and Juan Toribio, both of whom were 6-1. Olivarez had a 2.30 ERA, and Toribio's ERA was 3.14.

Eddy Diaz led the Rockies affiliate with 54 stolen bases in 51 games, two shy of the league leader. Ronaiker Palma led the team with a .340 average, fourth in the DSL, and Steven Fana, who led the Rockies with eight home runs, was eighth in the league. 

In Tuesday's Games

AAA Albuquerque (61-73) lost 2-1 at Sacramento. Josh Fuentes (.321) was 1-for-3 with a fourth-inning double to drive in the Isotopes run. Peter Lambert (5.54) pitched six shutout innings, allowing three hits and two walks, striking out three, but had a no-decision. Yency Almonte (2-5, 5.06) gave up one run on one hit, striking out two, in two innings, but suffered the loss.

AA Hartford (60-71) lost 4-3 against Binghamton. Logan Cozart (7-5, 2.31) allowed one run on one hit, retiring five batters, including one strikeout. Ryan Castellani (5.40) started and allowed three runs on five hits and two walks, striking out seven, in six innings.

High A Lancaster (36-28 2nd half; 69-65) won 8-5 against Rancho Cucamonga, extending its lead for a playoff spot to four games with 10 games remaining in the regular season. Bret Boswell (.330) hit two home runs, giving him nine since his promotion from Low-A Asheville. Max George (.213) was 3-for-4 with two runs scored, three RBI and his 14th home run. Matt Dennis (8-12, 5.57) allowed one run on eight hits and a walk, striking out six, in seven innings. Alexander Guillen (3.75) pitched a scoreless ninth for his first save.

Low A Asheville (33-29 2nd half; 60-71) lost 5-4 in 11 innings at Kannapolis. Moises Ceja (2-2, 3.86) struck out the first batter he faced in the 11th, and gave up the game-deciding base hit to the next. Nick Kennedy (7.45) started, and allowed three runs on nine hits and a walk, striking out three, in five innings. Casey Golden (.282) was 2-for-3 with a double, sacrifice fly and walk.

Short-Season A Boise (11-21 2nd half; 32-38) was off.

Rookie Grand Junction (18-12 2nd half; 38-30) won 5-3 against Idaho Falls. Will Tribucher (4-2, 2.30) worked 2 2/3 scoreless innings, giving up one hit and striking out two, to earn the victory. Alexander Martinez (3.29) retired the four batters he faced for his 17th save. Ryan Rolison (2.08), the Rockies first-round draft choice in June, started and allowed two runs, one earned, on three hits and a walk, striking out four, in three innings. Hunter Stovall (.309) was 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI.