TEXAS LEAGUE (Double-A)
Tulsa Drillers 1
Midland RockHounds 4
WP – Mann 1-0 / 0.00
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Brandon Mann
(4 IP / 1 H / 0 ER / 0 BB / 2 K / Win)
Working on the back end of a tandem start, veteran LHP Brandon Mann was nearly perfect over 4 shutout innings, allowing a single to the first batter he faced in the 4th inning, then retiring the next twelve batters in order without allowing another base runner in his impressive season debut for the RockHounds. And the 32-year-old’s strong effort ended up earning him the victory on opening night in Midland. RHP Corey Walter was the front-end starter in Thursday’s tandem arrangement, allowing just 1 run over 3 innings of work. RHP Sam Bragg held Tulsa scoreless in the 8th, and RHP Jake Sanchez pitched a perfect 9th to pick up the save. First baseman Viosergy Rosa doubled, singled in the go-ahead run in the bottom of the 1st and drove in another run with a sacrifice fly in the 5th. Right fielder Tyler Marincov drove in the RockHounds’ first run with a sacrifice fly and also walked and singled in the game, while left fielder J.P. Sportman singled, walked, stole a base, scored twice and made an impressive catch in left field to save a potential run in the 4th inning for the RockHounds on Thursday. Meanwhile, the tandem of RHPs James Naile and Grant Holmes are scheduled to take the mound for Midland on Friday.
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PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE (Triple-A)
Nashville Sounds 1
Round Rock Express 2
LP – Healy 0-1 / 13.50
Prospect Of The Game:
Shortstop Franklin Barreto
(2 for 5 / Triple / RBI)
The A’s best hitting prospect delivered the biggest hit for Nashville on Thursday. With the Sounds down by a run in the top of the 8th inning, shortstop Franklin Barreto drove a triple to right-center to bring home the tying run for Nashville. Barreto, who was batting in the leadoff spot on Thursday, also singled but was left stranded in the 3rd. Unfortunately, while Barreto’s efforts may have been enough to help send the game to extra innings, they weren’t enough to allow his team to prevail, as the Sounds dropped their season opener in 11 innings on Thursday. Catcher Bruce Maxwell had a solid night, collecting a single, a double and a walk while scoring the team’s only run. Third baseman Matt Chapman made a couple of outstanding defensive plays in the field but struck out 4 times in his season debut. Starter Daniel Gossett allowed just 1 run, though he uncharacteristically walked 5 batters, in his 5 innings of work. The control artist walked more than 3 batters in a game only once all of last season. He exited with his team down by a run, and RHPs Josh Smith and Simon Castro each tossed 2 shutout innings in relief, while RHP Bobby Wahl threw a scoreless 10th, but RHP Tucker Healy surrendered the winning run with two outs in the bottom of the 11th to take the loss for the Sounds. RHP Michael Brady, who signed with Oakland as a minor league free agent in the offseason, is set to make the start on Friday in place of scheduled starter Jesse Hahn, who was recalled by the A’s on Wednesday after reliever John Axford was placed on the disabled list.
CALIFORNIA LEAGUE (High-A)
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
Stockton Ports
(POSTPONED)
MIDWEST LEAGUE (Class-A)
Cedar Rapids Kernels
Beloit Snappers
(POSTPONED)
Friday’s Games:
Nashville @ Round Rock – 5:05pm PT / 7:05pm CT
Tulsa @ Midland – 5:00pm PT / 7:00pm CT
Rancho Cucamonga @ Stockton (Game #1) – 6:10pm PT
Rancho Cucamonga @ Stockton (Game #2)
Cedar Rapids @ Beloit (Game #1) – 2:30pm PT / 4:30pm CT
Cedar Rapids @ Beloit (Game #2)
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