CALIFORNIA LEAGUE (High-A)
Stockton Ports 11
San Jose Giants 5
WP – Fillmyer 5-6 / 3.60
HR – Pimentel (13), Boyd (3)
Prospect Of The Game:
First Baseman Sandber Pimentel
(3 for 5 / Home Run / 4 RBIs)
First baseman Sandber Pimentel had a big night at the plate for the Ports, collecting 3 hits and driving in 4 runs on Saturday. The 21-year-old slugger singled in Stockton’s first run in the 2nd inning, then smashed a 3-run homer for the Ports in the 5th, and he’s now driven in a total of 9 runs over his last 5 games for Stockton. Center fielder James Harris also had 3 hits, including a double, and drove in a run, while shortstop Richie Martin singled, doubled and drove in 3, and left fielder B.J. Boyd singled, homered and drove in a pair for the Ports. Starter Heath Fillmyer was solid on Saturday, allowing 2 runs, just 1 earned, over 5 innings of work to earn his 5th win for Stockton.
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PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE (Triple-A)
New Orleans Zephyrs 8
Nashville Sounds 6
LP – Smith 5-7 / 4.22
HR – Wendle (8)
Prospect Of The Game:
Second Baseman Joey Wendle
(1 for 4 / Home Run / 2 RBIs / Stolen Base)
Starter Chris Smith threw 4 scoreless innings before surrendering 6 runs in the 5th inning, and he ended up suffering his 7th loss for the Sounds on Saturday. Second baseman Joey Wendle hit a 2-run homer in the bottom of the 7th inning to bring his team back within a run but that’s as close as Nashville would get. Left fielder Colin Walsh doubled, singled twice and drove in a pair, while center fielder Jaycob Brugman had 3 hits and drove in the first run for the Sounds. It was Nashville’s fourth straight loss, and the Sounds have now dropped nine of their last ten games. In other news, Chad Pinder, who had been a reserve, is now set to be the starting shortstop for the Pacific Coast League in next week’s Triple-A All-Star Game.
TEXAS LEAGUE (Double-A)
Arkansas Travelers 3
Midland RockHounds 9
WP – Jensen 5-4 / 5.00
HR – Chapman (21)
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Chris Jensen
(6 2/3 IP / 8 H / 2 ER / 1 BB / 10 K / Win)
After spending the past few weeks with Nashville, RHP Chris Jensen turned in a strong start in his return to the RockHounds on Saturday, allowing 3 runs, just 2 earned, while striking out a career-high 10 batters over 6 2/3 innings to earn his 5th win for Midland. Third baseman Matt Chapman smacked his league-leading 21st home run, a 2-run shot, while left fielder J.P. Sportman doubled twice and drove in a pair, and shortstop Franklin Barreto went 3 for 3 with a walk but left the game, under his own power, after being hit with a pitch in the left leg in the 7th inning.
MIDWEST LEAGUE (Class-A)
Burlington Bees 8
Beloit Snappers 9
WP – Kurz 2-3 / 4.30
Prospect Of The Game:
Third Baseman Ryan Howell
(1 for 4 / 2 Walks / 2 RBIs)
With two outs and the game tied in the bottom of the 10th inning, third baseman Ryan Howell singled in the winning run as the Snappers won in a walk-off on Saturday. Howell walked twice and drove in a pair of runs on the night, while designated hitter Skye Bolt doubled and drove in 3. Second baseman Trent Gilbert collected 3 hits and scored twice, and center fielder Mike Martin and right fielder Brett Siddall each had a pair of hits and drove in a run. RHP Michael Murray had a rough start for the Snappers, allowing 6 runs in just 2 1/3 innings of work, while RHP Cody Kurz tossed a scoreless frame in the top of the 10th to pick up his 2nd win on Saturday.
NEW YORK-PENN LEAGUE (Class-A Short-Season)
Batavia Muckdogs 3
Vermont Lake Monsters 8
WP – Butler 1-0 / 1.04
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Brendan Butler
(6 IP / 4 H / 1 ER / 2 BB / 6 K / Win)
With the possibility of rain, RHP Jesus Zambrano made the start instead of scheduled starter Brendan Butler for Vermont on Saturday. Zambrano allowed 2 runs in 3 innings of work before he was replaced by Butler, who allowed just 1 run while striking out 6 in 6 innings of relief to earn his 1st win for the Lake Monsters. This year’s 13th-round draft pick for the A’s, second baseman Nate Mondou, collected 3 hits, drove in 3 runs and stole a pair of bases, while 12th-round center fielder Luke Persico had 2 hits and also drove in 3, and 3rd-round catcher Sean Murphy had a pair of hits and a walk and scored twice as the Lake Monsters won for the fourth time in their last five games. It was announced on Saturday that this year’s top draft pick for the A’s, LHP AJ Puk, will join Vermont on Sunday and he’s expected to make his professional debut for the Lake Monsters on Tuesday.
ARIZONA LEAGUE (Rookie Short-Season)
AZL A’s 10
AZL Reds 8
WP – Charles 3-0 / 9.64
Prospect Of The Game:
Outfielder Jeramiah McCray
(2 for 3 / Triple / 4 RBIs)
This year’s 25th-round draft pick for the A’s, 18-year-old center fielder Jeramiah McCray, singled, tripled and drove in 4 runs to help lead the AZL A’s to victory on Saturday. 21st-round left fielder Kyle Nowlin drove in 3 runs, while shortstop Jesus Lage, third baseman Casey Thomas, right fielder Robert Bennie and designated hitter Anthony Churlin had a pair of hits apiece for the A’s. 10th-round RHP Mitchell Jordan made the start and gave up 3 runs over 4 innings of work, while 19-year-old Dominican RHP Wandisson Charles allowed 1 run in 2 innings of relief to post his 3rd win, and RHP Yeudy Minaya allowed 1 run in the 9th to pick up his 1st save on Saturday.
Sunday’s Games:
New Orleans @ Nashville – 11:05am PT / 1:05pm CT
Arkansas @ Midland – Noon PT / 2:00pm CT
Stockton @ San Jose – 5:00pm PT
Burlington @ Beloit – Noon PT / 2:00pm CT
Batavia @ Vermont – 2:05pm PT / 5:05pm ET
AZL A’s @ AZL White Sox – 7:00pm PT
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