PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE (Triple-A)
Nashville Sounds 13
Fresno Grizzlies 3
WP – Mengden 1-1 / 3.38
HR – Nunez (10), Chapman (8), Barreto (6)
Prospect Of The Game:
Shortstop Franklin Barreto
(3 for 6 / Home Run / Double / 5 RBIs)
The Sounds scored a season-high 13 runs in their victory over Fresno on Thursday night. Shortstop Franklin Barreto led the attack, collecting 3 hits to raise his average to .320 and driving in 5 runs to increase his team RBI lead to 27. The 21-year-old slugged his 6th home run of the season, a 3-run shot in the 3rd, then lined a two-out double to left to drive in a pair of runs in the 4th, and singled to load the bases but was left stranded in the 7th. Third baseman Matt Chapman also had 3 hits, including his 8th home run, a solo shot to put the Sounds on the board in the 3rd, while designated hitter Renato Nunez notched his team-leading 10th double as well as his team-leading 10th home run on a deep drive that left the park and drove in 3 runs for Nashville. Meanwhile, starter Daniel Mengden was impressive in his third rehab start for the Sounds, allowing just 1 run on 4 hits while walking none and striking out 7 to earn his 1st win this season. Reliever John Axford also looked strong in his third rehab appearance, retiring the side on 5 pitches in the 7th, and he’s expected to rejoin the A’s roster shortly. RHP Chris Smith surrendered 2 runs in 2 innings of relief for the Sounds. And with rehabbing RHPs Mengden and Chris Bassitt currently working in the Sounds rotation alongside RHPs Jharel Cotton, Daniel Gossett and Paul Blackburn, RHPs Smith, Zach Neal and Raul Alcantara will all be working out of the Nashville bullpen for the foreseeable future.
Click here for more on Midland, Stockton & Beloit…
TEXAS LEAGUE (Double-A)
Midland RockHounds 5
Frisco RoughRiders 6
LP – Mann 2-3 / 3.19
HR – Rosa (7)
Prospect Of The Game:
First Baseman Viosergy Rosa
(2 for 4 / Home Run / 3 RBIs)
Starter Corey Walter held Frisco scoreless through the first four frames, but he ended up allowing 4 runs over 5 1/3 innings of work on Thursday. LHP Brandon Mann was charged with 2 unearned runs in 1 2/3 innings to suffer the loss, and RHP Jake Sanchez, who was activated from the disabled list earlier in the day, tossed 1 scoreless inning of relief in his first appearance since being hit in the head with a line drive three and a half weeks ago. First baseman Viosergy Rosa singled and hit his team-leading 7th home run, a 3-run shot with two outs in the top of the 1st to give the Hounds an early lead, while center fielder B.J. Boyd singled, tripled, stole a base and scored twice, and left fielder Brett Vertigan singled, doubled and walked as the RockHounds lost their second straight at Frisco on Thursday.
CALIFORNIA LEAGUE (High-A)
Inland Empire 66ers 7
Stockton Ports 8
WP – Navas 3-0 / 0.50
HR – Iriart (8), Bolt (3), Ramirez (3)
Prospect Of The Game:
Outfielder Tyler Ramirez
(2 for 4 / Home Run / 2 RBIs)
Center fielder Skye Bolt belted a 2-run blast in the 6th inning to give Stockton a 1-run lead. After the Ports fell behind again in the top of the 7th, left fielder Tyler Ramirez drilled a 2-run drive of his own to take back the lead in the bottom of the 7th, and first baseman Chris Iriart added a solo shot, his team-leading 8th home run of the season, before the frame was through. Ramirez also singled and scored Stockton’s first run in the 2nd, while third baseman Mikey White walked twice and singled in a pair for the Ports. Stockton starter Angel Duno allowed 4 runs, 3 earned, over 6 innings of work, while RHP Matt Sergey gave up 2 runs in 1/3 of an inning of relief, and RHP Carlos Navas allowed 1 run while striking out 7 over 2 2/3 innings to pick up his 3rd win for the Ports. And with RHP Logan Shore landing on the disabled list, RHP Casey Meisner will step in to make Shore’s scheduled start for Stockton on Friday.
MIDWEST LEAGUE (Class-A)
Beloit Snappers 1
Peoria Chiefs 4
LP – Alejo 0-1 / 6.00
Prospect Of The Game:
First Baseman Luke Persico
(4 for 7 / Triple)
Beloit fell in 15 innings on Thursday. With the Snappers down by a run in the top of the 9th, first baseman Luke Persico tripled and then came in to score the tying run on right fielder JaVon Shelby‘s RBI single. Persico had 4 hits on the night to raise his batting average to .317, while Shelby singled twice and drew a walk in the game. Starter Brandon Bailey looked strong in his return from the disabled list, striking out 4 over 3 scoreless frames. RHP Matt Milburn was also solid, allowing just 1 run over 6 innings of work, while RHP Xavier Altamirano threw 3 scoreless innings in extras. But RHP Yordys Alejo surrendered a 3-run homer in the bottom of the 15th to suffer the loss as Beloit was bested in a walk-off. And while Bailey returned from the disabled list, RHP Nick Highberger took his spot on the DL on Thursday.
Friday’s Games:
Nashville @ Sacramento – 7:05pm PT / 9:05pm CT
San Antonio @ Midland – 5:00pm PT / 7:00pm CT
Lake Elsinore @ Stockton – 7:10pm PT
Beloit @ Peoria – 4:30pm PT / 6:30pm 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.