MIDWEST LEAGUE (Class-A)
Peoria Chiefs 0
Beloit Snappers 12
WP – Gilbert 2-0 / 4.50
HR – Diaz (3), Mercedes (3), Shelby (1)
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Brendan Butler
(4 IP / 2 H / 0 ER / 0 BB / 5 K)
Three pitchers combined to throw a 5-hit shutout for the Snappers on Saturday. Starter Brendan Butler, who threw 4 1/3 no-hit innings in his last appearance, allowed just 2 hits while walking none and striking out 5 over 4 shutout frames on Saturday. LHP Will Gilbert then pitched a perfect 5th to pick up the win, while Butler’s tandem-pitching partner, LHP Ty Damron, tossed 4 scoreless innings in relief to earn the save for the Snappers. Third baseman Edwin Diaz had 3 hits, including a 2-run homer in the bottom of the 3rd to put Beloit on the board, and ended up driving in a total of 3 runs on the day. Second baseman Nate Mondou singled, doubled and also drove in 3, while center fielder JaVon Shelby singled, scored twice and slugged a 3-run homer in the 6th, and first baseman Miguel Mercedes smacked a 2-run shot later in the same inning to wrap up the Snappers 12-run outburst on Saturday.
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PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE (Triple-A)
Colorado Springs Sky Sox 6
Nashville Sounds 1
LP – Blackburn 0-2 / 2.25
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Paul Blackburn
(6 IP / 5 H / 2 ER / 2 BB / 8 K)
RHP Paul Blackburn turned in his second straight solid start for the Sounds on Saturday and once again ended up suffering the loss. Blackburn allowed 2 runs, both in the 1st inning, while striking out 8 over 6 innings of work as Nashville dropped its 4th straight. Sounds hitters scored just 1 run on Saturday and have now managed to push just 4 runs across the plate over their last 4 games. Matt Olson, getting a rare start at third base, singled and walked in the game, while Renato Nunez, making his first career start at second base, made a fielding error in the top of the 8th but scored the Sounds’ only run on first baseman Matt McBride’s RBI single in the bottom of the 8th.
TEXAS LEAGUE (Double-A)
Midland RockHounds 3
Tulsa Drillers 6
LP – Mann 1-1 / 7.04
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Corey Walter
(4 IP / 2 H / 0 ER / 0 BB / 2 K)
After throwing 4 no-hit innings in his last appearance, RHP Corey Walter was outstanding again for the RockHounds, allowing just 2 hits over 4 scoreless frames on Saturday. But his tandem-starting mate, LHP Brandon Mann, who’d failed to allow a run in his previous two outings, surrendered 6 runs on just 2/3 of an inning to suffer the loss. Center fielder Brett Vertigan was the Hounds’ hitting star, collecting 4 hits, including a double, while shortstop Richie Martin and left fielder J.P. Sportman both doubled, and third baseman Jordan Tarsovich drove in a pair of runs for the RockHounds in the loss.
CALIFORNIA LEAGUE (High-A)
Stockton Ports 6
San Jose Giants 3
WP – Meisner 1-2 / 12.46
HR – Brown (2)
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Brett Graves
(4 IP / 3 H / 0 ER / 1 BB / 2 K)
Starter Brett Graves had his third straight strong outing for Stockton, throwing 4 scoreless frames on Saturday. 2014’s 3rd-round draft pick for the A’s has now allowed just 1 run over his first 11 1/3 innings so far this season. And despite being charged with 3 runs in 3 2/3 innings of relief, Graves’ tandem-pitching partner, RHP Casey Meisner, picked up the win for the Ports. RHP Nolan Blackwood tossed a scoreless 9th to notch his 2nd save for Stockton. Right fielder Seth Brown slugged a 2-run homer in the top of the 7th and also drove in Stockton’s first run in the 5th, while center fielder Tyler Ramirez collected 4 hits and scored a run in the 6th. Catcher Iolana Akau singled twice, doubled and drove in a run, and first baseman Sandber Pimentel went 0 for 4 with 3 strikeouts and a walk in his first game since returning from the disabled list. In a corresponding move, Stockton outfielder Skye Bolt was placed on the 7-day disabled list on Saturday.
Sunday’s Games:
Colorado Springs @ Nashville – 12:05pm PT / 2:05pm CT
Midland @ Springfield – 2:10pm PT / 4:10pm CT
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