On the Farm: Mariners minor league affiliate report for June 17

Tacoma (AAA) 2, Salt Lake 0

TACOMA, Wash. – Felix Hernandez, on a Major League rehab assignment with the Seattle Mariners, allowed just four hits and no walks over six innings, leading the Tacoma Rainiers (36-31) over the Salt Lake Bees (37-22) in a 2-0 win on Saturday.

Hernandez (2-0) struck out eight to get the win. He threw 87 pitches, 57 for strikes. Hernandez is poised to join the big league rotation next week.

Tacoma scored its runs when Zach Shank hit an RBI double in the first inning and Tuffy Gosewisch hit an RBI single in the fifth.

Luis Diaz (1-4) went five innings, allowing two runs and three hits in the Pacific Coast League game. He also struck out six and walked three. Jean Machi retired the side in order for his ninth save of the season.

The Bees were held scoreless for the fifth time this season, while the Rainiers’ staff recorded their 11th shutout of the year.

Springfield 18, Arkansas (AA) 1

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Anthony Garcia homered twice and singled, driving in four runs and scoring three, as the Springfield Cardinals (34-34) beat the Arkansas Travelers (32-36) 18-1 on Saturday.

Springfield scored in six different innings in the victory, including the seventh, when it exploded for six runs, including a two-run single by Bruce Caldwell.

Springfield right-hander Dakota Hudson (5-3) picked up a quality start and the win after allowing one run on six hits over seven innings. Opposing starter Justin DeFratus (2-2) took the loss in the Texas League game after a rough outing in which he allowed six runs and six hits over five innings.

Springfield hit a season-high seven doubles in its victory.

For the Travelers, Tyler Marlette doubled and singled twice.

Modesto (High-A) 11, Inland Empire 1

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – Luis Liberato had four hits, while Eric Filia and Chris Mariscal recorded three apiece as the Modesto Nuts (38-31) beat the Inland Empire 66ers (30-39) 11-1 on Saturday.

Modesto clinched the California League first-half North Division title for the first time since 2004 and locked in a playoff spot for the first time since 2013.

Liberato doubled and singled three times, scoring three runs. Filia was a triple short of the cycle, driving home five runs and scoring a couple.

Down 1-0, the Nuts took the lead for good with six runs in the third inning. The Nuts sent 11 men to the plate as Filia hit a three-run double en route to the five-run lead.

The Nuts later added two runs in the sixth, one in the eighth, and two in the ninth to put the game away.

Modesto right-hander Nathan Bannister (3-4) picked up a quality start and the win after allowing one run on just one hit over six innings. Opposing starter Luis Pena (2-8) took the loss in the California League game after a rough outing in which he allowed six runs and four hits over three innings. Marvin Gorgas pitched three scoreless innings for his first save of the season.

Cedar Rapids 2, Clinton (Low-A) 1

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Jaylin Davis singled twice, and Tyler Wells struck out 10 hitters over eight innings as the Cedar Rapids Kernels (38-31) beat the Clinton LumberKings (31-35) 2-1 on Saturday.

Wells (4-1) picked up the win after he allowed one run and four hits.

After five scoreless innings, Clinton got on the board in the top of the sixth when Nick Zammarelli scored on a forceout.

After tying the game in the sixth, the Kernels took the lead for good in the eighth inning when Travis Blankenhorn stole home.

Jack Anderson (1-2) went one inning, allowing one run while striking out one and walking two in the Midwest League game. Hector Lujan retired the side in order for his sixth save of the season.

Hillsboro 12, Everett (Short-A) 4

EVERETT, Wash. – Eudy Ramos hit a run-scoring single in the first inning, leading the Hillsboro Hops (2-1) to a 12-4 win over the Everett AquaSox (1-2) on Saturday.

The single by Ramos started the scoring in an eight-run inning and gave the Hops a 1-0 lead. Later in the inning, Hillsboro scored on five more plays, including a three-run double by Yan Sanchez.

The Hops later scored four runs in the eighth to punctuate the blowout.

Tyler Keele (1-0) got the win in relief while Everett starter Cody Mobley (0-1) took the loss in the Northwest League game.