Wednesday, May 24th: Blackburn Leads Sounds to 2nd Straight Shutout Win while Meisner Pitches Ports to Victory

A’s Prospect Of The Day: Nashville Sounds Pitcher Paul Blackburn (7 IP / 5 H / 0 ER / 2 BB / 6 K / Win)
A’s Prospect Of The Day: Nashville Sounds Pitcher Paul Blackburn (7 IP / 5 H / 0 ER / 2 BB / 6 K / Win)

 

PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE  (Triple-A)

Omaha Storm Chasers  0

Nashville Sounds         4

WP – Blackburn 3-4 / 3.33

Prospect Of The Game:

Pitcher Paul Blackburn

(7 IP / 5 H / 0 ER / 2 BB / 6 K / Win)

Another day, another great performance by a Sounds starter – and on Wednesday, it was RHP Paul Blackburn’s turn. The 23-year-old struck out 6 over 7 scoreless innings to earn the win and help Nashville notch its second consecutive shutout and its fourth straight win. Blackburn has now failed to allow a run over his last 13 frames, while Tuesday’s starter, RHP Daniel Mengden, is currently riding a 10-inning scoreless streak, and RHPs Daniel Gossett and Jharel Cotton failed to allow any runs in their last starts as well. RHPs Tucker Healy and Simon Castro each contributed 1 scoreless inning in relief to close out Wednesday’s 6-hit shutout for the Sounds. First baseman Matt Olson singled, doubled, walked and drove in a run, while second baseman Franklin Barreto doubled and scored a run, and center fielder Jaycob Brugman drew 3 walks, included a bases-loaded walk to bring home a run for the Sounds in the bottom of the 2nd. And with A’s RHP Bobby Wahl landing on the disabled list with a shoulder strain, Nashville RHP Zach Neal rejoined Oakland’s roster on Wednesday.

Click here for more on Midland, Stockton & Beloit…

 

TEXAS LEAGUE  (Double-A)

Midland RockHounds  7

Arkansas Travelers        5

WP – Trivino 5-0 / 1.64

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Prospect Of The Game:

Designated Hitter Tyler Marincov

(2 Doubles / Walk / 2 RBIs / Stolen Base)

 

Designated hitter Tyler Marincov walked, stole a base and had a pair of doubles, including a 2-run double in the top of the 5th to drive home the tying run for the RockHounds on Wednesday. Second baseman Max Schrock had 2 hits, including a double, and drove in a pair, while Richie Martin walked and singled in the winning run in the 7th, and Yairo Munoz singled, tripled and scored the winning run for the RockHounds. RHP Joel Seddon, who made the spot start in place of RHP James Naile, allowed 5 runs over 4 1/3 frames, but RHP Lou Trivino tossed 2 2/3 scoreless innings in relief to record the win, and RHP Kyle Finnegan got the final six outs to post his 6th save for Midland.

 

CALIFORNIA LEAGUE  (High-A)

Stockton Ports   7

Visalia Rawhide   3

WP – Meisner 3-5 / 5.06

HR – Siddall (5), Bolt (4), Gilbert (3)

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Prospect Of The Game:

Pitcher Casey Meisner

(6 2/3 IP / 8 H / 2 ER / 2 BB / 7 K / Win)

 

RHP Casey Meisner turned in a solid start for Stockton, allowing 3 runs, just 2 earned, while striking out 7 over 6 2/3 innings to earn his 3rd win on Wednesday, and the 22-year-old has now compiled a 2.22 ERA over 24 1/3 frames during the month of May. Three home runs also helped the Ports win for the fourth time in their last five games on Wednesday. Third baseman Trent Gilbert homered for the second straight night, slugging a solo shot in the 3rd, and also singled in a run in the 6th, while right fielder Brett Siddall belted a 3-run blast in the 6th, and center fielder Skye Bolt socked a solo shot in the 7th for Stockton.

 

MIDWEST LEAGUE  (Class-A)

GAME #1

Wisconsin Timber Rattlers  1

Beloit Snappers                 2

WP – Bowers 4-0 / 1.67

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Prospect Of The Game:

Pitcher Brandon Bailey

(4 IP / 3 H / 0 ER / 1 BB / 5 K)

 

Starter Brandon Bailey was solid in his second start for the Snappers since returning from the disabled list, striking out 5 over 4 shutout innings, and last year’s 6th-round draft pick for the A’s has now failed to allow a run over his last 16 frames for Beloit. RHP Heath Bowers allowed 1 run in 3 innings of relief to earn the win on Wednesday. Right fielder Luis Barrera drove in the Snappers’ first run on a sacrifice fly in the 6th, and third baseman Nate Mondou drove in the winning run with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 7th as Beloit won in a walk-off in the first game of Wednesday’s doubleheader.

 

GAME #2

Wisconsin Timber Rattlers  4

Beloit Snappers                 3

LP – Milburn 2-3 / 4.99

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Prospect Of The Game:

Outfielder Mike Martin

(Double / RBI)

 

RHP Matt Milburn allowed 4 runs, 3 earned, over 5 innings of work to suffer his 3rd loss in the second game of Wednesday’s doubleheader. RHP Sam Sheehan tossed 2 scoreless innings in relief for the Snappers. Beloit batters scored 3 runs on just 3 hits. Right fielder Mike Martin doubled and drove in a run in the loss.

 

Thursday’s Games:

Omaha @ Nashville – 4:35pm PT / 6:35pm CT

Midland @ Arkansas – 5:10pm PT / 7:10pm CT

Stockton @ Visalia – 7:00pm PT

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

 

Paul Blackburn
Paul Blackburn

 

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