EXST A's walk-off HR stomps Cubs at Papago Park

RHP Robert Hernandez, serving a 50-game prohibited substance suspension, threw four shutout innings (70 pitches, 3 H, 2 BB, 6 K), but RHP Harol Tolentino surrendered a game-winning three-run walk-off HR in the bottom of the 9th, as the EXST A's defeated the EXST Cubs 6-3 at the Papago Park Sports Complex in Phoenix this morning.

Whenever Hernandez's 50-game suspension is over (and barring rain-outs, that should be May 26th), he certainly looks like he will be ready to step right back into the Peoria Chiefs starting rotation. He was outstanding again today.

In EXST Cubs roster news, 2B Jeffrey Rea (quad) and LF Brandon Guyer (elbow) have completed their rehab assignments at Fitch Park and have been assigned to Peoria, and C-1B Luis Bautista (brother of Pirates 3B Jose Bautista) was also promoted from EXST to Peoria.

Coming down to the EXST Cubs from Peoria are RF Kyler Burke (acquired frrom SD for Michael Barrett last June) and infielders Marwin Gonzalez and Jose Made. The three are supposed to report to Fitch Park tomorrow morning 

Burke was hitting just .206/278/305 at Peoria, with 34 K in 142 PA. He was a highly-regarded LHP prospect in HS (some MLB scouts supposedly even had him rated higher as a pitcher), so maybe the Cubs will make him a pitcher at Fitch Park. And Burke does have one of the best OF arms in the organization.

Speaking of OF arms, maybe the Cubs will make Ryan Harvey (recently demoted from Tennessee to Daytona) a pitcher too, one of these days. Because he has THE best OF arm in the Cubs organization, and, like Burke, was a combination P-OF in high school. 

Here is today's abridged box score (Cubs players only):

LINEUP:
1. Cesar Salazar, RF: 2-4 (RBI, K, GIDP)
2. Gian Guzman, 2B: 1-4 (R, K, GIDP)
3. Drew Rundle, CF: 2-3 (R, 3B, K, SH)
4a. John Contreras, 3B: 0-3 (CS)
4b. Roberto Sabates, PH: 1-1 (2B, RBI)
4c. Nelson Perez, PR: 0-0
5. Bryan Jost, 1B: 0-3 (BB, 2 K)
6. Carlos Perez, DH #1: 0-3 (RBI, SF, K)
7. Alvaro Sosa, C: 0-2 (BB, 2 K)
8. Junior Lake, DH #2-3B: 0-3 (K)
9. George Matheus, SS: 1-3 (R, K) 
10. Kevin Soto, LF: 1-3 (K)

PITCHERS:
1. Robert Hernandez - 4.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K (2/3 GO/FO)
2. Israel Camacaro - 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 HR (1/1 GO/FO)
3. Yohan Gonzalez - 2.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 2 K (3/1 GO/FO)
4. Harol Tolentino - 1.1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 0 K, 1 HR (2/2 GO/FO)

ERRORS: NONE

CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Alvaro Sosa: 1-2 CS

WEATHER: Mostly sunny and very breezy, high in the 80's

ATTENDANCE: 8