PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE (Triple-A)
Nashville Sounds 8
Round Rock Express 6
WP: Hendriks 1-0 / 0.00
HR: Garcia (8), Smolinski 2 (4), Lombardozzi (1)
Prospect Of The Game:
Outfielder Jake Smolinski
(3 for 3 / 2 Home Runs)
Center fielder Jake Smolinski’s big night led Nashville to victory on Thursday. The 29-year-old collected 3 hits, including a pair of home runs, for the Sounds. Smolinski slugged a solo shot to put the Sounds on the board in the top of the 1st. With two outs, the bases empty and the game tied in the top of the 7th, Smolinski smashed his second shot of the night to provide the margin of victory for Nashville. Designated hitter Anthony Garcia then followed Smolinski’s blast with his team-leading 8th home run to provide an insurance run for the Sounds. Second baseman Steve Lombardozzi singled, walked and socked his 1st home run of the season, while shortstop Jorge Mateo singled, doubled and drove in a run for Nashville. RHP James Naile had his second straight shaky start for the Sounds, surrendering 6 runs, 5 earned, over 5 frames, but he left with the game tied. A’s RHP Liam Hendriks took over for Naile and pitched a perfect 6th to pick up the win in his first rehab appearance, while RHP J.B. Wendelken tossed 2 scoreless innings in relief, and RHP Bobby Wahl struck out the side in order in the 9th to secure his 6th save for the Sounds. In other news, the A’s returned RHP Carlos Ramirez to Nashville, while Sounds RHP Matt Milburn was sent back to Stockton, and RHP Kendall Graveman was placed on the disabled list on Thursday.
Click here for more on Midland, Stockton & Beloit…
TEXAS LEAGUE (Double-A)
Arkansas Travelers 10
Midland RockHounds 8
LP: Luzardo 2-2 / 4.68
HR: Marincov (8)
Prospect Of The Game:
Outfielder Tyler Marincov
(3 for 5 / Home Run / 2 RBIs / Stolen Base)
The RockHounds came up short on Thursday and saw their record fall back to a game under .500. LHP Jesus Luzardo had a rare rough start for the RockHounds, allowing 5 runs over 3 2/3 frames to suffer his 2nd loss for Midland. RHP Joseph Camacho gave up 4 runs in 1 1/3 innings of relief, but LHP Cody Stull was solid, surrendering just 1 unearned run over 4 frames for the Hounds. Right fielder Tyler Marincov had another big game, notching 3 hits, including a two-run homer, and he’s now hitting .333 with 4 home runs and 10 RBIs over his last 5 games for Midland. Shortstop Richie Martin also continued swinging a hot bat, collecting 3 hits of his own, including a double, drawing a walk, driving in a run and stealing a base while raising his batting average to .341. First baseman Seth Brown singled twice, walked and drove in a pair of runs for the RockHounds in the loss.
CALIFORNIA LEAGUE (High-A)
Modesto Nuts 3
Stockton Ports 6
WP: Howard 5-3 / 2.72
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Brian Howard
(5 1/3 IP / 2 H / 0 ER / 0 BB / 10 K / Win)
(photo: Meghan Camino)
A’s RHP Paul Blackburn got off to a rough start in his first rehab start for Stockton. The 24-year-old surrendered 3 runs in the 1st inning before settling down, but he ended up being charged with 3 runs on 8 hits over 3 2/3 innings of work on Thursday. RHP Brian Howard was outstanding in relief though, allowing just 2 hits while walking none and striking out 10 over 5 1/3 scoreless frames to pick up his team-leading 5th win for the Ports. After spending almost six weeks on the disabled list with a shoulder injury, third baseman William Toffey returned to action on Thursday and had a great game, singling in a run in the 3rd inning and doubling in 2 runs, including the winning run, in the 7th for Stockton. Shortstop Kevin Merrell collected 3 hits and stole a base, while catcher Jonah Heim singled twice and drove in a pair of runs for the Ports. Meanwhile, RHP Matt Milburn was sent back to Stockton from the Sounds on Thursday.
MIDWEST LEAGUE (Class-A)
GAME #1
Kane County Cougars 0
Beloit Snappers 2
WP: Jordan 2-0 / 1.78
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Mitchell Jordan
(6 IP / 1 H / 0 ER / 3 BB / 2 K / Win)
The Snappers shut out Kane County on just 1 hit in the first game of Thursday’s doubleheader in Beloit. RHP Mitchell Jordan turned in a strong start, surrendering just 1 hit over 6 scoreless innings, while RHP Seth Martinez pitched a perfect 7th to complete the shutout and secure his 5th save for the Snappers. First baseman Hunter Hargrove singled twice and drove in both runs for Beloit in the win.
GAME #2
Kane County Cougars 2
Beloit Snappers 9
WP: Conley 2-2 / 4.71
Prospect Of The Game:
Designated Hitter Lazaro Armenteros
(3 for 4 / 3 RBIs)
Beloit broke out the bats in the second game to complete the sweep of Thursday’s twinbill. Designated hitter Lazaro Armenteros had 3 hits and drove in 3 runs, while center fielder Mickey McDonald singled, doubled, walked and scored twice. Right fielder Jack Meggs tripled and drew a pair of walks, and third baseman Jesus Lopez singled in a pair of runs for Beloit. Starter Bryce Conley allowed 2 runs and struck out 7 over 5 1/3 frames to earn his 2nd win for the Snappers.
Friday’s Games:
Nashville @ Round Rock: 5:05pm PT / 7:05pm CT
NW Arkansas @ Midland: 5:00pm PT / 7:00pm CT
Stockton @ Visalia: 7:00pm PT
Beloit @ Quad Cities: 4:35pm PT / 6:35pm CT
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