TEXAS LEAGUE (Double-A)
Frisco RoughRiders 3
Midland RockHounds 7
WP – Naile 1-0 / 3.52
HR – Sportman (4)
Prospect Of The Game:
Outfielder J.P. Sportman
(2 for 4 / Home Run / 3 RBIs)
A big 5-run 5th inning helped the RockHounds sail to their seventh straight victory on Monday. The inning was highlighted by right fielder J.P. Sportman’s 3-run homer. Sportman also singled in the game, and the 25-year-old has now gone 10 for 21 over his past 5 games to raise his average to .333, which puts him among the top ten in the Texas League batting race. Center fielder Brett Vertigan had 3 hits, including a double, and drove in a pair, while shortstop Richie Martin singled twice, scored twice and swiped a pair of bases for Midland. Freed from the recent tandem-starter restrictions, RHP James Naile turned in his longest outing of the season, going 5 strong innings while allowing just 1 run to earn his 1st win for the RockHounds. Meanwhile, 21-year-old RHP Grant Holmes is set to take the mound for Midland against Frisco on Tuesday.
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PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE (Triple-A)
El Paso Chihuahuas 5
Nashville Sounds 4
LP – Mengden 0-1 / 4.91
HR – Nunez (8)
Prospect Of The Game:
Designated Hitter Renato Nunez
(1 for 4 / Home Run / 3 RBIs)
Returning from a broken foot, RHP Daniel Mengden made his first rehab start for Nashville on Monday and allowed 2 runs in 3 2/3 innings of work to suffer the loss for the Sounds, while RHP Paul Blackburn, normally a starter, gave up 3 runs in 4 innings of relief. Designated hitter Renato Nunez ripped a 3-run homer in the bottom of the 8th to bring the Sounds within a run, but that’s as close as they would get on Monday. Catcher Ryan Lavarnway had a pair of hits, while third baseman Matt Chapman and left fielder Jaycob Brugman both singled and walked in the loss. Meanwhile, rehabbing starters Sean Manaea and Chris Bassitt are both set to make appearances on the mound for Nashville on Tuesday.
MIDWEST LEAGUE (Class-A)
Beloit Snappers 7
Lake County Captains 6
WP – Sawyer 3-2 / 2.10
HR – Mercedes (6)
Prospect Of The Game:
Outfielder Mike Martin
(4 for 5 / 2 Doubles / 3 Runs)
Center fielder Mike Martin had a big game for Beloit, collecting 4 hits, including a pair of doubles, and scoring 3 times for the Snappers, and Martin is now 7 for 9 in his last 2 games. First baseman Miguel Mercedes doubled and homered to tie the game in the 3rd and, despite getting just 1 hit, left fielder Luke Persico managed to drive in 4 runs, on a single, a sacrifice fly and a ground out. Starter Dalton Sawyer allowed 3 runs over 5 innings of work to pick up his 3rd win, while RHP Nick Highberger gave up 3 runs in 3 innings of relief, and RHP Yordys Alejo pitched a perfect 9th to post his 1st save for the Snappers.
Tuesday’s Games:
El Paso @ Nashville – 4:35pm PT / 6:35pm CT
Frisco @ Midland – 4:30pm PT / 6:30pm CT
Stockton @ Lake Esinore – 6:00pm PT
Beloit @ Lake County – 8:00am PT / 10:00am CT
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