Sunday, May 12th: Werner Wins 3rd for Cats while Ports Get No-Hit, Snappers Pitchers Get Pounded and Anderson Gets Rocked in Rehab Start for Hounds
A’s Farmhand Of The Day
Sacramento River Cats’ Pitcher Andrew Werner (6 IP / 5 H / 2 ER / 2 BB / 6 K)
PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE (Triple-A)
Sacramento River Cats 6
Nashville Sounds 5
WP – Werner 3-5 / 7.80
HR – Choice (8), Barfield (1)
Farmhand Of The Game:
Pitcher Andrew Werner
(6 IP / 5 H / 2 ER / 2 BB / 6 K / Win)
Starter Andrew Werner had a solid outing on Sunday, allowing 2 runs and striking out 6 over 6 innings to earn his 3rd win, while RHP Dan Otero got the final 3 outs for his 9th save. Center fielder Michael Choice homered in his second straight game, while right fielder Jeremy Barfield hit his 1st home run for Sacramento.
Catching Up With: A’s Prospect Sonny Gray
by James Ham / A’s Farm Correspondent
Rumors broke last week that the Oakland A’s 2011 1st-round draft pick Sonny Gray might be in line to make his major league debut if Jarrod Parker couldn’t make his scheduled start. It turned out to be a false alarm, but Parker, Tommy Milone, A.J. Griffin and Dan Straily better bring their A-game, because Gray is coming.
The 23-year old right-hander out of Vanderbilt is now 4-1 with a 2.19 ERA in his 6 starts at Triple-A Sacramento this season. More importantly, in his last 3 starts, he’s been lighting the Pacific Coast League on fire, allowing just 2 runs in 21 innings while striking out 19 over that stretch.
“Being in my second year and understanding professional baseball a little bit better and being able to get in a little bit better routine, it’s something that I’m feeling a lot more comfortable and a lot more confident this year than I did early last year,” Gray told Athletics Farm last week.
In just his third season in professional baseball, Gray is turning heads with his array of pitches. He throws both a two-seam and four-seam fastball, as well as a curveball and a changeup.
“(My) fast ball command has gotten a lot better, and that’s something we’ve been working on,” Gray said. “Not only fastball command, (but) throwing it. You know, starting the two-seam where I want it for a strike and a ball. That’s just something that’s come with a little more experience and a little more routine. The changeup is getting better, I’m really confident in that right now. It’s gotten me out of big jams already this year. And the curveball is still there.”
After posting a complete game victory last week and facing just two batters in a game that was called due to rain earlier this week, Gray pitched a gem on Saturday night. In 6 innings of action, he struck out 8 and gave up only 3 hits. While it’s still early, he seems to be getting better every time out.
The A’s farm system has become a factory for major league starting pitching and Gray looks to be the next big prospect ready to make the jump.
“As soon as I got drafted by Oakland, I knew the accomplishments in pitching that this organization has been a part of in the history of baseball,” Gray said. “(It’s) a great pitching organization (with) a lot of good people around us that we can learn from.”
Like Michael Choice, the Athletics will give Gray as much time as he needs in Sacramento, but don’t be shocked if he is the first one to get the call this year if one of the A’s starters begins to stumble.
James Ham is known for his work covering the Sacramento Kings for Cowbell Kingdom. You can follow him on Twitter at @James_Ham.
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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!
Saturday, May 11th: Sonny Gray Slings 6 Shutout Innings in River Cats Win while Top Prospects Russell & Ynoa Impress for Ports & Snappers
A’s Farmhand Of The Day
Sacramento River Cats’ Pitcher Sonny Gray (6 IP / 3 H / 0 ER / 5 BB / 8 K / Win)
PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE (Triple-A)
Sacramento River Cats 5
Nashville Sounds 2
WP – Gray 4-1 / 2.19
HR – Choice (7)
Farmhand Of The Game:
Pitcher Sonny Gray
(6 IP / 3 H / 0 ER / 5 BB / 8 K / Win)
RHP Sonny Gray had another strong start on Saturday, this time in front of a hometown crowd in Nashville, the city where he was born and where he starred for Vanderbilt University before being drafted by the A’s. Gray tossed 6 scoreless innings to earn his 4th win and lower his ERA to 2.19. Left fielder Scott Moore collected 3 hits, including a pair of doubles, while center fielder Michael Choice slugged his 7th home run and drove in 3 runs for the River Cats. If you missed it earlier this week, be sure to check out our interview with Michael Choice here. And you can see our interview with today’s winning pitcher Sonny Gray here.
TEXAS LEAGUE (Double-A)
GAME #1
Midland RockHounds 6
San Antonio Missions 2
WP – Smith 4-3 / 2.09
Farmhand Of The Game:
Pitcher Murphy Smith
(5 IP / 7 H / 2 ER / 2 BB / 2 K / Win)
Starter Murphy Smith allowed 2 runs in 5 innings to earn his 4th win, while RHP Paul Smyth tossed 2 scoreless innings in relief to pick up the save. First baseman Anthony Aliotti and outfielder Chad Oberacker had 2 hits apiece, and shortstop Dusty Coleman and outfielder Jake Goebbert each drove in a pair of runs for the RockHounds.
GAME #2
Midland RockHounds 5
San Antonio Missions 6
LP – DeMark 0-1 / 3.27
HR – Goebbert (4), Oberacker (1)
Farmhand Of The Game:
Outfielder Jake Goebbert
(Home Run)
Starter Josh Bowman allowed 5 runs, just 1 earned, over 5 innings of work. The 4 unearned runs came after shortstop Dusty Coleman’s throwing error in the bottom of the 2nd inning. Outfielder Chad Oberacker homered in the top of the 1st inning to put Midland on the board, while outfielder Jake Goebbert’s home run tied the game in the 5th, but RHP Mike DeMark surrendered a run in the 6th to take the loss. With outfielder Jeremy Barfield’s elevation to Sacramento, outfielder Josh Whitaker was promoted to Midland and, while serving as the designated hitter, drove in a run on a sacrifice fly in his debut with the RockHounds. He’ll be joined there by A’s starter Brett Anderson, who is set to begin a rehab assignment with Midland.
CALIFORNIA LEAGUE (High-A)
Stockton Ports 6
Lancaster JetHawks 10
LP – Joseph 3-2 / 6.35
HR – Russell (3)
Farmhand Of The Game:
Shortstop Addison Russell
(Home Run / 3 RBIs)
RHP Drew Granier allowed 3 runs while striking out 5 over 6 innings of work and left the game with the lead, but RHP Jonathan Joseph gave up 5 runs in the bottom of the 8th inning to take the loss. Shortstop Addison Russell homered for the second straight night and drove in 3 runs for the Ports. In other news, with RHP Pedro Vidal’s promotion to Sacramento, RHP Brett Hunter has been added to the Ports’ roster from extended spring training.
MIDWEST LEAGUE (Class-A)
Cedar Rapids Kernels 2
Beloit Snappers 3
WP – Dull 1-1 / 1.88
HR – Dixon (4)
Farmhand Of The Game:
Pitcher Michael Ynoa
(4 IP / 3 H / 1 ER / 0 BB / 7 K)
Starter Michael Ynoa gave up just 1 run while walking none and striking out 7 in 4 innings of work on Saturday, while RHP Andres Avila followed up by allowing 1 run in 4 innings of relief. Outfielder Rashun Dixon hit his 4th home run in his last 5 games to put Beloit on the board in the 2nd inning. And in the bottom of the 9th with the Snappers down by a run, designated hitter Chad Lewis doubled in a pair of runs to make a winner of RHP Ryan Dull who’d tossed 1 scoreless inning of relief.
Sunday’s Games:
Sacramento @ Nashville – 12:05pm PT
Midland @ San Antonio – 12:05pm PT / 2:05pm CT
Stockton @ Lancaster – 2:00pm PT
Cedar Rapids @ Beloit – 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!
Friday, May 10th: Alcantara’s Gem Helps Snappers Split A Pair while Cats & Ports Both Fall
A’s Farmhand Of The Day
Beloit Snappers’ Pitcher Raul Alcantara (7 IP / 1 H / 0 ER / 0 BB / 3 K / Win)
PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE (Triple-A)
Sacramento River Cats 3
Memphis Redbirds 10
LP – Banwart 2-1 / 5.64
HR – Peterson (3)
Farmhand Of The Game:
First Baseman Shane Peterson
(Home Run / 2 RBIs)
With RHP Jesse Chavez recalled by the A’s, RHP Travis Banwart became the last-minute starter for the River Cats on Friday, and he ended up allowing 4 runs over 3 1/3 innings to take the loss. First baseman Shane Peterson had 2 hits, including his 3rd home run, and drove in a pair of runs, while shortstop Hiro Nakajima went 0 for 3 in his fourth rehab game for Sacramento.
TEXAS LEAGUE (Double-A)
Midland RockHounds
San Antonio Missions
(POSTPONED)
CALIFORNIA LEAGUE (High-A)
Stockton Ports 13
Lancaster JetHawks 19
LP – Perez 0-1 / 20.25
HR – Whitaker (6), Delgado (4), Russell (2)
Farmhand Of The Game:
Shortstop Addison Russell
(Home Run / Triple / Double / 3 RBIs)
It was a California League slugfest in Lancaster on Friday with a total of 32 runs scored. Starter Sergio Perez was charged with 9 earned runs in just 1 inning of work to take the loss, while RHP T.J. Walz and LHP Omar Duran combined to give up another 10 runs. Shortstop Addison Russell had a big game, collecting a double, a triple and a home run, falling just a single short of a cycle, and driving in 3 runs. Outfielder Bobby Crocker had a pair of doubles and drove in 4 runs, while outfielder Josh Whitaker and designated hitter Ryan Delgado both homered in the loss.
MIDWEST LEAGUE (Class-A)
GAME #1
Peoria Chiefs 2
Beloit Snappers 0
LP – Bacus 3-1 / 3.30
Farmhand Of The Game:
Pitcher Dakota Bacus
(5 IP / 3 H / 1 ER / 0 BB / 0 K)
Starter Dakota Bacus allowed 2 runs, just 1 earned, on 3 hits over 5 innings of work but still ended up taking the loss in the first game of Friday’s doubleheader. The Snappers managed just 5 hits in the game, 3 of them off the bat of catcher Bruce Maxwell who raised his average to .316, while third baseman Renato Nunez committed a pair of errors, giving him 11 miscues on the season.
GAME #2
Peoria Chiefs 0
Beloit Snappers 4
WP – Alcantara 5-1 / 2.61
HR – Olson (4)
Farmhand Of The Game:
Pitcher Raul Alcantara
(7 IP / 1 H / 0 ER / 0 BB / 3 K / Win)
RHP Raul Alcantara turned in an impressice performance for the Snappers in the second game of Friday’s doubleheader, allowing just 1 hit and no walks over 7 scoreless innings to earn his 5th win for Beloit. First baseman Matt Olson had 3 hits, including a home run and a double, and drove in a pair of runs in the win.
Saturday’s Games:
Sacramento @ Nashville – 4:35pm PT
Game #1 – Midland @ San Antonio – 3:05pm PT / 5:05pm CT
Game #2 – Midland @ San Antonio
Stockton @ Lancaster – 7:00pm PT
Cedar Rapids @ Beloit – 2:00pm PT / 4:00pm 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!
Thursday, May 9th: Thomas Pitches Cats to Victory while Snappers Win and Hounds & Ports Both Fall
A’s Farmhand Of The Day
Sacramento River Cats’ Pitcher Justin Thomas (6 IP / 6 H / 1 ER / 2 BB / 1 K)
PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE (Triple-A)
Sacramento River Cats 5
Memphis Redbirds 3
WP – Thomas 1-2 / 5.25
Farmhand Of The Game:
Pitcher Justin Thomas
(6 IP / 6 H / 1 ER / 2 BB / 1 K / Win)
Starter Justin Thomas allowed just 1 run in 6 innings to earn his 1st win for the River Cats on Thursday, while RHP Dan Otero picked up his 8th save. Designated hitter Grant Green had 3 hits, including a double, and drove in 2 runs, while shortstop Hiro Nakajima went 1 for 4 in his third rehab game with Sacramento, and outfielder Jeremy Barfield collected a pair of hits in his debut with the River Cats.
TEXAS LEAGUE (Double-A)
Midland RockHounds 1
San Antonio Missions 2
LP – Murphy 0-1 / 2.74
HR – Aliotti (3)
Farmhand Of The Game:
First Baseman Anthony Aliotti
(3 for 4 / Home Run)
Starter Sean Murphy allowed 2 runs on 7 hits over 5 2/3 innings to take the loss on Thursday. First baseman Anthony Aliotti collected 3 of Midland’d 5 hits on the night, including his 3rd home run, to account for the RockHounds’ only run of the game and raise his average to .378.
CALIFORNIA LEAGUE (High-A)
Stockton Ports 0
Modesto Nuts 2
LP – Peters 2-3 / 6.03
Farmhand Of The Game:
Pitcher Tanner Peters
(7 IP / 7 H / 1 ER / 3 BB / 5 K)
RHP Tanner Peters had his best start in his last four outings, allowing just 1 run over 7 innings of work, but still ended up taking the loss on Thursday. The Ports were shut out and collected just 3 hits on the night, one apiece from outfielder Josh Whitaker, catcher Ryan Delgado and third baseman Tony Thompson.
MIDWEST LEAGUE (Class-A)
Peoria Chiefs 5
Beloit Snappers 6
WP – Pudenz 1-1 / 13.50
HR – Dixon (3)
Farmhand Of The Game:
Third Baseman Chad Lewis
(2 Doubles / 2 RBIs)
Starter Austin House allowed 4 runs over 5 innings of work on Thursday. Outfielder Rashun Dixon drilled a home run, his 3rd in his last 3 games, while third baseman Chad Lewis collected 2 doubles and drove in a pair of runs, and Stuart Pudenz picked up his 1st win with an inning of scoreless relief.
Friday’s Games:
Sacramento @ Memphis – 5:05pm PT
Midland @ San Antonio – 5:05pm PT / 7:05pm CT
Stockton @ Lancaster – 7:00pm PT
Game #1 – Peoria @ Beloit – 2:00pm PT / 4:00pm CT
Game #2 – Peoria @ Beloit
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!
Wednesday, May 8th: DeYoung Pitches Snappers to Victory while Cats & Ports Both Fall
A’s Farmhand Of The Day
Beloit Snappers’ Pitcher Derek DeYoung (5 IP / 4 H / 0 ER / 1 BB / 2 K / Win)
PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE (Triple-A)
Sacramento River Cats 2
Memphis Redbirds 6
LP – Billings 2-2 / 7.20
HR – Moore (3)
Farmhand Of The Game:
Outfielder Scott Moore
(Home Run / 2 RBIs)
Starter Bruce Billings had a shaky outing for Sacramento on Wednesday, allowing 5 runs over 4 2/3 innings to take his 2nd loss. Scott Moore, getting the start in left field, hit a 2-run homer in the top of the 8th inning to account for all of the River Cats’ runs in the game.
TEXAS LEAGUE (Double-A)
Midland RockHounds
(OFF DAY)
CALIFORNIA LEAGUE (High-A)
Stockton Ports 4
Modesto Nuts 6
LP – Jimenez 0-1 / 6.11
Farmhand Of The Game:
Outfielder Josh Whitaker
(2 for 4 / 2 RBIs)
Starter Deyvi Jimenez had another rough outing for Stockton, allowing 6 runs over 4 2/3 innings to take the loss. Outfielder Josh Whitaker had a pair of hits and drove in 2 of the Ports’ 4 runs in the game.
MIDWEST LEAGUE (Class-A)
Peoria Chiefs 1
Beloit Snappers 6
WP – De Young 2-1 / 2.92
HR – Nunez (7), Dixon (2), Roberts (2)
Farmhand Of The Game:
Pitcher Derek De Young
(5 IP / 4 H / 0 ER / 1 BB / 2 K / Win)
Starter Derek De Young had a solid outing for the Snappers, tossing 5 scoreless innings to earn his 2nd win, while RHP Vince Voiro gave up 1 run in 4 innings of relief to pick up his 1st save. Shortstop Daniel Robertson collected 3 hits to raise his average to .421, and third baseman Renato Nunez, second baseman Sam Roberts and designated hitter Rashun Dixon all homered for the Snappers.
Thursday’s Games:
Sacramento @ Memphis – 5:05pm PT
Midland @ San Antonio – 5:05pm PT / 7:05pm CT
Stockton @ Modesto – 7:05pm PT
Game #1 – Peoria @ Beloit – 2:00pm PT / 4:00pm CT
Game #2 – Peoria @ Beloit
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!
Catching Up With: A’s Prospect Michael Choice
by James Ham / A’s Farm Correspondent
Sacramento River Cats hitting coach Greg Sparks has had his paws on the A’s future center fielder Michael Choice ever since Oakland selected him with the 10th pick in the 2010 MLB Amateur Draft.
Before becoming the hitting coach in Sacramento last season, Sparks spent eight seasons as the organization’s minor league roving hitting instructor. If there is anyone who knows Choice’s game, it’s Sparks.
“He’s an electric kid,” Sparks told Athletics Farm before Sunday’s game. “As a hitting coordinator, I had him out of the draft. I’ve been around him quite a bit. It’s nice to see the adjustments he’s made since the day he signed. He had a lot of movement; a unique approach to baseball when he first signed and to see that calm down and for him to become the hitter he is now is very good. Nice adjustments.”
The road hasn’t been all smooth sailing for the A’s outfield prospect. After a tremendous 2011 season at Class A Stockton, where he put up a stat line of .285/.376/.542 with 30 home runs and 82 RBI, Choice struggled.
At the Double-A level last season, Choice posted a line of .287/.356/.423, while hitting just 10 home runs and driving in 58. The batting average stayed steady, but the move to Midland of the Texas League seemed to overwhelm the highly touted prospect.
“For me, the biggest jump and the toughest thing for hitters to do is to go from A-ball to Double-A,” Sparks added. “He made some nice adjustments (in the Texas League).”
Midland all seems like a distant memory now. Choice took the rough season in stride and is now flourishing in Sacramento through the early part of this season.
“Every level brings a different challenge, you know, having to adjust,” Choice said before Sunday’s loss to the Las Vegas 51s. “Basically along the way, I’ve done a lot of adjusting with mechanics and that type of thing, but starting out this year, it’s the first year that I’ve been able to just focus on the mental part of hitting and not focus so much on what I’m doing physically in the box.”
Choice is locked in right now in Sacramento. The 23-year-old out of the University of Texas at Arlington has improved his plate discipline, striking out 25 times and drawing 19 walks in his first 135 at bats at the Triple-A level. He has a career-best .422 on base percentage and after Sunday’s loss, he is batting .309 with a .949 OPS.
Plate discipline isn’t the only thing that is improving for Choice, his power numbers are returning as well. After hitting 10 home runs in 402 plate appearances last season, Choice has six in just 110 official at bats this year. While others were concerned with the power drop off, Choice was confident that he would get his stroke back.
“Basically, I just try not to worry about hitting for power and just (focus on) being a good hitter and the power will come later,” Choice said.
The power will come and so will the accolades. At 6-foot, 215-pounds, Choice looks more like an NFL running back than a 5-tool baseball player. And with the A’s sitting on a $7.5 million team option for 33-year-old starting center fielder, Coco Crisp, for next season, there may be a changing of the guard coming.
Choice has nothing but respect for Crisp, who has manned the cavernous Coliseum outfield for the last three seasons. In fact, he spent a lot of time watching the 12-year veteran during spring training, trying to glean even the smallest morsel of information.
“Coco is one of the best out there,” Choice said of the A’s starting center fielder. “I watched him in spring training, watched his routine. You don’t see that many veteran guys like him that still shag hard in BP and continue to get reads and he does that. That’s why he’s one of the best out there.”
While there aren’t any plans to shuttle Choice to the big leagues right now, his time is coming. The A’s will most likely wait as long as possible before calling up one of their best minor league hitting prospects. But when the call comes, expect Choice to be ready to take his spot between Yoenis Cespedes and Josh Reddick in the Oakland outfield.
James Ham is known for his work covering the Sacramento Kings for Cowbell Kingdom. You can follow him on Twitter @James_Ham.
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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!
Tuesday, May 7th: Late Heroics Help Hounds & Ports Win while 2 Solo Shots Aren’t Enough for Cats on Tuesday
A’s Farmhand Of The Day
Midland RockHounds’ 2B Darwin Perez (Home Run / 3 RBIs)
PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE (Triple-A)
Sacramento River Cats 2
Memphis Redbirds 3
LP – Werner 2-5 / 8.54
HR – Horton (2), Weeks (2)
Farmhand Of The Game:
Third Baseman Josh Horton
(2 for 3 / Home Run)
Starter Andrew Werner allowed 3 runs on 9 hits over 6 2/3 innings to take his 5th loss on Tuesday. The River Cats scored their only runs of the game thanks to back-to-back solo home runs in the 3rd inning off the bats of third baseman Josh Horton and second baseman Jemile Weeks. Horton also collected 2 of Sacramento’s 6 hits on the night, while shortstop Hiro Nakajima went 0 for 4 in his return to the River Cats’ lineup.
TEXAS LEAGUE (Double-A)
Frisco RoughRiders 5
Midland RockHounds 8
WP – Newby 2-3 / 2.00
HR – Barfield (8), Perez (2)
Farmhand Of The Game:
Second Baseman Darwin Perez
(Home Run / 3 RBIs)
After a couple of shaky starts, RHP Arnold Leon got back on track for Midland on Tuesday, allowing 2 runs on 3 hits while striking out 5 in 5 innings of work and exited with the lead, but RHP Mike DeMark came on to give up 3 runs in an inning of relief. And with the game tied in the bottom of the 8th inning, second baseman Darwin Perez drilled a 3-run homer to hand the RockHounds back the lead. And RHP Kyler Newby picked up the win with 1 2/3 scoreless innings in relief.
CALIFORNIA LEAGUE (High-A)
Stockton Ports 4
Modesto Nuts 2
WP – Macias 1-1 / 3.38
HR – Robinson (5)
Farmhand Of The Game:
Second Baseman Antonio Lamas
(Double / 2 RBIs)
Starter Jake Brown allowed just 1 run over 4 innings of work on Tuesday, while RHP Jose Macias picked up the win with 1 2/3 scoreless innings in relief, and RHP Jonathan Joseph got the final 6 outs for his 2nd save. With Stockton down by a run in the 8th inning, second baseman Antonio Lamas doubled in a pair of runs to give the Ports the lead, and outfielder Dusty Robinson followed up with his 5th home run in the 9th inning to help seal the deal for the Ports.
MIDWEST LEAGUE (Class-A)
Beloit Snappers
(OFF DAY)
Wednesday’s Games:
Sacramento @ Memphis – 9:05am PT
Stockton @ Modesto – 3:30pm PT
Peoria @ 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!
Monday, May 6th: Hounds, Ports & Snappers All Win while Rain Halts Cats Game
A’s Farmhand Of The Day
Stockton Ports’ RHP Drew Granier (7 IP / 5 H / 0 ER / 3 BB / 10 K)
PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE (Triple-A)
Las Vegas 51s
Sacramento River Cats
(GAME SUSPENDED)
TEXAS LEAGUE (Double-A)
Frisco RoughRiders 2
Midland RockHounds 7
WP – Neal 3-0 / 2.14
HR – Barfield (7)
Farmhand Of The Game:
Pitcher Zach Neal
(7 IP / 8 H / 2 ER / 1 BB / 2 K / Win)
Starter Zach Neal had another solid outing for Midland on Monday, allowing 2 runs over 7 innings of work to pick up his 3rd win against no losses. With the score tied in the bottom of the 5th inning, first baseman Anthony Aliotti doubled in a pair of runs to give the RockHounds the lead. Designated hitter Jeremy Barfield then followed with a 2-run homer, his second home run in as many nights. Catcher David Freitas collected 2 doubles and drove in a run in the win.
CALIFORNIA LEAGUE (High-A)
Visalia Rawhide 0
Stockton Ports 6
WP – Granier 4-2 / 2.31
HR – Whitaker (5), Crocker (3)
Farmhand Of The Game:
Pitcher Drew Granier
(7 IP / 5 H / 0 ER / 3 BB / 10 K / Win)
RHP Drew Granier had another impressive start for Stockton on Monday, striking out 10 over 7 scoreless innings to earn his 4th win. Outfielders Josh Whitaker and Bobby Crocker both homered to help the cause, and catcher Ryan Delgado doubled in a pair of runs for the Ports.
MIDWEST LEAGUE (Class-A)
Beloit Snappers 6
Lansing Lugnuts 4
WP – Streich 3-1 / 5.02
HR – Dixon (1)
Farmhand Of The Game:
First Baseman Matt Olson
(3 for 3 / Double / 2 RBIs)
Starter Seth Streich allowed 3 runs and struck out 5 over 6 innings to pick up his 3rd win, while RHP Ryan Dull struck out 5 in 2 scoreless innings of relief to post his 4th save. With the game tied in the top of the 5th inning, first baseman Matt Olson came up with the big hit, driving in 2 runs to give the Snappers the lead, which they never relinquished. Outfielder Rashun Dixon then followed with a 2-run homer, his 1st of the season. Olson had 2 other hits in the game, including a double, while catcher Bruce Maxwell collected 4 hits, including a pair of doubles.
Tuesday’s Games:
Sacramento @ Memphis – 5:02pm PT
Frisco @ Midland – 9:00am PT / 11:00am CT
Stockton @ Modesto – 7:05pm 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!
Sunday, May 5th: Hounds & Ports Win while Cats Fall and Ynoa Looks Sharp in Snappers Loss
A’s Farmhand Of The Day
Midland RockHounds’ RHP Murphy Smith (7 IP / 5 H / 1 ER / 2 BB / 4 K)
PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE (Triple-A)
Las Vegas 51s 6
Sacramento River Cats 2
LP – Chavez 2-2 / 2.70
HR – Horton (1)
Farmhand Of The Game:
Third Baseman Josh Horton
(Home Run / 2 RBIs)
Starter Jesse Chavez allowed 4 runs, 2 earned, on 8 hits over 6 2/3 innings to take the loss on Sunday. Third baseman Josh Horton had 2 hits, including a 2-run homer in the 7th inning to account for all of the River Cats’ scoring on the day, while outfielder Michael Choice and designated hitter Ryan Ortiz collected a pair of hits apiece. Shortstop Hiro Nakajima missed his second straight game after his debut on Friday and will be reevaluated in Oakland on Monday.
TEXAS LEAGUE (Double-A)
Frisco RoughRiders 4
Midland RockHounds 5
WP – Newby 1-3 / 2.20
HR – Barfield (6)
Farmhand Of The Game:
Pitcher Murphy Smith
(7 IP / 5 H / 1 ER / 2 BB / 4 K)
Starter Murphy Smith had another solid start on Sunday, allowing 3 runs, just 1 earned, on 5 hits over 7 innings. The right-hander was set to earn the win until Frisco scored a run off RHP Kyler Newby in the 8th inning. But outfielder Chad Oberacker drove in shortstop Dusty Coleman in the bottom of the 9th to allow Newby to pick up his 1st win of the season. Outfielder Jeremy Barfield clubbed a 3-run homer to put Midland on the board in the 1st.
CALIFORNIA LEAGUE (High-A)
Visalia Rawhide 1
Stockton Ports 7
WP – Walz 3-0 / 4.76
Farmhand Of The Game:
Shortstop Wade Kirkland
(Double / 2 RBIs)
After being demoted from Midland, RHP Sergio Perez allowed just 1 hit over 3 scoreless innings in his first start for Stockton on Sunday. LHP Omar Duran contributed 3 perfect innings in relief, while RHP T.J. Walz struck out 3 in 2 scoreless innings to pick his 3rd win. Shortstop Wade Kirkland and outfielder Dusty Robinson each had 2 hits and drove in a pair of runs. And catcher Phil Pohl, making his debut for Stockton, had a pair of hits and a pair of walks to reach base in his first 4 plate appearances for the Ports.
MIDWEST LEAGUE (Class-A)
Beloit Snappers 4
Lansing Lugnuts 5
LP – Healy 0-1 / 2.25
Farmhand Of The Game:
Pitcher Michael Ynoa
(4 IP / 3 H / 0 ER / 0 BB / 4 K)
Starter Michael Ynoa had his most impressive outing yet for Beloit, allowing 3 hits while walking none and striking out 4 over 4 scoreless innings of work on Sunday. In his first appearance with Beloit since being demoted from Stockton, RHP Andres Avila gave up 2 runs on 5 hits in 3 innings of relief, and RHP Tucker Healy took the loss after allowing 3 unearned runs to score in the bottom of the 8th inning. Third baseman Renato Nunez, who made 3 errors on Saturday, made a pair of errors in the 8th on Sunday to now give him a total of 9 on the season. And shortstop Daniel Robertson continued his hot hitting, collecting 3 more hits to raise his average to .448.
Monday’s Games:
Las Vegas @ Sacramento – 7:05pm PT
Frisco @ Midland – 4:30pm PT / 6:30pm CT
Visalia @ Stockton – 7:05pm PT
Beloit @ Lansing – 4:05pm PT / 6:05pm CT
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