PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE (Triple-A)
Iowa Cubs 1
Nashville Sounds 7
WP – Kurcz 3-3 / 6.66
HR – Maxwell (2)
Prospect Of The Game:
Catcher Bruce Maxwell
(1 for 3 / Home Run / 3 RBIs)
The Sounds put six runs on the board in the first two innings on Friday to help them salvage a split in their four-game series with Iowa. Catcher Bruce Maxwell, appearing in just his second game since returning from the disabled list, slugged a 3-run homer in the 2nd inning, while right fielder Mark Canha singled in a pair of runs in the 1st, and second baseman Joey Wendle singled twice and scored a run for the Sounds. Scheduled starter Michael Brady was a last-minute scratch, so LHP Felix Doubront, who’s been working in short stints out of the bullpen while making his way back from Tommy John surgery, made the start and allowed 1 run over 2 2/3 innings before giving way to RHP Aaron Kurcz, who threw 3 1/3 scoreless innings in relief to earn his 3rd win. The Chronicle’s Susan Slusser later reported that Brady is set to replace RHP Zach Neal as the long man in the A’s bullpen on Saturday, with Neal heading back to Nashville. RHP Frankie Montas, who’s worked strictly out of the bullpen so far this season, will make his first start for the Sounds on Saturday, and RHP Dustin Hurlbutt will be called up from Stockton to take the mound in one of Sunday’s two scheduled contests for the Sounds. Meanwhile, third baseman Matt Chapman collected his first major league hit and drove in 3 runs, including the winning run, in his second major league game for the A’s on Friday.
Click here for more on Midland, Stockton & Beloit…
TEXAS LEAGUE (Double-A)
GAME #1
Corpus Christi Hooks 6
Midland RockHounds 2
LP – Manarino 1-3 / 7.84
Prospect Of The Game:
Shortstop Richie Martin
(1 for 1 / RBI / SF / HBP)
In his first game back in action since spending over two weeks on the disabled list after being hit in the head with a pitch, of course, shortstop Richie Martin was hit by a pitch. Fortunately, it was a much more harmless experience this time around. Martin, who’s now wearing a specially-fitted helmet to provide extra protection, also singled and drove in the RockHounds’ first run of the game with a sacrifice fly in the 2nd. LHP Evan Manarino had his third straight rough start for the RockHounds, surrendering 6 runs over 4 2/3 frames to suffer his 3rd loss as Midland went down to defeat in the first game of Friday’s doubleheader. In other news, LHP A.J. Puk was officially added to the RockHounds roster on Friday, and second baseman Max Schrock is close to returning to action after being sidelined by a foot injury since the final day of May.
GAME #2
Corpus Christi Hooks 4
Midland RockHounds 3
LP – Trivino 6-1 / 2.61
HR – Wilson (2)
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Joel Seddon
(5 IP / 4 H / 0 ER / 1 BB / 4 K)
Starter Joel Seddon was solid, allowing just 1 unearned run over 5 innings of work, and he left the game with a 1-run lead. But RHP Lou Trivino surrendered 3 runs in the 6th inning to suffer his 1st loss as the RockHounds dropped their fourth straight in the second game of Friday’s doubleheader. Center fielder Kenny Wilson hit a 2-run homer in the 4th to give the Hounds the lead, while second baseman J.P. Sportman had a pair of hits and drove in a run in the loss.
CALIFORNIA LEAGUE (High-A)
Stockton Ports 0
Lake Elsinore Storm 3
LP – Ruiz 0-1 / 2.25
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Dalton Sawyer
(5 2/3 IP / 1 H / 0 ER / 3 BB / 7 K)
Stockton was shut out on 8 hits to suffer its third straight loss on Friday. LHP Dalton Sawyer looked strong in his first start for Stockton, allowing just 1 hit while striking out 7 over 5 2/3 scoreless frames, and he left with the game a scoreless tie. But RHP Armando Ruiz was charged with 2 runs in 1 1/3 innings of relief to suffer his 1st loss for Stockton. Designated hitter Brett Siddall collected 3 hits, and catcher Sean Murphy had a pair of doubles for the Ports.
MIDWEST LEAGUE (Class-A)
Quad Cities River Bandits 5
Beloit Snappers 3
LP – Jordan 1-7 / 5.55
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Xavier Altamirano
(4 IP / 1 H / 0 ER / 1 BB / 8 K)
The Snappers suffered their fourth straight loss and their eighth defeat in their last nine games on Friday. Starter Mitchell Jordan surrendered 5 runs in 4 innings of work to suffer his 7th loss, while RHP Xavier Altamirano was outstanding in relief, allowing just 1 hit and striking out 8 over 4 scoreless frames. Left fielder J.C. Rodriguez had 2 hits, including a double, and walked twice, and right fielder Luis Barrera singled, doubled, drove in a run and scored twice for the Snappers.
Saturday’s Games:
New Orleans @ Nashville – 5:05pm PT / 7:05pm CT
Corpus Christi @ Midland – 5:00pm PT / 7:00pm CT
Stockton @ Lake Elsinore – 6:00pm PT
Quad Cities @ Beloit – 5:00pm PT / 7:00pm CT
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