A’s Farmhand Of The Day

Sacramento River Cats’ Pitcher Bruce Billings (6 IP / 5 H / 2 ER / 1 BB / 7 K / Win)

PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE  (Triple-A)

New Orleans Zephyrs        2

Sacramento River Cats  4

WP – Billings 5-2 / 4.70

Farmhand Of The Game:

Pitcher Bruce Billings

(6 IP / 5 H / 2 ER / 1 BB / 7 K / Win)

Starter Bruce Billings turned in another strong outing for Sacramento on Thursday, allowing 2 runs and striking out 7 over 6 innings to earn his 5^th win, while RHP Dan Otero picked up his 12^th save with a scoreless 9^th. Third baseman Scott Moore drove in a pair of runs, while second baseman Grant Green and outfielder Michael Choice drove in a run apiece, and first baseman Daric Barton went 0 for 3 in his return to the River Cats.

Click here for more on Midland, Stockton & Beloit…

TEXAS LEAGUE  (Double-A)

Midland RockHounds  6

Tulsa Drillers                  7

LP – Smith 4-5 / 2.62

HR – Goebbert (8), Freitas 2 (5)

Farmhand Of The Game:

Designated Hitter David Freitas

(2 Home Runs)

Catcher David Freitas, serving as the designated hitter for the night, had a big night at the plate for Midland. First he hit a home run in the 3^rd inning to put the RockHounds on the board, then he homered again in the 5^th to give his team the lead. Outfielder Jake Goebbert followed up with a 3-run homer of his own in the 5th. But Midland’s pitching staff couldn’t hold the lead. LHP Carlos Hernandez allowed 2 runs in 3 innings of work, while RHP Murphy Smith gave up 5 runs over 4 1/3 innings to take the loss.

CALIFORNIA LEAGUE  (High-A)

Stockton Ports   3

Bakersfield Blaze  4

LP – Hassebrock 1-3 / 4.94

Farmhand Of The Game:

First Baseman Max Muncy

(2 for 4 / Double / RBI)

Starter Drew Granier had another solid outing for Stockton on Thursday, allowing 3 runs while striking out 5 over 7 innings of work. First baseman Max Muncy had a pair of hits, including a double, and drove in the tying run in the top of the 7^th inning, but RHP Blake Hassebrock surrendered the winning run in the bottom of the 11^th to take the loss for the Ports.

MIDWEST LEAGUE  (Class-A)

Cedar Rapids Kernels  3

Beloit Snappers         5

WP – Pudenz 2-1 / 2.25

Farmhand Of The Game:

Third Baseman Renato Nunez

(2 for 4 / Double / RBI)

Third baseman Renato Nunez collected a pair of hits, including his 9^th double, and drove in his team-leading 28^th run on Thursday, while first baseman Matt Olson, outfielder John Wooten and catcher Bruce Maxwell drove in a run apiece for the Snappers. RHP Seth Streich had a shaky start, allowing 3 runs and walking 4 in just 3 innings of work, while RHP Stuart Pudenz struck out 4 in 2 2/3 scoreless innings to earn his 2^nd win, and RHP Ryan Dull got the final 3 outs to pick up his 8^th save.

Friday’s Games:

Sacramento @ Tucson – 7:05pm PT

Midland @ Tulsa – 5:05pm PT / 7:05pm CT

Stockton @ Bakersfield – 7:30pm PT

Cedar Rapids @ Beloit – 4:30pm PT / 6:30pm CT

Be sure to like A’s Farm’s page on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @AthleticsFarm to keep up with all the news down on the farm!

A’s Farmhand Of The Day

Beloit Snappers’ Catcher Nick Rickles (2 Home Runs / 4 RBIs)

PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE  (Triple-A)

New Orleans Zephyrs        2

Sacramento River Cats  0

LP – Werner 4-6 / 6.20

Farmhand Of The Game:

Pitcher Andrew Werner

(9 IP / 9 H / 2 ER / 0 BB / 3 K)

Starter Andrew Werner had a solid outing for Sacramento, allowing just 2 runs over 9 innings to go the distance, but he still ended up taking the loss. The River Cats’ lineup managed only 6 hits on the night, 2 apiece from shortstop Hiro Nakajima and outfielder Michael Taylor. Meanwhile, former A’s third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff went 0 for 4 for New Orleans to lower his average to .167.

Click here for more on Midland, Stockton & Beloit…

TEXAS LEAGUE  (Double-A)

Midland RockHounds  4

Corpus Christi Hooks      8

LP – Arnesen 0-1 / 10.38

HR – Goebbert (7), Freitas (3), Taylor (1)

Farmhand Of The Game:

Catcher Beau Taylor

(Home Run / 2 RBIs)

Catcher Beau Taylor, designated hitter David Freitas and outfielder Jake Goebbert all homered for Midland, but it wasn’t enough on Wednesday. In his debut for the RockHounds, RHP Erik Arnesen allowed 6 runs, 5 earned, including 3 home runs, over 4 1/3 innings to take the loss. And shortstop Dusty Coleman made a pair of errors, to raise his organization-leading total to 16. Meanwhile, former A’s pitcher Sean Gallagher allowed 2 runs in 6 1/3 innings to pick up the win for Tulsa.

CALIFORNIA LEAGUE  (High-A)

Stockton Ports

(OFF DAY)

MIDWEST LEAGUE  (Class-A)

Cedar Rapids Kernels  6

Beloit Snappers         7

WP – Vail 1-2 / 7.11

HR – Maxwell (2), Rickles 2 (2)

Farmhand Of The Game:

Catcher Nick Rickles

(2 Home Runs / 4 RBIs)

Catcher Nick Rickles had a big game for Beloit, clubbing a pair of 2-run homers for the Snappers on Wednesday. And catcher Bruce Maxwell added his 2^nd home run of the season, a solo shot. Starter Michael Ynoa allowed 1 run on 1 hit while walking 3 and striking out 4 over 3 2/3 innings of work, while RHP Tyler Vail picked up the win despite giving up 2 runs in 1 1/3 innings of relief, and RHP Ryan Dull got the final out for his 7^th save.

Thursday’s Games:

New Orleans @ Sacramento – 7:05pm PT

Midland @ Tulsa – 5:05pm PT / 7:05pm CT

Stockton @ Bakersfield – 7:30pm PT

Cedar Rapids @ Beloit – 9:00am PT / 11:00am CT

Be sure to like A’s Farm’s page on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @AthleticsFarm to keep up with all the news down on the farm!

Since my last entry, we’ve continued to play extremely well at home. I’m not quite sure exactly what it is about Banner Island Ballpark, but we continue to win lots of games at home. Maybe it’s sleeping in your own bed, familiarity with the ballpark, great fans, etc. But for whatever reason, we always seem to be in a good position to win when we’re the home team. We’ve seen some outstanding performances the past couple of series, with Drew Granier and Tanner Peters both racking up double-digit strikeout performances on the mound. Tanner, in fact, had a perfect game going through five innings last week. And as a bullpen guy, it’s great to see your starters have success for multiple reasons. One, it doesn’t tax the ‘pen when they’re able to go deep into games, and two, when a starting pitcher goes out there and dominates, he exposes the other teams’ weaknesses, which we in turn can try to exploit when we follow them into the game.

Our outfielders continue to chase balls down in the outfield and make plays for us. It seems like almost everyday Myrio Richard or Dusty Robinson makes a diving catch. And in one of my recent outings, Bobby Crocker made an outstanding catch in the 9th inning to bring back a home run ball for an out. These kinds of things mean the world to a pitcher and to a team. Guys busting their tails out there and giving it their all makes a huge difference and is greatly appreciated.

Having now spent more than a month in California and in the Cal League, I feel like I’m starting to get acquainted with the state and the league. Since I last wrote, we have traveled to Modesto, Visalia, High Desert and Lancaster. And I really enjoy getting the opportunity to go on the road and see different places. The California League is referred to as a hitters’ league, and High Desert and Lancaster are notorious as the toughest places to pitch in the league. As a pitcher, you are always trying to keep the ball down to induce ground ball outs but, in places where the ball really flies, you have to be especially conscientious about it.

While the elements may not always be in your favor, the difference between success and failure is really more of a mental battle, especially in this league. If you go out there too worried about giving up a home run, then it most likely is going to happen. But going out there with confidence and a plan of keeping the ball down and executing pitches will always set a pitcher up with a good chance to be successful. As I have been told countless times by my coaches in the organization, “Control what you can control.” There are a lot of factors that go on that we have no influence or control over, but what we can control is our preparation, game plan and execution.

Throughout the course of the season, players are going to have good games and bad games. One thing that’s important to remember is that it’s not one particular game or outing that defines you; it’s a whole body of work. As one of my former managers told me, “You aren’t evaluated over a bad outing. You’re evaluated on your ability to bounce back your next outing and get the job done.” As a player, it’s important not to dwell on things because this game will beat you up in a heartbeat if you let yourself do that. It is important to learn from past performances, both positives and negatives, but not to over-analyze. The beauty of baseball is that, whether it’s a good game or a bad one, tomorrow is a new day and a new game. The important thing to do is to take advantage of your opportunities, work hard to become more consistent, and get better each and every day.

Having the opportunity to play this game is a blessing and a great honor. That being said, the season is a grind and every player has to have something to keep them motivated and on the right path. For me, my faith in God and my wife and family help me to stay grounded and focused on what I am trying to do. I had the opportunity to watch an ESPN E:60 piece on former Oakland A’s catcher and current Mets’ farmhand Landon Powell last week. Landon, who is from my hometown of Apex, North Carolina and who went to my high school a few years before me, has always been a role model to me as far back as I can remember. His work ethic was something that I always felt separated him from others, and I tried to replicate that same kind of work ethic in my game.

Landon persevered through multiple health issues in his career to make it to the big leagues and spent parts of three seasons with our team in Oakland. He went through the toughest thing in his life this past offseason in losing a child, a daughter named Izzy. I can’t imagine what it must be like to go through that, but to see him still remain positive and strong in his faith as well as driven to get back to the big leagues is such an inspiration to me. It goes to show you that we all have so much to be thankful for. For me, I am thankful to have a supportive wife, a great family and, as always, thankful to have the opportunity to still play the game I love.

*     *     *

Seth Frankoff was born in Raleigh, North Carolina and attended the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. He was drafted by the A’s in the 27^th round of the 2010 draft. You can follow him on Twitter @frankoff34

A’s Farmhand Of The Day

Stockton Ports’ Infielder & Part-Time Pitcher Wade Kirkland (Home Run / 2 RBIs / Game-Winning RBI / Winning Pitcher)

PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE  (Triple-A)

New Orleans Zephyrs        4

Sacramento River Cats  3

LP – Scribner 1-1 / 4.70

Farmhand Of The Game:

Pitcher Sonny Gray

(7 IP / 7 H / 2 ER / 0 BB / 11 K)

Starter Sonny Gray turned in another strong outing for Sacramento on Tuesday, allowing 3 runs, just 2 earned, while striking out 11 and walking none, but he left the game with the River Cats down by a run. (If you missed our recent video interview with Sonny Gray, you can check it out here). Outfielder Michael Taylor collected 3 hits, including a double, and drove in the tying run in the bottom of the 8^th inning, but RHP Evan Scribner surrendered the winning run in the top of the 10^th to take his 1^st loss for Sacramento. After getting the start at second base on Monday, Hiro Nakajima started at third base on Tuesday and went 1 for 5, lowering his average to .244.

Click here for more on Midland, Stockton & Beloit…

TEXAS LEAGUE  (Double-A)

Midland RockHounds

(OFF DAY)

CALIFORNIA LEAGUE  (High-A)

Lake Elsinore Storm  9

Stockton Ports       11

WP – Kirkland 1-0 / 3.00

HR – Russell (6), Kirkland (3), Pohl (1)

Farmhand Of The Game:

Infielder & Part-Time Pitcher Wade Kirkland

(Home Run / 2 RBIs / Game-Winning RBI / Winning Pitcher)

The Ports managed to pull out the win in a dramatic 17-inning game on Tuesday. The key player turned out to be infielder Wade Kirkland, who came in to pitch the 16^th and 17^th innings and ended up hitting the game-winning home run in the bottom of the 17^th to make himself the winning pitcher. Starter Josh Bowman, in his first outing since being demoted from Midland, allowed 6 runs on 9 hits over just 2 1/3 innings of work, while LHP Jake Brown tossed 4 scoreless innings, and Kirkland’s fellow infielder, Tony Thompson, struck out 3 in 2 scoreless innings of relief. Outfielder Myrio Richard collected 4 hits, including a pair of doubles, while shortstop Addison Russell hit a 2-run homer to tie the game in the 8^th, second baseman Antonio Lamas had 3 doubles and drove in 3 runs, including the tying run in the 13^th, and catcher Phil Pohl homered to tie the game in the 16^th. Meanwhile, two Ports’ hitters who’ve really been struggling of late continued their struggles on Tuesday. Third baseman B.A. Vollmuth went 0 for 6 with 3 strikeouts to lower his batting average to .127, and outfielder Dusty Robinson went 0 for 8 with 7 strikeouts to lower his average to .194.

MIDWEST LEAGUE  (Class-A)

Beloit Snappers

(OFF DAY)

Wednesday’s Games:

New Orleans @ Sacramento – 12:05pm PT

Midland @ Tulsa – 5:05pm PT / 7:05pm CT

Cedar Rapids @ Beloit – 4:30pm PT / 6:30pm CT

Be sure to like A’s Farm’s page on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @AthleticsFarm to keep up with all the news down on the farm!

A’s Farmhand Of The Day

Stockton Ports’ Third Baseman Tony Thompson (2 Home Runs / 7 RBIs)

PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE  (Triple-A)

New Orleans Zephyrs        2

Sacramento River Cats  3

WP – Gordon 2-0 / 5.57

Farmhand Of The Game:

Second Baseman Hiro Nakajima

(1 for 2 / 2 RBIs)

Hiro Nakajima got his first start at second base for Sacramento on Monday and ended up driving in the tying and winnings runs for the River Cats. Designated hitter Grant Green doubled and drove in Sacramento’s only other run of the night. Starter Travis Banwart allowed 2 runs in 4 innings of work, while RHP Paul Smyth, in his first appearance since being called up from Midland, struck out 4 in 2 scoreless innings of relief. RHP Brian Gordon followed with 2 more scoreless innings to pick up the win, and RHP Dan Otero got the final 3 outs for his 11^th save.

Click here for more on Midland, Stockton & Beloit…

TEXAS LEAGUE  (Double-A)

Corpus Christi Hooks      11

Midland RockHounds  19

WP – Newby 3-3 / 1.66

HR – Myers (2)

Farmhand Of The Game:

Outfielder D’Arby Myers

(Home Run / Double / 5 RBIs)

The RockHounds exploded for 19 runs on Monday, highlighted by a 9-run 8^th inning. Outfielder D’Arby Myers led the way with 4 hits, including a home run and a double, and 5 RBIs, while second baseman Darwin Perez drove in 4 runs, and shortstop Dusty Coleman and designated hitter Chad Oberacker contributed 3 hits apiece. Starter Sean Murphy had his first really rough outing for the RockHounds, allowing 7 runs over 3 2/3 innings of work, while RHP Kyler Newby struck out 4 over the final 1 2/3 innings to pick up his 3^rd win.

CALIFORNIA LEAGUE  (High-A)

Lake Elsinore Storm  4

Stockton Ports       16

WP – Peters 4-3 / 5.01

HR – Thompson 2 (7), Richard (3)

Farmhand Of The Game:

Third Baseman Tony Thompson

(2 Home Runs / 7 RBIs)

The Ports lineup had a big night at the plate on Monday, pushing 16 runs across the plate. Third baseman Tony Thompson hit 2 home runs, both during an 11-run 5^th inning, and drove in 7. Outielder Myrio Richard homered for the second straight night, and first baseman Max Muncy went 4 for 4 and drove in a pair of runs. Starter Tanner Peters allowed 3 runs, 2 earned, over 5 innings to earn his 4^th win.

MIDWEST LEAGUE  (Class-A)

Beloit Snappers              4

Quad Cities River Bandits  1

WP – Powers 2-0 / 3.86

Farmhand Of The Game:

Pitcher Raul Alcantara

(6 IP / 1 H / 0 ER / 0 BB / 6 K)

Starter Raul Alcantara had another impressive outing for the Snappers on Monday, allowing 1 unearned run on just 1 hit while walking none and striking out 6, and left with the game tied 1-1. LHP Brent Powers picked up the win with 2 scoreless innings in relief, while RHP Ryan Dull got the final 3 outs to notch his 6^th save. Third baseman Renato Nunez drove in 2 of the Snappers’ 4 runs but also made his 13^th error.

Tuesday’s Games:

New Orleans @ Sacramento – 7:05pm PT

Lake Elsinore @ Stockton – 11:05am PT

Be sure to like A’s Farm’s page on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @AthleticsFarm to keep up with all the news down on the farm!

A’s Farmhand Of The Day

Stockton Ports’ Shortstop Addison Russell (2 Doubles / Home Run / RBI / Stolen Base)

PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE  (Triple-A)

Oklahoma City RedHawks  9

Sacramento River Cats   3

LP – Thomas 2-3 / 4.89

Farmhand Of The Game:

Pitcher Darren Byrd

(3 IP / 0 H / 0 ER / 0 BB / 2 K)

LHP Justin Thomas had a rough outing on Sunday, allowing 7 runs, 4 earned, on 7 hits over just 4 innings to take his 3^rd loss. RHP Darren Byrd followed up with 3 perfect innings in relief to shut down the RedHawks, but the River Cats couldn’t climb out of the hole. Sacramento’s lineup could only muster 5 hits on the night, with outfielders Michael Choice and Shane Peterson driving in a run apiece for the River Cats.

Click here for more on Midland, Stockton & Beloit…

TEXAS LEAGUE  (Double-A)

Corpus Christi Hooks      5

Midland RockHounds  3

LP – Leon 2-3 / 4.08

HR – Goebbert (6)

Farmhand Of The Game:

Designated Hitter Jake Goebbert

(Home Run / 2 RBIs)

Designated hitter Jake Goebbert clubbed a 2-run homer in the bottom of the 1^st inning to put Midland on the board, but the team wouldn’t do much scoring after that. First baseman Anthony Aliotti and outfielders Conner Crumbliss and D’Arby Myers all doubled for the RockHounds. Starter Arnold Leon went 5 2/3 innings, allowing 3 runs, just 1 earned, as Midland made 6 errors in the game, 2 each by third baseman Miles Head and shortstop Dusty Coleman – who now has a total of 14 miscues on the season – and 1 each by catcher David Freitas and by Leon himself.

CALIFORNIA LEAGUE  (High-A)

Lake Elsinore Storm  0

Stockton Ports        5

WP – Walz 4-0 / 4.81

HR – Russell (5), Thompson (5), Richard (2)

Farmhand Of The Game:

Shortstop Addison Russell

(2 Doubles / Home Run / RBI / Stolen Base)

It was a big day at the plate for shortstop Addison Russell, who collected 3 extra-base hits, 2 doubles and a home run, to raise his batting average back over .200. Third baseman Tony Thompson homered and doubled and drove in a pair of runs, while outfielder Myrio Richard homered as well. Starter Deyvi Jimenez struck out 5 over 4 scoreless innings, while RHP T.J. Walz followed up with 3 scoreless innings to earn his 4^th win.

MIDWEST LEAGUE  (Class-A)

Beloit Snappers              3

Quad Cities River Bandits  2

WP – Bacus 4-1 / 3.00

Farmhand Of The Game:

Second Baseman Chris Bostick

(3 for 4 / 2 RBIs / 2 Stolen Bases)

With 2 outs in the top of the 9^th inning, 2 men on and the game tied, second baseman Chris Bostick singled in both runs to give the Snappers the edge. Outfielders John Wooten and Ryan Mathews collected a pair of hits apiece. Starter Austin House gave up 1 run in 5 innings of work, while RHP Dakota Bacus allowed 1 run and struck out 5 over 4 innings to earn his 4^th win.

Monday’s Games:

New Orleans @ Sacramento – 7:05pm PT

Corpus Christi @ Midland – 4:30pm PT / 6:30pm CT

Lake Elsinore @ Stockton – 7:05pm PT

Beloit @ Quad Cities – 9:00am PT / 11:00am CT

Be sure to like A’s Farm’s page on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @AthleticsFarm to keep up with all the news down on the farm!

A’s Farmhand Of The Day

Midland RockHounds’ First Baseman Anthony Aliotti (3 Home Runs / 8 RBIs)

PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE  (Triple-A)

Oklahoma City RedHawks  3

Sacramento River Cats  6

WP – Billings 4-2 / 4.97

Farmhand Of The Game:

Pitcher Bruce Billings

(7 IP / 3 H / 0 ER / 1 BB / 8 K / Win)

Sacramento benefited from another fine pitching performance on Saturday. This time it came courtesy of RHP Bruce Billings, who allowed just 3 hits and struck out 8 over 7 scoreless innings to earn his 4^th win, while RHP Evan Scribner got the final 4 outs to post his 1^st save. Michael Taylor, playing in center field, had a pair of hits, while catcher Stephen Vogt, first baseman Scott Moore, second baseman Grant Green and right fielder Michael Choice each drove in a run for the River Cats. With Choice recently getting starts in right field, one has to wonder if the A’s might be prepping him just in case right fielder Josh Reddick’s absence lingers for too long. FormerRiver Cats pitcher Brad Peacock will be returning to the Raley Field mound to face his former team on Sunday when he gets the nod for Oklahoma.

If you’d like to see A’s prospects like Michael Choice, Shane Peterson, Grant Green, Jemile Weeks, Dan Otero, Pedro Figueroa and more in action, you can check out Nathaniel Stoltz’s videos from the River Cats’ recent series in Nashville here.

Click here for more on Midland, Stockton & Beloit…

TEXAS LEAGUE  (Double-A)

Corpus Christi Hooks       4

Midland RockHounds  12

WP – Neal 4-1 / 2.68

HR – Aliotti 3 (7)

Farmhand Of The Game:

First Baseman Anthony Aliotti

(3 Home Runs / 8 RBIs)

First baseman Anthony Aliotti had a monster night for Midland on Saturday, clubbing 3 home runs and a double while driving in 8 runs. Aliotti now leads all A’s minor leaguers with 59 hits, a .376 batting average, a .476 on-base percentage and a .592 slugging percentage. And if Daric Barton doesn’t clear waivers and end up back at Sacramento, it might finally be time for the A’s to give Aliotti a shot to show what he can do in Triple-A. In his first game back at Midland, outfielder Conner Crumbliss led off and went 1 for 3 with a pair of walks, stole a base and scored 3 times. RHP Zach Neal picked up the win, allowing 2 runs in 5 2/3 innings of work, while RHP Nate Long notched his 1^st save. In other news, the A’s signed 29-year-old RHP Erik Arnesen, who spent 7 years in the Nationals’ system and had recently been pitching in the independent Atlantic League, and have assigned him to Midland. RHP Josh Bowman was sent down to Stockton to make room for him on the Rockhounds’ roster.

CALIFORNIA LEAGUE  (High-A)

Bakersfield Blaze  5

Stockton Ports   2

LP – Joseph 3-3 / 7.11

Farmhand Of The Game:

Pitcher James Simmons

(4 IP / 1 H / 0 ER / 0 BB / 2 K)

Right-handed reliever and former 1^st-round draft pick James Simmons, who was demoted from Sacramento earlier in the week, was inserted into Stockton’s starting rotation on Saturday night and looked impressive, allowing just 1 hit in 4 scoreless innings of work. First baseman Max Muncy, catcher Phil Pohl and shortstop Addison Russell collected a pair of hits apiece. And Stockton was leading 2-1 heading into the 9^th, but RHP Brett Hunter surrendered the tying run to send the game into extra innings, and RHP Jonathan Joseph gave up 3 runs in the 11^th to take the loss. Stockton’s struggling rotation should be getting a bit of a boost not only with the addition of Simmons, but also from the return of RHP Josh Bowman, who was just demoted from Midland. In other pitching news for the Ports this week, RHP Seth Frankoff was put on the disabled list and RHP Max Perlman was given his release.

MIDWEST LEAGUE  (Class-A)

Beloit Snappers              5

Quad Cities River Bandits  3

WP – De Young 3-1 / 2.41

Farmhand Of The Game:

Catcher Bruce Maxwell

(3 for 5 / 2 RBIs)

With 2 outs in the 9^th inning and Beloit down by a run with 2 men on, catcher Bruce Maxwell singled in both the tying and the go-ahead runs for the Snappers. Maxwell collected 3 hits on the night to raise his average to .306. Starter Vince Voiro allowed 3 runs in 4 1/3 innings of work, while RHP Derek De Young picked up the win with 4 scoreless innings of relief.

If you’d like to get an update on A’s top prospect Daniel Robertson, who’s currently batting .310 for the Snappers, be sure to check out Josh Flickinger’s interview with him from the Beloit Daily News here.

Sunday’s Games:

Oklahoma City @ Sacramento – 1:05pm PT

Corpus Christi @ Midland – Noon PT / 2:00pm CT

Lake Elsinore @ Stockton – 2:09pm PT

Beloit @ Quad Cities – Noon PT / 2:00pm CT

Be sure to like A’s Farm’s page on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @AthleticsFarm to keep up with all the news down on the farm!

A’s Farmhand Of The Day

Sacramento River Cats’ Pitcher Andrew Werner (7 IP / 3 H / 1 ER / 2 BB / 5 K)

PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE  (Triple-A)

Oklahoma City RedHawks  2

Sacramento River Cats   4

WP – Werner 4-5 / 6.92

HR – Moore (4), Parrino (1)

Farmhand Of The Game:

Pitcher Andrew Werner

(7 IP / 3 H / 1 ER / 2 BB / 5 K / Win)

LHP Andrew Werner had one of his best starts of the season on Friday, allowing 1 run on just 3 hits and striking out 5 over 7 innings to earn his 4^th win, while RHP Dan Otero got the final 4 outs to pick up his 10^th save. First baseman Scott Moore and third baseman Andy Parrino hit back-to-back home runs in the bottom of the 5^th inning, while catcher Stephen Vogt and designated hitter Jemile Weeks each collected a single and a double, and outfielder Michael Taylor went 0 for 3 in his return to the River Cats’ lineup.

Click here for more on Midland, Stockton & Beloit…

TEXAS LEAGUE  (Double-A)

Corpus Christi Hooks      1

Midland RockHounds  0

LP – Smith 4-4 / 2.00

Farmhand Of The Game:

Pitcher Murphy Smith

(6 2/3 IP / 8 H / 1 ER / 1 BB / 2 K)

Starter Murphy Smith had another solid outing for the RockHounds, allowing just 1 run over 6 2/3 innings of work, but he ended up taking the loss on Friday. Midland collected just 7 hits, 2 of them triples off the bat of outfielder Chad Oberacker. Both his triples came with just 1 out, but each time, his teammates were unable to push him across the plate.

CALIFORNIA LEAGUE  (High-A)

Bakersfield Blaze  1

Stockton Ports   0

LP – Granier 4-3 / 2.28

Farmhand Of The Game:

Pitcher Drew Granier

(6 1/3 IP / 4 H / 0 ER / 4 BB / 8 K)

Starter Drew Granier delivered another impressive performance for the Ports, allowing just 1 unearned run while striking out 8 over 6 1/3 innings, but he still ended up being saddled with the loss. Stockton’s lineup managed just 4 hits on Friday. And first baseman Max Muncy and outfielder Myrio Richard both doubled in the loss.

MIDWEST LEAGUE  (Class-A)

Beloit Snappers            3

Quad Cities River Bandits  1

WP – Streich 4-2 / 6.63

HR – Wooten (7), Olson (5)

Farmhand Of The Game:

Pitcher Seth Streich

(6 IP / 7 H / 1 ER / 1 BB / 4 K / Win)

The A’s 6^th-round draft pick last year, RHP Seth Streich, had a solid outing for the Snappers on Friday, allowing just 1 run while striking out 4 over 6 innings to earn his 4^th win. RHP Tucker Healy tossed 2 scoreless innings in relief to lower his ERA to 1.59, while RHP Ryan Dull got the final 3 outs to pick up his 5^th save. Outfielder John Wooten and first baseman Matt Olson both homered in the win.

For an update on some of the A’s top prospects at Beloit, check out Josh Flickinger’s piece for the Beloit Daily News here.

Saturday’s Games:

Oklahoma City @ Sacramento – 7:05pm PT

Corpus Christi @ Midland – 5:00pm PT / 7:00pm CT

Bakersfield @ Stockton – 7:05pm PT

Beloit @ Quad Cities – 5:00pm PT / 7:00pm CT

Be sure to like A’s Farm’s page on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @AthleticsFarm to keep up with all the news down on the farm!

A’s Farmhand Of The Day

Stockton Ports’ Shortstop Addison Russell (Home Run / Triple / 3 RBIs)

PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE  (Triple-A)

Oklahoma City RedHawks  7

Sacramento River Cats   2

LP – Gray 4-2 / 2.47

Farmhand Of The Game:

Otfielder Jeremy Barfield

(Double / RBI)

Starter Sonny Gray got off to another good start on Thursday, allowing just 1 unearned run before leaving the game in the 7^th inning with the bases loaded. RHP Travis Banwart then allowed a bases-clearing double, leaving Gray to be saddled with 4 runs, 3 earned, over 6 2/3 innings and his 2^nd loss. Left fielder Jeremy Barfield doubled and drove in a run, while center fielder Chris Young, making his first rehab appearance with Sacramento, reached base in all 3 of his trips to the plate, singling, walking twice, stealing a base and scoring the River Cats’ first run of the game.

Click here for more on Midland, Stockton & Beloit…

TEXAS LEAGUE  (Double-A)

Midland RockHounds  4

Frisco RoughRiders        5

LP – Urlaub 2-1 / 2.87

HR – Freitas (2)

Farmhand Of The Game:

Catcher David Freitas

(Home Run)

Starter Josh Bowman allowed 4 runs, 3 earned, on 11 hits over 6 innings of work on Thursday. Catcher David Freitas homered in the 2^nd inning to put the RockHounds on the board. Outfielders D’Arby Myers and Tyler Ladendorf contributed 3 hits apiece, while shortstop Dusty Coleman tripled and scored the tying run on a throwing error in the top of the 7^th inning. But LHP Jeff Urlaub surrendered a run in the bottom of the 9^th to take the loss.

CALIFORNIA LEAGUE  (High-A)

Bakersfield Blaze  4

Stockton Ports  14

WP – Frankoff 2-0 / 3.08

HR – Russell (4), Dixon (1)

Farmhand Of The Game:

Shortstop Addison Russell

(Home Run / Triple / 3 RBIs)

The Ports scored in each of the first 5 innings and then added a 5-run 8^th inning to cap off a 14-run outburst on Thursday. Shortstop Addison Russell hit his 4^th home run and his 3^rd triple and drove in 3 runs, while left fielder Rashun Dixon hit his 1^st home run for Stockton and drove in 3, and center fielder Bobby Crocker collected 4 hits and also drove in 3. Starter Sergio Perez allowed 3 runs and struck out 8 but lasted just 4 innings, and RHP Seth Frankoff came on to pick up his 2^nd win, while LHP Omar Duran and RHPs Jose Macias and Jonathan Joseph combined on 4 scoreless innings of relief for the Ports.

MIDWEST LEAGUE  (Class-A)

Beloit Snappers       1

Clinton LumberKings  6

LP – Ynoa 0-1 / 1.80

Farmhand Of The Game:

First Baseman Matt Olson

(Double / RBI)

Starter Michael Ynoa got off to a good start on Thursday, allowing no runs through his first 2 innings of work. But a fielding error by third baseman Chad Lewis halped open the door to a disastrous 3^rd inning, and Ynoa ended up allowing 4 runs, just 1 earned, on 6 hits while walking none and striking out 2 to take his 1^st loss. Tyler Vail tossed 1 scoreless inning in his return from the disabled list, while RHP Andres Avila allowed 2 runs and struck out 5 in 4 innings of relief. Outfielder Ryan Mathews collected a pair of hits, and first baseman Matt Olson doubled in the Snappers’ only run of the game.

Friday’s Games:

Oklahoma City @ Sacramento – 7:05pm PT

Corpus Christi @ Midland – 5:00pm PT / 7:00pm CT

Bakersfield @ Stockton – 7:05pm PT

Beloit @ Quad Cities – 5:00pm PT / 7:00pm CT

Be sure to like A’s Farm’s page on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @AthleticsFarm to keep up with all the news down on the farm!

A’s Farmhand Of The Day

Stockton Ports’ Pitcher Tanner Peters   (8 IP / 4 H / 1 ER / 0 BB / 10 K / Win)

TEXAS LEAGUE  (Double-A)

Midland RockHounds  8

Frisco RoughRiders  4

WP – Murphy 1-1 / 2.17

Farmhand Of The Game:

Pitcher Sean Murphy

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

Starter Sean Murphy had another solid outing for the RockHounds on Wednesday, allowing just 2 hits over 6 scoreless innings to earn the win. Outfielder D’Arby Myers, catcher Beau Taylor and first baseman Anthony Aliotti each drove in a pair of runs, while outfielder Chad Oberacker and designated hitter Jake Goebbert contributed 3 hits apiece for Midland.

Click here for more on Stockton & Beloit…

CALIFORNIA LEAGUE  (High-A)

Bakersfield Blaze  1

Stockton Ports  2

WP – Peters 3-3 / 5.16

HR – Richard (1)

Farmhand Of The Game:

Pitcher Tanner Peters

(8 IP / 4 H / 1 ER / 0 BB / 10 K / Win)

Starter Tanner Peters delivered an impressive outing for Stockton on Wednesday, enabling the Ports to win with just 3 hits on the night. Peters allowed just 1 run and struck out 10 over 8 innings to earn his 3^rd win, while RHP Brett Hunter got the final 3 outs to pick up his 1^st save. Outfielder Myrio Richard had the big blast for Stockton, hitting his 1^st home run in the bottom of the 8^th inning to break a 1-1 tie and ensure the victory for both Peters and the Ports.

MIDWEST LEAGUE  (Class-A)

Beloit Snappers  5

Clinton LumberKings  6

LP – Lamb 1-1 / 5.40

HR – Lewis (1)

Farmhand Of The Game:

Designated Hitter Chad Lewis

(Home Run / 2 RBIs)

Starter Raul Alcantara allowed 5 runs, 4 earned, on 10 hits in 4 innings of work on Wednesday. Designated hitter Chad Lewis hit a 2-run homer, his 1^st, for Beloit, while outfielders John Wooten and Brett Vertigan contributed a pair of hit apiece, and second baseman Chris Bostick doubled in a run in the 9^th to send the game to extra innings. But LHP Chris Lamb gave up a run in the bottom of the 10^th to take the loss.

MEANWHILE…

For those of you who’ve been wondering how the three minor league pitchers the A’s traded to the Nationals in the John Jaso deal have been doing so far this season…

RHP A.J. Cole – Potomac/High-A

37 IP / 39 H / 15 ER / 9 BB / 41 K / 3.65 ERA / 1.30 WHIP

LHP Ian Krol – Harrisburg/Double-A

19 1/3 IP / 11 H / 2 ER / 5 BB / 22 K / 0.93 ERA / 0.83 WHIP

RHP Blake Treinen – Harrisburg/Double-A

44 2/3 IP / 51 H / 25 ER / 10 BB / 36 K / 5.04 ERA / 1.37 WHIP

Thursday’s Games:

Oklahoma City @ Sacramento – 7:05pm PT

Midland @ Frisco – 5:00pm PT / 7:00pm CT

Bakersfield @ Stockton – 11:05am PT

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

Be sure to like A’s Farm’s page on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @AthleticsFarm to keep up with all the news down on the farm!