TEXAS LEAGUE (Double-A)
Springfield Cardinals 1
Midland RockHounds 5
WP – Walter 1-0 / 1.29
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Corey Walter
(4 IP/ 0 H / 0 ER / 0 BB / 2 K / Win)
A number of solid 4-inning performances have been delivered during the first week of the A’s minor league tandem-pitching experiment. And RockHounds RHP Corey Walter delivered one of the best on Monday, tossing 4 near-perfect, no-hit innings to earn the win for Midland. Walter faced the minimum 12 batters over 4 frames. The only base runner reached after being hit by a pitch and was then thrown out trying to steal second in the 4th inning. Starter Brandon Mann threw 3 scoreless innings to start things off and has now failed to allow a run over 7 innings of work so far this season. Designated hitter Melvin Mercedes doubled in 2 runs in the bottom of the 2nd to give the RockHounds an early lead, while catcher Andy Paz had a pair of hits and drove in a run, and first baseman Viosergy Rosa doubled, walked and scored twice to help Midland win on Monday.
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PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE (Triple-A)
Nashville Sounds 4
Round Rock Express 5
LP – Kurcz 1-1 / 4.91
HR – Nunez (1)
Prospect Of The Game:
Third Baseman Renato Nunez
(Home Run / 2 RBIs)
Third baseman Renato Nunez ripped a 2-run homer in the top of the 4th inning to put the Sounds on the board on Monday, while first baseman Matt Olson singled, doubled and scored a run in the game. Second baseman Chad Pinder had a pair of hits and drove in a run in the 6th, and shortstop Franklin Barreto singled, walked and drove in the tying run with a sacrifice fly in the 7th inning. Starter Chris Smith allowed 3 runs, 2 earned, over 3 2/3 innings in his season debut for the Sounds. With the game tied in the bottom of the 7th, RHP Aaron Kurcz gave up a pair of singles, then RHP Simon Castro walked one batter to load the bases and then walked another to bring home what would ultimately prove to be the winning run for Round Rock on Monday.
CALIFORNIA LEAGUE (High-A)
Modesto Nuts 3
Stockton Ports 8
WP – Hurlbutt 1-0 / 6.00
HR – Murphy 2 (2), Iriart (1)
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher A.J. Puk
(4 IP / 2 H / 0 ER / 1 BB / 6 K)
Last year’s top draft pick for the A’s, LHP A.J. Puk, was impressive in his California League debut on Monday, striking out 6 over 4 shutout innings for the Ports. Puk allowed just 2 hits and a walk and, at one point, struck out 5 straight. His fastball was averaging 96 mph early in the game according to Ports play-by-play man Zack Bayrouty. Puk’s tandem-pitching partner, RHP Dustin Hurlbutt allowed 2 runs in 3 innings of work and picked up his 1st win for the Ports. Stockton’s hitting star of the night was last year’s 3rd-round pick for the A’s, catcher Sean Murphy, who slugged a pair of solo shots, one in the 2nd inning followed by one in the 3rd. First baseman Chris Iriart ripped a 2-run round-tripper right before Murphy’s shot in the 3rd, while shortstop Eli White collected 3 hits, including a double, and drove in a pair of runs for the Ports.
MIDWEST LEAGUE (Class-A)
Beloit Snappers 2
Clinton LumberKings 4
LP – Sawyer 0-1 / 4.91
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Boomer Biegalski
(4 IP / 3 H / 1 ER / 1 BB / 3 K)
2016 Midwest League All-Star Boomer Biegalski, back for his second year in Beloit, was solid in his first start of the season for the Snappers, allowing just 1 run in 4 innings of work and he left with the game a 1-1 tie on Monday. But LHP Dalton Sawyer was charged with 2 runs over 3 2/3 innings to take the loss, while LHP Will Gilbert allowed 1 run in just 1/3 of an inning of relief and was charged with the blown save. Shortstop Edwin Diaz tripled, doubled and scored the Snappers first run in the 4th, while right fielder Luis Barrera had a pair of hits, and left fielder Luke Persico doubled in a run in the loss.
Tuesday’s Games:
Oklahoma City @ Nashville – 4:35pm PT / 6:35pm CT
Springfield @ Midland – 4:30pm PT / 6:30pm CT
Modesto @ Stockton – 11:10am PT
Beloit @ Clinton – 4:30pm PT / 6:30pm CT
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