A’s Farmhand Of The Day
PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE (Triple-A)
Fresno Grizzlies 2
Sacramento River Cats 4
WP – Neal 1-0 / 3.00
HR – Carrithers (1)
Farmhand Of The Game:
Pitcher Zach Neal
(6 IP / 6 H / 2 ER / 1 BB / 2 K / Win)
RHP Zach Neal earned the win in his first start for Sacramento, allowing 2 runs on 6 hits in 6 innings of work on Wednesday, while RHP Fernando Nieve tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings in relief to pick up his 3rd save. Meanwhile, third baseman Alden Carrithers did most of the damage at the plate, posting a single and a home run and driving in all 4 of the River Cats’ runs, while shortstop Tyler Ladendorf singled, doubled and scored a run for Sacramento. In other news, the A’s claimed RHP Marcus Walden off waivers from Toronto and assigned him to Sacramento. Walden made 26 starts for Toronto’s Double-A affiliate last season. And with RHP Matt Buschmann now on the disabled list, Walden could be in the mix for the River Cats’ fifth starter spot along with RHP Jeremy McBryde.
Click here for more on Stockton & Beloit…
CALIFORNIA LEAGUE (High-A)
Bakersfield Blaze 8
Stockton Ports 3
LP – Haviland 1-2 / 3.24
HR – Olson (2)
Farmhand Of The Game:
Pitcher Shawn Haviland
(6 IP / 4 H / 2 ER / 3 BB / 5 K)
RHP Shawn Haviland looked strong in his 3rd start for Stockton, allowing 2 runs on 4 hits over 6 innings on Wednesday, but he still ended up taking his 2nd loss. RHP Austin House surrendered 6 runs in 1 inning of relief, while RHP Jonathan Joseph got the final 6 outs. First baseman Matt Olson doubled and homered, while outfielder Bobby Crocker drove in a pair of runs for the Ports.
MIDWEST LEAGUE (Class-A)
Great Lakes Loons 7
Beloit Snappers 6
LP – Avila 0-1 / 2.45
HR – Mathews (2)
Farmhand Of The Game:
Pitcher Lou Trivino
(5 2/3 IP / 5 H / 2 ER / 3 BB / 4 K)
Starter Lou Trivino had a solid outing for the Snappers on Wednesday, allowing 2 runs on 5 hits over 5 2/3 innings. He left the game with the lead, but Beloit’s bullpen couldn’t keep things under control. RHP Sam Bragg surrendered 2 runs in 2 1/3 innings of relief, while RHP Dominique Vattuone gave up a pair of runs in his first appearance after being added to the roster earlier in the day. The Snappers came back to tie the game in the bottom of the 9th on an RBI-double by first baseman Ryan Huck to send the game to extra innings. But Great Lakes pushed the winning run across the plate in the top of the 10th with the help of a throwing error by shortstop Sam Roberts to start the inning, and RHP Andres Avila ended up taking the loss. Designated hitter Ryan Mathews singled, doubled, homered and drove in a pair of runs for the Snappers. Meanwhile, RHP Bobby Wahl is reportedly headed for a stint on the disabled list. Catcher Iolana Akau could also be a candidate after injuring his thumb blocking a ball in the dirt this past weekend. And catcher Jose Chavez, who was replaced in Midland by catcher Blake Forsythe, was added to the Snappers roster on Wednesday.
In Other News…
Midland outfielder D’Arby Myers fractured his wrist when he was hit by a pitch in the first game of Tuesday’s doubleheader and was placed on the disabled list, while catcher Blake Forsythe was officially added to the RockHounds roster and catcher Jose Chavez was reassigned to Beloit. Another position player may soon be added to the Midland squad while, with Zach Neal’s recent promotion to Sacramento, a fifth starter had yet to be announced for the RockHounds, but it looks like it could come down to RHPs Nate Long and Murphy Smith, who have both been working out of the Hounds’ bullpen.
Thursday’s Games:
Fresno @ Sacramento – 7:05pm PT
San Antonio @ Midland – 5:00pm PT / 7:00pm CT
Stockton @ Inland Empire – 7:05pm PT
Lansing @ Beloit – 4:30pm PT / 6:30pm CT
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