PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE (Triple-A)
Nashville Sounds 8
Round Rock Express 6
WP – Kurcz 1-0 / 4.50
HR – Barreto (1), Parmelee (1)
Prospect Of The Game:
Outfielder Jaff Decker
(4 for 4 / Double / RBI / 2 Walks / 2 Runs / 2 Stolen Bases)
Center fielder Jaff Decker had a big night at the plate to help Nashville come back from a 5-run deficit and win in 11 innings on Friday. Decker reached base in all 6 of his trips to the plate, going 4 for 4 with a double and 2 walks, while also swiping a pair of bases, driving in a run and scoring twice. His biggest hit was a two-out double in the 9th to tie things up and send the game to extra innings. He also walked and scored the Sounds’ second run in the 11th. Chris Parmelee singled in Decker in the 11th, homered to lead off the top of the 10th and also singled in another run in the 5th. Renato Nunez singled in the winning run in the 11th with his only hit of the game, while second baseman Franklin Barreto had 3 hits, including a 2-run homer in the 5th. Third baseman Matt Chapman exited the game after the 4th inning for unknown reasons. RHP Michael Brady, signed as a minor league free agent in the offseason, was shaky in his first start for the Sounds, lasting just 3 innings after surrendering 5 runs in the 1st, but RHP Zach Neal was impressive in relief, tossing 4 scoreless frames to help keep his team in the hunt. RHP Aaron Kurcz picked up the win despite allowing the tying run in the bottom of the 10th, while RHP Bobby Wahl got the final three outs in the 11th to earn the save for the Sounds. In other news, reliever Tyler Sturdevant was added to the roster on Friday to replace Jesse Hahn, who was recalled by the A’s on Wednesday.
Click here for more on Midland, Stockton & Beloit…
TEXAS LEAGUE (Double-A)
Tulsa Drillers 2
Midland RockHounds 5
WP – Trivino 1-0 / 0.00
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher James Naile
(4 IP / 2 H / 0 ER / 1 BB / 2 K)
RHP James Naile was solid in his season debut for the RockHounds, throwing 4 shutout frames while allowing just 2 hits, and he exited with the game a scoreless tie. RHP Lou Trivino tossed a scoreless 5th to pick up the win, while Naile’s tandem starting mate, RHP Grant Holmes, allowed 2 runs over 3 2/3 innings in his first game for the RockHounds, and RHP Kyle Finnegan got the final out in the 9th to notch the save. Right fielder Tyler Marincov singled, walked and doubled to drive in the RockHounds first 2 runs of the game in the bottom of the 5th inning, while outfielders B.J. Boyd and J.P. Sportman collected 3 hits apiece in the win.
CALIFORNIA LEAGUE (High-A)
GAME #1
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 0
Stockton Ports 2
WP – Wagman 1-0 / 0.00
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Brett Graves
(4 IP / 0 H / 0 ER / 0 BB / 5 K)
With the Ports’ planned season opener rained out on Thursday night, Friday was doubleheader day in Stockton. And fans were treated to two dramatic 7-inning games between the Ports and Quakes at Banner Island Ballpark on Friday night. The extra time off clearly had no ill effects on Stockton’s Game #1 starter, RHP Brett Graves, who turned in 4 perfect innings to begin the game. Graves struck out 5, induced 6 ground ball outs, and allowed only one harmless fly-ball out, caught easily in shallow left field by the shortstop, Eli White. RHP Joey Wagman, who was 5-7 with a 4.20 ERA between Stockton and Midland last season, entered in relief of Graves and retired the first seven batters he faced. Unfortunately, a single to left by Quakes second baseman Omar Estevez with one out in the top of the 7th inning ended what would have been the first combined 7-inning perfect game in the history of the California League. But Wagman came back to retire the next two batters to complete the 7-inning shutout and earn the win. Meanwhile, Stockton hitters displayed plenty of patience at the plate against Quakes starter Caleb Ferguson, who issued 4 free passes in his 2 innings of work. Stockton catcher Sean Murphy and shortstop Eli White both drove in runs with two-out singles in their California League debuts. Murphy’s came in the 1st inning, scoring left fielder Tyler Ramirez, while White’s came an inning later, scoring center fielder Skye Bolt. That was all the scoring Stockton would do but, with Graves and Wagman combining on the 1-hit shutout, it was enough to do the job for the Ports in Game #1 of Friday’s doubleheader. (Josh Moore)
GAME #2
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 4
Stockton Ports 0
LP – Meisner 0-1 / 12.00
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Matt Sergey
(2 IP / 0 H / 0 ER / 1 BB / 4 K)
After 1-hitting the Quakes in Game #1 of Friday’s doubleheader, the Ports were no-hit by the Quakes in Game #2. RHPs Mitchell White and Alex Hermeling combined on the 7-inning no-hitter for Rancho Cucamonga. Shortstop Eli White, left fielder Tyler Ramirez and designated hitter Sean Murphy each walked to reach base for the Ports. Starter Casey Meisner allowed 4 runs on 4 hits, including 2 home runs by Quakes first baseman Ibandel Isabel, to suffer the loss, while LHP Jared Lyons tossed 2 scoreless innings in relief, and RHP Matt Sergey struck out 4 without allowing a hit in 2 scoreless frames of his own for Stockton on Friday.
MIDWEST LEAGUE (Class-A)
GAME #1
Cedar Rapids Kernels 4
Beloit Snappers 0
LP – Butler 0-1 / 7.36
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Xavier Altamirano
(3 1/3 IP / 2 H / 0 ER / 0 BB / 3 K)
The Snappers were shut out on just 3 hits in the first game of Friday’s doubleheader at Beloit. Last year’s 27th-round draft pick for the A’s, left fielder Cole Gruber, singled and walked while batting in the leadoff spot in his first game for the Snappers, while shortstop Eric Marinez and Miguel Mercedes collected singles as well. Starter Brendan Butler allowed 4 runs, 3 earned, over 3 2/3 innings to take the loss, but RHP Xavier Altamirano was solid in relief, striking out 3 in 3 1/3 scoreless innings for the Snappers.
GAME #2
Cedar Rapids Kernels 2
Beloit Snappers 3
WP – Gilbert 1-0 / 0.00
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Ty Damron
(4 IP / 3 H / 0 ER / 0 BB / 7 K)
Last year’s 15th-round draft pick for the A’s, LHP Ty Damron, got things off to a great start for the Snappers in the second game of Friday’s doubleheader, striking out 7 over 4 scoreless innings, and he left the game with a 2-run lead. But RHP Heath Bowers allowed 2 unearned runs in the 5th inning with the help of a balk, a wild pitch and a fielding error by shortstop Edwin Diaz. And with the game tied 2-2, designated hitter Miguel Mercedes doubled in the game-winning run to help the Snappers win in a walk-off and salvage a split of Friday’s doubleheader.
Saturday’s Games:
Nashville @ Round Rock – 4:05pm PT / 6:05pm CT
Tulsa @ Midland – 5:00pm PT / 7:00pm CT
Rancho Cucamonga @ Stockton – 7:10pm PT
Beloit @ Cedar Rapids – 3:05pm PT / 5:05pm CT
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