PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE (Triple-A)
New Orleans Baby Cakes 1
Nashville Sounds 4
WP – Blackburn 1-2 / 1.64
HR – Canha (3), Olson (3)
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Paul Blackburn
(5 IP / 2 H / 0 ER / 0 BB / 2 K / Win)
RHP Paul Blackburn turned in another strong start for the Sounds, allowing just 2 hits over 5 shutout innings to finally earn his 1st win on Friday. And the 23-year-old has now allowed a total of just 4 earned runs over his first 4 starts for the Sounds. RHP Simon Castro struck out the side in order in the 9th to notch his 2nd save for Nashville. Right fielder Mark Canha homered in his third straight game, drilling a 2-run drive to put the Sounds on the board in the 3rd, while first baseman Matt Olson slugged a solo shot in the 6th. Second baseman Joey Wendle doubled and singled twice, while left fielder Renato Nunez had a pair of doubles and drove in a run to help the Sounds win their second straight on Friday.
Click here for more on Midland, Stockton & Beloit…
TEXAS LEAGUE (Double-A)
Midland RockHounds 6
Corpus Christi Hooks 2
WP – Stull 1-1 / 1.86
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Brandon Mann
(4 IP / 0 H / 0 ER / 3 BB / 5 K / Save)
Starter Corey Walter allowed 2 runs over 3 innings of work, while LHP Cody Stull tossed 2 scoreless frames to pick up his 1st win. LHP Brandon Mann was outstanding in relief, allowing no runs over 4 no-hit innings to notch his 2nd save for Midland. Center fielder J.P. Sportman was the Hounds’ hitting star of the game, collecting a pair of doubles and a walk, driving in a run and scoring twice while running his hitting streak to seven games. Right fielder B.J. Boyd doubled twice and drew a walk, while catcher Andy Paz singled, doubled and drove in a run, and second baseman Max Schrock tripled in a run for the RockHounds.
CALIFORNIA LEAGUE (High-A)
Stockton Ports 4
San Jose Giants 11
LP – Meisner 1-4 / 8.84
HR – Bolt (1)
Prospect Of The Game:
Outfielder Tyler Ramirez
(4 for 4 / 2 Doubles / 2 RBIs)
Starter Casey Meisner gave up 3 runs in the 1st inning before settling down and retiring the final seven batters he faced on Friday. He departed having allowed 3 runs over 3 innings to suffer his 4th loss for Stockton. RHP Joey Wagman gave up 2 runs in 1 inning of relief, while Meisner’s tandem-pitching partner, RHP Brett Graves, had his first shaky outing of the season, surrendering 6 runs over 3 innings of work. Left fielder Tyler Ramirez had a big night at the plate, collecting 4 hits, including 2 doubles and driving in a pair of runs for the Ports, while center fielder Skye Bolt slugged his 1st home run of the season, a solo shot in the 6th, for Stockton.
MIDWEST LEAGUE (Class-A)
Beloit Snappers 3
Kane County Cougars 5
LP – Damron 1-3 / 2.91
Prospect Of The Game:
Outfielder Luke Persico
(2 for 4 / Double / Walk)
The Snappers had their six-game winning streak snapped by Kane County on Friday. LHP Ty Damron had a rare rough start, surrendering 3 runs on 6 hits in just 2 innings of work to take the loss, while his tandem-starting mate, RHP Brendan Butler, allowed 2 runs over 4 frames, and RHP Xavier Altamirano and LHP Andrew Tomasovich each tossed 1 scoreless inning in relief. Right fielder Luke Persico singled, doubled and walked, while first baseman Kyle Nowlin had a pair of singles for the Snappers in the loss.
Saturday’s Games:
New Orleans @ Nashville – 4:35pm PT / 6:35pm CT
Midland @ San Antonio – 5:05pm PT / 7:05pm CT
Stockton @ San Jose – 6:00pm PT
Beloit @ Kane County – 11:00am PT / 1:00pm CT
Be sure to like A’s Farm’s page on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @AthleticsFarm. You can also get our exclusive A’s minor league newsletter e-mailed to you free by signing up here.