PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE

Prospect Of The Day

Sacramento lefthander Gio Gonzalez (Athletics) had been practically untouchable—27 strikeouts against just five hits in 21 innings—in his three starts prior to yesterday’s game at Salt Lake. As it turned out, the Bees offered little resistance for the 22-year-old Gonzalez, as he racked up his fourth straight win, and lowered his ERA to 4.34, in the River Cats’ 4-1 win against the Bees.

Gonzalez struck out seven and walked four in 7 1/3 innings, while allowing only one run on five hits. Perhaps most impressive of all was that the performance came on the road (in hitter-friendly Salt Lake, no less), where Gonzalez has struggled this season, going 3-3, 6.09 with 11 home runs allowed in 58 innings. For comparison’s sake, he’s allowed only one home run in 52 innings at Sacramento.

On Gonzalez’s performance, River Cats’ acting manager Greg Sparks told The Sacramento Bee:

"He came right at the hitters with good stuff and an electric curveball. He did an outstanding job."

Prospect Nuggets

Sacramento 2B Eric Patterson (Athletics) stayed hot, going 1-for-4 with a double (19), which gave him a hit in all five of his games for the River Cats, and an extra-base hit in each of the last four. . . . Iowa RHP Jeff Samardzija (Cubs) allowed two runs (on a two-run shot by John Gall) in six innings of a Cubs loss at Albuquerque. He didn’t factor into the decision, but he did strike out nine Isotopes batters, while walking four and allowing just four hits. Samardzija went 1-for-3 at the plate, with a double and a run scored. . . . Las Vegas RHP Jon Meloan (Dodgers) allowed three runs in seven innings of a 51s home 13-3 win against Tacoma. He struck out four, walked one and allowed eight hits, two of which were home runs. . . . Salt Lake 2B Sean Rodriguez (Angels) went 3-for-5 for two doubles (15) with a run scored. . . . Tacoma 3B Matt Tuiasosopo (Mariners) hit his 22nd double in going 3-for-4 with a run scored.

What To Watch For Today

The PCL doesn’t play today, as it prepares for Wednesday’s Triple-A all-star game in Louisville. Your American Conference division leaders at the break: Iowa (Northern) and Oklahoma (Southern). Over in the Pacific Conference, Salt Lake (Northern) and Sacramento (Southern) hold 7 1/2-game cushions.

INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE

Prospect Of The Day

The IL did not play on Monday.