CALIFORNIA LEAGUE (High-A)
Stockton Ports 3
Modesto Nuts 0
WP: Hurlbutt 2-2 / 2.16
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Dustin Hurlbutt
(7 IP / 2 H / 0 ER / 3 BB / 4 K / Win)
Stockton shut out Modesto on just two hits in the first game of their three-game seies on Friday. Starter Dustin Hurlbutt turned in an impressive performance for the Ports, allowing just 2 infield singles while throwing 7 shutout innings to earn his 2nd win for Stockton. RHP Sam Sheehan tossed a scoreless 8th, and LHP Andrew Tomasovich pitched a perfect 9th to complete the shutout and pick up his 3rd save for the Ports. Right fielder Luis Barrera drew a walk and tripled in a run, while second baseman Brallan Perez singled twice and drove in a run. Catcher Jonah Heim doubled and scored a run, and third baseman Luke Persico had a pair of hits for the Ports. Meanwhile, LHP Pat Krall was reassigned from the RockHounds to Stockton on Friday.
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PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE (Triple-A)
Nashville Sounds 8
El Paso Chihuahas 6
WP: Kiekhefer 4-0 / 4.26
HR: Mateo (3)
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Eric Jokisch
(6 2/3 IP / 6 H / 1 ER / 1 BB / 11 K)
After squandering a three-run lead in the 9th, the Sounds came back to win in extra innings on Friday. LHP Eric Jokisch turned in his third straight quality start for the Sounds, allowing 2 runs, just 1 earned, while striking out a season-high 11 over 6 2/3 innings of work, and he left the game with a two-run lead. First baseman Steve Lombardozzi doubled in the tying run in the top of the 5th for the Sounds, while right fielder Nick Martini doubled in the go-ahead run later in the same frame. Catcher Beau Taylor and third baseman Sheldon Neuse both drove in runs in the top of the 9th to extend Nashville’s lead. RHP Ryan Dull gave up 1 run in the 8th before RHP Bobby Wahl took over in the bottom of the 9th, and Wahl loaded the bases before exiting with one out. LHP Dean Kiekhefer allowed all 3 runs to score to tie the game and send the match to extra innings. Shortstop Jorge Mateo then hit a two-run homer in the top of the 10th to provide the margin of victory on Friday. Kiekhefer picked up the win, while LHP Jeremy Bleich came in and tossed a scoreless frame in the bottom of the 10th to secure his 1st save for the Sounds.
TEXAS LEAGUE (Double-A)
Corpus Christi Hooks 6
Midland RockHounds 2
LP: Shore 1-3 / 5.76
Prospect Of The Game:
Shortstop Richie Martin
(2 for 3 / Double / Walk / 2 Runs)
The RockHounds dropped their third straight to Corpus Christi on Friday. RHP Logan Shore turned in his third straight shaky start, surrendering 6 runs over 4 2/3 frames to suffer his 3rd loss for Midland. Shortstop Richie Martin had 2 hits, including a double, drew a walk and scored twice and raised his average to .328, while right fielder Seth Brown singled, doubled and drove in a run for the RockHounds.
MIDWEST LEAGUE (Class-A)
Clinton LumberKings 1
Beloit Snappers 9
WP: Altamirano 4-2 / 3.09
HR: Shelby (1)
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Xavier Altamirano
(6 IP / 5 H / 0 ER / 1 BB / 6 K / Win)
Midwest League All-Star Xavier Altamirano turned in another outstanding start for the Snappers. The 23-year-old struck out 6 over 6 scoreless innings to earn his 4th win on Friday. Center fielder Austin Beck collected 4 hits, including a double, and drove in 2 runs, while right fielder JaVon Shelby singled, stole a base and slugged a two-run homer, and first baseman Hunter Hargrove singled, doubled and drove in a pair for the Snappers.
NEW YORK-PENN LEAGUE (Class-A Short-Season)
Vermont Lake Monsters 1
Tri-City ValleyCats 11
LP – Kelly 0-1 / 9.64
Prospect Of The Game:
Third Baseman Javier Godard
(2 for 4 / Double)
Vermont suffered the defeat in their season opener on Friday. 21-year-old Dominican RHP Rafael Kelly surrendered 7 runs, 5 earned, over 4 2/3 frames to take the loss, while LHP Chris Kohler gave up 4 runs in just 1 inning of relief, and RHP Jaimito Lebron tossed 2 1/3 scoreless innings for the Lake Monsters. 22-year-old Venezuelan third baseman Javier Godard collected 2 hits, including a double, while last year’s 12th-round draft pick for the A’s, first baseman Aaron Arruda, doubled and drew a walk, and last year’s 16th-round pick, designated hitter Payton Squier, drove in the Lake Monsters’ sole run with a sacrifice fly in the 1st inning on Friday. You can find Vermont’s complete opening day roster here.
Saturday’s Games:
Nashville @ Albuquerque: 5:35pm PT / 7:35pm CT
Corpus Christi @ Midland: 5:00pm PT / 7:00pm CT
Stockton @ Modesto: 7:05pm PT
Clinton @ Beloit: 5:00pm PT / 7:00pm CT
Vermont @ Tri-City: 4:00pm PT / 7:00pm ET
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