A’s Farmhand Of The Day
CALIFORNIA LEAGUE (High-A)
Stockton Ports 3
Visalia Rawhide 4
LP – Ynoa 1-0 / 6.75
HR – McKinney 2 (2)
Farmhand Of The Game:
Outfielder Billy McKinney
(2 Home Runs)
2013’s top draft pick for the A’s, outfielder Billy McKinney, seems to be adapting nicely to the California League. On Friday, the 19-year-old tagged two home runs in two consecutive at-bats in the 3rd and 5th innings. Both solo shots tied the game at the time, though Stockton would ultimately go on to lose the contest. With the game tied in the bottom of the 9th inning, after getting the first out, RHP Michael Ynoa allowed a single, then followed it up with two wild pitches, allowing the runner to reach third, and the winning run eventually came around to score on a fielding error by second baseman Chad Pinder. Starter Tim Atherton allowed 2 runs in 4 innings of work and, in his professional pitching debut with the Ports, former outfielder Jeremy Barfield struck out 3 and gave up 1 run in 2 innings, while RHP Tucker Healy tossed 1 perfect inning in relief. Designated hitter Renato Nunez collected 3 hits on his 20th birthday, while catcher Bruce Maxwell had a pair of hits and drove in a run in the loss.
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PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE (Triple-A)
Sacramento River Cats 4
Salt Lake Bees 13
LP – Murphy 0-1 / 8.31
HR – Peterson (1)
Farmhand Of The Game:
Outfielder Shane Peterson
(2 for 5 / Home Run)
Starter Sean Murphy was a little shaky in his Triple-A debut for Sacramento on Friday, allowing 5 runs, 4 earned, on 6 hits and 3 walks over 4 1/3 innings to take the loss. RHP Jeremy McBryde came on to give up 5 more runs and put the game out of reach. Outfielder Shane Peterson singled and homered, while designated hitter Kent Matthes doubled to clear the bases in the 1st inning, and outfielder Michael Taylor walked 3 times in his season debut for Sacramento. Meanwhile, former A’s prospect Grant Green collected 3 hits, drove in a pair and stole a base for Salt Lake.
TEXAS LEAGUE (Double-A)
Arkansas Travelers 0
Midland RockHounds 6
WP – Neal 1-0 / 0.00
HR – Russell (1), Head (1)
Farmhand Of The Game:
Pitcher Zach Neal
(5 IP / 3 H / 0 ER / 0 BB / 6 K / Win)
After giving up 20 runs in Thursday’s game, Midland’s pitching staff came back to shut out Arkansas on 6 hits on Friday. Starter Zach Neal struck out 6 over 5 innings to earn the win, while LHP Jeff Urlaub and RHP Jesus Castillo each tossed a pair of scoreless innings in relief. Designated hitter Miles Head hit a 3-run homer in the 3rd inning, while shortstop Addison Russell slugged a 2-run shot in the 1st, singled in the 3rd and didn’t come back out for the 4th inning after apparently injuring himself while attempting to steal second after his hit. No official reports were forthcoming after the game on the shortstop’s status. Outfielder Billy Burns singled, doubled, walked and stole a base in the win.
MIDWEST LEAGUE (Class-A)
Burlington Bees
Beloit Snappers
(POSTPONED)
Saturday’s Games:
Sacramento @ Salt Lake – 5:35pm PT
Arkansas @ Midland – 5:00pm PT / 7:00pm CT
Stockton @ Visalia – 7:00pm PT
Burlington @ Beloit (Game #1) – Noon PT / 2:00pm CT
Burlington @ Beloit (Game #2)
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