A’s Farmhand Of The Day
CALIFORNIA LEAGUE (High-A)
Visalia Rawhide 5
Stockton Ports 6
WP – Robinson 1-0 / 0.00
HR – Nunez (2), Pinder (2), Crocker (1)
Farmhand Of The Game:
Second Baseman Chad Pinder
(Home Run / 2 Doubles / 2 RBIs)
It was a big night for Stockton second baseman Chad Pinder, who played a key role in the Ports’ 18-inning win on Thursday night. Last year’s 3rd overall draft pick for the A’s hit a 2-run homer in the 5th inning to tie the game, and doubled to lead off the bottom of the 18th and ultimately scored the winning run when outfielder Billy McKinney singled to bring him home from second and finally bring an end to the 5 hour and 27 minute home opener for Stockton on Thursday. McKinney had previously struck out 3 times in the game, as did designated hitter Ryon Healy, who went 0 for 8. Catcher Bruce Maxwell collected 3 hits, while first baseman Matt Olson singled, doubled and walked twice, third baseman Renato Nunez hit his second homer in as many games to put the Ports on the board in the 1st, and outfielder Bobby Crocker homered in the 9th to send the contest to extra innings. RHP Manny Correa started the game and allowed 4 runs in 6 innings of work, while RHP Nolan Sanburn surrendered 1 run in 2 innings of relief, RHPs Tucker Healy and Kris Hall each tossed 2 scoreless innings, converted outfielder Jeremy Barfield struck out 5 in 3 scoreless innings in his third pitching appearance for the Ports. Infielder Wade Kirkland came in to toss a scoreless 16th and 17th and outfielder Dusty Robinson, who’d doubled twice and driven in a run, pitched a scoreless 18th inning to earn the win.
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PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE (Triple-A)
Sacramento River Cats 5
Las Vegas 51s 6
LP – Hooker 0-2 / 9.00
HR – Taylor (2)
Farmhand Of The Game:
Pitcher Joe Blanton
(5 2/3 IP / 4 H / 1 ER / 1 BB / 6 K)
Returning RHP Joe Blanton was solid in his second start for Sacramento on Thursday, allowing just 1 run while striking out 6 over 5 2/3 innings. He left with the lead, but a disastrous 8th inning that included key errors by shortstop Jose Martinez and second baseman Alden Carrithers would ultimately undo the veteran’s efforts. Rehabbing RHP Fernando Rodriguez allowed 2 runs, 1 earned and RHP Deryk Hooker gave up 3 unearned runs in the 8th and ended up taking his 2nd loss. Designated hitter Nate Freiman had 3 hits, including a pair of doubles, and drove in two runs, while catcher Ryan Ortiz also collected a pair of doubles and drove in a run, outfielder Shane Peterson singled and doubled, and outfielder Michael Taylor slugged his 2nd home run of the season for Sacramento. In other news, catcher Stephen Vogt was placed on the 7-day disabled list with an oblique strain and catcher Phil Pohl was promoted from Beloit to take his place on the River Cats roster.
TEXAS LEAGUE (Double-A)
Midland RockHounds 2
Arkansas Travelers 3
LP – Werner 0-1 / 2.45
Farmhand Of The Game:
Pitcher Zach Neal
(5 IP / 3 H / 0 ER / 3 BB / 5 K)
RHP Zach Neal had his second strong start for the RockHounds, allowing just 1 unearned run on 3 hits over 5 innings of work on Thursday, while RHP Murphy Smith surrendered 1 run in 2 innings of relief, and LHP Andrew Werner gave up 1 run in 1 1/3 innings to take the loss. Shortstop Dusty Coleman singled, doubled, scored a run and stole a base, while third baseman Jefry Marte and outfielder Josh Whitaker drove in a run apiece for the RockHounds.
MIDWEST LEAGUE (Class-A)
Beloit Snappers 1
South Bend Silver Hawks 8
LP – Trivino 0-2 / 5.63
Farmhand Of The Game:
Second Baseman Chih Fang Pan
(2 for 4 / Double)
RHP Lou Trivino was a little shaky in his second start for the Snappers, allowing 7 runs, just 2 earned, on 8 hits over 3 1/3 innings of work, but key errors by third baseman Michael Soto and outfielder Herschel “Boog” Powell clearly didn’t help. Second baseman Chih Fang Pan singled and doubled, designated hitter Ryan Mathews tripled, and outfielder Jaycob Brugman singled, walked and struck out twice in his season debut after returning from the disabled list. Meanwhile, infielder Melvin Mercedes and LHP Matt Stalcup were added to the disabled list, catcher Phil Pohl was promoted to Sacramento to take the place of injured catcher Stephen Vogt, and catcher Iolana Akau and infielder Luis Baez were added to the Snappers roster.
Friday’s Games:
Salt Lake @ Sacramento – 7:05pm PT
Midland @ Arkansas – 5:10pm PT / 7:10pm CT
Visalia @ Stockton – 7:05pm PT
Beloit @ West Michigan – 3:35pm PT / 5:35pm CT
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