TEXAS LEAGUE (Double-A)
GAME #1
Midland RockHounds 4
San Antonio Missions 1
WP – Jensen 5-5 / 4.89
HR – Nunez (9), Blair (5)
Farmhand Of The Game:
Pitcher Chris Jensen
(7 IP / 2 H / 0 ER / 2 BB / 7 K / Win)
RHP Chris Jensen turned in his second straight strong start for the RockHounds, allowing just 1 unearned run on 2 hits and striking out 7 over 7 innings of work to earn his 5th win, while RHP Tucker Healy tossed 1 scoreless inning in relief to post his 2nd save in the first game of Thursday’s doubleheader at San Antonio. After enduring a rough patch where he gave up 23 earned runs over 4 starts, Jensen returned to form by allowing just 1 run in his previous outing last Friday and turned in an even more impressive performance on Thursday. But Midland still trailed 1-0 heading into the top of the 7th, when catcher Carson Blair blasted his 5th home run to tie the game. Designated hitter Renato Nunez then hit a 3-run homer in the 8th to provide the margin of victory for Midland. And Nunez is now second in home runs in the A’s minor league system, trailing only Beloit first baseman Sandber Pimentel, who has 10.
Click here for more on Nashville, Midland, Stockton & Beloit…
PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE (Triple-A)
Omaha Storm Chasers 4
Nashville Sounds 3
LP – Neal 5-2 / 3.14
HR – Pridie (8)
Farmhand Of The Game:
Designated Hitter Jason Pridie
(Home Run / Double / 2 RBIs)
RHP A.J. Griffin made his second start for the Sounds on Thursday and, this time, things went much more smoothly. Last Friday, Griffin gave up 4 home runs over just 4 1/3 innings but, on Thursday, Griffin allowed just 1 run, on another home run, in 3 innings of work before exiting after throwing 51 pitches. RHP Zach Neal then gave up 3 runs in 5 innings of relief to take the loss as the Sounds suffered their seventh loss in their last eight games. Designated hitter Jason Pridie doubled in the 2nd then hit a 2-run homer in the 4th to briefly give Nashville the lead, while center fielder Craig Gentry doubled and scored on second baseman Ryan Roberts’ RBI single in the 6th.
TEXAS LEAGUE (Double-A)
GAME #2
Midland RockHounds 1
San Antonio Missions 3
LP – Joseph 3-3 / 2.60
Farmhand Of The Game:
First Baseman Ryon Healy
(Double / Walk / RBI)
Midland managed just 1 run on 5 hits to take the loss in the second game of Thursday’s doubleheader. First baseman Ryon Healy doubled in the RockHounds’ only run of the game in the top of the 4th, while third baseman Renato Nunez singled and scored on Healy’s double. Starter Jonathan Joseph allowed 2 runs over 4 innings of work to take his 3rd loss for Midland.
CALIFORNIA LEAGUE (High-A)
Bakersfield Blaze 0
Stockton Ports 1
WP – Trivino 5-4 / 5.16
Farmhand Of The Game:
Pitcher Raul Alcantara
(3 1/3 IP / 3 H / 0 ER / 1 BB / 5 K)
After struggling in his first couple of outings after returning from Tommy John surgery, RHP Raul Alcantara was much sharper on Thursday, striking out 5 over 3 1/3 scoreless innings while throwing 58 pitches, 39 for strikes. RHP Lou Trivino followed up by throwing 1 2/3 shutout innings to earn the win, while RHP Edward Mujica pitched a perfect 6th in his second rehab appearance with the Ports, and relievers Corey Walter, Matt Stalcup and Brendan McCurry each contributed a scoreless frame, with McCurry earning his 11th save. Second baseman Branden Cogswell doubled and scored Stockton’s only run on first baseman John Nogowski’s RBI single in the bottom of the 1st. Both had a pair of hits in the game as the Ports won their sixth straight.
MIDWEST LEAGUE (Class-A)
Peoria Chiefs 7
Beloit Snappers 1
LP – Graves 6-2 / 4.58
Farmhand Of The Game:
Designated Hitter Max Kuhn
(2 for 4 / Double / RBI)
Starter Brett Graves allowed 3 runs over 5 2/3 innings to take his 2nd loss as the Snappers dropped their sixth straight on Thursday. In the 6th inning, designated hitter Max Kuhn singled in outfielder Joe Bennie, who’d singled to lead off the inning, to provide the Snappers’ only run of the game. Kuhn doubled with two outs in the 4th but was left stranded, and third baseman Jose Brizuela singled, walked and stole a base in the loss.
Friday’s Games:
Omaha @ Nashville – 5:05pm PT / 7:05pm CT
Midland @ San Antonio – 5:05pm PT / 7:05pm CT
Bakersfield @ Stockton – 7:10pm
Wisconsin @ Beloit – 5:00pm PT / 7:00pm CT
Lowell @ Vermont – 4:05pm PT / 7:05pm CT
Be sure to like A’s Farm’s page on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @AthleticsFarm. You can also get our exclusive A’s minor league newsletter e-mailed to you free by signing up here.