Thursday, April 3rd: Ports Pull Out the Win Behind Nunez’s Big Bat while Cats, Hounds & Snappers All Fall on Opening Night

 

A’s Farmhand Of The Day

Stockton Ports Third Baseman Renato Nunez (2 Doubles / RBI)
Stockton Ports Third Baseman Renato Nunez (2 Doubles / RBI)

 

CALIFORNIA LEAGUE  (High-A)

Stockton Ports  4

Visalia Rawhide   1

WP – Hall 1-0 / 0.00

Farmhand Of The Game:

Third Baseman Renato Nunez

(2 Doubles / RBI)

Just one day before his 20th birthday, third baseman Renato Nunez got off to a great start for Stockton, doubling twice and driving in a run to help the team win its opening contest on Thursday. Fellow prospects Daniel Robertson, Matt Olson and Billy McKinney all collected their first hits for the Ports. McKinney was thrown out trying to stretch his single into a double, but he stole a base earlier in the game, while outfielder Bobby Crocker walked twice and swiped a pair. Meanwhile, the A’s 3rd overall pick in last year’s draft, Chad Pinder, went 0 for 4 with 3 strikeouts and made a throwing error in his first game at Stockton and his first game at second base. Starter Josh Bowman allowed 1 run on 2 hits over 3 innings before leaving with an unspecified injury with no outs in the bottom of the 4th inning. He was relieved by RHP Kris Hall who picked up the win by striking out 3 in 2 perfect innings of work. RHP Ryan Doolittle struck out the side after giving up a double in the 6th. He was followed by rehabbing RHP Ryan Cook who retired the side in order in the 7th, and RHP Nolan Sanburn earned his 1st career save by striking out 3 in 2 scoreless innings of relief.

Click here for more on Sacramento, Midland & Beloit…

 

PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE  (Triple-A)

Sacramento River Cats  3

Salt Lake Bees                  8

LP – Leon 0-1 / 10.80

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Farmhand Of The Game:

Outfielder Kent Matthes

(Triple / 2 Runs)

 

RHP Arnold Leon didn’t look sharp in Sacramento’s season opener, allowing 4 runs on 7 hits over 3 1/3 innings to take the loss, though he wasn’t helped by LHP Eric Berger, who relieved him with 1 out, 2 men on and the game tied in the bottom of the 4th inning. Making his debut with Sacramento, Berger gave up a 3-run homer to the first batter he faced, and the River Cats were never able to recover. RHP Jose Flores went on to give up 3 more runs in 1 2/3 innings of work, while rehabbing RHP Fernando Rodriguez and RHP Paul Smyth each tossed 1 scoreless inning in relief. Sacramento’s lineup managed just 5 hits on the night, with outfielder Kent Matthes notching a triple and first baseman Nate Freiman and outfielder Jake Goebbert each collecting a double for the Cats. Meanwhile, former A’s prospect Grant Green, playing shortstop and batting third for Salt Lake, had 3 hits, including a double, and drove in the Bees’ 1st run of the night.

 

TEXAS LEAGUE  (Double-A)

Arkansas Travelers       20

Midland RockHounds  7

LP – Granier 0-1 / 37.80

HR – Coleman (1)

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Farmhand Of The Game:

Second Baseman Dusty Coleman

(3 for 4 / Home Run / 3 RBIs)

 

It was a rough night for the RockHounds with high winds swirling around Midland. Starter Drew Granier gave up 7 runs on 8 hits in just 1 2/3 innings of work to take the loss, while RHPs Nate Long and Ryan Dull each allowed 3 runs in 1 2/3 innings of relief, and RHP Blake Hassebrock surrendered 7 runs in just 2/3 of an inning. The only real relief came from Seth Frankoff, who tossed 2 scoreless innings, and LHP Andrew Werner, who got the final 4 outs without allowing a run. Second baseman Dusty Coleman got his season off to a good start by posting 3 hits, including a home run, and driving in 3 runs. Shortstop Addison Russell didn’t disappoint in his debut for Midland, collecting 3 hits, including a double, to go along with a stolen base. Third baseman Jefry Marte singled, doubled and drove in a pair, while center fielder Billy Burns walked twice and doubled for the RockHounds.

 

MIDWEST LEAGUE  (Class-A)

Burlington Bees     5

Beloit Snappers  1

LP – Wahl 0-1 / 8.10

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Farmhand Of The Game:

Outfielder Herschel “Boog” Powell

(2 for 4 / Walk / Stolen Base)

 

It was another chilly opening night in Beloit, with temperatures below 40, and the Snappers bats never really warmed up. The team scored just 1 run on the night, with outfielder Herschel “Boog” Powell and shortstop Melvin Mercedes each getting a pair of hits, while third baseman B.A. Vollmuth and second baseman Chih-Fang Pan both doubled. The A’s 5th overall pick in last year’s draft, RHP Bobby Wahl, got the opening night call and allowed 3 runs in 3 1/3 innings to take the loss. RHP Lee Sosa gave up 2 runs in 1 inning of relief, while LHP Matt Stalcup tossed 2 2/3 scoreless innings and LHP Chris Lamb struck out 4 in 2 perfect innings for the Snappers.

 

Friday’s Games:

Sacramento @ Salt Lake – 5:35pm PT

Arkansas @ Midland – 5:00pm PT / 7:00pm CT

Stockton @ Visalia – 7:00pm PT

Burlington @ Beloit – 4:30pm PT / 6:30pm CT

 

 

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