Monday Farm Report: Four Is a Magic Number for Grand Junction

Rookie-level Grand Junction enters the final four games of the regular season with a magic number of four to claim the Pioneer League Southern Division second-half, and advance to the post-season.

Idaho Falls and Ogden are tied for second. And while Grand Junction is playing Orem (9-25 second half) to close out the second half, Idaho Falls and Ogden are playing each other. That means the Grand Junction Rockies will need to win at least two games to clinch.

The series with Orem has two games at home and two on the road.

In Sunday's Games

AAA Albuquerque (63-76) lost 5-2 at Reno. The loss went to MLB veteran Santiago Casilla (0-2, 8.03), who was hoping to pitch his way into the Rockies bullpen for September, has made 11 appearances with the Isotopes since August 1. Peter Lambert (5.04) started and allowed three hits and two walks, striking out four, in five scoreless innings. Josh Fuentes (.321) was 2-for-3 with two doubles and a run scored.

AA Hartford (64-72) lost 8-5 at New Haven. Ryan Castellani (7-9, 5.49) allowed six runs, five earned, on nine hits and three walks, striking out three, in six innings. Roberto Ramos (.231) was 2-for-4 with a run scored.

High A Lancaster (37-31 2nd half; 70-69) lost 4-2 at Lake Elsinore. Matt Dennis (8-13, 5.59) allowed four runs on nine hits and a walk, striking out six, in six innings. Bret Boswell (.325) was 2-for-4 with an RBI.

Low A Asheville (36-31 2nd half; 63-73) lost 2-1 against Rome. Tommy Doyle (7-6, 2.31) allowed the game-deciding run in the ninth. Nick Kennedy (4-13) started and allowed one hit and two walks, striking out seven, in six shutout innings. Matt McLaughlin (.263) was 2-for-3 with a double.

Short-Season A Boise (13-23 2nd half; 34-41) lost 4-2 against Eugene. Shelby Lackey (1-3, 1.60) allowed two runs, one earned, on three hits and a walk, striking out one, in 1 2/3 innings. Alec Byrd (3.00) started and allowed two runs on 10 hits, walking two and striking out five, in six innings. Luke Morgan (.313) was 2-for-3 with an RBI and run scored in the first.

Rookie Boise (20-14 2nd half; 43-32) was off.