Rangers Farm Report: Games of Saturday 26 August Box Scores 
AAA: Round Rock 7, at Nashville (OAK) 6 Record: 61-69, eliminated
SP James Dykstra: 5.2 IP, 5 H (2 HR), 4 R, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 1 SO, 7.38 ERA
3B Will Middlebrooks: 2-4, walk
C A.J. Jimenez: 2-5, 2 doubles
DH Brett Hayes: 4-5, 3 doubles
RF Preston Beck: 2-4, walk
This one played out much like the night before, with several lead changes and late tension. But this time, Nashville's winning run struck out with the tying run on base. Jurickson Profar is out on paternity leave.
Texas designated reliever Tanner Scheppers for assignment. He was already outrighted earlier this season, so if he clears waivers again, he can declare free agency (at the expense of his pro-rated salary of $975,000). It's an interesting decision, given some of the players on the current 40 that probably won't last the offseason. In any case, Scheppers is going to have a different employer in 2018, I'd say.
Round Rock hosts Colorado Springs tomorrow. On paper, at least. I assume the Express are scheduled to fly home from Nashville tomorrow morning, while the Sky Sox are currently in New Orleans under a rain delay.
AA: Frisco 3, at Midland (OAK) 0 Record: 26-35, 7.5 GB
SP Richelson Pena: 8 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 SO, 2.30 ERA
RP Nick Gardewine: 1 IP, 0 R, 2.34 ERA
C Jose Trevino: 2-3, walk
Richelson Pena has pitched this well before, but never for this many innings in AA. Nick Gardewine breezed through the 9th in his first appearance after his tough-luck MLB debut. Jose Trevino was the only Rider with two hits, although Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Andy Ibanez tripled. IKF needs two more extra-base hits for 39, which would match his total in 379 games between 2013-2016. He's one of Texas's many intriguing 40-man decisions this fall.
High-A: at Down East 6, Lynchburg (CLE) 2 Record: 31-31, 3.5 GB
SP Brett Martin: 7 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 8 SO, 4.88 ERA
RP Steven Bruce: 2 IP, 0 R, 2 SO, 5.91 ERA
CF Matt Lipka: 4-5, HR (8)
SS Josh Morgan: 2-4, walk
1B Yanio Perez: 3-5, double
Last year, Brett Martin's frustrating, injury-plagued 2016 culminated in one of the best performances in Texas minor league history, as he fanned 15 in seven no-hit innings during the Cal League finals. Yesterday wasn't quite as memorable, but with Down East still in the division race, he offered the best start of his frustrating, injury-plagued 2017. He's another tricky 40-man decision in three months.
The three batters listed were the top three in the order. That's some fine lineup construction.
Low-A: at Hickory 11, Columbia (NYM) 7 Record: 36-26, +1 G
SP Walker Weickel: 5.2 IP, 6 H (1 HR), 2 R, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 4 SO, 3.14 ERA
RP C.D. Pelham: 1 IP, 0 R, 1 SO, 2.98 ERA
SS Anderson Tejeda: 3-5, 2 triples
RF Frankliln Rollin : 3-4
A laugher turned scary in the 9th, as Columbia began the inning down by nine and managed to get the tying run to the on-deck circle before making an out. C.D. Pelham entered to record the final three outs under pressure. In his last three months, Pelham has a 1.18 ERA, with 50 strikeouts and 14 walks in 38 innings. He's always has the stuff to dominate at this level; the walks are more impressive.
Quietly struggling for much of the season, 19-year-old Anderson Tejeda is batting .306/.352/.529 in August.
Short-A: Spokane 5, at Salem-Keizer (SFO) 3 Record: 17-14, 1 GB
SP Tyler Phillips: 7 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 5 SO, 3.55 ERA
RP Joe Kuzia: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 SO, 2.39 ERA
CF Miguel Aparicio: 3-5, HR (4)
DH Melvin Novoa: 2-4, double
Tyler Phillips exceed 100 pitches for the first time as a professional. His good control has become superior in 2017, allowing him to average over six innings per start during the last two months. That's a lot of innings for short-A.
Until last night, Mevin Novoa was hitless in four games since coming back from a hamstring injury.
I don't know if Miguel Aparicio, just-acquired Pedro Gonzalez and top pick Bubba Thompson will man the same outfield next April in Hickory, but I can dream about it. The pitchers will be thrilled.
Tri-City and Vancouver also won to stay a game ahead of Spokane. Vancouver won the first-half title, so if they prevail again, the other playoff team will be the one with the second-best overall record. That scenario favors Tri-City, so Spokane needs to pass both of them.
Rookie: Rangers 1, at Cubs 6 Record: 13-9, +0.5 G
SP Ryan Dease: 3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 2 SO, 2.25 ERA
Texas's 4th-rounder pitched three innings for the first time. He's walked only two in 20 innings.
Five Years Ago Yesterday Hurricane Isaac forced the PCL to move Round Rock's series in New Orleans to the Dell Diamond.
Today's Starters: AAA: Anthony Bass
AA: Ariel Jurado
High-A: Kyle Cody
Low-A: Reiver Sanmartin
Short-A: Tyree Thompson
Rookie: TBA
Opening Day is 3/28/2024 at the Ballpark against the Cubs
