TEXAS LEAGUE (Double-A)
Midland RockHounds 4
Frisco RoughRiders 7
LP – Finnegan 0-1 / 3.38
HR – Schrock 2 (5), Munoz (2)
Prospect Of The Game:
Second Baseman Max Schrock
(3 for 4 / 2 Home Runs)
Despite having his team fall for the fourth time in their last five games on Wednesday, second baseman Max Schrock had a big night at the plate for Midland. The 22-year-old prospect got off to a slow start in April but has been heating up in May, and the 5-foot-8 infielder muscled up to mash a pair of solo home runs in Wednesday’s contest for the Hounds. Schrock’s first round-tripper in the 4th inning gave the RockHounds the lead and, after falling to a two-run deficit, his second solo shot tied the game in the 6th. Just before Schrock’s second big fly, shortstop Yairo Munoz homered for the second time in the last two days to give the keystone combo back-to-back jacks. Munoz also doubled, stole third and scored a run on center fielder J.P. Sportman‘s RBI single in the 1st. Starter Brett Graves had a rare rough outing, allowing 4 runs on 9 hits over 5 frames, while RHP Ben Bracewell tossed 2 scoreless innings in relief and left with the game tied, but RHP Kyle Finnegan gave up a big 3-run homer in the bottom of the 8th to suffer his 1st loss for the Hounds.
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PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE (Triple-A)
Nashville Sounds 5
Fresno Grizzlies 6
LP – Castro 0-1 / 5.02
HR – Chapman (7), Parmelee (5), Lavarnway (3)
Prospect Of The Game:
Catcher Ryan Lavarnway
(Home Run / 2 RBIs)
Despite hitting three home runs, the Sounds ended up suffering a walk-off loss on Wednesday. Catcher Ryan Lavarnway slugged a 2-run shot in the 2nd inning to give the Sounds an early edge. Third baseman Matt Chapman then smacked a solo shot in the 6th and, after Fresno came back to tie the game in the 8th, designated hitter Chris Parmelee socked a solo shot of his own in the top of the 9th to give Nashville a late lead. Starter Daniel Gossett was charged with 3 runs in 5 innings of work, while RHP Simon Castro surrendered a 2-run homer in the bottom of the 9th to suffer his 1st loss for the Sounds.
CALIFORNIA LEAGUE (High-A)
Inland Empire 66ers 5
Stockton Ports 3
LP – Gilbert 0-1 / 9.28
Prospect Of The Game:
Catcher Sean Murphy
(Double / RBI)
Stockton starter A.J. Puk labored through 4 innings on Wednesday, allowing 2 runs on 5 hits and 3 walks and striking out 5 while throwing 86 pitches for the Ports. LHP Will Gilbert gave up 2 runs, 1 earned, in 2 innings of relief to suffer his 1st loss for Stockton. LHP Andrew Tomasovich, who followed Gilbert on the mound, exited with a possible oblique injury after facing just one batter on Wednesday. Catcher Sean Murphy, fresh off the disabled list, doubled in a run to tie the game in the 2nd inning, while Tuesday’s hero, second baseman Josh Vidales, singled in a pair of runs to give the Ports the lead in the 4th, but Stockton’s lineup would muster just two hits over the final five frames in Wednesday’s loss. And with Murphy’s return from the disabled list, catcher Iolana Akau was sent to extended spring training in Arizona, while last year’s 2nd-round draft pick for the A’s, RHP Logan Shore, landed on the disabled list for Stockton.
MIDWEST LEAGUE (Class-A)
Kane County Cougars 6
Beloit Snappers 7
WP – Damron 2-4 / 5.34
HR – Nowlin (4)
Prospect Of The Game:
Designated Hitter Kyle Nowlin
(Home Run / 3 RBIs)
Designated hitter Kyle Nowlin clubbed a 3-run homer in the 1st inning to give the Snappers a lead they would never surrender on Wednesday. Left fielder Luke Persico had 3 hits, including a double, drew a walk and drove in a pair, while shortstop Edwin Diaz and third baseman Eric Marinez both singled twice and drove in runs for the Snappers. Starter Dakota Chalmers battled control issues again but still threw 4 scoreless frames while walking 4 and striking out 5. LHP Ty Damron picked up the win despite allowing 6 runs in 3 2/3 innings of relief, while RHP Jesus Zambrano got the final four outs to post his 2nd save for the Snappers.
Thursday’s Games:
Nashville @ Fresno – 7:05pm PT / 9:05pm CT
Midland @ Frisco – 5:05pm PT / 7:05pm CT
Inland Empire @ Stockton – 11:10am PT
Beloit @ Peoria – 4:30pm PT / 6:30pm CT
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