CALIFORNIA LEAGUE (High-A)
Modesto Nuts 2
Stockton Ports 13
WP – Gossett 1-0 / 3.60
HR – Marincov (1), Harris (1)
Prospect Of The Game:
Outfielder Tyler Marincov
(3 for 5 / Home Run / Double / 3 RBIs)
The Ports won big on opening night, pushing across 13 runs on 16 hits, before an announced crowd of 3,833 fans at Banner Island Ballpark in Stockton on Thursday. Left fielder and cleanup hitter Tyler Marincov got things going early by blasting a 2-out, 2-run homer in the bottom of the 1st to give his team an early lead it would never surrender. He would also single in another run and come around to score in the 2nd and then double and score again in the 6th. Center fielder James Harris hit a 2-run homer in the 2nd and also singled in the game, while second baseman Joe Bennie singled, doubled and drove in 3. Last year’s 2nd-round draft pick for the A’s, shortstop Mikey White, tripled in his first at-bat for Stockton and later singled and drove in a run, and catcher Argenis Raga and designated hitter B.J. Boyd had a pair of hits apiece for the Ports. RHP Daniel Gossett, 2014’s 2nd-round pick for the A’s, got the opening night start and was solid, holding Modesto scoreless through the first 4 innings. He surrendered a pair of runs in the 5th and ended up allowing just 2 runs while striking out 6 over 5 innings of work to earn his 1st win for Stockton, while RHPs Lou Trivino and Kyle Finnegan both pitched 2 scoreless innings in relief for the Ports. 2014’s 3rd-round pick, RHP Brett Graves, is set to make the start for Stockton on Friday.
Click here for more on Nashville, Midland & Beloit…
PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE (Triple-A)
Oklahoma City Dodgers 5
Nashville Sounds 0
LP – Smith 0-1 / 7.20
Prospect Of The Game:
Third Baseman Renato Nunez
(1 for 3)
The Sounds were shut out on a soggy, rain-delayed opening night in Nashville on Thursday. Starter Chris Smith surrendered a 2-run homer with one out in the top of the 1st inning to put his team in an early hole and then allowed another pair of runs in the 4th to extend the deficit. Nashville managed just 6 baserunners – on 4 hits, a walk and a fielding error. Left fielder Jake Smolinski singled with 2 outs in the 1st but also struck out twice in the game, while second baseman Joey Wendle singled with 1 out in the 9th and struck out once. Shortstop Chad Pinder singled to lead off the 5th and drew a walk to lead off the 8th but also made 2 errors in his first game as the Sounds’ starting shortstop. Third baseman Renato Nunez singled to lead off the 6th but was erased on one of three double plays Nashville hit into on the night. Right fielder Matt Olson and catcher Bruce Maxwell both went 0 for 3 in their Nashville debuts. Meanwhile, RHP Eduard Santos allowed 1 run in 1 2/3 innings of relief, while RHP J.B. Wendelken struck out 2 over 1 1/3 scoreless frames, and RHP Tucker Healy got the final three outs in the top of the 9th for the Sounds. RHP Jesse Hahn is expected to make the start for Nashville on Friday.
TEXAS LEAGUE (Double-A)
Midland RockHounds 7
Arkansas Travelers 2
WP – Jensen 1-0 / 1.50
HR – Brugman (1)
Prospect Of The Game:
Outfielder Jaycob Brugman
(Home Run / 3 RBIs)
With two outs and two on in the top of the 1st inning on Thursday, center fielder Jaycob Brugman blasted a 3-run homer to give the RockHounds an early lead they would never relinquish. Left fielder J.P. Sportman doubled in a pair of runs in the 2nd, while second baseman Josh Rodriguez singled, doubled, walked and drove in a run, and first baseman Ryon Healy doubled and drew a pair of walks. Shortstop Franklin Barreto singled in a run in the 5th, while third baseman Matt Chapman went 0 for 3 with a walk in the game. RHP Chris Jensen, who is beginning his third straight season with the RockHounds, was strong in his opening night start, allowing just 1 run while striking out 6 over 6 innings of work to earn the win. RHP Ryan Doolittle then came on to strike out the side in the 7th, while RHP Andres Avila gave up 1 run in the 8th, and RHP Jake Sanchez pitched a perfect 9th to close out the victory for the Hounds.
MIDWEST LEAGUE (Class-A)
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 1
Beloit Snappers 2
WP – Friedrichs 1-0 / 0.00
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Kyle Friedrichs
(5 IP / 1 H / 0 ER / 2 BB / 6 K / Win)
Last year’s 7th-round draft pick for the A’s, RHP Kyle Friedrichs, was impressive in his debut for Beloit, allowing just 1 hit while striking out 6 over 5 scoreless innings to earn the opening night victory for the Snappers on Thursday. RHP Dustin Driver allowed 1 unearned run in 3 innings of relief, while RHP Cody Kurz tossed a scoreless 9th to pick up the save. Left fielder Justin Higley singled, walked twice, stole a pair of bases and drove in a run for the Snappers.
Friday’s Games:
Oklahoma City @ Nashville – 4:35pm PT / 6:35pm CT
Midland @ Arkansas – 5:10pm PT / 7:10pm CT
Modesto @ Stockton – 7:10pm PT
Wisconsin @ Beloit – 4:30pm PT / 6:30pm 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.