PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE (Triple-A)
Tacoma Rainiers 4
Sacramento River Cats 5
WP – Flores 2-0 / 5.17
HR – Martinez (2)
Farmhand Of The Game:
Second Baseman Jose Martinez
(4 for 5 / Home Run / 3 RBIs)
It took 11 innings for the River Cats to finally prevail in a tight game on Thursday night. RHP Matt Buschmann, making his first start for Sacramento in over a month, gave up 3 runs on 8 hits while striking out 5 in 5 innings of work. RHP Fernando Nieve allowed 1 unearned run over 2 innings, while RHP Jeremy McBryde struck out 5 in 2 perfect innings of relief, and the teams remained tied 4-4 as the game headed into extra innings. Finally, with the bases loaded and 2 outs in the bottom of the 11th inning, second baseman Jose Martinez singled in the winning run to give the River Cats their 4th walk-off win in their last 5 games. RHP Jose Flores picked up his 2nd win after tossing a scoreless frame in the top of the 11th. Meanwhile, Martinez had a big night at the plate, collecting 4 hits, including his 2nd home run in the 5th to briefly give the Cats the lead, and driving in 3 runs, including the game-winner in the 11th. In other news, the A’s shipped Sacramento outfielder Jake Goebbert to San Diego, along with a player to be named, in return for first baseman Kyle Blanks, who joined the A’s, while starting pitchers Josh Lindblom and Sean Murphy were placed on the disabled list, and LHP Jeff Urlaub and infielder Colin Walsh were promoted from Midland to take their place on the River Cats roster. Sacramento’s current starting rotation now consists of Dan Straily, Arnold Leon, Matt Buschmann, Marcus Walden and Zach Neal. The A’s also designated first baseman Daric Barton for assignment on Thursday, so there’s a chance that he could ultimately end up back at Sacramento as well.
Click here for more on Midland, Stockton & Beloit…
TEXAS LEAGUE (Double-A)
Frisco RoughRiders 10
Midland RockHounds 11
WP – Doolittle 1-2 / 5.91
HR – Marte (3), Forsythe (2)
Farmhand Of The Game:
Catcher Blake Forsythe
(Home Run / Double / 3 RBIs)
The RockHounds came back from a 4-run deficit at one point to win a wild game in extra innings on Thursday night. LHP Andrew Werner had a shaky start for the RockHounds, allowing 5 runs, 4 earned, on 7 hits over 5 2/3 innings of work. Third baseman Jefry Marte tied the game with his 3rd home run in the bottom of the 8th inning. And after Frisco took back the lead in the top of the 9th, catcher Blake Forsythe belted his 2nd home run of the season in the bottom of the 9th to tie things up again and send the game to extra innings. Frisco put 3 more on the board in the top of the 10th, but Midland came back to tie it again in the bottom of the 10th. And finally, after Midland loaded the bases in the bottom of the 11th, designated hitter Hiro Nakjaima walked to bring in the winning run for the RockHounds. RHP Murphy Smith gave up 5 runs in 4 innings of relief, while RHP Ryan Doolittle got the final 4 outs to pick up his 1st win. Catcher Blake Forsythe homered, doubled, walked twice and drove in 3 runs, while third baseman Jefry Marte had 4 hits, including his homer in the 8th, shortstop Dusty Coleman doubled twice and drove in a run, and outfielder Billy Burns doubled in a pair for the Hounds. Meanwhile, infielder Colin Walsh and LHP Jeff Urlaub both received promotions to Sacramento, while RHP Tucker Healy joined the RockHounds from Stockton, and RHP Jesus Castillo was returned to Reynosa of the Mexican League.
CALIFORNIA LEAGUE (High-A)
San Jose Giants 6
Stockton Ports 4
LP – Adkins 0-2 / 4.78
HR – Shipman (1)
Farmhand Of The Game:
Outfielder Aaron Shipman
(2 for 3 / Home Run)
RHP Hunter Adkins had a rocky start for Stockton, allowing 5 runs, 3 earned, on 8 hits over 4 1/3 innings to take his 2nd loss on Thursday, while outfielder Aaron Shipman singled and hit his 1st home run in over 900 professional at-bats. Shipman replaced center fielder Billy McKinney, who was hit in the arm by a pitch in the bottom of the 2nd inning but remained in the game until the top of the 4th. RHP Tucker Healy tossed a scoreless 9th inning in what appeared to be his final appearance for Stockton. The Ports’ best reliever so far this season was set to join Midland on Friday.
MIDWEST LEAGUE (Class-A)
Beloit Snappers
Clinton LumberKings
(POSTPONED)
Friday’s Games:
Tacoma @ Sacramento – 7:05pm PT
Midland @ Corpus Christi – 5:10pm PT / 7:10pm CT
Bakersfield @ Stockton – 7:05pm PT
Beloit @ Clinton (Game #1) – 3:30pm PT / 5:30pm CT
Beloit @ Clinton (Game #2)
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