TEXAS LEAGUE (Double-A)
NW Arkansas Naturals 2
Midland RockHounds 3
WP – Jensen 1-0 / 3.00
HR – Pinder (2)
Farmhand Of The Game:
Shortstop Chad Pinder
(Home Run / 3 RBIs)
Shortstop Chad Pinder provided all the offense the RockHounds would need when he hit a 3-run homer in the bottom of the 1st inning on Friday night in Midland. It was Pinder’s second home run in as many games to start the season. The Hounds had just 4 other hits on the night. Outfielder Bobby Crocker doubled to lead off the game, while first baseman Matt Olson walked, and both came in to score on Pinder’s round-tripper. Outfielder Chad Oberacker, third baseman Ryon Healy and second baseman Colin Walsh each singled in the game. Starter Chris Jensen turned in a solid outing, allowing 2 runs on just 3 hits over 6 innings to earn the win, while RHP Nate Long struck out 4 in 2 perfect innings of relief, and RHP Bobby Wahl tossed a scoreless 9th to earn his 1st save for the RockHounds.
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PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE (Triple-A)
Nashville Sounds 12
Colorado Springs Sky Sox 8
WP – Cook 1-0 / 0.00
Farmhand Of The Game:
Second Baseman Joey Wendle
(3 for 6 / Triple / 2 RBIs)
Nashville exploded for 12 runs in LHP Barry Zito’s first start for the Sounds, and they would end up needing most of those runs on Friday night. Over the first 4 2/3 innings, Zito had only allowed 2 unearned runs, which scored when third baseman Niuman Romero made an error on what should have been the final out of the 2nd inning. But with 2 outs in the bottom of the 5th, Zito surrendered a 3-run homer and exited before registering the final out of the inning. Zito ended up allowing 5 runs, 3 earned, on 10 hits while walking 1 and striking out 4 over 4 2/3 innings of work in his inaugural outing for the Sounds. Second baseman Joey Wendle had another solid night at the plate, collecting 3 hits, including a triple, and driving in a pair. Romero, first baseman Max Muncy and outfielder Billy Burns also had 3 hits apiece, while catcher Bryan Anderson singled, doubled and drove in a pair, and outfielder Jason Pridie drove in 3. RHP Kevin Whelan surrendered 3 runs in 1 1/3 innings of relief, while RHP Ryan Cook tossed 2 scoreless innings to pick up the win, and RHP Chad Smith got the final three outs in the 9th to close out the victory for the Sounds.
CALIFORNIA LEAGUE (High-A)
Stockton Ports 1
Inland Empire 66ers 5
LP – Walter 0-1 / 18.00
Farmhand Of The Game:
Pitcher Tim Atherton
(5 IP / 2 H / 1 ER / 1 BB / 6 K)
Starter Tim Atherton turned in an impressive outing for the Ports on Friday, allowing 1 run on just 2 hits while striking out 6 over 5 innings of work, but RHP Corey Walter gave up 2 runs in 1 inning of relief to take the loss. Second baseman Branden Cogswell had a pair of hits and drove in the Ports’ only run of the night, while left fielder Justin Higley singled, walked and stole a base in his Stockton debut, and right fielder Josh Reddick went 0 for 4 with a strikeout in his second rehab game with the Ports.
MIDWEST LEAGUE (Class-A)
Beloit Snappers 4
Clinton LumberKings 3
WP – Miller 1-0 / 0.00
Farmhand Of The Game:
Outfielder Brett Vertigan
(3 for 4 / Run)
After having their opener delayed by nearby tornadoes on Thursday, the Snappers came back to snatch victory on Friday. Outfielder Brett Vertigan collected 3 hits and scored the first run of the game, while shortstop Yairo Munoz singled and doubled, and second baseman Trent Gilbert singled in a pair of runs in the 7th to give the Snappers the lead. Last year’s 3rd-round draft pick for the A’s, RHP Brett Graves, allowed 3 runs over 5 innings of work, while last year’s 10th-round pick, RHP Corey Miller, picked up the win with 2 scoreless innings in relief, and last year’s 9th-round pick, LHP Mike Fagan, got the final six outs to earn his 1st save for the Snappers.
Saturday’s Games:
Nashville @ Colorado Springs – 4:05pm PT / 6:05pm CT
NW Arkansas @ Midland – 5:00pm PT / 7:00pm CT
Stockton @ Inland Empire – 7:05pm PT
Beloit @ Clinton (Game #1) – Noon PT / 2:00pm CT
Beloit @ Clinton (Game #2)
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