CALIFORNIA LEAGUE (High-A)
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 10
Stockton Ports 6
LP – Friedrichs 3-5 / 4.71
HR – Pimentel (19), Bennie 2 (11), Nogowski (5)
Prospect Of The Game:
Outfielder Joe Bennie
(3 for 4 / 2 Home Runs / Double / 2 RBIs)
Right fielder Joe Bennie, who’s been one of Stockton’s best hitters this season, had a big night at the plate on Wednesday, belting a double and a pair of home runs for the Ports. Bennie’s 11 home runs are the second most on the team, while his 31 doubles are the most among all A’s minor leaguers. First baseman Sandber Pimentel notched his 19th home run, which is second only to Matt Chapman in the A’s minor league system, while designated hitter John Nogowski singled and slugged his 5th home run. RHP Kyle Friedrichs had his fourth straight shaky start for Stockton on Wednesday, allowing 5 runs on 6 hits, including 3 home runs, over 5 innings of work to take his 5th loss for the Ports.
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PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE (Triple-A)
Nashville Sounds 1
Colorado Springs Sky Sox 4
LP – Healy 4-2 / 3.53
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Chris Smith
(6 IP / 5 H / 0 ER / 1 BB / 4 K)
RHP Chris Smith turned in an impressive start for the Sounds on Wednesday, throwing 6 shutout innings, and he left the game with a one-run lead. But RHP Tucker Healy surrendered a grand slam in the 7th inning to suffer his 2nd loss for the Sounds. Catcher Matt McBride singled, doubled and walked, while center fielder Brett Eibner doubled in the Sounds’ sole run in the loss.
TEXAS LEAGUE (Double-A)
Midland RockHounds 4
Frisco RoughRiders 10
LP – Mann 1-2 / 5.33
Prospect Of The Game:
Second Baseman Josh Rodriguez
(2 for 4 / Double / RBI)
LHP Brandon Mann had a rough start for the RockHounds on Wednesday, allowing 7 runs over 4 1/3 innings to suffer his 2nd loss for Midland. Second baseman Josh Rodriguez singled, doubled and drove in a run, while left fielder J.P. Sportman singled in a pair of runs for the RockHounds.
MIDWEST LEAGUE (Class-A)
Kane County Cougars 2
Beloit Snappers 1
LP – Blackwood 0-1 / 5.40
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Boomer Biegalski
(7 IP / 4 H / 1 ER / 0 BB / 6 K)
After a couple of shaky starts, RHP Boomer Biegalski was outstanding for the Snappers on Wednesday, allowing 1 run on just 4 hits while walking none and striking out 6 over 7 innings of work, and he left with the game a 1-1 tie. But RHP Nolan Blackwood was charged with the winning run in the top of the 10th inning to take the loss. Second baseman Trent Gilbert had a pair of hits, while center fielder Justin Higley singled in the Snappers’ sole run in the loss.
NEW YORK-PENN LEAGUE (Class-A Short-Season)
Vermont Lake Monsters 6
Lowell Spinners 7
LP – Alejo 0-3 / 2.55
HR – Ramirez (1)
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher A.J. Puk
(4 IP / 1 H / 0 ER / 1 BB / 4 K)
The A’s top draft pick this year, LHP A.J. Puk, allowed just 1 unearned run on 1 hit and 1 walk while striking out 4 over 4 innings of work on Wednesday. But RHP Heath Bowers gave up 3 runs in the bottom of the 9th to tie the game, and RHP Yordy Alejo was charged with another 3 runs in the 11th to take the loss for the Lake Monsters. Second baseman Nate Mondou had 3 hits, including a double, and drove in a run, while center fielder Luis Barrera singled twice and doubled, and right fielder Tyler Ramirez ripped his 1st home run as the Lake Monsters lost their third straight on Wednesday.
ARIZONA LEAGUE (Rookie Short-Season)
AZL A’s 7
AZL D-backs 6
WP – Blanco 3-2 / 3.08
Prospect Of The Game:
Outfielder Rob Bennie
(1 for 5 / Triple / 4 RBIs)
With the AZL A’s down by two runs and the bases loaded in the top of the 5th inning, right fielder Rob Bennie stepped to the plate and tripled to clear the bases and give the A’s the lead. Bennie ended up driving in a total of 4 runs on the night, while second baseman Josh Vidales singled, doubled and drove in a pair, and center fielder Cole Gruber singled, drew 3 walks and stole a pair of bases. Starter Oscar Tovar gave up 2 runs over 3 innings of work, while RHP Argenis Blanco picked up the win despite surrendering 3 runs, 2 earned, in 3 innings of relief, and RHP Matt Milburn allowed 1 run over 3 innings to earn his 1st save for the A’s.
Thursday’s Games:
Nashville @ Colorado Springs – 6:05pm PT / 8:05pm CT
Corpus Christi @ Midland – 5:00pm PT / 7:00pm CT
Stockton @ San Jose – 7:00pm PT
Kane County @ Beloit – 5:00pm PT / 7:00pm CT
Vermont @ Lowell – 4:05pm PT / 7:05pm ET
AZL A’s @ AZL Royals – 7:00pm PT
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