PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE (Triple-A)
Nashville Sounds 5
Memphis Redbirds 3
WP – Cotton 11-6 / 4.50
HR – McBride (7), Rodriguez (5)
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Jharel Cotton
(7 IP / 5 H / 2 ER / 0 BB / 4 K / Win)
RHP Jharel Cotton turned in a strong start for the Sounds, allowing 2 runs over 7 innings of work to earn the win as Nashville clinched the Pacific Coast League American Southern Division title on Friday. And the team’s 78-56 record is currently the best in the PCL. After Cotton exited with a 3-run lead, RHP Eduard Santos pitched a perfect 8th. RHP Bobby Wahl then came on to close things out. He made things close by surrendering a run while also putting the tying run on base, but he managed to escape the jam to notch his 4th save for Nashville. Catcher Matt McBride had the big blow, belting a 3-run homer in the 4th inning to give the Sounds the lead. Shortstop Josh Rodriguez added a solo shot in the 5th, while second baseman Joey Wendle singled and doubled, and designated hitter Renato Nunez singled in a run in the win. The team’s last regular season game will be against New Orleans on Monday, September 5, with the Pacific Coast League playoffs set to begin on Wednesday, September 7. And in roster news, LHP Cody Stull, who posted a 1.46 ERA in 36 relief appearances for Stockton this season, was reassigned to the Sounds on Friday.
Click here for more on Midland, Stockton, Beloit & Vermont…
TEXAS LEAGUE (Double-A)
Midland RockHounds 0
Corpus Christi Hooks 7
LP – Mann 2-3 / 4.38
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Brandon Mann
(6 IP / 4 H / 2 ER / 2 BB / 8 K)
Midland was shut out on just 3 hits on Friday. Catcher Andy Paz, shortstop Franklin Barreto and right fielder Tyler Marincov all singled in the loss. Starter Brandon Mann was solid, allowing 2 runs while striking out 8 over 6 innings of work, but he still ended up suffering his 3rd loss for the RockHounds on Friday.
CALIFORNIA LEAGUE (High-A)
Stockton Ports 4
Bakersfield Blaze 8
LP – Meisner 1-14 / 4.59
HR – Pimentel (21), White (6)
Prospect Of The Game:
Designated Hitter Sandber Pimentel
(2 for 4 / Home Run / Walk)
Starter Casey Meisner allowed 5 runs over 4 innings of work to suffer his 14th loss for Stockton on Friday. Designated hitter Sandber Pimentel singled and homered, while second baseman Mikey White homered and drew a pair of walks for the Ports. Second baseman Max Schrock, recently acquired from Washington in return for Marc Rzepczynski, was assigned to Stockton on Friday.
MIDWEST LEAGUE (Class-A)
Beloit Snappers 1
Kane County Cougars 0
WP – Willman 1-1 / 2.95
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Michael Murray
(4 IP / 2 H / 0 ER / 0 BB / 2 K)
RHP Michael Murray was solid in his second start since returning from the disabled list on Friday, allowing just 2 hits over 4 shutout innings, and he left the game with a 1-run lead. RHP Tyler Willman tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings in relief to earn the win, while RHP Armando Ruiz threw 3 2/3 scoreless frames to complete the 4-hit shutout and post his 3rd save for the Snappers. Third baseman Trace Loehr doubled and scored the Snappers’ sole run in the win.
NEW YORK-PENN LEAGUE (Class-A Short-Season)
Vermont Lake Monsters 3
Connecticut Tigers 6
LP – Puk 0-3 / 3.14
Prospect Of The Game:
Second Baseman Nate Mondou
(2 for 4 / Double / Run)
After throwing 5 shutout farmes in his last start, LHP A.J. Puk struggled with his control on Friday, walking 5 batters while being charged with 4 runs in just 3 2/3 innings of work to suffer his 3rd loss for the Lake Monsters. Second baseman Nate Mondou singled, doubled and scored Vermont’s first run, while catcher Jarrett Costa doubled in another run, and first baseman Miguel Mercedes had a pair of hits in the loss.
Saturday’s Games:
Nashville @ Memphis – 4:35pm PT / 6:35pm CT
Frisco @ Midland – 5:00pm PT / 7:00pm CT
Stockton @ Bakersfield – 7:15pm PT
Beloit @ Kane County – 4:30pm PT / 6:30pm CT
Vermont @ Connecticut – 4:05pm PT / 7:05pm ET
AZL Rangers @ AZL A’s – 7:00pm PT
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