Span on Taylor and Carpenter; P-Nats play in high Single-A All-Star game

The California All-Stars dropped the Carolina All-Stars 9-2 Tuesday night from LoanMart Field in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.

High Single-A Potomac Nationals right-hander Nick Pivetta took the loss after allowing two runs on two hits in one inning of work. P-Nats catcher Spencer Kieboom went 0-for-2 and had two passed balls. He also grounded into a double play.

California put up three runs in the fourth and sixth frames to put the game out of reach. Brett Phillips, Cody Bellinger and Brandon Trinkwon each had two RBIs. Carolina pounded out 10 hits but left nine men on base and were 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position.

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Center fielder Denard Span is impressed with the pitching of reliever David Carpenter, who has fit right in since his arrival in the second week of June. Carpenter was DFA'd by the Yankees on June 3.

"Great teammate," Span said. "Two weeks he's been here, he's blended in really well. He's a bulldog on the mound. He was tough to go against when he was in Atlanta. Just happy that he's on our team, happy that the Yankees didn't want him, we'll take him."

Carpenter notched the final out in the eighth after the Braves scored a run and had the go-ahead run at the plate with two men on. He induced Juan Uribe into a flyout to right field to end the inning.

Left fielder Michael A. Taylor provided two key hits early in the 3-1 win over the Braves on Tuesday. Span believes Taylor's play in the field has helped him relax at the plate.

"He's been doing a really good job. (You can) see he's getting confident," Span said. "Looks like he's on time, he's getting deeper in counts and putting good swings on the ball. Even when he's getting on base, he's being aggressive. I think some of his defensive plays (are helping him) get a little confidence offensively. That's what I think personally. It's good to see that he's settling in and realizing that he does belong here."

Taylor went 2-for-4 with a run, stolen base and RBI.