Saturday, May 2nd: Justin Higley’s 3-Run HR Helps Ports Win while Chad Smith Allows 2 Runs in the 9th as Sounds Lose in a Walk-Off

A’s Farmhand Of The Day: Stockton Ports Outfielder Justin Higley (Home Run / 3 RBIs)
A’s Farmhand Of The Day: Stockton Ports Outfielder Justin Higley (Home Run / 3 RBIs)

 

CALIFORNIA LEAGUE  (High-A)

San Jose Giants  7

Stockton Ports   8

WP – Covey 2-2 / 2.96

HR – Higley (3)

Farmhand Of The Game:

Outfielder Justin Higley

(Home Run / 3 RBIs)

With two on, one out and the game tied in the bottom of the 3rd, outfielder Justin Higley slugged his 3rd home run of the season to give the Ports a lead they would never relinquish on Saturday. Shortstop Franklin Barreto, third baseman Michael Soto and outfielder Tyler Marincov had 3 hits apiece for the Ports. Starter Dylan Covey allowed 2 runs over 5 innings of work to earn his 2nd win for Stockton. RHP Ben Bracewell gave up 3 runs in the 6th inning, while RHP Sam Bragg surrendered 2 runs in the 7th to bring San Jose within a run. But RHP Trevor Bayless followed with 1 2/3 scoreless innings, and RHP Andres Avila got the final three outs to earn his 3rd save for Stockton.

Click here for more on Nashville, Midland & Beloit…

 

PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE  (Triple-A)

Nashville Sounds      4

Round Rock Express  5

LP – Smith 1-1 / 2.31

HR – Pridie (3)

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Farmhand Of The Game:

Outfielder Jason Pridie

(Home Run / 2 RBIs)

 

Outfielder Jason Pridie continued his hot hitting of late, collecting 2 hits, including a 2-run homer, his 3rd, to give Nashville a 3-run lead in the 3rd and tie him for the Sounds’ home-run lead with infielders Andy Parrino and Joey Wendle. Third baseman Ryan Roberts had 3 hits, including a double, while shortstop Andy Parrino singled, doubled, walked and scored, and outfielder Alden Carrithers walked twice and singled in the go-ahead run for the Sounds in the 8th. Starter Brad Mills allowed 2 runs over 5 innings of work, while switch-pitcher Pat Venditte gave up 1 run in the 7th to tie the game. RHP Fernando Rodriguez tossed a scoreless 8th. But, with Nashville holding a slim 1-run lead, RHP Chad Smith surrendered a pair of runs in the bottom of the 9th to allow Round Rock to win in a walk-off and take his 1st loss for the Sounds. In other news, outfielder Billy Burns and RHP R.J. Alvarez were both recalled by the A’s, while LHP Jim Fuller was promoted from Midland to Nashville, and outfielder Alex Hassan was claimed off waivers from Texas and optioned to the Sounds. Meanwhile, rehabbing RHP Jarrod Parker is set to make his first start for the Sounds on Sunday.

 

TEXAS LEAGUE  (Double-A)

Midland RockHounds  0

San Antonio Missions    3

LP – Long 0-1 / 2.14

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Farmhand Of The Game:

Pitcher Nate Long

(8 IP / 4 H / 3 ER / 1 BB / 3 K)

 

RHP Nate Long delivered a solid complete-game start on Saturday, allowing 3 runs on just 4 hits over 8 innings of work, but he still ended up taking the loss for the RockHounds. Long gave up 3 of the 4 hits and all the runs in the 3rd inning. Meanwhile, Midland managed just 2 hits in the game. Both came courtesy of shortstop Chad Pinder who went 2 for 4 on the night, while first baseman Matt Olson and second baseman Colin Walsh each walked in the game.

 

MIDWEST LEAGUE  (Class-A)

Beloit Snappers          7

Kane County Cougars  9

LP – Schwartz 0-3 / 7.66

HR – Pimentel (2)

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Farmhand Of The Game:

First Baseman Sandber Pimentel

(Home Run / 2 RBIs)

 

RHP Jordan Schwartz had a rough start for the Snappers, allowing 8 runs over 4 innings of work to take his 3rd loss on Saturday. But first baseman Sandber Pimentel had a big night at the plate, singling, walking twice and slugging a 2-run homer in the 1st. Shortstop Yairo Munoz had a pair of hits, stole a base and scored twice, while outfielder Max Kuhn and designated hitter Trent Gilbert both singled, walked and drove in a run in the loss.

 

Sunday’s Games:

Nashville @ Round Rock – 11:05am PT / 1:05pm CT

Midland @ San Antonio – 12:05pm PT / 2:05pm CT

San Jose @ Stockton – 2:09pm PT

Beloit @ Kane County – 11:00am PT / 1:00pm CT

 

 

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