TRIPLE-A

HIGHS: Chris Carter and Jamie D’Antona led Tucson past Tacoma, 11-9 on Saturday, with the two sluggers combining to go 7-for-10 with six RBIs and five runs scored. Both homered, as did Tacoma outfielder Wladimir Balentien—his 11th blast of the season . . . Jacoby Ellsbury and Brandon Moss had a nice little combo of their own, though it wasn’t enough as Pawtucket fell to Syracuse, 10-7. The two outfielders combined for seven hits, as Moss also doubled and tripled in the losing effort . . . Pirates righthander Bryan Bullington continued to cruise, allowing an unearned run on three hits over 6 2/3 innings in Indianapolis’ 6-2 win against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre . . . Braves outfielder Gregor Blanco went 4-for-6 with a pair of doubles and four steals in Richmond’s 7-4 win against Norfolk . . . Josh Fields homered, doubled, stole a base and even played some shortstop in Charlotte’s 6-2 win against Ottawa.

LOWS: It was a tough night for Norfolk catcher J.R. House. House, who has split time at catcher and first base this season, went 1-for-5 at the plate in the Tides’ loss, but Richmond runners ran wild against him, swiping six bags in the game. House is throwing out 20 percent of runners this season (8-for-39) . . . There was nothing for real about “The Real Deal” in Ottawa’s loss to Charlotte. Righthander J.D. Durbin allowed six runs on six hits and walked five over five innings . . . Padres righthander Jared Wells allowed six runs on nine hits and walked four over just 3 1/3 innings of Portland’s 7-4 loss to Las Vegas . . . Reds lefthander Phil Dumatrait might have improved velocity, but Saturday was not his night. Dumatrait allowed six runs on six hits and walked four over five innings in Louisville’s 9-4 loss to Buffalo.

DOUBLE-A

HIGHS: Here’s a question for Orioles farm director David Stockstill—what is James Hoey still doing in Double-A? Hoey, who went 0-1, 10.24 in 10 innings in the big leagues last year, probably isn’t ready for Camden Yards just yet. But Triple-A Norfolk maybe? Hoey has yet to allow an earned run this season, and recorded his 13th save in Bowie’s 4-2 win against Altoona. This season, Hoey is 1-0, 0.00 with a 25-4 strikeout-walk ratio in 18 innings . . . Ho-hum . . . Yankees righthander Jeff Marquez continued to roll right along in Trenton’s 2-0 win against Connecticut. Marquez allowed nine hits over seven shutout innings, striking out four and no issuing a walk . . . Rockies outfielder Matt Miller has slowly been heating up in the Texas League. Miller went 2-for-3 with a homer off Rangers righthander Edinson Volquez in Tulsa’s 5-4 win against Frisco . . . Tennessee is getting help all over the diamond from several different sources. Jake Fox plays behind the plate, first base, third base and some left field, while Saturday it was 2003 10th-round pick Casey McGehee doing the damage for the Smokies. McGehee went 2-for-4 with a homer and five RBIs and has driven in 10 runs over his last four games.

LOWS: It’s difficult to say who was worse in Tennessee’s 9-7 win against Jacksonville. Cubs lefthander Donald Veal allowed seven runs on nine hits—two of which left the ballpark—and walked four over four innings. Dodgers’ 6-foot-6 lefthander Mike Megrew was hammered for eight runs on five hits and walked three over three innings . . . Phillies righthander Kyle Kendrick allowed six runs on as many hits and walked five over six innings in Reading’s 8-5 loss to Portland . . . And finally, Trevor Crowe. There still isn’t much positive to say. Crowe did single in two runs in Akron’s 3-1 win against Erie, but the prototypical leadoff hitter has lost that job and has been hitting sixth in the Aeros’ lineup. Overall, Crowe is now hitting .174/.278/.238 in 172 at-bats.

HIGH CLASS A

HIGHS: Matt Antonelli and Chad Huffman combined for four doubled in Lake Elsinore’s 12-9 win against High Desert. Antonelli, who is hitting .319/.425/.503 with seven homers in 185 at-bats, also stole his 14th base of the season . . . Dodgers infielder Blake Dewitt is beginning to hit at Inland Empire. Dewitt went 3-for-5 and catcher Lucas May hit his 10th homer and drove in three runs in the 66ers’ 8-7 loss to Lancaster. Dewitt has collected 14 hits over his last five games . . . One scout called Salem the ‘most prospect-laden team in the Carolina League” last week, and shortstop Tommy Manzella and Mitch Einertson each doubled twice in the Avalanche’s 11-4 win against Frederick . . . Lynchburg lefty Kyle Bloom allowed nine hits and struck out seven over seven innings in the Hillcats’ 2-0 win against Potomac . . . Rays righthander Wade Davis dominated again, allowing a run on six hits and fanning eight over six innings of Vero Beach’s 2-1 win against Tampa.

LOWS: Marlins righthander Brett Sinkbeil returned from the disabled list on May 21, but neither of his two outings since coming back have been anything to write home about. The Marlins 2006 first-rounder allowed three runs on five hits over 4 2/3 innings in Jupiter’s 3-1 loss to Clearwater . . . Health might not be an issue for Orioles righthander Brandon Erbe, but there is reason for concern. Erbe has been brutal, allowing 16 runs over his last six innings, including Saturday’s 1 2/3 innings effort. Erbe allowed three runs on four hits, maxing out his pitch count before making it out of the second inning.

LOW CLASS A

HIGHS: Diamondbacks lefty Brett Anderson didn’t have swing-and-miss stuff in South Bend’s 5-1 win against Dayton, but he still rolled up 10 ground ball outs en route to recording his sixth win of the season. Anderson allowed a run on five hits and struck out two over six innings . . . Rangers 2006 first-rounder Kasey Kiker made his second 2007 start in Clinton’s 3-1 win against Burlington. The 19-year-old lefthander allowed four hits over five shutout innings, striking out eight . . . It didn’t take long for the Braves to move 2006 second-round pick Chase Fontaine from short to second base, and the 21-year-old is still adjusting to the position. But Fontaine had the most success at the plate Saturday since the move, going 3-for-4 with a homer and a double.

LOWS: Kyle Drabek rolled over 10 ground ball outs and picked up his fifth win of the season in Lakewood’s 9-6 victory against Lake County, but he still wasn’t all that effective. The Phillies’ 2006 first-rounder allowed four runs on six hits and struck out three over five innings . . . Fort Wayne righthander Stephen Faris allowed seven runs on eight hits over just four innings in the Wizards’ 8-7 win against West Michigan.