CALIFORNIA LEAGUE (High-A)
Stockton Ports 3
San Jose Giants 1
WP – Hall 4-0 / 3.19
Farmhand Of The Game:
Pitcher Tim Atherton
(6 1/3 IP / 4 H / 1 ER / 2 BB / 5 K)
RHP Tim Atherton turned in a strong start for Stockton on Wednesday, allowing just 1 run on 4 hits while striking out 5 over 6 1/3 innings of work. Atherton left the game in the 7th inning with Stockton down 1-0, but the Ports came back to put 3 runs on the board the following inning to hand the win to RHP Kris Hall, who tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings in relief. RHP Austin House got the final 3 outs for his 8th save. Outfielder Billy McKinney singled, doubled and scored a run, while outfielder Bobby Crocker and third baseman Daniel Robertson both singled and scored, and shortstop Addison Russell went 0 for 2 with a walk in his third game back for Stockton.
Click here for more on Sacramento, Midland & Beloit…
PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE (Triple-A)
Omaha Strom Chasers 10
Sacramento River Cats 4
LP – Buschmann 4-2 / 5.36
Farmhand Of The Game:
Shortstop Andy Parrino
(2 for 3 / 2 Walks / 2 RBIs / Stolen Base)
RHP Matt Buschmann had a rough start for Sacramento on Wednesday, allowing 7 runs on 9 hits over just 3 1/3 innings to take his 2nd loss, while LHP Eric O’Flaherty allowed no baserunners in 1 scoreless inning of relief in his first rehab appearance for the River Cats, and he could be ready to join the A’s sometime in the next couple of weeks. Shortstop Andy Parrino had 2 hits, 2 walks, drove in 2 runs and stole a base, while second baseman Tyler Ladendorf singled and tripled, and outfielder Shane Peterson singled, doubled and drove in a run for Sacramento. The River Cats currently have five position players who are on the A’s 40-man roster – infielders Nate Freiman, Andy Parrino and Jake Elmore as well as outfielders Shane Peterson and Nick Buss. And with Alberto Callaspo set to go on paternity leave during this weekend’s series with the Yankees, one of those five players is likely to get a look in Oakland this weekend.
TEXAS LEAGUE (Double-A)
Midland RockHounds 7
San Antonio Missions 6
WP – Jensen 3-6 / 4.40
HR – Head (7)
Farmhand Of The Game:
Pitcher Chris Jensen
(6 IP / 5 H / 2 ER / 2 BB / 5 K / Win)
Wednesday’s RockHounds’ game was dominated by a frightening incident in the 2nd inning. Leading off the top of the 2nd, outfielder Midland Josh Whitaker was hit in the head with a pitch and laid motionless on the ground before being removed from the field in an ambulance and taken to a local hospital. It was later reported that Whitaker was conscious and responsive at the hospital, where he was evaluated for concussion symptoms and treated for a gash in his forehead. He was on twitter by the end of the night, thanking everyone for their concern and claiming that he was already feeling a lot better, but his status is officially considered to be “day-to-day.” As for the game, RHP Chris Jensen delivered a solid start for the RockHounds despite a lengthy delay, allowing 3 runs, just 2 earned, and striking out 5 over 6 innings of work to earn his 3rd win, while RHP Seth Frankoff got the final 5 outs for his 12th save. Third baseman Miles Head hit a 2-run homer, while outfielder Chad Oberacker – who replaced Whitaker – had 2 hits and drove in 2 runs, and second baseman Conner Crumbliss, first baseman Anthony Aliotti and catcher Beau Taylor had a pair of hits apiece and each drove in a run for the RockHounds.
MIDWEST LEAGUE (Class-A)
Beloit Snappers 2
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 6
LP – Trivino 4-5 / 5.61
Farmhand Of The Game:
Designated Hitter Jaycob Brugman
(Double / RBI)
Starter Lou Trivino allowed 6 runs, 5 earned, on 8 hits over 6 innings of work on Wednesday to take his 5th loss. Shortstop Melvin Mercedes walked twice and singled in the Snappers’ first run of the game, while designated hitter Jaycob Brugman doubled in the tying run in the 6th, and outfielder Herschel Powell doubled and scored a run for the Snappers.
In Other News…
The Class-A Vermont Lake Monsters will begin play on Friday, and the team’s roster was released on Wednesday. Some of the more familiar names on the squad include outfielder Brett Vertigan, first baseman Ryan Huck, catcher Andy Paz and pitchers Cristhian Perez and Lee Sosa. You can find the team’s complete roster here.
Based on players’ comments on twitter, it’s safe to assume that the A’s have come to terms with the following draftees who are all either in or on their way to Phoenix: #11 RHP Joel Seddon, #16 3B Jose Brizuela, #24 RHP Dawson Brown, #26 RHP Rob Huber, #27 OF J.P. Sportman, #28 RHP Corey Walter, #29 LHP Cody Stull, #34 1B John Nogowski.
Thursday’s Games:
Omaha @ Sacramento – 7:05pm PT
Midland @ San Antonio – 5:05pm PT / 7:05pm CT
Stockton @ San Jose – 7:00pm PT
Beloit @ Wisconsin – 5:05pm PT / 7:05pm CT
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